Chapter 18. The Most Expensive Contest
If I had the money I would go for it, then why don’t I just rob a bank?
As the sun was setting, Feng Xue appeared at the tavern on time. Ruan Tang was sitting by the window, eating pasta with her chin in her hand. "Rain Man" was playing on TV, and she was so absorbed in watching it that her chewing movements were very slow.
Seeing Feng Xue come in, she swallowed a big mouthful of noodles and asked him if he wanted to have dinner, pointing to the refrigerator.
Feng Xue went over and opened the freezer and exclaimed, "Wow!" She turned around and looked at Ruan Tang. She shrugged helplessly: They were all bought by the little boy.
He just took out a bottle of ice cola and sat down at the table next to Ruan Tang and asked: What are you going to do with so many?
"Eat as much as you can." Ruan Tang picked out a shrimp from the pasta and threw it to the little pig in the corner.
She thought for a while and continued: I watched the scene in Fortress Besieged where Tang Xiaofu and Fang Hongjian had dinner together and the other party also ordered a large table of dishes. Tang Xiaofu said that all men like to waste money in front of silly women, because women who are not silly will definitely not have a good impression of men because they waste and show off. Do you think I am a silly woman in the eyes of men?
Feng Xue didn't say anything, just stared at the TV screen, as if she was thinking about the answer, or as if she was caught up in the plot that was avoiding her question.
He pointed to the TV: I watched half of this movie when I was in college. Do you like old movies too?
Ruan Tang smiled: "In your eyes, I should like palace fighting dramas and storytelling, right?" It seems the answer is obvious.
Feng Xue frowned and said seriously: I didn’t mean that…
There was still a hint of a smile on her face, and her attention was drawn back to the movie.
In fact, she had basically no interest in reading books or watching movies before. After all, human energy is limited, and being a beauty is already tiring.
But then Xu Wei gave a simple example: Why did Qing'er become the biggest emotional crisis between Ziwei and Erkang? It must not only be because she was as beautiful as Ziwei, but also because they had considerable inner qualities and could talk with Erkang all night about poetry and life philosophy.
Ruan Tang thought it made sense, so she asked Xu Wei to make a list of books for her, and then she started browsing the movies based on the Douban top 250.
The reason why she was so devoted today was because Tom was so damn handsome! She sighed in her heart.
Even though she has always believed that men don't need to look at their appearance, she was still moved by it.
"Actually, you're pretty good. I think you know what you want, and you're always optimistic and open-minded. That's really good." Feng Xue suddenly said.
This time, it was Ruan Tang's turn to stare at the TV screen in silence. In the movie, the older brother pestered his younger brother, Tom, to teach him how to dance in order to keep a girl's casual date. Ruan Tang, staring intently, patted Feng Xue's arm and asked, "Do you know how to dance like this? Let's try it together."
Before Feng Xue could refuse, she stood up, turned down the volume on the TV, and turned on the HomePod. She usually liked to play a playlist of piano music on repeat during business hours, and at this moment, she happened to be playing "City of Stars" from "La La Land".
Ruan Tang pulled Feng Xue to her feet and they learned to pose while looking at the TV screen.
Feng Xuehuan's hand on Ruan Tang's lower back was slightly suspended in the air, patiently guiding her to the beat.
Ruan Tang was surprised: You can actually do it?
"I found a teacher and studied for a few days just for the wedding."
"I'm sorry..." Ruan Tang was sweating in her heart, and she was very reluctant to touch the memories of this romantic man.
Unexpectedly, Feng Xue just shook his head and said: Actually this is very simple, continue?
"Left foot first..."
"I'm sorry, does it hurt?"
"You follow my pace."
"I think they'll go around in circles..."
After the song ends, the plot of the movie goes on to the point where the younger brother's girlfriend, in order to make up for her brother's regret of being stood up, dances with him in the elevator and then kisses him.
The two of them were watching the images on TV. Ruan Tang clearly felt that Feng Xue's hand holding hers stiffened and then loosened.
She was just about to make a joke to ease the awkward atmosphere when Lin Shen suddenly pushed the door open and came in.
Seeing the two standing very close to each other, he asked politely: Am I disturbing you?
