Look at that, what a despicable way to ask a question.
How could Cheng's mother answer? She stared at Cheng Qing for a long, long time before daring to speak. But when she did speak, her voice was hoarse: "In my opinion, you don't need to go there."
Cheng Qing lowered her eyelids and said, "Really?" Sure enough...
“I never even imagined you would marry so far away. Although I've never married far away myself, I have relatives and friends who have. Life after marrying far away is never easy.”
Cheng's mother looked up at the horizon. The sky was filled with thick, dark clouds, and the oppressive air felt suffocating. It was as if she herself was experiencing a similar feeling of being caught in a storm.
"Being in a completely unfamiliar place, you're trying to integrate into someone else's family. Even if you're bullied, it's hard to find a way to go home..."
After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Cheng continued, "Besides, you're going to a completely different world. Even brides who marry far away can come back once or twice a year, but you're leaving for a lifetime..."
At this point, Cheng's mother's eyes reddened: "You're so, so far away, without your classmates, colleagues, friends, or relatives to keep in touch with. What if you have a fight one day? You'll be standing in that world, watching people come and go, with nowhere to go. What will you do then, when you miss us?"
Cheng's mother wiped her eyes and continued with a more practical issue: "It's not like our world doesn't have marriages. Many young people's marriages last a long time these days, but there are also quite a few divorces. If you two argue, can't get along, and want to separate, what will you do?"
At this point, Cheng's mother raised her trembling hand and gently touched Cheng Qing's face, saying with heartache, "I feel sorry for you. Now that you're over there, your world... only has her."
Two lines of tears fell from Cheng Qing's eyes. Her mother's concerns were realistic and helpless. She couldn't even utter a word of rebuttal, because for Cheng Qing, providing her parents with a peaceful old age was not just a simple responsibility.
Cheng Qing bit her lower lip tightly, refraining from saying anything unnecessary. She knew she should listen to her mother.
"But go!"
The pitter-patter of the rain, like a beautiful piano piece, sounds like the spirits of nature to people.
The four words from Cheng's mother exploded in Cheng Qing's ears.
Cheng Qing looked up at her mother blankly, her face full of confusion, but she didn't dare to ask.
Looking at her, Cheng's mother smiled with relief: "Go! Go find her over there!"
Cheng Qing looked bewildered: "Mom?"
With tears in her eyes, Cheng's mother looked at Cheng Qing and said, word by word, "Speaking of relatives and friends, you grew up in school and then went to other cities. You don't know a single person in this village."
"What couple doesn't argue? They quarrel in bed and make up in bed. There's another parent in the other world too. If you're arguing, ask them for comfort. You're not alone!"
“When your father and I got married, we never thought about getting a divorce. In the past, time was long, but life was slow, and a lifetime passed in the blink of an eye. Your relationship was so good. If you were in a different world, and your relationship couldn't support you to the end, and she couldn't tolerate you even if you abandoned everything to go there, then getting a divorce... wouldn't be a bad thing.”
"That's life. There are far more unexpected things than expected, but if it's you, there won't be any problems. Go to her side!"
Cheng Qing watched her mother sitting there, the sunlight seemingly finally shining through the thick dark clouds, casting halos of light on her mother.
It made her kind face look even more gentle, and added a touch of tenderness to the sadness in her eyes.
Cheng Qing's hoarse voice: "But you..."
"Silly child." Cheng's mother looked at Cheng Qing and interrupted her coquettishly, "You have a younger sister! She is a good child and she will take care of her parents. Besides, there will be another you in the future, and she will also be a good child and she will take care of your parents in your place. I don't need any filial children by my side, and my life will only get better and better."
Cheng Qing: "...Mom, actually, if you don't want me to go..."
"What are you going to do if you stay?" Cheng's mother asked.
Cheng Qing: "I..."
"This past year, I watched you hide away and cry, I watched you keep all your sorrow inside. Qing'er! If keeping you here is just to let you live your whole life like a walking corpse, always forcing a smile in front of me, then what's the point of all the worries I have for you in the other world?" She looked at the sun emerging from behind the clouds, and the rain in the sky seemed to lessen.
Sun shower.
At this moment, Cheng's mother finally felt completely relieved. She smiled and said, "Parents should be a support for their children, not a burden. Don't worry about your mother. Be happy and joyful in that world so that your mother can rest assured and not regret this decision."
"mom!"
In the Cheng family's courtyard, puddles covered the cement ground after the rain. They reflected the gloomy sky, the exquisite little house, the raindrops from the eaves, the bamboo chair by the door, the mother sitting in the chair, and…
An empty bench.
***
"What did you say?"
Fang Silei smiled slightly: "I've helped you get a variety show gig."
Losi said with a sour face, "I'm not answering."
Fang Silei ignored her and found a chair to sit down. This was a private room in a restaurant, with a round table for 10 people, a tea table, and a karaoke area.
Despite being in a very negative state throughout the past year, Losi still managed to do a few jobs. For those she absolutely couldn't refuse, Fang Silei tied her up and threw her up there.
