Chapter 28
The next morning, Jiang Xueru woke up in the sunlight.
The moment I regained consciousness, memories of last night came flooding back.
That dream, those gifts hidden by time, and... the image of her crouching by the sofa, secretly kissing Gu Qingyue's forehead.
With a "bang," Jiang Xueru sprang up from the bed, her cheeks burning hot enough to fry an egg.
What did she do?!
Although it was just a kiss on the forehead, and although Gu Qingyue was asleep at the time, it was still a stolen kiss!
Jiang Xueru covered her face, wishing she could bury herself under the covers and never come out again. Oh no, oh no, had she been driven mad by that dream?
How could someone do something so...so unladylike?
She rolled around on the bed twice and finally decided that she would avoid Gu Qingyue today.
Yes, hide.
Pretend nothing happened until he finds out.
Having prepared herself mentally, Jiang Xueru took a deep breath and walked out of the bedroom, trying to appear calm.
In the living room, Gu Qingyue was already preparing breakfast.
Hearing the noise, he turned around with a gentle smile on his face: "Good morning, fried eggs or scrambled eggs?"
The moment Jiang Xueru's gaze met his face, she jumped back like a startled rabbit, staring at the floor: "Whatever."
Gu Qingyue was taken aback, keenly noticing her unusual behavior: "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, no!" Jiang Xueru's voice was a little unsteady as she quickly slipped into the kitchen to pour water, her back to him. "I'm just... not awake yet."
Gu Qingyue frowned slightly as he watched her obviously stiff back.
He put down the spatula, walked over to her, and naturally reached out to touch her forehead: "Do you have a fever? Why is your face so red?"
His fingers were slightly cool, and when they touched her burning forehead, Jiang Xueru shivered and took a step back: "I don't have a fever! I'm just hot!"
She regretted it as soon as she said it—it's only 20 degrees Celsius today, what's so hot about it?
Gu Qingyue's hand hovered in mid-air, his eyes filled with confusion. He carefully examined Jiang Xueru: her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were darting around, she dared not look at him, and her whole demeanor exuded an air of guilt.
"Are you really alright?" he asked, still worried.
"I'm really fine!" Jiang Xueru lowered her head and drank water quickly, almost choking.
Just then, Qiuqiu came out of the children's room rubbing her eyes. When she saw this scene, the little girl's eyes immediately lit up—she had "heard" it clearly last night!
"Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Dad!" Qiuqiu greeted them sweetly, skipping and hopping to the dining table to sit down. She rested her chin on her hands as she looked at the two adults, a smile playing on her lips.
Jiang Xueru grasped at a straw: "Qiuqiu's awake? Come and have breakfast!"
She sat down opposite Qiuqiu, keeping her head down the whole time, intently cutting the fried egg as if it were a surgical procedure requiring precise manipulation.
Gu Qingyue sat down next to her, and she immediately moved to the other side.
Gu Qingyue: "..."
What virus does he have today?
Looking at her mother's head, which was almost buried in the plate, and her father's bewildered expression, Qiuqiu finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Jiang Xueru immediately looked up: "What are you laughing at, Qiuqiu?"
"Nothing!" Qiuqiu quickly covered her mouth, her big eyes curving into crescents. "I just think the fried eggs tasted especially good today!"
Gu Qingyue looked at the mother and daughter and felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Breakfast ended in an eerie atmosphere.
After the meal, Jiang Xueru quickly retreated to her room under the pretext of "preparing for the signing of a contract."
As she closed the door, she heard Gu Qingyue ask from outside, "Do you need me to go with you to sign the contract?"
"No need!" she blurted out, then realized her tone was too harsh and added, "You...you have work to do too, right? Just focus on yours."
There was a few seconds of silence outside the door before Gu Qingyue's voice came through: "Okay, call me if you need anything."
Jiang Xueru leaned against the door, listening to his footsteps as he left. She breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt inexplicably lost.
She lingered in her room until ten o'clock before changing her clothes and going out. When she got to the entrance, she found a box of stomach medicine on the shoe cabinet with a note next to it that read: "Remember to eat breakfast, or you'll have a stomachache again."
It's Gu Qingyue's handwriting.
Jiang Xueru picked up the note, her fingertips tracing the words on it, her heart softening. She carefully put the note into her pocket, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.
The signing ceremony was held at Director Chen's company. When Jiang Xueru arrived, the receptionist warmly led her to the conference room and thoughtfully prepared tea and refreshments.
"Director Chen and the producer will be here shortly, Ms. Jiang, please wait a moment." The receptionist's eyes sparkled; she was clearly a fan.
