Chapter 4: 004
Ye QianQian arrived just in time, along with the tow truck.
Qi SiJia got out of her little yellow car, standing in the rain with her rusty umbrella. Her hair plastered to her face.
The triple-layered black mask she wore was soaked through, dripping with water and slipping down.
But she still kept it on.
Qi SiJia avoided the tow truck driver’s gaze, concisely exchanging phone numbers with him.
Midway, she took out a bottle of pills, turned away, and swallowed one.
Ye QianQian pulled up beside Qi SiJia.
Rolling down the window, she called out, “Get in!”
Seeing it was her, Qi SiJia quickly climbed into the passenger seat.
“What car is this?” Her gold-rimmed glasses were covered in raindrops, blurring her vision. Qi SiJia slowly took them off, asking casually.
“Mine,” Ye QianQian tossed her a tissue, then retrieved a new towel from the glove compartment.
Taking the items, Qi SiJia removed her cap, drying her hair as she asked, “Where’s my Cullinan?”
“Don’t worry, it’s still gathering dust in the garage,” Ye QianQian said disdainfully.
“I seriously suggest your dad put some thought into his birthday gifts next time. Is a Cullinan suitable for a girl? It’s bulky, the color doesn’t do it for me. My Lamborghini is much better.”
Qi SiJia’s expression remained indifferent, but her tone was slightly more relaxed than with strangers: “You can tell CEO Qi that yourself. Tell him to at least put some effort into choosing gifts next time, or get a new assistant, maybe then his taste will improve.”
Clearly, Qi SiJia didn’t want to talk about Qi Jun.
Ye QianQian tucked her short hair behind her ear, casually changing the topic: “How’s your social anxiety treatment going?”
Qi SiJia sighed and shook her head.
She used to have mild social anxiety; it didn’t affect her much. She was just quiet and introverted, but capable of moderate social interaction, able to function in crowded places.
But five years ago, after that incident, she couldn’t stay in crowded places for long.
And she couldn’t handle hypnotherapy, so the doctors were at a loss.
For five years, Qi SiJia had shut herself away in her old house, abandoning her innate screenwriting talent. Her mentor from the US called, but she rarely participated in scriptwriting anymore. She hadn’t attended a single Qi family gathering.
Ye QianQian worried about her and felt it was a waste.
Five years ago, while still in college, Qi SiJia had written the screenplay for “Earth’s Destruction,” which was showcased at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. Her English name was hailed as a rising star in foreign screenwriting circles.
But something happened, and after that, Qi SiJia’s social anxiety worsened, and she never touched a script again.
None of her friends knew about her glorious past, but Ye QianQian did. She wanted to help, but Qi SiJia refused treatment, and no one could persuade her.
Sighing as usual, Ye QianQian said, “Alright, I heard facing your fears head-on works for social anxiety. Why don’t you come back to the social scene? Meet more people, I’ll be there with you.”
Ye QianQian spoke earnestly.
Qi SiJia put on her clean glasses, shaking her head in refusal.
The bridge of her nose wasn’t too sharp, just the right height, the tip delicate. Her long finger rested on it.
Ye QianQian tilted her head, catching sight of Qi SiJia adjusting her glasses.
A cinnabar-like mole on the tip of her left middle finger rubbed against her pale skin, utterly seductive.
Ye QianQian stared for a moment, then slammed on the accelerator.
Qi SiJia had to remind her to slow down and offered to drive.
The car quieted down, Ye QianQian lost in thought.
People with social anxiety are sensitive to others’ emotions.
After hesitating, Qi SiJia asked awkwardly, “Are you seeing someone new? Please don’t call me ‘kid’ or ‘little one’.”
“We broke up,” Ye QianQian replied absently. “Wait, how did you know?”
Qi SiJia: “You’ve called me that several times. It sounds nice, but please don’t do it again. My girlfriend might misunderstand.”
Ye QianQian looked down: …
Seeing her silence again, Qi SiJia reminded her, “Put on your seatbelt.”
In the parking garage.
At Qi SiJia’s repeated insistence, Ye QianQian reluctantly agreed to stay in the car.
