Chapter 64: Old Friend "First, let's get some money to spend." ...

"Tower of Love 12" is still in the early stages of preparation. Chen Yuzhi only said that if there are no accidents, it will probably start filming around June next year.

Qiao Zhizheng cannot waste the six months in waiting. If he wants to make quick money and pay off his debts quickly, with his current popularity, he can take on more business activities and pay off the remaining debts easily. However, this will undoubtedly consume the audience's love, and too much exposure will easily make the audience tired and disgusted.

Qiao Zhizheng and Qiao Zheng discussed that if they couldn't find a suitable movie role, they could look in the TV drama circle.

At this time, Lin Yiwei took the initiative to find her and invited her to audition for the role of Jiang Ci, the second female lead in the movie "Lonely Boat".

Lin Yiwei is a famous martial arts action film director. Her films have exciting action and story lines running parallel to each other and have received good reviews at film festivals. Qiao Zhizheng had no previous connection with her and she had never acted in a film of this type before. It was unknown why Lin Yiwei approached her.

Qiao Zheng pondered for a moment, then said, "Meng Hanyan probably introduced them. They're classmates."

Qiao Zhizheng tentatively sent a confirmation message to Meng Hanyan, who replied in the affirmative, adding, "If she can act well in the film, her films have always been good. This is a good opportunity."

Qiao Zhizheng thanked her and hung up the phone, staring blankly at her. "Did Lin Yiwei come to see you too?"

Qiao Zheng thought about it, neither nodding nor shaking her head. "When she approached me, I had already accepted a film role. I didn't have the schedule, so I turned it down. After that... I never got the chance to act in her movies again."

She rejected Lin Yiwei's invitation at that time. Lin Yiwei said that she would come to her again when there was a role suitable for her during the preparations for the next movie. Qiao Zheng agreed at that time. However, a few years later, when Lin Yiwei was preparing a new movie and wanted to invite Qiao Zheng, Qiao Zheng was severely suppressed by Murong Bo and had already gone to perform in a drama, so the matter had to be shelved.

Seeing a hint of loneliness on Qiao Zhizheng's face, Qiao Zheng immediately changed the subject in a relaxed tone and said to her with a smile, "Act well. It will be considered as fulfilling my dream. I have never acted in a martial arts movie before."

Qiao Zhizheng said in surprise, "I haven't even appeared yet, and you're so sure that I can pass?"

Qiao Zheng crossed her arms, her face full of pride, "I still have this confidence."

Qiao Zhizheng clenched his fists, his expression firm, "I will definitely perform well with your contribution."

Qiao Zheng looked at Qiao Zhizheng, saw her seriousness, saw her determined eyes, and gently kissed that determination.

The autumn wind blew maple leaves down, and Qiao Zheng heard her own voice, as gentle as the spring afternoon breeze, "Then you must work hard~"

The autumn wind was chilly in the evening, but it couldn't shake the spring breeze in Qiao Zheng's heart. Qiao Zheng smelled the faint fragrance on Qiao Zhizheng's body, took a deep breath, and inhaled the breath belonging to Qiao Zhizheng deeply into her body, as if they could become one in this way.

Days like this are truly wonderful, something I could never have imagined before. How fortunate I am to have met you, Qiao Zhizheng, ah Qiao Zhizheng, across ten years...

In the past, Qiao Zheng’s sense of security came from cold, dead objects, but now and in the future, her sense of security comes from the warm soul of the person next to her.

Qiao Zhizheng always thought that she could not live without Qiao Zheng more, but in fact she didn't know that Qiao Zheng could not live without her more. Qiao Zheng had lost too much and gained too little, so he just wanted to hold her tightly.

The interview for "Lonely Boat" went very smoothly. The crew's early preparations are almost complete and filming is expected to start in early March next year. Before that, Qiao Zhizheng will join the crew in advance for professional training.

