Chapter 14 Many Graceful Fairies (3)
Graceful Fairy (3)
Zhao Xiyin's aunt is named Zhao Lingxia, and she and Zhao Wenchun are siblings.
As her name suggests, she's a bold and capable businesswoman who owns her own company and is reportedly preparing for an IPO. Her aunt has lived abroad for a long time and is quite unconventional, rarely interacting with Zhao's relatives, but she's very kind to Zhao Xiyin.
Zhou Qishen felt a mix of emotions whenever he mentioned his aunt.
Having witnessed this woman's formidable nature—eloquent, haughty, and with an expression that screamed, "Men are all idiots and trash"—he had endured countless hardships at Zhao Lingxia's hands when he married Zhao Xiyin. Even now, the memory still sends shivers down his spine.
Once you calm down, you'll naturally be able to discern that your previous guesses were unfounded.
Zhao Xiyin did indeed stay with her aunt for a while, but returned to China in less than four months. Zhou Qishen had a way of knowing her whereabouts afterward, and the timelines matched up perfectly.
Dr. Qin went out to make a phone call and then came back in to clear things up: "I asked my colleagues in surgery, and Ms. Zhao's surgery was an appendectomy. It's possible that the incision wasn't stitched up properly at the time, but there shouldn't be any major problems."
Zhou Qishen, however, seemed to have climbed out of the water, his whole being becoming very heavy.
Gu Heping patted him on the shoulder, "Brother Zhou, don't scare yourself."
Zhou Qishen hung his head, shook it hard, trying to pull himself together, but his shoulders slumped, and the headache that had just subsided began to throb again. He muttered, "I'm fucking going crazy."
——
Two days later, Dai Yunxin returned from South Korea and that evening took Zhao Xiyin to meet director Pang Ce.
The Beijing club, ostensibly an audition, was more like a private gathering. Zhao Xiyin was very nervous, constantly drinking water in the car. When they arrived, she found Pang Ce to be energetic, humorous, and less imposing than at the banquet, appearing much more approachable.
He smiled and said to Zhao Xiyin, "Don't be nervous. The person recommended by Teacher Dai can't be bad."
These words were both pressure and motivation; anyone with a discerning ear could tell that Pang Ce had passed this test.
Although personal relationships and face were involved, Pang Ce had seen Zhao Xiyin dance. Not only that unexpected incident at the banquet, but also, as early as the beginning of the press conference preparations, someone had shown him Zhao Xiyin's training videos from the dance academy and various competition videos.
That wasn't just reviewing; it was like reciting a familiar story with great pride.
After an hour's journey, when Zhao Xiyin returned home, Director Pang's words were still echoing in her ears: "Take two days off, and officially join the crew on Monday."
Night had fallen when a black Tesla pulled up in front of the club. The scissor doors slowly opened, and "someone" got out and went straight to the rooftop. Upon seeing him, Pang Ce's expression became meaningful. "Hmm, he's really in a hurry."
Meng Weixi clasped his hands in a respectful and polite manner, saying, "Please don't make fun of me. In short, I'm grateful for your good fortune."
Pang Ce, a seasoned veteran of the world of fame and fortune, was keenly aware of all human nature and possessed a sharp mind. He saw right through her and said, "Meng'er has found a girl he likes."
Meng Weixi laughed heartily, "It hasn't changed at all."
Pang Ce's expression was profound. When he got down to business, his expression immediately became serious. "After you join the group, treat everyone equally. When you are reprimanded or punished, you are not allowed to protect your own."
Meng Weixi nodded and replied, "Please give me more guidance."
After the two finished a pot of tea, Meng Weixi personally saw Pang Ce off. He had come from two social gatherings that evening and was exhausted from trying to stay awake, so he didn't take a long detour and went straight back to the nearby Meng family home.
Yan Pinlan was overjoyed. Even at this early hour, she still showed concern and asked the housekeeper to make American ginseng soup. Meng Weixi's attitude remained as indifferent as ever. He left his keys and phone behind, loosened his shirt, and went straight back to his bedroom.
Yan Pinlan followed closely behind, carrying a plate of pomelos broken into segments. She said to her son ingratiatingly, "These are pomelos brought from Nanyang. They are juicy and sweet. Please try some."
Even though he was at home, Meng Weixi still maintained proper posture. He hummed in response, lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and stopped talking.
Yan Pinlan stood there idly for a while, feeling wronged. She put down the pomelo and sat down by the bed. "You still won't forgive your mother?"
Meng Weixi seemed to be truly asleep, remaining completely still.
Yan Pinlan suddenly covered her face and choked up, "For the past two years, you have refused to come home. You answer the phone for everyone else, but not for your mother. It really makes your mother very sad."
The relationship between mother and son deteriorated further. Meng Weixi was a stubborn man; no matter whose hatred he harbored, he could hold a grudge for a lifetime. He always felt that if it hadn't been for his mother's fierce opposition back then, he and Zhao Xiyin would have been happily married long ago, and there would have been no Zhou Qishen at all.
Yan Pinlan's sobs grew louder and louder. Meng Weixi suddenly opened her eyes, turned to look at her mother, and asked sharply, "Mom, did you go to see her back then?"
Yan Pinlan paused for a moment, then said, "No."
Meng Weixi: "No?"
Yan Pinlan firmly replied, "No."
Meng Weixi turned her head back and covered her eyes with her hand. "Mom, you can go out now. I'm tired today and want to rest."
Yan Pinlan felt both heartache and grievance. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Weixi, she...she's divorced, isn't she? If you still want to..."
Meng Weixi sat bolt upright, a few strands of hair disheveled, his face gloomy and dejected. "What else could I possibly think about? Could I even dare to think about it? Why should that girl wait for me here?!"
He had always respected his elders, and these words were too much. Meng Weixi rubbed his face in annoyance and stood up.
Yan Pinlan asked anxiously, "Where are you going?"
Meng Weixi didn't even change her clothes, grabbed her car keys and left, saying, "Back to the company."
——
Zhao Xiyin was packing her things at home because she was going to report to the dance troupe in a couple of days. Zhao Wenchun, who wasn't working on Sunday, made lunch for her daughter before placing a large cardboard box in front of her.
Zhao Xiyin squatted down on the ground, looked up, and asked, "What is this?"
"Open it and take a look."
Zhao Xiyin looked suspicious, lifted one side, and was immediately stunned.
Practice clothes, dance shoes, hoodie, ribbons. That year she stopped dancing, she threw all her things into the trash can as a ritual to say goodbye to the past. Unexpectedly, Zhao Wenchun picked them all up, washed them, and put them away neatly.