Chapter 52: Listen to Me 033

Chapter 52

Xie Jin stared blankly for a long while, the corners of his lips curled up. Under the wall lamp, his tall figure was stretched into a long shadow.

The shadow stepped forward, completely covering up the other slender shadow.

"You're asking me to sleep with you?"

Xie Jin stood in front of Su Tao, his pitch-black pupils glimmering brightly. His slightly red nose showed that he had just cried. His fair skin was also flushed red, making him look tender and delicate.

Su Tao couldn't help but pinch the smooth skin. She wondered how he maintained such good skin despite his poor sleep. "Yeah, let's go to bed. I'll go remove my makeup."

At first, Xie Jin leisurely unbuttoned his cuffs, took off his watch, and slowly undid his collar, because he didn't want to leave the room. He wanted to wait until she finished washing up before he went.

But as the sound of water came from the bathroom, Xie Jin's heart grew impatient. He quickened the pace of undressing and lay in bed, experiencing the joy of happiness in advance.

He wrapped himself in the quilt, listening to the sound of water from the bathroom. The scent of shower gel and shampoo wafted through, seeming to carry Su Tao's body fragrance, teasing his nose.

He knew his little peach was in this room. Soon he could hold her and sleep with her. This sense of reassurance made Xie Jin's eyelids grow heavier.

The sound of water in the bathroom somehow turned into the sound of wind mixed with the flowing water under the bridge.

He stood on the pedestrian sidewalk on the bridge, facing the wind and gazing at the distant river water. The hubbub of traffic behind him was like bustling background noise, noisy as usual, disgusting. Nowhere in the world was pure and beautiful anymore.

At 24, he had tasted the coldness of human relationships and experienced all the vileness and filth. Finally, he had tripped up everyone and obtained everything he wanted.

Yet suddenly, he lost his direction and goals. Why was he still alive?

His body and mind were as dirty as this world. He should be buried deep in these waters, becoming nourishment for the earth and oceans, because he couldn't see the light while still alive.

Leaning his arms on the railing, he jumped up and sat on it. The strong wind blew up his windbreaker. He spread his arms, closed his eyes, and wanted to fly with the wind.

Suddenly, behind him came the melodious sound of a violin, drowning out the noisy sounds.

The violin's melody was slow and melodious, with a touch of sadness that tugged at his heart. It also allowed him to feel an unprecedented sense of tranquility, as if cleansing his soul.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked back. A slender girl's long hair fluttered as she seemed lost in her own music.

From the girl's serene face, he saw frustration, sorrow, and a kind of indifference after seeing through worldly affairs.

Her clear eyes were difficult to look into closely. The more he looked, the more he would fall into a bottomless whirlpool that could suck people in.

Although she was as withered as dead branches, her spirit was still undying.

As the song ended, those poppy-like eyes looked at him. It turned out she had deliberately played this song for him to hear.

"Brother, are you going to jump down?"

Unbelievably, her voice was as clear as a spring, yet she had asked such a cruel question.

"I can keep you company."

He looked on as the girl struggled to climb onto the railing and sat beside him. She was so weak. If the wind blew a little harder, it would really blow her down.

Yet a gentle smile hung on her serene face. She even raised her fair little hand and stroked his head over and over, just like when his dad passed away and comforted him not to cry.

"My mom often stroked me like this too. Today is her memorial day. I want to go find my mom."

"I also want to find my dad."

The girl's bright eyes stared at him as she smiled lightly. "Brother, you're so good-looking. You must be the angel taking me to find my mom. When I see my mom, I won't be so tired anymore."

He was an angel? He had always felt like a devil.

She must be the angel.

He wanted to take back his previous thoughts.

Perhaps in this world, there was still a unique place of purity and beauty.

As his head was gently stroked over and over, Xie Jin slowly opened his eyes. Through the mist, he saw the serene face of the girl in his dream.

She used a tissue to wipe his eyes, and his vision became clear. He saw the girl's face clearly. Her long hair had become a short bob cut, but her eyes were still as clear as ever.

"Why are you crying? Did you have a nightmare again? Didn't you say you wouldn't have nightmares if you slept with me?"

As her gentle, spring-like voice sounded, his consciousness gradually returned.

This was his little peach.

The girl on the bridge who was willing to climb onto the railing with him eventually became his little peach after he held her down.

She relied on him a lot, and he relied on her even more.

He had never dreamed of the day they first met five years ago until today. Only after dreaming about it did he know that he remembered every detail of that day clearly.

Xie Jin buried his head in the crook of her neck, nuzzled against her, and smelled her scent. He regretted that he had fallen asleep first last night!

"What did you dream about?" Su Tao asked again, looking at his bloodshot eyes. She began to suspect her own XXX ability was ineffective.

Xie Jin stretched out his arm and pulled her into his embrace. Her cool nose pressed against his hot chest, warm and cozy.

"I dreamed about the first day we met. I held you down from the railing. You said, how dare you be so bold? You're so thin. What if the wind really blew you down?"

Because of the realism of the dream, it left him apprehensive afterwards, the apprehension after a narrow escape.

He even wanted to slap himself in the dream twice for being able to calmly watch her climb onto the railing. How dangerous.

Su Tao chuckled softly. "It was so long ago. You're only starting to feel afraid now. Besides, back then, both of us were so disappointed with life. How would we know to feel afraid?"

