After the Divorce, the Whole World is Waiting for Us to Get Back Together - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

The afternoon world carried a hint of lazy comfort. The sunlight outside the window fell evenly and brightly across Cheng Xi’s face, outlining a myriad of charms in her smiling eyes—like a cat extending its paws, scratching at one’s heart with alternating lightness and weight.

Meng Zhijin looked at that exposed stretch of Cheng Xi’s slender waist, and her gaze darkened.

She stood up without saying a word.

However, just as she was about to step toward Cheng Xi, a knock sounded from the side of the room. The hallway light spilled through the crack of the opening door, along with half of Su Jing’s figure.

She accurately located the newly risen Meng Zhijin and gestured, calling out: “Zhijin.”

Realizing Su Jing had something for her, Meng Zhijin discreetly suppressed the shifting emotions in her eyes. She whispered an “excuse me” to Cheng Xi and followed Su Jing out the door.

Cheng Xi watched Meng Zhijin’s retreating back as the door opened and closed. Her intentionally flirtatious gaze turned somber, wandering across the ward she hadn’t had time to inspect properly until now.

It was still the same window from which one could see the distant landmark skyscraper, and the same yellowed, old anatomical chart of acupoints stuck to the wall. The private room was deathly quiet. Cheng Xi didn’t know how many times she had stayed in this place all by herself.

Everything was exactly as it used to be.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of the door opening broke the silence again. Cheng Xi looked up to see the old practitioner walking in with his hands behind his back.

He glanced around the room, seeing only Cheng Xi. “Left again?”

Cheng Xi keenly caught the key word. “Again?” she repeated in confusion.

“The few times you came here two years ago, your girlfriend came too.” The old man paused, looking at Cheng Xi as if seeking confirmation. “She is your girlfriend, right?”

Cheng Xi wanted to deny it, but suddenly, the words wouldn’t come out. The old man’s words were like a crack in her dark past that allowed moonlight to seep in; she didn’t want to interrupt, wanting only to keep listening.

The old man likely understood the complexities of the entertainment industry and didn’t insist on an answer. As he began removing the needles, he continued: “I remember back then, she always came in the middle of the night to sit by the bed and watch you sleep for a while before leaving.”

“A big movie queen like her must be very busy, right? Her spleen and stomach seemed to be in poor condition.” The old man drifted back to his professional instincts, shaking his head and muttering, “A person’s internal health isn’t like your waist; it’s soft. If she ends up in a state as serious as your back, it’ll be hard to recover…”

Despite her resentment, and despite the fact that they should have been strangers long ago, Cheng Xi couldn’t help but feel worried. “Then… how does she look now?”

“Am I a miracle doctor? Can I prescribe medicine with just one glance?” The old man chided her, then added, “Her complexion is a bit better than before—but only a bit. It’s possible my memory of her past self has faded. Regardless, she’s in better shape than your waist. If she watches her diet and rest, she’ll be fine. Your waist is the real priority.”

If a doctor’s heart is like a parent’s, then the old man was a truly dutiful father figure to Cheng Xi. Having finished diagnosing the other person, he turned the conversation back to her.

As he collected the needles into a metal tray, he nagged tirelessly: “This waist of yours started as an acute sprain that you didn’t rest properly, turning into chronic strain. Then you injured it even worse doing wirework, and now you fall out of a tree. I’d say you’re better off going back to ballet than acting; at least it would break down slower. Whose waist can handle being slammed like this over and over?”

Relieved to hear Meng Zhijin was mostly alright and comforted by the familiar nagging, Cheng Xi lay on the bed with a lazy, roguish air, drawling her explanation: “I know, I know. This time it really was an accident.”

The old man huffed, closing his kit with a bit too much force. “It seems only an ‘accident’ can make you suffer a ‘light’ injury. Fine, lie here a bit longer. I see your manager is on the phone; she’ll come get you soon. Go back and rest properly. Apply the patches every day. I’ll be checking when you come back for acupuncture.”

“Understood,” Cheng Xi nodded, her attitude much more serious than before. Satisfied, the old man gathered his things and slowly ambled out of the ward.

