Accidental Love

Shi Yan's like, in addition to making Zheng Shuyi feel excited, also filled Qin Shiyue's head with confusion.

She received a notification and clicked in to take a look.

Huh? Uncle?

For a second, she thought her eyes were lying to her.

In Qin Shiyue's mind, it wasn't a surprise that Shi Yan and Zheng Shuyi were friends on WeChat. After all, the two have worked together before, and it wasn't unusual for them to add each other's contacts.

But the strange thing was that Shi Yan liking this post did not seem like something he would do this late at night at all.

In fact, Qin Shiyue and Shi Yan have many mutual friends, but she has never seen Shi Yan being active in her Moments.

She has even thought that Shi Yan made a WeChat account simply for work purposes.

Other than sending work-related messages, she has never seen her uncle on WeChat at all!

Let alone liking a woman's Moments.

And it was just an image of everyday life with no captions.

More importantly, it was in the middle of the night…

The more Qin Shiyue thought about it, the more she felt like something was wrong. Her desire to learn some rumors made her open Shi Yan's chatbox.

But in the end, her fear still defeated her desire for gossip.

Forget it, I'm not ready to die just yet.

——

The movie hasn't been halfway done yet, but half of the people in the theater have left already.

There were a lot of empty spaces in the front rows.

Then after another while, the people around Zheng Shuyi began to move around. Some were whispering to each other, some were fiddling with their phones, and some were even snoring already in the back.

Yet on the big screen, the two love birds were still sitting on the beach chatting about life.

The audience was probably wanting to pull the director out of the screen to have a little chat about life with him.

The airtight theater became less peaceful, and various emotions floated in the darkness.

Zheng Shuyi glanced at Shi Yan quietly, wondering if he was also bored.

But he was just peacefully watching the screen.

His eyebrows were raised and his eyes were soft.

He didn't seem to be impatient at all, but it didn't seem like he was very interested in the movie plot either.

He just sat there.

Zheng Shuyi looked away and leaned back in her seat.

Before she knew it, she also became like Shi Yan, just looking sternly at the big screen.

But she wasn't interested in the movie either.

The movie lasted a full 120 minutes.

By the time that the movie ended, only Zheng Shuyi and Shi Yan were left in the theater.

Oh wait, there seemed to be someone else.

There was a sudden noise in the row behind them.

"Idiot, wake up, the movie's over!"

The person who spoke was also a man who had just woken up. Seeing his companion who came with him sleeping so soundly, he threw a slap on his head.

The fat man who just got slapped awake rubbed his face and realized that the movie was over. He couldn't help but curse, "Fuck, this stupid shit costs money? This crap is trash! I'd rather sleep two hours in my dorm."

His companion actually just woke up too, so he was too lazy to care about him.

The two got up together. When the fat man saw Zheng Shuyi and Shi Yan sitting in the front row, he exclaimed, "Hoho."

"Someone actually watched this shitty movie from the beginning to the end. Impressive, fucking impressive."

The companion slapped him again and lowered his voice, "Idiot, do they look like they're here to watch the movie?"

The fat man was puzzled, "Ouch! Then what did they come for?"

"No wonder you're so fucking single…" replied his companion.

The two voices drifted away.

But their conversation stayed in Zheng Shuyi's ears for a long time.

Shi Yan, who was beside her, also remained silent and didn't move. Zheng Shuyi wasn't sure if he heard it too and wasn't sure what to do for a moment.

After the end credits finished, Shi Yan finally stood up.

"Let's go."

Seeing her plain look, Zheng Shuyi quickly nodded her head.

"Let's go, let's go, it's pretty late already."

On the way back, the two of them sat in the back row of the car, and none of them spoke.

This silence, although it was very calming, made Zheng Shuyi feel a little uncomfortable.

To be specific, her palms were faintly hot, and even the temperature in the car seemed to have changed significantly.

Couldn't find a topic to talk about, Zheng Shuyi fell into some random thoughts.

When they were about to arrive at the hotel, Zheng Shuyi finally asked dryly, "Ah, do you think it was good?"

