Chapter 1

Baoyin completely guessed her thoughts: "Let's go together, I will get you an invitation. XX will also be attending, don't you like her very much? In recent years, she has been living in seclusion and rarely returns to the country, so why not take this opportunity to see her?" The XX she mentioned is that writer. In order to make Kongkong unable to refuse, she made a concerted effort to persuade gently, "Just consider it as accompanying me. After attending the press conference on Friday, we can go shopping and enjoy some good food on Saturday, and then return on Sunday. How wonderful that would be."

"You look to be around twenty-three or twenty-four, not much difference," Kong Kong said. She was having a traditional Chinese breakfast, a bowl of tofu pudding and two or three shrimp dumplings.

Perhaps I am inherently a rather indifferent person, " Kong Kong replied to him.

Baoyin gently nudged her: "Go put your things in your room. If you don't have any other appointments, I'll come by later to call you, and we can go eat together"

Everything has surprisingly passed for such a long time, she thought with a hint of sadness. The current version of herself can no longer be so candid and unashamedly bare in front of another person, surrendering completely from body to emotions.

She absentmindedly replied to them: "I have arrived, and I am with Baoyin" "The press conference is tomorrow." Then her phone vibrated again—exactly the feather she both hoped for and feared, gently landing in the palm of her hand

She forced herself to calm down—regardless of what the reply would be, the answer would not be revealed until one and a half hours later—in fact, what she anticipated the most was that there would be no reply at all, so she would not have to make a choice in a moral dilemma

"Then you go ahead with your work, I am fine on my end." After sending this message, she realized that the latter part of her statement was entirely superfluous

Baoyin was also on stage, in a position that was clearly off-center, but it didn't matter—Kongkong sat in her own seat, gazing intently in that direction, feeling a bit moved—she wanted to tell Baoyin: "Don't say you're twenty-eight; even if you're thirty-eight, forty-eight, or in a more marginal position, no one will overlook your brilliance."

After a brief moment of astonishment, both parties burst into laughter. Baoyin displayed a liveliness that was different from her usual self: "When we get to the hotel, I'll open the suitcase and show you. Oh my, Li Kongkong, you are so lightly packed. But that's alright, you can use mine."

All those holding cameras surged forward, and even those who were not photographers raised their phones, regardless of the angle, everyone was snapping away furiously.

An indescribable feeling filled her chest, was it relief? She could not be certain, but soon, a stronger and more definite sense of loss and bitterness filled her heart. She could not even muster a pretended smile.

But I truly want to take good care of you

Kong Kong was on the verge of nodding, but in the end, she still shook her head with a sense of guilt

The temperament, linguistic habits, sense of boundaries and propriety in dealing with others of He Su are distinct from those of Bao Yin, yet in this moment, there is a longing for the warm and vibrant essence that He Su embodies

By some strange twist of fate, she recalled the name that should not have come to mind at this moment

Aren't we going to sleep together?" Chen Kewei was a bit taken aback

As winter arrives, Kong Kong, who grew up in the south, experiences the power of heating for the first time. At the office, she can wear just a shirt, perhaps adding a light shawl. At home, the set of coral fleece loungewear she brought from Qingcheng is completely useless; it is too thick and too warm, making her sweat as soon as she puts it on. She had to buy two sets of thin cotton loungewear, one in a light blue and the other in a faded denim blue.

Throughout this entire day, it was the first time she temporarily set Yan Yiming aside. For some reason, she suddenly felt a bit nostalgic for He Su—ever since she got together with Chen Kewei, He Su had rarely appeared in their lives.

They stayed at the hotel where the press conference was held, each requesting a room with a king-size bed on the same floor. When Kong Kong retrieved her ID card, her phone in the pocket of her coat vibrated, and she made a great effort to resist the urge to look at it

"Next time," Kong Kong smiled lightly, "we have plenty of time."