“After you’re done, you have to bring her to my car so I can get a look,” Ye QianQian emphasized. “I’ll check her out for you.”
Qi SiJia didn’t understand why Ye QianQian was wasting her spa time to meet her girlfriend, but knowing Ye QianQian’s persistent nature, she agreed.
Nodding seriously, “Okay.”
Huaqing Garden was a tea house, quiet and serene, designed like a traditional courtyard.
Two bronze rings served as door handles on the antique-style double doors, topped by a gilded sign with the name “Huaqing Garden” in Song typeface.
Inside, there were small bridges over flowing water, and meticulously arranged plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. A three-story bamboo tea house stood by the river, offering a peaceful and elegant setting.
Perhaps because of Qi SiJia’s casual attire, the waiter in Tang suit led her directly to the main hall on the first floor.
Fortunately, each tea room was separated by screens. At this hour, there were only a few occupied tables on the first floor, obscured by landscape screens.
But the conversations were audible, and Qi SiJia pursed her lips, wishing she were in a private room upstairs.
“Are there any private rooms?”
She repeated the question in her mind several times before meeting the waiter’s smiling, inquiring gaze.
This kind of interaction with strangers made her uncomfortable.
Qi SiJia, reluctant to speak, pulled her mask up and sat down silently.
“What kind of tea would you like, Miss?”
“Plain water.”
Waiter: …
Shu Ran was 35 minutes late.
Qi SiJia hadn’t left, even though she was already very uncomfortable. She’d had two refills of plain water, still no sign of her girlfriend.
She took out her phone and briefly thanked “Rich Flower” in the comments section.
Because she was constantly looking down, she didn’t notice the waiter’s disdainful glances.
It wasn’t until the stylishly dressed Shu Ran sat across from her that the waiter finally looked away.
As Shu Ran sat down, a commotion arose at the entrance, presumably due to a celebrity’s arrival. Even the waiter who had been standing by their table excitedly rushed over.
Despite this, neither Qi SiJia nor Shu Ran looked up.
Qi SiJia because the increasing crowd, even without their direct attention, made her need to focus on deep breathing to stay calm.
Shu Ran was busy composing herself, preparing for the confrontation.
Taking a deep breath, Qi SiJia went straight to the point: “You said you had something to tell me?”
“Go ahead, quickly. I need to go back soon.”
Qi SiJia spoke without looking up, her tone revealing her lack of interest.
Shu Ran choked on her prepared speech, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
“You need to go back?” Shu Ran asked.
“Yes.”
Qi SiJia noticed Shu Ran’s eyes seemed larger than usual today, her features sharper, less sweet, and almost menacing.
She blinked, thinking she was mistaken.
Before she could look closer, Shu Ran pulled out a cigarette and placed it between her slender fingers.
Qi SiJia frowned: “Smoking is bad for you.”
She pushed the teacup towards Shu Ran: “Have some tea.”
Shu Ran sneered: “No thanks, sitting with you ruins my appetite. Let’s get to the point. I’m here to break u—”
Before she could finish, the commotion from the entrance drew closer.
The crowd was now within fifty meters of their table.
Screams interrupted their conversation.
“Ahhh, Jiang Jiang, look here!”
“Oh my god, it’s really her!”
“Hello, Miss Meng, I’m from the Ning Cheng branch of the Bei Cheng Meng Corporation—You’re even more beautiful in person.”
…
Qi SiJia and Shu Ran looked over simultaneously.
Standing in the center of the crowd was Meng Jiang, surrounded by people.
Under the lights, she wore a long dress, her coat draped over her wrist.
Her phoenix eyes swept over them, regal and aloof.
The atmosphere in the tea house suddenly heated up!
Qi SiJia glanced over casually. Despite being separated by several screens, clearly outside Meng Jiang’s line of sight, Meng Jiang, as if having eyes in the back of her head, suddenly turned, her smiling eyes meeting Qi SiJia’s.
Qi SiJia: …
Before she could react, Meng Jiang, seemingly recognizing her, feigned surprise, then turned and walked gracefully towards Qi SiJia.
Smiling faintly, she called out, “Qi SiJia.”
“It really is you!”
