Chapter 15

“Here, Sister Little Lin, your bag. Sister Xuezi just asked me to bring it to you.”

“Thank you,” Lin Xuqing said, taking the bag. “Your coat—I’ve washed it.”

Mi Wei waved a hand. “I have two. I can’t wear this one anyway. Why not keep it at your desk? If we have more night shoots, you can wear it over your clothes.”

Lin Xuqing thought of last night. “…Really, no need. Thank you.”

“All right then,” Mi Wei said, sounding rather regretful. “They said there’s a meeting just now.”

“Mm. Let’s go.”

The regular meeting was usually Monday morning; today it had been deliberately moved to the afternoon.

In the morning, each team had exported the footage shot last Saturday, and after a rough cut, Jiang Min had everyone review it.

Once everyone had gathered, Jiang Min got straight to the point. “You’ve all seen the footage from the first shoot. I don’t need to spell it out—this shoot was clearly subpar. Content like this definitely won’t pass muster.”

“Even though we’re pressed for time, we need to review first and hold off a few days. Post-production: Sister Chun, you and Sisi go through all the previously shot videos, pull out useful information, and do some editing. The post-production team is short-handed, so the filming team will pitch in too. Project team, keep looking for a new angle.”

If they couldn’t finish filming, they might not even get a proper rest over Spring Festival.

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavy, and no one spoke for a long while.

“That’s all for today. Meeting adjourned.”

Jiang Xuezi walked out side by side with Jiang Min, talking in low voices.

“Over on the filming team, Jian Ming doesn’t lift a finger, and Sister Wen Heng has to take her mother to the hospital for a follow-up. Sister Chun came to me complaining the post-production team doesn’t have enough hands—they can’t keep up.”

“What about Yun Shu and Little Lin?”

“Yun Shu’s been sent off by Jian Ming to do other things. Little Lin is helping. Jian Ming has a little ability, but not much—he’s a real menace.”

“It’s not like it’s just been a day or two.”

“By the way, aren’t you worried Little Lin will suffer under him?”

“What’s to worry about? She’s not the type to take bullying meekly.”

Someone who, as a teenager, had dared to block her path and ask whether she would sponsor her—how could such a person be easily bullied?

It was just… thinking of the obstacles this shoot had run into, and of Lin Xuqing’s proposal, Jiang Min let out a soft sigh.

……

Eight in the evening. The bus swayed along for over half an hour before reaching the stop. Lin Xuqing got off and walked to where she wanted to go.

The Faraway BBQ Shop didn’t have many customers yet, and the person she was looking for wasn’t there. She walked along, looking as she went, until she reached the small park nearby.

Even in such cold weather, quite a few people were walking their dogs in the park. One figure in a tattered coat, with medium-length hair, was walking a vigorous, powerful black dog.

The owner might go hungry one meal and eat the next, but the dog was well cared for.

Lin Xuqing walked over, her tone casual, like small talk. “How old is the dog?”

“A year and a half,” the person said, a hint of pride in their voice. “His name’s Little Guai. Not bad, right? I’ve raised him well.”

“You’ve raised him very well. My family had a big dog once too, but we were poor and didn’t have much to feed him. He was too thin.”

“Before? And now?”

“There was a heavy rain once, and a landslide. He died saving me.”

“You must miss him a lot.”

Lin Xuqing gave a soft “mm” and didn’t speak for a long time.

“You look a bit familiar,” Zhang Heqiao said, tilting his head to look at her, brow furrowed. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “That interview thing the other day—you were there, weren’t you?”

“I was,” Lin Xuqing said, a faint smile rising. “I came to find you.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“There’s a pottery studio on this street. The owner is a sister I know. She told me.”

“You people still won’t give up, huh.”

“No.”

“What do you want to tell me today?”

“Could you tell me where you usually rest?”

Zhang Heqiao snorted. “Sure I can. But if I tell you, would you dare go?”

Lin Xuqing nodded. “Of course.”

“Under Mingchuan Bridge, the archway right in the middle. That’s my turf.”

“I’ll come find you.”

“A word of advice—that place isn’t safe. Young women especially shouldn’t go there alone.”

