Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 82
by Little PandaAmusing Ourselves to Death
Manager 19
Queen
Xin Lan spent a rare leisurely afternoon with frozen yogurt cheesecake, caramel pudding, freshly ground coffee, blueberry yam cups, and Qin Yuyan.
After finishing afternoon tea, Qin Yuyan invited Xin Lan to her study, where a spacious armchair that could easily seat three people awaited them. They sat there with the air conditioning on, while sunlight provided warmth without being scorching.
Qin Yuyan brewed two cups of tea, and they spent their time before dinner in peaceful companionship, surrounded by the fragrance of books.
Xin Lan had dinner at Qin Yuyan’s home. Even if she were to leave, she would only go out to eat, and since there were no social obligations, it made more sense to stay at Qin Yuyan’s.
Qin Yuyan’s refrigerator was packed with ingredients, making it possible to have a sumptuous dinner without going shopping.
Dinner consisted of four dishes and a soup. Initially, Qin Yuyan wanted to buy more ingredients, but Xin Lan felt it would be too extravagant for just two people, so Qin Yuyan relented.
The dishes were minced eggplant with meat, hot and sour shredded potatoes, tomato beef brisket, cumin lamb, and yam with pork rib soup.
When Qin Yuyan served the dishes, she apologetically mentioned that she didn’t have enough ingredients at home to make an even more elaborate meal.
“It’s already very generous,” Xin Lan said with a smile after washing her hands.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she had sat down for a proper meal at a friend’s home like this.
“Next time you come, I’ll definitely make even better dishes. Can you handle spicy food?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. My specialty is Sichuan cuisine [川菜 | chuān cài | a style of Chinese cuisine known for its spiciness]. The screen test is in three days, right? Is it in this city?”
“In the neighboring city.”
“Then we still have two days. Come to my place for dinner tomorrow, I’ll cook something delicious for you,” Qin Yuyan said enthusiastically, “if you’re free, that is.”
Seeing her expectant look, Xin Lan couldn’t bring herself to decline and simply smiled faintly, saying she’d see about her schedule.
Seeing Qin Yuyan’s excited demeanor, Xin Lan wondered if her own behavior was somewhat cruel.
She knew Qin Yuyan liked her, yet she still remained this close, even though it was a normal distance between friends.
She had no intention of being ambiguous with Qin Yuyan, even though she genuinely enjoyed this comfortable companionship.
The gap between her and Qin Yuyan wasn’t about being a native versus a transmigrator, but rather the chasm in her own heart.
When you like someone, naturally you want to be with them long-term. Xin Lan couldn’t give Qin Yuyan that permanence – this was one reason she wouldn’t agree, though not the most important one.
Most importantly, between constant life and death, she never knew how to love someone before, and now she understood even less.
She admired this young woman and enjoyed their time together, but had no thoughts of taking things further.
Matters of the heart, the more you think about them, the more complicated they become, like a tangled ball of yarn whose end you can’t find.
Xin Lan sighed inwardly as she picked up her chopsticks to eat dinner.
To show Qin Yuyan her appreciation, she ate until she was stuffed.
Qin Yuyan found it both touching and amusing; actually, Xin Lan didn’t need to be so polite – she was already happy just having her over for dinner.
She had originally thought Xin Lan was just a cool and handsome yujie [御姐 | yù jiě | mature, capable, and attractive woman], but sometimes her actions revealed a gentleness that seemed at odds with her personality.
“Shall we go for a walk?”
Qin Yuyan suggested after putting the dishes away in the kitchen, addressing Xin Lan who was standing there trying to digest.
“Sure, but I might need to go home and change my shoes.”
Xin Lan looked at her high-heeled boots, which were clearly not suitable for walking.
“I’ll wait for you.”
And so, Manager Xin, who had originally only planned to check how her artist was doing with the script reading, ended up having afternoon tea at her artist’s home, followed by dinner, and now was about to go for a walk.
Qin Yuyan: Plan successful!
The residential complex had a spacious plaza surrounded by greenery, with several paths extending in different directions, and swings on both sides of the square.
The plaza was empty except for Xin Lan and Qin Yuyan, with streetlights casting their elongated shadows in strange patterns on the ground.
The two walked forward in silence – Xin Lan simply digesting her meal, while Qin Yuyan concealed her quiet joy as she walked beside her.
Thinking that walking in silence might be a bit awkward, Xin Lan initiated conversation, naturally about business matters.
She told Qin Yuyan about the male lead, Gu Zhengrong.
“X is Gu Zhengrong, confirmed?”
Qin Yuyan was surprised and excited upon hearing this name, looking at Xin Lan for confirmation.
“Yes, Director Zhang said it himself. The filming schedule was arranged this way because if we delayed any longer, Gu Zhengrong wouldn’t have had any available time slots.”
“Teacher Gu’s acting skills are universally acknowledged as excellent. I’ll work even harder to secure this role, and then I can learn from him.”
Acting skills can be polished and cultivated. A good production team and good partners can undoubtedly help elevate an actor’s performance. For an actor like Qin Yuyan who wasn’t seeking fame and fortune, this drama was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.
As they chatted, the conversation flowed naturally to industry matters – whose public image had collapsed, who was in trouble, who was on the rise, who were the good connections to maintain in the circle, and who were better kept at a distance.
Towards the end of their conversation, Qin Yuyan brought up Shen Yun.
“Is Shen Jie very busy lately?”
