Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 244 Swords and Shadows, Jiang Qing, You're Bullying Me!
"Senior! Jiang Qing!"

Zhang Jingyi's clear voice pierced through the evening breeze. She and Zhao Zhiwei walked quickly closer, seemingly oblivious to what had just happened.

The others' gazes swept quickly over Zhou Ye's hand, which was linked with Jiang Qing's arm, and they couldn't help but feel worried for Zhang Jingyi.

So... the fishing lights over Jiangzhou were real!

Upon hearing the sound, Zhou Ye turned his head, a flawless sweet smile instantly blooming on his face. He released Jiang Qing's arm and took a small step forward to greet her.

"You've arrived! This place looks really nice."

She acted as if the cold silence in the car had never happened, her tone warm and tinged with just the right amount of curiosity.

"Of course! It's Hui-style cuisine, and all the local gourmets in Luyang recognize it!"

Zhao Zhiwei chuckled and chimed in, while Zeng Keni nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Come on, come on, Director Liu and the others have probably already ordered their food!"

Zhang Jingyi greeted the group warmly and naturally walked to Jiang Qing's other side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

She looked at Zhou Ye on the other side, pointing to the red lanterns and carved wooden window frames hanging on both sides of the alley as she walked.

"Look, senior, this alley has a really special vibe at night. We felt the same way last time we came here..."

Zhou Ye's smile remained unchanged, but he quickened his pace, moving closer to Jiang Qing's left side, his arm lightly brushing against Jiang Qing's arm as he smiled and continued the conversation.

"It's quite charming; Jingyi knows a lot."

She praised him with a smile, but her eyes remained calm and expressionless.

Jiang Qing was caught in the middle, feeling invisible pressure emanating from both sides.

He smirked and nodded slightly.

"Yes, the environment is nice."

My pace quickened unconsciously; I just wanted to get into the private room and sit down as soon as possible.

Zhao Zhiwei and the others exchanged glances, all with gossipy expressions, and followed.

They rarely saw Jiang Qing so tense; it was quite a surprise.

The private chef's waitresses, dressed in simple uniforms, led them through several doorways.

The private room was large, with a large round table in the center that could accommodate more than a dozen people, covered with an indigo printed tablecloth. Liu Junjie and several other core members of the crew were already sitting at the table, chatting and laughing.

"Come, come, sit down!"

Liu Junjie spotted them immediately and waved enthusiastically.

The group responded with smiles and waves.

At this moment, Zhou Ye and Zhang Jingyi paused subtly, their eyes narrowing almost simultaneously.

The next second, the two moved in perfect unison.

Zhou Ye slightly turned his body to the side, his right hand resting naturally on the back of the chair to Jiang Qing's left, and looked at Liu Junjie with a smile.

"Director Liu, you've worked hard today."

Her movements were natural, as if she had simply reached out to steady the chair.

At the same time, Zhang Jingyi pulled out the chair to Jiang Qing's right, her movements quick and her voice crisp.

"Jiang Qing, sit here, it's a bit better to have some fresh air by the window."

She had a valid reason, and her face showed genuine concern.

The two chairs, one on the left and one on the right, were instantly occupied by the two people.

The air seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second.

Zhao Zhiwei and the others exchanged knowing glances and silently pulled out chairs to sit down in other seats.

Liu Junjie smiled and responded to Zhou Ye, then immediately turned to chat with the producer about other topics, pretending not to see the silent tension.

Jiang Qing's lips twitched, and she forced herself to sit down in the seat reserved for the two of them.

On the left is the familiar scent of Zhou Ye's perfume, and on the right is the mixed scent of beer and incense that Zhang Jingyi picked up in the bar.

On pins and needles!

That's how he feels right now.

The waiter handed over the menu at the right time.

"Director Liu, please order a few main dishes first!"

The producer smiled and handed the menu to Liu Junjie.

Liu Junjie didn't stand on ceremony and ordered several famous Huizhou dishes: stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, knife-cut fried dough, and Wenzheng Mountain bamboo shoots.

