Chapter 150: Aftertaste
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Shen Qingbie was easygoing. Before, she had said a whole bunch of things to Yu An over the phone, chatting happily, and had long forgotten her question asking why Yu An didn’t want her.
Now that Yu An brought it up again, she suddenly realized, and the heart that had been comforted by Yu An now felt a little annoyed. She said, "Do I even need to ask what that means? A’Yu, I can see it, you don’t have me in your heart at all."
Yu An: "..."
Instantly, two new questions appeared in her mind.
What… what does it mean that 'I don't have her in my heart at all'?
Could it be… Qingqing wants me to have her in my heart?
The lake in Yu An’s heart was shaken again by Shen Qingbie’s words.
She had been moving around in the entertainment circle for a long time. She was also working behind the scenes, facing all kinds of complicated capital networks, and she always knew the art of words. What to ask and what not to ask, she had it clear in her mind.
Yu An was thoughtful. When it came to work, she always thought deeply. When others thought one step, she could already think a few steps ahead. In work, this was of course an excellent ability.
But in feelings, the trouble came.
It was that the more she thought, the easier she thought too much.
Now Manager Yu heard Shen Qingbie’s near-complaining words. She knew those two new questions must never be asked out, or else it would only make Shen Qingbie angry again.
Hearing that little fool’s tone on the phone, it was clear she wasn’t happy, but mixed with some soft couquettishness. Yu An guessed that when the little fool said this, she must even have her lips pouted.
Just by imagining that, Yu An’s chest went a little numb.
Since she couldn’t ask, then she would answer directly. Yu An thought it over, her hand holding the cold railing of the balcony, trembling just a little. Her lips lightly said, “Qingqing, I… of course have you in my heart.”
Shen Qingbie never caught the hidden taste in those words. She only thought Yu An was answering her earlier complaint. She hummed and said, “Don’t coax me. If you really have me in your heart, why didn’t you understand what I meant just now?”
Yu An suddenly grew anxious and quickly said, “Qingqing, I understand, I really understand.”
“Do you really understand?” Shen Qingbie’s meaning and Yu An’s meaning were not even on the same level.
“I really understand.” Yu An’s heart burned with worry. She wished she could dig out her boiling chest and show it to this little fool, it's a pity they were a thousand miles apart. Even if she dug it out, it was useless.
Yu An spoke again: “I understood many days ago, but I didn’t tell you. I… was afraid you wouldn’t understand what I meant.”
Shen Qingbie was left in a fog. What did it mean, ‘understood many days ago’? She felt confused, and simply answered the second half of Yu An’s words: “I’m very smart, how could I not understand you? The things you say, I understand all of them. Instead it’s you who didn’t understand me just now, and you even asked me.”
Yu An was overjoyed. The smile on her face could no longer stay restrained. She didn’t know if it was from the cold or from excitement, even her voice shook a little: “Qingqing, so you also understand me?”
“Of course I understand you.” Shen Qingbie grew more puzzled: “We’re the closest sisters. We’re already this close, how could I not understand you?”
Yu An: “…”
The joy on her face shattered at once, struck by the cold wind outside and Shen Qingbie’s words together.
…This fool.
Yu An had just been self-indulgent, and now she felt awkward, like she was stuck stiff on the balcony. She lowered her voice coldly: “…what do you understand?.”
Shen Qingbie felt wronged: “Why… why are you suddenly fierce to me?”
“I wasn’t fierce to you.” Yu An’s heart softened all over. She quickly said: “Sorry, it’s my fault.”
“Hmph, I forgive you.” Shen Qingbie muttered: “But after all this talking, you still haven’t answered my question. Looks like you still don’t understand. I was asking why you don’t want me, and instead you want that pretty boy Lin Shunfeng? I’m richer than him, I’m more famous than him too. If you take me along, won’t you make more money than with him? Yet you don’t want me, and stay with that pretty boy all the time, and never come to me.”
Yu An’s face cracked even more: “…”
“Not want me”… so that’s what she meant by “not want”?
Yu An swallowed down the blood that almost rushed up her throat and tried to keep her voice calm: “I didn’t not want you. Qingqing, I’m your manager, not your personal assistant. And the artists I manage are not only you. It’s impossible for me to stay with you every day.”
Though, she actually wanted to.
Yu An went on: “And I told you before, but you always can’t sort it out. My income now mainly comes from the company’s share. Even if I don’t take you or Lin Shunfeng myself and let others manage, I can still draw a share from every resource you get. The time I spend with you doesn’t affect my earnings. The income logic you said doesn’t stand at all.”
