Famous Actresses, Please Keep Your Distance From Me - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Duan Rujin hadn’t expected Cen Zhi to give her something again, especially flowers folded by her own hands. Handcrafted flowers aren’t as vivid in color as real ones, but they last much longer.

Duan Rujin felt that anything Cen Zhi gave her was fine; she wasn’t greedy at the moment, likely because she hadn’t received much yet. But if things continued like this, it was hard to say what the future would hold.

Cen Zhi was unaware of Duan Rujin’s thoughts. One reason she had returned a gift was simply because she didn’t want to feel indebted. As she watched Duan Rujin’s figure disappear into the apartment building, she quietly let out a breath of relief.

It was so strange. She never thought she would become friends with Duan Rujin after all these years.

Looking back, it was a bit bizarre—five years ago, on that rainy night, they had done things friends definitely don’t do, yet here they were talking about being friends. It seemed Duan Rujin truly didn’t remember that night, or perhaps she just didn’t care. Either way, it made Cen Zhi feel at ease.

This was good. They wouldn’t get too close, yet it satisfied her instinctive desire to shorten the distance between them. No one wouldn’t want to be friends with Duan Rujin; she’d had that thought back in university, and she hadn’t expected to fulfill that small wish years later.

In a decent mood, Cen Zhi went home for a nap and then headed to the cat café where the incident had occurred.

The café had been closed for a month. The flowers outside had been cleared away, and fewer and fewer people remembered what happened. To an outsider, it simply looked like a business that had failed.

Cen Zhi walked to the door and rang the bell. No one answered. She pulled out her phone and messaged the owner. A moment later, the door opened, revealing the owner’s gaunt face. She nodded weakly at Cen Zhi. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

After putting on shoe covers, Cen Zhi followed the owner to the second floor. Although the first-floor tiles had been scrubbed clean, how could anyone who had seen the scene forget it? Cen Zhi understood why the owner didn’t want cats on the first floor for the time being.

The second floor was a different world. At this hour, many cats were napping—some sprawled belly-up on the floor, others tucked into cat nests or climbing frames. They looked comfortable and happy, quite unlike the cats at the rescue stations. They were friendly and relaxed, exposing their bellies for belly rubs.

“Miss Cen, would you like some cookies?” the owner asked after Cen Zhi sat down.

Cen Zhi shook her head. “No, thank you.”

As soon as she sat, a cat swaggered over, rubbing against her and brushing its tail against her face. Cen Zhi tilted her head, a smile appearing as she began to pet it.

Since the shop was closed, the employees had been given paid leave. The owner, Zhang Yan, stayed there alone from morning to night. Though she looked frail, she was tidy and refined.

Cen Zhi cradled the cat, looking at the owner hesitantly. Zhang Yan picked up a cat of her own and, seeing Cen Zhi’s expression, said peacefully, “My name is Zhang Yan. You can call me whatever you like.”

“Miss Zhang,” Cen Zhi began, “their ashes are safe at our shop.”

Zhang Yan lowered her gaze. “I know. Boss Wen told me. You haven’t let anyone disturb them.”

“It’s just…”

“There are no names on their cubicles.”

Zhang Yan’s hand paused mid-stroke. She took a deep breath. “I just didn’t have the courage.” To this day, she hadn’t visited “Shining Star” once.

“Wen Lin has your WeChat, but we discussed it and thought it was better to tell you in person. They need their names. We can put them up for you, or…”

Before Cen Zhi could finish, Zhang Yan spoke up. “I’ll go.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “I should have gone to see them long ago, but I was too scared.” She laughed through falling tears. “I don’t know if cats have a ‘Seventh Day’ ritual, but tomorrow is the seventh day since they passed. You’re right, they need their names. Otherwise, if I call them later, what if they don’t recognize me?”

Cen Zhi handed her a tissue.

She spent the whole afternoon at the café. When she left, her heart felt as heavy as a lead weight. Zhang Yan had agreed to come to the shop tomorrow afternoon to personally put up the names. If it hadn’t been for that pervert who killed them, this day wouldn’t have come for many, many years.

Back in her car, the air felt stifling, matching her mood. She sat there for a while and messaged Wen Lin about the visit. Wen Lin was likely busy and didn’t reply.

After a moment’s hesitation, Cen Zhi messaged Duan Rujin, not knowing if she was busy too: “Have you ever been to a cat café?”

As soon as she sent it, she felt silly and added: “Actually, never mind. You definitely haven’t.” Given Duan Rujin’s lack of knowledge about cats, the answer was obvious.

“No.” Surprisingly, Duan Rujin replied instantly.

Cen Zhi pursed her lips and then received another message: “Do you want to take me?”

“No.”

“I just left the café where the incident happened.”

There was no need to specify which one; they both knew.

By Any Means: “Is the owner doing okay?”

“Not really.”

“She cries as soon as we talk about it.”

“Tomorrow is the cats’ ‘Seventh Day.’ She’s coming to the shop.”

By Any Means: “Sigh.”

“Sigh.” Cen Zhi mirrored her sentiment.

After a few seconds, Cen Zhi added: “Suddenly, I really want a drink.”

“Then drink with me?”

“We can celebrate becoming friends today.”

If they were six or sixteen, celebrating a new friendship would be a given. But they were both turning twenty-six; it felt rare and precious.

Cen Zhi didn’t refuse: “Okay.”

Truly, she hadn’t expected to see Duan Rujin twice in one day. After being apart for only an afternoon, they were meeting again.

The location wasn’t the shop this time, but Duan Rujin’s apartment. It was a high-end complex with elegant, modern decor. There was a wine cabinet with various glasses, though most of the bottles inside had been a rush purchase by her assistant, Xiao Yuan. There were expensive bottles and cheap ones—fruit wines, vodka, and red wine.

Cen Zhi realized belatedly that their relationship was progressing incredibly fast. A week ago, they were keeping their addresses secret; now, she was stepping into Duan Rujin’s private domain.

While she was lost in thought, Duan Rujin sat on the sofa and patted the spot next to her. “Come here, Cen Zhi.”

Cen Zhi sat down and asked tentatively, “How’s your tolerance?”

“Not great. I only drink at wrap parties or celebrations. Usually, I don’t touch it. Yours?”

“Not great either.”

The two looked at each other and fell into silence.

“It’s fine.” Duan Rujin tilted her head. She felt like she could smell the faint fragrance on Cen Zhi, making her heart jump into her throat. “I mean, even if you drink too much, it’s fine. Xiao Yuan can drive you home.”

Cen Zhi was opening a bottle. Hearing this, she blurted out, “Can’t I just sleep on the sofa?” She immediately tried to cover it up. “Friends can sleep on each other’s sofas, right?”

“You could sleep in the bed, too.”

“…”

Now it was Duan Rujin’s turn to cover up: “That’s what I do with Xiao Lu and the others.”

“Mhm.”

Cen Zhi calmed down instantly.

Support Famous Actresses, Please Keep Your Distance From Me