Let's Get Married on the First Day of Rebirth - Chapter 33

Qu Ange almost burst into tears.

There had been so many anxiety-inducing things happening over the past two days that she had completely forgotten about this matter. Yet, she never expected Xu Mi to still remember. Moreover, she recalled that when she had just been reborn, she had already used up her birthday budget to buy a phone. She thought it wouldn’t be a big deal if Xu Mi assumed her birthday had already passed.

But then it occurred to her, Xu Mi would absolutely never do that. Xu Mi was someone who valued rituals and formalities. She remembered back in college, there were a few times when she had suggested celebrating her birthday a few days early or late due to other commitments. Yet, without fail, Xu Mi would send her blessings on the actual day, and the gift would always arrive precisely on that day.

She gripped Xu Mi’s hand, feeling her nose sting as tears threatened to fall. After a long pause, she choked out, “Thank you… but forget about the dress. It’s too expensive, and I don’t really like it that much.”

Xu Mi didn’t say anything in response, just lowered her head and turned to walk away. Qu Ange, however, stood frozen in place. After a while, Xu Mi turned back with a puzzled look. Qu Ange said, “Let’s stay out tonight. We can have dinner outside though the food in restaurants definitely won’t be as good as yours.”

She tightened her grip on Xu Mi’s hand, unsure if Xu Mi had caught the hidden meaning in her words. Even though the lobby of the building was chilled by the air conditioning, her palms were still sweating from nervousness.

But Xu Mi seemed distracted, her gaze drifting for a moment before she finally nodded and said, “Okay.”

“What should we eat? How about Western food? We don’t usually have that at home.”

“Mm.”

Qu Ange took out her phone to book a restaurant. She was determined to make the evening absolutely perfect, so she searched for what she remembered as the best Western restaurant in the city. Unfortunately, all the tables had been fully booked a week in advance. She didn’t have the clout to get a last-minute reservation, but after some effort, she managed to snag a spot because someone had just canceled.

Next, she booked a hotel nearby. There was a decent star-rated hotel right below the restaurant, but the price was quite steep. She hesitated for a moment but ultimately gritted her teeth and booked it. For a perfect evening, why settle for a budget hotel?

By the time she finished all this, it was already quite late. Since they had to attend a banquet the next day, they went back home to pick up some toiletries and makeup. At home, they ran into Tan Zhenzhen, who wailed dramatically, “Does this mean I have to order takeout today?” But she seemed to quickly catch on to something, her expression turning suggestive. Before she could say anything more, Qu Ange closed the door on her.

As dusk fell, the two of them first dropped their things off at the hotel room. Just as they were about to leave for the restaurant, Qu Ange suddenly had an idea and said, “How about we change our outfits?”

Xu Mi looked at her blankly.

It had just occurred to Qu Ange. The restaurant downstairs seemed to have a dress code. They probably wouldn’t be allowed in wearing T-shirts and jeans.

If this had happened before, they might have actually been turned away because of that rule. But now, didn’t they have formal dresses? Why not change into them before going?

Qu Ange explained her reasoning, and Xu Mi muttered under her breath, “There are actually restaurants with dress codes? Shouldn’t the customer be king? If I were running a restaurant…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Qu Ange already knew what she was going to say. She found Xu Mi utterly adorable and couldn’t resist hugging her, rubbing her face against hers. Xu Mi pushed her away and said, “Then hurry up and change.”

Qu Ange changed into her own outfit first. When she turned around, Xu Mi had already changed as well. She hadn’t gotten a chance to see it earlier at the studio, which she regretted, but she hadn’t expected to have the opportunity today. The sapphire blue truly complemented Xu Mi’s snow-white skin. Though the dress didn’t expose much skin, its precise tailoring accentuated her graceful curves, hugging every inch of her body perfectly.

Qu Ange thought Xu Mi looked absolutely stunning in it. If she had to find any flaw, it might be that Xu Mi’s lips were too pale, her face too narrow, and her features too delicate, making her appear somewhat haggard without makeup.

Xu Mi, feeling a bit self-conscious, twirled her hair with her fingers and said, “Does it look a little strange?”

Qu Ange replied, “Not at all. You look too beautiful. You just need a bit of lipstick.”

