She Got Revenge on Her Ex-Girlfriend Through a Kiss Scene - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The reception continued late into the night.

Xi Jisheng and Lou Ningyu were surrounded by wave after wave of people—some offering blessings, some curious, some seeking interviews. Lou Ningyu stood by Xi Jisheng’s side the entire time, either holding her hand or resting a palm lightly against her waist, like a silent guardian.

When someone asked a question that was too invasive, Lou Ningyu would say gently but firmly, “Apologies, private questions are inconvenient to answer.”

When someone raised a phone to take a photo, she would politely block them: “No more photos tonight, thank you.”

She was like a mountain, shielding Xi Jisheng behind her. Sensing this protection, Xi Jisheng felt an unprecedented surge of security. She knew that this time, she wasn’t facing the world alone.

She had Lou Ningyu.

By the time the gala ended, it was one in the morning. Driving away from the hotel, Xi Jisheng leaned against the car window, watching the night scenery blur past. Beijing’s lights remained as brilliant as ever, but in this moment, she felt only exhaustion and profound contentment.

Lou Ningyu drove with a steady hand. While waiting at a red light, she glanced at her companion. “Tired?”

“Mm,” Xi Jisheng nodded. “But… happy too.”

“Happy about what?”

“Happy that… I finally don’t have to hide.” Xi Jisheng turned to look at her. “Happy that everyone knows you love me.”

Lou Ningyu smiled. “I’m happy too. Happy that everyone knows you’ve finally agreed to let me love you.”

They parked in the apartment garage and took the elevator up hand-in-hand. The mirror reflected their figures—Xi Jisheng in her light blue gown, Lou Ningyu in her deep blue suit—both with smudged makeup and swollen eyes, yet smiling more radiantly than ever before.

Entering the apartment, Xi Jisheng kicked off her heels and stepped onto the floor barefoot. Lou Ningyu shed her blazer and loosened her tie. They stood in the entryway, looking at each other, and suddenly burst into laughter.

“Lou Ningyu,” Xi Jisheng called out.

“Yes?”

“Now the whole world knows I love you,” Xi Jisheng said. “You can’t run away now.”

Lou Ningyu walked over, cupping her face. “I should be the one saying that—Xi Jisheng, now the whole world knows I love you. You can’t run away.”

“I’m not running,” Xi Jisheng closed her eyes. “I don’t have the strength to run anymore.”

Lou Ningyu watched her for a long time. Then, she pulled a small box from her blazer pocket. It wasn’t a ring box, but a small square velvet case.

Xi Jisheng’s heart quickened.

Lou Ningyu opened the box to reveal a pair of simple silver bangles. They weren’t fashionable or intricate, just plain circular bands polished to a smooth, soft glow. She picked up one; the inside was engraved with a single character: Ning.She picked up the other: Ji.

“A Valentine’s gift from seven years ago,” Lou Ningyu’s voice was soft. “I… never got to give them to you.”

Tears welled in Xi Jisheng’s eyes again.

“I bought these bracelets and planned to give them to you on Valentine’s Day. But that day… We fought. I said we should break up, and you agreed.” Lou Ningyu’s voice shook. “These bracelets stayed in my drawer. They moved with me through four different houses, never once opened.”

She lifted Xi Jisheng’s hand and slid the “Ning” bracelet onto her slender wrist. It fit perfectly.

“I didn’t take them out again until I accepted the role in Echoes,” Lou Ningyu said. “I thought, if there’s a chance this time… I’m going to give them to her.”

She extended her own wrist, and Xi Jisheng picked up the other bracelet, sliding it onto Lou Ningyu’s hand. The “Ji” bracelet settled into place. Their wrists rested together, the silver bands clinking with a crisp, clear sound.

“Now,” Lou Ningyu looked at her, “it’s complete.”

Xi Jisheng’s tears fell in heavy drops. She raised her hand, tracing Lou Ningyu’s face with her fingers. “Lou Ningyu.”

“Yes?”

“I love you. From twenty-two until now, and for all the time to come.”

Lou Ningyu’s tears fell too. Then, she leaned down and captured Xi Jisheng’s lips.

This was their first real kiss in seven years. It wasn’t a camera angle for a scene or a polite touch; it was real, salted with tears, and heavy with the weight of a promise. They kissed for a long time, until their breathing grew ragged, before slowly pulling apart.