"You young people can take a look at the rest. Order whatever you want to eat. We're having a good time today!"

Liu Junjie pushed the menu to the middle of the table.

Almost the instant the menu was placed down, both hands reached out simultaneously.

Zhou Ye's fingers were long and slender, painted with a soft mauve nail polish, and he stood a little closer to the edge of the menu.

Zhang Jingyi's hands, on the other hand, exude a youthful energy, with rounded fingertips.

The two of them barely touched the menu with their fingertips before casually moving them away.

Jiang Qing doesn't eat offal.

Zhou Ye spoke first, her voice soft but clear, her fingertip lightly touching a picture of "Huizhou First-Class Hot Pot" on the menu.

“It contains liver and stomach, he definitely won’t touch it.”

She looked up at Jiang Qing, her eyes questioning.

"Right?"

Jiang Qing nodded in agreement.

"Hmm, I'm not used to that taste."

This is indeed true.

"Ah, yes!"

Zhang Jingyi immediately chimed in, her tone light and cheerful, as if she were adding to Zhou Ye's words.

"And he can't eat too much salt. Last time we had a get-together, we ordered braised fish tail, and he thought it was a bit too salty, so he didn't touch it much."

As she spoke, she casually flipped through the menu.

"I think this steamed stone chicken will definitely be good, it's fresh and the flavor is just right! And this braised pork with dried bamboo shoots, the meat is stewed until it's very tender and not greasy at all, you seemed to like it quite a bit last time?"

She looked at Jiang Qing for confirmation, her eyes shining.

Jiang Qing nodded again.

"Hmm, braised pork with dried bamboo shoots is fine."

Zhou Ye's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

She calmly turned to another page of the menu.

"I remember he really liked the umami flavor of mushrooms. This rock tripe and old duck soup looks delicious, and it's also very nourishing to drink in the autumn."

She looked at Jiang Qing and smiled sweetly.

"Want one?"

"it is good."

Jiang Qing nodded again with a smile.

"By the way, Jiang Qing likes sweets."

Zhang Jingyi seemed to suddenly remember something, with a hint of smugness in her eyes.

"He ate almost half a bowl of the sweet fermented rice balls from that shop last time! Huiyun Renjia's Huizhou sweet fermented rice is their signature dish, we have to get a serving!"

As she spoke, she had already marked the items on the menu with a pen.

Zhou Ye's fingers tightened slightly as he held the menu, but his smile remained sweet.

"Really? But if he eats too much sweet fermented rice balls at night, he's prone to bloating. On the other hand, the kudzu root starch dumplings here are made with kudzu root starch, so they're sweet and not greasy, and easy to digest."

She looked at the waiter, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"One serving of kudzu root starch dumplings, please."

The two of them went back and forth, "adding" to the dishes based on Jiang Qing's taste preferences and taboos, seemingly oblivious to everyone else.

The menu was passed between the two, and each handover seemed to spark.

Liu Junjie and the others watched with great interest, but they all tacitly discussed other dishes without interrupting.

But in his heart he was thinking, the last time Chen Duling came to visit the set, things seemed quite harmonious, so why is she so angry this time?

He immediately thought of the company behind the two of them and suddenly realized what was going on.

It turns out they were sworn enemies.

The two girls kept pulling at each other until Jiang Qing, under the guise of drinking water, subtly cast a pleading look at Liu Junjie.

Liu Junjie understood immediately, cleared his throat, and picked up the liquor on the table.

"Alright, alright, that's enough! Come on, let's bring out the food slowly, and have a drink first! Dr. Jiang, you did a great job this afternoon, as the director, I have to toast you!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Teacher Jiang must have a drink!"

Zhao Zhiwei responded immediately and also picked up his cup.

"Please, Teacher Jiang!"

The others also raised their glasses.

Zhou Ye had already figured out Jiang Qing's alcohol tolerance back in Peach Blossom Village; she was the type who would get flushed after just a few beers.

Liquor?

I estimate it won't last more than half a pound.

Zhang Jingyi had witnessed Jiang Qing's drinking capacity at recent gatherings and naturally knew this as well.

