Ding Xiao’e’s visit made Wen Tingli realize just how heavy the company’s affairs had grown lately—with her absent, Sister Huang must have been worked to exhaustion.

Fortunately, she herself was fine, and after resting well for days on end, she resumed work as soon as she said she would. As soon as she was back, she threw herself vigorously into filming Twin Pearls, while at the same time busily helping plan Yu Peiling’s new film shoot.

It took only a month and a half to finish the remaining studio scenes of Twin Pearls. Meanwhile, Xiufeng Films’ new film tailor-made for Yu Peiling, Garden of Paradise, officially announced it had begun filming.

For this, Xiufeng held a grand opening ceremony, and that day many dignitaries and beauties came, along with reporters from major newspapers, shareholders, and fans, all coming to offer congratulations.

Among the shareholders, the happiest was undoubtedly Gao Xiaowen—she was Wen Tingli’s close friend, and also a devoted fan of Yu Peiling. In the past, whenever these two women’s film schedules clashed, Gao Xiaowen often agonized over which premiere to attend. Now that both her beloved actresses were at the same company, how could she not be happy? That night she drank several cocktails and laughed drunkenly nonstop; in the end it was Huang Yuanshan who drove her home.

Although the studio scenes for Twin Pearls were finished, the location shooting hadn’t concluded. The original plan was to go to Shaobai Ridge’s ancient trail in Ningbo and other locations to film scenery, but considering the approaching new year and the bitter cold there, they decided to wait until after the Lantern Festival to set out.

On the day of Laba Festival, the weather was strangely cold. The fireplace in the parlor was lit early. After breakfast, Wen Tingli sat on the floor in front of the fireplace making phone calls, a large pile of gift boxes beside her legs. The pile on the left was the holiday gifts she, as Xiufeng’s boss, had prepared for friends across society, about to be mailed out.

The other pile was gifts others had sent her, which she hadn’t yet had time to unwrap and look at one by one.

“I’m resting at home today…” Wen Tingli spoke softly into the phone, sprawled at the edge of the sofa like a lazy cat. “And you? What did you have for breakfast? Huh, I think I heard Gao Tingxin’s voice—is he here about that amusement park project again?… You left something behind last night? Let me look, what does the box look like, do you need it urgently? I’ll find it in a moment and have old Li send it right over.”

Listening to what he said, Wen Tingli suddenly burst out laughing.

“Mr. Lu putting on such big airs… alright, it’s not that I can’t deliver it to you personally, but you have to wait for me alone in your office, and also, like last time, have all the food and drinks ready beforehand… wait, I think I found it, is it a square box, so heavy, it was under the coffee table.”

Lu Shicheng said from the other end: “Help me open it and see if it’s damaged—the board is waiting to use it.”

Confused, Wen Tingli set the receiver aside and carefully unwrapped the box. Her eyes suddenly lit up—inside was a dazzling ladies’ diamond-studded watch.

That brilliant light was like a swimming silver serpent, gliding straight into her heart.

She held her breath as she lifted the watch off its base, her gaze tracing over it carefully. Through the transparent case back, she could clearly see the complex gears rotating inside the movement. Along the edge of the case was engraved a line of letters starting with “P”—apparently the same brand as the Swiss watch Lu Shicheng usually wore, with a unique and elegant design.

She heard him say from the other end: “Do you like it? Happy New Year.”

Her heart was already soaked in soft cream: “You’re really…”

Long after hanging up, she still smiled and stared blankly at the watch. It must have been custom-made just for her, since she’d never seen anyone else wear a style quite like this.

She tried putting it on her wrist, and it fit perfectly.

Zhou Sao came in and, seeing Wen Tingli smiling and staring off into space, asked casually: “Will Mr. Lu be coming for lunch?”

Wen Tingli jumped up: “He’s not coming, and I won’t be eating at home either. Don’t save us any food, I have to go out.”

Compared to the New Year’s gift he’d sent her, she felt her own prepared gift wasn’t distinctive enough. She couldn’t wait to go browse the jewelry shops when the phone rang—it was Dong Qinfang calling: “Come to my place quickly, Gao Xiaowen is in very bad shape!”

