Chapter 3, Section 2

Gu Yunsheng did not hesitate to mention Jiang Tian's name, stating that they had arranged to meet here. At the moment he said this, he had no certainty in his heart; he had no idea where Jiang Tian was at that moment, nor could he confirm whether the phone call from yesterday was merely the drunken ramblings of Huang Daheng. It was even possible that Jiang Tian was standing right in front of him, and he might not recognize him. However, after he finished speaking, there was a brief moment when he experienced an illusion: they had indeed made an appointment, and Jiang Tian was waiting for him inside.

In Gu Yunsheng's memory, Jiang Tian is still frozen in that summer of their junior year. At that time, Jiang Tian was tall and thin, with a slight hunch common among young men of his height. He had very short hair, preferred to wear light-colored clothing, and his bright eyes had a sharp yet warm gaze, making him a handsome and reticent young man

Only Lin Kuang's little secretary was present, and Gu Yunsheng jokingly said: "After being treated like a beast of burden for a month, with Bai Laoye whipping me from behind every day, even a nine-tailed fox would be exhausted to death!"

I also understand that you are working hard, and dragging this out is not a solution. But you know what kind of person he is; the tasks that need to be accomplished must be completed. I have also seen the document, and it is getting better and better, isn't it

Lin Kuang furrowed his brow slightly upon hearing this: "How much have you drunk again?"

Ah? Gu Yunsheng turned his head absentmindedly and met Lin Kuang's gaze, suddenly regaining his focus.

Lin Kuang shook his head dismissively: "Bai Han and you are both beyond saving. That time too, you drank so much that you could hardly walk, your face as pale as a corpse. Yun Sheng, I didn't mention this before, but recently you've gone too far; take it easy. Why make things difficult for yourself?"

After obtaining the required information and returning home, it was already midnight. Gu Yunsheng turned on all the lights in the living room and began to read the news about Qing'an Temple. His friend had recently been covering the Qing'an Temple route, so Gu Yunsheng had chatted with him for a while at the station, tracing the path from Qing'an Temple to the city government and finally circling back to T University, discreetly inquiring about the information he wanted.

What a terrible opening line this is, and what a clumsy excuse, as if one truly encountered Jiang Tianping without any reason. After saying this, Gu Yunsheng suddenly realized. However, Jiang Tian seemed not to think much of it, smiled, and took a few steps closer: "I really didn't expect this. After so many years, you haven't changed much. Why are you wearing glasses now?"

Gu Yunsheng recalled the eyes of Bai Han when he came to the door that day, feeling a chill: they were green and glistening, like a wolf.

Gradually, the sky darkened, clouds gathered, and the wind picked up. Surrounded by ancient architecture, there was an indescribable sense of gloom. Gu Yunsheng glanced at his watch; it was nearly 6:00. He jumped down from the high steps and decided to return the way he came.

What happened? Have you wilted?

It has been two weeks since the last gathering, and hearing his voice again is exhilarating, to the point of being somewhat euphoric

Qing'an Temple is said to have been a large official residence many years ago, which is why it is deeper than the average temple. Gu Yunsheng walked through six courtyards without seeing the river and sky. Upon reaching the last courtyard, he turned around to glance at this final yard, finding no one else around. He then found a step to sit down on, not remembering how long he had been lost in thought. When he turned his head and looked up, he realized he was sitting at the entrance of the Sutra Repository.

May I ask if there is anything I can assist you with

Gu Yunsheng waved his hand and said, "Not much, not much... You know, I cannot drink"

However, he has changed now, as if he has grown taller. Later, Gu Yunsheng thought to himself that it was actually because he no longer slouched. His hair has grown a little longer, and the contours of his face have softened, which has also made his brows and eyes appear gentler. Only his eyes remain unchanged, showing no signs of aging. He is wearing a trench coat, and it is visible that he is dressed in a dark suit underneath, without a tie, resembling a lawyer off work

Before He Cai resigned as a consultant, she had an in-depth conversation with Bai Han, the director of the film titled "Yongning." The outcome of their discussion, in the words of Gu Yunsheng, can be succinctly summarized as "giving Mr. Bai, a self-indulgent type who comes up with an idea every three minutes, a new direction that insists on not resting until everyone around him is thoroughly exhausted." Bai Han was determined to completely overturn the original intention of making a quick profit by selling a superficial product to ensure a good year for the company, and instead, he was wholeheartedly committed to producing a serious historical drama.

