smoke like fire

After the Lantern Festival, something unexpected happened.

The latest issue of the gossip magazine was published. Originally, those were far away entertainment about other people, but I didn't expect that one day, the topic character would be Ms. Zhao.

The headline was sensational: Xiao Kai, surnamed Cao, had an extramarital affair, and left his wife regardless of his secret love for a 50-year-old lady.

I went to Qiu Yisen's hair salon and went to the office on the second floor to look for him.Seeing me coming, he immediately took the issue of the magazine to me.I didn't come here for this matter, but it didn't seem to matter anymore.

I looked at the cover and was stunned.

Qiu Yisen said: "This lady is really amazing."

I didn't speak, and quickly read the entire report.In addition to the incident with Cao Zongqing, the reporter also wrote about Ms. Zhao's entanglements with Cao Zongqing's father in the past, describing her as having everything, with irony in every sentence.I didn't know what to think for a while, I just felt full of confusion.I can't guess what Zhao Kuanyi will think when he sees it.

I felt helpless for a while.Because I can't say that I didn't know that Miss Zhao had Cao Zongqing by her side.Although it is not at all clear to what extent between them.After asking several times before, Ms. Zhao still refused to admit it, and even got angry.

Distraught, I looked for a fire to light a cigarette.

Qiu Yisen said: "Turn on the TV to watch the news in the morning, every news station is reporting this. It's eleven o'clock now, there will probably be new news."

I asked, "What news?"

"Any kind of news is fine. The reporter must stop the two protagonists early on. If they can't be stopped, just ask anyone nearby. Anyway, it's fools who let such good news go." Qiu Yisen said, The TV turns on.

As soon as the screen opened, a series of news in this regard broke out immediately.

It was also because of the political background of Mrs. Cao's family, and thanks to various media, the level of disturbance was more intense than expected.Fang knew that the first photo taken by the reporter was not the two of them, but a male celebrity. He went to Maldives on New Year's Day, and only saw the male celebrity rendezvous with Ms. Zhao and Cao Zongqing, but no other women.The reporter regarded Ms. Zhao as the male celebrity's new love, and took photos of the three of them or Ms. Zhao and Cao Zongqing alone.

When the photos were sent back to the company, no one would have expected that someone would recognize Ms. Zhao, and even know that Cao Zongqing, and went down to check and take more photos, which led to this even more astonishing three-year extramarital affair.Seeing the female anchor holding a pictorial, looking at the relationship diagram of the characters on it, and analyzing it on her own, it was a headache.

"Don't watch it," I said, turning off the TV.

Qiu Yisen said: "It's like this anyway, let's make a fuss for a week, wait for other more exciting news to come out, and quickly cover this up."

I smoked a cigarette, worried: "If only it were so easy."

Qiu Yisen raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "That's none of your business."

I don't answer.

After an afternoon, the progress of this news was far beyond imagination.Today's media power is too far-reaching.Although it has never been very difficult to know about the relationship between Miss Zhao and Zhao Kuanyi; they did not hide it.

In the past, many rumors about Zhao Kuanyi were related to popular actresses, and the reporters soon knew who he was.When the anchors of every news TV station report for this story, they have to comment on the good parentage of the mother and son, and even bring up the subtle connections between Zhaomei and Liantian.

It also brought out that Cao Zongqing has always had money difficulties.Because the company is not entirely up to him, and there is still a wife in the family who controls some of his private investments, which may be dependent on Ms. Zhao's assistance.

I can't help worrying about the whereabouts of her jewelry and watches for Miss Zhao.It is not impossible.Last year, she fell and injured for unknown reasons, and then suspected to have lost a new watch.

I called Ms. Zhao, but I still couldn't get through. No one answered her home, studio, or even the dance classroom.After thinking about it, I dialed Zhao Kuanyi's number instead.

The other end rang for a long time before it was connected. It wasn't him, it was Fan Yuejiao.She told me tactfully that Zhao Kuanyi was in a meeting and it would not end within two to three hours.

Hanging up the call, I lit a cigarette.Ever since I heard the news, I can't help but feel restless all day long, unable to focus on one thing.

I always feel that the current situation is already very bad, as if something worse is about to happen.

Until he left the company in the evening, Zhao Kuanyi did not reply to a single call.

