The Reconciliation Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Meeting

Yu Xi really did not know that Jiang Jingbai was returning to China. When she previously called the phone number during the program, she thought that it’ll be like before and no one will pick up. Unexpectedly, Jiang Jingbai did pick up and was even returning to China.

Definitely out of her expectations.

Yu Xi lowered her head and started scrolling through her phone. She was actually in the high school class group chat as well. However, it wasn’t her main account that was added to it but rather her small account. It was Han Yisi that added her in.

When her first drama exploded in popularity, Han Yisi told her that the people in the group chat would compliment her all day, and in all sorts of fashion. Back then, she was still way too young and couldn’t resist the enticement of compliments. She secretly registered for a second account and sneaked into the group chat to lurk about. She even lied to the other classmates that she was Han Yisi’s small account.  

For this, Han Yisi made fun of her quite a bit.

When Yu Xi switched over to her small account, her Wechat was filled with advertisement links, ongoing sales, and breaking news. She scrolled through, looking for her high school class group chat.

She opened up the chat and scrolled up before finally seeing Jiang Jingbai’s name.

There was also her name.

Student A: Did you all see Yu Xi’s broadcast? Was the person she talked about Jiang Jingbai?

Student B: It didn’t sound like Jiang Jingbai. I remembered her voice was pretty soft?

Student C: Nonsense, it’s already been how many years. Voices change so much that even moms have hard time recognizing them sometimes, okay.

Student D: I don’t think so. Back then, there wasn’t anything abnormal with Jiang Jingbai and Yu Xi’s relationship, at most they were just really close.

Student A: Didn’t someone say they saw them kiss around in the dorms?

Student C: Geez, you can’t believe the gossips you find online. Tell me, back then, did you see those two do anything abnormal at school?

Student D: But the fact that Yu Xi clung to Jiang Jingbai every day is real.

Student E: Jiang Jingbai? I just saw her at the airports last week.

Student A: Really? When? Wasn’t she living overseas?

Student E: I thought I saw wrong so I even went up and started a conversion. She said that she’s returning to China to develop her career. You don’t even say, she’s still very pretty. She has an even stronger presence than celebrities. How about we hold a reunion and invite her? I even added her on Wechat.  

Student A: I knew you still haven’t given up. Why, you still want Jiang Jingbai’s attention?

The rest below were a bombardment of people teasing each other. Yu Xi looked at her phone.

Just like before, whenever Jiang Jingbai was mentioned, the conversion would be about her. Back then, she was a prime example of the typical trophy child. She had an outstanding appearance and was even the school’s top student. Every year, she would represent the school and compete in various competitions. She’s received so many awards that her hands would go limp with exhaustion in order to hold them all up. Besides having a colder personality and not really liking to talk and converse with others, one really can’t find any other of her flaws.

Yu Xi remembered once during school, when they were attending the night self-study, the lights suddenly stopped. After the teacher left to check on the problem, the entire classroom erupted into chaos. All the students started to holler around, making a loud racket. There were also students that took out their phones and turned on the flashlight, lighting up the classroom in an erratic manner. The lights morphed the people’s silhouettes into weird shadows resembling monsters baring fangs and brandishing claws. Back then, Jiang Jingbai was the only student that remained sitting in her chair, in the same reading posture as before.

The light swept onto her, highlighting her dignified and composed appearance and refined posture.

At that time, she had absent-mindedly glanced over at Yu Xi. It was then, Yu Xi felt deeply attracted to her and her heart started to experience waves of emotion.

After that, she would deliberately try to get close to Jiang Jingbai and seek her out day and night. Yu Xi would ask her numerous times why she didn’t like to talk. When their relationship had improved to the state of holding hands, Jiang Jingbai held her hand and smiled, replying gently, “Because I like hearing you talk even more.”

Back then, Yu Xi believed that was the most romantic words she’s ever heard.

Unfortunately, it’s always the most beautiful of things that fades away the fastest.

When they broke up, Jiang Jingbai’s face was filled with revulsion, “I’m sorry. I don’t think we’re compatible. I like quiet girls, but you’re too noisy.”

Ah!

Yu Xi closed her phone. She closed her eyes and leaned back into her chair. Zhong Chen, who sat nearby, was currently on the phone. “Okay, Bai-jie. We’re almost there.”

“We’re already at the door.”

Bai Yutang instructed from the other end of the phone, “Don’t go through the front doors, there’s a lot of paparazzi there. Go in from the back doors.”

Zhong Chen looked out the windows, “Okay.”

