Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 21 Don’t mess with her
As soon as her foot injury healed, Shen Guining couldn't wait to return to the dance troupe.

I haven't danced for half a month and I'm afraid I'll be rusty.

When her colleagues saw her return, they all gathered around to express their concern.

Only Jin Yuhan mocked her, saying, "I thought you were crippled, you haven't come for so long."

Shen Guining raised her lips slightly, "I'm sorry, Miss, I've disappointed you."

Jin Yuhan rolled her eyes.

Shen Guining didn't take it to heart.

He Jie, on the other hand, looked at her several times with hesitant expressions, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Shen Guining didn't think she wanted to apologize to him.

During the break, He Jie sent her a WeChat message: "Would you tell anyone about what happened to me?"

So that's what she was worried about.

Shen Guining: [Don't worry, I'm not that bored.]

He Jie: [Thank you.]

Just as Shen Guining was about to put down her phone, she received another message.

Xia Xi: [Sister, it's my birthday this Saturday. Do you have time to come to my birthday party?]

Shen Guining readily agreed: 【Okay.】

Xia Xi: [Hehe, my uncle ordered a huge cake for me.]

Xia Xi: [Send me a message before you come, and I'll have the driver pick you up.]

Shen Guining: [Okay, thank you.]

Xia Xi: [My mom will be coming back that day, I'm so happy!]

Shen Guining: [Then you must be the happiest little princess in the world.]

Xia Xi: [That's why I want to share my happiness with you.]

Shen Guining smiled slightly.

The little girl can be quite heartwarming sometimes.
-
Shen Guining took half a day off to celebrate Xia Xi's birthday.

At 5 p.m. sharp, the driver arrived to pick her up and take her to the Tanli residence.

The villa, usually quiet, was unusually lively today. Balloons, flowers, and colorful lights along the way created a festive atmosphere. At the entrance to the garden, a huge velvet curtain was set up, displaying Xia Xi's birthday photo and the words "happy birthday" spelled out by balloon letters.

Qu Yanci disliked noise, so he only decorated the annex and invited few guests, most of whom were Xia Xi's classmates.

The children gathered together, chatting and eating.

As soon as Xia Xi saw Shen Guining, she ran towards her, "Sister, you're here!"

Shen Guining handed her the gift, saying, "Happy birthday, Xixi, this is a birthday present for you."

Not knowing much about her preferences, I simply picked out a beautiful traditional Chinese dance dress to give her.

Xia Xi happily accepted it, "Thank you, sister!"

"You're welcome." Shen Guining looked around but didn't see Mr. Qu. She asked, "Where's your uncle?"

Xia Xi said, "It seems he's still busy in the study; he'll come over to cut the cake later."

Shen Guining nodded. "Go and keep your friend company. I'll just take a walk by myself."

“Okay.” Xia Xi had the air of a hostess. “The desserts on the table were made by a Michelin-starred pastry chef that my uncle hired. They are especially delicious. Sister, you can try them.”

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."

She wasn't hungry yet, so she went outside for a walk.

There was a patch of roses in full bloom in the flowerbed by the entrance.

Most roses bloom in May or June and begin to fade by August, but these flowers are exceptionally bright and dazzling, with their purplish-red petals swaying gently in the breeze and their fragrance filling the air.

Shen Guining bent down and reached out to stroke the branches and leaves.

Someone gave her such beautiful roses before, but it seems like it was a long time ago.

Footsteps approached from behind. Shen Guining had somehow become able to accurately distinguish Mr. Qu's footsteps.

She turned around, smiled, and greeted him, "Mr. Qu."

Qu Yanci nodded in response, "Not going in?"

“These roses look beautiful. Are they Louis XIV?” Shen Guining asked.

The man gave a faint "hmm".

Shen Guining vaguely sensed that he seemed unhappy.

Qu Yanci lifted his foot and walked into the house.

She followed silently and saw Mr. Qu call Xia Xi aside and say something. Then the little girl ran away angrily with red eyes.

Shen Guining went over to inquire about the situation: "Mr. Qu, what happened to Xixi?"

Qu Yanci's expression darkened slightly. "Her mother didn't come back; she's throwing a tantrum."

Shen Guining was worried. "I'll go check on her."

Xia Xi returned to her room and hid under the covers, crying softly.

The door wasn't closed ajar, and Shen Guining raised her hand and knocked. "Xixi, am I coming in?"

After waiting for a while without hearing a response, she pushed open the door and went inside.

A bulge appeared in the middle of the pink princess bed.

Shen Guining moved closer to the bedside and whispered comfortingly, "Don't be like this. Today is your birthday, you should be happy."

Xia Xi sobbed, "You didn't keep your word. You promised to come back today to celebrate my birthday with me."

Shen Guining sat on the edge of the bed and gently comforted her, "Your mother didn't do it on purpose. Something very important must have delayed her..."

Hearing this, Xia Xi became even angrier, "What important thing is filming? Filming is always more important than me!"

Shen Guining patted her back, "Xixi, have you ever thought that your mother is herself first and foremost, and only secondly your mother? She also has her own career and dreams to fulfill. She brought you into this world and gave you such good living conditions. Moreover, you have a very good uncle. So many people envy you."

Xia Xi remained silent, her emotions gradually calming down.

Shen Guining knew she had taken it to heart. "Look, so many people came to celebrate your birthday today. They're still downstairs waiting for you to cut the cake."

Qu Yanci stood at the door for a while, then turned and went downstairs.

A dozen minutes later, Shen Guining brought Xia Xi back to the first floor.

The little girl returned to normal, and surrounded by everyone, she made a wish, blew out the candles, and cut the cake.

Shen Guining could tell that Mr. Qu didn't like sweets and didn't touch the cake at all.

She had just sat down on the sofa in the living room when a strange man walked towards her.

"It's you."

Shen Guining looked up at the other person, somewhat puzzled, "You know me? Who are you?"

The man's eyes narrowed as he smiled and said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Su Yucheng, and I'm a friend of Xia Xi's uncle."

Shen Guining politely replied, "Hello, my name is Shen Guining."

"I know, I've seen you dance at the theater, your dance moves are superb, and I was deeply impressed." Su Yucheng didn't hold back his praise.

"Mr. Su, you flatter me."

Shen Guining discovered that he was very good at chatting and finding topics to talk about, and he didn't make people feel too disgusted, which showed that he was obviously very experienced.

Although he is also a playboy, he is different from Zhou Shilin, who is a spoiled rich kid. If I had to describe him in two words, he would be "a gentlemanly playboy".

A moment later, a maid came and called Su Yuchen away: "Young Master Su, Mr. Qu is looking for you."

"Coming, coming." Su Yucheng put down his cup, and before leaving, he took out his phone and asked Shen Guining for her contact information. "Miss Shen, can we add each other on WeChat?"

Shen Guining initially wanted to refuse, but then she thought that he was Mr. Qu's friend, so she agreed: "Okay."

Qu Yanci was on the second floor, and from the corridor, he could see the scene downstairs.

Su Yucheng walked casually to his side with one hand in his pocket. "What do you want? I haven't finished chatting with the pretty girl yet."

Qu Yanci leaned against the railing, glanced at him, and said in a slightly harsh tone, "Don't provoke her."