Chapter 49: CH 49

Once Sang Wan Ci’s words landed, Lu Zhi Wei suddenly felt like the world was silent.

The two of them were still hugging each other, having forgotten to let go.

She couldn’t see Sang Wan Ci’s expression, and Sang Wan Ci couldn’t see her expression.

She couldn’t smile, her eyes and heart were both filled with shock.

Her brain whirled as she tried to think, exactly where had she accidentally exposed her identity as a Meng Lian Yu fan?

She clearly hid it well?

Then a lightbulb went off in her brain as she figured it out.

—— It was when she was replying to Ying Xi Ze!

She had let Sang Wan Ci help to reply back then.

Damn it, she actually was the one who let Sang Wan Ci use her phone!

Help, her home screen was Meng Lian Yu!!

It would be even more ridiculous if she wasn’t exposed!!!

Too careless, she had been too careless!

She was very upset about it, and even started thinking unconsciously if she should try to muddle her way through it.

But she had just promised Sang Wan Ci she wouldn’t lie to her, how could she go back on her word like that?

But how should she try to explain this?

If she lied, she was untrustworthy.

If she was honest, she was worried Sang Wan Ci would feel deceived and stop talking to her in anger……

Thinking about it, she suddenly became very despondent.

Good god, how did she become Sang Wan Ci’s fan as her side job in the first place……

Unable to make a decision, she shouted for Lao Wu to help her.

After calling out in her heart twice, Lao Wu finally appeared.

【What is it, what is it?】Lao Wu abandoned the program and rushed over. 【What happened?】

Lu Zhi Wei: 【I’ve encountered a lethal problem, if I’m not careful, I might have to confess right now】

Lao Wu: 【???】 Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

I just looked away for a moment and you immediately throw a life crisis at me???

Lu Zhi Wei told him everything.

【She’s been too good to me, and I was so moved, so I said I would treat her very, very well in the future. Then she said I had to be honest with her and that I couldn’t lie.

【I thought this was something that friends should do anyway, so I agreed.】

Lao Wu propped up his chin and listened, not hearing a problem: 【Isn’t that pretty good?】

Lu Zhi Wei continued: 【That’s because you don’t know what question she asked me.】

Lao Wu finally understood.

Oh, so there was a question asked.

He asked curiously: 【What question?】

Lu Zhi Wei was on the verge of tears: 【She asked me why my phone home screen is Teacher Meng……】

Lao Wu: 【???】

I just looked away for a moment and you immediately exposed your identity?!

Good fellow, this is really your life hanging by a thread……

【What should I do?】

Lu Zhi Wei started deliberating again, only being able to ask Lao Wu for help.

【I just promised her I wouldn’t lie to her, but if I say the truth, will she get mad at me and ignore me? I only just managed to make such a good friend……】

She didn’t want to lose a friend like Sang Wan Ci……

Lao Wu watched the data jumping on the screen, silently contemplating.

It was like he was an old father facing his teenage daughter now.

After a moment, he said: 【If you’re scared, then be honest.】

【Cherished friends are even more deserving of honesty. Lying will only make you two grow further and further apart.

【Besides, didn’t you pretend to be her fan in the beginning because you were scared of disappointing her? This can’t be faulted, you had good intentions.

【And Meng Lian Yu means so much to you, it’s normal for you to like her. I believe Sang Wan Ci will understand your feelings as a fan.】

Lu Zhi Wei was convinced.

Honestly, compared to hiding it, she might as well explain now.

It wasn’t some embarrassing thing that she liked Meng Lian Yu too.

If there was no Meng Lian Yu, there might be no her right now.

Liking someone always had a first-come-first-served basis.

Sang Wan Ci couldn’t blame her for liking Meng Lian Yu first, right?

Sang Wan Ci had been curious ever since she saw Lu Zhi Wei’s home screen.

Even if the person in the photo was her biological aunt, she was still curious.

Not many people in the industry knew Meng Lian Yu was her aunt, so it was even more impossible for Lu Zhi Wei to know.

So in everybody’s eyes, they were in the same industry but unacquainted.

And since Lu Zhi Wei said she liked her, then why was her home screen someone else?

Her true love fan had climbed over the wall?

Or was it that this true love fan was never her fan, but her aunt’s?

The air was quiet.

They maintained their positions without moving.

Seeing Lu Zhi Wei stay silent, Sang Wan Ci’s fingers twitched, brushing past her hair.

“Why aren’t you talking?” She asked.

Was she feeling guilty?

Did she feel that this question was too hard to answer, or was she feeling that Sang Wan Ci shouldn’t have asked this question?

