Chapter Ninety: Privacy

A Celebrity’s Love Has No Window: Page One

Hua Jingjing did not notice anything strange about the curtain. Seeing me red-faced, drenched in sweat, and struck dumb, she only let out one cold laugh after another.

“Hmph. Hmph. No more excuses now, are there? I wasn’t wrong about you, was I? Men are all the same—nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing. You’re never satisfied, always lusting after what someone else has. Didn’t you swear up and down that you would never leave your girlfriend? So what now? One glance at Xu Shu, and you’ve forgotten her because she’s prettier than your girlfriend?”

I steadied myself and said solemnly, “It’s only natural to look a little longer at something beautiful. Yes, I did sneak a glance at your classmate’s figure just now. I won’t deny it: your classmate is truly a beauty rarely seen in this world. If I’d been completely unmoved, then there would have to be something wrong with my head. But to say that from that alone I had improper thoughts about her, that I was imagining things—I think that’s a bit too hasty. I know exactly what I am. How could I possibly deserve a big star like your classmate? And how could your big-star classmate possibly take interest in someone as insignificant as me? I never even thought about such things. On what grounds do you jump to that conclusion? Hua Jingjing, if it weren’t for the small bond between us, I would insist that you apologize to me at once. If you keep being so unreasonable, then we won’t even be able to remain friends.”

My severe tone truly frightened Hua Jingjing. She hurriedly took my hand with an apologetic look and said in a low voice, “You’re angry? I’m sorry. I... I was just jealous, that’s all. Who told you to stare so lustfully at someone else’s backside? My figure is very good too—when have you ever looked at me that way? All right, it was my fault. Don’t be mad anymore.”

I smiled bitterly. “Please, Miss—if you’re going to be jealous, at least pick the right place. What kind of behavior is this, acting up in someone else’s home?”

Hua Jingjing laughed. “No one can hear us now. What are you afraid of?”

I could only roll my eyes, groaning inwardly, “And how do you know no one heard? There are ears behind curtains too—and two pairs of them!”

I thought I had to get Hua Jingjing out of this room immediately, or who knew what else might happen. Just as I was about to urge her to leave, she slowly leaned toward me, her eyes full of seduction and her face tinged with shy allure. In a soft voice she said, “Tang Qian, I always thought you were an unromantic blockhead, but now I see you’re quite the lecher too. Look at me—I’m beautiful too, aren’t I? If you want, I can do whatever you like... anything at all.”

My heavens, my god—there were ears behind that curtain!

I was so shocked that I broke into a fresh sweat. In a quick glance I saw the curtain trembling incessantly; clearly, the people hidden behind it could no longer contain themselves and were shaking with muffled laughter.

Unable to hold my ground, I hurriedly stood up from the sofa. “All right, all right. In someone else’s house, can you please not be so outrageous? I think your classmate must be back. Let’s go over there at once.”

Seeing that I was once again being all propriety and no charm, Hua Jingjing pouted and suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist, chiding me, “What are you afraid of? In front of Xu Shu, we’re supposed to be a couple anyway. What’s wrong with being a little affectionate? Tang Qian, what I said just now was true. I like you, and I’m willing to give you everything. Please, don’t reject me, will you?”

I struggled free from her embrace and said helplessly, “Let’s talk about all that later. What kind of scene is this, tugging and clinging in someone else’s house? Come on, let’s go say goodbye to your classmate. I need to go home.”

I forcibly took Hua Jingjing by the hand and dragged her out of the lounge.

Back in the reception room, Hua Jingjing saw that it was still empty and said, “Huh? What’s wrong with Xu Shu? She’s been gone so long—did she fall into the toilet?”

Now that we had finally escaped danger, I could not help but exhale in relief. “Maybe something came up. We should leave quickly and avoid disturbing her.”

“But Xu Shu and I hardly ever get to see each other, and we still have so much to say. Leaving so early would be too abrupt, wouldn’t it?”

“If you’re not leaving, then I’ll go first. This place is boring to death—I can’t stand being here.”

Seeing that I was determined to leave, Hua Jingjing had no choice but to say, “Fine, fine, I’ll listen to you. We’ll go. See? I’m so obedient—aren’t I good to you?”

Just then, a soft cough came from outside the door. Xu Shu walked in with a smile and said to Hua Jingjing, “Jingjing, oh, I’m terribly sorry. I had a small matter to deal with just now and made you wait so long. Come, come, let’s keep talking!”

Hua Jingjing said apologetically, “No, it’s all right. My fiancé still has something to do, so we need to head back early. Next time, let’s find a chance to talk alone.”

Xu Shu put on a regretful expression. “Oh? That’s such a shame. I’ll be around for a while. Whenever you have time, you can come find me, and then we can talk to our hearts’ content.”

Hua Jingjing laughed. “That sounds wonderful! I’ll definitely come. We should get going now?”

“All right. I’ll see you out.”

