The Night is Called Gentle - Chapter 9

Are you planning to interview me again?

Lin Zhixia felt as though fate had nudged her shoulder, for Yan Huaiqing’s desk held a copy of Several Layers of Mountains the book she had written.

First came surprise, then embarrassment, and finally disbelief.

There were too many coincidences.

She quickly glanced up at Yan Huaiqing. Fortunately, she was already immersed in her work, head lowered as she stared intently at her notebook, completely unaware of Lin Zhixia’s unusual reaction.

Forcing herself to stay calm, Lin Zhixia picked up the Rubik’s Cube and placed it on her lap, instinctively twisting it while her mind raced

Several Layers of Mountains had sold well, but it was far from being a book everyone owned. How did Yan Huaiqing have a copy?

Was it just a coincidence? Had she read it? And if she had, what did she think of it?

A flood of questions surged into Lin Zhixia’s mind. She wanted answers but didn’t dare ask.

The Rubik’s Cube clicked and clacked under her fingers as she restored one layer.

A few days ago, Li Meng had mentioned that some organization wanted to adapt Several Layers of Mountains.

Organization? Adaptation?

If it were a film or television company seeking collaboration, they would typically use the term “copyright” rather than “adaptation,” and certainly not the word “organization.”

But Yan Huaiqing’s troupe was an organization. Opera? Adaptation?

A thunderclap of realization echoed in Lin Zhixia’s mind as her hands restored the second layer of the cube.

Could such coincidences truly exist in real life?

She mentally rewound the sequence of events, letting the gears of fate spin again in her mind

Being dragged by Zhao Jinchu to watch an opera, bumping into Jiang Jing, and meeting Yan Huaiqing.

The next day, Li Meng visited her home and mentioned that an organization wanted to adapt Several Layers of Mountains.

Jiang Jing invited her to watch a rehearsal, where Yan Huaiqing appeared from behind just before it started.

While selecting photos, Yan Huaiqing’s domineering, CEO-like behavior.

And today, neither early nor late, they ran into each other.

And now, Several Layers of Mountains on her desk.

By now, the Rubik’s Cube was fully restored. Lin Zhixia suddenly felt lightheaded, slowly bending forward until her forehead rested against the edge of the desk.

Amid the hazy misty rain, had she been toyed with by fate?

Or perhaps not so much toyed with as arranged by fate.

Hearing the noise, Yan Huaiqing paused her work and glanced at the person slumped against the desk, comforting her, “If you can’t solve it, it’s not a big deal. You saw earlier I couldn’t solve it either.”

Lin Zhixia didn’t look up but slowly raised the Rubik’s Cube to the desktop, proudly displaying it with a flourish.

All six sides were perfectly restored, making her seem a little smug.

Yan Huaiqing chuckled softly, resting her forehead in her hand. Today, she too had been caught off guard by Lin Zhixia’s successive surprises.

“Are you feeling bored?” she asked patiently.

Under the table, Lin Zhixia closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and slowly lifted her head.

Even if fate was toying with her, she had to face it calmly, right?

Besides, after calming down, she felt a hint of irrepressible delight and anticipation.

If a chapter of life were penned by fate, how could one not look forward to it?

“I’m not bored. But, Teacher Yan, what do you do when you’re bored? Do you read?”

Lin Zhixia didn’t dare ask directly about Several Layers of Mountains. Instead, she tried to steer the conversation in that direction as if by chance.

“Occasionally,” Yan Huaiqing replied, setting down her notebook. She reached out, took the Rubik’s Cube, and hid it under the desk, twisting it back into chaos once more.

Lin Zhixia pursed her lips and began asking a question she already knew the answer to: “So, Teacher Yan, what books have you been reading lately?”

Yan Huaiqing raised an eyebrow and cast a glance at the stack of books in front of her, but said nothing.

Lin Zhixia realized she had overestimated her ability to steer the conversation, especially in front of someone like Yan Huaiqing.

Just as she was hesitating over how to phrase her next question, Yan Huaiqing handed the scrambled Rubik’s Cube back to her, looking first at the cube and then at her.

Was that expression meant to test her? Why did she find it a little endearing?

Lin Zhixia took the cube and began twisting it, her mind still preoccupied with how to guide the conversation, her eyes unfocused.

“Teacher Yan, among the books you’ve been reading lately, are there any ”

“Are you planning to interview me again?” Yan Huaiqing asked with a faint smile.

Lin Zhixia’s restless heart instantly calmed.

Right she could just check with Li Meng later to confirm the unit that was adapting the work. Why rush it now?

“Teacher Yan, I’m sure you can do it,” she said after a brief silence, taking a small breath before blurting out the seemingly random remark.

“Do you know what I’m trying to do?” Yan Huaiqing countered, as always.

A moment of silence followed, broken only by the soft clicks of the Rubik’s Cube turning.

The same words, the same retort, the same silence.

But their expressions were different this time, and so were their tones.

Lin Zhixia lowered her head and gave herself a determined smile. Unlike last time, when she hadn’t known how to offer advice, this time she felt a vague sense of certainty about something.

