Chapter 33: Be Careful She Runs Away
After classes ended, summer vacation officially began.
Most students packed their things and went home, leaving the school instantly empty, with only a few major students staying on campus for graduate studies or finding internships off campus.
On the day Winnie returned home, Meng Shuyou and Mia sent her to the airport.
The three were reluctant to part.
Winnie was full of reluctance, “If only you two came back home with me, I can’t imagine how happy this summer vacation would be.”
Returning home was a nightmare for Meng Shuyou, “Take more photos for me, take me on a cloud tour.”
Winnie nodded, “No problem.”
Mia said: “As long as you don’t forget about us while having fun.”
Winnie retorted, “How is that possible? I wouldn’t forget anyone else before forgetting you two.”
Mia waved her hand, “That’s fine then, go quickly. It’s not graduation yet, we’ll see each other when school starts.”
Winnie pouted, “Now that you say that, I suddenly think I might cry my eyes out at graduation.”
Mia didn’t want to get sentimental, “Stop it, we haven’t graduated yet.”
A boarding reminder came over the broadcast.
Winnie waved, “I’m off. I’ll video call you often.”
Meng Shuyou reminded her, “Be safe, let me know when you arrive.”
“Okay.”
They watched Winnie go through security before leaving the airport hall.
“Yaoyao, when are you going to New York?” Mia asked.
“Next week.”
The professor said Madam Kasa went to Austria for inspiration gathering and would return next week.
“In a couple days, I have to go to my aunt’s in Canada with my mom for a while, so I won’t be able to send you off then.”
Meng Shuyou shook her head, “It’s fine, I can go by myself.”
“Okay, hope your internship goes smoothly.”
“Mm.”
The two parted ways at the exit.
Mia no longer lived on campus; her home wasn’t too far from the airport.
Meng Shuyou took a taxi back to school.
As soon as she got in the car, her mobile phone rang.
It was Meng Zhenhua calling.
She didn’t want to answer and let the ringtone hang up automatically.
Not long after, it rang again.
Meng Shuyou gripped her phone case and pressed to answer.
Meng Zhenhua was clearly impatient, “Isn’t it summer vacation now? Why haven’t you come back?”
“I failed the painting practice course. The professor recommended a gallery internship to make up the credits, otherwise it will affect getting my graduation certificate later.”
There was a heavy questioning voice: “Failed? Haven’t your grades always been good? Why did you fail?”
Meng Shuyou explained: “I’ve never done well in this course. I wasn’t feeling well on exam day and didn’t do well.”
Meng Zhenhua naturally didn’t believe it and said in great anger: “Did you do it on purpose?”
“Dad, I wouldn’t joke about my own studies. You can call the professor to verify.” Meng Shuyou said: “Summer vacation is three months. After I intern for a while and get the credits, I’ll come back home.”
Meng Zhenhua looked unpleasant and warned: “You’d better not have done it on purpose, otherwise don’t even think about coming back to see your older sister.”
The call cut off.
Meng Shuyou lowered her arm, gripping her mobile phone tightly.
She had no choice; only this way could she possibly stay in America for the internship.
–
The golf course in the western suburbs belonged to a private club with a high-end membership system, becoming an ideal venue for business elites to discuss business.
The vast lawn was regularly maintained by specialists, lush and green, with water areas, putting greens, and the blue sky blending into one.
Zhao Hesong took the golf club from the caddie, spread his legs, bent at the waist, aimed elegantly, and swung, “Brother Zhou, I heard you’re recently in contact with that young miss from the Kendi family? Planning to accept the family arrangement and get married?”
Pei Yuzhou unhurriedly hit his second shot, the ball going straight into the hole, “Who told you?”
“Alright, lost again, can’t beat you.” Zhao Hesong took off his glove, “Who needs to tell me? On your maternal grandfather’s birthday, didn’t they intentionally match you two? It’s all over the social circle.”
Who wouldn’t be interested in such wealthy family gossip? It spread from one to ten to a hundred; impossible to hide.
Pei Yuzhou handed the golf 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?”
Mentioning her, Pei Yuzhou’s eyes darkened slightly, “I have no plans to get married, and it has nothing to do with anyone.”
Zhao Hesong didn’t believe it, “Then what is Meng Shuyou? I’ve never seen you pay this much attention to any other woman.”
Other women didn’t even have a chance to approach him. Previously, a partner secretly sent a woman to his bed, but he ruthlessly threw her out.
Pei Yuzhou narrowed his eyes slightly, “Are you very curious about my private matters?”
“I’m just concerned about your emotional life.” Zhao Hesong chuckled lowly, “I really think, if you like her, just go for it. Why think so much? It’s not easy for a girl to chase someone. If you keep her waiting too long, she might run off.”
Pei Yuzhou gave him a sidelong glance, “Seems you have a lot of experience.”
“Just dated two relationships, not bad.” Zhao Hesong didn’t dare boast about other things, but on feelings, he really had more experience than a certain someone, “Want me to ask her out for you?”
“If you’re so free, go inspect that Russia project yourself.”
“Then forget it, I’m not going. I don’t adapt to the climate there.”
–
Domestic, Bin City private hospital.
After lunch, Shu Man watched TV for a bit and fell asleep.
She took a two-hour nap every day at this time.
Aunt Xue took the opportunity to tidy the hospital room and wash the clothes that needed washing.
While busy, she suddenly received a call from a neighbor saying her ex-husband’s creditor had come to her home to make trouble.
Aunt Xue immediately put down her work and hurried out of the hospital room. Passing the nurses’ station, she asked the on-duty nurse to help watch Shu Man.
Her daughter was home alone, and she worried those people would go crazy and hurt the child.
Not long after Aunt Xue left the hospital, Meng Yan appeared at the hospital room doorway. She pushed the door open and went in.
High heels clicked crisply on the floor.
The person on the bed was still sleeping soundly.
Meng Yan stood by the bed examining this face. She was pretty, five points similar to Meng Shuyou—one more pure, one more gentle.
But both were equally detestable.
She hated Meng Shuyou’s obedient and innocent face the most; an illegitimate daughter should be despised.
Shu Man was sleeping well when she was suddenly shaken awake. Opening her eyes to see an unfamiliar face, her body trembled reflexively, and she grabbed the quilt with both hands, dodging to the side.
Meng Yan sat on the edge of the bed, her voice softening gently, “Shu Man, how about I take you out to play?”
Shu Man sat up, looked around left and right, didn’t find a familiar figure, lacked a sense of security, hugged her knees, and curled into a ball.
She didn’t recognize the person in front of her.
“I’m not a bad person. I’m Yaoyao’s good friend. Don’t be afraid.” Meng Yan took out her mobile phone to soothe her, “Look, I have photos of Yaoyao.”
Shu Man looked up, her emotions gradually calming.
Meng Yan smiled and said: “Yaoyao asked me to take you out to play. She said you must be bored staying in the hospital room every day and need to go out more.”
Shu Man was thus dazedly coaxed and deceived into leaving the hospital room.
