CH 50

Father Zheng did have business matters to attend to today, but in the middle of it, he received a call and went to the old city to pick up Teacher Ge.

Zheng Baozhu invited them in, served them hot tea, and looked at them strangely, "Dad, why did you come here with Teacher Ge?"

Father Zheng chuckled awkwardly and said, "Oh, we happened to run into each other downstairs."

Teacher Ge cooperated with his explanation, "Yes, it was a coincidence. I heard that your grandma got injured, so I came over to check on her."

Zheng Baozhu asked with some doubt, "You know my grandma?"

After asking, she felt that the question was unnecessary. Teacher Ge was her aunt's teacher back then, so it wasn't strange for him to know her grandma.

Ge Hongyi smiled and said, "Indeed, we know each other. We met when Mingmei was still studying, and later, when Mingmei went to perform in another city and couldn't be reached, your grandma came to find me."

And then, the incident with Mingmei happened.

After hearing the commotion outside, Su Mingxi came out of the bedroom and was taken aback when she saw Ge Hongyi sitting on the sofa, "You are... Teacher Ge?"

"You must be Baozhu's mother," Ge Hongyi nodded and looked at Su Mingxi, "I came here unannounced today, sorry for the disturbance."

"Not at all," Su Mingxi replied politely but quickly understood the situation. Teacher Ge was Ming's mentor, and after Mingmei's passing, they hadn't been in touch for a long time. Now, with the exposure of Baozhu's acting career, Teacher Ge reached out, so it must be that family with the surname Gao seeking his help.

Teacher Ge was older than them and a respected teacher, so they didn't dare to raise their voices in front of him.

"I heard that Baozhu's grandma had a fall? How is she now?" Ge Hongyi asked with concern.

"It's not serious. The doctor said she just needs to rest at home. My mom is resting inside; let me take you in to see her," Su Mingxi said.

"Alright," Ge Hongyi nodded and followed Su Mingxi into the bedroom.

As they left, Su Jiaying curiously approached Zheng Baozhu and asked, "Is this Teacher Ge the one who taught our aunt back then? I've heard about him; many top actors in the entertainment industry were mentored by him."

"Yes," Zheng Baozhu nodded. Su Jiaying continued, "How do you also know Teacher Ge?"

Zheng Baozhu replied, "Director Gao introduced me to him to learn acting."

Su Jiaying widened her eyes in surprise, "Teacher Ge is personally teaching you? That's a rare opportunity; you must learn well!"

"I know," Zheng Baozhu replied.

"Wow, then today, is Teacher Ge here to speak on your behalf?" Su Jiaying asked curiously.

Zheng Baozhu shook her head slightly without saying a word. Teacher Ge's sudden appearance here couldn't be a coincidence. It seemed likely that he came to speak on her behalf. But how did he find out about it?

After some thought, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Gao Boyun, "Did you tell Teacher Ge about my situation?"

Gao Boyun replied almost instantly, "I didn't, but I told my dad, and he said he would find someone to help. Could it be Teacher Ge?!?"

Zheng Baozhu: ...That's probably it. He is currently at my house talking to my grandma.

Gao Boyun: Ah, I see.

It seemed that his dad was reliable this time, unexpectedly bringing out Teacher Ge to help.

Gao Boyun: With Teacher Ge's involvement, things are probably under control. It seems like Teacher Ge doesn't want you to quit the entertainment industry either.

Zheng Baozhu: I hope he can persuade my grandma (┐「ε:)

Gao Boyun: Shouldn't be a problem. By the way, how is your grandma's injury?

Zheng Baozhu: Not a big issue.

Gao Boyun: ...

"Aunt, are you messaging other guys again?" Yao Yao sneakily approached and wanted to see Zheng Baozhu's phone. Zheng Baozhu purposely moved her phone back, preventing her from looking. But in this act of evasion, she inadvertently placed the phone in front of Qu Zhi.

Qu Zhi glanced down and saw the phone screen. Yao Yao looked up in Qu Zhi's direction and shouted, "Big brother, did you see it?"

"Mhmm," Qu Zhi replied softly, then averted his gaze.

