Chapter 5: Turn Off the Light

Cheng Jinzhi froze. In her relationship with Gao Yi, Gao Yi had always been the one on “top,” and Gao Yi never let her touch her. So when she did this sort of thing with Rong Si, Cheng Jinzhi liked to be on top—but she never quite got the hang of it, and she always ended up turning Rong Si’s face pale. It was clear that, whether for the sake of her own dignity or because of Cheng Jinzhi’s “technique,” Rong Si was deeply resistant to doing this kind of thing with her.

Seeing Cheng Jinzhi make no move, Rong Si’s expression darkened further. She slowly drew her arm out from under the covers—a slender, fair arm. Cheng Jinzhi’s mind wandered; the first thing she saw was Rong Si’s fingers. They were long and delicate, with clearly defined knuckles. Cheng Jinzhi’s cheeks burned. She turned her face away and pulled Rong Si’s blanket back up. “I’ll go to the next room…”

Before she could finish, the frail Rong Si sat up in bed and wrapped her arms around Cheng Jinzhi’s neck. “Don’t go.”

Rong Si kissed Cheng Jinzhi’s ear and cheek desperately. “Don’t go…”

“Rong Si?” At such intimate contact, Cheng Jinzhi looked—and saw that Rong Si wasn’t wearing a stitch. It flushed Cheng Jinzhi’s face bright red. “You… what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. I was too willful this afternoon.”

Rong Si was referring to the afternoon’s filming.

“It’s fine.” Cheng Jinzhi’s breathing had grown a little uneven. She pressed against Rong Si’s shoulder, then glanced at the phone on the table, as if something had occurred to her. “Is your brother pressing you for tuition?”

Rong Si’s younger brother had exceptional musical talent and was now studying at a music conservatory in Moscow. Cheng Jinzhi had met Rong Si on a production crew in Moscow and brought her back to her apartment.

Rong Si lowered her eyes, seemingly confirming the question. “I’ll pay you back.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll have Ah Wei open an account for you.”

Rong Si looked up, a little surprised that Cheng Jinzhi had agreed so readily.

Cheng Jinzhi didn’t want to make herself look like some living bodhisattva, so she turned her face away awkwardly. “Just remember to pay me back when the time comes.”

“It’s late. Go to sleep.”

“You’ve been acting very strange ever since you woke up two days ago,” Rong Si said abruptly.

Cheng Jinzhi’s heart jolted, but her face betrayed nothing. “Then… for better or worse?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Cheng Jinzhi regretted them. She actually asked Rong Si whether she’d changed for better or worse? Without waiting for an answer, Cheng Jinzhi got up. Perhaps to cover her embarrassment, she added one more thing. “You’re very talented at acting. With a little professional training, you’ll be even better.”

Seeing Cheng Jinzhi rise, Rong Si quickly wrapped the sheet around herself—though not very securely. Her slender neck and pale shoulders were still visible, giving her a coy, half-hidden charm, like a beauty peeking from behind a pipa. “Mm.”

“Have you filled in your college application?” She remembered that Rong Si was sitting for the college entrance exam this year.

“I haven’t.”

Having been away from campus life for so long, Cheng Jinzhi had momentarily forgotten that she was now in the first semester of her junior year—which meant Rong Si was about to start university. In her last life, Rong Si had been recommended to Huaxi University by Director Yi Yi through “Girls’ Fortress.” There were three major film and television academies in the country, and more than half the entertainment circle came from those three schools. Huaxi University had the strongest professional training, followed by Jingying and Shen University. Jingying University, where Cheng Jinzhi studied, was currently the biggest star factory. By Cheng Jinzhi’s cohort, every student came with their own connections and fan base—each one was already somewhat famous.

“Come to my school.”

Rong Si was silent for a moment. “Okay.”

Once she was out of the room, Cheng Jinzhi’s expression fell again. What was she doing? Recommending Rong Si? Her mortal enemy? Cheng Jinzhi thought she must be sick—probably from soaking in the bath too long until her brain had gone soft.

The next day, Cheng Jinzhi paid a visit to the dean’s office. The dean was willing to do the Cheng family a favor and agreed to a supplementary admission for Rong Si. Rong Si had hit the jackpot this year—enrolling this late and still not escaping military training. Because the drill instructor training unit was understaffed this term, the training had been postponed to mid-September.

“I heard you personally asked the dean?” Gou Yu asked. Gou Yu was her classmate and knew every piece of gossip in the whole grade. Though she was an acting student, she was unusually passionate about gossip. It wasn’t until after graduation that everyone realized her true ambition was to be an entertainment reporter—a paparazzo. She’d originally studied acting to “go undercover” among the future leading men and little flowers, and afterward she often posted old photos of everyone on Weibo, making them gnash their teeth in fear that she’d leak some explosive scoop. Cheng Jinzhi remembered her very well. Back then, Gou Yu had kicked open the hidden marriage of a hot young actor and made a name for herself in one stroke. Later, she went on to expose the divorce of a top diva—and mind you, the diva had just said on record that she was very happy with her husband before Gou Yu blew the lid off.

At the sight of Gou Yu, alarm bells rang loudly in Cheng Jinzhi’s head. She absolutely could not let Gou Yu discover her relationship with Rong Si. “What?”

“About you recommending a new student to the dean,” Gou Yu said. “I wonder what kind of big shot could trouble Eldest Miss Cheng to make a personal trip.”

“Just a friend.” Cheng Jinzhi said airily, then pulled out her book.

