Translated by newbienoona

Edited by anks

The face of the savvy-looking man is tainted with embarra.s.sment . “We have to take it first to the Chief [editor] . There’s nothing wrong with our piece, and there’s nothing published about him for a while now . Even if they won’t publish it, at least he knows this is out there, and we’re working hard on this story!”

The tall man pats his thigh and realizes, “You’re right, huh? The chief is on duty right now . Let’s go!”

Both men return to the newspaper company with the photos . When the chief sees the photos, his eyes light up as fast as it dims . The next second, he drops the photos on the table . A dozen images scatter onto the floor .

“Do you have sh*t for brains?! These photos are more useless than waste paper! You might as well use it as toilet paper!” They are the most annoying pair to deal with while on duty . They make him swear .

When the savvy-looking man sees the chief blow his top, he quickly interrupts him . “I don’t think photos are useless, chief . Once the feng shui turns, Hans won’t be as prosperous . You think these aren’t headline material?”

It’s not unreasonable for them to hold on to these photos for now .

The chief takes a drag from the cigarette and expels a big cloud of smoke . “It’s not unreasonable, but these photos are time bombs . Hold on to these, don’t turn them in . Otherwise, they will all be burned . ”

The pair immediately collect the photos and leave .

Han Qilu drives Mankuai back to her place [in A City], still unaware that they were followed . Both of them stroll in the park to digest their food .

Mankuai places her right hand into his left . They slowly walk under the dim street lights, their shadows pulling long behind them .

“I wish we can always be like this,” Mankuai suddenly says, stopping to look at Qilu . “Will you always stay with me?”

That used to be a good question . It would’ve been nice if he can answer immediately . But somehow, Han Qilu can’t respond .

Qilu’s non-answer makes Mankuai a bit unhappy, but she doesn’t let it show . She would hate it more if he gets upset because she was annoyed .

“There seems to be dancing over there . Let’s go watch!” Mankuai quickly changes topics by pointing at the park where music is playing .

“Okay . ” He nods, walking to the park with Mankuai .

It’s closing in on five o’clock, and people are out walking their dogs . But since it rained earlier, the park is a bit darker than usual .

The park appears as they ascend the steps . It is rather large: the northern most area has gym equipment . There is a fountain with a small pool of water on both the east and west side of the park . The southern side has a large open s.p.a.ce . Trees are plentiful, but there’s enough s.p.a.ce for couples to walk side-by-side . The walkway is paved with marble tiles . During the holidays, the park is beautifully decorated . On normal days, it would be a nice place to unwind .

As they arrive, they watch the older women dance, while children are playing with skates and bikes harmoniously .

In order for them not to get recognized, they stayed by the outskirts of the open s.p.a.ce, walking on the gravel . Some couples pa.s.s by them on the stony path as they whisper in conversation . No one pays attention to them .

“Would you like this kind of life? We’d get off from work, have dinner, then take a walk to the park and play?” Mankuai asks bashfully as she inches closer to Qilu .

“You’re a star . How often do you think can you go out in public?” he asks . “When you choose to be a star, you are destined to live an extraordinary life . ”

“I’d marry you later when I’ve retired from the silver screen,” she states as she shakes his arm .

“Sure . ” Han Qilu answers though his thoughts start drifting .

Jiang Yuan already said she’d never accept Mankuai . His father is as opposed to it . If he really wants her to be accepted, she has to spend a lot of time at the Han household . Thank goodness, they’re still students . It will take several years to overcome that hurdle .

As he thinks about this he realizes that his proposal was indeed rash .

Both of them watch the women dance in silence . The only thing that breaks the peace is the phone ringing .

Han Qilu presses the answer b.u.t.ton and listens . Then, he says, “We’re coming over soon, wait for us . ”

“Are we driving out?” Mankuai asks, jumping . She’s afraid it was An Chuxia calling him . Qilu nods, and only then she feels comforted .

As they get into the car, he rushes them over to Tomorrow’s Glory . It was Xiao Mingluo who called Qilu, asking him when he’d be arriving .

“Soon . Go ahead and order, I’m not picky . Best order the most expensive dishes!” Han Qilu says jokingly, laughing with Mingluo over the phone .

“Who are we meeting? Do I know them?” Mankuai asks .

“You might remember Xiao Mingluo . He also invited Hanyu, but he said he has a prior arrangement and might not come . ” Qilu responds .

Mankuai quietly thinks of what he said . When they were in the United States, he talked about Mingluo and Hanyu so much, she might as well have known them really well . The least she can do is meet them . She also knows they get along well with An Chuxia . Lao Ling, Hanyu’s grandfather, seems to be fond of Chuxia, too, to the point he wants her to be his grandson’s spouse . She’s truly well-loved .

But she can’t be concerned about that when she should be concerned about her own future since she can pick up [her relations.h.i.+p] from when she left when Qilu needed her most .

Now that she thinks about it, she should be ashamed of herself . But now isn’t the time to be embarra.s.sed . The responsibility laid on her shoulders is too heavy . Her family’s lineage is counting on her, and she can use Han Qilu for this purpose .

But in her heart, she truly sees herself living with him .

As her thoughts wage war in her head, the car stops in front of the restaurant . Security guards immediately step forward and open the car doors for both Qilu and Mankuai . They’re respectful, but stiff .

“Young master Han, Xiao Shaoye is already inside . Please follow me . ” A receptionist waiting by the door greets him .

Once they get through the revolving door, they are met with a bright interior . The crystal chandelier reflects the light beautifully, giving the place a lavish atmosphere .

They take the lift to the top of the building, and when they exit the elevator, Han Qilu sees Meng Xiaonan sitting next to Xiao Mingluo .

“Young master Qilu!” Meng Xiaonan takes a quick glance and reacts . Then, she realizes he’s with Mankuai . She immediately recovers and gets up to her feet . “When we were in the hospital, I wasn’t able to introduce myself properly . My name is Jiangnan . But I go by Meng Xiaonan . I’m Mingluo’s girlfriend . ”

In Qilu’s mind, Xiao Mingluo is a master who likes playing the field . Xiaonan is only another girl in his garden of flowers . After Xiaonan’s introduction, he doesn’t take her seriously, thinking she’ll be gone soon enough .

“Why didn’t you bring An Chuxia?” Xiao Mingluo is aware of his friend’s memory loss but he deliberately pretends to be ignorant, acting surprised [to see Mankuai] .

All of a sudden, the air seems stuffy . Han Qilu pulls Mankuai’s hand in his . “Mankuai is with me . ”

Qilu is about to say something to Mankuai when Mingluo interrupts him .

“You’re not married yet, so you’re not with someone until then… . ” Xiao Mingluo wants to say more but he can see the anger brewing on Han Qilu’s face . Immediately, he changes topics . “Taste the dishes, it’s Tomorrow’s signature dish . ”

“Okay . ” Han Qilu looks at Mankuai . “You’ve met Mingluo before . You don’t have to be guarded . ”

“Sure . ” Mankuai nods, looking at Xiao Mingluo . “Long time, no see . ”

“It’s been a while . ” Xiao Mingluo smiles . “You’re as beautiful as you were then… no, more beautiful!”

“Hey!” Meng Xiaonan swivels her head toward Mingluo .

Conversation flows as they eat . Mingluo talks about his brother’s death . Qilu is shocked that Mingluo suffered so much in the last few months . He knew Mingluo’s brother, and he didn’t expect him to be gone so soon .

Xiao Mingluo doesn’t seem to be mourning; he’s someone who doesn’t like lingering in sadness . A person like him won’t easily reveal his sensitive side .