Feng Xue quickly waved his hand and said: Welcome.
She didn't know if it was because of her preconceived aversion, but Ruan Tang always felt that his polite inquiry carried a certain joking tone. She smiled and said: We are open for business, and we would love to have more people come to disturb us.
She stepped back a few steps and said: Let me introduce you, this is Xu Wei's fiancé, Lin Shen, and this is the owner of the tavern, Feng Xue.
Feng Xue nodded to Lin Shen as a greeting. Ruan Tang didn't want to act too abnormal in front of others, so she politely asked Lin Shen to sit down and asked him what he wanted to drink.
Lin Shen said that Xu Wei's birthday is next week and he plans to celebrate for her here. Ruan Tang pointed at Feng Xue who was busy behind the counter and said that he was the boss here and they should talk to him about renting the venue.
Lin Shen went straight to the point: I know you and Weiwei are very good friends, so I hope to get along well with you. Besides, we are getting married soon, and Weiwei will definitely want you to be her bridesmaid.
Ruan Tang crossed her arms and smiled faintly. "Xu Wei is willing to forgive you, and I respect her. After all, this is a matter between you two. Don't worry, I won't roll my eyes at you at the wedding. As for getting along well, forget it. I'm not used to getting along with my friends' significant others."
His words were full of sincerity, but the sincerity of adults is never expressed in words.
The fact that he could step on women to get to the top for resources, and then abandon them and return to Xu Wei simply meant that Xu Wei and he were more compatible intellectually.
What about the future? Surely no one will always be lucky enough to win over others?
Ever since Xu Wei said she wanted to get married, Ruan Tang had analyzed the situation for her many times, but she always acted confident and said she had her own plans.
When Ruan Tang mentioned this to her mother on the phone, her mother would only say that it's better to demolish ten temples than to destroy a marriage. Xu Wei is so educated, she must have thought it through. Besides, everyone makes mistakes. Ruan Tang said helplessly, "If you had thought it through earlier, our lives would have been less difficult, right?" Her mother hesitated for a moment, saying that things were different back then...
The next evening, after closing the store, Ruan Tang planned to go to SKP to choose a gift for Xu Wei.
As soon as he walked out of the store, he saw an Audi sports car parked at the side of a narrow alley. Zhang Haoyu stuck his head out and waved to Ruan Tang.
Ruan Tang walked over, bent down and asked: What are you doing here?
"To pick you up from get off work." He still had a sunny look on his face.
Ruan Tang thought: It’s a free car, it would be a waste not to take it.
She fastened her seat belt carefully, and as if remembering something, she asked: How many years have you been driving?
Zhang Haoyu raised his eyebrows: Don’t worry, I’m an experienced driver.
He drove fairly steadily, but Ruan Tang was still worried. Every time he overtook, Ruan Tang couldn't help but remind him: Be careful.
Zhang Haoyu joked: You look like my mother.
Ruan Tang was displeased, and her tone became a little aggressive: I have indeed reached the age where I am starting to exude maternal love.
He smiled and turned his head to look at Ruan Tang: But I think she is very cute.
Ruan Tang frowned: "Look at the road!" After thinking for a while, she shot back: "Then why don't you just introduce me to your dad."
Hearing this, Zhang Haoyu suddenly looked at her deeply and asked, "Do you really think age is a very important issue? If I'm a dozen years older than you, will it be okay?"
Ruan Tang patted his shoulder lightly and said angrily, "I was just kidding!" She turned her head, propped up her chin, and looked out the window, sighing, "Age is a problem, but it's not just about age."
"But you said you like money. I have money. I like you. If you are with me, I will make you like me. Isn't this a perfect thing?"
These words hurt her, but she just took it as childish talk and said: If I have money, I will do it. Why don’t I just rob a bank?
Xu Wei's birthday was scheduled for Wednesday night. Originally, Lin Shen booked the pub and only invited Xu Wei's agent Tang Fei and Ruan Tang. However, when Jia Yingjun heard that it was Xu Wei's birthday, he came uninvited and also brought his niece Jiang Li. Zhang Haoyu probably heard the news from Jiang Li and came along.
