Self-Perception - Chapter 2

“Sister Gu, why did you come out so quickly?” Meng Qiu scooted into the car seat.

Gu Wansheng uttered an ‘ah,’ and replied, “Suddenly lost the mood, so I came out. Give me my phone.”

Meng Qiu handed it to her. “Then, Sister Gu, shall we head back now?”

They had finally managed to leave the banquet early, and she was excited to go to the bar to relax, but why were they leaving after only a few minutes? Did Sister Gu run into something at the bar? Was she upset?

Meng Qiu cautiously observed Gu Wansheng’s expression natural and calm.

It felt like there was no change from before they went to the bar?

“Mm.” Gu Wansheng nodded, opened WeChat, and switched to her work account.

A small red dot was on the contact’s profile picture. She clicked it open.

Contact Wen requests to add you as a friend.

She curled her lips, closed the phone, and turned her head to ask, “Do you think I’m famous?”

“Of course. Half the entertainment industry knows you, Sis. And your work has already been sent to the Berlin Film Festival. You have a good chance of winning Best Actress.”

“Then do you think I’m beautiful?”

Meng Qiu’s heart skipped a beat, and he exclaimed, “Sis, of course you’re beautiful! You’re practically as beautiful as an angel, a fairy descended to the mortal world. You’re publicly recognized as the Fairy Sister in the industry!”

Fearing she wouldn’t believe him, Meng Qiu even presented her with dozens of topics about her beauty.

Gu Wansheng thought to herself: It’s no wonder she came looking for me, but perhaps she doesn’t follow the entertainment industry. Otherwise, how could she not recognize me? Or… is she deliberately pretending not to know me?

“Sis, did something happen?” Meng Qiu asked, looking at Gu Wansheng’s reflection in the car window.

“Nothing.” Gu Wansheng closed her eyes to rest. “Call me when we get to the apartment.”

“Okay.” Meng Qiu quietly pulled the car curtain shut.

“Sis, we’re here.” Gu Wansheng was awakened by the call. She had only closed her eyes to recover her energy, not truly fallen asleep.

“Mm, what time is the flight tomorrow?” Gu Wansheng had a shawl draped over her arm and smoothed down her dress.

“11 o’clock, Sis. We’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Gu Wansheng got out of the car, put on the shawl, and adjusted it.

Wen Jinyan and Su Muqing had a few drinks at the lounge bar and, feeling bored, decided to leave early.

“It’s still early. Shall we go eat something?” Su Muqing asked.

Wen Jinyan looked at her phone, then turned off the screen. She replied calmly, “I’m fine with anything.”

“Then let’s go have some barbecue. I know a place that’s particularly authentic, and it’s not far from here, about a ten minute drive.”

“Okay.”

The two arrived at the barbecue restaurant, but there were no seats left inside, so they had to sit outside.

Su Muqing selected some meat, while Wen Jinyan mostly chose vegetables.

They placed everything into a basket and handed it to the owner.

“This is the tenth time you’ve looked at your phone. What are you looking at?” Su Muqing watched Wen Jinyan take out her phone.

“Seeing if she’s added me yet,” Wen Jinyan said very frankly.

“Who?” Su Muqing opened a can of soda, then belatedly said, “Oh, that beautiful woman.”

Wen Jinyan pursed her lips, a silent affirmation.

“Don’t rush. What if she was busy and got delayed? She might agree in a little while,” Su Muqing opened a can of orange soda for her and handed it over.

Wen Jinyan took it. The cool sensation slid down her throat, leaving the sweet aroma of orange on her lips.

“I’m just thinking. If she agrees quickly, I can start understanding lust earlier.”

Su Muqing choked upon hearing her bold statement. Wen Jinyan passed her a tissue. “Slow down.”

Su Muqing took it, thinking: You’re full of such suggestive ideas, how can I be faster than you?

“Jinyan, next time you see that beautiful woman, definitely don’t say what you just said,” Su Muqing kindly reminded her good friend across from her.

Wen Jinyan was about to speak, but Su Muqing interrupted, “I know what you’re going to say, but don’t say it yet. Just listen to me.”

If that beautiful woman knew that the first thing you thought of when you met her was to sleep with her, she’d probably think you were some kind of lustful person who just wanted her body.

“Okay.” Although Wen Jinyan didn’t understand, she agreed.

“I’m going to check if our order is ready and grab a few more cans of soda.” After Su Muqing left, Wen Jinyan sat in her chair, occasionally sipping the orange juice.

Ding. WeChat rang.

She took out her phone and saw that the person had added her.

[Gu Wansheng]: We are friends now. We can chat.

Wen Jinyan put down the soda and typed.