Only at the end did she remember to collect her underwear, and she suddenly paused between the beige cotton underwear and the champagne-colored silk underwear

Fragments of daily life flash in the empty mind: He Su always knows which restaurants offer discounts for lunch on Wednesdays when paying with a credit card, and that some restaurants provide greater savings when purchasing coupons through an app; during annual e-commerce promotions, those algorithms that seem more complex than Olympiad math problems are all clarified by He Su; not only did He Su teach her how to redeem various memberships using points, but also guided her step by step on how to close those small traps of automatic deductions. During annual e-commerce promotions, those algorithms that seem more complex than Olympiad math problems are all clarified by He Su; not only did He Su teach her how to redeem various memberships using points, but also guided her step by step on how to close those small traps of automatic deductions

After boarding, they settled down, and Baoyin and Kongkong chatted: "Do you have any friends you want to meet this time?"

You don't seem like someone who is afraid of getting old, oh dear, why did I say 'seem' again

Although the relationship has become clear, both parties have not yet fully adapted to this change, and their living habits remain unchanged to ensure that each has their own space. When he knocked on the study door, Kong Kong was sitting in front of the computer watching a movie.

Ah, just consider that I am doing this to find a bit of peace of mind," Kong Kong said with a cheerful smile, sitting cross-legged on the chair, "I don't want it to seem like I am overly dependent on you.

Originally, Baoyin was only scheduled to attend a press conference for an annual grand production. She had just been promoted to Deputy Director of Planning a month prior. A drama series focused on women's themes, which she was responsible for last year, aired in the middle of the year and received steady acclaim. Although it did not reach a phenomenal level of popularity, it nonetheless became a commendable addition to her resume

As breakfast time comes to an end, the number of guests in the restaurant decreases. The staff, dressed in white uniforms, expressionlessly clear the dishes from the empty tables, with the crisp sounds of cups and cutlery clinking occasionally heard. The little boy at the neighboring table, who had been screaming incessantly for refusing to drink milk, has finally been taken away by his parents—Kong Kong had secretly observed that it was his mother who had been coaxing him, pretending to be angry to scare him, and pleading with him, while his father had been engrossed in his phone the entire time, displaying an air of indifference. The hotel lobby has begun to see a steady influx of media personnel, some carrying filming equipment, with blue ribbons hanging from their identification badges.

After the two of them entered the venue, they temporarily separated. Kong Kong found an empty seat in the third-to-last row and sat down. She intended to ask, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?" but the person next to her looked even more bewildered than she was—thus, Kong Kong immediately realized that, strictly speaking, they were both outsiders in this setting.

Before Christmas, Kong Kong received an opportunity for a business trip to Shanghai

Until the early morning, Yan Yiming finally sent a WeChat message: "Sorry, I came to Hangzhou unexpectedly today. I should be back tomorrow and will contact you then." She glanced at it and did not reply

But this is not the crux of the matter—she feels as if one foot has already stepped into the quagmire, while the other foot hesitates, unsure whether to follow or what to do—before, it was fine no matter what, as it was just a matter between her and him, but now the situation is different

She sent him the name of the hotel along with the room number, but he did not reply again. It was evident that he was truly busy. Kong Kong put down her phone, feeling as if a snake was crawling on her back, the chilling sense of guilt tightly constricting her.

Yan Yiming responded very quickly, without any delay or hesitation, which further highlighted his usual composure in this relationship: "Tonight is definitely not possible, and it's hard to say about tomorrow or the day after. How about this, wait for my news."

Since He Su asked her, "Have you all gone to sleep?" a long time passed before she and Chen Kewei truly had something between them

You are truly beautiful she said sincerely, having expressed her admiration to Baoyin directly more than once

I have been in meetings all afternoon, how many days will you stay

But what she ultimately said was: "You have already respected me enough"

Unable to think of any reason to decline, besides, enjoying a leisurely two-day vacation under the guise of a business trip with a good friend is indeed quite nice—thinking this way, she readily submitted her application to the company

I brought two pairs of high heels, one pair in silver and the other in dark purple suede

Let us go up, there is still plenty of time, you can sleep for another thirty or forty minutes. Baoyin said this while finishing the remaining coffee.

