Section 3

She walked until her feet were in agony, hailed a taxi back to the entrance of her residential community, but the seafood restaurant she often visited was closed today. She knocked on the door, and when the owner, an aunt, saw it was her, she let her in

Tong Fei felt something was amiss after speaking, questioning why it was wrong to mention the first meeting

At their first meeting, she was afraid that the wind would blow too fiercely, blurring her voice. Turning to face the glass exterior wall, she gently advised him: "You should rest well first, as there are activities in the evening..."

The person who just came to find Xie Bin turned back: "Quick, the organizer is asking you, is it alright for Ying Chen and Jian Bianlin to walk the red carpet together?"

At first glance, sitting on the tatami mat, with head bowed, carefully using a toothpick, still earnestly attending to the last red-lipped shell in the white porcelain plate

After disassembling, weigh it carefully, and then reassemble it again

... ...

Tong Fei: "Get lost, this is too much."

Xie Bin: "It is just about accompanying, allowing Jian Bianlin to get through this hurdle. However, your family is too ruthless, leaving no room for maneuver at all; this is a very critical time."

Upon first arriving alone, I stood in the elevator lobby and observed several hotel staff members engaged in lively conversation, quietly discussing how many celebrities had arrived today, the purpose of the fashion event, and exchanging whispers about who looked good in person, the differences among them, and whether they were wearing height-increasing shoes or not

At this moment, she felt as if she had returned to the dimly lit corridor of her middle school, standing on the two steps, summoning her courage to say to Jian Bianlin, who was still locking his car, "Actually, I really don't like you..." All the guilt began from that day, from the moment he stared at her in silence without any rebuttal, she felt that she owed him something

Is this really him? I have known him for twenty-two years, and he has never acted this way. Words like "I cannot accept it" or "I am sorry" have never been spoken, not even when he caused such a huge disaster, nor even during his most despondent times. This person never admits defeat.

... ...

The heart is seized by something.

It seemed to align with her thoughts, as someone outside called out "Brother Bin".

"At first sight." Jian Bianlin called her name

Let me give it a try, the sound of the water flow disappeared, and I could clearly hear his breathing, which was even louder than the sound of speaking, somewhat chaotic and very oppressive, coming out from the phone in intermittent bursts, if it doesn't work, I will give up.

Jian Bianlin rarely calls her by her name, so rarely that she has forgotten when the last time was

Jian Bianlin personally opened the door for her

In the brief moment from when the door was pulled open just a crack to when it was fully ajar, her heart softened immensely

Xie Bin苦笑摇头: "However, asking for help from someone like Jian Bianlin is harder than asking him to die."

He pressed the palm of his right hand against the door, resting his forehead on the back of his hand, his tone lower than ever: "I’m sorry. I just wanted to avoid surgery and let things get worse, to make you feel guilty, to soften your heart, to have you stay with me. I know I promised you long ago, give me some time, I can adjust myself, but I’ve tried, and I really can’t do it. We’ve been together since I was five, you and my dad, I can’t accept either of you leaving me... I know I promised you long ago, give me some time, I can adjust myself, but I’ve tried, and I really can’t do it. We’ve been together since I was five, you and my dad, I can’t accept either of you leaving me..."

The snail meat is too tight, and despite numerous attempts, I cannot extract it.

Tong Fei whispered: "I express my deep sympathy, but everyone is an independent individual. It depends on fate"

At first sight, I set down the last shell.

Her heart was pounding violently, and her throat felt tight and dry. After gathering her courage several times, she finally managed to send a single word: good

She still held onto the metal handrail, the air conditioning vent hissing out warm air. Although it was clearly far away, it felt as if the warmth was turning cold, blowing in from her collar and cuffs, from every place that could let the wind in, making her feel chilly all over: "It doesn't matter, whatever you say now, I won't take it to heart."

The phone vibrated in my pocket; I took it out and it was Jian Bianlin.

In the corridor, Xie Bin was carrying clothes and nearly got his hand caught by a door that almost collided with him

Jian Bianlin sensed her tense emotions and did not dare to touch her

Last year, Jian Bianlin came to Shanghai to see her. She was in Beijing surveying the store location, so he ordered seafood takeout for her here. When she returned late at night, the shop owner, an aunt, pulled her into the store for a big meal. At that time, he said he was her brother whom she had just met, probably fearing that someone would leak the information.

Through the door, she could vaguely hear the voices of a man and a woman conversing outside, though she could not make out the words. Upon hearing that person call out, she realized that the individuals speaking outside were likely Xie Bin and Tong Fei. She turned around, intending to say, "Don't speak, come inside for a moment." With someone on the other side of the door, it would be quite awkward if the people outside overheard them

In the mobile phone, and in his WeChat chat window, the last message remains the two words "Sorry" that he sent from Hangzhou.

At the first meeting, continue to eat that pile of red snails

She is afraid of him, afraid that his emotions will be too intense, leading to another argument

I am indeed deceiving you

Xie Bin was somewhat impatient: "Isn't it strange for two men to walk the red carpet together? I'll call them later to discuss."

Walk along the Expo Park all the way to the banks of the Huangpu River, along Binjiang Avenue

Although access to this hotel is restricted without a key card, there remains a constant risk of being photographed at any time

Brother Bin

Upon first glance, Chujian withdrew his hand, realizing that Xie Bin was outside the door

He took two steps back in surprise, glanced at Tong Fei, who was following him, still with her head down, chatting on three mobile phones on WeChat, and softly asked: "Do these two have any chance at all?"

After holding it in for half a day, not a single word was spoken

... ...

After a long pause, I thought to myself...