“Yes, quite busy. She’s also preparing for a screen test.”
“What is she filming?”
“A TV drama adapted from an IP.”
“Sounds good.”
“Yes, very good.”
Xin Lan smiled meaningfully.
It wasn’t just good – it was actually quite delightful.
Qin Yuyan saw her smile and suddenly felt a bit downhearted.
Weren’t they supposed to have a bad relationship? Why was she smiling so happily now?
Qin Yuyan clearly remembered what Xin Lan had said on the night of her grandmother’s birthday. Since then, she had been certain that Xin Lan and Shen Yun’s relationship wasn’t good. She had noticed it during dinner too – their relationship was tense, though everyone maintained a facade. Just from the way Xin Lan favored her during the meal, she became even more convinced.
But what was happening now, with Xin Lan being happy for Shen Yun?
Qin Yuyan knew she shouldn’t overthink it – after all, Xin Lan and Shen Yun still had a manager-artist relationship, sharing both success and failure, but she couldn’t help feeling slightly uncomfortable about it.
Originally, she hadn’t particularly disliked Shen Yun, just considering her an insignificant figure. But after the way Shen Yun had looked at her then, bragging about her good relationship with Xin Lan right to her face, and now with Xin Lan’s smile – well, she definitely disliked her now.
Qin Yuyan pouted inwardly – if only she hadn’t brought up Shen Yun. What a mood killer.
Though Qin Yuyan felt unhappy inside, she maintained a perfect facade, so perfect that even Xin Lan couldn’t detect anything amiss.
They chatted about other things for a while, and when they had walked enough, they headed back the same way they came.
When the elevator opened, Xin Lan stood at the entrance to say goodbye to Qin Yuyan.
They lived in opposite directions, one left and one right, so naturally they had to walk different ways.
“Good night, see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Xin Lan walked towards her home, but something made her turn back when she reached her door.
Qin Yuyan had only walked a few steps when she flashed a somewhat flustered smile at her, then quickly turned to hurry towards her own door and opened it.
Xin Lan felt amused in her heart and silently wished her good night.
Opening her own door, she found the moonlight was beautiful tonight, filling the room with clear radiance, yet also with complete silence.
Xin Lan turned on the lights and sat on the sofa.
Things that normally wouldn’t bother her seemed particularly lonely after the comparison of having company.
However, Xin Lan wasn’t one to be sentimental. After taking a bath, she peacefully drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning, she threw herself back into her busy schedule.
Near noon, she was hesitating about whether to go to Qin Yuyan’s home when, coincidentally, Qin Yuyan sent her a message asking if she wanted to come over for a meal.
Ling Jiu: Host, just go if you want to. You’ll both be happy that way. She’ll be sad if you refuse. Besides, you’re not trying to be ambiguous with her, so why worry?
Ling Jiu felt that while the Host appeared decisive, she always became hesitant when facing people who were kind to her, considering others’ feelings carefully. Ironically, others might not even notice this gentle side that contrasted with her usual demeanor.
Xin Lan was momentarily stunned by Ling Jiu’s sudden comment. Indeed, when had she become someone who hesitated like this?
Xin Lan checked her schedule and responded decisively, informing Qin Yuyan of her approximate arrival time, then headed to the parking lot to drive home when it was time to leave.
As soon as she entered Qin Yuyan’s home, she was greeted by rich cooking aromas.
“This looks very sumptuous.”
The table was set with four dishes and a soup, different from yesterday’s meal. Today it was all Sichuan cuisine, everything a vibrant red that stimulated the appetite.
“Come wash your hands and eat. I wanted to make more dishes, but thought it would be wasteful if we couldn’t finish them. I didn’t want you eating leftovers in the afternoon, so I didn’t make extra.”
Qin Yuyan smiled, simultaneously securing Xin Lan’s dinner plans.
“Thank you for the trouble.”
“It’s nothing, I haven’t properly cooked a meal like this in a long time. I should thank Ah Lan for satisfying my desire to cook.”
Qin Yuyan smiled as she brought out the soup and served rice to Xin Lan.
The water-boiled fish was tender and flavorful, the mapo tofu was aromatic and spicy, whetting the appetite, and the chili chicken was perfectly textured, with dried chilies that released bursts of flavor when accidentally eaten.
Today’s soup was winter melon with pork ribs, the winter melon cooked until soft, melting in the mouth.
Xin Lan’s lips were red from the spiciness, but she felt completely satisfied.
Seeing Xin Lan’s contentment, Qin Yuyan felt happy herself.
If only things could stay like this forever, Qin Yuyan thought somewhat unrealistically.
Once her career took off, how could she possibly have time to cook regularly?
And so, with Qin Yuyan persistently arranging lunch dates that turned into dinner dates, which then turned into lunch dates for the next day, she finally arrived at her screen test.
Since it was her first time, Xin Lan naturally accompanied her.
When their flight landed, Xin Lan got a room for Qin Yuyan to rest briefly.
As they were about to arrive at the screen test location, Qin Yuyan took a deep breath.
“Ah Lan, I’m a bit nervous.”
She looked at Xin Lan, her eyes full of expectation.
Xin Lan oddly understood what she was thinking – who could miss that face that clearly said ‘give me some words of encouragement’?
LP: Re-translated on February 26, 2025
Cute, but yeah it seems Yanyan will be disappointed in this world as well ….this seems to just be to get mc to open up.
Mala with enoki is the closest i can eat
Mala with enoki is the closest i can eat