The big black dog ran over. Lin Xuqing bent down and stroked its head, feeling the warmth against her palm.

She said her thanks, and then, for some reason, her voice suddenly softened. “She wouldn’t let me go alone.”

Jiang Min watched the revised video, lost in long thought.

Judging by the material gathered so far, the current filming hadn’t reached the core. The earlier interviews had all stayed on the surface—not much use.

But this was within expectations. She’d never had much confidence in You Hui’s plan from the start; it had been a try-and-see approach.

Another proposal lay on the desk—the one Lin Xuqing had given her.

“Sister You Hui’s plan won’t work anymore. We should think of other ways.”

“These are my observation notes from recently—the places they like to go, the things they do. That person with medium-length hair from last time—I talked with him again. I’m guessing as long as we dare to go over, he’ll talk with us.”

Thinking of the conversation from moments ago, Jiang Min rubbed her temple.

She’d even kept records… Who knew how many times Lin Xuqing had wandered that area alone during this period.

She couldn’t refuse Lin Xuqing’s proposal.

Jiang Xuezi and You Hui were waiting for her decision; seeing her frown, they didn’t disturb her.

“Let’s go with what Little Lin said. For safety’s sake, we need to carefully pick who goes to film this time.”

Seeing Jiang Min finally make up her mind, Jiang Xuezi nodded. “Little Lin mentioned it to me this morning, and I’ve already discussed it with You Hui. Five or six people will be enough.”

Jiang Min: “Since it’s decided, the sooner we start filming the better—ideally today. You two settle on the people. As for the Magazine Office, I’ll call Ning Rou now.”

Jiang Xuezi asked, hesitating. “You’re inviting Ning Rou along?”

Jiang Min shook her head. “No—have her arrange someone from her side.”

Jiang Xuezi wasn’t surprised. “I see…”

She knew Jiang Min too well—always thinking of Ning Rou, as if terrified the girl might come to the slightest harm.

Jiang Min rose and went to the window to call Ning Rou, briefly explaining the situation. She’d assumed Ning Rou wouldn’t want to go, but to her surprise, Ning Rou was insistent. “I want to come along.”

“Are you sure? The conditions there aren’t good, and there are safety concerns…”

“Don’t worry, Sister A-Min. If you’re all going, I’m going too. This is my work as well.”

“All right. I’ll send you the location later.”

Jiang Xuezi joked, “What, your delicate little flower is going too?”

Jiang Min: “What delicate flower? No nonsense when you see Ning Rou later.”

Jiang Xuezi laughed. “Don’t worry.”

……

It was cloudy today. They arrived at four in the afternoon, and the sky was already somewhat gloomy.

Jiang Min counted heads. Today’s group had been kept to a minimum: Jiang Xuezi and You Hui had brought two male colleagues from the project team, and from the filming team only Lin Xuqing had come. Counting Ning Rou, seven in total.

Ning Rou had changed into a black windbreaker today, quite unlike her usual style. But her voice was as gentle as ever. “We probably won’t get dinner today, so I brought some rice balls for everyone to tide you over.”

“Little Lin, I remember you like the seaweed tuna rice balls best.”

Lin Xuqing took it. “Thank you, Sister Ning Rou. Sorry for the trouble.”

Ning Rou beamed at her. “Little Lin, we’re all so familiar now—can’t you be less formal from now on?”

Lin Xuqing gave a noncommittal smile.

She was far more polite to Ning Rou than she was even to Jiang Min.

Once everyone was ready, Lin Xuqing said, “I’ll lead the way.”

“All right. Be careful, everyone.”

On the way there, Jiang Min had already given instructions: pay attention to safety at all costs, speak as little as possible, and focus on the work.

But once they entered the space under the bridge, there were fewer people than expected.

Only in the very middle had a crowd gathered—apparently some kind of argument was going on.

Following the spot Zhang Heqiao had given her, Lin Xuqing made her way over. He had clearly spotted her too, and said impatiently, “I don’t have time for this today. Get going.”

The moment his voice fell, someone sneered, “Well, well, Brother Qiao, so you’ve got rich friends now. That dog of yours was picked up off the street—it’s just a beast, not worth a few coins. Why keep pinning it on me?”