For someone like you, a drunkard, there are two remedies for a hangover: one is to eat well and get a good sleep, and the other is to have another glass of whiskey with ice

Lin Kuang smiled and said, "I won't lose everything. I know how to handle this situation, and besides, I still need to make a living in the film industry."

On the other end of the phone, there seemed to be a scramble, and soon enough, it was Huang Daheng's voice again. However, this time he only managed to call out "Yunsheng" before the line was disconnected, perhaps due to someone mistakenly pressing the "end" button during yet another struggle.

Gu Yunsheng, you rascal, not a single serious word from you!

Gu Yunsheng forced a smile and said, "Lin Kuang, you need to persuade Old Master Bai. This film has been delayed repeatedly, and just when we are about to shoot in a few days, he keeps making changes every few days. I really can't take it anymore. It's not like this is the first film; what is going on with him?"

At that time, Gu Yunsheng remembered that his hands and feet were stiff, and his neck was also rigid, likely due to the alcohol raging within his body. He also recalled that he turned his head to look at Jiang Tian every five minutes; he particularly remembered the outline of Jiang Tian's profile in the darkness, so close to him, it was strikingly clear.

Before falling asleep, he thought about calling Lin Kuang the next day to contact Huang Daheng, but in the end, he told himself that he should go to Qing'an Temple

Bai Han nodded, retracting the sharp displeasure in his gaze, and pointed at the script, saying: "Then let us continue. We were just at page seventy. From here until one hundred and fifteen, I have new ideas..."

After the meeting ended, it was almost 10 o'clock. Gu Yunsheng was dizzy from the various new ideas constantly emerging from Bai Han, and the expressions of the other two screenwriters were no better than his own. When he went to the underground parking lot to retrieve his car and head home, he happened to run into Lin Kuang, who was also leaving by car. Lin Kuang rolled down the window and asked, "Would you like to grab a late-night snack together?"

Every time he sees Bai Han, he feels that this person is less of a director and more like a soldier who is always on guard. He is tall and upright, walking like a gust of wind, speaking decisively and forcefully, adept at making decisions and persuading others, and not lacking in initiative. Importantly, he appears very sincere and disciplined. It should be noted that in this circle, even just appearing this way is already quite rare—let alone the fact that he has a charming face

He believed that he would never forget, nor would he ever have the slightest lapse in memory

Lin Kuang, do not compare me with Old Master Bai. I only drink a little, and if I were to die, it would be just me. Someone like him, dragging others down with him, is different. Besides, if it weren't for his sudden whim to change the script, I could have slept more and drunk less, couldn't I

Gu Yunsheng, however, thought that he did not recognize Jiang Tian at first glance

The girl kept staring at him, as if she had something to say. Gu Yunsheng pretended not to see and only looked at Jiang Tian, remaining motionless, stubbornly waiting for a response. His expression was blank, but inside he was anxious, with a silent roar echoing in his ears. He was afraid of being rejected, even if it was a sincere refusal.

Noticing the gazes of others, Gu Yunsheng explained, "I was asked to socialize, but I just declined."

His voice was suddenly interrupted, and then He Cai's voice came through: "He has had too much to drink and is making random calls, just ignore him. Jiang Tian is with us, and we were just talking about you. Are you free to come over for a meal?"

In the midst of speaking, he had already put away the camera. Gu Yunsheng looked at him and did not dare to mention that it was his own hands that were shaking, making it impossible to put on the contact lenses. He only responded, "You have indeed changed; I didn't recognize you at first glance. If it weren't for you calling my name, I probably wouldn't have dared to acknowledge you."

Jiang Tian glanced at the young man and woman beside him. Gu Yunsheng also took a good look at them; they were both quite young, likely students. He then said, "Are they students assigned to you by T University? Why not join me for a meal? I have a car, and after we eat, I can take you back to school—if you still need to go back."

