Rebirth: I Am Not the Movie Queen This Time
Chapter 189: Conversation

Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Conversation

After a lengthy silence, Wan Chu’er finally uttered a phrase that seemed comforting: "Being alone is actually pretty good, no entanglements to worry about."

Upon hearing Wan Chu’er’s words, the driver in front was almost choked. What kind of nonsense was that!

He quickly glanced at the rearview mirror, fearing that Old Sir Zhong would get upset, and said bravely:

"Nowadays, young girls just love to joke, Old Sir Zhong, don’t mind her nonsense."

Old Sir Zhong gave a noncommittal grunt in response.

Wan Chu’er looked at the rearview mirror and saw a face that was almost contorted, desperately signaling her with his eyes. However, the signals were somewhat complicated, with round bulging eyes, twitching cheeks, and shaking his head.

It almost made her lips twitch, is it really okay to drive like this?!

Before the driver’s face could cramp, he finally heard Wan Chu’er take the initiative to start a conversation.

"Old Sir Zhong, why did you hum when I got on the car just now?"

She didn’t know what to say to Old Sir Zhong, so she asked a question that had been stuck in her mind.

Old Sir Zhong hadn’t expected Wan Chu’er to ask this. He subconsciously wanted to hum again, but thinking that she was also a child without relatives, he then said:

"Seeing you keep saying thank you and babbling on, I found it troublesome."

Wan Chu’er: "...You really don’t mince words."

She didn’t bother to argue and honestly replied that speaking the truth was a wiser choice in front of the elderly.

Old Sir Zhong smiled slightly, ignoring her remark.

After waiting a while, still not hearing Old Sir Zhong’s voice, the face in the rearview mirror began to twist again. She really got into the wrong car! She knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, hitching a ride and still having to engage in conversation. Wan Chu’er sighed silently, racked her brains for a while, and then asked aloud:

"Old Sir Zhong, are you still using a wheelchair now?"

"I sit for a while when I’m too lazy to walk," Old Sir Zhong replied.

"That’s not good. Life is about movement, and older people should exercise more to prevent joint stiffness," Wan Chu’er reasoned, then added: "Moving around more also helps with digestion, so you can eat more."

Old Sir Zhong’s lips revealed a trace of a smile as he said, "At my age, I’m no longer greedy."

Wan Chu’er paused, then asked, "Don’t you have anything you love to eat?"

She saw Old Sir Zhong lower his eyes, seemingly pondering, and reluctant to engage with her anymore.

Wan Chu’er looked up again at the rearview mirror, the driver seemed to be waiting for her. Once she looked his way, he immediately nodded vigorously, then raised his head.

This guy was really caring towards Old Sir Zhong, Wan Chu’er had no choice but to continue:

"There are two things I love to eat the most, one is the braised pork my mom cooked, the other is the pickles she made herself. Unfortunately, ever since my mom passed away, I’ve never tasted that flavor again.

If you have something you love to eat, you should cherish it."

Hearing Wan Chu’er’s words, Old Sir Zhong’s eyelids suddenly lifted, and a sharp light burst forth in his eyes, which had been indifferent until now.

He turned to look at Wan Chu’er and saw her straightforward and unguarded. After pondering for a moment, he retracted that glint and slowly said, "The food I love to eat, I have no chance to taste it again either."

Wan Chu’er let out an "Ah" involuntarily and blurted out, "Could it be that you also..."

The rest of the sentence was difficult to complete. Could it be the same as her situation, where the food they loved most was prepared by a relative who had since passed away, making the flavor disappear too?

Old Sir Zhong ignored Wan Chu’er once more, lost in his memories.

In the bleak days, that bright figure was skillful and agile. Everything she cooked was delicious, especially her pickles and that rare bowl of braised pork.

What a pity that fate was cruel. He had made a big mistake and never had the chance to taste it again.

In silence, the car quickly arrived at the entrance of Wan Chu’er’s housing complex.

Wan Chu’er got out of the car deftly, picked up her luggage, and then glanced back at the figure exuding a hint of loneliness. After thinking it over, she still said, "You should take good care of yourself living alone."

Old Sir Zhong remained expressionless, waving his hand nonchalantly as the car started up.

Live well?

For what should he live well?

He had been through all the bittersweet trials of life and found them increasingly tasteless.

...

Wan Chu’er had just pulled her suitcase through the gate of the community when Xiao Bai’s shouting came from behind her.

"Stop right there, Wan Chu’er."

Why did it sound like he was so upset? Wan Chu’er stopped in her tracks and looked back.

Xiao Bai was striding towards her. An Zihao’s silver sedan was parked by the roadside; the window rolled down, and Mai Qiqi waved cheerfully at her before the car sped away.

Wan Chu’er’s eyes widened. Could it be that Xiao Bai took An Zihao’s car to pick her up?!

Indeed.

Xiao Bai came over and scolded her, "You didn’t even give me a heads-up about such a big thing as your return. Don’t you consider me a brother anymore? If An Zihao hadn’t mentioned picking up Mai Qiqi, I would not have known about your return today. What if something happened to you, like getting lost or kidnapped?"

Wan Chu’er blinked. Was there really something to be angry about?

But how could she get lost or kidnapped? Even though the trafficking of women was rampant at the time, she didn’t think she was that unlucky.

"I think..."

"Let’s talk about it at home!" Xiao Bai interrupted Wan Chu’er’s explanation, tilting his chin and saying, "Think about what you need to report to me."

Wan Chu’er: "..."

Why did it feel like he was interrogating her? What had she done?

Xiao Bai, fuming, took the suitcase from Wan Chu’er’s hand and strode swiftly ahead.

On the way back in the car, Mai Qiqi had clearly told him everything about Wan Chu’er and Jiang Kechu.

The thought of it made Xiao Bai’s nose hurt.

Once inside, Wan Chu’er saw the familiar nest, and her entire body relaxed. The house was clean and tidy, leading Wan Chu’er to guess that Xiao Bai must have hired a housekeeper since he wasn’t one to tidy up.

Unfortunately, before she could properly enjoy the warmth of the home, Xiao Bai, looking like an interrogator, sat on the couch and pointed at the chair opposite him.

"Sit down and explain to me what’s going on with Jiang Kechu. I’m not around, and you get whisked away. How can you make me worry like this?"

Hearing this, Wan Chu’er felt a twitch at the corner of her mouth. Something about this sounded so awkward.

But now she understood why Xiao Bai was so angry—Jiang Kechu. She remembered Jiang Kechu mentioning he had punched Xiao Bai, and she felt a sudden headache.

Wan Chu’er made a last-ditch attempt, asking feebly, "Can I not talk about it?"

"Wan Chu’er!" Xiao Bai slammed his palm down on the coffee table and then pointed at his nose, "Do you have any idea how much my nose is hurting!"

Wan Chu’er looked at his nose and muttered, "I think it looks pretty straight."

Xiao Bai glared at her angrily.

As they were at a stalemate, someone suddenly knocked at the door.

Wan Chu’er felt a great relief and hurried to open the door.

"Miss Wan, hello. Captain Jiang asked me to give you the keys to his house and said that he wants you to move in today."