Chapter 1319: Chapter 1319: Those People, Those Stories [End]
Such a decision seems too hasty.
Tang Li had to send a voice message: "If it’s to shake off the scandal, having him as your boyfriend would work just as well."
Wu Xuehan’s reply was a moment of honest silence.
"Ah Li, actually I’m quite scared. It’s only been a morning, and several mid-generation actors have come out to support Ding Qiang. With my intelligence and social skills, I can’t outplay Ding Qiang at all."
As the saying goes, it’s easy to start a rumor and exhausting to dispel one.
Even if she succeeded in suing the rumormongers later, she’d miss the best time to clarify the situation.
For artists, the most unaffordable thing is time.
While she runs around for the lawsuit, perhaps a new actress would emerge to replace her in the industry.
"I’ve been in the entertainment industry for nearly five years, and it only feels like I’ve truly reached the top tier this year. If I become a risky artist, I estimate I’ll lose all endorsements by next quarter; returning to the bottom means I can still survive, but since I’ve already succeeded, I don’t want to lose it all due to a groundless accusation."
A boyfriend doesn’t have as much convincing power as a husband.
Only a red marriage certificate can make the rumors completely vanish.
After all—
With a husband like Qin Yansheng from a prestigious family, who would look up to an old middle-aged man?
Tang Li could understand Wu Xuehan’s feelings, but she still warned her: "Have you thought about how to end this marriage in the future?"
"Mr. Qin discussed it with me; we’ll announce our divorce in five years." Wu Xuehan sighed as she spoke: "I feel like I’m not losing out at all. I’m only twenty-six this year, and divorcing at thirty-one means I’m still in my prime. Thinking this way, I feel a little sorry for Mr. Qin. By then, he’ll be nearly forty, and his prospects in the remarriage market probably won’t be great."
However, for the sake of her career, she didn’t remind Mr. Qin.
Wu Xuehan sighed deeply: "Ah Li, you were right. A person who does not consider self-interest would surely be destroyed by the heavens and the earth."
Tang Li: ......
At seven that evening, Wu Xuehan announced her marriage publicly.
At the same time, she posted photos of the two marriage certificates.
Sharp-eyed netizens quickly recognized the groom in the photos.
Meanwhile, a well-known lawyer in the Beijing Circle retweeted Wu Xuehan’s post and attached a lawyer’s letter stating that screen recording evidence was completed and that he would represent Mr. Qin Yansheng and his wife to sue some accounts spreading falsehoods.
Of course, some netizens still remained skeptical.
In the back-and-forth exchanges, Qin Yansheng happily gained the nickname "People who take over something."
Then, some netizens noticed that [Tang Li V] liked the lawyer’s letter.
For a moment, the internet was in turmoil.
The actors who initially supported Ding Qiang quickly deleted their posts, followed by marketing accounts.
Even the President’s wife stood with Wu Xuehan. Who would dare to continue ignoring the facts?
After getting her marriage certificate, Wu Xuehan moved into Qin Yansheng’s private residence.
At the Tan Palace press conference that year, Tang Li saw Wu Xuehan.
Wu Xuehan attended the banquet with Qin Yansheng.
Seeing Qin Yansheng voluntarily pulling out a chair for Wu Xuehan, a weight lifted from Tang Li’s heart. Although Qin Yansheng "took advantage of the situation," he didn’t treat the marriage carelessly; otherwise, he wouldn’t bring Wu Xuehan to such an important occasion.
Before she could retract her gaze, her right hand under the table was gently held.
Turning her head, Tang Li saw the handsome face of Song Baiyan.
"The responsibility to start the dance at this year’s party likely falls on the most beautiful lady present tonight."
The most beautiful lady present, an indisputable outcome.
The President’s wife, wearing a deep V-neck, off-shoulder black velvet gown, remained young and beautiful, even more so than in past years. When she was led into the dance floor by her husband, under the spotlight, her semicircular necklace combined with embedded jewels and the diamond ring on her left ring finger complemented each other, embodying a luxurious yet simple and noble beauty.
