Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 89
by Little PandaAmusing Ourselves to Death
Manager 26
Queen
Xin Lan didn’t say good or bad, waving her hand at her.
Shen Yun and Qin Yuyan entered the production team one after the other. Qin Yuyan’s side didn’t need Xin Lan to worry; she was monitoring Shen Yun’s side, lest she attracts strange moths [幺蛾子 | yāo é zi | meaning: to stir up trouble] again, such as going out to accompany someone for drinks and dinner or something like that.
Shen Yun seemed to honestly stay in the production team to film, with several assistants by her side as she came and went.
Shen Yun, away from Xin Lan, was exceedingly pleased with herself and carefree [春風得意快活自在 | chūnfēng déyì kuàihuo zìzài | lit. spring breeze proud of itself], even if there were three eyeliners [眼线 | yǎnxiàn | meaning: informant] around her, it didn’t matter.
She had never found herself so passionate about the film set. Because of her mood, she was exceptionally devoted and hardworking this time, and the director praised her directly after seeing her performance.
When Xin Lan heard about this, she also found it quite funny.
Shen Yun really was cooperating with her as always. She was afraid Shen Yun wouldn’t care and wouldn’t be invested, but she didn’t expect her to give face.
Xin Lan was busy, occasionally sending messages to Qin Yuyan, but she never visited the set.
Qin Yuyan would occasionally jokingly say, “Why haven’t you come to see me yet?” Xin Lan only replied with a few emojis, not touching upon the topic.
Qin Yuyan had some understanding and never mentioned it again.
Xin Lan thought she must be a little sad. Thinking of Qin Yuyan’s low spirits, she even felt like sighing.
Perhaps this was for the best, Xin Lan thought.
However, this thought vanished completely after hearing the news of Qin Yuyan’s illness.
She bought the nearest flight and called Tuzi to ask what exactly the situation was.
“A few days ago, there was a rain scene, and it was cut several times, so Yan-jie got drenched. After she finished filming, I fed her Banlangen [板蓝根 | bǎnlán gēn | a Chinese herbal medicine used to prevent colds] to prevent a cold, but she still developed a fever.”
“How is she now?”
“She just finished taking fever-reducing medicine and is sleeping.”
“Okay, I’m preparing to board the plane now. I’ll probably arrive at your place a little after 9 PM. I’ll contact you then.”
“Good.”
Xin Lan knitted her brows while waiting to board in the waiting area, telling An An about her arrangements.
She gripped her phone, feeling somewhat distraught.
Even a person who is always clear-headed will also have times of struggle.
That kind of impetuous mood, uncontrolled by her mind, was affecting her emotions.
She really didn’t want to be like this.
Ling Jiu felt bad seeing Xin Lan like this. She felt that her host should be that handsome, decisive, and efficient queen with a two-meter-eight aura. Now, it seemed that when trapped by love, everyone was the same.
Ling Jiu: Host, why not ask the person who is causing you such worry? This kind of emotional matter should be impossible to avoid, right? Someone like Qin Yuyan looks very persistent. If you keep dragging this on, after you finish the mission and disappear from her world, she will only feel disappointed and regretful, won’t she?
A failed confession, or rather, a confession without regrets, is always better than one without any outcome.
Xin Lan really wasn’t someone who thought much about emotional matters. For Qin Yuyan, she really didn’t know how many of her love nerves had died.
The boarding announcement sounded in the airport. Xin Lan took her boarding pass and went forward to queue, concealing the chaotic thoughts in her eyes.
When Xin Lan arrived, Qin Yuyan was still in a deep sleep.
Only a small bedside lamp was on in the room. Tuzi was keeping watch nearby. After seeing the message, she hurried to open the door for Xin Lan.
“How is she now?”
“She’s still sleeping. The fever has already subsided.”
“That’s good.”
Xin Lan nodded, relieved.
Xin Lan walked in and went to the window.
Qin Yuyan was lying with her eyes closed; her complexion looked somewhat pale, and her lips were slightly white.