The room fell silent again, the old clock on the wall ticking away. Cheng Xi rested her head on her arms again, her face tilted as she watched the sun outside the window. The old man’s words hadn’t yet been ground away by the ticking clock; past memories traced back through his late narration. The shadows of the past suddenly gained the silhouette of a person.

Fingertips brushing past her ear to tuck away a stray hair… a light fragrance mixing with the bitter scent of medicine, surrounding her, making her ordeal just a little more bearable.

Cheng Xi hadn’t expected it. Meng Zhijin had actually come to see her back then. It hadn’t been a ridiculous dream…

It seemed the door was working against Cheng Xi today. Just as she was lost in thought, it opened again.

Qi Ming walked straight in. Seeing Cheng Xi with her head on her arms looking wilted, she asked, “What’s wrong? Did you get a lecture?”

Cheng Xi turned and gave Qi Ming a look full of quiet grievance.

Qi Ming laughed and patted her shoulder, moving on to future work arrangements. “I just discussed things with Sister Su Jing and the crew. Your waist injury means no strenuous exercise for at least a week, but it won’t delay much. This episode only has the ‘Romantic Date’ left tomorrow. Our appearance fee stays the same—after all, the crew bears some responsibility for your situation—and they’re covering all medical expenses.”

“As for tomorrow’s date, you and Teacher Meng only need to film the ‘Romantic Dinner’ in the evening. You’ll basically just be sitting and chatting. No big movements, don’t worry.”

Though Qi Ming told her not to worry, Cheng Xi still felt unsettled. “Did you ask Meng… Zhijin?”

“Mhm,” Qi Ming nodded. “That was her idea.”

Cheng Xi recalled Meng Zhijin being called away by Su Jing earlier. She guessed that was what it was about. “Okay. Thank her for me.”

Qi Ming teased, “Why use a proxy for a thank you? It’s not like you’re never seeing her again. Tell her yourself when the time comes.”

Cheng Xi said nothing. Outside the show’s cameras, she didn’t even have Meng Zhijin’s WeChat.

Qi Ming didn’t notice the change in her. She tapped her phone screen and continued: “By the way, I’ve found a house for you. Selling your old place covers the down payment after taxes. This time the security is perfect—a high-end complex finished last year. Not many celebrities live there. One elevator for two units, large flat floor, fully furnished—you can move in immediately.”

Qi Ming showed Cheng Xi photos of the new home. “Are we going there today, or staying at a hotel?”

Looking at the photos, Cheng Xi finally felt a spark of genuine joy. “I have a new house, why would I stay in a hotel?”

The new complex was excellent. The greenery was double that of her old neighborhood, with lakes and winding paths—a sight for sore eyes. Cheng Xi’s building was near the center; a prime spot, considering it had cost her nearly all her funds. She felt the pinch in her wallet, yet felt the money was well spent.

The elevator reached the 26th floor quickly. Under Qi Ming’s guidance, Cheng Xi stepped out. Seeing the button for the 26th floor, she nodded with satisfaction. “I’ll be this age in a month. It’s a good start.”

Qi Ming joked, “The start of working hard to pay off a mortgage.”

Cheng Xi wilted. “Sister Ming, don’t kill my vibe like that.”

The spacious hallway was paved with black, grey, and white patterned marble. Qi Ming stood still, looking at the two doors at either end, and judged: “This way.”

Since Cheng Xi’s waist hadn’t recovered, they walked slowly. In front of the digital lock, Qi Ming whispered with a focus on privacy: “The password is set to your birthday. You can change it if you want.”

“It’s my house, of course it should be my birthday,” Cheng Xi said as she entered the code.

The lock turned with a white glow, and the heavy door opened. Massive floor-to-ceiling windows captured the slanting rays of the setting sun. Standing at the entrance, Cheng Xi hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should enter.

A cross-breeze surged out the moment the door opened, carrying a quiet fragrance that enveloped Cheng Xi. Behind the long bar in the living room, steam drifted from a glass kettle of boiling water.

A long white dress swayed slightly, outlining fair, slender calves and ankles. The thin straps couldn’t stay up on the wearer’s delicate shoulders; one had slipped down, leaving a rounded shoulder blade completely exposed.

As boiling water was mixed with cool into a glass, Meng Zhijin casually picked up her cup.

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