Wen Tingli rushed anxiously to Dong Qinfang’s house. Going upstairs, Dong Qinfang’s bedroom door was open; looking inside, she saw Gao Xiaowen lying on the daybed under the window, several large suitcases at her feet.

Yan Zhenzhen and Zhao Qingluo were there too. The two of them came out to say: “We noticed something was wrong with her a few days ago—whenever she attends a banquet, she won’t stop drinking until she’s dead drunk. Today, in such cold weather, she inexplicably brought a whole pile of luggage to find Sister Qinfang. When asked, she only said she wanted to leave home.”

Wen Tingli rushed to the daybed in two or three steps and touched Gao Xiaowen’s forehead—thankfully, no fever, just reeking of alcohol. Gao Xiaowen kept her eyes tightly shut, silently weeping toward the inside of the sofa.

“What happened? Say something, do you want to worry us to death?”

Gao Xiaowen fiercely wiped away her tears and jumped up from the sofa: “We’re both members of the Gao family—him, Gao Tingxin, gets whatever he wants, but me, I just invested in a movie and my father calls me a wastrel, saying over and over he’ll take back all my shares! Why should that be? Just because Gao Tingxin has the surname Gao, don’t I have the surname Gao too?”

While crying and shouting, she batted away Zhao Qingluo’s hand reaching toward her: “These past two years, how many deals has he, Gao Tingxin, lost money on? Opening a department store, he couldn’t beat Sister Qinfang. Opening a restaurant, business didn’t even come close to one-tenth of Jindong Restaurant’s. Buying land to build an amusement park, he got badly cheated by the Bailong Gang. Seeing Lu Shicheng invest in films and make a fortune, he had to join in and cooperate with Huangjin too, and their two new films couldn’t beat your Spring Wind Blows Again—lost a total mess. He’s made such a mess of things and my father still dotes on him without limit, but with me, no matter what I say or do, it’s always wrong! Wen Tingli—”

She grabbed Wen Tingli’s arm bitterly: “Others may not know, but you know best—tell me, does my Aoshuang face cream sell well? The first time I invested in a movie, I made a hefty profit, doesn’t that show I have a head for business?”

“You do.” Wen Tingli said earnestly, “Everyone can see your ability plainly.”

Gao Xiaowen fell back onto the daybed, tears streaming down her face: “I’m clearly the one who’s good at making money, he, Gao Tingxin, is the real wastrel. But whenever I take a little money from home to do my own thing, it’s like I’ve committed some capital crime! Starting today, I’m no longer a member of the Gao family—I’m going to strike out on my own, and I want to see who really turns out to be more accomplished in the end! I’ve already bought the ticket, tomorrow morning I’m taking the boat to Hong Kong!”

Everyone was shocked: “Going to Hong Kong alone? No, this is too risky, don’t say such things out of anger.”

Dong Qinfang, being the more level-headed one, sighed from the side: “Xiaowen’s grievances aren’t from just a day or two—this time she really isn’t just speaking in anger.”

Gao Xiaowen indignantly wiped her tears. “This morning, my eldest brother took a sum of money again to find Lu Shicheng, saying the current situation is getting worse and worse and that pharmaceuticals might be profitable, so out of nowhere he wanted to invest in the Lu family’s pharmaceutical factory. Although Lu Shicheng ended up not paying him any mind, the money my brother planned to divert included a sum I’d just collected from the accounts at Dingxin Restaurant. It was originally agreed the restaurant would be half mine, but he said he’d divert it and just diverted it. I just argued a bit with Gao Tingxin, and my father said I’m not allowed to have any say in the family business! My lungs are about to explode! These years I’ve fought desperately to prove myself in front of my father, and in the end it’s all been a joke—me, this daughter, has been an outsider from beginning to end!”

Wen Tingli listened, feeling a mix of emotions, gently gripping Gao Xiaowen’s hand. Just as she was about to speak, Gao Xiaowen angrily shook off her hand: “What, are you going to advise me to obediently go home too?”

“I do want to advise you, but what I want to advise is this: words spoken are like water poured out—once you take this step, you’ll no longer be the eldest Miss Gao living off the Gao family, and from now on you’ll have to carry everything on your own. If I were you, either don’t move at all, or move only once you’ve thought it through.”

