NMBJ2 - 43

After finishing the film Autumn Outing, Huang Xitang appeared in Friends of Songxue.

During nearly two years of obscurity, Huang Xitang made cameo appearances in a few TV dramas, acted in a stage play, edited a short film, and wrote lyrics for two songs under a pseudonym for Ayuan. None of these brought her back into the mainstream spotlight. Her agent and company grew increasingly anxious, but Xitang cherished those quiet days.

By the end of the following summer, she finally landed a good script and accepted a role in Liu Zhitong’s Autumn Outing.

This art-house film had modest funding and production. Its box office performance was lackluster upon release, but it garnered praise on platforms like IMDb. Through this project, director Wang Panhua noticed her acting talent. The artistic achievements Wang Panhua would later bring her were stories for another time. That year, when Xitang returned from Hong Kong, she only remembered it being early winter in Beijing.

The production team of Friends of Songxue extended an invitation to her agency for an interview. Host Jiang Songxue, a veteran media personality with a legendary background, was a native Beijinger of Manchu descent. Her mother was one of Beijing’s most famous ballet dancers, and her stepfather was a renowned diplomat. Jiang Songxue herself was a socialite princess in Beijing’s elite circles, surrounded by celebrities since childhood. She had acted in a few dramas earlier in her career but left little impression. It was rumored that her high demands for on-set accommodations deterred many directors from hiring her for challenging roles. Later, she transitioned to hosting talk shows. Her debut episode featured Gong Li, making the show an instant hit. After nearly a decade, Jiang Songxue, now nearing forty, remained stunning, her personal life shrouded in mystery. She had deep connections in the industry, attracting top-tier guests. Many explosive revelations in the entertainment world came out on her show, and every appearance generated immense buzz.

Xitang had met her privately, noting how different she was off-camera. Still, this didn’t diminish her status as a sought-after figure in the entertainment circle.

Ni Kailun accompanied Huang Xitang to the studio to review the program flow. While they were going over the interview outline, Jiang Songxue arrived for a meeting and pushed open the guest lounge door. “Xitang, I specifically requested you for this episode,” she said.

Xitang immediately stood up and smiled. “Thank you, Sister Songxue.”

No matter how turbulent her career had been, Huang Xitang was still an award-winning actress. Her elegance and charisma were worlds apart from the young starlet Ni Kailun had first met years ago in a hotel. Jiang Songxue pointed to the interview schedule on the table, her expression haughty but her tone playful, like an old friend teasing: “Not a single question can be deleted.”

Ni Kailun remained seated on the couch, grinning. “Oh, Miss Jiang, please go easy on us.”

Xitang took the interview outline back to the hotel.

By the evening of the next day, when Xitang entered the recording studio, she was mentally prepared for the sensitive questions she’d face—including those about the upheaval she’d experienced. Due to the sensitivity of the subject and the personalities involved, the episode’s ratings soared, ranking second for the year. The top spot went to the episode featuring Zheng Youtong and his newlywed wife, superstar Wu Meici.

On the show, Jiang Songxue didn’t dwell much on the upheaval from early last year. Instead, she veered toward Xitang’s romantic life.

Jiang Songxue was one of the few people in the industry who had witnessed Xitang in a relationship. She asked, and Xitang answered.

After the interview ended, it was nearly midnight. Xitang stepped out of the studio onto the streets of Beijing, taking a deep breath of the cold night air. The smell of burning dust lingered in her nostrils. Her driver was late, so she tightened her coat. Wearing cropped jeans and high heels, her ankles bare, she lit a cigarette and gazed at the glittering golden city.

Last month, she had purchased an apartment near Olympic Forest Park. She had finally returned to Beijing.

Two weeks prior, while getting makeup done backstage at a Beijing premiere event, Ni Kailun walked in and casually mentioned, “I heard Zhao Pingjin is back.”

Xitang paused for a moment while drawing her eyebrows but said nothing. She turned and handed the eyebrow pencil to the makeup artist.

Gao Ji Yi parked his car at the entrance of the hutong.

