Qian Duoduo hadn’t expected to hear something like that and froze on the spot.
The tea restaurant was quite busy, and there was only one hallway leading from the main dining area to the restroom.
Just as Lu Qiming finished speaking, several people started heading in their direction.
A middle-aged man, tipsy after finishing a decanter of wine, swayed a little as he walked.
His way was blocked, and when he looked up, he saw a tall, straight-backed figure.
The man burped and was about to say something, but Lu Qiming had already noticed him and stepped slightly to the side.
“Thanks, man,” the guy mumbled, squeezing past.
The guests behind him also quickened their pace to follow.
Still dazed, Qian Duoduo shuffled to the side, making space for the others to pass.
Several figures moved past in succession.
She stood there in stunned silence for a few seconds longer before finally realizing what he was trying to say.
Once the small crowd passed, Qian Duoduo blinked and looked up at Lu Qiming.
He was standing a few steps away, watching her.
“Is that okay?” Lu Qiming asked again.
A pause.
“Mr. Lu,” Qian Duoduo’s ears were flushed red as she spoke, her tone slightly embarrassed and hesitant, “I’m sorry. I thought I’d made myself clear enough on WeChat…”
“I should be the one apologizing,” Lu Qiming lowered his gaze slightly. “I was presumptuous. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine. I understand how you feel…” Qian Duoduo’s mind was a mess, and she began rambling, “If there’s nothing else, can I go ahead?”
“Goodbye.”
“Mm, okay. Bye.”
As soon as she said her goodbye, Qian Duoduo turned around and jogged toward the restroom.
Once inside a stall, she reached out and touched her chest.
Her heart was pounding, faster than usual.
Her cheeks felt hot, and her whole body felt a bit warm.
She figured the heating in the restaurant was turned up too high, so she took off her wool vest and hung it on a hook nearby.
Once her heartbeat and temperature settled, Qian Duoduo pulled out her phone and messaged Zhao Jingxi.
Qian Duoduo: [You there?]
A few seconds later, Zhao Jingxi’s reply popped up: [On set. What’s up?]
Zhao Jingxi had dreamed of becoming an actress since childhood, hoping to be a household name one day.
After graduating from the acting department of Nancheng Film Academy, she went straight to the capital to pursue her dream.
But dreams are full, and reality is harsh.
With no connections or background, Zhao Jingxi spent her years in the capital doing minor roles on various sets — barely making money, and the cost of living was sky-high.
Eventually, she figured it out.
Since she couldn’t keep up with the cutthroat competition at the top, she decided to return to Nancheng and work in short-form drama.
Later on, Zhao Jingxi became both an actress and a producer for short dramas.
Qian Duoduo: [I just ran into Number Eleven…]
Zhao Jingxi: [Number Eleven?]
Zhao Jingxi: [Oh, that PLA guy you went on a blind date with?]
Qian Duoduo: [Yeah.]
Qian Duoduo: [First time realizing how small Nancheng is. Just out filming a “restaurant review” and happened to bump into a blind date eating there.]
Zhao Jingxi: [So what? Say hi and move on. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?]
Qian Duoduo: [It’s nothing…]
Qian Duoduo: [Just telling you in passing.]
Zhao Jingxi: [Okay, director’s calling me. You handle your stuff first. Talk later.]
Qian Duoduo: [OKK]
Zhao Jingxi didn’t reply again. Qian Duoduo turned off her phone.
After using the restroom, she stepped out and instinctively looked ahead.
The narrow hallway was empty — no sign of that tall, poplar-like figure.
Carrying her vest, she returned to the private room.
As soon as she opened the door, her assistant Li Xiaoqian’s voice reached her ears: “Ms. Qian, you were in there so long, we thought some crazed fan cornered you!”
Though Qian Duoduo was the team’s core figure, she was gentle and easygoing.
She never acted like a big-shot influencer, and always looked out for others’ feelings.
The team dynamic was relaxed, and playful jokes like that were common.
Used to it, Qian Duoduo smiled and joked back, then glanced at the empty plates on the table. “How was the food? Everyone full?”
“Stuffed,” her colleagues replied with grins.
After the meal, Li Xiaoqian went to the front to pay, and Qian Duoduo found the restaurant manager.
“Mr. Wang, once the video’s edited, we’ll send it over for your review. If you have any feedback, we can adjust it.”
“Of course, of course.” The manager was all smiles, personally escorting them to the door. “Thank you all. Take care.”
Along the way, the photographer chatted with the manager about the dishes, while Li Xiaoqian scrolled on her phone.
Qian Duoduo walked behind them, occasionally glancing around, scanning the restaurant as if searching for someone.
No sign of Number Eleven.
He must’ve already left.
Her thoughts wandered again — those two questions Lu Qiming had asked earlier replaying in her mind.
Most people are visual creatures. Regardless of gender, good-looking people tend to attract attention.
Qian Duoduo was attractive, which gave her an edge in the dating world.
Since she started blind dating earlier this year, almost every man she met had shown interest in her.
She was used to that kind of attention.
Still, after her date with Lu Qiming, she’d clearly told him her stance that very night. She’d thought it was over…
Could he be like that Chen Yu guy, who just wouldn’t let go?
Qian Duoduo’s brows knit together slightly.
Lost in thought, she didn’t even realize she’d walked out the restaurant doors.
A ringtone snapped her out of her thoughts.
Qian Duoduo glanced at the caller ID — it was the company boss. She answered, “Hello, President Chang. Mm, yes, we’ve finished recording… Okay, got it.”