“What counts as ‘thought it through’? I don’t believe that when you left Huangjin Films, you’d already carefully planned everything out in advance.”

“First of all, I was very clear about what I wanted. The day I walked out of Huangjin’s door, I told myself that no matter how much difficulty I faced in the future, I would grit my teeth and keep going. If you turn back the moment you hit a wall, it will only make your situation harder. Holding onto that belief, I made it through countless hardships.”

Gao Xiaowen felt inexplicably sentimental. She believed these were Wen Tingli’s heartfelt words, because she knew how Wen Tingli had walked this road, and couldn’t help but slump her head against the daybed: “Honestly, I’m a bit scared now. This step is really too difficult to take… I don’t know anyone or anything in Hong Kong, this trip will only be harder than when you and Sister Huang started out.”

“Then don’t go—either move to somewhere closer to develop, or stay and comfortably be your Miss Gao, you won’t lack for food or clothes anyway.”

“Absolutely not!” Gao Xiaowen’s temper flared up again. “That kind of life living under others’ noses, I can’t stand it a single day longer!”

“This won’t do, that won’t do—you can’t have everything in this world, you have to learn to make choices,” Dong Qinfang said helplessly.

Gao Xiaowen lowered her head in shame, pondered for a while, then raised her head and said: “I’ve made up my mind, I’m taking this path. I, Gao Xiaowen, am no worse than anyone. Rather than living pathetically at home as a ‘second-class citizen,’ I’d rather go out and make my own way—I don’t believe I can’t carve out a future for myself! I won’t even touch an unfamiliar trade—as soon as I get to Hong Kong I’ll set up a small cosmetics company, starting with the ‘Aoshuang’ face cream I’ve already done. I’ll contact the local chemical company right away, and as long as there’s a suitable plot of land I’ll rent it immediately.”

Everyone’s spirits lifted. Gao Xiaowen had a boldness and drive that many people lacked. An optimistic, brave person will always quickly get back up even after falling.

Wen Tingli said: “If I were you, before leaving, I’d find a way to bring more money from home. This is not the time for acting on impulse—as long as you carry the Gao surname, you have a share in the Gao family. The more capital you have on hand, the smoother the road ahead will be. Don’t easily give up interests you’re entitled to fight for. If you just leave without regard for anything, that would truly be to your brother’s benefit.”

Gao Xiaowen’s eyes brightened. What made her happy wasn’t anything else, but that her friends so supported her decision, and her tone grew increasingly delighted: “Don’t worry, I’ve already contacted Sister Yaqiao, she’ll help me get what belongs to me.”

Gao Tingxin turned out to be reasonably straightforward, without much argument converting half the shares of Dingxin Restaurant into cash for his sister. But this matter also alarmed the Gao family elders. Old Master Gao flew into a rage—he had come from an old warlord background, and had made a fortune years ago by chance running a money house with someone else. Though now rich beyond measure, his thinking was still entirely old-fashioned.

In his mind, daughters were destined to marry sooner or later, unlike sons, who would carry on the family line in the future. His daughter’s unilateral decision to go start a business in Hong Kong was tantamount to violating his cardinal rule—he immediately stood firm guard, refusing to allow his daughter to take even one more cent from the public accounts.

In the end, Gao Xiaowen only got thirty thousand silver dollars from home, far less than she’d originally estimated. The crucial thing was, after this uproar, she couldn’t go home comfortably anymore either—the only path left before her was to make her own way in Hong Kong.

Her friends, worried she’d suffer greatly before even establishing herself, pooled together and scraped up another sum, forcing Gao Xiaowen to accept it.

Wen Tingli and Huang Yuanshan discussed it and simply diverted the funds the company had set aside to invest in a new film, giving it all to Gao Xiaowen.

This was a large sum of money. Gao Xiaowen absolutely refused to accept it, and Huang Yuanshan scolded her: “Back when we founded the company, you gave us money as generously as could be. Now that you’re going out to start a business, you won’t let us help you—do you not even consider us friends?”

Wen Tingli and the others saw Gao Xiaowen off at the boat, scrambling to help her settle into her cabin, reluctant to disembark.

