She Said: A Passionate Kiss [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 21

Gu Pingwan tilted her head. “Going to Hangzhou? If that feels too far, we can just stay in Jincheng.”

 

Qiang Huai chuckled. “Why the sudden interest?”

 

“Spur of the moment,” Gu Pingwan replied naturally, without revealing it was because she had seen Qiang Huai’s recent space log update.

 

“I’m a big star,” Qiang Huai jokingly curled her fingers. “Let me calculate how much a day of hanging out with me costs.”

 

Gu Pingwan smiled as she watched her. She found Qiang Huai very amusing.

 

“How about this—you’re my high school classmate. I’ll give you a huge discount. Let’s just say it’s free.” Qiang Huai turned her head, the reflected light off the water brightening her eyes.

 

“Alright then, I’ll trouble you to accompany me these few days,” Gu Pingwan bent slightly and made a polite gesture.

 

Qiang Huai laughed until her eyes narrowed into slits. “Don’t call me ‘classmate’ like that.”

 

“Then… what should I call you?” Gu Pingwan also felt “classmate” sounded too distant.

 

“Call…” Qiang Huai thought for a few seconds. “Up to you, Wanwan.”

 

Hearing this, Gu Pingwan’s ears turned red. She turned her face away, touched her nose, and used her hand to cover a shy smile.

 

“Alright, Ah Huai.”

 

As soon as Qiang Huai heard that, her heart lit up with a spark. “Wanwan.”

 

“Mm, Ah Huai,” Gu Pingwan responded.

 

Qiang Huai felt like life was worth living—as if something she had long yearned for had finally come true. She had never imagined a day like this with Gu Pingwan. In the past, such a scene had been completely out of reach. Many years later, when she recalled this moment, she would only remember that the wind that day no longer felt cold, and the night scene was extraordinarily beautiful.

 

After walking around for a while, Qiang Huai drove Gu Pingwan home.

 

By the time they reached Gu Pingwan’s apartment building, there weren’t many people around.

 

“Qiang Huai, I washed your clothes,” Gu Pingwan said.

 

That was a piece of clothing from a long time ago—back when Gu Pingwan had bumped into Qiang Huai while catching a cab outside the company and ended up wearing her jacket. She had searched online for how to properly clean that particular item. One netizen had replied: “Rich people don’t think about that stuff. They wear it once and throw it away.” But Gu Pingwan still found a very expensive dry cleaner to get it cleaned.

 

Qiang Huai had almost forgotten. “What clothes?”

 

“And also—what did you call me just now?”

 

Only then did Gu Pingwan remember that they had already changed how they addressed each other.

 

“Ah Huai…”

 

Qiang Huai’s face lit up with satisfaction. “Oh, that piece of clothing.”

 

“Mm, wait here a sec and I’ll bring it down for you?” Gu Pingwan offered.

 

“No need, you can keep it for now.” Qiang Huai started the car. “I’ll come pick you up at 9 a.m. tomorrow, OK?”

 

Gu Pingwan unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door to get out. “Alright. Drive safe.”

 

“Good night,” Qiang Huai said with a smile.

 

“Good night.” Gu Pingwan got out and watched Qiang Huai drive away before heading upstairs.

 

Her mother was still watching TV in the living room, half-asleep.

 

“Mom, you’re still up?” Gu Pingwan asked while taking off her shoes at the entrance.

 

Her mother barely opened her sleepy eyes. “Waiting for you.”

 

“What’s up?” Gu Pingwan rarely saw her mom wait for her. Normally, she’d be in bed early.

 

“You and that classmate, Qiang Huai—what’s your relationship?” her mom asked.

 

Gu Pingwan was stunned for a moment. “Uh, we’re just classmates… but now we’re really good friends.”

 

“Oh, I see.” Her mother nodded. “She brought you back?”

 

Gu Pingwan responded, “Mm.”

 

“Why didn’t you invite her up to sit for a bit?” her mom pressed.

 

“I’m going out with her again tomorrow, so I didn’t ask her to come up,” Gu Pingwan answered truthfully, though she felt her mom was acting oddly tonight.

