Chapter 29 – Rift

Upon realizing that Xi Yufeng had overheard his conversation with Chen Muxin, Jiang Ruo immediately understood the meaning of “target.”

His mind buzzed with confusion, but he didn’t have time to process his feelings. He blurted out, “There was a crew gathering today. I didn’t know he would come.”

As soon as he said it, Jiang Ruo froze. His words confirmed that he had known about Chen Muxin’s affections earlier, while Xi Yufeng had been kept completely in the dark.

As expected, Xi Yufeng’s expression turned even colder. He scoffed, “So, does he offer more resources?”

A chill ran through Jiang Ruo’s heart. He wasn’t sure how much Xi Yufeng had heard, or whether he’d heard his refusal. In that moment, he lost the urge to explain further.

For the first time, he realized so clearly that in Xi Yufeng’s eyes, he was nothing more than a commodity waiting to be sold at the right price. The faint anger in Xi Yufeng’s gaze stemmed from the fact that the goldfinch he had bought at a high price simply wouldn’t behave.

Jiang Ruo turned to look out the window for a moment before turning back with a smile on his face. “Perhaps, but Mr. Xi might misunderstand. He’s different from you. What he wants to give me isn’t a relationship like the one I have with you.”

When Xi Yufeng heard “different,” he lifted his eyes to look at Jiang Ruo, who was smiling, but with a blank gaze.

It was as if they had returned to the beginning, when Xi Yufeng had tried to pay him off. After a brief moment of self-deprecation, Jiang Ruo felt neither sorrow nor joy.

Even his words were distant, laced with sarcasm. Seeing that Xi Yufeng remained silent, Jiang Ruo asked, “Or do I need to explain the meaning of ‘pursuing’ to Mr. Xi?”

The car sped through the night, its destination unknown to anyone.

After a prolonged silence, Jiang Ruo took a deep breath and said, “To the hotel, or here?”

He saw Old Liu, the driver, visibly pause at the front of the car, probably surprised by such boldness.

Xi Yufeng never liked it when Jiang Ruo spoke in such a frivolous manner. He frowned, and his complexion worsened.

But it gave Jiang Ruo a sense of relief. Perhaps the two glasses of wine he had consumed finally took effect. He pressed on, “Did Mr. Xi come all this way just to — ”

The left window lowered, drowning out the rest of his words with the noise of the street.

The last two words, “fuck me,” were muffled. Jiang Ruo curled the corner of his lip, as if mocking Xi Yufeng’s futile attempt to silence him by opening the window, or perhaps mocking himself.

“Since we’re not going to — ” amidst the whistling wind, Jiang Ruo raised his voice, “let me out then!”

He couldn’t bear another moment in the car.

Since he had already crossed the line, why not indulge his stubbornness to the end?

Jiang Ruo didn’t remember when the car turned around. When they arrived back at the alley entrance, it was just past eleven o’clock. Looking out the window, the sky was an inky blue.

Someone had opened the door for him when he got in, but there was no such courtesy when he got out.

Xi Yufeng didn’t move from his seat in the car. Jiang Ruo leaned against the door for a moment, then, after some thought, bent down to speak to the man inside. “Next time you want to see me, there’s no need to go through such trouble. Just give me a call, and I’ll provide my services at your place.”

Before slamming the door shut, Jiang Ruo saw Old Liu turn around, as if wanting to say something to stop him, but Xi Yufeng interrupted him.

Despite not having spoken earlier, his voice seemed slightly weary. “Go ahead.”

Watching the black car disappear into the night, Jiang Ruo stood still for a moment longer.

As he walked into the alley, his pace quickened, as if afraid he might turn back if he hesitated.

Turning a corner, near the wall covered in vines, a white cat sat in the darkness, its round eyes fixed on the suddenly appearing figure, unafraid.

Jiang Ruo slowed his steps and approached.

This Persian cat was clearly a domesticated pet, with smooth fur and bright eyes. As Jiang Ruo came close, it flicked its furry tail and meowed, as if warning the foolish human not to disturb its moonlit repose.

Jiang Ruo stopped in his tracks and looked up.

The sky had turned a smoky green, as if dissolving the unexplained anger and unknown bitterness.

The brevity of autumn seemed to permeate every moment. Five days passed quickly, and Jiang Ruo finished his final scene, officially wrapping up his work on “Cliff.”

Because he was only a supporting actor and filming continued, Jiang Ruo politely declined his colleagues’ offer to throw him a wrap party. Instead, he sent a truckload of fruit and drinks to the set, bid everyone farewell, and left with his backpack.

Chen Muxin had left three days ago after observing the shoot, sparing Jiang Ruo the trouble of dealing with him again.

Instead of returning to Feng City immediately, Jiang Ruo took his travel permit and visited the bustling city across the sea from Guangzhou.

