Endless Fall

Chapter 72: Kissing Jiang Ye

Lin Jiao did not insist.

She picked up a glass of red wine and handed it to him. “Uncle, do you know French?”

“I don’t.”

“How about Qu Shao?”

Pei Zhi retracted his gaze from her lips and took two sips of red wine. “He can’t even speak English well.”

“Then we’ll have to find an interpreter.”

“What?”

“I said…” When Lin Jiao leaned closer to his ear, her lips accidentally brushed past his chin.

She raised her voice. “I told you to find an interpreter!”

Pei Zhi did not react.

His body was all stiff, and all he could think about was that soft touch of her lips.

“Uncle?” Lin Jiao, who did not notice what she’d done, asked in confusion, “Did you hear that?”

Pei Zhi came back to his senses. “Yes?”

“Interpretor.”

“I heard you.” He finished the wine in his glass to ease the dryness in his throat. “I’ll find one tomorrow.”

Lin Jiao felt that it was too much trouble to talk like this. After getting a response, she distanced herself from him.

She swiped open her phone and was about to take a look at the travel guide in Paris when she was attracted by Pei Yilan who came over in a hurry.

“Jiaojiao, I have to go,” she said as she put on her coat, looking anxious.

“What happened?”

“Jiang Ye is in the hospital.”

Lin Jiao put down her phone and helped Pei Yilan button up her coat. “Which hospital is he in?”

“Ren De.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“No need.” Pei Yilan did not want to ruin her fun.

She stuffed the lipstick on the sofa into her bag and stood up. “I’ll call you again if the situation gets out of hand.”

Lin Jiao insisted on sending her to the door.

She watched as Pei Yilan got into the taxi and reminded her again, “Be careful on the way. Let me know when you arrive.”

“Alright.” Pei Yilan gestured for the driver to set out.

She looked out of the window anxiously. When the car stopped at the entrance of Ren De, she paid and ran to the inpatient department.

Yang Qifeng, who was waiting outside the ward, saw her and quickly waved at her.

He saw the worry in her eyes and thought that he had made the right bet. “I’m sorry to make you come so late.”

“I’m fine. How is he?”

“The doctor said it’s gastric bleeding.”

Pei Yilan frowned and looked in through the glass door. “Was it caused by drugs?”

Yang Qifeng shook his head dejectedly. “When we met with the investors tonight, they deliberately made things difficult for him and made him drink a lot.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

“He can only get an audition chance by drinking with the investors. How can I stop him?”

Pei Yilan was silent for a long time.

She held the strap of her bag and asked softly, “Brother Qifeng, is he in financial trouble?”

“Well…”

“Can’t you tell me?”

Yang Qifeng rubbed his eyes, looking conflicted. “Jiang Ye is very stubborn. I’m afraid he doesn’t want you to know.”

The more he was like this, the easier it was for Pei Yilan’s imagination to run wild. Her stomach was in knots.

She turned to face Yang Qifeng and said anxiously, “I promise you I’ll pretend I know nothing.”

Yang Qifeng was still hesitant.

He met her gaze and hesitated for a moment before saying, “He previously signed an agreement with the company. If he doesn’t get a shooting opportunity within the stipulated time, he will be out of the game.”

Pei Yilan did not know much about the entertainment industry. “Does every actor have to sign such an agreement?”

“No.”

“Then why did he sign it?”

“To prove himself.” Yang Qifeng was not sure how far she could go to help Jiang Ye and did not tell her everything.

He bent down tiredly. “Nowadays, those directors and investors are all picky. It’s very unlikely for them to choose people like him who don’t have power or influence. Perhaps the only way is to quit.”

Pei Yilan knew how cruel it was for an actor who loved acting to quit.

She did not want to see Jiang Ye being sad. “How long until the stipulated time on the agreement?”

“October first.” Yang Qifeng swiped the screen and glanced at the calendar. “Fifteen days left.”

“That’s enough.” Pei Yilan clenched her hands and said firmly, “I’ll help him get a shooting opportunity.”

“Miss Pei, we appreciate your kindness.” Yang Qifeng waved his hand and rejected her directly.

He said with a sigh, “I don’t want to trouble you with this. I’ll help him talk to a few more directors.”

“I don’t find it troublesome.”

“But…”

“No buts. It’s decided.” Pei Yilan would not change her mind once her mind was made up.

She stood up. “I’ll go in and see him.”

“Okay.” Yang Qifeng did not refuse. He opened the door for her. “Call me if you need anything.”

Pei Yilan nodded.

She walked to the bed and saw a pair of unfocused eyes looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat.

He seemed to be still in a daze as he stared at her for a long time without batting an eye.

“Jiang Ye, are you feeling better?”

When a familiar voice entered his ear, Jiang Ye, who was not yet fully awake, confirmed that he was not dreaming.

He coughed lightly. “Much better.”

Pei Yilan helped him sit up on the bed and fed him the water.

She was very careful, afraid that he would choke on water. “Do you still want some more?”

“No, thanks.” Jiang Ye leaned against the pillow weakly.

He had drunk a lot of wine, so his thoughts were still a little muddled. After a long time, he asked her, “Why are you here?”

“Brother Qifeng called me.” Pei Yilan sat by the bed and tucked a blanket over him. “Don’t you want to see me?”

“It’s too late.”

“It’s not eleven yet. How is it late?”

“Don’t you have to work tomorrow?” Jiang Ye raised his hand that was not on an IV drip and massaged his sore temples.

“It doesn’t matter. I can still wake up tomorrow.”

Pei Yilan walked around the bed and sat on his right, rubbing his temples.

She used very little strength. Jiang Ye was so sleepy that he subconsciously closed his eyes.

He said slowly, “Thank you.”

“I don’t want just a thank you.”

“Then what do you want?”

Pei Yilan leaned over and whispered into his ear, “How about you kiss me?”

Jiang Ye was silent for half a minute.

He looked up at her a second before he could not resist the urge to fall asleep. “Go home early.”

“You haven’t answered me yet.”

“Good night.”

Light breathing sounded a moment later.

Pei Yilan, who did not get a response, leaned close to his ear and said, “Jiang Ye, if you don’t reply, I’ll kiss you.”

“Jiang Ye?”

“I’m really going to kiss you.”

Lin Jiao was speechless.

The room was so silent that one could hear a pin drop as well as the heartbeats of two people.

Pei Yilan, who was staring at his face, grabbed his collar and left a kiss mark between his eyebrows.

She held her chest and smiled in satisfaction like a child who had tasted candy.