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Psst! We're moving!
Zhou Heng stayed outside for a week before returning home. It took him a few more days to finalize the paperwork for his overseas studies—this time, it was certain.
He didn’t have many belongings and planned to store them at Meng Qi’s place. However, the rental contract he signed was for six months, and he was still contemplating how to discuss the rent with Qing Hang when Qing Hang brought it up first.
“The contract is under my name. If you’re not staying anymore, there’s no reason for you to keep paying rent.”
“I’ll pay until next month,” Zhou Heng wasn’t one to mince words. “After I move out, you can let Wan Yue move in.”
Cheng Wan Yue had switched jobs but didn’t spend much time at her studio. Occasionally, she had to travel for work. She had gone to Qingdao with a photographer for a shoot, and it had been four days since Qing Hang last saw her.
“She might not be willing.”
Zhou Heng had dated two girlfriends before. “It’s normal for couples to live together.”
Qing Hang replied, “I’m still chasing her.”
Zhou Heng had assumed they were already together. Although Qing Hang never talked about Cheng Wan Yue in front of him, he had stepped back into the role of a friend. Still, as he stared at the photo on Qing Hang’s phone screen, his mind wandered.
“I see. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Living together had its benefits, but Cheng Wan Yue valued her freedom and disliked being constrained.
Zhou Heng thought of Director Li. “Director Li wants to set you up with Senior Sister Li. If you’ve decided on Wan Yue, it’s better to clarify things with him sooner rather than later.”
Qing Hang paused what he was doing and looked at Zhou Heng with confusion. “Me and Senior Sister Li?”
Zhou Heng sighed deeply. “How did you even get together with Wan Yue if you’re this clueless? That time we went barbecuing, Director Li told me to create opportunities for you and Senior Sister Li. Otherwise, why would I have invited her? I barely know her.”
As for the jade pendant, Qing Hang only remembered Cheng Wan Yue getting extremely angry. He hadn’t asked why Li Yu didn’t contact him immediately after finding it, nor had he thought much about it.
“Don’t be too direct, though. You still work in neurosurgery—be tactful,” Zhou Heng patted his shoulder. “I’ll head back to work now.”
Qing Hang leaned back against his chair, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.
Cheng Wan Yue’s WeChat was quiet. Qing Hang opened her Weibo account, where he had registered an account that followed only her. After logging in, all he could see on the homepage were her updates.
Three hours earlier, she had posted a set of photos with the caption: New Wallpaper.
The azure sea and sky weren’t unique to Qingdao’s summer, but the stretch of ocean she visited seemed different from any he’d seen before.
Qing Hang saved all the photos to his phone, liked the post, and exited Weibo. After changing his phone’s wallpaper, he moved on to other tasks.
He left half an hour late, coincidentally walking out with Director Li.
The elevator was crowded. Once outside the hospital building, Director Li extended an invitation for Qing Hang to come over for dinner—a gesture he had hinted at during morning rounds.
“Little Yu will also be home for dinner. She should be arriving soon.”
“Director, I apologize, but I…”
Before Qing Hang could finish, someone suddenly hugged him from behind, pushing him forward slightly.
A soft body pressed against his back, and two slender arms wrapped around his waist. He glanced down and noticed a small pearl on the bracelet she wore.
Her voice was muffled as she asked, “Guess who I am?”
Surrounded by people coming and going, Director Li was equally surprised. It was after work hours, so Qing Hang, instead of pushing Cheng Wan Yue away, pulled her into his embrace. “Director, this is the person I’m currently pursuing. She just returned from Qingdao, so I need to spend the evening with her.”
Director Li suddenly understood. The girl Qing Hang mentioned liking for years might not be Li Yu.
He studied Cheng Wan Yue, his gaze appraising.
Cheng Wan Yue greeted him warmly, “Hello, Director.”
Director Li snapped out of his thoughts and smiled, nodding slightly.
Qing Hang politely said, “Goodbye, Director. Next time, we’ll treat you to dinner.”
