———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
Hello, lovely readers! ^^
Sorry for the interruption, but we'd like you to help with a tiny request. It'd mean a lot to us if you're willing to spare 3 minutes to help with this poll on Ko-fi telling us what series brings you/which you read mostly on this site. Here's the link - https://ko-fi.com/polls/What-series-do-you-enjoy-the-most-on-our-site-Or-A0A71UA533 Thanks in advance! Bless you all. 💗
Chapter 8
A ray of early morning sunlight filtered in through the window.
Zhuang Jiang was still sprawled on the bed.
Her head rested on her folded hands, and her exposed feet were being lightly licked by Qian Sui.
Zhuang Jiang frowned and tucked her feet back under the quilt.
Qian Sui let out a "meow," wanting to crawl forward and cause more trouble, but was scooped up by someone.
Tang Qing held Qian Sui, carried the cat out, and closed the door... leaving Qian Sui to cry softly from the other side.
Then, he turned and sat by the edge of the bed, watching Zhuang Jiang—
She was still lying there, her profile half-revealed, her brows slightly knit together in an unsettled sleep.
Tang Qing reached out, his fingers gently smoothing the crease between her brows.
Then, he leaned down... and pressed a kiss to her face.
Zhuang Jiang opened her eyes, looking a bit dazed. When she saw it was him, a smile finally surfaced, and she asked in a raspy voice, "What time is it?"
"It’s ten o'clock."
Tang Qing helped her sit up and took the glass of warm water from the bedside table, holding it to her lips. "Moisten your throat."
Leaning against the headboard, Zhuang Jiang took a few sips from his hand.
Once her throat felt more comfortable, she gripped Tang Qing’s wrist and shook her head. "That’s enough."
After saying this, she looked at him and spoke again. "I have to go meet someone today. Qingqing, drive me there."
Tang Qing didn't even ask who it was. He simply smiled, nodded, and said softly, "Alright."
11:55 AM.
Moore International, Starbucks.
Zhuang Jiang sat in a window seat. Outside was an open-air plaza where several pigeons were resting leisurely on the ground.
Elderly people led children to feed the pigeons, or simply sat enjoying the sun.
"Jiangjiang."
Zhuang Jiang turned her head—
She saw a woman in her forties, dressed in professional attire, looking capable and glamorous, walking toward her.
Zhuang Jiang nodded to her, calling out, "Auntie Huo."
Huo Xiang nodded back. She sat across from Zhuang Jiang and took a sip of the Americano she had just ordered for herself.
Then, she spoke, as direct and blunt as ever. "I want to hear your thoughts."
Zhuang Jiang picked up her coffee, took a sip, and replied, "I think there’s no need for me to waste my own life for someone else."
Huo Xiang frowned and set down her coffee, correcting her. "She isn’t 'someone else'—"
"Jiangjiang, she is your mother."
"So what?"
Zhuang Jiang laughed, a sound that was both mocking and cold. "She gave me life, but because I wasn't a boy, she lost that man’s favor and abandoned me—that’s a mother?"
"Jiangjiang..."
Huo Xiang opened her mouth as if to argue, but before she could speak, Zhuang Jiang cut her off. "Auntie Huo, there’s no need to defend her. You won’t be able to convince me of anything regarding her."
"As a mother, she gave birth but didn't raise me; she doesn't deserve the title.
"As a daughter, she threw her life away so recklessly, never considering the elders or the children in her family... how is she fit to be a daughter?"
Zhuang Jiang lowered her gaze and took another sip of coffee, her voice flat. "If you feel she treated you well and you want to do something for her... that is your business. I won't interfere.
"But you want me to fulfill her dream—"
Zhuang Jiang set the coffee on the table and looked up at her. "I’m afraid I have to say I’m sorry. I can’t do it."
Huo Xiang opened her mouth to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
She pulled a script from her bag and placed it on the table. For the first time, a hint of exhaustion appeared on her refined face. "It’s true, I shouldn't have forced these things onto your life.
"Jiangjiang..."
Huo Xiang looked at her, her hand resting on the script as she lightly traced the characters on the cover. She smiled softly. "When she acted, she was beautiful—truly beautiful. No matter the role—
"She would make people feel as though that character was created specifically for her."
Huo Xiang let out a soft sigh. "She really did live her life far too willfully."
Huo Xiang didn't elaborate further, only watching her. "Even if you refuse to admit it, that irresponsible mother of yours passed down something to you that everyone in the industry dreams of—
"Talent."
She pushed the script a little closer to Zhuang Jiang. "Jiangjiang, don't do it for her. Don't do it for anyone else. Do it for yourself. Just for yourself.
"Think about it—
"Do you truly dislike acting? Or... do you simply want nothing to do with her?"
After saying this, Huo Xiang cast a glance out the window. "That boy has been standing there for a long time. Is he your boyfriend?"
Zhuang Jiang followed her gaze. Tang Qing was standing nearby watching her. Seeing her look over, he gave a small wave... and even nodded politely toward Huo Xiang.
"He is."
A bit of a smile appeared on Zhuang Jiang’s face, and she waved back.
Huo Xiang nodded, giving a soft hum of approval. "He looks like a good one."
She left it at that single comment, then looked back at her. "Think it over carefully. Director Zhang’s audition is in three days. If you make up your mind, call me. Jiangjiang, I respect your choice, but I still hope you’ll give me that call."
Having said her piece, Huo Xiang stood up. Returning to her professional demeanor, she said "Goodbye" and turned to walk out.
Zhuang Jiang stared at the script on the table, her fingertip brushing over the two words... Lady Yun. This was the first film she had done when she entered the entertainment industry in her past life. It had paved her way and earned her a great deal of applause.
Did she like acting?
She didn't know.
Zhuang Jiang turned her head toward the window. Tang Qing was slowly walking toward her.
She gave a small smile.
She didn't know if she really liked acting.
But she knew she liked the person in front of her more than anything else.
Zhuang Jiang picked up the script from the table, stood up, and pushed open the door to walk outside.
Then, she looked at him and reached out her hand. "Qingqing, let’s go home."
Tang Qing took the hand she offered and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Then, he looked down at her and smiled warmly. "Alright, let’s go home."
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!
Show support by clicking on the support us button below!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...