Not long after the interview for "Lonely Boat" ended, Qiao Zheng and Qiao Zhizheng flew to Melbourne to shoot the new cover of the magazine. Here, Qiao Zhizheng met an unexpected person, and Qiao Zheng was also surprised by her appearance.

This was the first day after arriving in Melbourne. Considering that everyone was too tired, the organizer asked everyone to have a good rest in the hotel and adjust their condition to face the next shooting task.

There is a sea of ​​lavender flowers next to the hotel, which is particularly romantic and beautiful under the sunset. Qiao Zheng and Qiao Zhizheng booked a good seat by the window to enjoy the view while dining.

The restaurant focuses on a natural ecology and has many tall potted green plants to enhance privacy. You can faintly hear the voices of guests at the next table, but you can't see their faces. The green scenery around you makes people feel relaxed.

The two sat down face to face and looked at the menu. The customer behind Qiao Zheng had already ordered. When the waiter carrying the dessert passed by Qiao Zhizheng, she accidentally tripped and the cake spilled on the hem of her skirt. Qiao Zhizheng looked at the waiter hurriedly apologizing, smiled helplessly, and comforted her in English, "It's okay, please take me to deal with it."

The waiter indicated that the restroom was up ahead and prepared to take Qiao Zhizheng there.

Qiao Zhizheng said to Qiao Zheng, "I'll go over first, you take care of it."

The meaning of your visit is very clear - you like what I like, so just order what you like.

Qiao Zheng nodded in agreement. With a relatively calm expression, Qiao Zhizheng stood up and followed the waiter for two steps. As she walked, she stopped and looked back. She saw Qiao Zhizheng looking at the guest sitting behind her in disbelief.

——Who did you meet? Why are you so shocked?

Qiao Zheng was about to ask, but the guest behind her spoke first. It was a voice she was most familiar with. Even though Qiao Zheng hadn't seen her for over a decade, the moment she spoke, a face subconsciously popped up in her mind. Her tone was the same as before, elegant and calm, yet... cold. "Zhizhi, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to see you here."

——Look, how polite, it’s like he just met a child of an acquaintance abroad, not his own child.

Qiao Zheng's love for her had long since disappeared in the vicissitudes of life, but Qiao Zhizheng was different. There was still a glimmer of delusion in her heart - delusion that the woman in front of her, delusion that her mother would have a little maternal love for her.

Qiao Zhizheng's mother, Hua Peilan, acted as if nothing had happened and asked Qiao Zhizheng nonchalantly, "Zhizhi, how have you been lately?"

Qiao Zheng and Qiao Zhizheng both smiled mockingly upon hearing this. Qiao Zhizheng's last bit of delusion was shattered, and he sarcastically said, "How dare you say that?"

Hua Peilan's tone was still indifferent. "I am your mother after all. I gave birth to you and raised you. Please be polite to me."

Qiao Zhizheng waved to the waiter, signaling her to go first, and sat opposite Hua Peilan under the waiter's curious gaze.

Looking at her silky, lustrous clothing, her smooth hair, the simple yet unconventional jewelry adorning her neck, and her still as elegant and composed as ever, Qiao Zhizheng looked at her intently and asked, "Are you doing well?"

Hua Peilan raised her wrist. The watch's surface shone with a pearly, lustrous light. The light wasn't blinding, but it stung Qiao Zhizheng's heart. Qiao Zhizheng swallowed the pain, concealing her sadness with calmness. "You're doing well."

Hua Peilan said, "What? Are you not doing well?"

Qiao Zhizheng looked at her, at her well-maintained face, at her unchanging calm demeanor, and a deep sense of doubt rose in her heart. How could someone be so shameless?

Hua Peilan knew too well how to hurt her daughter's heart. She wanted to speak again but was interrupted by the appearance of a person. This person appeared very suddenly and stuffed a dessert into Hua Peilan's mouth. The dessert was neither too big nor too small, just enough to block a person's mouth and those unpleasant words. It was sticky and suitable for slowly savoring with tea and a small silver spoon, but it was stuffed into Hua Peilan's mouth, leaving her no chance to speak.

