Amusing Ourselves to Death Arc
Agent 19
Xin Lan enjoyed a rare leisurely afternoon, accompanied by frozen yogurt cheesecake, caramel pudding, freshly brewed coffee, a blueberry sweet potato cup, and Qin Yuyan’s company.
After finishing their afternoon tea, Qin Yuyan invited Xin Lan to her study. The spacious armchairs could easily accommodate three people. They sat there with the air conditioning on, and the sunlight had a gentle warmth, not scorching.
Qin Yuyan brewed two cups of black tea, and they spent the time before dinner peacefully, surrounded by the aroma of books.
Xin Lan had dinner at Qin Yuyan’s place. Even if she were to leave, she would only go out to eat. There were no social obligations, so it was better to stay and have dinner at Qin Yuyan’s.
Qin Yuyan’s refrigerator was stocked with plenty of ingredients, so they could enjoy a hearty dinner without the need for grocery shopping.
Dinner consisted of four dishes and a soup. Initially, Qin Yuyan had intended to go out to buy more ingredients, but Xin Lan felt that there was no need to be extravagant for just the two of them, so Qin Yuyan abandoned the idea.
The dishes included minced meat with eggplant, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, tomato beef stew, cumin lamb, and a soup with yam and pork ribs.
When Qin Yuyan served the meal, she even apologized, feeling a bit embarrassed, saying that she didn’t have enough ingredients at home to make the meal even more sumptuous.
“It’s already quite abundant.”
Xin Lan replied with a smile after washing her hands.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t enjoyed a meal like this at a friend’s house for a long time.
“If you come again next time, I’ll definitely cook something even more delicious. Can you handle spicy food?”
“I can.”
“That’s great. My specialty is Sichuan cuisine. Is the audition in the city three days from now?”
“It’s in the neighboring city.”
“That leaves us with two more days. How about coming over to my place for dinner tomorrow? I’ll cook something delicious for you,” Qin Yuyan said enthusiastically, “if you’re free.”
Seeing Xin Lan’s eager expression, Xin Lan didn’t want to refuse outright but simply replied with a casual smile, saying she would check her schedule.
Qin Yuyan seemed a bit excited, and for a moment, Xin Lan wasn’t sure if her behavior was a bit cruel.
She knew Qin Yuyan had feelings for her, but she still maintained the normal distance that friends should have.
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She had no intention of leading Qin Yuyan on, even though she enjoyed the comfortable company they shared.
The only difference between her and Qin Yuyan wasn’t their respective origins as a native and a traveler; it was the chasm within her own heart.
Liking someone naturally made one desire a lasting connection, but Xin Lan couldn’t offer Qin Yuyan that permanence. This was one of the reasons she couldn’t agree to it, but not the most crucial one.
The most important thing was that amidst the constant cycle of life and death, she didn’t know how to like someone in the first place, let alone now.
She admired this girl and enjoyed their time together but had no further intentions.
When it came to emotions, the more she thought about it, the more it felt intricate and complex, like a ball of yarn with no end in sight.
Xin Lan sighed lightly in her heart and picked up her chopsticks to start dinner.
She ate heartily just to show Qin Yuyan that she was appreciative.
Qin Yuyan looked both touched and amused by Xin Lan’s actions. In reality, Xin Lan didn’t need to go to such lengths to please her. The fact that she was able to have dinner at her place already made her very happy.
She had initially thought of Xin Lan as a cool and handsome “big sister,” but sometimes, some of her actions revealed a gentleness that didn’t quite match her personality.
“How about going for a walk together?”
Qin Yuyan tidied up the dishes and utensils, returning them to the kitchen as she made a suggestion to Xin Lan, who was still finishing her meal.
“Sure, but I might need to go home and change my shoes.”
She glanced at her high-heeled boots she had worn to Qin Yuyan’s place, realizing they were unsuitable for a casual walk.
“I’ll wait for you.”
So, Xin Lan the senior manager, who had originally only planned to check on how her artist was doing with script reading, ended up having an afternoon tea and dinner at her artist’s home, and now they were going for a walk together.
Qin Yuyan: Plan approved!
Within the residential complex, there was a relatively spacious square surrounded by greenery. Several paths extended in different directions, and on either side of the square, there were swings.
Apart from Xin Lan and Qin Yuyan, there was no one else on the square. The lampposts stretched their shadows, casting peculiar shapes on the ground.
The two of them walked in silence. Xin Lan was simply enjoying her meal, while Qin Yuyan harbored her little joys, quietly following beside Xin Lan.
Xin Lan thought that walking silently like this might seem a bit strange, so she initiated a conversation, focusing on business matters, of course.
She briefly described the male lead, Gu Zhengrong, to Qin Yuyan.
“X is Gu Zhengrong, confirmed?”
Qin Yuyan was somewhat surprised and excited upon hearing the name. She looked at Xin Lan, seeking a definite answer.
“Yes, Director Zhang personally confirmed it. The shooting schedule was also arranged to ensure that if we delayed any further, Gu Zhengrong wouldn’t be available.”
“Professor Gu is widely recognized for his acting skills. I’ll work even harder to secure this role and learn from him when the time comes.”
Acting skills are something that can be honed and cultivated. With a good production team and a great co-star, it undoubtedly elevates an actor’s performance. For someone like Qin Yuyan, who isn’t driven by fame or fortune, this drama is undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity.
As they continued chatting, their conversation veered into the usual topics within the industry. They discussed whose reputation had taken a hit, who was in trouble, who was gaining momentum, who were good people to befriend, and who were best kept at a distance.