Zhao Qingluo, seeing that Gao Xiaowen couldn’t even boil an egg, couldn’t help crying: “Look at her, she can’t do anything—going off like this, she might just starve to death.”

Gao Xiaowen spat: “Not only will I not starve to death, I’ll build my company up. As for you, someone who aspires to be a great lawyer, moping around all day full of sentiment—have you ever seen your idol Sister Yaqiao crying like this? Yan Zhenzhen, don’t you hide over there secretly wiping your tears, I’m still waiting for you to send me the new Wen Ci Yi Sheng – Chapters of your novel.”

But even as she said this, she couldn’t help but pull Yan Zhenzhen and Zhao Qingluo into her arms and cry loudly.

Wen Tingli copied down both her own and Kuang Zhilin’s phone numbers and gave them to Gao Xiaowen: “Remember, you’re much stronger than you think. A person only grows quickly by learning to solve problems, but if you truly can’t cope, don’t force it either—call us immediately.”

Gao Xiaowen pretended to be angry and chased them all off the boat, but a moment later she ran back out of the cabin, hiding behind the crowd on the deck, wiping tears while looking down.

Wen Tingli and the others stood on the pier, reluctant to leave for a long while, until the ship became a black dot, and only then did they withdraw their gaze, feeling utterly lost.

With Gao Xiaowen’s departure, Huang Yuanshan and Wen Tingli couldn’t help but start worrying about funds.

Spring Wind Blows Again had certainly been a box office hit, but all the ticket revenue had been donated to the “Helping Women Workers” foundation.

Wen Tingli had recently taken on quite a few advertisements, but with the huge expenses before the new year, as soon as money came in, it immediately had to go out to settle accounts with outside partners, and another portion needed to be distributed to employees as year-end bonuses. Miss Ge and others’ investment funds had already been spent quite a bit in the early stages, and the rest had all been invested in Yu Peiling’s new film. Just recently, after finally saving up a sum, they’d given it all to Gao Xiaowen once again.

The two of them discussed back and forth—the best way to quickly recoup funds would be to release Twin Pearls early, ideally scheduling it during the New Year period for better box office returns. Since the studio scenes had already been edited, with only a few location scenes left to shoot, why not set out early for Shaobai Mountain to film the exteriors.

This proposal won unanimous approval from the whole company. It happened that the area had just gotten several snowfalls, and the whole crew was excited. The main plot of the final scene had the heroine Zhu’er give up her illusions and take up her sword to descend the mountain seeking revenge. When filming, if Wen Tingli, dressed in a black martial arts outfit, walked alone through the snow-white mountains, such a scene would surely be captivating once shot.

By the time everything was ready, only two days remained until New Year’s Eve—this meant the originally planned trip to Nanjing would have to be postponed, and they wouldn’t even be able to spend New Year’s Eve at home.

Zhou Sao was busy helping Wen Tingli pack, muttering constantly: “Never seen anyone busy like this—can’t you calmly finish the new year before going out to film? Mr. Lu doesn’t even manage you!”

“Mr. Lu wouldn’t nag me anyway.” Wen Tingli tucked her folded clothes one by one into the suitcase. “Running a company isn’t child’s play, how can I do as I please? Besides, Shanghai’s film market competition is so fierce—if you don’t fight for it, plenty of others will, and you’ll easily be left behind.”

“I just feel bad you’re so exhausted from running around, and there’s Xiao Taozi too—you, her big sister, not being home for New Year for the first time, while other households are lively and joyful, our house will be cold and deserted. What if this child throws a tantrum?”

That was exactly what Wen Tingli worried about most. For this, she’d already bought Xiao Taozi a stack of fairy tale books and several big boxes of building blocks in advance, worried Xiao Taozi would feel bored at home.

She’d also asked Yan Zhenzhen and Zhao Qingluo to come play with Xiao Taozi when they had time, but during the New Year they’d also have to stay home for the New Year’s Eve vigil, unable to accompany Xiao Taozi all day.

Fortunately, there was still Lu Shicheng.

He promised her that during her absence, he would often take Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi to the Great World amusement park. Once tired of the amusement park, he’d take Xiao Taozi to learn tennis at the tennis court, to Maofeng Park to find other children to play with, to the bookstore to read, to the department store to buy clothes and toys—in short, he’d already arranged plenty of activities.

