66: New and old grudges
While having dinner with Yu Qing, Shang Zhi's phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw a message from the professor informing her that she had been pre-selected for the lead role in a dance drama.
Shang Zhi thought she was hallucinating from practicing her martial arts, so she wiped her phone and rubbed her eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Yu Qing noticed that something was wrong with her and looked at Shang Zhi's phone screen. After seeing the message on it, Yu Qing became agitated.
"You, you've been chosen, Ah Zhi! That's wonderful!"
Shang Zhi remained silent. There were still several days until the selection results were announced, and there were many people who danced better than her. She knew without even thinking that there must be something wrong. She glanced down at the window and saw that he was still being interviewed.
"Azhi, why are you thinking so much? Why do you care if there are any problems? Anyway, you've been selected, so just do your best."
Forgetting about dinner, Shang Zhi rushed downstairs and blocked Pei Yanxiu's way after his interview ended.
"Why are you meddling in my business? Do you think you're helping me? I can rely on myself, even if I don't get selected, instead of you pulling strings behind my back! To be honest, are you deliberately getting back at me, just wanting to see me make a fool of myself!" Pei Yanxiu felt frustrated watching her act so aggressively in front of him. He was clearly trying to help her solve the problem out of kindness. He was worried that she would feel disappointed if she didn't get selected, and he didn't want her to be upset, so he spent money and time helping her. Why couldn't she ever understand him!
"I'm not that free, and I don't know what you're talking about. Since you've been selected, you should go and prepare properly. What's the point of yelling at me here?"
"Also, from the company's perspective, do you think it's appropriate for you to be out having dinner alone with some random person of the opposite sex so late at night? Can you be a little more mindful of your image? What if those tabloid reporters take pictures of you and use it for gossip? You don't want to be on the front page because of something like that, do you?"
“Pei Yanxiu, watch your words! Yu Qing isn’t some random guy who just popped up out of nowhere; he’s my classmate, housekeeper, and cleaner! He’s wonderful; he washes the dishes exceptionally well and cooks delicious meals! He manages my life perfectly!”
"So you're challenging me now because of him, is that it?" Pei Yanxiu took a step forward, almost touching Shang Zhi, his face growing increasingly gloomy. Over the years, he had put so much effort into her. Not to mention that the three hundred million from Tiancui was originally intended for her, just look at her food, clothing, and daily necessities—everything she wanted was top-notch. What didn't he give her? She even casually complained to him that she wanted a quiet, undisturbed place by the sea, so he bought an island in the South Pacific, planning to give it to her when the time was right, although she ran away before he could even say anything.
Now she's praising other men in front of him for washing dishes well and cooking cleanly. He feels like she's lost her mind, probably just to spite him.
"Stop making decisions for me, okay? I know you're capable, but I don't need you to interfere in everything I do. I appreciate your kindness, but could you at least discuss it with me beforehand? I don't want to always be the one being told what to do."
The moment Shang Zhi threw the coat she was wearing back at him, Pei Yanxiu felt his heart was colder than it had been on that rainy night four years ago when they broke up.
In the instant they brushed past each other, Shang Zhi seemed to see that day again.
-
In those years, various talent shows and entertainment programs were popular, and Shang Zhi and Lu Xingqi both enjoyed watching them. As they watched, Shang Zhi also had the idea of participating. It wasn't to achieve a high ranking; Shang Zhi simply wanted to experience the atmosphere, have some fun, and feel a different lifestyle.
"Uncle Pei, do you know about 'Luminous Body'?"
What is that?
"I knew you wouldn't know. Look, it's the hottest girl group audition show right now, and I signed up too." At Pei Yanxiu's house, Shang Zhi stood on tiptoe and excitedly tossed the magazine to Pei Yanxiu.
"What style should I go for? I want to go for a bright and sophisticated look, but Xingxing said that a cute style might be easier to pass the preliminary selection."
Pei Yanxiu glanced at Shang Zhi, frowned, and flipped through the magazine from beginning to end. Finally, he uttered three words in a low voice: "You are not allowed to go."