Seeing someone at the neighboring seat exchanging business cards, she couldn't help but be taken aback. Her own business cards were in the Longxiang bag in her room upstairs, and she hadn't taken them out since checking in. Therefore, when others kindly offered her a few cards, the only thing she could do was awkwardly repeat, "Thank you, thank you".

In their limited interactions and companionship, this was the first time Zhou Baoyin revealed her vulnerability, perhaps with a hint of weariness. It was only when she showed this side of herself that Kong Kong realized this face seemed to be closer to the truth

Empty and almost laughed out loud, she realized that Chen Ke might have learned this phrase from some old dramas—most of the male protagonists in the past were so kind yet arrogant, wanting to take care of you, wanting to take care of you for a lifetime—oh my God, who needs your care

Baoyin took a small handbag; while others hung their work badges on their chests, she creatively wrapped hers around her wrist, twisting it several times, making it resemble an ornament

On Thursday noon, Kong Kong insisted on finishing half a day's work and went directly to the airport with a large bag to meet Bao Yin. When she saw Bao Yin, Kong Kong was very surprised—she was actually dragging a 24-inch suitcase.

After landing, it was drizzling in Shanghai, and the sounds of mobile phone ringtones, text messages, and WeChat notifications echoed in the cabin. Baoyin skillfully opened the ride-hailing app while curiously glancing at Kongkong: "Is your phone out of battery?"

In a state of extreme tension, her mind was completely blank. Afterwards, she carefully examined the photograph, where her younger self stood beside Teacher ×, smiling with a naive and bewildered expression, which in turn possessed a certain captivating innocence

Next month I will be twenty-eight... I still remember when I was eighteen or nineteen, at that time, whenever I thought about how close I was to turning twenty, I couldn't feel happy. The moment the tens digit changes, wow, it truly marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. You know, for someone who is too young, the uncertainty of the future is both exciting and frightening.

By the time Chen Kewai returned from working overtime, he had casually eaten something and taken a shower, and it was already very late. Only before going to bed did he notice the text message notifying him of the deposit, which instantly made his mood somewhat complicated

The only problem was that after it ended, they both did not know what to say. The curtains in the bedroom left a wide gap, allowing the moonlight to shine bright and white. Even without the lights on, the expressions of the two could be clearly seen. They looked at each other for a while and couldn't help but laugh.

Should I send him a message? If he is also available, perhaps we can have a meal together or grab a drink, just like I did with Shen Feng; wasn't that fine all along? She was deceiving herself in this way while already reaching for her phone.

The play to be launched at this press conference is adapted from the eponymous work of a renowned author, and has garnered significant attention since its inception. The final leads, both male and female, are currently popular and highly discussed celebrities. Several companies have high hopes for this project, and the company where Baoyin works has also invested a small amount.

As the lively atmosphere dissipated, several celebrities vanished as if they had mastered the art of disappearing, and people streamed out in succession. Just when Kong Kong thought everything had come to an end, Baoyin gestured for her to come over.

You are only going for two or three days, yet you are bringing such a large suitcase

The atmosphere suddenly relaxed a lot, and Kong Kong lay on the pillow, tilting his head, and suddenly said: "Now I can answer He Su's question."

On Wednesday evening, she packed her luggage for the business trip, considering that she would only be gone for two days. She took out her large ginger-colored Longchamp bag. She squeezed several skincare products into travel-sized bottles and packed only a few essential makeup items: foundation, eyebrow pencil, mascara, and a smoky rose lipstick, along with a dusty rose shade, all in gentle and understated colors. For change of clothes, she only brought two tops and two pairs of socks, thinking it would be fine to wear the same jeans and sneakers for two days.

Teacher, this is my good friend, she is your reader. Baoyin gently pinched Kongkong and said, "She writes as well, could you please take a photo with her?"

