Chapter 56: When We Talk About Loyalty (4)

After dark, an older woman carrying a thermal box walked into the internet café to sell boxed meals.

Past six o'clock, Zuo You grew much quieter.

She pulled up several news articles on her browser and showed them to Xia An.

This actress had cheated on her partner; that actor and this actress had become on-set spouses.

So-and-so... and so on.

Xia An chuckled dryly after reading them.

He passionately and enthusiastically helped Zuo You envision and plan her future career path.

Dance competitions, singing contests, and even shooting commercials to debut—essentially, all of these made one an idol.

"Take the Super Boys and Super Girls that have become so popular over the past two years, for instance; they are actually all considered idols."

Zuo You held his hand, resting her chin on the computer desk as she listened with a smile.

Xia An explained that such idols were relatively low in the entertainment hierarchy, with variety show regulars ranking a notch above them.

The golden era of variety shows had not yet arrived, and currently, Happy Camp stood alone in a league of its own, accessible only to rising stars and major celebrities.

Zuo You wouldn't be able to get on it just yet.

Xia An asked, "Do you want to pursue acting or singing?"

Zuo You smiled, shook her head slightly, looked at him, and remained silent.

Xia An said singing was relatively effortless, whereas being an actor was very tiring.

For instance, body shaping and posture control—something little Youyou had experience with since childhood.

Because she was tall, she frequently had to manage her weight to match her dance partners.

Even her professional expertise in reducing facial swelling was no less than that of professional actors.

"You studied dance, and you've been used to hard work and endurance since you were a child, which gives you an advantage in entering the entertainment industry.

"Film and television agencies naturally prefer to sign and nurture artists with a dance background."

"Mmm."

Little Youyou emitted a soft sound, still gazing at him with a faint smile.

Xia An said, "If you choose the acting route, film stars hold the highest status, followed by television drama stars."

Web dramas hadn't surged in popularity yet in this day and age, so they weren't worth mentioning.

"But the easiest path is still commercial endorsements. With your image right here, paired with exceptional singing and dancing skills, you're bound to hit it big no matter what—except for perhaps having to practice your acting a bit. Trust me, you will definitely make it big."

He began to meticulously list the hierarchy of commercial endorsements.

Watches and luxury goods actually weren't nearly as prestigious as automobiles.

The world's top commercial stars invariably endorsed luxury car brands.

"How do you know so much?"

Zuo You rested her head on the back of her hands, leaning on the desk, and finally spoke.

Xia An let out a chuckle and said that since he had liked her for so long, he had naturally researched her biggest dream thoroughly.

Zuo You straightened up, leaned forward, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

She whispered in his ear, "Is there really nothing else you want to say?"

Xia An pressed his cheek against hers and shook his head.

Zuo You asked, "No insecure little boy act?"

Xia An nodded.

Zuo You said, "I'll take good care of myself."

With that, she raised her head, looking directly at him until the tips of their noses were almost touching.

Zuo You kissed Xia An on the cheek.

Xia An kissed her on the lips and said, "I'll take good care of you."

Though the current Zuo You could not fully comprehend the weight of those words, she still nodded resolutely.

Xia An didn't want to, wouldn't, and couldn't possibly beg Zuo You by saying: Don't become a star, stay quietly at school, you need to trust me, I'll earn money to support you.

That would merely be the chauvinistic behavior of an immature little boy.

In this lifetime, he wanted little Youyou to live a life of peace of mind, following her heart, and remaining happy.

He had to allow others to simply be themselves.

***

Time was up.

Le Ning boarded the train.

Zhou Ting had contacted the train attendant in advance to store her daughter's three precious musical instruments in the conductor's small compartment before returning to the soft sleeper cabin.

Watching her daughter blankly resting her chin on her hand as she stared out at the pitch-black night view beyond the window, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Le Ning cradled her own face and told her mother, "I'm thinking about the sea breeze at school tomorrow."

Zhou Ting couldn't understand her at all, wearing an expression of puzzlement and confusion.

Le Ning said, "It feels like everything can begin anew."

As the train carrying Le Ning rolled out of Shanghai, Xia An accompanied Zuo You into the station's waiting hall.

It was the start of the school term, and there were vast numbers of students and parents heading inland.

When little Youyou had returned from Beijing, she had booked a round-trip sleeper ticket in advance; otherwise, trying to buy one on the spot would have been impossible.

Amidst the dense crowd, Xia An pulled her tightly against his side.

The train was on schedule.
The broadcasting system announced ticket inspection.

Xia An spent two yuan to buy a platform ticket so he could accompany Zuo You all the way to the train.

A gentle evening breeze drifted by, and the floodlights on the platform resembled a football field, casting that same silvery, eerie glow.

