Chapter 57: We Are a Couple

"See you at noon."

After everyone introduced themselves and gained some understanding and impressions of one another, they still had training to attend to, so they didn’t stay long.

Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli parted ways for the time being, but Liu Xiaoli had arranged to go out for lunch together at noon, and she was treating.

Originally, Cheng Kaiyan planned to watch the dance performers’ rehearsal, but considering that editor Chen Shanshan was still at the performance hall, he didn’t want to leave her alone for too long, so they returned to the hall.

“What were you doing just now? Delivering flowers?” Chen Shanshan noticed the flowers he had earlier were gone and asked curiously.

“Yeah, I gave them away.”

“To Liu Xiaoli, right? You left right after that performance ended. So, how is she? Is she really beautiful? Back when we were in university, a French professor liked to come here to watch her performances and always sat in the front row,” Chen Shanshan teased with a sly smile. Surely, handsome men love beautiful women—an ancient truth indeed.

“She is very beautiful. She even invited me to lunch,” Cheng Kaiyan said comfortably, sitting back with his legs crossed and watching the stage play.

At that moment, a drama called "Xiang Xiuli" was being performed. It was the signature piece of the Jiangcheng Song and Dance Theatre, which had even been presented as a gift during the National Day celebrations in Beijing.

“Pfft, you’re just talking nonsense. Men from Beijing never say anything truthful,” Chen Shanshan shook her head in disbelief. “The Jiangcheng Song and Dance Theatre has strict management. They don’t allow actors to have much contact with outsiders. Usually, when the audience sends flowers, the staff deliver them on behalf of the audience. It’s out of the question to have a meal together.”

“You know so much? Fine, come with me later.”

“Sure, if someone is treating, it’s free to go. But just so you know, I didn’t bring a penny today,” Chen Shanshan scoffed, pulling out her empty pockets to show him.

“Really! You’re an editor taking your authors out, and you didn’t even bring money? Then how did you get the ticket?” Cheng Kaiyan was surprised. He hadn’t expected someone so strict about money.

“The editor’s office had extra tickets! I’m just accompanying you out for fun. Don’t expect me to treat you. I’m just a temporary editor—not officially hired yet. Unlike some people who got paid a lot for their manuscripts yesterday, I’m lucky if I don’t have to beg you for money,” she replied.

The two exchanged quiet banter as they watched the performance.

Time passed unnoticed, the clock’s hands ticking steadily, and the sunlight outside grew stronger.

By noon, the theater performance ended at eleven thirty.

Cheng Kaiyan took Chen Shanshan to wait at the passage between the performance hall and backstage for Liu Xiaoli.

...

“Seriously, you came?” Chen Shanshan looked at the tall, slim girl with a ponytail and a padded jacket approaching them. The ponytail bobbed with her light steps.

It was indeed Liu Xiaoli, the famous young dancer of the Jiangcheng Song and Dance Theatre!

“Otherwise, you can go eat by yourself. Don’t bother us,” Cheng Kaiyan said, then stepped forward.

Not only did Chen Shanshan see Liu Xiaoli, but Liu Xiaoli also noticed her.

Liu Xiaoli raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cheng Kaiyan with dark eyes, calmly asking, “Who is this lady?”

“I was just about to introduce her. This is editor Chen Shanshan. I’m here in Jiangcheng on business, and she’s the editor hosting me,” Cheng Kaiyan said, feeling a bit uneasy under the girl’s intense scrutiny. Her presence was commanding.

Liu Xiaoli ignored him and stepped forward to Chen Shanshan, smiling lightly as she shook her hand. “So you’re editor Shanshan. Hello, thank you for taking care of Cheng Kaiyan. I’m Liu Xiaoli. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, I’m Chen Shanshan, editor for Teacher Cheng,” Chen Shanshan replied, a bit confused. Their relationship seemed complicated, not like a first meeting.

What was going on?

...

All three were puzzled as they left the theater. Liu Xiaoli led them to a state-owned restaurant, a Sichuan cuisine place.

After ordering and arranging everything, they began chatting over tea.

“This is how it happened. Teacher Cheng submitted manuscripts to our Fangcao Editorial Department this month. I’m the editor assigned to him. It’s no special favor—it’s my duty. Xiaoli, no need to be so polite,” Chen Shanshan explained, sipping her tea.

“Oh, I see. Fangcao used to be Jiangcheng Literature and Art, right? It’s quite close to our Song and Dance Theatre,” Liu Xiaoli nodded but couldn’t help stealing a glance at Cheng Kaiyan. She felt a twinge of emotion, knowing why he submitted to Fangcao—it was probably to come to Jiangcheng and see her.

“So, Xiaoli, what’s your relationship with Teacher Cheng?” Chen Shanshan asked, curious.

“We’re siblings,” Liu Xiaoli answered.

Then the two began discussing Cheng Kaiyan’s writings.

...

“Teacher Cheng’s manuscript is called ‘Fangcao,’ just like our editorial department’s name, and it’s a hefty 280,000 words.

Xiaoli, let me tell you, this novel is truly outstanding. Most of our colleagues cried after reading it—even our deputy editor-in-chief, Mr. Yang, who’s in his forties, shed tears.

Mr. Yang called ‘Fangcao’ a great masterpiece of realism!” Chen Shanshan’s tone shifted instantly, almost wanting to praise him to the skies.

“Mr. Yang called it a great, realistic masterpiece?” Liu Xiaoli’s beautiful eyes flickered with surprise.

She knew Cheng Kaiyan was talented—the first novel, "The Submarine at Night," had been quite remarkable.

She could even recite some passages from it.

But the second work receiving such high praise from the Fangcao editorial chief was truly impressive.

It made Liu Xiaoli, a literary enthusiast, very curious about what this young Cheng had written.

So curious!

“Xiaoli, don’t look at me. Go find Teacher Cheng. He’s the author of the manuscript.”

“All right.”

The dishes arrived, and after a satisfying meal, it was already noon.

Chen Shanshan tactfully found an excuse to leave, and Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli took a stroll through Liberation Park, walking for about ten minutes to digest.

“Let’s go back. I want to see where you’re living now,” Liu Xiaoli said suddenly.

“Sure, you want to look at the manuscript too, so it’s a good chance.”

Exiting the park, Cheng Kaiyan rode his bike with Liu Xiaoli back to the editorial department’s guesthouse.

Once upstairs in Cheng Kaiyan’s room, Liu Xiaoli noticed the obvious mess and frowned before starting to tidy up.

She straightened the sheets, cups, and pillows, then took advantage of the strong sunlight to hang them outside to dry...

She showed the promise of a diligent and caring wife.