Chapter 34 (1)
Mother Qiao remembers Sheng Qiao.
The last time she came to the home, she stood timidly downstairs. Although she didn’t see her face at a distance, she had an inexplicable sense of intimacy. At the moment she was close, she saw her snow-white face, her eyes were red and she was wronged to death.
Mother Qiao’s heart was suddenly felt unbearable and inexplicable feeling of affection making her rock the wheelchair closer and reached out to hold Sheng Qiao’s hand as she said in a warm voice.
“Is your name Qiao Qiao? What’s wrong, tell auntie what’s wrong with you?”
The tears that Sheng Qiao had hard time holding back were really coming out again.
She bit the tip of her tongue to death, forcing the tears back through pain. She forced the corner of her lips held a smile, squatting down in front of Mother Qiao.
“I’m not wronged, but I’m very happy to see the judgment finally come down and wept with joy.”
Mother Qiao looked at her forced smile and felt more heartbroken while stroking her head comfortingly.
“This is a good thing, don’t cry now. Did you have dinner when you came over?”
Sheng Qiao wanted to say she had eaten, but she was too greedy for her mother’s tenderness and couldn’t help but whisper softly and pout.
“Not yet.”
“Why haven’t you eaten yet when it’s already late? It’s not good for your stomach. Xiao Yu, ask Zhang Ma to make some rice.”
Qiao Yu said helplessly from the side.
“Mom, Aunt Zhang is on vacation ah.”
Mother Qiao responded by patting Sheng Qiao’s hand and smiling.
“Then Auntie will make it for you, what does Qiao Qiao want to eat?”
Sheng Qiao sniffled.
“I’ll just have a bowl of noodles.”
Qiao Yu: “…..or I’ll go. Mom, Sheng Qiao has brought you New Year’s gifts, you guys talk first.”
After he said this, he turned around and went to the kitchen.
Sheng Qiao finished chatting with Mother Qio and got up to greet Father Qiao again.
“Hello Uncle…”
Father Qiao smiled.
“Good, good. Last time at the door outside, was that you?”
Businessmen were quick-witted, and looking at this somewhat familiar face he finally remembered the girl who cried and cried at their gate that night a few months ago. It seems that at that time, the boy in his family had problems with this girl.
Sheng Qiao was particularly embarrassed.
“I was in the wrong place that day.”
She hurriedly changed the subject and brought the prepared gifts over.
“This is a New Year’s gift for you. This is for uncle, I dragged a friend to buy an authentic local snow clams. This is for auntie, it’s a leg moxibustion instrument for your legs in cold winter—this will keep you warm.”
The friend that she dragged to buy a snow clam was bought by Zhong Shen in his hometown while she chose the moxibustion instrument herself in the mall.
“This girl really has a heart.”
Father Qiao loves to eat snow clams although it was not an expensive gift but both were suitable to their taste so the looked on their eyes for Sheng Qiao was more and more likable.
Sheng Qiao pushed her mother to the side of the sofa and the three of them sat down.
Father Qiao said.
“Child, how was your lawsuit ah? Did Xiao Yu helped you solve it?”
“It’s all settled.”
Sheng Qiao thought about it before briefly saying about the termination contract not hiding about the photos. Mother Qiao has always been soft-hearted, and listening to her calm tone about the loan sharks, her father suicide, scandal photos and a twenty years contract, tears immediately flowed.
Father Qiao was also furious.
“This kind of company is simply bullying people too much! I think it will sooner or later bring about its own destruction!”
Qiao Yu walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of noodles at this time.
“You still care about your own company, haven’t you won that project recently?”
Father Qiao waved his hand, signaling him not to mention this.
The noodles were homemade, and Qiao Yu was the only one who make them so Sheng Qiao thanked him and sat down on the small stool in front of the coffee table to eat. She used to love to squat and sit here to eat while watching TV, she don’t even know how many times she was told by Mother Qiao.
The family was happy, she ate the noodles made by her brother and listened to the voice of her parents. For a moment she thought she was still the same Qiao Qiao, and the unexpected life brought by the car accident a few months ago seemed to be just a dream.
Sheng Qiao finished the noodles and carried the bowl to the kitchen, Father Qiao then said.
“Leave it, let Xiao Yu wash it.”
“No dad, I’ll do it myself.”
