Hidden Affection - Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve
After Zhou Tong left, Shen Yizhi thought for a long time but still didn’t know how to respond. After careful consideration, he finally decided to go along with Ning Zhi a bit.

She wasn’t sure if the past experiences of getting along still applied now.

She remembered that whenever Ning Zhi was unhappy, as long as someone went along with her mood and said a few agreeable words, she would let everything go.

It was only after noticing this once, when a gossipy neighbor was spreading rumors right in front of Ning Zhi, saying, “Your dad’s side just had a son. Has he ever called you back? You should be sweeter, call him ‘dad’ a few more times. Could your dad really ignore you?”

She pretended to be concerned, but her eyes sparkled with the excitement of watching a spectacle.

Small county towns are like this, such tiny places where gossip about everyone’s business never ends.

Ning Zhi immediately darkened his face and retorted, “What does it have to do with you? So fond of gossiping, showing no respect for the elders.”

The neighbor was left speechless, muttering a few words: “With such a sharp tongue, no wonder your parents abandoned you and left.”

Ning Zhi spent the whole day sulking in silence, until she heard someone comforting her later.

Actually, I didn’t say anything particularly considerate; I just went along with her mood and scolded that neighbor a few times. Ning Zhi seemed to feel greatly supported, showing a proud expression as if the adult had forgiven the child’s faults, and stopped being angry with that neighbor.

…

…

Today on set, Shen Yizhi kept thinking about these things.

In the scenes filmed today, there was one where Chi Sheng passed by neighbors gathered together gossiping about Ruan Yinmeng.

When Ning Zhi reached this part, a look of annoyance involuntarily appeared at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

Seeing these, she couldn’t help but think of many things from the past.

For a long time, Shen Yizhi was very puzzled about why Ning Zhi would develop such feelings for her. How could she like her?

At that time, she was stunned and angry, unable to understand why it was like this.

But later, after Ning Zhi stopped appearing, Shen Yizhi recalled many things and realized that the signs had appeared long ago.

When she took on her first role, Ning Zhi had just started seventh grade. The difference between middle school and elementary school was very obvious; Ning Zhi’s studies became heavier, and her voice changed significantly, shedding the childishness and becoming sweet and clear.

One time, she told her on the phone, “Two classmates in our class are dating.”

Thinking that at this age it’s natural to be curious about feelings and that the braver ones would try it out, she smiled and asked, “What about you, Ning Ning? Do you have a crush on any boys?”

Ning Zhi’s voice suddenly became anxious: “No way!” Then she mumbled, “I wouldn’t like them, it’s so childish.”

Shen Yizhi found it quite interesting but still advised, “Studying well is the most important thing. There will be plenty of opportunities for these things in the future.”

Ning Zhi obediently agreed, “Mm, I know.”

Then there was a long silence.

Shen Yizhi really enjoyed keeping in touch with Ning Zhi; talking to her was very easy. Ning Zhi was so mature that she didn’t seem like a child her age at all.

She was good at listening and also good at sharing all kinds of interesting things. Even when they suddenly fell silent, it was never awkward; they would naturally and tacitly go about their own business.

Shen Yizhi got along far less comfortably with peers of the same age than with Ning Zhi.

The rustling sound came from the other end of the phone; Ning Zhi had started doing homework.

The call was not disconnected, and Shen Yizhi also went about his own business.

After an unknown amount of time, maybe a few minutes, maybe over ten, Ning Zhi suddenly spoke: “Shen Yizhi.”

Hmm?

Ning Zhi paused for a moment, her tone tinged with a hint of mystery: “Do you know, those two classmates are both girls.”

Shen Yizhi unexpectedly stopped what he was doing, surprised for quite a while before saying, “I really didn’t expect that.”

Junior high students nowadays are really this bold.

“Do you like boys or girls?” Ning Zhi asked again.

Later, Shen Yi recalled that when Ning Zhi asked this question, her tone was deliberately casual and natural, but she was actually very nervous.

However, Shen Yi didn’t notice at the time and just smiled, “I don’t know.”

She hadn’t liked anyone yet.

That day, Ning Zhi was unusually persistent. She spoke softly, clinging to her like a spoiled child: “Just tell me, you must have some feelings, right?”

But even with such persistent questioning, Ning Zhi still left room for maneuver. Her tone carried a smile and was not forceful, making Shen Yizhi feel that it was fine whether she answered or not.

Shen Yizhi thought for a long time but couldn’t figure out what kind of person she would like, so she casually gave a generic answer: “A man, I guess.”

“Oh.” Ning Zhi replied dryly.

After a while, she said, “Shen Yizhi, I’m so sleepy, I want to go to bed first.”

Then she hung up the phone.

After that, their interactions didn’t change at all; they were still as casual and comfortable as before.

It was just that Shen Yizhi became busier and busier, and gradually could only find one evening a week to chat with Ning Zhi.

Ning Zhi also wouldn’t bother her, occasionally sending her messages—sometimes reminding her to eat on time, sometimes about her monthly exam results. Her grades were very stable, always ranking in the top five of her grade, which was very reassuring. She was a child who knew her limits.

And during their weekly calls, Ning Zhi was always very happy, telling her all the interesting things that happened during the week, and asking if anything had happened to her—whether happy or unhappy, she wanted to know it all.

