Self-Perception - Chapter 52

“We didn’t actually plan on going out for New Year’s Eve this year. Your Professor Gu found out and hoped we’d come keep you company. She was afraid you’d be too bored at home alone. As it happens, Ji Yibai and I felt that a two persons countdown was a bit lonely anyway, three is a crowd in the best way possible.”

Wen Jinyan pursed her lips. Gu Wansheng knew she wouldn’t go out, which is why she had reached out to Su Muqing. Wen Jinyan didn’t have a wide social circle, the only people she could truly call friends were Su Muqing and her partner.

“Won’t I be interrupting your ‘world of two’?”

“Interrupting what? Letting a sister stay home alone isn’t what a good bestie does. Sharing joy is better than keeping it to yourself. Besides…” Su Muqing winked at her, leaning in until their shoulders touched. “Professor Gu gave us way too much to say no.”

Wen Jinyan relaxed a little at those words, her gaze shifting to the bags Su Muqing was carrying.

“What are these?”

“Crayfish, BBQ, fruit juice, grilled meat, things like that.” Su Muqing handed the items to Wen Jinyan to help carry. She scanned the living room with a look of admiration. “Whoa, this place is seriously huge.”

She nudged Ji Yibai with her elbow. “Don’t you think?”

Ji Yibai, having finished changing into slippers, scanned the room and gave an objective reply: “It’s much bigger than our place.”

“Where should we put these?” Ji Yibai asked.

“Give them to me.” Wen Jinyan placed the bags she was holding onto the table and reached out to take the ones from Ji Yibai.

“Make yourselves at home,” Wen Jinyan invited them. “Would you like water, tea, or juice?”

Su Muqing laughed. “Have you forgotten what we brought?”

Wen Jinyan remembered and smiled.

“You don’t need to treat us like guests. Professor Gu already said we should just make ourselves comfortable and not be formal,” Su Muqing said, pulling out a bottle of juice. “Where are your glasses?”

“I’ll get them.” Wen Jinyan’s energy picked up. She gestured toward the seating area. “Go ahead and sit on the sofa.”

Once the preparations were done, the three of them sat on the floor around the coffee table. Gu Wansheng had laid out a thick rug, so it wasn’t cold at all.

“You’re watching a drama Professor Gu starred in.” Su Muqing noticed the TV playing a show from a few years ago. “Professor Gu’s acting is as great as ever.”

“Of course it is! Professor Gu has the looks and the talent. she treats everyone equally and never gives anyone a hard time. She stood at the peak of the industry only nine years after her debut. A true mix of talent and hard work…”

“Alright, alright,” Su Muqing interrupted Ji Yibai’s rambling.

Wen Jinyan listened quietly, then unobtrusively switched the channel to Jiangcheng TV.

“Why the sudden change?” Su Muqing asked, confused.

Wen Jinyan glanced at her phone. “It’s 7:20 already,” she explained. “The Jiangcheng New Year’s Eve Gala starts at 7:30.”

Su Muqing knew Gu Wansheng was performing in the gala this year. “Ah, right. Professor Gu danced last year and is singing this year. Come to think of it, I haven’t really seen her sing much.”

“When Gu Wansheng was twenty-three, she hummed a snippet of her character’s promotional song during a live stream for a drama. The show was called Dual Tracks of the City.”

Su Muqing’s mouth hung open slightly. “You even remember that?”

Wen Jinyan didn’t think it was a big deal and simply nodded.

She had watched every drama Gu Wansheng had ever been in, from major lead roles to cameos lasting only a few seconds. She had even watched countless fan-made clips from the early days of her career.

Her way of understanding Gu Wansheng ranged from the depths of the internet to her own personal observations.

This resonated deeply with Ji Yibai. Excitedly, Ji Yibai began peppering Wen Jinyan with more questions, all of which Wen Jinyan answered perfectly.

Su Muqing watched as Ji Yibai chattered away next to Wen Jinyan, looking like she had finally found a kindred spirit. Su Muqing quietly opened the meat and started the grill.

Cheers erupted from the TV, the gala had begun. The opening acts featured various idol groups dancing and singing. Su Muqing watched while gossiping with the other two about who had actual talent and who was just backed by resources.

This time, it was Ji Yibai’s turn to be surprised. She raised an eyebrow. “You know about all that too?”

Su Muqing replied, “Of course. Your girl has some connections in the industry. You just never asked me before.”

Ji Yibai had nothing to add; she didn’t care much for industry gossip. She only cared about Gu Wansheng’s schedule.

Wen Jinyan wasn’t surprised, but her eyes were glued to the screen, terrified of missing Gu Wansheng’s entrance.

“Jinyan, eat while we wait,” Su Muqing said, placing a piece of grilled meat on her plate.

Wen Jinyan thanked her, dipped it in the dry chili seasoning, and took a small bite wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

Gu Wansheng’s segment appeared midway through the show. She was on stage singing with several other artists. Wen Jinyan stared unblinkingly at the screen.

The song was upbeat. Gu Wansheng’s natural voice was a sophisticated “big sister” tone, but for this performance, she playfully lifted her pitch to match the cheerful melody.

