The company's annual party was still in progress, entering the lottery drawing phase. People around were excitedly staring at the big screen, the venue becoming noisy, with no one noticing the exchange between Li You and Chu Yueyi.
Li You said, "Your performance this year has been impressive, and you have a chance to secure the endorsement deal. As long as you maintain your performance in the upcoming shows, the company will come up with new plans, and there will be plenty of projects next year."
Chu Yueyi responded, "No wonder they've been especially enthusiastic today."
Although Chu Yueyi generally had good relationships with her colleagues, she wasn't exactly close with the higher-ups. It seemed that her increased influence from the show had led to her getting more attention. Her past works were being seen by more and more people, thus gathering new momentum.
At that moment, the countdown for the lottery drawing on the annual party screen ended, with dazzling special effects exploding to reveal the list of winners.
Amidst the cheers, the stage lights resembled fireworks, illuminating the lively venue in a kaleidoscope of colors.
"I'm honored to continue shining with you."
Shi Guanghua's words suddenly flooded Chu Yueyi's mind, followed by memories of fireworks filling the sky. As she gazed at the colorful scene before her, she inexplicably recalled the incident at the night viewing platform.
Thinking about this, she became increasingly convinced that Li You was talking nonsense. Dong Yan and Shi Guanghua were completely different; the former was at most a sycophant, while the latter was...
What was he?
She couldn't quite figure it out at the moment, but she was certain they were different.
As the long annual party finally ended, Chu Yueyi bid farewell to her colleagues and could at last take a car home to start her holiday. She was returning to her home in the old town area, which was closer to her parents' workplace and only a few stops away from her alma mater.
The atmosphere here was more down-to-earth, without the modern high-end bustling commercial districts or the all-night entertainment venues, in stark contrast to the eastern part of the city. It was somewhat plain and ordinary, but equally full of vitality and energy, closer to the most common everyday state.
Since she arrived home so late, she tiptoed in, afraid of waking her sleeping parents.
The next day, the warm winter sunlight poured into the room, and the sounds of children playing downstairs drifted in with the wind, waking Chu Yueyi as she lay in bed. She stared at the ceiling with a dazed expression, then listened to the birds chirping outside, finally feeling the reality of being home for the holidays.
In the living room, Chu Yueyi walked out with sleepy eyes, complaining, "Mom, we can always hear the sounds from the courtyard when our windows are open."
The community where she lived alone was devoid of people wandering about, silent from morning to night, unlike here.
Zhang Han poked her head out from the kitchen: "Oh, really? I thought it would be nice to let some fresh air in this morning."
"Not everywhere can be as lifeless as the community you live in," Chu Wenyue casually closed the window. "Female celebrities just have too many things to worry about."
Chu Yueyi paid no attention to her father's words. During her vacation, she was casual and laid-back, without any celebrity pretenses, fully exposing her worst side. Outside, she was an excellent employee, but at home, she couldn't help but turn into a modern-day giant baby.
Since they weren't returning to their hometown this year, the three of them planned a simple New Year's celebration, deciding to eat dumplings at home. Chu Yueyi had woken up late and was slowly eating breakfast at the table, chatting with her parents who were making dumplings beside her.
While wrapping dumplings, Zhang Han asked curiously, "Are you filming some kind of show recently? It seems quite popular online, someone mentioned it to me."
Chu Yueyi almost choked: "Cough cough... Who mentioned it to you? Surely no one at your workplace watches such shows?"
Zhang Han's workplace had few young people, so logically, they shouldn't have infiltrated the Moonlight Study Group.
Zhang Han laughed, "A new young employee recommended the show to me. When I looked at the cover, wasn't it you? But I didn't tell them I was your mother."
Chu Yueyi felt slightly panicked, she had thought the web series wouldn't reach the older generation, not expecting the information to spread so widely.
Chu Wenyue casually said, "Oh, I know about that. I even ran into her recording at home last time."
"Recording at home?" Zhang Han looked surprised, "You rarely bring people home. I only remember you had a classmate called Bai Yiyang who came to our house when you were in school..."
Chu Yueyi froze for a moment, then lowered her head to continue eating, responding, "Ah, yes."
Zhang Han: "I used to see her often during your university days, but later she stopped coming. Are you two still in touch?"
Chu Yueyi mumbled, "We're both busy, so we've drifted apart."
Zhang Han didn't suspect anything and nodded, "That's how it is after starting work. You get so busy that friendships fade away, and you only send greetings during holidays."
Chu Yueyi: "Who has friends after starting work? They all turn into colleagues."
She had seen through this point when she entered the industry, realizing it's hard to have true friends in this circle.
Chu Wenyue said nonchalantly, "Was that person from last time also your colleague?"
