Famous Actresses, Please Keep Your Distance From Me - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Cen Zhi didn’t actually think her expression had been all that subtle, but she hadn’t expected Duan Rujin to point it out so directly and ask her so openly. Caught off guard for a moment, she reflexively denied it: “I meant I want you to go.”

“Ah…” Duan Rujin dragged out the sound. “In that case, let me think about it some more. I can’t give you an answer right now.”

She didn’t wait for Cen Zhi to say anything else. She pulled open the car door, stepped out, and then turned back to say “Goodnight” to Cen Zhi before shutting the door.

The “thud” wasn’t heavy, but it seemed to snap Cen Zhi back to reality.

Duan Rujin was already walking toward the entrance of the complex, leaving behind only a slender, elegant silhouette that gradually faded from Cen Zhi’s sight. Once she was completely alone, Cen Zhi felt a wave of regret.

Actually, based on what Duan Rujin had expressed before, even if she had admitted to missing her, Duan Rujin probably wouldn’t have overthought it. After all, back when she told Duan Rujin “We both know I miss you,” Duan Rujin had simply teased her with “Oh, so you miss me.”

Furthermore, Duan Rujin was the type of person who could jokingly suggest “talking about a romance”; her level of acceptance was much higher than Cen Zhi’s. What was so hard to say?

But Cen Zhi also knew that making changes in oneself is a difficult process. Tonight’s progress was already quite significant for her. With that thought, she let out a small laugh and played some upbeat music on the drive back.

Meanwhile, having returned to her apartment first, Duan Rujin couldn’t help but tug at her hair, wondering if she had left a bit too quickly. But then again, she hadn’t heard the answer she wanted. Instead of sitting in the car and brooding over a sulk that Cen Zhi wouldn’t even understand, it was better to come home.

At least it was more dignified.

After a while, she stopped overthinking and went to shower. Although she didn’t have her phone during the activity today, she had played quite a few games. When she finished her shower, she found that Cen Zhi had already messaged her twenty minutes ago to say she was home.

Duan Rujin raised an eyebrow and replied with feigned politeness: “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

During the past few years, Duan Rujin had never imagined a “see you tomorrow” with Cen Zhi. In her world, Cen Zhi had vanished completely. She used to think that seeing Cen Zhi again within ten years would be a success; now, only five years in, she felt very lucky.

What was even luckier was that she had successfully become friends with Cen Zhi and could actually say “see you tomorrow.”

That night, even her dreams were sweet. Although she couldn’t remember anything when she woke up, Duan Rujin was in an excellent mood. She exercised on an empty stomach and was out of the shower by the time Xiao Yuan arrived with breakfast.

Seeing her so happy, Xiao Yuan cheered up too. “Sis, any plans for today?”

“Yes, I’m going out to play.” Duan Rujin pursed her lips. “By the way, I’m going fruit picking with Lu this Friday. You go have fun on your own; no need to come along.”

Xiao Yuan called her out: “You haven’t let me tag along for a lot of things lately anyway. You even called me last night and told me not to pick you up.”

Duan Rujin pulled out a chair and sat down. “Isn’t it good that I’m giving you time off?”

“Well, okay. I’ve been practicing Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) with a master at a gym in Yuncheng lately.”

“Your time is yours to spend.”

“So, Sis, what kind of fruit are you guys picking?”

Duan Rujin paused, thinking back to what Cen Zhi had said. “I actually don’t know, but anything should be fine, right? Otherwise, they wouldn’t make a special trip. I’ll bring some back for you.” Thinking about meeting Cen Zhi in the afternoon, she couldn’t hide her smile. “By the way, I’m going on a ‘date’ this afternoon. Message me if anything comes up.”

“…Okay.”

That good mood continued and reached its peak when she met Cen Zhi.

Duan Rujin wore a full face of makeup and a very refreshing outfit: a camisole top with denim shorts and sneakers. Even with a hat and a mask, her figure and aura were impossible to hide from the gazes of others.

Fortunately, Wei Shu had prepared a private booth for them. Her building occupied a large area; while the public areas were crowded, the inner booths were quiet. During the short walk from the entrance to the booth, many people stared. Cen Zhi disliked being the center of attention, but for Duan Rujin, it was the norm. In that moment, Cen Zhi felt she could never be a celebrity.

The booth was prepared in advance—clean, with a square coffee table and soft checkered floor mats. They could just sit cross-legged on the floor. There were basic colored papers and wood/stone carvings inside; if they needed more, they could call a staff member or go out to the public area.

Duan Rujin took off her mask and hat. Wei Shu’s facial expression control completely failed. She looked at Cen Zhi, then at Duan Rujin, and said shyly, “Teacher Duan, I never thought I’d meet you like this in my lifetime.”

“Should I introduce myself then?” Duan Rujin’s eyes crinkled. “For example: I’m Duan Rujin, nice to meet you, sorry for the trouble.”

Wei Shu waved her hands so fast they were a blur. “No trouble, no trouble at all!” She rubbed the back of her head. “Actually, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you. Two years ago, when you came to Yuncheng for a movie roadshow, I went to one of the sessions.”

The three of them sat on different sides of the table. Cen Zhi remained silent; she wasn’t worried about Wei Shu’s communication skills. She opened her origami book, preparing to fold a rose.

Duan Rujin sat to Cen Zhi’s right. Seeing her prepare the paper, she leaned in closer like a curious child. “Are you folding a rose, Cen Zhi?”

“Yes.” Cen Zhi looked up. “And you?”

“I want you to teach me how to fold a sunflower,” Duan Rujin said without hesitation. “Just like the one you gave me last time.”

Under the table, Wei Shu pinched her own thigh hard: Mom! What kind of scene is this?!

Cen Zhi paused and glanced at Wei Shu. “She’s the teacher; she’s better at folding than I am.”

Wei Shu immediately waved her off. “No, no, my hands are shaking just facing Teacher Duan. My heart is racing; I definitely won’t perform as well as usual. Besides, Teacher Duan specifically asked for you to teach her. Zhi, don’t be shy—just teach her!”

Cen Zhi looked at her in confusion. “Then are you just here as a mascot?”

“I’ll head out for a bit. You two start folding, I need to go calm down.”

Wei Shu spoke fast and moved faster; within seconds, she was gone. In the small space, only Cen Zhi and Duan Rujin remained. At some point, Duan Rujin had shifted so close she was almost on the same side as Cen Zhi; their legs were crossed, and their knees were touching.

“Your friend is very nice,” Duan Rujin started.

Cen Zhi silently flipped the tutorial book to the sunflower page and nodded with a smile. “She is.”

“Then what about me? As your friend, how am I?”

“Also very nice.”

Duan Rujin made a playfully exaggerated expression. She was exceptionally beautiful today, looking even more vivid. She said, “Wow! Cen Zhi! You’re the first person to ever give me a ‘nice person’ card!!”

Support Famous Actresses, Please Keep Your Distance From Me