Chapter Thirteen: Solitude

Cui Hao glanced at his watch and looked up at Ling Nan. "It’s getting late. I should head back now."

"Alright, go ahead. I’ve got things to take care of here," Ling Nan replied, observing the stream of guests filling the booths. The matters they needed to discuss were settled, so he didn’t keep Cui Hao any longer. As he prepared to busy himself, Ling Nan added, "Take Xiao Qi home safely while you’re at it. I’m off to work."

Zhou Xiao Qi was about to refuse, but Cui Hao spoke first. "Let’s go. It’s not far, and since Ling Nan asked, I’ll drive you." Cui Hao knew that without Ling Nan’s request, Xiao Qi would insist on taking a taxi home.

Since Cui Hao had said so, Zhou Xiao Qi felt it would be petty to refuse again. She followed him and left the bar behind.

Why were successful men always so gentlemanly? Ling Nan was always attentive to Zhou Xiao Qi’s feelings. Cui Hao, having just pulled the car out, got out, opened the passenger door, and gestured for Xiao Qi to get in, as if afraid she might bump her head. He placed a hand gently above her head, waited until she was seated and the door shut, then opened the driver’s door, got in, fastened his seatbelt, and prepared to drive. Noticing that Xiao Qi hadn’t fastened hers, he instinctively reached over to grab the belt, drawing them startlingly close. Cui Hao caught a subtle fragrance from Xiao Qi—not the common scent of perfume worn by other women, but something more delicate. For a moment, the aroma made him forget what he was doing. From afar, it looked as though he were leaning over her in an ambiguous pose.

Startled, Zhou Xiao Qi didn’t dare move, her face flushed red, and she stammered, "Um… Uncle, could you… move away?"

"Sorry, I just saw you hadn’t fastened your seatbelt. Let me help." He buckled it for her, then started the car without answering her question. "Where do you live?"

"I live at Jingyuan Gardens. Just stop there." The air felt tinged with awkwardness. Whenever she was around Cui Hao, she never knew what to say.

"Xiao Qi, I really want to know: why did you choose the film academy?" This question had lingered in Cui Hao’s mind; he wanted a definite answer from her.

"It’s nothing really—just a childish thought. I figured, while I’m young, I’d like to have a few TV dramas of my own. When I’m old, I could watch them," Xiao Qi replied shyly, scratching her head.

"You’re still young, Xiao Qi. Someday you’ll have a family; you won’t be alone. Why are you already thinking about your old age?" Cui Hao couldn’t accept her answer. Though she’d become his artist and he could be her protector, the entertainment industry was a messy place, prone to oversight. Unless there was a compelling reason to join, he wished she wouldn’t start down this path—once begun, there was no turning back.

"No, I won’t get married. I’m afraid I’ll end up with a husband like my father, and I’m scared my future children will follow the same path I did." Xiao Qi, who had been looking down, was suddenly stirred by his words. She lifted her head and gazed resolutely at Cui Hao, her eyes as sharp as when they first met, defending herself like a hedgehog.

Cui Hao pulled the car over and gently patted her head, trying to comfort her. "Xiao Qi, I mean nothing else. I just want to ask: have you really thought it through? Are you ready to enter a world that may not suit you?"

Xiao Qi lowered her head, her expression unreadable. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Uncle, I’ve made up my mind. I want to enter the entertainment industry. My life has always been plain, and I have few friends. Now, finally, I have Xue Ran by my side—I don’t feel lonely at all. I want to prove that I can do it."

"Alright, Uncle believes in you." Seeing Xiao Qi’s emotions calm, Cui Hao felt a weight lift from his heart. As he was about to continue comforting her, she lifted her head and met his gaze. Her eyes were like the night sky, drawing him in, making him lose himself without realizing.

"Uncle, I trust you’ll protect me."

Those simple words stirred in Cui Hao a possessiveness toward Xiao Qi that he had yet to recognize. He gently embraced her, whispering in her ear, "Uncle will definitely protect you."

It was this promise that, in the end, hurt Xiao Qi more deeply than anyone else.

Suddenly, she realized their closeness was inappropriate and quickly pulled away from his arms. Cui Hao, however, remained calm; as she withdrew, he felt a brief emptiness inside. To prevent Xiao Qi from feeling awkward and avoiding him after tonight, he explained, "Xiao Qi, that hug just now was only a polite gesture, like in Western countries. So don’t be too shy—it actually made me a little uncomfortable." His last words were meant to tease her, seeing her growing nervousness, hoping to ease the tension.

Cui Hao’s explanation did help Xiao Qi relax a bit. After all, if he claimed her nervousness made him uncomfortable, it would be wrong to stay tense. "It’s fine, Uncle. You said you’ll be my boss from now on, so what should I call you?"

Cui Hao was amused by her sudden shift in topic and considered her question. "Even though I’ll be your boss, just keep calling me Uncle. I’m used to it."

His answer surprised Xiao Qi, but she didn’t press further. Cui Hao started the car and drove her home. As she thanked him and prepared to leave, Cui Hao rolled down the window and called out, "After all that effort to bring you home, aren’t you going to invite me in for a cup of tea?" Whenever he was with Xiao Qi, he could relax, and a gentle smile always played on his lips.

"Huh?" Xiao Qi was unsure if he meant it. In her mind, people with their own companies should be busy. Cui Hao had already spent a lot of time from the bar to her home—were bosses really so free?

Seeing her puzzled expression, Cui Hao laughed heartily. "Just kidding. Uncle has work to do, so I’ll head off. Do you live alone?"

There was nothing behind his question, just innocent concern.

"Yes, I’ve lived alone since my first year of high school." For reasons she couldn’t explain, Xiao Qi always instinctively trusted him, so she didn’t hide anything.

"Then make sure to be careful when you come home alone. If anything happens, contact me." With that advice, he left.

Xiao Qi watched the car disappear into the distance. The wind stirred her white dress; from afar, she looked so fragile that one might wish to hold her close and shield her from the world.