Qi SiJia’s face remained expressionless, her breathing becoming labored. She took a sip of tea.
She didn’t reply, partly because she felt there was nothing to say to Meng Jiang, and partly because the crowd was overwhelming, making her heart pound.
Meng Jiang, oblivious to her thoughts, reached their table, blocking her path. Intentionally or not, she extended her hand politely: “Long time no see. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“And this is?” Meng Jiang gestured towards Shu Ran.
Unlike Qi SiJia’s slow reaction, Shu Ran was restless, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She thought, Qi SiJia hides things well, even having a connection with Meng Jiang.
Her planned confrontation was now impossible.
What worried Shu Ran more was the possibility of Qi SiJia introducing her as her girlfriend. The person standing before them was Meng Jiang, the mentor on her upcoming debut show. A good relationship meant more screen time, a faster path to stardom.
“Teacher Meng!” Shu Ran composed herself, looking up with feigned surprise and extending her hand, “What a coincidence! Nice to meet you. I’m Shu Ran, Qi SiJia’s friend. Shu, as in comfortable…”
Meng Jiang stepped back, letting Chen Cheng shake Shu Ran’s hand.
“Hello.”
Her tone was indifferent, showing no interest in further acquaintance.
After dismissing Shu Ran, Meng Jiang turned back to Qi SiJia.
Their eyes met, a moment of silence hanging in the air.
A reunion with a first love. The expected awkwardness, hostility, or sarcasm were absent.
Meng Jiang’s expression was natural, as if she had no ulterior motives, just a polite greeting.
Qi SiJia, however, couldn’t respond calmly. She couldn’t stay in the crowd any longer, her gaze drifting towards the exit.
She forced herself to speak: “It has been a long time.”
One standing, one sitting. Meng Jiang looked down, meeting Qi SiJia’s narrow eyes, asking with a hint of amusement, “Here for tea with a friend?”
Her casual tone drew curious gazes towards Qi SiJia.
Qi SiJia took a deep breath.
Seeing her discomfort, Meng Jiang’s eyes flickered with surprise. She subtly shifted, using her body to block most of the stares.
Qi SiJia finally looked up, slightly relieved.
Adult interactions were sometimes complicated. Even with an ex, a certain level of courtesy was necessary.
With Meng Jiang initiating conversation and so many eyes watching, Qi SiJia couldn’t just ignore her.
Qi SiJia adjusted her glasses, avoiding Meng Jiang’s face.
Her gaze settled on Meng Jiang’s shoulder: “Shu Ran is my girlfriend.”
“Oh,” Meng Jiang glanced down at Shu Ran, “Is that so?”
“What are you talking about, Qi SiJia? I’m here to break up with you!” Shu Ran exclaimed, glaring at her ex, silently urging her not to say anything more.
But Qi SiJia wasn’t listening. With Meng Jiang standing there, more and more attention was drawn to their table.
Even though Meng Jiang tried to shield her, Qi SiJia’s social anxiety was worse than five years ago. If there were a hole, she would crawl into it and hide.
Her head buzzed. Taking a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, Qi SiJia decided to leave.
“Anything else?”
This was directed at Shu Ran. She couldn’t process Shu Ran’s declaration of breaking up right now.
Whatever it meant, she would deal with it later.
Qi SiJia’s face showed no sadness at being dumped, her eyes still indifferent.
As if she were seeing this person for the first time.
Shu Ran frowned, her mood souring despite the onlookers. She said coldly, “Don’t you have anything to say about breaking up?”
“No,” Qi SiJia said. “That’s all for today. I’m leaving.”
She placed her teacup aside, avoiding Meng Jiang’s inquisitive gaze, and walked towards the exit without a word of goodbye.
As she passed Meng Jiang, the familiar scent of tea olive blossoms mixed with a hint of fruit wine hit her.
Qi SiJia paused, reflexively saying, “Don’t drink and drive.”
It was a habitual reminder, spoken without thought.
Qi SiJia immediately regretted it, her mind foggy.
Without waiting for a reply, she walked away.
Meng Jiang seemed lost in thought, suddenly stiffening as she turned, watching Qi SiJia disappear, before resuming her professional smile.
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