Lu Zhi Wei knew she couldn’t stay quiet anymore, and that she couldn’t avoid this anymore.

So she plucked up her courage and said: “She’s my home screen wallpaper because I like her.

“Before I got to know about you, I liked her, I’ve liked her for a very, very long time.”

Sang Wan Ci couldn’t explain the feeling in her heart.

It wasn’t betrayal, it wasn’t that of a fan leaving her for someone else.

But it was that she had arrived late.

Lu Zhi Wei thought about the letters she had written to Meng Lian Yu, recalling the crooked words and smiled, her eyes lighting up.

She decided to be completely honest with Sang Wan Ci, not hiding anything.

“Didn’t I tell you before, I had a very low sense of existence? I didn’t lie to you. Because of this problem, I had a very oppressed childhood. I always felt like this world didn’t like me, that everybody hated me.

“The me at that time didn’t understand anything, and didn’t know how to counsel myself. I could only be like a moth, chasing after other people’s light to affirm my existence had a purpose.

“But this sort of action was meaningless. Not only was I not seen, but I was also hurt by people being indifferent to me.

“Until I saw Teacher Meng on the television, the independent and shining Teacher Meng.”

Talking about her memories from the past, Lu Zhi Wei’s heart was still filled with joy.

It was the feeling of being saved by the light, her life finally starting to have meaning and colour.

It was the first time she had direction in life, the first time she idolised someone.

“She was the one to let me know there was another way of living on this earth, that I could choose to not care about the gaze of others and live.

“But I didn’t understand, I didn’t know how to live as freely and as insouciantly as her. So I wrote letters to her, hoping she would see them, hoping she would teach me and let me live as happily as she did.

“And then, can you believe it, she actually replied to me, and it was with three letters! I was overjoyed at that time!”

Her voice quickened. Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

It was filled with unexpected joy.

Sang Wan Ci didn’t even need to see her expression to feel how happy she must have been then.

Lu Zhi Wei continued: “In those three letters, Teacher Meng answered my questions seriously, teaching me how to love myself and how to be optimistic. It’s not too much to say that without her, there might be no me today.

“So, I like her. I really, really like her. I’ve liked her from back when my handwriting looked like I had been bitten by a dog.

“Wan Ci, can you…… understand?”

She knew it was strange to hear about something such as a low sense of existence, other people might think she was joking.

But Sang Wan Ci wasn’t like that.

She could always spot Lu Zhi Wei in a crowd, she would spend the new year with her, she would leave a crowd just to accompany Lu Zhi Wei because she was worried she would be lonely.

So she was willing to believe Sang Wan Ci wouldn’t just treat it as a joke, and she was hoping Sang Wan Ci could understand her.

—— Meng Lian Yu was like the existence of light to her.

After saying all that, the first answer she got wasn’t Sang Wan Ci’s voice, but the arms around her waist tightening.

Sang Wan Ci had hugged her even tighter.

“I can.”

A simple, yet reassuring answer.

She believed in Lu Zhi Wei’s experiences, she knew the pain of her past, and she could feel the joy when Lu Zhi Wei received the letters.

So she could understand the liking Lu Zhi Wei had for Meng Lian Yu.

It was pure and simple longing for light.

Lu Zhi Wei sighed: “That’s great, I thought you would be angry at me.”

Afraid that Sang Wan Ci was hurt, she decided to butter her up: “Don’t worry, according to idol rankings, after Teacher Meng, I like you the most.

“You’re pretty and hardworking, and so capable, it’s hard to like you!”

This time, she didn’t lie.

If there was no Meng Lian Yu, she would be willing to put Sang Wan Ci in the number one spot.

Being a fan of this idol who strives for improvement, is career-minded, is pretty and gentle, how easy was it!

But there’s no “if” in reality. With Meng Lian Yu, Sang Wan Ci could only be in the number two spot.

“Idol ranking?”

Sang Wan Ci held onto Lu Zhi Wei’s arms as she stared into the other person’s eyes.

“You have other rankings?”

“Yes,” Lu Zhi Wei said. “In my friends rankings, I like you the best.”

Lu Zhi Wei smiled radiantly at her: “To me, Teacher Meng is a beam of light, but you’re also a beam of light.”

Meng Lian Yu taught her a new way of living.

Sang Wan Ci gave her the unique taste of gentleness and warmth.

They were both irreplaceable to her.

Sang Wan Ci paused.

Did she also have such an important spot in Lu Zhi Wei’s heart?

She could also become a beam of light that would shine on others?

She was a bit dazed, and a little lost.

She didn’t know how to reply, so she quietly looked at the clean smile on the face of the person in front of her.

