National Tide 1980.

Relieved, Yao Peifang gently suppressed the turmoil in her heart, stepped forward, and tenderly took Qu Xiao's hand, her tone unconsciously filled with genuine concern.

"Miss Qu, how are you doing now?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern. We returned to the team on time that day and didn't cause any further trouble."

That's not what I was asking.

Yao Peifang gently shook her head. "You're here on a government-sponsored performance, so your pay is limited. You must be having a tough time, right? Financially... has President Ning made any arrangements for you?"

In Yao Peifang's view, given Ning Weimin's consistent soft-heartedness and generosity, even if he didn't cross the line or do anything outrageous, he would never stand by and watch Qu Xiao be in such an embarrassing situation.

After all, Qu Xiao was someone he cared about and truly valued, so he would only be more thorough and meticulous.

She asked this question partly out of concern and partly as a subconscious probe.

She wanted to know just how much Ning Weimin cared about Qu Xiao.

He also wanted to see whether the girl in front of him who had moved Ning Weimin to tears was simply aloof and self-possessed, or if she had ulterior motives.

Is it genuine honesty and integrity, or is it being consumed by greed?

But the result was completely unexpected.

Qu Xiao gently shook her head, her eyes clear and open, without a trace of evasion or hypocrisy.

"No. Brother Ning wanted to help me, but I didn't want to accept it."

"Why?" Yao Peifang was genuinely confused, and her tone unconsciously became more forceful. "Wasn't it because you were in a hurry to earn money to supplement your living expenses that you were schemed against and fell into a trap by someone like Gu Huizhen? Someone was willing to lend you a hand, so why did you refuse?"

She found it hard to believe that in a materialistic and profit-driven society like Hong Kong, someone would willingly push away a reliance offered to them when they were desperate.

"Yes, I did make a mistake because I was short of money. I have learned my lesson this time."

Qu Xiao nodded gently, her tone tinged with self-deprecation, but more so with a heavy sense of gratitude and unwavering determination, "But I owe Brother Ning far too much."

She looked at Yao Peifang and spoke each word earnestly and solemnly.

“Brother Ning is the benefactor who brought me into the industry, my mentor, and a benefactor I can never repay in my lifetime. If it weren’t for the opportunity he gave me back then, I wouldn’t have won the model competition, let alone gotten to where I am today. He not only helped me in my career, but also saved my mother’s life. I’ve lost count of how many times he’s helped me. I owe him so much that I’ll probably never be able to repay him in this lifetime, and I can’t think of any way to properly repay him.”

“If I were to accept his help at a time like this without feeling guilty, what kind of person would I be? I would only feel uneasy and restless day and night. What’s more, I’m afraid that I will cause him trouble, affect his reputation, and disrupt his family harmony. I can’t drag Brother Ning into trouble because of my own difficulties.”

Qu Xiao's voice was soft, yet it carried an irrefutable power.

“I just want to live on my own and stand on my own two feet. I can’t repay kindness with enmity, and I shouldn’t add any extra burden to him. I really hope that he can have a happy life, a stable family, and a smooth life. He is the best person I have ever met. He is upright, generous, reliable, and responsible. No one in this world deserves the best life more than him.”

She paused slightly, her eyes becoming exceptionally serious, as if she were entrusting someone with something extremely important.

"Oh, right, Miss Yao, there's one more thing I'd like to ask you. If one day Brother Ning thinks of me again and inquires about me, please tell him that I've left Hong Kong. Tell him that I'll try to work as a model trainer, live a stable life, find a suitable person to date and get married, and that my life will turn a new page. So that he won't have to worry about me anymore."

"Are you... really planning to do this, or... just saying it in anger?"

Yao Peifang hesitated slightly.

Although deep down, she naturally hoped that Ning Weimin would completely let go of Qu Xiao and have no further involvement with her.

But looking at the girl in front of her, she felt inexplicably sorry for her and was even more unwilling to easily violate her professional ethics and deceive the boss who had always trusted her.

"it is true."

Qu Xiao nodded gently, her eyes unwavering. "I've already asked a friend to help me make contact. My contracts in Hong Kong will all end before New Year's Day, and then I'll leave quietly."

“…Okay.” Yao Peifang was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slowly. “Since you’ve said so, I’ll remember your words. If President Ning asks, I will tell him the truth.”

Qu Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved and gentle smile appearing on her face, a smile so pure and untainted.

"Thank you so much. To be honest, Ms. Yao, I really envy you. You're beautiful, capable, efficient, independent, and have your own opinions, unlike me, who's all looks and no substance. People just see me as a pretty vase. It's a blessing for Brother Ning to have such an excellent assistant like you to manage his affairs. I won't say anything more, but I wish you both continued success and smooth sailing in your careers, and that you realize all your dreams soon."

These words were gentle, sincere, and open, without a trace of boasting, jealousy, scheming, or testing; only pure gratitude and heartfelt blessings remained.

Only at this moment did all the doubts, suspicions, unease, and bitterness in Yao Peifang's heart completely vanish.

