It was 1am by the time Gong Jie arrived back in the country. A full ten hours of time difference, but he was used to it.
The villa had a large private helipad specially reserved for the landing and taking off of helicopters, and this helipad was situated very close to the villa. Gong Jie had assumed that if the helicopter landed directly on this tarmac, the noise would wake Natalia. At this hour, she might already be asleep. Hence he parked the helicopter on the helipad of another hotel and drove to the villa.
The actor had been asleep when his cell phone went off in the middle of the night. He sat up in bed with a start and picked up the phone by his pillow. He saw Gong Jie’s number on the screen.
Gong Jie spoke immediately once the line was connected.
“Were you asleep?”
“What else would I be doing otherwise?”
For goodness’ sake. What time was it? Almost 1am! Why wouldn’t he be asleep?
“It’s late. What can I do for you?”
Gong Jie said, “I’ve arrived.”
“Arrived where?”
“Home.”
“Why don’t you just come up, then?” The actor rolled his eyes inwardly.
Gong Jie, however, was embarrassed as he said, “I’m lost.”
“What?” Hua Jin widened his eyes as if he’d just heard some cock and bull story. “Lost?”
“Uh huh, I came in through the backyard, but got lost in it.”
The actor looked grave and stern at once. Indeed, the interior area of this villa was shockingly large. The additional garden area alone covered more than 20 acres. The garden had an intricate structure and it was lush with trees. The actor himself had lost his way in it before.
“How did you get in through the backyard?”
“The garage is in the backyard.” Gong Jie’s patience was wearing thin. “Come get me,” he said in a low voice. Then he hung up.
Hua Jin let out a long sigh. Now that Gong Jie had returned to visit Natalia, it seemed that the peaceful days were over. The actor stood up and headed to the back door, turning on the lights in the backyard ahead of time.
For a long time, he himself could not figure out the complicated path, but if the lights in the back garden were on, it would be quite helpful for wayfinding.
“Can you hear which direction my voice is coming from?”
“Yes I can.”
“Then do you see a large stone sculpture here?”
“Yes I see it.”
“Okay, just walk towards this direction and you’ll find your way out.”
The huge backyard was like a huge garden maze at night. If one was not careful, one would easily lose their way. The actor rarely came to the back garden. Natalia, on the other hand, liked to roam it. It had almost become her territory, with its swings, gardens, and stone carvings. It had become her little domain.
However, Gong Jie was nothing less than a true buffoon. He had actually gotten lost in the backyard. After a while, Hua Jin finally heard Gong Jie’s footsteps approaching. He looked in the direction of the footsteps. Through the shifting shadows of the trees, he finally caught a glimpse of the man weaving through the gardens.
The actor immediately stepped forward. “Here. This is the exit.”
He went forward to meet him and was surprised to find himself face-to-face with an angry-looking Gong Jie. After fumbling around in the backyard for so long, his patience was almost exhausted.
“What sort of godforsaken place!”
