Chapter 52
Chapter 52
The moonlight was cool.
Perhaps it was because the moonlight cloaked her mood, but Tao Jinghan suddenly felt a desire to confide.
From the first time she went to that foreign land, carefully stepping into the practice room, to the moment she met Bian Suitong, and then to the latter’s innocent yet sharply decisive rejection, three years had passed in just a few words.
Tao Jinghan’s tone shifted from hopeful to apprehensive and finally to calm.
The grievances that initially caused her heartache and headaches slowly settled over time. Eventually, they only caused a dull ache that she could endure.
What was there to it, really? Love often starts but doesn’t last. She wasn’t the only one in the world who loved in vain.
Others lived well within their walls, and Tao Jinghan could too. Those days and nights with Bian Suitong, whether it was hearing the familiar language from a foreign girl for the first time or the mutual support over the following three years, were just a wild dream.
Like a meteor streaking across the night sky, it was fleeting.
She should have woken up long ago.
That foreign girl never belonged to her.
Tao Jinghan’s eyes dimmed as she gradually became calm, as if all her strength had left her body.
He Qingqi suddenly felt a sense of shared suffering, looking worriedly at Tao Jinghan’s profile and feeling a mix of emotions.
Once, she had felt just as lost. Fortunately, she had moved on.
So she sincerely hoped that Tao Jinghan could also move on.
He Qingqi patted Tao Jinghan’s shoulder and sighed.
“We always have to look forward.”
She said this to Tao Jinghan, reflecting on her own recent experiences.
Tao Jinghan nodded. “What else can we do but look forward?”
She smiled slightly. “We can’t stay in the same place forever. Life doesn’t end just because there’s no love.”
“Look at these days; haven’t I been living well without her? Who am I? I’m the leader of Wonders, chosen as the C-position out of ninety-eight girls!”
Tao Jinghan suddenly stood up, taking a deep breath as if to expel all the pent-up frustration in her heart. “I’m the ruler of this world! I’m the absolute protagonist! Number one, Tao Jinghan! Hahaha!”
The wind lifted the corner of her pajamas, revealing her flat, fair waist. She really did exude a bit of a spirited aura.
He Qingqi was stunned for a few seconds, shocked by this sudden dramatic declaration. The sense of melancholy she had felt disappeared completely, and she twitched her mouth in amazement.
Experience does make one wiser.
She could never say such shameless things, even in her most dramatic moments.
No wonder Tao Jinghan was the leader.
She clicked her tongue a few times.
Tao Jinghan hadn’t finished. Excitedly, she shouted, “No one can make me wait in the same place!”
“My journey is to the stars and the sea!”
A window suddenly opened. “What’s all this wailing about? Can’t you let people sleep?”
The grumbling voice was unmistakably Wang Qiyu.
“Sorry, sorry,” Tao Jinghan instantly became obsequious.
In just a second, she was a completely different person.
He Qingqi rolled her eyes at her.
“Alright, stop dreaming about being the protagonist and go to bed.”
He Qingqi yawned, stretching. “I’m getting sleepy.”
Tao Jinghan waved her hand. “Go on, go on.”
“I’ll just sit for a little while longer.”
Her tone suddenly turned calm again, so calm it was frightening, as if her passionate words had masked a deathly silence of self-deception.
He Qingqi paused, maintaining her posture while looking back at her. After a few seconds, she sighed.
She opened the door. The soft orange streetlight cast long shadows that stretched to Tao Jinghan’s body, then, with a “bang,” locked her inside.
It seemed as if Tao Jinghan was the only one left in the world, still looking up at the sky and suddenly shivering from the cold.
…
The next day was no different from the day before. Tao Jinghan and Bian Suitong maintained a distant relationship, their familiar businesslike smiles making them seem like plastic sisters. Occasionally, they took care of blushing and stuttering young fans, providing Director Tong with plenty of useful footage.
Who knew if the final cut would turn into a dramatic showdown?
He Qingqi counted the days, feeling like these two days dragged on forever.
Her beloved was right in front of her, but she couldn’t hug her. Before realizing her feelings, she used to ruffle her hair many times a day, but not anymore.
He Qingqi resented her former self for not appreciating how fortunate she had been.
Luckily, the day passed quickly. In the evening, He Qingqi once again saw Tao Jinghan sitting outside through the window.
But this time, there was someone else beside her with purplish-red hair. It was either Zhuo Zhiwei or Bian Suitong.
They sat together on the third step, both slender and silent, staring at the stars for a long time.
In the end, it seemed neither said a word. Bian Suitong stood up, then Tao Jinghan stood up, both decisively turning away from each other and walking in completely different directions without looking back.
When He Qingqi saw Tao Jinghan again, her face was veiled with a layer of ethereal mist, which quickly vanished.
He Qingqi wondered if that person’s silence had plunged another knife into her still-bleeding heart.
…
When exchanging house keys, He Qingqi suddenly felt a bit reluctant to leave this place.
This was where she realized her feelings and decided not to deceive herself anymore.
She thought if Zhuo Zhiwei was willing to be with her in the future, she must revisit this place, or…
A bright idea suddenly flashed in He Qingqi’s mind.
She should ask He Dongche to buy this villa for her.
When they got married, she could give it to Zhuo Zhiwei as a wedding gift!
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, her face flushed, and it seemed like she was surrounded by pink bubbles.
Tao Jinghan glanced at her, puzzled by her sudden excitement, wondering what she had imagined.
