On the way back to the hotel after the filming.
Shen Yusi was staring blankly out the window at the passing lights, when a glimpse of her peripheral vision caught Yu Shushu’s gaze fixed on her.
Too many people looked at her like that, always trying to trace the outline of some lost soulmate through her features.
A trace of bitterness passed through Shen Yusi’s heart, and she nonchalantly looked back out the window.
“Yun University starts next week.” Yu Shushu broke the silence. “Your aunt said you insisted on registering by yourself.”
Shen Yusi explained, “I already had my luggage sent to the dorm. I can handle the registration alone. Canaan is so far from Yunchang. They all have their own work to do; there’s no need for them to go out of their way.”
“It’s fine.” Yu Shushu cut her off. “I’m nearby. I’ll go with you.”
Auntie Shu was her mother’s close friend. Shen Yusi had grown up in Canaan. Their paths had rarely crossed until she received her admission letter from Yun University’s Art School a month ago, and their communication had only then increased.
Before she came, her aunt had specifically told her to treat Auntie Shu like a real aunt.
Shen Yusi was naturally wild. Having finally gotten into a university far from home, she was resistant to spending too much time with unfamiliar elders.
A refusal was almost on her lips. But meeting Yu Shushu’s eyes, the words rolled back on her tongue, turning into a vague “Mm.”
Silence settled in the car for a while.
Shen Yusi’s thoughts drifted back to the man in the hallway. The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. “Auntie Shu, who were all the people at the museum today?”
“TV station staff and museum leaders.” Yu Shushu patiently went through the names, focusing on a few key leaders, especially Lin Yunzhi.
But Shen Yusi wasn’t really listening. That man had been wearing a mask, his hair covering his forehead. She hadn’t gotten a clear look, but he was tall and seemed young, not likely a leader.
And he didn’t have a work badge hanging around his neck, so he clearly wasn’t staff either.
So why was he at the museum, skulking around, and then suddenly looking like he was about to drop dead?
…Although, the way he looked half-kneeling on the floor in his shirt was rather nice to look at.
Good build too. Broad shoulders, long legs.
…
Shen Yusi clicked her tongue and mentally scolded herself for being a pervert.
How was this a question of having a good body or not?
The man was acting suspicious, and then he just vanished into thin air. Maybe he was a criminal scoping the place out in advance.
Yu Shushu noticed her distraction. “What’s wrong?”
Shen Yusi told her honestly. “When I came out of the restroom, I asked someone for directions. He seemed a bit strange. His behavior was very suspicious.”
Yu Shushu frowned, her expression turning serious. “Is that so? I’ll send a message to the museum security later, tell them to be on the lookout.”
The museum’s security was always tight. After receiving Yu Shushu’s message, they quickly checked the surveillance footage. They found out the suspicious man Shen Yusi mentioned was Lin Yingzhou. Seeing him nearly faint in the hallway, the security captain, knowing his identity, immediately called to ask how he was.
Lin Yingzhou exchanged a few pleasantries, saying it was just a bad cold and nothing else physically wrong.
“Did something happen? Why the sudden check on the hallway cameras?”
“Oh, someone under Chief Editor Yu’s team said there was a suspicious person in the hallway, asked me to check if it wasn’t some criminal scoping the place out.”
Lin Yingzhou remembered her again, that brazen splash of color. He found it utterly absurd.
He kindly gives her directions, and she thinks he’s suspicious?
–
Shen Yusi had just gotten back to the hotel, ready to shower and sleep, when a message from Xie Sheng popped up: 【Done yet or not?】
Oh, she’d almost forgotten about that.
Island: 【Just got to the hotel. Gotta wash my hair and change.】
(T/N: The character Yu (屿) from Yusi literally translates to “island”)
The other end replied instantly: 【I’m waiting at Duji. There are some really stunning guys here tonight!!】
Island: 【Got it.】
Duji was currently the most popular bar among young people in Yunchang. The name itself carried a vibe of decadent fashion.
Duji. Duji. Get drunk, dance, transcend yourself.
As soon as she walked in, the air, mixing pheromones and perfume, hit her. The dance floor was a frenzy of bodies.
The whole place was loud and chaotic. Only when Xie Sheng stood up from a booth and waved did Shen Yusi lock onto her target and walk straight over.
A beam of light played over her red hair. Her bare, delicate face was illuminated by the vivid color, breathtakingly beautiful.
It was only a dozen meters from the door to the booth, but many eyes clung to her.
When she got close, Xie Sheng could see she wasn’t wearing any makeup today. “Why did you come with a bare face?”
Shen Yusi sat down beside her, half-joking. “Every time I think about having to take off makeup when I get home, it annoys me. So I just took it off beforehand. Much easier.”
“…You’re insane.” Xie Sheng couldn’t understand the mind of this “artist.” She stood up and introduced Shen Yusi to her friends.
