Chapter 202 I'll Always Be Waiting for You
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After a brief moment of distraction, Jiang Xingyao's eyes flashed with more astonishment. She said, "Aunt Yue, how could you think that? Asu and I are just friends. Besides, isn't it rumored that you hate men?"
If they weren't so familiar with each other, Jiang Xingyao would never have imagined that Madam Rongyue could be so gossipy.
Madam Rongyue chuckled: "Yaoyao, you've been with Aunt Yue for so long, do you really know her less than the rumors suggest?"
Fine, I might as well tell you. I did have a less-than-pleasant marriage before, and after the divorce, I gave up the idea of remarrying. To avoid trouble, I distanced myself from men around me, and over time, those rumors started.
As for the last concert, the reason I was so strict with you was because I was angry with Assistant Yu. She has been with me since she was a child, and I have carefully taught her so that she could win glory for the country in the Golden Music Cup competition.
But only three years before the competition, she suddenly found someone to marry and became pregnant.
That was her choice after all. Although I was disappointed in her, I couldn't stop her.
With the Jinle Cup competition fast approaching, to prevent a second incident, I have no choice but to exaggerate the rumors and select someone with a strong will and talent to start over.
When Madam Rongyue recalled the past, she was always calm and composed. However, when she mentioned Assistant Yu, a strange emotion flashed in her eyes.
After all, she had personally raised the assistant, and Jiang Xingyao knew that she must still feel pity or regret for her.
Before Jiang Xingyao could comfort Madam Rongyue, she heard Madam Rongyue say again, "Yaoyao, you better remember this: I won't stop you from having feelings for dating again, but I feel we can't delay this competition any longer. We are fighting for the country's glory, and we can't allow personal matters to cause any mistakes."
"Don't worry, I have no such plans. Asu is a very good person, so I can't be a burden to him. He deserves better," Jiang Xingyao said.
As the two were talking, the dumplings were all wrapped, and Shen Mingsu's zither music stopped.
As darkness fell outside, the occasional sound of fireworks could be heard.
Madam Rongyue said, "I'll go cook the dumplings. Yaoyao, you don't need to help. Go and talk to Young Master Shen."
Jiang Xingyao didn't insist. She walked over to Shen Mingsu, who had already noted down some of the awkward parts of the new piece. He said, "These are the parts I think have problems. I won't give you any suggestions for improvement, so as not to affect your own thinking. But then again, Yaoyao, your composition has really improved a lot recently."
"It's all thanks to Aunt Yue's teaching," Jiang Xingyao said. She had really learned a lot from Madam Rongyue over the past year.
Shen Ming said, "Madam Rongyue's contribution is one thing, but your state of mind is clearly different from before."
Previously, Jiang Xingyao's compositions were more or less filled with intense emotions and a sense of resentment, but now she has begun to write gentle and lighthearted tunes.
"Yaoyao, after the divorce, you seem much more relaxed. Have you completely let go?" Shen Mingsu asked again, his gaze falling on Jiang Xingyao with a somewhat serious expression.
She must have completely let go.
She felt completely relaxed as long as she didn't think about Jin Qingyu.
Jiang Xingyao nodded to Shen Mingsu, who then said, "Actually, I overheard a bit of what you and Madam Rongyue were saying. What I want to tell you is that you are very good, better than anyone else, Yaoyao. I don't want to put pressure on you, but I still want to tell you that I will always be waiting for you here."
Go ahead and do your own thing, move on confidently. If you're thinking about starting a new relationship, please consider me first.
Shen Mingsu brought up the topic directly, and Jiang Xingyao was somewhat embarrassed. She wanted to refuse Shen Mingsu directly, but his words left room for interpretation and did not ask for an answer immediately. Jiang Xingyao was at a loss for words.
It was only after Madam Rongyue cooked the dumplings and called them over to eat that the awkwardness was finally broken.
Besides dumplings, Madam Rongyue also cooked a few simple home-style dishes. Although the scale was simple, it was still very cozy, just like when Jiang Xingyao first spent the New Year with Madam Rongyue, except that Shen Mingsu was also there.
Shen Mingsu always knew how to behave appropriately, and he was always tactful at the dinner table. He could also praise people in a way that was never abrupt, which made Madam Rongyue even more satisfied with him.
This was the first time Jiang Xingyao had seen Madam Rongyue show such enthusiasm towards a junior.
After dinner, Madam Rongyue asked Jiang Xingyao to see Shen Mingsu off. Jiang Xingyao felt a little embarrassed, but considering that Shen Mingsu had come all this way to deliver the videotape to her, it would be inappropriate for her not to show hospitality.
As night deepened, more and more fireworks appeared in the sky, one after another, illuminating the darkness.
Jiang Xingyao saw Shen Mingsu to the door. As they parted, Shen Mingsu asked, "Yaoyao, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Aren't you going back to the capital?"
Shen Mingsu ran all the way to the mountain city on New Year's Eve to deliver the videotape to her, which was already exaggerated enough. But judging from his tone, he wasn't even going home on New Year's Day.
Shen Ming said, "My sister and my uncle's family are not getting along well. My uncle and his family don't come to the old house for the New Year. It's just our family. There aren't many rules. It doesn't matter whether we go back or not."