Xin Lan used her hand to check the temperature of her forehead, completely reassured only after confirming it was normal.
“From the time she fell ill until now, has she eaten anything?”
Tuzi shook her head.
“I’ll go ask the hotel to cook a bowl of congee.”
Tuzi walked towards the door. A moment later, the sound of the door opening and closing came from the doorway.
Xin Lan put her bag to one side, now in front of Qin Yuyan’s window, gazing at her face, lost in thought.
She still preferred this person’s vibrant and lively appearance.
Looking at her, Xin Lan’s heart was tangled like hemp [心亂如麻 | xīn luàn rú má | idiom: extremely worried and confused].
Sometimes, this thing called emotion was really interesting.
No matter how much preparation, how many plans, how much mental preparation one had done beforehand, upon seeing that person, everything before would be shattered.
Tonight, there were neither stars nor moon. The neon lights on the building directly opposite the window flickered, revealing a sense of desolation.
Qin Yuyan’s eyelashes trembled, and she opened her eyes.
“I’m not dreaming, am I?”
Her voice carried a thick nasal tone, her eyes unblinking as she looked at Xin Lan.
“Of course it’s not a dream. Are you thirsty? I’ll go pour you a glass of water.”
Qin Yuyan nodded, gazing expectantly at Xin Lan.
“When I felt unwell, I thought I might be sick. At that time, I was thinking you would probably come to see me. I didn’t expect you to really come.”
Xin Lan bent down to pour water for Qin Yuyan. Hearing Qin Yuyan’s somewhat happy words from behind her, the movements of her hands paused.
Xin Lan handed the warm water to Qin Yuyan, silently urging her to drink.
Qin Yuyan smiled and drank several mouthfuls, holding the cup in her hands.
“The hotel has gone to get you some congee. Wait a little while.”
“Mm-hmm, I’m actually not very hungry right now.”
As Qin Yuyan spoke, her gaze never left Xin Lan’s face.
“Has your work been very busy lately?”
“It’s alright.”
Qin Yuyan’s lips moved slightly, and she swallowed the words she originally wanted to say.
Actually, even as a manager, there wasn’t necessarily a need to visit the set, right?
But she remembered Xin Lan saying that she would be the most important person in her heart.
If that were the case, why didn’t she come?
She heard from others that, in the past, she often visited Shen Yun on set.
Within the circle, many things weren’t actually secrets. As long as one made a few inquiries, they could find out.
Qin Yuyan actually didn’t want to hear about how good Xin Lan had been to Shen Yun in the past, but she couldn’t help but inquire, almost masochistically, and then make comparisons.
She thought that as long as she did well enough, one day Xin Lan would also show her such meticulous care.
Moreover, now that Shen Yun was already disliked by Xin Lan, there was no need for her to care about anything.
However, even though she said that, she couldn’t control the occasional surge of sour and astringent [酸澀 | suān sè | metaphor for a mix of sadness and jealousy] that welled up within her.
But it was okay, Qin Yuyan told herself. Look, hadn’t she come? She was standing right in front of her.
The atmosphere suddenly quieted down. Xin Lan, looking at Qin Yuyan’s hesitant speech, understood her hesitation.
Time, at this moment, seemed to stretch.
They gazed at each other quietly, neither opening their mouths to break the current silence.
Qin Yuyan saw the complexity in Xin Lan’s eyes, catching a glimpse of many things in an instant.
Like the surface of a lake stirred by ripples, everything quickly returned to stillness. Those eyes held nothing but her reflection.
Within them, she felt an indescribable sadness, which in turn made her feel a little uncomfortable.
“Why did you want me to visit the set?”
Xin Lan raised an eyebrow.
“Just… wanted you to see how I was doing.”
Qin Yuyan, momentarily at a loss, quickly found an excuse.
Actually, there was no real reason, it was just that she wanted to see this person.
“I know I can be at ease with you, and your performance has always been outstanding; there’s simply no need for me to worry.”