In the end, Zuo You didn't let Xia An squeeze onto the train with her.

She took her canvas bag, slung it over her shoulder, walked a few steps with the crowd, and then turned right back around.

Xia An wrapped his arm around her waist while she put her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe.

Amidst the surging crowd and the blaring whistle of the locomotive, they kissed each other.

Then Zuo You walked away again, only to run back once more.

She said, "You didn't use your tongue just now, so that doesn't count. Let's kiss again."

As a passing train approached from the distance, little Youyou, left dazed by the kiss, instinctively bent one leg backward.

Her hair fluttered in the wind, and the diamond on her wrist shone as brilliantly as the brightest star in the sky.

In the distance, a provincial newspaper reporter who had come specifically to shoot a feature on students returning to school keenly captured this picturesque moment.

He quickly adjusted his lens, freezing the scene in time.

A young couple separated by distance, reluctant to part.

Could youthful romance withstand the stretching of distance?

He had practically already thought of the headline and the content.

He glanced at the camera's small screen.
Perfect.
He zoomed in—goodness, this girl was remarkably pretty.

Well, this boy was headed straight for tragedy; it was only a matter of time.

***

The train carrying little Youyou pulled away.

Le Ning sent a text message: [See you tomorrow]

Zuo You sent a text message:
[Little brat.]
[The world is vast, and Beijing is vast.]
[There are towering skyscrapers there, and the night view is breathtaking.]
[I even sat alone on the pedestrian overpass in Xidan several times, lost in a daze.]
[Watching the department store billboards, watching the bustling traffic beneath my feet.]
[Mom says it's no wonder everyone across the country loves that place—it's too prosperous, with countless opportunities everywhere.]
[Yet I always felt that city was chaotic and overwhelmingly noisy.]
[From the very day I went to Beijing, I knew I would never belong to a big city.]
[Don't be afraid; your big sister will work hard to save up for your bride price and my own dowry.]
[And then I'll come back.]

Lin Jiajia sent a text message: [I'm at the parking lot. Haven't finished seeing people off yet?]

Xia An replied: [???]

***

Finding Lin Jiajia's car, Xia An climbed into the passenger seat.

It was only then that Xia An learned Lin Jiajia had also come to see someone off and had just witnessed him and Zuo You.

Pulling out of the parking lot, Lin Jiajia glanced at Xia An with a suppressed smile.

"Has your Youyou girl gone?"

Xia An nodded, rolled his eyes playfully, and smiled, "What Youyou girl? Isn't she your little sister?"

Lin Jiajia let out a hiss and raised a hand, making a motion to strike him.

Since the remark stopped right there and Lin Jiajia didn't bite, Xia An couldn't continue the teasing.

"The first tranche of fifty thousand yuan has been disbursed."

While waiting at a traffic light, Lin Jiajia brought up a new topic.

She meant that the joint account for "Universal Love Technology"—established by her and Xia An—alongside the two hospitals now held fifty thousand yuan in special government funds.

Xia An simply said, "Not bad."

Lin Jiajia said, "The money will be transferred to that patient tomorrow."

Xia An gave her a thumbs-up and praised her as "magnanimously benevolent."

Lin Jiajia said, "Fifty thousand isn't enough. I'm thinking of donating five thousand of my own."

Xia An frowned and asked, "Have you already done that, or are you just planning to?"

"Planning to," Lin Jiajia replied.

Xia An thought for a moment and said, "I understand you have a good heart, but as one of the project directors, I advise you not to do that."

The traffic light turned green, and Lin Jiajia asked, "Why?"

Xia An said, "Trust me, the moment a precedent like that is set, this project is effectively over. If you want to help more people, don't make private donations behind the scenes."

Sister Lin understood just a tiny bit.

Xia An looked at her and said, "Give it some time—not too long—and I'll help you figure out a way to connect this with a public fundraising foundation."

Public... graveyard? Chicken essence?

Lin Jiajia pressed her lips together and stopped asking.

She still chose to trust Xia An.

When they arrived downstairs at his building, Xia An thought Lin Jiajia would drive straight away, but unexpectedly, she got out of the car as well.

Retrieving a small bag from the trunk, Lin Jiajia said she was going upstairs with him.

"I'm delivering money to your dad," she said.

Xia An chuckled and shook his head.

In the pitch-black stairwell, Lin Jiajia suddenly gave a start and clamped a hand tightly over her mouth.

Looking back, she saw Xia An wearing a cheeky grin as he raised two fingers and gave them a little wiggle.

She whispered, "Don't push your luck, or I'll go tell your parents!"

Yet Xia An retorted, "What do you mean my parents? Aren't they your..."

Lin Jiajia immediately put on an expression that clearly said: *If you dare finish that sentence, I will kick you down these stairs.*