Soon the mysterious and widely talked about post was deleted, and the original poster who made it also deleted their account and disappeared without a trace.
Despite that, the post had been recorded as a document by the onlookers and was now widely circulated on Weibo.
And the more Anya thought about that post, the more she felt something was wrong.
On the way to an interview with Director Xu, after receiving some documents sent to her by her new boyfriend, she finally couldn’t help asking Xu Xinyi, “Did you ask Yi Yang about that post?”
Xu Xinyi was briefly stunned but quickly recovered and flipped to the next page of the contract in her hand. “I believe in Yi Yang.”
But as a matter of fact, she was really not so sure.
Xu Weiyin was the protagonist of this world and Yi Yang should have been established by fate to fall in love with Xu Weiyin, but somehow she easily won Yi Yang over with her small achievements? That sounded too fake.
And Yi Yang was a man who said few words. It was hard to see through his mind. Who knew what he was thinking.
Anya could only hate iron for not becoming steel. “Xinyi, do you remember when Yi Yang started acting so kind to you all of a sudden?”
“When he started?”
Around when did that start?
Xu Xinyi really couldn’t remember.
Anya was worried for her. “Xinyi, I know I shouldn’t say these words right now, but you have to think clearly for yourself. You can’t be careless. You must ask him clearly. If things are bad, you can still get out. You are still young, so what kind of man can’t you find? Don’t put yourself in a bad position, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I know what to do.”
The car parked in front of Director Xu’s company.
Xu Xinyi and Anya went upstairs and found that Han Xiao and his agent Luo Jie were there in Director Xu’s office.
The film she and Director Xu were going to talk about today would be Xu Xinyi’s debut as she transitioned from a TV series actress to a movie star. And Xu Xinyi had also guessed that Director Xu would contact Han Xiao to be the leading actor.
But she never thought that Han Xiao would actually be willing to continue to work with Director Xu.
Director Xu got up with a smile. “Is that Xinyi? Come in. Have a seat.”
After sitting down, Xinyi looked at Han Xiao and asked, “Mr. Han?”
Director Xu explained, “It’s only been a few days, you’ve already forgotten? As it happens, Han Xiao is here today to talk to me about the male lead role of my new movie. I think “The Way to the Phoenix” will also be a big hit when it comes out next year, the performance you two put on will certainly wow the audience. So if you two cooperate again on this movie people will love it. It would be a waste not to ride this trend.”
“Director Xu is being too modest,” When Han Xiao spoke he didn’t sound any different than he had when they had been working together. “I’ve read your script, and I think it’s good. Portraying your male lead will be a big challenge of my skills so I’m looking forward to this film and continuing to work with you.”
“If you say so much, how can I be worried? Xinyi, since we are old acquaintances, just tell me what you need, if I can satisfy you, I will satisfy you.”
“I’m quite satisfied with the script, but I’m curious, who will be the actor playing this male supporting role?” Xinyi asked while glancing over the script.
“I’m still looking for actors to fill the supporting roles. But filming starts a month from now, so there’s no hurry.”
Xu Xinyi pondered for a moment and said, “Director Xu, if you believe in me, I have a newly signed male artist in my studio. He has a professional background and has acted for ten years. Needless to say, his acting skills are excellent and his appearance is good. I would like to recommend him to you for the role. I don’t know if you can give him an interview? I believe that as long as you meet him, you will like him.”
“Who?”
“Liang Chuan.”
Director Xu thought for a moment, “I have a bit of an impression of this actor. I’ve heard that his acting skills are good.” After thinking for a moment, he said, “Alright, let’s set a day and I’ll have a look. If he is really appropriate for the role, I’ll certainly give you this much face.”
Xu Xinyi said with a smile, “Then I will thank Director Xu for him first.”
“Xinyi, these days you’re not doing bad at all. First, you went to Paris Fashion Week, then you opened a studio, and now you’ve even signed on an artist. You’re doing much better than when I first worked with you.”
“Well, you know. People can’t just stay where they are all the time. We all have to keep moving forward. Now that I have all this, I really have to thank Director Xu for giving me some of my early opportunities.”
The two people chatted for a while longer.
During this time, Han Xiao sat in his chair in silence, saying nothing. It was as if he had returned to his earlier more taciturn state, like when they had just met during the filming of “The Way of the Phoenix”.
There was a knock at the door of the office.
“Director Xu, Mr. Zhen sent someone over here and said he was looking for you.”
