Chapter 1163: Hello, fellow smoker!

Chapter 1163: Hello, fellow smoker!

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the corridor.

She was smoking gracefully while holding a cigarette pack between her fingers. Zhang Ye glanced at the words on it but did not know what brand it was. It was likely that this was a foreign brand for women as the cigarettes looked very slim.

Zhang Ye lit up another cigarette and said, "Did you grow up in Beijing?"

The redhead turned to look at him. "No, but my Chinese teacher is from Beijing."

"I see." Zhang Ye said in admiration, "You really learned it well."

The redheaded woman laughed. "I guess. I do have some talent for languages."

Zhang Ye gave her a thumbs up.

Now she asked, "Are you an athlete?"

Zhang Ye smiled and said, "No, I'm not."

"A volunteer?" she asked.

Zhang Ye shook his head. "I'm not that either. I'm just nobody to be concerned about."

She said, "Are you a local?"

Zhang Ye said, "That's right."

"I can hear it," she said with a smile.

Zhang Ye said in amusement, "If I didn't see you and just heard your voice, I would've thought that you were a local too."

She smiled.

The two of them began to chat, lulls here and there.

Fellow smokers enjoyed one of the most intimate relationships in the world. Be it men or women, young or old, it was not a relationship that was separated by geographical boundaries. Once they came together, even without having to say a word, they would instantly know if the other person needed a cigarette or a light with just a simple gesture to which the other person would unconditionally provide. After that, they would be thick as thieves and puff as they talked about everything under the sun.

They finished smoking their cigarettes.

The Caucasian woman shook the cigarette pack in her hand. "Do you want to try mine?"

Zhang Ye did not stand on ceremony with her. "Sure, I'll have one." As he took one, he passed his cigarettes to her. "Have you tried this before? It's flue-cured tobacco."

The Caucasian woman took a cigarette from him like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I haven't. I'll give it a try. When I start work in a while, I won't have time for a cigarette break. I better have a few more while I still have the chance."

"You're right about that." Zhang Ye laughed.

The two smokers were each more hardcore smokers than the other as they lit up another cigarette.

But midway through their second cig, the fire alarm above them suddenly blared, perhaps due to the corridor being filled with too much smoke!

Ring ring ring ring ring ring!

It was followed by the distant shouting of employees and security guards!

"Huh?"

"What's the matter?"

"Where's the fire?"

"What's happening?"

"It's coming from Zone 2!"

Zhang Ye and the redheaded woman were caught off guard. They had not expected that the fire alarm would be so sensitive. When they heard distant footfalls sprinting over, the two of them instantly gave each other a look of understanding before turning and diving into a janitorial closet!

Zhang Ye slammed the door shut!

The redhead stubbed out her cigarette.

They could hear footsteps outside the closet!

The redhead put her finger to her lips. "Shh."

Zhang Ye understood and nodded. He also did not wish to get caught red-handed as this was not something to be proud of.

They could hear sullen voices outside the door!

"Who was it?"

"Who was smoking in here?"

"Don't they know that smoking is not allowed in the stadium? How did they bring a lighter in? What was security doing! What if something serious happens as a result of their carelessness?"

"Find the person! They definitely wouldn't have gotten too far!"

"Aren't they trying to make trouble like this!"

Hearing the scolding outside, Zhang Ye was too embarrassed to make a sound.

When the footfalls trailed off, the redheaded woman asked, "Are they gone?"

Zhang Ye pressed his ear against the door and listened. "They're gone."

The redheaded woman smiled and said, "We nearly got caught by them."

Zhang Ye said, "The alarm went off with just a few cigarettes? How can this piece of crap be so alert? When did the alarms in this country become so sensitive?"

"Next time, let's find a place with a window. This wouldn't have happened if the smoke dispersed outside." The redhead smiled at him. "I've got to run. Do you wanna meet up for a smoke in a bit?"

Zhang Ye said, "Yeah, but why don't I give you the matches?"

The redhead said, "How could I possibly? Why don't we do it this way? Let's arrange to meet again at this place in two hours? I reckon I'll be busy until night. I sure won't be able to bear it if I don't smoke a few."