When Lu Zhi Wei smiled, her expression was as bright as the warm sun on a winter day.

Sang Wan Ci’s dry heart suddenly became warm and lively after being shone upon by that warm sun.

There was a subtle, indescribable feeling at the same time.

She couldn’t tell if this was because of that smile……

Or because of that person.

She slowly moved her fingertips, gently picking up a strand of black hair.

Her heart was pounding, her mind was racing.

She really wanted to let Lu Zhi Wei not be lonely and suffer anymore.

She really wanted to let her always smile so happily.

She really wanted……

Her gaze was like a pencil, gliding over Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes, her nose, and finally resting on her moist lips.

—— Really wanted to kiss her lips.

This surprising thought popped up out of nowhere, and Sang Wan Ci froze.

Her fingertips felt like they had been shocked, she quickly pulled them back and looked away, trying to stop her ridiculous thoughts.

“We should rest early.”

With that, she walked out, leaving Lu Zhi Wei alone in the bathroom.

Almost as if she was escaping in panic.

Lu Zhi Wei stood there, confused.

She seemed fine just now, why did she suddenly change?

Could it be that Sang Wan Ci kept thinking about it and got angry???

Lu Zhi Wei felt that it was a likely possibility, so she hurried out, following Sang Wan Ci.

Escaping from the bathroom, Sang Wan Ci suddenly felt like the air was extremely smooth, and even her heart felt lighter.

She rubbed her forehead, not understanding how she could have such thoughts towards Lu Zhi Wei.

She felt at a loss. Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

How could this happen, why?

At this time, she heard the person behind her call out gently: “Wan Ci.”

She turned around.

Only to see Lu Zhi Wei standing there, a careful expression on her face: “Are you…… angry?”

Sang Wan Ci’s eyebrows pulled together slightly as she asked confusedly: “What am I supposed to be angry at?”

Lu Zhi Wei wanted to scratch her face out of habit.

Lifting her hand halfway, she remembered the wounds, awkwardly putting it down.

“That, angry that you’re not in the number one spot on my idol rankings……?”

“……”

Sang Wan Ci: “I’m not, don’t overthink it.”

From those three letters, she could tell that having come later, she indeed couldn’t match up to Meng Lian Yu’s position in Lu Zhi Wei’s heart.

Nobody could.

Lu Zhi Wei sighed in relief, having gotten an answer.

She patted her chest lightly, finally at ease: “As long as you’re not angry. I’m just worried you’ll be angry and ignore me.”

Sang Wan Ci asked: “You’re afraid I’ll ignore you?”

Lu Zhi Wei lowered her head and looked at her fingers: “Of course I’m afraid. If you ignore me, won’t I lose a best friend? I don’t have a lot of friends, don’t I have to cherish them……”

The more she said, the lower her voice got. Until at the end, it was like a little kid grumbling.

Hearing that, Sang Wan Ci’s eyebrows smoothened out.

She didn’t know why, but hearing that Lu Zhi Wei valued her so much, she was quite happy.

Probably because Lu Zhi Wei didn’t let her efforts down……

“It’s nothing, don’t worry,” Sang Wan Ci comforted her. “Rest early.”

Lu Zhi Wei nodded: “Okay, hurry and sleep. There’s still work tomorrow, don’t tire yourself out.”

After that, she ran over and clumsily closed the windows and curtains, blocking out all light.

“Let’s sleep, let’s sleep.”

The two of them lied down in bed, and the only light left was coming from the bedside lamp on Sang Wan Ci’s side.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t want to disturb Sang Wan Ci’s rest, so she stayed quiet after a “goodnight”, peacefully going to sleep.

She didn’t have anything on her mind, so she slept well.

Sang Wan Ci, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep at all.

She tossed and turned, her mind in a mess.

The only thing she didn’t forget was to be gentle, to avoid waking Lu Zhi Wei.

Lu Zhi Wei’s scenes today were quite emotional and tiring, and she injured her hands, so she needed the rest.

So she wasn’t willing to disturb her sleep, staring at the dimly lit ceiling.

She was considering what happened earlier, why she would have those funny thoughts.

Perhaps it was because the atmosphere was too good, so this influenced her to have such thoughts towards Lu Zhi Wei?

She had watched a few shows in the past, where two people who weren’t in love would lean towards each other to kiss them as long as their eyes met.

Was that the case?

She didn’t know, she had to test it.

Thinking about it, she slowly turned her head to look at the person next to her.

Only to see Lu Zhi Wei turn around and face her, eyes still shut.

The dim, orange light from the lamp shone across Lu Zhi Wei’s cheek, silently brushing against every inch of her skin, gentle as water.