“Alright, I got it,” Director Xu got up and said to Xinyi and Han Xiao, “I’m sorry, something came up. I’ll be right back.”
With that, he pushed the door and left.
There were only four people left in the office: Xu Xinyi, Anya, Han Xiao, and Luo Jie.
The whole office was quiet.
Click–
Luo Jie unlocked his phone, breaking the silence.
“Miss Anya, I wonder if I could have a word with you alone.”
Anya’s reply was crisp and concise, “No.”
“But what I want to talk about is not appropriate to mention here.”
“Is there anything you can’t say here?”
“Have you given any more thought to playing around with me after Paris Fashion Week?”
Xu Xinyi looked at Anya in shock. She sent her friend questions about Luo Jie with her eyes.
Anya’s face changed from red to white and then to green. “Luo Jie, don’t talk nonsense! When did I…” She paused for a moment. “Alright, let’s go outside and talk alone.”
With that, Anya got up first.
Luo Jie followed Anya out in high spirits.
And then only Xu Xinyi and Han Xiao were left in the office.
The sun outside the blinds spattered flecks of blinding gold over Han Xiao’s body.
“Long time no see.”
Xu Xinyi returned the greeting with a smile, “It’s been a long time. What made Mr. Han suddenly want to pick up this movie?”
“After reading the script, I thought it was good, so I took it.”
“I agree. The plot is good, the characters are excellent, so the film should be good.” Xu Xinyi felt a little embarrassed facing Han Xiao.
Ever since Paris Fashion Week she and Han Xiao had not been in touch. Even their last exchange on WeChat was from just before Paris Fashion Week.
She had planned to just treat Han Xiao like a stranger ever since things got awkward. But she did not expect that she would have to cooperate with him again so soon.
This time, she had to keep in mind that she was a married woman and keep her distance from him in the future.
“Xinyi, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
“Have you seen the gossip going around the internet about you and Yi Yang?”
Xu Xinyi opened her mouth to retort, but without waiting for her to speak, Han Xiao quickly continued: “I know you and Yi Yang are married. I just wanted to know if what was said in that post is true.”
Xu Xinyi frowned slightly. She knew that the post might have a great influence on people’s opinions but she didn’t expect that even Han Xiao would believe it.
“You’ve been in the entertainment industry for so long, don’t you know better than to believe that kind of baseless gossip that crops up online?”
“Did you know that during the two years of your marriage, Yi Yang would always live in the same district that Xu Weiyin lived in whenever he was in the United States?”
“…what? The same district?” Xu Xinyi was amazed. Did that dog man and dog woman live together when he was abroad?
But wait–.
It was too soon to worry. All she had was Han Xiao’s word, how could she know if what he was saying was true or false?
What’s more, both of them living in the same district may not necessarily be intentional, what if it was just a coincidence?
“How do you know that?”
“I looked into it. If you want to know the details, I can give you the information. You didn’t know about it?”
“I…”
Han Xiao said sincerely, “You said that online gossip can not be trusted but have you read that post? As far as I can tell, a large part of what it said is actually true. Xinyi, I don’t know if Yi Yang has ever mentioned Xu Weiyin to you, but he really did have a relationship with Xu Weiyin like the post said. I personally saw it four years ago.”
“That’s impossible. Yi Yang is not that kind of person. It’s true that he was very busy with his work and may have been a little negligent to me, but now he is very kind, and he has no connection with Xu Weiyin.”
…they hadn’t really been in touch, had they?
Xu Xinyi thought that if Xu Weiyin had really met Yi Yang alone, Xu Weiyin wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to brag about it in front of her.
So she thought it was unlikely.
“I know you love Yi Yang and I don’t have any intention to interfere in your marriage with Yi Yang. I just don’t want to watch you get hurt by a man.”
Xu Xinyi was silent for a moment.
“I really can’t accept your concern.”
As the two looked at each other, Xu Xinyi gradually put away her smile.
“Mr. Han, first of all, I’d like to thank you for your reminder but Yi Yang and I are husband and wife. Regarding this matter, I’ll figure it out myself. If Yi Yang is really using me as a stand-in, then I won’t let him go. But until I figure it out, I don’t want to hear any slander against him. For today, please tell Director Xu that I had something to do. I’ll go first. “
With that, she got up and opened the door to walk outside.
Outside the door, Anya, Luo Jie ,and Director Xu were all standing there eavesdropping. They smiled awkwardly when they saw Xu Xinyi.
