Chapter 52: Was Chu Wantang Not Hallucinating?
Not just the sunrise, but watching the sunset in Nancheng was also a romantic affair.
As dusk fell, a magnificent curtain was drawn across the horizon. Orange and tangerine intertwined in the sky, and the clouds were dyed into cotton candy with them as the main color. Many tourists would take out their cameras to capture the splendor of the moment.
Chu Wantang gripped her phone tightly, with no intention of taking a picture.
She had run all the way to the venue after getting out of the car, but by the time she arrived, the main and side doors were already closed. Only a few staff members were still finishing up. She stood in the empty square and looked around, trying to find a trace of Huai Xing’s figure, but like the many times before, there was nothing.
The clouds churned in the gentle breeze, and her blood was also churning.
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to adjust her breathing, trying to calm down. But this was a bit difficult for her at this stage. She lowered her eyes and stared at the photo that Su Cheng had forwarded to her.
In the past five years, she had repeatedly looked at photos related to Huai Xing. Sometimes, when she was sleepy before bed, looking at Huai Xing’s photos would naturally have a more blurred effect. So even with a not-so-clear picture like this, she could be absolutely sure that it was the same person. She looked up at the surroundings again, her lips pressed together tightly, her figure stretched long and lonely.
She couldn’t describe how she felt at this moment.
In the past few years, the clothing expos had been held in other cities across the country, and she had attended the seminars every year, but she had never gained anything. So she had thought that Huai Xing would not choose to be in the same industry as her, because Huai Xing had left so resolutely, and would definitely not want to see her again in the future, and would try to avoid the clothing-related industry as much as possible.
Therefore, she had let her subordinate go to the seminar this year, but it was precisely this time…
Her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, and it was extremely difficult for her to walk out.
But when she passed by the promotional banner for this exhibition, her footsteps paused.
No, she still had a chance. Since Huai Xing could come to the seminar, then she would definitely go to the opening ceremony and the expo tomorrow.
“You go to the opening ceremony and the expo tomorrow.”
After dinner, Huai Xing went to find Lu Xianyue.
Having been with the young lady Lu for a long time, her tone of voice was sometimes influenced, and everything seemed so matter-of-fact.
Lu Xianyue was wearing a face mask and was a little puzzled. “Didn’t you want to hear what everyone thinks of the company at the scene? Why the sudden change of mind?” She immediately shook her head. “No, either you go, or you go with me tomorrow. I’m so bored staying there. I’d rather read the proposal.”
Huai Xing took a glass of water and sat down on the sofa, saying slowly, “What to do? It seems you’ve had a fight with Sister Shiwei these past two days, right? That’s why you were thinking of finding her this afternoon under the pretext of complaining, to show your weakness to her.” She cleared her throat. “Actually, I’ve prepared a lot of good words for you with Sister Shiwei. It seems now…”
“No, Huai Xing, have you misunderstood something about me?” Lu Xianyue took off her face mask.
Huai Xing blinked. “No, I was just saying. Why are you reacting so strongly? If I don’t say it, I don’t say it. It won’t affect you.”
Lu Xianyue was at a loss for words. Before going to the bathroom to wash her face, she said, “I’m straight, and I don’t like older sisters.”
A few minutes later, her face was still dripping with water, and she said to her friend on the sofa, “But then again, you’ve been so tired these past few days. You should get some good rest. I’ll go to the exhibition by myself tomorrow. I was also here last year. I have more experience.”
Huai Xing smiled brightly, and then she heard Lu Xianyue say, “But you have to pick me up when it’s over. I’ve booked a very popular restaurant on Xiaohongshu. We’ll go to Chaoyin Road after we eat. I heard it’s a must-see for tourists.”
Hearing the words “Chaoyin Road,” Huai Xing raised an eyebrow slightly. “Aren’t you afraid of being scammed by the recommendations on Xiaohongshu?”
“Am I short on this kind of money?” Lu Xianyue said with a puzzled look. “I’ve never been poor since I was born.”
“…” Huai Xing took a deep breath. “It’s the experience! Wouldn’t you feel cheated if the experience was terrible?”
“It’s okay. At most, I won’t come next time. Don’t change the subject. Anyway, you have to pick me up.”
Huai Xing nodded. “Alright, no problem.”
“And there should be no problem with Sister Shiwei, okay?”
“I’ll try my best.”
“By the way,” Lu Xianyue asked. “You didn’t join the group. Do you want the group photo from the seminar this afternoon?”
“No need.”
After a brief chat, Huai Xing returned to her room.
She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at her reflection in the night view on the windowpane, her mind thinking of the scene of seeing Su Cheng at the meeting in the afternoon.
Did Su Cheng see her? She wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter.
After a while, she pulled up her chat with Wen Shiwei and, as she had promised Lu Xianyue, found an opportunity to say good things about Lu Xianyue.
Two years ago, when Wen Shiwei had just arrived in Haicheng, she had come to find Huai Xing.
That night, Lu Xianyue and Wen Shiwei had met for the first time, and Wen Shiwei, under the influence of alcohol, had revealed that her sexual orientation was female, but she hadn’t said much else.
Huai Xing could more or less guess a little, and for a while, there was a subtle feeling between her and Wen Shiwei, and she didn’t know how to interact with her.
It was Wen Shiwei who had broken the awkwardness first. She had taken the initiative to talk about Lu Xianyue, saying that seeing is believing, and that Lu Xianyue really had the air of a young lady. Then, as a friend and an older sister, she had been sincerely happy for Huai Xing for having such a true friend.
Some things didn’t need to be said too clearly to be understood.
Not to mention that they had known each other for so many years, and Wen Shiwei had witnessed so much.
