Running to the Moon Diary

“A corridor, like a chasm, she could only gaze from afar at that star beyond her reach.”

——《Running to the Moon Diary》

_

“Did Teacher Qin and the others leave first?” Zhou Yihong had been waiting eagerly, and finally someone arrived, only to find it was Xie Yuanchen alone.

Xie Yunchen casually draped his coat over the back of the chair, “It’s too late, it would be inconvenient to come over.”

“That’s true,” Zhou Yihong nodded, “It’s already eleven o’clock, going back and forth would take too much time.”

Two hours ago, Qin Sang’s agent called him, essentially saying that Qin Sang had an event to attend tomorrow and would need to catch a flight early in the morning, so he probably wouldn’t have time to come to this dinner.

Of course, to apologize for standing him up this time, Qin Sang privately gave him a WeChat business card for Rong Xing Film and Television.

Qin Sang said: “I showed your script to people at Rong Xing. They’re quite interested, but how much investment you can actually bring in depends on your own abilities.”

Getting this project greenlit wasn’t easy for him. Just the approval process alone could kill him with waiting, not to mention he was a self-taught director with no track record, and attracting investment wasn’t a simple matter either.

During this period, he had been hitting walls everywhere. He had even mortgaged his own house and car for loans, which was barely enough to get started.

The film and television company that Qin Sang had introduced him to, he had also heard of them. They had a good reputation in the industry, focused on quality in their projects, and had produced quite a few acclaimed works.

Zhou Yihong poured himself a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp, sighing with considerable emotion, “Don’t laugh at me, but I quit my job and switched careers on a whim back then. I sold my house, sold my car, took out loans, and thought I could really accomplish something. I didn’t expect making movies to be so much harder than I imagined. At cocktail parties, I have to grovel and fawn over people like a grandson, putting on a fake smile everywhere, but it’s all for nothing. I can’t attract much investment. Teacher Qin is the only one willing to pay attention to me.”

As he spoke, he laughed, “At first, I thought she was just humoring me like everyone else, but it turned out she genuinely cared. She read through the script and even helped me attract investors.”

“I mean, in a society like this, who isn’t just looking out for themselves? This is the first time I’ve ever met someone as warm-hearted as Teacher Qin.”

Xie Yuanchen didn’t respond, tapping his knuckles against the table. A long cigarette burned between his fingers. He had unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt collar, which hung loosely, revealing his straight collarbone. His eyes were lowered, lacking his usual serene composure, instead bearing a cold and weary air.

Suddenly, he curved his lips in a manner that was both sardonic and mocking. Self-preservation and seeking profit while avoiding harm were human nature.

Xie Zhenxing had once been glorious and magnificent, like a dragon soaring across the seas. But now that he had fallen into misfortune, he had become a calamity star that everyone avoided at all costs.

Uncles, aunts, and friends either avoided him if they could, or if they couldn’t, they tactfully conveyed their helplessness and unwillingness to get involved.

“Senior Brother Xie, you and Teacher Qin were high school classmates, weren’t you?”

Qin Sang’s agent called him and gave a brief explanation—it turned out that Qin Sang and Xie Yunchen were high school classmates, which the agent had only just learned about.

As the saying goes, fate works in mysterious ways. After going around in circles, it turned out everyone knew each other.

Zhou Yihong was genuinely curious. “What was Teacher Qin like back in high school? Was he always so warm-hearted?”

Xie Yunchen’s eyes paused, and he stubbed out his cigarette. “I don’t know.”

Zhou Yihong thought about it and could understand, “That’s true. You only care about things that interest you, and you don’t pay attention to anything else. I bet you can’t even remember how many people are in your class.”

Xie Yuanchen didn’t refute, and Zhou Yihong felt it was pointless. This was just how he was—his mind could only accommodate data, nothing else.

To put it nicely, it was focus; to put it badly, it was indifference. He was used to being above others, so he couldn’t spare a shred of attention for anyone else.

[Yuanchen, what did your Uncle Cai say? Have you gone to see him in Tongshi? Is he willing to help?]

[Your father’s condition isn’t very good. The doctor says surgery would carry great risks. Do you think you could find time to come to the hospital and see him? After all, he’s still your father. Don’t make things too difficult.]

[Yuanchen, Mom isn’t threatening you. Mom just doesn’t want you and your father to become too estranged. Now we only have the three of us left in this family depending on each other. If you keep going against your father, then Mom really will have nowhere to turn.]