Zhang Ye nodded. "Alright."

After the fellow smokers set a time to meet, they departed and went their own ways.

Zhang Ye pretended like nothing had happened as he strolled back to the stage. When he got back, someone came looking for him anxiously!

It was Assistant Director Zhou from the opening ceremony program team. "Professor Zhang, where did you go?"

Zhang Ye blinked and said, "I went to the bathroom just now."

Assistant Director Zhou hurriedly said, "Let's go, they've already arrived!"

"Who's arrived?" Zhang Ye had totally forgotten.

"Teacher Lillian's team!" Assistant Director Zhou pulled Zhang Ye along as they quickly walked toward the other end. "Her team arrived a long time ago, and everyone is waiting for you!"

Zhang Ye said evenly, "I've also waited for them for a long time, so why can't they wait awhile for me? Director Zhou, we don't need to be in such a rush."

Assistant Director Zhou didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You're really great. I think you might be the only person in the world who's not taking things with Teacher Lillian seriously!" He knew what Zhang Ye was like in that he was way too good at offending people, so he reminded him out of worry, "I'm telling you, Professor Zhang. This collaboration was only made possible because the various parties have all spent a great deal of effort on making it happen. It was not easy to get Teacher Lillian to come to Beijing. We don't care if you offend other people, but please don't ever, ever offend our foreign guest!"

Zhang Ye said in a speechless manner, "Listen to what you're saying. Am I that kind of a person?"

Assistant Director Zhou thought to himself who else would be that kind of person if you were not!

In an office.

When they opened the door, the room was full of people.

The Chinese side consisted of Executive Director Li Ke and the officials of the Organizing Committee. Meanwhile, the other side were all Caucasians and probably from Lillian's team. However, Lillian herself was nowhere to be seen.

Zhang Ye came in. "Director Li."

Director Li grumbled, "Did you go and smoke just now?"

An Organizing Committee official said, "Professor Zhang, were you the one who caused the alarm to go off earlier?"

Zhang Ye said in surprise, "Ah? What alarm? I don't know. I was just in the bathroom and didn't hear any alarms. What happened?"

The person from the Organizing Committee said skeptically, "It wasn't you?"

Zhang Ye played dumb and said, "What about me?"

"Oh, it's nothing then." The person from the Organizing Committee dismissed him with a wave.

Li Ke said, "Let me introduce you. This is Teacher Lillian's team." He was also meeting them for the first time, so he could only give a brief introduction.

At this moment, the door opened again!

A redheaded woman walked in.

Immediately, a Caucasian woman from their side asked her something in English, probably about why she had been gone for so long.

The redhead smiled and said in English, "It wasn't easy finding the bathroom."

Then, the redheaded woman saw Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye saw her as well.

When the two of them spotted each other, they were stunned!

A person from the Organizing Committee smiled and pointed at Zhang Ye, speaking in English, "This is Teacher Zhang Ye, who will be performing with Teacher Lillian." Then he introduced her to Zhang Ye as well. "This is Teacher Lillian. Would you like to get to know each other a little?"

Zhang Ye took off his sunglasses with a blank expression.

The redhead also took off her sunglasses!

A jaw-dropping, stunning face that made everyone stare in astonishment was revealed. She had auburn hair, a tall figure, and big eyes with a color of European origins. Her skin was also frighteningly fair, although it was not the kind of delicate fair skin that Asians had, but the kind that was unique to Caucasians. Most worth mentioning was the view of her chest. There was once a study that compiled the statistics of countries with the biggest women's breasts sizes around the world. Britain topped the list and was indeed worthy of its reputation, as could be seen here!

This was the most beautiful woman in Britain?

This was one of the top international superstars in the entertainment industry?

It was her?

It actually turned out to be her!

Lillian stretched her hand out with a smile while she continued to look at him.

Zhang Ye could not help but laugh as he stuck out his hand and shook her hand.

A thought cropped up in their minds.

Hello, smoking buddy.