Chapter 44

Lu Xiaojing drove them to 1949 in Sanlitun.

When the car stopped in the courtyard, as they were getting out, Lu Xiaojing looked up and suddenly let out a soft “huh.”

He turned to look at Xitang.

Xitang also noticed it—the car parked in the yard was Zhao Pingjin’s.

Xitang thought he was still abroad, but it turned out he had already returned to Beijing. She had gone to the Park Hyatt yesterday to pick up some things, and as usual, she had informed him. However, her phone wasn’t connecting, so she told Shen Min instead. Shen Min said he hadn’t come back yet. Xitang wasn’t familiar with the car, and since all the cars lined up were black, she didn’t immediately recognize it. It was only the noticeable license plate number that caught her attention.

Lu Xiaojing quietly asked, “Is everything alright? Do you want to go somewhere else?”

Xitang shook her head, “It’s fine.”

Lu Xiaojing led the two girls inside. A waiter in the lobby came forward to greet them, “Mr. Lu, we’ve reserved a table for you.”

Lu Xiaojing asked, “Are there any private rooms available?”

The waiter replied, “Yes, we have one.”

The three of them went to the private room.

The waiter entered to take their order, and upon seeing them, smiled and said, “Mr. Lu, you’re here for a meal? Mr. Zhao is also here.”

Lu Xiaojing asked, “Is Mr. Zhao here for business or pleasure?”

The waiter smiled and answered, “It’s a family meal, quite lively.”

Xitang lowered her head, silently listening.

Lu Xiaojing didn’t ask anything further. He greeted them and proceeded to order. They got a vegetable salad, foie gras, roast duck, duck soup, Kung Pao shrimp, matsutake mushrooms with scallops, and also ordered two desserts—mango sago and red date lily health soup for the girls.

Xitang kept saying that it was enough, that it was fine.

After a while, the roast duck was served. Xiao Ning ate with her mouth full, constantly praising how delicious it was, which amused the chef who was slicing the duck nearby.

It was good that Xiao Ning was there, otherwise, the atmosphere would have been too quiet. Xitang focused on eating but found it a bit tasteless.

Lu Xiaojing wasn’t bothered by her, chatting and joking with Xiao Ning. After they had eaten nearly half of the meal, the restaurant’s waiter came in and quietly spoke next to Lu Xiaojing: “Mr. Zhao knows you’re here and wants you to come over for a bit. He said the old lady would like to see you.”

Lu Xiaojing nodded calmly.

He sat with Xitang and Xiao Ning for a little longer before standing up and saying to Xitang, “I’ll be over in a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Lu Xiaojing followed the waiter down a hallway, with soft lighting, red lanterns, and green lotus flowers creating a classic Chinese garden atmosphere. They entered a private room, and as soon as Zhao Pingjin saw him come in, he said, “Quite a show, huh? Took you so long to come over.”

Lu Xiaojing first glanced at the people at the table and then flashed a big smile. “Grandma and grandpa are here in Beijing?”

The old lady was dressed in a dark red satin jacket, wearing a string of rosewood Buddhist beads, and had her graying hair neatly combed. She looked quite healthy. Zhao Pingjin was the only child of the Zhao and Zhou families, and the old lady often came to Beijing to visit her daughter and grandson. The children in the house were all quite fond of her: “Zhou’er, stop bullying Xiaojiang, come, come, come sit next to grandma.”

Lu Xiaojing sat down.

A young woman sitting beside Zhao Pingjin, with chestnut-colored short hair that was lightly curled and wearing delicate makeup, smiled at him. “Xiaojiang.”

She was Zhao Pingjin’s fiancée, Yu Xiaoying.

Zhao Pingjin asked, “Who are you dining with?”

Lu Xiaojing replied, “A client.”

Lu Xiaojing sat down and moved his chopsticks. The dishes had mostly been served by then, likely arriving shortly after the others. After drinking half a bowl of soup, he chatted briefly with the old lady about family matters before politely excusing himself.

Once he stepped out of the private room, he called Zhao Pingjin. It took a while for him to answer. Lu Xiaojing asked, “When are you leaving? Let me know.”

Zhao Pingjin replied, “Why?”

Lu Xiaojing repeated his question.

Zhao Pingjin said, “The old lady is eating happily, who knows when we’ll leave.”

Lu Xiaojing lowered his voice, “Just give me a call when you’re ready.”

Zhao Pingjin lazily responded, “I’m busy.”

Lu Xiaojing hung up the phone, muttering, “Just show off, huh.”

He no longer bothered with him and returned to the private room, looking calmly at Xitang. He subtly said, “Nothing’s going on. Let’s just enjoy the meal.”

Xiao Ning, not caring at all, kept chatting with Xitang: “We’re going to film an outdoor scene in a few days. I heard it’s going to snow. Director Feng is so happy. He says snow looks great on camera. Xitang Jie, eat more to keep warm.”

Lu Xiaojing handed Xitang the soup spoon. “Miss Ning has a point.”

At the dinner table, Lu Xiaojing chatted with Xitang, “I’m thinking about immigrating.”