Her sleeping face was quiet and beautiful, harmless.

Sang Wan Ci turned onto her side, facing her straight on.

Hearing her even breathing, Sang Wan Ci knew she was asleep.

Her gaze once again stopped on Lu Zhi Wei’s lips. She looked silently for a few seconds, waiting for an answer.

After a while, she turned off the last source of light in the room and went to sleep.

There was no thought of kissing her this time.

It was indeed just the atmosphere playing a trick on her just now.

…… Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Because of her hand injury, Lu Zhi Wei suddenly had an unexpected period of rest.

But because she was in Sang Wan Ci’s room, she didn’t feel right staying in bed when the owner had already gotten up.

When Xiao Qiu brought breakfast over, she had already crawled out of bed and was slowly brushing her teeth.

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t say anything.

It was good this way, she could sleep after eating breakfast, to avoid hurting her stomach.

Xiao Qiu bought soy milk, dough fritters and tea leaf eggs[1].

The soy milk was freshly ground, tasting rich and fragrant, sweet yet not cloying.

Lu Zhi Wei sat on the carpet, feeling like she was just here to freeload off Sang Wan Ci.

Because Sang Wan Ci refused to let her pay.

So she hugged her legs and suggested: “How about…… I make an entire year’s worth of dumplings for you?”

Sang Wan Ci drank two mouthfuls of soy milk and hadn’t had a chance to reply when Lu Zhi Wei continued: “If you’re sick of dumplings, I can make other stuff, whatever you want.”

If she didn’t know how to do it, she would go and learn.

Whatever it is, she would satisfy Sang Wan Ci’s appetite!

Sang Wan Ci put down the soy milk and said calmly: “Okay.”

If she rejected, Lu Zhi Wei would definitely feel that she was taking advantage of Sang Wan Ci and feel uneasy.

If that’s the case, then she might as well accept Lu Zhi Wei’s offer. She liked her cooking anyway.

Xiao Qiu was confused: “?”

Dumplings?

What dumplings?

Did they make some secret deal that nobody knows about while I was gone??

“What’s dumplings? What are you two talking about?”

“The rental fee.” Lu Zhi Wei looked at her, suddenly not knowing how to address her. “Miss Xiao Qiu, do you like dumplings? If you do, I’ll make them for you too. I feel embarrassed to have to get you to buy food for me every day……”

“Oh,” Xiao Qiu finally understood. “No need, Xiao Sang paid, I’m just doing my job.”

Lu Zhi Wei looked at Sang Wan Ci incredulously.

Good fellow, you actually paid double her salary to take care of me. Is this the willfulness of the rich?

When can the poor me reach this level?

Sang Wan Ci reminded her: “Hurry up and eat, you can continue sleeping once you’re done eating.”

Lu Zhi Wei didn’t think that Sang Wan Ci actually saw through her, feeling a little embarrassed.

She pretended nothing had happened, drinking a mouthful of hot soy milk before reaching out for a tea leaf egg.

But she quickly pulled her hand back when it touched the hot egg, blowing pitifully on the sensitive finger.

Lu Zhi Wei: I was careless!

At this moment, a slender hand reached out from the side.

A peeled tea leaf egg was placed in front of her.

“It’s a little hot, be careful.”

Considerate to the point of lawlessness.

Lu Zhi Wei looked at the egg, then snuck a glance at Sang Wan Ci.

Accidentally meeting Sang Wan Ci’s eyes.

When the two pairs of eyes met, both of them were stunned for a moment.

Sang Wan Ci quickly said: “If you want to eat more, let me know, I’ll peel it for you.”

With Lu Zhi Wei’s fingers and her pain-fearing physique, it’s better for someone else to peel it for her.

“Okay……” Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

Lu Zhi Wei lowered her head in embarrassment, drinking her soy milk.

Seeing this, Xiao Qiu suddenly felt like Sang Wan Ci was raising a kid.

After finishing breakfast, Sang Wan Ci helped Lu Zhi Wei to re-apply the medicine.

She didn’t plan on letting Xiao Qiu do this because she was afraid Xiao Qiu couldn’t control her strength, hurting Lu Zhi Wei.

Xiao Qiu felt even more that Sang Wan Ci was raising a kid.

This was ridiculously considerate.

She looked at Lu Zhi Wei, and sighed internally.

Hopefully Lu Zhi Wei doesn’t disappoint Sang Wan Ci after how well she’s been treated……

After one night, Lu Zhi Wei’s fingers were a little better, not hurting as much as yesterday.

So this reapplication of medicine was smooth sailing.

Lu Zhi Wei sneakily looked up at Sang Wan Ci, who was looking down and applying the medicine on her fingers.

