Chapter 29 Twenty-nine Fires

Yan Duo couldn’t make sense of Ji Ran’s sudden anger; before she could figure it out, Qi Sixian’s call came through.

“Up yet? We’re shooting the commercial today, you didn’t forget, did you?”

The sanitary pad commercial for brand G that she had signed on to film earlier was scheduled for today.

“I didn’t forget, I didn’t forget. I’ll come as soon as I finish breakfast.”

After hanging up, Yanduo couldn’t be bothered with anything else; she ate while hailing a car on her phone, completely ignoring the driver who was conveniently sitting across from her.

Ji Ran watched her arrange a time with the rideshare driver, then hurry upstairs, and less than ten minutes later come trotting back down, change her shoes and dash out the door again—without once glancing his way the whole time. A sudden sense of emptiness washed over him.

“Teacher Ji, besides the latte for afternoon tea, is there anything else you’d like?”

Yan Duo’s voice came from the doorway. Ji Ran turned toward the front door and saw Yan Duo peering in, her eyes bright and a little pleading.

“May all your wishes come true… orange.”

After Ji Ran finished answering, that little speck of resentment in his heart vanished instantly.

Yan Duo made an OK gesture with her hand, closed the door, and strode out. Because she and Ji Ran liked the same kind of pastry, she was so happy her mood couldn’t help but soar.

Ji Ran’s home wasn’t far from the shoot—twenty minutes away—and Fang Fang had long been waiting at the door.

“Sister Duo, I’ll take you up. Sister Qi is already upstairs.”

This commercial is simple; it was expected to finish filming in two hours. Qi Sixian originally said he wouldn’t come, but he couldn’t relax and worried the brand might mistreat Yan Duo, so he arrived early.

Yan Duo nodded and followed Fang Fang upstairs.

Upstairs, Qi Sixian was discussing Yan Duo’s shooting outfits with the brand. The brand had originally prepared a white top and white skinny jeans—a combination that’s long been the default for sanitary pad ads. But Qi Sixian didn’t like it. Yan Duo was endorsing an extra-thick, extra-large night pad, and the scene was set at night—who would wear tight pants to bed when they’re on their period, and in white at that?

In the end the brand accepted Qi Sixian’s suggestion and chose loose, cute pajamas for Yan Duo, and the result was even better than the sexy look they had originally planned. Yan Duo showcased the adorable side of a girl fully and naturally; the brand manager was very pleased and specially went over to chat with her for a few minutes. As they talked, the conversation turned to the everyday brands Yan Duo used.

Later, when Yan Duo was removing her makeup, the brand manager had two large boxes brought over for her and patted her on the shoulder, saying, “Use these and then tell Sister Wang; she’ll send the rest to your home.”

“Mm, thank you, Sister Wang. You’re so kind,” Yan Duo said with a smile.

Sister Wang patted Yan Duo’s head and went back outside to get busy.

Helping Yan Duo remove her makeup, Fang Fang glanced at the two boxes with no markings on their packaging and asked curiously, “Sister Duo, what’s inside these?”

Yan Duo: “Sanitary pads.”

“Why did Manager Wang give you so many?”

Yan Duo shrugged. “Sister Wang asked me what brand I use. I said I’ve always used theirs, that I’m a loyal fan, and she said she’d give it to me.”

Brand G’s sanitary pads have a great reputation and strong sales domestically. Yan Duo’s favorite is the sleep pants she currently endorses — they look like adult diapers, and while they seem a bit silly, they’re incredibly effective.

Fang Fang clicked her tongue in wonder. It’s normal for brands to give ambassadors sample packs, but surely not this many—just these two boxes, she thought, would take two or three years to get through

Qi Sixian, who had been silent until now, snorted when he heard this. “Some people have to sell sex to make money; you, huh, can get by just by being cute!”

Yan Duo replied seriously, “Who said that? Didn’t I already sell it to you, sis? I’m also a poor little thing making a living by selling s.”

Qi Sixian wanted to laugh at her words, He pout-sulked back, “The ‘sister’ you call is really worthless—anyone can be your sister.”

Yan Duo didn’t bother with the half-torn false eyelash; she stood up and grabbed Qi Sixian’s arm, acting coquettish. “No one else can compare to you. You’re my real sister. In my heart you’re number one, incomparable!”

Qi Sixian was only joking, but when she saw Yan Duo coaxing her with half a false eyelash hanging from her eye, it was so funny she couldn’t help ripping off the bothersome lash and said, “You just have a sweet mouth, you’re actually a fool.”