Wen Tingli felt somewhat relieved—Lu Shicheng had always been remarkably patient, and with him looking after them, she wasn’t worried about Xiao Taozi and Zhou Sao being lonely. It was only that she herself felt more or less regretful deep down—New Year’s Eve, a festival when every household’s lights were lit, every family enjoying a reunion dinner, and yet she had to leave home at this time to film.

The night before departure, she’d thought Lu Shicheng would come to see her off, but unexpectedly the pharmaceutical factory had a sudden matter come up, and even until the ship set sail, he never showed his face.

Wen Tingli felt suddenly lost, leaning alone against the ship’s railing gazing out, and unexpectedly discovered Zhou Wei and several others had also mixed into the crowd and boarded the ship.

The next evening, the ship successfully arrived at Ningbo harbor. As soon as they disembarked, a bus came to fetch them—this had been arranged in advance by Tan Guiwang, one vehicle just able to fit the whole crew.

Zhou Wei and the others boarded another car, following at a distance behind their vehicle.

Once the car reached the outskirts, the road became somewhat difficult, stopping and going, and by dusk they still hadn’t arrived at their destination. Everyone was famished, and they asked the driver to stop at any random restaurant along the road so they could fill their stomachs before continuing.

Tan Guiwang hurried to say: “Just ahead is Baoguang Temple. This place’s vegetarian dishes are famous far and wide—every time dignitaries come to Shaobai Path’s ancient temple to view the snow, they always stop at this Baofo Temple. That day I called in quite a few favors just to book a table in advance—we’re almost there.”

Not much further along, they indeed saw a temple, with towering ancient trees planted within the walls, the temple resounding with unceasing Buddhist chants. Parked outside the temple gate were over a dozen luxury cars, an extremely grand display—clearly some wealthy family had come out together for an excursion.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel fortunate Tan Guiwang had booked a table in advance—otherwise walking in unannounced at this hour, there might not have been food. Just as they were speaking, several ladies got out of the cars.

Wen Tingli looked closely and realized she recognized most of them. Madam Qiao needed no introduction, and beside her was Madam Zhou and her daughter, whom she’d also had two encounters with before.

Huang Yuanshan whispered with a smile from inside the car: “What auspicious day is today—running into Aunt Jiang is one thing, but that Madam Zhou, I really don’t want to see her. Last time at the Gao house, she was so cold toward you, it made me think you’d offended her, but later seeing her push her daughter toward Lu Shicheng, I understood what was going on.”

Wen Tingli made no comment.

“I heard Madam Zhou’s husband is now quite influential in Nanjing. To help her husband’s career, she’s set on arranging a good marriage for her daughter, and somehow she’s decided Lu Shicheng is the ideal son-in-law. It seems to her that most of the Lu family’s properties are in Nanyang, and no matter how the domestic war situation develops, it would affect the Lu family very little. So as soon as she came to Shanghai, she started asking around everywhere about Lu Shicheng’s preferences, trying every possible way to arrange for her daughter to meet him.”

Speaking of this, Huang Yuanshan shook her head laughing: “I’d guess Lu Shicheng must have said something to her at some point—suddenly one day she no longer dared to push forward. And she somehow heard about you and Lu Shicheng’s relationship, so she’s blamed it all on you. If she gives you trouble later, don’t pay her any mind, I’ll deal with her.”

While speaking, the two of them got out of the car, first going to the main hall to burn incense before the Buddha statue. Coming out, Huang Yuanshan went to wash her hands, while Wen Tingli wandered alone around the temple. Just as she reached the entrance to the side courtyard, not noticing a patch of leftover snow on the ground, she slipped and fell.

Wen Tingli herself didn’t think much of it, and was patting her hands clean to get up, when someone snickered from ahead: “It’s her.”

Looking up, she saw several bejeweled wealthy ladies standing across from her, one of them being Madam Qiao. Seeing Wen Tingli fall, Madam Qiao didn’t say anything.

