pdf-ebookys Chapter 118 I've always been there
Chapter 118 I've always been there
"Have you contacted that paparazzi? How much is he asking for?"
"Can't get in touch with Brother Bai. Could it be that the rival company hired someone on purpose?"
In a white van, Bai Xiao, dressed in period costume, had a sour face, clearly having just finished filming near the set.
Bai Xiao is a highly addicted internet user who spends almost all his time off from work playing games or browsing Weibo, searching for his own name and seeing others praise his good looks.
But a few days ago he noticed that he was being followed by paparazzi again, so he has been paying close attention to what people are saying online lately.
Sure enough, a few marketing accounts were subtly saying that a top idol with the surname B was playing claw machines with a female friend late at night, and they even posted a few blurry pictures.
The picture shows a man and a woman. The woman's face is obscured by a claw machine, while the man is slender and wearing a mask, making him look mysterious.
But those familiar with Bai Xiao can recognize him at a glance.
Bai Xiao has never been involved in any scandals with any girls in recent years, so his fans are very reassured about his private life.
This has caused some chaos in the fan community.
However, the fans are only causing a small-scale disturbance at the moment, breaking down while still denying it, saying that this is definitely not her brother.
Bai Xiao was so annoyed.
He frowned and instructed his assistant, "Have the company investigate again. If the paparazzi have any other photos, buy them. Pay them as many as they want. Make sure they don't release them."
This is what celebrities fear most: something as trivial as meeting and chatting with friends can be exaggerated and posted online, leaving them unable to explain themselves even with ten mouths.
Moreover, Bai Xiao knows that her fans are young and reckless when they go crazy. If Xie Yan's face is posted online, it will definitely cause her a lot of trouble.
At that point, being scolded by his fans would be the least of his worries.
Bai Xiao took a sip of the iced Americano her assistant handed her, and grimaced from the bitterness, making her even more irritable.
Who would drink this stuff if it weren't for reducing water retention?! It's so bitter!
"It's been days and not even a paparazzi can find out anything. The company is full of useless idiots, including that guy surnamed Gu! A complete waste!"
Although Bai Xiao is now an artist under Xingtu Entertainment, he has the Bai family behind him, and with power and influence, he is not afraid at all. He can curse his boss very fluently.
The assistant kept his eyes down and didn't dare to say a word about these upper-level matters.
Bai Xiao cursed the boss for a while, then frowned and took a big sip of his iced Americano, feeling like his soul was about to ascend to heaven.
He was just about to call Xie Yan to chat and settle things with Xiaobaicai when he heard the stagehands calling for people again.
Bai Xiao had no choice but to put on his handsome and gentlemanly smile again, get out of the car, and go back to the film set to shoot.
Meanwhile, Xie Yan, who wasn't particularly sensitive to the convoluted online discussions, was at home tidying up.
A little girl was sitting in the clean and tidy living room.
Xiao Baicai sat on the sofa, looking around uneasily. She seemed to want to ask something, but hesitated when she saw Xie Yan's normal expression.
After a long pause, she finally couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with worry.
"Sister, was your house robbed?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yan nearly choked to death.
"Why do you say that? Is my house messy?"
That shouldn't be the case; she deliberately threw all the stuff that was piled up in the living room into the bedroom.
She glanced around the spotless, bright living room and thought it was so tidy it couldn't be tidier; there was no sign of it having been robbed.
"Why doesn't your sister's house have a swimming pool and a movie theater?"
The pampered Xiaobaicai found it hard to understand how her beautiful, elegant, and ladylike sister Xie Yan could live in a place smaller than her own bathroom.
......！
Could it be?!
Little Cabbage suddenly covered her mouth, her chubby little face filled with sympathy.
My sister is so poor, so pitiful!
She can't even afford a house with a swimming pool and a movie theater!
The little girl's sincere question left Xie Yan speechless.
What normal person has a swimming pool and a movie theater at home? With her savings of over ten million, she probably couldn't afford that kind of super-sized villa.
Xie Yan has come to realize just how wealthy the Bai family is.
A week goes by very quickly; it's been several days since we last celebrated Xiaobaicai's birthday.
Xie Yan had previously promised to take Xiaobaicai out to play, but she was worried that the Bai family might not feel comfortable leaving a six-year-old child alone with her.
Unexpectedly, early Saturday morning, Bai's parents happily had their little girl brought over, along with many local specialties and souvenirs they had bought during their overseas trip.
After delivering the bok choy, the couple immediately boarded a plane to another destination for their trip.
They lived a very carefree life.
Xie Yan packed some light luggage, then took Xiao Baicai downstairs, already having decided where they wanted to go.
It seems it's time to let Little Cabbage see the outside world.
------
At the foot of a scenic mountain lies a small village.
The area is covered with lush vegetation and has fresh air, earning it the reputation of a natural oxygen bar.
Thanks to the superior natural environment and tourism development, some restaurants and farmhouses have opened here, and business is booming.