Gu Wansheng looked at those two words, thinking: She replied so fast. Could she have been watching her phone, waiting to message me?

[Gu Wansheng]: https://www.google.com/search? Hello. I need some time to think about what you mentioned.

Gu Wansheng was a little confused. Shouldn’t she carefully consider this kind of thing?

Before she could think of a reply, the other party recalled the message.

System Notification: Your friend has recalled a message.

System Notification: The other party is typing…

Wen: Do you have any concerns?

Immediately after, the other party sent another message.

Wen: My body is checked at the hospital every year. Or I can go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up and send you the report photo.

Gu Wansheng was at a loss for how to reply to her actions. This person’s thought process was truly unique and overly complex.

[Gu Wansheng]: Then do you think we are suitable?

Wen: Quite suitable.

We’ve only met once, and we’re already suitable?

Wen: You’re beautiful, and I’m not bad either. Our heights are also suitable we are about the same height.

The words revealed a focus on external conditions appearance and height.

Was she truly misunderstanding, or was she saying this on purpose? But Gu Wansheng had to admit that the woman she’d only met once at the bar was indeed attractive, and she didn’t feel repulsed by her words. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have used her work WeChat to add her.

[Gu Wansheng]: Wait for me for half a month. I will give you a reply after half a month.

“What are you looking at so intently?” Su Muqing put the barbecue and drinks on the table.

“I added her,” Wen Jinyan placed her phone on the table.

“That means she doesn’t dislike you. Otherwise, she could have chosen not to add you.” Su Muqing picked up a chicken wing.

“She said she’ll give me a reply in half a month.”

Su Muqing was choked by the cumin on the chicken wing and quickly grabbed the can of soda nearest to her.

“A reply about what?” Su Muqing asked casually.

“About marrying me.” Wen Jinyan finished, sounding a little disgruntled. “I told you about it at the lounge bar.”

Su Muqing choked again. “Wait, are you serious?”

Fearing she would choke again, Wen Jinyan took the can of soda from her hand, put it aside, and nodded solemnly. “I don’t lie.”

“Just to get inspiration for writing romance novels?” Su Muqing asked again.

“Mm. Art comes from life.”

“Then isn’t that unfair to the other person?” Su Muqing’s thoughts cooled, and she analyzed the situation from an objective standpoint.

“She has half a month. If she says no, I won’t bother her anymore.”

Wen Jinyan picked up a skewer of potato slices and used her chopsticks to slide the slices into a small bowl.

“Fine. You have your own judgment, but you must leave a way out for yourself and others.” As soon as she finished speaking, the phone rang. Su Muqing glanced at it and hung up without hesitation.

“Not going to answer?” Wen Jinyan knew what was going on.

“I haven’t cooled down yet. Hurry and eat, or it’ll get cold.” Su Muqing changed the subject.

After they finished eating, they walked around the street to help with digestion. At ten o’clock, they returned to Wen Jinyan’s apartment complex.

“The guest room bedding is clean. The toothbrush and toothpaste you left here last time are in the cabinet under the sink in the bathroom. Just open it, and you’ll see them.”

“Mm. Are you going first, or me?” Su Muqing nodded.

“I’ll go. I’m a bit tired.” Wen Jinyan took her pajamas and walked into the bathroom.

This apartment only had one shower room and one toilet. But the good thing was that the shower and toilet were separate (wet and dry separation).

Wen Jinyan finished quickly. She came out of the bathroom, holding a dry towel to wipe her hair with one hand and closing the glass door handle behind her with the other. She called out toward the living room, “I’m done.”

“Coming.” Su Muqing, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV, heard her, picked up the clothes beside her, and stood up.

“Go to sleep quickly.”

“Mm. Don’t stay up too late either. Late nights are bad for your health.” Wen Jinyan left this sentence and returned to her own room.

“I’m still young, Sis,” Su Muqing said, looking at the closed door, though she wasn’t sure who she was talking to.

Sometimes she felt her friend was quite contradictory. If you call her disciplined, she can stay up until two or three in the morning to write her novel, doesn’t exercise, and has irregular eating habits if she remembers, she’ll eat something casually; if she doesn’t, she won’t eat at all. But if you call her undisciplined, she can go to bed very early when she’s free, doesn’t smoke or drink, and lives a life of few desires.

Wen Jinyan was unaware that her friend was pondering her in detail. She dried her hair, turned off the light, pulled the duvet over herself, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Wen Jinyan woke up. She sat on the head of the bed, staring blankly for three full minutes before getting out of bed. She quickly tidied herself up, put on her glasses, and walked out.

As soon as Su Muqing came out of the guest room, she smelled the aroma of steamed buns and fried dough sticks. Her slightly foggy head cleared up. She quickly walked to the kitchen, washed her hands, came out, pulled up a chair, and sat across from Wen Jinyan.