Just then, something completely unexpected happened—
From the left side of the sidewalk outside the restaurant, a blue motorcycle suddenly shot out like a maniacal, out-of-control shark, barreling toward them.
In the chaos and noise, people instinctively stepped back when they saw the oncoming motorcycle—everyone except Qian Duoduo, who was still on the phone and completely unaware of the danger.
Li Xiaoqian and the photographer broke into a cold sweat. They wanted to react, but it was already too late.
In the nick of time, a hand with defined knuckles suddenly grabbed Qian Duoduo’s arm.
Startled, she reflexively turned around. The man’s face was grim as he pulled her behind him, shielding her with swift, decisive movements. His tall figure instantly became a protective wall in front of her.
The blue motorcycle wobbled on the sidewalk, turned sharply, and disappeared into the heavy traffic.
“Shit!” the photographer swore loudly. “Are you fucking insane? Riding that fast on a sidewalk?! You almost hit someone, dumbass biker!”
Li Xiaoqian looked like she was about to cry. She rushed forward, her voice trembling: “Ms. Qian, are you okay? That scared me half to death!”
“Don’t be scared. I’m fine,” Qian Duoduo said, still a bit shaken, trying to calm her assistant.
After a moment, she turned to the man behind her and said sincerely, “Thank you, Mr. Lu!”
Lu Qiming shook his head and asked, “Are you hurt?”
“No…” Qian Duoduo paused and looked over him. Her pupils suddenly contracted. She gasped, “You’re bleeding?”
Lu Qiming glanced down at the back of his hand, frowning slightly.
When did he get cut? He had no memory of it.
All his attention had been on her just now.
“It’s just a scratch. No big deal,” Lu Qiming said.
“How is it no big deal?” Qian Duoduo stared at the wound, eyes wide with guilt. “That’s a long gash—it’s bleeding a lot!”
She hurriedly fumbled through her bag for tissues to wipe the blood.
Lu Qiming gently blocked her hand, polite but firm. “I’ll do it.”
So Qian Duoduo handed him the tissue.
Watching him clean the wound, her brow furrowed deeper, and her guilt intensified. “Using toilet paper on a cut like that can cause infection. You really should disinfect it with iodine.”
“Mm.” Lu Qiming nodded. “It’s getting late. You and your friends should head back.”
Qian Duoduo said, “You got hurt saving me, and now you’re still bleeding. How could I just leave you here and go home?”
Beside them, Li Xiaoqian was finally snapping out of the shock and asked, “Wait… do you two know each other?”
“Yes,” Qian Duoduo hesitated for a beat, then introduced awkwardly, “This is Mr. Lu, he’s a friend.”
“Oh.” Li Xiaoqian nodded in understanding.
Then the photographer chimed in, “Ms. Qian, there’s a pharmacy just a few hundred meters up. Want me to grab some disinfectant for your friend?”
“No, no need.” Qian Duoduo waved him off. “It’s late. You and Xiaoqian should get some rest. I’ll stay with him.”
Photographer Zhou Shuo and Li Xiaoqian exchanged a glance, vaguely sensing something subtle between Qian Duoduo and her “friend.” They raised their brows knowingly but said nothing.
“Alright, Ms. Qian, we’ll head off then.”
“Mm, bye!” Qian Duoduo waved after them.
Their footsteps faded into the distance.
After a moment, Lu Qiming turned his head to look at the young woman beside him. “This kind of cut will heal in a couple of days. You should go home too.”
But Qian Duoduo acted like she didn’t hear him at all and kept muttering to herself, “The pharmacy’s just ahead, we’ve got to get you iodine and bandages quickly. If it gets infected, it’ll be serious…”
“Let’s go.” She looked up at him, her expression a mix of guilt and concern. “I’ll go with you to buy the medicine.”
Lu Qiming didn’t refuse this time. “Okay.”
*
“One bottle of iodine, one pack of bandages — ten yuan total,” said the cashier at the pharmacy.
Lu Qiming pulled out his phone to scan the code.
Seeing this, Qian Duoduo quickly stopped him. “You got hurt because of me. Of course I should pay for the medicine.”
Unable to argue with her, Lu Qiming let her pay.
Afterward, they walked to a small open-air plaza next to the pharmacy and sat on a bench.
It was past nine at night, but the plaza was bustling.
A group of middle-aged women were dancing to music, while boys and girls played with yo-yos and rollerblades nearby.
Qian Duoduo unscrewed the bottle of iodine and dipped a cotton swab into the liquid.
Lu Qiming quietly watched her focused, serene expression.
The streetlamp above them cast a warm orange glow.
Her delicate face was bathed in that light and shadow, her lashes thick, lips full — beautiful and faintly seductive.
“Give me your hand,” Qian Duoduo said naturally.
This time, Lu Qiming didn’t refuse. He obediently extended his right hand.
The iodine-soaked swab gently dabbed and rubbed over the wound, soon staining the well-defined skin on the back of his hand a deep brown.
“Does it hurt?” Qian Duoduo asked softly, without looking up.
“A little,” Lu Qiming answered honestly.
Upon hearing that, Qian Duoduo paused.
Almost instinctively, she lowered her head slightly, leaning in closer to the wound.
The distance between them shrank.
Lu Qiming saw her cheeks puff slightly as her red lips blew softly on the cut.
A breath of sweet, warm air brushed gently across the back of his hand.
He gave no visible reaction, but his throat rolled slightly.
A faint coolness spread through the sting, tinged with a ticklish ache.