On Friday evening, Zhao Ping Jin came to the film set to pick her up.

Xi Tang rushed out hurriedly. The crew inside hadn’t finished for the day, but her scenes were complete. Xi Tang was professional—normally, if there was still time, she would stay on set to rehearse with her fellow actors, but today she couldn’t. After receiving Zhao Ping Jin’s call, she had to leave early, and the director arranged for a stand-in to take her place.

Zhao Ping Jin watched her run out from the set. She had just finished work, wearing jeans and a short black down jacket, her hair hastily tied into a simple ponytail with no time to style it properly.

She was always so beautiful.

Zhao Ping Jin waited until she fastened her seatbelt before starting the car. “To repay you for the porridge, I’m taking you out for dinner.”

Xi Tang was taken aback and asked, “Who are we eating with?”

Zhao Ping Jin found her question familiar. “What’s wrong?”

Xi Tang asked softly, “Will there be anyone I don’t know?”

Zhao Ping Jin finally remembered that she had asked this several times before when going out to eat. Huang Xi Tang was never coy before—when had she started asking such questions?

Zhao Ping Jin said, “Who cares who’s there? You’ve never liked my buddies anyway. Just sit down and eat your food, don’t worry about anyone.”

Xi Tang said gently, “Ni Kai Lun told me not to attend unreliable dinner gatherings.”

Zhao Ping Jin sneered, “So we’re not good enough to eat with you now?”

Xi Tang didn’t respond.

When they got out of the car, they still weren’t speaking. Zhao Ping Jin stopped and waited for her, then took her hand.

Xi Tang felt her hand warmly enveloped in his palm, her heart pounding against her chest, beating rapidly. She felt a bit at a loss.

Zhao Ping Jin, however, acted as if this was perfectly natural, looking straight ahead and walking in with large strides while holding her hand.

The two entered the hotel’s private room where Fang Lang Jie and Ou Yang Qing Qing were already waiting. Seeing them enter, they said, “Hey, Zhou Zi, Xi Tang, you’re here.”

Qing Qing winked at Fang Lang Jie. Since their return to Beijing, this was the first time they had seen Zhao Ping Jin holding her hand.

Pretending not to notice their eye signals, Zhao Ping Jin held her hand as they entered, only letting go when they sat on the sofa.

Qing Qing pulled Xi Tang over to chat and looked at her face. “You’ve been staying up too late. Let’s order some fish maw and ginseng chicken soup to replenish your energy.”

Fang Lang Jie sat on the sofa with Zhao Ping Jin, drinking tea.

Just then, Lu Xiao Jiang opened the door and walked in, his shy face bearing a smile. “I’m not late, am I?”

Fang Lang Jie laughed and said, “You’re not the last one today, kid. Old Gao isn’t here yet.”

Zhao Ping Jin frowned as soon as he saw him. “Why are you here so early? Isn’t that broken bank of yours working overtime today?”

Lu Xiao Jiang good-naturedly smiled and apologized, “No, no.”

After waiting for a long time, Gao Ji Yi finally arrived. “Sorry I’m late, guys. I was picking up a girl.”

A young woman peeked out from behind Gao Ji Yi, smiling. “Hi, everyone.”

Gao Ji Yi led her in. “Little Tao, sit wherever you like.”

As soon as the young woman entered, she froze in place. “Teacher… Teacher Huang?”

Xi Tang was also startled for a second.

The young woman suddenly became excited. “I was filming with you just this morning at Changqing Opera House. I’m from the Opera Academy.”

Xi Tang understood. In such a large production with so many actors, she couldn’t possibly remember everyone. She stood up politely and said, “Hello, I was in a rush this morning. I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

The young woman quickly answered, “My name is Tao Ran Ran.”

Qing Qing found this amusing and said to Zhao Ping Jin, who was sitting beside Xi Tang, “Xi Tang’s fame is growing. Zhou Zhou, you might not be good enough for her soon.”

Zhao Ping Jin, thick-skinned as ever, casually replied, “That’s right. I’d be happy for her to support me.”

Tao Ran Ran said to Xi Tang, “I can’t believe I ran into you here! I watched your scene this morning. You were so good! I cried! All my classmates say you immerse yourself in your roles!”

Xi Tang was a bit embarrassed and could only smile and thank her.

Seeing that she was struggling to handle the enthusiasm, Zhao Ping Jin glanced at Gao Ji Yi. “Are we going to eat or what?”

Gao Ji Yi, who had been stunned by how highly the younger generation regarded Huang Xi Tang, now came to his senses. “So everyone’s already friends. Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

Tao Ran Ran sat next to Gao Ji Yi, suppressing her excitement but constantly stealing glances at Xi Tang from the corner of her eye.

Xi Tang pretended not to notice and lowered her head to drink her soup.

Tao Ran Ran, with little interest in eating, mustered her courage and asked, “Teacher Huang, can I take a photo with you?”

Xi Tang said, “Of course. Please just call me Xi Tang.”

