The inaugural Qingshu Film Festival, initiated by several renowned directors led by Qin Tong and Li Qunwu, was being held in Wengang. The festival’s main purpose was to support young directors and micro-film productions. The event would last for nearly half a month, featuring films, stage plays, theatrical performances, and panel discussions.
Since the founders were highly respected veterans of the entertainment industry, not only did many celebrities attend the film festival, but various business elites were also invited to show support. Even the media tagged their news headlines with “star-studded gathering.”
Song Linghui accompanied her father to Wengang to attend the film festival.
She was of Chinese-Japanese mixed heritage and had grown up studying in Australia. Her Mandarin wasn’t very fluent, making communication with others quite difficult, so she was always accompanied by a female assistant assigned by her father.
At the opening ceremony, several old men took turns speaking. Song Linghui was mainly there for fun and found listening to these speeches rather boring, so her gaze wandered around the venue.
Many celebrities were present today, but Song Linghui didn’t follow the entertainment industry closely and recognized few people. She only felt that the handsome men and beautiful women gathered together were dazzling to behold.
People behind her were chatting quietly.
Song Linghui, while pretending to talk to her assistant, occasionally stole glances backward.
A man in a cool-toned suit was lowering his head to listen to someone. She couldn’t see his features clearly, but his overall aura was remarkable.
Song Linghui gestured to her assistant to express her question.
Who’s that person behind me? Do you know him?
The female assistant thoughtfully looked back and an expression of recognition crossed her face. “Yes, I know him.”
She told Song Linghui his name.
“Zong Ye… is he, is he famous? A celebrity?” Song Linghui asked quietly.
The female assistant shook her head, feeling that the current setting wasn’t appropriate for gossip, and answered briefly, “He used to be, but not anymore.”
Song Linghui grew increasingly curious and secretly found opportunities to steal glances.
After looking four or five times, never daring to look too carefully, she heard what sounded like someone coming over to greet him. The man stood up to shake hands, and Song Linghui finally turned her head following the movement, openly directing her gaze at him.
She saw his face.
He had a slight smile while talking to people, clear contours, a pair of expressive eyes, and very thin lips. He was indeed as handsome as she had imagined.
Then, Song Linghui’s shoulders drooped.
—She noticed the silver ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
So he already has a partner. She thought to herself, feeling a bit disappointed.
…
…
After the opening ceremony, Song Linghui followed her father to socialize.
Her father was having an animated conversation with an elderly gentleman, and beside them stood the woman who had just presented an award on stage.
She shook hands with her father, wearing a figure-hugging qipao that accentuated her waist, her hair pinned up, pearl earrings hanging by her ears. She looked very graceful, elegant, and proper.
Someone introduced her to Song Linghui: “This is Director Qin’s first disciple, a very famous actress in China.”
Song Linghui liked people with gentle temperaments and took an immediate liking to her, generously offering praise: “Sister, you’re so beautiful.”
This made those around them laugh.
“How old are you?” Jiang Chuyi asked.
Song Linghui: “Twen-twenty.”
Just as she finished speaking, her stomach growled. The sound seemed a bit loud, and Song Linghui bit her lip.
Jiang Chuyi found her adorable and couldn’t help smiling: “Are you hungry?”
Song Linghui nodded.
Qin Tong spoke up: “Chuyi, take her to get something to eat.”
Her father, as if finally finding someone to entrust her to, gave a couple of instructions and then sent her away.
The woman led her toward the long table and asked gently: “What do you like to eat?”
“Desserts.”
Song Linghui didn’t know what perfume female celebrities used, but she thought the woman smelled very nice. “Sister, what’s your name?”
“My name is Jiang Chuyi. What about you?”
“I’m Song Linghui.”
Her Mandarin wasn’t very standard, and she had a natural stutter, so she spoke slowly.
Jiang Chuyi: “Did you just return to China?”
Song Linghui nodded.
Jiang Chuyi picked out a piece of mousse, then added several blueberry pastries, along with cream puffs and coconut milk jelly, and handed them all to her.
Song Linghui ate happily while chatting with Jiang Chuyi.
She had autism as a child, and her intellectual development was slightly slower compared to her peers. Combined with her stutter, she rarely made friends.