But Losi turned down everything she could.
Therefore, with all the previous work completed, Losi was unwilling to take on any new jobs.
With no other options, Fang Silei bypassed Luo Xi and accepted a variety show role.
Fang Silei sighed: "Let's meet them first!"
"Who are you going to see?" Rossi frowned.
"director."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a waiter led several people in from outside.
Looking over, Luo Xi saw Qu Minghui, a well-known director in the industry, and his assistant.
Qu Minghui has a full head of black hair, but a rather large beer belly. Although his appearance isn't great, he's still somewhat well-known in the industry.
In particular, the several variety shows and TV series he took on were all huge hits, which helped him establish himself in the industry.
"Long time no see." Qu Minghui greeted Luo Xi with a smile as soon as he entered the door, and quickly took his seat with his two assistants.
Losi didn't want to say anything too provocative, so she could only say, "...I'm sorry, I'm planning to take a break for a while and I'm not going to be doing any variety shows."
Qu Minghui disagreed: "We're preparing to record a dating reality show, and you've received the most votes online. A full comeback now, with a good performance, would be the best way to take your career to the next level."
Lossie has had very limited public appearances this year, only occasionally appearing once or twice before quickly wrapping up her work. Therefore, the current level of interest in Lossie within the industry is at its peak, with expectations still high.
Losi frowned: "I don't need..."
Fang Silei interrupted her: "The second place in the vote is... Cheng Qing." This was Cheng Yuheng's last effort. No one knew what kind of effort those fans had made, but in any case, they overpowered everyone and voted Chenxi CP to the number one spot.
When Luo Xi heard the name, she froze. She stiffly turned to look at Fang Silei, her eyes still red despite her long-suppressed emotions.
She said in a trembling voice, "Didn't I tell you? I won't work with her."
Fang Silei really couldn't understand what had caused the two of them to have such a falling out, given how good their relationship had been before. Even though they had a falling out, Luo Xi didn't seem to have let it go at all. But whenever Cheng Qing was mentioned, she reacted like she had a stress reaction, becoming extremely agitated.
Qu Minghui quickly explained, "This was decided by the production team after the fans voted. Aren't we a dating reality show? It just so happens that you and Teacher Cheng have worked together before, and you have a stable fan base who ship you as a couple."
Lossie sneered, stood up and said, "It's either her or me, it's either her or me."
Qu Minghui: "..."
Fang Silei: "Don't rush to refuse. I've already made an appointment with Teacher Cheng; her flight is this morning. She should be arriving soon..."
Upon hearing this, Losi reacted even more strongly and got up to leave.
Fang Silei shouted angrily, "If you don't like Cheng Qing, you can quit. I'll find her a partner."
Upon hearing this, Losi became agitated again: "You dare?"
Fang Silei: "..."
Qu Minghui: "..." What kind of situation is this?
In the eerie silence, the waiter's indistinct voice came from outside the door again.
"Hello, this is the room, please come in."
The door opened, and Cheng Qing politely said to the waiter in her distinctive voice, "Thank you."
Losi froze...
Author's Note:
See? They're back! (*^▽^*)
Actually, the version I was thinking of a few days ago was to mark the ending the moment Cheng Qing appeared.
But after thinking about it, doesn't this seem a bit rushed?
Although it's a great ending in my opinion..._(:з」∠)_ What a wonderful use of leaving room for interpretation!
Chapter 157
"Thanks."
How much longing does Losi hold within those two simple words?
Over the past year, she didn't even dare to call the original owner of Cheng Qing, and even though she missed him terribly, she didn't dare to take that step.
I fear that once you take that step, you'll fall into an even deeper abyss.
She could never look directly at her original self, nor be satisfied with her voice and appearance. So when longing gnawed into her bones and madness spread throughout her body, Losi could only lick her wounds like a stray cat caught in the rain, seeking shelter under a not-so-warm eave.
How dare this person... how dare he stand in front of me without even consulting me?
Losi stood there, unable to move no matter what.
But this time, she couldn't deceive herself either. She wanted to see her one more time, even if it wasn't her, just to see her face.
This almost addictive thought made Losi stiffly turn her head to look at the door, where she saw the waiter push open the door and make a gesture of invitation.
Then, a woman wearing a gray and yellow color-blocked tracksuit entered through the door. Her long hair was casually tied back, giving her a refined and elegant appearance, and her every move exuded grace.
This is Cheng Qing...
Losi stood there, dumbfounded, staring at her.
After thanking the waiter, Cheng Qing stepped into the private room and first saw the group of people at the table. Before she could even greet them, she saw Luo Xi standing to the side.
Cheng Qing looked up at Luo Xi and saw that her expression was blank, and a hint of foolishness appeared on the delicate woman's face.
Thinking this, Cheng Qing smiled and softly called out, "Lossie."
Just like she had called her that countless times before, Cheng Qing and Teacher Cheng were so alike.
Losi panicked; her heart started pounding uncontrollably.
"How despicable!" Rossi clutched her chest, angrily turning around and carrying her on her back.
Cheng Qing: "..."