The driver drove the car to the back of the company where Zhong Chen escorted Yu Xi off. Bai Yutang was standing there to receive them, and when she saw them, she raised a hand and waved. Yu Xi was then dragged into the company.

When they entered the elevator, Bai Yutang said, “Let’s go to the office first. The others, including Old Li, are all there. The new boss is currently at a meeting and will be back around 10.”

It didn’t really matter to Yu Xi. Her schedule had been cleared clean for the past two days. She was essentially an idle person right now. Naturally, everything would be up to Bai Yutang to arrange.

When they arrived at the office, Yu Xi saw Old Li and the others sitting in front of the conference table. Old Li was in charge of her public relations team. When he saw Yu Xi, he couldn’t help but force a bitter smile, “Did you find something else for us to do now?”

The other members of the public relations team wanted very badly to ask about the exact situation with Yu Xi and her first love but there were still even more important things to do at the moment. In addition, Bai Yutang was still there, so no one dared to ask. The office fell into a period of silence again which was interrupted by Yu Xi’s laugh. Bai Yutang clapped her hands, “Okay, let’s get back to the main topic. What was I saying before?”

A girl raised her pen and said, “Bai-jie, I still recommend that we suppress the news and ignore it.”

Someone immediately retorted back, “I don’t think that’ll work. All of the big news media are currently watching over our every move.”

“Then what do you think we should do?”

“Why don’t we expose some of Liu Yuyao’s information?”

“Get it straight, Liu Yuyao has always been a celebrity that counted on her online presence to get popular. Do you want to help her raise it even more?”

A heated debate ensued with people taking turns interjecting their own opinions. Yu Xi sat on the side. Bai Yutang’s assistant lowered her voice and asked, “Miss Yu, do you want some tea or coffee?”

Yu Xi tilted her head, her profile delicate and exquisite, “Coffee please.”

The assistant replied, “Please wait a moment.”

The coffee was quickly placed in front of her. Yu Xi lightly took a sip and then resumed listening to the ongoing dispute.

“How about this. I’ll put out a couple of scandals back-to-back for a few days. Lao Li, didn’t you say you’ve gathered quite a bit. Select a couple out for me. During this period of time, Xixi can’t appear in the public. We’ll wait until the audition for Director Mei’s film is finished before we’ll decide our next move. As for Liu Yuyao-“

Bai Yutang’s expression was conflicted.

“I have news that she recently found a boyfriend, but still do not know who it is.”

Lao Li followed up, “I’ll have someone watch over her.”

Bai Yutang nodded, “Okay.”

She looked over at Yu Xi, “Xixi, what do you think?”

Yu Xi drank her coffee, replying, “Of course, I’ll just listen to you.”

Bai Yutang, frustrated, only glared at Yu Xi. If she was this obedient earlier, there wouldn’t be this much hassles.

It was as if Yu Xi didn’t notice the other’s reprimanding glare, and instead continued to drink coffee leisurely. After the meeting, the group of people started to scatter. Bai Yutang organized her materials and sat down next to Yu Xi. Taking away Yu Xi’s coffee cup, she said, “When I returned to the company yesterday, many advertisement companies contacted us to terminate the contracts.”

“There were even two that wanted to discuss compensation.”

“There was originally a movie that wanted to cast you, but now they’re saying that they’ve already found the female lead as an excuse not to.”

Bai Yutang’s expression was heavy, “Xixi, you should know that this is not a joke.”

Yu Xi nodded, “Bai-jie, I know.”

Her gaze towards Bai Yutang was resolute, displaying a sense of tenacity, “I know what I’m doing.”

Bai Yutang took a deep breath, “Do you not regret it?”

Yu Xi thought about it seriously, “Honestly, quite a bit.”

“I regret not going public about this earlier.”

Bai Yutang, “……”

Bai Yutang didn’t want to talk to her anymore.

She used her folder to smack Yu Xi’s shoulder, her eyes showing a hint of resentment towards Yu Xi’s failure to meet expectations. However, she knew her temperament well. Even though she’s easy to talk to, once she has her eyes set on something, no one can convince her otherwise.

In any case, they’ve already announced it to the entire public. No matter how she argued with the other on these trivial matters, nothing would change. They’ll be better off trying to find her some better resources.

After Bai Yutang left, Zhong Chen stayed at Yu Xi’s side. She had overheard their conversation earlier. Originally, she thought that things were not very serious. All Yu Xi did was come out as liking girls. However, it was only after she was surfing online last night and witnessed catfights on Weibo and people quarrelling in the forums, did she realize the seriousness of it all.

