Villainous Movie Star (20)
Just as Zhao Qingyu had expected, she received the message from Song Xuyi the moment it came through.
There were many things on her mind, but Zhao Qingyu forcefully suppressed the complex emotions within her, responding with a brief “I know, thank you.”
Coincidentally, the assistant brought in a package at that moment. Upon seeing the sender’s name from a certain university, the assistant instinctively handed the package to Zhao Qingyu. However, unlike before, Zhao Qingyu didn’t accept the package as usual.
With her head bowed, Zhao Qingyu stared at her phone, the light casting a subtle shadow on her beautiful face. Despite her seemingly expressionless demeanor, the assistant couldn’t shake the feeling that Zhao Qingyu appeared… quite upset.
The assistant couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Despite rushing back to the city after finishing filming, Zhao Qingyu had immediately arranged for the package to be forwarded by the fastest courier upon hearing that Miss Song had sent her something. Yet, now that it was in front of her, she didn’t seem eager at all.
“Sister Qingyu?” The assistant hesitated before calling Zhao Qingyu.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Zhao Qingyu said, as if awakening from a dream. She casually pointed to a corner of the hospital room and looked at her phone again. “Just put the package over there!”
“Don’t tire yourself too much,” the assistant placed the package as instructed and hesitated before speaking again. “If Auntie wakes up, she wouldn’t want to see you so distressed.”
“Thank you,” Zhao Qingyu raised her eyes to look at the assistant, her lips curving into a smile. “These days, you’ve been accompanying me. It’s been tough for you. Go back and rest for a couple of days before coming again.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Seeing the assistant’s hesitant expression, Zhao Qingyu shook her head. “I knew a day like this would come a long time ago. These days, I want to spend some time alone with my mom.”
“Then you should eat something too. It’s been days since you’ve had a meal.”
Since Zhao Qingyu insisted, the assistant felt it was inappropriate to stay longer. She ordered takeout for Zhao Qingyu before leaving the hospital room.
Unnoticed by Zhao Qingyu, as the assistant left, she bit her lip and cast thoughtful glances at the package in the corner.
Once the assistant left, the entire hospital room immediately quieted down.
Zhao Qingyu glanced at her mother, who was now hooked up to a breathing machine, adjusted the blanket, and sat beside her, once again engrossed in her phone.
On her phone, several people were reporting the latest progress in their work:
Everything was unfolding just as she had expected: several of the individuals she had nurtured were recruited by Song Jun’s company and were now dispersed across various departments. Two of them had gained Song Jun’s trust.
Regardless, Zhao Qingyu didn’t want to admit any regrets.
When the time came, Song Xuyi would surely regret being friends with her, even regret saving her.
Rather than letting Song Xuyi look down on her later, Zhao Qingyu thought it better to gradually distance herself now while maintaining the last shreds of her pitiful pride…
(Originally translated on littlepandatranslations.com, let's go!)
While Zhao Qingyu quietly set up a large web, waiting for Song Jun to fall into it, Song Jun was also investigating Zhao Qingyu’s background. However, apart from discovering that his mother had maintained contact with Zhao Qingyu, he found nothing else.
During this process, accompanied by a stroke, Song Jun’s grandmother became completely paralyzed. Even on the sickbed, she continued to drool and mutter, “I’m sorry, please spare me…”
The doctor mentioned that his grandmother wouldn’t live for much longer.
Song Jun roughly guessed that his grandmother had done something wrong, which was why she was so fearful. He didn’t want his grandmother to depart to the next world burdened with guilt, so he decided to directly go to Zhao Qingyu for some clarity.
However, when Song Jun went to inquire within his social circle, all he got was news of Zhao Qingyu being injured while filming and currently undergoing secret recovery.
At this stage, no one knew where Zhao Qingyu was.
Song Jun activated all his connections, only to receive responses like, “I’m sorry, Miss Zhao doesn’t want to see anyone at the moment.”
The situation seemed to have reached a stalemate.
But Song Jun knew there was another person who understood the ins and outs of it all.
Furrowing his brows tightly, Song Jun hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to drive to a certain place.
“Mom.”
Song Jun looked at the woman in front of him, dressed in a qipao, feeling a mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity. It had been a long time since he had seen his mother, and upon closer inspection, he noticed the traces of time on her, with layers of wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes.
“What happened between Grandma and Zhao Qingyu?”
Unlike usual, the woman didn’t bypass him. She stopped, gripping the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, and glanced at Song Jun with complex emotions. “It’s time for you to know everything.”
From the woman’s words, Song Jun learned a story.
It was about how, in her youth, she admired his father, how under his grandmother’s instigation, she shamelessly had a fleeting affair with his father while intoxicated, and how, in their affluent circumstances, she thought little of his father’s lack of affection for her. She intended to raise the child alone but, when Song Jun was three years old, his father brought them back to the Song family and held a wedding banquet, obtaining official recognition.
However, it was only after marriage that the woman realized the man she loved was merely an illusion she had concocted. The real man was weak, selfish, and self-proclaimed deeply in love—with another woman.
