Here
Teacher Jin, you’re here.
The matter of the concert tickets was finally brought up, and Lu Zhenqiu could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Her steps were even lighter as she went to record the radio drama. Jin Shuilan watched her retreating figure, lowered her head and smiled, then fiddled with her phone and called a friend.
Ji Zibo returned to the break room, saw her putting down her phone, and greeted her, “Here to supervise?”
Having nothing else to do, Jin Shuilan followed Ji Zibo into the room. Lu Zhenqiu was currently in a dialogue with the main character, her voice slightly hoarse. She watched for a moment longer. A voice actor beside her spoke in a low voice, “It seems like God Xia’s production is about to wrap up too.”
“Heard so. I haven’t been paying attention.”
Jin Shuilan sat down. Beside her, Ji Zibo swiveled her chair over to her side. “Go to the concert together?”
The person beside her gave her a cool glance. Ji Zibo laughed, “Just showing some concern for you. In that case, you two go. We won’t be electric light bulbs1.”
Originally, she had wanted to go with Lu Zhenqiu and the others, but now that she knew Jin Shuilan and Lu Zhenqiu were going together, she definitely had to give them space. Jin Shuilan didn’t say much. Ji Zibo said, “Seize the opportunity.”
Jin Shuilan lowered her head. “Nosy.”
Ji Zibo laughed and was about to say more, but Jin Shuilan shot her a look, and she quieted down.
The next few days were especially busy, and the weather didn’t improve either, showing a strong trend of getting colder and colder. Cold fronts approached one after another, and the warnings sounded nonstop. When Lu Zhenqiu wasn’t in the recording booth, she stayed at home, and she didn’t take Maomao out much either.
Jin Shuilan, on the other hand, went on a business trip for the past two days. It was said that she went to the neighboring province to attend some conference. Lu Zhenqiu didn’t ask much, only learning some details when she heard people in the production crew talking about it.
“I wonder if Teacher Jin will be back tonight,” a staff member said, pulling their clothes tighter. “It’s rare for us to get together.”
“Teacher Ji said she might be back, but who knows.”
Lu Zhenqiu looked down, fiddling with her new phone. Having switched to a new phone, nothing felt familiar. After downloading the necessary apps, she was just swiping through them. She had just installed Weibo when she saw the chat in their small group.
Xiao Yu: 【Wait, did Teacher Bai really handle it? Why does the related search term still have some residual heat?】
Hua Luo: 【It’s being handled, don’t worry.】
She sat cross-legged on the bed, feeling wonderfully content. The electric blanket2 was on, her face full of comfort. Hua Luo was typing to Xiao Yu while simultaneously on a voice call with Bai Mao. “Teacher Bai, can I insert the plot point now?”
Bai Mao was writing and, hearing her voice, said, “You can. Anytime is fine.”
Hua Luo was delighted.
She chatted a bit more with Xiao Yu, then @’d Lu Zhenqiu, asking her if the radio drama was finished. Lu Zhenqiu, while installing a new app, replied: 【It finishes tonight.】
Hua Luo: 【Hey, so when are we going to get together for a good meal?】
Lu Zhenqiu: 【Let’s see.】
Xiao Yu: 【Isn’t it Teacher Jin’s birthday in another week? Why don’t we just get together then?】
Hua Luo: 【Sounds good to me. Qiuqiu, what’s the deal with that streamer annual meeting thing Xiao Yu mentioned?】
Lu Zhenqiu was silent for two seconds: 【I’m looking for a pet shop.】
She had already promised the platform’s person-in-charge that she would go, but Maomao alone couldn’t be brought along. She could only place it in a nearby pet shop, as Xiao Yu and Hua Luo couldn’t take it in either.
Hua Luo: 【Why not just ask Teacher Jin to help look after it?】
Xiao Yu also chimed in: 【Yeah, I think it would be great for Teacher Jin to look after it. She likes Maomao, too.】
Lu Zhenqiu’s typing hands paused, then she sent: 【I’d better leave it at a pet shop.】
The other two were silent for a moment and didn’t try to persuade her further.
Lu Zhenqiu put down her phone and saw that everyone was packing up. She asked, “Are we leaving?”
