"Uncle Zhao, taking a walk?" A young, loud voice greeted Zhao Wenchun as they were chatting. A refined-looking young man with glasses was walking towards them; he was tall and had a clean-cut, scholarly air about him.
Zhao Wenchun immediately smiled and said, "Oh, it's Xiao Ye. She's not out for a walk; she's seeing off a guest."
Zhou Qishen nodded slightly as a greeting.
"Then you're busy, I won't bother you any longer." The young man had a sunny smile and left politely.
Zhou Qishen didn't think much of it, but when he reached the door, Zhao Wenchun brought it up herself, "That guy just now was called Ye Tao. He's a teacher like me, teaching math at a university. He's from Beijing, we live in the same neighborhood, and he's not married yet."
-->>
Zhou Qishen was puzzled. "Huh?"
Zhao Wenchun said with a smile, "I was thinking of introducing him and Xiaoxi a while ago, so the two kids could have a meal and chat together."
Zhou Qishen instantly understood, his expression a complex mix of emotions, like a car that had suddenly stalled, stuck on a hillside, caught between a rock and a hard place, feeling both embarrassed and frustrated, yet unable to lash out.
“I told Xiaoxi about this, but she didn’t agree right away. She just said she would think about it.” Zhao Wenchun’s smile became more meaningful as he patted Zhou Qishen’s shoulder. “It’s been a month now. I’ll ask her again another day.”
Zhou Qishen almost instinctively stopped him, "Dad... Uncle Zhao."
Zhao Wenchun smiled and said, "I'm here."
"..." Zhou Qishen's expression shifted between light and dark, and he couldn't utter a single word, as if he had a peach pit stuck in his throat.
“My daughter Xiaoxi will be 26 after the New Year. Age is not a crime, and choices are not a crime, but as her father, I selfishly hope that there is someone who can protect her from the wind and rain and stay by her side. What she looks like, how much money she earns, or what her past is like are not important. What is important is to take this step and give yourself and her the courage to start over.”
Zhao Wenchun has made his point clear enough. If Zhou Qishen doesn't take a stand, the initiative will truly be gone.
The weather was fine today, but it got colder early the next morning. With the curtains drawn, the bedroom was gloomy, and Zhao Xiyin almost overslept. Zhao Wenchun made breakfast, but she only ate a few bites before saying she needed to catch the subway. Teacher Zhao said with concern, "Why don't you just buy a car? It'll be more convenient for getting around."
With half a piece of bread dangling from her mouth, Zhao Xiyin mumbled, "You're investing?"
"Invest half," Teacher Zhao said earnestly after doing some calculations. "We still need to save some for your dowry."
The bread slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground. Zhao Xiyin patted her chest to calm herself, "Let's go, Dad."
Zhao Wenchun shook his head as he stared at the swaying door. He took the half-finished milk to the kitchen, but stopped abruptly at the kitchen door. He looked down at the glass in his hand, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to do.
Sigh! It's all because of this silly daughter.
Zhao Xiyin had just stepped out when Ding Yahe called her. This was the first time Ding Yahe had contacted her since their last argument. Zhao Xiyin hesitated for a few seconds, but answered anyway.
"What's up?"
Ding Yahe completely ignored her lazy and unfriendly attitude and asked directly, "Has your group been training particularly hard lately? Xiao Rui looks sickly. What kind of intensity could make someone this tired?"
Zhao Xiyin knew that the only thing that could make this mother lower herself to such a high position was her precious daughter.
"She's been listless for days and still hasn't recovered. The troupe said they won't approve her leave and told her to go back to rehearsals. What kind of troupe is this? They have no humanity at all."
"Who isn't tired? Everyone's rushing to meet deadlines."
"Forget it, forget it. That person in charge is too difficult to talk to. Could you talk to Teacher Dai and ask her to put in a good word for you?"
"No, she has no say in these matters." Zhao Xiyin hung up the phone.
Ding Yahe must be furious, because she hasn't even sent her another angry text message.
Ni Rui arrived just in time, and she looked quite haggard after a few days. Her eyes were sunken, and her jawline was more prominent due to her thinness. During the morning training, she couldn't muster any energy at all. Halfway through her routine, the teacher couldn't bear to watch anymore and told her to go and rest.
During a break, several people surrounded her and asked her what was wrong.
Ni Rui rubbed her stomach, and everyone understood immediately, "It's your period?"
Zhao Xiyin sat by the window, listening to Cen Yue's rambling chatter about the latest entertainment gossip. She smiled occasionally, glancing at Ni Rui several times. During lunch break, Zhao Xiyin went to the dormitory to rest. Ni Rui's door wasn't closed properly, and the voices coming from the crack were low, filled with both dissatisfaction and grievance.
"My stomach is killing me, and you haven't even come to see me. It's all your fault. The troupe won't let us take leave anymore. I'm so miserable." After a few words, Ni Rui laughed again, "You're so annoying." She got up to pour water while chatting, and when she turned around, she saw Zhao Xiyin standing outside the door. She immediately felt like she was facing a formidable enemy and hung up the phone.
Ni Rui became defensive and asked irritably, "How long have you been eavesdropping?"
Zhao Xiyin walked in without a word and gently closed the door. Ni Rui raised her head and puffed out her chest, "What are you trying to do now? Don't think I'm afraid of you, I just don't want to argue with you."
Zhao Xiyin interrupted directly: "Let me give you a heads-up."
Ni Rui took a step back, as if avoiding a flood or a ferocious beast.
Zhao Xiyin didn't necessarily want to see her; the two were at loggerheads and neither was friendly.
"If you consider dancing your passion, then dance it well and don't try to take shortcuts. I've seen too many people fail because of you. You might be successful for a while, but the end result is never worth it."
Ni Rui scoffed and turned her head away, saying, "I don't understand what you're saying."
Zhao Xiyin took a step forward, getting closer to her, "Whether you understand or not, you know in your heart."
Ni Rui glared back angrily, "What are you talking about with that sarcastic tone? Can't you explain yourself clearly?"
Zhao Xiyin's eyes were calm yet piercing. "Do you really want me to explain? You may not know what those men and women who have come into contact with you are like behind a mask. Even if the promises I made to you are just empty words, you may not be able to seek justice in the future."
Ni Rui's face turned pale instantly. Forced to the table, she stumbled and grabbed the edge for support. Zhao Xiyin turned away after speaking, not lingering for even a second longer.
After everyone left, Ni Rui suddenly let out a hysterical scream and swept the things off the table. The more Ni Rui thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Zhao Xiyin's arrogant attitude had always been there for her since childhood, time and time again, even her name was a heavy mountain weighing on her head.
Ni Rui grabbed a glass and smashed it at the door. Shards flew everywhere, and the person at the door took a big step back. "Oh, why are you so angry?"
Upon seeing who it was, Ni Rui was both surprised and delighted, "Lin Lang?"
Lin Lang approached her with a sweet and clear smile, looking very friendly and approachable. "I just saw west Yin go downstairs. What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your sister?"