The next day, Wen Xi woke up feeling more or less back to her usual self. The first thing she did was message Pu Tao, asking her to order an Americano.
Afterward, she skimmed through a cluttered mess of notifications. She skipped the unimportant ones, but the important ones…
As expected, Shen Yu had sent her several messages.
[S: Are you awake?] This one was from last night. Unfortunately, Wen Xi hadn’t had the energy to check her phone then.
Two hours later: [S: How are you feeling?]
At 11:00 PM: [S: Still sleeping?]
And twenty minutes ago: [S: Awake yet?] [S: I’m heading out first. I ordered breakfast for you; check your door when you wake up, I hung it on the handle.]
Wen Xi resisted as long as she could, but finally gave in.
[T.T: I’m awake. Thank you. How much was breakfast? I’ll transfer the money to you.]
It was still early, and filming hadn’t started yet. Shen Yu was in the dressing room getting ready. Consequently, she saw Wen Xi’s message immediately.
[S: ?] [S: No need.]
[T.T: That wouldn’t be right. We don’t have that kind of relationship. I can’t accept gifts for no reason.]
Shen Yu saw the message and chuckled, not the least bit angry.
[S: Want to transfer me money? Fine. Send me your private WeChat ID and use that account to pay me.]
Wen Xi immediately slammed her phone face-down on the table.
Something wasn’t right. How did Shen Yu know?
Her two WeChat accounts had the same nickname, but their profile pictures and Moments were different. Her professional account only posted about her studio and had a massive contact list. Her private account didn’t have many posts either, but it was certainly more personal than the work one.
Strictly speaking, it didn’t matter which account she added. She was just genuinely curious, who betrayed her?
Meanwhile, Pu Tao, who had just headed downstairs to grab the coffee, suddenly sneezed. She wondered in confusion, “It’s so early, who’s thinking about me?”
You couldn’t blame Pu Tao; she didn’t even know Shen Yu and Wen Xi had added each other. While chatting with Shen Yu in the elevator yesterday, Pu Tao had casually shown her a chat preview on her phone. She had no idea Shen Yu’s eyes were that sharp.
Wen Xi stared at her phone for a few seconds, finished washing up, and then went to the door to retrieve the breakfast hanging on the handle.
The delivery must have just arrived; it was still very hot. She took a look, it was pan-fried buns (Shengjian mantou).
Wen Xi’s eyes flickered. She sat at the table and began stuffing them into her mouth, one after another.
Pan-fried buns… the very first breakfast Shen Yu had ever bought for her. Now, after their reunion, the breakfast sent was the same. It was as if Shen Yu was silently telling her that she hadn’t forgotten the days of their past.
By the time Pu Tao returned, Wen Xi had finished the buns. They were small, but there were many of them, and Wen Xi felt a bit too full.
Pu Tao carried the coffee in her left hand and breakfast in her right. Entering the room, she stared at the plastic bag in front of Wen Xi and fell silent for a moment. “Boss, the breakfast…”
“Oh,” Wen Xi said, maintaining a straight face. “This was room service. Probably ordered by the production crew.”
Pu Tao blinked. “Then why didn’t I get any?”
Wen Xi thought for a moment. “Maybe because you were out?”
“I guess so,” Pu Tao accepted the logic. “Then I bought too much breakfast.”
Wen Xi stood up, walked over to take the coffee, and took a sip. “It’s fine. We have a lot of work today; it’s good to eat a bit more.”
Having said that, Wen Xi pulled a wrist-guard glove out of her crossbody bag. The glove was pure white. Since her skin was also fair, it didn’t look jarring or out of place.
Pu Tao leaned in to watch her put it on, mumbling through her breakfast, “Boss, I’ve wanted to say this for a while, those gloves are, honestly, so cool.”
Wen Xi glanced at her. “You can buy a pair for yourself if you want.”
“It’s not the same,” Pu Tao shook her head vigorously. “My hands aren’t pretty. Yours are beautiful, the joints are so defined, long, and white. They only look good because you’re the one wearing them!”
“…Stop flattering me,” Wen Xi laughed and patted her hand. “Hurry up and pack. Time for work. Remember to notify the others in the group chat.”
“Okay~” Pu Tao chirped.
She watched Wen Xi take clean clothes into the bathroom to change and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness her boss finally seemed to be in a better state.
At 8:30 AM, Wen Xi and her staff arrived at the photography studio.
This collaboration was for a period drama. In addition to the official character posters, they needed to shoot several sets of promotional posters for the leads. Wen Xi had already discussed the general concepts online, but she needed to make specific adjustments on-site.
She mostly used her own studio staff for on-set work. It wasn’t for any particular reason other than the fact that after working together for so long, her employees understood her with just a glance, doubling their efficiency.
When Wen Xi was busy, she didn’t have time to think about anything else. Perhaps that was one of the reasons she was such a workaholic. After all, when she wasn’t busy, her mind tended to wander no matter what she was doing…
Because Wen Xi’s team was so efficient, both the crew and the actors were very satisfied. Pu Tao even managed to add several people to the studio’s contact list. However, because there was so much to shoot, the work dragged on for two days. By the second day, Wen Xi was forced to hide a medicated patch under her wrist glove.
During these two days, both Wen Xi and Shen Yu were busy, so they rarely crossed paths. By the third day, it was time for Wen Xi to leave.
Shen Yu knew very well that once Wen Xi left, they wouldn’t see each other for at least two months. Over the last two days, Shen Yu had been “harassing” Wen Xi intermittently, sending all sorts of random messages. Wen Xi replied just as randomly, answering whichever one she felt like.
On the morning of the third day, Shen Yu knocked on Wen Xi’s door. She had managed to take a rare two-hour leave just to catch Wen Xi before she left.