As the glass of clear white wine was filled and handed to Jiang Qing, Zhou Ye and Zhang Jingyi spoke up almost simultaneously.

"Director Liu, he can't hold his liquor very well, so just a little bit is fine."

Zhou Ye gently placed his hand on Jiang Qing's wrist as she held the cup, looking at Liu Junjie with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Yes, director."

Zhang Jingyi immediately chimed in, her face full of worry.

"Jiang Qing gets tipsy after just a little bit of alcohol. She still has scenes to film tomorrow, so we shouldn't delay the shooting schedule any further."

As she spoke, she gestured to Zhao Zhiwei with her eyes.

Liu Junjie was not about to let this opportunity slip by, so he deliberately put on a stern face.

"Hey, no way! We have to finish the first glass! Just one! This is on behalf of the entire crew! Dr. Jiang, what do you say?"

The producer also joined in the commotion.

"That's right, Dr. Jiang! Professor Zhou Ye is visiting us today, it's double happiness, we must drink this!"

Jiang Qing pretended to be in a dilemma, looking at the full glass of white wine in front of him with a worried expression.

He had just picked it up when two hands beside him started moving again.

Zhou Ye was faster, taking the wine glass directly from his hand with a smooth and natural movement, and a generous and appropriate smile on his face.

"Director Liu, he really can't do it. I'll toast you on his behalf to thank you for taking care of him on set during this time."

After saying that, before Liu Junjie could react, he tilted his head back and drank the glass of baijiu.

The spicy liquid slid down her throat without her even flinching, though two red clouds quickly rose to her cheeks.

"Wow! Zhou Ye has such a huge capacity for alcohol!"

Liu Junjie was taken aback, then burst into laughter. He didn't know what else to say, so he simply downed the wine in his glass.

Zhang Jingyi's hand was outstretched in mid-air, a beat too late.

She watched as Zhou Ye drank the wine for Jiang Qing, her eyes flickered, and then she raised her juice glass to Liu Junjie and the producer. "Director, producer, I'd like to toast you both! Thank you, leaders!"

Her voice was clear and bright, and her smile was dazzling.

It was as if a switch had been flipped.

Next, Zhao Zhiwei respectfully bowed to Jiang Qing, Zeng Keni respectfully bowed to Jiang Qing, and even Qian Didi joined in the fun.

Every time a toast was offered, Liu Junjie would lead the chorus of encouragement for Jiang Qing to drink.

Zhou Ye and Zhang Jingyi seemed to have reached some kind of unspoken understanding—to avoid drinking!
"Brother Qing, the two of us..."

"Teacher Zhao, he's really not going to make it. Can I drink half a glass for him?"

Zhang Jingyi interrupted, already picking up Jiang Qing's wine glass.

"Teacher Zeng, this toast is for you!"

Zhou Ye immediately interrupted Zeng Keni's toast and raised his own glass to greet him.

Jiang Qing sat in the middle, watching as Zhou Ye took half of the wine in front of her, and then Zhang Jingyi snatched it away and gave her the rest to drink.

He watched as Zhou Ye's fair skin quickly flushed red from the alcohol, but his eyes remained clear and sharp.

Watching Zhang Jingyi switch from juice to beer to avoid drinking, one glass after another, her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was still full of energy.

He tried several times to say he would drink it, but the two men held his arms down each time.

In that instant, he realized he really was a bit of a jerk.

"Sit still and don't move!"

Zhou Ye spoke softly to his left, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Exactly, why are you showing off!"

Zhang Jingyi muttered something to his right and casually moved the beer glass that the waiter had just refilled in front of him a little further away.

The meal took place in this strange yet lively atmosphere.

Jiang Qing barely touched his chopsticks, just watching the two girls take turns drinking for him, and he was persuaded to drink a few glasses of beer himself.

He could tell that both girls were slightly tipsy.

The alcohol, combined with immense mental stress, quickly made him feel dizzy and lightheaded, and the lights and figures in front of him began to sway.

"Well……"

He rubbed his temples in discomfort, and his body swayed involuntarily.

