Chapter 6: Bad Debt
After the release of the MV, the results were quite good. Riding the trend, many people started paying attention to this serene and elegant woman. Film offers for Xia Lingying began pouring in. Though she hasn't reached massive popularity, at least others have started remembering her name, achieving the expected outcome.
Xiao Moyan stood with her arms half-folded by the French window, casually flipping through the latest entertainment magazine with her right index finger, giving it a cursory glance and disdainfully smiling.
The newborn Jade Girl* Sect successor Xia Lingying, and the popular young actor, Chen Siming, briefly sparked a connection in their MV, rumored to be sweetly traveling together.
*originally refers to the fairy in ancient mythology. Jade being the symbol of beauty, is also used to refer to some female artists in the entertainment industry who look fresh and refined and are pure and elegant.
Xiao Moyan threw the magazines in her hand onto the table. Her delicate right hand picked up a glass of red wine from the nearby table, occasionally bringing it to her lips for a sip. Nowadays, reporters are becoming more and more absurd. How could her baby be involved in rumors with such a despicable man? Thinking of Xia Lingying, a faint smile played on Xiao Moyan's face. Xia Lingying's presence added a sense of home to the house.
She increasingly noticed the differences between Xia Lingying and other women. Xia Lingying never accepted those additional invitations on her own. Instead, she spent each day at home carefully studying the script of "Inseparable," pondering every word and sentence. Waiting patiently without greed is the mark of a truly intelligent woman, and Xiao Moyan highly admired this quality.
During her leisure time, Xia Lingying would chat with Mrs. Xu, prepare delicious meals, and welcome her home. Although she didn't express it verbally, when she saw Xiao Moyan furrow her brow while tasting the dishes, that hint of expectation in her eyes instantly faded. It turned out she also had a childish side, and Xiao Moyan couldn't resist teasing her. After finishing the meal, Xiao Moyan would casually remark, "Not bad," then wave and leave, resisting the urge to look at her sulky eyes.
She was just thinking when her phone rang. Xiao Moyan put down her cup, picked up her phone, glanced at the caller ID, and frowned.
"Mrs. Xu, didn't I say not to casually call my phone during work hours?"
Mrs. Xu remained silent for a moment and whispered, "Miss, the master is here. He—"
"What?"
Muttering complaints, Xiao Moyan abruptly hung up upon hearing Mrs. Xu's words. She grabbed a jacket and rushed out of the Vice President's office. The employees who were enjoying their coffee and chatting during the lunch break were startled to see their boss sprinting towards them. Startled, one spilled coffee directly into their nose. Xiao Moyan didn't have time to bother with them and headed straight for the parking lot.
Once again stepping into this once familiar villa, Xiao Nian felt a heart full of emotions. Mrs. Xu opened the car door, respectfully welcoming Xiao Nian.
"Master."
The address as 'master' brought forth the sorrows accumulated in Xiao Nian's heart over the years. He turned around, seeing Mrs. Xu, who now had snowy white hair, and sighed.
“Sister-in-law Xu, you don't need to be so polite. Over these years, the family owes a lot to you."
Mrs. Xu remained silent, but a thin layer of mist covered her cloudy old eyes. She never dreamed that the once loyal family would fall apart because of one woman. Because of this, Miss and the Master became enemies, openly and secretly fighting ceaselessly. Master hadn't set foot in the house for three years because of this.
What truly saddened Mrs. Xu was Xiao Moyan. The once cheerful and mischievous little girl never returned, replaced by the current Xiao Moyan, who indulged in a worldly and extravagant lifestyle. Yet, what use was it to dwell on these matters now? Mrs. Xu only hoped to spend the rest of her life accompanying the lonely and helpless Xiao Moyan, using everything she had to protect her until Miss found someone truly worthy of a lifetime.
"Master's visit this time is—"
Mrs. Xu asked tentatively, a hint of chill creeping from the depths of her heart. Please, let it not be as she speculated.