Xu Mi glanced at the full-length mirror by the door, her reflection staring back at her. She thought Qu Ange was just trying to comfort her, as she didn’t feel the dress suited her. To her, her limbs seemed too thin, making her look like a bird trapped in an extravagant gown, unable to move.

Lost in thought as she gazed at her reflection, Qu Ange approached with a lipstick. She showed Xu Mi a reddish-orange shade and asked, “How about this one?”

Xu Mi frowned. “It’s so bright.”

Qu Ange said, “We can apply it lightly.”

She dabbed the lipstick onto the center of Xu Mi’s lips and slowly spread it with her thumb. The moment Qu Ange’s finger touched her lips, Xu Mi froze, her palms and back breaking out in a fine sweat. She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Qu Ange, but she could feel the finger growing hotter, as if setting her lips on fire. Her unquenched body seemed to awaken a longing she hadn’t acknowledged. Clenching her fists, Xu Mi took a slight step back.

She was sitting at the edge of the bed, and the step back caused her to lose her balance. She fell backward, lying flat on the soft Simmons mattress. Qu Ange leaned over her, bracing herself with one hand on the bed, looking down at Xu Mi from above.

Xu Mi’s lips felt hot and dry, her throat burning as if on fire. Her voice came out hoarse: “Is… is it done?”

Qu Ange hovered above her and whispered, “Shall we go eat?”

Xu Mi couldn’t speak, so she nodded. But then Qu Ange asked, “Can I have you first?”

Her heart exploded like a boiling kettle, the rush of blood turning her face and neck bright red. Xu Mi thought to herself how cheesy that line was, but her body went weak because of it. She curled up like a cooked shrimp, unable to utter a word.

Yet, in some corner of her boiling heart, a calm voice reminded her—

It was all about to end.

So, since it was ending, why not indulge a little more?

Xu Mi reached out, grabbed the collar of Qu Ange’s shirt, and pulled her closer.

…

After nearly half an hour of entanglement, just as things were about to escalate, the restaurant called to hurry them, and Qu Ange and Xu Mi had to take an intermission.

At this moment, her hair and appearance were somewhat disheveled, her breath was hot, and the atmosphere was intimate. Qu Ange’s heart was surging with emotion, so much so that she even forgot about her hunger. However, in the heat of the moment, she seemed to hear someone’s stomach growling a few times. This made it clear that physiological needs have their own priorities. No matter how carried away one gets, when it’s time to eat, one must eat—especially since, in anticipation of this lavish dinner, neither of them had eaten much at noon.

Xu Mi tidied her hair and said, “Let’s go eat.”

After showering and freshening up, they made their way to the restaurant on the top floor. The restaurant offered a view of the city’s nightscape through floor-to-ceiling windows. Once the server seated them, Qu Ange placed their order and asked, “Should we get some wine?”

Xu Mi nodded without hesitation.

The excitement and passion that had clouded Qu Ange’s mind earlier began to fade under the soothing strains of classical music, and she started to feel that something was off.

What was going on with Xu Mi today? Although it was her birthday, in the past, Xu Mi would never have indulged her in choosing such an expensive restaurant or hotel—let alone such pricey red wine.

Qu Ange tentatively asked, “Since we’re celebrating, should we order something else?”

Xu Mi nodded just as decisively.

Qu Ange began to panic and forced a laugh, saying, “On second thought, let’s not. We might not finish it.”

Gazing out the window, Xu Mi replied calmly, “It’s just this once, after all.”

Alarm bells rang in Qu Ange’s mind. Something was wrong—this wasn’t right.

Had she done something wrong recently?

After a moment of thought, she said, “I’m sorry, Mimi.”

Xu Mi looked at her, puzzled.

Qu Ange continued, “I should have been the one to buy the ingredients. It’s so hot outside, and Tan Zhenzhen is limping. It was really irresponsible of me to just rest at home without doing anything.”

Xu Mi: “…Huh?”

Qu Ange added, “And I’ve been snoring at night. You must not have slept well these past few days. I don’t know why—my old roommates never told me I snored.”

Xu Mi: “…”

Just then, the appetizers arrived: caviar salad and toasted bread slices. Xu Mi served Qu Ange some salad and said, “Stop talking and eat.”

Qu Ange took a few bites of the salad and was about to speak again when the oysters arrived. Xu Mi remarked that seafood loses its freshness quickly and urged Qu Ange to focus on her meal. After finishing the oysters, the steak was served.

