Chapter 20: The Encounter Part 1

The next morning, Ming Li woke up and did a quick half-hour workout. When she returned to her room, she saw a message from Zhu Hanxing sent early that morning.

[The shoot is tomorrow at four in the afternoon. You need to be at the set by two for makeup, wardrobe, and all that. A teacher will help you find your marks and camera angles, so don’t worry.]

[I’ve got your back, Sister Li.]

Ming Li replied with a simple “Okay.”

She hadn’t slept well the night before, drifting in and out of restlessness. The exercise had given her a bit of energy, so she washed up again and applied her makeup before heading out.

Thanks to Gu Qingshuang firing that arrogant floral teacher, Ming Li had no classes today. Judging by Gu Xueqiang’s demeanor, the elder woman likely wouldn’t be hiring a replacement anytime soon. Floral arrangement was never a required course; Ming Li understood that Gu Xueqiang had only set it up so she wouldn’t be idle.

Over the past three years, Ming Li had completed nearly all the mandatory training for a high-society wife. Now, her daily routine consisted of accompanying Gu Xueqiang to banquets and occasionally organizing events hosted by the Gu family. While she had some involvement in the Gu family’s company affairs, it was minimal.

This was one of the reasons she had decided to resubmit her resume to the Jing’an Grand Theater. She wanted to dance again.

Another reason was her mother. Her mother had always believed she was still dancing. Mrs. Ming believed that finding something one truly loved was a magnificent achievement. When Ming Li wanted to learn to dance as a child, her mother never opposed it; instead, she personally selected the best teachers.

Ming Li’s career path had shifted because of her family’s bankruptcy, but she never dared to tell her mother. Fortunately, her mother’s health was poor, and with Ming Xi’s help over the last few years, they had managed to keep the truth hidden.

But deception was not a long-term solution.

A while ago, Ming Li had seen that the Jing’an Grand Theater was recruiting for a B-role dancer. It wasn’t a formal position, not even an internship. It only required two performances a week, one day of rehearsal, and an hour and a half on stage at night. Ming Li had calculated that it wouldn’t conflict with her schedule, so she had boldly submitted her profile and videos.

She hadn’t told Gu Xueqiang yet; she planned to act first and report later. For the past three years, she hadn’t dared to make a single mistake, fearing Gu Xueqiang would make trouble for her. But lately, she had realized that she would definitely be divorcing Gu Qingshuang in two years. After the divorce, there would be a long, awkward period of transition.

In the past, she had been the type to take things one step at a time. With her parents around, she never had to worry about anything except what to eat and drink. But since her father’s passing, she had learned to stay alert even in times of peace.

With her mother frequently needing expensive hospital care, they currently relied on the Gu family. Once that support vanished, the medical bills falling onto her shoulders would be enough to keep her working off debts for years. Ming Xi still had to go to university, too. Although Ming Xi was sensible and often talked about working part-time while studying, Ming Li didn’t want her sister’s college years to be a struggle.

She had to provide for Ming Xi’s tuition and living expenses. But the question was—where would the money come from? She had no stable job and no marketable skills beyond dancing. She couldn’t exactly become a street performer.

Thinking it through, she had to plan ahead.

…

While eating breakfast, Ming Li accidentally opened Weibo. Perhaps because Zhu Hanxing had forwarded her a post yesterday, her “Recommended” feed was filled with content related to Shen Lideng.

The first video was of Shen Lideng dancing. Ming Li had never looked her up before, but she didn’t go out of her way to skip it now. She opened the video casually. It was filmed from the front row of the audience, though it wasn’t perfectly clear. The movements were incredibly graceful, her figure stunning, but her face was blurred.

Ming Li scrolled through a few more videos, all more or less the same. As she watched with idle curiosity, a notification popped up at the top of her screen.

[Lu Xin (Class Monitor): Ming Li, our class is having a reunion this Friday night at Yuxing Pavilion. Students from several other classes are going too. Do you want to come?]

[Lu Xin (Class Monitor): It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! I really miss you~]

In her memory, Lu Xin was a very cheerful girl, a bit scatterbrained but very responsible when it came to class matters. After her family went bankrupt, Ming Li had blocked many people and set her social media to be visible for only the last three days. She never posted updates.

But she hadn’t blocked Lu Xin.

In high school, Ming Li had been a loner. Aside from eventually becoming friends with Zhu Hanxing, the rest of her peers were mere acquaintances. However, she and Lu Xin had been in the same class for all three years. In tenth grade, Lu Xin had been her seatmate and had looked after her quite a bit.

At the time, everyone thought Ming Li was a haughty young lady who was hard to approach. Lu Xin didn’t care; she would loudly share snacks and generously offer her test papers for Ming Li to copy—even though Ming Li never needed to.

They had been close for that brief period as seatmates, but Lu Xin had her own circle of friends and would vanish as soon as the bell rang. Consequently, they hadn’t stayed in close contact. But thinking back now, Ming Li still felt that this person had once brought warmth into her life.

Facing the invitation, Ming Li wasn’t sure how to answer. She sent back a troubled emoji.

[Lu Xin (Class Monitor): Are you working overtime on Friday?]

Ming Li: “…”

Ming Li replied: [No.]

[Lu Xin (Class Monitor): Then come! Zhu Hanxing is coming too.]

[Lu Xin (Class Monitor): I heard you’re married. If possible, bring your partner! A lot of people are bringing theirs.]

Lu Xin was a total E-type. Even through a screen, Ming Li felt as though she had been thrust back into high school. She quickly messaged Zhu Hanxing for help: [What did you tell Lu Xin?]

Zhu Hanxing: [Nothing much. I just said I’m going and signed up.]

Ming Li: [I don’t know if I should go.]

Zhu Hanxing: [Are you busy that day?]

Ming Li: [No.]

Zhu Hanxing: [Then go. We’ll go together.]

Ming Li’s anticipation and dread were at equal levels. She was afraid of running into Shen Lideng, yet she was also curious to see her. She wanted to see exactly how much they looked alike.

A moment later, Zhu Hanxing messaged again: [I already paid for you. See you Friday night. /waves]

Ming Li: [You just decided for me?]

Zhu Hanxing: [Because you want to go.]

Ming Li: […]