Chapter 29 [VIP]
Chapter Summary: "Are you jealous?"
Qian Lina didn't want it to be like this either, but a phone call from her mother changed her mind.
Last night, my mother called to ask how she was doing.
"What else can we do?" Qian Lina said listlessly.
As usual, she complained to her mother about how busy the bank job was and how strange the customers were, and then added with a touch of relief, "The bank is holding its annual meeting, and they actually want us to put on our own performances. Luckily, I was quick-witted enough..."
Unexpectedly, instead of praising her, Qian's mother launched into a tirade, yelling, "Are you stupid?"
"?" Qian Lina didn't understand.
Qian's mother continued, "If I hadn't told you you were honest, would you really think that whether or not someone can be transferred to a different position depends on their business skills?"
"I know, it depends on who you have connections with." Qian Lina leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, looking depressed. Really, is it her fault that she doesn't have connections?
"Connections don't just fall from the sky. This is such a great opportunity. When you get to know a few branch managers, they can temporarily transfer you over when they're short-staffed. After a while, you'll naturally stay on, right?"
“How could that be?” Qian Lina laughed at her mother’s naiveté. “It’s just dancing. With so many people around, who could see you?”
"If there's no opportunity, create one! After the performance, don't you have to have a meal? And after the meal, don't you have to toast people? It's still better than sitting behind the counter, right? If you sit behind the counter all day, even if you work yourself to death, which leader will even notice you?"
"..."
Qian Lina was speechless, not only because she felt that her mother's words made some sense, but more importantly, she suddenly remembered the scene when the director specifically asked Ni Zhenzhen to participate in the annual meeting performance.
No wonder Ni Zhenzhen agreed without hesitation; it turns out that was her plan.
In the pitch-black night, Qian Lina was enveloped by a chill that spread throughout her body, and she couldn't help but start shivering.
This is truly appalling! While others climb the social ladder in front of her, she not only feels smug and oblivious, but also feels sorry for Ni Zhenzhen. In fact, she is the one who deserves the most pity!
But now, the director has already decided on Ni Zhenzhen, and she went to another rehearsal...
Qian Lina originally wanted to let it go this time and try again next time, but when she thought about how Ni Zhenzhen might leave an impression on the branch leaders by dancing at the annual meeting and be able to transfer to a different position next year and never have to work at the counter again, she would definitely regret her decision today!
Qian Lina's heart skipped a beat, and before hanging up the phone, she kept saying, "I understand..."
Qian Lina tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and she really didn't know how to start the conversation.
Finally, she came up with an excuse, roughly saying that Ni Zhenzhen and Rong Xiaodan were both in relationships, while she was still single and had little opportunity to meet men since she was confined to the counter every day. She could take advantage of attending the annual meeting to meet some male colleagues.
Unfortunately, her carefully prepared explanation was of no use, because as soon as Qian Lina mentioned that she wanted to perform at last year's event, Ni Zhenzhen agreed without hesitation.
"That's great!" Ni Zhenzhen said with a smile. "I was just worried about what to do. I haven't practiced in a long time, and my back aches after just one jump. It's perfect that you can go."
A matter that Qian Lina found particularly troublesome was thus settled so easily. So much so that Qian Lina wasn't particularly happy, but rather couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. Why had she agreed so readily? Did she have ulterior motives, or had she received some information…?
Ni Zhenzhen thought she had concerns, so she comforted her, "Don't worry, I'll teach you the new moves after get off work. You have a foundation, so you'll definitely be able to keep up."
"Huh?" Qian Lina forced a smile. "Okay."
Ni Zhenzhen could easily understand why Qian Lina changed her mind.
She wished Xu Tianzhou hadn't said those words; if he had, she could have treated it all as a coincidence, and at least she wouldn't be as heartbroken as she was now.
Ni Zhenzhen wasn't upset that she couldn't wear that ethereal performance outfit, but rather that she felt sorry for Qian Lina, who clearly didn't like it but still had to try for a chance to advance her career.
Ni Zhenzhen both hoped that she would succeed and did not want her to succeed. It wasn't out of jealousy, but because she didn't want her to firmly believe that all her past efforts were a joke.
What's the point of studying your profession? You might as well focus your energy on practicing dance.
After work that day, Ni Zhenzhen didn't tell Xu Tianzhou about it, but instead mentioned Song Likun to him, because she was really shocked.
"Wow! Did you know?" Ni Zhenzhen exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down. "My apprentice is actually someone with a very impressive background!"
"Really?" Xu Tianzhou was driving and answered casually, his tone revealing nothing about his emotions.
Ni Zhenzhen said excitedly, "If the director hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known. He's not only good at studying, but he's also good at basketball. He used to play in that C-A league..."
Xu Tianzhou shifted his gaze and asked, "CUBA?"
"Yes, yes, that's it! You actually knew about it?" Ni Zhenzhen exclaimed excitedly. "Is it that amazing?"
Xu Tianzhou was silent for a few seconds before giving a somewhat perfunctory answer, "It's alright."
Ni Zhenzhen continued, "I specifically searched online, and wow, there are so many competition videos, and quite a few fans. Everyone is asking him what he's doing now."
