The Night is Called Gentle - Chapter 8

Yan Huaiqing had adopted a little house cat named Lin Zhixia.

“Come, have a seat.” She pulled out a chair by the desk and turned to pour a cup of tea.

“Alright.” Lin Zhixia glanced around the office.

The office wasn’t as large as she had imagined. It was simply furnished but exuded an artistic atmosphere. In front of the floor-to-ceiling window lay a patchwork-colored rug, and outside, the sky was pitch black. The bookshelf didn’t hold many books but was adorned with small, exquisite artworks and opera figurines.

The desk and chairs were stylishly designed. On the desk sat a large bouquet of flowers arranged in a woven rattan basket. The flowers were of many varieties, clustered together harmoniously with a coordinated beauty.

“Take a look at my workspace. Not as serious or old-fashioned as you imagined, right?”

Yan Huaiqing placed the tea in front of her, responding to Lin Zhixia’s earlier remark “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Thank you.” Lin Zhixia took the teacup with both hands and added, “It has a very artistic ambiance. Also, Teacher Yan, I never thought you were serious or old-fashioned.”

Yan Huaiqing smiled, took off her coat, and hung it on a nearby coat rack. Then she reached over and moved the bouquet of flowers to the edge of the desk.

“The flowers are lovely.” Lin Zhixia set down her teacup and lent a hand.

“Really? I arranged them after last night’s performance. I was busy until after four in the morning.” Yan Huaiqing wasn’t being modest, nor was she boasting. She was simply stating a fact, her gaze resting gently on the flowers.

“You arranged these?” Lin Zhixia wasn’t actually surprised that Yan Huaiqing knew flower arranging, but the question slipped out before she could stop herself.

“My fans are very enthusiastic. They always send so many flowers. I had no choice but to learn flower arranging so I could put them together and display them at home or bring them to the office. Mm.”

After saying this slowly, she added an “Mm,” as if giving herself and her fans a sense of closure.

“Four in the morning that’s so late. I thought you’d be exhausted after a performance and would want to rest,” Lin Zhixia voiced her confusion.

“I am tired, but sometimes my mind is too alert. Arranging flowers while reflecting on the performance helps me calm down and gain new insights.” Yan Huaiqing spoke unhurriedly.

Lin Zhixia nodded, then suddenly pursed her lips and chuckled.

“Was what I said funny?” Yan Huaiqing seemed puzzled but not displeased.

Lin Zhixia didn’t hold back her smile. “No, Teacher Yan. It’s just that I feel like a journalist here to get to know you and observe you.”

This was the first time Lin Zhixia had voiced the strange thought that had crossed her mind—the very thought that had made her laugh.

“Then, would you like to interview me?” Yan Huaiqing also smiled, surprised by the other’s train of thought.

“No.” Lin Zhixia’s reply was brief and firm.

Yan Huaiqing wasn’t taken aback but instead gave her a questioning look, curious.

“An interview feels more like a battle a clash of minds between the interviewer and the interviewee. I don’t want that.” Lin Zhixia met her gaze as she answered.

This response stirred a hint of admiration in Yan Huaiqing’s calm eyes. “Then what do you want?” she asked with a light smile.

“I don’t know what I want, but I don’t want to fight with you in any form.”

Young people often make promises without even realizing it. To Yan Huaiqing’s ears, her response at this moment probably sounded just like fans in the audience shouting, “We’ll love you forever!” She merely chuckled softly.

Lin Zhixia sat primly, her hands resting on the table as she held the teacup in front of her, looking every bit like a conference delegate. Seeing Yan Huaiqing smile, she felt a warmth akin to a spring breeze and had the urge to cross her legs. She lifted one leg halfway but then obediently set it back down.

“Teacher Yan, may I share my feedback on the rehearsal I watched last time?” she asked, casting an inquiring glance.

This was the first time she had taken in Yan Huaiqing’s entire face.

Compared to the dim lighting outdoors, under the bright lights, her features appeared clearer and more radiant a full forehead, slightly curved brows, a straight and well-defined nose bridge, and near-perfect nostrils. Though her eyes held a smile, their gaze was serene and profound, exuding an air of authority even when she wasn’t smiling.