"What?"

"The movie."

Shi Yan seemed to think about it for a while, "It's okay."

"Oh……"

Zheng Shuyi nodded.

"What do you think about it?" asked Shi Yan.

"Me? I think it's okay too."

After Zheng Shuyi finished speaking, seeing Shi Yan's gaze staring straight at her face, the burning feeling from her palm seemed to be guided by something, slowly spreading to her whole body.

She subconsciously wanted to talk some more to alleviate the inexplicable ambiguity floating in the car.

"It's pretty good," she said with a nod, "The scene of the female lead in the end finally leaning against the main character's arms is so beautiful. The two actors match really well, it made me believe in love again, what a sweet story."

Shi Yan glanced at her, "That scene was the main character's imagination. The female lead passed away."

"Huh?"

"And in the end, the main character also committed suicide."

After being stunned for a moment, Zheng Shuyi blinked her eyes and changed her expression seamlessly, "Yeah, that's what happened. But that's also a pretty ending, isn't it? The two still love each other until the end of their lives and he rather kills himself, isn't that true love?"

Shi Yan curled her lips and smiled, "Did you watch the movie?"

"Huh?"

Until they got off the car and entered the hotel elevator, Zheng Shuyi was still thinking, why the hell did the director kill both of the main characters?

Isn't it supposed to be a sweet romance movie?

Didn't the trailer say it was a happy story?

They died!?

No wonder everyone left, what a scam.

Ding, they arrived on their floor.

Shi Yan looked to his side and noticed that Zheng Shuyi was still immersed in her thoughts. So he took her hand and walked out.

The moment their fingers touched, Zheng Shuyi quickly pulled herself away from the plot of the movie. Stiffening her neck, she looked down at Shi Yan's hand.

After a few steps, they arrived at the door of the room.

He released her hand and glanced at his watch.

The movements were so smooth that it made Zheng Shuyi feel like he only let go because he wanted to check the time.

It was three already.

Shi Yan frowned. He was also surprised that a crappy movie took so much time of his.

"Good night."

"Oh," Zheng Shuyi nodded, "Good night."

As soon as she entered her room, Zheng Shuyi immediately took out her phone and went to the Douban[1]{Douban is a Chinese app where people can discuss and rate various books and movies} page of the movie.

She quickly read the synopsis and then read a few long comments. Then, a question mark slowly appeared on her head.

It's a happy ending!

What's wrong with Shi Yan?

Did he watch the movie?

Zheng Shuyi: Why did you lie to me?

Shi Yan had also just returned to his room and hadn't slept yet.

Shi Yan: What did I lie to you about?

Zheng Shuyi: The movie didn't end that way!

Shi Yan: Yeah.

Shi Yan: Why didn't you watch the movie properly?

Zheng Shuyi's finger stopped.

If it were in the past, she would type dozens of sentences like "Because I'm watching you the whole time", "How can I watch a movie if there's you beside me" without even thinking.

But this time, she couldn't press those keys.

Zheng Shuyi: Why do you care?

Zheng Shuyi: Night.

Shi Yan: Good night.

——

Just like this, the first day of the Kelunche Forum ended.

Their agenda for the next few days was packed. Zheng Shuyi and Shi Yan went to meet at various venues and were occasionally invited to attend dinner as well.

Since they knew the industry well, and with Shi Yan beside her, Zheng Shuyi dealt with everything fairly well.

During this trip, in addition to receiving the most cutting-edge macro trends in the current industry, Zheng Shuyi also got to meet with many people in the industry. All in all, she gained a lot from this trip and successfully ended this year's work.

The magazine publisher Zheng Shuyi worked in never kept employees until the day before New Year's Eve. Every year, it was normal for everyone to end work on the 28th, which was also the date they get paid for that month.

Since Zheng Shuyi published two featured articles this quarter, she received quite a thick bonus.

So on the first holiday afternoon, she went to the mall happily.

She would be taking the bullet train home in the evening, so of course, she had to buy something good for her parents as soon as possible.