Strangely enough, ever since Qiao Baoxin had returned to Shanghai once, Madam Qiao’s hostility toward Wen Tingli seemed to have vanished. But Madam Zhou laughed with obvious delight: “Isn’t this the famous Miss Wen? Out here enjoying yourself during the New Year too?”

Another lady said: “She’s hardly that leisurely—I heard she’s out here filming. This line of work, making a bit of money isn’t easy either.”

“Madam Zhou, the ground over there is slippery, let’s not go over,”

Madam Zhou turned away: “Fine, let’s go look elsewhere.”

Once they’d walked off, their voices drifted back, neither too loud nor too soft: “Big movie star, my foot—to put it plainly, she’s just an actress. Look at her, out here ‘selling her skills’ so hard during the New Year, and no one even fusses over her.”

Wen Tingli, far from being angry, found it rather funny instead. Just as she was about to get up, a hand suddenly reached out from behind, steadying her arm firmly.

Wen Tingli assumed it was Huang Yuanshan, letting her help her up, but when she turned around, she found herself looking up into Meng Qiguang’s eyes.

“Mr. Meng.”

Remembering what had happened that night at the Gao house, she withdrew her hand without a second thought.

Meng Qiguang was clearly just passing by. He glanced at the retreating figures of that group of ladies, then looked at Wen Tingli’s dirtied hands.

Wen Tingli took out her handkerchief herself and wiped them. Meng Qiguang looked around: “Such a long journey, and he only sent two lackeys to follow you?”

“What?”

“You know very well what I mean. That business with the Bailong Gang last time—hasn’t he learned his lesson yet?”

Just as Wen Tingli was about to respond, Meng Qiguang suddenly turned his head, calling out casually as if nothing was wrong: “Sister Huang.”

It turned out Huang Yuanshan had come looking for her: “Qiguang? What are you doing here too?”

“Doing some business in Ningbo these past few days. My cousin wanted to view the snow scenery on the mountain, so I gave her a ride along the way.”

Before Huang Yuanshan drew near, he suddenly lowered his voice: “Don’t you think what Madam Zhou said makes sense? Leaving you alone out here filming in the cold during the New Year clearly shows he doesn’t take you seriously.”

His expression was half-genuine, half-feigned, his tone likewise—for this kind of provocative mischief-making, he clearly never tired of it. In truth, after everything that had happened, Meng Qiguang no longer pretended in front of her; he’d begun to be completely himself, and because of this, the atmosphere between the two of them had actually become somewhat more relaxed, like two old acquaintances who knew each other thoroughly but could never possibly end up together—though they couldn’t quite be called enemies either.

Thinking about it this way, the relationships between people really were complicated. She glared at him; he gazed ahead with a smile: “No matter how bad I am, I would never let my own woman go out and drink the cold wind during the New Year. I feel it’s not worth it for you.”

She snorted: “Thank you, Mr. Meng, for feeling it’s not worth it on my behalf.”

While speaking, Huang Yuanshan had already reached them, and the two of them simultaneously dropped the subject.

After dinner, the crew went to lodge at the nearby Binruguí Inn, and coincidentally Madam Zhou, Madam Qiao, and the others were also staying at the same inn.

Madam Zhou and her daughter put on quite an air—just their luggage numbered over a dozen pieces, and they’d brought five or six attendants besides. Mother and daughter clutched hand warmers, directing the attendants to move luggage in front of the inn. Suddenly catching sight of Wen Tingli laboriously helping her crew colleagues carry things upstairs, Madam Zhou shook her head in disbelief: “Is this still a proper lady? I find her quite uncouth.”

On this trip, the crew’s budget was limited, so Wen Tingli and the others stayed in the more simply furnished front building, while Madam Qiao’s group stayed in the back building. Zhou Wei and the others, presumably to stay close to look after Wen Tingli, also stayed in the front building, though in front of outsiders they always pretended not to know each other.

Wen Tingli entered her room to settle her luggage, only to find there wasn’t even a thermos of hot water in the room. She hurried downstairs to ask the tea attendant for one, when she suddenly heard great commotion in the back courtyard. Looking through the window into the courtyard, she saw several ladies sitting by the fire playing cards.