At this point, Ni Zhenzhen chuckled. As she lowered her head, the neon lights outside the window came closer, leaving a dazzling light on her face.
Ni Zhenzhen found it more and more amusing. "I even want to leave them messages under a pseudonym. This seems to be the first time I've been so close to gossip."
Ni Zhenzhen talked a lot more, from fans' comments on Song Likun's appearance and physique, to his three-point game-winning video that circulated in the martial arts world, to how quickly he learns things and how meticulous he is in doing things.
"He noticed my hands were a bit dry, so he gave me a hand cream."
Ni Zhenzhen spoke excitedly, completely unaware of the subtle change in Xu Tianzhou's expression.
Actually, it wasn't just his expressions. At the beginning, no matter what Ni Zhenzhen said, Xu Tianzhou would occasionally hum in agreement. Later, even that stopped, and it became a one-man show for Ni Zhenzhen.
Ni Zhenzhen sensed it, she stopped and asked cautiously, "Are you jealous?"
Xu Tianzhou seemed to hum, or perhaps not. Before Ni Zhenzhen could discern the difference, a threatening retort came crashing down, "What do you want to eat?"
"Jealous."
"What kind of vinegar?"
"Jealous." Whether intentionally or not, Ni Zhenzhen patiently explained what vinegar was. If Xu Tianzhou hadn't stopped her in time, she probably would have continued, "It's that dark, sour, fermented liquid. You eat it with dumplings... um..."
Xu Tianzhou finally managed to hold out until a red light, and as the car stopped, he suddenly turned around and kissed her passionately in the boundless night.
The car fell silent instantly. The annoying noises disappeared, replaced by somewhat disordered breathing, which continued to be captivating and relentlessly stirred up a fire in the stillness.
At first, Xu Tianzhou just wanted to end this pointless conversation. Perhaps it was the unbelievably soft and sweet touch that made him deepen the kiss as Ni Zhenzhen struggled slightly.
Since they were outside, Xu Tianzhou couldn't go too far, but he felt a little unwilling to let it end like this.
Xu Tianzhou's yearning gaze swept over Ni Zhenzhen's forehead, the corners of her eyes, and the tip of her nose, finally settling on her glistening lips.
Ni Zhenzhen's lipstick had long since lost its color, but now, after being kissed by Xu Tianzhou, it looked as if she had applied lipstick again, shining brightly red.
There seemed to be some kind of magic there, drawing him in madly.
Xu Tianzhou leaned in again, but this time not as passionately as before. He gave her two light pecks, like a dragonfly skimming the water, before pinching her chin and saying reproachfully, "You know that, yet you still say it."
He made no attempt to hide the pitifulness in his tone, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
Ni Zhenzhen chuckled softly, "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore, okay?"
Ni Zhenzhen indeed didn't mention Song Likun again, but no matter what she said, Xu Tianzhou acted as if he hadn't heard her and didn't respond.
Ni Zhenzhen thought Xu Tianzhou was just too tired, but she didn't expect that on the way home after getting off the bus, Xu Tianzhou walked very fast, clearly showing that he had a lot of energy.
And that is indeed the case.
As soon as Ni Zhenzhen entered the house, before she even turned on the lights, Xu Tianzhou pressed her against the door. He bit her lips hard, conquering her with a fierce and urgent force, as if venting something, a kiss that was deeper and more intense than the one in the car.
There were always footsteps outside. Ni Zhenzhen didn't want to be here. She moved slightly, but Xu Tianzhou pushed her against the door again. This repeated itself, bringing intermittent, muffled sounds, like the beat of a heartbeat, making Xu Tianzhou even more frantic.
He was indeed insane, so insane that he had lost all reason, his body and mind were completely trapped, so insane that he would get furious over a complete stranger, and would feel deep disgust just from hearing her name, so insane that even if Ni Zhenzhen did it on purpose, he would willingly fall into her trap.
In the darkness, a faint fragrance wafted over, bringing the pain to its peak.
Xu Tianzhou ran his nose along Ni Zhenzhen's cheek, down behind her ear, across her slender neck, lingered briefly on the ends of her hair, and finally located the source of the scent in her palm.
Xu Tianzhou narrowed his eyes, his voice low and hoarse, as if deeper than the darkness before him, colder than the night itself, "The hand cream he gave you?"
Ni Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Does it smell nice? It smells like roses..."
The next second, Ni Zhenzhen lost her footing and was picked up by Xu Tianzhou. She gasped and instinctively clung to Xu Tianzhou, too afraid to move.
Xu Tianzhou carried her inside, and Ni Zhenzhen leaned on his shoulder, unable to stop laughing.
Xu Tianzhou frowned. "What are you laughing at?"
Ni Zhenzhen shook her hand and said calmly, "I didn't take the one he gave me. This is mine." Only then did she realize that Xu Tianzhou was angry about the hand cream.
"You..." Xu Tianzhou paused for a moment, then quickly laughed. As if punishing her, he kissed her palm, and after a moment, he took her lips. He had been holding back since the car ride, but finally couldn't take it anymore.
That night, Xu Tianzhou drifted further and sank deeper in the vast ocean of love.
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