I avoided Leyao’s gaze, parked my mountain bike, and then answered the call from the woman in red. I greeted her, “Good evening, General An!”
“Are you surprised that I suddenly called you?”
“It’s quite unexpected, so if you have something to say, just tell me quickly. Please don’t keep me hanging, my heart might not take it!” I said with lingering fear, because I had a profound experience with the woman in red before. I remembered clearly that the last time she contacted me, she told me thrillingly that it was Jian Wei who provided the photos to Weiran. Heaven knows what she might say this time.
My nervousness made the woman in red laugh, and she then said, “Actually, there’s nothing particularly important. I just heard from a friend at the Shouxi Lake Yu Garden that you’re coming to Yangzhou tomorrow to sign a long-term cooperation contract with them. As I’m in Yangzhou, I thought I should treat you to a meal as a local host.”
I immediately felt relieved and laughed along, saying, “General An, you’re really well-informed! You even know that I’m coming to Yangzhou to discuss a project with that company!”
“I had dinner with the general manager of Shouxi Lake Yu Garden yesterday, and he mentioned this matter. I just happened to overhear. If I didn’t know, it would be fine, but since I know you’re coming, I should treat you to a meal.”
“Then thank you, General An, for your hospitality.”
After the woman in red said “You’re too kind,” she asked me about Mi Cai’s recent situation in the United States. In reality, I had no idea, so I gave a couple of perfunctory responses. Then, our call ended.
I put the phone back into my pocket, turned around, and saw Leyao and Xiaoya each holding a box of cake, sitting on the curb with the same posture, resting their chins in their hands, watching me. Their gaze made me feel a bit uneasy, thinking I had kept them waiting for a long time. I apologized, saying, “Sorry for keeping you two young ladies waiting. Let me treat you to dinner.”
Leyao glanced at me sideways and then asked Xiaoya, “Do you think his sincerity is enough?”
Xiaoya wasn’t as mischievous as Leyao. She smiled at me and said, “Brother Zhaoyang, I want to go to Pizza Hut…”
I shrugged at Leyao, then pushed over my mountain bike and said to Xiaoya, “Xiaoya, your sister Leyao is a public figure, so it’s inconvenient for her to go to a place like Pizza Hut. Let’s find a restaurant. I’ll treat you both to some Suzhou-style cuisine, which is quieter and more fitting for a birthday celebration.”
“Okay, okay…”
I then asked Leyao, “Should we invite other friends as well?”
“CC went to Hong Kong, and Luoben went to Beijing to prepare for the concert. Who else can we invite?”
“Weren’t there a lot of friends from both inside and outside the industry when you and Cao Jinfu came last time?”
“They were all a bunch of unreliable friends!”
I thought about it and agreed. Instead of being bound by worldly ties, I should take this rare opportunity to spend Xiaoya and Leyao’s birthday together. Who knows what our lives will be like next year at this time or if we’ll even have the chance to meet again.
…
It was only 7:30 PM when I finished celebrating the birthday with Xiaoya and Leyao, so I had plenty of time. I walked them back to their place. Leyao first settled Xiaoya down, then came downstairs with me.
Pushing my bike forward, I asked her, “Do you have anything else to do?”
“You should be the one answering that question.”
I stopped and said to her, “Actually, I’ve carefully considered the matter of filming the micro-film. I still think you should focus on getting married… I’ll find someone else to replace you.”
Leyao frowned and said, “Do you think I’m someone who doesn’t keep my word?… I said I would help you film it, and I will definitely do it. You can just bring the script to discuss with me later.”
I replied seriously, “According to the company’s current requirements, having you alone star in the micro-film no longer fits our commercial positioning… After all, you’re about to get married, and I previously overlooked this point.”
Leyao sighed with a complex expression, “Yes, after getting married, I’ll just be a desperate housewife!”
I didn’t say anything, which was essentially an agreement.
Leyao looked at me with a piercing gaze and said, “You just said that having me alone star in the micro-film doesn’t fit your commercial positioning. Can I understand this as, if someone else you need is added, this problem would no longer exist?”
At specific moments, Leyao always showed unusual care and sensitivity. She could even catch the implications in my words that I hadn’t paid much attention to myself. So I no longer concealed anything, nodded at her, and said, “The result of our discussion is that we hope Cao Jinfu can also participate in the filming of the micro-film. The story will be about the male and female leads walking on the artistic path, getting to know each other, sympathizing with each other, falling in love, and finally getting married. The central theme is: the road has an end, but love is endless…”
Leyao didn’t seem to mind my suggestion of inviting Cao Jinfu to participate in the filming. She unconsciously repeated, “The road has an end, but love is endless…”
I nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the central theme I’ve set for this micro-film. So I think marriage might be the end of a journey, but it’s definitely not the end of love. If we decide to use this story concept and central theme, you and Cao Jinfu are indeed the best choices. Additionally, from a commercial perspective, even if we hire top-tier celebrities, the topic effect generated won’t be as significant as when you and Cao Jinfu participate!”
“You’re quite honest, even telling me so candidly about commercial considerations and topic effects!”
“I’m just stating the facts, and I don’t have too many expectations. I think this might be a difficult request for you and possibly also for Cao Jinfu. So I won’t force anything. You can make your decision freely without considering other factors!”
After a moment of silence, Leyao said to me, “I’ll bring this up with Jinfu, but I can’t give you a 100% commitment right now, because you know he generally dislikes appearing in the public eye…”
I smiled and said, “I’ve already said it’s not necessary to force anything.”
“There’s no forcing involved because I personally agree with this idea… Everyone knows that Jinfu and I have no emotional foundation at all, so I really hope to use this micro-film project to find a feeling of love and understand the core idea that the artistic path wants to express… I think, by then, this micro-film will be the best wedding gift you can give us.”
I nodded and didn’t say anything else. I just pushed my bike forward, facing the slightly chilly wind, heading towards the most prosperous part of the city…
…
It was still early, so I turned my bike around on the bustling street and planned to go to Xiaojun’s flower shop because I suddenly remembered: I had promised last night to personally go to the flower shop to send flowers to Mi Cai.
On the way, I received a call from Jian Wei. She said that my personal seal might be needed at tomorrow’s scenic area handover ceremony. I told her the seal was in my briefcase. Coincidentally, she was also nearby, so we agreed to meet at Xiaojun’s shop to hand over the seal. Thus, we had a brief encounter again that night… an encounter that would become unforgettable for the rest of our lives!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage