Cheng Luo was so startled she nearly collapsed to the floor. She blocked Lin Qingze’s outstretched hand and steadied herself against the wall to stand up. “Why are you still here!”
“I didn’t mean to deceive you. I just wanted to apologize to you in person, but every time you see me, you hurry away. I just wanted to explain things clearly.”
Cheng Luo looked at him, utterly confused. “Explain what?”
Lin Qingze told her everything, including the recent trending topics and the full story behind the last time he knocked on her door. As Cheng Luo listened, she felt a mix of shock and a bit of pity for him. “Do you need legal help now?”
Lin Qingze shook his head. “No need. The contract has already been settled, so I’m currently unaffiliated. I don’t have to work while walking on eggshells anymore.”
“I am very sorry for those things in the past. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Alright, those things weren’t entirely your fault. Just don’t let it happen again in the future.”
“Does that mean you forgive me? Can we be friends from now on? Can you stop avoiding me!?”
Only after closing the door did Cheng Luo realize she had actually agreed. It was mainly because Lin Qingze was too good at acting vulnerable; she found it very hard to refuse him.
By the time Cheng Luo finished blow-drying her hair and lay down in bed, she was startled to find it was almost five in the morning. She hurriedly closed her eyes, and before long, the sound of steady breathing could be heard.
“Mommy, has a month passed yet? Why hasn’t Ma-mi come back yet?” Nono sat in her child safety seat, her little legs swinging restlessly as she asked impatiently.
Zhai Qing ate her breakfast with an expressionless face. She had heard this question hundreds of times over the past two days until her ears were practically calloused. But if the person wasn’t coming back, what could she do as an ex-wife? Was she supposed to go and bring her back personally?
Zhai Qing dropped Nono off at the school gates. Watching Nono walk into school looking sullen, she knew the child missed Cheng Luo. Once her daughter’s figure was out of sight, Zhai Qing took out her phone and placed it on the passenger seat on speakerphone.
The call was answered after just two rings. “Hello, is this President Zhai? Is there something I can help you with?” If Cheng Luo were there, she would have immediately recognized the voice as the director’s. However, the director, who was usually very strict on set, now spoke with a tone of cautious flattery.
“Director Liu, how is the filming going? Is the funding sufficient?”
“It’s enough, it’s enough. Thanks to President Zhai’s appreciation, our drama was able to start filming.”
“How about letting the crew relax at a nearby resort? You’ve all worked hard for several days. It’s my treat for everyone; let them take a break.”
“Oh! That’s too much of an expense, President Zhai. Is that alright?”
Zhai Qing extended the invitation again before the director finally agreed with a smile.
“What! A resort? Didn’t we agree we’d get a vacation?” Cheng Luo looked at Jiang Wei in surprise.
“Yeah, isn’t going to a resort considered a vacation? Besides, this resort is particularly hard to book; I heard it’s very nice inside.”
“But I originally planned to go back to City A. Can I ask for leave and not go?”
“Oh, you can go back anytime! You can’t just go to the resort whenever you want. Plus, the production team is covering all expenses, so you don’t have to pay a cent. How great is that!”
Cheng Luo looked at Jiang Wei indecisively. She had already promised Nono she’d return to City A; how could she go back on her word now? She said firmly, “I’m still not going. You guys have fun. I’ve already booked my flight to City A.”
“Don’t! If you leave, who am I going to hang out with?”
Just then, the phone on the table suddenly rang. Cheng Luo glanced at it, said goodbye to Jiang Wei, and went out to take the call.
“Hello, Nono? What’s wrong?”
“Ma-mi, are you very busy? How about Mommy and I go find you? It’s the same wherever we play.”
Hearing her daughter’s sensible words, Cheng Luo’s heart instantly filled with mixed emotions. “Ma-mi has already booked the flight. Nono can wait for me at home.”
“But I heard from my classmates that there’s a very large resort where you are. They’ve all been there, and I want to go too.”
To be honest, Cheng Luo had heard of this resort. It was said to be the largest in the country with a beautiful environment. However, Jiang Wei and the others were also there. What if they bumped into each other?
“Ma-mi, why aren’t you saying anything? Is it not okay? Then Mommy and I won’t go.”
Cheng Luo couldn’t bear to see her daughter feel even a bit slighted. “You can come! Why wouldn’t you come! What date is your flight? I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
Airport
A person completely bundled up was sitting on a chair in the waiting area. Passersby couldn’t help but look back at this person, while simultaneously tightening their grip on their wallets.
Cheng Luo didn’t notice the eyes of the people around her at all. She pushed up the sunglasses that were about to slide down her face and continued to stare fixedly at the exit.
After about half an hour, the mother and daughter duo, one tall and one small, finally arrived.
It was Nono’s first time in City B, and even the airport felt novel to her. She tilted her head to look around until a person whose face was hidden entered her sight. Nono quickly grabbed Zhai Qing’s long leg with one hand and quietly hid behind her; truthfully, she was a bit scared.
“Nono, what’s wrong? Do you not recognize Ma-mi anymore!” Cheng Luo opened her arms and looked at the little bundle who hadn’t even reached Zhai Qing’s waist.
Nono pinched Zhai Qing’s thigh and asked uncertainly, “Is it Ma-mi?”
Zhai Qing stroked Nono’s head. “Yes, go on. Ma-mi’s arms will get tired of holding them up in a moment.”