By the time Ning Zhi reached the third year of middle school, Shen Yizhi was lucky; the three movies she starred in all achieved great success, and she truly became a breakout star.

One engagement after another, she was busy handling various interviews, shows, and dealing with both kind and malicious people, exhausted every day. After more than half a month, in a hotel in an unfamiliar city, Shen Yizhi finally realized that during all that time, she hadn’t contacted Ning Zhi even once.

She hurriedly called Ning Zhi.

It rang only once before Ning Zhi answered.

“Ning Ning, I’m sorry, I’ve been too busy,” she quickly apologized.

Ning Zhi said, “It’s okay, I saw you on TV and knew you were doing well.”

Her tone was no different from usual, and what she said was very sensible, but Shen Yizhi inexplicably felt that Ningning was feeling wronged.

“I definitely won’t forget next time.” She promised her.

“Okay.” Ning Zhi smiled easily, as always telling Shen Yizhi what was happening around her, “Liu Yuanyuan, that big mouth, she blabbed about us knowing each other. Now many classmates are asking me for your autograph, but I’m not giving it to them.”

Shen Yizhi knew that Liu Yuanyuan and Ning Zhi had told her about a little girl living in the building next door, who was now in the same class as Ning Zhi and even sat in front and behind her.

“Why are you so stingy? I’ll sign a stack for you to send back. You can give them to your classmates. You have to get along well with them, understand? You can’t be stingy.” Shen Yizhi was always worried that her stubborn temper would make it hard for her to get along with her classmates.

She lay on the **, closed her eyes, and her whole body relaxed as drowsiness surged over her like a tide.

I saw on the entertainment news that you were surrounded by many reporters. I saw a very famous director praising you, saying you were born to be an actor. I also saw many of your fans waiting for you at the airport.” She spoke of those splendid scenes, her voice full of excitement, “You really have become famous. There will be many, many movies for you to shoot in the future.

Shen Yizhi responded with a “Hmm,” her sleepiness growing stronger, vaguely feeling that Ning Ning was a bit talkative tonight.

Just as she thought this, Ning Zhi fell silent, the breathing on the other end of the phone becoming clear. Shen Yizhi’s drowsiness gradually faded, and she opened her eyes; Ning Zhi’s mood was very low.

“Shen Yizhi, I have come to terms with it,” she said softly.

Come to terms with what?

One day we will drift apart and become strangers.

“How could that be?” Shen Yizhi smiled. She thought it was because she had forgotten to contact Ning Zhi for more than half a month, which made her feel such pessimism.

“It definitely will. I can feel it; the distance between us is growing, and I might not be able to catch up with you.” Ning Zhi said in an unprecedented calm tone.

Shen Yizhi sensed the seriousness of the problem. She softened her voice and gently said, “You don’t need to chase me; I have always been here.”

They were far apart, unable to see each other’s faces, only able to hear each other’s voices.

Ning Zhi’s mood was off, Shen Yizhi could feel it, but didn’t know how to comfort her, only repeatedly reminding herself that she must never forget Ning Ning again.

That day, Ning Zhi was as obedient and sensible as usual, saying goodnight to Shen Yizhi.

But Shen Yizhi could sense that she didn’t believe what she said, didn’t believe she would always be there.

At that time, she didn’t understand why Ning Zhi was so pessimistic. She sent her a stack of autographs, but Ning Zhi didn’t give any to others; she kept them all hidden for herself.

After she found out, she laughed and said, “Why are you hiding my autograph? You’re not even a fan.”

Ning Zhi just smiled and changed the subject, still carefully keeping that stack of autographs and all the things Shen Yizhi had given her as if they were treasures.

Even now, Shen Yizhi still felt that if that day she hadn’t rushed home to celebrate Ning Zhi’s birthday, hadn’t discovered Ning Zhi’s long-hidden feelings, or if after discovering them she had handled things more thoroughly, they wouldn’t be like this now—unable to say even a slightly serious word to each other.

Ning Zhi wouldn’t be impatient every time she saw her, unwilling to give her even a single meaningful glance.

Shen Yizhi leaned against **, and after reading two pages, Ning Zhi replied to her message.

She had glimpsed this social app account on Ning Zhi’s phone yesterday when they came out of the elevator.

When she added her, it was just to have a bit more contact with her; she didn’t expect that today she would send a complaint about Shen Yizhi to 0929.

Shen Yizhi inexplicably found Ning Zhi very cute.

That’s right, she is the most annoying pest in the universe, a real nuisance.

Shen Yizhi looked at Ning Zhi’s reply and couldn’t help but smile, but at the same time, she felt a bit down because of the annoyance hidden between the lines.

She thought for a long time, not knowing what to say, and finally replied, “Go to bed early.”

Ning Zhi didn’t respond anymore.

Ning Zhi had already fallen asleep. She found that venting to online friends was really helpful, and she felt much better.

If she said these things to her real-life friends, they would probably soon figure out which colleague she was talking about.

That would be troublesome.

Especially if it accidentally got out and Shen Yizhi found out… Ning Zhi just thinking about it made her feel suffocated.

She had a light and pleasant sleep. The next day at the set, Shen Yizhi was already there. Hearing footsteps, she looked over at her.

Ning Zhi suddenly felt guilty for no reason; she had spoken ill of Shen Yizhi behind her back just last night.

She instinctively touched her phone, turned her back, and walked to the other side of the set.

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