stjorthotic Chapter 73 After Drinking
Chapter 73 After Drinking
After the event, Ning Hao suggested going out for hot pot, saying that Chongqing hot pot was a must-try.
Fu Yibai did not refuse.
The hot pot restaurant is a long-established brand, tucked away in an alley near Jiefangbei. The storefront isn't large, but the inside is bustling with activity. The film crew booked a private room with two round tables, and everyone was packed in.
Ning Hao sat to Fu Yibai's left, Huang Bo and Lei Jiayin sat to his right, and the others lined up in order.
Zeng Li sat opposite, separated by the boiling hot pot and the rising steam.
She ate quietly, rarely speaking, only occasionally glancing up, her gaze inadvertently sweeping in Fu Yibai's direction before quickly looking away.
Fu Yibai chatted with Ning Hao about the upcoming filming plans, occasionally spoke a few words about acting with Huang Bo and Lei Jiayin, and chatted and laughed with the others at the table, but he didn't speak to Zeng Li alone.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room became lively.
Some suggested playing games, others started playing rock-paper-scissors, and things got chaotic.
Fu Yibai got up and went to the restroom.
When I came out, there was a person standing at the end of the corridor.
Zeng Li.
She was wearing a simple black knit sweater and jeans, her long hair loosely tied back, leaning against the wall, holding an unlit cigarette in her hand.
When she saw him come out, she straightened up, didn't say anything, and just looked at him.
The corridor was quiet, but you could faintly hear noise from the private rooms. Separated by a wall, it felt like two different worlds.
Fu Yibai approached and stopped in front of her.
"When did you learn to smoke?"
"I didn't learn it."
Zeng Li put the cigarette away.
"It's just that holding onto something makes me feel more at ease sometimes."
Fu Yibai naturally took the cigarette from her hand, lit it, and took a puff.
Zeng Li's gaze fell on the cigarette that Fu Yibai had taken, watching him take a drag, the smoke drifting away in the dim light of the corridor.
She didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.
The sound of a private room door opening came from not far away, and someone shouted, "Hurry up and go to the restroom!" as footsteps approached.
Zeng Li stepped aside, and Fu Yibai also turned to the side. A crew member passed by them, politely calling out "Director Fu" and "Sister Li," before disappearing into the restroom.
After that person went inside, the corridor became quiet again.
"How's the filming going?" Fu Yibai asked.
"fine."
Zeng Li's tone was very flat.
"Director Ning is very serious, and the actors he works with are also professional."
"The role of Ma Jiaqi is challenging."
"Um."
Zeng Li paused, then looked up at him.
"I haven't been able to congratulate you in person about Berlin yet."
Golden Bear Award.
Is that all you wanted to tell me?
Zeng Li fell silent.
Actually, she had a lot to say, otherwise she wouldn't have come out of the private room and waited for him here.
But when he actually faced Yi Bai, he didn't know how to express the thousands of words in his heart.
Looking at the silent Zeng Li, Fu Yibai shook his head, extinguished the cigarette that had burned out, and turned to walk into the private room without saying anything.
The noise from inside the private room could be heard through the door. Huang Bo was playing a drinking game with someone, and his voice was so loud it could lift the roof off.
Lei Jiayin started making a fuss from the side, and Ning Hao's laughter mingled in the noise.
The excitement is theirs.
Zeng Li stood in the corridor for a while longer until the person from the restroom came out and gave her a strange look. Only then did she come to her senses, push open the door, and return to the private room.
Back in her seat, looking at the lively crowd at the table, Zeng Li picked up a bottle of baijiu and poured herself a glass, feeling somewhat annoyed.
"Sister Pear?"
When her assistant saw this, she was about to reach out to stop her when Zeng Li picked up her wine glass, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
She drank the baijiu, which was over 30 degrees, quickly and forcefully. When she put down the glass, her eyes were already red, and it was hard to tell whether it was from the alcohol or something else.
"Sister Li, please drink slowly..."
The assistant whispered words of advice.
Zeng Li waved her hand, said nothing, and poured herself another cup.
At the round table opposite, Fu Yibai and Ning Hao were talking, while Huang Bo chimed in with jokes, creating a lively atmosphere.
He didn't look this way once from beginning to end.
Zeng Li stared at him for a few seconds, then downed her second glass of wine.
The hot liquid slid down my throat, warming my stomach but also causing a dull ache somewhere in my heart.
She remembered that snowy night in Berlin last year.
I recall the tone in which he said, "This film is missing a female lead."
I recall those subtle, almost imperceptible, moments of estrangement that followed.
She didn't know what she was still expecting.
She was the one who hid first.
She clearly felt that the relationship shouldn't continue.
But when I actually saw him sitting right across from me, it felt like we were separated by an entire galaxy, and those indescribable emotions still surged up inside me.
"Sister Li, please don't drink anymore..."
Although the assistant didn't know what was wrong with Zeng Li, she knew she couldn't let Zeng Li cause trouble anymore.
