Chapter 132: Reminiscing

After a brief rest at the hotel, Ding Heng collapsed onto the bed and sent a message to Long He.

[Ding Heng]: I have arrived in Shanghai.

As always, Long He responded to Ding Heng's messages instantly.

【Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon】: We're rehearsing right now, want to come and join the fun?

[Ding Heng]: Forget it, I'll watch your performance tomorrow.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: []

Ding Heng glanced at Hua Qing, who was packing her luggage in the dressing room, and then lowered his head to type.

[Ding Heng]: By the way, Hua Qing came with me.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Oh...

Ding Heng didn't reply and put his phone back in his pocket.

"Senior."

He called out towards the walk-in closet, "Want to go out for a stroll on the first day of the new year?"

Hua Qing poked half her head out from the dressing room: "I've been to Shanghai a few times before, there's nothing much to see."

"Then stay with me?"

Ding Heng sat up in bed: "This is my first time here. I'd like to go to the Bund. I heard it's not far from here."

Hua Qing pulled her head back in: "Then wait for me, I'll put on some makeup and change my clothes."

Waiting for a woman to leave the house is always agonizing...

Half an hour later, the door to the walk-in closet finally opened.

Hua Qing changed into a light pink cross-collar long coat and a moon-white horse-face skirt.

Ding Heng complained, "Senior, we're just going to stroll around the Bund."

"Is it wrong for me to like dressing up?"

"Then why don't you wear more clothes in the middle of winter?"

"Don't worry, I know whether it's cold or not."

Hua Qing put on a felt cloak, ultimately giving up on the bulky down jacket.

Just as the two were about to leave, Ding Heng's phone vibrated again.

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Hua Qing really came?

Ding Heng: [Question]

[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]: Could you please ask her for a favor?

At 7:30 p.m., Ding Heng led Hua Qing to the performance venue.

The situation is simple: Longhe's backup dancer for a traditional Chinese style single sprained his ankle, and the official performance is tomorrow, so they are short of someone to fill in.

Since Hua Qing happened to be in Shanghai, Long He thought he would ask her to come and help.

People came and went in the venue, and hundreds of staff members worked in an orderly manner.

Longhe's team was communicating with Hua Qing. Several people were gathered in a circle, with one person showing her the original dance choreography on a tablet and another explaining the positioning and rhythm.

Hua Qing stood in the middle, quietly observing the screen, nodding occasionally.

Ding Heng leaned against the wall and waited, his gaze sweeping over the busy crowd.

Half an hour later, Hua Qing returned to Ding Heng's side.

Ding Heng asked, "How is it?"

Hua Qing's expression was relaxed: "It's not difficult... Although I'm not a professional classical dance choreographer, I can probably do it pretty well. If all else fails, I can design some new movements on the spot; the effect shouldn't be bad."

The main purpose of backup dancers at a concert is to enhance the atmosphere; the dance design should not be too complicated to avoid overshadowing the main performance.

For a talented dancer like Hua Qing, improvising a few moves might even produce a better effect than the original.

No matter what, Longhe had helped her, so it was only right to return the favor.

Then Longhe jogged out from the crowd, still wearing his performance costume, his hair a little messy, and his face covered in sweat.

She said sincerely, "Hua Qing, thank you for your help."

Hua Qing shook her head: "It's nothing, let's rehearse a couple of times together and see how it goes?"

"it is good."

The two exchanged a glance and walked together toward the stage.

As Long He passed by Ding Heng, their eyes briefly met, and then they remained silent.

With so many people around and so much gossip, Longhe couldn't afford to be too intimate with his own brothers.

Besides, Ding Heng was able to get in, nominally as "Hua Qing's boyfriend".

Once on stage, Hua Qing began communicating with the choreographer, while Long He stood beside her, occasionally chiming in with a few words.

The two were more than a meter apart, speaking politely to each other, making it impossible to imagine that they had been bitter enemies not long ago.

It was a bit stuffy inside the venue, and Ding Heng had planned to go out for some fresh air.

Just as he reached the entrance of the passage, a figure blocked his way.

"Mr. Ding."

Sister Song, Longhe's agent.

"Mr. Yang would like to invite you to catch up."

Ding Heng was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"OK."

The VIP boxes are on the second floor, directly facing the stage.

The floor-to-ceiling windows are spacious and bright, offering a clear view of the entire venue.

The rehearsal continued, the stage lights flashed, and Long He and Hua Qing were coordinating their movements.

The woman sat on the sofa by the window. She was about forty-five or forty-six years old, with short hair, exquisite makeup, and a smart casual outfit.

She was looking down at the rehearsal on stage when she heard the door open and turned around.

"Xiao Ding."

Yang Sijie smiled warmly: "Long time no see."