In a pretty little courtyard, a large dog with mottled fur lay at the entrance, and a muscular tabby cat perched on a bare tree, its eyes closed as if dozing, its thick black tail swaying gently back and forth.
A middle-aged woman dressed in a simple knitted sweater sat at a small stone table in the courtyard, wearing reading glasses, carefully calculating this year's accounts.
Yang Huiyun managed to catch the wave of the times. Although she stumbled along the way, she was fortunate enough to open many branches before the last wave of housing price increases.
She started with a small noodle shop and has grown it into a large business. In recent years, with Shen Yan's investment and help, it has been upgraded to more than ten hotels.
This agritainment business is the same. The courtyard is not very big compared to other places in the village, but it is well-managed. She often cooks for guests herself, and the business is booming.
Compared to ten years ago when she was working from dawn till dusk selling steamed buns, Yang Huiyun can now be considered very wealthy.
Compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, she prefers to sit in this small courtyard when she has nothing to do, where it is exceptionally peaceful.
Farmhouses usually get busy in the afternoon and evening, so when there's nothing to do, some of the villagers or local residents will casually visit each other and chat.
Yang Huiyun had been doing accounts all morning, and just as she looked up from her documents, she heard a voice coming from afar.
"Mr. Yang—is Mr. Yang there?"
Before she could respond, several women walked in with beaming smiles.
The woman at the head of the group was radiant. She was wearing a red jacket and holding wedding candies. As soon as she entered, she went straight to Yang Huiyun and put a large handful of them on her table.
"Oh, Mr. Yang, it's so great to have you here! My grandson is having his 100-day celebration today, and we're having a feast at home. You absolutely have to come and support us! The more people, the more fun it will be!"
The people behind her chimed in with grins, "Yes, yes, it's fine if others don't come, but Boss Yang, you have the best business in our village, you absolutely have to come so we can all share in your joy!"
"That's right, Xiao Fen, you're so lucky! Boss Yang will definitely give your precious grandson a big red envelope, hahaha!"
The women in the village all have loud voices and don't speak very politely. Yang Huiyun smiled faintly at the wedding candy, not caring at all.
She just didn't want to go.
She was all alone and couldn't bear to see other people's families surrounded by children and grandchildren.
"Congratulations, Sister Han! I'll definitely deliver the red envelope, but I have to go back to the city tonight, so I won't be able to go."
Yang Huiyun smiled and declined.
Upon hearing this, Han Xiaofen immediately objected. She sat down at the stone table as well, grabbing Yang Huiyun's hand. "That won't do! I know you're very busy, Boss Yang, but I've already invited the owners of the other shops. What do you have to do today? Can't you do it tomorrow?"
As soon as she finished speaking, another woman beside her sighed, "Forget it, Xiaofen, I guess Mr. Yang is just used to living alone and might not be comfortable with your house being too lively..."
"But Mr. Yang, it really isn't right for you to stay here all the time. I really think Old Zhao from the west end of the village is a good guy..."
The conversation abruptly shifted, and somehow the topic turned to Yang Huiyun's life.
They spent their entire lives in the village, relying on the men in their families for food. When they were young, they relied on their husbands, and when they got older, they relied on their sons. After all, in the village, if a family didn't have a son, they would be laughed at.
Therefore, Yang Huiyun was an oddball in their eyes.
Although she has some money as her own boss, if she doesn't find a partner now before she gets too old, won't she be even less likely to be wanted when she gets old?
Without a man, who will take care of her when she gets old?
What's the use of having money? The news is all about how many nursing home caregivers beat the elderly. You still need a son to take care of you in your old age.
"Mr. Yang, I'm a few years older than you, is it alright if I call you Little Yang?"
Han Xiaofen suddenly put on airs, as if she had found room to maneuver.
Every woman in the village was envious of Yang Huiyun's money; she, a woman, actually earned more than her own husband, which inevitably aroused envy.
But right now, the only thing they can surpass her in is their own happy family life, while Yang Huiyun has no children.
There are plenty of men who want to marry her and then exploit her for their wealth.
"Young Yang, you might look down on Old Zhao, he's a bit of a gambler, but he's a good person at heart. You should get married while you're still young, maybe you can even have another child. If you keep delaying, you'll be fifty soon. Look at me, I already have two grandsons, and you don't even have a son or daughter. So what if you have money? People will just pity you."
“I have a daughter.”
Yang Huiyun's expression, which had been calm before, turned somewhat unpleasant. She frowned, and her hands clenched tightly under the table.
“She is my only daughter in this life. I will never get married or have any more children. You don’t need to try to persuade me every day.”
"Why are you still being so stubborn? We're all doing this for your own good. Besides, where did you get a daughter? We've never seen her before!"
Suddenly touched upon a painful memory, Yang Huiyun didn't want to reveal the truth, so she took a deep breath and said, "She went abroad to study and won't be back for the next few years."