Gou Yu was holding a notebook. She took out the pen from her chest pocket and scribbled a few lines right in front of Cheng Jinzhi, for reasons unknown. “I have Gao Yi’s schedule here. Want it?”

Gao Yi? Gou Yu had Gao Yi’s schedule too? Cheng Jinzhi thought about it—there was hardly anyone in the class who didn’t know she was pursuing Gao Yi. Back then, Cheng Jinzhi had been very flashy, swaggering around her little circle and declaring that no one was allowed to set their sights on Gao Yi.

“Thanks, I’m good.”

“This time it’s free.”

“Really, I don’t need it.”

“Did you two break up?” Gou Yu’s mouth fell open, as if she couldn’t believe it. Everyone knew Cheng Jinzhi was head-over-heels for Gao Yi.

“They had a fight.” Xia You came over as well, nudging Gou Yu’s arm. “What are you scribbling in your notebook this time?”

“Want to see?” Gou Yu blinked. “Want to trade?”

“I don’t follow gossip. What would I even have to trade?”

Gou Yu wagged her finger and said mysteriously, “You are gossip. Everyone is gossip. It just depends on who’s paying attention.”

Xia You rolled her eyes at Gou Yu, pulled up a stool, and sat down to Cheng Jinzhi’s left. “Still haven’t made up?”

“I’m not interested in her anymore. I’m bored of her,” Cheng Jinzhi said. “Forget her—tell me about you. Didn’t you go film a drama over the summer?”

“You showing concern for me is a little scary,” Xia You said. Cheng Jinzhi rarely asked about other people’s business. It wasn’t that she respected their privacy—she simply didn’t care.

“Don’t be silly.” Cheng Jinzhi laughed. “What was your drama called again?”

“Beauty Fills the City Tower,” Xia You said. “I think this drama is pretty good. It might even make it to satellite TV.”

Every newcomer who goes out to act has the same illusion: that the drama they’re in will become a hit.

Beauty Fills the City Tower. Cheng Jinzhi racked her brain. She didn’t seem to have heard of this drama. “Who’s in it?”

“Some huge stars!” Xia You got excited at that. She quickly pulled out her phone. “Look, right here.”

“This… isn’t this the guy who likes to rap?” Before Cheng Jinzhi could even recognize him, Gou Yu jumped in. “Xia You, your drama’s a bit shaky. I’ve seen that guy before—he walks all crooked, never stands up straight. A guy like that is supposed to play a general? What, he’s gonna rap about taking out enemy heads? Boom-bap, boom-bap?”

“Let’s talk nicely and not be jealous.” Xia You was in high spirits and ignored Gou Yu.

Once the topic turned to dramas, Xia You warmed right up. She didn’t know why, but facing Cheng Jinzhi today, she felt especially chatty.

After settling matters for Rong Si, the next step was getting her enrolled as soon as possible. Watching Rong Si wash the dishes, Cheng Jinzhi spoke up. “Military training is pretty tough. Want me to get you a medical excuse?”

“Thanks, no need.”

Sharing a room with Rong Si was still awkward for Cheng Jinzhi, especially dealing with Rong Si’s deliberate attentiveness. Take that afternoon, for example—when she woke from her nap, her hand landed on a smooth, bare body. The feel of it was nice, but she couldn’t bring herself to take it further. If anything, a strange sense of morality was pricking at her conscience. So facing the delicate Rong Si, she really couldn’t get used to it. “Pack up these next couple of days… how many roommates do you want?”

The moment Cheng Jinzhi’s words fell, a crisp clatter of dishes came from the sink.

“Rong Si?”

“You decide.”

“Mm… how about a single room?”

“Okay.”

Just thinking about sending Rong Si off tomorrow made Cheng Jinzhi’s heart especially light. With only her left in the house, how free and happy she’d be! She could even throw parties—she’d been holding back these past few days, afraid Rong Si would find it too loud. After Rong Si was gone, she was going to throw a huge party to celebrate her rebirth.

Cheng Jinzhi was soaking in the bathtub, her hands draped lazily over the porcelain-white edge. Just as she was about to get up, the door swung open, startling her into scrambling back down into the tub.

It was Rong Si, wearing nothing but a white bathrobe. Biting her lip, she looked at Cheng Jinzhi and slowly undid her belt, laying bare a body alluring enough to steal one’s breath, fully exposed before Cheng Jinzhi’s eyes. Her mortal enemy had stripped at the drop of a hat. Cheng Jinzhi was so shocked that her foot slipped and she swallowed two mouthfuls of bathwater. Rong Si stepped forward, cupped Cheng Jinzhi’s head in her hands, and kissed her.

Rong Si looked perfectly composed, but her clumsy kiss was enough to betray her inexperience.

“Rong Si… you… mmph…”

Rong Si tightened her arms around Cheng Jinzhi, as if desperately trying to win her favor.

“Rong Si!” Cheng Jinzhi was both embarrassed and annoyed. She had lived for so long, after all—how could she be kissed dizzy by a little girl?

Cheng Jinzhi pushed her away. Rong Si, caught off guard, tumbled to the floor.

Seeing Rong Si fall, Cheng Jinzhi wanted to get out and help her up—but then she remembered she wasn’t wearing a stitch and felt awkward. She kept her hands on the edge of the tub, her body submerged, only her two innocent eyes peeking out. “Are you okay?”

“Come out.”

“No.”

Cheng Jinzhi added awkwardly, “I’m not wearing any clothes.”

At that, Rong Si’s eyes went wide, as if baffled by Cheng Jinzhi’s words. Was there any part of this woman she hadn’t seen before? What was she being so coy about?