Yan Huaiqing also noticed the determination and joy radiating from the other’s face. For some inexplicable reason, this time she was more willing to trust this person in front of her to believe that she would bring another surprise.

After dozens of rapid twists and turns, Lin Zhixia held the restored Rubik’s Cube up to Yan Huaiqing once more.

See? She had surprises up her sleeve.

Yan Huaiqing pressed her lips together, took the cube, checked all six sides, then pulled open a drawer, tossed it inside, and even took out a key to lock it.

Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but chuckle Yan Huaiqing locking the drawer seemed unexpectedly adorable.

But Yan Huaiqing paid her no further attention, lowering her head to continue working.

Lin Zhixia pretended to flip through a book for a while, played on her phone, and upon hearing there was a rehearsal, went to the rehearsal hall to watch for a bit.

True to her word, Yan Huaiqing seemed unbothered by the noise. It was as if she had a mysterious switch inside her that allowed her to instantly shift into work mode, immersing herself completely and shutting out the world.

It was almost 9 p.m. when she finally finished work. She stood up, grabbed her coat and bag, and said to Lin Zhixia, “I’m done. Let me walk you back.”

“No need, Teacher Yan. It only takes about ten minutes to walk back,” Lin Zhixia replied, standing up as well.

“Let’s go,” Yan Huaiqing said without further explanation.

Lin Zhixia watched her turn off the lights and lock the door, then followed her out of the theater in silence.

“Where do you live?”

When they reached the street, Yan Huaiqing pressed the car remote in her hand. A black car parked slightly ahead flashed its lights, like a beast lurking in the dark suddenly opening its eyes.

Lin Zhixia followed the direction of the lights. She didn’t know much about cars and only judged them by whether they looked nice or cool, but she felt this car, like its owner, exuded a restrained yet intimidating aura.

Shifting her gaze back, Lin Zhixia pointed south of the theater. “Teacher Yan, really, there’s no need to drive me. I live right over there you can see it from here. It’s very close.”

Yan Huaiqing stopped walking, turned to look at her, and with a leisurely smile in his eyes, patiently explained, “It’s too late, and the wind is strong. I’m heading in the same direction anyway, so let’s go.”

She always managed to persuade others with her gentle tone. Lin Zhixia nodded and said, “Thank you, Teacher Yan.”

Seeing that she no longer refused, Yan Huaiqing turned and walked toward the car. On the way, she connected her Bluetooth earpiece to take a call, while Lin Zhixia leaned against the car window, gazing at the night scenery.

She had walked this road countless times, yet she always discovered new shades of color.

As soon as she got home, before even changing her shoes, Lin Zhixia stood by the door and called Li Meng.

She rarely reached out to Li Meng proactively. After knowing each other for over two years, this was the first time she had ever called her.

“Lin? Teacher Lin? Is that you? Really you?” The voice on the other end was astonished, firing off four questions in a row.

“Yeah, are you free to talk?” Suddenly realizing it was already past nine and it was the weekend, Lin Zhixia started with a polite remark.

“I’m totally free! What’s up? Go ahead.” The voice on the other end remained excited.

“That company you mentioned last time, the one interested in adapting Several Layers of Mountains, do you know who it is?” Lin Zhixia got straight to the point.

Li Meng let out a long sigh of relief. “You scared me! I thought something was wrong with the book. About that, I didn’t ask for the specific name because you’ve always been reluctant to sell the rights before. The editor-in-chief just mentioned it in passing and asked me to pass it along. If you want to know, I can go ask right now.”

As if realizing something, the voice on the other end grew even more animated. “Wait, did they contact you directly? Are you considering collaborating?”

“No, not yet. I’m not sure for now. I want to check out the company first.” Lin Zhixia’s heart raced.

“Okay, okay! I’ll go ask the editor-in-chief right now and get back to you soon.” Li Meng vaguely sensed that Lin Zhixia seemed different today.

“It’s late. You can ask tomorrow when you’re at work. It’s not that urgent.” Hearing that it would trouble someone else so late at night, Lin Zhixia calmed down a little.

“No worries. The publishing house’s business has been almost stagnant these past two years. Who knows, maybe the editor-in-chief is even more eager for your collaboration than I am.” Li Meng’s voice carried a hint of glee.

“Just don’t trouble them too much,” Lin Zhixia added as a reminder.

“I know. But, Lin, why the sudden change of heart? Can you tell me?” Li Meng asked tentatively.

“I’ll tell you once it’s confirmed.” Lin Zhixia kept her in suspense and, in a way, kept herself in suspense too.

There had been too many coincidences today. Even after calming down a bit, it still felt somewhat unbelievable.

After the brief call ended, Lin Zhixia changed into her slippers and went to the fridge for some milk. The weather was already cold, and as she took a sip of the icy milk, she shuddered, finally feeling a bit more awake.

Pouring the milk into a heating pot, she dashed to the living room sofa, stretched her back and limbs with a long sigh, then curled up comfortably, waiting for the news.

As the milk pot bubbled softly, Lin Zhixia’s heart bubbled with anticipation too.