Chapter 258: Award Ceremony
Shu Chen’s words overwhelmed Jiang Tong.
What had Mrs. Jiang just said? Who was she going to meet again?
Jiang Tong was fl.u.s.tered and frustrated at the same time. She originally thought that her outstanding achievement at the Trial Tower was enough to grant her Mrs. Jiang’s attention. The entire ancient martial arts world had even started sending her gifts. And yet, the Jiang family, who she desired to see the most was nowhere in sight.
Plucking up her courage, she arrived at the Jiang family’s manor. As expected, their guards did not chase her away. Instead, it was Shu Chen’s words that caused her heart to throb in pain.
“Mrs. Jiang, what are you talking about?” Sucking up the stabbing pain in her heart, she started questioning.
A sour feeling rose in her heart. Questions started racing through her mind. Although Murong Miaoxue had been improving lately, she was only around level 50. Apart from that, she had constantly remained at the Trial Tower recently so the chances of her being the one is close to null.
Who then, was she talking about?
Jiang Shuxuan had not been in the ancient martial arts world recently. In fact, she had caught wind of him working with the Americans to investigate the recent turmoil here.
Just this noon, the Elder’s a.s.sociation had sent a team to the deserts of the North-West.
Shu Chen quite obviously was not going to talk to Jiang Tong for any longer. Ever since the last incident, she had come to understand that Jiang Tong was only keeping up an act. Her would-be daughter-in-law was only a regular human being and could not compare to Jiang Tong, for now. Shu Chen responded with a blunt reply, “You’ve never met her before. But you will get the chance to see her more often in the future.”
“Alright, we’ll leave right after we’re done packing. Shuxuan’s returning soon.” Shu Chen couldn’t wait to meet her daughter-in-law.
Jiang Tong dug her nails into the flesh of her palm as she watched the butler stuff gift after gift into a suitcase.
How would she not recognize the value of these treasured items? They were all magical defense weapons.
Jiang Tong stood there, frozen in place as Shu Chen’s pearly white car disappeared into the distance. A couple of minutes later, Jiang Lian walked up to her with surprise on his face. “Tong Tong, I saw you walk out with Madam Jiang earlier?” Did that mean that relations with Master Jiang and his family would return to normal?
After the previous incident, Jiang Lian did not dare to linger around the ancient martial arts world. After all, Jiang Shuxuan’s held too much significance here; he’d get laughed at no matter where he went.
However, public opinion about him changed when news of Jiang Tong’s advance in the Trial Tower spread. Still, it didn’t mean that they had forgotten about the past.
“No,” Jiang Tong looked away. “Has there been any news lately about the ancient martial arts world?”
The selection stage for Trial Tower was nearing. She and Murong Miaoxue both spent most of their time in the Trial Tower, honing their combat skills. They were completely cut off from the outside world during this period. Shu Chen’s att.i.tude definitely got her attention. She knew the lady well and there was no way she’d be this excited for some plain Jane.
“There are two actually.” Jiang Lian thought about the flaming hot rumor that had started to spread around the ancient martial arts today. “The first one is that the Jiang family elder has sent an elite squad into the north-western desert. I’m guessing that something big must’ve happened there. The second news is that Cecily has returned.”
Jiang Tong was familiar with the name Cecily. Although she didn’t bear any hard feelings toward Murong Miaoxue, it was the opposite for Cecily.
In the rating tournament three years ago, Cecily got the first place and managed to climb up to top 10 of the youth ranking list. Because of this, she was given one-twelfth of the entire world’s resources. After three years, Jiang Tong had no idea how much she had grown.
“Tong Tong, you’re already on level 62 now. Cecily definitely won’t be comparable to you in the future.” Jiang Lian was very confident in his daughter’s abilities. “You’d undoubtedly earn Madam Jiang’s respect then.”
Jiang Tong’s confidence swelled up upon hearing her father’s words of rea.s.surance.
Turning around, she headed for the Trial Tower.
***
After the both of them left, a third figure emerged from behind. Baili Bin narrowed his eyes as he watched Jiang Tong walk off into the distance. “Qiao Qiao did say that she’d send a child to the ancient martial arts world. I wonder if he’s here already?”
“Oh he’s here already.” The boy was sent to the Baili family manor somewhere around noon by Miss Cecily.” Uncle Tai followed behind Baili Bin. He smiled when he thought about the child from before. “The kid’s got talent that’s for sure. He’s pretty adorable too.”
“Very well.” Baili Bin chuckled. He picked up his phone and checked the message that Gu Xiqiao sent him. “Let’s head home, it won’t be long till she arrives.”
