MY - 24

Jiang Xi had no further filming schedule for the day, so she left the restroom, preparing to return to the hotel.

The corridor lights were bright, and the thick carpet absorbed all sounds.

The conversation between the two girls in the restroom made Jiang Xi somewhat spaced out. It had been too long since she heard Lu Endi’s name.

Lu Endi passed away seven years ago. The Lu family had almost completely blocked all news, so the exact cause of his death was virtually unknown.

Yet, people thought they were omnipotent, piecing together the events based on scarce rumors and believing the gossip to be true.

Although Jiang Xi had disliked Lu Nandu since their breakup, she knew he wouldn’t do such a thing.

He was bad, but not rotten to the core.

________________________________________

Lost in thought, she had already reached the elevator lobby. A group of people approached, and when Jiang Xi saw the person leading them, her expression paused, but her face remained relatively calm.

Old Master Lu was at the forefront, surrounded by people, calm and composed, with a powerful aura. An assistant followed beside him.

When Jiang Xi was a child, more than twenty years ago, Lu Jinghong was already a prominent figure; it was impossible for her not to recognize him.

Jiang Xi slowed her steps, not wanting to crowd with everyone else waiting for the elevator.

She stood by another elevator. Being close, she could hear the conversation of the people nearby clearly.

A man asked Old Master Lu why he personally attended the banquet today.

In his youth, Old Master Lu had single-handedly built the commercial empire of Huahong, commanding respect even years after his retirement. But ever since he stepped down from the group decades ago, Old Master Lu had not been involved in major company decisions and rarely attended events.

Yet, today he rarely appeared in the public eye, under the name of Huahong Group.

A seemingly normal action might hold significant implications, and it was disingenuous for the crowd not to be curious.

Old Master Lu, however, chuckled and spoke openly for everyone to hear: “That scoundrel grandson of mine gives me nothing but trouble.”

“I can’t take my eyes off him.”

Hearing Old Master Lu say this, others dared not disparage the current Mr. Lu. They said, “Old Mr. Lu, you’re joking. Mr. Lu has a great future ahead. Huahong has been thriving in the market since he took over. Such an heir is the easiest to manage.”

Old Master Lu remained silent.

Outsiders had always been unable to discern his eldest grandson’s true nature. His rebellious disposition hadn’t changed over the years; it was deeply ingrained, and no one could suppress it for a moment without constant supervision.

Jiang Xi remained calm beside them, as if she heard nothing.

The elevator there reached the floor first. The doors opened, and everyone stepped inside.

________________________________________

The drama was nearing its wrap-up, and the supporting characters’ scenes were becoming fewer and fewer.

In a few days, Jiang Xi’s character would finish filming, making the remaining days of shooting relatively relaxed.

The last scene concluded at night, more than three months later, as winter had already set in.

The sky was dark, with a few twinkling stars.

Jiang Xi wore a long white down jacket. Staff members prepared a small cake and fresh flowers.

She held a bouquet in the crook of her arm and took photos with the staff.

Xu Yanran, a foodie, was munching on cake nearby. Seeing people taking photos, she squeezed in to take a few pictures, cream still on her lips.

When most of the staff had dispersed, Xu Yanran, holding another piece of cake, spoke to Jiang Xi.

“Sister Jiang Xi,” Xu Yanran scooped a small spoonful into her mouth, “I’ll be bored once you finish filming. There’ll be no one to talk to anymore.”

In fact, when Jiang Xi and Xu Yanran were together, Jiang Xi didn’t talk much; most of the time, Xu Yanran spoke, and she listened.

Jiang Xi chuckled: “What’s so fun about talking to me?”

It’s not interesting, and there’s no depth.

Xu Yanran said, “Being able to chat is the most fun.”

Jiang Xi was actually powerless to refute and chuckled: “You’re quite right.”

“See? I told you it makes sense. Zhuo Pei even says I have a bunch of twisted logic.”

Jiang Xi hadn’t met Zhuo Pei, only knew that this person was the one Xu Yanran liked.

Sitting under the eaves in white and black down jackets, Jiang Xi asked, “How many years have you liked him?”

