Chapter 36 Pearl Orchid: She is not someone to be trifled with.
Lan Jia:
I have to go on a business trip for a few days at the last minute. I apologize for not being able to inform you in advance.
Wound care requires careful attention; avoid spicy and pungent foods, and keep the wound dry. Always inform Zuo Tai before traveling, carry all necessary medications with you at all times, and exercise extreme caution in all actions; avoiding personal danger is the top priority.
I fully acknowledge your work attitude and determination, but a balance between work and rest is the best long-term strategy.
In addition, I apologize for all my inappropriate words and actions yesterday, and I am sending you an apology gift, although it was originally intended as a gift to commemorate our 20th anniversary three months ago.
The signature was Meng Cenjun, three characters written in vigorous handwriting.
Lan Jia clutched the note and lay back down on the bed, feeling utterly dejected.
She stood there, the paper a simple white-rose color with a texture that resembled plant fibers, and at the bottom printed a few small letters: REBECCA.
Reba is her English name.
Lan Jia loves giving gifts, and whenever she gives something, she always includes a long note, a handwritten instruction manual, and a collection of random thoughts from friends. To this end, she specially ordered many different sizes of stationery, printed with her name, making it representative and instantly recognizable as her work.
I remember once Meng Cenjun happened to be on the phone next to her, seemingly trying to take notes. Lan Jia was just opening a package when she instinctively tore off two pieces of paper and handed them to him. He glanced at her in surprise, took them, but didn't use them.
Later she realized that his memory was so good that he didn't need to write things down, while she often forgot things, and her memo was full of random notes.
These few flimsy sheets of paper, I never expected him to keep them until now.
She read the message several times from beginning to end, her lips drooping. The message was still so dry and monotonous, and all those "must" statements gave her a headache. It felt like a strict, old man was holding a ruler and supervising her, making her "must" follow all the terms he had listed.
What's this? He left a few lines and ran away without a sound. Lan Jia was inexplicably angry and didn't want his things.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the gift box, a small and exquisite black cube, tightly closed like a clam shell, yet it subtly stirred her heart, enticing her to look inside.
Should I watch it or not? I'm just curious anyway, so I might as well find out.
She reached out, grabbed the box, and opened it.
Nestled quietly within the velvet lining is a brooch in the style of a pearl orchid. The flower is angular and well-defined, and the pearl is a flawless, lustrous South Sea white pearl. It is rare to find one with such a large diameter, its surface as smooth as a mirror, shimmering and sparkling. Set on the freely extending flower branch, it does not overshadow the flower or add any extra brilliance. Instead, it is like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, exuding a delicate fragrance.
As a die-hard fan, she immediately recognized it as jewelry from Nacreous. However, this style had never been made before. It was probably custom-made, given that it took three months. She wondered if he had drawn the design, as she knew he was very good at still life paintings.
It was so beautiful, so stunning, that she couldn't take her eyes off it. No one could dislike such an exquisite and charming gift. Although she was reluctant to admit it, Lan Jia had been appeased a little.
That's just the kind of person she is. Although she's never lacked money growing up, she's extremely materialistic. She wants to buy everything and desires everything, spending eight figures on shopping alone every year. She also has a strong collecting obsession, wanting to collect the same style in different colors, or the same color in different styles, filling the entire house and completely overwhelming her.
She was also possessive, having been spoiled growing up, and naturally believed that all the good things in the world should belong to her. Of course, those around her never denied this, especially Meng Cenjun. Although he was strict with her morals and daily life, he was incredibly generous with money, bordering on indulgence. He always loved buying her things, and over the years he had given her countless gifts under various pretexts. Receiving gifts was certainly a joy, but as time went on, the happiness brought by these material things became increasingly scarce. She had become increasingly greedy, like a crack that could never be filled by piling up gold and jade.
When the threshold for happiness is high, one doesn't care so much about what one receives; what matters is that the person still cares and is still willing to give.
That's what made her happy.
Lan Jia carefully placed the brooch back into the box, and put it together with the message into the deepest part of the drawer.
Her legs still ached, but she tidied herself up and slowly made her way downstairs.
The elevator doors opened and I bumped into Aunt Ming. She was just about to wake me up. The two met unexpectedly and didn't say a word.
With Meng Cenjun gone, there was no longer any threat to Aunt Ming's family.
She reverted to her usual kind and gentle demeanor, naturally taking Lan Jia's arm and leading her towards the dining room.
Lan Jia didn't resist, silently feeling the warmth of their skin touching.
Life goes on, and she didn't want to argue with her over trivial matters. After all, in her heart, Aunt Ming was already an elder like a mother.
The steaming aroma wafted into my nostrils from the table.
She has always disapproved of Lan Jia eating cold, hard Western-style breakfasts, as her stomach is not good and she is afraid that it will be too much of a burden on her digestion. Even though there are several cooks in the family, whenever she has time, she will personally cook for Lan Jia, using old family recipes passed down through generations, which she only makes for her family.
