Chapter 82

Chapter 82

The wrap-up party for the Sunshine City crew wasn't particularly large, especially on the main creative team’s side, where there was only one large table.

Ān Yě and Chí Tuò were not at the same table, and not even in the same private room.

Once they entered the city, Chí Tuò got out of the car at a spot and drove off by himself, with Lín Hào following behind in the other car.

Yáng Zhèngyì didn’t like the drinking culture, saying that once this group finished toasting, there wouldn’t be any need for further eating. So, there was no movement between the private rooms. Ān Yě had a pretty busy meal; Yáng Zhèngyì even helped her get a big opportunity, introducing her to an international director for a romance commercial film, a Cinderella love story.

The plot was very cliché, but this director, like Yáng Zhèngyì, was a person whose works were guaranteed to be top-notch. Yáng Zhèngyì didn’t push her directly into the female lead role, though, but invited her to join the dinner, showed the director a few edited scenes from the film, chatted briefly during the meal, and exchanged contact information.

The two-hour dinner went by with Qí Wéi in another private room. Ān Yě managed to get herself an audition opportunity.

She was mentally tense the whole time, barely eating, and didn’t even have time to look at her phone.

When it was over, she sent Yáng Zhèngyì, Vice Director Qián, and Screenwriter Zhū Sà out the door, then stood at the private room door chatting with the director for a few more words.

The director had a completely different style from Yáng Zhèngyì—he was very gentle. He kept explaining to her that the movie was not as cliché as the synopsis suggested, asking her to go back and read the script because she would definitely like it.

That pure, “What I create is the best” pride moved Ān Yě. After confirming the approximate shooting schedule with the director, the thought that suddenly popped into her head was that Lán Yīfāng would have to work hard to rearrange her schedule.

It was a good time for her to get used to the new notebook.

She froze for a moment after thinking this.

The relaxed feeling of thinking about the future, and the trivial thoughts popping up in her mind, made her feel a bit disoriented.

In reality, she still had more than a month until she officially broke her contract with Huànzhòu. The last time she fully armed herself to negotiate with Huànzhòu was only two months ago.

From the end of last year to now, just five short months, it had allowed her to taste the flavor of a past and present life.

This disorientation lasted until Qí Wéi came over, smelling strongly of alcohol, and hugged her while dialing Master Chén to confirm their pick-up location.

“The front and back doors both have reporters,” Qí Wéi explained to Ān Yě as she leaned against her. “I’ll have Chí Lǜ get on the nanny van first. I’ve already arranged a car for Lán Yīfāng and Xiǎo Yāo, and they’ve been sent off. You and Chí Lǜ will go home to rest for the night. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up at noon, and we’ll shoot that variety show luggage-packing video in the evening.”

“How much have you drunk?” Ān Yě leaned in to smell her and asked, “Are you okay to go back by yourself?”

“Not much. Someone will come pick me up later,” Qí Wéi’s eyes were still clear, though she was slightly excited from the alcohol.

She stared at Ān Yě for a while, then hugged her again and rubbed her shoulder. “You’ve worked hard. After the wrap, eat more. You’re too thin!”

Ān Yě was a little surprised.

She had always thought that her relationship with Qí Wéi wasn’t close enough for such a hug, but today, Qí Wéi hugged her, and she didn’t feel particularly repelled.

Hugging a companion didn’t seem like something that only happened in movies.

Qí Wéi had obviously had a good time drinking. She hugged Ān Yě again and rubbed her some more, wanting to express something else. However, before she could continue, Ān Yě was suddenly pulled to the side.

The force wasn’t particularly strong, but it was enough for Ān Yě to take a step back, leaving Qí Wéi’s arms empty.

Qí Wéi, still wanting to continue expressing her feelings and tell Ān Yě how well their studio would do in the future, froze for a moment.

Ān Yě, who still thought hugging her companion was quite warm, also froze for a moment.

Chí Lǜ was standing right behind Ān Yě. The hand that almost made her stumble still rested on her shoulder.

With precision, he rubbed the same spot Qí Wéi had just massaged.Qí Wéi: "…Chí Lǜ?"

