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Cheng Wanyue’s work schedule was quite flexible. Cheng Yanqing called her at 3 p.m., just as she was about to leave for the studio.
He asked all kinds of questions, nagging for several minutes. What he really wanted to know was whether Huo Zhi had contacted her today.
Cheng Yuzhou’s wedding was on October 5th, and Huo Zhi would definitely be returning to China to attend. She could either transit through Shanghai or fly to Beijing first and then go to Nanjing.
The phone was silent, which definitely wasn’t a good sign.
It wasn’t that Cheng Yanqing underestimated the capability of netizens — rather, he never expected someone to trace from Qin Hua’s small Weibo account all the way to his personal Weibo, where the comments were all check-ins from people following the drama.
Huo Zhi didn’t care about Qin Hua’s scandals, but when her own boyfriend suddenly became known as “brother-in-law” to Qin Hua’s fans, no one would be generous enough to pretend nothing had happened.
She didn’t ask any questions, nor did she reply to his messages. Cheng Yanqing had no mind for work at all.
In the evening, Qin Hua called him.
Her first words were an apology. “I’m sorry for affecting your life.”
When Cheng Yanqing went to the office that morning, more than one colleague gave him a thumbs-up. Even when he went to the break room for water, he overheard gossip about his background.
A colleague from another department said, “Impressive. Rich and powerful young masters really are different. They just casually end up with a celebrity.”
Cheng Yanqing almost splashed his water in the guy’s face: Your dad could be more impressive, huh?
But it wasn’t worth it. He was likely returning to his previous company by the end of October—early November at the latest.
“Please have your team take down the trending post as soon as possible. Don’t push it any further. And I’d appreciate it if you delete that misleading Weibo post. I’ve used that account for years. It holds many memories with my girlfriend. I don’t want to create a new one because of this.”
Qin Hua explained, “We didn’t buy the trending spot. We just didn’t respond.”
Cheng Yanqing had logged in once in the morning, and even four hours ago, the comments were already absurd.
“You were drunk that night and said everything clearly. If you didn’t understand, let me say it again.”
“In those 369 days we were together, we broke up countless times, and each time it was me who begged you to get back together.”
“You had your dream of becoming a star, and I just wanted an ordinary life. I have a clear conscience about our relationship. When I loved you, I really did. And when I stopped, I truly stopped. Don’t think I remember the exact number of days because I still have feelings for you. It’s just because that number is easy to remember. I didn’t keep the same phone number because of you either. The last four digits are my girlfriend’s birthday. She asked me not to change it, so I’ve kept it until now. I came to Beijing for work—nothing to do with you.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, and I don’t want to know. Since you liked my Weibo post, you must’ve seen her photo. Yes, it’s Huo Zhi. I’ve been with her for a long time now. I love her very much.”
Qin Hua knew Huo Zhi.
Her father and Cheng Guoan were old classmates. After Cheng Guoan transferred from Baicheng, their families became neighbors. But that wasn’t how Qin Hua met Huo Zhi. She had never been to the Cheng family home. Huo Zhi was her junior in school, a top student in the directing program. They hadn’t overlapped in school, as Huo Zhi enrolled when Qin Hua graduated. Huo Zhi had industry connections and joined film crews even as a freshman. They met on set.
“You used to love me a lot…”
“That was the past.”
“What does Huo Zhi have that I don’t?”
“She made me realize that love is equal.”
Cheng Yanqing could no longer remember how low he’d stooped back then. Loving someone at the cost of losing yourself was doomed from the start.
He heard himself say, “Let’s not contact each other anymore. Huo Zhi isn’t petty, but she’d still be upset. I wish you success in your career and all the best in the future.”
Qin Hua sat on her balcony for a long time. There was no sunset today—the sky quietly faded into night.
At 8 PM, she posted a clarification on Weibo.
That drink I mistakenly drowned in the past—ends here.
…
Cheng Wanyue worked two extra hours. Her studio colleagues, all young, went out for drinks afterward. When Huo Zhi’s plane landed, the first person she called was Cheng Wanyue.
