Chapter 30

Zhao Pingjin walked in. “Hand it over.” 

Gao Jiyi quickly shook his head. “What?” 

Zhao Pingjin said coldly, “The door card.” 

Gao Jiyi grinned cheekily. “You’re helping me return it to Teacher Zhou, aren’t you?” 

Fang Langming walked over and patted Gao Jiyi on the shoulder. “The table is already reserved. Let’s go out to eat.” 

Zhao Pingjin hesitated, standing still. 

Fang Langming leaned in and said quietly, “Qingqing will take care of her.” 

Zhao Pingjin thought for a moment, glanced again at the room full of people, and finally nodded. 

The group split into several cars and headed out to dinner in a grand procession. 

Zhao Pingjin walked at the back, with Xi Tang following beside him. She whispered, “Am I bothering you all? Maybe I shouldn’t go—” 

Zhao Pingjin pressed the car key in his hand. With a beep, the car lights flashed. “Stand still.” 

Xi Tang sat in the passenger seat of his car, her posture rigid, her hands tightly clasped on her lap. 

Zhao Pingjin glanced over at her and smirked sarcastically. “I’m not afraid. What are you so scared of?” 

Her mind seemed to be elsewhere, entirely detached, and she didn’t hear what he said at all. 

Zhao Pingjin frowned. “Hey, Huang Xitang.” 

Xi Tang snapped out of her daze. “Huh? What did you say?” 

Zhao Pingjin looked at her, the smirk on his lips fading into a subtle, probing expression. “It’s just dinner. What are you so nervous about?” 

Xi Tang shook her head firmly. “It’s nothing.” 

In the private room at the restaurant, Shen Min took the lead in arranging the seating, deliberately placing her next to Ouyang Qingqing. 

Zhao Pingjin didn’t introduce Huang Xitang. In their circle, everyone knew each other, and the numerous girlfriends who came and went were easily forgotten. Within a few days, there would be a new face, and no one bothered to remember their names. The only formal partners, however, were well-known figures in the capital, and everyone was aware of the situation.

Zhao Pingjin sat at the head of the table, glanced at the utensils on the table, and directly ordered the waiter, “Bring me a spoon, silver, with a long handle, and a smaller one.” 

The waiter responded and went to fetch it. 

Qingqing sat beside Xi Tang, smiling and actively striking up a conversation with her. “How long have you been in Beijing?” 

Xi Tang spoke softly. “A little over two months.” 

Qingqing laughed teasingly. “No wonder Zhouzhou hasn’t been out to play recently. He’s been going straight home after work every day.” 

Xi Tang blushed a little. “I mostly stay on set.” 

Qingqing asked with concern, “Have you been filming all these years?” 

Xi Tang nodded. “Yes, in Hengdian.” 

Qingqing, who graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, worked as a cultural relics conservator at the Palace Museum after finishing her studies. Xi Tang had a good relationship with their couple. After Xi Tang broke up with Zhao Pingjin, Qingqing had invited her to their wedding. 

Fang Langming had saved her life during a serious illness. Though she had just recovered, she still attended their wedding, where Zhao Pingjin was absent, as Qingqing had told her beforehand that he was abroad. 

Fang Langming and Qingqing’s wedding was grand and extravagant, taking place in the winter. White roses airlifted from Europe adorned the entire banquet. Xi Tang sat among the smiling guests, and as she looked around, she felt as though the clusters of blooming roses were burning, slowly turning into black ashes. She had been in the hospital for over a month, each day secretly hoping to hear even the smallest piece of news about Zhao Pingjin, even a greeting sent through someone else. Qingqing had visited her, but never mentioned him, and Shen Min paid for her treatment but never visited her hospital room. Later, when she returned home to rest, she found that Zhao Pingjin had come back to their shared apartment, taken his ID, files, and laptop, and left behind all his personal belongings: expensive suits, coats, shirts, shoes, razor, watch, toothbrush, everything had been completely abandoned. 

She finally understood that he had completely given up on her. 

That night became a memory imprisoned in her life. 

Yet, she always felt that even though fate had led her into an endless, dark jungle, she would always be grateful to those who had once lit up the way for her. 

The meal was halfway through when Xi Tang got up to go to the bathroom. 

She purposely lingered a little longer. Inside the luxurious private room, she knew that everyone there was either rich or powerful. Any one of them could be a prominent figure in the capital. The topics they discussed seemed casual but were actually full of ever-changing information, often dealing with critical internal policies, business matters, and sometimes world news or entertainment gossip. Xi Tang didn’t belong to that world; it felt stifling and suffocating. She carefully washed her hands and reapplied her makeup before slowly walking out. 

At the bathroom door stood someone. 