After hearing Mrs. Xu's words, Xiao Nian's face showed some discomfort, but he calmly spoke.
"I heard that Momo has signed a new actress named Xia Lingying."
"Yes."
Mrs. Xu lowered her head and responded, the last shred of hope in her heart shattered into pieces. She initially thought that the master came because he missed Miss, but now it seems to be for that woman.
"Take me to see her."
Xiao Nian ordered. After a moment's thought, he added, "Don't tell her I'm Xiao Moyan's father; just say I'm a good friend of his father, surnamed Yan."
"Yes."
Seated on the spacious leather sofa, Xiao Nian looked around. The house remained the same as before, with not a single change in the interior decoration, but the people inside were no longer as they used to be. Feeling a bit melancholic, Xiao Nian lit a cigarette, placed it in his mouth, and drifted into memories.
Xiao Nian once had a happy family of three, along with an enviable family background. Starting his business at the age of twenty-five, he firmly established himself in the business world by the age of thirty. In the year he turned thirty-one, he met Xia Ran. People often say that true friendships are rare in the business world, but he was fortunate to encounter a boss who sincerely promoted and nurtured him. In return, he worked tirelessly day and night. Together, they quickly expanded and made a name for Tian Huang Corporation.
As their relationship deepened, they became more than just colleagues; they became good friends outside of work. With the pressures they faced, they would sit down, share a drink, and confide in each other. When either faced troubles, they offered mutual comfort. Xiao Nian and Xia Ran became well-known and acknowledged as best friends in the business world.
But everything came to a sudden halt for Xiao Nian the moment he saw Qiu Muying.
Xiao Nian never expected that Xia Ran's wife was actually his former lover. At that moment, the emotional strings deeply buried in his heart were stirred again. Qiu Muying, now in her middle age, shed the youthful shyness and became even more charming. Her face was like condensed fat, lips resembling cherry blossoms, eyebrows like ink paintings, and her demeanor reminiscent of autumn water—indescribably delicate and refined. She had transformed into a seductive mature woman. When she saw Xiao Nian, Qiu Muying seemed momentarily surprised, a glimmer appearing in her eyes, swiftly concealed.
Xiao Nian doesn't want to recall what happened next. Because of their selfish behavior, the two once-warm families were shattered. Xia Ran, an old friend who was sympathetic to his brothers, also lost everything because of his personal hatred and ran away in a hurry. The ending was unexpected, which made them regretful and ashamed to face each other again.
For this reason, Qiu Muying lost her once-perfect home.
And Xiao Nian, lost his wife forever, could no longer find the woman he loved, and the daughter who once loved him became a stranger and even made things difficult for him in every possible way.
At first, Xiao Nian didn't pay much attention to Xiao Moyan. After all, she was just a young girl, and how much impact could she have? However, he never anticipated that Xiao Moyan would seemingly grow up overnight like a well-fed eagle spreading its wings high and soaring. She not only broke free from his protective circle but returned with a heart full of resentment after her wings had matured.
Without revealing her intentions, Xiao Moyan planted spies within Tian Huang, gathering information from various sources. She patiently waited for three years, seizing the opportunity during his overseas trip to implement sweeping reforms in personnel, almost entirely eliminating those loyal to him. When he hurriedly returned upon receiving the news, all the dismissed individuals unanimously refused to return for various reasons. The current Tian Huang had sidelined Xiao Nian, and now Xiao Moyan stood as the true President.
"Mr. Yan, Miss Xia is here."
Hearing the sound, Xiao Nian looked up, and the moment he saw Xia Lingying, he felt a bit bewildered. It was as if he had once again glimpsed the woman he deeply loved, Qiu Muying. The noble demeanor, the slender and full figure, the serene face, and the snow-white skin were all so familiar.
Xiao Nian's unwavering gaze made Xia Lingying unconsciously furrow her brows. Sensing his own lapse, Xiao Nian cleared his throat and sat up straight.