"What?" Shang Zhi sat up abruptly from the sofa, thinking she had misheard.
“I said, you’re not allowed to go.”
"Why?"
“There’s no reason why. I said you can’t go, and that’s final.” Pei Yanxiu reopened the magazine, his gaze lingering on Shen Tuo, the host of the variety show, for a long time. He knew him. Outsiders might not know, but the Pei family did. Shen Tuo started his business in the gray market overseas. This man was ruthless and his methods were outrageous. He was worried that Shang Zhi would get involved with such a person, but there was no need for that.
No circle is easy to enter. She is so young and radiant; there are some things she shouldn't know.
"You can't be so autocratic. You have to give me a reason. Besides, I've already signed up, and the preliminary round is next Wednesday. I'm definitely going!"
"Next Wednesday, is it?"
"Yeah, what's wrong?"
Pei Yanxiu didn't answer Shang Zhi's question. Instead, he called his assistant and said, "Mingyu, come over here. You stay at my house for the next few days and keep a close eye on Miss Shang. Don't let her go out until next Wednesday."
"Pei Yanxiu, are you crazy?" Shang Zhi could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"You can tell Mingyu or the other servants what you want. I really have things to take care of at the company these days, so I can't keep an eye on you at home myself. I'm so sorry."
"Sorry?" Shang Zhi found this absurd. He should apologize, but not for this!
Pei Yanxiu kept Shang Zhi locked up for five days. During those five days, Shang Zhi tried every possible way to persuade him to release her, but no matter how much she pleaded, he still wouldn't budge.
When Mingyu finally got Pei Yanxiu's permission to release Shang Zhi, she had transformed into an enraged lion, and no one could hold her back. Pei Yanxiu drove after her and finally found her in a fit of rage on the side of a road in Mong Kok.
"Xixi, let me explain."
Shang Zhi didn't want to hear anything and couldn't listen to anything. She raised her hand and slapped him one after another.
But they did not defeat him.
But she had already seen through him; he was a selfish, arrogant bastard!
"I hate you! I never want to see you again in my life!" After saying this, they broke up for good. Pei Yanxiu tried every means to find him again, but she refused to see him no matter what.
-
"Xixi, how have you been lately?" On her way home, Shang Zhi received a call from Lu Xingqi.
"Okay, don't worry about me, Xingxing. Are you experiencing any discomfort now that you're pregnant? Are you getting used to it?"
“Ah Wang is home with me almost every day except for work, so don’t worry. By the way, Ah Zhi, I heard that Shen Tuo has been arrested.”
"Shen Tuo, who is that? Don't you recognize him?"
"Back then, you really liked that variety show, I think it was called something like 'Luminous Body'. I remember you even wanted to participate in it, right? I heard that he did all sorts of bad things, and when he was brought to justice, he was still torturing a girl."
“I remember you broke up with President Pei because he wouldn’t let you go. Now it seems it was for the best. I heard that several of his artists are now missing.”
"Ah Zhi, are you listening?"
"Ah, I'm here." Shang Zhi's thoughts drifted, and she felt a strange mix of emotions.
"Don't think too much, Xingxing. Just stay home and rest. When I get back to Hong Kong, I'll take a good look at what our baby looks like, whether he looks like his father or his mother."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
"By the way, Zhi, have you been watching the news lately? The news of your divorce from President Pei is all over the place. Do you want to respond to it?"
"Really? What are they all saying about me?"
"What about 'The married man was photographed alone in his empty house'? What about 'The end of the marriage'? Oh, and there's one more that's really funny: 'Miss Shang met a hunk at night, and her ex-husband immediately turned black-faced'?" Shang Zhi burst out laughing as she listened to Lu Xingqi's description.
"It's alright, let them be. The media has always been like that. They can say whatever they want, we can't stop them."
【Are you home yet?】 While chatting with Xingxing, Pei Yanxiu's text message came in. Shang Zhi glanced at it but ignored it.
Are you home yet? I'm worried about you so late. Remember to let me know when you get home.
[Ex-husband! You've crossed the line!] Shang Zhi typed these words through gritted teeth.
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