Chapter 71
Xia Linxia rushed out amidst the surprised and confused gazes of everyone, running so far that she couldn't see the film crew anymore before stopping, panting heavily.
This was a small street lined with scattered vegetable stalls, filled with the sounds of hawking and conversation. The men, women, and children around were all locals. The elderly had headscarves wrapped around their heads for warmth, and the children's faces were flushed red from the cold wind.
As soon as she appeared on the street, she attracted the attention of passersby. The locals had heard about the film crew shooting here, but the area had been cordoned off, and they had never seen it up close. Now, seeing a long-haired woman in a flowing white dress, they truly felt as if they were seeing a fairy stepping out of a television screen.
Several children, nudging each other, approached and looked up at the beautiful older sister, not daring to speak. They giggled and ran back to share their sightings with their adults.
“The big sister is so pretty! Like a fairy!”
“Pretty sister’s face is so red, just like mine, hehe.”
“That sister looks so good, but she seems sick, she keeps holding her chest. Daddy, you’re a doctor, go take a look quickly.”
A simple middle-aged man was pulled over by a little girl. He glanced at Xia Linxia with concern, then smiled and said to his daughter, “Don’t worry, the pretty sister isn’t sick.”
Hearing this, Xia Linxia snapped back to reality, took a step forward, and said in alarm, “Are you a doctor? Quickly check if I have a fever!”
“You don’t look like you have a fever,” the doctor said, placing his hand on her forehead, relying on his years of experience.
“Impossible,” Xia Linxia touched her face. “I feel so hot, and my head is still dizzy.”
“Young lady, you must be in love.”
“!” Xia Linxia stared at him, dumbfounded. “Nonsense, are you even a doctor or not?”
The little girl immediately chimed in, “My daddy isn’t talking nonsense! He is a doctor, and everything he says is correct!”
Xia Linxia’s face turned even redder.
The man chuckled, took his daughter’s hand, and walked back, turning his head to say, “Young lady, some things that have been buried in your heart for too long can cause internal heat. It’s better to let it flow than to block it. Just go with the flow.”
Xia Linxia walked to the side of the road, below which was a cliff without a railing. She looked at the layered forests below the mountain and stood there for a long time.
Go with the flow, not block it?
When did things start to go wrong?
Recently, certain behaviors and thoughts have been emerging uncontrollably, but it seems she has always managed to brush them aside. Could it be that she has long been aware of them deep down, which is why she pretends nothing has happened?
As she was contemplating, a shout pierced the sky: “Xia Linxia! Don’t move!”
She was startled, and the next second, she saw Qiu Xingzhou sprinting towards her. He grabbed her and pulled her to the side.
“What are you doing, standing there and thinking of what!” Qiu Xingzhou released her, his voice filled with anger.
Xia Linxia looked at him in surprise. Did this person think she was going to jump off?
“Do I seem that fragile to you, that I’d jump off a mountain!”
After being yelled at a few times, Qiu Xingzhou said with lingering fear, “I was just worried about you. Teacher Ji asked me to find you, afraid something might happen to you.”
Xia Linxia closed her mouth, then after a pause, she looked at him displeasantly, “Aren’t you helping that Zhao Tinglu girl? Why are you looking for me?”
“How am I helping her? I was clearly playing favorites, didn’t you see that?” Qiu Xingzhou snorted.
Xia Linxia pursed her lips. Seeing that he had come all this way to find her, she felt a little touched and nudged him with her shoulder, “Thanks.”
“We’re practically family, besides, we both came from Wanzai Pier.”
"..."
The two didn't rush back to the film crew but wandered around the street. The handsome man and beautiful woman in ancient costumes were very eye-catching, and passersby occasionally cast curious glances.
Xia Linxia lowered her head, playing with a small stone at her feet, kicking it back and forth. After a few rolls, the stone stopped at an old man’s feet.
Xia Linxia looked up and was drawn to the candied hawthorn skewers the old man was holding.
“Young lady, would you like a skewer?” the old man asked with a smile.
Xia Linxia stared at the rosy and glistening candied hawthorn, saying nothing.
Qiu Xingzhou, knowing she liked sweets, bought a skewer and placed it in her palm. Xia Linxia looked down at it and murmured, “Lao Ji bought me this too.”
“When was that?” Qiu Xingzhou asked casually.
“During a variety show recording. The director was very stingy and gave us very little living expenses, so all our money was kept by Song Wanyi.” Xia Linxia recalled the scene at the time. It was the first time Ji Fengxue had coaxed her, using only a skewer of candied hawthorn.
Afterward, she learned that Ji Fengxue was also penniless at the time and had actually learned from her, trading her earrings with the shopkeeper. A skewer of candied hawthorn was nothing, and the shopkeeper was naturally willing to exchange it, even if it was plastic, he could give it to his granddaughter to play with.
Her gaze paused, and the little sun on her bracelet swayed. She hadn’t officially started filming today, so she hadn’t even taken off the bracelet.
This was also a gift from Ji Fengxue.