So their friendship continued, with the addition of Lu Xianyue.
But Lu Xianyue was willful and self-centered, and would inexplicably anger Wen Shiwei from time to time. Huai Xing often acted as a mediator between them to maintain their relationship.
The next day, Chu Wantang appeared at the opening ceremony of the clothing expo with her ID badge. The opening ceremony, in addition to speeches, ribbon-cutting, and a launching ceremony, also had a symbolic T-stage runway show, where hundreds of companies would display a piece of clothing that represented their company.
Chu Wantang didn’t care about these things. She was afraid that her and Su Cheng’s eyes were not enough, so after she came back last night, she had specially met with Lin Youmeng and asked her to come along.
Regarding the behavior of Chu Wantang, who was now the vice president of “Lan Ling,” Lin Youmeng said, “You deserve it.”
She then hummed lightly and said, “Give me money. I’m not running for nothing.”
“How much?” Chu Wantang opened the transfer interface, her face serious.
Lin Youmeng: “…”
She scratched her head, a hint of embarrassment on her tan face. Actually, she was joking, but since Chu Wantang had this attitude, she had no choice but to say, “You can treat me to KFC’s Crazy Thursday next week. 50 is enough.”
Chu Wantang, without hesitation, transferred fifty thousand. “When I see her, I’ll transfer you another fifty thousand, okay?”
Lin Youmeng was dumbfounded. “Is it possible…” she said slowly, “that I am Huai Xing? I just got a tan and grew taller, and you didn’t recognize me.”
Chu Wantang’s face immediately darkened. Lin Youmeng quickly transferred the money back and said in a hurry, “Report, boss. I’ve arranged for both of my eyes tomorrow. One will be on guard on the left, and the other will be on the lookout on the right. I’m always ready.”
At this moment, Lin Youmeng was holding a pair of binoculars, looking from beginning to end.
Su Cheng was holding her daughter and was startled by how professional she was. “I’m still not prepared enough.”
She looked at Chu Wantang’s focused expression and sighed in her heart.
After the runway show at the venue was over, everyone went to the exhibition hall one after another.
The exhibition hall was spacious and bright, with a surging crowd and a dazzling array of exhibits.
In terms of ready-to-wear, there were luxurious gowns from well-known brands, common and affordable casual wear, sportswear with a sense of technology, and traditional ethnic clothing. In terms of fabrics, there were soft and delicate silks, warm and comfortable wools, light and breathable cottons, and various new high-tech fabrics.
There was also a separate accessories exhibition area, which added more fashion to the entire exhibition.
Next to most of the booths, there was a model display area. At a glance, it felt like playing a real-life dress-up game.
This was the first time Nancheng had held a clothing expo. The city was ambitious and wanted to make a name for its execution ability, so they had prepared a lot for this clothing expo and had spent a lot of effort on publicity. Not only were there many people from the same industry, but many tourists from all over the country also took this opportunity to come and see the exhibition, and some even used it as a date spot.
This also made it more difficult for Chu Wantang and the others. Until the end of the first day of the exhibition, when the colorful clouds came again, they still had nothing.
This time, Lin Youmeng didn’t even have the heart to joke. She pressed her lips together and said with a hint of comfort, “There’s still tomorrow and the day after.”
The exhibition was to be held for three days. This was only the first day.
She also wanted to say “don’t be discouraged,” but she couldn’t say it. Since Chu Wantang had come to Nancheng five years ago and had been driving around Chaoyin Road every day and watching the sunrise every day, she knew that it would probably be very difficult for Chu Wantang to see Huai Xing again.
Besides, she had also looked at the photos last night. As someone who had been in contact with Huai Xing, it was a bit difficult to recognize and confirm that it was Huai Xing.
Was Chu Wantang not hallucinating? She suspected, but she would not say.
Because this was already one of the few chances Chu Wantang had had in these years.
Chu Wantang casually looked at the “Silk Season” booth, which was a big name in the fabric area, and “mm”-ed lightly as an answer.
Su Cheng followed her gaze and said, “‘Silk Season’ is a company that mainly develops in Haicheng and takes the high-end silk route.” She then thought for a moment. “I saw in the group chat that everyone calls the young and beautiful one in front ‘Little President Lu’.”
“Which lu?”
“The ‘Lu’ in ‘ludi’ (land).”
Hearing this, Chu Wantang’s brows furrowed slightly, and a thought flashed through her mind, like a design inspiration that occasionally popped up but slipped away. She couldn’t grasp it.
“Tangtang Mommy, I want a hug,” Su Qiao said, reaching out her hands to Chu Wantang.
Chu Wantang took the little girl and held her steadily. The next second, Su Qiao reached up and touched her eyebrows. “Mommy said to smile more.”
“Mm,” Chu Wantang revealed a dimple, and the little girl immediately poked it.
Before long, facing the fiery red clouds that had been lit up, today’s exhibition was over, and the crowd dispersed. There was a parking lot next to it, and one car after another drove out. They were also going there.
Su Qiao held Chu Wantang’s neck, lying on her shoulder, and was getting sleepy again.
But halfway there, Chu Wantang saw the protagonist they had been talking about twenty minutes ago walk to the side of the road.
She had originally wanted to retract her gaze, but then she saw the driver’s door open, and the woman who came down had long, straight black hair, which swayed in the gentle breeze. She was wearing a light blue long dress and came to the passenger side to open the door for that Little President Lu.
From a distance, as if sensing something, Huai Xing glanced at the square, and then, without hesitation, she averted her gaze, walked around the front of the car, and opened the driver’s door.
Chu Wantang’s breathing was paused, and she was rooted to the spot.