The server explained that it was grain-fed Angus beef, dry-aged for 45 days and cooked to medium-rare. Xu Mi cut a piece, tasted it, and frowned. Qu Ange, who had been closely watching her expression, immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xu Mi said, “I’m not quite used to the taste.”

Having grown accustomed to such flavors over time, Qu Ange didn’t find it strange but still suggested, “If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. We can order something else.”

Yet Xu Mi continued to chew each bite carefully and, after a while, said, “The more I eat, the more I start to appreciate its unique flavor.”

Seeing that Xu Mi seemed to be in a better mood while analyzing the food, Qu Ange ventured again, “Lately, have I been doing anything wrong? Can you tell me?”

Xu Mi fell silent.

She didn’t know how to say it.

How could she just come out and say—Can you quit the entertainment industry?

Over the past month, Xu Mi had witnessed firsthand the effort Qu Ange had put into this matter. She couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud, feeling that voicing such thoughts would be too harsh.

Besides, hadn’t she already asked a month ago—”Do you still want to enter the entertainment industry?”

At that time, Qu Ange had given her an ambiguous answer, and Xu Mi had accepted it, drifting through the month in a state of uncertainty, relying only on a sense of wishful thinking and a hidden, shameful thought. She had even secretly hoped that Qu Ange would fail in stock trading, offend her boss, or be unable to terminate her contract.

Could anyone else in the world harbor such venomous curses against their own partner in their heart? Probably no one but her.

She looked out the window again. The city’s streetlights formed a dazzling ribbon of light, while colorful neon signs twinkled like scattered stars. In her ears, the melodious sounds of a violin and piano intertwined, and the people around her conversed in soft murmurs. The dim, hazy lighting of the restaurant made the dishes appear even more luxurious and refined. It was her first-time dining in such a place, yet she felt entirely out of place. The evening gown constricted her, making it impossible to relax into her seat. She had to sit with her back straight to match the dress and the surroundings.

It exhausted her.

Yet Qu Ange seemed completely at ease. Her shoulders were relaxed, her expression composed. The champagne-colored strapless gown made her skin appear as smooth and flawless as silk. She had lightly filled in her eyebrows and applied just a hint of lipstick, blending the edges to soften the effect, yet she still radiated a striking, vibrant beauty. Her voluminous hair cascaded over her shoulders, with a few strands trailing down like swaying water weeds. Her delicate, pronounced collarbones cradled the soft waves of her hair like a small boat.

Perhaps she and Qu Ange truly weren’t from the same world. It was only because they had grown up together that she had been given the illusion that they could walk side by side forever even imagining that marriage alone could signify eternity.

Xu Mi lowered her head, biting the tip of her tongue hard. The pain sharpened her senses, preventing her from losing her composure. Just then, a waiter approached and placed a bottle of wine on their table.

Xu Mi looked up as the waiter addressed Qu Ange, “The guest in the private room over there would like to offer this wine to you, miss.”

Qu Ange, already troubled by Xu Mi’s silence, felt irritated by the interruption and replied curtly, “No, thank you. I’m dining with my partner.”

The waiter froze, glanced at Xu Mi, and hesitated, unsure how to respond. Qu Ange looked up at him with a smile and said, “Take the wine back and simply repeat what I said.”

The waiter left the wine on the table but walked away. A moment later, he returned and said, “The guest insists that a gift, once given, should not be taken back. He offers it to both of you.”

With the matter put so politely, there seemed little else to say. The other party had been courteous, and since they were in a public setting, Qu Ange didn’t press further and simply thanked him.

By the end of the meal, they had only finished their own bottle of red wine. Since the gifted bottle had already been opened and couldn’t be returned, Qu Ange decided to take it back to their room. She was about to put it in the refrigerator when Xu Mi suddenly grabbed it, took a swig directly from the bottle, and frowned.

Qu Ange stared in astonishment, she had never seen Xu Mi drink so boldly. Xu Mi grimaced after the sip and stared at the bottle, asking, “So bitter. What kind of wine is this?”

Qu Ange said, “A 1996 Lafite, market price… probably just over ten thousand.”

Xu Mi’s smile vanished as she looked at the bottle again, her expression blank this time. After a long pause, she said, “…Can I spit it back out?”

