Chapter 19: Then Can I Call You ‘Chu Chu’? p1
The last sliver of sunset fell from the sky, and the night curtain descended.
After dinner, Huai Xing lay on the sofa. After a week of high-intensity work, she suddenly felt a little unaccustomed to relaxing. But she couldn’t let Ren Jiao know about this, or she would be laughed at again for being a born wage slave.
But now, her mind had no room for others.
The sofa was soft and comfortable. She lay on her side, her calves still swinging gently, betraying her somewhat joyful heart. She took a screenshot of Chu Wantang’s WeChat message, “I miss you so much too,” and posted it on her Moments, visible only to herself.
Chu Wantang had been wrong about something in the car two days ago.
For her, as long as the person expressing their longing was Chu Wantang, it sounded good whether it was said in person or on the phone.
It depended on the person, not the form.
After admiring it for a while, she switched out and jumped to Weibo.
“Lan Ling’s” show today had been all over the hot search. Chu Wantang, the design director, had captured most people’s attention. And the company’s official account was very savvy, immediately posting a collection of Chu Wantang’s solo photos, which were moments of her busy working for the show these past few months.
Frowning, smiling, angry, happy…
These moments formed a vivid Chu Wantang, making the netizens in the comments section even crazier.
Huai Xing scrolled through the comments, her lips pressed together tightly.
Is she your sister? You’re all saying “Sister, I’m yours.” Can’t you maintain some social distance online?
The more she looked, the more speechless she became. In the end, she saved all the pictures and pressed the back button.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But when would Chu Wantang be back? Huai Xing wasn’t sure.
Occasions like the celebration dinner had nothing to do with junior employees like them. The ones who could go were the management, as well as the famous celebrities and internet celebrities. The company hadn’t released any photos from the scene yet, so she could only wait at home, bored, for Chu Wantang to return.
After a long while, just as she was about to prop herself up to go take a shower, she received a new red dot notification on WeChat.
Sister Shiwei: [Xingxing, are you free tomorrow night?]
Sister Shiwei: [I’ve already signed the contract with the first landlord. I’m moving in tomorrow night. Can you come over? I’ve invited a few friends for dinner.]
Huai Xing thought for a moment: [Sure, Sister Shiwei.]
She said: [I have the next two days off.]
Sister Shiwei: [Alright, it’s settled then.]
[Should I ask Jiejie then?]
[Go ahead and ask.]
Huai Xing’s lips curled up. She immediately sent a message to Chu Wantang: [Jiejie, Sister Shiwei is moving into her new home tomorrow night and has invited friends for dinner. Do you want to come?]
…
“Lan Ling’s” celebration dinner was held in a high-end banquet hall in the city center. Without a doubt, the “LANLING LIFE” show had achieved unexpected success, and the celebration banquet was of a higher grade.
The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling cast a warm yellow light, making the entire space look like a dream garden.
The tablecloths on the round tables were as white as snow, and the dishes were rich and exquisite. A band was arranged in the corner to play music, melodious and graceful, making the atmosphere more harmonious.
90% of the attendees were women. They chatted and laughed, and their laughter filled the space.
Chu Wantang, Su Cheng, and Wan Yi were all there.
The three of them had gone to the same middle school and had been on good terms back then. Now, after so many years, they could still sit together on such an occasion.
Using this as an excuse, Su Cheng raised her wine glass, the red wine inside swirling. She said, “To friendship!”
Chu Wantang cooperated very well. “Mm.”
Wan Yi could only raise her water glass. “I have to fly abroad in a few days, so I can’t drink.” She sighed. “Can you two make it or not? When will you become super-rich women so I don’t have to work so hard?”
“Cut it out,” Su Cheng said, taking a sip of wine, very speechless. “Aren’t you the richest of the three of us right now? You know best how many months of our salary one of your shows is worth.”
Chu Wantang reminded her leisurely from the side, “Su Cheng, you’ve fallen for it. She just wants to hear you say that.”
