SH – Chapter 25

To Jian You’s surprise, Yun Chu was a very good student.

She had always been a quick learner, an outstanding student at the top of her class. So even after being thrown onto the bed, biting the back of her hand and clutching the sheets as she was tossed about in a vast, uncontrollable ocean, she still remembered the key points Jian You had taught her when she knelt on the floor.

The air conditioning in the room was set too low, and the floor was cold, yet beads of sweat formed on her forehead, dripping onto the soft, white sheets, leaving a wet patch.

The rain that had been building up all day finally fell.

The balcony door wasn’t closed properly, and the wind drove the heavy rain against it, making it bang loudly. Jian You sat on the bed, the straps of her top hanging loosely on her shoulders, revealing an alluring spring scenery. Her left hand gripped the bedsheet, and amidst the accumulating pleasure, she maintained a calm breath.

She looked at Yun Chu calmly, watching as sweat soaked the girl’s long hair, making her look drenched, like a little kitten she had once seen hiding from the rain on a windowsill as she passed by a bar.

Its pupils were blue, and it looked over at her with watery eyes and meowed, “Meow~”

She couldn’t help but walk over, holding her umbrella and looking down at the little kitten. The kitten was still meowing. She reached out a finger and poked its head.

The kitten: “Meow~”

She looked at it expressionlessly and said, “Stop meowing. I’m not taking you home.”

The kitten rubbed against the back of her hand.

It tickled.

Just like how the girl’s long hair was brushing against her now, making her itch all over. It made her want to run, yet she craved the tenderness of the moment. She reached out and threaded her fingers into the girl’s long hair, rubbing gently, coaxing her. “Such a good girl.”

Yun Chu let out a soft hum.

She was such a good student; even while distracted, she could still service Jian You to her satisfaction. She listened to the sound of the rain sweeping in through the balcony door, a torrential downpour breaking the silence. She heard Jian You chuckle softly. “Excellent.”

A belated sense of shame washed over her. Her legs were trembling, and her face was beet red, yet she mustered the courage to look up at Jian You. “Senior…”

Jian You looked at her, her face flushed, her eyes glistening. She enunciated clearly, “You learned very well.”

Jian You said, “…You deserve a reward.”

She was a teacher who was clear about rewards and punishments, with a clear preference for star students. She pulled Yun Chu up and had her straddle her lap, then went to bite Yun Chu’s lips. Yun Chu instinctively dodged. “…Dirty.”

But her chin was held in place, and the bite was even more fierce. Yun Chu clung to her, her mind in a daze as she dealt with the overly intense kiss.

She thought, it’s different now.

The Jian You who was kissing her now was different from the Jian You at any other time. She was no longer distant and unattainable, no longer a star hanging in the sky. She had transformed into starlight, enveloping her, taking care of her in every way.

Suddenly, the world spun, and she was pressed down onto the bed.

Jian You kissed the corner of Yun Chu’s lips, her voice low and hoarse. “I’ll teach you another way. This time, you have to be good and pay attention.”

…

…

…

…

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Yun Chu dreamt all night.

In her dream, it rained for a long time, drizzling from summer into winter. When she woke up, she found the sky outside was gloomy, and it was indeed raining lightly. The winter rain was cold and desolate, stretching across the sky.

Zhou Zhitao was still asleep, mumbling softly, “Yun Chu, you’re talking in your sleep again.”

“Really?” Yun Chu knelt on the bed and shook her. “What did I say? Did you hear it clearly?”

Zhou Zhitao hummed. “It sounded like you were calling Jian You’s name.”

She rolled over, annoyed. “I say, why don’t you just find a chance to be clear with Jian You? I refuse to believe that a top student like her has such a bad memory. Even if she doesn’t remember who climbed into her bed, she has to remember having a one-night stand, right? Isn’t she curious?”

After her rant, she pulled the covers over her head and went back to sleep.

Yun Chu sat on the bed.

She thought, maybe Jian You wasn’t curious. Just as Ding Xiao had said, graduation season was like that. When you’re about to leave a familiar place, some people will want to let loose one last time.

That day, even if it hadn’t been her, it would have been someone else.

There was no use overthinking it. Yun Chu couldn’t be bothered to dwell on old matters. She couldn’t sleep anyway, so she left the bedroom to Zhou Zhitao. Before leaving, she kicked her. “If you’re staying over again tonight, go sleep in the guest room.”