Tao Ran Ran immediately replied, “Okay, Sister Xi Tang. Can we do it now?”

Xi Tang had no choice but to stand up.

Tao Ran Ran pulled Gao Ji Yi over to take their picture. The young woman tried several poses, and by the time they finished and sat back down, Xi Tang’s soup had gone cold.

Zhao Ping Jin was chatting with Fang Lang Jie, seemingly not paying any attention to her, yet his hand passed her a new bowl of hot soup.

Xi Tang continued eating with her head down.

Tao Ran Ran gave them a curious glance.

While eating and listening to everyone’s conversation, Tao Ran Ran suddenly whispered something in Gao Ji Yi’s ear.

Gao Ji Yi whispered back.

Tao Ran Ran smiled and said to Xi Tang, “Sister Xi Tang, Gao Ge says you’re Brother Zhou Zhou’s girlfriend?”

Xi Tang hesitated for a few seconds, then cautiously shook her head.

Zhao Ping Jin looked up, his gaze cold, and glanced at Gao Ji Yi.

Gao Ji Yi naturally received his warning but calmly spoke about something unrelated: “No manners. You’re calling him ‘Brother Zhou Zhou’ too?”

Tao Ran Ran stuck out her tongue, her face innocent and smiling. “Am I not allowed to call you that? Sorry, Brother Zhao, why are you called Zhou Zhou?”

Zhao Ping Jin kept a cold face and ignored her.

Xi Tang quietly moved her position toward Qing Qing’s side, ten inches away from him.

The young woman turned to ask Xi Tang, “Sister Xi Tang, do you know why he’s called Zhou Zhou?”

Xi Tang thought for a moment and again cautiously shook her head.

Zhao Ping Jin glanced at her, his eyes reproachful.

Halfway through the meal, Tao Ran Ran went to the restroom. Zhao Ping Jin, unable to contain himself anymore, said to Gao Ji Yi, “Tell her to leave.”

Gao Ji Yi looked at him. “She’s just a young girl. Why are you making such a big deal about it?”

Zhao Ping Jin complained, “We’re having a meal among friends. Why did you bring an outsider?”

Gao Ji Yi didn’t like hearing this. He glanced obliquely across the table, his tone disdainful: “What’s wrong? You’re allowed to have your fun, but I can’t bring a honey to dinner? Besides, except for Qing Qing, who here isn’t an outsider? That’s still debatable!”

Suddenly, there was silence at the table.

Fang Lang Jie secretly drew in a sharp breath.

Zhao Ping Jin’s face instantly darkened, anger pressing between his brows, his words now filled with extreme displeasure: “Old Gao, what are you implying?”

Qing Qing quietly reached out and held Xi Tang’s hand. Her hand was steady, just a bit cold.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Fang Lang Jie quickly signaled to Gao Ji Yi: “Enough, Old Gao, stop talking.”

But Gao Ji Yi didn’t take it seriously: “Lang Jie, don’t glare at me. Tell me, am I wrong in what I’m saying?”

Zhao Ping Jin stopped speaking, his hand pressed on the table as he slammed down his chopsticks with a loud “pah.”

Fang Lang Jie quickly reached out to restrain him: “Zhou Zhou, calm down!”

Lu Xiao Jiang stood up and positioned himself between them, defending Zhao Ping Jin: “Brother Gao Zi, don’t say that. It’s too hurtful.”

Just then, Qing Qing hushed everyone: “That’s enough.”

Tao Ran Ran had returned with fresh makeup.

Zhao Ping Jin, with a black face, said nothing more. He directly got up and went out for a cigarette. After calming down for a while, he returned. The private room had finally returned to peace. Xi Tang was chatting with Qing Qing, and Fang Lang Jie was asking Lu Xiao Jiang about investment matters.

Zhao Ping Jin stood behind Xi Tang, looked around the room, and not seeing Gao Ji Yi, asked, “He left?”

Fang Lang Jie said, “Old Gao took her home.”

Zhao Ping Jin picked up a hot towel from the table to wipe his hands, doing so methodically. As he wiped, he suddenly flung the towel violently. The thick, wet towel slammed onto the table with a loud bang, knocking over several wine glasses. Red wine spilled across the table, and glasses along with bowls and chopsticks shattered, clattering on the tabletop.

The sound startled those chatting on the sofa.

Fang Lang Jie glanced over and smiled at Lu Xiao Jiang: “Well, I knew he needed to vent that anger.”

Zhao Ping Jin bent down and took Xi Tang’s hand: “Let’s go home.”

Meanwhile, Fang Lang Jie quickly pulled Qing Qing: “We’re leaving too. Hey, Xiao Jiang, get someone to sign the bill.”

Lu Xiao Jiang replied, “Sure.”

Gao Ji Yi had just returned to the private room after sending Tao Ran Ran away, just in time to see everyone putting on their coats. “Leaving already? I should have just gone with the young lady.”