 

Her mother turned off the TV. “Alright, I’m going to bed. You should get some rest too.”

 

“Okay, Mom.” After saying that, Gu Pingwan headed into her bedroom, lay in bed for half an hour before getting up to shower.

 

Meanwhile, in her walk-in closet, Qiang Huai was madly mixing and matching outfits. She looked at the clothes scattered all over the floor and muttered, “What should I wear on our date tomorrow?”

 

“This one… is it too sexy?” she asked herself while holding up a tight-fitting pencil skirt, planning to pair it with a brown trench coat. She figured once they went inside a restaurant and the AC was on, she could take off the coat to reveal a flirtier look underneath.

 

She imagined it with glee—surely, she’d make Gu Pingwan fall head over heels.

 

After a while, she eventually settled on a set of sporty outdoor clothes. Since they’d be walking a lot tomorrow, dressing too fancily would just be exhausting.

 

They were planning to stroll around the area near Jincheng. Even though Qiang Huai had lived there for years, there were many spots she had barely visited. Back in Jincheng, her life was a straight line between home and work—often away shooting films elsewhere.

 

The next day.

 

Qiang Huai got up bright and early and called a makeup artist to her house.

 

“Ms. Qiang Huai, what kind of makeup look would you like today?” the artist asked.

 

“I want something that doesn’t look like I’m wearing makeup—but still makes me look good in every spot,” Qiang Huai replied as she sipped an Americano to reduce puffiness.

 

“…You’re already beautiful,” the makeup artist murmured.

 

“Give me a ‘lesbian-slaying’ look,” Qiang Huai thought for a moment and said decisively.

 

After a whole morning of grooming, she left just on time.

 

She drove a regular BMW SUV and parked downstairs at Gu Pingwan’s place. Today, she wore a sporty jacket and had her hair in a ponytail—she felt like she was back in high school.

 

When Gu Pingwan appeared, Qiang Huai honked the horn.

 

She jogged toward the car.

 

“Good morning, Wanwan,” Qiang Huai greeted cheerfully.

 

Gu Pingwan was also wearing athletic clothes today. At a glance, their outfits matched well.

 

Qiang Huai’s was black and gray with more black, while Gu Pingwan’s was also black and gray, but with more gray.

 

“Morning, Ah Huai,” Gu Pingwan said as she opened the car door. She carried a small backpack.

 

“Here, I brought you breakfast,” Qiang Huai handed over the KFC bag in her lap.

 

She remembered that in high school, Gu Pingwan often bought breakfast from KFC, so she probably liked it.

 

Gu Pingwan paused when she saw it. She accepted the bag and opened it, but didn’t eat right away.

 

“What’s wrong? Don’t like the panini?” Qiang Huai asked.

 

Gu Pingwan shook her head. “No.”

 

She took a few bites, then sipped the soy milk.

 

Back in high school, the reason she ate KFC so often was because her mom didn’t cook, and she was always running around with activities. It was cheap, convenient, and clean—but she’d long grown tired of it.

 

Still, the one today tasted really good. Maybe they changed the recipe?

 

“Classmate Wanwan, where are we going first today?” Qiang Huai asked with a bright smile.

 

After swallowing a bite of panini, Gu Pingwan replied, “Let’s go to the temple?”

 

“Okay,” Qiang Huai said, handing her the phone to input the address. It was 8 kilometers away.

 

They parked at the foot of the mountain. The temple was halfway up, so they had to walk. The path was steep, and only wide enough for one person at a time.

 

There was almost no one else around. Qiang Huai had lived in Jincheng for years but never knew this place existed.

 

She walked ahead. From the mountain, she looked down through the trees. In the distance, she could see overpasses and skyscrapers peeking through—a scene that felt cyberpunk.

 

Behind her, Gu Pingwan held onto the railing. “Ah Huai, slow down.”

 

“Wanwan, your stamina’s really not great,” Qiang Huai teased from a higher step.

 

They had just changed how they addressed each other yesterday—now they were back to calling each other “classmate.” Probably still getting used to it.