Watching Wen Jinyan eat a fried dough stick with her left hand and noodles with chopsticks in her right, Su Muqing felt very hungry.

She picked up a fried dough stick and took small bites.

“What are you doing after you finish eating?”

“Thinking about inspiration for the novel.” Wen Jinyan’s voice was clear and natural.

“Inspiration is elusive. Sometimes you see something, some object, unintentionally, and inspiration just pops into your mind. Don’t rush,” Su Muqing said, immediately revealing her own self-interest.

“How about you come to our magazine office and help out? Write some drafts. Changing the environment might bring inspiration. Staying in one place all the time can narrow your thinking.”

“Are you sure I’m not coming to do hard labor for you?” Wen Jinyan finished her noodles and tore off a piece of tissue to wipe her mouth.

“Aiya, our magazine’s editorial staff suddenly resigned. Our magazine isn’t famous, so it’s hard to find someone quickly. You’re experienced, and your writing is rigorous and good. Please help me. I’ll pay you a salary then.”

Wen Jinyan thought: My last novel is already finished. I don’t have inspiration for a new book yet, so I have time to go to the magazine office. Maybe I really can find inspiration there.

“Okay.” Wen Jinyan took her bowl into the kitchen. Su Muqing followed her.

“I knew Yanyan was the best!” Su Muqing formed a heart shape with her hands, but Wen Jinyan didn’t even bother to look, her hands not stopping the dishwashing action. “Still consider how much you’re going to pay me, Editor Su.”

She carefully wiped the water droplets off each finger with a lazy, unhurried air. Especially with a pair of glasses on and her hair loosely clipped with a shark clip, a few strands hanging down, which she tucked behind her head with a hand. Paired with her face due to her mixed heritage, her features were very striking, with a high nose bridge and prominent brows.

Anyone who saw her would say, “I’m interested in this woman!”

Su Muqing clicked her tongue, truly wondering who would eventually claim this prize.

Wen Jinyan moved past her to leave the kitchen and went to her room to change clothes.

“Let’s go,” she said a few minutes later to Su Muqing, who was sitting on the sofa.

“Mm.” Su Muqing stood up. The two left the house and took the elevator to the basement.

Because Su Muqing owned a car, and she always came to Wen Jinyan’s place after arguing with Ji Yibai, she had bought a parking spot in the underground garage for easy parking.

Wen Jinyan smoothly walked up to a car, sat in the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt.

“How long do you plan to stay this time?” Wen Jinyan asked, seemingly casually.

“What, you’re already tired of me on the first day I arrived?” Su Muqing turned the steering wheel and drove out of the underground garage.

“I’m afraid your loved one will be sad.”

“What does she have to be sad about? She’s probably celebrating now that I’m gone and she has peace and quiet,” Su Muqing said with a hint of anger in her voice.

Wen Jinyan glanced at her, said nothing, and turned her head to look out the window.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the magazine office. Upon entering, colleagues greeted them as they walked past.

“Sister Su, good morning.”

“Editor Su, good morning.”

Su Muqing nodded and smiled in return.

Wen Jinyan remained expressionless throughout, but it wasn’t a cold face either.

“Sister Su, hey, Jinyan is here too!” Xu Yuanyuan, who was in charge of interviews, exclaimed in surprise.

“Jinyan is here to help us write some drafts this time. Yuanyuan, give Jinyan your recording pen from the interview later, and tell her the specific content of the draft.”

Once she arrived at the workplace, Su Muqing seemed like a different person. She gave instructions in an orderly fashion.

She patted Wen Jinyan on the shoulder and went to her office.

Xu Yuanyuan led Wen Jinyan to the desk of the former editorial staff. The people nearby were familiar with her. After all, those with good looks tend to stick in people’s memories.

“Jinyan is here! We need your help to write drafts this time too,” said Xie Ming, the photographer and image editor.

“Mm.” Wen Jinyan gave a simple reply. It wasn’t the first or second time she had come to the magazine office to help write drafts. She was familiar with most of the people here.

“Yes, I don’t know what’s wrong with our magazine. The writers don’t last more than a few months. Either their writing is not good enough, or they find it too tiring, or they think the salary is not good,” Xu Yuanyuan complained.

“Stop complaining. Didn’t Sister Su just tell you to give the recording pen to Jinyan? Aren’t you going? Be careful, or I’ll tell Sister Su later, and she’ll give you a hard time,” Xie Ming teased.

Xu Yuanyuan handed the pen to Wen Jinyan. Just as Wen Jinyan connected her Bluetooth earphones, she heard a gasp.

“Guess who I saw on the way here?”