“Hey, Mom, are you busy?”
“What could I possibly be busy with at home? Calling so late—must be something, right?”
After hanging up the phone, Wang Ziyue immediately called Ye Lan.
“Hehe, isn’t this just checking in on you? I haven’t been very attentive lately.”
“If you really care, then remember to properly complete the task I assigned you. Secretary Fang should have told you, right?”
“Mmm, the sponsorship project… I’m looking at it now.”
Wang Ziyue opened her computer and checked her work email.
The attachments sent earlier hadn’t been opened yet.
“From your tone…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely complete your task well. Actually, there’s something I want to ask for your help with.”
“There, there… and you said you were concerned about me. Now you’re giving me work to do.”
“Moving around more is good for body and mind. I just want to inquire about a person.”
“Who?” Ye Lan didn’t think Wang Ziyue knew anyone in the city that she herself didn’t.
“Ma Lijun. Do you know her?”
“Hey? Mom? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Have you even looked at the project report I had sent to Secretary Fang?”
“Uh… I’m looking at it right now.”
Wang Ziyue clicked on the attachment. What jumped out was a huge title.
【Evaluation Report on the Brand Value of Haiyan Theater Troupe】
FF
“Now take a look at the troupe’s member composition.”
“Mmm…”
Wang Ziyue scrolled down the page.
The troupe was divided among several shareholders.
The largest stake belonged to an overseas Chinese, followed by… Marie Ma, Chinese name—Ma Lijun?
She glanced again at the name above.
“The ‘li’ from Mount Li, the ‘jun’ from fine snow…”
“Figured anything out?” Ye Lan’s tone was somewhat sarcastic.
“Nothing. I won’t disturb your rest. Good night, dear Mommy.”
Wang Ziyue neatly hung up the phone.
Ye Lan shook her head just as Wang Zhen walked into the room and saw it.
“Did Xiaoyue upset you?”
“No, you’re the one who upset me.”
“How could I?” Wang Zhen stroked his chin. Seeing his wife’s teasing gaze, he chose to stay silent.
So now he couldn’t even mention their daughter at all?
Wang Ziyue read through the evaluation report from beginning to end.
As a plan she was supposed to push forward anyway, there weren’t any issues.
She forwarded the email to Secretary Fang again, briefly noting “execute immediately.”
Secretary Fang, who had just gotten home not long ago, wiped sweat upon seeing the email from the boss.
After reading the content, she was even more surprised.
The boss actually looked at it?
She had thought this plan would be delayed for a long time, yet it was suddenly prioritized.
And Wang Ziyue was already considering when to contact this Ms. Ma.
Mm… this way, I might get to see Jiang Jiang again. Wang Ziyue thought secretly.
But before she could be happy for long, she remembered the look “Mother-in-law” gave her today.
The journey is long and arduous…
Since that day, Zhou Qingying seemed to have regained her usual energy.
She went to and from school normally, attended troupe rehearsals normally, and bantered with Chen Ting and Jiang Cheng normally.
That night’s struggle felt like an illusion, making even Jiang Cheng feel dazed.
Did my memory go wrong?
But the more forcefully Zhou Qingying avoided it, the more Jiang Cheng felt a dark cloud hanging over her head.
She had yet to see a truly clear day.
Just like the sudden thunderstorms of summer, on a sweltering afternoon, a torrential downpour swept across most of the city.
The once brilliant sky plunged into lightning and thunder.
“The weather changes so fast…”
Chen Ting had gone to the campus store during break, but the moment she entered the teaching building, raindrops pelted the ground behind her.
She stood by the window, talking to Jiang Cheng.
Zhou Qingying hadn’t returned from the arts building yet.
“Did you bring an umbrella?”
“Of course. Mom reminded me before I left, and it actually rained.”
“What about Yingying? I don’t think she brought one this morning?”
“It’s fine. I have two. I’ll take one to her when the rain lets up a bit.”
Zhou Qingying’s rehearsal wouldn’t end until lunch break.
By the time the two finished class and left the teaching building, the rain had almost stopped.
Still, they held umbrellas to shield their books from dripping water.
Fallen leaves covered the ground, the air filled with the earthy smell of stirred-up soil.
The sun-heated plastic track had cooled down, mixing in the scent of rubber.
From afar, Jiang Cheng and Chen Ting could see groups of arts students emerging.
“Yingying’s there!”
Chen Ting pointed at Zhou Qingying standing on the steps.
Her hair was tied up, face bare of makeup, standing out in the crowd.
She clearly saw them too and waved as she walked down.
“Starving. The teacher practically drilled us on lines today.”
“I heard this is your last performance before going into seclusion?”
“Yeah… probably early August.”
“Then Chengcheng and I can definitely come cheer you on.”
“Even if you couldn’t, I’d drag you there.”
Zhou Qingying wrinkled her nose.
The somewhat comical gesture looked extra playful on her.
“Are you worried we’d run away?”
“If someone gets too wild playing outside, she might even forget to return to school.”
“Go away, don’t talk nonsense. This big sister is the class study committee member.”
“Dare to call yourself big sister in front of me?”
Jiang Cheng chose not to join this topic.
The three walked side by side.
At this time, the cafeteria was crowded, but luckily there were still corner seats available.
One went to claim seats while the other two got food.
“Your potato-braised beef is here.”
Chen Ting carried the wobbling pile of beef, sitting down amid envious looks from passing students.
“As expected, Tingting has to get the food. The auntie always gives her an extra half scoop.”
Jiang Cheng looked at the heaped beef and nodded along.
“Who told me to be so likable? But you don’t know—actually, when Chengcheng goes, the auntie gives even more.”
“Really?”
“Don’t…”
Jiang Cheng really couldn’t stand the covert stares from people in line.
Even after being enrolled for some time, there were still plenty curious about her.
What Jiang Cheng didn’t know was that she had a secret fan group at school.
They were like shadows silently guarding their goddess.
Thus, although many were interested in her, Jiang Cheng hadn’t encountered anything truly bothersome.
Even the breakfasts from admirers had gradually decreased.
“True. If Chengcheng went, she’d probably be surrounded layer after layer.”
Zhou Qingying imagined the scene and laughed out loud.
“Stop making things up about me. Chen Ting, how’s your final exam review going?”
Jiang Cheng deliberately put on a straight face, imitating Teacher Ma.
“This time I’m very confident. Chengcheng, watch out—your first-place spot might not be safe.”
“Then I’ll be waiting…” Jiang Cheng picked up a piece of tomato. The sourness made her squint. “Hiss—”
“Right, during the days the seniors take the college entrance exam, what are you guys planning to do?”
Chen Ting bit her chopsticks and got swatted by Zhou Qingying.
“Didn’t you say you’d surpass me by finals? How are you already thinking about playing?”
“Sigh, it just feels like a holiday wouldn’t be fun without going out.”
“I’ll probably be at home those days. There’ll definitely be tons of homework.”
“Oh god, now that you mention it, I can’t even imagine. Will Teacher Ma assign us a morning-noon-night three-day exam package?”
Jiang Cheng pictured the small mountain of white hell.
“Don’t say any more. I’m losing my appetite.”
The three looked down at the white rice in their bowls and all felt a bit queasy.
Sigh, once the third-year seniors graduate, it’ll soon be their turn.