Xu Yanran frowned, thought for a moment, and finally, unable to recall the exact number, simply stated the grade: “Since my first year of junior high.”

Jiang Xi curved her lips: “You realized it quite early.”

Xu Yanran slowly ate and said, “I still think it wasn’t early enough. If I had realized it earlier, I could have pestered him for a few more years, and I don’t believe he wouldn’t like me. But I’ve been following him since kindergarten.”

Jiang Xi smiled. The boy Xu Yanran liked was quite lucky.

Xu Yanran asked her, “What about you?”

Jiang Xi didn’t mind discussing such things and said casually, “High school senior year.”

“Later than I thought,” Xu Yanran said, “but not surprising, actually.”

She turned her head to look at Jiang Xi: “You don’t seem like someone easy to pursue.”

Then, a sudden urge for gossip arose, and she leaned closer to Jiang Xi: “But, Sister Jiang Xi, what kind of person is it that you would fall for?”

Jiang Xi just smiled, not saying anything.

Xu Yanran didn’t genuinely expect her to answer. She turned away and forgot the next sentence, letting out a burp.

Her manager was walking over from not far away, seemingly looking for her, and waved at Xu Yanran before even getting close.

Xu Yanran shouted back to her manager that she’d be right there.

Tomorrow, Jiang Xi would return to Beijing. Xu Yanran told her, “Sister Jiang Xi, I’ll be finishing filming soon too. See you in Beijing!”

Jiang Xi nodded: “Okay.”

________________________________________

Lu family mansion.

Lu Nandu woke up already high noon.

Old Master Lu, however, had already walked his bird and played chess, and was now holding a cup of tea, basking in the sun downstairs.

The Lu family mansion was large, and sometimes the few people living there might not see each other once a day.

Liang Sirong was busy in the kitchen. Lu Nandu purposely detoured there, went in, and took a hot, freshly baked cookie to eat.

Liang Sirong turned and smiled when she saw him: “You’re awake?”

Lu Nandu teased: “Been lying down so much these past few days, I’d have to wake up even if I didn’t want to.”

Liang Sirong was amused by him. She poured him a glass of milk and handed it over: “Your grandpa just feels bad for you and wants you to sleep more.”

“Bullshit.”

His nature was at odds with the well-bred Lu family, but Liang Sirong never disliked it, giving him ample tolerance.

Lu Nandu said, “That old man is clearly soft-imprisoning me; he just says it nicely.”

Liang Sirong laughed and quickly made a gesture to cover his mouth: “Lower your voice, don’t let your grandpa hear you, or he’ll lock you up for a few more days and that’ll be the end of it.”

The previous days were much worse than this. A few days ago, after Lu Nandu returned from Yucheng, he was locked in his room and not allowed out; he could only do everything under his grandfather’s watchful eye.

Lu Jinghong’s method of dealing with him was exactly the same as when he was a teenager.

As for why Lu Nandu could be confined a few days ago, it was because his psychological state was off in the days immediately after returning from Yucheng.

He was gloomy, full of resistance, unable to let anyone close, reflexively cold and attacking others.

Every time he returned from Yucheng, he was in this state, though this time it was more severe.

At that time, it was precisely when Lu Nandu needed quiet.

Normally, it would take a few days to adjust during such times.

Yesterday there was a banquet, and Lu Nandu was only taken out by Old Master Lu to attend after his condition improved. Today, he was as normal as anyone.

Liang Sirong watched Lu Nandu throw another cookie into his mouth and asked, “Is it good?”

Lu Nandu knew Liang Sirong made them. His eyes curved into a smile: “Delicious! Auntie’s cookies are the best.”

Liang Sirong never cooked, and rarely made desserts. These past few days, she specifically cooked for Lu Nandu. Even though Lu Nandu was not her biological child, she still loved him dearly.

“Good that it’s delicious,” Liang Sirong said, “It’s been so long since I’ve cooked, I was afraid it wouldn’t taste good.”

“How could it not?” Lu Nandu, ever keen to please her, took the entire plate. “This whole plate is mine now.”