Xitang was taken aback. She didn’t expect him to have such a plan. “Why? Isn’t it fine here in China?”

Lu Xiaojing replied, “My fiancée’s career is in the U.S., and it seems like she won’t be able to come back in the short term. We don’t want to live apart, and the environment here isn’t quite suitable for me.”

From the perspective of valuing his wife and family, Lu Xiaojing could be considered a good man.

Xitang said, “I remember you’re an only child too. What will your family do?”

Lu Xiaojing nodded. “Yeah, my parents basically agreed to go with me. It’s just that her grandparents aren’t very keen on it. We’ll see.”

Xitang held the porcelain spoon and softly said, “As long as you’re happy.”

Finally, after the meal, Xiao Ning was particularly happy, with someone supporting her, and the atmosphere was quite good. Lu Xiaojing called for the bill.

The three of them slowly walked out of the restaurant, took a short stroll around the art park, and when they reached the parking area, a group of people was walking toward them from the opposite corridor.

Zhao Pingjin was in the center of the group, holding the old lady’s arm. A secretary was following the old man, and a fashionable middle-aged woman was walking beside a young girl.

The two cars were parked too close to each other, making it impossible to avoid them.

As the group approached, Xitang stood behind Lu Xiaojing. Her beauty was so striking that even Yu Xiaoying couldn’t help but glance at her.

Yu’s mother teased, “Oh, Xiaojiang, weren’t you supposed to be dining with a client? Your client is really beautiful.”

Lu Xiaojing remained unflustered, smiling and casually making up an excuse. “Auntie, this is my little sister.”

Zhao Pingjin coldly glanced at him. “Your wife is an only child. Where do you have a little sister from?”

Lu Xiaojing didn’t respond to him. Instead, he smiled at the elders and said, “Grandma, grandpa, it’s cold outside. Let’s get in the car. I’ll visit you both at Zhou Zhou’s house sometime.”

It was indeed freezing outside. Yu’s mother called for the elderly to get in the car. Lu Xiaojing followed them and helped the elders into the car.

Zhao Pingjin’s car was parked nearby. Yu Xiaoying followed him, sitting in the front passenger seat. Zhao Pingjin opened the car door and looked back.

Xitang was still standing in the courtyard, in the cold wind.

Xitang had quietly stayed behind Lu Xiaojing, smiling faintly when Yu’s mother commented on her beauty. That smile was fleeting, quickly vanishing. She didn’t look at him.

Zhao Pingjin saw Lu Xiaojing politely usher the women into the car. The two of them got in, and the car quickly drove off.

Xitang returned to the hotel where the crew was staying. She entered her room, holding a cup of hot water, and sat there, unable to come to her senses for a long while.

She didn’t dare to take a closer look at his fiancée.

Her appearance didn’t matter anymore. In the end, they had a peaceful and harmonious life. The family gathered for a reunion meal, and she quietly followed behind him. They were the perfect example of a regular married couple.

Xitang pressed her stiff fingers, feeling her whole body stiffening from the cold.

The facts she had been avoiding in the shadows, now clearly visible, were easier to face. It was better this way.

Her phone rang from inside her bag.

She took it out and saw that it was Zhao Pingjin calling.

She didn’t answer. It rang again. And again.

Finally, Xitang picked up.

Zhao Pingjin’s voice, as always, was deep and smooth, with no trace of emotion: “Come out.”

Xitang remained silent, listening for a moment before putting the phone down and walking out.

Zhao Pingjin was waiting for her outside the hotel. Her hair and makeup were still neat, and her face looked calm, though a bit pale from the cold. She had no expression, walking steadily, but as she got closer, it was clear that there was a hint of confusion in her eyes. She was wearing denim jeans, snow boots, and a sweater without a coat.

Zhao Pingjin pulled her into the car and turned up the heat.

She lowered her head, quietly sitting.

With her hair tied up and her head slightly bowed, her long, pale neck was exposed. Zhao Pingjin looked at her and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you were having dinner with Xiaojing?”

Xitang opened her mouth but didn’t know how to respond.

Zhao Pingjin asked, “What did you need him for?”

Xitang replied, “I had some banking questions for him.”

Zhao Pingjin furrowed his brows. “If you have something, you could ask me instead.”

Xitang calmly said, “I called yesterday, and Shen Min told me you were still abroad.”

Zhao Pingjin was silent for a moment, then said, “Next time you’re dining with someone, let me know so I can make arrangements.”

Xitang gripped her wrist, lifted her head, and coldly smiled. “Make arrangements? Are you arranging to make sure I won’t show up in front of your family and fiancée?”

Zhao Pingjin furrowed his brows. “It’s not good for you to act like this…”

Xitang didn’t look at him. She raised her head and stared out the car window at the pale, snow-covered branches. With her head held high, she clearly said, “Zhao Pingjin, listen to me. I’m not afraid to meet anyone, and I don’t need you to make any arrangements. This city is not even named Zhao. I can go wherever I want. I’m this beautiful—do you really think I can’t face people? You’re in such a rush to lecture me after dropping off your fiancée? I don’t want to hear your lectures. Goodbye, Mr. Zhao.”

Xitang opened the door and got out of the car.