Chapter 111: Mr Song’s Surprise
“Then what do you make of Madam Xi’s second wedding?” Wu Zhao needled.
“As for this, we will have to take what I said earlier into account. The Warring States period was a time where morality had fallen into ruin. The fetters on the mind weren’t as strong back then. War time was when the strong consume the weak. Women were nothing but a speck of dust. As for my take on Madam Xi’s second wedding, it’s like this: It’s better to cling on to life than dying honorably.”
“Pfft!” Lu Jing couldn’t help but chuckle, “Clinging to life is better than dying honorably?”
Even Wu Zhao’s stern demeanor almost fell apart.
“Yep,” Yun Xiangxiang said innocently. “With Madam Xi’s personality, the most she could show for the incompetent marquis of Xi was only a wife’s respect toward her husband. There was no romance there. Her job was done when the nation of Xi was destroyed and she saved her own life.”
“The nation of Xi was destroyed because of her,” Cao Chi blurted.
“Is the Xi Nation’s destruction really because of her?” Yun Xiangxiang replied with a question.
“Is it not?” Lu Jing chimed.
“Of course not,” Yun Xiangxiang was vehement. “It’s not her fault she was born this beautiful. However, it somehow became an excuse for the fights between men over her. With how ambitious King Wen of Chu was, sooner or later he would conquer the nation of Xi. He already had the Shen Nation; he even took down his uncle’s Zhen Nation. He was already eyeing the Cai Nation for his ambition to unify the whole of ancient China. The Xi Nation’s destruction wasn’t because of Madam Xi’s beauty. Rather, it was because the weak were destined to be eaten by the strong.”
“Madam Xi was smart and decisive. Alas, she wasn’t an ambitious woman. Or else she could have gotten more just with her appearance,” Yun Xiangxiang smiled sheepishly at Wu Zhao. “This is my personal opinion.”
“Very meticulous. Very insightful too,” Wu Zhao acknowledged Yun Xiangxiang’s opinion. “With the way you do your research, you should know my rules.”
“Brother Wei mentioned it to me,” Yun Xiangxiang nodded.
“I am stringent on my acting staff. You have to train for at least a month in everything related to that era before you can enter the team. Even if your performance is good, you’ll still need at least two months’ training. There is no precedent of leaving before the filming is done if you are in my team,” Wu Zhao gazed at Yun Xiangxiang when he said that.
“I know that this request might be presumptuous, but if Director Wu is willing to give me this chance, I will do my best to fulfill my part. My only wish is that you can let me go for my finals,” Yun Xiangxiang stated her request.
“I make no exceptions for anyone,” Wu Zhao was adamant.
“Then it seems that fate does not smile on me and Madam Xi,” Yun Xiangxiang smiled earnestly. She took her cup of plum wine. “No matter what, it is my pleasure to meet Director Wu, Mr. Cao, and Teacher Lu today. Here’s a toast to all of you. I hope I can collaborate with all of you next time.”
“You’re giving up this easily?” Cao Chi was late to react. He didn’t see a hint of forced smile on the young lady.
It was like passing up this opportunity was immaterial.
Cao Chi was confused about his emotions. If Yun Xiangxiang was like everyone else, he would feel that it was troublesome to even wipe her tears.
However, he felt annoyed when he looked at how she took it in her stride like she looked down on him and thought that the matter was inconsequential.
“It’s not giving up lightly. I have already given my all,” Yun Xiangxiang still smiled sincerely. “The things someone can get in this world are limited. I’m not used to drowning in sorrow just because I missed one good thing. It’s not because the thing isn’t impactful; it’s just that I like to treat life with happiness.”
There are so many wonderful things in this world. How can everyone have everything?
Whose life won’t be filled with missed opportunities or things that they want, but couldn’t have?
No matter how much we cry, they wouldn’t come back. So why should we wallow in grief?
It would be better to be happy for what we have than to feel depressed about what we couldn’t.
The trio was stunned. A charmingly beautiful young lady stood before them gracefully and said that she likes to treat life with happiness.
She didn’t hound them; she didn’t plead; she didn’t degrade herself in any way. She didn’t fill herself up with grudges just because she couldn’t get the part.
Confident, cheerful, took things easily. She also had an air of resilience and decisiveness. Anyone couldn’t help but admire her.
“Your outlook on life is admirable for a seventeen-year-old,” Wu Zhao was notorious for his scarcity of praise. It was rare for him to commend someone like this. “Call me on Saturday. I’ll see whether you’re worth making an exception for.”
Yun Xiangxiang didn’t expect things to make such a turnaround. She wasn’t trying to take two steps forward by taking one step back. She really did have all intention of giving up.
But her response was swift, “Thank you, Director Wu. I will do my best!”
“I’ve had my fill. The matter is decided. Let’s break up and go home. We still have a lot to do,” Wu Zhao stood up and retrieved his coat.
They were already finishing up their meal. Everyone left with a smile on their face. Lu Jing and Cao Chi even exchanged contact with Yun Xiangxiang.
“Have a good rest when you get home. Pay attention in classes tomorrow. I’ll accompany you there the day after tomorrow,” He Wei dropped her off in front of her home.
“En. Take care, Brother Wei,” Yun Xiangxiang waved at He Wei after she got off the care.
He Wei nodded and drove away.
Yun Xiangxiang went into the lift. She was greeted by Song Yao’s smiling face when the door opened on her floor.
“Please go up one more level, Miss Yun.”
Yun Xiangxiang who understood what was happening pressed the next floor’s button. True enough, Song Mian was waiting for her once the door opened again.
“Hello,” Song Mian held his hand out.
Yun Xiangxiang clasped his hand. Song Mian took her hand and led her into the house. “I remember that there should be a resident on this floor.
“I bought the house from him,” Song Mian answered.
“Meow…” Little Angel dashed to her once she entered. It actually recognized Yun Xiangxiang.
Yun Xiangxiang bent down and picked Little Angel up. She saw a pair of women’s slippers [1] waiting for her in the hallway. She noticed that the slippers were exactly her size with just a glance.
She glanced at Song Mian and promptly changed her shoes before going into the living room.
It was refurbished in the same Chinese style as her house, but the decor looked at least doubly better than hers was. The air of antiquity that greeted her could really make anyone forget that this was a modern condominium. Even the staircase was made out of mahogany.
“This is the surprise you were going to give me?” Yun Xiangxiang still remembered what Song Mian said before she returned to the country.
“Do you like it?” Song Mian nodded and dragged her to the dining hall. “I made medicated porridge for you. It helps with digestion, alleviates anxiety, and helps with getting good sleep.”
Yun Xiangxiang, who was already full had an appetite when she took a whiff of the aroma. She immediately pulled out a chair and sat down.
Song Mian took a bowl of porridge for her. She questioned after she took the bowl, “How much did you pay for him to let go of this house?”
It was a great location. The unit that He Wei bought for her was done in the early stages. There were already no houses for sale here. She was probably the poorest one among those who could purchase the houses here.
Even so, even if someone did need money and tried to sell their house, it was too big of a coincidence for it to be someone living just one floor above her.
“Market price,” Song Mian filled a bowl for himself too. He sat beside Yun Xiangxiang. Song Mian only continued when he met Yun Xiangxiang’s interrogative gaze, “He fell sick, and I had someone cure him.”