Chapter 77: How Can You Be So Rest Assured?
Wang Heng could never have imagined that Pei Ningle’s parents were so close to the bar when they answered the phone.
His original thought was that after witnessing the young girl call her dad and mom and confirming she could leave Rongdu right away, he could then leave with peace of mind. Of course, scrapping the cooperation he had negotiated with the bar owner halfway would be a bit regrettable, but this was unexpected windfall to begin with, so he wouldn’t care too much.
However, right after hanging up the phone, just as Wang Heng was hesitating whether to politely escort Pei Ningle back to her rental room out of courtesy, the young boy and girl were blocked right there in the lounge!
The arrivals were, of course, Pei Ningle’s father and mother.
Father Pei was a broad and mild-mannered man, perhaps somewhat handsome in his youth, but now he was just a typical portly middle-aged figure. Mother Pei was a lean middle-aged woman with an anxious expression, though at least better than that sharp voice on the phone. Perhaps she had calmed down a bit compared to a few minutes ago…
Wang Heng had never met either of these two, not even during the first playthrough. Because back then, although Pei Ningle was successful in her career, her relationship with her family wasn’t great. So, what would the situation be like now?
As soon as Father Pei entered, he headed straight for Wang Heng and grabbed his hand. Just as Wang Heng thought the man was about to hold him accountable, Father Pei shook his hand warmly and said enthusiastically:
“Hello, I’m Pei Ningle’s dad. Our girl has been under your care this time!”
Wang Heng was a bit dazed: “I didn’t really…”
“Young man, don’t be modest! We’ve asked the landlord already! The lady told us that Xiao Le doesn’t know anything, not even how to calculate rent and utilities. Thanks to you taking care of her, otherwise with this girl’s dumb mind that doesn’t even know square root, she’d sell herself and still count the money for others.”
As soon as Father Pei finished speaking, his daughter couldn’t help protesting: “Dad, I do know square root!”
Father Pei glanced at his daughter, shook his head, and sighed.
Mother Pei slapped her daughter’s head and angrily said: “You still dare to talk back! You’ve grown bold, huh? Running away from home at your age, even slipping away after we called the police! We took special leave to come find you, all for you this worry-free girl!”
Father Pei patted Wang Heng’s shoulder and said in a low voice: “Her mom and I are both teachers, high school teachers. This child’s Gaokao score couldn’t even reach the undergraduate admission line. What will she do in the future? We’re very worried…”
Wang Heng twitched his mouth, not knowing what to say, and could only continue staying silent.
Pei Ningle didn’t obediently lower her head and take the scolding. She stubbornly protested: “Don’t treat me like a child! My living expenses now, and my rent, are all covered by me! I can earn two hundred yuan a day at the bar, and recently even more…”
Mother Pei slapped her forehead again: “Do you have social security? Do you have a contract? Do you have any guarantees? Can you sing at the bar for a lifetime? We spent money to send you to school. You could repeat a year, go to a vocational college, whatever, but why run to a bar to sing without any proper education? No proper degree, no proper work—how will you survive in society later!”
These two slaps didn’t hurt much; the mother still couldn’t bring herself to hit hard.
Pei Ningle couldn’t outtalk her mother but wasn’t convinced at all. Lowering her head, she muttered sulkily: “How do you know I can’t sing for a lifetime…”
Mother Pei: “Sing for a lifetime? That’s for famous singers, not in a bar. In a bar, with no fame at all, how can you sing for a lifetime!”
The young girl lifted her head, not backing down: “How do you know I can’t become famous?”
Mother Pei was speechless.
Father Pei quickly said: “Xiao Le, how many kids in the world chase star dreams, and how many actually make it? You learned about probability in high school—think carefully. What are the chances for you to become famous?”
Pei Ningle: “I don’t know the chances, but I know those chasing star dreams are just dreaming. I’m different. I write songs, I sing—they’re all down-to-earth efforts, not dreams!”
Mother Pei turned her head and glared at her husband: “I told you, this brat won’t listen to reason! We shouldn’t waste time here!”
Father Pei: “Then what do you say we do? Dragging her back now—will it work? In a couple days she’ll run again!”
The family of three refused to yield, locked in a standoff.
Wang Heng quietly stepped back two steps, trying to withdraw from this family battlefield. But before he could touch the door handle, all three on the battlefield turned their gazes to him.
Pei Ningle spoke first: “Wang Heng, you definitely understand me. Help me explain to them!”
Wang Heng: “I… what do I say?”
Father Pei sighed: “Classmate Wang, you’re a student at Telecom Tech University, right? Your grades are good, so you must understand us parents’ good intentions. How important studying is—won’t you explain it to Xiao Le?”
Wang Heng: “Uh, I…”
Mother Pei looked at Wang Heng, her tone suddenly softening: “Little Wang, seeing how serious and responsible you are, you can definitely persuade our girl. Come, help us talk to her, okay?”
No, auntie, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not serious or responsible at all!
Facing the gazes of the family of three, Wang Heng could only try to act as a peacemaker: “I think the most important thing is communication between family members. My advice won’t help. You all should be honest with each other; maybe you can work out something satisfactory to everyone…”
Before he finished, Pei Ningle cut in: “Let me say first, I definitely won’t go home now! The bar here needs me, and I’ve posted three videos online with increasing playback volume—I’ve even got fans! Plus, I performed at their school’s welcome party!”
Father Pei and Mother Pei exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat helpless.
It was precisely because they saw the bar’s booming business and the welcome party’s success that they felt especially troubled. Forcing her back now, the child definitely wouldn’t accept it.
Father Pei probed: “Then I’ll give you one year to try it out here?”
The other three present had varied expressions.
Mother Pei looked helpless.
Pei Ningle’s eyes widened, full of surprise.
Wang Heng was stunned—uncle, how can you be so irresolute? Your daughter ran away from home, and you’re not hurrying to take her back? Appeasement policy won’t do!
Pei Ningle pounced to her father, hugged him tightly, and cried out joyfully: “I knew it, Dad is the best!”
Mother Pei snorted coldly: “You think this means freedom? In one year, if you can’t make a career out of it, we’ll drag you back no matter what!”
Pei Ningle released her father and hugged her mother: “Rest assured, if by then I’m still like this, no need for you to drag me—I’ll go back home obediently with you!”
Mother Pei patted her daughter’s shoulder, making her let go, then looked at Wang Heng with a pleasant expression: “Little Wang, we all know you’re serious and responsible. This child is entrusted to your care…”
Who is serious and responsible? You’ve got the wrong guy!
Wang Heng swallowed and said: “Uncle, auntie, you’re entrusting her to me just like that?”
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