"Xiaxia, I am your father's former friend, Yan Sheng."
Xia Lingying didn't respond verbally, just nodded politely.
Mrs. Xu knew that with her presence, Xiao Nian would find it inconvenient to speak. She sighed, stepped out, and took the opportunity to call Xiao Moyan's phone.
If this kind of thing is hidden from the Miss, the consequences will be disastrous.
In the spacious living room, the two remained silent for a moment. Xiao Nian took a deep drag from his cigarette, trying to calm down his heightened emotions.
"Xiaxia, your father and I are close friends. Xia Ran entrusted me to take good care of you before he left the country. So, if you need anything, feel free to let me know. There's no need to be here—”
Xiao Nian hesitated in his words, and Xia Lingying already understood his meaning, lowering her eyes without expressing her stance.
"I'm quite familiar with the boss of Nanyang Entertainment. If you're interested, you can join them, and as for the treatment, it won't be a problem—"
The prolonged silence lingered between the two, with Xia Lingying remaining noncommittal. Xiao Nian could only wait patiently.
Muying, this is the last thing I can do for you. I won't let anyone harm her, not even Xiao Moyan.
"Miss, you're back."
Mrs. Xu noticed Xiao Moyan in the courtyard, hurriedly greeted her, took the bag from her hands, and handed her slippers to change into. Mrs. Xu gestured towards the living room and quietly withdrew.
Xiao Moyan took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and quickly walked into the living room. She saw Xia Lingying sitting on the sofa, waved her hand, and said,
"Go inside."
Xia Lingying stood up silently and walked upstairs slowly. Xiao Nian's eyes remained fixed on her until Xia Lingying's figure disappeared. He then turned his head to face Xiao Moyan, his eyes showing a hint of anger.
"What are you here for?"
Xiao Moyan almost screamed in rage, her body trembling slightly with anger. It was an unprecedented loss of composure. The old man hadn't set foot in the villa for three years, showing no concern for her. Yet now, with the arrival of that person's daughter, he hastily followed along. How ironic!
Xiao Nian extinguished the cigarette in his hand, returning to his usual demeanor. Crossing his legs, he looked up with a stern expression at Xiao Moyan.
"Is this the attitude you should have towards your father?"
Xiao Moyan crossed her arms and maintained an indifferent attitude as if miles away, responding with hostility.
"I don't have a father like you. I've said it before; since the day my mother left, I have no relationship with you whatsoever!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Nian felt a pang of pain. His eyes no longer held blame and anger as he sighed and gently spoke, "Momo, I admit, I was wrong about your mom's matter, and I owe you for these years. But, you shouldn't—"
Xiao Moyan sneered and interrupted him.
“What shouldn't I do? I shouldn't touch your lover's daughter?
At this point, Xiao Moyan took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and her gaze gradually became fierce.
"Back then, how did you promise me? You said it was just playing around with that woman! And in the end? For her, you persecuted your brothers, who were like blood brothers to you! For her, you abandoned us, mother and daughter! And my mom—"
"Stop talking──"
Xiao Nian's face turned pale, his voice low yet commanding. He slightly turned his head, his eyes filled with a calculating expression that didn't escape Xiao Moyan's sharp gaze. A pang of pain hit Xiao Moyan's heart. Everything is truly irreparable now. Since he doesn't consider me her daughter, there's no need for me to show her any mercy. With these thoughts, Xiao Moyan's mocking laughter grew louder.
Xiao Nian, just as you said, I am your biological daughter. Therefore, a father's debts must be repaid by his daughter! I will definitely treat Xia Lingying well!!!
Author's Note:
Oh, not accepting aging is just not possible. Back in the day, easily wrote three thousand words in two hours, and now, just a little in the same time frame. It's disappointing.
Yezi is not a little animal; let's not fatten it up before slaughter. Take a look more, and offer suggestions. o(≧v≦)o~~