Chapter 82: Childhood Friends

After releasing the Kongming lanterns, everyone gathered for a group photo, standing together like a family during New Year.

“Alright, three, two, one, is the director handsome?”

“Handsome!”

With the photographer’s lively prompt, the group photo was successfully taken.

After releasing the lanterns, the program team didn’t schedule any other activities, allowing the guests to do as they pleased.

People paired up in small groups, some taking a walk, others returning to the villa.

Fang Zhou, with his injured hand, found it inconvenient to stream, so he called out to Zhang Zhiyin, who was about to leave.

“Zhiyin, wait a moment, Li Siming called and wants to talk to you.”

Back in high school, Fang Zhou, Zhang Zhiyin, and Li Siming formed an inseparable trio.

Later, due to Fang Zhou’s relationship, they had a falling out, and Zhang Zhiyin lost contact with them.

Now, Li Siming’s face appeared on Fang Zhou’s phone screen in a WeChat video call.

Fang Zhou showed Zhang Zhiyin the screen, where Li Siming was applying a face mask, looking unrecognizable.

“Hahaha, what’s he doing? It’s hilarious!”

Fang Zhou laughed along, teasing Li Siming.

“Who knows, this rough guy putting on a face mask, like a boar eating fine grains—completely out of place.”

Li Siming immediately protested, shouting, “What? Fang Zhou, you brat, come back clean and wait for me to beat you up. I’ll show you what a real man is!”

“Alright, whoever backs down calls the other dad!”

Fang Zhou retorted, challenging Li Siming.

This scene made Zhang Zhiyin laugh again.

She knew that this was how boys’ friendships worked, always teasing each other since high school.

Sometimes, it even seemed like they had a strange bromance.

But both were straight, just enjoying this way of teasing.

They seemed more concerned about who could be called the godfather.

Fang Zhou brought Zhang Zhiyin to the villa rooftop, video chatting with Li Siming.

They talked about their current lives, reminisced about their youth, and planned to meet for a meal next time.

Their conversation ended as Li Siming finished his face mask.

Fang Zhou hung up and turned to Zhang Zhiyin, asking cheerfully, “So, do I have the honor of adding the great writer Zhang’s WeChat?”

Since going abroad, Zhang Zhiyin had changed all her contacts, making it hard to reach her.

Even leaving messages on QQ Space went unanswered. (tln : chinese facebook)

Fang Zhou had been sad about losing a close friend but later accepted it.

Besides birth, aging, sickness, and death, another thing people must accept is that all friends are temporary.

Now, reuniting on the show proved that the right people would stand in your future.

Fang Zhou always considered Zhang Zhiyin a rare friend and now had the chance to mend their friendship.

“Adding the great streamer Fang’s WeChat is my honor.”

Zhang Zhiyin smiled, showing him her WeChat QR code.

With a vibration, Fang Zhou received the friend request.

“Still using this profile picture?”

It was a still from the classic movie “Identity,” featuring the beautiful protagonist Paris in a dress.

Since high school, Fang Zhou had used this profile picture, and now, after so many years, he was using it again.

In between, Zhang Zhiyin had secretly logged into her old WeChat to check, and Fang Zhou seemed to change his profile picture occasionally, about every two to three months.

He probably used couple profile pictures while dating and switched back after breaking up.

Now, seeing Fang Zhou use this picture and sending her panda emoticons felt surreal to Zhang Zhiyin.

As if they had just graduated high school, and the years apart hadn’t happened.

“Because I like this movie.”

Fang Zhou smiled and asked naturally, “Have you had any difficulties living abroad all these years?”

Studying abroad alone must have been hard, even for someone from a wealthy family like Zhang Zhiyin. At least, language and lifestyle differences couldn’t be easily managed.

Zhang Zhiyin looked up, smiling lightly, gazing at the moonlit sea.

“I got used to it over time, adapting naturally to many things.”

Only the days without seeing you were truly hard to bear.

She silently added in her heart.

During this time, Zhang Zhiyin had thought of returning to see Fang Zhou and having a good talk.

But her pride wouldn’t allow it.

She could follow Fang Zhou’s updates on her phone and inquire about him through mutual friends, but she wouldn’t appear in person.

That unhappy confession back then felt like a thorn in her heart, lingering for a long time.

If not for this dreamlike coincidence, Zhang Zhiyin herself didn’t know when she would have seen Fang Zhou again.

“And you? Besides dating many girlfriends, any other gains?”

Zhang Zhiyin asked with a teasing smile, looking innocent.

Fang Zhou’s smile froze, and he clutched his chest dramatically, “Ouch, that hurts, old friend. Next time, I’ll dock your merit points for such questions.”

“Hahaha.”

Zhang Zhiyin laughed without holding back, teasing, “You’re so honest. Most old classmates boast about everything, but you expose everything.”

Fang Zhou grinned, raising an eyebrow at Zhang Zhiyin, “Who are we kidding? Instead of boasting, I’d rather ask the great writer Zhang to let me ride her fame with her next book.”

They had known each other for so long. No need to pretend.

On the island, besides the male guests, talking to Tang Wan and Zhang Zhiyin made Fang Zhou feel relaxed.

No burdens, no fears, just comfort.

“Not impossible.”

Zhang Zhiyin rested her chin on her hand, pretending to think seriously.

“Hahaha!”

They shared a look and laughed together, as if finding their old chemistry.

Suddenly, Fang Zhou felt a chill behind him, as if someone was watching. He turned to see all the windows covered, with no one there.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just a bit tired. Let’s call it a night.”

Fang Zhou suggested Zhang Zhiyin return to her room, following behind her.

His feeling wasn’t wrong. Someone had indeed been watching them from behind the white curtains for a long time.

That person had no expression, lips barely moving, silently mouthing three words: “Zhang Zhi yin.”