"That is true youth; seeing them makes me feel a bit old," Bayin said. In front of her, one plate contained a slice of toast, a slice of bacon, and a fried egg, while another plate held fruit, along with a small bowl of yogurt mixed with cereal and grains.

During that Spring Festival, when they parted ways, he only said, "I have been in Shanghai for the past two years." That seemed to be the only time in recent years when she could ascertain his whereabouts. After that, she was completely unaware of his movements. The moments he occasionally shared on social media were almost entirely industry news. She recognized all the words, but when strung together, she could not comprehend them at all, let alone make any inferences about his private life.

Everything happened very naturally, but Chen Kewai clearly appeared to be somewhat shy. In contrast, Kong Kong was the more proactive one. When she kissed him, she smelled the scent of mint toothpaste, and his pillow had a clean fragrance. These details endeared him to her and, to some extent, helped her to become more engaged.

The announcement of the imminent takeoff came through the broadcast, urging all passengers to turn off their phones or switch them to flight mode. In the midst of contradiction and anxiety, Kong Kong realized that her illicit desires had not yet faded. Her fingers seemed to slip from the control of reason, swiftly sending a message, and then turning off the phone at an even faster speed

Baoyin fully accepted this and playfully pinched her face in return, saying, "You are also beautiful." There was not the slightest hint of embarrassment or surprise at being flattered.

The hand that reached for the phone retracted awkwardly, scratching its head in emptiness: "Alright."

"I am not uncomfortable, I am fine." Kong Kong opened his mouth but did not realize that he had not made any sound at all

Moreover, Kong Kong can now be certain that she will never be able to achieve what she has done.

The press conference officially commenced at 1:30 PM the following day, but by 7 or 8 AM, two young fans of the lead actors had already appeared near the hotel. When Baoyin and Kongkong went to the restaurant for breakfast, they exchanged a tacit understanding glance upon seeing the excited young faces and the sparkle in their eyes in the lobby

Kong Kong pressed the spacebar, and the movie paused

But this moment quickly passed, and when Baoyin raised her head again, the gloom between her brows had completely vanished, revealing a radiant appearance once more

It was only when she was alone that she gradually began to feel the reality

Upon entering the room, Kong Kong casually tossed her bag onto the table, as she had no clothes that needed to be hung up in advance. After a moment's thought, she decided to spread the bedding that Baoyin had given her on the bed. Once she completed this task, she finally unlocked her phone

In the elevator, Baoyin suggested that Kunkun go to her room first, as she had something to give her. Upon entering the room, Baoyin swiftly opened the box and first took out the dress she would wear to the press conference tomorrow, hanging it in the wardrobe. It was a mid-length water-colored dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, reaching approximately to the calf, featuring a vintage and elegant yet understated style. She then hung up a misty blue trench coat, paired with a beige sweater inside, which was likely her outfit for Saturday. It was a mid-length water-colored dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, reaching approximately to the calf, featuring a vintage and elegant yet understated style. She then hung up a misty blue trench coat, paired with a beige sweater inside, which was likely her outfit for Saturday.

After a while, Kong Kong took the clothes and went to the bathroom. When she returned, she merely stood by the door and said goodnight

1, 2, 3...... 36, 37. ... ... 48, 49, 50. The time, originally thought to be less than a minute, turned out to be much longer than she had imagined. After counting, she finally sent that message: "I will leave on Sunday. Do you have time these days?"

The heating made the room dry and warm, and she wore a thin nightgown, uncontrollably recalling that winter in Yan Yiming's apartment, when after taking a shower, she hadn't even had time to dry the water on her back before rushing into the quilt

However, I have not experienced that feeling for a long time. Now, in most aspects of life, you can predict the outcome; life is merely a series of failures driven by stubbornness and successes achieved through compromise

Staring blankly at Baoyin's continuous and unceasing actions, she couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration. She was not foolish enough to think that maintaining elegance did not require time and effort, but witnessing it with her own eyes was an entirely different matter

The boss readily approved it, even adding a hint of encouragement as he reminded Kong Kong: "Make sure to bring your business cards and hand them out at the event. Also, learn as much as you can from Zhou Baoyin; she has a good reputation in the circle."