“Yep, it’s a wrap,” said a voice actor she got along with. “Qiuqiu, are you coming to the hotel in our car?”
Lu Zhenqiu agreed, “Sure.”
In the car, everyone was still discussing whether they would see Jin Shuilan at the hotel, hoping for a miracle. Lu Zhenqiu looked at her chat window. Yesterday, Jin Shuilan had asked her: 【Are you going to the dinner party?】
She had replied: 【I probably will.】
Jin Shuilan hadn’t sent anything else. Ji Zibo had said she went this time to attend the annual author’s conference. Although Lu Zhenqiu had never attended, she could guess it must be very busy.
Ji Zibo had just settled into her seat on the bus when she heard someone ask, “Is Teacher Jin coming?”
“Yeah, Teacher Ji, is Teacher Jin coming?”
Ji Zibo laughed. “What, you only like Teacher Jin and not me?”
“How could that be? Teacher Ji is the best.”
Ji Zibo was a sweet-talker, easygoing, and could get along with everyone, but it just so happened that more people liked Jin Shuilan. Ji Zibo said this was probably a case of “distance creates beauty.” In reality, they didn’t know that was the hypocritical Jin Shuilan!
Lu Zhenqiu thought of Ji Zibo saying this and lowered her head with a small laugh.
After being asked too many times, Ji Zibo said, “I’ll call and ask for you all.”
The call went through, but for a long time, no one answered. Ji Zibo shrugged. “Probably in a meeting. No one’s picking up.”
Everyone was disappointed. Ji Zibo’s assistant couldn’t help but ask, “Strange, Teacher Jin never used to attend the author’s conference before. Why did she go this year?”
Another person chimed in, “Yeah, I remember she didn’t attend in the past few years.”
The author’s conference was held twice a year, once mid-year and once at year-end. Jin Shuilan had been invited to attend for several years. The conference organizer had even actively interacted with her on Weibo, just wanting her to go. But for several years in a row, she never went. This year, she went without a sound, surprising a whole crowd of people.
Hearing them chat, Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head and fiddled with her phone. She suddenly wondered if Jin Shuilan also felt the recent atmosphere between them was too awkward, and that’s why she was staying away for a bit.
Then she shook her head, feeling this idea was really too narcissistic.
Someone beside her called out, “Qiuqiu.”
Lu Zhenqiu turned her head and saw the girl who had called her; she was a newcomer who had just entered the industry, young, active, and full of energy. She said, “I heard from Ji-jie that you’re looking for a pet shop?”
Others were curious. “What for? Looking for a pet shop?”
She nodded. “Mhm, I am. I have to go to the streamer annual meeting, and I can’t bring my dog.”
“Oh right, hotels don’t allow pets,” the girl across from her said. “But you just joined Sanshui and you’re already attending the streamer annual meeting?”
Ji Zibo laughed. “Not just attending, our Qiuqiu is also a host.”
“Holy shit, that’s awesome!” It’s unknown who blurted that out. Others laughed. “Be a little more subtle.”
The girl who had started the conversation said, “I know a place that does boarding. I used to leave my cat there when I went on long trips, and they took great care of her. Do you want the contact? I can send it to you.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded. “Yes, please.”
She added that person on WeChat. The girl said, “The fees aren’t expensive, and I really trust them. You can chat with her.”
Lu Zhenqiu agreed. Ji Zibo leaned over and, while no one was paying attention, said in a low voice, “You’re going to board Maomao?”
“Mhm.” Lu Zhenqiu’s tone was reluctant and a bit helpless. “I won’t be back for half a month.”
“Then just have Teacher Jin look after it.” Ji Zibo had a matter-of-fact expression. “She’d definitely be willing.”
Lu Zhenqiu was speechless.
This was the second person today to suggest letting Jin Shuilan look after Maomao. But for both emotional and logical reasons, she couldn’t possibly trouble Jin Shuilan. Lu Zhenqiu shook her head. “I’d better not.”
Ji Zibo saw the hint in her expression and, after a long moment, said, “Well, boarding it is fine too.”
Lu Zhenqiu gave a small smile.
