67: Stay
Lu Ke saw the news of Shang Zhi's divorce in Hong Kong. Almost immediately after finishing his work, he went to Los Angeles and gave Shang Zhi a big hug when he saw her.
"Xixi, congratulations on escaping the clutches of that devil. I have some free time recently and I'm planning to take a break. How about you come with me when you're free?"
“I’m happy to help, Brother Lu, but I’ve been so busy lately. The new dance drama is about to start, but I’m not even proficient in the basics yet. I’ve been practicing as hard as I can, but at this rate, I’m afraid I’m going to fail.” Shang Zhi sighed softly, absentmindedly stirring her coffee again and again.
"What kind of dance drama?" Lu Ke wondered, noticing Shang Zhi's furrowed brows. Shang Zhi took out her phone and showed Lu Ke a video.
“I don’t really understand, but it does look difficult. I remember you injured your ankle before, so I think it might take some time.”
"But I don't have much time left, only a dozen days or so. I think I'm doomed."
"Don't worry, I'm here." Lu Ke smiled, gently patted Shang Zhi's shoulder, and then made a few more phone calls.
"Done."
"What's settled?"
"I've found you a tutor to give you individual guidance. Don't worry, she knows your professor. If there are any moves you really can't do, she'll talk to your professor to change them. In short, this will ensure the final stage performance without putting too much pressure on you. Do you think this is okay?"
"Really? That's fantastic, Brother Lu! Thank you!" Shang Zhi became excited, but Lu Ke suddenly calmed down.
"Xixi, now that you're divorced, it's time to start a new life, don't you think? I think you understand what I mean, the past is the past."
"Right now, I just want to finish my studies. Besides, I've just broken up with a relationship, and I really don't have the energy for another one." Shang Zhi gave a bitter smile. She had truly exhausted herself in her relationship with Pei Yanxiu. Now, she really didn't want to care about love anymore; she just wanted to enjoy her hard-won freedom.
“Xixi, I understand how you feel. I can wait, I can wait forever, I can wait until you have the strength. I just want you to know that if you want to start thinking about relationships, please consider me.” Lu Ke spoke sincerely, and Shang Zhi pursed her lips without replying.
"Don't be so nervous, Xixi. Let's not talk about this now. Come on, I'll take you to the teacher we just talked about."
"Um."
The teacher Lu Ke found for Shang Zhi was indeed very experienced and reliable. He helped her refine each movement one by one, and helped her figure out how to correct the ones she couldn't do. At the same time, he liaised with the professors at Shang Zhi's school to confirm the modification plan. As Shang Zhi watched the problems being solved little by little, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't get home until very late from practice, but Shang Zhi was happy. Lu Ke had spent the whole day with her, and she felt a little embarrassed. She invited him upstairs for a cup of tea before he left, and Lu Ke readily agreed.
But the moment Shang Zhi opened the door, she felt something was wrong. She had clearly turned off the lights when she left, but now the room lights were on. Looking closer, she saw Pei Yan sitting on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the two of them.
That gaze made Shang Zhi inexplicably uneasy.
"Why are you here?" she asked, frowning.
"Can't I come? Do you remember I'm your landlord now? I've come to check if there's any damage to the house."
"Why do you always show up without warning, Pei Yanxiu? Do you know that this is illegal?"
"Xixi, do you want me to call the police for you?" Lu Ke stood in front of Shang Zhi. Pei Yanxiu looked at the clown in front of him and sneered. Xixi was just playing with them. When she got tired of them, she would naturally throw these rotten flies aside.
“No need to call the police. I can negotiate with him myself. Brother Lu, you go first. I will talk to him properly.” Lu Ke agreed and told Shang Zhi that she could contact him if anything happened.
"If you want to check the room, go ahead and check it. Once you're done, go back and don't disturb my rest." Shang Zhi was too tired from practicing dance all day and didn't have the energy to investigate Pei Yanxiu's sudden appearance at her house. She just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Pei Yanxiu, however, was in no hurry. He strolled around the room leisurely, even opening her refrigerator to comment: "There are too few green vegetables, Xixi. Although you are young, you should eat healthier. Don't you have a housekeeper? Didn't he make a nutrition plan for you? A housekeeper who can't even make a nutrition plan is not a qualified housekeeper."
"It's none of your business! We're divorced, are you still going to lecture me?" Shang Zhi was displeased by his words and slammed the refrigerator shut. She lost her balance because of the force, and Pei Yanxiu reached out to support her waist.
He stared at her expressionlessly.
His impeccably tailored suit and shirt evoked some memories for Shang Zhi, and her ears turned slightly red.
"I'm sorry, I've known you for many years, and caring for you has become a habit that I can't break in a short time." Pei Yanxiu sighed softly, and Shang Zhi felt a little sore from the sound of his voice.
Aged green tea.
"never mind."
She did blame and resent him for many things. He did have mental and physical problems, but she would not question his feelings for her.
Pei Yanxiu smiled, a smile that was hard to tell whether it was relief or a bitter smile, and continued to slowly examine the room.
"Have you seen enough? Even if you're the landlord, you're checking way too closely. Do you know that some things involve my privacy? Besides, don't you know me? I will definitely return it to you exactly as it is. Even if there are any problems, I will compensate you."
"I made the decision about the dance drama on my own. I thought you might be unhappy if you weren't selected, so I sponsored some money."
I thought you would be happy.
"Xixi, I'm sorry if this has caused you any trouble." Pei Yanxiu rested one hand on the wardrobe and turned his head to face Shang Zhi.
"Why are you bringing this up out of the blue? Have you finished looking at the room? If you've finished, then go back..."
"You're right. Sometimes I don't give you what you want. It's my fault. I haven't learned to listen to you properly all these years."
"You've suffered a lot."
A multitude of emotions surged within Shang Zhi. She knew Pei Yanxiu was a stubborn and self-willed man, and his sudden remark made her nose tingle with tears.
"It's getting cold, and I noticed you don't have many clothes in your closet. You've been busy lately, so how about I bring you some? I've often bought these things for you before."
What exactly do you want?
"It's nothing, I was just worried you wouldn't be used to it."
"Also, you don't need to respond to the news about our divorce. I'll handle it. Don't worry, I'll take care of it." After Pei Yanxiu finished speaking, he turned to leave, and Shang Zhi glanced out the window.
"It's very late now, and the fog and rain are so thick that you can't see the road at all. It might not be safe for you to drive back now. Why don't you stay here for now?"
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