Smile Code (Lost Laughter) 失笑 - Zhu Le 祖乐

4

Whether you like me or not doesn't matter. What matters is whether my jokes are funny.

"She was crying and drunk. Isn't taking her home the normal thing to do?" Liang Daiwen's tone was serious and left no room for argument. "Don't worry. I'm much safer than you all-I've already registered my ID number and phone number when I signed up for the event. I can't run away."

Yu Dule opened the map, filled in the information, and showed it to him. Liang Daiwen hoisted Gu Yi onto his back and walked off. The other comedians exchanged glances.

"This guy-does he just say whatever's on his mind? So straightforward," someone remarked.

"Safe, huh..."

"Safe, I guess... He's definitely into Gu Yi. Do you think this is one of those 'long-lost reunions'? You know, where the ugly suitor who got rejected back then reemerges with a new identity after a makeover for a 'chasing wife in the crematorium' plot?" said Zihao, a young actor born in 1997.

"So cliché," Yu Dule checked the time. "I'm heading back to Ounce to sober up and restock."

---

Half an hour later, Liang Daiwen stood at the entrance of an apartment complex with Gu Yi, who was completely passed out and draped over his back. He realized he had forgotten to get Yu Dule's WeChat, so he wandered around the maze of identical buildings in the old complex before finally arriving at building 51. He climbed to the fifth floor, stopping in front of Unit 509. Gently, he nudged Gu Yi, "Is this your door?"

No response.

How much did she drink to end up like this?

Without a password, he had no choice but to knock. A male roommate answered the door. The man glanced at Liang Daiwen, then at the unconscious Gu Yi slumped over his back. Though he looked sleepy at first, a spark of unexplained excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Friend?" the roommate asked. "You can leave her here. I'll help her inside."

Liang Daiwen stared at the man, his expression blank. "You're roommates?"

"Yeah, I'm in the master bedroom. It's late. You should go home and rest. Don't worry, we're on great terms."

The roommate reached for Gu Yi's shoulder, intending to help her inside. However, as his hand brushed her, it hesitated and retreated under Liang Daiwen's silent and sharp gaze. The air smelled faintly of herbal medicine mixed with heat, making the living room feel like a makeshift alchemy lab. Liang Daiwen scanned the room, his gaze settling on the roommate, silently forcing him to step back.

Then, without a word, Liang Daiwen turned and walked away, causing Gu Yi to sway precariously from the sudden movement.

"Where are you going? This is her place!" the roommate called after him.

After carrying her for so long, Liang Daiwen's legs were starting to give out. He almost tripped while navigating the stairs, nearly sending both of them tumbling. Finally, he stopped, standing still as he noticed a faint light from the corner of his eye. The roommate had returned to the doorway, phone in hand, scrolling. Just as Liang Daiwen was about to speak, the light from the phone dimmed, the roommate's head drooped, and even the motion-sensor light in the hallway went out.

What the hell?

With renewed determination, Liang Daiwen strode out of the complex, hailed a taxi, and stopped at North Xiangyang Road. He knocked on the door of Ounce. A still-drowsy Yu Dule opened the door, surprised to see Liang Daiwen again with the drunken and disheveled Gu Yi slung over his back.