Foreheads resting together, their breaths intertwined.

“Xi Jisheng,” Lou Ningyu whispered, “this time, let’s live well.”

“Mm. Let’s live well.”

They walked into the bedroom together without turning on the lights. The moonlight spilled through the curtains, catching the silver on their wrists. That night, they slept in each other’s arms, as if the seven years of separation had never happened.

…

In another corner of the world, Wen Bixu had just finished watching the interview. Sitting before her editing screen, her eyes were red. She picked up her phone and opened her chat with Zhu Jinhe.

It had been three days since their video call. Zhu Jinhe was still in the Sahara, preparing to leave for Antarctica.

Wen Bixu typed: “I watched the interview.” Zhu Jinhe replied instantly: “Me too. I cried.” “Me too.”

Silence. Then Wen Bixu typed: “Your Antarctica project… when exactly does it start?” “The 5th of next month. Departing from Cape Town.” “Is it… easy to get a flight?”

This time, Zhu Jinhe took several minutes to respond: “Wen Bixu, what are you asking?”

Wen Bixu took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keyboard before typing: “I’m asking which flight I should book if I want to go to Antarctica to film the second part of my documentary.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. One minute passed. Two.

Zhu Jinhe sent a screenshot—a flight booking page with two tickets, the same flight, adjacent seats. Caption: “This one.”

Wen Bixu burst into tears. She typed: “How did you know I’d say yes?” Zhu Jinhe replied: “I didn’t. But I hoped you would.” “What if I had refused?” “Then I’d cancel one ticket and go alone.”

Wen Bixu cried even harder. “Don’t cancel. Keep both.” “So… you’re coming?” “Yes. I’m coming. To Antarctica, to film penguins, to film glaciers, and to film… how idealism and reality meet at the end of the world.”

Zhu Jinhe sent a huge emoji. “Wen Bixu.” “Yes?” “Welcome to my orbit.”

Wen Bixu laughed through her tears. “And you… are welcome to mine, occasionally.”

They both knew this wasn’t a permanent merging of paths. Zhu Jinhe would still travel the world, and Wen Bixu would still have her studio and life in Beijing. But they were willing to leave their own orbits for each other, to meet in some corner of the globe. That was enough.

…

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains onto Xi Jisheng’s face. She woke to find herself still in Lou Ningyu’s arms.

Lou Ningyu woke shortly after, not opening her eyes but pulling her closer. “Morning.” “Morning,” Xi Jisheng whispered.

Then, Lou Ningyu’s phone rang. It was David, on speaker.

“Ningyu, have you seen Weibo?” David’s voice was ecstatic. “The box office for Echoes… it exploded.”

The two women looked at each other.

“After the premiere, the word-of-mouth went viral. Coupled with the heat from your announcement, the pre-sales this morning… have already surpassed 100 million.”

Xi Jisheng covered her mouth.

“Also,” David continued, “the Hong Kong Film Award nominations were just announced. Echoes got eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress—a double nomination.”

Lou Ningyu sat up. “Double nomination?”

“Yes. You and Jisheng are both nominated for Best Actress. The committee said your performances were indistinguishable in quality, so they made an exception.”

Xi Jisheng wept—this time out of pure joy. Lou Ningyu hung up and pulled her into a hug. “Did you hear? Double nomination.”

“I heard,” Xi Jisheng choked out.

“And,” Lou Ningyu cupped her face, “the box office hit 100 million. Our movie is a success.”

“Stop crying,” Lou Ningyu wiped her eyes. “It’s time to smile.” “I am smiling,” Xi Jisheng laughed through her tears.

They held each other in the morning light. Seven years of waiting, separation, pain, and regret—it was all worth it at this moment. The movie was a success. They were a success. Love was a success.

“Xi Jisheng.” “Yes?” “When the awards ceremony comes, if one of us wins—” “No matter who wins,” Xi Jisheng interrupted, “we go up on stage together.”

Lou Ningyu smiled. “Okay. Together.”

They knew the road ahead was long. There would be more movies, more challenges, the pressure of public opinion, and busy schedules. But they also knew that this time, they would walk it hand-in-hand.

They raised their hands, the silver bracelets glinting in the sunlight. Lou Ningyu raised hers too, the two bands clinking together once more.