On a flight headed to the US.
In first class.
Yang Mi and Liu Yifei were chatting.
"It's a shame Gravity didn't win Best Picture. I think Martin's film is way better than 12 Years a Slave." Yang Mi grumbled.
"Shh, Miaomiao, you can't say stuff like that in the US. You'll get slapped with a racism label." Liu Yifei quickly warned her.
"Don't worry, I'm just venting to you. Once we're there, I won't blab. Oh, right—about that role you're auditioning for, you really don't want me to mention it to Martin?"
That's right—Liu Yifei was heading to the US to audition for a part: Princess Zhao Lian in The White Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom.
Strictly speaking, this film wasn't a Hollywood production. Though the director, screenwriter, and most of the cast were from Hollywood, the main investors were from China, Canada, and France, with Hollywood capital only in fourth place. The production companies were led by Chinese film and TV firms.
Even so, Martin's word carried weight.
But Liu Yifei still declined.
"No need, Miaomiao. I want to try it on my own."
"Alright then. Oh, why didn't Auntie come this time?"
"She has some things to handle, but she'll join later."
"Oh, I was hoping to invite you over to my place." Yang Mi said, a bit disappointed.
"You bought a house in LA?"
"Nope, not me—Martin gave it to me. I told him I didn't want it, but he insisted." Yang Mi flashed a sly smile.
"Yeah, yeah, you're loaded now!" Liu Yifei teased with a laugh.
Over the years, she'd gotten used to her best friend occasionally flaunting her connection to Martin. It didn't bother her much, though sometimes it stung a little.
That's why Yang Mi loved Liu Yifei so much.
...
The plane landed at LAX.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom waited outside the airport.
Yang Mi tugged on Liu Yifei.
"Come on, let's go together. We can chat on the way."
"No, that wouldn't be right. I'm not close with Martin."
"What's the big deal? You'll get to know him."
As Liu Yifei hesitated, Yang Mi pulled her into the car.
Martin, waiting inside, was a bit surprised to see Liu Yifei, then smiled. "You're that Liu Yifei. I remember you—you turned down the 'Autumn Zhang' role back then."
Liu Yifei felt awkward, and a touch of regret.
Martin added, "Hop in. You're friends with Yang Mi? I hear about you from her all the time."
"Oh, thanks. Yeah, Yang Miand I are friends." Liu Yifei replied blankly.
Whenever she chatted with someone unfamiliar, this girl came off a bit spacey and naive. But once she warmed up, she'd get sharp-tongued.
After Liu Yifei and Yang Mi got in.
Martin tapped the partition, and the driver started the car.
This Phantom was the extended version, with rear seating for six, plus a TV and minibar.
"Want something to drink?" Martin asked the two girls.
"I'll have some juice. What kinds do you have?" Yang Mi peered curiously at the minibar.
"Grape juice."
"Grape it is."
"Feifei, what about you?" Yang Mi turned, acting like the hostess.
"Uh, grape for me too."
"OK!"
Martin grinned and poured each a glass.
Thirsty, Yang Mi took a big gulp, her face scrunching up. "This is wine, isn't it?"
"Haha, close enough!" Martin chuckled, with that childish glee of a successful prank.
Liu Yifei couldn't help laughing too, taking a tiny sip.
Hmm, not bad wine.
Then she snuck a glance at Martin.
So handsome.
Martin had the car drop Liu Yifei off at her small villa in Beverly Hills, then left with Yang Mi.
Liu Yifei watched the car drive away, turned, and entered the house. Staring at the empty room, a wave of loneliness suddenly washed over her.
Looks like it's just me tonight.
Liu Yifei poured herself a cup of black tea and sat quietly on the sofa.
Mom always said a woman with a career wouldn't feel lonely, but that didn't seem to hold true for her.
Thanks to Liu Mom's strict oversight, 26-year-old Liu Yifei had never dated. Her only close friend she really clicked with was Yang Mi.
In the dead of night sometimes, she'd feel empty inside, a bit lonely, isolated...
But Liu Yifei wasn't one to dwell on negativity. Though she felt alone, she didn't wallow.
Her approach to life was always to follow her heart. Feeling lonely? She'd just find something to do.
She'd snuck up to the rooftop in the middle of the night to drink beer, huddled under the covers with her iPad watching those steamy little videos...
But today felt different; she didn't really want to do anything to shake off the mood.
Finishing her tea, the girl lay on the sofa for a while, Martin's face keeps popping into her mind.
She pursed her lips, got up from the sofa, and went to the fridge, opening it to look inside.
Her gaze lingered on a cake for a long time.
Expired?
Probably not—Mom had the maid prepare it early, right?
Should I eat it?
She hesitated, finally glancing at the scale in the corner of the living room, patting her flat tummy, and shutting the fridge with a sigh.
Still got an audition—better not.
Just then, the villa doorbell rang.
Liu Yifei went to the door, cautiously checking the monitor, and saw a face blooming like a flower.
A smile broke out; Liu Yifei opened the door. "Yang Mi, what are you doing here?"
That's right—it was Yang Mi.
She stood with hands behind her back, grinning. "I'm here to keep you company. You cool with that?"
"Welcome, welcome—of course!" Liu Yifei smiled brightly, genuinely thrilled at her best friend's appearance, but still asked, "Don't you need to be with Martin?"
"Haha, friends come first, duh. Without me, Martin's got other women; without me, you'd be all alone."
"I'm not alone."
"Oh yeah? Then why are your eyes misty, like you're about to cry?"
Liu Yifei instinctively touched her eyes, only finding a bit of sleep crust—no moisture.
"Ah, you tricked me."
"Haha, are you dense or what?"
"Hmph, come in. Want something to drink?"
"What do you have?"
"Black tea, Coke, milk, lemonade."
"No booze? Goody two-shoes."
"Hmph, I'm no goody—I have beer."
"Ah, forget it, that stuff's gross. Lemonade for me."