After swaying for about 40 minutes, I got off the bus. Glancing at my watch, it was only 3:20 pm and I had plenty of time, so I walked for 20 minutes and arrived at “Forgetting Sorrows”. This was a medium-sized tea house with an antique and elegant interior decor that stood out from the busy and noisy commercial center.

“Miss Zhou, you’re here! It’s been two months since we last saw each other, and you’re getting more and more pretty.” The front desk manager, the Tang, warmly greeted me with shining eyes and a smile as bright as spring sunshine. Her words sounded nice, but they were not entirely true. Although I hadn’t looked in the mirror, I was already sweating profusely on the bus, and my makeup must have been smudged long ago.

“My dear, I’m old now. You’re the one who’s truly beautiful.  Does she is still in the same place?” I asked with a smile.

Of my financial situation, I wouldn’t be a regular here, but I was a friend of her boss, so she wouldn’t dare offend me.

“Of course, the boss is already here. Shall I take you there?”

“No need, I’ll go to the bathroom first. You can take care of other people!”

“Alright, I won’t disturb you!” She said with a smile.

I laid out my make-up remover, liquid foundation, powder, loose powder, eyeshadow, eyelash curler, mascara, eyebrow pencil, eyebrow razor, and lipstick on one side of the sink, then wiped my face and touched up my makeup.

I did my best to do what a woman should do, and it felt good. I would live a refined life within my capabilities, which doesn’t require much money - it’s a way of life. After all, self-love is instinctive and doesn’t need to be taught. Even if I couldn’t walk when I’m old, as long as I go out and meet people, I would crawl to the dressing table and put on blush and eyeshadow, then apply lipstick on my dry lips.

I walked up to a small private room on the second floor without any hesitation, knocked on the door, and walked in directly.

31-year-old Qian Mi was two years younger than me. She had fair skin and delicate features and was wearing a black Chanel outfit that accentuated her pretty figure.

She is currently a highly sought-after A-list female celebrity in China with impressive achievements in television dramas, variety shows, and advertisements, and has a strong appeal to her fan base. However, current film and television works have become highly formulaic.

Most of them feature young people who don’t know how to love teaching others how to love or people who don’t know how to be happy teaching others how to be happy. I really have no interest in those kinds of TV dramas that revolve around love games and intrigue, so I haven’t watched them much.

I am amazed that I can be friends with her, and that our friendship has continued to this day. In fact, I am amazed by anyone who becomes friends with me, given that I almost never initiate contact with others. Being friends with  Qian Mi or with anyone else isn’t really different to me - they’re all good and they all matter equally.

Everyone is the center of their own world, and I don’t like to disturb others. Of course, if they walk into my world on their own, I will welcome them with excitement, just like I welcome myself.

“Xiaowei!” She quickly threw the fashion magazine she was holding on the table and warmly called out to me as soon as she saw me come in.

My name is  Wei Zhou, was given to me by my grandfather. It’s unique and easy to remember! I remember when I was in junior high, I asked him why he gave me this name. Isn’t it strange for a girl to be called “Wei”? It would be better to be called “Yi Zhou”!

At that time, he looked serious and said to me, “Wei” means small, it is the smallest. The most important thing for a person is to learn to be humble. Laozi said, “When Iletgoof what I am, I become what I might be.” Although the Dao brings about accomplishments for all things, it never boasts. Even when there are great achievements and accomplishments, one does not take credit for them or become arrogant.”

“Wei, I gave you this name to teach you the humility of the Dao, to never be proud or arrogant,” he said to me seriously.

“I’ve never been good at studying, and I’m not one to listen to lectures or words of wisdom from others, but somehow, my grandfather’s words have always stayed with me.”

“Hey, superstar, long time no see!” I made a heart gesture to  Qian Mi and responded warmly.

We hugged each other excitedly and Qian Mi said, “Do you know why I always want to hug you?”

I jokingly teased, “Could it be the reason why you’ve always been single?”

Qian Mi was stunned for a moment, then laughed so hard that she was almost doubled over. “Wei, you’ve really changed. I can’t believe I’m hearing a joke from you. This is definitely the biggest news for me this year, no question.”

I chuckled and said, “Is it really that exaggerated? I’ve always thought of myself as an interesting person. Tell me, do you have a secret crush on me?”

Qian Mi couldn’t help but laugh again. “Are you kidding me? Let me tell you, you have a sweet scent on you, not like perfume, but more like… like a baby. Every time I hug you, I feel incredibly calm inside. Even with all the troubles in the world, they just disappear at that moment.”

I sighed playfully. “Oh well.”

“What do you mean!” Qian Mi bumped me with her shoulder. “Sit down, let’s  enjoy the food !”

I put my purse on the side of the chair and sat facing her. Looking at the delicious food on the table - roast goose, steamed tofu, sashimi, cheese, oysters, sushi, caviar, and fruit platter - and two bottles of red wine.

“What are you trying to do, giving up your figure? Your agent might get angry with you!”

Qian Mi waved her hand and said playfully, “I was born beautiful, a little drink once in a while won’t do any harm! We haven’t seen each other for two months, and now that we have something to celebrate, we won’t stop until we’re drunk today! Do you remember these two bottles of red wine? At the bar, we could only watch others drink. At that time, I thought I would also drink this kind of red wine someday. Drink whenever you want, as much as you want.”

“Now that you’ve achieved it, how does it feel?” I asked.

“How does it feel?” She slightly frowned, and a fleeting hint of confusion appeared in her eyes. As she opened the wine, she said with a smile, “Feels great! Don't talk about this, drink three cups with me first.”

I had no reason to dampen her mood, so I agreed to drink three cups with her. Although each glass was only half-filled, it made me feel a little dizzy and my heart was racing. After all, I can’t remember the last time I drank alcohol, let alone such an expensive red wine.

After savoring a few bites of delicious food, I took out a folder from my bag and handed it to Qian Mi.

Qian Mi took it and felt its thickness. “Wow, not bad. Looks like it’s not just ten pages.”

I nodded. “It’s about sixty thousand words, and I hope it lives up to your expectations!”

Qian Mi stood up and kissed me. “Darling, you are always my best friend to me. If I successfully enter the film industry this time, you will be  my lucky star.”

I didn’t expect her to say that, so I hurriedly wiped my mouth and waved my hand repeatedly. “Please don’t say that. You have taken care of my business for so many years. Otherwise, I would have no money to eat! I should say thank you.”

“I mean it sincerely. If it weren’t for her help, I don’t know what my life would be like now. I didn’t even go to college. If those screenwriters weren’t doing it for her sake, who would ask me to write scripts?”

I have written so many scripts over the years that I can’t remember them all. I once told her that if she was too busy, she could let her assistant pick up the scripts, but she always smiled and refused. She said that the scripts weren’t important, what was important was that we could chat and drink together. I was touched and didn’t bring it up again.

“What did you say?” Qian Mi said with a pout.

“I’m telling the truth. I always suspected that the so-called script requests were fantasies and that it was just your personal support. After all, it’s been so long and no screenwriters have come looking for me.”

Qian Mi’s expression changed slightly. “You… you suspect that I’m hiding your identity from the screenwriters? Why would I do that?”