Qu Ange couldn’t help but laugh. “It was a gift anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”

Thinking about it, Xu Mi’s expression turned complicated. “A ten-thousand-yuan bottle of wine, just given as a gift. We don’t even know who sent it. Is this what it’s like to be rich?”

Qu Ange replied, “For the wealthy, ten thousand yuan is probably like us spending ten yuan.”

Xu Mi sat down on the sofa. The hotel room they were in was already the best she had ever stayed in—equipped with a refrigerator, a bar counter, a bathtub, and a massive TV screen. Yet, it was just a standard room in this hotel. She could occasionally indulge in such luxuries but never dared to hope for them permanently. But what about Qu Ange?

Having drunk too much, Xu Mi felt lightheaded but paradoxically thought she hadn’t had enough. Qu Ange fetched ice from the refrigerator, poured wine into a glass, added ice, and handed it to Xu Mi, saying, “This might make it taste better.”

Xu Mi took it and drank it straight down. It was still astringent and sour, but perhaps diluted by the ice, the flavor improved. In the aftertaste, she detected fruity notes, the freshness of cedar, and a hint of chocolate. After finishing the glass, she felt as if a weight pressing on her heart had loosened slightly. She looked up at Qu Ange and asked, “When you go out to eat, do people often give you things?”

Qu Ange answered without much thought, “Yeah, sometimes the owner even comps the meal.”

Xu Mi said, “That’s nice. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have drunk such expensive wine in my life.”

Qu Ange was taken aback, finding the remark odd and utterly unlike something Xu Mi would normally say. She crouched in front of Xu Mi and noticed her dazed eyes. Though her face wasn’t flushed at all, she seemed drunk.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, Xu Mi became unusually talkative. Seeing Qu Ange approach, she even looked at her somewhat challengingly and said, “What? Don’t crouch on the floor. Sit next to me.”

Uninhibited by drunkenness, Xu Mi appeared more outgoing than usual. She brushed her bangs aside, revealing her forehead and a hint of boldness not often seen. Raising her glass, she said, “Pour me another one.”

Qu Ange found the drunken Xu Mi adorable but hesitated, knowing alcohol wasn’t good for her health. She took the glass away and said, “You’ve had enough. Let’s call it a night.”

Frowning, Xu Mi stood up unsteadily and headed straight for the bar. Qu Ange followed closely behind, urging, “No more drinking, okay?”

She tried to hold Xu Mi back, but Xu Mi shook her off. Qu Ange hid the glasses, only to find Xu Mi grabbing the bottle and drinking straight from it. Afraid of hurting her, Qu Ange didn’t use force, merely attempting to take the bottle away. Xu Mi took a swig, then set it down. Relieved, Qu Ange was about to speak again when Xu Mi leaned in, pressing her lips against Qu Ange’s.

The cool, silky red wine flowed into her mouth, unmistakably the taste of Lafite, with notes of blackcurrant, slightly tart and fresh, leaving a long aftertaste. Yet it seemed sweeter than what she had tasted before. Qu Ange held Xu Mi’s head firmly, their lips pressed tightly together. She swallowed all the wine passed to her but still felt it wasn’t enough. Her tongue slipped into the other’s mouth, gliding over teeth and mucous membranes, then gently sucking on Xu Mi’s tongue. Xu Mi’s legs weakened as she stumbled backward, leaning against the bar. Glasses on the countertop were swept to the floor. Qu Ange wrapped her arms around Xu Mi’s legs, lifted her, and placed her on the bar. One hand gripped Xu Mi’s slender waist, while the other cupped her neck, supporting the back of her head.

If one could still hold back in such a moment, were they even human?

The aroma of wine filled the room, gradually thinning but leaving a lingering, complex flavor. The fresh fruitiness slowly transformed into an elegant floral scent, which then deepened into the rich aroma of charcoal, mingling with the damp air like ripples spreading endlessly across a lake.

As the intensity grew, Xu Mi suddenly began to cry. Qu Ange sensed something from Xu Mi’s unrestrained emotions and held her tightly, repeatedly asking—

“You won’t leave me, will you?”

“You won’t think about leaving me, will you?”

“You won’t just disappear without a word again, right?”

