n

n

nTranslator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio

nNing Qing finally understood how childish her request was. They weren’t on the same level.

nNing Qing wanted to push him away.

n…

nAfter the deep kiss, Ning Qing heard his heart beating fast.

nLu Shaoming pursed his lips satisfyingly then he touched her hair gently and said, “Ning Qing, I’m leaving, most likely for three days.”

nNing Qing lifted her head in his embrace. His shirt crumpled due to her grip. She extended her hand to smooth it out but didn’t know what to say. She only responded with an “mm.”

nThe atmosphere was quiet yet sweet. Lu Shaoming leaned forward to give her a quick peck on her cheek. He spoke when his lips were against her skin, “I’m leaving now.”

n“Come back soon!” Ning Qing let out a reply without much thinking when she saw him leaving but yet to leave.

nThe moment she said that she regretted it, because the man was smiling. It was as though he were laughing at a wife who was loath to be apart from her newlywed husband.

nShe felt resentful but suddenly the door opened and Lu Shaoming left the car.

nNing Qing lifted her head to watch his back. There was another luxurious car waiting for him while Zhu Rui waited by the door with a jacket in one hand and a briefcase in the other. Lu Shaoming took the jacket and briefcase before he got in the car.

nThe car went from close to far after the door was closed.

nNing Qing couldn’t tell how she felt. Someone was missing by her side and something was missing in her heart, she felt as though she were suffocating.

nZhu Rui entered the car and asked, “Madam, where do we go?”

nZhu Rui already changed the way she addressed her.

n“To the hospital.”

n…

nYue Wanqing woke up at night and the doctor came to do a quick check. Her body was in normal condition. Ning Qing fed her mom warm water and chatted with her for a bit.

nNing Qing didn’t tell her mom that she got married. She was worried that her mother couldn’t accept it. Plus, Lu Shaoming was not around. She wanted her mom to recover before she introduced her mom to Lu Shaoming.

nShe was confident that her mom would like a good man like Lu Shaoming.

nNing Qing returned to her room after her mom fell asleep.

nShe lied on the bed but tossed and turned. She couldn’t sleep. She extended her hand to reach for her phone. He should have arrived in London, right?

nShould I text him?

nShe thought a lot earlier. Strictly speaking, they didn’t get married because of love. There wasn’t any solemn pledge of love. She couldn’t understand the status of their marriage and she didn’t know how to get along with him in the future.

nShe lied prostate on the bed and typed a message.

nFirstly, she was already wondering how to address him. But she put that thought aside and got to the point straight away.

nI’d like to ask if you have any request for our marriage? Such as, how long you want to be married for? Do we or don’t we involve ourselves in one another’s personal life? Of course, due to your great contribution in our relationship, I can won’t have any boyfriends but I won’t stop you from getting a girlfriend. Finally… I want to take care of my mom. You do your own thing while I stay with my mom.

nNing Qing amended the message a few times before she sent it.

nShe didn’t know how he’d reply and she fixed her gaze on the screen.

nFive minutes later, “ding”, he replied.

nI do not plan to have an extramarital affair nor do I plan to divorce. After Mom gets discharged from the hospital, move in and stay with me.

nHis message was short and direct, just like his usual self.

nNing Qing blushed as she read the message. He meant clearly that he wanted to spend his whole life with her and he made a promise.

nFor the past three years, she had seen many people who walked in the hall of marriage. Actually, marriage was very mundane. Many people break up due to material factors like cars and properties.

nShe once thought that she would definitely want to bring her mom along and take care of her mom if she were to get married. If the man were to be unhappy about it, she’d rather not get married.

nHowever, the way he addressed her mom as his own comforts all her insecurities.

nAs for… stay with me…

nNing Qing flipped over and lied on the bed. The table light shone on her beautiful eyes and her eyes felt extremely bright. She bit her lower lip and smiled.

nShe slept on her side and composed another message.

nActually, I broke your watch.

nIt’s time for her to be honest.

nThe man replied very quickly. Her phone flashed in a few seconds and she unlocked it to read the message.

nSilly girl. What excuse would I have had to call you if there wasn’t the watch? I just got to London and I need to work. Be a good girl and go to bed. Good night.

nNing Qing sat up on her bed. What did he mean?

nHe purposely left the watch in the room so that he could call her and date her?

nThis man planned it. Naughty!

nSo naughty.

nNing Qing fell back into her bed and she pulled the blanket over her face. She couldn’t help but chuckle. Why wasn’t he just straightforward about the fact that he wanted to chase after her?