Zhou Zhitao’s voice was muffled by the blankets. “Got it!”

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Yun Chu’s apartment was in a complex in the city center. It was a high-rise villa; the fifteenth and sixteenth floors were both hers. Upstairs was the terrace, bedroom, and walk-in closet. Downstairs had two bedrooms, a study, and a kitchen. It was too big for her to live in alone, so she had converted one of the bedrooms into a gym, where she would go for a run when she had free time.

She listened to the news while running, from national affairs to entertainment gossip, before stopping to check her unread messages.

Chen Jing’s was at the top.

Chen Jing: President Jiang called me!

Chen Jing: She said she respects your choice. If you want to act in this drama, you can take the role.

Chen Jing: I immediately called Jian You’s side. They said they happen to have a meeting with the producer tonight and asked me to go over to discuss the details. Do you want to go?

Chen Jing: Jian You will be there too.

Yun Chu’s expression flickered. She replied, “What time and where?”

Chen Jing: 8 PM. The location isn’t set yet. The producer wants authentic Suzhou cuisine, but all the restaurants are booked.

Yun Chu: Come to my place! My restaurant has authentic Suzhou cuisine!

Chen Jing: You think I didn’t call? [Smiling]

The restaurant Yun Chu opened was called First Encounter. It was located in the commercial building opposite the historical district and was highly praised for its exquisite dishes, great atmosphere, and excellent customer experience. So it was the first choice, but unfortunately, it was too popular, and they were told that the waiting list was already full until next month.

Chen Jing: They don’t know this is your restaurant. Why don’t you pull some strings?

Yun Chu: Of course I will!

She had a private room in the restaurant for entertaining friends, which was usually empty. She called the manager, whom she had recruited from a business school job fair. He was extremely capable and managed the restaurant so well that Yun Chu didn’t have to worry about a thing.

“Boss, you’re finally coming to the restaurant!” The manager had a lively personality. “You have no idea, ever since The You I First Met started airing, the staff has been missing you like crazy.”

“…Why do they miss me?”

“For your autograph! They’re counting on it to make a fortune!”

“I knew it!” Yun Chu came out of the gym and tossed her towel into the laundry basket. “We’ll be there at eight. Serve us according to the highest standard of reception and put it on my tab.”

“You got it!”

After hanging up, Yun Chu opened the messages Jiang Yu had sent last night.

【I was inconsiderate.】

【Let Chen Jing sign the contract and go through the procedures.】

【Are you free tomorrow? Let’s have a meal.】

The things Jiang Yu had said to her on the phone last night didn’t bear close examination. Yun Chu couldn’t be bothered to sort them out. It was annoying to look at, so she simply tossed her phone aside and took a shower first. Only after she was done did she reply: I’m going to the company tomorrow, let’s meet in the cafeteria.

After sending it, she didn’t care if she got a reply or not. She turned on the TV and started watching The You I First Met.

The show was currently on its tenth episode for members. Her part had ended in the eighth episode, and after that, she only appeared in flashbacks. The few scenes that were reshot were at the seaside. The fireworks were brilliant, and her smile was just as brilliant, making her an incomparable white moonlight in the protagonist’s heart.

Yun Chu was only twenty when she acted in this drama. Although she was talented and her acting was commendable in the eyes of the audience, from her own perspective, she needed to review her performance carefully and learn from the experience.

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The rain, once it started, seemed like it would never end, lingering into the evening.

Zhou Zhitao hadn’t adjusted to the time difference and was sleeping soundly. She asked Yun Chu to bring her back some food. Yun Chu put on a beret and stood by the bed, thinking for a moment. “I might not be coming back.”

“What?” Zhou Zhitao sat up in bed. “You’re not going to get a room with Jian You again, are you?”

“Where is your mind going!” Yun Chu said. “I left my car at my grandma’s place last time. I’m going to stay there tonight and drive it back tomorrow.”

Zhou Zhitao let out an “oh.” “You mean what you did that time to get a ride from Jian You?”

Yun Chu was embarrassed. “Well, I got the ride, didn’t I?!”

Zhou Zhitao nodded perfunctorily. “Mhm, mhm. When you bought it, you said, ‘Baby, big sis will definitely treat you well, you’re the apple of my eye.’ And now you’re letting your baby get battered by the wind and rain for a whole week for another woman.”

Yun Chu: “…Say one more word and I’ll throw you out.”

Zhou Zhitao shut her mouth.