[Is your job really that important? More important than your biological father’s life? Why can’t you just listen for once? If you had been willing to listen to me back then, your father wouldn’t have abandoned us mother and son. Now that your father is in trouble, how can you, as his son, not make a sacrifice and give up that job?]

Xie Yuanchen’s phone vibrated violently on the table. He glanced at it indifferently without answering. He made no attempt to hide it, so Zhou Yihong naturally saw it too.

Zhou Yihong’s hand holding the wine glass paused. Having worked together for a year, he didn’t know much about Xie Yuanchen’s private affairs, but he had heard some things about what had recently happened in the Xie family.

Everyone at the institute was spreading rumors that he might resign. In reality, he had already been implicated in the Xie family affair and the institute had put him on temporary suspension and leave.

Anyone who encountered such a situation would feel frustrated and disheartened, let alone Xie Yunchen. This man had poured almost all his energy into the aerospace industry, and now being caught up in collective punishment—the taste of it was surely bitter.

Zhou Yihong didn’t know how to comfort him. After a long silence, he said, “Why don’t you come out and start your own venture with me? If this project succeeds, wherever I get a share, you’ll get yours too.”

Xie Yunchen stood up and casually grabbed his coat. “I’m leaving.”

—

Qin Sang had only slept for two hours when Sister Wen called her to rush to the next appointment, traveling a long distance from Jingcheng to Tongshi to attend an event.

The event she was attending was Hueitai’s ninety-fifth anniversary jewelry exhibition. As Hueitai’s brand ambassador, she had to make an appearance.

Sister Wen scrolled through the tablet, arranging work in an orderly manner: “Our endorsement contract with Hueitai is about to expire soon. Several popular actresses have been in contact with Hueitai, but they seem more inclined to renew with us. I’ll take you to meet Hueitai’s person in charge later. Be nice and don’t offend them.”

Hui Tai Jewelry was founded in the 18th year of the Republic of China, with a history tracing back over ninety years. Although it cannot compare to top luxury brands like Cartier and Bulgari, it enjoys extremely high recognition domestically and is considered a first-tier high-end jewelry brand.

Mrs. Cai Shuyu, the chairman of Hui Tai, is a fan of hers. She was selected back then, despite being unknown at the time, to serve as the brand ambassador for Hui Tai, and the collaboration has continued to this day.

However, not long ago, Mrs. Cai’s health deteriorated, and she could no longer serve as the chairman of Hui Tai. Therefore, Hui Tai is now under the management of her eldest son, Cai Shengbin.

After Hui Tai changed hands, she met the newly appointed Chairman Cai. He was mercenary and slick, speaking with careful precision. Her contract was set to expire at year’s end. When the matter of contract renewal was previously discussed, Cai Shengbin’s attitude was rather vague—he neither made his position clear nor showed any intention of agreeing to the renewal. He simply deflected: “There’s no rush on this matter. Teacher Qin has collaborated with us at Hui Tai for many years, and I have a clear understanding of it. However, regarding the contract renewal, we’ll need to wait a bit longer.”

What was he waiting for? The Golden Bell Awards ceremony was about to start soon, and Cai Shengbin was simply hedging his bets to avoid coming up empty-handed.

What he wanted to leverage was the appeal of the Golden Bell Best Actress title to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation. So on Liang Tingwan’s end, Cai Shengbin also sent a generous gift. The jewelry and accessories Liang Tingwan wore the night she attended the Golden Bell Awards ceremony were all sponsored by Huitian.

If she hadn’t won the award, she wouldn’t have been invited to attend this jewelry exhibition today. Qin Sang found such things unremarkable.

It was just that she felt somewhat nostalgic. Madam Cai of Huitian had once supported her steadfastly during her most difficult times. When she first received a Golden Bell nomination back then, the competition was fierce, and due to private scandal issues, she unfortunately missed out on the Best Actress title. Brand sponsors doubted her commercial value and didn’t dare take a risk on her.

Mrs. Cai once declared: “As long as I remain at Huitian for one day, Huitian’s spokesperson will never change. One setback is nothing to worry about. Huitian will grow together with Miss Qin and move forward side by side.”

Now that Huitian has changed hands, she too has become a backup option.

Qin Sang gave a perfunctory hum, scrolling through her phone with waning interest when her finger paused on a certain black avatar.

Last night, after she had scanned the QR code to add Xie Yuanchen’s WeChat, he had driven her and Sister Wen back to where she lived.

On the way back, Wen Jie and Xiaoxiao tried various ways to probe, asking questions left and right.