Shen Qingbie felt wronged again: “Why… why are you suddenly so serious?”
Yu An: “…”
Yu An’s voice softened: “I just wanted to explain clearly to you. You can’t always be so confused.”
…And easy to get tricked.
“My income logic wasn’t wrong,” Shen Qingbie said: “If you take me more, I can let you have more share. I’m this popular, I earn a lot. Won’t you just get more from me?”
“Is the share something you can casually let go of?” This time Yu An was really serious: “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m willing to give.” Shen Qingbie hid nothing about her thoughts.
“Don’t ever say things like giving shares in front of others, especially managers.” Yu An was worried sick. Just thinking of Shen Qingbie being alone in the crew made her uneasy. She said, “Managers make money off artists. If you say too easily you’ll give a share, they’ll think you’re easy to manipulate. Even if your status makes them not dare to bully you openly, in secret there’ll be tricks. Qingqing, never show your concessions easily in front of others.”
“I’m not giving to others, I’m only giving to you. You’re not others. In front of others, I’ll never say it, I’m not stupid.” Shen Qingbie said, “Only you’re my manager, and you’ll always be. Why would other managers try to trip me up? I don’t want them.”
Yu An froze, her hand holding the phone almost stiff.
Shen Qingbie tried to tempt her with money: “A’Yu, if you manage me more, I’ll let you earn even more.”
The way she said it, it sounded just like: if you keep me company more, I’ll support you.
Yu An really fell for her bewitching words, almost dazed: “I have money, I don’t want your money.”
“Then what do you want from me?” Shen Qingbie sounded a little deflated.
She really thought it was such a pity. The pity was Yu An was too capable, too rich. If Yu An had no money, maybe she could’ve used money to hook her.
So Shen Qingbie had to bargain: “Then what will it take for you to spend more time managing me?”
“I want…” Yu An stopped halfway.
“Want what?”
“I want you…” Yu An said.
“Want me to what?” Shen Qingbie pressed.
Yu An: “…”
…Forget it.
"You don't have what I want." Yu An forced herself to change the topic and comforted Shen Qingbie. "About Lin Shunfeng, don't care too much. He's in his rising stage now, and his momentum is very good. Later he can create more value. I bring him more now and help him build his way. For the company, for me, for him, it's all good. When he stands firm, I won't need to worry about him much. I'll send someone else to follow him."
Shen Qingbie understood in her heart. But her mouth sounded dull. "Then I can only wish that little pretty boy get famous soon. That way you don't need to care about him."
"Alright, stop being sour." Yu An coaxed her. "When I'm done here, I'll come soon to pick you up. You still have a variety show to record."
When Shen Qingbie heard Yu An mention variety show, she thought she could meet Yu An again. Her mood became bright. She said, "I'm going to get my beauty sleep. I’ll stop talking with you. Rest early when you're done."
In the past when she chatted, she poured beans like water, until Yu An's ears got tired. This time, it was rare for her to be the one to hang up first. Yu An felt a little unwilling. But she still said softly, "Okay, go sleep. Good night."
"Good night, muah muah."
"What muah muah?" Yu An was numbed by the cold wind outside and did not react at once.
Shen Qingbie laughed and said, "My fans at night say good night to me, and they also add a muah muah. It means a kiss."
She pressed her lips together, then let go, and made a "muah" sound.
Soft and sticky.
"Oh, that muah muah." The wind was cold, but Yu An's cheeks felt a little hot.
Her heart was full of muah muahs.
No, it was full of bubbles.
When Yu An put away her phone and came in from the balcony, the heavy cold air clinging to her met the warm air in the room, and her whole body almost broke out in goosebumps. But she was still lost in the phone call with Shen Qingbie just now, feeling nothing, with a lingering smile on her lips.
Lin Shunfeng quickly came up and said, "Sister Yu An, the temperature outside is so low. Why did you go out without a coat? Don't catch a cold."
The smile on Yu An's lips froze at once.
"I'm not cold." Her face went calm again. She looked at Lin Shunfeng and said seriously, "The things I told you before, did you remember them?"
"I remembered, Sister Yu An."
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Yu An reminded him, "This resource wasn't easy to get. You must treasure it. This drama has a very high chance to explode. Your role is already likable. Grab the chance well. Don't go into the crew unprepared and delay the shooting. The acting lessons I arranged for you before, follow the teacher and study hard."