Chu Yueyi was startled, hearing him mention Shi Guanghua, and responded dryly, "Yeah, what else could he be?"
Zhang Han asked suspiciously, "The one from last time?"
Chu Wenyue explained, "The kid who was recording the show with her. He's quite unfortunate this year, with his parents stuck abroad. He'll probably spend New Year's alone. I was thinking of inviting him over, at least so he wouldn't have to eat the New Year's Eve dinner by himself."
Zhang Han, not knowing whether the "kid" was male or female, readily agreed, "Then let him come!"
Chu Yueyi hurriedly criticized, "He's not miserable during the New Year at all, and he doesn't like socializing. Stop worrying unnecessarily!"
Chu Wenyue: "You speak as if you know him so well. Not everyone is as carefree and happy as you during the New Year. There are quite a few people who can't go home."
Zhang Han: "That's right, the young people from other cities at our workplace are all alone and lonely. Who knows what they'll eat for New Year's Eve dinner."
Chu Yueyi: "..."
Faced with her parents' double attack, Chu Yueyi felt like she was being portrayed as Emperor Hui of Jin, completely unaware of the hardships of the world. She didn't quite understand her parents' surprising imagination. Did they think Shi Guanghua would be watching the Spring Festival Gala and eating instant noodles in the studio, spending the holiday lonely and miserable?
Chu Wenyue and Zhang Han continued making dumplings, quickly finding a new topic of conversation, unaware that this thought lingered in Chu Yueyi's mind, refusing to leave.
On New Year's Eve, after the family of three finished their reunion dinner, they gathered in front of the TV to watch programs. They weren't particularly interested in the Spring Festival Gala, but rather enjoyed this rare moment of leisure in the year, also hearing the chattering voices of children downstairs.
Chu Yueyi chatted casually with her parents while responding to various New Year's greetings on her phone. She had originally planned to send Shi Guanghua New Year wishes at the perfect moment, but he unexpectedly sent her a WeChat message first.
Looking at her phone, she couldn't help but recall her parents' speculation and asked: [Where are you now?]
[At the studio.]
Chu Yueyi's eyebrows twitched, secretly thinking he might really be a poor soul, and continued: [Have you had your New Year's Eve dinner?]
[I'm going to eat now.]
[Eating at the studio?]
[Eating outside the studio, but still in the company.]
Chu Yueyi remembered the room full of expensive equipment and suddenly understood the meaning of his expression: "..." What's going on? He seems even more pitiful now?
Shi Guanghua, sitting on a mountain of gold and silver, yet eating New Year's Eve dinner at the company, far from the warmth of home.
In the company, Shi Guanghua left the studio with his phone and took the elevator to the leisure area for dinner. From afar, he could see Cheng preparing the hot pot.
Because many people were busy with work and unable to return home, they stayed at the company to have a group dinner, which also helped alleviate the melancholy feelings of being away from home during the festival. Everyone pushed tables together to form a long table, filled with fresh ingredients and drinks, with the steaming hot pot bubbling away.
Seeing Shi Guanghua sit down next to him, Cheng asked, "You don't have anything to do tomorrow either, want to come with us to offer incense at the temple?"
Shi Guanghua: "No."
He noticed a notification on his phone, checked the message, and added, "I have something to do."
Cheng scoffed, "What could you possibly have to do? Are you going to shut yourself in the studio to work on music on New Year's Day?"
Shi Guanghua calmly replied, "I have an appointment with someone."
Cheng: "You're bragging again."
Shi Guanghua didn't bother to explain, quietly eating his hot pot, restraining himself from letting a pleased smile appear on his face.
On New Year's Day, Chu Yueyi was fully armed at her front door. She had put on a warm down jacket and wrapped herself in a cashmere scarf, completely concealing her appearance. Just as she was about to sneak out, she heard footsteps behind her.
Chu Wenyue came out with a cup of tea. Seeing her sneaking around, he asked curiously, "Where are you going?"
Caught by her father, Chu Yueyi straightened up and said casually, "Going out to meet a friend. I won't be eating at home, I've told mom."
Chu Wenyue: "Didn't you say you only have colleagues and no friends?"
Chu Yueyi said irritably, "Don't nitpick my words. I meant that after starting work you only have colleagues, but during school, you can still make friends."
Chu Wenyue countered, "Aren't those still classmates?"
Hearing her father argue again, Chu Yueyi placated him, "Yes, yes, they're classmates."
Chu Wenyue pressed on, "What level of classmates? Middle school? High school?"
"Classmates from the Science Club," Chu Yueyi said impatiently, tilting her chin up. She began to complain loudly, drawing out her words, "Mom, he's going through menopause, he's become so nagging!"
Zhang Han heard this and came out of the room to mediate, chiding, "Can't you stop bothering her?"
