She Said: A Passionate Kiss [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 43

Qingming Festival morning, as soon as Qiang Huai got up, she pulled open the window to check the weather. It wasn’t raining; the sun was rising not far away.

 

She immediately messaged Gu Pingwan:
“The weather is really nice today. Want to go for an outing?”

 

Gu Pingwan was just taking out two boxes of supplements, preparing to bring them to her grandmother.

 

She was home alone. Mother Gu had already left before dawn to visit Father Gu’s grave, and should be on her way back by now.

 

She replied to Qiang Huai’s message and waited for her downstairs.

 

The morning air after the rain was fresh and pleasant. With the car window rolled down, the dewy breeze was invigorating.

 

“I bought a rocking chair for Grandma. She can sit in the yard and sunbathe,” said Qiang Huai.

 

“You’re always so thoughtful.” Gu Pingwan had been wondering about the large object in the trunk earlier—so it turned out to be the chair.

 

Qiang Huai smiled faintly. “Does Grandma ever want to move into the city?”

 

“She’s used to living in the town. All the neighbors are friends. We did bring her to the city for a while before, but she didn’t get used to it,” Gu Pingwan explained. Her grandfather had passed away a few years ago, and her grandma now lived alone.

 

“Understandable.”

 

When they arrived at Grandma’s house, the yard was enclosed by a cement wall. Buds of blooming roses peeked over from the inside. In a few days, they’d likely be in full bloom.

 

“Grandma!” Gu Pingwan knocked on the door.

 

Qiang Huai began unloading several items from the trunk. Gu Pingwan hurried to help.

 

Grandma heard the noise and came to open the door.

 

“Oh, it’s my little Juju!” Grandma was overjoyed to see Gu Pingwan, grabbing her hand and refusing to let go.

 

“Grandma, don’t call me that, someone else is here.” Gu Pingwan flushed with embarrassment and mumbled, “This is my good friend, Qiang Huai.”

 

Qiang Huai didn’t quite catch what Grandma had called her but greeted politely.

 

“Okay, okay, I won’t say it again! Come in, come in!” Grandma grabbed both of their hands and beamed.

 

“Grandma, what did you call Wanwan just now?” Qiang Huai tried not to laugh.

 

Grandma chuckled, “Just her childhood nickname, that’s all.”

 

Blushing, Gu Pingwan bent down to grab the health supplements, wishing she could dig a hole and hide.

 

“Xiao Juju, come help me lift this,” Qiang Huai called.

 

Grandma opened the gate. “What’s all this?”

 

“A rocking chair my friend brought for you, and I brought some snacks,” said Gu Pingwan, shooting a small glare at Qiang Huai.

 

“You shouldn’t have gone to such trouble,” Grandma said.

 

“As long as you enjoy it, it’s worth it,” said Qiang Huai while unboxing the chair in the yard. Grandma brought her scissors to help cut the straps.

 

“Grandma, why ‘Xiao Juju’?” Qiang Huai asked while unpacking.

 

Grandma whispered like she was sharing a secret, “When she was little, she’d run around in split-crotch pants. One day, she saw a little boy and came back saying she wanted one too.”

 

“She wouldn’t stop chanting ‘I want a little juju!’ and after that, everyone in the village started calling her that.” Grandma burst into laughter.

 

Qiang Huai couldn’t help laughing either. “This kid—hahaha.”

 

“Are you her coworker?” Grandma asked, bringing out a chair.

 

“We were high school classmates,” Qiang Huai replied while assembling the rocking chair—it came ready to use.

 

“Oh, high school friends. What a pretty young lady. What do you do?” Grandma clearly liked Qiang Huai at first sight.

 

Qiang Huai wiped down the rocking chair with a tissue. It was made of redwood and looked expensive.

 

“She’s an actress,” Gu Pingwan said while cleaning up the boxes.

 

“No wonder! Such a beautiful girl,” Grandma smiled, then caught herself mid-sentence as Gu Pingwan shot her a look. “Pingwan, you should learn from her.”

 

Feigning jealousy, Gu Pingwan pouted, “Grandma, weren’t you always saying I’m the prettiest?”

 

“Yes, yes, you’re both beautiful.”

 

After breakfast at Grandma’s house, Gu Pingwan grabbed the lunchbox and a small blanket and dragged Qiang Huai out for a spring picnic in the fields.

 

Along the way, they ran into many neighbors who greeted Gu Pingwan—most still using her childhood nickname.

 

Qiang Huai chuckled, “You must’ve been adorable as a kid.”

 

“That’s ancient history,” Gu Pingwan muttered, mortified that Qiang Huai now knew.

 

“So, do you still want to be a boy?” Qiang Huai teased.

 

“Of course not. What about you?” A mosquito buzzed by and landed on her cheek—she swatted it away.

 

Qiang Huai nodded. “If I became a man, then I could just marry you.”

 

“You serious?” Gu Pingwan noticed Qiang Huai’s very sincere expression.

 

“Hahaha, just kidding. Who wants to be a man?” Qiang Huai laughed as she watched Pingwan blush with puffed cheeks—adorable.

 

They chatted casually as they walked into Grandma’s fields. She had planted an endless expanse of bright yellow rapeseed flowers—stretching across the landscape.

 

They walked on the narrow path, still muddy and slick.

 

“Watch out!” Qiang Huai shouted just as Gu Pingwan slipped—falling into the field of flowers.