The staff gave him a strange glance, nodded slightly, and signaled that they were ready

If it does not work

Jian Bianlin was unable to escort her back, not even able to see her out the door

The microphone was handed to Jian Bianlin, whose pen was shattered for the thirty-seventh time. He stood backstage, taking advantage of the staff helping him put on the headphones, to stuff the pile of broken pieces into the pocket of his suit pants.

She was momentarily taken aback

There is the sound of water flowing on the phone, as if in the bathroom or the washroom, and he remains silent without speaking

In the seafood restaurant that is not in operation

As he sat in the center seat of the second row, chatting casually with the male actor he had collaborated with in the upper play, he slowly disassembled a deep blue water pen he had brought along, leaving his hands filled with the pen cap, nib, ink cartridge, barrel, and end cap.

She was momentarily stunned, and in an instant, many memories flooded her mind, recalling the past, and also remembering Xie Bin seriously discussing his complicated medical condition, thinking of Jian Bianlin pressing his hand against the door and softly saying he did not want the surgery along with those apologies, ... and finally, his near-pleading words on the phone, "Let me try" ...

She was so frightened that she didn't even dare to breathe, merely staring at him blankly

... ... It doesn't matter

She leaned over and whispered, "My family member is not that ruthless. I cried for an entire night, and she sold the house to give me 2 million to start a studio. She is the typical type who responds to softness rather than toughness, okay?"

Mother often says, you young people do not understand, people from that era had much simpler thoughts

Empty snail shells were scattered haphazardly on the ginger-colored wooden table, and no one spoke, eating with great effort. She forced herself to make a decision after finishing these things.

I cannot accept it, at first sight, I am sorry

Xie Bin was once again exposed, feeling somewhat annoyed: "Stop calling, I will go right now"

Over the years, I have tried every method: rejection, avoidance, downplaying, distancing, allowing time to cool off, and further rejection, but none of it has been effective

The call was disconnected. She originally intended to call for a car, but her mind was too chaotic

This is the last one

The organizers and Xie Bin have long discussed the need for a program featuring Jianbian Lin, with plans for live streaming and promotion, including the uploading of video clips...

The stage lighting does not follow him, but rather the band and piano accompaniment, which prevents him from appearing too unnatural. He hums slowly, and only when the climax of the lyrics arrives do they become clear: "I never realized we were to part, yet my heart is still possessed by her every moment... my concern, my desire, until later."

Among the individuals attending the event tonight, many have backgrounds as singers, but those who, like him, transitioned from being a band lead singer to becoming a film actor are relatively rare. Additionally, due to the live broadcast, it is naturally the popular young stars who are easily highlighted to add to the entertainment.

Xie Bin muttered again: "Can I pay her to temporarily accompany Jian Bianlin?"

As he said, if you don't give it a try, it will be a deadlock for a lifetime

She replied: "To hold an event in Pudong"

The original song was in Mandarin, and it was the theme song for the movie. However, during the red carpet event, it was changed at the last minute to the Cantonese song "Half-Moon Serenade".

At this time, Jianbian Lin is still walking the red carpet

Directly prepared a mixed dish for her, consisting of various conchs, shells, and oysters

If it doesn't work, I will give up. His breathing became increasingly suffocating, making her feel as if she were about to suffocate as well

Two people outside wanted to come in, but she blocked their way, softly saying, "Miss, please let us through." At first, she replied, "I’m sorry," and, in a daze, stepped aside, moving two steps sideways to the front of the glass wall. She answered the call

Upon arriving at the hotel lobby, I suddenly remembered that I had left without saying a word to Tong Fei

Tong Fei pondered for a moment and replied softly: "My family truly regards your family as relatives, but this is also fundamental, as proximity fosters closeness. However, your family member is too domineering, insisting on forbidding dating, forcing meals, and demanding meetings. My family member is not a natural masochist... Perhaps if you provide him with more romantic films, it might improve the situation."

He hates kissing scenes, how can you expect me to take on romantic films? Even if I were to take on a love story between a person and a ghost, it would still require kissing scenes

In summary, there are no significant changes

There has been no change

With too much force, the toothpick unexpectedly broke into two pieces in the palm of my hand

At first sight, I held my breath and typed out a lot of words, revising and editing, making changes and deletions.

After listening for a full three minutes about how to identify chrysanthemum greens, I pretended to casually ask, "How did you marry Dad? He's so foolish. Was it just true love?" "True love? Who has true love with him? I've only met him three times, and each time he brought his nephew on our dates. I did all the talking from start to finish. Your dad only complimented me once, saying my eyes were really beautiful, like cow eyes, and he mentioned that he had been on seven blind dates, all of which failed. He said if I didn't want him, he wouldn't get married at all," Mom laughed heartily. "At that time, I thought, that's it, if I don't want him, will he commit suicide? So I gritted my teeth and agreed."

In the middle of it, I also made a phone call to my mother. When the call was connected, my mother was scolding my father for buying particularly old vegetables.

She reached for the napkin holder at the corner of the table, pulled out several sheets, and wiped each finger clean

She forgot to cover the phone, and the wind whistled sharply into the receiver, while the other side was also waiting

Jian Bianlin walked the red carpet this evening with an expression as usual, and the female stars accompanying him still could not hold onto his arm. He continued to fulfill his duties by accepting interviews, remaining as reticent as ever. Before entering the venue, he still cooperated with the media and posed for the cameras, ... still not very fond of smiling ...

After a few vague exchanges, the call was disconnected

Where is your brother? The shopkeeper aunt placed half a cup of plum wine with green plums beside her hand

... ...

The shopkeeper aunt has continued her busy work

In the hotel lobby, there were many people handling check-in procedures, and one could also see some students outside, presumably waiting for the actors and celebrities above. The glass door was pushed open, and a sudden gust of wind blew in, chilling to the bone. She supported herself against the heavy glass, pushed it open, and walked outside