Global Film Emperor

Chapter 394 This is what I want to do when I'm twenty-seven

"One Americano, one espresso, espresso with milk but no sugar, Americano with both. Oh, and can the cat be let out? Okay... thanks."

She still remembered Lu Ze's slightly strong-tasting way of drinking. Of course, besides her, many other people also remembered or knew about it. It was not a secret and was easy to remember.

She took the cat carrier. Her good upbringing prevented her from disobeying the rules when the staff said cats weren't allowed to be let out. She could only unzip the carrier, reach inside, and gently knead its paws, pouting like a child and making chirping sounds.

Lu Ze now had the opportunity to properly observe Gao Peiling. She hadn't changed much; she wore exquisite makeup, but the Cartier necklace, Bulgari bracelet, Vacheron Constantin watch, Chanel bag, and Givenchy outfit elevated her aura, making her appear more elegant than when she was with him, dressed in casual clothes.

She didn't become wealthy after leaving Lu Ze, nor did she prefer wearing mid-range clothing.

There were few people in the coffee shop at the time. Apart from the soft piano music, there was no other noise. The waiter brought the coffee over, and the two of them stirred it in silence until the cripple gently bit her finger, at which point she burst out laughing.

“I really want to know what my dad said to you that night, but no matter how I ask, he won’t tell me.”

"forget."

"Forgot? Did you really forget, or did you forget on purpose?"

"I really forgot."

She stared into Lu Ze's eyes for a long time, but eventually gave up. Not that she gave up asking, but that she gave up looking for the answer she wanted in the eyes of a top actor, because she knew that when Lu Ze was acting, no one could see his true emotions.

In addition, she was very smart. Based on what her father and Lu Ze said when Lu Ze first met his parents, she had already guessed most of the truth. Lu Ze understood this as well, but he really didn't want to show it.

"How have you been in England these past six months? I see your new movie is about to be released, are you leaving again? How long will you stay in Lu Hua?"

"I'll leave at the end of October, and stay for about two months."

"And then stay for another six months?"

Lu Ze didn't answer immediately, but thought about it carefully. Two to three months of training at the zoo, then starting to build the crew, screen actors, then filming, and finally post-production publicity work. If you calculate it like that, half a year might not be enough.

"Make it longer."

She nodded thoughtfully, waved to the waiter, ordered an ice cream, pushed the Americano aside, scooped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, and made a soft clicking sound as she bit the metal spoon with her canine teeth. This was her personal habit; she liked to have something sweet when she was in a bad mood.

"So we're really not compatible. Only now do I realize just how incompatible we are. You're a good man, but I just can't hold on to you, or rather, I don't want to. So, letting go now is the right thing to do."

The sweets melted away the gloom in her heart, and she didn't even show how sad she was. Having passed the age of being crazy in love, she was surprised at how magnanimous she could be when it came to relationships. Or perhaps, she had learned to compromise.

Now, Lu Ze realized her change, which lay in her understanding of relationships. She was twenty-nine years old and had given up on the one she liked in order to find someone suitable.

"terribly sorry."

Lu Ze didn't know why he had to apologize. It was like many people saying "I wish you happiness" when breaking up, even though they wished the other person would die immediately, they still gritted their teeth and said a hypocritical and high-sounding word. But Lu Ze's words were sincere, which was the only difference between "I wish you happiness" and "I wish you happiness".

She heard it, and then smiled—not mockingly, but like a shy, light smile. She scooped up a large spoonful of ice cream and put it in her mouth. Perhaps her brain was frozen, because she covered her temples, her brows furrowed tightly. After a dozen seconds, she relaxed, casually scooped up another spoonful, and waved to Lu Ze.

"There's no need to apologize. We just have different ambitions, not 'incompatible personalities.' You have big ambitions, while I prefer to stay put and not wait for you like a statue. It's my decision, just like all the decisions I've made over the years. I'm not young anymore, almost thirty, getting old. So I decided to leave you at twenty-nine, just like I wanted to marry you at twenty-seven. I didn't do anything wrong at twenty-seven, and I didn't do anything wrong at twenty-nine, or maybe it doesn't matter whether it's right or wrong, because it's what I wanted to do most at that age." Her words were convoluted, but Lu Ze understood the general meaning. What she said was right. Perhaps doing what you want to do most at your age, without any regrets, is a fulfilling life. As for whether it's a blessing or a curse, or fate, you can't escape it, so why bother?

"One last question: What is it really like to live a life that's like a character in a play?"

"Like...one dream after another."

Life must be tiring, right?

"Fortunately."

"Perhaps I'm the one who should apologize. Your big ship is destined not to dock in my lake. I can't give you warmth. I have class soon, so I'll be leaving now. The coffee is on you, consider it a breakup fee. How about a final hug?"

She stood up, straightened her clothes, tucked her loose hair behind her head, and lightly stomped her foot as if to make the scene more formal. She coughed lightly, ignored the onlookers, opened her arms, and waited for Lu Ze.

The two hugged, formally but not intimately, with at least a fist's distance between their chests. Her slender hand gently patted Lu Ze's back, and she whispered something in his ear.

"In your life, there must have been many people who told you to take care. They will never come back, just like me. But Brother Lu, I hope I am the last one..."

"Take care of yourself……"

After separating, she reached into the cat carrier, rubbed the lame man's head, slung her backpack over her shoulder, turned and left, her steps unhurried. She nodded to the waiter, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Lu Ze sat back down in his chair and watched her slowly walk away through the shop window. He picked up his coffee and sipped it slowly until it was all gone. Then he got up, picked up his bags, paid the bill, and before leaving, he took a mint from the counter, popped it into his mouth, and felt a cool breeze.

……

He didn't go home, but went straight back to the bar. He had some peanuts and a couple of beers, and sat there until the neon lights came on. No one came in to buy any drinks, but that was fine, as it didn't disturb his mood.

The cabinet contained a collection of vinyl records, all rare finds he had painstakingly collected from antique shops. He took out a record, blew off any non-existent dust, placed it on the record player, and cranked the handle. The record player began to spin gently, the stylus resting lightly on it, and the old record player, made in 1932, emitted a beautiful melody.

The sound was quite loud, reaching outside the street. Passersby looked towards the inside of the bar, but all they could see were the flashing colored lights in the window, creating a hazy atmosphere that drew them toward the door. Eventually, they saw that it was a beer shop, causing all the customers who were about to enter to stop in their tracks.

"Da da da."

The stick tapped on the ground, and a little mouse that happened to be passing by stood by the roadside. Its ears twitched twice, as if searching for the source of the sound. Finally, it made an expression, which almost made the old man's sunglasses fall off his face. He quickly straightened his glasses and slowly walked towards the shop door.

Pushing the door open was still difficult, but once it was open, the music became even more vivid and real. The wind chimes swayed, and Lu Ze, sitting under the dim light, looked up and greeted a familiar face.

"Hello."

"Mr. Lu, you're back!"

"..."

Double monthly passes... I'd like to participate too...

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(End of this chapter)