Faded Makeup

Chapter 169 - 166: Ask Ye Xiao to Come to Our House Tomorrow Night

Chapter 169: Chapter 166: Ask Ye Xiao to Come to Our House Tomorrow Night


Wan Liwei’s face turned a bit embarrassed. He glanced at Rong Mochen, who had his back turned to the two, and hurriedly said, "The woman in the video seems to be the lead actress in that drama. After the drama ended, I invited all the actors to Wanhui Building for dinner. My wife was sitting with her at the time. However, shortly thereafter, she received a phone call and left."


"..."


Gu Yan’s heart was pounding rapidly. After listening, he looked at Rong Mochen.


Rong Mochen stared at the charming and fair face of the woman in the video, shrouded in a layer of gloom. He then spoke hoarsely, "Is your wife familiar with her?"


Wan Liwei hesitated, his face showing a hint of difficulty, and stammered, "I’m not very interested in the art of drama, so I usually don’t concern myself much with my wife’s affairs in this area. I’m not even sure what friends she has in this field."


Wan Liwei spoke euphemistically, only mentioning his lack of interest in drama. In fact, he was very resistant and even disgusted by his wife’s involvement in the drama industry.


If you were to ask the reason, it would probably be due to traditional views and male chauvinism. In his eyes, drama actors are no different from other actors; they’re all performers who can’t be taken seriously. Moreover, his career is getting bigger and bigger, and he doesn’t want his wife to be associated with the title of a performer.


So, at home, he couldn’t bear her bringing up any topic related to drama. If she hadn’t threatened him with divorce, he wouldn’t have gone to see her performance.


"I heard Director Wan is quite interested in collecting antiques. Some days ago, I came across a piece of Qilin Jade from the Qing Dynasty. Since Director Wan has a fondness for antiques, I will personally deliver this Qilin Jade to your house one day soon as a token of gratitude for your hospitality today." Rong Mochen said calmly.


Wan Liwei was taken aback, glanced fearfully at Gu Yan, and hastily said, "No, no, that would be too much. It’s an honor for my humble self to host Mr. Rong. How can I let Mr. Rong spend money? This, this is absolutely unacceptable."


Rong Mochen said nothing.


Gu Yan contemplated for a moment and then understood the deeper meaning behind Rong Mochen’s words. He looked at the anxious and uneasy Wan Liwei and said, "Director Wan must accept this gift..."


After a pause, Gu Yan continued, "I don’t think we need to wait until another day. Let’s make it tomorrow night."


"..." Wan Liwei widened his eyes. One night like this is already enough for him to digest, and now there’s more tomorrow...


Before Wan Liwei left, Gu Yan gave a meaningful look and said, "I’ll rely on your wife tomorrow night."


Initially, Wan Liwei didn’t think too deeply about it. He returned home worriedly and mentioned it to his wife, Zhong Qin.


Upon hearing it, Zhong Qin fell silent for a moment, then frowned and murmured, "Could it be that Mr. Rong wants me to invite Ye Xiao to the house tomorrow night..."


Wan Liwei froze and suddenly slapped his thigh, "Wife, you’re really a wake-up call for me. I think Mr. Rong’s gesture to personally deliver the gift is fake, and it’s true that he wants you to invite Miss Ye to the house."


"Do you think Mr. Rong has some kind of grudge against Ye Xiao?" Zhong Qin asked worriedly, looking at Wan Liwei.


"That... is hard to say." Wan Liwei pursed his lips, "Anyway, when she’s mentioned, Mr. Rong doesn’t look pleased."


"If Mr. Rong really has a grudge against Ye Xiao, wouldn’t inviting her tomorrow be harmful to her?" Zhong Qin said excitedly.


Wan Liwei’s eyelids twitched, "How would it be harmful to her? This is my house, it’s S City, what could Mr. Rong do to her here?"


"You’re making it sound easy. What if..." Zhong Qin widened her eyes.


"There’s no what if." Wan Liwei waved his hand impatiently, "You just need to invite her, leave the rest alone."


"..." Zhong Qin’s face soured, "Ye Xiao is very talented in drama, and she’s a professional actor whom I admire and have a good relationship with. If I knowingly invite her tomorrow knowing it would be bad for her, wouldn’t that be too immoral?"


"If you don’t invite her, it means offending Mr. Rong. Do you think we would fare well then? Stop being soft-hearted and messing things up at a crucial moment!" Wan Liwei shouted.


"Mr. Rong is at least the president of Rong Group. If he retaliates over such a matter, then I would have to question his character. This makes it even more imperative not to invite Ye Xiao!" Zhong Qin stood up, confronting Wan Liwei.


Wan Liwei felt a surge of anger but knew his wife’s stubborn nature. Clashing with her now would eliminate any chance of her inviting Ye Xiao.


Clenching his fists, Wan Liwei suppressed his frustration, took her hand, and softened his tone, "Wife, even if not for me or yourself, think about our son?"


Zhong Qin frowned, "What does this have to do with our son?"


"How does it not? Wife, do you know why I strive so hard every day for our family? It’s all for you, for our son, to ensure a comfortable living environment for you, to leave our son with a legacy. When we are gone, these possessions will ensure he doesn’t go hungry or cold, right?"