Xu Xinyi heaved a deep sigh and said, “Director Xu, I have something to do now. I have to go.”
“I’ll go too, Director Xu. We’ll get in touch another day.” With that, Anya quickly followed her out.
On the way out, Xu Xinyi looked calm.
“Anya, help me find out if Yi Yang lived in the same district as Xu Weiyin when he was in the United States.”
“The same district?”
“Yes, let me know as soon as you find out.”
Xu Xinyi, you can’t be angry now. Wait for a clear investigation. Just calm down!
Two days later, Anya found out for her.
Han Xiao was right. Whenever Yi Yang was on a business trip in the United States in those two years, he would live in the same district as Xu Weiyin.
The same district?
There was such a coincidence?
Xu Xinyi gritted her teeth while peeling an apple.
She had really underestimated Yi Yang’s deep affections for Xu Weiyin.
The same district?
How big was America?
In such a big America, what kind of magical coincidence would it have to be for those two to live in the same district every time?
Did they take a walk after eating dinner together every night?
That dog man and woman!
Xu Xinyi’s eyes stared blankly at the tip of the fruit knife in her hands and flashed with a trace of icy gloom.
——————–
At nine o’clock, Yi Yang came home from the company and found the Xu Xinyi had peeled seven or eight apples and left them on the bedside table.
“Husband, you’re back?” Xu Xinyi came out of the closet with a smile on her face and took off his coat from behind.
“Why were you peeling so many apples? Hiss– what’s that? ” Yi Yang suddenly felt something sharp pricked against his waist. He looked back and found Xu Xinyi holding a knife that had accidentally poked against his back. “What are you doing with that knife? Put it down.”
Xu Xinyi looked at the fruit knife in her hand and seemed to snap out of her daze. “I was peeling apples just now, I forgot it was in my hand.”
Yi Yang’s eyebrows furrowed into a tight frown.
She sat on the sofa and continued to peel another apple. “Honey, I read a novel today, it was very interesting.”
“What novel?”
Xu Xinyi continued to deftly wield the fruit knife. “‘The Domineering CEO’s Stand-in Lover’. It was a novel about a rich and powerful president who likes a woman but couldn’t be with her, so he found a stand-in who looks similar to the woman and took her as his wife. I read it to the end. Do you know what the end result of messing with that woman in the novel was?”
Yi Yang’s Adam’s apple rolled, “What?”
“The president’s wife found out that the president was using her as a substitute for his white moonlight so she hired someone to beat the president. After being beaten, the president was paralyzed and had no choice to let his wife take care of him for the second half of his life. It was just a pity that both his legs were broken.” Xu Xinyi continued to peel the apple with the fruit knife. “But I think that for this kind of man it’s not enough to break just two legs, you have to also break the third leg. Don’t you think so, husband?”
Yi Yang was silent for a long moment before he responded.
“…if there’s anything you want to ask, just ask me.”
“What would I want to ask? I just wanted to share this story I read with you.”
Yi Yang hesitated, but then said, “…if you want to ask, ask.”
Xu Xinyi’s face suddenly cooled. “Well, my first question is, why did you live in the same district as Xu Weiyin in the United States during our two years of our marriage?”
Yi Yang asked, “I lived in the same district as Xu Weiyin?”
–“Good, that’s one leg gone.”
Xu Xinyi took a paper towel and wiped the apple juice off the fruit knife. “You had a scandal with Xu Weiyin four years ago?”
“Yes, but…”
–“That’s the second leg gone.”
“Why won’t you divorce me?”
“…”
–“Very well, dog man, that’s your third leg gone, too.”
Yi Yang: “…”
Tl note: So annoying. In the raws they call the place in the US ‘一个区’ which as far as I can tell means ‘a district’ (as in, a single individual district, rather than a proper noun). The USA is full of states and cities with names – I really wish the author had just picked one! orz
i agree, saying they lived in the same district is very vague considering the us doesnt use districts. is it the same city? cuz two people living in NY isnt impressive. it its neighborhoods then i can get it looking a bit more suspicious, or even same street which is still not super shocking cuz rich people tend to cluster, but definitely more noteworthy
…But we in the US do have districts though? Granted they’re split to denote political territory…
From what I googled, it looks like the closest in size to a “district” in China would be a “county.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_(China)
Maybe not… it says sub-city. Maybe its more like an area of the city like “downtown” or southside.” I guess neighborhood would be the closest.