I drove back and thought about it halfway, so I made a detour and drove in the direction of Yangmingshan.The locations photographed in the magazine did not include the villa, but mainly in Ms. Zhao's apartment in the urban area.Besides, there are controls on the periphery of the villa area, so reporters should not be ambushing there.

When we arrived in front of the villa where Ms. Zhao lived, the surroundings were quiet, and there was no car at this time.Looking in through the iron gate outside, I saw that the house was completely dark.Curtains were hung where there were probably windows.

I got out of the car and went up to the doorbell.

The walkie-talkie made two beeps before a low woman's voice came out: "Excuse me, who is it?"

In fact, this kind of walkie-talkie can see the image inside. I moved closer so that the other party could see it better, and said, "Sister Xia? It's me, Cheng Jingcheng."

Sister Xia said, "Oh, Mr. Cheng."

Seeing that she still didn't open the door, I looked around first and said, "It's just me, and I don't see anyone else beside me."

There was no sound at the other end, but the iron gate was unlocked with a snap.I pushed the door in and closed it again, and the front door on the other side of the house seemed to open and let in a glimmer of light.

I walked over quickly, and sister Xia let me in, and then hurriedly closed the door behind me.The living room was fairly tidy, but the cushions that were usually arranged neatly on the sofa were scattered all over the floor, and a thin blanket was also lost on the sofa.I didn't see Miss Zhao's people.

"Mr. Cheng, do those things matter?"

Miss Xia asked from behind.She has never been a talkative person, so she probably panicked too.I just asked, "Where's your wife?"

Sister Xia said: "My wife is upstairs and slept for a while. I was downstairs before and kept complaining about headaches. I found some pills for her, but there weren't many left."

I thought for a while and asked, "Has she ever gone out in the morning?"

Sister Xia nodded and said: "I went out and came back soon, the phone at home kept ringing, my wife unplugged the line, but her cell phone was still ringing, I don't know who I was talking to, it was so noisy. "

I kept silent, and suddenly heard a few bangs from upstairs.Without much hesitation, I went upstairs quickly and entered Ms. Zhao's bedroom. I was greeted by the rich fragrance of flowers full of all kinds of sweetness.

Ms. Zhao was standing in front of the dressing table, pressing the corners of the table with both hands, her face was drooping, her hair in the shawl was all loose, and her shoulders were shaking.A few glass bottles were broken on the ground not far from her feet, and a large puddle of water spread out, as if the perfume had been knocked over.

I stepped forward and called her, "Auntie."

Ms. Zhao seemed to be frightened, and her whole body was shocked, as if she was about to fall down.I hurried to hold her arm.She looked at me, her complexion was not very good, and there was water in her eyes.She seemed at a loss, and let me take her to sit on the chaise longue.I motioned for Sister Xia to clean up the floor.

After Sister Xia went out, I looked at Miss Zhao, and she looked at me too, and suddenly seemed to wake up.

She rolled her eyes and said angrily: "You don't even know how hateful those reporters are! They secretly filmed, violated my privacy, and stayed at the dance studio, filming non-stop, and following them all the way—fortunately, there are still controls here. Otherwise, I have to follow to the front of the house, but I must sue them." Looking at the mobile phone next to the chair, "A lot of people keep calling, whether they recognize it or not, you know what they are saying to me, I can't listen to it! "

I waited for her to finish venting, and only asked, "Is what the report said true?"

Ms. Zhao was still furious, with a hint of perfunctory: "So what if it's true or not, now those people don't get my consent—"

I couldn't help lowering my voice, "So it's true?"

Miss Zhao fell silent for a moment.

I feel a little tired.Thinking of the past again, I was suddenly a little angry.I said, "Auntie, you are so stupid. Regardless of your age, he has a wife. Forget about the past, why are you now—you have to think about it."

Ms. Zhao immediately sat up straight, and raised her voice: "Why don't I think about him? What position do you use to question me? Did Kuan Yi ask you to come here? Okay, I tell you yes! It's true, then The reports are all true, right?"

I do not speak.

Ms. Zhao took a breath and looked at me bitterly, but her face changed quickly, as if panicked.I paused, turned around and saw Zhao Kuanyi.His coat had not been taken off, and his hair was still unruly.The expression was light, and no emotion could be seen.

