I really need you!
After the Thorny Flower Awards, Zuo Jingyou returned to her busy work life. Not being able to see Zuo Jingyou, the nightly fixed video call at 11 o’clock became a source of joy for Yin Bai. Oh, the other source of joy was playing with her little friends.
In her busy life, Zuo Jingyou allocated some of her time to Yin Bai to nurture their relationship.
From the moment Zuo Jingyou set a time, Yin Bai became like the little fox in 《The Little Prince》 waiting for her friend to tame her. Every evening at 10 o’clock, she would finish bathing, complete all her skincare routines. At half-past ten, she would open a book and read while waiting for eleven o’clock to arrive.
Usually, when half-past ten approached, Yin Bai would start feeling restless. But as the time got closer to eleven, this unease would be replaced by happiness and joy.
Zuo Jingyou was very punctual, and from the moment they set their appointment, no matter the circumstances, she would initiate a fixed video call with Yin Bai. There was only one time when, due to socializing and drinking a bit too much, she didn’t hear her phone’s alarm and missed the time to call Yin Bai.
When she finally remembered the time and hurriedly asked her assistant for her phone, it was already half-past eleven.
Upon seeing the situation, Zuo Jingyou quickly found an excuse and went to the restroom to make a video call to Yin Bai. The call was answered almost immediately, and within moments, Yin Bai’s lovely face appeared on the screen. She furrowed her brows, looking a bit worried, and said, “What’s wrong? Why is your face so red? Did something happen?”
Even though Yin Bai had lent Zhang Yu to Zuo Jingyou, to maintain some distance between them, Yin Bai didn’t inquire about Zuo Jingyou’s schedule through her assistant as she used to.
Zuo Jingyou leaned against the sink, her face slightly flushed. She raised her gaze and offered a gentle smile, looking at the screen with a dreamy expression and said, “I thought your first words would be questioning why I stood you up tonight.”
Yin Bai’s mouth drooped instantly, and she said, somewhat displeased, “Am I that unreasonable? When I see my friend in such a distressed and precarious situation, how can I even think of being angry?”
Zuo Jingyou discerned the hidden message in her words, and Yin Bai did indeed seem to be upset because she had stood her up.
Zuo Jingyou patted her face and mustered her energy, saying, “I’m fine, I’m just too worried that you’d be angry because I stood you up. I wouldn’t know how to coax you then.”
Zuo Jingyou’s lips curved slightly, teasing and a bit coquettish as she said, “Yin Bai, you really are hard to coax.”
Yin Bai gazed at her with a flushed face and a hazy look, her brows furrowing, “Am I? You had a valid reason for not showing up, so, of course, I wouldn’t be mad.”
She pouted, looking at Zuo Jingyou in the video, appearing a bit tipsy and finally sighed, “Zuo Jingyou, you’ve had a bit too much to drink. Let Zhang Yu take you away later. It’s not safe to drink alone.”
Zuo Jingyou nodded and smiled, “I had originally planned to leave.” At this point, Zuo Jingyou raised the corner of her mouth, looking somewhat displeased. “Ah, among the people I met today, there was one who was really annoying…”
Yin Bai was puzzled, “What do you mean?”
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Zuo Jingyou sighed, looking very helpless as she gazed at Yin Bai, “She’s pursuing me… both in her words and actions. She doesn’t mind that I have a child, and it seems she’s wealthy…”
Zuo Jingyou lightly bit her lip, her gaze deep as she looked at Yin Bai, “I find it quite bothersome. I have no intention of remarrying.”
From Zuo Jingyou’s tone, Yin Bai could sense just how bothered she was. She thought for a moment and said to Zuo Jingyou, “It’s unavoidable; as long as there are social gatherings, you’ll inevitably encounter these strange people.”
Zuo Jingyou tilted her head, gazing at Yin Bai with deep eyes, without saying another word.
Yin Bai pursed her lips and hesitated for a while before saying, “Actually, you don’t need to handle these social gatherings by yourself. Whether it’s film distribution, attracting investors, negotiating with theaters, or promotional work, you can delegate these tasks to others.”
Zuo Jingyou gently parted her lips and asked, “Like who?”
Yin Bai straightened her back, gazing at Zuo Jingyou with unblinking eyes, “Like me. I have a fully established film promotion network at my disposal. As long as you’re willing, I can help you handle anything.”
Zuo Jingyou smiled and said softly, “But that would be too much trouble for you, wouldn’t it?” She knew very well that Yin Bai was someone who hated inconvenience, which was why she chose to be an idle second-generation rich at home.
Yin Bai tightly pursed her lips and took a moment before saying, “But among friends, sometimes we do need to trouble each other. Since I can help you in your career and I’m willing to be your sharp blade, why don’t you accept it with a happy heart?” Accepting her help would mean not having to go through these frequent social gatherings so laboriously.
Zuo Jingyou raised her hand and massaged her throbbing forehead, saying helplessly, “Yin Bai, I’m happy that you’re willing to help, but I don’t know what I can offer you in return.”
“What else could there be? Business returns are enough.”
Zuo Jingyou sighed, looking at Yin Bai with a great sense of helplessness and said, “But your deep friendship is not satisfied by just business returns. I would unconsciously feel that I owe you too much, too much… which would lead to a psychological imbalance, damaging our relationship. It would make our emotions seem less pure.”