Qiao Yu: “……”
Father Qiao: “….”
Mother Qiao: “….”
Sheng Qiao after saying dad: “…”
Sorry my mouth slip.
Father Qiao asked Qiao Yu with his eyes: Why is she calling me Dad?
Qiao Yu: “…”
Don’t ask me, I didn’t, I didn’t know anything.
Sheng Qiao felt that as a person who was about to become an actress, her acting skill were necessary this time. She sucked her nose, curled her lips as she make herself looked pitiful.
“Sorry uncle….. you guys are too good to me, just like my mom and dad. I haven’t called dad for a long time so just now I momentarily slip….”
Originally she was doing it pretentiously but the more she said the harder it was making her tears fell out of her eyes.
Qiao Yu hurriedly handed her a tissue paper.
Sheng Qiao suppressed her sadness.
“I’m sorry uncle and aunt. I had too many mood swings tonight. It’s late, I’ll leave now and I’ll see you next time, wish you a happy and healthy New Year in advance.”
The Qiao family of three, then escorted her to the door.
After talking a few more, Sheng Qiao turned to leave and really couldn’t resist squatting down and hug Mother Qiao. She buried her head in the nook of her neck, smelling the familiar smell belonging to her mother and said softly.
“Auntie you look like my mother, she is also in a wheelchair.”
Mother Qiao heard a trembling sob from her voice making her heart felt like being pulled in pain, as she patted her back.
“Then often come to play at home, auntie will make good food for you.”
“En.”
***
Chapter 34 (2)
The three watched her, as she faded away in the night. Father Qiao then said.
“You have to be nice to that girl in the future.”
Qiao Yu: “???
No, why should I be nice to her? She’s just my client!!
Sheng Qiao cried as she walked, taking advantage of the night and no people around her, she cried unrestrainedly. She hadn’t cried like this for a long, long time. after all what should she cry for?
When walking out of the neighborhood, there was a car coming towards her and the high beam hit her straight in the face, Sheng Qiao raised her hand to block the light. The next moment the high beam changed to low beam, Sheng Qiao then nodded her head slightly as a gesture to thanked the car owner.
The car stopped next to her and the window slowly came down revealing Huo Xi’s face with a slight frown.
She quickly raised her hand and wiped a handful of tears from her face but the corner of her eyes were still red nevertheless her smile was big and bright.
“Huo Xi! What a coincidence, I met you again!”
Huo Xi’s frown deepened as he looked pass her and look at the direction of Qiao Yu’s house.
It seems that every mood swing she has had been related to that family.
He open the door and said.
“Get in first.”
Sheng Qiao hurriedly shook her head.
“No, no I’ve called a cab, there’s still one kilometer to go! You go back!”
Huo Xi said in a light voice.
“It’s not safe to take a can alone at night, come up.”
The persistent goodwill from her idol was completely irresistible so Sheng Qiao canceled the cab and pulled open the door and sat inside Huo Xi’ car.
The car was warm. The navigator still had a record of her home address and after entering the address Huo Xi turned the car around. Sheng Qiao still sitting in the back row, took out the indictment and said happily.
“Huo Xi, look I’m out of contract.”
He incline his head to look at it.
“Congratulations.”
Sheng Qiao happily put her hands on her knees as she leaned her head closer to Huo Xi.
“Many agents from different companied have contacted me these days, I’ll sign to a new company after the new year.”
Huo Xi glance at her through the rearview mirror.
“What companies are there?”
Sheng Qiao counted the company with her fingers.
Huo Xi listened quietly.
“How are you considering?”
“I prefer Hexi and Qian Tang, although their resources are not the best their style is more suitable to me.”
Huo Xi did not speak for a long time as the car sped down on the winter night, the atmosphere in the car was silent for a moment. Sheng Qiao leaned back and after a long time she heard Huo Xi say.
“You know I opened a studio?”
“Of course I know.”
“My studio can also sign people.”
“…..”
“…”
He then slowly said,
“So, will you also consider my studio?”
Sheng Qiao: “…”
No, I won’t consider it.
Sheng Qiao did not react, and Huo Xi was not in a hurry as he silently drive her to her home. Arriving at her area, Huo Xi parked at the garage. Sheng Qiao clutching the indictment said.
