She Said: A Passionate Kiss [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 45

“Just teasing you, hahaha.” Skirt-Skirt burst out laughing. “But seriously, I did bump into her. She looked pretty tired.”

 

Qiang Huai was speechless.

 

“How long has it been since you two talked?” Skirt-Skirt pressed.

 

“Almost a month,” Qiang Huai calculated. Neither of them had contacted the other.

 

“If someone else swoops in and steals her, and you end up all heartbroken, don’t come crying. You lesbians can be so melodramatic,” Skirt-Skirt teased. She just thought—if two people really like each other, they should just go for it while they’re young.

 

Qiang Huai knew she was joking. “Let’s wait a bit longer. It’s good for both of us to really think about this relationship.”

 

Skirt-Skirt went on a whole rant, mostly to get Qiang Huai to make a move. But Qiang Huai actually appreciated that Gu Pingwan had her own thoughts—at least they weren’t rushing into a relationship just because of a kiss.

 

…

 

Gu Pingwan left the institute, exhausted from her recent workload. Every day, she was working late into the night.

 

Their research project—Biomechanical Changes in Bones and Muscles During Long-Term Spaceflight—was now in the mid-stage of human trials. Each day, test subjects would come in for mechanical performance assessments, and Gu Pingwan’s job was analyzing isokinetic muscle strength data. There was a ton of data to compute, plus trend analysis based on simulation experiments.

 

She walked to a hydrangea tree. The flowers had turned green—they would turn white once fully bloomed.

 

After standing there for a while, she returned to the dorm.

 

The days without contact from Qiang Huai had cleared her mind. She was now observing their relationship from a third-person point of view, even making a bar chart of pros and cons.

 

Then she scolded herself—If you need to analyze a relationship with a pros and cons chart, what’s the point of being together?

 

Gu Pingwan had never been in a relationship before. She just knew that Qiang Huai made her feel warm when she showed care, made her happy when they met, and made her heart race when they were too close.

 

She was scared. Scared that if they did get together, she wouldn’t be able to act like a “normal couple”—tender and caring. Her work was demanding, and she couldn’t promise regular meals or warm companionship.

 

And if they really were to be together, they’d have to think about family issues too.

 

Qiang Huai couldn’t sleep either. She kept re-reading her old chat logs with Gu Pingwan.

 

Suddenly, a message popped up.

 

It was from Gu’s mom.

 

A few days ago, Qiang Huai had given her some fresh yellow peaches. Gu’s mom had just remembered they hadn’t added each other on WeChat, so she added her.

 

Auntie Gu: “Xiao Huai, how are things with Xiao Wan lately?”

 

Qiang Huai stared at the message, unsure how to reply.

 

When Gu’s mom didn’t get a response, she followed up:

 

Auntie Gu: “I haven’t heard Xiao Wan mention you in a while. You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

 

Qiang Huai: “Auntie, it’s so late and you’re still up?” (Trying to change the topic.)

 

Turns out Gu’s mom had just gotten up to use the bathroom and saw the message Gu Pingwan had sent her earlier to check in—so she took the chance to ask Qiang Huai.

 

Auntie Gu: “Got up for the bathroom. So what’s going on with you two?”

 

After thinking it over, Qiang Huai replied:

 

Qiang Huai: “We’re seriously thinking about how to handle our relationship.”

 

Auntie Gu: “That’s rare and admirable in young people.”

 

Qiang Huai: “Auntie, you should get some rest. I’ll keep you posted if there’s any progress. 😜”

 

Qiang Huai felt a little relieved. At least Gu’s mom supported them. That would make future obstacles a little easier.

 

With that thought, she fell asleep—and dreamed of high school.

 

In the school cafeteria, Gu Pingwan was standing in front of her in line. Qiang Huai kept trying to cut in just to be near her.

 

Gu Pingwan wasn’t having it. In the dream, she dragged Qiang Huai aside in front of everyone—and kissed her fiercely against the wall.

 

Qiang Huai woke up smacking her lips contentedly—only to be jolted out of her dream by Xiao Yu’s voice.

 

“Ms. Qiang! Get up! You’ll be late for the interview!”

 

She got out of bed dark-faced, clearly annoyed. After washing up, the makeup artist arrived to get her ready.

 

The interview had been scheduled earlier—it was a good chance to promote her new film and answer some popular questions.

 

“Ms. Qiang, your coffee.” Xiao Yu handed it over nervously, not knowing she had just ruined a dream.

 

The interview site was just outside Jin City. On the way, Qiang Huai couldn’t help remembering when she and Gu Pingwan had visited the border town together.

 

Back then, their relationship hadn’t reached this stage. She hadn’t dared to hope for anything beyond friendship.

 

Now, passing through the same scenery alone, it all felt a bit empty.

 

At the interview venue, it was a live broadcast. They were just waiting on Qiang Huai.

 

The script had been reviewed—nothing problematic.

 

The host came over to greet her. “Ms. Qiang, so nice to see you again.”

 

Only then did Qiang Huai realize the host was Xiao Ba, whom she had been interviewed by before—he was the one who’d asked about her first love.

 

“You’re not with your old show anymore?” Qiang Huai smiled politely.

 

“Wanted to try something new. What do you think? Not bad, right?” He turned in a circle. His former casual style and scruffy hair had been replaced by a neat buzz cut.

 

“Yeah, looks more professional now,” Qiang Huai commented.