Such beauty was not subtle at all.
In comparison, the presence just as adorned with a wedding ring tonight could be considered ultimate luxury.
It was obvious that the ring this presence wore was rather ordinary.
Yet, this ordinariness on the President became something exceptional.
When the President raised his left hand, the one wearing the ring, to gently tuck a lock of his wife’s wavy hair behind her ear, without concealing his affection, the moment was captured by attending reporters, becoming one of the few photos in his political career revealing such open emotions.
The next day, Congress raised an objection to the attire of the President’s wife at the banquet—
Too ostentatious and extravagant, lacking grace!
This objection was submitted to Tan Palace, and Song Baiyan only wrote three words in response: Noted.
The following year, when the President’s wife appeared in a wine-red vintage gown at the press banquet, once again outshining everyone, the councilmen realized that their leader genuinely understood but whether to change was another matter.
One could say that the only criticism during Song Baiyan’s ten-year tenure was being overly "indulgent and condoning towards his wife."
However, this small flaw became a beloved tale in S Nation’s history lessons several decades later.
Returning to the present.
Right after the press banquet concluded, Song Jingtian also headed to study abroad in Siamese.
On the farewell day, Song Xiaohua clung to her little uncle, crying until her eyes were swollen.
The fifteen-year-old boy let go of his niece, then looked at his big brother who came to see him off, and then stood up to hug his big brother.
Song Baiyan patted the child’s head. Now, Song Jingtian was only half a head shorter than him, tall and slim, wearing rimless glasses, having quite the appearance of a young man: "Take good care of yourself when you reach Chiang Mai Prefecture."
"Mm." The young man in his voice-changing period responded but didn’t let go. Ten more seconds passed before he spoke again: "Thank you, Big Uncle."
Tang Li, standing beside, also heard the address of Big Uncle.
Song Baiyan didn’t comment on it.
In the night, Tang Li voiced the confusion in her heart.
The little fellow already knew his background; why hadn’t she noticed at all?
Then, from Song Baiyan, she learned that Kang Yunxi had returned two months ago.
—It was Meng Shu who personally went to Somalia to bring her back.
"Her body suffered severe damage, contracting various diseases."
Kang Yunxi had been captured by Somali pirates, the consequences of which are self-evident.
Meng Shu only needed 600 dollars to redeem her.
Currently, she was in the late stages of AIDS.
Kang Yunxi went to school to find Song Jingtian, and as long as she wanted to see him, she would always find a way.
The fifteen-year-old boy, no longer the child he once was, had developed the ability to discern truth from falsehood, especially since he was an extremely smart kid.
However, even Kang Yunxi’s revelation of the truth didn’t keep Song Jingtian.
This child continued on his own planned path.
Unfeeling?
For Kang Yunxi, it indeed was.
But Tang Li didn’t think the child’s choice was wrong.
If Kang Yunxi truly had her child’s best interests at heart, knowing her life was nearing its end, she should have been like Jin Lihua, instead of dragging the child down just because she wasn’t doing well herself.
Kang Yunxi has never been a qualified mother.
Tang Li was still lost in thought, her left hand wrapped in a dry warmth.
"Now it’s Jingtian’s turn, and in the future, it’ll be Xiaohua and George."
These children would eventually leave their side, flying towards a broader sky.
Tang Li, returning to her senses, held Song Baiyan’s large hand in return: "Isn’t my companionship enough?"
Song Baiyan chuckled, reaching out to embrace her.
A kiss landed on her temple, accompanied by a soft sigh: "In the coming years, as days and nights pass, I only wish to have you by my side, accompanying me through life."
Tang Li smiled.
She raised her head, kissing the corner of Song Baiyan’s mouth: "As you wish."
[The End]
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The extra Chapter is complete!
Thank you all for your continued support!
Saying ’goodbye until we meet again’ seems a bit early now. There might still be a few Chapters from Song Xiaohua’s diary-style perspective, detailing some trivial matters of Mr. Song’s life after ’retirement.’ It’s up to you whether to read them or not.
Good night for now, see you tomorrow~
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