Chapter 214 Watching a Play
"What's the rush? I'm not planning to remarry right now," Jiang Ruzhen tried to brush it off.
But Tian Rong was very anxious, "You don't want to get married yet? How old are you this year? You're forty-one, and in a few months, you'll be forty-two."
If you're not worried, aren't Xiao Lu and her family worried? You're already considered an older mother; every year you delay increases the risk significantly.
Xiao Lu has been good to you and hasn't mentioned having children, but you can't not consider his feelings, can you? You have to leave Xiao Lu an heir..."
"Mom, I'm a human being, not a baby-making machine. Why should I have to have children for men? Is the meaning of us women just to keep having children for men?"
Jiang Ruzhen was in a state of confusion, and her tone was somewhat sharp, leaving Tian Rong stunned by her rebuttal.
"What's wrong with you, child? I'm just concerned about you. I don't want you to be an older mother. After forty, every year brings more risks. Why don't you appreciate it?"
"Mom, stop talking. I won't have any more children with any man. If you keep pressuring me, I might as well not get married at all."
Jiang Ruzhen felt as if a huge stone was pressing on her heart. She put on her clothes, opened the door, and went out.
Jiang Nian'an and Tian Rong exchanged bewildered glances. What's wrong with this child today? Has he taken some kind of poison?
Or did she and Xiao Lu have a fight?
Jiang Ruzhen stormed out, but didn't know where to go.
Zhou Qing took over the business in the capital very quickly, managing the stores in just over half a month.
She didn't need to worry about Yangcheng and Liancheng at all; school didn't start for another few days, and she was currently like an unemployed bum with nothing to do.
She was wearing a warm down jacket and started sweating after walking around the neighborhood a few times, but her heart felt like it had a gaping hole, through which the cold wind howled, chilling her to the bone.
As she lapped her fifth time, she ran into Meng Qi. Meng Qi was still the same as ever, elegant and refined, wearing a cashmere coat and standing by the roadside smiling at her.
"Professor Meng, you're still living here?"
Meng Qi chuckled and replied, "Yes, I think the neighbors here are all very nice, so I'd like to stay for another two months before leaving. By the way, how are things going with you and that Comrade Lu? I haven't seen him lately."
When Jiang Ruzhen heard Lu Mingzheng mentioned again, her heart was stirred with emotion. She was stunned for a moment before her mind gradually calmed down.
She looked up and smiled, "He's very busy, and so am I."
The two simple sentences didn't reveal anything unusual, but Meng Qi saw a trace of melancholy and regret in Jiang Ruzhen's eyes.
His heart pounded rapidly, but he remained calm and walked forward side by side with Jiang Ruzhen.
"I heard that the Cultural Palace is putting on a play called 'Platform' recently. A friend gave me two tickets to see it, but I don't know who to ask to go with me."
Are you free this weekend?
Jiang Ruzhen looked hesitant, but when she thought about her mother urging her to remarry that morning, she wondered if she should take a chance and give it a try.
"Okay, let's meet at the entrance of the Cultural Palace then."
Soon, the day for watching the play arrived, and Jiang Ruzhen dressed herself up a little more neatly.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Meng Qizheng waiting at the entrance of the building. He immediately handed her a hot water bottle when he saw her come out.
"It's getting cold outside today, so I filled a hot water bottle for you to hug, it'll keep you warm."
Jiang Ruzhen took the hot water bottle, said thank you, and walked forward without saying a word. Meng Qi followed her.
Seeing that she wasn't in the mood to talk, he didn't speak and silently accompanied her the whole way.
Jiang Ruzhen didn't notice at first, until the two arrived at the entrance of the Cultural Palace, she realized that she hadn't said a word the whole time.
"I'm sorry, Professor Meng, I've been spacing out the whole way."
"It's alright. Comrade Jiang, you can be yourself here. You are free; you can say what you want to say, or you can remain silent if you don't want to."
Meng Qi looked at Jiang Ruzhen with tender eyes, and Jiang Ruzhen seemed to sense the two small flames in the depths of his eyes beneath his calm expression.
She abruptly looked away, lifted her foot onto the steps, and said, "Let's go inside."
Today's play tells the stories of people coming and going on a train platform: partings, reunions, tears, and laughter, like passersby in life.
There were several touching moments, and the surrounding audience members were moved to tears.
Jiang Ruzhen also cried; tears streamed down her face from the very beginning of the performance.
Seemingly sharing the ups and downs of the characters' lives in the drama, she cried uncontrollably, wetting a handkerchief, and Meng Qi silently handed her another one.
Jiang Ruzhen took the handkerchief without hesitation and continued crying, wetting the handkerchief as well.
After watching the play, Jiang Ruzhen felt as if she had fought a battle. Although she was exhausted, the pent-up frustration in her chest was completely gone.
She let out a long breath as she stepped out of the Cultural Palace.
As I stepped down the stairs, my foot slipped and I almost fell.
Meng Qi caught her quickly, and Jiang Ruzhen fell into Meng Qi's arms.
Feeling the other person's burning chest, Jiang Ruzhen felt as if she had been scalded and immediately stood up to apologize.
"sorry."
Meng Qi paused for a moment, then asked with concern, "Are you alright? Let me help you walk."
"No need, no need, I just realized I have something to do, I'll be going now." Jiang Ruzhen waved to Meng Qi with a smile, then turned around and hailed a taxi to leave.
Only Meng Qi remained standing blankly at the entrance of the Cultural Palace. He could still smell Jiang Ruzhen's scent, but she had already disappeared.
In the following days, Jiang Ruzhen tried to leave early and return late to avoid meeting Meng Qi.
Fortunately, school started soon. Jiang Ruzhen hadn't received a call from her daughter in a long time, so she took advantage of a break in class to come to their department to ask what was going on.
Before I even entered, I could hear several teachers discussing something inside.
"What? You said there was a massive mudslide in Sichuan Province? How are Professor Li and the others doing?"
"I don't know, we haven't been able to get in touch with them yet."
"It's so frustrating! And that Professor Li, the school told them to come back early, but he insists on finishing up something."
"Sigh! It's all fate! You know Professor Li is known for his meticulous and rigorous work."
"What about the students? Did they disappear too?"
"My God, fifteen teachers and students! This is a huge loss for our school..."
Jiang Ruzhen felt a sudden dizziness, and when she woke up, she was already being carried to the infirmary by her teachers.
She grabbed a female teacher's hand and asked in a panic, "I heard that Professor Li's team had an accident? Is it true?"
The teacher looked at her awkwardly, "We just received the news ourselves, and we're not sure about its accuracy yet."
"Could you please tell me their specific address?" Jiang Ruzhen was extremely anxious; she couldn't wait a moment longer.
After receiving the address, Jiang Ruzhen immediately pulled out the IV needle from her hand, went out of the school gate, took out her Special Operations Bureau No. 9 ID, and dialed the number on it.
Xiao He answered the phone, and Jiang Ruzhen didn't stand on ceremony with him, speaking directly.
"Could I borrow a helicopter to fly to Sichuan Province?"
Xiao He asked, "What's wrong, Junior Sister?"
"I'm going to save my daughter," Jiang Ruzhen said resolutely.
"What? Something's happened to our eldest niece? Fourth Brother, hurry, get out there!"
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