Chapter 68: When We Were Young, We All Dreamed of Driving a G-Wagon

“When a boy actively pursues a girl, it’s considered gentlemanly, but not a necessity; there might be someone who will chase you instead. Jian Zhaowen was the one I confessed to first. Society always pressures men to pursue women, requires men to pay for marriage proposals, and treats women like passive objects to be chosen, which is why there’s so much male chauvinism.”

Early in the morning, Jian Zhaowen and Yu Zhimei had a rare good night’s sleep. Lu Lu pushed open the door and jumped onto the bed, sniffed the pillow, and then sat right on Jian Zhaowen’s face. The two were about to get into some mischievous activities when Yu Zhimei looked at Jian Zhaowen: “What’s that smell?”

Jian Zhaowen sniffed: “Oh no, don’t tell me it’s what I think it is.”

“It is. What did you feed him last night?”

“A bowl of raw beef and a can.”

“Get up, now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“He has diarrhea. You can go look in the mirror...”

Jian Zhaowen didn’t need to look in the mirror to know what had happened. He had crawled into bed at three in the morning and only managed to sleep until nine. Now he had to wash the sheets, clean the cat, and shower himself. Groaning, he went in and out of the bathroom, seeing Lu Lu meowing and running madly around the room. Yu Zhimei was drenched: “Don’t run! Come here! Jian Zhaowen, catch the cat, what are you waiting for?”

The floor and sofa were soaked, and the storage box on the air conditioner had fallen off. Jian Zhaowen never knew that a cat could have such destructive power until the running cat kicked the remote control and diffuser, leaving a scratch on his thigh. Lu Lu darted under the bed, arching his back, and Yu Zhimei directly crawled in—so desperate? Just as she was about to grab Lu Lu, he suddenly shot out from under the bed and leapt towards the loft window. Jian Zhaowen rushed over to grab his hind legs, but was kicked hard and used as a stepping stone—Yu Zhimei’s cat was great enough to stand on the shoulders of giants. Chasing from upstairs to downstairs, they finally cornered the cat in the kitchen. Jian Zhaowen was so exhausted his soul felt detached: “Can I take a nap? I’m so tired…”

“Absolutely not, Jian Zhaowen, you must take responsibility for your reckless feeding.”

Forced to sit by the basin, Jian Zhaowen’s eyes were almost closed, so he decided to drink with Yu Zhimei. From the early days of chasing BMWs to waiting by the roadside for a Santana to cool down, Jian Zhaowen suddenly remembered asking Yu Zhimei why she wanted to work in automotive media. At that time, Yu Zhimei didn’t like him yet, but her eyes lit up when talking about cars: “Don’t underestimate cars. Many people always compare cars to women or think women are inferior to cars. That’s discrimination. Cars bring the freedom of mobility and the satisfaction of driving.”

Her phone rang. Xiaolong said in the group chat: “The last car shoot, boss. After this, I’m quitting.”

Yu Zhimei looked at her phone, her expression darkening. Xiaolong had indeed gotten into a physical altercation with Xing in the office. After that, Xing knew Xiaolong had a fiery temper and toned down his words. Xiaolong had always dreamed of going back to his hometown to open a school and become a teacher. After graduating and working in the big city for two or three years, he planned to return home and dedicate himself to education. As fellow content actors, Xiaolong was always objective, calm, and clear-headed. His departure was just another ad to insert into the shooting schedule, whether earlier or later, it would definitely fit into the timeline. After Monkey was scolded, Xiaolong started arranging to rent a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon for filming, funding it out of his own pocket. Three people got into a Passat to borrow the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, and no one spoke. The camera crew and interns followed in another car. Xiaolong finally opened his mouth near the rental company: “Monkey, don’t be sad. Didn’t we all dream of driving a G-Wagon once in our youth? Let’s live it up today!” Xiaolong sniffed, his eyes red: “Sister Mei, this is the last script. Write it well!”

At the beginning of the shooting script, the two pretended to meet again twenty years later—one worn out from hustling, the other successful. Xiaolong drove the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and met Monkey, who worked from nine to six, on the road. They drank and reminisced about the past by the roadside. Initially, both were putting on a show, but when it came to introducing the car’s performance, Monkey choked up. Yu Zhimei hid in the distance, quietly wiping away tears, watching Monkey pick up the script repeatedly, unable to read a few words without stopping.

“If you want to see true luxury SUVs in the business district, go to the unloading area. Besides Iveco and Wuling, there are also G-Wagons. Because the cars are too tall, they can’t enter regular parking areas. It has a 4.0t engine displacement, consumes 22 liters per 100 kilometers, and aside from being expensive, it has no flaws.”

