The time and place were accurate without a doubt. It seemed that Qiao really did see him that day. Qin Wei was at a complete loss as to how to continue the story. She turned to look at Mu Chen with an "why don't you try to defend yourself" expression on her face.
Mu Chen was not flustered. On the contrary, he scratched his head awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed:
"It was my oversight... When I saw it was Qiao, I was a step slower and couldn't help but glance back... I swear it was just a glance... Who would've thought Qiao's eyesight was so good that she noticed me?"
Was this the psychological quality gained from reconnaissance experience? Not panicking after being discovered, but instead...
"What are you being shy about?!?!"
Qin Wei covered her eyes. If the timing and situation were right, she would have slapped him without hesitation, just like when he was obsessed with chasing stars in middle school and didn't do his homework, so his parents were called in...
"Damn..."
Without any warning, Qin Wei suddenly recalled something from the past. They went to middle school together. He caused trouble time and again, and she beat him just as often.
Qin Wei grabbed his collar and asked:
"Who was that star you were chasing in middle school?"
Mu Chen was stunned. He sighed:
"An overseas female idol group. Before they became famous, the lead singer got sick and they disbanded. Later she sank into depression from illness and torment that she took her own life...
Don't tell me you never chased stars. You chased them with me for a while, didn't you? You even said you wanted to become a singing and dancing idol in the future and looked down on idols after you couldn't do it and became an actress instead..."
"I didn't say I never chased stars...I just forgot..."
Qin Wei said,
"Didn't we make great efforts to learn foreign languages, music and dance?"
Mu Chen didn't know whether he should nod or shake his head:
"Learning foreign languages was a must. Otherwise when there were no sub groups, we wouldn't understand a word the idols said. Music and dance, that was classes your mom sent money for you to take. A tough guy like me certainly wouldn't learn them..."
"Hey!"
Qiao Sixiao, who was ignored on the side, was a little unhappy. She said,
"You two, exactly what is going on here?"
...
The garage door was an anti-theft armored door. As a human, Mu Chen had no way of opening it with just his hands. The only two ways for him to leave were to either turn himself in or earn leniency through frank confession.
After a long silence, Mu Chen raised his head to look at Qiao Sixiao, his eyes full of grievance:
"I wanted to come clean too. I don't want to keep hiding like this either, but I already told you, would Qin Wei even recognize me? I already said if I told the truth, she'd only get angry..."
"Stop speaking in that understated way! Just say what you want!!"
Qin Wei jabbed his forehead forcefully with her finger.
"You two are siblings, right? You don't look alike but you give off that undisciplined feel, kind of like..."
Qiao Sixiao said.
It wasn't hard to figure out. A timid, prudent person on high alert like Qin Wei wouldn't possibly chat with a strange man at her home late into the night.
If they weren't sweethearts then they were likely relatives.
Qin Wei looked at Mu Chen. Mu Chen didn't deny it:
"To be precise, we're brother and sister. And..."
Mu Chen shyly lowered his head,
"I'm twenty three and have been single since birth..."
Qin Wei: "......"
...
After confirming their identities, Qiao didn't welcome him into her home either. Since the garage belonged to her anyway, it was fine for them to talk here. So everyone sat in the car and chatted.
At this point, Mu Chen readily admitted to being a younger brother. But the siblings kept silent through mutual understanding regarding anything else.
As for why Mu Chen was looking for Qin Wei, he had his own arrangements:
"When I was fourteen, both my parents died in accidents. My grandparents also passed away one after another, so I was orphaned and adopted by someone, hence my name change. I also stopped going to school..."
Qin Wei listened intently while Qiao Sixiao was impatient. She interrupted:
"Can you get to the point?"
Mu Chen nodded:
"Unemployed, seeking help."
Qiao Sixiao got out of the car and told him as she left:
"Go to Friendship Entertainment to report in tomorrow. Security guard, driver or other suitable jobs would work. There'll be someone to map out a career path for you afterwards for gradual development. You may leave now."
Mu Chen smiled awkwardly:
"Well, I have a criminal record. The last time you met me was right after I got out."
No wonder he was unemployed.
...
Nevertheless, Qiao Sixiao opened the door for him to leave. Qin Wei wanted to walk him out but was declined:
"Did you remember just now? Just pass me the stuff if you did.
Let's not interfere too much with each other's lives. Your story continues on stage and in front of the camera while mine unfolds in the dark away from prying eyes where it doesn't belong. Neither of us should deviate from our own path."
Qiao Sixiao waited for Qin Wei by the elevator entrance. On the ride up, Qin Wei was still lost in thought:
"Why not just give him some money for him to make his own way? Give him one million or three million yuan, even if he doesn't try hard, at least he won't starve for life..."
"Stop worrying about him. I'll take care of him for a bit then kick him out... By the way, did you get the return on investment for Those Years Yet to Bloom?"
Qiao Sixiao quickly changed the subject. Qiao Sixiao nodded without pursuing the previous topic:
"Mm, I got it. It's with my brother now. He said I'd receive it after some time. I already told He Hong. She can take all the earnings minus my principal if she wants. She didn't say anything."
When they reached the twenty first floor, Qiao Sixiao opened the apartment door and casually threw the keys on the foyer cabinet before tidying things up and chatting with Qin Wei:
"We probably won't see each other for a while. Take good care of yourself. I'll be too busy to come home...
Make sure to water the plants if you have time, and change the water for the fish tank. I know every pot of flowers at home. Don't kill them and trick me into thinking they're new. And those two silly fish never know when they've had enough. Don't feed them more than two scoops of fish food at a time or they'll get bloated and die. Also..."
Qin Wei suddenly interrupted her words:
"Can I live here with you for good?"
Qiao Sixiao nodded:
"Sure... Don't water that lemon tree every day... Hold on, what do you mean by 'live here for good'?"
Qin Wei answered matter-of-factly:
"As in...I'll sell my place."
Qiao Sixiao: "?"
"I invested in the movie too. Otherwise why would I get to strut around on set? I'm one of the investors."
[Xiao Wang's Diary: I'm so tired lately that my boss even sleeps in the car now. She went through great pains for her roommate too, rushing back from set to see if the place was still in one piece.
Just need to hang in there until New Year's is over. My boss said she'll give us a nice, long vacation! She said she'll be slowing down then to map out plans for the future.
I hope my future diary entries are filled with scenes as warm as this. I don't want to keep recording my struggles in the workplace. From now on I only want to document moments of love.]