Miss Zhou complained: “Mama, this place is completely boring—we’ve finished viewing the snow scenery and finished worshipping Buddha too, let’s go back to Shanghai first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Silly child, even if you hadn’t said so, Mama was planning to take you back early too. The day after tomorrow is New Year’s, and there’s still a mountain of things at home to prepare. Madam Qiao, will Mr. Meng be coming down the mountain tomorrow too?”

“He said he wants to stay two more nights here, maybe come down the day after.”

“What’s there to stay in this run-down place for—could it be he’s thinking about that movie actress? These young people nowadays, seeing a pretty woman and they lose their souls.”

Wen Tingli had thought Madam Qiao would take this chance to badmouth her thoroughly, but unexpectedly, Madam Qiao just smiled and threw out a tile to the player across from her: “Two of circles.”

Madam Zhou looked somewhat embarrassed, and another lady helped smooth things over for her: “Everyone says the Shaobai Path scenery is good, but I say it’s nothing but desolate wilderness—only those actresses willing to endure hardship for a bit of money would stay in a place like this. Staying in an empty mountain during the New Year, just like lonely ghosts.”

Wen Tingli went downstairs and, meeting the tea attendant, hurried to ask where the public telephone was. Suddenly she heard the sound of a car outside, as if new guests had arrived.

Wen Tingli didn’t pay it much mind, but then a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor, and Huang Yuanshan poked her head in, laughing: “Come out quick.”

Confused, Wen Tingli ran outside and saw one tall and one short figure standing in the courtyard. The courtyard was pitch-dark, but she still recognized who it was at a glance.

She froze for a moment, afraid she’d seen wrong, until Zhou Sao, standing behind the two figures, called out with a smile: “Miss.”

Wen Tingli ran toward them ecstatically: “How did you two come here?!”

Lu Shicheng: “Xiao Taozi missed you, and I missed you too, so we simply came to find you together.”

Wen Tingli gazed into his eyes, joy filling her heart: “I—you—I’m about to burst with happiness.”

Xiao Taozi bounced around at her sister’s leg: “Mr. Lu said he’d give sister a surprise. Sister, are you surprised.”

“Surprised! Surprised!” Wen Tingli crouched down and kissed her little sister’s cheeks over and over.

The innkeeper came upon hearing the news, saying warmly: “Mr. Lu, please, come in.” It turned out Kuang Zhilin had already booked two premium rooms here in advance for Lu Shicheng—one for Lu Shicheng, and one for Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi.

While waiting for the rooms to be prepared, Lu Shicheng, hands in his pockets, wandered around Wen Tingli’s room.

Looking at the mottled walls, the rusted iron pipes, the creaking wooden floor, he fell silent for a moment, then called the tea attendant in: “Move my things to this room. Take Miss Wen’s suitcase to the back building—I want to switch rooms with her.”

Wen Tingli quickly stopped him: “What’s there to switch? Sister Huang is right next door, and I need to discuss things with her at any time during the night. If you switch to this room, everything will be inconvenient for you. Besides, that premium room of yours isn’t much better than mine anyway—just a bit bigger. Feel my bedding—I said I was afraid of the cold, so the owner gave me three layers of thick padding. Your room probably isn’t as warm as mine.”

They specifically left the room door open while talking, and shortly after went downstairs together to find Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi. Xiao Taozi, seeing snow this deep for the first time, couldn’t wait to run out to the courtyard and build a snowman.

They ran into Meng Qiguang and Madam Zhou’s group head on. Madam Zhou, perhaps having already gotten word, looked somewhat embarrassed, taking the initiative to greet Lu Shicheng: “Young Master Lu, what a coincidence.”

She also used her gaze to signal her daughter to greet Lu Shicheng, but Miss Zhou pouted and turned her head away.

Lu Shicheng said nothing, because his full attention was on Meng Qiguang. Meng Qiguang being here too—this took him quite by surprise!

He and Wen Tingli had been walking one behind the other; at a glance, he immediately pulled his hand from his pocket and, very naturally, took hold of Wen Tingli’s hand behind him.

Wen Tingli’s heart fluttered, and she instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but Lu Shicheng wouldn’t let go, only glancing sideways at Meng Qiguang ahead. She held back a laugh and let him hold her hand.

Only once the group had walked off did Lu Shicheng release her hand.