Bai Han cast a displeased glance at him. Gu Yunsheng took out his phone, initially intending to hang up, but at the last moment, he saw the name Huang Daheng, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately decided to answer.

With the sound of the door opening, Bai Hanfeng swept into the office like a gust of wind, startling Gu Yunsheng, who was sitting at the desk chatting and laughing. Caught off guard, he nearly toppled over from the force of the wind, quickly propping himself up on the desk and jumping down, nonchalantly smiling as he greeted, "Master Bai has arrived!"

Pouring the wine, Gu Yunsheng collapsed onto the sofa, scrolling through the news one by one, waiting for the specific piece he wanted to see. The alcohol and a day full of work made his eyelids feel as heavy as stones, yet his mind was very clear—two days ago, he had heard in the midday news that the expert team for the repair project of Qing'an Temple had been finalized, among which Jiang Tian briefly appeared on the screen.

"Yun Sheng, are you free right now? Can you guess who I am with at the moment?"

Gu Yunsheng originally only smiled, but when he mentioned He Cai, he slightly retracted his smile and said: "The couple has only managed to have this child after more than thirty years, so it is indeed not feasible. If I had known about this matter, I would have advised He Cai to resign and take a good rest. Moreover, I think the previous version was quite good; with the reputation of Lord Bai, you could manage behind the scenes, promote a few young ladies, and achieve both fame and fortune. Isn't that quite good..." As he spoke, he began to quicken his pace and became less serious.

The three individuals, two men and one woman, were situated in the northwest corner of the courtyard, near the steps of the hall. One of them, standing slightly farther away, held a camera in his hand, though he was not taking any photographs. The other two appeared to be taking notes based on his words. In such lighting, it was already quite difficult to discern the faces of those individuals. Gu Yunsheng tried to approach quietly, but the others seemed to be fully engrossed in their work, not noticing the presence of a stranger approaching, or if they did, they had no spare attention to spare. It was not until Gu Yunsheng got close enough to see the gold bracelet on the wrist of the girl nearest to him that the three seemed to be suddenly disturbed, almost simultaneously stopping their tasks and turning their faces towards him. In such lighting, it was already quite difficult to discern the faces of those individuals. Gu Yunsheng tried to approach quietly, but the others seemed to be fully engrossed in their work, not noticing the presence of a stranger approaching, or if they did, they had no spare attention to spare. It was not until Gu Yunsheng got close enough to see the gold bracelet on the wrist of the girl nearest to him that the three seemed to be suddenly disturbed, almost simultaneously stopping their tasks and turning their faces towards him

After bidding farewell to Lin Kuang, he climbed back into the car and made a phone call to a friend at the city station. Upon hearing that the other party was still working overtime at the station, Gu Yunsheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Then I'll come over now. Yes, please send me a copy of the news and special reports on Qing'an Temple maintenance. The edited clips will be great; you don't need to trouble yourself with the original materials."

Bai Han had a very congenial discussion with Teacher He, and it is quite normal to have some new ideas—if one were to be single-minded to the end, that would not be Bai Han. In the end, however, she chose not to proceed, which put us all in a bit of a difficult position. Nevertheless, the script always needs to be revised; since you wrote the first draft, it is easier for you to make changes than for others.

Bai Han stopped in his tracks and glanced at him, his expression neutral, gently raising the script in his hand: "I have finished reading this draft."

He asked a question but, lacking the patience to wait for Gu Yunsheng's response, continued to speak to himself, "It's Jiang Tian! We are having a meal together. Are you okay? If you're fine, just come over. He is really unreasonable; it's been over a week since he returned, and he hasn't told you..."

As soon as this thought arose, Gu Yunsheng, who was sitting in the conference room waiting for others to arrive for the meeting, couldn't help but shiver. However, he did not expect that the change in his expression would attract the attention of the person next to him, who softly reminded him, "Yunsheng?"

Bai Han still wore a serious expression as he strode to the front of the conference table and spread out the script. It was a chaotic mess of arrows and red markings. Gu Yunsheng caught a glimpse from a distance, but before he could ponder it further, his phone rang.