“Yin Bai, with or without your help, I can handle these matters just the same, and it makes me feel more relaxed.”
Yin Bai pursed her lips, her mood turning low, and said, “I understand, you don’t really need me.”
Zuo Jingyou sighed and lightened her tone, softly coaxing her, “No, I clearly do need you. Even though work can be tough, the thought of having a friend waiting to meet me at eleven o’clock every day makes me very happy.”
“After ten o’clock every night, my work efficiency is at its peak because I need to finish everything before eleven to meet you.”
Zuo Jingyou leaned on the sink, her gaze soft as she said to Yin Bai, “Among friends, being able to draw warmth from each other to continue forward is already the greatest help.”
It’s not about money or benefits, but in the realm of emotions, she genuinely needed Yin Bai.
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Yin Bai understood her words and clenched her fist to offer encouragement, saying, “Alright, since it’s like this, my friend, I’ll cheer you up every day!”
“Every night at eleven, we’ll meet on time. I’ll make sure to give you plenty of motivation, okay?”
Zuo Jingyou nodded and smiled at Yin Bai with raised eyebrows, “Good, next time, I definitely won’t be late.”
Zuo Jingyou kept her promise, and from then on, she never stood Yin Bai up. Regardless of whether it was windy or rainy, whether she was at home or on the road, at eleven o’clock every day, Yin Bai sitting on her bed would receive Zuo Jingyou’s video call.
Sometimes when Zuo Jingyou was ready, she would make the call while lying in bed in her pajamas. Sometimes when she wasn’t prepared, Zuo Jingyou would lean against the back seat of her car, with her tired makeup, looking at Yin Bai gently through her phone.
Most of the time, the phone calls lasted only a few minutes because Yin Bai would get tired quickly, and Zuo Jingyou was just too busy. But whenever Zuo Jingyou had some free time, Yin Bai could chat with her until midnight, until she couldn’t stay awake any longer and would then fall asleep with her phone in her hand.
In these numerous video meetings, Yin Bai had seen many different sides of Zuo Jingyou—fatigued, weary, radiant, energetic, and more. But no matter which Zuo Jingyou she saw, it filled her with anticipation for the next day.
Time passed quickly into late September, after Yin Bai had taken a vacation with the children to the beach and sent Tong Tong to first grade. Finally, it was the premiere of Zuo Jingyou’s debut film.
On September 29th, Yin Bai, taking a rare break from her work, arrived in the capital with her familiar staff and Zuo Jingyou’s mother, Sun Yulan, to attend Zuo Jingyou’s movie premiere.
In the dimly lit auditorium, Yin Bai sat in the guest seat, holding her cane, and gazed up at Zuo Jingyou, who was sitting in the front row with the main cast.
This time, Zuo Jingyou was dressed in a white qipao adorned with delicate bamboo patterns, exuding elegance and grace. The light in the room focused on Zuo Jingyou, and under the hazy glow, the woman in the qipao appeared as a peerless beauty stepping out of an ancient tale, incredibly captivating.
Yin Bai gazed at Zuo Jingyou on the stage, watching her confidently handle various sharp and teasing questions from the host, her thoughts swaying.
She was simply too beautiful, Zuo Jingyou in the qipao, a sight that was hard to look away from.
Yin Bai thought so and kept her gaze firmly fixed on Zuo Jingyou while leaning on her cane, looking up.
At that moment, as the film interview approached its conclusion, Zuo Jingyou held the microphone, turned to look at the audience, and spoke with a smile, “I hope you all enjoy this film, my friends.”
As the words fell, applause filled the room.
Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Zuo Jingyou turned her head slightly, casting a subtle glance in Yin Bai’s direction. Meeting Yin Bai’s focused gaze, Zuo Jingyou couldn’t help but curve her lips, giving a shallow smile.
Was she looking so intently because she was looking at herself or because of the qipao she was wearing?
Zuo Jingyou pondered this as she handed the microphone to the host and, along with the main cast, came down from the stage and joined the audience.
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Soon, all the lights in the auditorium went out, a massive white screen dropped down, and a projector’s beam, as if traversing distant ages, landed on the white screen, creating a hazy picture.
The image on the screen above the curtain flickered and gradually revealed a scene from the late Qing dynasty. In a bustling long street, a young woman in a men’s suit, her hair braided into a long plait, wearing a hat, carried a suitcase. She passed by numerous men and women with braided hair and bound feet.
Carrying her suitcase, she bypassed what seemed like a lively street, walked through a narrow alley, and arrived at the entrance of a mansion with two stone lions. Using her delicate hand, she pulled the copper ring and knocked on the large gate.
With a creak, the grand gate opened slowly.
The handsome young woman raised her head, calmly looked at the servant in front of her, and politely greeted, “Hello, I’m the new gentleman. Could you kindly announce me…”
As the words fell, the heavy yet weathered vermilion gate slowly opened. Several large characters faded into the scene from the opening gate, gradually solidifying on the screen, forming three prominent words: “Madam.”
With the appearance of the movie title, the story of women’s awakening, as well as the awakening of national and cultural consciousness during the late Qing dynasty and the early Republican era, began to unfold.