The perfume was stolen from Ji Fengxue that morning. The thick coat was put on after Ji Fengxue repeatedly reminded her when she left. The hand warmer was also taken from her. Unknowingly, Ji Fengxue had appeared so frequently in her life.
She peeled off the candy wrapper, took a bite, and the sweetness spread, making her mood slightly better.
She turned her head and asked, “Qiu Xingzhou, when did you realize you liked your boyfriend?”
Qiu Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. The atmosphere was unusually good, and instead of finding her nosy, he seemed like a child secretly hiding candy, unable to resist sharing his sweetness. “When I was in school, he always carried a few lollipops in his pocket. If I performed very well at school that day, he would reward me with one.”
“To get the candy, I was very well-behaved and liked to stick to him. Later, I got a cavity, so he casually gave the candy to his cousin. I was very angry at the time, always feeling like my things were being snatched away by others.”
“I got angry and stopped talking to him. He coaxed me for a long time, but he just wouldn’t let me eat candy, insisting on taking me to have the tooth pulled.”
“I don’t know why, but I always didn’t want to have the tooth pulled, and even felt that the decayed tooth was a badge of his affection for me.”
“At that time, many young girls liked me and secretly bought me a lot of candy, all sorts of kinds. I tried them all, but none of them tasted good.”
“The day I had the tooth pulled, he accompanied me. After it was pulled, I cried and played the victim. He then fed me porridge, and I felt that the porridge was so sweet then.”
“At that moment, I realized that I didn’t like candy itself, I just liked the candy he gave me. I liked whatever he gave me.” Qiu Xingzhou clasped his hands together and exhaled, smiling. “Just like him, whether he is a man or a woman, rich or poor, I like him.”
Xia Linxia was stunned. After a while, she asked, “What if he goes bald?”
"..."
Qiu Xingzhou glared at her irritably, “You’re the one who’s going bald!”
After a bit of bickering, Xia Linxia said seriously, “So, how did you discover you liked him!”
Qiu Xingzhou felt like he was talking to a brick wall. He helplessly put his hand on his forehead. “Let me put it this way: it’s like the situation just now. I bought you candied hawthorn, but who was the first person you thought of?”
“Ji Fengxue,” Xia Linxia blurted out, then paused for a few seconds herself.
“Bingo.” Qiu Xingzhou snapped his fingers. “Generally speaking, when someone buys you something, you should say thank you first, right? But you immediately thought of her and recalled the scene at the time, which means these things are etched in your mind, but you don’t usually pay attention to them. Once you find something related, it will trigger your emotions.”
Xia Linxia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Moreover, when you received my candied hawthorn, did your mood not fluctuate much?”
Xia Linxia nodded.
“But when you thought of Teacher Ji buying it for you, didn’t all sorts of emotions come flooding in?”
Xia Linxia nodded again.
“Bingo.” Qiu Xingzhou blinked. “Because I’m just your friend, but in your heart, she’s different from a friend, and different from family. She’s a unique existence.”
Xia Linxia seemed to wake up from a dream. Her fingers loosened, and the candied hawthorn fell to the ground.
Past events flashed before her eyes like a slideshow, and Ji Fengxue’s every smile and frown was incredibly clear.
Her self-deception of all this time crumbled in these few words.
After a long while, she finally found her voice, tugged at Qiu Xingzhou’s sleeve, and asked hesitantly, “Then how did you accept the fact that you’re gay?”
“What’s wrong with being gay?” Qiu Xingzhou tilted his head back and laughed. “As long as you can embrace him and have him, what does it matter if you’re straight or gay?”
Xia Linxia swallowed, still finding it hard to believe the fact that she had suddenly become gay.
“You’re very strange. You’re already dating Teacher Ji, so why are you still asking these questions?” Qiu Xingzhou looked at her curiously.
Xia Linxia immediately replied, “I have a friend! She recently discovered that she might be gay and asked me what to do. I don’t know how to be a life coach, so I came to ask you.”
“Is that so? Actually, it’s nothing. It just depends on whether your friend has the courage.”
“Courage?”
“Yes, dare to face societal prejudice. Although same-sex marriage is legal now, many people still find it difficult to accept,” Qiu Xingzhou said. “Some parents don’t agree, or they aren’t economically independent. There are quite a few problems.”
“But my friend’s parents agree, and they have money. Besides, her greatest asset is courage. She’s very capable.”
“Then your friend is just being a bit melodramatic.”
"..."
Qiu Xingzhou was about to say something else when he stopped abruptly, looking ahead in disbelief.
“What’s wrong?” She followed his gaze and saw a man standing not far ahead. He was travel-worn, wearing a long black trench coat, with a tall and straight figure. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, and even from a distance, his outstanding temperament was evident.
When the man looked in their direction, he also stopped, then slowly opened his arms.
The next second, the person beside her darted out like a mad dog and embraced the man tightly.
Xia Linxia was stunned for a few seconds before realizing that this was his boyfriend. Just as she was about to go forward to greet him, she saw Qiu Xingzhou, completely disregarding the gazes of others, kissing his boyfriend.