He had obtained the travel permit at the beginning of his economic contract, along with his passport. Zheng Yiting had said that he would inevitably be traveling around the world and that it was better to prepare early.

At first, he hadn’t planned to come, but Lin Xiao heard that he was going to film in the south and asked if he could help her buy a bag she had been eyeing for a long time. The price in domestic boutiques was too high, and she was too busy to leave the country to buy it herself. Thinking it wouldn’t be too troublesome since he was nearby, Jiang Ruo agreed.

Before coming, he had mentioned this to Xi Yufeng. At the time, Xi Yufeng glanced at him and asked, “Did you charge a handling fee?”

Jiang Ruo’s reaction to this question was, “You actually know about handling fees?!”

They had just finished, lying in bed together. Jiang Ruo deliberately moved closer to the person beside him, lying on his side with his forehead touching his shoulder.

But compared to that insignificant warmth, what Jiang Ruo remembered more clearly was that after saying he had never been to the city, Xi Yufeng described the narrow roads and tall buildings, and casually added, “I’ll take you there someday.”

After passing through customs, Jiang Ruo took the subway towards Central.

When he arrived, Jiang Ruo stepped outside and saw that the city was a mix of modern skyscrapers and old alleyways. People rushed by, each absorbed in their own world. The phrase “just like you described” almost slipped from his lips, but he realized that the person who had promised to come with him was not there.

Perhaps due to not fully detaching from his role, Jiang Ruo, who always prided himself on taking responsibility for his actions, began to feel a hint of regret.

He went to Harbour City and bought the bag for Lin Xiao. Afterward, he wandered aimlessly around the mall and came across a counter selling lighters. He paused, picturing someone skillfully flipping open the metal cover and flicking the flint wheel.

In the dim light, it was sexy, like a male model in a magazine spread.

Standing in front of the counter, looking at a few models, the saleswoman asked if he wanted to see them up close. But Jiang Ruo remembered that these items couldn’t pass through customs, and if he bought one, would he really give it as a gift? Wouldn’t he be ridiculed with the saying “the wool comes from the sheep’s back”?

With a sullen reply of “no thanks,” Jiang Ruo walked away.

Outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, he unexpectedly encountered a fan.

When the girl recognized him and asked if he was Jiang Ruo, he took a moment to react. The girl acted naturally. “I thought it looked like you from afar, so I followed, and it turned out to be you.”

The girl was also visiting from out of town and mentioned that she became a fan after watching the dance segment of “When Orioles Take Flight.”

Jiang Ruo had seen that segment too. Although he didn’t ask, he could guess that the marketing department was behind its promotion. It was rumored that they had even bought trending topics, causing a small sensation.

Jiang Ruo was still puzzled. “How did you recognize me with the mask on?”

The girl giggled and said, “Dancers stand out wherever they are. It’s probably about the aura.”

Jiang Ruo thought of a certain person’s comment about “looking up at people,” but he couldn’t help but think of something else.

When asked about future works, Jiang Ruo replied, “Next year, there will be a historical fantasy drama series and a movie release, although I’m not the main character.”

The girl squinted her eyes and smiled with the enthusiasm of a dedicated fan. “Then I’ll be ready to contribute to the viewership and box office.”

Encountering such a rational and respectful fan on his first spontaneous meeting was quite encouraging for Jiang Ruo.

He took photos with the girl, signed autographs, and just before parting, she pointed to the Ferris wheel across Victoria Harbour. “One ticket gets you three rotations. If you’re tired, you can try it out. The view from the top is amazing.”

Jiang Ruo took her recommendation and walked to the Ferris wheel through an underground passage.

There weren’t many tourists during the weekday, but he merely stood below, gazing up for a while without buying a ticket to ride.

He didn’t want to rush through the city’s scenery on this hasty day. Subconsciously, he wanted to preserve as much as possible for later.

Returning through the same customs, Jiang Ruo headed straight to the airport and boarded a flight back to Feng City.

The shooting schedule was short, and the hotel rooms were too small for convenient accommodation, so Xiao Shen didn’t accompany him.

As soon as he landed and turned on his phone, Xiao Shen’s call came through. After confirming which terminal he was at, ten minutes later, Jiang Ruo was in a car.

Old Liu was driving again, and Xi Yufeng was absent. Xiao Shen sat in the passenger seat.

Exhausted from the journey, Jiang Ruo leaned against the backseat with half-closed eyes, listening to Xiao Shen report on the upcoming schedule. Suddenly, he caught a key phrase and interrupted, “Nanny van?”

Xiao Shen turned to look at the backseat, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Yes, it’s arranged by Mr. Xi. Maybe he thinks it’s inconvenient for us to share a car.”

But Jiang Ruo remembered that apart from this black business car, Xi Yufeng had other vehicles parked in the garage.

He couldn’t describe his feelings. Jiang Ruo turned his face away and let out a faint laugh.

