YABE - 32

In early December, Jiang Xu officially joined the Bitter Bird film crew to play the male lead, Ren Zhuo, and completed his costume fitting photoshoot.

Jiang Xu crouched on the steps of a small alleyway. Behind him stood dilapidated, low-rise houses beneath the dim glow of an old streetlamp. His arm rested naturally over his knee, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, while an old guitar leaned against the wall beside his left hand.

Having grown a beard for half a month, slightly trimmed, faint stubble lined his chin and upper lip, extending into his sideburns. His hair was long, tied into a small braid at the back of his head. Through strands of hair falling over his forehead, his narrow brown eyes gazed out, deep and shadowy.

Dark circles and a hint of fatigue lingered under his eyes. His nose was straight, but due to makeup, his cheekbones appeared more pronounced, and his cheeks slightly sunken.

As soon as these photos were released, Jiang Xu’s fanbase erupted once again.

The man’s handsome face paired with a completely new, rugged persona exuded an irresistibly sexy charm. When Wen Siyu saw these photos in her dorm room, she nearly screamed out loud while clutching her pillow.

She quickly right-clicked, opened her long-neglected Weibo account, and excitedly reposted the photos, showering them with affection. Then, she grabbed her phone, swiftly changed her name, and opened a chat window with the person in the photo.

[Last Name Ren: Teacher Jiang, there’s something I need to tell you.]

The other side replied quickly. Jiang Xu sent a simple question mark.

[Boyfriend: ?]

[Boyfriend: What’s with your WeChat name?]

[Last Name Ren: I no longer love you. From now on, Ren Zhuo is my boyfriend. Call me Mrs. Ren.]

[Boyfriend: Oh, you’re cheating again.]

Wen Siyu: ?

[Last Name Ren: What do you mean “again”? I only love Ah Zhuo.]

[Boyfriend: You already abandoned me for Chu Han last time, and now it’s another folk singer.]

After pausing briefly, Jiang Xu couldn’t help but complain:

[Boyfriend: And both of them are fucking played by me.]

[Last Name Ren: …You don’t have to swear just because you’re angry.]

Fresh out of the shower, Jiang Xu plopped down onto his bed, a towel draped over his head, and hummed dismissively.

After thinking carefully, he realized he might actually be starting to feel a bit jealous.

He considered posting something like “Should I Be Jealous If My Girlfriend Cheats On Me With Myself?” on Zhihu to gauge its feasibility.

Bitter Bird was filmed in Beijing, where December was already bitterly cold—dry and sharp, unlike the damp winters of the south. The biting wind felt like knives scraping across one’s face.

About a week after Jiang Xu began filming, he received a large cardboard box delivered via express.

His assistant helped unpack it, revealing a variety of skincare products—moisturizers, hand creams, face creams, and all sorts of miscellaneous items.

At the bottom of the box lay a pink sticky note, written in the girl’s neat handwriting:

[My Mr. Ren, even across half of China, remember to think of me :)]

Jiang Xu paused, his lips slowly curving into a smile.

After some thought, he pulled out paper and pen, carefully wrote two lines, folded them, then scribbled an address on another piece of paper. He handed it to his temporary assistant: “Find an envelope, send this here.” After a pause, he added, “Use EMS, expedited.”

The assistant thought how retro it was for Boss Jiang to write a letter, though he didn’t dare say anything aloud. He simply nodded and took it away.

The next afternoon, shortly after class ended, Wen Siyu received an urgent package.

Curiously opening it, she found an envelope inside, containing a single sheet of paper. The hotel’s logo was printed in the lower-right corner.

Two lines were written on it:

[This female lead is quite beautiful.]

[Your Mr. Ren might be straying. He’s such a jerk, not as good as Teacher Jiang.]

Wen Siyu: “….”

Wasn’t this man childish?

So childish.

Wen Siyu rolled her eyes, deciding not to respond. But after flipping through it, she smiled.

Carefully folding the paper, she tucked it into a thick book, acting as if nothing had happened, and cheerfully went off to eat dinner with her roommates.

After joining the film set, Jiang Xu became extremely busy, as most of the movie’s scenes were shot at night. By the time he returned to the hotel, it was often two or three in the morning. Jiang Xu finally understood why Xu Sheng’s films were known for their meticulousness within the industry.

Because she was truly, obsessively perfectionistic.

Retakes were routine, but even when certain shots were already perfect, she still insisted on filming multiple versions using different methods to choose from.

It seemed that directors with indecision issues really couldn’t make it in this field.

On top of that, Jiang Xu’s singing skills were… problematic. Eventually, Xu Sheng reluctantly suggested using a voice double.

But Jiang Xu adamantly insisted on singing himself, making his already packed schedule even busier.

Not to mention, he also had to coach his somewhat clueless co-star.

The actress playing the second female lead, Xia Yuan, was the second girl to appear in Ren Zhuo’s life—the daughter of a bar owner near Houhai Lake. Though they never ended up together, her role was significant enough to rival the first female lead’s. Her spoiled rich-girl character who pursued him relentlessly but was ultimately rejected was quite endearing.

Her acting wasn’t bad, and her personality matched her character perfectly—spoiled, with a flirtatious tone. At first, Jiang Xu thought this rising starlet was genuinely impressive, but later realized she was just being herself.

No acting required; she was naturally like that.