She decided it was best not to disturb the reunited couple.
The passersby were amazed. Just moments ago, this handsome guy was holding a beautiful woman, and now he was kissing another handsome guy!
This circle is really messy.
Xia Linxia walked to the end of the street and glanced back at them. She could only see two figures, unwilling to let go for a long time, with the surrounding pedestrians and scenery becoming a blur.
She was somewhat moved. Only then did she deeply understand Qiu Xingzhou’s words: regardless of status or gender, simply liking that person, a passionate, pure, and sincere affection, what was there to be surprised about?
She couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
Isn’t it just sweet love? She wants it too!
As long as it’s what she wants, she can get it!
She scanned the street. Ji Fengxue had given her so many things; shouldn’t she reciprocate?
After returning to the film crew and inquiring, she learned that Ji Fengxue was still in the lounge. She walked to the door, took a deep breath, and just as she was about to knock, she heard conversations from inside.
It was that brat Zhao Tinglu again!
Zhao Tinglu: “Senior sister, you like Xia Linxia, but she might not like you. I saw with my own eyes that she didn’t come home last night!”
Ji Fengxue smiled: “I know. She slept at her agent’s place last night.”
Zhao Tinglu’s eyes widened. Realizing it was all a misunderstanding, she felt ashamed and couldn’t help but mutter, “Then what should I do?”
Ji Fengxue could also tell that this was a spoiled and immature child with no malicious intent. She said gently, “Apologize to Xia Xia.”
Zhao Tinglu was unhappy. She was used to being arrogant, and people always apologized to her. Asking her to apologize to Xia Linxia was really too much to ask.
At this moment, Ji Fengxue said, “I will also ask her to apologize to you.”
Zhao Tinglu’s expression softened a bit.
“But what you said was a bit much. She’s not unreasonable or arrogant; she’s just straightforward. Isn’t that kind of person rare?” Ji Fengxue said. “Just like you, you have a unique personality.”
Zhao Tinglu felt a little happier upon hearing this.
“You and she are actually very similar; you’re both very self-centered. But growing up is a difficult process. You have to constantly smooth out your rough edges to become the perfect person in everyone’s eyes. Do you think you can do it?” Ji Fengxue asked patiently.
Zhao Tinglu thought carefully and shook her head.
“Since you can’t, why demand that Xia Xia do it?” Ji Fengxue smiled. “If you spend more time together, you might become very good friends.”
Zhao Tinglu was silent.
“Think carefully, who instigated this matter? You’re an adult now, you can’t be a princess in an ivory tower anymore. The first step of adulthood is to learn to bow your head and admit your mistakes.”
At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Xia Linxia pushed the door open directly: “Zhao Tinglu.”
Zhao Tinglu was startled and looked back at her blankly, instinctively taking a step back, worried she might make a move: “Ah?”
“I’m sorry,” Xia Linxia suddenly said. “I shouldn’t have laid hands on you.” I’ll do it again next time.
Zhao Tinglu didn’t expect her to apologize first. Feeling even more inferior, she gritted her teeth, raised her head, and said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have scolded you.”
Ji Fengxue smiled: “Alright, it’s good that it’s cleared up. Zhao Tinglu, you should go film now.”
“Okay.” As Zhao Tinglu passed Xia Linxia, she couldn’t help but glance at her more. Her gaze accidentally fell on something she was holding behind her, and she let out a laugh. She suddenly received a warning look from Xia Linxia.
"..." Zhao Tinglu gave a haughty eye-roll, “Hmph!”
Xia Linxia: Heh, spit.
With the annoying person gone, Xia Linxia had to face Ji Fengxue alone. Looking at this freshly minted potential future lover, her eyes darted around uncomfortably, and she asked in a muffled voice, “Is the medicine applied?”
“Thanks to you, it’s applied,” Ji Fengxue saw her strange expression and awkward movements and asked curiously, “Where did you go just now?”
“Just wandering around.”
Ji Fengxue scrutinized her face, then suddenly tilted her head to look behind her: “What are you holding behind you?”
Xia Linxia repeatedly dodged: “Wait, don’t rush, I want to give it to you formally.”
A hint of a smile flashed in Ji Fengxue’s eyes, and she looked at her expectantly: “Okay.”
“Because of my recklessness, you were injured. As a token of my apology, Lao Ji, I want to give you a flower.” Xia Xia coughed, her face a little red, and then slowly brought what she was holding to the front. “I hope you like it.”
Ji Fengxue looked at the flower in front of her: "..."
Strictly speaking, it was a head of broccoli.
“There are no flower shops nearby, so this was the only thing I picked out for a long time from the stalls that looked like a flower,” Xia Linxia said awkwardly, seeming to feel embarrassed.
“Thank you, I like it very much,” Ji Fengxue said, smiling as she took it. “It’s beautiful and practical.”
Xia Linxia’s eyes lit up: “Yes! We can use it for hot pot tonight!”
Ji Fengxue: "..."
Are you giving a flower or hot pot ingredients?
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