Her words were too weak; no one believed them.
Even if Han Xiaofen and the others were ignorant, they would know that going abroad is only a matter of a dozen or so hours by plane, how could they not be able to come back for several years?
She's just being stubborn!
"Alright, alright, stop being stubborn with me. I'll arrange for Old Zhao to meet you tonight, you two can have a good chat, and then—"
"Mommy!"
Han Xiaofen was interrupted by a clear female voice before she could finish speaking.
The group immediately turned around and saw a young and pretty girl standing at the entrance of the courtyard. She had her hair tied in a simple ponytail and was holding the hand of a little girl who looked like a doll.
Xie Yan's face was full of smiles, her beauty as dazzling as a pearl, making Han Xiaofen and the others stare in disbelief. They had never seen such a beautiful girl before!
She rushed in, pulling Xiaobaicai along, and gave Yang Huiyun a big bear hug.
"Mommy! I'm back from abroad! I missed you so much!"
Yang Huiyun was completely bewildered; she was so confused that she didn't understand what was going on.
Then Xie Yan, with her back to Han Xiaofen and the others, winked mischievously at her.
Yang Huiyun immediately understood.
She had a deep impression of Xie Yan; they had met not long ago, and she recognized her at a glance as the girl with the same name as Yan Yan.
So the two of them immediately put on a show for outsiders, pretending to be a mother and daughter who hadn't seen each other for many years and were overjoyed to see each other and weeping.
Han Xiaofen looked embarrassed, her probing gaze lingering on Xie Yan as if she didn't believe her.
The next second, Xie Yan turned around, opened her backpack, and took out the foreign specialties that her parents had just given her.
"Mommy, I bought you Icelandic fish oil and a reindeer antler ornament! Isn't it pretty!"
The girl excitedly pulled out a bunch of things, including trinkets and some handmade cookies bought from abroad.
When Han Xiaofen looked at the packaging, she saw that the writing was in a language she couldn't understand, and it didn't look like English at all. It really looked like something she had bought from abroad.
Moreover, Xie Yan's joy seemed genuine. The group stared at each other blankly for a while, then left with forced smiles.
Yang Huiyun finally breathed a sigh of relief after they left.
The village has a good environment and fresh air, but the people in these villages sometimes lack a sense of boundaries.
She snapped out of her daze and looked at the two beautiful women, one tall and one short, in front of her.
Little Cabbage was wearing a light pink dress, with bangs, big eyes, and delicate skin. She was wearing a pair of white leather shoes and looked so pretty and cute that it was unbelievable.
At that moment, her little brain was working at full speed.
My sister just told me she was looking for an auntie, but when we got to the door, she called the auntie "Mommy".
And they were all very happy after calling her "Mommy".
Is this how people greet each other here?
The little cabbage hesitated a bit.
The sweet, childlike voice suddenly rang out, and despite some doubt, the child remained extremely polite.
"Hello, Mommy, it's nice to meet you."
Yang Huiyun and Xie Yan were both taken aback, then burst into laughter at how adorable it was.
Xie Yan chuckled and gently pinched the little girl's cheek. "Why are you calling her that too?"
Little Cabbage blinked, her eyes wide with confusion, and her voice was sweet and innocent, "Ah, can't I call out?"
That little face is absolutely adorable!
Yang Huiyun's bad mood was cured by the two beautiful young women who suddenly barged in.
Little Cabbage had never been to a place like this before.
She grew up in a big city, and even when she went out to play, she always went to big hotels and flew on big planes; she had never walked on country roads.
Along the way, Xiaobaicai hesitated, worried about getting her shoes dirty, but Xie Yan, being impatient, simply carried her all the way with one hand.
However, children learn very quickly. She wasn't worried about getting her shoes dirty anymore and ran to the door to see the big dog in just a few steps.
Little Cabbage glanced at the dog and pouted, a little disgusted. "What an ugly dog! I've never seen such an ugly dog before. How can it be so ugly?"
The dog, which had been sleeping, suddenly stood up, its eyes flashing with ferocity, and barked incessantly at the little cabbage, as if it were hurling very harsh insults.
The little cabbage was startled and immediately turned and ran away, then went to the tree and looked up at the cat.
The yard was filled with the sound of meowing.
Not a single meow came from the cat.
The tabby cat was as still as a meditating monk, except its tail was swishing even faster, clearly annoyed.
Yang Huiyun urged Xie Yan to sit down quickly, then poured her a glass of water, her expression gentle.
"Thank you so much, Xiao Xie, for getting me out of that predicament. People in the village love to gossip, and I don't want to tell them about my family affairs, otherwise I don't know what they'll say."
"it does not matter."
Xie Yan held her water glass with a warm gaze, enjoying the cool midday breeze. Her eyes were bright, and her smile was exceptionally gentle.
"Auntie, if you ever need your daughter's support again, feel free to contact me anytime. I'll always be there for you."