[after my ex-boyfriend's white moonlight proposed to me] chapter 4 - mr. rabbit

“What did you say?”

The voice on the other end of the phone rose in volume. “How come you still haven’t come? You’ve already been back in China for so long; you have to get together with your brothers at least!”

Zhuang Yan moved the phone away from his ear a little.

He was walking alone along a trail next to QiuMing Lake. Evergreen trees were planted all on the banks of the lake, so even in autumn, there was a bright, crisp scenery. Some people have said that the lake is so named because of this.

Others have said that QiuMing means the autumn moon, because the lake was half-moon shaped. Later on, the tip of the half moon was dug out and extended into Lakeside Villa. The artificial lake is called the inner lake, and the original QiuMing lake is called the outer lake.

“I don’t have time tonight,” Zhuang Yan said.

Qi Rui hmphed. “You said that yesterday, the day before yesterday, and the day before that...”

Zhuang Yan interrupted him. “Yes, I’m not free this week.”

Qi Rui: “...”

“Then when are you free? Give an accurate response.”

Impatiently, Zhuang Yan replied, “We’ll see how I feel.”

The lakeside in winter is colder than usual. The wind blew from the lake, as if it could penetrate clothes’ collars, and it was so cold that people would tremble all over.

Zhuang Yan stuck one of his hands in his coat’s pocket, and the hand holding his phone was already numb, turning purple-red because of the cold.

Under these circumstances, he had no desire to continue the call.

Zhuang Yan: “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to hang up.”

“Wait!” Qi Rui was unable to get what he wanted from him. “Do you want to hear the gossip I heard about you these past couple of days?”

Zhuang Yan really wanted to say no. Qi Rui probably guessed that he was going to refuse, so he plowed on. “Did you know that you broke up a loving couple, and ruined a good marriage?”

“???”

Zhuang Yan: “Speak human words.”

Qi Rui: “Do you know who Xie Ning is?”

Zhuang Yan answered while walking. “I don’t know him. Who is he?”

“Xu Qing’s boyfriend since university.”

Zhuang Yan was expressionless. “Who’s Xu Qing? I don’t know him either.”

Qi Rui: “Don’t joke around. It’s that junior of yours that kept pursuing you before you went abroad. At that time, he was crying disgustingly and saying that he would wait for you until you came back. Who would’ve thought that he would have a new goal as soon as he turned his head?”

Zhuang Yan: “That’s good, then. It saves me trouble.”

Qi Rui said, “However, they broke up not too long ago.”

Zhuang Yan really wanted to just hang up.

Qi Rui continued. “I heard that the breakup had to do with you.”

Zhuang Yan’s mouth twitched. “I just got back, and Xu Qing and that Xie…”

“Xie Ning,” Qi Rui reminded him.

“I haven’t even seen Xu Qing, and I don’t know Xie Ning, so what does it have to do with me?”

Qi Rui said, “I heard it’s just because you came back. Xu Qing couldn’t let go of you, his white moonlight, and heartlessly abandoned his boyfriend.”

Zhuang Yan laughed coldly. “Tell him to fuck off!”

“I also heard that Xu Qing and Xie Ning began to date because he thought Xie Ning is similar to you, and used him as a replacement.”

Zhuang Yan furrowed his eyebrows a little, not saying anything.

Qi Rui: “Honestly, I think it might be a good thing that they broke up, since Xu Qing was able to do something as repulsive as using Xie Ning as a replacement for you. Although, I’m quite curious as to how Xie Ning is like you. Is it the looks or the personality?”

Zhuang Yan said, “I don’t care how similar Xie Ning and I are. There’s definitely one thing that’s different about us.”

Qi Rui asked, curiously, “Which thing?”

“Taste.” Zhuang Yan ridiculed. “Xie Ning must have poor taste, or else why would he end up liking an ass like Xu Qing?”

His hands were unbearably cold, so Zhuang Yan, without giving Qi Rui a chance to talk, hung up. He put his hand and his mobile phone into his pocket.

His hand only regained some sensation after a long while.

Zhuang Yan thought, If Qi Rui wasn’t a childhood friend, I would have hung up before he could spout such nonsense.

QiuMing Lake in the winter and in the summer are completely different. There was a heavy snowfall last night, and the evergreen trees on the banks had turned from green to white. From far away, it just looked like a blanket of white.

Although it was still considered a beautiful view.

He was the only one on this trail. In such a winter, only stupid people wouldn’t stay in the warm indoors and would run to the lake to be cold.

The trail suddenly opened up to a vast clearing. That clearing was in an excellent spot because one could see most of QiuMing Lake, and many people loved to come here.

Of course, there weren’t that many people here now.

Wait.

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows, looking at the easel propped on the ground.

There really were idiots who came to sketch in this cold winter.

……

“You’re painting the curtain call of <The Monologue>?”

After finishing the last stroke, Xie Ning was surprised by the noise behind him and turned to look behind him.

A black trench coat was the first thing that entered his sight.