With a resentful heart, she investigated the other woman and was shocked by the results:
The woman named Zhao Fang was unmarried and pregnant, facing a ruined future and a harsh life.
Song Jun’s grandmother, disgusted by Zhao Fang’s impoverished background and likely suffering from Sleeping Syndrome, forced Song Jun’s father to drive Zhao Fang out of the house, bringing back Song Jun and his mother. Little did they know, when Zhao Fang was expelled, she was already two months pregnant.
“Your grandmother did something wicked at that time, and this is her retribution!”
“And I have my own retribution. When you were young and fond of your father, I was afraid that if your father found out about Zhao Fang having a child, he would bring them back, threatening you with the past. When your father secretly investigated them, I erased the traces of Zhao Fang and her child, making your father and grandmother believe that Zhao Fang had long died…”
“After that, disheartened, I couldn’t face your grandmother and father anymore. I gradually grew to resent you as well. I think I was probably sick at that time, always thinking that if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have sunk into the mire of the Song family again, becoming this unrecognizable person, harming another woman, and even entertaining thoughts of strangling you…”
“I was afraid of eventually causing you harm, so I moved out on my own. It wasn’t until your father was on his deathbed, muttering Zhao Fang’s name, that I thought perhaps if Zhao Fang lived past thirty, they could have a final meeting. That’s when I started searching for traces of Zhao Fang and her daughter again…”
“A young and beautiful woman like Zhao Fang, fallen to the lower class, everyone wanted to bully her and her daughter. Zhao Fang, stubborn as she was, always maintained her principles. When I first found Zhao Fang and her child, they were living poorly. I gave them a helping hand, arranged a job for Zhao Fang in secret, thinking she could support herself and her daughter through work. After that, I didn’t pay them any more attention…”
“But when I went to find them again, I discovered that she had gone insane. This pitiful woman survived past thirty, wanting to go back to find your father with her daughter, only to find out that your father already had a wife and even a son…”
“Zhao Fang, now insane, couldn’t work anymore. When I visited, her young daughter, malnourished and emaciated, was rummaging through garbage for food, collecting bottles for tuition fees, and being chased and bitten by dogs for a piece of meat bone…”
“It was only then that I realized the sins I had committed,” the woman shed tears. “I sent Zhao Fang to the best rehabilitation facility, put the child through school, supported her in starting her own business, watching her become more and more outstanding. But I never dared to show up in front of them…”
“What right do we have to appear in front of them?”
The woman looked at Song Jun with a bitter smile. “I, your father, your grandmother, and even you, each one of us is considered the executioner who drove Zhao Fang to insanity…”
“None of us deserve forgiveness…”
Song Jun didn’t know how he had returned home. The truth was even more absurd than he had imagined: Zhao Qingyu was his half-sister.
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His grandmother feared Zhao Qingyu because she resembled her mother, Zhao Fang. Grandmother thought Zhao Fang had died after being expelled, believing that Zhao Qingyu was Zhao Fang’s ghost returning for revenge…
Song Jun knew his grandmother was not a good person, but who in this world had the right to condemn his grandmother? Despite receiving his grandmother’s love and care, he couldn’t.
How could he face Zhao Qingyu? Just as his mother said, none of them had the face to go to Zhao Qingyu and her mother to beg for forgiveness…
Song Jun drank heavily, holding Sun Wan while crying, repeatedly promising, “Wanwan, everything will end with our generation. I will never let you down, whether we are poor or rich, we will be together…”
Song Jun had always presented himself as confident and capable in front of Sun Wan. When had he ever shown such weakness?
Although Sun Wan had been moved by Zhao Qingyu’s words earlier and harbored some dissatisfaction with Song Jun’s concealment, at this moment, her concern for Song Jun overwhelmed all conflicting emotions. She comforted Song Jun to sleep, recalling the pile of sponsorship materials she had secretly seen in Song Jun’s study that afternoon, and remembered how Song Jun had been tirelessly searching for Zhao Qingyu, who remained elusive…
Unable to contain her worry, Sun Wan dialed the number she had called once before, but no one answered.
Feeling anxious, she decided to send a text message: “Zhao Qingyu, I already know about the support from Song Jun’s mother over these years. I don’t know what you intend to do, but no matter what, even if it’s for the sake of Song Jun’s mother, you should come out and clarify things. You shouldn’t avoid Song Jun…”
Half an hour later, Zhao Qingyu’s call came through.
In the phone call, Zhao Qingyu’s voice was incredibly restrained, as if suppressing some intense emotions.
“Are you saying that over these years, I’ve been receiving support… from Song Jun’s mother?”
Song Xuyi was unaware of these things.
A few days later, in the evening after finishing her classes, she received a call from a woman.
“Hello, is this Miss Song? I’m Zhao Qingyu’s assistant. I often send gifts to you on her behalf, so I have your number.”
“Sorry for the intrusion,” the assistant’s voice sounded somewhat anxious over the phone. “Miss Zhao Qingyu is not doing well right now…”
According to the assistant, a few days ago, after Zhao Qingyu made a phone call, she seemed off. Her whole demeanor appeared lost, and someone who rarely drank was now consuming alcohol. Adding to this, her mother received another critical health notice. The assistant was worried that Zhao Qingyu might contemplate extreme measures.