"Thank you, Sister Yu An." Lin Shunfeng was wild with joy. "So, does this mean my role is set?"
Yu An didn't answer directly. She only said, "Just keep it in mind, don't talk about it. Before you officially enter the crew, nothing is certain."
"I understand, Sister Yu An," Lin Shunfeng said again and again.
"Go rest." Yu An said faintly, "You need to leave early tomorrow morning."
Lin Shunfeng chatted a few more words with her, then left.
Yu An also went back to her room. She stared at her phone screen for a long while. The more she looked, the more she smiled. After quite some time, she finally put it away and went to the bathroom to shower.
….
Ruan Yesheng finished tidying up, took a shower, and saw light leaking from under Xi Mo's door. She knocked and waited at the door.
Xi Mo, in pajamas, soon opened it and looked at Ruan Yesheng. Maybe she was reminded of the awkwardness when biting the cherry before, her eyes still showed a faint unease, and for a moment she said nothing.
"I don't have anything, I just came to say goodnight," Ruan Yesheng said, her ears a bit hot.
"I know." Xi Mo replied.
"Then... goodnight." Ruan Yesheng bit her lip. "Xi Mo."
"Goodnight, Yesheng." Xi Mo's voice in the night sounded warm and gentle.
Ruan Yesheng walked back with restraint. Once she got to her room, she shut the door, almost rushed straight to the bed, and threw herself onto the soft blanket. Lying there staring at the ceiling, her eyes grew misty.
She reached for a soft pillow, lay flat, and raised her fingers to touch her lips.
It felt like Xi Mo's breath still lingered there.
Wet with cherry juice, sweet.
And... Xi Mo's taste.
Ruan Yesheng touched her lips like she was still tasting that flavor. After a while, she hugged the soft pillow in her arms and kissed it hard a few times. Her face was red like it was cooked, then she buried her cheeks in the pillow.
Today, she was going to officially announce that her first kiss was gone.
She decided by herself that she gave her first kiss to Xi Mo.
Ruan Yesheng rolled around on the bed in excitement. The more she thought about it, the more shameless she felt, but she still laughed secretly. Her little legs kicked and swayed on the bed.
Anyway, Xi Mo didn’t know. She would just let herself think like this. She promised, only for tonight.
Almost midnight, a message came in the group "Shanghai sisters who love each other." Ruan Yesheng picked up her phone and glanced at it. Lin Tingshuang had sent a photo of her late-night snack, golden slices of orange.
Lin Tingshuang: "Snack time."
Lin Tingshuang loved sharing little things from her life. Even if nobody answered, she often posted pictures for fun. Of course, it was impossible nobody replied, because Lin Tingyu always responded right after she posted.
Lin Tingyu: "Delicious."
Cui Jiayu sent a picture too, another bowl of instant noodles: "I’m also eating a late-night snack."
Lin Tingshuang: "Jiajia, why are you eating instant noodles again, didn’t you already eat a bowl at dinner?"
Cui Jiayu: "I’m starving, reading materials made my stomach empty, so I ate another bowl."
Lin Tingyu: "Eating too much instant noodles will hurt your skin, you won’t find a partner."
Cui Jiayu: "Bah, if I can’t find a partner, what’s it to you?"
Ruan Yesheng: "I also had a late-night snack."
Lin Tingyu laughed and teased: "No way, a star like you with such a great figure, even you eat snacks at night?"
Ruan Yesheng: "I ate some fruit."
Lin Tingshuang: "Ruanruan, what did you eat?"
Ruan Yesheng lay on her pillow, smiling while typing: "Cherries, very sweet, very soft, very delicious."
Xi Mo’s message popped up right after hers: "…"
Ruan Yesheng saw Xi Mo’s ellipsis and her eyes curved as she laughed.
Xi Mo: "… I also ate a snack."
Cui Jiayu was shocked: "Goddess, you actually eat snacks at night???"
Lin Tingyu: "Why aren't you shocked that your goddess also eats meals?"
Cui Jiayu: "…Get lost."
Ruan Yesheng asked though she knew the answer: "What did you eat?"
Xi Mo leaned on the headboard, one hand brushing lightly over her lips, the other typing: "I also ate cherries."
Author's Note:
This night, all kinds of aftertaste~ very sweet, very soft, very delicious. Ruanruan, what on earth are you describing? It doesn’t sound like cherries to me【.
Everyone, muah muah, good night~
Please give more ratings and comments, water it well.