Are you in Shanghai? I am coming over for a business trip. On the screen, there was nothing below this sentence, just as she had anticipated

In the latter half of the movie, she found it impossible to calm her mind and continue watching. An instinctive intuition told her that beneath Chen Kewei's caution lay a certain sense of loss. She lowered her legs, hesitated for a moment, and decided to knock on the bedroom door

Her expression was awkward, and her gaze evasive. She still could not tell Baoyin, as a seemingly simple action might disrupt her currently tranquil and peaceful life. Nevertheless, before disembarking, she pressed the power button.

One must get accustomed to surrendering oneself to fate, if indeed there is such a thing as fate

Chen Kewai did not pursue the matter further; at this moment, his mind was still somewhat hazy and detached, not yet having awakened from the previous enchantment. He gently traced a line along the empty spine with his finger, feeling a blend of satisfaction and emptiness within.

She did not want him to feel as if she had been foolishly holding her phone for these few hours, waiting for his response. Kong Kong even felt a bit regretful for having already made the bed, otherwise she could have taken more time to pretend to be casual, or rather, to appear reserved

"Why are you sitting on the ground?" Chen Kewai's voice sounded at the right moment, filled with concern. "Is it because of the frustration from the business trip? Anyway, it's only for two or three days. When you return, let's go have hot pot together"

Which hotel are you staying at

Kong Kong recalled the boss's admonition—"Learn more from Zhou Baoyin"—and sighed inwardly: "Perhaps there are other things to learn, but in this regard, I truly lack talent."

Indeed, perhaps it is the kind of familiarity and warmth that He Su exhibits towards everyone, which gives her a more down-to-earth demeanor compared to the ethereal elegance of Bao Yin. However, Kong Kong has never been so clearly aware that, in fact, He Su is the one who has grown from the same soil as herself

Even from such a distance and amidst so many people, Kong Kong can see how Baoyin effortlessly greets others, exchanges pleasantries, and shares business cards. Her demeanor and smile are perfectly balanced, both humble and polite without being overly flattering—those people would never imagine that this beautiful lady had lamented her failures just this morning.

This is the essence of women in this era; their appearance and attire have become secondary. What truly captivates is the fierce coldness and restraint that emanates from within, refusing to indulge in their own weaknesses and not allowing themselves to be consumed by them. When they stand alongside men, it is not to serve as mere embellishments, but to create a sense of balance. In fact, they appear even more vibrant.

Only the backs of the chairs in the first three rows in the venue had the names of the guests affixed, while the seats behind were free for anyone to sit. Baoyin's seat is in the second row. The first two rows are occupied by actors, directors, producers, original authors, hosts, several senior executives from the production company and broadcasting platform, assistant directors, screenwriters, and production staff of the series. It seems that the seating arrangement has also been carefully adjusted.

There was only a difference of six room numbers between the two rooms. Kong Kong, carrying his large bag and clutching a paper bag in his hand, walked slowly on the thick carpet of the corridor

"Are you feeling unwell?" Baoyin cast a worried glance and said, "Just hang in there; once we reach the hotel, you can rest. In the evening, we will go out for local cuisine."

Kong Kong displayed an expression of complete understanding, recalling that she too had experienced similar feelings in the past

"How did you arrive with just a backpack?" Baoyin appeared even more surprised than she was. "What about your luggage?"

Count to 50 before responding again, although it takes less than a minute, it is better than responding immediately.

What is the problem

The conversation had reached this point, and it seemed that it had to come to an end. Chen Kewei awkwardly retreated, saying, "Then I won't disturb you."