 

Panting, Gu Pingwan said, “I don’t exercise much. How do you have so much energy when you eat so little?”

 

Qiang Huai pulled out two thermos cups from her backpack, filled with lightly salted water.

 

“Drink some,” she said, unscrewing one and handing it over.

 

Gu Pingwan took a sip, then naturally handed it back so Qiang Huai could screw the lid on again.

 

“My stamina’s not just for this kind of thing,” Qiang Huai said with a sly look.

 

“Huh?” Gu Pingwan blinked in confusion.

 

Qiang Huai laughed heartily. She loved how clueless and innocent Gu Pingwan was—so fun to tease.

 

When they reached the temple, pine trees lined the entrance. The actual entry was behind a wall, and there was no entrance fee. Besides some monks, only two or three tourists were there.

 

They went in and bought incense, lighting sticks for each deity.

 

Afterward, they found a wishing tree inside the temple.

 

A young Daoist priest stood beneath the tree selling wish plaques. Qiang Huai and Gu Pingwan walked over, and the priest looked up at them.

 

“Little Master, how much are these plaques?” Qiang Huai asked.

 

“Ten yuan each,” he replied, holding one up.

 

“Alright, we’ll take two,” Qiang Huai said, reaching for her phone to scan the QR code.

 

“No. I’ll only sell you one,” the priest said, handing the plaque only to Qiang Huai.

 

She and Gu Pingwan exchanged glances. “Why?”

 

“Sometimes, one person is already two,” the young priest replied.

 

Neither of them understood what he meant. When they asked again, he wouldn’t explain further.

 

Qiang Huai hung the plaque on the tree and clasped her hands together beneath it to make a wish.

 

After a while, Gu Pingwan asked, “Ah Huai, what kind of wish did you make?”

 

“All about myself,” Qiang Huai said with a smile.

 

Gu Pingwan nodded without replying.

 

Then Qiang Huai added, “Also all about you.”

 

“Huh?” Gu Pingwan’s eyes widened as she looked at her, clear and curious.

 

Qiang Huai patted her on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s head down.”

 

After descending the mountain, Gu Pingwan suggested going to eat some snacks outside their old high school. She remembered Qiang Huai had once written in her blog that the fried skewers outside the school were amazing—especially the fried eggplant patties.

 

On the way to the school, more and more people started appearing.

 

Qiang Huai parked where their old teachers used to leave their cars. She put on a mask and went to the school gate with Gu Pingwan.

 

The gate area had changed a lot. Some old shops were gone, replaced by chain stores.

 

Gu Pingwan dragged Qiang Huai to a corner where a little fried skewer shop still stood. It was tucked into a stairwell.

 

The owner was a woman in her fifties. She quickly exited her short-video app when she saw customers approaching.

 

“What would you two like?” she asked.

 

Qiang Huai expertly placed her order. “Eggplant patties, pork chops, and these rice cakes.”

 

“I’ll have the same,” Gu Pingwan added.

 

“Takeaway?” the woman asked, picking up the skewers they’d ordered.

 

“Eat here,” Qiang Huai answered.

 

“Alright, have a seat over there. I’ll fry them for you now,” the auntie said, pointing to a small table and bench.

 

The two of them sat down in the cramped corner.

 

The little shop was narrow and deep, with a single oscillating fan whirring overhead. A wave of oily smoke lingered faintly, but it wasn’t unpleasant—rather, it smelled of their youth.

 

Gu Pingwan looked around and smiled, “This place hasn’t changed much.”

 

“Yeah,” Qiang Huai nodded. “I remember hiding here to eat after skipping class.”

 

“You skipped class?” Gu Pingwan was surprised.

 

“Of course. I’d climb over the wall with my deskmate, then come here and eat like there was no tomorrow.”

 

The two of them laughed. Soon, the auntie brought out their fried food, steaming and fragrant.

 

The eggplant patties were crisp and golden, the pork cutlets thick and juicy, and the rice cakes chewy with a sweet-and-spicy sauce.

