The Next Day.

Shen Zhirou finished shooting the commercial around five o’clock, right in time for dinner. Xu Jia wouldn’t be coming back for dinner again, as she seemed to be busy with her research for the next few days.

Left alone at home, Shen Zhirou originally planned to skip dinner as a way to diet. But as she returned to her neighborhood, the enticing aroma of food from one of the houses made her mouth water.

She suddenly thought of “Lu Fanghuai.”

Today, their WeChat conversation had been minimal—after exchanging good morning messages, she told him she needed to prepare for work, and they hadn’t talked since.

For a couple, their communication seemed a bit cold.

Shen Zhirou: [I’m done with work. Are you off work yet?]

Shen Zhirou: [Want to have dinner together?]

She stood downstairs, inhaling the delicious aroma, staring at her phone screen with a hint of anticipation, hoping to see him.

Instead, she received a refusal.

Zhou Jiayu: [I’m meeting with a client, so I can’t have dinner tonight.]

Zhou Jiayu: [After I see the client off, I’ll come to find you.]

Shen Zhirou felt a bit disappointed but understood.

Shen Zhirou: [It’s okay, focus on your work.]

Zhou Jiayu: [Maybe I can sneak out later, but it’ll be around seven.]

Shen Zhirou: [No problem, just do your work. I already ordered takeout. Honestly, I’m a bit tired today and don’t feel like moving.]

Zhou Jiayu: [Alright then.]

After a while, Shen Zhirou received a “520” transfer with the note: Buy something delicious.

She hesitated to accept it, but another message came through.

Zhou Jiayu: [It’s a gift from your boyfriend.]

---

In the private room of the restaurant.

Zhou Jiayu leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigarette as he watched Lu Fanghuai and Mr. Qian chat. He picked up his phone and opened WeChat again.

Shen Zhirou had sent a picture of her dinner: Hainanese chicken rice.

It looked delicious, with glossy rice and tender chicken, much better than what he was eating now.

Despite the table full of lavish dishes, no one was eating much, all busy negotiating the next round of profits and drinking.

He thought he’d be done by seven or eight and could go see Shen Zhirou, but it looked like it would be much later.

Zhou Jiayu finished his cigarette and saw Lu Fanghuai sit next to him with a click of his tongue.

“Mr. Qian is a drinker! Let’s change places and find someone to entertain him. I can’t drink too much, or Wenting will be mad,” Lu Fanghuai said, sneaking a glance at Zhou Jiayu’s phone. “Let me see the girl you’re chasing? You’ve been hiding your phone under the table all night, texting her. If you can’t win her over, Wenting and I can help analyze the reasons.”

Zhou Jiayu ignored him, putting his phone in his pocket and getting up to arrange the change of venue.

---

Midnight arrived in a blink.

After finally seeing Mr. Qian off, Zhou Jiayu and Lu Fanghuai saw Fang Wenting arrive.

As soon as Lu Fanghuai saw Fang Wenting, he, who had been standing steadily, suddenly leaned over.

“Wife! I’m drunk, come help me!” Lu Fanghuai stretched out his arms, demanding a hug.

Zhou Jiayu: “… Drama king.”

“I have a wife who dotes on me even when I act up,” Lu Fanghuai said, leaning against Fang Wenting like a big golden retriever, rubbing his face against hers.

Fang Wenting, annoyed, slapped him. “You stink! Stay away from me.”

“Don’t! If you stay away, I can’t walk. I need you to support me.”

“Enough!” Fang Wenting scolded but still held onto Lu Fanghuai tightly. She glanced at Zhou Jiayu, “Did you call a driver? Or should I drive you back to the hotel?”

“No need, I’ll take a cab later. You guys go ahead, I’ll smoke another cigarette,” Zhou Jiayu waved them off, feeling a bit annoyed at the sight of Lu Fanghuai.

“I’ll take him home first then. Let us know when you get back to the hotel,” Fang Wenting said, supporting Lu Fanghuai as they walked to the car.

Zhou Jiayu watched them leave, entangled together.

In the past, he’d only feel relieved when they left, enjoying the quiet. But today, he felt a strange sense of discomfort and a sudden pang of loneliness.

He thought for a moment and sent Shen Zhirou a message.

Zhou Jiayu: [Are you asleep?]

Shen Zhirou: [Not yet, just finished my shower.]

Shen Zhirou: [Are you done with work? It’s so late.]

She had just finished her shower and picked up her phone when Zhou Jiayu’s message came through.

She was about to type more when a voice call came in.

“I had a bit to drink,” Zhou Jiayu’s voice was low and husky, with a hint of intoxication. “I might not be able to drive. Could you come pick me up?”

His cigarette trembled between his fingers as he listened to her response, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He ended the voice call, waited a bit at the door, and then turned back towards the KTV room.