Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 90
YuanYang had indeed changed a lot.
Obviously, his facial features have not changed in the slightest bit but his temperament is completely different from that of two years ago. Wearing a tailored suit that accentuated his perfect body, his hair no longer looked as unruly and casual as it did two years ago. Instead, it is neat and slickly styled. The most important are his eyes, the eyes of youth and arrogance from two years ago have completely disappeared. Instead, it is now profound and steady. YuanYang’s mannerisms and temperament had thoroughly changed from that of a rudely impetuous domineering kid into a real man.
He’s practically a different person from before.
GuQingPei’s heart wildly jumped a few times, but soon restored to calmness.
YuanYang’s expression did not change a bit. He did not seem at all surprise to see him. Even the emotions in his eyes didn’t waver. Glancing up and down at GuQingPei, his lips raised in a smile, “Director Gu, long time no see.”
GuQingPei looking at him, their gaze at each other intermingling with the air in their surrounding created an unusual aura flowing between them.
GuQingPei lightly raised his glasses while smiling, “Yeah, long time no see.”
YuanYang laughed, “I didn’t think that I would bump into you here. I thought that you would settle down abroad and never return.”
“There are many choices in ones’ life, many things that can’t be said for certain. Why don’t you just let me out first, we shouldn’t be talking in the restroom, right?”
YuanYang took a step back. GuQingPei walked out of the restroom. The two people standing in the open hallway, the atmosphere between them is strangely abnormal.
GuQingPei didn’t think that he would meet YuanYang so soon. In fact, YuanYang’s attitude is definitely not what he had expected. He, himself, also can’t say clearly what it is that he had expected. But this is all good, it is not as awkward.
YuanYang took out a cigarette from his pocket, putting it on his lips, looking GuQingPei, “How was the past two years? Heard that Director Gu did impressively, riding on the crest of success in many great prospects, it must have fulfilled your aspirations.”
“It was pretty good. Each of my journey is worthwhile and memorable… with great gains.”
YuanYang laugh loudly, “Director Gu still loves to speak so cleverly. It’s why you and Chairman Wang have so many common topics. You and Chairman Wang must have many insights to talk about on today’s literary film.”
GuQingPei gently clenched the hand that was in the pocket of his pants into a fist. He didn’t want to continue with this conversation any further. Standing next to this man, the surrounding air thickened, making it hard for him to breathe and his head dizzy.
He casually said, “If Director Yuan have no other matters, can I head back first? I originally wanted to find a time to have a good chat, but at the moment, it’s inappropriate for me not to return to someone’s film premier. I’m going to leave then?”
YuanYang lightly raised the corner of his mouth, exposing a mocking smile, “Do you really want to have a good chat with me?”
Of course GuQingPei only casually mentioned it.
YuanYang smiled at him, however, that meaning is not at all reflective in his eyes, “Director Gu, you’re in such a hurry to leave, it can’t be because you’re worried that I’ll still try to mess with you right?”
GuQingPei was startled, then laughed dryly, “Who said that? What you mentioned is already all in the past. Director Yuan is now a successful businessman, accompanied by beautiful women, how can you still be confused.”
YuanYang’s eyes flickered menacingly but GuQingPei did not notice.
YuanYang lightly smiled, “What Director Gu is saying is that two years is really not a short time, enough to change many things. For example, Director Gu obviously looks old, not as attractive as you were two years ago.”
GuQingPei nodded his head and smiled, “At my age, of course I’ll get older and older every year, but I’m a man, I don’t need to depend on my face for sustenance. Thanks to Director Yuan for your concern, if there is nothing else, I’m going to head back first. You continue on.”
YuanYang waved his big hand, making a pleasant gesture.
The moment GuQingPei turned around, his face could no longer maintain his pretentious expression. The corner of his lips began to shudder uncontrollably. This unbearable pain in his heart is beyond his imagination. He needed great willpower so that he won’t collapse in front of YuanYang and be able to walk away calmly.
The sight of former lovers meeting again is such an alienating and unfamiliar scene. GuQingPei could no longer describe his feelings. He just felt that this is ridiculously laughable, fate is ridiculous, and he himself is ridiculous.
After GuQingPei turned around, YuanYang’s facial expression also changed instantly. His gaze is like that of an angry black net, firmly anchoring GuQingPei’s back silhouette in his line of sight. The expression in his eyes is like that of a hungry wolf, with glittering shades of lushes green, staking on his prey.
GuQingPei returned to his seat. WangJin glanced at him. The auditorium is very quiet, WangJin leaned over to him and softly whispered, “Where did you go? The restroom?”
“Yah”
“That long?” WangJin blinked, “Did you eat something bad?”
“Nah, the restroom was under maintenance so I had to go to the third floor.”
“Maintenance? But I just went.”
GuQingPei was stunned, “Maybe it’s fixed now.”
WangJin also didn’t give it too much thought, “Don’t you think this film is too artistic…kind of boring?”
“It is done with great appreciation for artistry, but I’m afraid the box office response may not be very favorable.”
“Yah, I think so too, but the director and actors must also have a certain impact. Although it is an investment, I don’t really want to invest in fruitless ventures but I really love this script.” WangJin shrugged, “Anyway, I don’t care about making less money.”
GuQingPei gave a few words of flattering compliments to WangJin, but because of his encounter with YuanYang earlier, his mind is already scattered to an unknown place.
He had thought that in the time span of two years, it would be enough for him to forget everything relating to YuanYang. But now he had come to realize that he was only able to live peacefully because he could not see YuanYang. The two years is still too short.
When the film ended, GuQingPei had already returned to a state of calmness. Due to the series of promotional speeches, GuQingPei and WangJin were delayed an hour before they could leave.
Once again, they unexpectedly met up with YuanYang at the theater’s front entrance. This time, there is a young girl standing next to him. Tall and beautiful, she and YuanYang looked like a very compatible pair.
The crowds scattered in between them. GuQingPei and YuanYang stared directly at each other as the people walked by, their meaningful glances are so complex that it’s indescribable.
WangJin glanced at YuanYang with a smirk, “You’ve already seen him?”
GuQingPei nodded, “Yah, let’s go.” He turned and walked toward the parking lot. WangJin followed along closely, the two walked closely by each other, not speaking a word.
Until they got into the car, WangJin said softly, “QingPei, you…..”
GuQingPei smiled as he looked at WangJin, “Are you still trying to ask how I am? Wang Ge, why are you being so sentimental? People… is really this kind of animal… any kind of harbored feelings and emotions have its limitations. YuanYang and I, all is already in the past. Seeing him today, I just feel a little surprised. Hey, his girlfriend is really beautiful, a lot more prettier than the actresses wearing makeup today.”
WangJin squinted his eyes at him, “You really don’t mind?”
GuQingPei laughed aloud, “Wang Ge, you are really interesting.”
WangJin clasp onto his neck, “This guy…let’s go, let’s go to Gui Street for midnight snack.”
“Okay, haven’t eaten it in more than two years, no wonder I missed it.”
When GuQingPei returned home, it was already past 12 o’clock. He took a shower and habitually looked at his cell phone before going to bed. There was a text message that was sent sometime after 10 o’ clock.
Although the number did not have the name of the person, he never forgot the string of numbers. That is YuanYang’s number. When he opened the text message, there was only four words, “Long time no see.”
GuQingPei instantly felt that he can’t take it anymore. He slammed his body heavily on the bed, staring blankly at the empty ceiling without making any movement for the longest time.
End of the chapter