Yan Xi had once told him that coats were a man’s weapon of choice. Even if it was a common, tasteless style, it could still give people a sense of sharpness.

However, there were only a few people who could look compelling in a coat. Many people rely on the clothes instead, and let the clothes wear them.

Xie Ning raised his head and looked up. As he saw the man’s face, his heart let out a “Fuck”.

This was the most attractive man he’d ever seen.

The man’s haircut was clean and neat, his face was well-defined, as if he had a layer of sunlight and shadow on his face, and his fierce eyebrows were slightly raised. His eyes were fiery and spirited, looking at...the painting behind him.

His appearance cannot be described or contained in the word “handsome”. The unique charm he exuded was also not only because of his good looks.

It was because of his elegance that was unconsciously exuded from his gestures, and every change of expression seemed to have an air of grace.

He looked a little familiar, but Xie Ning couldn’t remember where he’d seen him before.

But the trench coat he was wearing fit him like a glove, and after just once glance, he could feel the razor-sharp impression the man gave off.

More importantly, he could tell the coat was expensive.

It wasn’t a price ordinary people could afford.

When the man saw him, his eyes flashed, and a surprised expression appeared on his face. “So it was you.”

Xie Ning was even more confused. They knew each other?

“We unexpectedly meet again,” the man lifted the corner of his lips, smiling meaningfully. “Mr. Rabbit.”

Xie Ning: “...”

Turns out it was him.

Last time he saw him at the claw machines, the man had covered his face with a scarf. Xie Ning wasn’t able to see what he looked like, and could only see it clearly now.

“What a coincidence.” Xie Ning was silent for a few seconds, stood up, and said courteously, “I didn’t expect us to meet again, Mr. Blue Whale.”

“...” This time, it was Zhuang Yan’s turn to be silent.

Zhuang Yan only came by to see what idiot would come and sketch in the winter, since it was on the way of his walk, but didn’t think he would see a very interesting painting.

What’s more, he wouldn’t have guessed that the painting idiot was someone that he had met before, the guy that he thought was just his type.

He wore more than last time, with a cute fuzzy hat on his head. His ear tips were under the hat, and Zhuang Yan felt as though it was a pity.

I can’t see his red ear tips.

His thin, white neck was also wrapped by a thick scarf. The part of his face that was exposed seemed soft, with two blush spots on his cheeks, and made one want to reach out to rub it.

This look made Xie Ning look very obedient, and Zhuang Yan couldn’t help but tease him.

The two of them looked at each other for a few seconds, and Zhuang Yan smiled while looking at him. He asked the same question as before. “Are you drawing a scene from <The Monologue>?”

Xie Ning came back to his senses, and was surprised. “You’ve also seen <The Monologue>?”

<The Monologue> was never played in theaters in China, so it was considered a very, very niche movie.

Xie Ning wouldn’t have guessed that Mr. Blue Whale had seen it before, much less correctly guess what his painting was.

In the last scene of <The Monologue>, the grey-haired protagonist was also on a road next to a lake, recalling his life, before tottering away with his cane.

The ending scene had the camera focusing on the lake, refusing to give the old man a sense of nostalgia or tenderness.

Until the curtain call.

Originally, Xie Ning only wanted to paint QiuMing Lake in the winter, but his thoughts fell upon the story of <The Monologue>.

In the movie, a lake had appeared numerous times.

When he came back to his senses, an old man holding a cane had appeared on the paper.

It was the protagonist of <The Monologue>.

Xie Ning simply began to use the likeliness of QiuMing Lake to draw the scene within the movie.

To a random passerby, he was just drawing an old man walking by the lake. Only people who have watched <The Monologue> and studied it were able to understand.

The composition and perspective of his painting were exactly the same as the last scene of <The Monologue>.

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows, and said, “I’ve seen it. It’s a very interesting movie.”

Xie Ning said, “It’s not that well-rated by the audience.”

Zhuang Yan nodded. “Not many people can truly understand this movie. Most people think it’s dull and a waste of time.”

Xie Ning turned his gaze back to his drawing. “It’s too tiring to understand it. Even people who have a high level of appreciation would find it difficult to understand. That’s why it was able to enter the Cannes Film Festival, but ultimately did not win an award.”

Zhuang Yan didn’t comment on what Xie Ning had just said, and asked, “Did you understand it?”

Xie Ning thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t know. What I see is merely my perspective, and can’t be certain what the director wanted to express.”

Zhuang Yan’s sincere gaze fell upon him. “The director set the viewing standard too high, which resulted in most people not being able to pass said standard. If he learned how to lower the standard, then maybe the movie would have been more successful.”

“But I think,” Xie Ning said, “He set the threshold so high on purpose.”

“Oh?” Zhuang Yan’s eyes flashed, and he put on an expression that said he was willing to listen further. “How’s that?”

Xie Ning said, “I’ve seen his other works. He’s a very professional director.”

Zhuang Yan stared at him, his eyes probing. “Being professional doesn’t mean he understands what the general public likes.”