Yan Duo hugged Qi Sixian’s neck, puckered up as if to kiss her, and said, “Really? My lips are smeared with honey—do you want to taste them?”

Qi Sixian laughed as he dodged Yan Duo’s mouth, pushing her, “Go away, go away, you’re too disgusting.”

After they fussed for a while, once Yan Duo finished removing her makeup they went to lunch together. After eating, Yan Duo forcefully stuffed a box of sanitary pads into Qi Sixian’s hands and took another box into the ride-share car.

Qi Sixian stood in front of the car watching her, “Every time you act all mysterious and don’t let me see you off, I start to suspect you must have a man hidden in your home.”

Qi Sixian knew that Yan Duo’s family had bought her a small apartment in T City. When she first signed her contract last year, Yan Duo would occasionally stay over there. Since the direction of the car Yan Duo hailed was the same way, Qi Sixian assumed she was currently living in that small apartment.

Sitting in the car, Yan Duo’s heart gave a sharp thud, but she kept her face calm. “No, it’s not that—I’m just worried about delaying your date, sister.”

Qi Sixian wasn’t stupid. She guessed Yan Duo probably had a boyfriend and was too shy to tell her, so even though she knew Yan Duo was lying, she didn’t call her out. She told the driver to go slowly and let her go.

Yan Duo had intended to confess her relationship with Ji Ran to Qi Sixian, but Qi Sixian simply couldn’t believe she would marry Ji Ran. Besides, since talk of divorce had already been floated, it was better to wait until after it was finalized. So Yan Duo had to keep it hidden for now.

She got out midway to buy coffee and desserts, then got back in the car and told the driver to take her straight to Ji Ran’s villa.

Ji Ran stood at the study window watching Yan Duo get out of the car. He went straight downstairs and opened the door before she could use her keys. He picked up the suitcase on the ground and asked Yan Duo, “What did you buy?”

Yan Duo thought for a moment. She had given all her daytime items to Sister Qi, and the rest were all for nighttime use, so she answered, “Night supplies.”

Night supplies?

Ji Ran raised an eyebrow. So Yan Duo knew they were low on stock at home and was restocking? That heavy suitcase… they wouldn’t need to buy any for the next five years.

Yan Duo put the coffee and desserts she had packed on the dining table, and turned to see Ji Ran carrying a box up the stairs. That thing really wasn’t suitable to be left downstairs, so Yan Duo didn’t stop him.

But when Ji Ran came back down from the second floor, Yan Duo noticed that his mood had inexplicably improved a lot.

“Do you want to eat now?” Yan Duo asked Ji Ran, pointing at the coffee and dessert on the table.

Ji Ran had only been eating for a short while. When he heard that, he shook his head. Yan Duo put the dessert into the fridge and went upstairs for a nap, while Ji Ran took the coffee Yan Duo had bought him to the study, planning to finish the tasks as quickly as possible and go to bed early that night—after all, so many t’s, no need to waste them, ahem.

After resting at home for a few days, Yan Duo joined a film crew in T City; she played a female homewrecker. Although she was no longer a concubine, it wasn’t much better. Fortunately, the character wasn’t written terribly—she wasn’t portrayed as an outright bad woman.

Because the crew was in T City and there were no night shoots, Yan Duo didn’t stay at the production hotel’s lodging. She commuted every day between the set and Ji Ran’s home. At first Ji Ran didn’t say anything, but the next day when Yan Duo arrived home at eight in the evening, he finally spoke up and told her to choose either to have him drive her or to have the driver do it. Helpless, Yan Duo had to choose the driver. Fortunately, the car was pretty ordinary, and she comforted herself that it was basically the same as a ride-hailing service.

That evening, when Yan Duo returned home, Ji Ran was sitting in the living room watching TV, and the program playing was the episode of “Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet” that Yan Duo had just gone back to record.

“Your variety show debut was pretty good, let’s watch it together. 5dscw .com,” Ji Ran said to her as he sat on the sofa.

Yan Duo dared not stay behind; she quickly made an excuse, “Well, I’m a bit tired, so I won’t watch.”

“Can’t you watch it with me?”

Hearing that, Yan Duo couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She carefully sat down beside Ji Ran and watched with him. At that moment the TV was airing a quick-fire question segment.

“Did you have a crush in high school?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have someone you like in college?”

“Yes.”

“Is it just one person?”

“Yes.”

“Who is it?”

“Ji Ran.”