nTo be burdened by the watch repair fees out of nowhere, did he know how long she felt stressed out for?

nActually, she wanted to reply “good night” with “take care” but she was worried that she would disturb him so she didn’t.

nShe put her phone next to her pillow and closed her eyes. Her mom recovered and she was going to start working wholeheartedly. Oh, and, Mrs. Lu, all the best.

nNing Qing lifted the corners of her lips and went to bed happily.

n…

nAfter a good night’s sleep, Ning Qing woke up feeling fully charged. She felt alive again. She went to see her mom after she washed her face and rinsed her mouth.

nShe put a pillow behind her mom’s back as she leaned against the bed because the doctor said that she could consume food. Hence, the hospital provided her a bowl of porridge. The professional nurse was feeding her mom.

nNing Qing thought of Lu Shaoming again. She was moved to an ensuite room from a normal ward. The hospital even provided food. Her mom was so well taken care of because of him.

nHowever, she could hardly bring herself to mention paying him back for all his help. Firstly, she was afraid that he would reply and she would be at lost for words again. Secondly, they were married after all. She had her troubles and he was nice to her nonetheless. If he were to be in trouble in the future, she would be nice to him.

nThe two of them had so much time to spend together.

nThe rest of their lives should be enough.

n“Qing Qing, don’t you need to go to school today? Mom is feeling much better. I don’t need you to keep me company. Hurry up and go to school for your piano lessons.” Yue Wanqing always thought Ning Qing was in the top school playing piano like a girl from a wealthy and influential family should.

nNing Qing leaned forward and pecked her mom’s soft cheek. “Mom, rest well. I’ll visit you again at night.”

nYue Wanqing blushed in embarrassment. She waved and pushed her daughter away, “You’re such a silly girl. Aren’t you shy? There are people around. Hurry and go. Be careful and take care.”

n“Bye, Mom.” Ning Qing waved goodbye and left the ward.

n…

nAfter she left the ward, Zhu Rui walked over. He was carrying a breakfast tray, “Madam, have breakfast. President says that you might like a girly spread. I told the kitchen to prepare this.”

nNing Qing looked at the breakfast tray. There were colorful sandwich biscuits, a yogurt mousse cake, thin vanilla pancakes, a glass of hot milk, and a sunny side up egg.

nNing Qing smiled, how did that man know that she likes all those?

nMust have been on that rainy day. He noticed the plush bear on her bed in her room after all.

nHonestly, Lu Shaoming got it right. When she was the daughter of the Ning family, she was picky. She liked buttery sweet treats. Unfortunately, she hadn’t lived well for these past three years; she almost forget her preferences.

nShe was in the hospital yet everything was so simple. He’s… Spoiling her?

nUpon seeing her delicious breakfast, Ning Qing felt a great appetite. It would be unreasonable to refuse so she took over the breakfast tray and said, “Thanks…”

nShe turned and walked back into her room. She walked in and her phone rang.

nShe picked up the phone and there was a sweet female voice on the other end. “Hello, is this Miss Ning? Hello. Wang Zhangping, Director Wang is preparing to film a movie set during the early years of the Chinese Republic, Street Walker. Director Wang invites Miss Ning for a screen test in the studio today.”

nWang Zhangping, Director Wang?

nNing Qing forgot to respond as she was still too amazed.

nWang Zhangping was known as the Father of Taiwanese Film. He came to China to invest his first suspenseful spy movie in 1997, it was famous across China. Since then, he became the double guarantor of movies’ reputations and box office sales.

nDirector Wang continuously produced a few major films and each one would elevate a new famous actress to the limelight, and they’d always become a big shot in the movie scene.

nIt was a pity that Director Wang had a weird temper and he didn’t produce many movies. For the past two years, he had been silent and made an effort to lay low. Ning Qing couldn’t believe that she was invited by Director Wang for a screen test.

n“Hello, Miss Ning, are you there? Do you have time for the screen test today? Hello, hello…”

n“I, I’m free,” Ning Qing came back to reality. She was delighted, “Where’s the studio, I’ll rush over now.”

n…

nXu Junxi brought Ning Yao to Street Walkers’ studio. Director Wang wore his glasses as he discussed the script with the producer.

n“Hello, Director Wang.” Xu Junxi came forward and greeted him politely.

nThe producer stopped while Director Wang removed his glasses and stood up slowly.

nDirector Wang was sixty that year. Although he had a head of white hair, he looked energetic. He wore an outfit consisting of grey sportswear and gave out an artistic aura.

n