Chu Wenyue said in disbelief, "How am I the one bothering her? So being a female celebrity is such a big deal?"
Chu Yueyi seized this opportunity to dash out the door, using it to block the sound of the conversation behind her.
The residential area was quiet in the early morning, with many people still asleep, giving the courtyard a desolate and lonely feel. Chu Yueyi was dressed casually today, wearing a woolen hat and using a scarf to cover her face, leaving only her eyes visible, just like an ordinary person living in the area.
During the Spring Festival, Beijing became empty, with its usually busy rhythm suddenly slowing down, and even the roads were nearly devoid of traffic. She didn't take a car, but walked to her destination to meet with Shi Guanghua.
In front of the subway station, Shi Guanghua was still wearing a dark down jacket, along with a baseball cap and mask, also only revealing his obsidian-like eyes. With no one around, he stood out as he waited alone at the entrance.
Chu Yueyi walked up to him and said in surprise, "You really came by subway?"
She had only joked yesterday about the subway being convenient, not expecting him to actually choose it as his mode of transport.
"The subway was empty," Shi Guanghua said, straightening up as she appeared. He added in a low voice, "Besides, didn't you say you always took the subway when you were in school?"
Wanting to be a good host, Chu Yueyi invited Shi Guanghua to explore the old city district, where she had grown up. The east side of Beijing was merely her work area.
Chu Yueyi said helplessly, "But that was all during high school." She was still unknown then.
Shi Guanghua said quite seriously, "Let's experience your high school life a bit."
Chu Yueyi raised an eyebrow, "My high school life was very boring. I arrived at school at 6 am, finished self-study at 9 pm, and had extra classes on Saturdays. There was hardly any rest in a week."
She also had to find time to prepare for her art exams then. Looking back, it seemed superhuman to balance both academic and artistic pursuits.
Shi Guanghua's eyes flickered, seeming thoughtful. He probed, "Then didn't you miss out on a lot of youthful experiences?"
Chu Yueyi looked confused, "What youthful experiences?"
Shi Guanghua stiffened at her words. He chose his words carefully, explaining tactfully, "You know... missing out on precious friendships and feelings during school..."
Chu Yueyi could now understand his stream of consciousness answer and asked bluntly, "You mean with guys or girls?"
"..." Shi Guanghua's mind buzzed from her words. He felt he was receiving an overwhelming amount of information and tensed up, saying hoarsely, "Both."
Shi Guanghua thought to himself: You're definitely not normal, how come there are girls too?
Chu Yueyi said openly, "I didn't miss out. Even though senior year was busy with studies, we were still classmates. Girls could chat between classes, and we'd go to get water or use the restroom together."
Although the "Heart-fluttering Promise" show didn't air the full content, Chu Yueyi still remembered the conversation between Chu Wenyue and Shi Guanghua. Shi Guanghua had always studied overseas and wasn't familiar with the domestic education system. She didn't want him to misunderstand, so she naturally spoke up for her high school experience.
Seeing her skip over the main point, Shi Guanghua glanced at her and forced himself to ask, "What about the boys?"
Chu Yueyi looked up at him, "Boys?"
Shi Guanghua didn't speak, waiting silently for her answer while awkwardly looking to the side. He felt he wasn't particularly concerned, just curious about her youthful high school years, a missing part he couldn't understand.
Chu Yueyi thought for a moment, tilting her head slightly, "At that time, I just wanted to study hard and get into a good university."
Shi Guanghua had just started to relax when he heard her next sentence.
Her eyes full of mirth, curved like crescent moons, she said cruelly and without mercy, "Boys would only slow down my score improvement."
Chu Yueyi thought to herself: With university not even decided, who has time to think about boys?
Shi Guanghua: "..." So many traits emerged during adolescence.
Seeing him silent, Chu Yueyi's tone became uncharacteristically defiant, abandoning her usual modesty and boasting proudly, "Don't look down on me just because I act now. My academic performance back then outshone previous years. Even without studying acting, I could have gotten into university."
This was the agreement she had with her family. She could plan her own future, but she had to come up with a feasible plan and bear the consequences of her choices.
Shi Guanghua watched her proudly recall her glorious past days. His gaze softened as he replied, "Mm, I'm not looking down on you."
She had always been this way; he knew that long ago.
Faced with his mellowed attitude, Chu Yueyi stopped recounting her past. Instead, she deliberately set a trap, asking, "So, high school students abroad are all in puppy love? Only in China do they study hard and strive for progress?"
Why else would he ask?
This was clearly a difference in environment, and there might be some gossip behind it.
Chu Yueyi wanted to use this opportunity to get information from him, but Shi Guanghua was tight-lipped. He simply said, "I don't know. I went to an all-boys school, and my language skills weren't good."
"..." !