A bowl of chicken noodle soup had just been served. The broth was rich and flavorful, and the wheat-colored noodles were thin and soft, yet chewy. It was topped with shredded chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and diced ham. The portion was small, but the nutrition was very balanced.
Lan Jia picked up her chopsticks and ate in small bites, feeling a warm sensation in her empty stomach.
With her head down, her hair slipped down and was gently tied up by two hands behind her back.
She paused, suddenly feeling deeply moved, and reached out to grasp Aunt Ming's hand that was on her shoulder.
After a moment of silence, the two understood each other and reached a mutual understanding.
“You’ve been quite composed today.” During a break on set, Song Qingqu sat down next to her.
Lan Jia took the snacks he offered and asked with a smile, "Where is the stability?"
"His mental state is probably stable, and he is very peaceful."
"It's as if I'm usually very irritable."
"No, it's just that I'm much more anxious than I am now, and I want to do everything to the best of my ability."
It turns out everyone could see it. She was too eager for quick success and recognition in the past.
However, after reading Meng Cenjun's message, she suddenly felt relieved and at ease. It turned out that he had always seen her efforts, and after receiving his affirmation, Lan Jia no longer needed to force herself to work harder.
He was like a reassurance to her.
Lan Jia lifted the lid of the yogurt, scooped a spoonful into her mouth, and tasted the sweet and rich green grape flavor.
"My brother went on a business trip."
"Hmm." He listened quietly as she spoke. After yesterday's phone call, their trust in each other had grown even stronger.
"But I suspect he's avoiding me."
"You have to give him time to think all this through."
"I'm afraid he'll think too clearly."
A man of such strong principles and stubbornness would never easily break the rules for anyone, especially when it comes to matters of the heart that have reached a moral level. Although there was no blood relation to bind them, their twenty-year-long brother-sister relationship was real. He had practically watched her grow up and then raised her for many years. With so many restrictions in place, any further romantic feelings from him would inevitably raise suspicions that he had been planning this all along and had some kind of peculiar obsession.
A large age gap inherently carries a cruel connotation; it is unjust, unequal, and represents plunder and encroachment from above.
People in the business world value their reputation above all else, and Meng Cenjun would never allow herself to be caught up in gossip.
She had seriously considered the reasons why he wouldn't accept her; there were too many, all perfectly normal human feelings. So she was really afraid that after he thought it through, there would be nothing left between them except for that little bit of kinship.
“Actually, you don’t need to worry too much,” Song Qingqu said.
"He's gone, but it's not like he's never coming back. Let's discuss everything further and take things one step at a time."
"It sounds like we're in cahoots, going along with each other."
They both laughed.
"But I never expected that I would confide these things to someone." After thinking it over, she realized that there was no one around her who could listen to her, and no one who understood her thoughts.
"Qingqu, thank you." This time she was serious.
"You're welcome, after all, it's my specialty." He raised an eyebrow confidently.
"It's hard to imagine you're an expert in relationships."
After all, she was about the same age as him, and she still didn't understand these things.
"It's nothing more than observing people's words and expressions and understanding their hearts. As long as you master the skills, you can do it too."
Lan Jia smiled, disagreeing with the second half of his statement, but she didn't say anything. When it came to matters of the heart, she didn't want to use too many tricks, especially with the person she loved; that would be too calculating and insincere.
She and Song Qingqu were somewhat desperate, but they weren't completely irrational; she knew what to do and what not to do.
"Sister Xinwen has given me some instructions, so I'm going upstairs now." Lan Jia picked up the empty yogurt container, preparing to throw it away.
Song Qingqu agreed and remained seated at the top of the stairs, listening to Lan Jia's heavy, dragging steps as she climbed the stairs, hampered by her leg injury. He had analyzed her before; initially, he thought she was spoiled and pampered, but the more he observed, the more he realized that when she was alone and felt she had no one to rely on, she was like a resilient rabbit, capable of enduring pain, and not as easily manipulated as he had imagined.
He was deep in thought with a heavy expression when suddenly a commotion and shouts came from upstairs. Fearing something was wrong, he rushed up to check.
A crowd had already gathered at the entrance to the costume department. He squeezed his way in and saw Xu Xinwen sitting on the ground, clutching her stomach in pain, her other hand tightly gripping the hem of Lan Jia's dress as if it were a lifeline.
Lan Jia knelt down and quickly gave the phone the address, presumably to contact an ambulance.
Upon seeing this, Song Qingqu immediately went to the door and shouted, "Everyone disperse! The medical staff are coming soon, don't block the way."
He hurried over and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Go and find a couple more cushions, pillows will do too," Lan Jia instructed immediately after hanging up the phone.
"good."
"Xinwen, relax, we'll get you to the hospital soon." Lan Jia grabbed Xu Xinwen's hand and calmly comforted her.
Xu Xinwen nodded with difficulty, her face deathly pale. Even this usually strong person showed a helpless expression at this moment.
The floor was damp, and Lan Jia's heart skipped a beat when she saw it.
The water broke.
The author's note: The younger sister's high material desires are actually a manifestation of her inner emptiness and insecurity. [Chin resting on hand]
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