Seeing Zhong Qin’s eyes reflect a hint of emotion, Wan Liwei continued, "If Mr. Rong comes tomorrow and doesn’t see Miss Ye, have you considered the consequences? Rong Group is thriving globally, with vast assets, impossible for our small enterprise to compete with. Sigh..."


Wan Liwei sighed, "You didn’t see Mr. Rong today; after this evening, I feel almost half dead."


Zhong Qin’s eyes flickered as she whispered, "It’s rumored that in recent years President Rong of the Rong Family has had a dramatic change in personality. In the business world, his means are fierce, ruthless to opponents, leaving no way out for them. In recent years, anyone in the business circle would speak of this President Rong with fear."


Pausing, Zhong Qin reversed her hand to hold Wan Liwei’s, "Husband, today when you face Mr. Rong, the pressure on your heart must be significant. I don’t want to make it hard for you. I can invite Ye Xiao tomorrow night, but you must promise me something. If Mr. Rong really does anything bad to Ye Xiao, you cannot stand by and watch. If Ye Xiao encounters difficulties in the future, we should help if we can, and not be mean. Can you promise me that?"


Wan Liwei squinted and agreed readily, "I promise!"


...


The next day, Ye Xiao got up to prepare breakfast for the two little ones and then went to the bedroom to wake up the still-sleeping Xixi and Hanhan.


Ye Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the rosy cheeks of the sleeping Xixi and Hanhan, her heart filled with warm happiness. She bent down to kiss Hanhan’s little face and softly said, "Baby, time to get up."


Ye Yihan turned over, faced Xixi, stretched out his pudgy arm to hug his sister, and became motionless.


Ye Xiao let out a sigh of frustration.


These two little ones, who must not have slept enough in her belly, have been fond of sleeping ever since they were born. Waking them up every day is a major task for Ye Xiao.


Turning to Xixi, Ye Xiao pinched her little face, "Xixi, mommy made your favorite little piglet buns and egg tarts for breakfast. If you don’t get up, mommy will eat them all up."


Xixi cutely opened a slit in her eyes, then closed them again, indifferent.


"..."


After sitting on the bed edge for a few seconds, Ye Xiao returned to her room, quickly changed clothes and washed up, and ten minutes later, returned to Xixi and Hanhan’s room.


Carefully lifting Xixi out of the blanket and placing her on her lap, Ye Xiao handled her gently, afraid to move her too much due to her softness.


After spending several minutes taking off her small pajamas, she dressed Xixi in cartoon-themed thermal clothing, a white knitted sweater, a wool vest dress over it, and ivory fleece-lined leggings. The little round body instantly looked even rounder.


Ye Xiao couldn’t help but chuckle, kissing her on her fuzzy hair, "Little chubby girl."


Ye Xixi was sensitive to these three words, half-asleep, raising the corner of her eyelashes, and shot Ye Xiao a glancing look of dissatisfaction before closing them again.


Ye Xiao nearly laughed out loud, placing Xixi back on the bedding. Within seconds, the little girl lounged back on the bed, continuing to sleep.


Ye Xiao, "..."


She managed to wake the two little ones and get them ready, and the time for Ye Xiao to meet the theater group for rehearsal was almost there.


So Ye Xiao packed the prepared breakfast for Xixi and Hanhan into thermos containers, so the two little ones could eat in the car.


"Xiao Xiao, will you pick up Brother and me this afternoon?" Ye Xixi asked Ye Xiao while holding her pink little water bottle, her big, bright eyes full of anticipation.


Ye Yihan didn’t say anything but couldn’t help looking at Ye Xiao.


Ye Xiao glanced at Xixi and Hanhan through the rearview mirror, their faces full of expectation made her throat go slightly tight and she said softly, "If mommy finishes work early, I’ll come to pick up Xixi and Brother. If mommy can’t come, Xixi and Brother must take Uncle Wang’s car, okay?"


Uncle Wang is the kindergarten’s contracted driver, specifically responsible for safely delivering children home for parents who don’t have time to drop off and pick up. Ye Xiao had seen Uncle Wang before; he’s a middle-aged man who really likes kids, and he lives in the neighborhood next to hers, which is reassuring.


Ye Xixi’s little face showed an uncontrollable sadness, but she didn’t say anything, just looked at her brother with teary eyes.


Ye Yihan pressed his lips, reached out to touch his sister’s little face, leaned closer, and whispered comforting words in her ear.


Xixi nodded reluctantly with tears in her eyes, looking at Ye Xiao and softly said, "Brother and I will go home obediently."


"..." Ye Xiao looked at her daughter’s tear-filled eyes and watched Hanhan wipe his sister’s eyes. Her nose suddenly felt sore, her throat like it was blocked by something, unable to speak.


Watching Hanhan lead Xixi into the kindergarten, Ye Xiao stood at the entrance as Hanhan and Xixi were led into the classroom by the teacher. Yet, those two lonely little figures remained vividly in her mind.


Upon arriving at the underground parking lot of the Huai Sheng Grand Theater, Ye Xiao got out of the car and saw Zhong Qin waving at her from the parking lot exit.


Zhong Qin, considered a veteran in the theater world, though much older than Ye Xiao, was kind and straightforward. When Ye Xiao first entered the theater world, Zhong Qin had helped her a lot. Over the years, the two had become both mentor and friend, getting along very well.