That was true. Back then, they didn't know there was anything worth fearing in life.

Only after having someone they wanted to cherish did they learn to revere life.

Su Tao brought up the contract originally signed with Wang's company and showed it to him, explaining slowly, "The contract for this drama stipulates that you cannot date anyone. If you announce your relationship, we'll have to terminate the contract with the production team. And this drama was supposed to boost you from a third-tier to second-tier actor. If you lose this opportunity but still announce your relationship, I'll have to change my plans for you to more of a road focused on acting skills."

"But with your current level, you haven't reached that yet. For your long-term development, I'll arrange more acting lessons for you and also connect you with theater resources. When your reputation and skills improve, I'll get you roles in films and dramas that can showcase your acting abilities."

Su Tao laid out the reality plainly before Tong Mingxuan. "The time spent accumulating experience depends entirely on yourself. It could be as short as two to three years or as long as over ten years. I can find many new artists, I won't force everyone to go down the idol path just for money. I'm willing to strike a balance between your personal wishes and effective development."

"Now, it's up to you to make the choice."

Su Tao was in no hurry either. She had explained things clearly, not wanting Tong Mingxuan to make rash decisions he might regret.

Whatever he ultimately chose, Su Tao would respect it.

"Take some time to think about it, or discuss it with Qingqing too. I'm in no rush for an answer." Su Tao got up, preparing to leave. "Oh right, does Sun Xiaojie already know about your girlfriend situation for a while?"

Tong Mingxuan hesitated briefly before nodding, "Back when I was under Manager Liu, I already told Sister Sun. Because at the time I was about to break up with Qingqing, so Sister Sun didn't report it to the company."

Su Tao nodded and asked again, "Does Sun Xiaojie often pressure you like just now? Do you want to consider changing to a different manager?"

Tong Mingxuan was even more hesitant this time. He had never been a very decisive person. But from his expression, Su Tao understood. She patted his shoulder and left the dressing room.

Sun Xiaojie was waiting right outside. When she saw Su Tao, her expression instantly turned cold, none of her usual gentleness and tolerance remained. She simply stated bluntly:

"1. Concealing an artist's relationship and not reporting it is a major offense.

2. Frequently pressuring artists causes them serious psychological distress.

3. Reckless and careless work, poor business capabilities.

For the above reasons, you are fired. Go back to the company to complete the departure procedures."

Sun Xiaojie was stunned in place, never expecting Su Tao to be so decisive about firing her.

Under Su Tao's cold gaze, she couldn't even voice any objections. She watched helplessly as Su Tao's back moved further and further away before sinking to the ground powerlessly.

After leaving the dressing room, Su Tao informed the on-site director and producer that she needed a day to handle things. The rumors had been suppressed for now. She would personally discuss the contract violation issue with Boss Wang herself and shoulder all resulting losses.

With all issues temporarily settled, Su Tao left the filming location. Zhong Siwei's car was still parked outside as expected.

Su Tao found a nearby restaurant to treat him to a meal as thanks.

Su Tao didn't care about the restaurant's environment or menu, just wanting to express her gratitude and then hurry back to deal with work matters.

However, Zhong Siwei was very serious about this lunch, and kept asking Su Tao about her tastes.

Su Tao, on the other hand, kept replying to Xie Jin's WeChat messages.

[Xie Jin: Are you done with work? Is everything going smoothly?]

[Su Tao: Yeah, I'm done with work for now. There are still some follow ups I need to deal with. I won't be going back to Jiangcheng these few days.]

Xie Jin immediately sent an emoji pack over. It was the crying then laughing GIF of Su Tao from last night, with the caption: Cried and cried, then laughed.

Su Tao: ...

He really made it into an emoji pack!

This is too embarrassing!

[Su Tao: Delete it.]

[Xie Jin: I won't delete it.]

The two of them got into a heated debate over the emoji pack. Over here, Zhong Siwei waved his hand in front of Su Tao's eyes and eagerly asked, "Su Tao, Su Tao, do you like cappuccinos or caramel macchiatos?"

"Americanos," Su Tao replied absentmindedly to Zhong Siwei while strongly demanding that Xie Jin delete the emoji pack.

[Su Tao: If you don't delete it, you can make your own dinner tonight.]

[Xie Jin: Little Taozi, you're threatening me now?]

Zhong Siwei: "Can you eat spicy food?"

Su Tao: "Yes."

[Su Tao: Yes, I'm threatening you. Delete it.]

[Xie Jin: Fine, threat successful. I deleted it.]

[Su Tao: Anything else?]

[Xie Jin: I won't tell you.]

Su Tao could imagine Xie Jin's infuriating expression right now. She was furious.

Zhong Siwei: "Su Tao, you like to eat..."

Impatient to start her passionate reprimand of Xie Jin, Su Tao impatiently interrupted Zhong Siwei's endless questions: "Love, whatever you love, I love too. Just order, don't ask..."

Su Tao froze.

She looked at the chatbox, realizing that in her impulsiveness and irritation just now, her fingers had quickly typed and sent what she was saying.

[Su Tao: Love]

[Su Tao: Whatever you love, I love too]

[Xie Jin: ?]

[Xie Jin: ???]

[Su Tao: Sent to the wrong person...]

[Xie Jin: Of course I know it was sent to the wrong person! The question is, who were those two sentences meant for?]