Six years later.
–_–
“Ruan Yu? Ruan Yu?”
The groom stood beside Ruan Yu, lowering his voice as he called her name twice.
Ruan Yu remained lost in thought, standing beneath the flower wall adorned with pink gauze and white magnolias, staring blankly at the banquet hall’s open doors.
The guests inside hesitantly turned their heads, following her gaze toward the entrance, but the doorway was empty except for a sign-in table.
“Ruan Yu?” the groom called again.
As if she hadn’t heard, Ruan Yu suddenly lifted her skirt and jumped down from the stage, running frantically along the flower path toward the entrance like one possessed. She wore a red dress today, a deep, heavy red like the rouge ancient women used for makeup – flattering, understated, and fitting for the occasion.
The guests erupted in exclamations.
The wedding was nearly over – why had the host run away?
When Ruan Yu reached the entrance, her assistant Xiu Xiu intercepted her.
“Sister Ruan, what’s wrong?”
Xiu Xiu’s hand was cool, her five fingers touching Ruan Yu’s bare arm made her startle and suddenly snap back to reality.
“Sister Ruan, are you alright?” Xiu Xiu stared at Ruan Yu’s reddened eyes.
Ruan Yu shook her head, giving Xiu Xiu a reassuring look before putting on a smile and turning back with a swish of her dress.
“I apologize, everyone, please forgive this single person’s inappropriate behavior after being overwhelmed by all this romance,” she said into the microphone, trying to smooth things over naturally. “I wonder how all the guests are feeling – I’m nearly moved to tears myself, so I wanted to step back a bit for our final segment. Yes! Now! The groom may finally kiss the bride!”
Waves of applause and laughter rippled through the crowd below.
No one minded Ruan Yu’s strange behavior or her awkward attempt to cover it up. On such a joyous day, these tiny details were insignificant.
On stage, the groom lifted the bride’s veil, wrapped his arm around her waist, and lowered his head to kiss her lips…
Ruan Yu turned away, gazing down the bright, spacious corridor and feeling a faint trace of sadness amid the sweet atmosphere.
After the ceremony came the evening banquet.
During the ten-minute break in between, Ruan Yu was pulled into the break room by Teacher Tian for quite a “lecture.”
“Great Host Ruan, tell me – you can handle TG TV’s most challenging live broadcasts for a whole year without a single mishap, but you can’t manage my wedding? Do you think my journey to marriage hasn’t been complicated enough? Are you deliberately trying to cause trouble?”
Yes, today’s groom was Teacher Tian.
Teacher Tian was thirty-eight this year, a typical example of late marriage. His family had pressured him year after year until he was nearly driven to renounce worldly affairs in frustration. Fortunately, at last year’s campus mixer, he met the bride, also a teacher, who was one year his senior. The two experienced a whirlwind romance, quickly falling in love, and then registering their marriage without delay.
When they first began planning the wedding, Tian proposed having Ruan Yu as the host. She agreed without hesitation. Although Ruan Yu was currently at the peak of her career with a packed schedule of work and appointments, for her, nothing was more important than past kindnesses. She had never forgotten Teacher Tian’s care and concern during her most difficult years in university.
One must never forget their roots or fail to show gratitude.
“I was wrong, I was wrong. I just got distracted for a moment.”
“Distracted? That wasn’t just getting distracted – you looked like your soul had been snatched away. Tell me, what exactly did you see?”
Ruan Yu pressed her lips together.
In her mind flashed again that figure outside the banquet hall doors – black suit, white shirt, tall and distinguished, more steady than in her memories, but also colder.
“I think… it was Teng Yi.”
–_–
Teacher Tian loosened the tie around his neck that had been bothering him all day. He’d been enduring it since it was his wedding day – after all, a groom should maintain proper decorum. But hearing Ruan Yu’s words now, he couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Teng Yi?”
It had been so long since he’d spoken this name that the words felt foreign on his tongue, yet the emotions they stirred were familiar.
“Mm.”
“Isn’t he abroad? Has he returned?”
Ruan Yu shook her head.
She didn’t know.
All these years, she’d had no news of Teng Yi. After his initial move to Los Angeles, she knew nothing of where he’d gone, nor did anyone else.
Teng Yi had cut off contact with everyone completely and thoroughly. If not for the memories that gradually scattered with the passing months and years, she might have doubted whether he had ever truly existed in her life.
“You must have seen wrong. Someone who’s been gone without a trace for six years, how could they suddenly appear here…”
“Brother,” Teacher Tian’s cousin interrupted from outside, “Brother, come quickly, someone just delivered this.”