For instance, at this moment, her red manicured nails were propped on the back of his chair. Her winged eyeliner accentuated her flawless white skin.

Xia Yuan curved her lips into a coy smile, her voice dripping with sweetness: “Teacher Jiang, tomorrow we have our scenes together. Why don’t we practice tonight? Get into the mood?”

Hearing that “Teacher Jiang,” Jiang Xu found it unexpectedly grating. Frowning, he said curtly: “No need, I can find the mood myself.”

His makeup hadn’t been removed yet, and the heavy dark circles and hollowed cheeks made him look icy and aloof.

Her smile froze instantly, her expression souring. She rolled her eyes coldly and stomped off in her high heels.

Jiang Xu snorted disdainfully.

Beside him, the temporary assistant also rolled his eyes. This Miss Xia was all about posturing and fishing for men, clearly unaware of whom she was dealing with.

Our Boss Jiang! A romantic old soul who writes love letters to girls! How could he possibly fall for someone like her?

After silently mocking her in his mind, the assistant watched as Jiang Xu, sitting quietly in front of the mirror preparing to remove his makeup, suddenly turned his head and casually asked: “These past few days, have I received any packages?”

The assistant looked baffled: “No? Not even a package?”

Jiang Xu: “Anything else?”

The assistant was confused: “Nothing, Teacher Jiang. Are you shopping on Taobao too?”

Jiang Xu: “….”

That evening, Wen Siyu received a message from the man.

[Boyfriend: Your Mr. Ren has fallen in love with the female lead.]

[Boyfriend: Congratulations on your breakup. Goodbye.]

Wen Siyu: “….”

???

Wen Siyu lay in bed, quietly pulling the curtain closed, plugged in her earphones, and sent him a video call.

Jiang Xu picked up quickly.

The man had probably just returned to the hotel and hadn’t showered yet. His hair was longer than ever, the tips brushing his collarbone.

Wen Siyu clicked her tongue twice, lowering her voice: “Teacher Jiang, your rugged uncle look is so handsome. Maybe you should stick to this style forever.”

Jiang Xu felt pleased, but his expression remained indifferent as he scoffed: “It’s not me who’s handsome—it’s your Ren Zhuo.”

Wen Siyu nodded thoughtfully: “What you’re saying isn’t without merit.”

The trace of amusement in the man’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a cold smirk: “He’s already run off with someone else. What will you do?”

“What do you mean, what will I do?” Wen Siyu blinked, lying on her pillow and resting her head on her hand, her slender legs swinging lazily in front of the camera. “Of course, I’ll forgive him.”

Jiang Xu: “…Put your legs down.”

“What’s wrong? Do you want to take a bath again?”

Jiang Xu: “….”

“Your golden right hand salutes you, Teacher Jiang.”

Jiang Xu promptly hung up the video call.

This little girl was becoming increasingly unruly. Jiang Xu began to wonder if he needed to be stricter with her.

By late December, the south had officially entered its wet and cold winter. Outside temperatures hovered around 0°C, while classrooms and dorm rooms dipped below -3°C. Inside the dorm, it was manageable since they could turn on the air conditioner for heat, but during classes, everyone either stuffed their hands into hand warmers or sat on them. The only warmth came from shivering.

Wen Siyu blamed her recent miserable performance on the English CET-6 exam entirely on the weather. Plus, as someone had mentioned, the December test was notoriously harder. Next June would be a fresh start.

Three days later was December 25th, Christmas Day, and the festive atmosphere on campus was palpable. Qu Xiawan tugged at Wen Siyu’s arm and asked if she wanted to go to the Kissing Tree at Times Square.

Thinking she’d misheard, Wen Siyu stared blankly: “What tree?”

“The Kissing Tree! Two people stand under it, each holding a leaf, and when they kiss, the tree lights up behind them.” Qu Xiawan explained. “It’s time to celebrate friendship. One word—yes or no?”

Wen Siyu shook her head furiously and refused decisively: “Forget it. I have a boyfriend, and I like men.”

Qu Xiawan sneered: “Oh really? Who’s your boyfriend? Jiang Xu?”

Wen Siyu grinned: “Exactly.”

Qu Xiawan gave a cold “Oh.”

That evening, Wen Siyu sat in her dorm, chin propped on her hand, lost in thought. Beside her, Qu Xiawan’s persistent pleading with the dorm’s academic overlord to accompany her to the Kissing Tree was met with cold rejection, followed by wails of despair.

After pondering for a moment, Wen Siyu opened a webpage and began searching for flight tickets.

With only three days left, and it being Christmas, the better-timed tickets were already sold out. Reluctantly, she settled for a slightly late departure on the day before, and the only option left was first class.

After booking the ticket, she retrieved the thick book that held the slip of paper and began researching the hotel’s logo.

Once everything was sorted, Wen Siyu clasped her hands together in satisfaction, smiling.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to someone.

[Last Name Ren: Mr. Ren, have you been busy lately?]

[Boyfriend: Busy falling in love.]

Wen Siyu: “….”

[Last Name Ren: Are you free on Christmas? Let’s have a remote Christmas party over video.]

[Boyfriend: Mr. Ren has plans to go out with a girl. No time.]

Wen Siyu: “….”

Gritting her teeth and glaring at the message, she was about to throw her phone when another line of text came through.

[Boyfriend: Only Teacher Jiang is free.]