Seeing his brow furrow slightly and his face contort in pain, Zhao Xiyin immediately reduced the force in her foot by half. She asked angrily, "Untie it! Will you untie it or not?"
Zhou Qishen remained unmoved, and stopped smoking, simply crushing the cigarette between his fingers.
Without further ado, Zhao Xiyin started crying, her sobs loud and choked, "You bastard, all you do is bully me."
Zhou Qishen was so frustrated he felt like he had internal injuries. "Zhao Xiyin, who's bullying whom tonight? I'll be bullied to death by you one day."
Zhao Xiyin sobbed, "I'm just doing my own thing, it's not like I'm spending your money. Why are you throwing a tantrum? It's all your fault, all your fault!"
Zhou Qishen was furious. "How come I never noticed before? You like role-playing? What kind of man becomes a CEO just because he wears Armani?"
Zhao Xiyin retorted, "Don't insult people. He earns his commission through his own abilities, he's not humble at all. So what if he's a fake CEO? So what if he's a real CEO? Aren't they all heartless, perverted bastards?"
Zhou Qishen slammed his hand on the table and stood up with a particularly forceful thud.
Startled by his sudden action, Zhao Xiyin retreated repeatedly, both frightened and angry. She stiffened her neck and shouted, "What are you doing? Are you going to hit me again?!"
A single, sharp blow can be fatal.
Zhou Qishen almost instantly collapsed, his earlier anger vanishing, replaced by a mix of pain and regret. His face paled further with the sudden change. After so many years, that untouchable old wound was condensed and summarized by Zhao Xiyin's words, like a cannonball, booming and still incredibly powerful.
It's finally time to face it honestly.
Zhou Qishen's breath was deep, filled with pressure as he inhaled and unease as he exhaled. His voice was hoarse and even trembling as he said, "Xiao west, I didn't mean to do it back then."
Zhao Xiyin's feelings didn't seem as difficult as she had imagined. She made vehement accusations, then quietly reflected, and finally, her heart was filled with a calm and peaceful turmoil, without any major upheavals.
"Zhou Qishen." She reached out her hand, the black tie wrapped around her fair skin, and said calmly, "Untie it for me."
At this point, how could they dare to be arrogant?
Zhou Qishen lowered his head, and his fingers trembled when he touched her hand.
Having served in the military for several years, Zhou Qishen was proficient in various skills. He was exceptionally capable, always able to represent his team and win awards in competitions, and he was adept at tactical rope untying. After getting married, however, he neglected his duties and devoted all his energy to Zhao Xiyin.
Back then, they didn't need ties; they had special ropes. Red and vibrant, full of desire, that was their best time together, living a life of pleasure and oblivion, oblivious to tomorrow.
In no time, the tie on his wrist was undone, and Zhou Qi breathed a sigh of relief. "All done."
Zhao Xiyin tightened the tie, not returning it, then grabbed his hand and handed it back exactly as it was. The tie was tangled haphazardly around the man's wrist, tied into a knot as if to vent her anger, and Zhao Xiyin cursed as she tied it, "I'll tie you up until you're dead, tie you up like a big crab, then steam you, braise you, or fry you in oil!"
Zhou Qishen didn't even blink, only saying, "Don't listen to your aunt."
Zhao Xiyin, her forehead covered in sweat, said resentfully, "At least she won't hurt me."
Zhou Qishen frowned and said, "Your troupe is about to have an assessment, and going to this place could easily lead to danger. If you really want to have fun, at least wait until the results are in before coming. Your aunt doesn't know your current situation, but you need to think things through carefully."
Zhao Xiyin lowered her head and smiled, her smile as bright as the sun. "That's right, come again next week."
Zhou Qishen replied calmly, "Yes, I'll come again next week."
What are you doing here?
"Be the top performer."
Zhao Xiyin was dumbfounded, truly admiring this man's shamelessness. Zhou Qishen lost his strength, suddenly lowered his head, and touched his forehead to hers, their breaths mingling, light and warm.
Zhao Xiyin seemed to have been acupunctured and didn't move.
Zhou Qishen said hoarsely, "Xiao west."
Zhao Xiyin closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then bent her knee and kicked him hard in the stomach. All the emotion in her eyes vanished, leaving only a resolute tone; her fierce gaze couldn't hide her vulnerability and sorrow. She said:
"Zhou Qishen, I don't want to be slapped by my aunt again."
The silence lasted for a long time until the phone in the bag rang, breaking the silence.
Zhao Xiyin calmed herself down and rummaged through her bag with trembling hands. The WeChat video notifications kept coming, the volume fluctuating. Her bag wasn't particularly deep, but it seemed that the more anxious she became, the more mistakes she made. Just as she found her phone, her finger perhaps touched the "answer" button, and a child's crisp, clear voice rang out.
Zhou Qishen wasn't entirely sure; it sounded like a hallucination, like quicksand passing through his ears, as if someone was calling out—
"Mommy!"
Zhao Xiyin moved too quickly; the moment she took the phone out of her bag, she immediately hung up. The signal was probably weak too, crackling like a cassette tape. Zhou Qishen was suspicious, but then thought it was just tinnitus. He stared blankly at Zhao Xiyin, his brows furrowed, his expression serious.
Zhao Xiyin remained calm and composed, without the slightest sign of panic. She put her phone back in her bag and walked out confidently.
That night felt like an interlude; looking back after dawn, it seemed absurd and unreal, leaving only ripples. After she unintentionally connected to that video, Zhou Qishen, as if possessed, stopped trying to cause trouble.
Zhao Lingxia probably didn't return to the hotel last night, because she sent a driver to wait for Zhao Xiyin at the entrance. Perhaps she took a fancy to some man and had a one-night stand, or perhaps she was too busy with work to indulge in worldly desires.
That's how people are. After experiencing something new, they take a nap and still have their own lives to live. Innovation and originality aren't always so carefree and easy. Returning to the old ways, the mundane realities of life—that's what really matters.
Zhao Xiyin continued dancing as usual, with the training volume increasing. During a break that day, she casually picked up her phone and was surprised to find that Ding Yahe had sent her a message two hours earlier.
"Xiao west, thank you."
Those five words were glaringly obvious to Zhao Xiyin. The lawyer's letter had been withdrawn, and Ni Rui had left with dignity; amidst the gossip, at least a girl's reputation had been preserved. At this moment, she believed that Ding Yahe's thank you was genuine.
She thought to herself, and also mocked herself, where could she find such a foolish sucker like herself?
Zhao Xiyin felt a surge of intense emotions within her. She had endured humiliation and hardship for over a decade, causing Ding Yahe considerable distress—and now Ding Yahe's wish had come true. These emotions, initially overwhelming, subsided like a stagnant pool.
With her emotions fluctuating wildly, Zhao Xiyin suddenly felt that life was utterly meaningless.
Ding Yahe's new message: "I sent two boxes of peaches. You'll receive the package in the next couple of days."
Zhao Xiyin felt a lump in her throat. She didn't like peaches, but Zhao Wenchun did. Without her even asking, Ding Yahe seemed to know what she was thinking, and after a short while, sent a long message: