An Earlier Meeting - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

In the morning, she was woken up by her annoying phone alarm. For the first time, she hated her phone so much. She struggled to sit up and turned off the alarm.

Looking at the darkness that hadn’t completely faded from the room, she chose to turn on the lights first. Before, she would always open the curtains as soon as she woke up, but not these past few days.

She closed her eyes as the light turned on, as it was blinding.

The brightness made her feel drowsy and she almost fell back asleep.

…

After Huang Xiaozhi changed her clothes, she went to knock on her mom’s bedroom door.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Inside, a voice said, “Come in,” and Huang Xiaozhi pushed the door open. She saw Wei Qingwen kneeling on the floor, rummaging through her large makeup case.

It seemed she was making the final preparations for the makeup.

Huang Xiaozhi was still holding a piece of bread in her hand. Seeing this, she was a little helpless. “Mom, why are you kneeling on the floor? It’s cold on the floor. Sit on a stool.”

Her voice was full of concern.

Wei Qingwen also knew the floor was cold, but something had rolled under the bed.

She waved her hand. “Come and pick up this bracelet for me. I can’t reach it.” She casually put her slippers on the floor to show her where it was.

Huang Xiaozhi walked over and crouched down, saying with a smile, “Okay, okay, I’ll do it. Let me see what kind of precious bracelet is worth you getting on the floor for.”

Wei Qingwen, caught in the act, scratched her neck sheepishly. She knew her daughter was concerned about her.

Huang Xiaozhi knelt on her side, reaching her arm under the bed, with only her head remaining outside. Wei Qingwen watched her with bated breath.

She finally got it out.

Huang Xiaozhi dusted it off and handed the bracelet to Wei Qingwen. “You were looking for this? You still have this bracelet?”

Wei Qingwen took it and wiped it carefully. She looked up and said, “Of course, I still have it. Your grandma bought this for you. Your great-grandma, she always thought of you.”

Her great-grandma had passed away peacefully the year Huang Xiaozhi was born. She almost didn’t remember this pair of small silver bracelets.

“How did it fall under the bed?”

Wei Qingwen sighed. “I was going to do your makeup, and I took the wrong box. When I opened it, it was a mess, and the bracelet rolled under.”

Huang Xiaozhi patted Wei Qingwen’s shoulder to comfort her.

She understood how much her mom treasured it. “Okay, okay, eat some bread first. After you’re done with your makeup, we’ll go to school.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Qingwen snatched the bread from her hand.

The mother and daughter sat on the edge of the bed, eating bread and chatting about fun things from her childhood.

When Huang Xiaozhi was very young and didn’t understand what “great-grandma” meant, Wei Qingwen always explained it patiently. So in Huang Xiaozhi’s memory, she was a kind and loving old lady.

Wei Qingwen had once said that she spent a lot of her childhood at her grandma’s house. Her grandma played with her and loved her very much.

What made Huang Xiaozhi most emotional was her mother’s family’s strong genes. Every single one of them had an outstanding appearance.

…

After they finished eating, they started on the makeup.

Huang Xiaozhi sat on a short stool, and Wei Qingwen sat on the sofa, carefully drawing on her face. She wiped and drew, stroke after stroke.

Huang Xiaozhi wore headphones and listened to music the whole time, trusting her mother to do her thing. Wei Qingwen had learned makeup years ago, and her skills were pretty good.

It took almost two hours to finish. The “little peacock” now only had a head that looked like one, but not a body.

Wei Qingwen looked at her work, extremely satisfied.

After looking in the mirror, Huang Xiaozhi sincerely gave Wei Qingwen two thumbs up.

Not bad. Once she changed into her clothes, it would be perfect.

Both of them were very satisfied. They packed up and left.

As a special guest parent, Wei Qingwen had also prepared small gift boxes for every student and teacher in the class.

It was not very crowded when the mother and daughter entered the school. Wei Qingwen was dressed in a very youthful way today, and she looked like sisters with Huang Xiaozhi.

Yu Wen had arrived at school even earlier. As a host, she was already dressed and had her makeup on.

When Huang Xiaozhi walked into the classroom, she almost didn’t recognize her—the makeup was very heavy. Yu Wen had already put on a long, red fishtail gown and had a mature and elegant aura.

Wei Qingwen followed behind them.

Huang Xiaozhi walked up and patted Yu Wen’s shoulder. She stuck her head out playfully. “Hi, Princess. You’re looking a little pretty today!” This was basically Huang Xiaozhi’s ideal body type.

Yu Wen chuckled. She used her fingertips to gently cup Huang Xiaozhi’s chin. “You look great, too, little peacock.” To be honest, she really looked like a white peacock.

Wei Qingwen looked at Yu Wen, as if she was looking at her younger self. Yu Wen’s style perfectly showcased her poise and sharp edge.

Wei Qingwen excitedly took out her phone. “Come on, come on, both of you stand still. I’m going to take a photo of you guys!” She gave them directions as she spoke. Huang Xiaozhi was on the left and Yu Wen was on the right. They were both a little awkward. Later, Huang Xiaozhi made a peace sign and leaned towards Yu Wen. Yu Wen also turned slightly, resting one hand on the other’s elbow.

After the first photo, Wei Qingwen said, “Let’s take a serious and cool one!” She planned to post it on the school forum.

Huang Xiaozhi tilted her head slightly. When she wasn’t smiling, her aura was as arrogant as a real peacock princess. Yu Wen just needed to have a serious expression to look good enough.

After taking the photos, Wei Qingwen couldn’t stop smiling. The two girls looked at the inexplicably excited woman, a little puzzled.

Huang Xiaozhi leaned in and took the phone. She looked at the photos with Yu Wen, “isolating” Wei Qingwen. After looking at them, she admired her mom’s versatility even more.

Huang Xiaozhi gave her another thumbs up, and Wei Qingwen looked proud.

Yu Wen suggested, “Auntie, you’re a really good photographer. Would it be too much to ask another student to take a photo of the three of us?”

Wei Qingwen was even more excited. “Of course! Go find a student. I’ll fix my hair.” In reality, she was a little nervous. After all, she was almost forty.

Yu Wen went to find someone.

Huang Xiaozhi noticed that Su Li’s seat was still empty. Her heart sank—she never missed an event.

She found a girl from another class to help and used Yu Wen’s camera.

After they agreed, the girl took the camera.

Yu Wen walked over, holding up her skirt. She had already taken off her jacket, revealing her smooth shoulders and neck.

At this point, Huang Xiaozhi had also changed into her white peacock costume, which blended perfectly with her makeup.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yu Wen’s eyes. She just said, “You look beautiful.”

Wei Qingwen stood in the middle and hugged the two of them. The three of them smiled brightly, and a warm and loving photo was captured. After taking two pictures, the girl returned the camera, and Yu Wen handed it directly to Huang Xiaozhi.

Huang Xiaozhi and Wei Qingwen squeezed together to look at it. In the photo, Yu Wen’s red dress highlighted her curvy figure, and her expression was unique. Huang Xiaozhi was a happy and beautiful little peacock. The most amazing one was Wei Qingwen. She was captured with the sprightliness of her youth, with an added touch of mature poise and grace, even outshining Yu Wen.

The broadcast sounded, calling the hosts to the stage. It was time for Yu Wen to go.

Huang Xiaozhi picked up the jacket from the stool and put it on Yu Wen. “It’s cold in the morning.”

Yu Wen thanked her softly and nodded. She held her skirt and her script and left.

The students in the classroom were all busy with their own things. Wei Qingwen went to help the students in the choir with their makeup.

Huang Xiaozhi stared at Su Li’s empty seat, her unease growing. She found her homeroom teacher, He Wei. “Teacher He, why isn’t Su Li here yet today?”

He Wei had just taken a sip of water and was leaning on his desk. “Su Li sent me a message last night saying she would be a little late. What’s wrong?”

A little late… she should be fine, right? Huang Xiaozhi felt a little relieved. “Nothing, Teacher He. I’ll go downstairs and get ready now.” He Wei nodded.

As she left the office, her skirt swayed lightly with her steps. The beautiful white peacock walked quickly back to the classroom.

A little late is fine. She’s looking forward to Su Li taking her photos.

The sunlight shone into the building. It was a little blinding and made Huang Xiaozhi a little uncomfortable.

But when she saw her mom and her classmates getting along so well in the classroom, she felt that the sunlight was just right.

At first, the students had some prejudices against Wei Qingwen. But after seeing her taking photos and group photos with such grace, the prejudices had long since vanished, leaving only envy—envy that Huang Xiaozhi had such a loving, talented, and beautiful mom.

