Note: [Chapter showing MeiWei's full conversation in the car.]
The smiles were still on their faces after the eye contact, and Zhai Mei returned her hands to the wheel.
She had broached the question of Fu Yuan out of jealousy of the unmoving attention Gu Wei gave the actress.
But his answer was not one she expected.
Zhai Mei had waited for the typical praising of looks most people gave, and Gu Wei had answered so honestly and surely.
Coupled with everything he'd said about the Fu Yuan, even Zhai Mei was starting to admire her.
Which was a very peculiar feeling, because all her life, Zhai Mei had always been wary and jealous of this beautiful being that had captured Gu Wei's heart.
She'd compared herself to this person and came up short by them every single time.
So feeling a sense of respect and admiration bloom in her while listening to Gu Wei forced Zhai Mei to question her view of Fu Yuan.
Was she in the wrong?
To assume blindly who the woman was through the small moments she'd witnessed from Gu Wei. And that was only on screen.
Hearing Gu Wei's view of Fu Yuan, who she was, and what she did, made Zhai Mei understand the person she liked a bit more.
If she could feel so moved by this actress by only talks of her, then Zhai Mei understood why Gu Wei, and many other fans adored this person, when even her, a bystander, was affected like this.
Zhai Mei wondered if she had been sabotaging herself all these years, watching and yearning from afar as Gu Wei lived his life.
Stalking the group chat just to get a glimpse of him.
Rriding a thin line so she didn't go beyond the walls of 'friend', and locking her feelings tightly, never making a move.
Zhai Mei had assumed, like she'd done of Fu Yuan, that this boy with a big heart had given it all to his idol.
But just like any other feelings, they started somewhere, didn't they?
And he was here, pouring his heart out about what he admired so much of Fu Yuan.
Surely, there was space for one more person? One more admiration?
Zhai Mei softly pressed the brakes at another red light, staring at the passerby crossing the road.
She dared a question since they were already on the subject.
'Then… do you think you can like someone else that way?'
Gu Wei thought about this like he'd done the first question, resting his head on his seat and blinking up at the roof of the car.
He also did this at the reunion, resting his head on the wall when she'd asked if he was good friends with Ha Xing and Shi Yi.
His hands were raised, but it took a moment for him to answer.
'Liking someone takes a lot of energy, commitment, and time. And I've used it all up, unfortunately. I don't think I have any left for someone else.'
Zhai Mei's hands tightened on the wheel for a second, then she motioned, 'Everything?'
Eyes still staring at the passing crowd, bitterly holding back from the hurt creeping in.
Then Gu Wei reconsidered his answer, 'Maybe… I don't know, maybe if I genuinely like this person, I'll share my everything with them.'
This caught Zhai Mei's attention, and she twisted in her seat to watch closely so she didn't miss a thing.
'What about you? Is there someone you like, admire, anything?'
Gu Wei added, and Zhai Mei twisted back, resuming her people watching, but with a smile this time.
'Yes, there is.'
Gu Wei paused at the vague answer, then pushed. 'Mind me asking who it is?'
Zhai Mei's smile broadened, and she thought, you, but answered, 'No.'
Frowning at the shutdown, Gu Wei tried once again, 'Can I guess?'
Again, he was shut down, 'No.'
'Mother Nature?'
'That's half.'
'Half of liking?' Gu Wei asked incredulously.
Zhai Mei nodded, 'Half of my everything for them.'
Gu Wei thought long and hard, then tried, 'Ling Jie?'
Laughing at his far-off answer, Zhai Mei shook her head. 'One more try.'
Tapping a hand on his chin, Gu Wei dismissed all rationality and threw a random person, 'Me?'
The light turned green, and Zhai Mei gripped the circular wheel, focusing on the road before her, refusing the urge to nod like the fool she was.
She would've said yes, and Gu Wei would've leapt out of the car and run far, far, away from her.
Probably shouting 'pervert' like Ha Xing while he did it.
Beside Zhai Mei, Gu Wei had almost thought he saw the girl nod, but she was just turning her head to focus on the road.
Still, she hadn't told him who it was she liked so much, and Gu Wei wondered about this for a while before purging the thought from his mind.
It was none of his business, just like Ha Xing and Shi Yi.
From there, the remainder of their talks shifted to the previous day's events, and Gu Wei inquired if Zhai Mei enjoyed this get-together than the botched reunion, to which she replied…
'No, we didn't get to talk much. I liked the reunion better.'
The boy then signed, 'We're talking now, aren't we?'
And they glanced towards each other and smiled their secret smile till a honk sounded behind them.
Zhai Mei moved the car forward with a silent laugh.
Gu Wei gazed out the window for a time, only turning his head when Zhai Mei tapped him and handed a notepad to him.
It was smaller and portable than his original notebook, but it should suffice for the time being.
Were Zhai Mei's words, and Gu Wei at first refused to take it, but Zhai Mei insisted and even threatened to drop him off the middle of the road if he kept arguing.
This shut him up, and he accepted the notepad with his signature bow.
Zhai Mei only rolled her eyes, pulling into Hao Shui Jiao's parking lot, sad to say goodbye to her friend.
Gu Wei felt the same, wishing there was more traffic on the road so their heartfelt conversation wouldn't end so quickly.
It was always nice talking to Zhai Mei, and Gu Wei relaxed whenever he was in her presence, something he cherished with both heart and mind.
With the bonus of the lemon scent he'd been inhaling for the duration of the ride, Gu Wei almost told Zhai Mei to turn the car around and head back the way they'd come.
But everything came to an end, as did their talk in the car.
So, Gu Wei opened the door and stepped out, relief washing over him when Zhai Mei's hands brushed his, and he scanned her MeChat code.
This interaction may have ended, but it was one of many others they would have, and this filled both their hearts with an excitement to look forward to plenty of other conversations.