Zhao Xiyin scratched the tip of her nose with her index finger, itching so much that she couldn't sneeze.
Dai Yunxin glanced at her. Her previous words were just a prelude, and now she was gradually getting to the point. "Meng Weixi was worried about you. He didn't go home from his office all night yesterday. When I came over this morning, he personally drove to pick me up."
Zhao Xiyin froze and subconsciously looked out the window.
"They've left. We're receiving important executives from an American animation company this morning," Dai Yunxin said succinctly, without much other emotion. This was merely a prelude. After a brief pause, she sat down in her chair, crossed her legs, and asked, "What are your plans regarding Ni Rui?"
Zhao Xiyin said, "I hired a lawyer and am following the proper procedures."
Dai Yunxin said calmly, "She is your sister."
"No matter who she is, spreading rumors, slandering, and committing violence at someone's door is wrong."
"Aren't you afraid of the consequences of making things too ugly?" Dai Yun asked rationally. "You really don't want the lead dancer spot?"
Zhao Xiyin's lips moved slightly, and she finally spoke her mind, "Isn't Lin Lang there?"
"There's no such thing as a reservation until the very end." Dai Yunxin noticed her fear and said with displeasure, "When did you become so cowardly?"
Zhao Xiyin forced a smile as she raised the corners of her mouth.
Dai Yun's mind raced. Seeing that she still hadn't given in, she continued to persuade her, "When others make mistakes, it's their fault for being foolish. You have a bright future ahead of you, and now is a crucial stage for the troupe's assessment. You have a good reputation among the art teachers. Even without me saying anything nice, you're practically guaranteed this position. Director Pang's storyline is nearing completion, and the two groups will soon be merged. The level of attention you'll receive then will be several times higher than it is now. Every little thing will be reported."
Zhao Xiyin slowly raised her head. Dai Yunxin's words were all reasonable and watertight, but they still left a lingering unease in her heart, making her feel that something was not quite right.
"Director Pang is determined to make this film a critical and commercial success. There are only a few main actors, and you, the lead dancer, are the only newcomer. Xiyin, this is a golden opportunity. Wasn't your dream to step onto a bigger stage?" Dai Yunxin said earnestly, "But if the media digs up and spreads the story of you suing your own sister, think about it, who will be the biggest victim? The entire project team will only sacrifice you to save the king. Only you, only you."
Zhao Xiyin calmly stated: "You asked me to give up pursuing the matter, you asked me to swallow my anger."
Dai Yun wisely advised: "Settling things peacefully is also a way to protect yourself."
In late autumn, the morning light can dim with a change in weather. A tiny crack opened the window, and the northern autumn wind, carrying the harbingers of early winter, forcefully swept into the room. Even through that narrow crack, Zhao Xiyin felt a chill that cut like a knife slowly cutting into her flesh.
Dai Yunxin had to give a lecture at a university in the morning, so she didn't stay long. As she left, she said, "Xiao Xi, it's not easy for dreams to become reality. You've been learning to dance by my side since you were less than seven years old. I want the best for you. I won't hurt you. Think it over carefully."
At 8:30, the head of the cardiology department, along with the department's elite team, spent half an hour carefully examining Zhao Wenchun in her ward, demonstrating the high level of treatment she received. While they busied themselves at her bedside, Zhao Xiyin stood by, her thoughts heavy and listless, as if weighed down by lead.
After lunch, she decided to call Zhou Qishen.
After a few rings, it was his secretary who answered. Zhao Xiyin was stunned when she heard the voice, and then looked at the screen, thinking she had dialed the wrong number.
"Xiao west?" Secretary Xu quickly called out to her, "President Zhou left his phone at the company. I'm driving to deliver it to him now, I'll be there soon. Would you like to wait a bit?"
Zhao Xiyin: "Secretary Xu, are you driving? Then I won't bother you anymore. Please be careful."
"It's okay, I won't go." Secretary Xu was a little out of breath as she grabbed her car keys and ran towards the outpatient clinic. "I'm already at the hospital, in half a minute."
Zhao Xiyin paused for a moment, "Zhou Qishen is in the hospital?"
"Ah, right. President Zhou was in meetings all morning, and at noon he said he had a terrible headache and couldn't take it anymore, so he went to the hospital." A slight noise, like the sound of passing wind, followed by the secretary's words: "Alright, Xiao west, President Zhou wants to talk to you."
Zhou Qishen's voice was a little hoarse, sounding somewhat unwell, and he asked in a low, deep voice, "Hmm?"
Zhao Xiyin asked, "Are you sick?"
"Um."
"Does your head hurt?"
"Um."
Zhou Qishen spoke concisely and sparingly, clearly indicating he was not feeling well. Zhao Xiyin knew him too well and asked, "Didn't you sleep last night?"
Zhou Qishen simply replied with an "Mm".
He got home from the hospital around 2 a.m. yesterday. After taking a shower, he couldn't fall asleep. He tossed and turned for a while until dawn. The company had a bunch of meetings. In the morning, several engineers argued fiercely over a technical parameter. The chief engineer was sitting in the seat closest to him. Zhou Qishen felt like his brain was about to explode.
After three meetings covering technology, finance, and human resources, Zhou Qishen felt completely overwhelmed.
One good thing about him is that he can tough it out, but he'll never push himself to the point of exhaustion. When he sensed he was at his limit, he went to the hospital to prolong his life.
He coughed twice. "What's wrong?"
Zhao Xiyin: "I want to talk to you about something."
Zhou Qishen checked the time. "I'll have about half an hour here. Will that be too much of a hassle? Why don't you tell me your address and I'll drive over later?"
"Don't run around anymore, go home and rest." After a pause, Zhao Xiyin said, "I'll come to your house to find you."
Zhou Qishen asked, "Has the fever gone down?"
"Refund."
"Then come over. The password is the same as the one for our previous house. It'll be a drive, but I'll be back in an hour."
Secretary Xu, sitting to the side, listened in disbelief. An hour? Shouldn't she remind this gentleman that he still has four IV drips left? After hanging up the phone, Zhou Qishen immediately turned the flow rate to maximum, then called over a nurse, his phoenix eyes, though tired, still bright, asking, "Can I just drink that one instead of the IV drip?"
The nurse's eyes widened.
Zhou Qishen's words make a lot of sense: "Glucose won't kill you."
Secretary Xu sighed, "He's a man of his stature."
His manly behavior was certainly assertive, but Secretary Xu was rational and stopped him from acting recklessly. Despite rushing, he still arrived home about ten minutes late. Zhou Qi took a deep breath and entered the code to open the door.
The weather was bad today, and the living room was lit by LED strip lights, casting a soft, warm glow that bathed the room in a certain hue. Zhao Xiyin kept her promise, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, something in her hand. Hearing the noise, she turned around, offering a faint, unexpected smile.
Zhou Qishen was stunned by that smile, so stunned that he lost track of time.