Having been with Zhao Qingyu for many years, the assistant, despite Zhao Qingyu’s seemingly amiable and sociable nature, was well aware that apart from Song Xuyi, she never took the initiative to contact others. When it came to Song Xuyi, Zhao Qingyu’s entire demeanor softened in a way that differed from her usual self.
Hence, the assistant immediately wanted to get in touch with Song Xuyi.
……
After listening to the assistant’s account, Song Xuyi was momentarily stunned.
Zhao Qingyu had not contacted her for a long time, and Song Xuyi thought that Zhao Qingyu was grappling with the decision of whether or not to seek revenge. She didn’t want to disturb Zhao Qingyu’s considerations and had considerately given her time to think about this matter. Little did she know that Zhao Qingyu’s mother was already critically ill…
How difficult must these times have been for Zhao Qingyu!
Song Xuyi, having preconceived notions, had assumed Zhao Qingyu to be a formidable villain capable of overcoming any obstacle. Yet, she forgot that Zhao Qingyu was also a living, breathing person who could shed tears and feel sorrow…
Song Xuyi deeply regretted her neglect of Zhao Qingyu during this time. She promptly took a few days off from school and hurried to the hospital using the address provided by the assistant.
“Sister Qingyu’s mother is in the emergency room again, and this time it’s very likely…”
By the time Song Xuyi reached the hospital, it was already evening. The assistant met Song Xuyi outside the hospital, wearing a sorrowful expression, and guided her to the emergency room.
The red indicator lights outside the emergency room were glaringly bright, and Song Xuyi saw Zhao Qingyu, with her head bowed, sitting on a bench.
Song Xuyi couldn’t express her feelings at that moment. She felt a sudden pang in her heart.
The Zhao Qingyu in her mind had always been proud and powerful. Even in the dangerous moments in the cave, there was a spiritual strength about her that made it seem like nothing could defeat her…
However, the lifeless eyes of Zhao Qingyu in front of her… made it seem like she had lost her backbone.
Song Xuyi didn’t know what had happened, but she could feel it: Zhao Qingyu at this moment… was truly in deep sorrow.
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“Qingyu…”
Song Xuyi found her throat suddenly hoarse. She moved forward, wanting to give Zhao Qingyu a hug. Suddenly, there was a commotion behind her. The green light lit up, and the doctor opened the door, sighed, and shook his head toward Zhao Qingyu, “I’m sorry, we did our best.”
“Ms. Zhao Fang has regained consciousness, and she has something to say…”
Zhao Qingyu immediately stood up.
Her complexion was almost pale. Due to standing up too abruptly, she staggered for a moment even after standing up and hurriedly ran into the operating room…
Song Xuyi quickly followed behind Zhao Qingyu.
The woman on the hospital bed, with a determined expression, lost the hazy look in her eyes. Seeing Zhao Qingyu, who was teary-eyed, she showed a long-lost smile. “Qingyu, don’t cry. You won’t look pretty when you cry…”
“It’s Mom’s fault, I’m sorry for you,” the woman sighed softly. “It’s all Mom’s fault, making you go through such hardships all these years.”
“Mom has always wanted to give you the happiest life, but in the end, the one who has burdened you the most is me. Actually, Mom has always wanted to tell you that, in Mom’s heart, you are the most important…”
“Don’t hate anymore! The affairs of our generation should no longer involve you. Our Qingyu is so beautiful and outstanding, deserving a better life,” the woman tightly held Zhao Qingyu’s hand with effort. “Qingyu, promise Mom, okay?”
Zhao Qingyu bit her lower lip, her teeth sinking deep into the lip, but the physical pain couldn’t compare to the pain in her heart…
Looking at the hope in the woman’s eyes, Zhao Qingyu closed her eyes.
Hot tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes, finally…
Zhao Qingyu nodded.
The woman smiled, but her eyes were filled with bitterness. She worried about her stubborn daughter, but everything was too late…
What could she do for Qingyu?
The woman’s gaze turned to Song Xuyi, who was watching all this with concern on the side. She remembered the admiration her daughter had confessed to her during her mad days. Suddenly, a strong hope surged in her heart…
If it’s her, she should be able to do it, right?
“Are you Xuyi?” She smiled, extending her hand towards Song Xuyi. “Really, Qingyu hasn’t cried yet, why are you crying so pitifully?”
“You’re a good girl, even more lovely than I imagined,” the woman placed Song Xuyi’s hand over Zhao Qingyu’s hand. Zhao Qingyu lowered her eyes, her body trembling slightly as if wanting to pull her hand away. However, Song Xuyi quickly and decisively tightened her grip on Zhao Qingyu’s hand.
“Thank you!” The woman watched everything, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening. Her voice gradually lowered, and she slowly closed her eyes.
“My Qingyu, I’m entrusting her to you!”
LP: Re-translated on January 29, 2024