Jiang Xingyao kept hearing news about Shen Ying and felt a little worried. After saying goodbye to Shen Mingsu, she went back and made a video call to Shen Ying.
The phone had almost finished ringing when Shen Ying finally answered it. Her background was outside, and the crackling sound of fireworks could still be heard through the receiver.
Shen Ying held her phone in one hand and hugged Xiao Shuijing in the other, greeting Jiang Xingyao.
It was too cold, and Little Crystal was dressed in thick clothes, wrapped up like a ball, making it a little difficult for Shen Ying to pick her up.
"Sister Shen Ying, it's so late, why are you still outside?" Jiang Xingyao asked worriedly. Through the camera, she could clearly see that Shen Ying's face seemed a little stiff. Shen Ying quickly replied, "Little Crystal likes to watch fireworks, so I brought her out to see them."
As if to confirm Shen Ying's words, another cluster of fireworks bloomed in the sky. Little Crystal clapped her hands and laughed in Shen Ying's arms. She had grown a lot and her features looked more delicate.
Those dark eyes looked even brighter, brighter than the fireworks in the sky.
Jiang Xingyao liked Xiao Shuijing more and more as she looked at her. She said, "I also prepared a New Year's gift for Xiao Shuijing. I'll have Asu take it to you. I probably won't be going back to the capital this time. Sister Shen Ying, if there's anything you need from me, just let me know. Don't be shy."
"Yaoyao, I..."
"Ah Su has already told me, Sister Shen Ying, even if you used to be Jin Yanzhou's girlfriend, our friendship has nothing to do with anyone else. You haven't wronged me in any way, and we're going to be friends for life. You can't think about it anymore."
Seeing that Shen Ying's expression was hesitant, Jiang Xingyao guessed what she wanted to say and interrupted her first.
The two chatted for a while about their recent situations. Jiang Xingyao noticed that Shen Ying seemed to be struggling more while carrying Xiao Shuijing, so she said, "Sister Shen Ying, it's getting late. Why don't you take Xiao Shuijing to rest first?"
Before Shen Ying could reply, a sharp female voice suddenly came from behind her: "When are you leaving? You've caused such a ruckus in the Zhao family, what more do you want?"
"Haven't I already told you that my son already has someone he likes, and they'll get married someday? Can you please stop clinging to the Zhao family?"
"Sister Chenying, did something happen to you? Should I ask Yinyin to..."
"Yaoyao, don't worry about it, I'll hang up now." Shen Ying casually reassured Jiang Xingyao and then hung up the phone. She turned around and looked at the fierce-looking Madam Zhao standing behind her.
She is still living in the Zhao family home. Madam Zhao's resentment towards her is growing stronger, and she is becoming increasingly rude. Shen Ying came to the courtyard to talk to Jiang Xingyao because she was afraid that Jiang Xingyao would worry, but she did not expect that Madam Zhao would still chase after her.
Shen Ying did not argue with Madam Zhao here, but simply took the child into the house.
Lu Cai had already given her consent to marry Zhao Chengmo. On New Year's Eve this year, the Zhao family specially invited Lu Cai over, which was, to put it bluntly, a way to put Shen Ying in a difficult position.
As Shen Ying entered, Madam Zhao followed her in: "I'm talking to you. You saw it too, my son likes A Cai. Haven't you found the father of your own child?"
"The Jin family is willing to marry you. I beg you, please let my son go and go to the Jin family, okay?"
Some time ago, Jin Yanzhou openly admitted his relationship with Shen Ying and would come to the Zhao family from time to time to take Shen Ying away. Madam Zhao was overjoyed and wished that Jin Yanzhou would get rid of her as soon as possible. That way, her family would be free of a troublemaker and she would no longer have to let her son marry that poor girl.
Who knew that Shen Ying, shameless as she was, would actually stay at their Zhao family's house and refuse to leave? Jin Yanzhou tried to coax her from outside, and the whole family tried to chase her away from inside, but they couldn't get this troublemaker out.
Most importantly, there was Zhao Chengmo, who would speak up for Shen Ying from time to time. Helpless, Madam Zhao had no choice but to ask Lu Cai for help again.
Even Lu Cai has relented, but Shen Ying still won't leave. The only thing to be thankful for is that since Lu Cai arrived, Zhao Chengmo has indeed stopped protecting Shen Ying so much, which at least gave Madam Zhao some hope.
Shen Ying said, "Auntie, I remember I already told you my conditions. The marriage was arranged by your Zhao family. Now you want to break the contract. Shouldn't you give our Shen family an explanation?"
"The land south of Zhao's city, and the amusement park project in the city center—as long as you agree to hand them over to the Shen family, I'll pack my things and leave immediately."
This was the condition she had agreed upon with Zhao Chengmo: she would act for Zhao Chengmo, and in return, Zhao Chengmo would give her leverage in negotiations with Shen Hanzhi.
After the deed is done, Zhao Chengmo will be able to marry Lu Cai smoothly, Shen Hanzhi will gain benefits, and she can also use this opportunity to leave the Shen family, killing three birds with one stone.
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