Chapter 23
As soon as Ji Tingqian mentioned he’d have some free time recently, Ming Huai eagerly flipped through the calendar, picking and choosing left and right until finally settling on a date. Just as he was about to propose it to Ji Tingqian, a single phone call from Yu Fanglan threw all his plans into disarray.
Ming Huai placed one hand on his hip, his tone slightly urgent, “Sister Lan, didn’t you say you wouldn’t be accepting any public appearances for me during this period?”
“Not accepting any? I never said we wouldn’t accept any at all,” Yu Fanglan replied, utterly baffled. Why was Ming Huai so lacking in ambition? While other artists eagerly eyed every opportunity, here was Ming Huai pushing them away. “Besides, your break is nearly over anyway. This cover shoot has been under negotiation for quite some time; it’s one of the Big Four covers. You’re really going to turn this down?”
Yu Fanglan was utterly baffled, a hint of frustration mingling with her disappointment. “Ming Huai, if you turn this down too, I’ll genuinely start thinking water’s gotten into your brain.”
Being featured on one of the four major magazine covers was certainly impressive and would significantly boost Ming Huai’s commercial value. However, Ming Huai had never entered the entertainment industry with the intention of achieving extraordinary success or reaching the pinnacle of fame.
Upon second thought, there was really no one to blame but himself, since he had agreed beforehand that during his vacation, he could take on any promising opportunities that arose. With no other choice, Ming Huai reluctantly accepted.
The location for the magazine cover and interior photo shoot would certainly not be anywhere near S City; it was likely they would have to go abroad. Ming Huai felt somewhat dejected, realizing his hope of meeting Ji Tingqian in the short term would now come to nothing.
Ming Huai could only send a dejected message to Ji Tingqian, apologizing that sudden work commitments had arisen and he would have to bring Dudu to meet him another time. Ji Tingqian replied that it was fine; they could simply meet next time.
Just as Ming Huai had anticipated, the following day he received detailed arrangements for the upcoming shoot. The document stated that filming would take place in Country R, with departure scheduled in two days for a seven-day duration.
Seven days—enough time to accomplish quite a lot, Ming Huai thought secretly.
Yu Fanglan couldn’t accompany them due to prior engagements, but three assistants were sufficient for Ming Huai: two women and one man. Tang Lili and Yu Bin had been with him since his debut, highly skilled and experienced. Tang Lili, in particular, was practically omnipotent; she could cook, do makeup, and even rehearse lines with Ming Huai. The other female assistant, Mi Wei, had been assigned to him by the company earlier this year.
Preoccupied with other matters, Ming Huai maintained an intensely low pressure throughout the journey. After the plane landed, Tang Lili even asked if he was feeling unwell, but Ming Huai simply shook his head, indicating that he was fine.
Since the time difference wasn’t significant, Ming Huai remained relatively energetic. That evening, he joined the director and others for dinner at a renowned local Japanese restaurant.
By the time they returned to the hotel, Ming Huai was already slightly drunk. His tolerance for alcohol was extremely poor; he became intoxicated after just a single sip, even with low-alcohol sake. Moreover, the sake served at this particular Japanese restaurant was exceptionally delicious, causing Ming Huai to inadvertently drink two extra cups.
Whenever Ming Huai got drunk, he immediately became drowsy. Tang Lili felt somewhat uneasy seeing him in this state, but as a woman, no matter how strong she was, she couldn’t handle a 180-centimeter-tall man like Ming Huai on her own. Therefore, she asked Yu Bin to escort Ming Huai back to his room.
Ming Huai wasn’t actually that drunk; at most, he was slightly tipsy. Yu Bin kept fussing beside him, asking, “Brother Ming Huai, how are you feeling? Do you need any sobering medicine?”
Ming Huai let out a soft yawn, turned his head with a gentle smile, and replied, “No need, no need. I’m actually fine, just a little sleepy. Please tell Lily later not to worry about me.”
The two walked a bit further until they reached a corner, where suddenly a tall, handsome man with striking features emerged. Ming Huai’s steps halted instantly. The man’s face, however, showed no surprise, as if encountering Ming Huai there was entirely expected.
The man was on a phone call. Whether it was an illusion or not, he seemed to lose all patience for the conversation the moment he saw Ming Huai. He exchanged a few casual words with the person on the other end before hanging up. Then, a smile graced his otherwise stern face as he greeted Ming Huai, “Long time no see.”
Ming Huai lowered his eyes, murmuring a soft “mm,” remaining motionless. It was unclear whether he intended to speak to the other man or preferred silence.