"what happened?"

The two girls simultaneously leaned closer with concern.

Zhou Ye quickly grabbed his arm, his palm warm.

She frowned, her eyes filled with worry.

"Feeling dizzy? I told you not to drink, but you insisted on pushing yourself!"

Her tone was reproachful, but her movements were very gentle.

"Would you like some hot soup to help with the hangover?"

Zhang Jingyi also leaned over and picked up a soup spoon to serve Jiang Qing soup.

"Let me do it."

Zhou Ye naturally took the soup spoon and bowl from Zhang Jingyi's hand, smoothly ladled out a small half bowl of duck soup, and carefully blew on it before handing it to Jiang Qing's lips.

"Drink slowly, be careful of the heat."

Jiang Qing took small sips of soup from her hand.

The warm soup eased the churning in my stomach and the heaviness in my head.

He could feel Zhou Ye's focused gaze on his face, and he could also feel Zhang Jingyi's slightly disappointed and worried gaze on his right.

He closed his eyes, feeling utterly exhausted, and simply leaned back in his chair, pretending to be dead.

In the second half, Liu Junjie and the others tacitly stopped, and Zhou Ye completely took over the task of taking care of Jiang Qing.

She served him light dishes, offered him warm water, and used a wet wipe to clean the sweat from his forehead.

Zhang Jingyi tried to help several times, but Zhou Ye calmly stopped her each time.

She could only sit to the side, watching Zhou Ye take meticulous care of Jiang Qing, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

A little after nine o'clock, the dinner party finally ended amidst a mess of empty plates and glasses.

A group of people walked out of the Hui-style family home and said goodbye in the cool autumn night.

Several cars drove away one after another to drop off people, and soon only Jiang Qing and his two companions, along with Chen Duo, Zhang Wen, and Fangfang, remained at the entrance.

A cool evening breeze blew by.

Zhou Ye supported Jiang Qing, who was leaning against him with unsteady steps. Zhang Jingyi stood two steps away from them, showing no intention of leaving immediately.

The atmosphere instantly became subtle and tense.

The smile on Zhou Ye's face completely vanished, leaving only a cold expression.

She looked at Zhang Jingyi and got straight to the point, her voice not loud, but clear and unquestionable.

"Jingyi, I think it's better to make some things clear."

She tightened her grip on Jiang Qing's arm, pulling him closer to her.

"Jiang Qing is my boyfriend, and we've been together for a while now."

She looked directly into Zhang Jingyi's eyes, her gaze sharp.

"So there are some boundaries that I hope you can understand. Don't keep thinking about people you shouldn't be thinking about."

The smile on Zhang Jingyi's face gradually faded.

She did not back down because of Zhou Ye's direct declaration. Instead, she straightened her back, and her beautiful eyes shone brightly in the night, carrying a stubbornness that refused to admit defeat.

"Senior."

Her voice was equally clear and bright, without the slightest hint of timidity.

"When it comes to feelings, there's no such thing as the first one to come being right, don't you think? Jiang Qing and I missed each other for the first time at the bar, the second time on Xiamen Island, the third time at the concert, and now we're filming together for the fourth time."

"People say things shouldn't happen more than three times. Don't you think this is a very special kind of fate?"

She slightly raised her chin, her eyes open and resolute.

"I believe in feelings, in the attraction of destiny. It's true that you two got together first, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're the most suitable match."

"Destined?"

Zhou Ye seemed to have heard something amusing, and a cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Zhang Jingyi, you're getting too caught up in the drama! You're taking the plot seriously? Reality isn't an idol drama!"

Zhang Jingyi stepped forward without backing down.

"Senior, I know very well what is acting and what is reality. My feelings for Jiang Qing are definitely not an act. I believe he feels the same way about me!"

She stared intently at Jiang Qing, who had her eyes closed and seemed completely drunk, then looked up at Zhou Ye.

Their gazes clashed fiercely in the air, the air itself seemed to freeze, filled with a silent confrontation.