The next kiss carried the salty bitterness of tears. Xu Mi suddenly bit down hard on Qu Ange’s lip. Qu Ange tasted the metallic tang of blood but didn’t pull away. Only when Xu Mi released her did Qu Ange press her forehead against Xu Mi’s and whisper, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Xu Mi’s voice was hoarse as she spoke: “You’ve always known what I truly care about, haven’t you?”

Qu Ange’s mind was filled with dizziness and a buzzing noise, her throat dry. She bit her lip and downed the remaining red wine in one gulp. The alcohol, mixed with blood, burned its way into her stomach. In that moment of surging emotions, Qu Ange leaned close to Xu Mi’s ear and whispered, “Is it really not possible? I love acting…”

“I love you…”

They opened many more bottles of wine from the fridge, eventually becoming utterly unrestrained. They moved from the bar to the bathroom, then from the bathroom to the sofa, and finally collapsed onto the bed. The memories of the end of the night were hazy, but the next morning, Qu Ange looked at the crumpled evening gown and sighed deeply.

She called her studio: “Ah… it’s like this, the dress is a little wrinkled and damaged. I’ll just buy it outright. I’ll transfer the money to you later.”

She stood up, feeling dizzy, her arms sore, her throat scratchy, and her lips stinging. She licked her lips and walked to the bathroom. In the mirror, she saw bite marks all over her body, and a deep red bruise on her swollen lip.

She didn’t recall being bitten so many times perhaps she had been too carried away.

Leaning on the sink, she clenched her fists and knocked her head hard. The memories of the previous night were a bit fuzzy, but she remembered the crucial question.

But quitting the entertainment industry…

This…

She knew she couldn’t blame Xu Mi for not understanding her, because, in the end, she was the one who had started it all. So perhaps, just perhaps, with more effort, she could make Xu Mi feel secure about her?

She took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom, seeing Xu Mi still lying in bed. She climbed onto the bed, leaned close to Xu Mi’s cheek, and gently planted a kiss. Xu Mi’s eyelashes fluttered, and her ears suddenly turned red.

Unable to hold back, she laughed out loud. Xu Mi opened her eyes, glanced briefly, and caught sight of the sorry state Qu Ange was in.

Had she been that rough?

She couldn’t remember…

Honestly, she felt she should have slipped away before Qu Ange woke up, but she had drunk too much and was too exhausted last night. She really hadn’t managed to rouse herself.

She turned over and sat up, immediately feeling the world spin before her eyes. Silently cursing her luck, she feigned nonchalance and asked, “What time is the banquet tonight?”

“Six o’clock, I think.”

Xu Mi glanced at the dress crumpled on the floor like pickled vegetables. “Hmm, if we wash it, it should be dry by evening. But don’t you need to change into something else?”

It wasn’t really about the dress. The main issue was the marks on Qu Ange’s body, which would likely require long sleeves to cover.

Qu Ange forced a bitter smile. “I’ll buy a shawl and use concealer for the rest. Hopefully, it’ll look better by tonight.”

By evening, the bite marks had indeed faded to faint pink traces. Qu Ange covered them with concealer and draped a shawl over her shoulders. At a social distance, nothing was noticeable. At most, people might think she was a bit conservative. The two of them also visited a beauty salon for hair and makeup. By six o’clock, they arrived punctually at the hotel hosting the banquet.

As soon as they entered, Qu Ange intended to contact Lin Zhenyi, but unexpectedly, Qiu Shuiyi sauntered over to them first.

Qiu Shuiyi was dressed slightly more formally today, in a light camel-colored pantsuit with long sleeves and trousers. Her hair was neatly styled, slicked back with gel into a sleek pompadour. Holding a glass of sparkling water, she strolled up to Qu Ange and said with surprise, “I didn’t expect you to get an invitation to this banquet. I underestimated you.”

Qu Ange responded with a strained, polite smile.

Qiu Shuiyi extended her hand. “Since I underestimated you, how about we start over? I’m Qiu Shuiyi, CEO of Brilliant Pictures. And you two are…?”

Qu Ange had no choice but to lightly shake Qiu Shuiyi’s hand, forcing a smile as she replied, “Nice to meet you, CEO Qiu. I’m Qu Ange, and this is Xu Mi.”

Qiu Shuiyi smiled sincerely. “Was my wine good enough? Does it make up for my thoughtless remarks the other day?”

Qu Ange froze for a moment, then blurted out, “So it was you!”