After finally finishing the content, Monkey sat on the roadside railing, took a deep breath, and began to speak: “Xiaolong has always had a dream of becoming a teacher. He joined the company because he loves driving, and his first car dream was to film a G-Wagon. Who would have thought that his dream would only be fulfilled in the final episode? I feel ashamed as an older brother.”

The camera didn’t stop. Monkey smiled and patted Xiaolong’s shoulder: “This isn’t the end of our story, but a new beginning. Like in this script, we’ll meet again twenty years later. This is the first year of Xiaolong and me developing separately. From initially having three people filming a three-minute car review, to now having seventy episodes of ‘Car Talk’ with only me left, our audience friends have been with us till now. Their feelings must be as heavy as mine, but this program hasn’t ended—it’s just me alone…”

After the final shoot, Yu Zhimei had the camera crew mount the camera in the car and let the two drive back to the city under the sunset. Combining the story and the car introduction created a dramatic effect of breaking the fourth wall. For the audience, seeing the meeting of two friends in the story and the departure of two friends in reality felt like the end of a journey. Working together through early mornings, late nights, and all-nighters… none of those times were truly hard. The real hardship began with farewells.

Those leaving were filled with excitement and sorrow. Although Xiaolong felt reluctant, he couldn’t hide his excitement about starting a new venture. Monkey, however, was more despondent. At the farewell dinner, Xing took everyone to eat Northeastern cuisine, the same food they ate during their early entrepreneurial days. Seventeen people sat at the table, each struggling to hide their sadness. Xing snored from drinking too much and couldn’t help but pat Monkey’s shoulder while pointing at Xiaolong: “Xiaolong, going back to your hometown might not be such a good idea. Education isn’t something anyone can do. On the other hand, the automotive industry is a red ocean.”

“Boss Xing, isn’t a red ocean exactly where there’s fierce competition? Why are you still so uncultured?” Xiaolong never backed down.

“Young people are impatient. Why not learn from Monkey? He’s been with me for five years, steadfast. I recruited him when he was confused, guided him in life, and now he’s doing well. If you persist a few more years, maybe you can succeed too.”

“Boss Xing, cherish Monkey. Not many people love cars and are willing to follow you into battle.”

When the dinner ended at midnight, Monkey had drunk quite a bit and didn’t feel like going home. Yu Zhimei hugged his shoulder and called Jian Zhaowen: “We’re heading to an izakaya for a second round, we might be home late.”

“That’s not okay, it’s so late, I’m not at ease. I’ll come soon.”

“Just me and Monkey, we’ll talk about work. If you really want to come, do it later. I’ll try to persuade him.”

After hanging up, the two turned into an izakaya, sitting in the corner ordering edamame, cheese tofu, and salt-grilled salmon heads, along with a bottle of Daiginjo sake. The glasses were filled, and Yu Zhimei prepared to listen to Monkey slowly vent. But Monkey just stared at the glass, lost in thought. After about three minutes, Yu Zhimei nudged his arm: “What are you thinking about?”

“Recalling my ten years in Shanghai.”

It seemed tonight was suitable for reminiscing. Yu Zhimei remained silent, waiting for Monkey to start.

“Back in Jiading, we sold used cars together until now. I haven’t done anything to betray him. Look at today—he still favors Xiaolong, as if I don’t exist.”

“Don’t think too much.”

“Yu Zhimei, tell me my flaws. Don’t treat me as an outsider, just say it. I can handle it.”

“Really?”

“Go ahead, let me understand myself.”

“First, you put yourself in too low a position, lacking confidence and self-esteem; second, you’re too compliant; third, you lack a big-picture view, burying your head in work, and can only follow others’ plans.”

“Yu Zhimei, asking for my flaws and you stab me in the heart.”

“I told you to be honest. I used to be as insecure as you, but later realized that showing even a hint of insecurity at work makes people lose trust in you. You’re not timid in front of clients, so why are you afraid of Boss Xing?”

“He always says I’m not clear-headed.”

“That’s PUA for you. Low-level bosses win people over with this and don’t give you raises.”

“Maybe, or maybe I’m old. I’m not married, my job is mediocre, and looking back, I feel like I’ve achieved nothing.”

Yu Zhimei drank silently: “Don’t measure yourself by age. Work and relationships are like a balance scale. As long as you keep trying to maintain that balance, you’re not old yet.”

“I didn’t expect you, a woman, to hold such a clear perspective.”