She looked over at Zhuo Zhiwei, who was quietly watching He Qingqi.
Recently, both of them have been acting strangely.
Clearly, they liked each other, but they insisted on playing the secret admiration game. Especially He Qingqi, who even used a gentleman’s hand in group photos?
Seeing those long, fair hands awkwardly placed on Zhuo Zhiwei’s waist, Tao Jinghan just wanted to slap the silly person.
What’s with the pretentious act?
When she secretly looked at Zhuo Zhiwei, her mouth practically watered!
As if no one noticed.
Never mind.
Tao Jinghan didn’t intend to meddle in whatever game these two were playing. After all, she didn’t understand the minds of two people in love when she was just a single person.
Tao Jinghan thought expressionlessly.
The two girl groups got along well over the past two days. Despite the language barrier, they were all kind-hearted girls, and a simple smile could foster feelings of attachment, making parting difficult.
After hugging and saying goodbye to W.S., Tao Jinghan didn’t say much to Bian Suitong. She didn’t really understand what was going on.
They had agreed to act as if nothing had happened during the show.
But outside the competitive atmosphere, memories seemed to awaken sluggishly, making face-to-face interactions awkward.
Even Bian Suitong, who had confessed, experienced the same emotions. How could she, the rejected one, act any different?
It wouldn’t be good to seem clingy.
Bian Suitong remained silent, her eyes downcast, so different from her initial warmth and liveliness. Tao Jinghan wondered what had happened to her.
Tao Jinghan pulled Pei Shuyi aside.
Since she was no longer the one comforting her, Tao Jinghan was willing to relinquish her power.
“Suitong seems upset. Keep an eye on her.”
Pei Shuyi gave her a curious look, but she agreed.
W.S. registered first, while Wonders had to wait a bit longer.
Director Tong had their phones returned. He Qingqi eagerly turned on her phone.
When it connected to the airport Wi-Fi, it loaded for a moment.
Buzz…
Her phone suddenly started vibrating continuously.
The notification bar popped up:
Fang Xuanyao: I’m not divorcing you.
He Qingqi jolted, jumping like a thief caught in the act, quickly covering her phone, casting a wary glance at Zhuo Zhiwei nearby, afraid she might see.
Zhuo Zhiwei’s face darkened, and she turned away with a hint of haughtiness.
She seemed annoyed.
Tao Jinghan glanced at her, eyes filled with sympathy, and sighed.
That fool, good luck.
Maybe Zhuo Zhiwei hadn’t seen anything. Even if she did, she shouldn’t be so obvious about it. How could Zhuo Zhiwei not notice?
He Qingqi looked around furtively, hiding herself and her phone in an unnoticed corner.
When He Qingqi opened WeChat, all the messages were from Fang Xuanyao, and there were more than 99 unread ones. He Qingqi was shocked to see the missed calls.
In just seven days, Fang Xuanyao had called her over a hundred times.
What was she planning?
He Qingqi’s eyes grew cold as she opened WeChat cautiously.
Reading word by word.
I’m not divorcing you.
Qingqi, don’t act impulsively. I think we should consider this carefully.
You like me, don’t you? You’ve liked me since you were fourteen. I don’t believe you can forget so suddenly.
I regret not treating you well before, but it was all a mistake. Please give me another chance. I know I’m foolish, but I’ve realized I like you. I hope…
He Qingqi frowned, impatiently swiping the screen.
Once, she liked Fang Xuanyao immensely, but now she didn’t want to revisit those memories, especially since she realized she had fallen for Zhuo Zhiwei.
These messages were from the second day after she flew to the UK, mostly seeking reconciliation.
On the third day:
Qingqi, don’t ignore me. You also want to resolve these things quickly, don’t you? Let’s talk it over.
We just got married. I apologize for my previous coldness. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. Give me another chance. Let’s try again, okay?
She kept scrolling.
On the fourth and fifth days, He Qingqi skimmed through, seeing apologies and confessions.
By the sixth day, Fang Xuanyao seemed to lose patience.
Qingqi, we’re married. I’m your wife now. If I don’t agree to the divorce, you won’t be able to leave easily.
Being my wife isn’t so bad, is it? I can understand if you want to stay hidden or pursue directing as per your profession. I can accept that.
He Qingqi raised an eyebrow. Was this a threat? Divorce or exposure?
Having come this far, she would accept exposure if it meant ridding herself of this lurking serpent that would eventually cause harm.
Moreover… He Qingqi’s eyes darkened as she glanced at Zhuo Zhiwei, sitting quietly.
The person seemed to sense her gaze, lowering her head further. Tao Jinghan, sitting behind her, could see the fine, pinkish hair on her neck.
They made eye contact.
Tao Jinghan snickered, mocking her.
He Qingqi’s face darkened, and she continued reading her phone.
On the seventh day, which was yesterday, Fang Xuanyao didn’t say anything but sent a photo.
This photo made He Qingqi’s face change instantly. She had been treating Fang Xuanyao’s messages as a joke until now.
Her eyes widened, and she stood up abruptly, looking in Zhuo Zhiwei’s direction again.
This time, it was Zhuo Zhiwei looking back.
He Qingqi didn’t want Zhuo Zhiwei to worry, forcing a smile before sitting down again.
Zhuo Zhiwei looked away.
After a long time, He Qingqi squinted, half-smiling, and muttered one word.
“Damn.”
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