Chapter 157: Trouble?
"I'm that kind of person! Wealth and honor can't corrupt me, okay? Of course, a little bit of petty profit can't sway me. I just... I think Chen Xingzhi is quite sincere. Look at how aggrieved he sounded at the museum today. He said something about some people not being able to have a relationship. I guess Teacher Qi can see how he feels about you!"
Although Yan Fangshu firmly stated in front of Shen Xingzhi that she would not interfere in the affairs between him and Ren Limeng, but as Shen Xingzhi said, she is Ren Limeng's best friend, and naturally she hopes that all good things will happen to Ren Limeng, and that Ren Limeng can finally get her happy ending after suffering.
She deserves it all.
"Fangfang."
Ren Limeng's tone was filled with helplessness. After a pause, she said softly, "It's no longer the same as it was back then. I can't afford to gamble."
I can't afford to gamble on Chen Xingzhi's sincerity, nor can I afford to gamble on the impact of feelings on my career.
In the corridor, Ren Limeng looked ahead. The dim light flickered on the wall, and the exquisite decorations looked even more bizarre under the light, like a misty path. All she could do was to move forward firmly and move towards her set goal without any interference.
"Mengmeng, it's okay."
Yan Fangshu understood the sigh between Ren Limeng's words. She held Ren Limeng's hand tightly and walked forward with her firmly. "At the age of eighteen, we dreamed every day of a successful love and career, reaching the pinnacle of life. Why should we be so timid at the age of thirty?"
“It’s different.”
Ren Limeng's smile was slightly bitter. She turned her head to look at Yan Fangshu, who was still full of energy, and suddenly remembered herself at the age of eighteen. At that time, she was indeed fearless. Even if the road was full of difficulties and the future was unknown, she dared to move forward fearlessly.
That kind of vigor and vitality is completely incomparable to her current state. Perhaps, what Chen Xingzhi misses is her at that time. With the filter of time, she is even more precious.
"What's the difference? You're still you, and I'm still me. Even if we've become more mature, it's just a strengthened version of us. It'll only get better. Mengmeng, don't you like yourself now?"
Yan Fangshu asked with certainty. She understood the confusion hidden in Ren Limeng's heart, but she believed even more that they were better versions of themselves, and even the passing of time could not change their underlying character.
“I like it, but it’s different.”
"Same thing, no need to worry about it, Mengmeng. Love affairs are different from work. If you think too much, you will only miss out."
Yan Fangshu spoke earnestly, saying that as a married person, she had a lot of experience in relationships that she wanted to share with Ren Limeng, hoping that she could avoid taking detours.
"If you miss it, there's another one. The next one will be even more handsome!"
Ren Limeng suddenly smiled, not wanting to let the two of them immerse themselves in the sad atmosphere any longer. Her free and easy tone was pretentious and unrestrained, but it also showed an emotional attitude that was more in line with her thirty-year-old self. Maturity was complex beyond this, and emotions were no longer everything in her life.
"dad."
"Hello, Uncle Ren!"
Ren Limeng and Yan Fangshu walked to the door of the dressing room, paused, and greeted Ren Shunan who was standing outside the door. Ren Shunan was stunned for a moment, concealed the helplessness on his face, put away his phone, and walked towards them.
"Why are you here? Li Meng, have you finished recording the show? Didn't you say it was a 24-hour recording? Why did you come here by yourself?"
"Today is over. The show promotion must be exaggerated. Dad, why are you outside? What happened?"
"Uncle Ren, Mengmeng, I just wanted to come see you. She's a coward. She's wanted to see you for a long time but didn't dare. This time I finally brought her here! I'm going to find my dad. Bye, Mengmeng, Uncle Ren!"
Before Ren Shunan could answer Ren Limeng, Yan Fangshu had already let go of Ren Limeng with a smile, blinked her eyes, said something mischievous, and turned around, not giving Ren Limeng any chance to stay.
The father and daughter were left staring at each other.
"It's okay. Your mother is taking off her makeup inside. Will you go home to stay at night? What's there to be afraid of as a family? Li Meng, many things have already passed."
Ren Shunan touched Ren Limeng's head with a smile, sighed softly, and continued speaking along the lines of what Yan Fangshu had left behind, his voice as gentle as before.
Is it over?
"Dad, don't listen to Fangfang's nonsense. It's not true. I've been so busy with the recordings lately that I haven't had time to go home. I have to go back to the hotel tonight, but... I will definitely go back tomorrow. I've already asked for leave from the production team!"
Ren Limeng lowered her eyes, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, still wanting to let the past pass as she did before. The tranquility at this moment was hard-earned, and she couldn't bear to destroy it.
"Just record the show properly. Why are you coming here during your break? Your dad and I are doing fine. We're not even old yet!"
Wu Murong had just changed her clothes and hadn't said a word when her tone unconsciously became harsh, ignoring the repeated glances from Ren Shunan.
"Rongrong!"