Mom's gifts weren't very hard to choose. A cashmere scarf and a pair of gold earrings. She probably wouldn't be interested in anything else.

As for dad…

Zheng Shuyi has been shopping in the mall for a long time and didn't know what to get for him.

If she bought clothes or shoes, well, they might not fit, and it would be troublesome to return them later.

When she walked to the first floor and saw a watch shop, she finally had an idea.

As soon as Zheng Shuyi entered the door, the shopping guide came up to greet her.

"Good afternoon, are you looking for a watch?"

Zheng Shuyi looked around and nodded.

"For yourself or as a gift?" asked the guide.

"Gift."

The shopping guide led her to the counter and said, "For man or woman? About how old is the person?"

"Man," Zheng Shuyi looked at the display cabinets, "In the fifties."

The shopping guide quickly recommended one, and Zheng Shuyi also liked it. But the price was a bit expensive, almost 20,000 yuan[1]Around 3090 USD.

But it was acceptable.

Zheng Shuyi bought this one and then saw a lady's quartz watch when looking around.

Her gaze only stayed there for two seconds before the shopping guide took it out and showed it two her.

She wasn't planning to buy it at first, but after the guide placed it on her wrist, seeing her white hand matching the crystal dial, Zheng Shuyi suddenly felt like this watch was now part of her body.

After hesitating for a moment, the shopping guide immediately started to flatter her.

The only thing Zheng Shuyi was concerned about was that this watch was also almost 20,000. If she bought it, her bonus would be half gone.

It hurt a little to think about it.

As she was hesitating, a voice got closer and closer.

"Just to check out some watches… I'm not wearing it, I don't like watches… I'm buying it for Xingzhou… I think he likes watches from this shop…"

Zheng Shuyi sighed in her mind and thought immediately popped up: I'll never come to this mall ever again.

She met Qin Lezhi again.

Before she turned around, Qin Lezhi saw Zheng Shuyi's back, and she recognized it at a glance.

She walked in with a friend, and when she passed by Zheng Shuyi, she just glanced at her and didn't say anything.

The shopping guide, who didn't know anything, was still trying very hard to sell the watch.

"This watch suits you very well. Although the price is a bit expensive, you know, things like watches, the price is definitely worth it."

As the shopping guide continued to talk, Zheng Shuyi didn't pay attention. She only noticed that Qin Lezhi was also glancing towards her.

Just her look slowly lit the gunpowder in her.

"Alright," Zheng Shuyi took off the watch, "I'll buy these two."

The shopping guide was extremely happy. He went to get the boxes as he said, "Your total cost for this purchase is forty thousand. You can register for a premium membership and we'll award you points."

Qin Lezhi didn't respond, but her friend let out a "tsk" and muttered to herself, "Why is everyone rich nowadays, and I'm still so poor."

It happened that Zheng Shuyi followed the shopping guide and passed them. Qin Lezhi glanced at her and smiled, "You can go find a rich boyfriend."

She didn't say the last rest: I'm just not sure if you'll accept one who's a little older and has a wife and children already.

The friend replied, "Alright alright, I know my abilities, which rich person would want me?"

Zheng Shuyi heard her voice that was purposefully raised and didn't care at all, because she just received a new message.

——It was from Shi Yan.

Shi Yan: When do you leave today?

Zheng Shuyi walked toward the cash register while typing.

Zheng Shuyi: Train ticket at 7 o'clock.

Shi Yan: Ok.

Shi Yan: Should I take you there?

When receiving this message, Qin Lezhi was still on the side talking enigmatically.

"It really isn't the same once you become rich huh? You'll be swiping your card carefreely."

Zheng Shuyi gritted her teeth and gave Shi Yan a reply, "Okay, I'll wait for you~"

After replying, the shopping guide finished swiping her card and returned it to her.

She shoved the card into a bag and said slowly, "My boyfriend is rich, what about it?"

Qin Lezhi only looked down at her watch and just smiled.