 

She left behind a human-shaped dent as yellow petals scattered in the air. Pollen stuck to her face as the morning sun shone down.

 

Gu Pingwan sat there giggling. She pulled out the blanket. “Let’s just sit here.”

 

That spot had a view overlooking the valley. Sadly, it meant crushing some flowers.

 

They sat on the spread-out blanket. Gu Pingwan unpacked a lunchbox of fruits and biscuits.

 

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” said Qiang Huai, leaning close until their shoulders touched.

 

“Me too,” Gu Pingwan stretched lazily.

 

The hustle of city life felt so far away.

 

“I’m sleepy. Let me nap for a bit.” Gu Pingwan laid down, using the lunchbox as a pillow.

 

Qiang Huai lay beside her, resting on her arm. The clouds above moved slowly, and a few birds darted across the sky.

 

Gu Pingwan soon fell asleep. Just as Qiang Huai was about to speak, she realized Pingwan was already dozing.

 

She turned on her side, gazing at Pingwan’s calm, even breathing.

 

Qiang Huai’s eyes traced from her brows, down her nose, her lips, and finally her chin.

 

She shook her head, trying not to overthink. But as she turned again, there was Pingwan, sleeping peacefully.

 

“Wanwan? Wanwan?” she whispered.

 

No response.

 

Propping herself up with her hand, Qiang Huai leaned over. The air no longer smelled of flowers. The clouds stopped drifting. In that moment, it felt like the world only had the two of them.

 

A bee buzzed past and landed on Gu Pingwan’s lips. Qiang Huai gently blew it away.

 

Suddenly, Gu Pingwan’s eyes opened. Their gazes met.

 

Qiang Huai immediately explained, “There was a bee just now…”

 

Before she could finish, Gu Pingwan pulled her down—and silenced her with a kiss.

 

Their lips met. Qiang Huai’s eyes widened. Pingwan’s lips were soft and sweet—possibly from lip balm.

 

Qiang Huai felt a dizzy rush. She hadn’t expected Pingwan to kiss her first.

 

Pingwan’s tongue moved clumsily—clearly inexperienced.

 

Qiang Huai felt electrified all over, barely able to breathe.

 

“What… what are we now?” Qiang Huai asked, sitting up.

 

Gu Pingwan pulled her back down. “Don’t know. Keep going.”

 

After over ten minutes, the two finally parted.

 

They lay on the blanket, catching their breath. As Pingwan recalled everything that just happened, she curled up and covered her face.

 

Qiang Huai turned her head. “Why are you acting shy now?”

 

“I just… mmph—!” Pingwan dove into Qiang Huai’s arms, voice muffled. “Don’t say anything…”

 

“So… what does that make us?” Qiang Huai ran her fingers through Pingwan’s hair—it felt soft, like a kitten.

 

Pingwan was just about to answer when Qiang Huai’s phone rang.

 

“Qiang-laoshi, get back to the company immediately!” Xiao Yu’s voice was panicked.

 

“What happened?”

 

“Lian Tang hit someone! She wants to terminate her contract and quit the industry—ugh, it’s messy. Just come back now!”

 

The call wasn’t even on speaker, but Pingwan could still hear.

 

Pingwan had already started packing up the food. After hanging up, they returned to Grandma’s house, said goodbye, and drove back to the city.

 

Neither of them spoke during the drive. Pingwan sat quietly, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

 

Outside Huai Sheng Group Headquarters.

 

Qiang Huai had the security guard park her car. Pingwan followed her upstairs.

 

Lian Tang and her manager were already waiting in the office. When Qin-jie saw Qiang Huai, she let out a breath of relief.

 

“What happened?” Qiang Huai asked as she pushed open the glass door.

 

Lian Tang’s manager explained, “There was a magazine shoot this morning. She ran into a man and kicked him… well, down there.”

 

“He’s at the hospital.”

 

“What happened exactly?” Qiang Huai motioned for Pingwan to sit in her chair while she leaned against the desk.

 

Lian Tang kept her head down.

 

“He said something disgusting,” Lian Tang mumbled. “I got mad and kicked him.”

 

Qiang Huai frowned slightly. She knew Lian Tang wasn’t an impulsive person. Gently, she asked, “Did he insult you?”

 

“He insulted Zheng Yu,” the manager added.

 

“It’s already on the internet—video of the incident,” Qin-jie handed over a tablet. “It’s trending, number 12.”

 

Qiang Huai watched the video. Sure enough, Lian Tang had thrown the first strike. The scene was chaotic and full of noise.

 

“You’re terminating your contract and quitting the industry over this?” Qiang Huai placed the tablet on the desk. Pingwan leaned in to glance at it.

 

“There’s more to it,” Lian Tang muttered—just as Zheng Yu burst into the room.

 

He marched in angrily:
“Lian Tang, if you leave, we’re done—forever.”

 

Qiang Huai: “?”
Qin-jie: “?”
Everyone: “?”

 

“Teacher Qiang, this is all my fault. Lian Tang was standing up for me…” Zheng Yu tried to explain.

 

“Why are you even here? Get out!” Lian Tang snapped.

 

“I’m dating Lian Tang,” Zheng Yu blurted.

 

Lian Tang’s manager gasped. She had suspected something unusual between the two, but didn’t think it was real.

 

Qiang Huai rubbed her temples. “First, handle PR—issue a sincere apology, pay for the victim’s medical bills, and try to settle privately.”