He immediately grabbed Zeng Li's hand and helped her up from her seat.
"Director Fu, Director Ning, Sister Li isn't feeling well, I'll take her back first."
"Okay, be careful."
"Have the crew driver take you back."
"it is good."
The liveliness in the private room did not diminish in the slightest after Zeng Li left.
Huang Bo and Lei Jiayin played a drinking game until their faces turned red, while Ning Hao laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.
More than half an hour later, Fu Yibai checked the time, got up and said goodbye.
"Director Fu, shall I take you back to your hotel?"
Ning Hao also needs to stand up.
"No need, you drink with them, I know the way."
Fu Yibai waved his hand and walked out of the private room alone.
Back at the hotel, Fu Yibai had just finished showering and was about to rest.
Suddenly, there was a loud knocking on the door.
Who is it?
No one answered from outside the door.
He frowned and got up to open the door.
Fu Yibai opened the door, and Zeng Li leaned against the door frame in the dim light of the corridor.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes unfocused yet stubbornly fixed on him. Although she looked like she had already taken a shower, she still reeked of alcohol.
"Sister Pear?"
Fu Yibai frowned slightly and reached out to support her swaying body.
Zeng Li didn't speak, but looked up at him with red eyes and her lips pressed tightly together, as if she was desperately holding back something.
"How much did you drink?"
Fu Yibai sighed, pulled her into the room, and closed the door.
Zeng Li staggered a step, leaned against him, and gripped his shirt collar with her fingers until her knuckles turned white.
Why...?
Her voice was hoarse, slurred with alcohol and filled with long-suppressed grievances.
"Why can you act like nothing happened...?"
Fu Yibai looked down at her.
Zeng Li looked up, and tears finally slid down her cheeks, dripping onto his shirt.
"That day in Berlin..."
I admit I hid first...
But what about you?
Are you really... never going to contact me again?
As she spoke, her voice trembled more and more.
I thought I could do it...
I thought I could let go...
But today I saw you sitting there, not even glancing at me…”
She couldn't continue, so she buried her face in his chest, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Fu Yibai was silent for a few seconds, then raised his hand to stroke the back of her head, his fingertips running through her loose long hair.
"I haven't forgotten."
His voice was low, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Zeng Li's body stiffened, and then she hugged him even tighter.
"Then why...?"
"Because you're hiding."
Fu Yibai lifted her face and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his movements were very light, but his tone was very calm.
"He doesn't answer the phone, doesn't reply to text messages, and all work arrangements are handled by his agent."
Zeng Li, this isn't about "pretending nothing happened," it's about you making your own choice.
Zeng Li was stunned.
She wanted to explain, to say that it was because she didn't know how to face him, to say that she just needed time to think things through...
But when the words reached his lips, he found himself unable to say anything.
Because what he said was true.
She ran away first.
Fu Yibai shook his head as he looked at her, then turned around and poured her a glass of warm water.
"Drink some water first, to sober up."
Zeng Li didn't take it, she just looked at him.
"Yi Bai..."
"Um?"
Do you still want me?
The question was direct and undisguised, fueled by the courage of alcohol and a long-suppressed desire.
Fu Yibai paused for a moment while holding the water glass.
He looked at Zeng Li, who stood in the center of the room, her long hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes red but surprisingly bright.
At twenty-seven, Zeng Li still carried the aloofness and stubbornness of an artistic young woman, yet her features already hinted at the alluring beauty of the woman from later generations.
Do you know what you're saying?
"Know."
Zeng Li took a step closer and looked up at him.
"After Berlin, I hid for so long, thinking I could forget you."
But today at the hot pot restaurant, you sat across from me without even glancing at me, and I realized... I can't forget you at all.
She paused, then lowered her voice.
"I don't want to hide anymore."
Fu Yibai put down his water glass and raised his hand to stroke her face.
Zeng Li closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like a butterfly that had finally given up struggling.
"Have you thought it through?"
"I've thought it through."
Fu Yibai didn't say anything more, but lowered his head and kissed her.
Zeng Li stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and responded passionately and clumsily, as if she wanted to pour out all the longing and grievances she had felt over the past few months.
The night is still long.
Outside the window is the night view of Chongqing, with layers of lights illuminating the mountain city. Boats slowly glide across the river, their whistles echoing from afar, like a sound from another world.
The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.
Zeng Li opened her eyes, her first reaction being a headache—the aftereffects of that bottle of liquor last night were indeed quite strong.
Then she felt a source of heat beside her and turned her head to look.
Fu Yibai was still asleep, breathing evenly, his brows relaxed, completely different from the cold and aloof man he usually was.
Zeng Li stared at him for a long time.
The events of last night gradually came flooding back into my mind.
She knocked on his door, said those things, and cried as she asked him, "Do you still want her?"
Zeng Li buried her face in the pillow and let out a muffled groan.
So embarrassing.
But the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
She turned over, stared blankly at the ceiling, then gently moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
Fu Yibai woke up.