 

Xiao Ba laughed. “Ten minutes to go. If I go off-script with questions, you won’t mind, right?”

 

“I’ll go along with it,” Qiang Huai replied. She knew how spontaneous Xiao Ba could be—who knows what he’d ask today?

 

Xiao Ba went to introduce her. As the audience heard Qiang Huai’s name, the studio erupted in screams. She stepped out in a black straight-cut dress and pointed heels—poised, confident.

 

“Hello everyone, I’m actress Qiang Huai.” She gracefully took her seat.

 

“Ms. Qiang, we meet again. You look like you’ve lost weight from all the filming,” Xiao Ba joked.

 

“True, who isn’t tired from work?” Qiang Huai smiled. “But I love acting—passion drives this working girl forward.”

 

The audience burst into laughter.

 

“Your new movie Kill Yesterday had a great box office run. Are you aiming for the Oscars?” Xiao Ba continued.

 

“Thank you. I’m doing my best—hoping to bring pride to Chinese cinema.” Qiang Huai kept her answers polished.

 

“I heard you’re collaborating with the Women’s Federation on female issues?”

 

“Yes. I think our society doesn’t talk enough about menstrual hygiene. I’m just doing what I believe a female public figure should.”

 

They went through a few more questions, but Xiao Ba wasn’t satisfied yet.

 

“Now for some personal stuff.”

 

Qiang Huai played dumb. “What kind of personal stuff?”

 

“I remember in our last interview you mentioned pursuing your first love. Any updates?”

 

The audience exploded. The livestream comment section went crazy.

 

#QiangHuaiFirstLove immediately trended. Fans started speculating—her only known rumored partner was Gu Pingwan.

 

Bystander: “Wow, she’s only had that one rumor?”

 

Fan: “OMG who IS Qiang Huai’s first love?!”

 

Joke comment: “It’s me. I’m just not going public so it won’t hurt her career. Thanks for your concern.”

 

…

 

It was May 1st. Gu Pingwan was home in Jin City on holiday, packing up her room. Under the bed was a box of books Qiang Huai had given her—she always dusted them off when she came back.

 

Flipping through, she found a letter at the bottom.

 

She had no memory of this letter.

 

She opened it—it was a letter she had written to Qiang Huai, but never sent. Back in high school, she had struggled choosing a college major, but Qiang Huai had inspired her to bravely choose aerospace engineering.

 

The ink had faded, the handwriting neat but childish. Her current handwriting was much faster—and sloppier.

 

She placed the letter back. After all these years, she hadn’t expected those feelings to still be there. She never imagined she and Qiang Huai would get this far.

 

Just then, her phone lit up.

 

A trending topic: Qiang Huai’s first love. She tapped in—straight to the livestream of the interview.

 

The comments were flying by so fast she couldn’t see the screen.

 

She turned off the live chat. Only then did she see Qiang Huai—still dazzling under the camera, every smile and glance effortlessly charming.

 

“Ms. Qiang, could you tell us about your love that ended before it began?” Xiao Ba asked carefully.

 

Qiang Huai paused—memories of Gu Pingwan flashed through her mind. Especially since they were in the same city where they’d traveled together—the feelings came alive again.

 

Gu Pingwan kept watching, waiting for her to speak.

 

Unlike the last time, when Gu had been nervous, today she was… expectant.

 

The room fell silent. Everyone thought Qiang Huai was angry.

 

Comment: “The host is dancing on a landmine.”

 

Comment: “LOL he’s dead.”

 

Comment: “He really asked that?”

 

It felt like an eternity.

 

Then Qiang Huai spoke calmly:
“At the high school sports meet, she hurt her leg. I was applying medicine for her and… couldn’t resist kissing her knee.”

 

“She kicked me away. We never spoke again.”

 

The crowd went wild.

 

“AHHHHH!”

 

“OMG! SHE KISSED HER WHERE?! THE KNEE???”

 

“Damn, Qiang Huai?!”

 

The comments exploded. #QiangHuaiKissKnee skyrocketed. Fans screamed while trolls jumped in too, making #QiangHuaiSimp trend.

 

Gu Pingwan heard the story and remembered—yes, Qiang Huai had kissed her knee. But…

 

Xiao Ba, staying professional despite the shock, followed up. “So you never talked again?”

 

Qiang Huai nodded. “These years, I’ve logged into QQ every day… hoping for a reply.”

 

More questions followed.

 

“Ms. Qiang, we have a gift for you—since we’re in the border town.”

 

He handed her a pendant—the exact same design she and Gu Pingwan had once bought together. Engraved with a classic quote from Shen Congwen:
“This person may never come back. Or maybe they’ll return tomorrow.”

 

Qiang Huai was dazed, lost in memories of Gu Pingwan.

 

The interview ended. PR quickly stepped in to do damage control—but the topic was already viral. Everyone was waiting to see if Qiang Huai would chase down her first love.

 

Their old high school group chat exploded.

 

@FlyingBear: “@Qiang Huai, who did you kiss?!”

 

@Doudou: “OMG, and I didn’t know this gossip???”

 

Skirt-Skirt DM’d Qiang Huai:
“So it was you and Gu Pingwan who had that falling-out.”
“Also… kissing her knee?! You really went for it, huh?”

 

Qiang Huai: “…”

 

She opened QQ—the app she always checked.

 

And for the first time in years, there was a red dot notification.

 

“Sorry, Qiang Huai. That was a knee-jerk reflex.”