Uncle Tai remained behind Baili Bin. “Shouldn’t we inform the patriarch about this? He’s been wanting to meet Miss Gu for a long time now. He’d even ordered me to give these items to Miss Gu today.”
After that, he showed Baili Bin the bags he was holding. These were all presumably precious items that Gu Xiqiao was looking for and which Baili Qu wanted her to have.
Baili Bin used to be treated like this by the old man. Seems like Gu Xiqiao did a pretty good job replacing him.
“I doubt that he has the guts though. Even if she agreed to meet him, I don’t think he’d respond in the same way.” Baili Bin shook his head.
Uncle Tai pondered in his mind for a moment before speaking. “The young lady came looking for me just now. She doesn’t seem particularly happy today.”
Baili Bin’s expression darkened the moment he heard Uncle Tai mention Baili Wenxi. After a long pause, Uncle Tai heard the soft sound of conversation coming from a distance away. “Not every mistake will be forgiven. If Qiao Qiao had not met Shuxuan, or if she was just another regular girl, have you any idea what would become of her today?”
Uncle Tai did not respond to his question. He had read through Gu Xiqiao’s records. Judging by how vicious the Gu family was, if she were just an average Jane, she wouldn’t even be given a piece of bone to gnaw on during mealtime.
Recalling how thin Miss Gu was, Uncle Tai felt a pain in his heart. All of a sudden, Baili Wenxi didn’t seem as pitiful as that poor young lady.
“Young Master, I have a feeling that things aren’t as simple as they seem to be. Of all the people, why does it have to be the young lady? Fu Xuejun too.” The more Uncle Tai thought about the matter, the more it came across as bizarre. However, he still could not place his finger on a specific point where the particular problem was. Fu Xuejun’s ident.i.ty had been exposed, while Baili Wenxi’s memories had yet to return. A chill crept up Uncle Tai’s spine as he recalled how the Baili family had declined in recent years. “Perhaps, someone was deliberately…” Sabotaging them?
Uncle Tai felt a sense of unease sweep over him when realization set in.
Baili Bin glanced at Uncle Tai for less than a second before he lifted up his phone and texted Gu Xiqiao. “Uncle Tai, do you believe that man can triumph over heaven?”
In the face of a great power, conspiracy and tricks were nothing but a joke. He did not believe in fate, what more to say of a creator? The reason why he was able to stand up again was due to his own will. Was there anything that he did not have control over?
“That’s enough, let’s go pick up some fresh greens at the market.” Baili Bin popped the car door open and left the vehicle. “Having been stranded out in the middle of a desert for so many days, Qiao Qiao probably hasn’t tasted good food since then. We should get more stuff this time.”
Uncle Tai forgot about his question the moment they switched over to another topic. “I know this shop that sells mighty good roasted ducks. It’s Miss Gu’s favorite too. Oh right, I still have to notify Mrs. Zhang to not get any groceries since we have that handled…”
***
By now, Gu Xiqiao was already on the outskirts of Beijing.
The helicopter was pretty bulky and Gu Xiqiao did not intend to maneuver it right into the middle of the city. Instead, she looked for whatever open s.p.a.ce was available for her to land on. After that, she summoned her little pink car, which she had not driven in ages.
Jiang Shuxuan whipped out his phone and made a phone call to inform headquarters about the chopper’s whereabouts before heading toward Gu Xiqiao’s little pink car.
“Let’s go.” He slid into the driver’s seat without hesitation. After all, this car was picked by him for Gu Xiqiao as a gift.
Gu Xiqiao took out her phone and sent a message to Director Cheng. “Will arrive in half an hour.” She then peered up. “Brother Jiang, I’ve always wondered why you picked this car for me back then?”
“Do you hate it?” Jiang Shuxuan looked back at her seriously.
“Not really…” She had asked this question multiple times in the past but she was still puzzled as to why he had to pick such a girly color for her.
Jiang Shuxuan laughed when he saw the confused look in her eyes. “Well, the decision was made in your best interest, I guess.”
He didn’t think much about it back then. All he wanted was to alter the course of her life as her face-reading was that of a person who would face premature death. To be precise, she would not live past the age of 24. The thought of this made him tighten his grip on the steering wheel.
Still, he failed to foresee that whenever she’s behind the wheel, there would always be youngsters trying to approach her.
The more he thought about it, the worse Jiang Shuxuan’s facial expression became.
Gu Xiqiao stopped fiddling with her phone when she heard Jiang Shuxuan’s reply. Through the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at his smooth-shaven face. Her heart skipped a beat upon hearing what he said. He didn’t seem to be joking too.
Gu Xiqiao reached up and pinched the middle of his brows which was scrunched up tightly.
“Hey! Good heavens!” Jiang Shuxuan slammed his foot on the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to almost crash into a nearby streetlamp. He was stupefied by what she had just done. “I’m still driving.”