Wan Yi cleared her throat and said with a grin, “Sorry, Chengcheng. Sometimes, you can only appreciate your own good situation through the misery of your friends. As long as I have a lot of money, I don’t mind not drinking or eating delicious food. The effort and reward are proportional.”
Su Cheng, whose effort and reward were not proportional, gave a fake smile. “…Hehe.”
“You’re ‘hehe’-ing me?”
“So what if I’m ‘hehe’-ing you?”
Chu Wantang silently took another sip of wine in the middle, not participating in their childish bickering.
She picked up her phone and unlocked it.
Huai Xing had sent her a new message.
She stared at the message for a few seconds, her fingertips tapping lightly on it: [I won’t go this time.]
[Then did you drink, Jiejie?]
[I did.]
Chu Wantang raised an eyebrow slightly on her end of the phone and then nonchalantly typed: [I’ll message you before it’s over.]
[Okay!]
[Then I’m going to take a shower.]
Chu Wantang didn’t reply again. She casually replied to a few work-related messages and then put down her phone.
She was in a good mood, a faint smile on her face. She looked at the band that was playing and then thought of Huai Xing playing the violin.
After finishing her argument with Wan Yi, Su Cheng rested her chin on her hand and followed Chu Wantang’s gaze.
She had been drinking and suddenly remembered something. She mentioned it casually, “Wantang, I remember Auntie used to play the violin, right?” Before Chu Wantang could answer, she immediately realized. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought this up on such an occasion.”
“It’s okay. It’s been a long time,” Chu Wantang said, but she gripped her phone tightly.
In a few months, it would be the seventh anniversary of Chu Lingyi’s death.
It had indeed been a long time.
Wan Yi didn’t like to talk about such heavy topics. She forked a piece of salad and asked, “What about Xingxing? Is she coming to pick you up tonight?”
“Mm.”
Su Cheng: “Huh? Xingxing is coming to pick you up?”
“Don’t drink and drive,” Chu Wantang said, her eyes slightly curved. She raised her wine glass and drained the red wine inside.
“I was thinking we could go have some fun after the dinner. It’s been so long since the three of us have gotten together.”
“Let’s wait until before Wan Yi leaves.”
Chu Wantang’s eyes were deep, a smile blooming on her lips. “I have something very important tonight.”
Su Cheng pressed, “Hmm? What’s so important?”
Wan Yi, who knew that Chu Wantang and Huai Xing were dating, pressed her forehead. “‘Sleeping’ is a very important thing.”
Chu Wantang deeply agreed. “Indeed.”
At that moment, CEO Mei came over and patted her shoulder. “Wantang, come. I have a few friends who want to meet you.”
Chu Wantang stood up. “Okay.”
She was one of the stars of today’s show, and many people wanted to meet her.
CEO Mei’s appreciation for her came from a company crisis a few years ago. At that time, the company’s sales were not optimistic. She had stayed up for many nights to design a hit piece of clothing, which had single-handedly boosted sales. To this day, that piece of clothing was still used as a case study by her peers. But besides this reason, CEO Mei sometimes felt that she was more like her younger, more daring self.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the celebration dinner came to an end.
CEO Mei went on stage to give a speech, saying a few simple and heartfelt words. In a harmonious atmosphere, the dinner came to an end.
Huai Xing had also received a notification half an hour ago. Under the cover of the thick night, she took a taxi to the specific location Chu Wantang had given her.
Such moments were not uncommon, and had even happened just a few days ago. But she knew that she still couldn’t expose her relationship with Chu Wantang, so she had specially worn a hat and a mask to cover herself up so that she wouldn’t be seen by her superiors.
She accurately found the familiar silver car.
This time, Chu Wantang was already in the passenger seat, resting her head on her hand and closing her eyes.
Huai Xing got into the driver’s seat, but she didn’t rush to fasten her seatbelt. Instead, she asked softly, “Jiejie, are you okay? Do you have a headache?”
