Chapter 048: Words That Can Only Be Spoken When Drunk

Jiang Yao scratched her head, wanting to remark on how quickly Ye Yiyi’s tastes changed. But then she thought again—it hadn’t been that quick, after all; it had been months now. He Yunqing was the first one to have lasted this long.

She fell silent, listening to Ye Yiyi go on and on about how wonderful Luo Yixian was.

“He even invited me out for coffee,” Ye Yiyi said proudly, tilting her little face up with satisfaction.

“Coffee at night? Aren’t you planning on sleeping?” Jiang Yao pinched Ye Yiyi’s cheek.

“I am,” Ye Yiyi tucked her phone away, a bright smile lighting her face again. “So I told him we’d go tomorrow.”

“Be careful not to get fooled,” Jiang Yao said, helpless. “Good looks don’t always mean good character.”

“I know, I know. Oh, and Yao,” Ye Yiyi lowered her voice mysteriously, “I have more good news for you. I’ve landed my next role—a big production. I’m playing the third female lead, and this time it’s the real third lead!”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s real!” Ye Yiyi jumped high, throwing her arms around Jiang Yao. “Maybe this time I’ll finally make it!”

“With news this good, you should have told me first!” Jiang Yao gave Ye Yiyi a playful tap on the head. “Wait here, I’ll get some cold beer. We need to celebrate!”

Two young women sat out on the balcony, clinking bottle after bottle, not even knowing how many cold beers they drank.

They drank until Ye Yiyi fell asleep, her head resting on Jiang Yao’s lap.

Jiang Yao was tipsy herself, leaning against the railing, her arms folded atop it, gazing absentmindedly at the trees outside, just beginning to burst with new life.

On the neighboring balcony, a tall and familiar figure had appeared.

The man was dressed in loose, comfortable loungewear, holding a bottle of milk in his hand. The night breeze ruffled his hair, lending him a careless, rakish charm.

“I told you, you should go easy on the cold beer.”

As soon as the man’s voice sounded, Jiang Yao stiffened, memories of He Yunqing’s kiss still lingering in her mind.

She stood up, ready to make a run for it, only to be tripped by Ye Yiyi, who was still draped over her.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He Yunqing chuckled.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together, summoning her courage and feigning nonchalance as she looked back at him. “Who’s running? Can’t a girl go back to bed when she’s tired at night?”

He Yunqing neither agreed nor disagreed. He raised the bottle of milk in his hand, gesturing toward her, then took a gentle sip.

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes at him, then picked up a bottle of cold beer from the ground and drained the rest in one gulp.

“Drinking so quickly—you’re not afraid of getting drunk?”

Jiang Yao rested her head against the railing, a sudden wave of bitterness washing over her. “I’d rather get drunk. Too bad I never do, no matter how much I drink.”

She turned her head toward He Yunqing. “You know, there are some things you can only say when you’re drunk. But I don’t even get that chance.”

He Yunqing gazed at her small, tear-bright face, blurred with emotion, and for a moment he looked dazed.

“So, what is it you want to say?” He stood with his back to the night, facing Jiang Yao, his tone serious.

Jiang Yao looked at his strikingly handsome face in the moonlight, suddenly smiling—a smile tinged with tears. She lowered her eyes, opened another beer, and took several long gulps.

She kept her eyes on the scene outside, saying not another word.

“I have a gift for you, too,” He Yunqing said quietly.

Jiang Yao glanced sideways—another gift.

It would have been better not to mention gifts. The thought only made her feel more awkward.

He Yunqing turned around and, from who knows where, produced two tickets. He stretched out his long arm, holding them out to Jiang Yao.

She didn’t take them, just narrowed her eyes and leaned in to look.

“There’s a music festival next week. I’ll be performing as a guest. I’m inviting your friend—” He Yunqing’s eyes swept over the still-sleeping Ye Yiyi, “and you, to come watch.”

“A music festival with you? Tickets must be hard to get.” Jiang Yao smiled, then glanced at Ye Yiyi. “But it seems my friend here is no longer a fan.”

He Yunqing’s eyes narrowed, then he smiled with resignation. “So will you come? Because if you don’t…”

Before he could finish, Jiang Yao had already snatched the tickets away.

She held them up to the night breeze and the warm lamplight, clicking her tongue in amusement.

“Thank you for the gift. If I resell these to your die-hard fans, I could get quite a price.” She grinned, her smile bright.

He Yunqing, seeing her playful expression, couldn’t help but laugh quietly. He turned, bracing himself on the railing so they could stand side by side, gazing into the night. “Just be careful you aren’t mistaken for a scalper and get hauled off.”

“Heh,” Jiang Yao lifted her chin stubbornly. “That’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“But, that’s not the gift I meant to give you.” He Yunqing changed tack.

Jiang Yao was surprised. “It’s not? Then what is?”

He Yunqing’s lips curved into a faint smile. He tipped his head back, throat working as he finished the last of his milk.

“I, too, have things I can only say when I’m drunk.”

Suddenly, the man’s tone grew so deep and solemn it seemed to merge with the dark of night itself.

“Yao, do you want to hear what I have to say?” He turned abruptly toward her, his eyes and features now heavy with meaning.

It was as if his sudden glance startled something inside Jiang Yao, making her heart beat a little faster.

What did he want to say to her?

Jiang Yao realized she wanted to hear it—and yet, she was afraid to.

She stifled a yawn. “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.”

With that, she dragged Ye Yiyi inside. Before closing the door, she looked back at He Yunqing. “Looks to me like you’re the one who’s drunk.”

He Yunqing watched her retreating figure, then glanced at the empty milk bottle in his hand, a faint, bitter smile on his lips.

Soon, a week had passed.

The music festival was lively and bustling.

Jiang Yao was pulled along by Ye Yiyi, weaving through the crowds.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t a fan anymore?” Jiang Yao asked, exasperated by Ye Yiyi’s excitement.

Ye Yiyi glanced around eagerly. “So what if I’m not? He’s still handsome. Besides, it’s fun to watch others, too. We should enjoy these events while we can. Who knows—if I ever get famous, I might not have the chance to wander around like this anymore.”

Jiang Yao sipped her cold cola. “True, true.”

“But what about you, Yao?” Ye Yiyi turned around. “Weren’t you just talking about selling those tickets? Why are you here now?”

Jiang Yao choked on her cola, coughing hard. “Didn’t sell them—no buyers.”

Ye Yiyi tossed her glossy curls. Tickets to any event featuring He Yunqing always sold out.

Not only were there buyers, but even at several times the original price, people would fight tooth and nail for them.