 

As she ate, Gu Pingwan said softly, “It tastes just like before.”

 

“Yeah, makes me feel like I’m back in high school,” Qiang Huai added.

 

After finishing, they cleaned up and said goodbye to the auntie.

 

It was already afternoon. They walked along the old street slowly, not speaking much, just quietly enjoying the breeze and the sun.

 

Qiang Huai suddenly said, “I used to imagine walking with you like this back then.”

 

Gu Pingwan turned her head slightly, “What did you imagine?”

 

Qiang Huai smiled, “Just this. Nothing else. Just being able to walk beside you.”

 

Gu Pingwan didn’t respond, but she reached out and gently held Qiang Huai’s hand.

 

The warmth from their palms lingered for a long time.

 

And just like that, in the ordinary streets of Jincheng, under the summer sun, something beautiful silently took root and bloomed.

 

“Mm.”

 

Once the food was ready, the two of them each carried a paper bowl and stood by the roadside. Around them were senior high school students who still had classes during the New Year’s holiday. Qiang Huai pulled down her mask and started eating the fried skewers.

 

Gu Pingwan took a bite too—it really was delicious.

 

She tried the stuffed eggplant and said, “Classmate A-Huai, I might not be able to come out like this with you very often in the future.”

 

Qiang Huai, of course, understood. “It’s okay, I’ll be busy too.”

 

“These skewers are really tasty,” Gu Pingwan said with a smile. She genuinely enjoyed being with Qiang Huai. She could sense that Qiang Huai was sincerely kind—whether to Sister Qin or Xiaoyu, she treated the people around her very well.

 

Qiang Huai mumbled through her food, “Back in high school, I wanted to bring you here, but never got the chance.”

 

At that moment, a group of students swarmed the skewer stall, creating a noisy commotion, drowning out Qiang Huai’s voice in the laughter.

 

“What did you say?” Gu Pingwan had a bit of oil on her lips, making her look even more youthful and radiant.

 

Before Qiang Huai could repeat herself, the students who had just bought skewers came rushing over.

 

“Excuse me, are you Qiang Huai?” one of them asked excitedly.

 

Qiang Huai gave her familiar smile and nodded. “Shhh, keep your voice down.”

 

“Can you give us an autograph?” one girl said, waving her arms in excitement as she looked everywhere for a pen. Finally, she found a marker at the skewer stall.

 

“Sign on my school uniform!” The girl unzipped her jacket and pulled out a big section.

 

The other students immediately took off their uniforms too.

 

Qiang Huai laughed, “Won’t you get in trouble with the dean for this?”

 

The girl gave a look of defiance. “Who cares! Your autograph is more important!”

 

Just then, Gu Pingwan came over from the nearby stationery store with a notebook. She tore out pages, handing them over. “Sign on these instead.”

 

“No, no, no! We want our uniforms signed!” the group of students clamored. A lot of people started turning to watch the scene.

 

In the end, Qiang Huai signed the corners of their school uniforms. “Everyone, keep working hard at your studies!”

 

The students, holding their autographed uniforms, were so excited they forgot to eat their skewers. Just then, the class bell rang.

 

A familiar voice shouted from the school gate: “What are you students gathering over there for? Get back to class!”

 

The students turned and quickly said to Qiang Huai, “We’ll study hard! Bye, Qiang Huai! You too, keep it up!”

 

A group of energetic boys and girls ran back into the school.

 

Qiang Huai and Gu Pingwan followed their line of sight and saw it was the dean.

 

The dean spotted them too, adjusted his glasses, and after confirming who they were, walked over.

 

“Qiang Huai? Gu Pingwan?” The dean hesitated for a moment in recognition.

 

Qiang Huai smiled and greeted him, “Dean Qin, it’s us.”

 

Gu Pingwan nodded politely. She didn’t really remember this dean much.

 

“Well, it really is you two,” Dean Qin said happily. “What brings you back here?”

 

Qiang Huai joked, “We missed you.”

 

“You? Not likely. Gu Pingwan maybe, but not you,” Dean Qin chuckled.