Sang Wan Ci’s lashes were long, looking like butterfly wings whenever they fluttered.

Even from this angle, her features were beautiful and flawless.

She really was so pretty……

Lu Zhi Wei thought.

How could anyone bear to hurt such a good-looking beauty?

It’s all this rubbish script’s fault, randomly assigning the supporting roles!

Sang Wan Ci lifted her head, looking straight into Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Sang Wan Ci asked.

Being caught in the act, Lu Zhi Wei’s eyes flashed in embarrassment before she said shyly: “Looking at how good-looking you are……”

Sang Wan Ci’s hand froze.

Her heart felt itchy, like it had been scratched gently by a kitten.

Lu Zhi Wei decided to just put on her fan identity and started praising her: “Our Teacher Sang is so pretty, it’s hard for my gaze not to be attracted to you!”

Sang Wan Ci smiled lightly, asking: “Prettier than Teacher Meng?”

Lu Zhi Wei: “?”

Sang Wan Ci looked at her curiously: “If Teacher Meng and I show up at the same time, who would you look at?”

Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

What a vicious question.

Sang Wan Ci, you must be the examiner for this year’s 《Most Difficult Questions To Answer》!

Xiao Qiu, who was standing to the side: “……”

Ah……

This anxious atmosphere all of a sudden……

After three seconds of consideration from Lu Zhi Wei.

“Both.”

Sang Wan Ci: “?”

Lu Zhi Wei answered seriously: “I will look at you with one eye and at her with one eye. Nobody will be left behind, don’t worry.”

Sang Wan Ci: “……”

Sang Wan Ci didn’t know why, but she felt that Lu Zhi Wei was a little cute and funny when she was answering questions like this.

She looked down and continued applying the medicine, chuckling as she thought about the answer.

Seeing her smile, Lu Zhi Wei relaxed.

This should be considered as being able to keep her life, right?

After applying the medicine, the strict nurse Sang Wan Ci didn’t forget to remind her: “Remember not to touch water. If you need something, call Xiao Qiu.”

Lu Zhi Wei nodded obediently: “Okay, I remember. Don’t worry, go film.”

Sang Wan Ci nodded, keeping the medicine away.

Xiao Qiu had left the room beforehand.

Sang Wan Ci was about to leave too.

Lu Zhi Wei suddenly thought of a person, and stopped her: “If Qiu Luo does anything overboard, you have to tell me. Don’t shoulder the burden yourself.”

Sang Wan Ci turned to look at her.

Lu Zhi Wei smiled: “Jiejie has a duty to protect her meimei, after all.”

Sang Wan Ci smiled.

“Okay.”

“I’m leaving.”

“Bye bye, be safe, good luck with filming.”

“Mm, wait for me to come back.”

“Mm.” Please read at jiulian lian . wordpress . com

The door closed again.

Lu Zhi Wei’s gaze stayed on the door, unmoving.

She realised she rather liked living with Sang Wan Ci.

Because Sang Wan Ci was warm and gave her something to look forward to.

To look forward to her coming back, talking about her day, or even rehearsing scenes.

In summary, someone to accompany her so she wasn’t lonely.

【It feels like the two of you are more and more like that thing.】

Lao Wu said.

Lu Zhi Wei was surprised: “Oh, you’re here. I thought you were fixing the program.”

Lao Wu drank a mouthful of tea: 【I’ll be going in a bit.】

Lu Zhi Wei “oh”-ed again: “What did you say just now? What’s that thing?”

Lao Wu calmly said: 【Husband and wife.】

Lu Zhi Wei: “???”

Lao Wu justified himself: 【It’s not wrong, your conversation just now sounded quite like what a husband and wife would say to each other.】

Lu Zhi Wei: “……”

She had reason to suspect Lao Wu had gone mad fixing the program, or he wouldn’t have this sort of misunderstanding.

This clearly was a normal friendship!

At this moment, two knocks came from the door.

Lu Zhi Wei thought Sang Wan Ci had left something behind, getting up hastily to open the door.

Only to see Qiu Luo outside.

He turned around in an attempt to look cool: “Good morning, Miss Sang, do you want to head to the filming set together ——”

Seeing Lu Zhi Wei, the world fell into silence.

He slowly looked up at the room number, shocked and in disbelief.

“Why are you in her room?!”

[1] 茶叶蛋 – Tea leaf eggs (or tea eggs) are eggs that are hard-boiled, then cracked slightly before being soaked into a sauce mixture with spices that traditionally included tea leaves, resulting in a pattern on the egg. Nowadays, people usually just crack the whole shell off and soak the entire egg for convenience so the whole egg turns dark.