Xie Sheng was Shen Yusi’s elementary school classmate. Being too smart, she skipped a grade and was a year ahead in university. She chose the grueling medical major, which meant she had no time to come home during summer break and was just now finishing her lab reports.
Shen Yusi gave a small smile as a greeting.
Good-looking people sipping wine in a setting like this is a recipe for chemistry. Xie Sheng had purposely invited several handsome guys to help Shen Yusi through her boring single period.
But this master of ambiguity was sitting quietly off to the side, turning down a string of people who tried to hit on her.
Her phone lit up. Yu Shushu sent a message with a few more reminders: 【I’ll come pick you up then. Just message me if you need anything.】
After replying, Shen Yusi’s fingers unconsciously tapped on the other person’s Moments to check it.
As the background image loaded, her gaze darkened sharply.
Shen Yusi had seen this photo when she was a child, in the room where her mother’s belongings were kept.
It was a group photo, three young women in their prime. Now, only Yu Shushu remained.
Shen Yusi stared at the woman in the photo who resembled her, lost in thought for a moment.
The music in the bar was at full blast. Xie Sheng leaned closer. “What’s up? Not in a good mood today?”
Shen Yusi put her phone away and shook her head. “Not really. Just feeling a bit tired.”
Xie Sheng joked, “What, finally feeling tired of chatting up eight guys at once?”
Shen Yusi laughed and pushed her away. “Piss off! When did I ever chat up eight guys at once?”
She liked the thrill of ambiguity, but hated chatting on the phone. Cold text could never compete with the warmth of a real meeting.
Xie Sheng changed the subject. “None of the guys I brought tonight catch your eye?”
Shen Yusi made something up on the spot. “I don’t like guys who are too forward. Not enough of a challenge.”
“Alright.” Xie Sheng tilted her chin toward someone not too far away. “Him. The only one who didn’t hit on you. How about it?”
Shen Yusi followed her gaze.
The man was leaning into the sofa, every move exuding an effortless, relaxed charm. He was undeniably handsome.
“That guy’s called Qi Yue. A friend of my boyfriend’s. Top-tier handsome.” Xie Sheng introduced.
As if sensing their gaze, Qi Yue raised his glass in a casual toast.
Out of politeness, Shen Yusi returned the gesture from across the room, then looked away. “What are you doing, Xie Sheng? Do I have to pick one?”
“Hey, I just thought you looked down. Weren’t you the one who said men are the best cure for boredom?”
“Fine, you really do care about me.” Shen Yusi said, planting a few kisses on Xie Sheng’s cheek.
But she really wasn’t in the mood today. A heavy feeling in her heart wouldn’t go away.
She stood up. “I’m going out for some air.”
“Okay.” Concern flashed in Xie Sheng’s eyes.
Outside the bar, the evening wind carried the city’s sticky heat.
Shen Yusi fished a cigarette out of her bag, then rummaged for a moment. She’d forgotten a lighter.
She rarely smoked, only lighting one up when her mood was low with no other outlet.
The two cigarettes in her bag were leftovers from months ago.
Frustrated, Shen Yusi opened her map. The nearest convenience store was a kilometer away.
This was the last straw for her already clogged mood, pushing it straight to boiling point.
Right then, the bar door opened, and a figure stepped out.
Forgetting her troubles, Shen Yusi walked straight over and asked, “Excuse me, do you have a light?”
A low chuckle sounded. “What for? You feel so bad you’re planning to burn this place down?”
Shen Yusi looked up. It was the guy from the booth. Qi Yue, was it?
“It’s you.”
“Mm. Too stuffy inside.” Qi Yue nodded. “Came out for some air.”
“So, you got a light?”
“A light? You still haven’t told me what for.” He kept his hands in his pockets, looking at her with interest.
So slow.
Shen Yusi couldn’t be bothered to say more. “You guessed right. I’m going to set a fire.”
With that, she turned and walked in the direction of the map. A kilometer wasn’t that far. Sounded scary, but it was just five two-hundred-meter stretches stacked together.
“Hey—” Qi Yue called out, a smile in his voice. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t give it to you.”
Shen Yusi stopped in her tracks and turned around.
A discerning person knew when to adapt. A kilometer was indeed a bit far.
Qi Yue leaned against the wall. There was a crisp metallic snap as the lighter’s cap flipped open, and a flame shot up between his fingers. With a quick, dexterous twist, the fire danced obediently across his palm.
He held it out, his other hand cupping around it in a thoughtful gesture, shielding the non-existent wind.
Shen Yusi took the cigarette between her lips and leaned in slightly. Her red hair fell over her shoulder, brighter than the fire itself.
The warm light of the flame illuminated her features, softening their sharp edges.
A wisp of smoke rose, swept across her face by the wind. Qi Yue watched, a low laugh escaping him.
Shen Yusi took a deep drag. Nicotine exploded in her lungs, and instantly, the world felt good again.
As a courtesy, she pulled the last cigarette out of the pack. “One for you?”
Qi Yue put his lighter away and shook his head. “I don’t smoke.”