Yu Bin had been in the entertainment industry for several years; surely he recognized the man standing opposite him. Immediately, Yu Fanglan’s instructions regarding himself and Tang Lily surfaced in his mind—essentially, to keep an eye on Ming Huai and prevent any scandals. The man before them indeed shared a connection with Ming Huai, one rumored to be far from ordinary.
“Good evening, President Xu,” Yu Bin greeted politely.
Xu Zhuoyan nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze toward Ming Huai, his expression heavy and unreadable, as if lost in deep thought.
After a long moment, Ming Huai’s slightly alcohol-clouded mind finally registered who was standing before him. He lifted his gaze and said, “It hasn’t been that long since we last met. What nonsense are you spouting?”
Then he laughed, shaking his head helplessly. “What are you doing here?”
Xu Zhuoyan’s expression reverted to its usual cold severity. “Business.”
Ming Huai clicked his tongue inwardly. As expected, Xu Zhuoyan was friends with Ji Tingqian; they shared the same demeanor and put on the same airs, yet behind the scenes, they were entirely different people.
“Is there something urgent that’s making you go out so late?” Ming Huai asked.
Xu Zhuoyan suddenly smiled and countered, “If there’s nothing urgent, what would you do?”
“I’d invite President Xu to come sit in my room for a while,” Ming Huai joked.
Yu Bin, who had been listening to their conversation, felt his heart pounding so hard it might leap out of his chest. He hadn’t forgotten Yu Fanglan’s words, and besides, everything the two of them said sounded unmistakably suggestive. Unable to hold back, he spoke up to remind them, “Brother Ming Huai, it’s already nine o’clock. You have work tomorrow, and Sister Lan asked me to make sure you get some rest early.”
Ming Huai waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine; I’ll just chat with President Xu for a little while.” With that, he turned an inquiring gaze toward Xu Zhuoyan. “Right, President Xu?”
Xu Zhuoyan nodded. “Yes.”
After that, Ming Huai didn’t ask Yu Bin to escort him any further. Taking the room card, he walked a short distance to the room. Then, under Yu Bin’s complicated stare, he entered side by side with Xu Zhuoyan. The moment the door closed, Yu Bin immediately sent a message to Yu Fanglan.
After entering the room, the two sat on the cushions. Ming Huai propped himself up on one arm, gazing at the night view outside, and asked, “Want a drink?”
Xu Zhuoyan shook his head. “No, thanks.”
Strictly speaking, Xu Zhuoyan was actually one of Ming Huai’s closest friends. When Ming Huai first entered the entertainment industry, he signed with Xu Jingyu’s company. At that time, he was feuding with the Ji family and stubbornly refused to accept their protection, making Xu Zhuoyan an ideal choice.
“Tingqian seems to have been staying in the country recently. Have you two… met?” After a moment’s consideration, Xu Zhuoyan finally voiced the question lingering in his mind.
Ming Huai smiled and countered, “So what if we do meet?”
Xu Zhuoyan could be said to have witnessed the relationship between Ji Tingqian and Ming Huai. However, due to certain circumstances surrounding their past, he only knew part of the truth. He tapped his fingers lightly against the table. “Is there really no chance for you two to reconcile?”
“I’d like to reconcile, but it depends on what Ji Tingqian thinks,” Ming Huai replied casually.
Xu Zhuoyan couldn’t understand how two people who had once been so perfect for each other could end up like this. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke with a heavy gaze, “I met him a few days ago…”
He hadn’t finished speaking when Ming Huai cut him off. In an instant, Ming Huai was fully awake, his earlier languid demeanor gone. He asked nervously, “Did you mention me to him?”
A rare look of bewilderment crossed Xu Zhuoyan’s face as he denied it. “No.”
“Oh…” Ming Huai couldn’t tell whether he felt disappointed or relieved.
It wasn’t that Xu Zhuoyan had never mentioned Ming Huai. He had brought him up right after they separated, when Ji Tingqian had just gotten out of bed and started moving around. He still remembered that scene clearly: rushing to the United States only to find Ji Tingqian covered in wounds.
Before going, he had already spoken with Ji’s mother. He still remembered how extremely agitated she had been at that time; he had never seen the usually elegant Mrs. Ji in such a state. She had declared with absolute certainty, “They are no longer together! No longer together!”
Later, Xu Zhuoyan, filled with shock, looked at Ji Tingqian lying exhausted on the hospital bed and remained speechless for a long while. In the end, he still managed to ask one question, “Without you, what will become of Ming Huai?”
At that time, Ji Tingqian was drowsy. He lifted his eyes to glance at Xu Zhuoyan and uttered a single syllable in confusion, “Hmm?”
It was the demeanor of someone utterly unwilling to say another word.
Xu Zhuoyan never brought it up again.