“Then I’ll go now, thank you for sending me back. Bye!”
She then open the car door but couldn’t opened it.
Huo Xi did not unlock the door.
He turned around, his body slightly tilted making the car space small. Sheng Qiao was immediately forcer to cling to the cushion and did not dare to move.
Huo Xi smiled.
“You haven’t given me an answer yet.”
Sheng Qiao mouth shivered.
“I… I think it’s not a good……”
“Oh? What do you think is not a good? Is it that the resources of my studio are not good or the owner of the studio is not good?”
“….”
“…”
Their breathed interlace like the light and shadow dancing in the dimmed.
After a long time, he heard Sheng Qiao whisper.
“I’m not good.”
Huo Xi looked at her quietly.
She plucked up the courage to meet his gaze.
“Huo Xi, you know if I go to your studio imagine how much criticism and trouble will it bring you. Those who like you will be disappointed with you and may even go off the grid, other people in the circle can’t understand your kindness and they will all look at you with colored eyes and will talk about you in private.”
He was like a mountain stream with clear snow and bright moonlight of the night.
She couldn’t let a single filthy glance fall on him.
She pursed the corner of her lips and smiled gently at him.
“So it’s better not to. Thank you for being willing to help me, I’m really especially happy.”
Huo Xi looked at her for a moment, turned around and pressed the door lock.
He didn’t turn around again to look at her, while Sheng Qiao just pulled open the car door and the cold air scurried in. She said softly.
“Huo Xi, wish you a happy New Year in advance ah.”
She stepped out of the car and close the door, she then jogged all the way into the elevator.
Huo Xi looked at the slowly closing elevator door until the sound and lights dimmed, the garage then was enveloped in silence.
She said such big reason like bringing criticism against him, fans being disappointed on him and being talked behind by others—every words was justified and every words was all for him.
Not once did she think about what kind of trouble she would bring to herself by signing up for his studio.
She refused him, not for fear of getting herself in trouble.
Rather, she was worried about him getting hurt.
Huo Xi started the car, bringing back the noise to the quiet garage, and illuminating it with the car’s lights.
And at the same time, a voice of a man sounded.
“Happy New Year.”
***
Chapter 34 (1)
Mother Qiao remembers Sheng Qiao.
The last time she came to the home, she stood timidly downstairs. Although she didn’t see her face at a distance, she had an inexplicable sense of intimacy. At the moment she was close, she saw her snow-white face, her eyes were red and she was wronged to death.
Mother Qiao’s heart was suddenly felt unbearable and inexplicable feeling of affection making her rock the wheelchair closer and reached out to hold Sheng Qiao’s hand as she said in a warm voice.
“Is your name Qiao Qiao? What’s wrong, tell auntie what’s wrong with you?”
The tears that Sheng Qiao had hard time holding back were really coming out again.
She bit the tip of her tongue to death, forcing the tears back through pain. She forced the corner of her lips held a smile, squatting down in front of Mother Qiao.
“I’m not wronged, but I’m very happy to see the judgment finally come down and wept with joy.”
Mother Qiao looked at her forced smile and felt more heartbroken while stroking her head comfortingly.
“This is a good thing, don’t cry now. Did you have dinner when you came over?”
Sheng Qiao wanted to say she had eaten, but she was too greedy for her mother’s tenderness and couldn’t help but whisper softly and pout.
“Not yet.”
“Why haven’t you eaten yet when it’s already late? It’s not good for your stomach. Xiao Yu, ask Zhang Ma to make some rice.”
Qiao Yu said helplessly from the side.
“Mom, Aunt Zhang is on vacation ah.”
Mother Qiao responded by patting Sheng Qiao’s hand and smiling.
“Then Auntie will make it for you, what does Qiao Qiao want to eat?”
Sheng Qiao sniffled.
“I’ll just have a bowl of noodles.”
Qiao Yu: “…..or I’ll go. Mom, Sheng Qiao has brought you New Year’s gifts, you guys talk first.”
After he said this, he turned around and went to the kitchen.
Sheng Qiao finished chatting with Mother Qio and got up to greet Father Qiao again.
“Hello Uncle…”
Father Qiao smiled.
“Good, good. Last time at the door outside, was that you?”