Shen Yu wasn’t sure if the Wen Xi of ten years later still had “morning grumpiness.” Back when they lived together in a rented room ten years ago, she always had to coax Wen Xi out of bed. So, she had specifically bought a small cake the night before and kept it in the hotel fridge just to soothe Wen Xi’s morning mood.
Unfortunately, by the time Wen Xi heard the knocking, she had already been awake for a while. Seeing the wide-awake Wen Xi standing before her, Shen Yu couldn’t help but feel a hint of regret.
Hiding her disappointment, she smiled and handed the cake to Wen Xi.
Wen Xi didn’t move. “Teacher Shen, is something the matter so early in the morning?”
Shen Yu leaned against the doorframe, smiling nonchalantly. “Teacher T, do you really want to chat with me right here? If someone catches us, tomorrow’s trending topic will be…”
Before Shen Yu could finish, Wen Xi, appearing as if she had reached the end of her tether, grabbed her and pulled her inside. Her movements, however, were extremely gentle. Shen Yu followed suit, half-pushing and half-walking into the room.
Once inside, Shen Yu conveniently closed the door. Wen Xi let go and stood a short distance away, looking guarded. “Go on then. What is it?”
“So defensive?” Shen Yu laughed, placing the cake on the table. “It’s nothing. You’re leaving today, so I’m here to see you off.”
“…Aren’t you busy?” Wen Xi frowned.
“Busy,” Shen Yu said casually. “But seeing you off is more important.”
Wen Xi’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face cold. “You… don’t talk as if we’re so close. We don’t have a relationship.”
Shen Yu nodded indifferently. “I know. After all, I’m just the ex-girlfriend who can’t be seen in public.”
Wen Xi was choked up by the words “ex-girlfriend,” unable to find a retort.
Shen Yu seemed completely relaxed. “What time is your flight?”
Wen Xi looked away and didn’t answer.
“So there’s still time,” Shen Yu nodded. “Shall I take you out for breakfast?”
“No need. I’ll eat the cake you brought,” Wen Xi said coldly.
“I really am very busy. I have a lot of scenes in this drama. I had to talk the director’s ear off last night just to get these two hours of leave,” Shen Yu sighed. “These two hours weren’t easy to get.”
Wen Xi remained expressionless. She said nothing, but turned to the bedside table to grab her phone.
Shen Yu blinked. “What are you doing?”
Wen Xi walked over and opened the door. “Weren’t we going to eat breakfast?”
With that, she walked out without looking back at Shen Yu.
Left standing there, Shen Yu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Still so soft-hearted. Even when she tried so hard to put on a cold front.
Shen Yu hurried to catch up. Entering the elevator, she said, “Go to the B1 level. I parked the car there.”
Wen Xi’s finger paused for a second before she pressed the button for B1. “We’re driving? Is it that far? Will you make it back in time?”
Shen Yu reassured her, “Don’t worry, it’s not far. Driving is just faster.”
Wen Xi gritted her teeth. “I’m not worried about you.”
“Mhm, mhm,” Shen Yu followed along smoothly. “I’m worried about myself.”
Wen Xi took a deep breath and ignored Shen Yu all the way to the car. She originally intended to sit in the back, but Shen Yu seemed to anticipate this. After opening the passenger door, Shen Yu stood by the back door, waiting for her.
Since they were in public, Wen Xi was afraid someone might recognize Shen Yu if they lingered, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit in the front.
Fortunately, Shen Yu hadn’t lied. The place wasn’t far, though it was very crowded and lively.
Before getting out, Wen Xi watched Shen Yu fully disguise herself. “There are so many people. Aren’t you afraid of being recognized?”
“The food here is delicious; you’ll like it,” Shen Yu said as she put on her mask and glasses, her expression hidden. “I booked a private room in advance.”
Wen Xi nodded. However, as they walked in, she intentionally walked slightly ahead of Shen Yu, shielding her from the gaze of others.
The “private room” was actually just an area partitioned off with fabric. The place was built to mimic an ancient tavern, and the atmosphere was thick with nostalgia. Shen Yu had pre-ordered the food, as if she had known all along that Wen Xi would follow her.
Wen Xi didn’t bother asking what Shen Yu would have done if she hadn’t come out.
The table was spread with exquisite dim sum, many varieties, but small portions. Indeed, exactly the kind of thing Wen Xi liked.
The surroundings were bustling. In the center of the tavern, a storyteller had been arranged. His voice was loud and dramatic, and the patrons were very supportive. Amidst the noisy morning atmosphere, Shen Yu introduced each dish to Wen Xi, placing a sample on her plate as she went.
Watching the natural, relaxed version of Shen Yu before her, Wen Xi felt a sudden sense of daze. She asked softly, “Do you… not hate me?”
Her voice was very faint, and the morning market was loud, yet those words reached Shen Yu’s ears with crystal clarity.
Shen Yu’s heart trembled.
Did she hate her?
Naturally, she had hated her. She had even been furious when they first reunited. She hated her for leaving without a word, hated her for abandoning their relationship for no reason, and hated her… for giving up on her own dreams so easily.
But now, that self-destructive resentment had long since vanished, leaving behind nothing but a heart full of ache.
How could Wen Xi have changed so much in their time apart? It wasn’t just that the old spark was gone from her eyes; it was the injury on her hand… Shen Yu didn’t even dare to imagine how much pain Wen Xi must have been in. Wen Xi had always been so afraid of pain.
But thankfully…
After so much time apart, it turned out she wasn’t the only one still trapped in the past.
They could still have a future.
Shen Yu looked at Wen Xi and smiled. “Hate you for what?”
I haven’t even loved you enough yet.