“So Mr. Xie knew our Sangsang back then?”

Xie Yunchen hummed in acknowledgment: “High school classmates.”

Wen Jie looked thoughtful, “High school, that was quite a while ago. It’s been about ten years since we last saw each other, right? I wonder where Mr. Xie is working these days?”

Xie Yunchen didn’t shy away from it, “Currently working at the Fifth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology.”

Xiaoxiao was surprised, “The Fifth Academy? Is that the one that manages rocket launches?”

Xie Yunchen explained: “Each aerospace institution is responsible for different fields. The Fifth Academy is mainly responsible for space technology development, spacecraft research and development, and deep space exploration.”

Wen Jie and Xiaoxiao listened with blank expressions. Xie Yunchen paused: “To put it more simply, we’re responsible for satellites and space stations.”

The two of them suddenly understood, “So that’s how it is.”

Qin Sang also listened with half her mind, only unconsciously glancing up when the two of them made exaggerated responses.

The two of them looked dazed, clearly having received quite a shock.

The man sitting in the driver’s seat kept his eyes focused ahead, light and shadow flickering across his face, alternating between bright and dim, his expression unclear. The hand controlling the steering wheel had evenly proportioned, slender fingers that looked very tense.

Back in high school, Liu Chengcheng, who was obsessed with hands, once commented on his hands. She said mischievously: “Look, doesn’t the academic god’s hands look so sexy? Long fingers, prominent veins, and whenever he exerts force, the blue veins bulge out.”

During her teenage years, she was always prone to romantic feelings. Despite the heavy and tedious coursework in high school, her leisure time activities gradually veered off track, and she was innocently drawn into an unknown world.

Conversations between close friends always inevitably turned to “the person you like.”

Back then, Liu Chengcheng was the only one who knew her secrets. She didn’t deliberately hide them, because at that time, she was so inconspicuous, like dust drifting through the universe, dim and without light.

The universe is silent, without medium, unable to propagate sound.

Just like that unrequited love that ended without illness, seeing no daylight, utterly soundless.

……

The car stopped, and Xie Yunchen looked at her, “We’re here.”

Qin Sang was lost in thought, and when she unexpectedly met those clear, gentle eyes, an inexplicable sense of awkwardness washed over her. Fortunately, it was dark at night, so the embarrassment that flashed across her face went unnoticed.

She got out of the car, pretending everything was fine. “Thank you, and sorry for the trouble tonight.”

Xie Yuanchen smiled slightly. “We were classmates once, no need to be polite.”

Adult social interactions always know when to stop.

Qin Sang nodded politely and smiled: “Drive home safely, be careful on the road.”

“Goodbye, Xie classmate.”

“Goodbye”

……

After returning home, Qin Sang’s heart rate refused to slow down no matter what she did. She ran, exercised frantically, using high-intensity workouts to alleviate the sharp pain that came with each heartbeat.

As the night grew deeper, she still couldn’t fall asleep until three in the morning. She sat on the sofa staring blankly at her phone, and finally couldn’t resist opening Xie Yuanchen’s WeChat.

She discovered that Xie Yuanchen didn’t lack a Moments feed; rather, he had set privacy restrictions on it. Strangers couldn’t see what he posted, but WeChat friends could view it normally.

However, just as he had said, he didn’t use social media much. His Moments feed contained very little content, mostly forwarded public account articles—popular science articles related to aerospace and promotional soft articles.

Qin Sang clicked through them all, but some things involving professional fields were too obscure and abstruse for her. To her, they seemed more like products from another world.

She found it difficult to digest, and truly didn’t understand.

Just like many years ago, back in high school, she and Xie Yuanchen were separated by only a corridor.

A corridor, like a chasm, she could only gaze from afar at that star she could never reach.

Ten years have passed like a grain of sand in the vast sea.

She shamefully discovered that she could still be easily controlled by his every move.

That insurmountable chasm of the past still existed, completely dividing two worlds apart.

……

Qin Sang sat in the lounge while Wen Jie went to coordinate the event schedule with the staff. Xiaoxiao pushed the door open from outside and, seeing Qin Sang touching up her makeup, she quickly stepped forward and said excitedly, “Sang Sang, guess who I just saw outside?”

Qin Sang replied without much enthusiasm, “Who?”

Xiaoxiao glanced at the makeup artist and deliberately lowered her voice, though she couldn’t hide her excitement, “It’s that high school classmate of yours, Engineer Xie from the aerospace institute.”