Sister Xia was also there, standing behind Zhao Kuanyi with a look of bewilderment.

Zhao Kuanyi tilted his head and ordered: "Sister Xia, please pour me a glass of water for my mother."

"Okay, sir."

Miss Xia hurried away.Zhao Kuanyi walked in, as if he didn't see me.He only looked at his mother, and said calmly: "It seems that there is no need to ask anything."

Miss Zhao pursed her lips and said nothing.

Zhao Kuanyi didn't say anything, just looked around the room as if.He suddenly walked towards the bed and picked up a watch box on the bedside table.

He opened it, and it was empty.He said: "Have you sold it? Maybe it's not just this one, including the previous ones. How many watches do you still have? Or jewelry... Maybe even sell the stock of Grandpa's company and give it to that man in cash." ?”

Miss Zhao remained silent and turned her face away.

Zhao Kuanyi put down the watch box, looked at his mother, frowned and said, "I used to be a college student, but now I'm a married man—it's amazing, I don't feel ashamed, and I'm complacent here."

Miss Zhao seemed to be stunned, and tremblingly said: "What are you talking about? You talk to mother like that?"

Zhao Kuanyi snorted and said: Do you still remember that you are a mother?That’s right, you’ve always been like this, you’re desperate, you don’t want to be responsible, you can do whatever you want, when you’re happy, you’re my mother, when you’re not, you’re not, you just want to talk about love and make a lot of trouble trouble!When will you be unselfish? "

Miss Zhao's entire face turned pale, but she was even more angry.She raised her voice: "There is no one like me who is a mother! I always want to see my son's face."

Zhao Kuanyi said: "If you are not guilty, you don't need to look at my face."

Ms. Zhao's eyes were full of hatred, she shouted: I know!You've always hated me as a mother. "

Zhao Kuanyi was silent and said after a while: "I only hate that you gave birth to me willfully."

Ms. Zhao seemed to be stunned, and her body seemed to tremble, as if she was angry, "You actually said something like this - you get out - get out!"

"Okay, I don't care about this matter." Zhao Kuanyi said, and walked out of the room.

Passing by me, I saw him frowning tightly.He still didn't look at me.My heart froze.I looked at Ms. Zhao, her face was full of shock and anger, she hugged herself with both hands, her eyes seemed to be red.

"Aunt--"

"Don't talk to me, you've always been on the same side as him!" Miss Zhao said, turning her face away angrily: "You go out too, all out!"

I didn't speak, but stood still, watching her slowly weeping, covering her face with her hands, and leaning on the cushion, as if crying bitterly, making whining noises non-stop.

I walked out silently.

I went downstairs, and Zhao Kuanyi was still there.

The curtain of a floor-to-ceiling window was drawn, and he stood there, facing the windowpane that reflected the night like a mirror, holding a cigarette between the fingers of one hand.

Probably aware of it, he turned around and glanced at me.

I couldn't help explaining: "I don't know this very well."

He turned around without speaking.When I walked over, he said, "With such a mother, I am no better than anyone else."

I paused, and could only say: "Auntie just made a mistake for a while."

Zhao Kuanyi smoked a cigarette and said, "For a while? Do you believe it?"

I said, "She was wrong, but—"

Zhao Kuanyi interrupted impatiently, "Don't explain to her—" After a pause, "I don't want to say harsh words to you."

I was silent, but faintly annoyed.At the beginning, he had an attitude of rejecting others.I said, "I don't explain anything to my aunt, but I can't really leave it alone."

Zhao Kuanyi looked at me and said: "It's my business whether to solve it or not. Anyway, you don't care. Besides, she is doing it on her own, knowing that she can't do it, because of the momentary happiness, she doesn't care about others, she doesn't consider the reality, she just wants to talk about it. Love, in the end it's a waste of time, a lot of trouble."

I froze.It was almost unexpected that he would say such a thing.This is talking about his mother, but it is not the situation between me and him.

At this moment, I had a lot of emotions, so I snorted and blurted out: "I'm not like this too—" Zhao Kuanyi seemed to pause, turned away, and said in a slower tone: "I'm talking about my mother now, it's different."

It's the same, I think.But still silent.

Zhao Kuanyi also did not speak.