Huang Xiaozhi told her mom that she was going downstairs to see Yu Wen. After saying that, she walked quickly downstairs.

Wei Qingwen stayed behind to tidy up.

She had already seen Yu Wen’s dazzling red from upstairs.

Huang Xiaozhi quickly walked down the stairs, holding her white skirt. The skirt fluttered, making her look lively and adorable.

When she got out of the building, she saw Yu Wen standing properly with the male host. The school’s photographer was taking pictures of them.

Huang Xiaozhi knew not to go over and bother them. Yu Wen was so stunningly beautiful. The male host next to her looked a little plain.

In fact, Yu Wen had noticed Huang Xiaozhi as soon as she came down, but she didn’t dare to look at her directly. She could only follow her with her peripheral vision.

She saw Huang Xiaozhi standing alone on the side, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with the edge of her skirt, her gaze fixed on her.

Students started pouring onto the field to gather. Huang Xiaozhi was soon swallowed by the crowd. When Yu Wen looked again, she was gone.

The teacher told the students to sit down. Huang Xiaozhi followed the crowd to her class’s spot. Yu Wen anxiously searched for the white peacock in the crowd.

She spotted her immediately.

Huang Xiaozhi was waving at her. It was as if the wind had specially made a gap for her.

Yu Wen smiled back and turned to prepare for the opening. It was almost time.

Huang Xiaozhi held the camera (Yu Wen hadn’t taken it back, so she had been carrying it with her). She was determined to capture Yu Wen’s most beautiful moment.

…

The hosts went on stage. Yu Wen was confident and poised. The red accessory on her earlobe added to her charm. To avoid bothering others, Huang Xiaozhi stood closer to the side of the stage to take pictures.

When she pressed the shutter, she captured the moment when Yu Wen’s eyes were as bright as stars—she truly belonged in this place of light.

Huang Xiaozhi knew her skills were average, but the subject was radiant enough.

Wei Qingwen sat in the front row of the parent section, looking at Yu Wen as if she was looking at her younger self when she was the school beauty.

The more she looked, the more she felt that Yu Wen had unlimited potential and would become a great beauty in the future. A smile lingered on her lips. Her expression was gentle and kind. She was completely unaware that the school photographer had also captured her in his lens.

After Yu Wen finished speaking, she went off stage. The senior’s classical dance began. The dance moves were graceful, and the photographer was busy.

Yu Wen held her script and microphone, standing quietly by the side of the stage. Just like that, Huang Xiaozhi couldn’t take her eyes off her.

After admiring her for a while, Huang Xiaozhi went back to her seat to watch the performance.

The art festival programs were all wonderful.

Huang Xiaozhi’s program was the third to last. She watched with full attention. After the fifth to last program ended, she went to get ready.

She happened to run into Yu Wen. Huang Xiaozhi gave her a flirtatious look, and Yu Wen understood, tilting her head and chuckling softly.

This subtle interaction was caught by Wei Qingwen. The corners of her mouth turned up crazily.

Huang Xiaozhi went on stage.

Wei Qingwen immediately took out her phone. Yu Wen had also, at some point, taken her camera back and was standing below the stage, ready to take pictures. Luckily, she wasn’t the next host.

The photographers were in position.

On stage, Huang Xiaozhi transformed into a real white peacock. Her sheer dress danced, and her posture was perfect.

Yu Wen captured the moment when a peacock gazed forward, its skirt floating in the air.

It had been a long time since Huang Xiaozhi had shown this side of herself to an audience. The peacock dance was something she learned as a child. She had stopped because of fatigue.

At the end, the white peacock spun rapidly, its skirt blooming like a flower.

“Click.”

It wasn’t until the curtain call that the audience seemed to wake up from a dream. Applause thundered. Huang Xiaozhi, standing on the high stage, was out of breath. Her gaze easily locked onto Yu Wen in the crowd.

She was born to be on stage. At this moment, she was a beautiful piece of art.

After coming off stage, Yu Wen walked toward her and gave her a big thumbs up—the highest form of praise from the number one in the grade. She had done a great job.

Yu Wen opened her arms. She wanted to hug this piece of art.

Huang Xiaozhi responded without hesitation, tightly hugging her red rose.

Through the sequins of the fishtail dress and the peacock feathers, this most pure hug made Huang Xiaozhi’s cheeks feel a little hot.

Both of them, in ways they had never been before, deeply captivated each other and everyone around them.