Yun Chu left the house cheerfully. She had planned her time so she could arrive half an hour early, but due to the rain, there was a traffic jam, and despite rushing, she was still half an hour late.

The producer said, “You’re late. Three penalty drinks.”

Yun Chu smiled and glanced at Jian You.

Jian You was wearing a black silk long dress, her long hair casually pinned up with a hairpin. The jade pendant on the hairpin swayed slightly. Her rust-colored lipstick made her skin look snowy white, giving her a classic beauty that matched the restaurant’s decor well.

Yun Chu picked up a green teacup from the side and said with a smile, “I can’t drink alcohol. I’ll use tea instead.”

The producer was insistent. “How can you substitute with tea? Not drinking three glasses today means you’re looking down on me. Come, come, authentic Maotai. Fill it up, fill it up. Xiao Chen, come and fill up your artist’s glass.”

Xiao Chen- Chen Jing put her hand to her forehead, thinking to herself that it was over, it seemed this contract wasn’t going to be signed. Others might not know Yun Chu, but having been her agent for all these years, didn’t she know her?

Miss Yun, the one who hated drinking culture the most.

Especially being pressured to drink.

Once, she had taken Yun Chu to an audition. The director, without a word, first presented her with a bottle, saying that one’s character is reflected in how they drink, and they could talk business after she finished the bottle. Yun Chu had smiled just like this, then smashed the bottle and said, “Fuck you.”

The director was enraged and threatened to blacklist her.

Chen Jing had been terrified, thinking Yun Chu’s future was ruined, but unexpectedly, the director was sent to jail for drug use before he could do anything. When she mentioned it to Yun Chu later with lingering fear, Yun Chu thought for a long time before saying, “He’s not qualified to blacklist me.”

She really admired Yun Chu for daring to say no to bullies.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard Yun Chu say, “Alright. I can’t drink three glasses, but I’ll have one.”

Chen Jing: “?”

What happened to saying no to bullies?!

Yun Chu took the glass and downed it in one go. Her tolerance was decent; one glass wouldn’t knock her out. After finishing that one, no amount of persuasion would work. Jian You also said, “Producer Zhao, let’s focus on business.”

The producer quickly agreed several times, giving Jian You face, and began to talk at length about the film.

Yun Chu ate while listening, catching bits and pieces here and there. She couldn’t help but secretly text Jian You: Teacher Jian, the food at this restaurant is pretty good, right?

Jian You’s phone was on the table. It buzzed once. She glanced at it but didn’t reply.

Yun Chu was disappointed but tried again: Is this really the production company for the movie Cicada’s Song? He’s full of alcohol T T (not speaking ill of him, just stating facts)

It buzzed again.

Yun Chu: I think I’m a little drunk T T

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Producer Zhao: “Director Jian, your phone keeps buzzing. Is it an important message?”

Jian You hummed in agreement and picked up her phone.

Typing.

Y: The food is good.

Y: It is the production company for Cicada’s Song. Teacher recommended them, so I had to meet them. It might not be him in the end.

Y: Drink some honey water.

Yun Chu’s lips curled in a triumphant smile, and her appetite improved.

Her role in this kind of setting wasn’t very significant. It was mostly Chen Jing talking with the casting director. It was obvious that Jian You didn’t want to work with Producer Zhao, and her words carried a hint of perfunctoriness. Everyone in the entertainment industry was sharp, and Producer Zhao could see it too. So he relaxed, treating it as a free meal of authentic Suzhou cuisine, and the atmosphere became more congenial.

After ten, everything that needed to be discussed was done. Chen Jing and the casting director hit it off immediately, chatting enthusiastically. Yun Chu overheard Chen Jing praising her to the heavens and felt embarrassed, so she actively moved away from them.

The producer had other things to attend to. Jian You politely saw him to the door. When she turned around, she saw Yun Chu standing behind her. “Teacher Jian.”

Jian You hummed. “What is it?”

“Teacher Jian,” Yun Chu looked down, fiddling with the strap on Jian You’s bag. She said in a small voice, “Look at my agent, she’s so engrossed in her chat with your casting director. She definitely doesn’t have time for me.”

Her philtrum was very pretty.

Jian You stared at Yun Chu’s mouth, replying absent-mindedly, “Then what should we do?”

Yun Chu licked her dry lips, making them glisten. They looked very kissable. She mustered her courage and looked at Jian You, her eyes blinking, looking pitiful.

She said, “Why don’t you take me home?”

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