“He understands!” Xie Ning replied decisively. “But he doesn’t want to satisfy the public’s taste, and isn’t willing to bow his head down for them.”

Zhuang Yan raised his eyebrows. “As long they’re a director, they must bow their head to the general public.”

Xie Ning said, “Artistic film directors typically have a sense of self-righteousness, and think that their works are so deep that few can understand it.”

Zhuang Yan was about to scoff at him, but Xie Ning continued. “However, this director seems different to me.”

“How is he different?”

Xie Ning: “He releases his works without fuss, as if he were telling everyone to watch it if they want.”

Zhuang Yan: “It sounds like he deserves a beating.”

Xie Ning nodded. “It does give off that feeling. He thinks that if you don’t understand it, then it’s your problem, not his.”

If Qi Rui heard what Xie Ning just said, he definitely would have exclaimed, “Holy shit! This friend understands you!”

Zhuang Yan heard these words, but didn’t know how he was feeling in his heart.

His teacher had evaluated him before, saying that he was the definition of someone who “is highbrow, acts innocent but looks down on others”.

But he really didn’t want to bow down to the public.

Why should he?

Afterwards, he thought about it. Most directors weren’t bowing to the public, but bowing to the money.

Zhuang Yan thought that was even more disdainful.

He doesn’t need money.

Zhuang Yan looked at Xie Ning for a while. “I didn’t expect you to say such things.”

Xie Ning said, “Actually, I’m sure he could make the story complicated and vivid, full of drama and conflict. He has this ability, but he doesn’t want to do it.”

Zhuang Yan asked. “Why doesn’t he want to?”

Xie Ning scratched his face a little. “Well, it’s just my assumption.”

“That’s okay, feel free to say it.”

Xie Ning glanced at Zhuang Yan’s expression, thinking that there must be a deeper meaning as to why his eyebrows were raised.

“He purposely made this story difficult to understand and set the standard so high because he doesn’t want most people to pass. He only accepts people who are able to understand his meaning...he’s very conceited.”

After saying this, Xie Ning raised his head, and found the man in front of him looking at him with an expression that made his hair stand up on end.

He took a small step back, steadied himself, and the fine hairs on his back stood up too.

“W-Why are you staring at me?”

Did he say something wrong and make him angry?

That might not be too far off. He’s Zhuang Yan’s fan, and might not be able to accept Xie Ning’s evaluation of him.

But he was also just saying whatever.

“Um…” Xie Ning quickly whispered, “I’m only speaking from my perspective, and it might not be correct.”

Zhuang Yan, however, responded, “I think what you said just now is very interesting.”

Xie Ning didn’t know if he was being serious or mocking him, and so decided to remain silent.

Zhuang Yan looked at him meaningfully for a few seconds, and after making Xie Ning uncomfortable with his gaze, asked, “Do you really like this director?”

Xie Ning stammered, “I-I guess he’s okay.”

Zhuang Yan asked again. “Then do you really like <The Monologue>?”

Xie Ning thought about it. “I really like its pictures.”

Zhuang Yan fingered the drawing board. “You should draw another picture. That scene where the protagonist was kicked out of the theater, and dragged his lame legs when he was passing by the lake.”

Xie Ning was stunned.

The man across from him said this flippantly, as if he was expected to draw for him. Xie Ning was so surprised that he couldn’t react.

After a pause, Xie Ning said softly, “I won’t draw that.”

Zhuang Yan’s eyebrows lifted. “Why not?”

Xie Ning said, “It’s so cold today, I nearly froze to death when I painted this first one. I think I’d die on the spot if I had to draw another one.”

Zhuang Yan then remembered that they were still standing near the lake like idiots, with the cold wind blowing.

He enjoyed talking to Mr. Rabbit so much that he forgot how cold he was.

Zhuang Yan’s gaze swept over Xie Ning, and saw his hands huddled near his chest. His face was so cold that it was even redder than last time, and Zhuang Yan could see his breath every time he talked.

Finally, looking regretfully at his ear tips that were hidden under his fuzzy hat, Zhuang Yan said, “Then draw it when you get back.”

Xie Ning was astonished. “W-Why should I draw it for you?”

Zhuang Yan looked as if he hadn’t thought about it. His eyebrows furrowed deeply, pondering this question.

Afterwards, he put his hand on Xie Ning’s shoulder, lowered his head, and leaned in next to his ear, whispering, “I have all of Zhuang Yan’s movies. If you’re willing to draw one painting for me, I’ll bring you home to watch them, okay?”

His deep voice reverberated next to Xie Ning’s ear.

Either because of shyness, since they were standing so close together, or because of the heat of the man talking, Xie Ning’s ears were completely red.

When the man talked, it was compelling and sharp.

I-It seems like Xie Ning’s legs became weak.

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Author’s Note: Zhuang Yan: Kidnap him home!

Translator's Notes:

brothers - friends, not biological brothers

QiuMing Lake - i forgot to define this in ch 2, but the name means something along the lines of "clear/bright autumn"!