Zoe asked Lan to help her find a place to have a late-night snack.
Lan asked, "Who are you meeting tonight? Song?"
"Yeah," Zoe replied. "Spreading rumors."
Lan smiled brightly. "That's great. I'll contact some reporters I know and have them take some pictures of you two. No need to buy trending topics, you'll go straight to the top."
Zoe gave Lan an eye roll.
The smile in Lan's eyes deepened.
Before leaving, Lan reminded, "Even though you're meeting Song, don't stay out too late. There's filming tomorrow, and if you're too tired, you won't even do a good job editing the photos."
Zoe replied with a "got it" and then left.
Given their unique identities, they couldn't go to crowded places. Lan contacted a friend who ran a small bar and booked a private room in advance. Without this arrangement, it would be nearly impossible to have a meal with Song in peace.
Even at night, Zoe wore a hat and mask, arriving at the bar, where the owner greeted her and led her in through the back door.
The small room was hidden in a corner. Once the door was closed, no one could see inside.
Zoe texted Song: "I'm here. When you arrive, contact this number and the owner will come to get you."
Song didn't reply.
Zoe sent another message: "You better not stand me up."
Half an hour later, Song arrived late.
When Song entered, he took off his fisherman hat and mask, revealing his familiar face.
"You finally made it," Zoe said, her tone holding a hint of long-awaited complaint.
Song sat down, placed his hat and mask on the empty chair beside him, and said, "There were paparazzi following me, took me a while to shake them off."
"Did you drive yourself?" Zoe asked, a bit surprised.
"No, I had a driver."
Song asked, "So, what's the deal? Why did you ask me out?"
Zoe threw the menu in front of him and said, "No particular reason."
"Oh, so you just wanted to treat me to a meal?" Song said, pretending to be surprised.
"Yes, just wanted to treat you. Are you touched?" Zoe teased, flicking her hair.
"You're expecting too much." Song replied.
"Turns out, it was a wasted effort." Zoe shook her head in mock sorrow.
This small bar was recommended by Lan's friend. The drinks were good, and the chef wasn't bad either.
After tasting the food, Song's eyes lit up. "Didn't expect much from this place, but it's pretty good."
Zoe smiled, "I've actually never been here before, Lan found it."
"No sincerity at all." Song accused.
"Full of sincerity. If I wasn't sincere, I would've just picked a random place from Dianping." Zoe laughed, her eyes curving like crescent moons, sparkling with the glow of a summer night.
Song froze for a moment and then chuckled softly.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at Zhang Wuji's mom, she was right after all. You can't trust pretty women."
"Too bad Zhang Wuji wasn't Jay Chou, he didn't listen to his mom, and well, neither did Jay Chou." Zoe laughed at her own bad joke and continued, "You're really strange. You've been in the entertainment industry for so long, but why do you have such a soft spot for me?"
Song's pupils contracted, and he leaned back, "What soft spot?"
Zoe spread her hands, "Besides me, is there anyone else who's had rumors with you and ended up as friends?"
Song: "Shouldn't you be thanking me for favoring you?"
"So you think I have potential, and that's why you're looking out for me?" Zoe said with mock surprise, "What, you think I could become an award-winning actress?"
"I just think you're the only person in the world with thicker skin than you." Song sneered. "Rather than having you sneak around riding on my fame, it's better to let everyone know you're my friend, then you won't be riding on the 'rumored girlfriend' heat."
"Seems like things aren't going according to plan, huh?"
"It's your physique. You show up on trending topics every other day, Sina's darling hasn't been this active." Song scoffed.
Zoe covered her face with both hands. "But I didn't have this 'physique' before. Guess I caught it from you."
"You're blaming me now?" Song said, incredulously.
Zoe curiously asked, "Song, didn't anyone ever chase after you before?"
"Do you think that could be a problem?" Song looked at Zoe with disdain.
"Then why aren't you in a relationship?" Zoe asked again, curious.
Song stared at Zoe in shock, "Are you really eyeing me?"
Zoe didn't respond, just raised her middle finger.
Song looked at her sideways and said, "Why do you care about my love life?"
Zoe: "Curiosity."
"At this time, maybe not." Song finally loosened up a little but didn't elaborate. That little was enough for Zoe. No matter the reason, neither of them could start a relationship right now. That was enough.
Zoe let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"I ran into one of your little fans last time at an event, Yu Sitiann. She was so into you. She treated me like an enemy just because I had rumors with you, and we hadn't even met."
Song: "Yu Sitiann? Oh, I remember her."
"She probably confessed to you, right?"
"I already blocked her."
"No, last time at the event, you were there too." Zoe said.
"Yeah, but didn't you notice there was no interaction between us?" Song replied, "She's a bit crazy, so be careful if you meet her. Now, whenever I sign any contract, I make sure to include a clause to avoid any interaction with her."
"That exaggerated?"
"Trust me, the details in contracts you sign will only get more and more ridiculous." Song smiled lightly. "Can't help it."
The two of them drank and ate, with lively sounds coming from outside.
In this private room tucked away in the corner, Zoe and Song would occasionally throw a few jabs at each other.
But actually, it was just fine.
It was just perfect.
Zoe thought about it. It had been so long since she'd had such a purely fun meal with a friend.
Song thought about it. It had been so long since he'd had such a purely enjoyable meal.
By eleven, they each left separately.
In the night of BJ, the trees cast long shadows.
The small bar was quiet, with not many people outside.
The old neighborhood inside the third ring road, especially at night, didn't look like an international metropolis. The air still held a hint of something old-fashioned.
The old buildings seemed to carry the weight of ancient years. Zoe sat in the car, watching them slowly come into view and then fade away.
Such a rare night.
It was wonderful. Just a dinner, nothing happened. It was like drinking a cup of wine, turning around, and leaving, without needing to say a word.
4o mini