 

Gu Pingwan felt a bit awkward. If Qiang Huai hadn’t greeted him, she might not have recognized him at all. He looked very different from the dean she remembered years ago.

 

Qiang Huai hadn’t recognized him at first either, but as soon as she heard his voice, she knew. Dean Qin had much less hair now and a noticeably bigger belly.

 

“Haha, you’re too kind,” Qiang Huai said with a laugh.

 

Dean Qin looked them over and nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, not bad. You’re both turning out just as I expected.”

 

“Thank you for the compliment, Dean,” Qiang Huai replied politely.

 

“Not long ago, I heard some of the young teachers in the office talking about you. Actually, I looked into that situation back then, and you—” Dean Qin began, but Qiang Huai quickly interrupted.

 

“Dean, I’ve always been a decent person. It wasn’t as exaggerated as what was spread online.”

 

Gu Pingwan nodded quickly. “Dean Qin, Qiang Huai is a legitimate actress.”

 

Qiang Huai was trying not to laugh—why did Gu Pingwan’s explanation sound so official?

 

“I know, I know. I never thought you were some delinquent,” Dean Qin said, patting his belly. He had guessed Qiang Huai didn’t want to bring up what happened in the alley back then. He turned to Gu Pingwan and said, “Gu Pingwan, you should really thank Qiang Huai.”

 

Gu Pingwan looked confused. Qiang Huai patted her on the back as if to say she’d explain later.

 

“Dean Qin, whatever that was, I’ve already forgotten,” Qiang Huai said.

 

Dean Qin understood. “Next semester, when the senior year starts, we’re planning an outstanding alumni sharing session. Qiang Huai, would you be willing to come back and speak as a guest?”

 

“Dean, you must be joking. There are Tsinghua grads going to the Chinese Academy of Sciences—you’re asking me, an actress?” Qiang Huai tugged at Gu Pingwan’s sleeve, thinking she would be a better fit for that kind of honor.

 

Dean Qin thought it over and agreed. “Then, how about both of you come?”

 

“I’m afraid I might not have time,” Gu Pingwan replied tactfully.

 

“Just think of it as guiding the next batch of seniors. Gu Pingwan, this is an important mission,” Dean Qin pressed, effectively PUA-ing them.

 

Gu Pingwan had no choice but to agree, and Qiang Huai also nodded. Dean Qin had been struggling to find excellent graduates for the talk, and now two top-tier ones had shown up on their own. He couldn’t stop grinning.

 

The two exchanged numbers with Dean Qin before leaving the school. Qiang Huai then drove Gu Pingwan home. As they arrived downstairs, they ran into the same nosy neighbor lady again.

 

She squinted suspiciously at the two SUVs, then spotted Gu Pingwan getting out and rushed over.

 

“Oh, it’s Pingwan. And who’s this?” she asked with bad intentions.

 

Before Gu Pingwan could speak, Qiang Huai stepped out of the car and said, “Auntie, it’s me.”

 

As soon as the neighbor recognized her, she immediately went silent and scurried back home.

 

“Hahaha, your neighbors are hilarious,” Qiang Huai said.

 

Gu Pingwan laughed too. It was rare to see that neighbor so embarrassed.

 

“Classmate A-Huai, I had a really good time today,” Gu Pingwan said softly.

 

Leaning against the car door, Qiang Huai replied, “Me too. It’s been a long time since I felt this relaxed.”

 

She watched Gu Pingwan go upstairs, and quietly thought to herself: If only things could stay like this forever.

 

As soon as Qiang Huai got home, she got a call from Sister Qin.

 

Photos of her eating skewers outside the school had been posted online. Fans were praising her for being so down-to-earth.

 

Qiang Huai opened Weibo and saw that luckily the pictures turned out well—Gu Pingwan looked beautiful too. The two of them looked like high school girls sneaking out for skewers after class, like protagonists in a youth romance film.

 

Fan 1: “Those skewers look so good, and Qiang Huai looks delicious too!”

 

Fan 2: “Who’s that girl beside her? She’s so pretty too! But our Huai Huai is the prettiest!”