Then I shall obey your command with respect

The camera moved too quickly, and Gu Yunsheng felt increasingly unable to see clearly; even slowing down the playback was of no help. He replayed it over and over again, mocking himself with each replay. It had been ten years since he last saw Jiang Tian, and any occasional news came from others. He thought that time had truly buried everything, but it turned out that everything was merely self-deception

Encountering a traffic jam, a journey that was originally supposed to take one hour took two hours instead. Despite having a GPS, it still took him considerable effort to locate Qing'an Temple amidst the surrounding tall buildings. By the time he finally parked his car and arrived at the temple entrance adorned with the three cursive characters "Qing'an Temple," Gu Yunsheng realized that visiting hours had already passed

Perhaps the gatekeeper could not distinguish the numerous experts and staff who had been coming and going at the temple during this period, but after glancing at Gu Yunsheng a few times, he readily waved his hand to let him in

Lin Kuang and Bai Han have a company together, which is not very large. It is one of the production companies for the film "Yongning" and is also responsible for some miscellaneous tasks during daily shooting. Although the company is run by two people, Lin Kuang manages all matters, especially the accounts, so regardless of the size of the meeting, Bai Han can avoid it if he finds it bothersome, but Lin Kuang has to attend every single one.

The woman's voice was soft and beautiful, but Gu Yunsheng paid no attention. He slightly furrowed his brows, his gaze sliding over the three people within ten steps, ultimately landing on the oldest among them. The other party was also looking at him and spoke without hesitation: "Gu Yunsheng, it is you"

Gu Yunsheng slept until 2 PM the next day. He fell asleep again on the sofa, and when he woke up, his limbs and back felt uncomfortable and stiff. Looking at his phone, he saw more than a dozen missed calls, all from Bai Han or his office. However, Gu Yunsheng suddenly felt a surge of defiance; not only did he not return the calls, but he also unplugged the charger and went to Qing'an Temple without taking anything with him

Do you remember that night when we last met, lying on the grass, holding each other's hands tightly, as if we would never part? Both of them were drunk, silent, staring up at the sky, which was filled with stars, cold and seemingly ready to crash down at any moment, and in the next instant, they would both turn to dust.

The pace of his return quickened significantly, but after walking through two courtyards, he had yet to encounter anyone. Gu Yunsheng thought that perhaps everyone had gone to the hall, and his steps grew even faster. Upon crossing a door, he arrived at the courtyard where the Guanyin Hall was located, only to unexpectedly come across someone there.

As soon as he entered the door, the few old locust trees in the first courtyard were swayed by the evening breeze, their branches and leaves rustling, almost drowning out Gu Yunsheng's footsteps. He walked slowly on the fallen leaves, moving deeper inside, with each courtyard containing people: monks preparing for evening lessons, lay practitioners dressed in sea blue, and some workers who appeared to be making preliminary preparations for maintenance projects. Everyone seemed purposeful, busy yet composed, which made Gu Yunsheng's aimless wandering all the more conspicuous.

Jiang Tian shook his head, remaining silent for a moment; Gu Yunsheng also fell into silence, but unwilling to let the silence create a greater distance between them, he rallied himself and smiled again: "Since we have met, let's have a meal together. I assume you are quite busy, so I won't insist on drinking with you."

Gu Yunsheng silently exclaimed in distress: So soon? It was clearly sent over at 2 AM today.

Gu Yunsheng fell silent for a moment, realizing that he truly could not refute Lin Kuang's last statement. Finally, he responded, "Just because it's Lao Bai, you can't play favorites. Business is business, and this film ultimately needs to be released in theaters. He shares a love and pursuit for cinema with you, but I do not."

Gu Yunsheng remained silent for a moment, glancing at Bai Han and Lin Kuang, as well as another screenwriter who had quietly entered through the door. He softly said: "I have something to attend to, so I can't make it. You all take your time eating. Is this considered his return? If he doesn't leave in the short term, we can have another meal another day."

Hearing him say this, Gu Yunsheng also smiled and nodded: "I have a few matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first. You have worked hard as well, so please rest early. Goodbye, goodbye."

The initially chaotic thoughts quickly settled, and Gu Yunsheng nodded: "I didn't expect to encounter you here"

Oh? I still think the latter one is better!" Gu Yunsheng replied earnestly