After classes ended, summer vacation officially began.
Most of the students packed up and went home, and the campus instantly became empty. Only a few students from certain majors stayed behind for graduate studies or looked for internships off campus.
On the day Winnie returned to her country, Meng Shuyao and Mia saw her off at the airport.
The three of them found it hard to part.
Winnie’s face was full of reluctance. “If only you two could come back with me. I can’t even imagine how happy this summer would be.”
Going back home was a nightmare for Meng Shuyao. “Take lots of photos for me. Let me travel through you.”
Winnie nodded. “No problem.”
Mia said, “Just don’t have so much fun that you forget about us.”
Winnie retorted, “How could I? I could forget anyone, but never you two.”
Mia waved a hand. “Then that’s fine. Go on, hurry up. It’s not like we’re graduating. We’ll see each other again when school starts.”
Winnie pouted. “Now that you mention it, I suddenly realize I might cry my eyes out when we graduate.”
Mia did not want to get sentimental. “Stop. We haven’t graduated yet.”
A boarding announcement sounded over the speakers.
Winnie waved. “I’m going. I’ll video-call you often.”
Meng Shuyao reminded her, “Be safe. Let us know when you arrive.”
“Okay.”
Only after watching Winnie pass through security did they leave the airport hall.
“Yaoyao, when are you going to New York?” Mia asked.
“I have to wait until next week.”
The professor said Ms. Casa had gone to Austria to gather inspiration and would only be back next week.
“In a couple of days, I have to go with my mom to stay at my aunt’s place in Canada for a while, so I won’t be able to see you off then.”
Meng Shuyao shook her head. “It’s fine. I can go by myself.”
“Okay. I hope everything goes smoothly with your internship.”
“Mm.”
The two parted ways at the exit.
Mia was not staying on campus now; her home was not very far from the airport.
Meng Shuyao took a taxi back to school.
Just as she got into the car, her phone rang.
It was Meng Zhenhua.
She did not want to answer and let the ringtone cut off on its own.
Not long after, it rang again.
Meng Shuyao gripped her phone case and pressed answer.
Meng Zhenhua was clearly impatient. “Isn’t it summer vacation? Why haven’t you come back yet?”
“I failed my painting practice course. The professor recommended an internship at a gallery so I can make up the credits. Otherwise, it’ll affect my graduation certificate in the future.”
His voice sank as he questioned her. “Failed? Haven’t your grades always been good? Why would you fail?”
Meng Shuyao explained, “I never did well in this course, and on the day of the exam, I wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t perform well.”
Meng Zhenhua naturally did not believe her. Furious, he said, “Did you do this on purpose?”
“Dad, I wouldn’t joke about my own studies. You can call the professor to verify it,” Meng Shuyao said. “Summer vacation lasts three months. Once I intern for a while and get the credits, I’ll come back.”
Meng Zhenhua’s expression turned ugly, and he warned her, “You’d better not have done this on purpose. Otherwise, don’t even think about coming back to see your sister.”
The call was cut off.
Meng Shuyao lowered her arm, clutching her phone tightly.
She had no other choice. Only this way did she have a chance to stay in the United States for an internship.
-
The golf course in the western suburbs belonged to a private club with a high-end membership system, making it an excellent place for business elites to discuss deals.
The vast lawn was regularly maintained by dedicated staff, lush and verdant. The water, the greens, and the azure sky seemed to merge into one.
Zhao Hesong took a club from the caddie, spread his legs, bent down, found the angle, and swung elegantly. “Brother Zhou, I heard you’ve been getting in touch with the eldest daughter of the Kendi family recently? Are you preparing to accept your family’s arrangements and get married?”
Pei Yuzhou unhurriedly took his second shot. The ball went straight into the hole. “Who told you that?”
“Fine, I lost again. I can’t beat you.” Zhao Hesong removed his glove. “Does anyone need to tell me? On your maternal grandfather’s birthday, wasn’t he already trying to matchmake you two? It’s already spread through the circle.”
Who would not be interested in such juicy gossip from a wealthy family? Once one person spread it to ten, and ten to a hundred, there was no hiding it at all.
Pei Yuzhou handed the club to the caddie and said indifferently, “Then why didn’t it spread that I refused?”
“You refused?” Zhao Hesong guessed blindly. “Because of Miss Meng?”
At the mention of her, Pei Yuzhou’s eyes darkened slightly. “I have no plans to marry. It has nothing to do with anyone.”
Zhao Hesong did not believe him. “Then what does Meng Shuyao count as? I’ve never seen you pay this much attention to any other woman.”
Other women did not even have the chance to get close to him. Previously, a business partner had secretly sent a woman to his bed, only for him to throw her out without the slightest mercy.
Pei Yuzhou narrowed his eyes. “Are you that curious about my private affairs?”
“Aren’t I just showing some concern for your love life?” Zhao Hesong chuckled. “Honestly, I think if you like her, then go for it. Why think so much? It isn’t easy for a girl to take the initiative and chase someone. If you leave her hanging too long, be careful she runs away.”
Pei Yuzhou cast him a sidelong glance. “Looks like you’re very experienced.”
“I’ve only dated twice. Not bad, I guess.” Zhao Hesong did not dare boast about anything else, but when it came to relationships, he really did have more experience than a certain someone. “Want me to ask her out for you?”
“If you’re that idle, you can personally go inspect the project in Russia.”
“Then forget it. I’m not going. I don’t acclimate well over there.”
-
In the country, at Bincheng Private Hospital.
After lunch, Shuman watched television for a while and then fell asleep.
She took a two-hour nap at this time every day.
Aunt Xue took the opportunity to tidy up the ward and wash the clothes that needed washing.
While she was busy, she suddenly received a call from a neighbor, saying that her ex-husband’s creditors had gone to her house to make trouble.
Aunt Xue immediately put down what she was doing and hurried out of the ward. When she passed the nurses’ station, she asked the nurse on duty to help keep an eye on Shuman.
Her daughter was home alone, and she was afraid those people might go mad and hurt the child.
Not long after Aunt Xue left the hospital, Meng Yan appeared at the door of the ward. She pushed the door open and walked in.
Her high heels clicked crisply against the floor.
The person on the bed was still fast asleep.
Meng Yan stood by the bedside and studied that face. She was pretty, and she resembled Meng Shuyao by about half. One looked more pure and innocent, the other gentler and warmer.
But they were equally hateful.
What she detested most was Meng Shuyao’s obedient, innocent face. An illegitimate daughter ought to be despised.
Shuman had been sleeping soundly when she was abruptly shaken awake. Opening her eyes to see an unfamiliar face, her body trembled by reflex, and she clutched the blanket with both hands as she shrank to the side.
Meng Yan sat down by the bed, her voice soft and gentle. “Shuman, how about I take you out to play?”
Shuman sat up and looked around, but she could not find a familiar figure. Deprived of any sense of security, she hugged her knees and curled into a ball.
She did not know the person in front of her.
“I’m not a bad person. I’m Yaoyao’s good friend. You don’t have to be afraid.” Meng Yan took out her phone to soothe her. “Look, I have photos of Yaoyao.”
Shuman looked up. Gradually, her emotions eased.
Meng Yan smiled and said, “It was Yaoyao who asked me to take you out to play. She said you must be bored staying in the ward every day and should go outside more.”
And just like that, confused and unsuspecting, Shuman was coaxed by her into leaving the ward.