"You wouldn't abandon your friends just because you have a boyfriend, would you?" In the end, Baoyin delivered her final blow. After a minute of waiting, she received a response: "I am truly afraid of you now"

Thus, Kong Kong became more certain of one thing: there is no beauty in the world that is unaware of itself; rather, beautiful people have become accustomed to the admiration of others and have long since developed immunity to it

After more than two hours, I finally heard the host say: "Now it is time for the photo session. First, let us invite a few leading actors to take a group photo... Now, may I invite the director, producer, and Mr. × × to come up for a group photo... Could we please have all the guests come up for a big group photo?"

It seems that the three words have already explained everything, haven't they? To be honest, I am not actually afraid of aging, do you believe it?

That day was payday. In the evening, upon returning home, I opened my mobile banking app and confirmed that my salary had been credited. I then transferred this month's rent to Chen Kewai. When we were not yet in a romantic relationship, she would occasionally delay the payment by three to five days, but now she treats it with particular seriousness.

This is for you, Baoyin said with a smile as she took out a flat paper bag from the bottom of the box. "When I bought one for myself, I also bought one for you." It was a three-piece set of single bed linens, featuring playful cartoon patterns on a light-colored background. She explained, "I didn't buy disposable ones; I think this is more environmentally friendly, and it can be used for future business trips."

Sometimes, the type of person you like is one kind, while in reality, you can only be another kind of person

Hearing the knock on the door, she did not even turn her head: "Come in."

The press conference is being held in a large hall on the third floor of the hotel. It is said that the interior was already set up last night, but half an hour before the start of the press conference, there are still staff members with serious expressions and tense looks hurriedly coming in and out, making final adjustments and improvements.

There are only three or four WeChat messages. Chen Kewai asked her if she had arrived at the hotel. The other two messages are from a group chat shared with Qiqi and Xiaonan, where they asked in the group: "Kongkong, is it fun over there?"

The press conference proceeded strictly according to the agenda, lacking any novelty, consisting of familiar segments. Each guest took turns to deliver a speech, while the media posed questions that had already been asked several times before, with the flash of cameras going off incessantly. Several people in this row had already left, and based on her previous experience at the weekly magazine, it was certain that their transportation fees had already been received.

Kong Kong stared blankly at Baoyin—today she wore a cashmere coat, the color of which was very soft and beautiful, darker than pink and slightly more saturated than smoky pink. After thinking for a long time, Kong Kong remembered that she had seen a similar color in a small book about colors, referred to as red vine. Her hair and nails were clearly well-groomed, yet not ostentatious. She did not wear any jewelry, but instead sported a watch with a neutral temperament. Her hair and nails were clearly well-groomed, yet not ostentatious. She did not wear any jewelry, but instead sported a watch with a neutral temperament

There is no need to tell you, it is merely a matter of gossip among girls

At a loss for words at this moment, I do not know what kind of reaction would be most appropriate

Kong Kong had applied a light touch of makeup, dressed in a dark gray sweatshirt and jeans, and boldly knocked on Bao Yin's room door. When the door opened, she saw the impeccable Zhou Bao Yin: the light blue dress made her look even fairer, she had chosen silver shoes, and her necklace and earrings were matching pearls, with a clean and elegant makeup look.

The gray toiletry bag was so stuffed that it seemed about to burst. Baoyin took out facial cleanser, makeup remover oil, a complete set of skincare products, cosmetics, and a large jar of cream mask from inside. An electric toothbrush and a beauty device were also included. Most astonishingly, there were even face towels, bath towels, and a hairdryer.

Do you like this淡色?" Chen Kewai asked her, "It seems that most of your clothes are in this color scheme.

They laughed for a while, drank coffee, and chatted about other things. For some unknown reason, Baoyin eventually brought the topic back around.

On such a noisy and mundane morning, Kong Kong could not understand why Baoyin suddenly spoke of life.

I have received your rent, Chen Ke realized that he actually had not thought about how to express himself, but having started, he had no choice but to continue speaking, "Actually, you don't have to do this. When I lived alone, my mortgage was also this much."

Although the various reasons mentioned above are all very appealing to those who are keen to delve into this industry, a superficial attention is limited to just one aspect of it