That evening, he returned to the two-bedroom apartment he rented in the old part of town.

Opening the door, he was greeted by the musty smell of accumulated dust. Taking advantage of the mild weather, Jiang Ruo opened all the windows he could find and took out the broom and mop to clean the house, tending to the few remaining plants on the balcony.

Suddenly, he felt invigorated with energy. Jiang Ruo snapped a photo of a pot of spiderwort that had nearly died from lack of water and sent it to An He. Late at night, An He responded instantly: Why are you back? Have you been banished to the cold palace?

Jiang Ruo found the description apt, but the reality was: He was on a business trip and not at home.

An He didn’t reply, probably dropping his phone and falling asleep instantly.

While chuckling, Jiang Ruo realized that he hadn’t slept through the night for several days.

The first engagement upon returning to Feng City was a photo shoot for an apparel brand’s advertisement.

The invitation came from the photography team of the magazine he had worked with previously. Upon seeing Jiang Ruo, the head photographer complimented him, “I was thinking of booking you for a personal shoot, but after a few days of busyness, the price had already risen beyond my reach.”

Jiang Ruo laughed and said, “I’ll let my agent know and offer you a friend price next time.”

Today’s theme was autumn, and since the brand targeted young men, the clothes were mostly basics, requiring little artistic depth. Thus, the shoot went smoothly.

This time, Jiang Ruo didn’t refuse the dinner invitation from the photography team.

However, he wasn’t good at drinking, so after the initial toasts, he buried his head in his food. Eventually, he stuffed himself while the others drank themselves under the table, resulting in a satisfactory conclusion for both host and guests.

Outside, in front of the newly arrived white nanny van, a black business car was parked.

Xiao Shen signaled with her eyes for Jiang Ruo to get into the front vehicle. But Jiang Ruo, as if drunk despite not drinking much, tilted his head and laughed. “I understand. Time to wash up, wrap myself in a blanket, and serve in bed.”

Xi Yufeng wasn’t in the car. Old Liu informed him that Xi Yufeng had just landed and would likely arrive around the same time.

Jiang Ruo remained silent throughout the journey. Perhaps it was because the night view outside the window was too familiar, or perhaps it was due to the shameful anticipation that lingered despite knowing it shouldn’t exist.

He could even imagine that after meeting, neither of them would mention the incident that had upset both of them, and it would be considered over.

Lightly, leaving no trace, only causing a faint ache in his heart under certain circumstances.

Fortunately, this pain wasn’t purely painful; it was also a hand that could pull Jiang Ruo back from the brink of a cliff.

However, despite mentally preparing himself, Jiang Ruo didn’t expect the chaotic scene that greeted him as he stepped out of the elevator.

First, he noticed a stiletto shoe lying on the ground. Further ahead, a woman in a dress stood barefoot on the marble floor.

She wasn’t wearing the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace today, possibly due to rushing out without styling her hair, which made her appear somewhat disheveled.

She repeatedly charged forward, trying to squeeze through the door, yelling things like “hand over the evidence.” Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice was choked with emotion.

Shi Mingxu held her back from behind while calling security from the neighborhood.

In front of her, Xi Yufeng, fresh off the plane, stood at the doorway in his suit, expressionless. Hearing her ask, “Why won’t you leave us mother and son alone,” he merely frowned in slight disgust. “He asked me to help him bid.”

“So you encouraged him to purchase that worthless plot of land at ten times the price?” the woman spat angrily. “Xi Yufeng, you’re trying to destroy us!”

Xi Yufeng’s face grew darker. Catching sight of Jiang Ruo standing at the elevator entrance, he was taken aback for a moment before beckoning him over.

Jiang Ruo approached, and Xi Yufeng grabbed his arm, using his other hand to push the door. “Go in first.”

The woman tried to seize this opportunity to enter as well, struggling fiercely. Shi Mingxu struggled to hold her back, and as her hand reached out, Xi Yufeng turned to shield Jiang Ruo in front of him. After pushing the door open, he instructed, “Lock the door, don’t come out.”

But before Jiang Ruo could ask what was happening, he was startled by an unusually hot patch of skin that brushed against him unintentionally.

Jiang Ruo resisted the closing door. “You have a fever?”

Xi Yufeng, unusually urgent, growled in a commanding tone, “I told you to go in first!”

At the same time, Jiang Ruo heard the woman’s hysterical screams, “Xi Yufeng, because it was out of pity that I spared your life back then, how dare you lord it over us now. You’re nothing but a whore’s son…”

Without waiting to hear the rest, Jiang Ruo was pushed hard, stumbling back a few steps into the room.

Following was the sound of the door shutting loudly.

But even in that split second before the door closed, Jiang Ruo glimpsed Xi Yufeng’s eyes, as cold as an icy pool, with cracks appearing as if struck by an external force.