The evening breeze blew, swirling up the fallen leaves on the ground, making a soft rustling sound, which only made the silence at this moment more suffocating.

Just then, Jiang Qing, who had been leaning against Zhou Ye, suddenly reacted and let out a painful gagging sound.

"Ugh... vomit..."

He suddenly bent over, his body shaking violently, as if he was about to vomit at any moment.

"Jiang Qing!"

Zhou Ye's attention was instantly drawn back, the color drained from his face, leaving only anxiety and worry.

She immediately braced herself against his sliding body, patting his back urgently with one hand.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Do you feel like throwing up?"

Zhang Jingyi was also startled and instinctively wanted to step forward to help.

"Jiang Qing! You..."

"Sister Wen! Brother Duo! Come quick!"

Zhou Ye shouted sharply, completely disregarding his confrontation with Zhang Jingyi, his voice filled with urgency.

She glared coldly at Zhang Jingyi, her gaze carrying a clear warning.

“Stay away from him!”

Chen Duo and Zhang Wen immediately ran over.

"Give him a hand and help him into the car!"

Zhou Ye directed the two men, along with Chen Duo, to support Jiang Qing's heavy body from both sides, while Zhang Wen helped support Jiang Qing's waist.

Jiang Qing's eyes were half-closed, her brows furrowed, and she was groaning in pain. She seemed to have completely lost consciousness and was at their mercy.

Zhang Jingyi was rooted to the spot by Zhou Ye's gaze. It wasn't that she was afraid of her, but she just wanted Jiang Qing to go home and rest as soon as possible.

She watched as the three of them hurriedly shoved Jiang Qing into the spacious back seat of the SUV, and Zhou Ye followed closely behind, slamming the door shut.

The car window slowly rolled down, and Zhou Ye's icy gaze swept over her one last time, his eyes as sharp as knives.

"Brother Duo, drive! We'll take him home!"

Zhou Ye's voice came through the car window, carrying an urgent tone that demanded immediate attention.

Chen Duo responded and quickly started the car.

The black SUV sped away like an arrow, quickly merging into the traffic and disappearing into the late autumn night of Luyang.

Zhang Jingyi was left alone at the scene, standing forlornly under the rustic signboard of "Huiyun Renjia".

The evening breeze ruffled her hair and the hem of her clothes, bringing a chill to her bones.

She stared at the direction the car had disappeared, biting her lower lip tightly. There was no frustration in her eyes, only a deeper stubbornness and unwillingness.

"Jingyi~"

Fangfang approached cautiously.

"I'm fine, let's go."

Zhang Jingyi smiled suddenly, lifted her foot, and walked away.

This was expected, wasn't it?
Senior, let's take it one step at a time and see.

On the other side, on the way back.

As the car drove smoothly, Jiang Qing, who had been "unconscious" in the back seat, relaxed her tightly furrowed brows slightly.

He still leaned on Zhou Ye's shoulder with his eyes closed, but his body was no longer as limp and powerless as before.

Zhou Ye's tense nerves only relaxed slightly after the car had driven a distance. She looked down at the man leaning on her shoulder; his breath carried a faint smell of alcohol, and his cheeks were still a little hot.

Recalling Zhang Jingyi's "destined" declaration just now, and then recalling the scenes on set and at the dinner table today, an indescribable feeling of bitterness, grievance, and lingering fear suddenly welled up in my heart.

She raised her hand and pinched Jiang Qing's arm hard as if venting her anger!
"hiss……"

Jiang Qing winced in pain, unable to help but groan, and opened her eyes.

Although his face still showed some signs of drunkenness, he was clearly much more sober now.

"Stop pretending! Keep pretending!"

Zhou Ye's voice was tinged with suppressed sobs, and his eyes instantly turned red. The cold and domineering demeanor he had shown in front of Zhang Jingyi just moments before vanished, leaving only a bellyful of grievances and accusations.

"Jiang Qing! You're bullying me!"

The girl let out a wail and burst into tears in an instant.

Seeing the girl in front of him with tears streaming down her face, Jiang Qing finally panicked.

(End of this chapter)