She wore a red skirt with her hair in soft waves. When the camera zoomed in, Wen Jinyan noticed she was wearing pearl earrings, giving her an air of intellectual beauty. She smiled and interacted with the other performers, looking radiant and confident.

Halfway through the song, colorful confetti exploded over the stage. Gu Wansheng reached out, and a single piece of confetti drifted slowly into her palm. She seemed surprised by the moment and let out a genuine laugh. The stage lights caught her perfectly, making her look dazzling.

Someone so favored by the light would be loved by anyone who saw her.

Wen Jinyan was watching intently when Ji Yibai suddenly screamed beside her, giving her a fright.

Wen Jinyan: “…”

“So beautiful! Give the stylist a raise! Goddess is too stunning!”

If Su Muqing hadn’t been there to hold her back, Ji Yibai probably would have kept shouting.

Su Muqing was used to it. She explained to Wen Jinyan, “She’s always like this. Seeing an idol makes her a bit… emotional.”

Wen Jinyan nodded. “I understand.”

The three of them chatted and relaxed as they watched. Soon, the countdown timer in the top left corner of the screen hit three minutes.

Wen Jinyan hadn’t eaten much, but the food was greasy, and she felt she needed some fresh air.

She walked out to the balcony and leaned against the railing. The wind tonight was surprisingly gentle, and the moon was visible. In the distance were the city lights and heavy traffic, below the apartment, the sounds of laughter were constant.

After the smell of BBQ had faded from her clothes, Wen Jinyan returned to the living room. The countdown had reached the final ten seconds.

Wen Jinyan opened her phone and found Gu Wansheng’s profile on WeChat.

Last five seconds.

Five, four, three, two, one.

“Happy New Year,” she sent via voice message.

The message was sent in the transition between the last second of the old year and the first of the new. At the same time, a message arrived from Gu Wansheng.

Since Gu Wansheng was still on the live broadcast, the message was likely sent by her assistant on her behalf.

“Happy New Year, Jinyan. Let’s hope this is a good year.” Su Muqing raised her glass.

Wen Jinyan understood her meaning and toasted both Su Muqing and Ji Yibai. “Happy New Year.”

Wen Qiuyi sat on her sofa. After sending New Year wishes to her close friends, she sent out a mass message to the rest. Just as she put her phone down, the doorbell rang.

She wrapped herself in a blanket and walked to the entryway. Looking through the peephole, she saw someone unexpected.

“How do you know my address?” Wen Qiuyi asked as she opened the door, her voice tinged with anger.

Gu Huai smelled of alcohol. She took a step forward but then stopped, seemingly realizing how strong the scent was, and took half a step back. Wen Qiuyi’s nose wrinkled, but she asked instinctively, “Why did you drink so much?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she bit her lip. After all these years, she still hadn’t broken the habit of worrying about her. She looked at the flushed, alcohol-soaked person in front of her and tried to dismiss her. “Where’s your assistant? Call her to pick you up.”

Hearing this, Gu Huai stared at her with watery, innocent eyes. Wen Qiuyi avoided her gaze, leaning against the doorframe and pulling her blanket tighter against the draft from the hallway.

After a long silence, she sighed. “Come in first.”

Gu Huai remained standing, her back straight. Even though she was drunk, she still held the cold authority of someone in a high position. However, her hands gripped the hem of her coat, and her gaze had softened into a rare display of vulnerability.

Seeing Gu Huai like this, Wen Qiuyi, for reasons she couldn’t explain, reached out and pulled her inside.

“For someone in your position, President Gu, nobody would dare force you to drink if you didn’t want to,” Wen Qiuyi said, her sharp eyes fixed on her. The implication was clear.

Gu Huai sat on the sofa, her gaze unchanged.

“I thought your methods would have become more sophisticated over the years. I didn’t expect them to be even more foolish than before. Or do you think I haven’t changed? That I’d believe your words as easily as I did years ago?” Wen Qiuyi’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion, as if she were discussing something trivial.

“No,” Gu Huai spoke, her hand gripping the fabric of her thigh.

“A-Qiu…”

“Don’t call me that,” Wen Qiuyi interrupted. “It seems you’ve sobered up. Please see yourself out, President Gu. I won’t be seeing you to the door.”

Seeing her resolve, Gu Huai took a deep breath. She took a small box out of her bag and placed it on the coffee table.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” Gu Huai said, standing up.

“Wait, take your things with you,” Wen Qiuyi said, glancing at the box.

“It’s yours now. Do with it what you will.”

Gu Huai’s back was straight again, her eyes regaining their usual sharpness. She walked past Wen Qiuyi, not getting too close.

“Happy New Year.” Her lips moved. Wen Qiuyi thought she heard a few more words, but the window was open and the TV was playing an old drama, she couldn’t hear what Gu Huai said over the noise.

The door closed softly. It was a long time before Wen Qiuyi looked at the box on the table. She sat on the sofa for a while before finally picking it up.

It looked like jewelry. Wen Qiuyi rubbed the edge of the box but didn’t open it. She placed it inside her nightstand drawer.