Hua Peilan finally lost her usual composure. Looking at the girl who pulled Qiao Zhizheng up and held her in her arms, when she saw her face clearly, she felt a little confused, but also a little clear.

Is it Qiao Qiao? Doesn't she have a genetic disease? Why isn't she dead yet?

Qiao Zheng looked at Hua Peilan with a cold expression, her eyes slashing at her from top to bottom. She sneered, "What? Isn't it enough to live a carefree life with the money your husband saved by jumping off a building? You still want to ask your daughter for more money?"

Hua Peilan finally swallowed the dessert, her mouth filled with the cloyingly sweet taste. She frowned and said, "How can you talk like that, child? Although we're not related by blood, I'm your elder. You should call me aunt."

Hua Peilan thought, she didn't know where her cousin's aunt picked up this wild child from, she looked quite like Qiao Zhizheng, but a wild child was a wild child, she had no upbringing at heart, and she didn't know if she took after her unknown father or her unknown mother.

Qiao Zheng saw the arrogance in Hua Peilan's eyes. She hugged the silent Qiao Zhizheng tightly in her arms and showed a polite smile. "Yes, how can you live a good life without any conscience? Let me tell you, our Qiao Zhizheng has already reported to the police. You'd better never return to China, otherwise you will be convicted of illegal asset transfer. Qiao Zhizheng can't bear it. I'm not as kind as her. Your relatives, friends and classmates all know about your good deeds of absconding with the money. How is it? I helped you become famous, so you should thank me, right? You are a popular figure in the circle of classmates now. When they talk about you, they all shake their heads and sigh. As for what to say specifically, please give me your contact information later and I'll send it to you."

Qiao Zheng kept saying "you" to be extremely polite, but none of her words were pleasant to the ear. Hua Peilan was so angry at her sharp words that her face almost turned green. She pointed at Qiao Zheng in an unbelievable manner and said to Qiao Zhizheng, "Qiao Zhizheng! I'm your mother, and you allow outsiders to say that to me?"

Qiao Zhizheng sneered, "You said I was your mother, but do you treat me as your daughter?"

Qiao Zheng responded, "Let's get some money to spend first."

Hua Peilan had a gloomy face and said nothing.

Qiao Zheng changed the subject and said, "Is the watch a Patek Philippe? Take a watch first. I see Qiao Zhizheng's hands are empty, and she just needs a watch."

Hua Peilan: "How dare you say that?"

"The necklace is nice too."

Hua Peilan: "You, an outsider, are so kind."

Qiao Zheng: "Aren't you the one who had the nerve to say you were her mother first?"

-----------------------

The author has something to say: Sister Qiao: She still treats you as her mother, but I no longer treat you as my mother.

Let's talk about a more realistic topic. It is very complicated and difficult to recover assets transferred abroad. Children usually have no obligation to repay their parents' debts. They can protect their rights through legal means and sue their mother. However, in reality, the creditor will stare at the only child left in the country to ask for money. After all, the amount is huge, and he has no other choice but to keep a close eye on the children. The law has always existed. If children are excessively stared at or harassed by creditors, they can call the police for help, but some creditors, um... sometimes don't pay much attention to the law. They are mainly focused on protecting their own interests. Some people may rely on this money to survive. It's human nature.

The law protects the personal property and rights of citizens, but there are always more realistic problems in life, such as rumors from others, violent debt collection or harassment by creditors, the dignity of life, and people's yearning for a normal life... I'm not saying that the law is bad, it's just that there are always places where the sun doesn't shine, and some people will test the gray area. Sometimes living is harder than dying. Death is like the end of everything like Joe's father, while living is like Joe's sister and sister at the beginning, painful and numb, but it's better to be alive. Hold on, and there will always be a bright day when you will meet your own happiness.

My understanding may not be comprehensive and superficial. If you have a deeper and more perfect understanding, you are welcome to add to it. If there are any mistakes, you are welcome to correct them.