After sending her the address, Huo Zhi replied with a flying kiss emoji.
Wanyue didn’t drink, so she didn’t join her coworkers. Qing Hang was also working late, so she planned to bring him some snacks at the hospital.
While waiting for a cab, she hesitated about whether to call Cheng Yanqing. Suddenly, someone rushed up from behind and hugged her tightly. Her phone was knocked to the ground. She struggled instinctively but was silenced by a hand covering her mouth.
A strong smell of smoke and body odor filled her nose—nauseating.
“Don’t be scared. I’m not a bad person. I just like you.”
The man wasn’t tall, but he had strong arms. Cheng Wanyue couldn’t break free or call out, only managing muffled cries.
“I’m your fan. I once sent you flowers—remember?”
The man had barely finished speaking when someone yanked his hair back. He cried out and loosened his grip. Wanyue took the chance to escape.
She didn’t recognize the man on the ground, but she recognized Chi Yue. Chi Yue stomped on the man’s chest and smashed his helmet into the guy’s head.
Wanyue stopped him. She picked up her phone and called the police. The man scrambled to his feet and ran off.
“Some random psycho out of nowhere,” Chi Yue muttered.
“There’s surveillance here. The police should be able to find him.” Her bag’s contents had scattered. Chi Yue helped her pick them up. “You must’ve been scared.”
“I’m okay. Just feel gross,” she said, goosebumps rising from being hugged by a creep. “Thank you.”
Chi Yue smiled. “You saved me before. We’re even.”
Wanyue nodded, fair and square. “Let’s get to know each other again. I’m Cheng Wanyue.”
“How do you write that?”
“‘Wǎn’ as in ‘to retrieve’, and ‘yuè’ as in ‘moon’.”
Chi Yue followed her on Weibo. “Rapunzel, huh?”
Cheng Wanyue frowned. “You can’t call me that.”
“I thought so. You’re more like a Sailor Moon type. Rapunzel was locked in a tower with no freedom, thanks to her magical hair. Not like you.”
“She escaped eventually.”
“She did? I’ll have to watch it next time.” Chi Yue had once watched fairy tales in his dorm and got teased for a week.
“Come on, let’s file a report at the police station.”
He pulled out a pink helmet—obviously made for women.
His scooter didn’t have a spot to store helmets. He’d always left the white male one at a friend’s place, and only brought it because he was having dinner there that day.
But the pink one—he kept it in his bag.
The helmet fit Wanyue perfectly. “Just finished class?”
“I’m a senior. No more classes.”
“Then why carry a backpack?”
“Easier to carry the helmet in it.”
Filing a report wasn’t too troublesome. Afterward, Chi Yue dropped her off at the hospital and didn’t leave until she went inside.
Wanyue bought a box of sliced mango. Qing Hang had just finished admitting a patient and brought her to the break room. She waited for half an hour before he finished.
There were other doctors around, so she didn’t mention the harassment—just shared the fruit with him.
As they walked out of the elevator, Qing Hang asked, “Was there something you wanted to tell me?”
“I went to the police station earlier…” she whispered.
His expression changed.
“Don’t worry.” She took his hand. “A strange man harassed me. I called the police and just filed a report.”
“When? Where? What did he do?”
“Around 8 PM, near the studio. He said he was a fan and wanted to hug me. He covered my mouth because he was afraid I’d scream. He didn’t actually hurt me.”
Qing Hang checked her from head to toe, relaxing only after confirming she wasn’t injured. He hugged her, gently patting her back. “Next time something happens, call me right away. Don’t worry about bothering me at work. My patients are my duty—but you’re my everything.”
“Mm.” She nodded, hugging his waist. “Can I stay at your place tonight? My sister-in-law’s back from abroad. Cheng Yanqing’s in for a disaster tonight.”
She knew Zhou Heng had moved out.
Qing Hang placed a key in her bag. “You can stay as long as you want.”
“Come back with me first. I need to get some clothes and toiletries.”
“I already bought all that.”
“Then let’s go watch the show.” She checked the time—just right. “And help you get revenge.”
—
The Cheng kids were all brave and straightforward.
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