Towards the end of their conversation, Qin Yuyan brought up Shen Yun.
“Is Shen Jie very busy lately?”
“Yes, she’s quite busy. She’s also preparing for an audition recently.”
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“What is she going to film?”
“A TV drama adapted from an IP.”
“That sounds good.”
“It’s really good.”
Xin Lan smiled with a meaningful expression on her face.
It’s not just good; it’s downright delightful.
Qin Yuyan saw Xin Lan’s smile, but suddenly, her heart sank.
Isn’t she on bad terms with Shen Yun? Why is she so happy now?
Qin Yuyan remembered what Xin Lan had said on her grandmother’s birthday night. Since then, she had known that Xin Lan and Shen Yun’s relationship was definitely not good. She had even observed it during their meal together. Although everyone maintained a low profile, just the way Xin Lan favored Shen Yun during that dinner made her more certain.
But what’s happening now? Why is Xin Lan so happy for Shen Yun?
Qin Yuyan also knew she shouldn’t dwell on it too much. After all, Xin Lan and Shen Yun had a professional relationship as manager and artist. In the entertainment industry, fortunes could change overnight. However, there was still a slight sense of unease in her heart.
She hadn’t really disliked Shen Yun initially; it was just when Shen Yun had looked at her with that expression, bragging about her good relationship with Xin Lan in front of her, and now seeing Xin Lan’s smile, it all made her start to dislike her.
Qin Yuyan pursed her lips, wishing she hadn’t brought up Shen Yun, as it had dampened the mood.
She was unhappy inside but put on a flawless façade, so Xin Lan couldn’t detect any hint of her discomfort.
The two continued chatting for a while and when their walk was almost over, they retraced their steps.
When the elevator doors opened, Xin Lan stood at the doorway, bidding farewell to Qin Yuyan.
They lived in opposite directions, so they naturally had to walk in different directions.
“Goodnight, see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Xin Lan walked toward her home, and when she reached her door, she had a subtle sense of something and turned around.
Qin Yuyan had taken only a few steps when she flashed a slightly flustered smile and quickly turned back towards her own apartment door. She hurriedly opened it.
Xin Lan found amusement in her actions and silently bid her goodnight.
Upon entering her own apartment, the moonlight was particularly beautiful tonight, casting a serene glow throughout the room, yet it was eerily quiet.
Xin Lan turned on the lights and sat on the sofa.
Ordinarily, she didn’t think much of it, but after the comparison, being alone seemed exceptionally desolate.
However, Xin Lan was not one to be overly sentimental. After taking a bath, she peacefully drifted into the realm of dreams.
Early the next morning, she dove back into her busy routine.
Around noon, she contemplated whether to visit Qin Yuyan’s place, and coincidentally, at that moment, Qin Yuyan sent her a message asking if she wanted to come over for a meal.
Zero Nine: Host, if you want to go, just go. It’ll make both you and her happy. If you refuse, she might feel sad. After all, you don’t intend to lead her on deliberately, so why worry?
Zero Nine felt that the host seemed decisive but always had some hesitation when faced with someone who treated her well. She tended to consider other people’s feelings. However, this contrasting gentleness might not always be evident to others.
Xin Lan was momentarily stunned by the unexpected comment from Zero Nine. She thought to herself, when did she become someone who hesitated like this?
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After checking her schedule, Xin Lan swiftly replied to Qin Yuyan, giving her an approximate time. When she was ready to leave, she headed to the parking lot and drove to Qin Yuyan’s place.
As soon as she entered Qin Yuyan’s home, she was greeted by a strong aroma of food.
“Looks quite sumptuous.”
On the table were four dishes and a soup, all Sichuan dishes this time. They were vibrant and enticing, with their reddish hues, making them look appetizing.
“Come, wash your hands and let’s eat. I originally planned to make a few more dishes, but then I thought it would be a waste if we couldn’t finish them, and I didn’t want you to have leftovers in the afternoon, so I didn’t make too much.”
Qin Yuyan said with a smile, as she set the table for Xin Lan’s dinner.
“Alright, thanks for your effort.”
“No problem at all. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to cook a proper meal like this, and I should thank you, Ah Lan, for indulging my cooking desires.”
Qin Yuyan smiled as she served the soup and scooped rice for Xin Lan.
The boiled fish was tender and smooth, leaving a lingering taste on the lips and teeth. The Mapo tofu was fresh and spicy, incredibly appetizing, and the spicy chicken had the perfect balance of tenderness, with the dry chili on top adding an aromatic touch.
Today’s soup was winter melon and pork rib soup, with the winter melon cooked to a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
Xin Lan’s lips turned slightly red from the spiciness, but she was thoroughly satisfied.
Seeing Xin Lan’s content expression, Qin Yuyan felt happy as well.
If they could continue like this, Qin Yuyan had some unrealistic wishes.
In the future, when her career took off, it would be hard to find time to cook regularly.
Amidst Qin Yuyan’s persistent efforts to schedule lunches, dinners, and even the next day’s lunch, she found herself approaching her audition.
Since it was her first audition, Xin Lan naturally accompanied her.
When they arrived at their destination after the flight, Xin Lan arranged a room for Qin Yuyan to freshen up.
As they were about to reach the audition venue, Qin Yuyan took a deep breath.
“Ah Lan, I’m feeling a bit nervous.”
She said, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Xin Lan read her thoughts in a somewhat peculiar manner, after all, Qin Yuyan’s expression seemed to say, “Give me some words of encouragement already.”
Mala with enoki is the closest i can eat