As she exited the subway and approached the building, two short car horns made her turn her head. The moment Zhao Xiyin saw the car, only four words came to mind: "A persistent ghost."
The car window rolled down, and Zhuang Qiu sat in the back seat, his hair combed back in a stiff, rigid style. He still had that same smiling face, "Little Zhao, we meet again."
This was the third time. Zhao Xiyin believed she had been polite enough, and the other party had already been persistent enough. She didn't need to feign politeness anymore; her expression was cold as she stood there.
"First of all, I apologize to you. It turns out there was a big misunderstanding." Zhuang Qiu's unexpected move really surprised Zhao Xiyin.
He said with a smile, "I've gone around in circles, and everyone's a familiar face. Ah, speaking of which, I have to blame Brother Zhou."
Zhao Xiyin blinked. Did he know Zhou Qishen?
"Back when Brother Zhou got married, he didn't hold a banquet, and many of his buddies didn't even know. But I can understand it; his wife is so beautiful. If it were me, I would also keep her hidden away."
Zhao Xiyin disliked the barbed tone in his words and understood that he was just using Zhou Qishen's influence to his advantage. He claimed to have a good relationship with Zhou Qishen, but they were probably mortal enemies.
Zhao Xiyin interrupted directly, saying, "President Zhuang, since that's the case, I apologize for any offense I may have caused you in the past. There shouldn't be any misunderstanding between us. Let's clear things up. I wish you success in your work, and I won't trouble you with your kind words."
She turned to leave.
Zhuang Qiu's eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice turned two degrees colder, "Miss Zhao, will President Zhou come to pick you up after your dance practice today?"
Zhao Xiyin did not stop walking.
“He definitely can’t come today,” Zhuang Qiu said with a smile. “You might as well ask him and see what he says. Is he working overtime or in a meeting? Anyway, I’m giving Zhao a heads-up: if Brother Zhou answers like that, don’t believe him.”
One word at a time, strung together like an iron chain, slowed down Zhao Xiyin's retreating figure.
"But my sister doesn't need to make a big fuss. After all, ex-wives and ex-girlfriends are pretty much the same. He can see whoever he wants, and he has no obligation to be honest with everyone."
Zhuang Qiu then deliberately raised his voice mysteriously, "Oh, no, there's still a difference. Regardless, his ex-girlfriend is the daughter of a high-ranking official in Beijing. She helped Zhou Ge'er rise from obscurity to prominence. Zhou Ge'er gained countless resources and connections through that relationship; he could never repay such a debt of gratitude. As a fellow man, I admire him from the bottom of my heart. To be able to win over such a wealthy heiress is truly impressive. It's been so many years, and Zhou Ge'er has been married and divorced, while that heiress is still single."
After the car drove away, Zhao Xiyin felt that the man was talking nonsense, irrational, and acting like a madman. She shook her head, lamenting that it was an unlucky start to the day.
As for what he just said, Zhao Xiyin really didn't take it to heart.
The teachers had to go back to the film set for a meeting today, so training ended earlier than expected. Zhao Xiyin patted Cen Yue's shoulder, "Little Yue, come watch a movie with me tonight."
Cen Yue was untying the bandage on her ankle. "You want to watch 'Jin Zha'?"
"Um!"
"You're not letting your little Zhouzhou keep you company?"
"He has to work tonight." Zhao Xiyin nuzzled against her. "Say yes."
Cen Yue held out her hand, "You buy the movie tickets, and you also have to treat me to milk tea."
Zhao Xiyin grasped it, beaming with joy, "Deal!"
She immediately booked tickets, just in time for the 8 o'clock show, though the seats were a bit towards the back. The two changed clothes and headed to Sanlitun, the revolutionary base area. Cen Yue, who was thinking about the peach cakes from the Qingshan Research Institute, ate two in one go.
Zhao Xiyin felt bad about the money, "This is the last one, we really can't eat anymore."
When Zhao Xiyin saw the newly released dessert, all pink and cute, she couldn't resist and, quite embarrassed, went to pay for it a third time. Cen Yue laughed, "If Teacher Dai saw you eating dessert, she'd definitely scold you to death."
Zhao Xiyin paused, pursed her lips, and remained silent.
Cen Yue, unaware of the reason, remained carefree.
The film *Jin Zha* truly lives up to its reputation, boasting numerous laughs and a heart-wrenching ending. Both women emerged with red eyes after the screening. Cen Yue, still immersed in the story, said through teary eyes, "It's all your fault! I don't care, you have to treat me to hot pot."
Look, look, is this even human language?
They were standing in front of the Haidilao restaurant.
Zhao Xiyin was both amused and exasperated. "How can you try to extort money like this?"
Cen Yue, lured by the aroma, acted like a brat, saying, "I'll knock, I'll knock, I'll knock." Then she dragged her inside.
Zhao Xiyin was truly exasperated, "Aren't you afraid of getting fat like this?"
"Don't worry, I don't have to stand in front of the camera, and my constitution is amazing, I can eat as much as I want and never gain weight." Cen Yue said with a grin, while Zhao Xiyin looked worried. "I can't do that, I can't have extra meals, eating a late-night snack makes me lose weight immediately..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Xiyin suddenly fell silent.
Cen Yue was puzzled and followed her gaze.
Diagonally across from him by the window, Zhou Qishen sat there, having taken off his black overcoat and suit, wearing only a light-colored shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms. He hadn't touched his chopsticks, his expression languid, a smile playing on his lips, as he listened intently to what the woman opposite him was saying.
The woman was young and had an outstanding temperament. Her short purple hair was quite distinctive, and she also had a carefree, beaming smile.
Zhou Qishen was very sensitive to eye contact. He subconsciously turned his head and made a seamless connection with Zhao Xiyin. He was clearly stunned for a moment.
The waiter warmly guided them to their seats. Zhao Xiyin leisurely withdrew her gaze and sat down with Cen Yue at their respective seats. Zhou Qishen had already walked over, squeezing out a space next to Zhao Xiyin, and asked in a low voice, "Weren't we supposed to be watching the 10 o'clock movie? Is it already over?"
Zhao Xiyin replied quite naturally, "If there are any early screenings, go ahead and watch them. You can go ahead and do your work, don't worry about me."
Zhou Qishen took her hand without hesitation, walked back to his table, and introduced her openly and generously, "Min Yunzhi, my friend. Zhao Xiyin, my lover."
Zhao Xiyin glared at him instantly, but Zhou Qishen ignored her and smiled dashingly.
That jerk, he took advantage of her again.
Min Yunzhi smiled at Zhao Xiyin in a friendly manner, "I've heard so much about you, Sister Zhao. It turns out Brother Zhou wasn't lying, you really are so beautiful."
Zhao Xiyin nodded slightly, her smile bright. "Hello, thank you."
Zhou Qishen wanted her to sit down with him, but Zhao Xiyin said, "No, my friend is still here."