Jiang Xueru thanked him and sat down in the conference room. She took out her phone and saw a message from Yu Ling: "Did the signing go smoothly? Let me know when it's done, and I'll celebrate with you tonight!"
She replied, "Just arrived, hasn't started yet."
After waiting for twenty minutes, Director Chen still hadn't arrived. Just as Jiang Xueru was about to ask, the meeting room door was pushed open.
The person who came in was Director Chen's assistant, Xiao Wang, a young man wearing black-rimmed glasses. He didn't look too good, his eyes were darting around, and he was holding a folder in his hand, but he didn't seem to be opening it.
"Teacher Jiang..." Xiao Wang hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
Jiang Xueru's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm: "Hasn't Director Chen arrived yet?"
“Director Chen…” Xiao Wang gritted his teeth, put the folder on the table, and lowered his voice.
"Teacher Jiang, I'm so sorry, the role of Song Yun may have to be recast."
The air froze.
Jiang Xueru's hands, resting on her knees, tightened slightly, but her voice remained steady: "Why?"
Xiao Wang answered with difficulty: "The investors... suddenly requested a replacement. Director Chen argued with them until midnight last night, but they were very firm in their stance."
"Who should it be instead?"
Xiao Wang was silent for a few seconds, then uttered three words: "Ye Sisi".
really.
Jiang Xueru closed her eyes.
Although I had a premonition, hearing it with my own ears still felt like a needle prick to my heart. She had worked so hard for so long, acted so well, and received such recognition from Director Chen, yet it couldn't withstand a single sentence from the investors.
"Director Chen asked me to convey his apologies." Xiao Wang's voice was full of guilt. "He said that he would definitely work with you again next time, and you could choose any script, but he couldn't do anything about it this time."
Jiang Xueru opened her eyes, looked at the blank contract in front of her, and suddenly felt very tired.
She nodded and stood up: "I understand. Please thank Director Chen for me, and thank you too."
"Teacher Jiang..." Xiao Wang wanted to say something, but Jiang Xueru had already picked up her bag and turned to leave.
The sunlight was blinding as I stepped out of the building.
Jiang Xueru stood on the steps, looking at the bustling street, and suddenly didn't know where to go next.
Her phone vibrated; it was Yu Ling calling, but she didn't answer.
She doesn't want to talk right now.
Jiang Xueru wandered aimlessly along the street and unknowingly walked to a park. She sat down on a bench, watching the children running around, the couples holding hands and strolling, and the clouds slowly drifting across the sky.
I feel empty inside.
I don't know how much time passed, but someone sat down in the seat next to me.
Jiang Xueru didn't turn around, but the familiar scent told her who it was.
"Why are you here?" she asked softly.
Gu Qingyue handed her a cup of hot milk tea, her favorite flavor.
"If Sister Yu Ling can't find you, call me."
Jiang Xueru took the milk tea, feeling the warmth in her palm. She looked down at the milk tea swirling in the cup, her voice a little hoarse: "The role is gone. Ye Sisi took it."
“I know,” Gu Qingyue said.
Jiang Xueru finally turned to look at him.
His profile was soft, his eyes calm, devoid of sympathy or pity, exuding only a reassuring composure.
“Director Chen called me,” Gu Qingyue continued. “He felt very guilty and said he owed you a leading role.”
Jiang Xueru smiled wryly: "Isn't that how the entertainment industry is? Talent can't compete with capital."
“Not necessarily,” Gu Qingyue suddenly said.
Jiang Xueru looked at him.
Gu Qingyue turned her head and looked at her, her eyes filled with an emotion that Gu Qingyue couldn't understand: "I'm giving you a gift."
"What?"
“A…” Gu Qingyue paused, a slight smile playing on her lips, “a gift that will allow you to take back what is rightfully yours.”
Jiang Xueru was stunned.
Gu Qingyue didn't explain, but simply stood up and extended his hand to her: "Let's go home, Qiuqiu is still waiting for us to eat."
Jiang Xueru looked at his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then placed her own hand on it.
His hands were warm and strong as he gently held hers.
Jiang Xueru couldn't help but ask, "What was that gift?"
Gu Qingyue led her forward, his voice drifting gently on the wind:
You'll find out in a few days.
He turned his head and smiled at her:
"Trust me, you won't have to wait long."
Sunlight shone on him, outlining his golden silhouette.
Looking into his determined eyes, Jiang Xueru felt a sudden filling of emptiness in her heart.
Although I don't know what the gift is yet.
But she believed him.
I've always believed.
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