Zhao Xiyin looked at him, her words carrying a hidden meaning.
Meng Weixi said, "I've seen her a few times at dinner parties."
Zhao Xiyin frowned. "You two are eating together?"
Meng Weixi denied it vehemently, his eyes shining as he looked at her, and said, "I wouldn't dare."
Zhao Xiyin subconsciously looked away, paused for two seconds, and then realized what was happening.
Meng Weixi gave her an approving look. "Those times she was accompanying a producer to dinner parties, and of course, there were other girls there too. It's normal to attend these kinds of dinner parties occasionally, but she's still young and doesn't have enough discernment and choice. Girls are easily taken advantage of."
Zhao Xiyin remained silent for a long time, her thoughts settled, her expression unchanging. She understood this perfectly well. That day, when Cen Yue asked her if the person who got into the white BMW was Ni Rui, she said no, but in reality, she was. Coupled with Meng Weixi's well-intentioned reminder today, the matter was essentially settled.
Amidst the internal struggle between reason and emotion, Zhao Xiyin's complexion grew increasingly grim.
As Meng Weixi waited anxiously, she finally spoke, saying unexpectedly, "You men's dinner parties are really particular. You can't eat without girls around, can you?"
On his way back to the company meeting, Meng Weixi gradually realized that Zhao Xiyin's words were purely out of dissatisfaction and disdain, and probably not directed at anyone in particular. However, he had meant well but ended up getting himself involved, thus becoming one of the "scumbags" who "couldn't eat."
Around 11 p.m., Gu Heping and Zhou Qishen were playing cards at their usual spot. Gu Heping was having a good run of luck and was very smug. He was playing cards while playing on his phone, humiliating his card-playing partner with his "multitasking" actions.
Zhou Qishen threw a deck of cards at him, his temper flaring. "Are you ever going to stop? If you don't want to play anymore, then let's call it a day."
Gu Heping replied slyly, "Break up? Among us, you're the only one who has experience breaking up teams."
Zhou Qishen unleashed a torrent of profanity, but Gu Heping's attention was completely drawn to the WeChat Moments post. "What's wrong with Meng Weixi?"
Zhou Qishen's sharp emotions immediately subsided.
Gu Heping raised an eyebrow at him, "Zhou Ge'er's ears are perked up, Zhou Rabbit."
Without saying a word, Zhou Qishen stepped forward and kicked him, saying, "Did you take the wrong medicine today?"
Gu Heping grimaced; it hurt, it really hurt. He stopped making a fuss and handed over the phone.
It turns out that Meng Weixi had forwarded a piece of "Zen"-themed inspirational writing a few minutes earlier, which was mostly about being detached from worldly desires and avoiding women. He also wrote a sentence himself: "For three years, I have been eating alone every day."
Gu Heping has mutual friends on WeChat, and one of them left a message: "I just learned that he has committed a crime?"
Meng Weixi replied, "I misspoke."
Gu Heping was completely confused, but he still had a gut feeling: "The way he's acting is a lot like he's kowtowing to his girlfriend to apologize."
Zhou Qishen's gaze was like a torch, almost burning a hole through Meng Weixi's every word. He tossed his phone to Gu Heping and cursed sourly, "What a jerk."
Chapter 29 In the Midst of the Mortal World (3)
In the midst of the bustling world (3)
Old Cheng was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting. When he heard Zhou Qishen's words, he added aptly, "Oh my, what's that smell? It's sour enough."
Gu Heping chimed in, "Zhou Rabbit's brand of aged vinegar has overturned; how can it not be sour?"
Zhou Qishen ignored him and left the private room.
Gu Heping followed him out a little while later, and the two leaned against the railing, chatting casually.
“I heard from my sister a few days ago that Meng Weixi’s company’s movie has officially entered the promotion period and has been lobbying several major cinema chains. It’s definitely going to be released during the Spring Festival next year, and I guess they want to have more control over the scheduling. Judging from this situation, the return on your 200 million yuan investment will not be low.”
Zhou Qishen scoffed, "I don't care about his little bit of money."
Gu Heping understood immediately and asked with a smile, "Got it, spending a fortune to win a beauty's smile. It's all because of Xiao Zhao."
Zhou Qishen only smoked and didn't speak.
"That's not right. I remember when you took on this project, Xiao Zhao hadn't even returned to Beijing yet," Gu Heping said, puzzled.
“I don’t know when she’ll be back, but I feel that if she comes back in the next year or two, if she still wants to dance and do something she likes, at least she’ll have a good place to go,” Zhou Qishen said calmly, stubbing out his cigarette.
These words were somewhat heartbreaking. Gu Heping said helplessly, "You're keeping all these thoughts hidden, don't you really intend to let Xiao Zhao know?"
"I don't plan to," Zhou Qishen said. "It's my own choice."
As they were talking, his secretary called. Zhou Qishen listened for a few minutes and then frowned. "Where did this person come from? What's with cutting in halfway? Leading the dance? Who dares to make that decision?"
After listening for a few more sentences, Zhou Qishen became extremely impatient. "Without my approval, this list cannot be finalized."
After hanging up the phone, Gu Heping teased him, "Don't blame me for pouring cold water on you, Meng Weixi is in charge, it's really none of your business."
Zhou Qishen sneered, "I am the largest investor. As for the other three, you'll see whether they are surnamed Zhou or Meng. It has nothing to do with me? Even Meng Weixi's father wouldn't dare to say that."
Gu Heping was truly impressed. "Brother Zhou, you've really laid a tight net. Just to protect Xiao Zhao?"
Zhou Qishen maintained his nonchalant expression. "Who gets the lead dancer position depends solely on her attitude. If she doesn't want it, I don't care who it is. If she wants it, not even the King of Heaven can take it from her."
——
A sandstorm has been raging these past few days; the wind and sand are so strong in the city that you could be blown away just by stepping outside. Zhao Wenchun is worried about her daughter's safety, so she doesn't let her come home every day and instead lets her stay in the regiment's dormitory for two days at a time. Zhao Xiyin tried to sleep in Cen Yue's bed for a day, but Cen Yue protested with a raised fist: "Zhao Xiyin, you really don't sleep very well."
Zhao Xiyin looked bewildered. "Huh?"
"You kick and thrash around, grab the blankets, and even talk in your sleep. I'm afraid you're sleepwalking." Cen Yue hugged herself tightly. "It's so scary."
Zhao Xiyin didn't believe it at all. "It's a lie. Nobody has ever told me anything like this."
"Okay, you wait, I'll record it for you tonight." Cen Yue's mind worked quickly, and she blinked. "Nobody ever? You've slept with other people?"
Zhao Xiyin immediately shut her mouth.