Truth be told, Lin Zhixia was a bit peculiar. When she consciously wanted to look at someone, she’d hesitate, feeling it might be intrusive or impolite. But if she ignored the intention to “look,” she could naturally take in every detail.

Upon closer inspection, the face before her revealed no flaws. Yet, even when examined carefully, it retained a subtle, hazy elegance the very embodiment of a poetic Jiangnan beauty.

She stared unblinkingly at her.

Yan Huaiqing, however, hesitated noticeably for a moment before slightly lifting her eyelids and casting a searching look in her direction.

This girl had a refined appearance, fair and clean, like a small white flower blooming in the wilderness. More than once, she had struck Yan Huaiqing as unexpectedly unique.

Her eyes were round, and when she looked at you, they held nothing but light utterly pure, yet not naive.

From their very first meeting, she had been reserved, just as she was now sitting properly and even keeping her breath light. But the light in her eyes was unmistakable, clearly signaling that she had prepared her suggestions thoroughly.

Leaning back in her chair, Yan Huaiqing tilted her head slightly and smiled, her lips pressed together. “Of course.”

“Warmly welcome,” she added, her smile broadening.

Lin Zhixia felt immensely encouraged by this smile and quickly pulled out her phone, opening a document.

She had written it a few days ago during the rain, curled up by the window, typing and deleting, revising over and over until she had more than ten thousand words. It wasn’t exactly feedback more like her understanding of the plot and characters, along with some imaginative ideas, and of course, her initial impressions of the play.

Seeing her take out her phone, Yan Huaiqing found it even more surprising. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched her silently.

“Teacher Yan, please turn on AirDrop,” Lin Zhixia said, looking down as she searched for the share button.

Yan Huaiqing complied, picking up her phone and tapping a few times before replying, “Done.”

An iPhone appeared on the screen unnamed, but it was the only device nearby. It had to be hers.

Just before hitting send, Lin Zhixia’s eyes darted playfully, and she suddenly held her phone against her chin, teasingly withholding the file.

“Teacher Yan, I’ll send you the document, but you have to promise not to read it now. Wait until I’m not around.”

She pressed her lips together, waiting for the other to agree first.

Pfft

Yan Huaiqing couldn’t help but laugh, her lips curling to reveal a glimpse of white teeth, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

Lin Zhixia had a fleeting illusion of pulling the moon down to earth, explaining, “Teacher Yan, I really don’t understand drama. It’s like waving an axe before Lu Ban’s door I’d absolutely die of embarrassment. Back in school, I was most afraid of two things: having my essays read aloud by the teacher in front of the class, and having the invigilator stand behind me during exams. Just thinking about it makes me want to crawl into a hole.”

“Alright, it’s settled then.” Yan Huaiqing touched his brow, a long-dormant playfulness surfacing as he asked, “Shall we pinky swear?”

Lin Zhixia wrinkled her nose with a laugh. “No need, I trust you.”

With that, she opened her phone and sent the file over.

A soft buzz came from the other end, and the screen showed the file had been received.

Her heart fluttered nervously for a moment once sent, the file couldn’t be taken back. It felt like an inexplicable finality, akin to a warrior marching to certain death, or the first time she’d submitted her manuscript to a publisher.

Yan Huaiqing kept his promise, glancing at the file name before locking his phone.

His demeanor shifted swiftly; in the blink of an eye, Lin Zhixia sensed he had switched to work mode.

“Teacher Yan, are you starting work now?”

“Yes, feel free to do whatever you like. I’m not bothered by noise.” Yan Huaiqing lowered his head to organize the documents.

Every trade has its tricks. Lin Zhixia didn’t ask what he was working on, knowing she couldn’t be of help anyway.

After tidying the books and files spread on the table, Yan Huaiqing selected a few books and slid them toward her. Then, opening a drawer, he took out a jumbled Rubik’s cube and placed it atop the books.

“You strike me as someone who can sit still. Read, or play with this relax your mind. You might even find some inspiration.”

Lin Zhixia was about to affirm her patience when her gaze fell on the books he’d pushed over.

The one on top was.