Chapter 9: The Second Encounter

The livestream ran longer than expected. After talking for nearly two straight hours, Wen Qingye's throat felt like it was on fire. She was just thinking how nice it would be to have a sip of water when a hand holding a cup appeared in front of her. She looked up—it was Jiang Li offering water. Wen Qingye hesitated for a second before taking it and murmured a quiet thanks.

"Don't mention it…" Jiang Li felt a pang of something she couldn't name.

With Jiang Li there, Ning Si felt comfortable heading home. Before leaving, she didn't forget to remind Wen Qingye to study the new script at home tomorrow—there was an audition the day after.

The mention of an audition made Wen Qingye uneasy. She wasn't classically trained. She'd never had formal acting instruction. Vocals, stage presence, movement, expression—she felt inadequate in every single category.

The drama she was joining next month had come through because the producer was doing a favor for the company boss. She'd been handed the role without even auditioning.

A supporting female role in a big-budget production—minimal screen time. Just getting her face out there would be considered a win.

Jiang Li drove, glancing at the rearview mirror to see Wen Qingye's face etched with exhaustion. After a moment's thought, she said: "If you're tired, get some rest. I'll wake you when we arrive."

Wen Qingye didn't reply, but she leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. Jiang Li didn't disturb her. She knew this was Wen Qingye's way of resting—and Jiang Li had lost count of how many times she'd watched her through that rearview mirror.

After parking, Jiang Li turned to look at the back seat. Wen Qingye's head was tilted to one side, her breathing even—she'd fallen asleep. Long lashes lowered, delicate features bathed in the dim interior light, as if edged with a soft glow.

Her lips were red and slightly raw from the repeated makeup removal and reapplication during the livestream. Jiang Li wanted to reach out and touch them, but feared waking her. So she just sat there, watching quietly, feeling how surreal it all was.

Jiang Li didn't wake her. She hadn't rested well last night because of what happened, and then had worked six or seven hours straight. She should sleep properly.

What could Jiang Li do for her? She didn't know.

Four years ago, Jiang Li had left out of necessity. Four years later, here she was again in her life. Jiang Li didn't know if this was good or bad for Wen Qingye.

Take it one day at a time. Maybe after three months, they'd go their separate ways again and never cross paths.

Jiang Li suddenly thought of that girl who used to love smiling. But now she didn't smile so easily—and whatever emotions lurked beneath those smiles, Jiang Li couldn't quite read them anymore.

[Flashback]

The old Wen Qingye loved posting on her WeChat Moments. Ever since Jiang Li had added her, she'd been able to scroll through her updates.

Sometimes it was late-night ramblings, sometimes everyday slices of life, sometimes silly group photos with friends… Even stray cats by the roadside looked 格外 cute in her posts.

And so Jiang Li's second impression of her: a girl who genuinely loved life.

Jiang Li rarely posted herself, but she'd occasionally like Wen Qingye's updates. It had already been a week since she'd pinned the girl to the ground.

Jiang Li took the initiative to send her a message: "Wen, how's your arm?"

A few minutes later, Wen Qingye replied: "You underestimate me. It's been fine for ages."

Jiang Li typed back: "That's good."

Wen Qingye quickly sent a cat sticker, and the conversation ended there.

The second time Jiang Li saw Wen Qingye came out of nowhere—just two days later.

That day, Jiang Li had finished work at 9 PM, still hungry, planning to grab something to eat nearby.

There was a food stall near the base with great flavors. When you're starving, you crave something heavy—Jiang Li decided to get a takeaway order of stir-fried rice noodles.

She'd just placed her order and paid when she heard an argument break out. Out of professional habit, Jiang Li looked toward the commotion and saw a burly man with a thick gold chain harassing two young women.

Since both women had their backs to her, Jiang Li couldn't see their faces, but she walked over anyway.

As she got closer, she realized the man was demanding the phone number of one of them—a girl with her hair in a bun. The girl had refused, but he wouldn't let up.

When the girl didn't play along, the man grew indignant. He jiggled his jowls and sneered: "Playing hard to get? You're not even that good-looking. Asking for your number is me doing you a favor! Ungrateful brat!"

The bun-haired girl's temper flared: "If you don't have a mirror, go find a puddle! Look at yourself before you talk about other people!"

The man's aggression spiked: "Say that again, I dare you!"

"I'll say it!" Her companion tried to hold her back but couldn't. "You toad!"

"You believe I'll slap you?!"

This girl really had a sharp tongue—but didn't she worry about retaliation?

Seeing the man raise his hand, Jiang Li barked: "Hey! What's going on here!"

The man dismissed Jiang Li with an impatient scowl: "None of your business! Get lost!"

Jiang Li didn't waste words. She simply shrugged off her jacket, revealing the uniform underneath. The moment the man saw the Security Center uniform, he instantly calmed down.

His tone softened considerably: "I was just joking with the young lady."

"Jiang Li?!" Only then did Jiang Li realize the bun-haired girl was Wen Qingye.

Seeing that Wen Qingye knew Jiang Li, the man bolted without another word.

Once he was gone, Jiang Li couldn't help lecturing her: "Wen, next time you run into something like this, don't get into a direct confrontation. If you push the wrong person too far, you won't walk away clean."

"Right, right, Jiang Li's right!" Hu Yue beside Wen Qingye nodded vigorously, firmly on Jiang Li's side. "Xiaoye, I couldn't hold you back. If Jiang Li hadn't been here, you might've actually gotten hit."

Wen Qingye muttered 不服气: "How come you're all lecturing me? I didn't do anything wrong."

Jiang Li took over helplessly: "You didn't do anything wrong. But when you're out, you need to protect yourself. When you encounter people like that, keep your distance. Don't engage."

Wen Qingye responded sullenly: "Got it."

"Thank you. We'll head back to school then." Hu Yue tugged Wen Qingye's sleeve to leave.

"Hey, wait." Jiang Li thought for a moment. "Let me drive you both back."

Wen Qingye went "Ah," looking a bit embarrassed: "That's too much trouble for you, we can manage on our own…"

Hu Yue cut her off with a bright smile: "Then we'll take you up on it!"

Jiang Li's stir-fried rice noodles were ready, so she grabbed her dinner and served as the two girls' escort.

Their university was just one street over from the food stall—a ten-plus minute walk. Not far at all.

Jiang Li wasn't much of a talker to begin with, and she wasn't particularly close with either of them, so there wasn't much to chat about. Hu Yue, however, was a natural social butterfly who never stopped talking the entire way.

She'd ask a question, and Jiang Li would answer. Thankfully, Hu Yue knew boundaries and didn't pry into anything too personal.

When they reached the campus gate, Jiang Li said goodbye: "Get some rest, you two. I'm heading home."

Hu Yue was still all smiles: "Thanks for walking us back."

"No problem."

Wen Qingye also quirked up the corner of her mouth: "Bye-bye."