Jiang Li was still dressed in a punk style, with an ambiguous smile always on her palm-sized face. Ruan Tang recognized her at a glance. The Graff diamond necklace on her neck cost about 130,000 yuan.
During the conversation, Ruan Tang extracted some information, such as that Jiang Li and Zhang Haoyu were classmates at the Yale School of Drama, a serious Ivy League school, and that Jia Yingjun rarely pursued a woman for more than three days.
When sitting down, Lin Shen put his arm around Xu Wei's shoulders and pulled out the chair for her under Jia Yingjun's gaze.
Xu Wei stood up and was about to formally introduce herself when Lin Shen took her wrist and said gently, "Actually, everyone here knows each other, so no introductions are needed, right?" Mr. Jia, as Weiwei's client, we are both honored to be here today.
Jia Yingjun pretended not to notice Lin Shen's declaration of sovereignty, handed a small LV box to Xu Wei and said: A birthday present, I hope Teacher Xu will continue to be popular and bring us more products.
The agent's corporate soul was burning, and seeing that the big client was giving him so much face, he picked up his phone, turned on the camera, and said: Mr. Jia, Weiwei, can I take a picture of you two and post it later about our daily work together?
"Of course." Jia Yingjun cooperated very well. He moved closer to Xu Wei and asked Xu Wei: Do you mind?
Xu Wei also cooperated and sat closer. She glanced at Lin Shen and replied with a smile: Of course not.
Jia Yingjun put his arm around Xu Wei's shoulders, and Lin Shen was framed outside the camera.
After taking the photo, Lin Shen suddenly stood up and knelt on one knee facing Xu Wei. He took out a small dark blue box and held it in front of Xu Wei: Weiwei, I know you don’t like to show off, but on this occasion, I would like to ask everyone to be a witness.
Ruan Tang stretched her neck to take a closer look. A diamond ring of this size from Harry Winston would probably cost hundreds of thousands.
Xu Wei looked a little unnatural. She took the ring, took his arm and asked him to stand up quickly. Zhang Haoyu applauded, which attracted everyone's attention to him.
Feng Xue said: Congratulations. Jia Yingjun said: It’s too early to send blessings, and they will no longer be fresh on the real wedding day.
Even Ruan Tang could hear that his words seemed to be saying that they would talk about it after they could get married.
Later, Ruan Tang asked Xu Wei about the experience of this dramatic proposal, which seemed like a competition. Xu Wei was as calm as if she was talking about the story of submitting a proposal in a private message. She smiled and shook her head and said, "At least the diamond I got was real." Ruan Tang was secretly surprised: Shouldn't this be my line?
The two of them sat on either side of Xu Wei, one on the left and one on the right, and Ruan Tang watched with great interest. At the same time, he was secretly glad that he did not continue to fight with Jia Yingjun. It seemed that his niece was not a good person either.
Jiang Li suddenly asked: "I remember Wei Jie announcing her breakup on Weibo not long ago? How come she's getting married the next day? Is it the same person?"
Xu Wei smiled and replied: There was a little misunderstanding between us at that time.
Jiang Li said "Oh" meaningfully and said: You are an emotional blogger, so you have to be careful. If your image collapses, your fans will not buy into your account.
Jia Yingjun patted her on the back of the head: Why call me Sister Wei? The generations are messed up. Call me Teacher Xu.
Ruan Tang stood up and placed a plate of crabs in front of Jiang Li. She asked, "Do people abroad also focus on character development? Do you actors value this more? Are you taught this before you even graduate school?"
Jiang Li Commercial faked a smile and said: "That's not the case. Doesn't this all depend on your own understanding? Life is like a play. If everyone is so good at acting, then we professionals must work harder."
Zhang Haoyu was biting a shrimp in his mouth. He coughed twice when he heard Jiang Li's words. He picked up a shrimp and put it on Ruan Tang's plate, saying: I feel that the boss's shrimp is cooked very well, you should try it.
Feng Xue, who was sitting to Ruan Tang's right, saw Zhang Haoyu and Ruan Tang whispering to each other, and stood up and asked, "Would you like some red wine? I'll get it."
Zhang Haoyu whispered in Ruan Tang's ear: That's just her personality, don't take it to heart.
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