“No,” Chu Wantang’s lips moved, but her eyes didn’t open. “But I don’t have the strength to fasten my seatbelt.”
The implication was so obvious.
Huai Xing was stunned for a moment, then realized. “Okay.”
She replied and slowly leaned over to pull the passenger seatbelt. But this also brought her much closer to Chu Wantang. She could smell the relatively strong scent of alcohol.
Chu Wantang remained in her position, but her eyes slowly opened, her gaze falling on the moist lips before her.
She knew that she only needed to lift her head a little to taste the specific soft sensation, but now was not the right time.
She closed her eyelids again, smelling the scent of the girl’s hair as she leaned closer.
The time it took to fasten a seatbelt was very short, but Huai Xing felt it was a bit of an ordeal.
Fortunately, with a “click,” it was done.
She returned to her driver’s seat and also fastened her seatbelt.
A few seconds later, the car pulled away from the spot, left the banquet hall’s parking lot, and smoothly merged into the traffic.
The dashboard emitted a soft blue light, and the screen on the center console showed the navigation route, winding and twisting.
Huai Xing was afraid that the navigation voice would disturb Chu Wantang, so she muted it.
While waiting at a red light, she gently turned her head.
The streetlight shone through the car window, falling on Chu Wantang’s face, who was still resting with her eyes closed. The light flickered and danced on her.
Huai Xing was even a little jealous of the light and shadows.
The light ahead turned green. She slowly retracted her gaze and continued to drive.
Chu Wantang’s phone rang at that moment. A few seconds later, a gentle female voice filled the space. “What’s up?”
“Are you home yet, Wantang?” It was Su Cheng. “Wan Yi has already dropped me off.”
Chu Wantang glanced at the navigation and answered, “Almost there.”
“Alright.”
The call ended in less than ten seconds.
Chu Wantang sat up a little straighter. She had indeed fallen asleep, or rather, because she had been drinking, her consciousness was not so clear for a short period of time.
Huai Xing held the steering wheel and asked, “Did Sister Su Cheng and the others drink too?”
“Wan Yi didn’t.”
“Oh…”
Chu Wantang propped her head on her hand, her eyes half-closed, and glanced at the person beside her.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering how they would get back.”
“They’re not children. They can get back on their own after drinking,” Chu Wantang said, then remembered to add a patch. “I can’t. I need you to pick me up.”
Huai Xing couldn’t hide the smile in her voice. “Mm-hmm, I understand, Jiejie.”
“What do you understand?”
“That you need me.” This made her happy.
Chu Wantang asked in return, “What about you? Do you need me?”
“I do,” Huai Xing’s answer was very firm.
Hearing this tone, the smile in Chu Wantang’s eyes deepened.
A few minutes later, the car stopped in the familiar garage.
Huai Xing quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, then walked around the front of the car to the passenger side, first opening the door, then unbuckling the seatbelt.
Only then did Chu Wantang, as if released from a seal, get out of the car with her arm for support.
Then she let go.
The sound of the high heels on the ground was a bit muffled, but it echoed in the quiet garage.
One sound after another, gradually fading away, until it was completely blocked out when they entered the elevator.
In just a few breaths, the elevator doors opened, and the two of them went out one after the other, opening the door, changing their shoes, and washing their hands.
This set of actions was as smooth as flowing water. Chu Wantang soon sat down on the single sofa.
Huai Xing couldn’t cook, but she could still make a glass of honey water to sober up.
She stirred the honey and walked towards the sofa. At this moment, she couldn’t help but admire Chu Wantang’s work ability. How long had she been sitting there? And she was already replying to work messages.
But after editing the reply, Chu Wantang held the phone up to Huai Xing. “See if there are any mistakes.”
Huai Xing glanced over it. “No.”
“Alright.” Chu Wantang pressed send.
Huai Xing knelt down and handed over the glass. “Have some honey water, Jiejie.”
Chu Wantang’s hands were on her sides. She blinked and said, “I have no strength.”