Ruan Yu and Teacher Tian both turned to see his cousin holding a square red gift box tied with ribbon, still unopened.
“What is it?” Teacher Tian asked while pulling apart the ribbon on the box.
When the gift box opened, the fragrance of lilies wafted out.
Pure white flowers, convey the gift-giver’s wishes for “a hundred years of good marriage.”
Beneath the flowers lay a pair of Breguet couple watches and an exceptionally thick red envelope.
“Wow! Breguet!” Teacher Tian’s cousin excitedly picked up the watch box and carefully opened it.
Along with the couple watches was a pair of cufflinks and a matching necklace pendant, all in rose gold, with unique and elegant details that carried the brand’s inherent noble quality – just like the men’s watch Teng Yi used to wear years ago.
“Such an extravagant gift?” Teacher Tian frowned. “Who sent it?”
“It’s him!” Ruan Yu’s gaze fixed straight on the pair of watches, her tone strangely certain. “It’s him!”
“Who?”
Ruan Yu didn’t answer, instead gripping his cousin’s arm and asking in a daze: “Did you see the person? Were they wearing a black suit?”
The cousin was startled by Ruan Yu’s manner and nodded numbly.
“Where are they? Are they still outside?”
“Just left.”
“Left?”
Ruan Yu instinctively turned to chase after them but was grabbed by Teacher Tian.
“Where are you going?”
“It’s Teng Yi! I wasn’t wrong! Teng Yi has returned! I need to find him!”
“What about the evening banquet? If you leave, who will host?”
“I’ll get someone to cover!” Her hands trembled as she unlocked her phone, searching through her contacts for her assistant’s number. “I’ll get someone right away!”
“Ruan Yu!” Teacher Tian snatched her phone. “How can you be so sure it’s Teng Yi? There are plenty of men in black suits at this hotel…”
“Wait! Wait! Wait!” Teacher Tian’s cousin waved her hands. “Hold on! It wasn’t a man in a black suit, it was a woman in a black suit.”
“A woman?”
“Yes, these things were delivered by a woman wearing a black suit, with exceptional bearing. I was even wondering if she’d made a mistake since there was another wedding in the upstairs banquet hall. I’ll go check again later.”
Ruan Yu felt as if she’d been doused with cold water. That intense feeling from moments ago withered instantly.
“Ruan Ruan.” Teacher Tian patted her shoulder, concerned. “Are you alright?”
Ruan Yu pressed her hands against her temples and lowered her head: “I’m fine.”
“You must be exhausted today, and the surroundings triggered memories, that’s why you had this illusion.”
Ruan Yu curved her lips in a forced smile.
Yes, throughout these six years, day and night, every “him” she thought she saw had been nothing but an illusion.
She’d grown used to it – remembering again and again, only to be disappointed again and again.
–_–
After the evening banquet, Ruan Yu bid farewell to Teacher Tian and his wife and returned to her residence.
She now lived in Duo Garden, in a townhouse she’d rented just half a month ago. She hadn’t yet found that feeling of home, sometimes even walking into the wrong kitchen when in a hurry.
After showering, Ruan Yu lay in bed, quietly staring at the chandelier on the ceiling.
She tried not to think of anything, but that black figure lingered in her mind, disturbing her thoughts.
Her phone on the bedside table vibrated once – it was her assistant Xiu Xiu sending tomorrow’s schedule. Ruan Yu glanced at it, seeing it looked similar to usual, and didn’t read carefully. Then she took two melatonin pills and went straight to sleep.
That night’s sleep was restless, with confused dreams following one after another, yet surprisingly, the person who should have appeared in her dreams didn’t show up.
The next day, Ruan Yu got up early to prepare for work.
TG Radio and Television Group’s headquarters was located in the Ludong District of Liao City, not far from where Ruan Yu lived, about a fifteen-minute drive. She was now TG Broadcasting’s premier host, with two regular programs besides some major evening shows: “TG News Live” and a literary travel variety show themed around poetry called “Poetry and Distance.” “Poetry and Distance” focused on exploring scenic spots hidden in poetry, so each recording required outdoor filming, which was very draining. Fortunately, it was a weekly program, allowing time for adjustment and recharging.
Ruan Yu walked into her office to find assistant Xiu Xiu sprawled in a chair, arms raised high, staring at her wristwatch with a look of despair.
“What are you doing?” Ruan Yu asked.
Hearing her voice, Xiu Xiu jumped up with a “whoosh”: “Sister Ruan, you’re finally here!”
“Am I late?”