“Couldn’t tell.” Shen Yusi was a little surprised.
Qi Yue raised an eyebrow and hummed. “What, do I look like a chain smoker?”
Shen Yusi muttered under her breath, “You look like you specialize in tricking innocent girls.”
“Mm?” Qi Yue thought he misheard. “Trick?”
How did he look like a trickster?
Shen Yusi didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “If you don’t smoke, how come you’re so smooth with a lighter?”
“Yeah,” Qi Yue admitted, laughing in his carefree way. “Just waiting for the day a beautiful girl asks me for a light, so I can show off for her. See? It worked.”
He suddenly bent down, bringing his eyes level with hers. There was a mischievous glint in them. “How was it? Cool, right?”
Looking at this handsome face that was practically begging for her approval, Shen Yusi couldn’t help but smile, playing along willingly. “Super. Freaking. Cool.”
“Good.” Qi Yue stood straight again. “Feeling better?”
From the look on her face earlier, one wrong word and he felt like she might have taken a swing at him.
Knowing smoking was bad for her, Shen Yusi stubbed out the half-burned cigarette on the trash can. “Thanks to you, I’m feeling great.”
Qi Yue nodded. “Alright then, let’s head back in.”
“Wait.”
“Mm?” Qi Yue turned.
“Let the smoke smell air out a bit,” Shen Yusi explained. “Xie Sheng doesn’t like it when I smoke.”
Qi Yue drew out a long “oh” of understanding. “I remember now. You’re the ‘Little Island’ Xie Sheng’s always talking about?”
Yu means island. Shen Yusi’s WeChat name was “Island,” and her friends all called her that.
“Says that often? What does she say about me?” Shen Yusi felt a sudden playfulness. “Does she tell you I’m chatting up eight guys at once?”
Qi Yue just smiled, saying nothing for a moment. “She said you’re free, beautiful, and special. That you’re her best friend.”
A smile touched Shen Yusi’s lips. “And do you think she’s right?”
Qi Yue deliberately paused for a few seconds, then said slowly, “She was spot on. But…”
He switched gears, leaving a hook. “She missed the most important part.”
“What’s that?”
Qi Yue didn’t answer. He stepped forward, put an arm around her shoulder, and guided her back inside.
“You smoke those dark red wine menthols. With the wind tonight, the smell’s long gone. Let’s go.”
He did it naturally and without offense, keeping his hand hovering just above her shoulder, applying pressure only through the crook of his elbow. Just as he pushed open the heavy, soundproof door, and the deafening music swallowed everything for a split second—
Qi Yue’s voice landed clearly in her ear.
“She forgot to say: red is practically made for you.”
The door clicked shut behind them, and the wave of sound crashed over them once more.
Qi Yue’s arm tightened slightly, keeping her close by his side, his elbow firmly shielding her from the jostling crowd.
The people from their booth had already scattered onto the dance floor, leaving just the two of them.
That uniquely crafted compliment pleased Shen Yusi immensely.
She raised her glass without an ounce of shyness. “Yeah, practically made for me.”
A beam of light swept across her face at that moment. Her bright features were clearly defined in the strong light. That smile was dazzling, more eye-catching than any light in the bar.
Qi Yue watched the amber liquid in his glass, his smile deepening. “You’re not humble at all.”
The rest of the group seemed to be trying to play matchmaker. They lingered on the dance floor, letting the two of them have the booth to themselves until closing time.
As they left, Shen Yusi’s steps were a little unsteady. She was a bit drunk, but still able to walk on her own.
With an eagle eye, Xie Sheng pushed her towards Qi Yue. “You’re going the same way as Little Island. You walk her back to the hotel.”
Qi Yue steadied Shen Yusi by the arm. “Yes, ma’am.”
A driver was already waiting in the parking lot.
Shen Yusi leaned against the window in the back seat. Qi Yue rolled the window halfway down for her.
The night wind rushed in, blowing her red hair across her face.
She casually brushed it back, revealing a strikingly aggressive face devoid of any makeup.
Qi Yue rested his cheek on his hand, watching her silently for a long time.
Only when Shen Yusi sensed his gaze and turned her head, did he unhurriedly speak. “Should I roll the window down more? Your hair’s blowing around… you look like the Red Boy.”
Her response was two words. “Go to hell.”
The car stopped at the hotel entrance.
Qi Yue walked her to the lobby and handed back her bag.
Shen Yusi took it. “I’m heading up.”
“Wait.” Qi Yue stopped her, walked quickly to a small shop across the street that still had its lights on. A moment later, he came back with a bag. “A hangover cure soup. The drinks from tonight have a heavy aftertaste. You’ll feel rough in the morning.”
Shen Yusi was a little surprised. She took the warm bag. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Qi Yue stood there, watching her back as she walked towards the elevator.
The faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the air.
Until that vibrant red completely disappeared around the corner.
Qi Yue rubbed his fingertips together, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.