“Monkey, that’s wrong. Whether man or woman, this balance is the same. I’ve never cared about gender distinctions—it’s boring. Human time is precious.”

“I truly admire you for seeing through worldly matters and then ceasing to care. I can’t. How I wish a girl would appear now, and I could use all my strength to pursue her. But in both work and relationships, it seems I won’t experience any more ups and downs.”

“When a boy actively pursues a girl, it’s considered gentlemanly, but not a necessity; there might be someone who will chase you instead. Jian Zhaowen was the one I confessed to first. Society always pressures men to pursue women, requires men to pay for marriage proposals, and treats women like passive objects to be chosen, which is why there’s so much male chauvinism.” Yu Zhimei poured Monkey a drink: “Monkey, you really need to upgrade your life philosophy.”

Just as she finished speaking, Jian Zhaowen walked in. Sitting down amid the sounds of shamisen and shakuhachi, Monkey’s first words were: “Sorry for taking up your girlfriend’s time.”

“Her time belongs to her. No need to apologize to me.”

Monkey’s smile was dry, often switching to a fifty-year-old-like grin: “You two really are a divine couple.”

Jian Zhaowen squeezed out a thin voice between his teeth and asked Yu Zhimei: “Drunk?”

“Yeah.”

“Jian Zhaowen, how’s your Day and Night app?”

“It got reported, banned for three months.”

“Oh? So what’s your plan?”

“Polish the product. Consider it an opportunity to pause.”

Monkey seemed to deliberately perk up in front of men, unwilling to lose: “How do you predict the future planning of the company?”

“I don’t know what Boss Xing thinks, but I’ll talk to him. MCN is definitely the trend, whether we get investment or not, this opportunity should be tried. As for you, Monkey, no matter your age, measuring yourself and predicting the future is a good thing. As for life progress, consider it an accessory.”

“Many times, I feel you’re not like a woman, but more like... a lifelong friend.” Monkey finished pouring a bottle of Daiginjo: “Last cup, cheers to you and Jian Zhaowen.”

Jian Zhaowen laughed: “Funny, I think the same.”

After seeing Monkey off to his car, Jian Zhaowen and Yu Zhimei walked side by side on the road. Many fashionably dressed young people passed by, heading to the liveliest part of Xintiandi at night. Just as Yu Zhimei was about to speak, Jian Zhaowen interrupted: “I can’t forget the day I met you at 44. What you were wearing was just too avant-garde. Fashion that’s too cutting-edge probably can’t become true culture.”

“Wanted to tease Dou Yu, just say it. I find it fresh. He spends generously on things he likes. That day, my whole outfit cost tens of thousands.”

“The leather pants you wore were more attractive.”

“After being taken down, are you really planning to tough it out?”

“Consider it a good chance to improve the product. Though regulation is a matter of authority, as long as it’s controlled by humans, there’s always a way. Lei Zheng should have solid connections with regulators, and the report images were known immediately. It’s not an easy feat. But you know what?” Jian Zhaowen shook his head in the wind, his shiny forehead exposed: “After I posted a Weibo, netizens spontaneously downloaded Day and Night to support us. We now have 600,000 registered users, and investors are interested. So—life is unpredictable.”

“A blessing in disguise.”

“Speaking of which, you held back something from Monkey, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, Monkey is the kind of person who backs off at the last moment, always feeling like an employee, complaining when he doesn’t get something. I’ll push him forward later. Though I’m not sure, if we wait passively, small directors and content editors like us won’t get anywhere.”

“I fell for your intelligence.”

“Because I can match you?”

“Because we’re both on the track, running together.”

Yu Zhimei tightened her embrace around Jian Zhaowen: “Yeah, so if your love for me disappears one day, I’ll shoot you dead and lie beside you on the track as corpses.”

The two refused to part, even when reaching the community’s iron revolving door, still insisting on entering sideways like conjoined twins. Yu Zhimei’s bag got caught on the door latch, and Jian Zhaowen accidentally bumped his head, still grinning as they walked down the narrow path. Their laughter echoed in the quiet alley. Opening the password lock and going upstairs, Yu Zhimei smelled a fragrance and pinched Jian Zhaowen: “Did you spray perfume in the corridor?”

“No, am I a pervert?”

“This smell is yours.”

They climbed the stairs with chaotic steps. Upon reaching the third floor, a girl opened the door of apartment 302: “Jian Zhaowen, since you weren’t here, I just came in. Luckily the lock wasn’t changed, otherwise I’d have spent the night outside. This corridor smells terrible. Why do you still live here?”