When Zheng Shuyi passed by her, she dropped another sentence, "Noto only is he rich, whenever you see him, you also have to pay full respects, right?"

Her expression changed, and for a second, she didn't know whether she should continue sneering.

——

After a while, when Yue Xingzhou came to pick up Qin Lezhi for dinner, she couldn't help but complain about it.

"I can't believe your ex-girlfriend did that."

Suddenly mentioning Zheng Shuyi, Yue Xingzhou frowned.

"What happened this time?"

Qin Lezhi picked up some food into her bowl, "It's nothing, she just found a rich boyfriend, and now she spends money like it's nothing."

"She…"

Yue Xingzhou quickly put down his chopsticks, "You probably misunderstood, she has nothing to do with that CFO of your company."

"Oh? You trust her that much?" After Qin Lezhi's cold words finished, she suddenly thought of something and her expression changed, "Or did you contact her again？“

This was the red line between Yue Xingzhou and Qin Lezhi.

The last time, Qin Lezhi found out that he had texted Zheng Shuyi and was so pissed that she didn't talk to him for two days.

So he didn't want Qin Lezhi to know that he had met Zheng Shuyi, otherwise, she would probably cause at least three full days' worth of trouble.

"No," said Yue Xingzhou, "I'm just guessing."

Qin Lezhi also expected that he wouldn't dare to go look for Zheng Shuyi again and said with a sneer, "I already reminded her. If Mr. Qiu's wife learns about this, she'll probably be skinned alive."

Yue Xingzhou was a little annoyed, but he also couldn't explain directly, so he could only say, "If you don't like her so much, just go tell your uncle."

As soon as he said it, Qin Lezhi's eyes flickered and she held tightly onto her chopsticks.

She immediately lowered her head and started to eat, covering up the panic on her face.

"How can I bother him about this kind of little stuff? Let's eat, I'm starving."

——

Every time Qin Lezhi or Yue Xingzhou appeared, it could always swallow all of Zheng Shuyi's good mood in an instant.

She stood at the gate of the neighborhood with her suitcase. Her head was hanging down and looked very lifeless.

Shi Yan's car arrived a few minutes later than the agreed time.

He didn't get off, and the driver came to help Zheng Shuyi with her luggage.

Zheng Shuyi was familiar with the driver already, so she didn't say a bunch of polite words and only said a "thank you", before getting in the car.

Shi Yan was sitting on the left side of the car, holding a financial report in his hand. His eyes raised when he saw Zheng Shuyi coming in.

She was obviously not in a good mood, as she just sat there and didn't say a word. She leaned in the corner, sometimes picking her nails, and sometimes fidgeting with her clothes.

After looking at her for a while and seeing that she wasn't planning to say anything, Shi Yan put down what was in his hand and rubbed his eyebrows.

"Traffic."

Hearing him, Zheng Shuyi turned her head and looked up. It took a second for her to realize that he was explaining why he arrived a few minutes late.

"Oh," said Zheng Shuyi dully, "It's okay."

Perhaps it was because of what happened in the mall today, she felt very uncomfortable seeing Shi Yan now.

The feeling was hard to describe, it was like being soaked in hot water for several hours. Her chest felt sore and swollen, making it difficult for her to breathe.

The silence lasted until they arrived at the high-speed railway station.

After parking, the driver first went down to take out her luggage.

Zheng Shuyi slowly unfastened her seat belt, and when she opened the door, she took a glance at Shi Yan.

Who also happened to be looking at her.

"Bad mood?"

Zheng Shuyi was silent, lowered her eyes, and then said, "Oh, it's because I won't be able to see you for a few days, so I'm a little bit sad."

Her tone was very calm and almost didn't include any emotions at all.

Shi Yan looked at her solemnly, and his mood was rollercoastering in his heart as well.

In the end, he sighed quietly.

"Do you go to every relative's house during the New Year?"

"Huh?" Zheng Shuyi thought for a while, "Not really, and we don't have that many relatives, so we only go send our New Year's greetings from the first to the third day of New Year."

Shi Yan nodded, "I see, alright, time for you to get going."