“Go to hell, you bastard!”

Who knew which word had struck a nerve—Zhang Heqiao grabbed a stick and moved to fight. Beside him, the big black dog—apparently injured, its hind leg a bloody mess—leapt up as well, savagely lunging at the other man.

The scene descended into utter chaos in an instant.

Seeing the black dog go berserk and with no proper weapon at hand, the man actually bent down and grabbed a thermos.

The thermos was about to come down on the dog when Lin Xuqing hurried forward a step and shoved the man. The thermos smashed against the wall and cracked open with a bang, shattered glass flying everywhere. Hot water mixed with glass shards splashed onto the dog’s injured hind leg, sending it into a frenzy—it looked ready to bite someone.

“Stay back!” Jiang Min pushed Ning Rou far away, then grabbed Lin Xuqing. “Get back!”

But it was already too late.

The dog’s eyes had gone red with rage; it came snarling. Lin Xuqing shielded Jiang Min behind her, but she herself failed to dodge and was bitten.

“Lin Xuqing!”

Seeing her hurt, Jiang Min’s expression changed. But the dog, maddened, still wouldn’t release its grip.

The male colleagues wanted to force it off, but Lin Xuqing’s face had gone white. “I’m fine. Don’t—”

Zhang Heqiao had just knocked down the troublemaker with one punch, and finally freed his hands to scoop up his dog. He asked Lin Xuqing, “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I…”

“It’s fine. Bandage him up first.”

Lin Xuqing staggered back two steps, and Jiang Min caught her. Her calf had been bitten, blood slowly soaking through her trousers.

The scene was still in chaos. Jiang Min frowned and said coldly, “What is all this noise?!”

At her words, the surroundings slowly quieted.

“Xuezi, you all handle things here.”

“I’m taking her to the hospital.”

The previously chaotic scene steadied. Their group was sizable, and the two male colleagues You Hui had brought were tall and burly—clearly not easy to push around.

The situation over there could change at any moment, and with several colleagues carrying expensive filming equipment, Jiang Min couldn’t take more people away.

Another passerby came over to gawk; he’d only been drunk and rowdy, but seeing the crowd grow, he grew wary too.

Zhang Heqiao sneered. “Want to run now? Too late.”

Seeing things stabilize, Jiang Min said to Jiang Xuezi, “I’m heading to the hospital first.”

Ning Rou, whom she’d pushed into a corner earlier, stepped forward. “Sister A-Min, I’ll come with you.”

“No need,” Jiang Min said without looking at her. “Go back first.”

Ning Rou froze.

She stood where she was, watching Jiang Min’s back. In all these years… this was probably the first time she’d been refused so directly.

Once they’d escaped the chaos, Jiang Min asked Lin Xuqing, “Can you still walk?”

Lin Xuqing: “It’s fine. Just a small injury.”

They hailed a taxi at the roadside. Jiang Min had Lin Xuqing get in first, then carefully maneuvered her injured leg in.

Once the door closed, Jiang Min leaned over and asked, “Are you okay?”

Her breathing was rapid and uneven, her voice full of anxious concern.

Pain was still throbbing through her body, but Lin Xuqing stared at her, entranced.

“What are you looking at me for?”

Seeing her silent, Jiang Min guessed she wasn’t actually fine—probably hurting badly, the loose strands at her forehead damp with sweat.

She reached out, touched Lin Xuqing’s forehead, brushed the damp strands aside, and said gently, “Lin Xuqing, does it hurt a lot?”

With every word, her breath fell on Lin Xuqing’s cheek.

Lin Xuqing was nearly forgetting how to speak.

“It’s nothing…” she finally found her voice. “I’m fine.”

“Fine, how?”

“I think… our filming has hope now.”

“…”

Jiang Min nearly died of exasperation.

Of all times to talk about work!

But she was injured, so Jiang Min held back, only tapping her forehead with a fingertip and saying crossly, “Serves you right if it hurts.”

Pale-faced, Lin Xuqing looked away from her. “It’s just a bite.”

Her tone was flat, as if another bite wouldn’t matter at all.