"Old Ren, don't take sides. I've been putting up with her for a long time. Since you keep saying you want to be a host, what was that drama you were acting in yesterday? Ren Limeng, what are you thinking? You're already over 30. Don't tell me you're still the same as you were during the college entrance exam, not even knowing what you want to do and messing around all day!"
Wu Murong's dressing room was an independent room. Ren Limeng stood in front of Wu Murong. Ren Shunan pulled Wu Murong with an ugly look on his face, but he did not stop Wu Murong's series of questions. With many years of hidden dissatisfaction, his voice was like a sword shooting at the silent Ren Limeng.
"You told us to leave you alone, saying you should go out and make your own way. It's been over ten years now, and what have you accomplished? The last time you finally made a breakthrough, it was all thanks to your acting. Think carefully about whether we've always been doing this for your own good. What's right for you? Don't just think about rebelling against me and your father, and you'll miss out on the real thing!"
Wu Murong's stiff tone concealed all her concern. Besides her disappointment, her words were also cold and earnest. She did not understand Ren Limeng's choice. If Ren Limeng had studied and performed step by step, these ten years would have been enough for her to become an excellent Huangmei Opera actor, just as they had always expected, inheriting the mantle and carrying forward the tradition.
What a good road it is, wouldn’t it be nice to walk on it steadily?
Why do you have to go through all this trouble?
And why... could she perform so well in "The Female Prime Minister"?
Wu Murong couldn't understand Ren Limeng. If it was just for the so-called independence from her parents, Ren Limeng's choice was too naive!
"Meixiang is holding a talent recruitment event next month. You have a doctorate and performed well in Fan County this time. They said they can make an exception and give you an interview spot. If you pass the exam, you'll be able to get a formal position. Ren Limeng, your father and I will take care of you this last time. Not everyone has the opportunity to regret."
Wu Murong looked at Ren Limeng, and the meaning of her words was very clear, so clear that Ren Limeng felt as if she had returned to many years ago.
But this time, she won't run away again.
Ren Limeng took a deep breath and shook her head slowly. "Dad, Mom, thank you, but I know exactly what I want. I like hosting, and I don't regret this path. As for... Huangmei Opera, it can be my hobby, but it won't be my career."
Ren Limeng's answer was more resolute than when she took the college entrance examination. Her firm tone easily angered Wu Murong, making her unconsciously recall all the quarrels over the years.
"No regrets? I do regret it. I was too indulgent with you back then. Look how spoiled you are now! You don't know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is! Old Ren, don't pull me in! And you too, look at your precious daughter! She doesn't even take us seriously now! Why are you still humbled and thinking about her? She has her own ideas!"
Beneath the sharp accusations was a concern that she didn't know how to express. Ren Limeng could feel her mother's kindness, but every word Wu Murong said was still sharp and cold, hitting her heart hard, making her feel uncomfortable, until layers of bitter ripples were stirred in her heart.
Ren Limeng wanted to say something, but her throat seemed to be blocked by a ball of cotton and she couldn't make a sound. She knew very well that the root of the conflict was that she didn't want to be a Huangmei Opera actress. This problem could not be avoided, so her and her mother's diametrically opposed ideas were destined to make it impossible to find common ground while reserving differences.
This is also the reason why she would rather go home less often over the years. To maintain superficial calm, both sides have been restrained enough. The problem is unsolvable, and neither side can take a step back. No one can break the deadlock, and they can only hope that time will change.
But these two people are equally stubborn, and even if time passes, their persistence will not waver in the slightest.
"Mom, I'm sorry..."
The low voice concealed all emotions. Ren Limeng had long stopped arguing fiercely with her mother. She just stood there silently and stubbornly like a wooden stake, allowing Wu Murong to "conquer" her excitedly in every way, but it was of no avail and only made her even more furious.
"Rongrong, calm down. Li Meng knows she's wrong. She's just a child. Why should you be angry with her? Li Meng also knows we're doing this for her own good, but...it's normal for children to have their own ideas as they grow up. Li Meng, don't reject her outright. Think it over carefully. There's still a lot of time left for registration."
Ren Shunan closed the door tightly, hugged Wu Murong, and while trying to persuade the angry Wu Murong, he winked at Ren Limeng, hoping that Ren Limeng would compromise, at least to coax Wu Murong first and then discuss the matter in the long run.
Ren Limeng understood the look in her father's eyes, but this matter had been vague for too many years, like a big, hard snowball that no one could break up with one punch, and it might even hit an avalanche at any time. She could not delay any longer.
"......sorry......"
"You're being unfair to yourself! Ren Limeng, what on earth are you thinking? You're a girl, how can you travel around all your life? What's the specialty of being a host? Nowadays, anyone can say a few words, and you're no different. You don't feel it now because you're young, but what will you do when you're old and no one invites you to host? You'll regret it someday! What's so bad about joining Meixiang that you've been rejecting it for so many years?"
Ren Shunan was standing by, using his hands to soothe Wu Murong's chest, and whispered to her to calm down, using various reasons like the soundproofing of the theater. Wu Murong took a deep breath for a long time, her face still ashen, but her voice finally calmed down a little. However, she still couldn't help but question the doubts and confusions she had felt for many years.
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