"Mm." Chí Tuò finished rubbing Ān Yě's arm and stood next to her in a gentlemanly manner.

Qí Wéi: "…I told Lín Zhù before, to go straight to the parking lot after you're done. There are reporters at the door, if you get in the car together, you'll get photographed."

"Mm, I know." Chí Tuò said, then stood still.

Ān Yě tilted her head, looking at him for a while, then glanced at Lín Hào, who was following behind: "What's wrong with him?"

Chí Tuò seemed a bit odd, but it was hard to pinpoint why. His face was normal, his gaze was normal, his posture was normal, but there was something off.

Lín Hào’s expression was subtle, and his words were equally subtle: "I'm not sure, but the boss said he's drunk."

"Mm, drunk." Chí Tuò said calmly. "I accidentally drank mixed liquor."

Ān Yě: "…"

This wasn’t the first time he’d told her that mixing drinks could get him drunk. The first time, she didn’t think much of it, but today it seemed a little strange.

"Three or more types, and you’ll get drunk." Someone with a mild obsession compulsively held up three fingers.

Ān Yě’s lips twitched, thinking to herself, You’re really something.

Chí Tuò put his fingers down and looked at Qí Wéi with great seriousness. He said, "Sorry, I can't remember where the nanny van is parked."

So, he didn't go over.

Qí Wéi rubbed her temple: "C67... Forget it, I'll take you over..."

"No need." Chí Tuò raised his hand, rubbed Ān Yě's arm, pulled her a little further away from Qí Wéi, then ruffled her hair, finally willing to leave. "Lín Hào will take me. You stay here with Jiǔ Jiǔ and wait for the car."

"…Why don’t you let Lín Zhù drive your car and take you back?" Qí Wéi looked at Chí Tuò’s walking posture, which hadn’t changed at all, suddenly feeling a bit worried. "I’m afraid you won’t find it."

"Lín Hào drank too." Chí Tuò turned his head. "I'll message once I get to the car."

Ān Yě hadn’t said anything.

Chí Tuò took two steps, then stopped and turned to look at Ān Yě.

Ān Yě rummaged through her small bag and handed him a mint.

Chí Tuò took it, unwrapped it, and leisurely popped it into his mouth as he walked away.

The two didn’t say a word to each other the entire time, and their eye contact was minimal, but the communication was very smooth.

Qí Wéi couldn’t hold it in: "Ān Lǎoshī, how did you know he turned back for a candy?"

"After drinking, his mouth feels uncomfortable." Ān Yě also handed a candy to Qí Wéi, not explaining further.

Chí Tuò turned back because she hadn’t spoken, and he was worried she was angry. Giving him a candy was her way of telling him she wasn’t mad, and to get in the car and rest early.

But she still found it amazing.

Chí Tuò was drunk, but he didn’t seem drunk at all...

Chí Tuò was very drunk.The nanny van reached the side entrance of the hotel to pick up Ān Yě. By then, Chí Tuò had fully sobered up from the alcohol, sitting in the back seat, staring blankly.

"Feeling better?" Ān Yě got into the car, tightly wrapped in her hat and mask. Before getting in, the excited Qí Wéi had hugged her again and repeated what was interrupted earlier by Chí Tuò.

She said: "Ān Lǎoshī, thank you."

Thank you for helping her when her career was at a low point, for giving her a hand when she doubted everything and didn't want to climb up anymore. Thank you for being so excellent, bringing her so close to becoming a top agent.

Ān Yě wasn’t used to such sentimental gestures, and her face was still a bit awkward as she got into the car.

However, after taking off her hat, mask, and coat, Chí Tuò, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly pulled her toward him.

When Chén Shīfu saw Ān Yě settled in, he stepped on the gas. With both forces pulling, Ān Yě was instantly lying on Chí Tuò’s lap.

"She hugged you again." Chí Tuò mumbled, the candy still in his mouth, muffled.

Ān Yě: "…"

"I’ve never hugged you in front of others." Chí Tuò continued mumbling.

His tone was childish, but his actions were anything but. He pressed Ān Yě against his lap, clicked on the seatbelt, and refused to move an inch.