Ding Heng sat down casually: "Aunt Yang, it's been a long time."

A tea set and several exquisite snacks were laid out on the coffee table.

Yang Sijie picked up the teapot, poured a cup for Ding Heng, and pushed it towards him.

"Try it."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Ding Heng picked up his cup, took a small sip, and said nothing.

Yang Sijie's gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before she remarked, "When you were little, you looked like your dad, all square and upright. But now that you're grown up, your features are starting to resemble your mom's more and more."

Ding Heng put down his cup and smiled, "Aunt Yang seems to be getting younger and younger."

"Hey, don't even mention it."

Yang Sijie waved her hand, her tone self-deprecating.

"It's all from injections. In a few years, the side effects will appear. My hair turns white and I have to dye it again and again. It's so troublesome."

"It has to be your dad. I check his WeChat Moments; today he's in the snow-capped mountains, tomorrow he's on the grasslands, living freely. His energy and spirit are what make him seem younger with age."

"It has to be your dad. I check his WeChat Moments; today he's in the snow-capped mountains, tomorrow he's on the grasslands, living freely. His energy and spirit are what make him seem younger with age."

"You're too kind, Auntie."

The two began to reminisce, talking about family matters, Ding Heng's parents, and various events from the past.

Ding Heng agreed outwardly, but inwardly he was a little unsure.

He went straight to the point: "Did your aunt invite me over just to catch up?"

"What else? Our two families have been friends for so many years, can't we catch up?"

Yang Sijie turned her gaze to the window and then to the stage.

Hua Qing is rehearsing; her movements are fluid and graceful, and she coordinates well with Long He.

"Is that Hua Qing your girlfriend?"

"I guess so..."

"It's pretty good."

Yang Sijie remarked, "If possible, I could arrange for her to collaborate with Longhe a few more times; it would benefit both of them."

Ding Heng responded calmly, "It's up to her; I won't make the decision for her."

Yang Sijie didn't press the matter further and looked away.

"Xiao Ding."

Her tone changed: "You and Xiaohe grew up together, you know her inside and out. Your mother treats Xiaohe like a daughter, and I treat you like a son."

Ding Heng didn't respond, waiting for what was to come.

"The company has put a lot of effort into Xiaohe over the past two years. All the competitors outside are keeping an eye on her, wishing they could dig up some dirt on her."

Yang Sijie finally sighed, "You protected Xiaohe when she was little, and now that you're both grown up, I hope you can still protect her a little more."

Ding Heng finally realized what was happening and asked with a sigh and a smile, "Does Auntie think I would harm Long He?"

Yang Sijie didn't answer, but smiled helplessly.

Now, Ding Heng is a dangerous and uncontrollable variable in her heart; he knows too many secrets about Long He.

Having come this far, Yang Sijie would never naively believe in old friendships or promises.

She took a bank card out of her bag and pushed it in front of Ding Heng: "This is the red envelope that Auntie owes you over the years. You can keep it. The password is your and Long He's birthdays."

Ding Heng continued drinking his tea without making any further movement.

Sister Song stepped forward and took out a document, which she then spread out in front of Ding Heng.

Ding Heng glanced at it briefly; the content wasn't complicated.

Ding Heng was instructed not to disclose any information related to Longhe to any media outlet, and not to post any content related to Longhe on his social media accounts.

Apart from that, there were no other excessive demands.

In short—hush money.

Ding Heng wasn't sure how genuine Yang Sijie's reminiscing was, but he could tell she was genuinely afraid of giving Long He a big surprise one day.

As for his relationship with Long He, that's actually what Yang Sijie is least worried about.

As Longhe's business develops, the gap between Ding Heng and her will only widen, and reality will eventually make them completely strangers.

Even if something does happen, it's just young men and women having sex to release their needs.

As long as it doesn't get exposed, everything is fine...

Ding Heng pushed the contract forward a bit, then pushed the bank card back.

Yang Sijie frowned slightly: "Not enough?"

Ding Heng shook his head: "Auntie, when my mother was sick, you helped her both financially and physically. My father and I remember that kindness, so I would never do anything to harm Longhe."

Yang Sijie remained silent, waiting for Ding Heng to continue.

"I know you don't believe in verbal promises. If you're really worried... I have a better way."

"What method?"

"I heard that Longhe's contract will change next year, and you are trying to separate her from the company and set up a separate agency."

Yang Sijie's eyes changed slightly. She had handled this matter very discreetly. How could Ding Heng possibly know?

"Since you're afraid I'll expose her dirty secrets, why don't I invest some money in her business, and our two families..."

Ding Heng met Yang Sijie's gaze and spoke calmly.

"We all prosper together, we all suffer together!"