Jiang Chuyi’s eyes were pure, and she looked kind and gentle, somewhat resembling Song Linghui’s mother. Unlike the female assistant who was rigid and formal, this sister didn’t mind her awkward speech, and for words she didn’t understand, she thoughtfully typed on her phone and used translation software to show her.
Song Linghui couldn’t help but develop a fondness for Jiang Chuyi. She didn’t know the Chinese phrase for “instant rapport,” but she felt that upon first seeing this sister, she wanted to become friends with her.
She wasn’t familiar with the entertainment industry and didn’t know exactly how famous Jiang Chuyi was, but she sensed that Jiang Chuyi probably knew many people. This area was relatively secluded with few people passing by, yet from time to time someone would come over to chat with her.
Most people exchanged pleasantries and left, until a carefree voice cut in.
Hearing Jiang Chuyi call out “Wang Tan,” Song Linghui looked over.
Narrow monolids, ear studs embedded in his ear cartilage, giving off a rather bewitching vibe.
He was talking to Jiang Chuyi when, seemingly aware of someone watching, he glanced over midway, a casual smile lingering at the corner of his mouth.
Wang Tan let out a “yo,” and asked, “Where did this little girl come from?”
Jiang Chuyi answered gently: “A friend I just met.”
Song Linghui felt a bit embarrassed, not knowing whether she should introduce herself.
Wang Tan spoke with a drawl: “Why keep staring at big brother? Want an autograph?”
Jiang Chuyi: “Don’t tease her.”
Song Linghui stuttered in rebuttal: “I don’t, even know you.”
“Don’t know me?” Wang Tan laughed, “Then is it because big brother is handsome that you keep looking?”
What a narcissist… Song Linghui thought with flushed cheeks, wanting to continue rebutting, but her words caught in her throat.
Another man had approached.
Song Linghui’s lips tightened, and she instantly straightened her back.
The man who had been sitting behind her earlier, what was his name again?
The narcissist clicked his tongue, “Zong Ye, why do you follow me wherever I go? Got a secret crush on me?”
Oh right, he’s called Zong Ye.
Zong Ye seemed a bit helpless, sighing, “Wang Tan, be serious.”
His speaking voice sounded so nice too.
So this narcissist is called Wang Tan…
The three of them seemed very familiar with each other, and Song Linghui observed them silently.
Zong Ye always maintained a slight smile, but unlike the polite and courteous demeanor he had when talking to others earlier, whenever he looked at Jiang Chuyi, Song Linghui felt something she couldn’t quite describe.
Unlike the narcissist, Zong Ye hadn’t noticed her existence. Not until Jiang Chuyi said: “By the way, let me introduce you. This is my new friend, Song Linghui.”
Zong Ye glanced sideways and nodded slightly, “Hello.”
Song Linghui thought that Zong Ye must not have a very good memory.
She had been sitting in front of him for so long, yet he didn’t seem to recognize her at all.
Song Linghui rose from the small sofa and bowed, “Hello to you all.”
Wang Tan was amused by her again: “Such a formal greeting?”
He seemed to be tired of standing and sat down beside her. The sofa was rather small, but the narcissist didn’t show any courtesy, squeezing Song Linghui to the edge.
He even picked up one of her small cream puffs and tossed it into his mouth.
Song Linghui turned her head to look at Jiang Chuyi.
The two of them were talking about something when Zong Ye suddenly leaned forward and whispered something in Jiang Chuyi’s ear.
Song Linghui was watching them intently and clearly saw that after Zong Ye finished whispering, as he straightened up, his lips brushed against Jiang Chuyi’s earlobe.
Is this… flirting…
Song Linghui was secretly shocked.
Before she could think further, the venue lights suddenly dimmed, as a performance was about to begin in a few minutes.
In the distance, silhouettes moved about. In a corner unnoticed by others, Zong Ye mischievously took hold of Jiang Chuyi’s wrist, pulling her a bit closer, lowering his head as if preparing to whisper something else to her.
Before she could see what happened next, Song Linghui’s eyes were covered by someone’s hand.
Wang Tan said nonchalantly, “When adults are kissing, little kids shouldn’t watch.”