Businessmen were quick-witted, and looking at this somewhat familiar face he finally remembered the girl who cried and cried at their gate that night a few months ago. It seems that at that time, the boy in his family had problems with this girl.
Sheng Qiao was particularly embarrassed.
“I was in the wrong place that day.”
She hurriedly changed the subject and brought the prepared gifts over.
“This is a New Year’s gift for you. This is for uncle, I dragged a friend to buy an authentic local snow clams. This is for auntie, it’s a leg moxibustion instrument for your legs in cold winter—this will keep you warm.”
The friend that she dragged to buy a snow clam was bought by Zhong Shen in his hometown while she chose the moxibustion instrument herself in the mall.
“This girl really has a heart.”
Father Qiao loves to eat snow clams although it was not an expensive gift but both were suitable to their taste so the looked on their eyes for Sheng Qiao was more and more likable.
Sheng Qiao pushed her mother to the side of the sofa and the three of them sat down.
Father Qiao said.
“Child, how was your lawsuit ah? Did Xiao Yu helped you solve it?”
“It’s all settled.”
Sheng Qiao thought about it before briefly saying about the termination contract not hiding about the photos. Mother Qiao has always been soft-hearted, and listening to her calm tone about the loan sharks, her father suicide, scandal photos and a twenty years contract, tears immediately flowed.
Father Qiao was also furious.
“This kind of company is simply bullying people too much! I think it will sooner or later bring about its own destruction!”
Qiao Yu walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of noodles at this time.
“You still care about your own company, haven’t you won that project recently?”
Father Qiao waved his hand, signaling him not to mention this.
The noodles were homemade, and Qiao Yu was the only one who make them so Sheng Qiao thanked him and sat down on the small stool in front of the coffee table to eat. She used to love to squat and sit here to eat while watching TV, she don’t even know how many times she was told by Mother Qiao.
The family was happy, she ate the noodles made by her brother and listened to the voice of her parents. For a moment she thought she was still the same Qiao Qiao, and the unexpected life brought by the car accident a few months ago seemed to be just a dream.
Sheng Qiao finished the noodles and carried the bowl to the kitchen, Father Qiao then said.
“Leave it, let Xiao Yu wash it.”
“No dad, I’ll do it myself.”
Qiao Yu: “……”
Father Qiao: “….”
Mother Qiao: “….”
Sheng Qiao after saying dad: “…”
Sorry my mouth slip.
Father Qiao asked Qiao Yu with his eyes: Why is she calling me Dad?
Qiao Yu: “…”
Don’t ask me, I didn’t, I didn’t know anything.
Sheng Qiao felt that as a person who was about to become an actress, her acting skill were necessary this time. She sucked her nose, curled her lips as she make herself looked pitiful.
“Sorry uncle….. you guys are too good to me, just like my mom and dad. I haven’t called dad for a long time so just now I momentarily slip….”
Originally she was doing it pretentiously but the more she said the harder it was making her tears fell out of her eyes.
Qiao Yu hurriedly handed her a tissue paper.
Sheng Qiao suppressed her sadness.
“I’m sorry uncle and aunt. I had too many mood swings tonight. It’s late, I’ll leave now and I’ll see you next time, wish you a happy and healthy New Year in advance.”
The Qiao family of three, then escorted her to the door.
After talking a few more, Sheng Qiao turned to leave and really couldn’t resist squatting down and hug Mother Qiao. She buried her head in the nook of her neck, smelling the familiar smell belonging to her mother and said softly.
“Auntie you look like my mother, she is also in a wheelchair.”
Mother Qiao heard a trembling sob from her voice making her heart felt like being pulled in pain, as she patted her back.
“Then often come to play at home, auntie will make good food for you.”
“En.”
***
Chapter 34 (2)
The three watched her, as she faded away in the night. Father Qiao then said.
“You have to be nice to that girl in the future.”
Qiao Yu: “???
No, why should I be nice to her? She’s just my client!!
Sheng Qiao cried as she walked, taking advantage of the night and no people around her, she cried unrestrainedly. She hadn’t cried like this for a long, long time. after all what should she cry for?
When walking out of the neighborhood, there was a car coming towards her and the high beam hit her straight in the face, Sheng Qiao raised her hand to block the light. The next moment the high beam changed to low beam, Sheng Qiao then nodded her head slightly as a gesture to thanked the car owner.
