Chapter 36

At seven p.m., at a restaurant near Jingying, twenty or thirty people sat around three round tables, eating and drinking merrily, laughing and chatting.

They talked about all the amusing incidents during filming, the nervous anticipation before the screening, and the exhilarating joy after success.

Although Sun Honglei was already twenty-five, the atmosphere made him feel years younger, as if he had returned to his youth; after a few drinks, his spirits rose.

“What’s that? When I filmed that rape scene, my heart was truly torn up…”

Only after blurting it out did Sun Honglei realize his mistake and glance at Jiang Qin; after all, her cold, distant expression after that scene had left a lasting impression.

Seeing everyone look at her, Jiang Qin smiled broadly:

“Honglei, isn’t that all your own fault? Big and burly, and after all that time you still didn’t dare tear a woman’s clothes—what a waste of that fierce look!”

Seeing this, Sun Honglei knew Jiang Qin didn’t mind revisiting the topic and grinned again:

“Heh! I’m a respectful, upstanding young man!”

“Qin Qin, I didn’t really do anything to you—on the contrary, the red scratches you gave me on my face took days to fade!”

“Sounds like you’re the one who suffered!” Jiang Qin shot back with a laugh, showing a spicy, bold streak.

“Exactly!”

Wu Yuchen immediately picked up his glass and stood, smiling:

“Let me say this: both of you suffered during that scene—it’s my fault.”

Sun Honglei instantly stood up with his glass too:

“Wu Dao, we’re just joking around, don’t take it seriously!”

Wu Yuchen waved his hand:

“I’m serious. Our film’s success wouldn’t have happened without your brilliant performances—I must thank you on behalf of the crew! If I did anything wrong, don’t hold it against me—I won’t say more, it’s all in the wine!”

Wu Yuchen finished his wine in one gulp.

Sun Honglei followed suit immediately, downed his drink in one go, then slapped his chest at Wu Yuchen:

“Wu Dao, in the few months I’ve been in Beijing, you’re one of the very few who’ve ever respected me and earned my admiration!”

“If you ever need anything, just call me—I’ll never say no!”

After speaking, Sun Honglei downed another glass of wine, embodying the bold, straightforward demeanor of a Northeastern man.

Jiang Qin, who had just been bantering with Sun Honglei, also drank, but now, seeing Wu Yuchen look her way, she fell silent, unsure what to say, only smiling shyly at him with flushed cheeks.

Wu Yuchen assumed she was still a little embarrassed from their earlier argument, but seeing her smile, he felt relieved—she must have let go of the past, and that was all that mattered.

Sun Honglei’s remark had opened the floodgates; one by one, the entire crew began toasting Wu Yuchen.

There was no ulterior motive—Wu Yuchen was still far from graduating, and they simply admired his talent and charisma, proud to have joined him on this project and made such a fine film.

Fortunately, they were all still innocent students, not yet hardened by the toxic drinking culture of the workplace; no one pressured Wu Yuchen to finish every glass, and later, when he sipped lightly or switched to soda, no one minded.

The meal lasted until ten p.m., and many would have stayed longer if not for the dorm supervisor locking the gates.

After stepping out of the restaurant, a light breeze blew over Wu Yuchen, clearing his head.

He had been about to return with Wu Fat and Chen Er when he heard a soft voice behind him:

“Wu Yuchen, can you walk me back?”

Wu Yuchen turned and saw Jiang Qin standing behind him, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere.

Wu Yuchen turned around and saw Jiang Qin standing behind him, though he didn’t know when she had arrived.

Wu Yuchen paused, then readily agreed—it was only right to see her safely back at night.

Sun Honglei stood by the roadside, watching Wu Yuchen walk with Jiang Qin into the campus gate, chuckled, then elbowed Duan Long beside him.

Sun Honglei stood by the roadside, watching Wu Yuchen walk with Jiang Qin into the school gate; he chuckled, then elbowed Duan Long beside him.

“Huh?” Duan Long had also drunk quite a bit and was slightly dazed.

Sun Honglei gestured toward them and said:

Sun Honglei gestured for him to look over there, then said:

A girl like Jiang Qin took the initiative!”

Duan Long now saw it too, rubbed his eyes, and asked doubtfully: “Wasn’t she mad at Wu Dao earlier?”

“Heh, you don’t understand women, do you?

Get moving!”

Duan Long’s gaze flickered, and he muttered: “What’s this got to do with me?”

“Hey, Duan Long, don’t think I’m blind—I know you’ve got a thing for your class monitor.”

“I don’t! Don’t make things up!”

Duan Long reacted as if his deepest secret had been exposed, shuddered, and immediately denied it.

“Why pretend with me? I saw the way you stared at your class monitor—I knew the moment I saw it.”

“I…” Duan Long wanted to protest but couldn’t find words, so he just hung his head in silence.

Sun Honglei, insecure about his education and status, and Duan Long, insecure about his background, had become close friends after meeting on set.

At first, Sun Honglei had called Duan Long “Senior Duan,” but now he was clearly his trusted older brother.

“Don’t play deaf—if you like her, go after her!”

Duan Long remained silent, then finally muttered bitterly: “I’m not good enough for her.”

Sun Honglei frowned:

“What do you mean not good enough?

You’re a man, not ugly—what are you scared of?!”

Perhaps because of the alcohol and his secret laid bare, Duan Long now spoke his suppressed thoughts:

“I’m a country bumpkin from the frontier!

In Beijing, I won’t even buy new clothes—I didn’t even know you had to spit out cherry pits, and I talk with a mutton smell.

Do you know how people praise me? They say I’m perfect for rural roles!

I have nothing—how could I ever be good enough for her?!”

Duan Long clenched his fists, breathing heavily.

Sun Honglei fell silent for a moment, then pulled out two cigarettes, handed one to Duan Long, lit it for him, and put one in his own mouth. After drawing a long drag, he exhaled slowly and said with gravity:

“Duan Long, I’m a few years older—I’ve been there.

You’ve got hands and feet, you’re strong and healthy, you’ve got your whole life ahead—why be ashamed?

What the hell is money? It’s trash—lose it, earn it back!”

He took another drag:

“I’m telling you this, Duan Long, only because I see you like a little brother. Good girls won’t wait around. If you keep this bottled up, you’ll regret it later!”

Duan Long sat on the curb, head down, puffing smoke, staring blankly at his worn-out shoes, saying nothing.

On the other side, inside the Jingying campus, Wu Yuchen and Jiang Qin walked side by side, their shadows stretched long under the dim streetlights. The night breeze brushed Jiang Qin’s long hair and stirred an inexplicable emotion in Wu Yuchen’s heart.

He wasn’t stupid—he could sense Jiang Qin was acting strangely tonight.

Wu Yuchen glanced at her from the corner of his eye: her hair was pinned to one side, her head slightly lowered, the yellow light softening her face; perhaps because of the wine, her pale cheeks were flushed with rosy hues.

She hadn’t changed—still beautiful. But this atmosphere—why did it suddenly feel so intimate?

She hadn't changed; she was still very beautiful. But why did this atmosphere suddenly make him feel something ambiguous?