It was Lu Xiaojiang, still looking the same: a gentleman with a fair face, wearing platinum-framed glasses, clearly waiting for her. 

Xi Tang had no choice but to smile. 

Lu Xiaojiang looked at her with concern in his voice. “Xi Tang, how have you been these past few years?” 

Xi Tang politely replied, “I’ve been fine.” 

Lu Xiaojiang continued, “After you were hurt, I called Miss Ni. She told me you had returned to your hometown and asked me never to contact you again.” 

Xi Tang smiled, recognizing it as something Ni Kailun would do. “Yes, I stayed at home for a few years.” 

Lu Xiaojiang’s gaze was filled with complex emotions, and he hesitated to speak. 

Xi Tang thought for a moment and said, “I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations.” 

Lu Xiaojiang snapped out of it. “Ah, yes. Thank you.” 

“Xi Tang, you…” Lu Xiaojiang hesitated for a long time, then suddenly shook his head and said, “If you need help in Beijing, be sure to tell me.” 

Xi Tang smiled. “Thank you.” 

Lu Xiaojiang was a little eager. “I’m not just being polite—” 

He pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Xi Tang. “I know you may not need it, but remember, if you ever need anything, I’m very willing to help.” 

Xi Tang didn’t quite understand his intentions. If he and Zhao Pingjin were still friends, he should have distanced himself from her long ago, so why was he still reaching out? 

“Huang Xitang.” The deep, magnetic voice, tinged with irritation. 

They both turned around. 

Zhao Pingjin stood at the end of the corridor, watching them interact, his handsome face suddenly cold and frosty. “Come back, it’s time to eat.” 

Xi Tang turned to leave. 

Lu Xiaojiang lowered his voice and said, “You should take care of yourself.” 

Xi Tang returned to the private room. The meal had almost finished, and several bottles of Maotai had been opened. Zhao Pingjin had a sensitive stomach, so no one dared to urge him to drink, and if anyone didn’t know, Shen Min would stop them early. Despite the festive mood at the table, Zhao Pingjin remained calm and distant. 

Gao Jiyi and Zhao Pingjin were smoking cigars on the side, and Qingqing waved at Xi Tang, signaling for her to sit down. 

“Miss Huang—” 

Someone called to her from across the table. 

Xi Tang looked up and smiled. 

The person who called her was a young man in a white suit. She had overheard them mention that he was a son of some city official. He was grinning at her and asked, “Miss Huang, are you the one starring in that martial arts drama airing on TV? Are you playing the little nun?” 

“Sword Break” has been airing on Xingtai recently, and Xi Tang hadn’t expected to meet someone who recognized her. She could only nod in acknowledgment. 

Qingqing smiled and leaned over, asking, “What’s this? Xiao Gu, you’ve watched Xi Tang’s show too?” 

Young Master Gu replied enthusiastically, “My nephew really likes that TV show. Next Saturday is his birthday. Would you be able to come and wear a costume to perform a little for us? It would really liven things up!” 

Qingqing’s smile immediately faded. 

Lu Xiaojiang, standing by, grew anxious. “Hey, Gu Xianlin, Xi Tang is our friend.” 

Young Master Gu glanced at Lu Xiaojiang’s expression. Although Lu Xiaojiang grew up in the same compound as Zhao Pingjin and the others, his father didn’t hold much real power. Years ago, there had been an incident, and while the person involved was kept safe, they were reassigned to work in Hebei and have not returned since. Because of this, in this circle, his words usually didn’t carry much weight. However, earlier this year, he suddenly arranged a marriage with the powerful Qian family, making it necessary for others to reassess the considerable influence of the Qian family. Young Master Gu smiled politely at Lu Xiaojiang and said, “Xiaojiang, since we’re all friends, how much would Miss Huang charge? Just give us a price.” 

Lu Xiaojiang immediately stood up, shouting at him, “Can you at least show some respect?” 

The room instantly fell silent, and everyone who had been talking turned to look. 

“She won’t go.” A low, authoritative voice clearly rang out. 

The situation was immediately brought under control. 

Zhao Pingjin didn’t know when he had appeared behind her, but he reached out and placed a hand on her chair. “Don’t ask her about work. Contact her agent.” 

The eyes of the people in the room shifted between the few of them, filled with curiosity, inquiry, and disdain. 

Young Master Gu muttered angrily, “Hey, hey, hey, guys, she’s just a little actress. I’m trying to give her some recognition. Is it really necessary to make a big deal out of it? She isn’t even the lead actress…” 

Zhao Pingjin’s face darkened. “Gu Xianlin.” 

The voice instantly stopped. 

Gao Jiyi patted his shoulder, his face showing a gloating smile, and consoled him, “Xianlin, she’s not someone you can handle.”