The car stopped next to her and the window slowly came down revealing Huo Xi’s face with a slight frown.
She quickly raised her hand and wiped a handful of tears from her face but the corner of her eyes were still red nevertheless her smile was big and bright.
“Huo Xi! What a coincidence, I met you again!”
Huo Xi’s frown deepened as he looked pass her and look at the direction of Qiao Yu’s house.
It seems that every mood swing she has had been related to that family.
He open the door and said.
“Get in first.”
Sheng Qiao hurriedly shook her head.
“No, no I’ve called a cab, there’s still one kilometer to go! You go back!”
Huo Xi said in a light voice.
“It’s not safe to take a can alone at night, come up.”
The persistent goodwill from her idol was completely irresistible so Sheng Qiao canceled the cab and pulled open the door and sat inside Huo Xi’ car.
The car was warm. The navigator still had a record of her home address and after entering the address Huo Xi turned the car around. Sheng Qiao still sitting in the back row, took out the indictment and said happily.
“Huo Xi, look I’m out of contract.”
He incline his head to look at it.
“Congratulations.”
Sheng Qiao happily put her hands on her knees as she leaned her head closer to Huo Xi.
“Many agents from different companied have contacted me these days, I’ll sign to a new company after the new year.”
Huo Xi glance at her through the rearview mirror.
“What companies are there?”
Sheng Qiao counted the company with her fingers.
Huo Xi listened quietly.
“How are you considering?”
“I prefer Hexi and Qian Tang, although their resources are not the best their style is more suitable to me.”
Huo Xi did not speak for a long time as the car sped down on the winter night, the atmosphere in the car was silent for a moment. Sheng Qiao leaned back and after a long time she heard Huo Xi say.
“You know I opened a studio?”
“Of course I know.”
“My studio can also sign people.”
“…..”
“…”
He then slowly said,
“So, will you also consider my studio?”
Sheng Qiao: “…”
No, I won’t consider it.
Sheng Qiao did not react, and Huo Xi was not in a hurry as he silently drive her to her home. Arriving at her area, Huo Xi parked at the garage. Sheng Qiao clutching the indictment said.
“Then I’ll go now, thank you for sending me back. Bye!”
She then open the car door but couldn’t opened it.
Huo Xi did not unlock the door.
He turned around, his body slightly tilted making the car space small. Sheng Qiao was immediately forcer to cling to the cushion and did not dare to move.
Huo Xi smiled.
“You haven’t given me an answer yet.”
Sheng Qiao mouth shivered.
“I… I think it’s not a good……”
“Oh? What do you think is not a good? Is it that the resources of my studio are not good or the owner of the studio is not good?”
“….”
“…”
Their breathed interlace like the light and shadow dancing in the dimmed.
After a long time, he heard Sheng Qiao whisper.
“I’m not good.”
Huo Xi looked at her quietly.
She plucked up the courage to meet his gaze.
“Huo Xi, you know if I go to your studio imagine how much criticism and trouble will it bring you. Those who like you will be disappointed with you and may even go off the grid, other people in the circle can’t understand your kindness and they will all look at you with colored eyes and will talk about you in private.”
He was like a mountain stream with clear snow and bright moonlight of the night.
She couldn’t let a single filthy glance fall on him.
She pursed the corner of her lips and smiled gently at him.
“So it’s better not to. Thank you for being willing to help me, I’m really especially happy.”
Huo Xi looked at her for a moment, turned around and pressed the door lock.
He didn’t turn around again to look at her, while Sheng Qiao just pulled open the car door and the cold air scurried in. She said softly.
“Huo Xi, wish you a happy New Year in advance ah.”
She stepped out of the car and close the door, she then jogged all the way into the elevator.
Huo Xi looked at the slowly closing elevator door until the sound and lights dimmed, the garage then was enveloped in silence.
She said such big reason like bringing criticism against him, fans being disappointed on him and being talked behind by others—every words was justified and every words was all for him.
Not once did she think about what kind of trouble she would bring to herself by signing up for his studio.
She refused him, not for fear of getting herself in trouble.
Rather, she was worried about him getting hurt.
Huo Xi started the car, bringing back the noise to the quiet garage, and illuminating it with the car’s lights.
And at the same time, a voice of a man sounded.
“Happy New Year.”
***