After getting out of the car, Ji Zibo led them inside. It was a private room on the fourth floor, the one at the very end of the hall. As Lu Zhenqiu was following the others in, she reached the fourth floor and saw someone in the distance, causing her to stop. Lu Yan’s voice rang out, “Teacher Ji, you’re here too?”
What did she mean? Could it be that Tang Yingxia’s production crew was also here?
Lu Zhenqiu furrowed her brow. She heard someone in front say, “What a coincidence! How can it be so coincidental? We’re in the room right inside, and you’re right next door.”
It was truly an absurd coincidence.
Renting adjacent recording booths was understandable, but to choose the same restaurant, and the private room right next door—Lu Zhenqiu truly felt the coincidence was too much. Lu Yan was also surprised, not expecting to run into them at the restaurant.
From a distance, she glanced at Lu Zhenqiu, her eyes narrowing.
If nothing unexpected had happened this year, she would have been the host of the streamer annual meeting again. The person-in-charge had even confirmed it with her mid-year. But as soon as Lu Zhenqiu arrived, not only did the person-in-charge resign, but her hosting gig also went down the drain. She had even shared this news in their small group chat before, but now she didn’t even want to open the group, which felt full of mockery.
Lu Zhenqiu didn’t look at her. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned her head and saw Tang Yingxia walking over. People beside her greeted, “Hi, God Xia.”
Tang Yingxia nodded with a smile and glanced at Lu Zhenqiu, her look full of meaning.
Lu Zhenqiu stood a little to the side, deliberately creating some distance. Tang Yingxia brushed past her, wearing the same perfume as before, but to Lu Zhenqiu, it felt unfamiliar.
Tang Yingxia walked to Lu Yan’s side and heard her say, “We’re right next to Teacher Ji’s production. God Xia, wouldn’t you say it’s a coincidence?”
“It is,” Tang Yingxia said. “Teacher Ji is welcome to drop by3.”
Ji Zibo gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes4. “Of course. God Xia is also welcome to come over for a couple of drinks.”
The people from the two production crews were still exchanging pleasantries. After finishing the greetings, Ji Zibo went in, and Lu Zhenqiu followed right after, not greeting the neighboring crew. After taking a seat, everyone discussed the menu. They were still talking about what a fateful coincidence it was and that they should go visit the other room later. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head, pretending to fiddle with her phone, uninterested in joining their conversation. Her phone buzzed, and a message popped up: 【You’re not at the studio anymore.】
It was from Jin Shuilan.
Lu Zhenqiu quickly replied: 【We’re not, Teacher Jin. We’ve come to the hotel.】
Jin Shuilan: 【Which hotel?】
Lu Zhenqiu: 【Quanshui Hotel5.】
Jin Shuilan: 【Okay, I’ll be there in a bit. I don’t know which private room it is. Can you come down and get me?】
Lu Zhenqiu didn’t hesitate and replied to her: 【Okay.】
She turned, said a word to Ji Zibo, got up, and left the private room. The quiet of the hallway made her breathe a sigh of relief. In a few steps, she reached the elevators. When she got downstairs, she found two girls standing beside her, both with the expression of craning their necks while waiting for someone, looking at their phones while glancing toward the entrance. She stood beside the two girls.
A few minutes later, one of the girls next to her made a call, urging the person on the other end to hurry up. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head to fiddle with her phone, occasionally glancing at the entrance.
After quite a while, three figures appeared at the entrance. In her peripheral vision, she saw the two girls beside her dash over and hug the people who had just entered. The girl on the right who had been on the phone seemed to be angry, and the boy beside her lowered his head, kissing and coaxing her.
Among the two couples, with their intimate postures of hugging and holding each other, Jin Shuilan was particularly conspicuous. Lu Zhenqiu then realized the awkwardness of the situation. They were all waiting for their partners, and here she was, just standing there…
Jin Shuilan walked quickly to her side. Lu Zhenqiu looked up and greeted her, a bit awkwardly, “Teacher Jin, you’re here.”
“Mhm.” Jin Shuilan looked at her, a smile rippling in the depths of her eyes, her voice gentle. “I’m here.”
The author has something to say:
Thirty red envelopes, memeda.
Jin Shuilan: Qiuqiu came to get me. Happy.
Lu Zhenqiu: Fool…
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