She finally saw through the true relationship between Ning Weimin and Qu Xiao.

There was no sordid exchange of favors between them, no ambiguity that crossed boundaries, no scheming for mutual benefit, and no entanglement or entanglement.

Even though they both felt a flutter in their hearts, had concerns, and had unspeakable emotions, they both firmly held onto their bottom lines and maintained the proper boundaries and distance.

If we can't be lovers, let's be confidants who trust, care for, and protect each other.

They are the people you can entrust your troubles to in times of crisis, the people you can rely on in times of ups and downs, and the people you can understand without words.

Ning Weimin's gentleness and protectiveness stem from his inherent kindness, sense of responsibility, and deep sense of loyalty.

Qu Xiao's vulnerability and trust stem from their mutual reliance and clarity in dire straits, and even more so from her pride and self-respect that refuses to depend on or burden others.

This is the purest, rarest, and most precious friendship that Yao Peifang has ever seen in the glamorous and complex entertainment industry.

It should be free from self-interest, driven by desire, driven by greed, and unobsessed with the outcome.

I just sincerely hope the other person is doing well, I just silently protect them, and I just hope we can both be well.

At this moment, my appreciation and respect for Qu Xiao completely overwhelmed all my grudges and unease.

Yao Peifang's initial suspicions, bitterness, and hidden hostility towards her had long since vanished.

Instead, there was heartfelt recognition and pity.

Almost out of the most natural emotional response, she reached into her bag, took out her business card, and solemnly handed it to Qu Xiao with both hands, her tone sincere and earnest.

“Ms. Qu, you flatter me. I’m not nearly as outstanding as you make me out to be. I’ve only been able to get to know you thanks to Mr. Ning’s support and trust. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to get to know you. You were the champion of the first ‘Beautiful Orient’ Model Competition and you’re a role model for many people in our industry. You might not believe it, but you influenced me to some extent when I decided to enter this industry.”

She paused, her gaze earnest. "So from now on, whether you're in Hong Kong, Beijing, or Shanghai, whenever you encounter difficulties, whether at work or in your life, just call me. I'll do my best to help. And I'm not doing this because of President Ning. It's simply because I admire you, admire your resilience, your pride, and your unyielding spirit of not bowing down and not relying on others."

Qu Xiao took the business card with both hands, looked at it carefully, and then put it into her bag with great solemnity, a gentle expression of mutual appreciation on her face.

“Ms. Yao, you’re too kind. Actually, that championship was just because I was lucky and caught the right time. If it weren’t for that opportunity that allowed me to enter the industry a few years earlier, I might not have been able to achieve such results. If I were competing with you in the same season, I definitely wouldn’t have made it into the top three. You are more outstanding, more composed, and more capable than me. I’m telling you the truth.”

The terminal at Kai Tak Airport was bustling with people, noisy and hurried.

The two women stood side by side, one still and one in motion, one gentle and one sassy, ​​becoming the most eye-catching and harmonious sight in the crowd.

She is gentle and insightful, upholds her principles, knows when to advance and retreat, and understands the proper boundaries.

A capable, sincere, kind-hearted, reasonable, and well-rounded individual.

Suspicion disappeared, estrangement dissipated, and comparison and jealousy vanished.

All that remained was the rare understanding, consideration, and mutual recognition between the women, as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.

Their originally delicate and awkward relationship has quietly changed from this moment on.

...At the same time, on the airport runway, the plane carrying Ning Weimin and Qin Jun slowly taxied, then took off, breaking through the thick clouds, and sped towards distant France.

The first-class cabin was exceptionally quiet, with only the faint sound of the air conditioning blowing, which only made the surrounding chill even more apparent.

Qin Jun sat next to Ning Weimin, his posture upright, but he would occasionally steal glances at his boss, his heart filled with worry.

Since boarding the plane, Ning Weimin had been sitting by the window with his back straight, his gaze fixed on the clouds and sky rushing past outside, as if he were immersed in another world and indifferent to everything outside.

On the small table in front of him, a box of Cheung Chau Peace Buns was neatly placed.

That was a parting gift from Qu Xiao at the airport, the most representative traditional dim sum of Cheung Chau Tai Ping Ching Chiu.

Each piece of steamed cake with a white outer layer is covered with a bright red square "Peace" ink stamp, symbolizing the warding off of evil and disaster, protection of health, and a peaceful life.

Ning Weimin looked somber and remained silent the whole way.

His usual decisive, calm, and all-encompassing aura had vanished without a trace.

Instead, there was an overwhelming sense of loneliness, melancholy, and exhaustion.

It's like losing something you've treasured for years and can never find again.

It's like watching a time that can never be returned fade into the distance...

A dozen minutes after takeoff, the flight attendant smiled and handed over an elegant menu and drinks list, quietly inquiring about the dining preferences of the few first-class passengers.

Ning Weimin remained lost in his own thoughts, showing no reaction whatsoever, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

It wasn't until the other person gently reminded him again that he slightly came back to his senses. He waved his hand impatiently, his tone so flat that it revealed no emotion, yet it carried a coldness that kept people at a distance.