There were still a lot of people that didn’t agree with same-sex relationships.

Especially since Yu Xi was still a public figure nevertheless and had just received two big awards, she easily became the target of the online commentators.  They remarked that Yu Xi will be a bad influence for children and young people by warping their concept of love askew. Although the hate hasn’t reached the point of wanting to block her career, they have already started to amass efforts to boycott Yu Xi’s projects. If, at this point, they are unable to find any more resources and jobs for Yu Xi or if Yu Xi is not able to film any more shows or advertising jobs, then even without having external suppression by the masses, she’ll have to retire from the industry herself.

Zhong Chen squatted at Yu Xi’s side, eyebrows furrowed heavily. Deeply worried about the situation, she asked, “Xixi, what if you aren’t able to find any more films to shoot?”

Yu Xi leaned her head over to take a glance at her. After thinking about it, she honestly replied, “Probably going back home and inheriting the family business.”

Zhong Chen, “……”

Zhong Chen felt like she was wrong. Why would a common person like her be worried for a goddess like Yu Xi?

Even if a goddess can’t work anymore, she’ll still live happily in heaven!

Forcing herself to stop talking, Zhong Chen glanced over at the clock. Nine-fifty. She called out towards Bai Yutang’s office, “Bai-jie.”

Bai Yutang’s voice resounded out, “What’s the matter?”

Zhong Chen stood up and took a couple steps in, “Didn’t we say we’ll go meet the new boss at ten?”

Bai Yutang placed her files down and knocked on her forehead a couple of times, “Right, how did I forget? How time is it now?”

“It’s almost time.”

Bai Yutang rushed out hurriedly and said to Yu Xi, “Xixi, come with me.”

Yu Xi placed the cup of coffee down, “Okay.”

The chairman’s office was on the top floor. The new boss was invited from overseas by Director Hu¹. Apparently, she’s very clever and saved quite a few companies that almost went bankrupt. Bai Yutang spoke to her through the phone twice. The first time was when her assistant asked her to help the new boss find a place to live. The second time was when they scheduled today’s meeting.

The elevator moved towards their floor little by little. Yu Xi stood behind Bai Yutang. She stared at the numbers on top of the elevator, her gaze unenthusiastic.

The elevator dinged and then opened. There were people standing inside. Yu Xi absent-minded looked within and her body instantly stiffened.

Bai Yutang immediately smiled and raised her hand, “President Jiang, hello.”

She’s never met Jiang Jingbai before, but she’s seen her in pictures. She recognized her in only one glance. Jiang Jingbai didn’t say anything. The assistant that stood next to her reminded her in a small voice, “President Jiang, this is one of company’s managers, Bai Yutang.”

“President Jiang?”

Jiang Jingbai looked back down at Bai Yutang whose hand remained outstretched. She reached out to shake it, “Miss Bai, hello.”

The voice was on the deeper end and filled with courteousness, completely different than before. Yu Xi clenched her fist and lowered her head. She gritted her teeth and walked into the elevator.

Bai Yutang introduced Yu Xi to Jiang Jingbai. Yu Xi only nodded slightly in return and in a weak manner extended her hands towards Jiang Jingbai. The contact only lasted for a second before they broke away. By the time they finished exchanging greetings, the elevator had already reached the top floor. Jiang Jingbai and her assistant got off first. Bai Yutang followed close behind. Yu Xi walked even slower with Zhong Chen at her side, who leaned in and said to Yu Xi, “This is the new boss?”

“Xixi, don’t you feel like she looks a bit familiar?”

Yu Xi tilted her head and took another look. Not only does she look only a little familiar, she’s simply super familiar with her.

Zhong Chen didn’t detect Yu Xi’s peculiarities, and continued to say, “But this new boss is really good-looking. Look at her slender waist, it’s actually like a willow. You can become a model with legs like those. And on top of that, she’s smart too…”

Yu Xi wasn’t in the mood to interrupt her, “Happy thirsting over her?”　

Zhong Chen nodded feverously, “Happy.” Afterwards, realizing something wasn’t right, she looked towards Yu Xi and asked in a small voice, “Xixi, are you unhappy about something?”

Yu Xi’s lip corners lifted up. She was smiling on the outside, but not inside, “You’re thirsting that enthusiastically over my ex-girlfriend. Do you think I’ll be happy about this?”

Zhong Chen was at a loss for a few seconds. An ‘oh crap’ flashed through her mind.

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1 Just a note, Director Hu is one of their bosses and not a director. Director Mei is an actual director. Just needed to make a clarification since I’m using the same title for them.

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