Rebirth: Pampered by My Children and Husband-Chapter 284 - : Return to 20 Years Ago (19)

Chapter 284 -284: Return to 20 Years Ago (19)

The night was caressed by a gentle breeze.

After finishing his work, Ji Zeqiu got into his agent’s car and arrived at a highly private club.

A celebrity from the entertainment circle was having a birthday party and had invited many attendees, Ji Zeqiu among them.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, he saw Shen Qingtang alight from the car behind him, apparently also here for the party.

Shen Qingtang lifted her eyes, and upon seeing Ji Zeqiu, she paused briefly. Before she could recover, Ji Zeqiu had already approached her.

Her hand tightened around her purse, and her heart began to race abruptly.

“Are you here for the party too?” Ji Zeqiu asked.

The intense beating of her heart couldn’t be suppressed; Shen Qingtang’s cheeks turned quietly red, and she nodded lightly.

Since they were headed to the same destination, they entered the club together and made their way to the private room for the party.

Along the way, Ji Zeqiu brought up his previous invitation to join Ji Entertainment. “I asked you before if you wanted to join Ji Entertainment. How are you considering it now?”

“I… haven’t decided yet…” Shen Qingtang’s gaze flickered.

“Is there anything about Ji’s that concerns you? If you don’t mind, you can discuss it with me,” Ji Zeqiu asked again.

“It’s not that, it’s more about me…” Shen Qingtang bit her lips lightly, a trace of hesitation crossing her eyes.

Recently, she had been torn between switching to Ji Entertainment and studying abroad.

Every night, as soon as she closed her eyes to sleep, she recalled Sister Han’s words—”Don’t let personal feelings affect your career.”

If it had been the past, she would have chosen to study abroad without any hesitation, but now, she hesitated because of Ji Zeqiu.

Just the thought of not being able to see him once she went abroad made her heart ache unspeakably.

Maybe she really had grown to like him, just as Sister Han said…

Shen Qingtang’s thoughts were a tangled mess in her head; she had no idea what to do, and even her footsteps unconsciously halted.

Her hands tightened by her sides until the pain brought her wandering thoughts back, and she realized she had stood in place for quite some time.

She looked up in panic, instinctively searching for Ji Zeqiu.

Standing silently in a daze, he must have thought she was acting strangely, perhaps even annoying enough to have left.

Later, when they reached the private room, she would find him and apologize.

But when Shen Qingtang saw Ji Zeqiu, who should have walked away, standing with her in the same spot, her body suddenly stiffened. “You… didn’t leave?”

Ji Zeqiu leaned against the wall, not speaking, just quietly waiting for her.

When he saw that her thoughts had returned, he gently lifted his eyes to her, “You seemed deeply engrossed in your thoughts, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Also, it didn’t seem right to leave you here alone.”

Additionally, his mother had told him that one should never walk ahead and leave a woman behind while walking together.

Because of this, he had often been scolded by his mother.

Shen Qingtang’s heart skipped a beat, her lips parting and forgetting to close as she looked away flustered, a blush creeping quietly over her ears under her long hair.

He was always so caring, attending to her feelings even in those moments others might not notice.

Not only on the film set but also solving problems for her during variety shows.

How could she not fall for such a man?

“I apologize, I was just thinking about some things just now. I didn’t mean to ignore you,” Shen Qingtang hurriedly explained.

Ji Zeqiu merely smiled and said, “It’s okay.”

His smile was gentle and carried a sense of ease, showing no sign of displeasure on his face.

Could it be… that she held some small place in his heart, which is why he had repeatedly helped her?

Could he… actually have a little liking for her, too?

Thinking this, Shen Qingtang’s heart thumped fiercely, and even her throat tightened a bit.

She rubbed her burning cheeks, took a deep breath as if she had made up her mind, and looked at Ji Zeqiu with a determined expression, “After the party ends later, I have something I want to tell you. Can you stay behind for a bit?”

Ji Zeqiu looked surprised, stunned by the seriousness in her eyes, and after a moment, he nodded in agreement.

…

The twinkling lights reflected throughout the private room. Although there weren’t many attendees, the party was still very lively.

The atmosphere of the party was luxurious yet romantic, immersing everyone in it.

Everyone was either chatting with friends or playing games, except for Shen Qingtang, who quietly sat alone in a corner.

Her face appeared calm and indifferent, but the violent beating of her heart within her chest betrayed her nervousness; even her palms were sweating slightly.

This nervousness continued until midnight, when the party ended.

Most people had already dispersed from the private room. She glanced at Ji Zeqiu, who was waiting for her not far away.

Before leaving, Shen Qingtang picked up the wine on the table and gulped it down her throat.

Alcohol emboldens the spirit.

“Teacher Ji, there’s something I want to tell you.” Her gaze was intense, firmly fixed on Ji Zeqiu.

“Hmm?” Ji Zeqiu looked at her.

Shen Qingtang took a deep breath.

Just say it.

Maybe Ji Zeqiu liked her a little too?

Otherwise, why would he have always helped her?

The beating of Shen Qingtang’s heart intensified, her eardrums filled with its sound, “Actually, I like…” you for a long time.

“Ding-a-ling…”

A sudden ringtone interrupted the courage she had mustered, cutting off her words abruptly.

Ji Zeqiu looked at his phone as his eyes curved slightly, but he didn’t answer the call. Instead, he looked at Shen Qingtang, “What were you saying you liked?”

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Shen Qingtang opened her mouth, but the rest of her words were stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

She sighed silently in her heart and shook her head, “You should take the call first.”

“Okay, wait for me a bit.” Ji Zeqiu answered the phone and walked away.

Shen Qingtang stayed in place, scratching her hair in frustration.

Maybe another drink to boost her courage?

Thinking this, she looked up at Ji Zeqiu but caught sight of his sheepish yet tender expression, and she froze.

He didn’t know what he was saying to the person on the other end of the phone, his reddened ears revealing his bashfulness, and his gaze occasionally turning very tender.

It was an expression she had never seen before.

Was the person on the phone someone he liked? Or perhaps a girlfriend?

Right.

She realized she had never asked if he had a girlfriend. What if he had someone he liked?

Shen Qingtang stiffened where she stood, the spontaneity of her confession doused by cold water.

The flicker of hope that had risen in her heart felt like a balloon being pricked, swiftly deflating and flying away into the air.

She didn’t wait for him to finish his call and left.