"No, thank you. Just give me a whiskey on the rocks."

"Okay, sir, please wait a moment."

The flight attendant respectfully withdrew and soon presented him with a prepared cocktail.

Ning Weimin reached out and took the glass, his fingertips gently tracing the cool, smooth surface. He took a small sip, the strong liquor going down his throat, but it did nothing to suppress the faint, lingering unease in his heart.

His gaze remained fixed on the window, his entire being enveloped in a silent and aloof aura that kept strangers at bay.

Qin Jun understood that Ning Weimin's unusual behavior, his low spirits, and his restlessness today were all because of the girl, Qu Xiao, who had come to see him off alone at the airport.

He is still young and doesn't really understand what "love to the extreme is letting go, pain to the deepest point is silence" means, nor does he understand the restraint, forbearance, and helplessness in the adult world.

But he was certain that there was a story between Ning Weimin and Qu Xiao that he didn't know about, but that was unforgettable.

A secret that the boss cares about deeply and is concerned about, yet can only bury deep in his heart and never mention.

However, he had no idea what the two of them talked about or what they went through that night at the Regent Hotel.

I don't know what their past was like, what their entanglements were, or what their regrets were.

Not even knowing the cause and effect, he was filled with worry but had no words to say or know how to comfort him.

Just as Qin Jun was lost in thought, silently worrying about his boss, a very soft humming suddenly began to play in the quiet cabin.

It came from Ning Weimin.

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a hint of sadness that was hard to conceal.

Tender, soft, and poignant, it lingers in the air.

"I once truly believed that life would end like this, my calm heart refusing any more waves. I tried to sever the threads of love a thousand times, but they could not be broken; they circled me endlessly..."

Qin Jun was startled, and subconsciously raised his head, his eyes widening.

He had never heard this melody before; he had never seen these lyrics before.

But every word seemed to flow directly from Ning Weimin's heart—straightforward, sincere, and weighty, containing unspeakable concern, regret, and reluctance.

"Some people ask me what it is about you that I can't forget after all these years. Even the most beautiful spring breeze can't compare to your smile. Those who haven't seen you won't understand..."

The singing was very soft, almost drowned out by the cabin noise, yet it possessed a powerful emotional impact. Each word gently touched the heart, bringing a sudden lump to the throat.

Qin Jun listened in a daze until Ning Weimin finished singing a section and slowly stopped. Only then could he finally suppress his shock and admiration and couldn't help but interrupt to ask a question.

"Boss, what... what song is this? It's so good! I've never heard it before, whose song is this?"

Ning Weimin was slightly startled, as if he had been suddenly pulled back to reality from a very distant thought. His eyes were blank for a moment before he slowly came to his senses.

He glanced down at the wine glass in his hand; the wine swayed gently, reflecting the hazy sunlight outside the window.

After a moment of silence, he sighed softly, the melancholy and tenderness in his eyes becoming even more apparent.

“It’s normal that you haven’t heard of it.” He spoke softly, as if talking to himself. “I just hummed it off the cuff because I was moved by what I saw.”

He paused, then slightly raised his eyes, gazing at the boundless clouds in the distance, and softly uttered four words.

"Let's call this song 'Bewitched'."

"Bewitched..."

Qin Jun silently repeated the four words in his mind, savoring them carefully. Then, recalling the melody and lyrics from before, he suddenly realized what was going on. His eyes, looking at Ning Weimin, were instantly filled with admiration and worship.

He suddenly remembered that his boss possessed astonishing creative talent.

The theme song of the movie "Li Xianglan" and "The Flowing River" which later became a hit across the country and was widely sung were both written by Ning Weimin. The lyrics and music are both excellent and extremely moving.

He always knew his boss was capable, but he never imagined he was capable to this extent.

It was just a farewell at the airport, a fleeting thought, a moment of emotion stirred by the scenery, and a casual rendition of a love song—a complete and moving song, enough to become a viral hit.

This isn't just talent; it's practically composing a poem in seven steps.

Qin Jun was both surprised and delighted, so excited that he could hardly sit still. A sense of honor and admiration welled up within him—he had actually witnessed the birth of a classic love song.

"Boss! Can you sing it one more time? It's so good! I'll record it for you. This song is sure to be a hit if we release it!"

He had become a die-hard fan of Ning Weimin and could no longer contain his excitement. He quickly got up and bent down to search for the luggage above his head.

He took out a portable cassette player from his bag, skillfully inserted a cassette tape, pressed the record button, and carefully and expectantly handed it to Ning Weimin, his eyes sparkling with sincerity.

Ning Weimin was slightly taken aback by his series of sudden actions, and was once again jolted out of his gloomy mood.

But seeing Qin Jun's eager, sincere, and heartfelt appearance, his tense and suppressed emotions, which had been suppressed all the way, were unconsciously eased a little.

He shook his head slightly, a mixture of helplessness and amusement, a barely perceptible smirk playing on his lips.

The deep, unyielding melancholy and sorrow in his eyes finally faded slightly at this moment. (End of Chapter)