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her.
Zeng Li immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep, but her eyelashes trembled violently.
Fu Yibai raised his hand and put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"Get up when you wake up, we still have filming today."
His voice was low and hoarse, as if he had just woken up.
Zeng Li opened her eyes, her face slightly flushed.
"I know……"
She paused, then asked in a low voice.
"I drank too much last night...and those things I said..."
"It's all the truth."
Fu Yibai took the call for her.
Zeng Li remained silent for a moment, then nodded gently.
"Yes, it's all true."
She looked up at him, her eyes clearing a little, but still bright.
"Yi Bai, I've made up my mind."
I'm not hiding anymore.
Fu Yibai looked at her.
Twenty-seven-year-old Zeng Li had shed the dishevelment and vulnerability of the previous night, and her eyes shone with earnestness.
"it is good."
Just one word.
Zeng Li felt that the huge weight that had been hanging over her heart for months had finally been lifted.
She smiled, pursed her lips, and gently kissed his lips before lifting the covers and getting out of bed.
"I'm going to wash up; I have filming today."
As she reached the bathroom door, she glanced back at him.
"Can I come see you again tonight?"
Fu Yibai leaned against the headboard, looking at her.
What do you think?
Zeng Li smiled and turned to go into the bathroom.
The door closed, and the sound of water could be heard.
Fu Yibai leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling, a slight smile playing on his lips.
At 9 a.m., the crew of "The Unknown" started work as usual.
When Zeng Li arrived on set, Ning Hao was discussing the first scene of the day with the cinematographer.
Upon seeing her, Ning Hao waved.
"Sister Li, how are you feeling today?"
Did you get enough rest last night?
"fine."
Zeng Li nodded, her expression unchanged.
Ning Hao didn't think much of it and continued talking to the photographer.
As Zeng Li walked towards the dressing room, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye when she passed the surveillance camera.
Fu Yibai was already sitting there, holding a cup of coffee, chatting with three intern directors from the Beijing Film Academy.
He didn't look up at her.
Zeng Li didn't linger and went straight into the dressing room.
But a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Some things don't need to be known by the whole world.
Today's filming went very smoothly.
At 3 PM, the last scene of the day was completed ahead of schedule.
Ning Hao excitedly announced that filming was over, and the crew cheered.
When Zeng Li came out after removing her makeup, she saw Fu Yibai talking to Ning Hao.
She didn't go over; she just glanced at it from afar, then got into the crew's car and went back to the hotel.
At 7 p.m., Fu Yibai’s door was knocked on again.
The door opened, and Zeng Li was standing outside.
Fu Yibai stepped aside to let her in, and the door closed gently behind him.
After the door closed, Zeng Li immediately wrapped her arms around Fu Yibai's neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.
This kiss was different from last night's.
Last night was an outpouring of pent-up emotions, fueled by alcohol and a sense of injustice.
At this moment, however, he was clear-headed, passionate, and committed with a kind of reckless abandon.
Fu Yibai placed his palm on her lower back, and could feel her body temperature through the silk nightgown.
Zeng Li was trembling slightly, but she hugged him even tighter.
It's unclear how much time passed before the two finally parted ways.
Zeng Li buried her face in his chest, breathing rapidly.
"Quickly carry me back to my room~"
I want to make up for everything I've lost these past few months.
As soon as Zeng Li finished speaking, she was picked up by Fu Yibai.
She gasped softly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at his jawline.
The bedroom door was ajar. Fu Yibai kicked it open and placed her on the bed.
Zeng Li's robe spread open with her movements, revealing her smooth shoulders and full curves.
She didn't flinch, but looked up at him, her chest rising and falling slightly, her eyes filled with tension and anticipation.
"Yi Bai."
She called his name softly.
"Um?"
"These past few months..."
Every night I think about what would have happened if I hadn't hidden.
Fu Yibai placed his palm on her waist, but did not make any further moves; he simply looked at her.
Zeng Li continued speaking, as if she wanted to pour out all the grievances she had suffered over the past few months.
I considered many possibilities.
Perhaps we will continue in the same ambiguous way.
You might think I'm too clingy and gradually drift away from me.
Maybe……"
"Sister Pear".
Fu Yibai interrupted her.
"Do you know that your biggest problem is that you overthink things?"
Zeng Li was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes reddened again.
"I know... but I just can't control myself."
"And now?"
Fu Yibai lowered his head, his forehead touching hers, their breaths mingling.
"Do you still want to?"
Zeng Li shook her head, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him towards her.
"I don't want to think about it anymore."
I don't want to think about anything anymore.
The night outside the window is deep in Chongqing, with the lights of the mountain city flickering in the distance. Cargo ships slowly sail across the river, their whistles low and long.
Only intertwined breathing and occasional soft moans remained in the room.
That night, Zeng Li didn't ask any more questions.
She just held him, as if trying to fill in all the emptiness of the past few months.