Zheng Baozhu: ?

What kind of coordination game are they playing here?

"It's very unethical to look at someone else's phone!" Zheng Baozhu locked her phone screen and turned to accuse Qu Zhi. Qu Zhi remained as calm as ever as if he wasn't the one who peeked at someone else's phone just now, "You handed me the phone yourself, I only happen to accidentally see it."

"Hmph!"

Qu Zhi handed a peeled tangerine to Zheng Baozhu and said nonchalantly, "Gao Boyun cares about you."

Zheng Baozhu immediately ate the small tangerine, spitting out the seeds and telling Qu Zhi, "Of course, he even said he wants me to reshoot a scene in a few days. If I can't make it, he'll be in trouble."

"Oh," Qu Zhi replied and picked up another tangerine, "Do you want more?"

Yao Yao approached from the side and said, "I want to eat too!"

Su Jiaying waved her hand and called out, "Yao Yao, come here to Mommy. Don't disturb those two."

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

Qu Zhi: "..."

Inside the room, Ge Hongyi sat on a chair by the bed and first inquired about Grandma Su's condition. Then he got to the main topic, "The reason I came today was to talk about Baozhu's matter. To be honest, Baozhu has been studying acting with me for a few months now."

Su Mingxi was momentarily stunned. She had heard Zheng Baozhu mention having a teacher, but she didn't expect it to be Teacher Ge.

Grandma Su didn't seem particularly surprised and smiled faintly, saying to Ge Hongyi, "I had a rough idea. If Baozhu wasn't your student, why would you make this trip?"

Ge Hongyi adjusted his reading glasses and calmly said, "Baozhu is very talented, she learns quickly and has a high understanding. I have high expectations for her. While she may have some similarities with Mingmei, they are still quite different."

Grandma Su sighed lightly, "Teacher Ge, I understand your intentions in coming today, but you also know the situation in our family..."

"I know, you've all been through a lot over the years," Ge Hongyi said and sighed himself, "But Baozhu shouldn't face the consequences. I can see that she genuinely loves acting; otherwise, she wouldn't persist even in the face of opposition from all of you. I understand your concerns, but will holding her back give her the best chance in life?"

Grandma Su pondered for a while before speaking, "Teacher Ge, today at the hospital, Baozhu and the others talked to us about many things. I was just discussing it with Mingxi earlier. Have we really been wrong all these years? But we are genuinely worried about Baozhu."

Ge Hongyi smiled understandingly and reassured her, "I am also an elder, and I understand the concerns of elders. But if we constantly worry about our juniors' decisions, it will never end. If we don't worry about this matter, we'll worry about another. Besides, we can't control their entire lives. After we're gone, they will still live their lives as they wish. However, if they want to pursue their passions later in life, it might be too late. So we should relax and let our descendants find their own happiness."

Grandma Su looked at him without saying a word as Ge Hongyi spoke earnestly, "At our age, our lives are coming to an end. But young people are different. Baozhu is only twenty-five years old, her future is still long. In the future, she has to live on her own. We can't give her time back. If we force them to live according to our desires, we may feel temporarily happy, but they might be unhappy their entire lives and carry resentment toward us in the end. Is that really what we want?"

After Ge Hongyi finished speaking, the room fell into silence, and no one spoke for a while. Ge Hongyi sat for a moment, gave a few more instructions to Grandma Su, and then stood up from the chair, saying, "I know that words from outsiders won't make much difference. Baozhu needs to figure it out herself. I won't disturb you any longer. Please rest well."

"Alright," Grandma Su nodded and looked at him, "Teacher Ge, I know your words just now were sincere. I will think it over carefully. Mingxi, please see Teacher Ge off."

"Sure," Su Mingxi responded and followed Ge Hongyi out. Once outside, they noticed everyone secretly observing them but didn't say anything. Su Mingxi glanced at Father Zheng and said, "Let's go, we'll send Teacher Ge back."

"Alright," Father Zheng picked up his coat and walked with them. Zheng Baozhu caught up with them and asked worriedly, "Should I go and send Teacher Ge?"