As he watched them walk away hand in hand, Director Li realized why his daughter had been unhappy recently. He had assumed someone like Qing Hang, with his reserved personality, would prefer mature and composed women with whom he shared common interests—even in relationships, he wouldn’t be overly passionate. But reality proved otherwise.
Qing Hang naturally took the girl’s bag and hat. These small gestures seemed habitual, as if he had done them countless times. They kept chatting, as if they had endless things to talk about.
Cheng Wan Yue turned to look back. “Qing Hang, was that director looking at you or at me?”
“At us,” Qing Hang tightened his grip on her hand. “He’s Senior Sister Li’s father.”
“Oh, that’s why they look alike.” Turning the corner, the cars blocked their view of the two lingering gazes behind them, making Cheng Wan Yue feel more at ease. “If I came any later, you’d have left work. Luckily, I made it in time.”
That Weibo post was geotagged at the airport, so Qing Hang guessed she was returning today. “Next time, call or message me in advance. If I’m not busy, I’ll see it right away.”
“I just came directly. I forgot to tell you,” Cheng Wan Yue had taken a taxi straight to the hospital after landing. “Let’s go find Cheng Yanqing for dinner.”
“Alright.”
Cheng Yanqing’s workplace wasn’t far from the hospital, but traffic was heavy during rush hour, taking nearly 40 minutes to arrive.
He had just received Cheng Wan Yue’s call and was preparing to go downstairs when he spotted Qin Hua at the elevator. Neither her assistant nor her manager was with her.
This was the third time Cheng Yanqing had run into Qin Hua face-to-face that day. The first time was at another company’s photography studio, and the second was outside the restroom.
Qin Hua had landed a new product endorsement and was filming advertisements these days.
The difference between a female celebrity’s appearance off-camera and on-screen was minimal. Her popularity was high, but Cheng Yanqing’s memory of her was hazy.
Qin Hua was also waiting for the elevator. “Do you have time to grab a coffee?”
Cheng Yanqing replied indifferently, “Sorry, my sister is waiting for me.”
Qin Hua remembered their last argument before breaking up—it was because of Cheng Wan Yue. During those six months, she had been running around film sets, and whenever she needed him, he was never there.
The elevator stopped at the 9th floor. She asked again, “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Yes,” Cheng Yanqing answered calmly. “We’re getting married soon.”
The elevator reached the 14th floor.
Yes, he was Cheng Yanqing—always moving forward. How could he possibly regret?
Qin Hua’s voice was low. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Cheng Yanqing stepped into the elevator. Qin Hua remained outside. He pressed the button and finally glanced at her. “Aren’t you coming in?”
Qin Hua shook her head. “I’m waiting for Mr. Li.”
They had a dinner appointment that night.
Cheng Yanqing didn’t wait. He went to fetch his car while Cheng Wan Yue and Qing Hang waited at a nearby bubble tea shop. When asked what she wanted to eat, Cheng Wan Yue said she wanted something expensive.
Having been in Beijing for so long, Cheng Yanqing had yet to take her to a proper restaurant, especially with Qing Hang present.
By bringing Qing Hang along, it was clear that formal dating wasn’t far off.
While waiting at a red light, Cheng Yanqing tried calling to reserve a table. Luck was on his side—a table had just opened up due to a cancellation. He checked the menu, which featured many dishes Cheng Wan Yue enjoyed.
Many celebrities reportedly frequented this restaurant, usually requiring reservations well in advance.
Cheng Wan Yue rummaged through her bag for the seashells she brought back. Qing Hang held her belongings—sunglasses, lipstick, powder compact—all hers.
A group of people walked over, and together they entered the elevator.
Cheng Wan Yue didn’t notice Qin Hua. Her attention was on a middle-aged man in a suit.
She recognized him.
It was Chi Yue’s father.
Others were flattering him, but he lacked that oily charm.
Only after exiting the elevator did she realize Qin Hua was among the group. Qin Hua and Chi Yue’s father entered the same private room.
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