Hearing her words, Nono rushed over with peace of mind. Cheng Luo’s embrace was quickly filled by Nono, and only then did she feel a long-lost sense of satisfaction.
“Are you tired from the flight? Do you want to buy some food to fill your stomach?” Cheng Luo pinched her daughter’s round cheeks, unable to let go.
Nono couldn’t feel any of her Ma-mi’s warm skin at all right now and poked Cheng Luo’s scarf dissatisfactorily. “Ma-mi, why are you dressed like this? Can you take off the scarf? It’s a bit prickly.”
“Ah, let me see where it pricked you.” The scarf was something she bought temporarily on the way today. She hadn’t checked the material and just chose a large, cheap one. No wonder her neck had felt uncomfortable the whole way here.
“It is a bit red. How about I hold your hand, and I’ll take the scarf off once we get in the car?” As soon as she finished speaking, Nono hugged her neck tightly; it seemed she didn’t want to be apart for a single second.
Cheng Luo’s heart softened. Looking back to see that Zhai Qing had already arrived with the luggage, she picked up her daughter and strode toward the parking lot.
Cheng Luo placed Nono in the back seat. Just as she was about to open the driver’s side door, a hand stopped her. “Go to the back seat and stay with Nono. I’ll drive.”
“Aren’t you tired after such a long flight? We can talk after we get back.”
Despite what Cheng Luo said, Zhai Qing remained firmly blocking her path. Looking at her unquestionable stance, Cheng Luo didn’t persist for long before giving in and ducking into the back seat.
The heater in the car was running high, and Cheng Luo felt hot after a while, so she stripped off her layers. Nono watched from the side as if it were a magic show, cheering every time she took off a piece. In the end, Cheng Luo was left wearing a tight white T-shirt with a wide neckline, exposing her clear, deep collarbones to the air.
Seeing she was finished, Nono immediately clung to her happily, behaving like a very clingy little Golden Retriever, rubbing her face back and forth against her.
Cheng Luo giggled incessantly from the tickling until she finally held Nono’s arms with both hands to stop her from messing around.
A certain someone, who had been silently observing through the rearview mirror, felt the iceberg within her melt as a warm look unconsciously appeared on her face. To avoid making Cheng Luo feel uncomfortable, she didn’t make a sound the whole way, quietly listening to the sounds of laughter coming from the back seat.
They headed straight for the resort. The assistant had booked the most luxurious detached villa for Zhai Qing. The environment was quiet and beautiful. Standing on the balcony, one could see the distant blue sea and golden sand. Upon entering, one couldn’t help but feel their whole body relax.
Security in the villa area was very good and there weren’t many tourists, so Cheng Luo didn’t wrap herself up like a rice dumpling when she got out of the car. However, she forgot what season it was and stepped out wearing only a thin base layer. Upon contact with the biting cold wind, Cheng Luo shivered. Just as she was about to reopen the car door to get her coat, a jacket that still carried body heat landed on her shoulders.
“Get inside quickly, it’s cold outside.”
Before Cheng Luo could even snap out of her daze, she was ushered into the house.
“Wow! It’s so pretty!” Nono’s exclamation finally woke Cheng Luo up. As if receiving an electric shock, she quickly took the jacket off. Just as she was about to hand it back to the person behind her, she realized that might not be right. While she was hesitating, Zhai Qing reached out and took the jacket herself, then opened the door and went back out.
Only then did Cheng Luo realize that Zhai Qing had just given her her own clothes. She was only wearing a thin shirt herself, and now she had gone out to get the luggage.
She saw her carrying a large suitcase in each hand, her steps steady. Seeing that she was about to come in, Cheng Luo hurriedly opened the door.
“Why did you bring so much stuff?” In the past, Cheng Luo had seen Zhai Qing go on business trips with only a few changes of clothes; she had never traveled with so many bags.
“It’s rare to come out. I brought a lot of clothes and toys for Nono, fearing she wouldn’t be used to it.” Zhai Qing hung her coat in the entryway; moving the two suitcases didn’t even make her winded.
Cheng Luo gave an “oh.” Nono was happily exploring the house on her own, and she had nothing to do. Seeing Zhai Qing about to organize the luggage, she suddenly said, “How about I help you? I’m idle anyway.”
Zhai Qing had no objection and gave her one of the suitcases. Cheng Luo crouched down and buried herself in tidying up. Sure enough, the inside was filled with Nono’s toys: a little yellow duck plushie, a dog pillow, a Rubik’s cube, building blocks, and even a small soccer ball.
Seeing her gaze, Zhai Qing explained, “They have a soccer match next month. Nono was chosen as a forward, so she plans to find time to practice her ball skills here.”
Cheng Luo nodded to show she understood. After taking out all of Nono’s toys, the items tucked into the corners of the suitcase were all Zhai Qing’s clothes, each folded into a perfect square as if she were afraid of taking up even a bit of extra space.
Cheng Luo chuckled inwardly, thinking she was a bit pitiful. She casually picked up one of the folded squares, unable to tell if it was a shirt or pants. She gave it a hard shake, and as a result, a white object flew out unexpectedly and landed right on Cheng Luo’s foot.
Holding the top in her hand, Cheng Luo stood frozen, staring at the two thin pieces of fabric on her foot, her mind racing like ten thousand horses galloping.
For such private items, couldn’t she have put them away beforehand?