Chapter 148 A False Alarm
"I asked Yan Fangshu from the next group for help. Li Meng and Fangfang are very familiar with each other. Fangfang should be able to take good care of Li Meng. Han Tai brother..."
Although she had no idea about the "arrangement" that Ren Limeng mentioned in advance, when her eyes met Ren Limeng's just now, the tacit understanding accumulated over the years was still enough for Li Chuyue to guess Ren Limeng's plan for the afternoon. She smiled bitterly in her heart, and like a puppet, she followed Ren Limeng's ideas and explained to Han Tai.
Li Chuyue understood Han Tai's polite request to accompany her, as it was the proper way for a theater to entertain guests. However, she still did not want Han Tai and Ren Limeng to have too much contact. Ren Limeng now made Li Chuyue unpredictable. Li Chuyue was very afraid that Ren Limeng would deliberately be ambiguous with Han Tai in order to retaliate against her.
Li Chuyue was still brooding over many old things, and she really wanted to politely reject Han Tai's kindness on behalf of Ren Limeng.
But... thinking of the shudder she felt last night, she only managed a somewhat stiff smile. Bitterness was suppressed in her eyes as she looked at Ren Limeng without saying anything. "Limeng, what do you think?"
Chen Xi noticed the unnaturalness in Li Chuyue's words beside her. She looked thoughtfully at the space between Li Chuyue and Ren Limeng. Noticing that Li Chuyue's fingertips were secretly clenching the music score, a hint of interest flashed in Chen Xi's eyes.
"Brother Han Tai has been very busy these past two days. I won't bother you this afternoon. Fang Fang will take care of me. Thank you, Brother Han Tai and Chu Yue."
Chen Xingzhi had been staring at Ren Limeng. Listening to her distant rejection of Han Tai, his slightly wrinkled brows finally relaxed a little, but there was still a thick ink in his eyes that could not be erased.
For the entire morning, Ren Limeng behaved normally in front of the camera. Apart from necessary communication, she didn't even look at him, as if everything that happened last night was just a dream of his.
The corners of Shen Xingzhi's pursed lips were slightly pressed down, and his lip lines were tight, outlining a deep arc. He looked fixedly at Ren Limeng who was talking and laughing, and the helplessness in his eyes disappeared in an instant.
"Mengmeng!"
After finalizing the afternoon schedule, Ren Limeng sent a message directly to Yan Fangshu. Not long after, Yan Fangshu came to the training room where the guests were practicing. After briefly greeting everyone, Yan Fangshu glanced at Chen Xingzhi, who had a cold expression, and smiled as she took Ren Limeng's arm.
"Then Fangfang and I will be leaving first. See you all tonight!"
It was noon at this time. Yan Fangshu took Ren Limeng's right arm and walked out of the training room. Behind them were Ren Limeng's photographer Xiao Zhang and four other photographers and staff members from the program team. These five people will continue to record Ren Limeng's afternoon schedule.
"Xiao Zhang, Fangfang and I are going to the theater cafeteria for dinner. It's too crowded there for filming, so why don't you leave your video camera with me? We'll meet at the museum at 3:30 pm. There's a food court not far from here, and Fangfang and I have already booked a meal at Mei Da Shao there. We'd like to invite everyone to try our authentic Meishi specialties. Thank you for taking care of us these days."
When going downstairs, Ren Limeng turned her head and smiled faintly, then turned off the microphone and discussed in a low voice. Xiao Zhang immediately understood what she meant.
A banquet at Mei Dashao is not cheap. Even though the guests were recording at Mei Dashao Restaurant on Tuesday, the production team still only provided the staff with tasteless boxed lunches. The footage of Ren Limeng and her amateur friends having lunch was almost useless to the program. Xiao Zhang's heart moved slightly, and he looked at the other staff members behind him with the same flickering eyes.
"Teacher Ren... this is inappropriate. We sent someone to record with you..."
"Don't worry, we'll keep in touch. I won't run around. Next to Meixiang is Meixiang Temple, a famous tourist attraction in Meixian County. It's very effective. You can go there to help with digestion after dinner. Xiao Zhang, you're the most familiar with this place. Please take care of everyone for me. Remember to come to me for any expenses. Fangfang said she'd pay yesterday. I'm sorry for causing you all trouble!"
Hearing the tone of negotiation revealed in Xiao Zhang's words, Ren Limeng's smile became more friendly. She confirmed the "recording" at noon with some gratitude, and while speaking, she sent the address link of Mei Dashao to Xiao Zhang via WeChat.
"Mengmeng, you just happened to be so social, and they actually agreed to it like that?"
After saying goodbye to the staff, Yan Fangshu looked at their departing backs, her lips curled up slightly with a hint of relief. "I thought it would take a lot of persuasion. Didn't 'Shan Hai' agree to 24-hour recording? They actually agreed so easily?"
"Fangfang, putting aside the show, we are all just ordinary workers."
As employees of the Orange platform, even though the workplace rules of the agricultural channel and the entertainment channel are different, what the staff want is exactly the same. Ren Limeng knows clearly the extent to which the staff can make decisions or fool around during the recording of the program, and she also cleverly grasps everyone's mentality.
“The most important thing is that I have very few personal shots. Even if I record the whole thing at noon, I probably won’t need the main film. If…Shen Xingzhi makes this request today, it won’t be so simple.”
When mentioning "Chen Xingzhi", Ren Limeng's tone of voice unconsciously paused. Even though it was fleeting, Yan Fangshu could still hear the slightest ripple in her heart.
"Mengmeng, how are you...getting along with Han Tai? Do you have any heart-pounding feelings?"
