Meng Weixi cherishes old feelings and loves his former lover, but there is another reason that no one knows.
When the two were still getting along, Meng's mother always objected, saying that a dancer's career was short-lived and what kind of future could she have? Meng Weixi resisted for more than half a year without saying a word to Zhao Xiyin. Once, after getting drunk at a social event, feeling utterly exhausted, she blurted out on the phone, "Xiao Xi, how about we stop dancing? If you really like it, how about you take a sinecure at the troupe?"
Zhao Xiyin argued with him right then and there, saying, "You are you, and I am me, not 'we.' I'm going to dance, and I'll dance for the rest of my life, and nobody can stop me."
Meng Weixi sobered up instantly and, in a fit of anger, slapped himself twice across the face.
When Zhao Xiyin had her stage accident, the two had already broken up. Meng Weixi was twenty-four years old that year, and unable to visit her due to his lack of proper status, he could only ask around for information. A friend said that Zhao Xiyin was crying in her hospital room. Meng Weixi stood downstairs in the hospital building, his eyes reddening as well.
Those words that hurt her became a curse, a demon, and her words became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Over the years, Meng Weixi felt more indebted to her than guilty.
Zhao Xiyin slowly looked away, and when she looked at him again, she smiled frankly, "It's nothing, I would have forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. I'm sorry to have troubled you to make a special trip."
Meng Weixi hesitated, but Zhao Xiyin waved her hand with a smile, "Aren't you going to work? Go ahead and get busy."
The ride-hailing car he had called arrived just in time, and Meng Weixi's excuse to give her a ride was gone. Zhao Xiyin got into the car, waved to him through the window, and then told the driver to drive off. Meng Weixi even jogged a few steps behind her.
The driver was a true Beijing native, and a real chatterbox. Zhao Xiyin looked out the window, listening more than speaking. About ten minutes later, the driver chuckled, "Hey girl, that car behind you has been going the same way. Do you know it?"
Zhao Xiyin looked back and saw Meng Weixi's white Jaguar following in the traffic. She said, "Sir, could you drive a little faster?"
"Alright." The driver stepped on the gas, just in time to pass the green light, leaving Meng Weixi's car behind in the red light.
——
Zhao Xiyin told Li Ran that she wanted to dance again. Li Ran, being straightforward, was so happy that she gave all customers a 20% discount that day. Zhao Xiyin felt a little embarrassed, saying that if she left, the shop wouldn't be able to help anymore.
Li Ran tapped her on the head, "Hurry up and make it big for me. Posting an ad on your Weibo is more effective than anything else."
Xiao Shun said, "Who would dare post that? It's obviously a lingerie seller. Tsk, Brother Li, don't mess with Sister Xi."
"What's wrong with sexy lingerie? We're doing legitimate business, we're law-abiding taxpayers. I'm proud of that." Li Ran snapped her fingers. "Let's celebrate tonight, it's on me."
Li Ran is fun-loving, and I guess she's using this as an excuse to relax and have some fun. This girl is also amazing; she usually stays cooped up in her studio and rarely leaves, yet she has quite a few friends. She used to have a nickname, which she gave herself—the Little Fairy of Sanlitun.
The pub looked newly opened at night. As soon as Li Ran entered, she became very familiar with the owner, putting her left arm around Zhao Xiyin and saying, "This is my sister." With her right arm around Xiao Shun, she said, "This is my black dog."
Xiao Shun was so angry that he barked like a dog twice.
The boss was generous, saying, "Put the wine on my tab."
As he was leaving, he suddenly smiled at Zhao Xiyin and said, "Little sister Zhao, have fun."
The music was too loud, and Zhao Xiyin didn't hear it clearly before Li Ran dragged her to a disco.
The boss went upstairs to the second floor, to the booths facing the dance floor. He couldn't find anyone at first glance, and was about to leave when Zhou Qishen called out to him, "Here."
"Oh, I was wondering why I hadn't seen you."
Zhou Qishen was playing cards behind the screen, a stack of chips already piled on the table. The shopkeeper walked over and told him, "Little Zhao is here too."
Zhou Qishen lowered his stance, asking, "With whom?"
"Xiao Li, there's also a boy."
Zhou Qishen didn't say anything, and only said after the game was over: "Keep an eye on them, and don't let the person pushing the drinks go to their table."
After thinking for a moment, he stood up and offered his seat, saying, "I need to get some fresh air."
After Li Ran finished her lap, Zhao Xiyin handed her a glass of juice. Li Ran downed half of it in one gulp and asked, "If you go back to dancing, Teacher Dai will be overjoyed."
Zhao Xiyin nodded. "She is a good teacher."
“She treated you even better than your own mother.” Li Ran sat closer. “There’s something I haven’t told you yet. When you had your accident, Teacher Dai was on tour in the United States. My brother was there too. He said he saw Teacher Dai receive a phone call and sit in a chair crying. The performance that night didn’t go very well. She was very depressed. It was a mistake that was unique in her career.”
Zhao Xiyin pursed her lips tightly and became even more silent.
Li Ran finished the remaining half glass of juice, glanced at her several times, and finally asked, "Once you go, you'll inevitably have to deal with Meng Weixi."
The shifting light dappled her face, the vibrant colors obscuring her emotions. After a long while, Zhao Xiyin said, "I've let it go all these years ago."
Li Ran snapped her fingers. "Great!"
Zhao Xiyin chuckled and leaned against her, "Please stop bringing up the past. I'd be so grateful if you would. I always have to give a proper answer, and it makes me feel embarrassed."
Li Ran ordered a lot of beer, and both of them could still hold their liquor; their eyes lit up after four small cans. That's what friendship is like—laughing with you, getting drunk with you, and going crazy together when you want to. Li Ran was a heavy drinker, and her self-control wasn't as good as west Yin's, so she started to let loose towards the end.
“I went home for dinner the other day and my second brother told me that Zhou Gou is once again among this year’s Top Ten Outstanding Young Businessmen.”
Zhao Xiyin was confused for a while, "What dog?"
Li Ran leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Zhou Qishen."
People become more relaxed and carefree after drinking alcohol. Zhao Xiyin laughed when she heard this, "Don't give people random nicknames."
"Oh, oh, oh, you're taking his side." Li Ran punched her shoulder, looking heartbroken.
Zhao Xiyin was both amused and exasperated. She gave a serious explanation, gesturing in the air as if it were an academic discussion.
The pub's booths were designed back-to-back, and coincidentally, Zhou Qishen's seat was just across the table from Zhao Xiyin's. He was alone, and the lights on his side were off, with only occasional glimpses of his surroundings.
Zhou Qishen sat on the sofa, his car keys and phone on the table, quietly, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
"Don't talk to me so much, I don't understand. All I know is that you were protecting Zhou Gou just now." Li Ran wasn't confused. After drinking, she saw the world through her drunken eyes and talked nonsense in a very clear way.
She said, "Actually, there's something I've never dared to ask."