When Gao Ji Yi entered the Zhao family’s courtyard in Guosheng Hutong, the housekeeper greeted him warmly at the door: “Brother Gao, come in and have some tea.”

Gao Ji Yi kicked off his shoes and looked around for Zhao Pingjin. “What’s he up to?”

The housekeeper smiled politely. “He’s just changing clothes.”

Gao Ji Yi grumbled, “What’s with all this fuss? Am I an outsider? Does he really have to dress up just because I’m here?”

As he spoke, he started heading upstairs. The housekeeper didn’t dare stop him, but fortunately, Zhao Pingjin’s voice came from the staircase: “Lao Gao, come on up.”

Gao Ji Yi climbed to the second floor, where Zhao Pingjin was sitting on the sofa in the living room, brewing tea. As Gao Ji Yi approached, he carefully observed Zhao Pingjin’s complexion. His shirt was crisp and neat, and though he still looked pale, he appeared more spirited than before. Zhao Pingjin had been in the U.S. for over a year, and Gao Ji Yi had seen him once during that time when his condition was dire—gaunt and unrecognizable. Now, however, he seemed to have regained some strength.

Gao Ji Yi sat down and asked, “What’s with all the dilly-dallying?”

Zhao Pingjin leaned back on the couch, looking weary. “I’ve been lying in bed all day. Just changing clothes.”

Concerned, Gao Ji Yi asked, “Langmei and I wanted to visit you as soon as you returned. We called, and they said you were still at Xiehe Hospital. Now that you’re home, how are you feeling?”

Zhao Pingjin replied nonchalantly, “Not bad. Nothing serious.”

“Still working?”

“Yeah, I go in for a bit in the morning, sometimes come back to rest in the afternoon. If there’s anything urgent, my assistant handles it.”

Zhao Pingjin handed him a cup of tea. “How’s your little one doing?”

Last month, Gao Ji Yi’s son had fallen off a slide in the neighborhood playground and broken his arm. His wife blamed the grandmother and nanny for not keeping an eye on him. The grandmother felt deeply wronged, and the child cried all night from the pain. It had been a mess at home.

Gao Ji Yi waved dismissively. “Ah, don’t mention it. The bone is healing fine, or else my mom would’ve slit her throat to apologize to my wife. Women just make everything complicated.”

Zhao Pingjin chuckled softly.

Gao Ji Yi asked, “So, what are your plans now that you’re back?”

Zhao Pingjin maintained his casual demeanor, lacking any seriousness. “What plans? Work hard and serve the country and its people, I guess.”

Gao Ji Yi gave him a look. “At the last school anniversary, I ran into a junior—I can’t remember which class he was in, probably undergraduates from your year. He mentioned seeing Yingzi having coffee with some returnee at Guomao.”

Zhao Pingjin’s face retained its faint smile. “That’s good.”

Privately, Gao Ji Yi had also asked Fang Langmei about it. When Zhao Pingjin left for the U.S., Langmei had accompanied him in Shanghai. They weren’t too concerned about his career—he had already secured Shen Min’s position before leaving. Though there were some undercurrents within Zhongyuan, Yu Weimin remained firmly entrenched in the board, and others didn’t dare act rashly. Shen Min, having learned much from Zhao Pingjin, was effectively overseeing things. Major mistakes were unlikely, especially since the upper echelons naturally sought to protect the Zhao family, whose ties to the overseas Zhou family ran deep and were difficult to shake.

However, after Zhao Pingjin left, Yu Xiaoying gradually reemerged in Beijing’s social circles. Upon closer inquiry, Gao Ji Yi learned that the two had signed divorce papers within the first month of Zhao Pingjin’s departure. This marriage, beneficial to both families, had thus vanished from the network of relationships in their circle.

Gao Ji Yi grew exasperated. “Come on, don’t act like you’ve given up on life! Are you really trying to kill yourself, Zhouzi?”

Zhao Pingjin, leaning on the sofa, retorted irritably, “I’m alive and well. Who says I want to die?”

But his usual temper flared less intensely now, his voice lacking vigor, betraying his weakened state.