“Then I’ll go get a straw.” No sooner said than done, Huai Xing found a straw in the kitchen cabinet, inserted it, and returned to kneel in front of Chu Wantang. “It’s ready now.”
Chu Wantang rubbed her brow. After a chuckle, she opened her mouth and took the straw, her gaze fixed on Huai Xing’s face.
Huai Xing’s features were exquisite, and together they were even more harmonious, her style somewhere between bold and delicate. She didn’t have much time on the runway, but there was still some discussion about her online.
And at this moment, her eyes were still clear and bright, hiding a twinkling starlight.
And Chu Wantang saw her own reflection.
The light in the living room was not harsh, it was a warm tone, which also made Chu Wantang look more gentle and soft. Huai Xing was a little nervous from being looked at. Her gaze could only fall on the decreasing amount of honey water, but it was hard to avoid Chu Wantang’s lips.
Chu Wantang sipped gently, the liquid slowly rising up the straw and into her mouth. Although there was no special action, it just seemed gentle and sensual.
Huai Xing felt a little thirsty from watching. She glanced up slightly and met her gaze.
Chu Wantang released her lips, moved back a little, and said with a smile, “I’m done.”
“Okay.”
There was still a third of the honey water left in the glass. Huai Xing didn’t insist.
But she hadn’t been kneeling for long, yet she felt a little weak. It was a bit difficult to get up, and she had to lean on the armrest of the sofa.
“What’s wrong?” Chu Wantang noticed this, her eyes showing undisguised concern. “Are your legs numb?”
Huai Xing denied, “No.”
She quickly changed the subject. “Are you feeling better, Jiejie?”
“Mm,” Chu Wantang replied, her brows furrowed. “But I smell like alcohol. I don’t like it. I want to take a shower.”
Huai Xing reminded her, “But it’s a bit dangerous to take a shower now… you have to wait a little longer.”
Chu Wantang rubbed her temples. “Can’t I, if you stand guard at the door?”
“No,” Huai Xing said, gripping the water glass tightly. “You’re my only family in this world. I don’t want to take risks on such things, can I?”
Chu Wantang looked at her. After a moment, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll go change first. I’ll take a shower when it’s time.”
Huai Xing breathed a sigh of relief and reminded her again, “It’s ten o’clock now. You can go take a shower around eleven, Jiejie.”
“Okay.”
But waiting for nearly an hour was a bit of an ordeal.
Therefore, Chu Wantang suggested watching a movie together. She cast a movie that had just been released on the platform onto the TV.
They both put on their glasses. Chu Wantang, as usual, had no strength and lay on her side.
Only a floor lamp in the corner was left on in the living room, the light dim and yellow.
Chu Wantang had no intention of watching the movie. She closed her eyes lightly, her heart a little chaotic, waiting for eleven o’clock to arrive.
Huai Xing had no intention of watching the movie either. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt that tonight’s Chu Wantang was a bit more… clingy than before?
In the past, at times like this, Chu Wantang would go back to her room to sober up on her own. This time, she wanted to watch a movie with her.
No, not just tonight.
It seemed that the recent Chu Wantang was a bit more clingy.
Why? Huai Xing had no answer.
She only knew to hide her feelings well and not let Chu Wantang notice, otherwise, what awaited her would be a world-shattering change.
When the movie was halfway through, eleven o’clock finally arrived.
Before Huai Xing could say anything, Chu Wantang took her nightgown and went into the bathroom.
The sound of water gradually rose, drowning out Huai Xing’s thoughts.
She paused the movie, returned to her room, and to distract herself, she opened Weibo again.
“Lan Ling’s” official Weibo had posted photos from tonight’s dinner. In the eighteen-grid layout, Chu Wantang had two photos, but the hot comments were all from fans of Wan Yi and the other female celebrities. The netizens who were shouting “I’m yours” to Chu Wantang were all drowned out by the fans’ comment control.
Huai Xing was very satisfied with this situation and curled her lips.
…