 

Anti-fan: “Stop pretending. Donate your Hermès bags to the mountains and I might believe you.”

 

Passerby: “This skewer place looks pretty good. Where is it?”

 

After that, the skewer stall auntie got extremely busy every day. Her supply orders kept increasing, though she had no idea why.

 

Over the next two days, Gu Pingwan and Qiang Huai visited several scenic spots in Jincheng. Each time, they ran into fans. When Qiang Huai took photos and signed autographs, Gu Pingwan quietly watched from the side.

 

Sometimes, fans would pull her over to help take pictures. Gu Pingwan’s photography skills were terrible, and the fans would complain. Somehow, she always made Qiang Huai look stunning while the fans looked… interesting.

 

When the New Year holiday ended, Qiang Huai drove Gu Pingwan to the airport.

 

Before saying goodbye, Gu Pingwan took out the coat Qiang Huai had lent her earlier, neatly folded in a bag.

 

“Thanks for your jacket.”

 

Qiang Huai took it and peeked inside—it was folded perfectly.

 

“Will you come back for the New Year?” Qiang Huai asked.

 

Gu Pingwan wasn’t sure. Their research schedule was unpredictable. There had been several years when she didn’t go home for New Year’s and had to take her leave later.

 

“I’ll try,” she said.

 

Qiang Huai felt a pang of sadness. She wouldn’t get to see Gu Pingwan again for a while. “Then… remember to message me.”

 

“I will.”

 

Gu Pingwan turned and headed toward security. Qiang Huai stood there, waiting.

 

With her mask and sunglasses on, it was hard to read her expression.

 

She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt—just that she didn’t want to part ways, that her heart ached. She didn’t want to be apart from Gu Pingwan.

 

Maybe it was because they were childhood companions reunited.
Maybe it was just that Qiang Huai’s charm was irresistible.

 

…

 

A month later, as the Lunar New Year approached, red lanterns filled the streets. Qiang Huai had returned from her film set. Her scenes were done—just over twenty days of shooting.

 

She visited the temple again and took a photo midway up the mountain to send to Gu Pingwan.

 

Gu Pingwan was busy and didn’t reply right away. They’d been chatting regularly on WeChat, sometimes about daily life, sometimes discussing market feedback on the app.

 

Skirt Skirt sent her a message—her new book was about to be published.

 

Just as Qiang Huai got home, Skirt Skirt showed up carrying a stack of books. “Ugh, this stuff’s heavy! Come help me carry it!”

 

She stumbled in like she was delivering textbooks in high school.

 

“What’s this?” Qiang Huai quickly helped her.

 

“The publisher sent them. I don’t have friends, so I’m giving them all to you. You can put them in your company for the employees to read,” Skirt Skirt flopped onto the sofa, exhausted.

 

Qiang Huai unwrapped the brown paper packaging. The final book design was much more minimalistic, but the title font was enlarged.

 

“Alright, thanks,” Qiang Huai said. Then she pulled out her phone, searched the book on a shopping site, and ordered 100 copies.

 

“So… what’s going on with you and Gu Pingwan?” Skirt Skirt asked as she treated the villa like her own, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and downing it.

 

Qiang Huai played dumb. “Nothing’s going on.”

 

Skirt Skirt wagged her finger. “Liar. You’ve been glowing lately. You totally look like someone who’s already got everything from Gu Pingwan.”

 

“I wish,” Qiang Huai set down her phone. “But I can’t rush it.”

 

“Come have New Year’s dinner at my place?” Skirt Skirt offered.

 

In previous years, Qiang Huai’s parents would return to Jincheng but never came to see her. She often spent New Year’s crashing at Skirt Skirt’s house.

 

But this year was different. She was still waiting for Gu Pingwan to come back.

 

“I’ll see.”

 

After Skirt Skirt left, Qiang Huai picked up the book and started reading. The layout had changed a bit too.

 

Skirt Skirt’s writing had strong emotional pull—no wonder she used to write those melodramatic hit serials on Jinjiang Literature City.