Chapter 51 p2
Just as Lu Duanjing was about to ask what was wrong, one of the children suddenly knelt down and bowed, his forehead touching the ground.
It was a gesture he had often used while begging, a desperate plea for food, a gesture that often earned him nothing but a kick from some uncaring passerby.
But today, this kind lady had given them meat! He had to show his gratitude!
The other children, mimicking his actions, also knelt down, their foreheads touching the ground, their small bodies bowing repeatedly.
Lu Duanjing, startled, rushed to help them up.
“What are you doing?!”
But they continued to kowtow, even the two women looking at her with a mixture of awe and apprehension.
Seeing their unwavering devotion, Lu Duanjing, unable to stop them, clenched her fists, her voice slightly raised.
“Stop bowing!”
Thinking she was angry, the children froze, their movements ceasing.
Lu Duanjing walked over to them, helping them up, one by one.
“We’re all equal. No one bows to anyone here. Don’t bow to me, and don’t bow to the heavens. Stand tall and live for yourselves.”
One of the little girls, her eyes filled with tears, said, “Niang Niang, if I grow up, I’ll earn lots of money and repay you.” [Niang Niang – a term of respect for a queen or goddess]
Lu Duanjing’s eyes reddened slightly. Even these children, so young, knew that their lives were precarious.
“You will grow up,” Lu Duanjing said softly, patting the little girl’s shoulder, then, wanting to change the subject, she asked, “But why do you call me ‘Niang Niang’?”
Her question sparked a flurry of responses.
“Because you’re like a goddess!”
“You’re even better than a goddess! You give us food and a place to live!”
“Because you’re the kindest person in the world!”
“I’ll definitely repay you someday!”
Their words, their innocent gratitude, made Lu Duanjing’s heart ache. She knelt down, looking at their small faces.
“Don’t call me ‘Niang Niang.’ Call me ‘Lu Jiejie.’” [Older Sister]
“And I’ll make sure you have meat every week. You don’t have to repay me.”
Her words made the children exchange confused glances. If they didn’t have to repay her, then they were useless. What could they do?
Seeing their expressions, Lu Duanjing thought for a moment.
“If you really want to repay me, then…”
She smiled, her expression gentle in the soft light.
“Then study hard. Learn everything you can.”
It was then that Wen Sigu arrived.
She had helped Lu Duanjing set up the orphanage, finding the location and providing support.
After all, as the Lu family’s eldest daughter, Lu Duanjing couldn’t be seen venturing into the slums too often.
Now that the orphanage was running smoothly, she had come to visit, but a last-minute errand had delayed her.
As she arrived, the evening sun casting long shadows, she saw Lu Duanjing, her smile warm and encouraging, urging the children to study hard, to change their lives.
She stood there, bathed in the golden light, her presence radiating a quiet strength and beauty.
Wen Sigu’s heart skipped a beat, her gaze fixed on Lu Duanjing’s face.
They didn’t leave until late, walking side by side through the narrow alley near the orphanage, Lu Duanjing still buzzing with excitement, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by an almost childlike enthusiasm.
“I never realized how difficult it was to simply survive. I always thought my life was hard, but I’m actually so fortunate.”
“I can’t just provide for these children. I can’t support them forever. I have to teach them, give them the knowledge and skills they need to survive.”
“I can’t be here all the time, so I’ve asked my cousin to help, to teach them how to read and write. And later, when they’ve learned more, we’ll hire a teacher.”
“You wouldn’t believe how eager she is to learn! She comes to me every day for lessons!”
“She’ll be so surprised! And so happy! She’ll probably think, ‘Wow, I, Zheng Qiu Yan, can actually be a teacher!’”
“I can’t wait to see her face!”
As Lu Duanjing chattered excitedly, Wen Sigu listened patiently, her eyes soft and warm, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
Lu Duanjing continued, ticking off her plans on her fingers.
“There’s so much to do! Selling my jewelry isn’t a long-term solution.”
“I think I need to find a source of income. I’m thinking of opening a small shop in the city. I can’t believe I’m actually starting a business without my father’s permission!”
“Sigu, you’ve inspired me so much!”
She looked up at Wen Sigu, her eyes shining with excitement.
And in that moment, their gazes met.
Wen Sigu’s eyes, soft and warm in the orange glow of the setting sun, were fixed on Lu Duanjing’s face, their intensity making Lu Duanjing’s heart race.
Lu Duanjing, flustered by her gaze, looked down, her cheeks burning.
They walked in silence, the setting sun casting long shadows, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.
Wen Sigu’s fingers, hidden in the folds of her skirt, twitched, then retreated.
She hesitated, her palms sweating, then, finally finding her courage, she gently brushed her pinky finger against Lu Duanjing’s.
Lu Duanjing didn’t pull away!
Emboldened, Wen Sigu’s fingers intertwined with hers, their hands clasped together, their palms warm and slightly damp.
They walked in silence, their gazes fixed on the path ahead, their joined hands a silent language.
Wen Sigu, usually so rational and composed, looked up at the sky, at the narrow alley stretching before them, a childish wish forming in her heart.
She wished the alley was longer.