Yan Fangshu hesitated for a moment, then changed the subject, testing the waters cautiously.
"It's good. If it weren't for Shen Xingzhi and Guan He, Hantai would be a good partner."
"Nothing else? Yueyue asked me yesterday if you were interested in Han Tai, but from your tone...it seems like there's nothing more to it."
Yan Fangshu sighed slightly in disappointment, her eyes flickered slightly, and she quickly adjusted herself and said, "But now I don't think you and Han Tai will be together, hehe..."
"Fangfang, I'm not on a dating show..."
Noticing Yan Fangshu's mysterious and teasing look, Ren Limeng felt helpless, thinking that Yan Fangshu was offended by her and Guan He again. Ren Limeng shook her head slightly and smiled faintly.
"Okay, okay, but you two are so cute, just like in a TV show, what a match! Don't glare at me, how can I be indifferent to my best friend's couple! Mengmeng, are you not interested in who I'm dating? Okay, okay, I won't say anymore. Now, do you want to go to our troupe for a walk? Teacher Wu and Uncle Ren should still be practicing. They have a performance tonight."
Yan Fangshu became more and more excited as she spoke, her eyes narrowed into crescents. It was not until she felt Ren Limeng's helpless glare and the annoyance of secretly pulling her arm that Yan Fangshu finally changed the subject with a smile, but there was still a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Ren Limeng's heart was moved when she heard Yan Fangshu's suggestion to change the subject. She had been talking about going back to her hometown this week, but she was afraid to go home. The busy recording took up most of her time. She had never had the chance to meet her parents in private. In addition, she hadn't seen her parents perform and practice for many years. Ren Limeng felt some impulse in her heart.
But after a moment's thought, she finally shook her head and said, "...Forget it. We still have a recording session in the afternoon, and we should keep a low profile in Meixiang."
Shen Xingzhi always said that she was avoiding him, but in fact, she had been avoiding going home more.
Ren Limeng smiled bitterly in her heart. She always had ten thousand reasons to delay meeting her parents. Even if she made up her mind to return to Mei City, thinking about her mother Wu Murong's cold and hard attitude yesterday, Ren Limeng still subconsciously wanted to slow down. The so-called low-key was a fact and also a good shield.
"Mengmeng, tomorrow is Friday."
Yan Fangshu looked at Ren Limeng, who pursed her lips slightly, and gently hugged her arms without saying anything else. However, her thoughts couldn't help but drift back to three weeks ago.
It was an ordinary Wednesday. Yan Fangshu went back to her home for dinner in the evening. The topic that her mother Shen Yiran brought up unintentionally at the dinner table made Yan Fangshu's face change drastically, and she stood up subconsciously.
"Mom, you're kidding, right? Teacher Wu has stomach cancer? Does Mengmeng know?"
As Yan Fangshu spoke, she took out her cell phone and hurriedly sent a message to Ren Limeng.
"Fang Shu, don't believe everything you hear. I haven't finished my words yet. It was a misdiagnosis. I only found out today when Lao Ren mentioned it..."
After listening to her mother's brief explanation, Yan Fangshu finally understood what had happened. She remembered the message she had just sent to Ren Limeng in a panic, and hurriedly took out her cell phone, but it was too late to withdraw it. Just as she was editing the explanation, Ren Limeng called.
"Fangfang, where did you hear that? Aunt Chen or Uncle Yan? When did it happen? It shouldn't be that way. I remember my mom's blood pressure was a little high during her physical examination at the end of last year. Which hospital did my dad take her to? I'm currently busy with a special report on the 24 solar terms in Hecheng. I'm staying up late to finish it today. Tomorrow...tomorrow I'm definitely going to take a long vacation..."
A series of panicked voices poured into Yan Fangshu's house with the click of the connect button. Noticing her mother Shen Yiran's secretly sighing glare, Yan Fangshu urgently evacuated to the balcony and hurriedly explained to Ren Limeng.
"Mengmeng, I made a mistake. I'm sorry. It was a misdiagnosis. My mom just mentioned it to me, but I didn't hear it clearly before I sent you a message. Don't panic, I just wanted to tell you it was a false alarm!"
"...Fangfang! I've only slept less than six hours these past two days. Do you know how painful it was to wake up instantly after seeing your message?"
Ren Limeng called out to Yan Fangshu loudly, and her frightened tone finally calmed down, with a mocking joking tone. Only she herself knew how frightening and terrifying the previous blank moment of confusion was.
In Ren Limeng's impression, her mother was strong and cold, always singing operas with vigor. She had been away from home for several years, and their hurried meetings during the Chinese New Year were perfunctory. Her memories of her parents gradually blurred, carrying with them the stereotypes from her youth. Ren Limeng had never thought, nor could she accept, that her mother would suddenly fall ill.
Even though it was a false alarm, Ren Limeng couldn't help but take a deep breath as she listened to Yan Fangshu's constant apologies and explanations. Her head, which had been occupied by work, finally had space to recall the cold family relationship that had lasted all these years. Many impulses surged in her heart.
After being so distant and close for so many years, she couldn't drag it on any longer.
Not every time she could be lucky enough to have a false alarm, and escape could not solve all problems. She knew it clearly, and this time she had to put knowledge and action into practice.
"Fangfang, thank you. I'm fine... I just got scared by you and I'm homesick all of a sudden. I didn't go back for the New Year this year. After I finish this project, I'll... go home and visit you. I've taken note of your behavior today. Please remember to treat me to a good meal to make amends when the time comes!"
Holding the phone tightly, Ren Limeng tilted her head back, closed her eyes to hide all the complexity and bitterness in them, and tried to make her soft voice more relaxed.
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