I looked at Xu Shu. Although a string of awkward incidents had just taken place, there was not the slightest trace of it on her face now. She was truly calm and self-possessed, with a deep and unreadable mind.

Xu Shu first picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said, “A Yong, bring Miss Hua’s car around at once.” Hanging up, she accompanied us all the way down the stairs and sent us to the entrance.

Hua Jingjing looked a little reluctant. Turning back, she embraced Xu Shu again and said, “Xu Shu, I really don’t want to leave you. If only we were still students—how wonderful that would be!”

Xu Shu smiled. “Look at you. It’s not as though we’ll never meet again. Why are you acting like this is a parting of life and death? If you want, you can come tomorrow. Or I can come find you. It’s been so long since I paid my respects to Uncle Hua and Aunt Liu.”

Hua Jingjing also laughed. “And my brother! He’s never stopped thinking about you, you know.”

Xu Shu let out a little laugh. “Your brother? I’m afraid of him now. Could I possibly not see him?”

At that moment, Hua Jingjing’s Ferrari drove up, and a bodyguard opened the door and stepped out. Hua Jingjing sighed. “You heartless girl. My brother likes you so much—would I die just from seeing him once?”

Xu Shu blinked and smiled. “I’d be bored to death!”

Hua Jingjing was used to such banter. She waved a hand. “Goodbye, then. We’ll be in touch tomorrow.” With that, she turned and got into the car. I was about to follow when Xu Shu called out behind me, “Mr. Tang!”

I turned back and saw Xu Shu extending her right hand. “Goodbye, Mr. Tang.”

I had no choice but to take her hand as well. “Goodbye.”

As our hands met, Xu Shu’s delicate little hand squeezed mine. Her smile did not change, but in a voice so low it was almost a hiss, she said fiercely, “Don’t forget to come back to me later.”

I gave a wry smile, let go of her hand, and turned to get into Hua Jingjing’s car.

Hua Jingjing started the engine and slowly pulled away. Xu Shu waved after us and called, “Take care!”

The car passed through the iron gates, descended Mount Caimu, and headed back into the city. Hua Jingjing still wore a trace of regret on her face. Seeing it, I said, “You and Xu Shu are really very close, aren’t you?”

“Of course. Since the first year of high school, we were desk mates. We went to school together, came home together, read the same novels, watched the same movies, admired the same idol. We really were inseparable. The boys in our class even said we were lesbians! Hehe, and to be honest, it did feel a little like that back then.”

I asked in surprise, “Really? What kind of feeling?”

Hua Jingjing gave me a sidelong glance. “You want to know?”

Her words stirred my curiosity, and because I truly wanted to know more about Xu Shu, I said, “I’m rather interested. Go on.”

Hua Jingjing pondered for a moment. “That’s a secret absolutely between Xu Shu and me. Without her permission, I can’t tell anyone.”

This Hua Jingjing—wasn’t that just dangling a carrot in front of me?

My curiosity was tormented to the point of unbearable itch, yet I could not show it. It was agony. I snorted and said, “Fine, don’t tell me then. Like it’s such a big deal. I don’t even want to hear it.”

With that, I ignored her and stared out at the passing streets.

Hua Jingjing had not expected this grown man to throw a little tantrum. She was both exasperated and amused. “No way. Are you really Tang Qian? I’m not used to you acting like this!”

After saying those words, my own face began to burn. I felt ashamed, and I vaguely understood that Xu Shu still occupied a very important place in my heart, so much so that I desperately wanted to learn everything about her. I remembered how, when Xu Shu gently touched the wound on my head, my heart had pounded wildly, my blood had surged hot, and I had been so moved that I nearly did something wildly inappropriate.

Tang Qian, you are beyond saving.

Hua Jingjing saw that I said nothing for a long time and assumed I was truly angry. She did not know that inside me a fierce battle was raging. She truly loved me with all her heart, willing to sacrifice everything for me—so what if it was only a small secret?

“All right, all right, I’ll tell you. But when you hear it, you can’t laugh at me, and you can’t tell anyone else. Okay?”

I turned back and said gravely, “No need. It was my fault just now. Eavesdropping on other people’s privacy is improper. I don’t want you to ruin your bond with Xu Shu because of me.”

Hua Jingjing thought I was speaking sarcastically and laughed. “How could that be? You and Xu Shu aren’t even close. I’m the one who should worry you’d go and tell her. This secret is half mine too. If I want to give you all of me, then to you, I have no privacy.”

I looked at Hua Jingjing with emotion. This girl, so sincere and so unrestrained, truly left me with mixed feelings. Perhaps for the rest of my life I would owe her deeply, because she loved me so much, and yet I could not give her an equal return. At times, that too is a kind of pain.

Hua Jingjing gazed ahead, her thoughts seeming to drift back to the past. Whatever she remembered, she suddenly burst out laughing.

Then she began to reveal it. “First let me tell you a secret: Xu Shu, that big star, that great beauty—her first kiss was actually taken by me.”