Gao Ji Yi grew angry. “Why did you come back? How long has it been since your surgery? With all the mess in Beijing, can you really rest properly here? Recover fully before returning!”

Zhao Pingjin smirked. “Without a couple of lungfuls of smog every winter, I wouldn’t feel at home.”

When Gao Ji Yi left the courtyard, he caught Dr. Fu, the Zhao family’s attending physician, arriving for his afternoon shift. Dr. Fu, visibly stressed, his hair streaked with gray, lamented, “We’re using the best medications, but his condition hasn’t improved.”

“He absorbs very poorly now. He spends most of the day in bed, yet he still lacks energy.”

“Is he eating properly?”

“Yes, he eats. A bunch of nannies and doctors ensure that, but he vomits more than he consumes.”

After leaving Guosheng Hutong, Gao Ji Yi immediately called Fang Langmei: “Lao Er, arrange a meeting with Huang Xitang.”

The next afternoon, Xitang met Fang Langmei at a café by Houhai. Gao Ji Yi was also present, which surprised her. She had come at Fang Langmei’s request, and usually, in private settings, she avoided meeting Gao Ji Yi.

Fang Langmei didn’t beat around the bush. After some small talk, he explained the purpose of their meeting.

Xitang listened, then shook her head firmly. “Brother Langmei, this isn’t appropriate.”

They sat and chatted briefly. Seeing that Fang Langmei had nothing else to discuss, Xitang rose to leave.

Realizing he couldn’t persuade her to stay, Fang Langmei followed her out. As Xitang pressed her car key, Fang Langmei stepped in front of her car door, anxiously saying, “Do you really think he doesn’t want you? He fought desperately to recover just to come back. Xitang, you can’t do this.”

Over the nearly ten years Zhao Pingjin had known her, Fang Langmei had always remained silent about their relationship. Occasionally, he listened to Zhao Pingjin, but he never interfered in matters that truly affected their feelings—not just with Zhao Pingjin, but with any of their childhood friends. He understood that relationships were ultimately between two people. But this time, it wasn’t just Gao Ji Yi being meddlesome; even Fang Langmei couldn’t help himself.

Hearing this, Xitang paused, then gently shook her head again.

Helpless, Fang Langmei stepped aside. Xitang got into her car, started it, turned it around, and backed out of the parking space. Suddenly, a black Buick sedan shot out from behind, cutting her off and blocking her path. Gao Ji Yi leaned out of the window and shouted, “Sorry, but you need to come with me.”

Xitang rolled down her window, staring at him expressionlessly.

Gao Ji Yi yelled, “Xitang, don’t be so heartless. His whole life is tied to you.”

Xitang gripped the steering wheel tightly, her lips pressed together in irritation. At that moment, Li Shu’an’s face flashed in her mind. That time, when she was similarly frustrated, he had sternly told her, “Xitang, think carefully. You can’t have it all.”

Xitang looked at him, her heart suddenly clear.

“I’ve thought it through.” She placed her hand on his.

Li Shu’an playfully tapped her nose. “Let’s pick up Xinxin from school and then go grocery shopping. I’ll make sweet-and-sour ribs for you two?”

They both laughed.

Xitang decisively shifted into reverse, carefully watching the rearview mirror. Her car was blocked by another vehicle behind her, so she only backed up a short distance. Then, with a sudden burst of acceleration, she rammed into Gao Ji Yi’s car, creating a gap. She reversed again.

Gao Ji Yi shouted angrily, “Damn it, Huang Xitang, are you crazy?!”

A moment later, another loud crash drew the attention of people at the nearby outdoor café.

Fang Langmei stood by, shouting urgently, “Lao Gao, move your car and let her go!”

Gao Ji Yi jumped out of his car, watching Xitang’s white sedan speed away shakily. He walked around to inspect the large scrape on his car’s headlight, then looked at Fang Langmei’s helpless face and cursed loudly, “This woman’s heart is as hard as the copper ox horns in the Summer Palace.”

Fang Langmei suddenly said, “I heard she’s with Shu’an now.”

Gao Ji Yi froze for two seconds, then suddenly kicked the tire of his car in frustration.