Could you not make me lose focus?
Gu Xiqiao: “… drive on then.”
The annual Hundred Flowers Award would be held in the Imperial Capital. Director Cheng and Brother Kun had already contacted her a few days ago. Both projects, which Gu Xiqiao worked in had been accepted into the selection process, one being ‘River’s Lake’ and the other, ‘Empire Under Siege’. She was nominated for the best supporting actress as well as the best rookie-actress award. Although there were no guarantees that she would end up with the award, merely being mentioned was already more than sufficient to endorse her skill in acting.
To be honest, Cheng Zhou wanted to put forth the Xianxia epic ‘Divergent Paths’ for the selection process as he felt that Gu Xiqiao would easily win an award or two with it. However, this was turned down by Gu Xiqiao herself. Not only that, she had even threatened the director to not release the film.
This had resulted in a fight almost spilling out between her and Cheng Zhou. In the end, he reached a final conclusion—Gu Xiqiao was a creature almost impossible to deal with.
The pink car rolled to a stop not far away from where the award ceremony was being held. Gu Xiqiao excited the car while Jiang Shuxuan rested his arm on top of the door. “Call me when you’re about to leave at night. I have something to deal with now so I won’t be accompanying you.”
Jiang Shuxuan watched as Gu Xiqiao marched off before he started driving away. Picking up his phone he noticed that there was a new notification.
[Little Psycho: I have already left the ancient martial arts world. Where are you?]
[Jiang Shuxuan: Sending off the little princess to the award ceremony.]
[Little Psycho: Princess?]
[Jiang Shuxuan: That’s right ^_^]
Jiang Shuxuan squinted at the screen and contemplated for a while before proceeding to drive off. How should he coolly introduce Gu Xiqiao to his mother? This was a major pain in the b.u.t.t. The problem now was that Gu Xiqiao was still kept in the dark from his mother. Would she beat him to death when the cat is finally let out of the bag?
Here on the other side, Gu Xiqiao was walking toward the entrance of the hall where the ceremony was held.
Because a lot of celebrities would be attending today’s event, both sides of the entrance were jam-packed with fans, all raising different plaques for whichever celebrity they were wors.h.i.+pping. Gu Xiqiao looked over and spotted a group of fans gathered nearest to the entrance. They all were raising advertis.e.m.e.nt plaques with the names ‘Ning Qing’ and ‘Baby Qing’ on them. Although their group wasn’t as large as Li Yu’s fans, it was still of considerable size.
Gu Xiqiao was satisfied with what she saw.
She then made her approach in that direction, trying to break through the crowd at that point.
“Ah… sorry!” One of the fangirls had been shoved around when she accidentally stepped on someone else’s foot. She instantly looked up to apologize.
“No worries.” The voice that replied to her sounded clear and elegant.
Her voice filled her heart with a hard-to-describe sense of warmth. She peered up to get a better glimpse of what this lady looked like.
Under the cold sunlight, she was able to make out a face that was so beautiful that it was impossible to describe using mere words. She seemed more like an artwork than an actual human being. The girl was sporting a baseball cap and despite standing extremely near to each other, she couldn’t get a clear view of her eyes no matter how hard she tried.
Amidst the misty atmosphere, she sensed a pair of bright eyes looking back at her.
“I take it you are a fan of Ning Qing?” Gu Xiqiao glanced at her plaque which read “Baby Qing”.
Out of embarra.s.sment, the fangirl hugged the plaque in an attempt to hide it from Gu Xiqiao. “Yeah” I’ve always been a fan of her since she debuted. Seeing so many people supporting her makes me happy. Are you a fan of Baby Qing too? I wonder if I can get her autograph today.”
“I’m sure you will.” Gu Xiqiao smiled at her. “Let me help you with that.”
The fan girl’s face turned beet red. She thought Gu Xiqiao was only teasing her. “Um, no need for that.”
Their short conversation was overheard by the surrounding fans. They all looked at each other with the same look of contempt in their eyes.
You can help her with that? Who are you? Ning Qing’s best friend? Maybe you’re taking this silly act a little too far? You think Baby Qing will answer to your call like anybody else?
Girl 1: “…”
Girl 2: “She said she’s gonna get Baby Qing’s autograph.”
Girl 3: “I heard that she’s Baby Qing’s friend?”
Boy 1: “You girls…”
Gu Xiqiao: “…”
‘You girls w-h-a-t? Little punk! Say the wrong thing and I’ll pummel you! Looking over, she recognized Ning Qing and Li Yu’s car arriving in a two-car-convoy.
She patiently made it to the cordon and swiftly got past it by simply bowing down slightly.