……

Yan Duo: “Ahem, of course, it’s all just a fan’s admiration for her idol.”

Host: “Do you have a boyfriend right now?”

Yan Duo felt a pang in her heart when she saw this and hurriedly searched for the remote to change the channel, but after looking for a long time she couldn’t find it; the TV presented that day’s footage exactly as it had been shot.

On the TV, Yan Duo smiled and answered, “No.”

Host: “Is it that your standards are too high and you won’t settle?”

Yan Duo: “Not really, it’s just that I haven’t met the right one.”

……

Yan Duo felt awkward that Ji Ran had heard those words. Just then she noticed the remote in his hand. After taking it from him, she quickly switched the channel and gave herself an excuse, “I heard you were on a variety show a few days ago. Let’s watch that.”

At this moment Ji Ran’s feelings were mixed. The clip he had been sent earlier didn’t include the latter part—he had no idea she had already been publicly denying his existence in front of the audience.

Not appropriate?

After switching channels, Yan Duo happened to see Ji Ran being interviewed by the host.

Host: “Besides filming movies this year, any other plans? Like life plans?”

Ji Ran: “There won’t be more work, but there will probably be a breakthrough in major life affairs.”

Host laughs: “Major life affairs—may I take a bold guess? Is it that you’ve started dating someone or are preparing to marry?”

Ji Ran smiled mysteriously, “Anything is possible.”

Host: “Then congratulations to you.”

Ji Ran: “Thank you.”

……

Yan Duo stared blankly at Ji Ran on the TV, feeling as if her mind had suddenly seized up. Ji Ran, who never spoke about his private life on variety shows, had just hinted on the program that the biggest event of his life would happen this year?

No, no, no, that’s not the point!

The point is they’re both getting divorced — he wouldn’t publicly announce his own divorce, would he?

That’s not right either — publicly announcing a divorce is way too sensational. Ji Ran wouldn’t be that foolish. Was that announcement about him being in a relationship with another woman? Does he have someone he likes?

Yan Duo’s mind ran wild with fanciful thoughts, and the more she pondered, the more acutely embarrassed she felt—occupying his bed yet unable to claim a place in his heart. She couldn’t go on like this.

“What are you thinking about again?”

Ji Ran finally realized that the woman beside him was one who liked to overthink; if he didn’t keep an eye on her, she could imagine him as a jerk and herself as a poor little victim.

Yan Duo was interrupted in her train of thought. She froze for a moment, then answered softly, “I wasn’t thinking anything in particular, I just wanted to ask—have you found your marriage certificate?”

See, he knew it would turn out like this, Ji Ran felt a bit helpless and a bit angry. Yan Duo usually looked so full of confidence, but when it came to their issues, she had never been confident. Ji Ran knew the problem was entirely on his side and couldn’t blame her, and his anger dissipated in an instant.

“Not found yet, don’t worry. At the latest, by the time the film we co-star in finishes shooting, I’ll give you an explanation.”

Yan Dui looked at Ji Ran and nodded, pleased with herself for having stolen a little more time that didn’t belong to her, yet saddened by the finality of their parting ways.

By now she no longer had the lone courage she’d had when she first brought up a divorce; the longer time dragged on, the harder it became to let go.

That night, after using up the two remaining items from the drawer, Ji Ran still wanted to continue.

Yan Duo: “No more, okay? There’s no tt anymore.”

Ji Ran raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you already buy it?”

Yan Duo asked, puzzled: “Huh? When did I buy that?”

“The box from last time?”

Yan Duo thought for a long time before she finally remembered what kind of “box” Ji Ran had meant, and she immediately bent over laughing.

Only then did Ji Ran realize he might have misunderstood. He got out of bed, put on his shoes, and headed for the walk-in closet where the trunks were kept.

Yan Duo, lying on the bed, heard the sound of the suitcase being opened and then the rustle of many packaging bags being tossed onto the floor, and she laughed even louder.

Ji Ran checked all the gaudy wrappings one by one, and after finally confirming that it was completely different from what he’d imagined,

He felt utterly foolish, and the unabashed, gloating laughter from outside only made him angrier. He turned and walked out of the cloakroom, climbed onto the bed, flipped the woman who was laughing so hard her whole body trembled onto her stomach, forcing her to kneel on the mattress.

“Since it’s gone, then it’s unnecessary.”

Yan Duo’s laughter stopped abruptly; she screamed in fright, “No, don’t do this.”

But Ji Ran ignored her, pushed forward, and went straight into the alley.