Liang Sirong laughed, telling him, “You’re still like a child.”

________________________________________

Jiang Xi had been back in Beijing for a few days.

After resting at home for a few days, she was called out for dinner tonight by a phone call from Ji Yuanzhou.

However, halfway through the meal, Ji Yuanzhou was called back to the company by a phone call from his superior.

She had no choice but to return, but Jiang Xi didn’t mind, saying they would meet again next time.

After finishing the meal alone, Jiang Xi left the restaurant. The night wind was cold, and there were few pedestrians on the road. She walked forward with her head down.

The bright lights and bustling traffic continued.

A group of people walked towards her. Jiang Xi initially paid no attention until someone in the group called out to her.

“Jiang Xi.”

A gentle, deep, clear voice.

Jiang Xi turned her head towards the voice. Chen Lin smiled at her.

She stopped and smiled back at him, just about to ask him why he was here. Suddenly, someone in the crowd seemed to recognize her and called out her name in surprise.

Jiang Xi looked over, a familiar face yet she couldn’t place the name.

Now, many of the people in that group recognized Jiang Xi: “Jiang Xi? Long time no see!”

Her gaze swept around, and Jiang Xi finally remembered; they were university classmates.

“I didn’t expect to see you again,” one of the girls said. “I always thought we’d never have the chance.”

Many people chattered and greeted her. After five years, their faces were no longer as youthful as before.

Jiang Xi didn’t particularly like being surrounded by people, and at this moment, Chen Lin stepped in to gracefully resolve the situation.

“Why don’t you join us?” Chen Lin said. “It’s rare that we organize a class reunion, so come and gather with us?”

“Yeah, and we haven’t seen you in so many years. It’s a good chance for all of us to have a few drinks,” a slightly heavier-set man said.

Jiang Xi recognized him as the former class monitor.

Chen Lin turned his head to her: “Go on, you just finished work recently, it’s a good time to relax.”

Jiang Xi was surprised he knew she was on vacation recently and turned to look at him.

She hadn’t answered yet, but Chen Lin had already said, “Then it’s decided.”

...

Jiang Xi thus found herself attending the class reunion in a daze.

But since she was there, she didn’t resist, even though she generally didn’t enjoy such events.

The group had already finished one round of food and were now scrambling for the microphone to sing.

Jiang Xi sat in an inconspicuous spot, slowly drinking her wine.

Some classmates, curious about Jiang Xi’s unusual life, came over and pestered her with questions about what being a celebrity was like.

Jiang Xi smiled politely and answered, “It’s just like being an ordinary person.”

In the end, Chen Lin kindly shooed away those particularly curious individuals one by one.

One classmate, seeing the two of them, intentionally tried to set them up.

“I see you two have compatible personalities; why not just make it work and get back together?”

Jiang Xi slowly drank her wine, merely smiling, not intending to answer.

Chen Lin, good-natured, chuckled and said, “How can something like that be ‘made to work’? Don’t go playing matchmaker, go on now.”

The reunion didn’t end until past midnight.

Jiang Xi had nothing much to do there. Her social circle wasn’t very active during university, and she wasn’t very close to this group of classmates, so they didn’t have many common topics.

She decided to leave early and mentioned it to Chen Lin, who was sitting next to her.

“I’ll see you out.”

Jiang Xi picked up her jacket: “No need, I can go out by myself.”

Chen Lin, however, had already stood up: “It’s fine, I was just about to head back too.”

Jiang Xi no longer refused, and the two left the private room together.

While waiting for the elevator, Jiang Xi asked, “Why are you in Beijing?”

“Here to attend an academic exchange conference.”

“Mm.” Jiang Xi didn’t know what else to say.

After a few seconds, Chen Lin suddenly asked, “Are you seeing anyone lately?”

Jiang Xi chuckled, “If I were, would I still be alone right now?”

As soon as she spoke, the elevator arrived, and the doors slowly opened.

Jiang Xi’s smile hadn’t yet faded, and with a casual glance, her eyes met Lu Nandu’s inside the elevator.