Xin Lan gave Qin Yuyan great affirmation, but Qin Yuyan felt gloomy and wasn’t happy.
If she weren’t so outstanding, not so excellent, perhaps she could make Xin Lan focus more attention on her.
Compared to these verbal praises, she hoped Xin Lan could spend more time with her.
So it was said that only children who cry get more love, but she didn’t want to trouble her like that.
She wanted to leave a good impression in Xin Lan’s heart.
Qin Yuyan’s disappointment was completely unconcealed. Xin Lan didn’t even know whether to call her smart or foolish.
Was she smart enough to use this kind of behavior to attract her attention, to make her realize that her feelings for her were unusual, or was she foolish enough to really not feel anything, thinking she had hidden her feelings well?
“As long as you continue to work hard like this, I will guarantee your star path open and level [星途坦蕩 | xīngtú tǎndàng | meaning: a promising future, especially in the entertainment industry].”
“Mm.”
Qin Yuyan was still smiling, but it didn’t feel genuine.
“How has Shen Yun been lately? I heard from friends that she seems to have failed an audition.”
Qin Yuyan pretended to ask casually, but it was actually something she had always been concerned about in her heart.
She wasn’t necessarily trying to compare herself; she also knew that the past and present couldn’t be compared.
“Isn’t failing an audition a normal thing? Your news is so well-informed.”
“I just heard it from friends.”
Actually, she had deliberately inquired, and someone had simply told her the news.
“I’m just a little surprised. Considering her current acting skills, fame, and status, how could she possibly fail a TV drama audition?”
“There’s no need to concern yourself with her matters. Just focus on doing your best.”
What Xin Lan meant was that she would naturally take care of that scumbag; there was no need for Qin Yuyan to pay attention. But her manner, in Qin Yuyan’s view, felt very decisive.
Qin Yuyan felt a little abashed. Her concern seemed to have overstepped the boundaries.
The atmosphere cooled again. They each had their own thoughts. Qin Yuyan lowered her head, taking another sip from her water cup.
Fortunately, at this time, Tuzi came in carrying the congee, breaking the awkwardness.
“Yan-jie, you’re awake! Are you feeling any better? This is plain congee with pickled vegetables. It’s a bit bland, but it’s more suitable for someone who’s sick. Eat some first to fill your stomach.”
Tuzi took the water cup from Qin Yuyan’s hands and handed her the bowl.
Qin Yuyan nodded and picked up the spoon, stirring the congee.
“Then rest well after you finish eating.”
“Are you leaving?”
Qin Yuyan asked subconsciously.
“Not in a hurry.”
Xin Lan replied thus.
Qin Yuyan nodded, her heart becoming happy again, the corners of her lips curving upwards.
Xin Lan closed the door and left. Qin Yuyan, in a very good mood, hummed a tune as she stirred the congee in the bowl, blowing on it to cool it before taking a bite.
Tuzi, watching her boss suddenly become so full of energy from the side, felt that something was very strange.
She didn’t know why, but she always felt like something wasn’t quite right.
Tuzi looked at Qin Yuyan on the bed, then at the closed door, falling into deep thought.
Xin Lan booked a room for herself, but not on the same floor, because the production team had booked both floors above and below, and everyone staying there was part of the same team.
Sitting on the bed in her room, she pressed her fingers against the space between her eyebrows.
Actually, when she asked the question about visiting the set, she was a little worried that Qin Yuyan would be direct with her. But thinking about Qin Yuyan’s cautious and prudent personality, she shouldn’t answer that way, and as expected, it turned out as she predicted.
But undeniably, at that moment, she actually had a tiny bit of expectation in her heart.
She felt as if she had approached a faint light, wanting to be illuminated by it, but also worried that if she held that light in her hands, she would extinguish it, never to shine again.
LP: Re-translated on March 11, 2025
Made me wonder if Xin Lan was 208 cm tall hahahaha
Made me wonder if Xin Lan was 208 cm tall hahahaha