Because when they reached the end, they would have to part ways.
The scene had been filmed during the golden hour, the last rays of sunlight painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
Director Gao, a perfectionist, had insisted on multiple takes, pushing the crew to their limits, finally finishing just before nightfall.
As the light faded, the world was bathed in a soft, blue twilight.
Xu Jingyu, stepping out of the car, was about to go find Xin Yao when Xue Ning, her agent, approached her.
“Ms. Xu, your fans are here. They arranged a visit a few days ago. They’ve come a long way. Would you mind seeing them?”
Director Gao’s strict rules were well-known. No visitors were allowed on set before the film was completed. It was practically a closed set.
Paparazzi were strictly forbidden, and even fans were discouraged from visiting.
And Xu Jingyu, notoriously reclusive, rarely interacted with her fans, avoiding interviews, variety shows, and fan meetings.
So, this rare opportunity for a fan visit had been highly anticipated.
While Xu Jingyu wasn’t exactly known for her warmth and approachability, she couldn’t refuse.
She looked at Xin Yao, about to say something.
But Xin Yao spoke first, smiling gently. “Go ahead, Ms. Xu. I’ll go remove my makeup. We can meet in the dressing room later, and then have dinner together, okay?”
Xu Jingyu, after a moment’s thought, nodded and went to meet her fans.
Xin Yao returned to her dressing room alone.
Just as she sat down, Chen Jia knocked on the door, her head poking inside.
She glanced at Xin Yao’s face, her gaze hesitant.
After all, Ms. Xu had fans visiting her, while Xin Yao didn’t. It was bound to make her feel a little down.
Seeing her assistant’s concerned expression, Xin Yao smiled.
“Don’t worry. Maybe one day I’ll be famous too! Then I’ll have lots of fans visiting me!”
Seeing her positive attitude, Chen Jia relaxed.
“It’s not like no one cares about you. We received a fan letter today!”
“Huh?” Xin Yao, surprised, her earlier good mood momentarily forgotten, “A fan letter? For me?”
“Yes!” Chen Jia nodded.
After the recent scandal, many of her fans had abandoned her, and the few letters they received were usually filled with hate.
Worried that this one might be the same, Chen Jia had opened it first, her heart aching as she read it. She had decided to give it to Xin Yao anyway.
Xin Yao took the letter, assuming it was a message of encouragement.
But as she opened it, she froze, her eyes scanning the elegant handwriting.
[Dear Sister Xin Yao,
I don’t think I’ll see spring again.
I’m very sick, so sick that my parents cry every time they see me.
Lately, my mother has been crying even more, and the pain has gotten worse. I know I’m probably going to die soon.
I really wanted to see spring again.
Because that’s when I met you, Sister Xin Yao.
I wasn’t sick back then. I went to a film set with my friend, to see her favorite celebrity.
There were so many people, and I don’t like crowds. I got separated from my friend and felt so lost and alone.
And then I bumped into someone, spilling coffee all over myself, and I fell, right in front of the celebrity, in front of everyone. It was so embarrassing.
It was the most humiliating moment of my life.
Everyone was staring at me, but you came over, helped me up, and gave me your coat, asking gently, “Are you okay?”
It was a long time ago, and you probably don’t remember me.
But for me, so lost and alone at the time, it was like a ray of sunshine, making that spring day so beautiful.
So, when I saw the news online, I didn’t believe it. You’re not that kind of person, Sister Xin Yao.
But my voice is too small, and no one believed me.
And I don’t have much time left. I thought I should at least tell you.
Sister Xin Yao, there are people in this world who believe in you. Please don’t give up.
I’ll always love you, until the very end.
—A devoted fan]
The letter wasn’t long, but Xin Yao read it several times, her mind still reeling from its contents long after she had finished.
Xu Jingyu, having finished meeting her fans, returned to Xin Yao’s dressing room, but she didn’t see her.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard a sound behind her.
She was about to turn around when she felt something hard pressed against her lower back.
Slowly, she turned her head, a smile playing on her lips.
Standing behind her was a person in a white cat costume, its fluffy fur and small size making it look like a cuddly kitten.
And the kitten was holding a plastic gun, its barrel pressed against Xu Jingyu’s back, its voice a playful growl.
“Don’t move! You’ve been captured by the Cat Bandit!”
Xu Jingyu raised her hands in mock surrender.
“I give up.”
Huh?
The Cat Bandit, slightly disappointed, lowered its gun.
“That’s no fun. Why did you give up so easily?”
“Because,” Xu Jingyu lowered her hands, “I was captivated from the moment I saw you.”
She walked towards the Cat Bandit and lifted the head of the costume.
As expected, it was Xin Yao, her hair slightly disheveled.
Xu Jingyu, unable to resist, leaned down and kissed her, her eyes soft and warm.
“What’s this about? Why are you wearing that?”
Xin Yao didn’t answer directly.
She put the cat head back on.
“Come with me. You’ll see.”
“Where are we going?” Xu Jingyu asked.
Xin Yao took her hand, leading her out of the dressing room.
“Hmm…”
“To see spring, perhaps.”
Leave a Reply