“What if Madam Zhou goes back and spreads gossip?” she asked him.

“She wouldn’t dare. Never mind them. I’m hungry, come eat with me, alright?”

The next day before dawn, Madam Qiao and Madam Zhou were both escorted down the mountain by Meng Qiguang, while Lu Shicheng’s group stayed on.

On New Year’s Eve, Wen Tingli and Lu Shicheng kept vigil by the bonfire.

In Shanghai, everyone was always busy with right and wrong, gains and losses, so time always felt insufficient.

Once in the mountains, time seemed to slow down. From dark until bedtime, there was ample time to idle away. Like now, facing the flickering firelight, her mind was empty of thoughts, all the worldly troubles cast to the back of her mind.

Wen Tingli rested her head on Lu Shicheng’s shoulder, chatting with him idly on and off.

“Listen, that rustling sound—it couldn’t be a wild animal coming, could it?”

Lu Shicheng listened for a moment: “No, that’s the sound of snow falling off the treetops. This season, the mountain animals are basically all hibernating. Are you scared?”

“A little. I heard sometimes when they’re starving they’ll run to farmhouses to steal chickens.”

“That would be closer to spring by then. Besides, that’s not even really stealing—these deep mountains and old forests were their territory to begin with, it’s people who insist on coming to disturb and even hunt them. It’s no big deal if a few chickens get carried off.”

“That’s very true.” Wen Tingli chuckled. “I didn’t expect Mr. Lu also has a whole set of unconventional theories. I thought I was the only one who often had wild ideas. Look at that star above your head, it’s really bright—that’s the North Star, isn’t it? No matter spring, summer, autumn, or winter, it always seems to be right there.”

She suddenly remembered something, picking up a firewood stick from the ground and handing it to Lu Shicheng: “Why don’t we make a wish? Xiao Taozi said this morning that New Year’s Eve is the moment of transition between old and new. Tonight, write down your wish beneath the brightest star, and it’s sure to come true.”

Lu Shicheng, turning the firewood stick in his hand, said with a smile: “That’s just something kindergarten teachers made up to coax kids into practicing writing during winter break. And you’re taking it seriously.”

“It’s fun. Trying it won’t cost you a piece of flesh.” She pushed him to turn around. “Write your own, no peeking at mine.”

She picked up another firewood stick and scribbled swiftly on the ground. Assuming he’d finished writing, she hurried to peek.

But turning around, she found Lu Shicheng had covered her eyes with his hand.

“You’re cheating again, who was it that said no peeking?”

“How stingy—want me to show you mine instead?”

He wouldn’t let go, so she pretended she was going to bite his fingers. The moment she bit down, Lu Shicheng withdrew his hand as if shocked. Opening her eyes, she saw Lu Shicheng looking down at his fingertip, then raising his eyes to look at her, saying nothing.

Wen Tingli didn’t understand why he reacted so strongly, then gradually became aware of it herself. Her heart pounded, and she stared at him unblinkingly.

Lu Shicheng leaned in, cupping the back of her head, and kissed her lips. His breath and body were both so hot, exuding a seductive, dangerous air all over him. Under his enticement, her breathing also inexplicably began to tremble. They kissed for quite a while before separating.

Later someone came looking: “Are the two of them in the back courtyard?”

Wen Tingli hurried to scuff out the line she’d just written on the ground, but in the midst of the flurry, she didn’t forget to sneak a peek at his.

The two of them had actually made the same wish.

On the way back, she asked him: “Did you peek at mine?”

“No.”

“Then why is it word for word the same?”

“Who knows? Maybe you copied mine.”

“Talk about the thief crying ‘thief.'”

“Who’s the thief—it’s certainly not me who peeked.”

“I don’t believe you. Why don’t you just say: the two of us are so in tune, there’s no one in heaven or earth more perfectly matched than us.”

“The two of us are so in tune, there’s no one in heaven or earth more perfectly matched than us.” He said it aloud toward the stars overhead.

She couldn’t stop laughing.

Wen Tingli filmed for ten days in the mountains, and Lu Shicheng and the others stayed in the mountains for the full ten days too.

By the time they came down the mountain together, the New Year had already passed.