Wei Yin was now pursuing a pure image. Sister Li said that the "pure and seductive" trend was sweeping the internet, and the sexy approach was no longer popular. She had spent a fortune buying a large batch of qipaos from Jiangnan, which had cost her dearly.
She specifically chose a silk qipao for Song Xi, its satin smooth and able to accentuate her waist. She also instructed the makeup artist to braid her hair.
After the styling, the makeup artist couldn't help but exclaim, "You're truly the most fitting person I've ever seen wear a qipao!"
Sister Li fanned herself contentedly, "Of course. Our Xi'er has a graceful and curvaceous figure; ordinary people simply can't appreciate it."
Having grown accustomed to hearing such demeaning words from Zhang Qi and others, Song Xi was somewhat unaccustomed to it and had forgotten that she herself had once been a sensation at Wei Yin.
"Perform well," Sister Li said, looking at her with an extremely gentle smile. "Mr. Shen today is a man of good temper. As long as you don't make any mistakes, your hospital fees for this month will surely be covered."
Song Xi's expression was one of mild surprise.
Sister Li sighed, "I saw the payment reminder text message from the hospital just now. You're constantly being hounded; I don't know how you manage to get by."
"Never mind all that. I heard Mr. Shen is hosting a distinguished guest today. You need to make me proud! You can do it!"
Song Xi managed a strained smile, picked up her pipa, and went to the private room.
She was a little nervous, afraid of messing up this task, so she acted exceptionally well-behaved upon entering.
Fortunately, there was only one man sitting in the room. He was crossing his legs, lean, and appeared refined and elegant.
She bowed slightly and strummed the strings under his gaze.
For some reason, this scene reminded Song Xi of her first meeting with Lou Yu Ming.
The story was cliché—
She was harassed by a guest and had nowhere to escape. Just as she was about to be pushed into a corner, Lou Yu Ming stepped in to help, and she followed him thereafter. At that time, Lou Yu Ming also looked refined and distinguished.
To this day, she couldn't understand his reason for helping. Was it truly because he had a few too many drinks, as he claimed?
But having interacted with Lou Yu Ming, she knew him to be cold, distant, and unfeeling, not the type to meddle in others' affairs. He wouldn't play the hero.
Song Xi couldn't be bothered to dwell on these past events anymore, as they were now irrelevant.
After the music concluded, the room fell silent. Song Xi's suspended heart finally settled when applause erupted from the front.
The handsome man walked over and asked for her name.
"Song Xi," she replied.
The man smiled, his eyes crinkling, "'After long longing, you finally appear, holding the pipa, half-veiled.'"
"Shen Heping."
And so, they were introduced.
His name also sounded gentle, completely unlike Lou Yu Ming's. Song Xi inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.
"Can you drink?" he asked, raising his glass.
Song Xi hesitated, remembering the hospital text message before entering. After a moment of silence, she gritted her teeth and downed the drink.
Shen Heping nodded in satisfaction. "If anyone asks you to drink later, just drink. I won't shortchange you on the money." He then produced several bills.
Her throat burned from the alcohol, but Song Xi felt it was worth it.
Shen Heping asked her to play another song. After it finished, he strode forward, scrutinized her more closely, and asked, "Are you taken?"
Song Xi's expression changed.
Shen Heping, however, chuckled and said, "No rush, have a few more drinks."
Shen Heping offered her another glass of wine. Song Xi pursed her lips. She had thought this man would be different from the others.
Feeling as though she was doomed today, and contemplating whether to tip off Sister Li, she heard the man's cold voice.
"What? Xi'er, are you being disobedient now?"
Song Xi's heart tightened, and she could only extend her hand.
—Bang!
The door was suddenly pushed open with great force. Song Xi's hand trembled in fright when she saw who had arrived. She failed to catch the wine, and it splashed down her chest, drenching her. The glass fell to the floor.