"No need, stay here and accompany Yao Yao. Your father's driving skills aren't that bad," Su Mingxi reassured.

After bidding farewell to Ge Hongyi, Zheng Baozhu returned to the sofa. Su Jiaying asked, "Why is your mother so inscrutable? She didn't say a word about what they talked about?"

"I don't know," Zheng Baozhu was curious about what they discussed inside but didn't dare to ask.

"Baobao," suddenly came the voice of her grandmother from the room, "Come in for a moment."

Zheng Baozhu was taken aback, a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. Su Jiaying patted her back and used her eyes to signal "Stay calm, be steady!"

Qu Zhi followed Zheng Baozhu as she stood up and quietly asked, "Do you want me to go in with you?"

Zheng Baozhu was about to nod when her grandmother said, "No need. Baobao, come in alone."

"..."

Zheng Baozhu reluctantly looked at the people in the living room once more before walking in alone. Grandma Su was sitting in a wheelchair, having come down from the bed on her own. Zheng Baozhu rushed over, asking, "Grandma, how did you come down by yourself?"

"I'm fine," Grandma Su said, pushing the wheelchair toward an old cabinet. Zheng Baozhu followed and saw her grandmother trying to open the cabinet. She helped and opened the door, saying, "Grandma, what are you looking for? Let me find it for you."

"It's the iron box at the very bottom. Help me take it out," Grandma Su pointed to the bottom of the cabinet.

Inside the cabinet, there were still some old clothes. Zheng Baozhu bent down and searched for a while before finding the iron box her grandmother mentioned. The box had an old rusty lock, indicating it hadn't been used in a long time.

Zheng Baozhu handed the box to her grandmother and curiously asked, "Grandma, what's inside this box?"

The box seemed a bit large, it's unlike something that would contain small items.

Grandma Su took out a key from the drawer of the dressing table, inserted it into the lock of the box, and twisted it forcefully several times before unlocking it, "Indeed, when things aren't used for too long, they rust."

Complaining a bit, she removed the lock and opened the box. Zheng Baozhu glanced inside and saw a picture of Su Mingmei on top.

As she stood there in a daze, her grandmother took out the contents one by one, "When Mingmei was popular, there wasn't much internet or Weibo. Back then, people read newspapers and magazines. Every time there was news about her, I liked to cut it out and keep it together. Look, they're all here."

Yellowed paper filled with pictures and names of Su Mingmei, information about movies, interviews, reports of fans' gatherings, and stills from movie shoots. Finally, there were headlines from the year of her suicide, reporting the news all over.

"At that time, communication wasn't developed, and it was difficult for us to go watch her shoot movies in other places," Grandma Su touched the pictures of Su Mingmei, and her eyes began to moisten, "I always felt sorry for Mingmei. She was so young and often away filming, enduring hardships, and I couldn't be with her most of the time. Once she got injured abroad, I only found out through the newspaper. I wanted to go and see her, but during that time, we couldn't get in touch. In the end, I had to ask Teacher Ge for help, and he managed to arrange for your mother and me to visit the film set. That time was even more extraordinary than my life."

Zheng Baozhu's eyes also became a bit red. Listening to her grandmother's recollections of Su Mingmei, she realized that her aunt's original name was chosen by her grandmother.

"We never thought that one day she would choose to take her life and leave us," as Grandma Su said this, her emotions couldn't be controlled, her voice choked with sorrow, "My child committed suicide, not only denying her own life but also my life as a mother! Over the years, besides heartache, I've felt so much guilt. I always thought, if I could be by her side more, would she not have done such a foolish thing?"

"Grandma, don't be like this. Aunt definitely didn't mean it like that," Zheng Baozhu saw her grandmother so heartbroken and approached her with sadness, hugging her gently, "Grandma, please don't be too sad. Take care of yourself."

Grandma Su wiped the tears from her face and, after calming down a bit, took out the last item from the iron box, "Before Mingmei committed suicide, she wrote a letter. Apart from the police and the staff around her at the time, only a few of us relatives have seen this letter."

She opened the envelope and took out a yellowed piece of paper.