Now, this whole talk left me confused all over again.
I thought district was used in English and in the US? (Btw, English isn’t my native language)
I’m pretty sure it is? Off the top of my head, I can only remember the Netflix series I watched recently, Unbelievable.
In it, the city and the police departments were split in districts.
And when you Google say NY or London districts it redirects to boroughs, but it should be the same?
It’s like the arrondissoments in Paris, or what’d we’d call bairros here.
But the translation to English is usually district.
I’d say it’s more like a cluster of neighborhoods (since some neighborhoods are so small), and a bunch of districts make a city area/zone.
But maybe the word isn’t much used on a day to day basis in English?
Maybe it’s only used for administrative purposes? (Like for police, firefighters dpts etc) 🤔
Yeah, I would say its mostly used with the administration in the US. I have heard the term borough for New York, but that’s the only exception I could think of. I live in the St. Louis, MO area (which is a rather small “city”). It is common to refer to areas of the city, such as “downtown, “south city, “North county.” Its just I’ve haven’t heard them called districts. The city is split into police districts, its just that I’ve never heard that used in everyday conversation.
This is just my own experience and could definitely very greatly depending on the area of tge US someone if from. It could be because my own city is too small, and might be more common in a larger city or a city where the county is not so seperated from the city.
Oof it took me so long writing the other comment I didn’t see yours.
Thank you for giving more info on this.
I remember when I was taking English classes it always puzzled me cause there wasn’t a good/direct translation to bairro, since neighborhood would be vizinhança (same logic of neighbor > neighborhood, vizinho/a > vizinhança)
(Oh, I’m Brazilian btw so this is Portuguese)
The other words, city block (bloco or quarteirão) and even district (distrito) also had pretty straight translations, but not bairro.
This must be why, probably there isn’t a word for it, cause you guys don’t use/see an use for it.
And I’m guessing it’s not only where you live, it must be the whole US since there’s no direct translation for it. 🤔
Or maybe it’s because things are split different there, I mean, here we don’t use counties, boroughs and the like.
I *think* there might even be a translation for them? But it’s so old it’s like, historic?
If countie IS condado (what I could be getting wrong) then it was used like 200 years ago?
And it might be the same for borough.
It’s probably something cultural/the way the language advanced?
And thanks for your answer. I must say, for someone whose native language isn’t English, this kind of input is precious.
This is the kind of thing they don’t teach in classes, and you’d never know till you were talking and try to use the word with a native speaker.
And then you’d probably think you got the word/meaning wrong.
Not that it’s some kind of cultural/language difference.
Just to correct *arrondissement (in case I’m offending someone who actually speaks French or if someone wants to Google it 😅)
And after a bit more of googling, I think it’s pretty safe to go by/use district.
When trying to translate both bairro and arrondissement district appears for both.
Other word would be precint. And in one translation it said “block” as in “city block”.
Anyways, definition is:
1. A division of an area, as for administrative purposes.
2. A region or locality marked by a distinguishing feature: went to the lake district for their vacation
On another dictionary the example given was shopping district.
And it seems I got it somewhat right, cities are divided in areas, then districts, then neighborhoods.
Anyways, maybe I’m oversimplistic but, in general a subway/underground stop is a district.
Unless the district is so big it has more than one stop. So they specify it with the name of the street/exit 😅
So think of it this way, they didn’t even need to go to the subway to see each other.
Or rather, they’d get off in the same stop lol
That is, if they weren’t rich enough to have their own bmw with a chauffeur tsch. 😑
(No, I’m not over those 90 million, yuan or no yuan 😒)
Yeah, honestly I live in the US and I think our city planners must be garbage or something because there aren’t any really good descriptors for places bigger than a street and smaller than a city. Neighborhood, maybe. Or suburb? Also, there are a lot of weird colloquiums – I’ve lived in a lot of cities and they all have a “downtown” or a “main street” where people will know what you’re talking about if you tell them ‘the barbershop is on main street’ or something like that. Or like that other guy mentioned “north/south/east/west side” gets thrown around a lot too.
Maybe in really big cities like NYC or San Francisco, they might have more specific terminology but I don’t know what it is.
Uh– wow.
Jealous Xinyi is terrifying, going after legs.
Thanks for the chapter
Including the third 😂🤣
Yi Yang! Fight for your legs!
District made perfect sense to me. I live in the US. It was a good choice to use because it gives you a vicinity range and was meant to be ambiguous.