“No, you’re not late, but the Deputy Station Director has been waiting for you for ten minutes!”
“This early?”
“Yes, I marked it in the schedule I sent you yesterday! I was worried you wouldn’t see it.”
“Sorry. I was too tired last night and didn’t read carefully.”
“It’s fine, just hurry upstairs. Seems like there’s something urgent – if you delay any longer, the Deputy Director might explode again.”
“Alright.”
Ruan Yu quickly dropped her bag in the office, grabbed her notebook, and ran to the Deputy Director’s office.
TG’s Deputy Station Director was named Huang Ge, with mediocre professional abilities but an outstanding temper. People nicknamed him “Bomb Huang” – he’d explode at the slightest provocation, and once he exploded, everything would go wrong.
Just as Ruan Yu reached the Deputy Director’s office door, she heard complaints from inside, half whining and half annoyed.
“What TG Queen! More like TG Tyrant! Always eyeing others’ resources while eating from her bowl! As a senior, she has no senior’s dignity, just knows how to snatch resources from juniors! This program was meant to be taken over by me! You won’t even speak up for me, just watching others bully me…” The speaker was Shan Anxin.
Shan Anxin was a newcomer who joined the station last year, Deputy Director Huang Ge’s niece. Unlike Ruan Yu who started at TG doing odd jobs, she got her program “Hello, Anxin” right away. “Hello, Anxin” was a show focusing on modern psychological issues, combining watchability with practicality. It should have been an infinitely promising program, but Shan Anxin’s overly self-centered personality couldn’t support such a show full of human care. When guests cried on camera, she’d become flustered, unable to empathize, unable to see things from their perspective, and didn’t know how to comfort them, often making the atmosphere awkwardly suffocating. Thus, after one week of broadcast, the show was forcefully canceled amid criticism.
Later, when the station planned “Poetry and Distance,” Shan Anxin was initially chosen as the host, but after recording just one episode, the directing team requested a change. Shan Anxin had been spoiled since childhood and complained endlessly during outdoor filming, either about the heat or the dry climate. The entire crew had to attend to her constantly, leaving no time for actual recording progress… Finally, with no other option, they brought in Ruan Yu to save the situation.
This rescue was well-intentioned, but Shan Anxin felt that Ruan Yu had secretly stolen her show and resources. Since then, she’d held a grudge against Ruan Yu, calling her “Sister Ruan” politely to her face while criticizing her for suppressing juniors behind her back.
Ruan Yu didn’t mind – her colleagues at the station all knew her character. No matter how much Shan Anxin tried to smear her, no one would believe it; it only made Shan Anxin look artificial, ridiculous, and petty.
“Knock knock knock.” Ruan Yu raised her hand to knock.
The complaining inside stopped.
“Come in,” Huang Ge responded.
Ruan Yu pushed open the door and entered the office.
“Sorry Deputy Director, I’m late.” She apologized upon entering.
Unusually, Huang Ge didn’t explode. He waved Ruan Yu over, gesturing for her to sit on the sofa.
Shan Anxin glanced at Ruan Yu, her eyes red as if she’d suffered some great injustice. She didn’t even bother with her usual politeness, simply stood up, bumped Ruan Yu’s arm, and left.
“What a dog’s temper!” Huang Ge glared at Shan Anxin’s graceful retreating figure.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” Ruan Yu smiled magnanimously and sat on the sofa. “Deputy Director, why did you want to see me so early? Is something wrong?”
“Yes, there’s something else we need your help with.” Huang Ge picked up a stack of documents from his desk and walked over to Ruan Yu. “Have you heard about Ying Wen’s situation?”
Ruan Yu nodded.
Ying Wen was another female host at the station. A few days ago, she had fainted from exhaustion in the broadcast room. When sent to the hospital, they discovered she was pregnant and had miscarried. Ying Wen’s husband was furious that she had hidden her pregnancy for work’s sake, and they nearly started divorce proceedings at the hospital… Society was just this cruel to career women – advance and lose your job, retreat and lose your family, both paths led to precipices. After the miscarriage, Ying Wen wanted to push through and return to recording shows, but her family stopped her. Now, her family had requested half a month of sick leave for her, and her interview show “They Say” was forced to suspend recording.
“Xiao Ruan, the station has decided to have you temporarily replace Ying Wen as the host of ‘They Say,'” Huang Ge said.
“Me?” Ruan Yu was puzzled. “Didn’t they announce the day before yesterday that Anxin would replace Sister Ying?”
“That was the original arrangement, but now there’s a situation.”
“What situation?”
“The next interview guest specifically requested you as the host.”