Ān Yě: "…"

She didn’t dare look at Chén Shīfu's expression, lowering her voice and saying, "Let me sit up!"

"No." Chí Tuò bluntly refused, reasoning, "It’ll be more comfortable lying down like this after drinking."

Ān Yě: "…I’m not drunk!"

Chí Tuò slowly lowered his head, looked at her, and suddenly seemed to realize: "Oh."

Ān Yě: "…Are you uncomfortable?"

Chí Tuò blinked.

His eyes were narrow and long, usually giving off a slightly stern look when he was distant, making people forget how good-looking his eyes actually were. His brows were thick, and his lashes were long. Even though his eyes were narrow, they weren’t small, and when he looked down at her, his lashes trembled slightly, adding a fragile beauty to his gaze.

He finally realized that it wasn’t Ān Yě who was drunk, but himself. The pressure in his hand relaxed.

"Do you want to lie down?" Ān Yě finally managed to unbuckle her seatbelt, sat up, and patted her own leg.

The seat back could indeed recline.

But Ān Yě felt that if she reclined the seat and let him lie down, he would use those curled lashes to look at her with tears in his eyes and stare at her in a way that made her feel guilty.

Sure enough, Chí Tuò swiftly laid down. Ān Yě copied him and clicked the seatbelt on him for the horizontal position.

Lying down, he couldn’t see the driver through the back of the seat. Plus, his mind was already clouded by alcohol, and after coming into contact with Ān Yě’s soft, delicate waist, he didn’t hold back and just hugged her, sighing contentedly.

Though, because he was tall, his knees had to bend.

Ān Yě, while looking out the window, gently rubbed his hair. It felt too good, and Chí Tuò felt like he was about to start snoring like Old Bái.

"Jiǔ Jiǔ?" Just as he was about to fall asleep, Chí Tuò suddenly called out.

"Mm?" Ān Yě’s head was still resting on the car window, looking at the busy traffic outside.After becoming an actress, Ān Yě always enjoyed looking out of the window at the street scenes, guessing what kind of life those unfamiliar faces behind the windows might have. On highways where pedestrians can’t be seen, she would fixate on the passing cars. The cars people drove must have their own stories—some clean, some dirty, tied with red silk, or even those with windows down on a hot summer day.

These were all stories.

Ān Yě watched these stories, her thoughts drifting far away.

But tonight, she simply watched.

A sense of tranquility settled in her heart.

After calling her name, Chí Tuò remained silent. Ān Yě didn’t ask any more questions.

Five minutes later, Chí Tuò called again: "Ān Jiǔ Jiǔ."

Ān Yě patiently answered: "Here."

And then, there was silence again. This time, Ān Yě looked down at him.

His whole face was buried in her stomach, and all she could see was the earring that had come out. Ān Yě gently flicked it, but Chí Tuò didn’t move. She smiled and went back to resting her forehead against the window, watching the scenery outside.

Another five minutes seemed to pass. The car was almost to the neighborhood, and Chí Tuò suddenly called again: "Ān Jiǔ Jiǔ."

Ān Yě sighed: "…You’re so needy when you're drunk."

"I’ve only called you three times," Chí Tuò grumbled. "Are you hungry?"

Ān Yě: "…What?"

"Your stomach." Chí Tuò turned over, facing her. "It’s growling so loudly, it made my nose tingle."

Ān Yě: "…What a weird description."

"Did you not eat dinner?" Chí Tuò leaned on his arm and touched her earlobe with his right hand.

"I had a few bites," Ān Yě replied. "Are you sober yet?"

"Not yet," he said, though he seemed much more normal now, smiling slightly. "Can we have some late-night snacks tonight?"

Very happily.

Ān Yě smiled too and nodded.

The shoot was over. Ā Lín’s story was sealed away, and now, she could put the weight back on.

Suddenly, she realized that living wasn’t that hard after all.

She could put aside the things that made her uncomfortable, leave them to the therapist to untangle, and all she had to do was live fully.

It seemed she didn’t have to go looking for those happy lives to get into character anymore.

In April, the magnolias were in full bloom along the streets of Baigang City. The air, though still cool, carried the fragrance of the flowers.

And suddenly, she felt happiness.