Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 46 Distorted Feelings

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When Zhang Yan returned to his rented room that evening, his father, Zhang Xingguo, also rushed over from Hengjiang.

That night, the father and son slept on the floor of their rented room, and the family of four seemed to have rediscovered the days when they lived in cramped quarters in the tenement building—they used to feel cramped, but now they felt a little nostalgic.

Both father and son had a lot to say, but because they were worried about affecting Zhang Fang's exam performance, they held back and didn't say a word.

The next morning, Zhang Yan was brushing his teeth by the door when he saw a familiar figure walking towards him.

"Zhou Tao?"

He quickly rinsed his mouth, stood up and greeted her, "You've come at the right time. Fangfang was just talking about you."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on those red lips.

Although I've had quite a few intimate conversations with Chen Hong recently, the one that left the deepest impression was that time on New Year's Eve.

Feeling Zhang Yan's burning gaze, Zhou Tao's face flushed slightly, and she whispered reproachfully, "That day was just a misunderstanding, you're not allowed to... Anyway, just forget about it!"

She had actually hesitated for a long time about whether or not to come today, but after tutoring Zhang Fang for so long, she still hoped to see it through to the end.

"Yes Yes Yes."

Zhang Yan gave a perfunctory reply, then shook his head and sighed, "Those who have abandoned me, yesterday's days cannot be retained; those who trouble my heart, today's days are full of worries."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tao knew that the former was referring to Zhou Nan and the latter to himself.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Zhang Yansheng, and even a sense of guilt and self-reproach.

He was about to get married, and it was destined that things wouldn't work out with Zhang Yan, but that night, he was confused and his mind was in turmoil...

Isn't this just like stabbing him in the back?
"Zhang Yan, you...I..."

She was at a loss for words, but fortunately, Sun Xiaohong came out of the door at that moment, breaking the awkward atmosphere between the two.

"Hey, Xiao Zhou's here."

Sun Xiaohong greeted her warmly, "Have you eaten yet? If not, come and have some with us—don't be so polite. If Fangfang gets into university this time, the first person she'll thank is you!"

"Fangfang will definitely be fine!"

As Zhou Tao spoke, he followed Sun Xiaohong inside.

As she approached the door, she glanced back and saw that Zhang Yan had no intention of coming inside. Instead, he squatted down again to continue brushing his teeth. While she felt a little relieved, she also felt somewhat disappointed.

If I had met him before I met Yao Ke, perhaps...

"Xiao Zhou."

Once inside, Sun Xiaohong noticed that Zhou Tao seemed somewhat distracted, so she quietly asked, "How are things between you and your fiancé?"

"They made up a long time ago, and he has already recommended our radio drama to the leadership."

He said this with a smile, but Zhou Tao felt no joy in his heart.

The two were able to reconcile this time because of pressure from both sets of parents. If Yao Ke's parents hadn't spoken up, even though Zhou Tao had changed his strategy, Yao Ke wouldn't have been willing to complain to her superiors.

Zhou Tao herself was also urged by her parents to get married as soon as possible, and to focus on being a good wife and mother, and not to cause any more trouble.

This made Zhou Tao feel that his relationship with Yao Ke had suddenly changed, falling from a free love to an arranged marriage.

Zhou Tao felt quite uncomfortable with this, and always felt a tightness in his chest when facing Yao Ke.

However, apart from lacking ambition, Yao Ke is otherwise impeccable. Now, reluctantly, he recommended the radio drama that the two of them recorded to the leadership.

This left Zhou Tao with no way to vent his pent-up anger.

After all, she wasn't the kind of woman who would make a fuss unreasonably.

Stop gossiping.

After breakfast, the family of four, along with Zhou Tao, arrived at the Capital Broadcasting Institute ahead of schedule.

Art exams aren't that popular right now, and the Zhang family arrived early, so they were ranked in the teens after registering.

Zhang Xingguo and Sun Xiaohong were giving their daughter some instructions when a handsome young man walked out of the examination room and called out, "Parents, please do not disturb the candidates while they are queuing. It would be best if you could wait for the results from a distance."

Upon hearing this, the parents quickly stepped back. Zhang Yan was about to follow his parents to wait under the shade of a nearby tree when he heard Zhou Tao wave to the young man and say, "Kang Hui, this time you're in charge of maintaining order."

"Huh, Senior Sister Zhou?"

The young man quickly came up to greet him: "What brings you back to school today?"

"I'm here with my younger sister to take the art exam."

Zhou Tao pointed at Zhang Fang and said with a smile, "As long as it doesn't violate any principles, you'll have to help me take good care of her."

Kang Hui glanced at the line and then nodded, saying, "Zhang Fang, number 14, right? I'll remember that."

"what?"

Zhang Fang asked curiously, "How do you know my name?"

Kang smiled slightly: "Shorthand is a very useful skill, especially for hosts."

As he spoke, he nodded to Zhou Tao and said, "Senior Sister, I have other things to do. Let's talk later."

Watching him hurry back to the examination hall, Zhang Yan thought to himself, "This kid is quite the show-off. I hope he doesn't upset his sister."

When he turned his head, he found that Zhang Fang was craning her neck to look inside.

Zhang Yan's face darkened instantly, and he snapped, "What are you looking at? Get back to studying!"

"Oh~"

Zhang Fang reluctantly withdrew her gaze, clenched her little fist, and vowed, "I will learn shorthand in the future!"

Are you trying to learn shorthand?!

Zhang Yan's complexion worsened.

Before Zhang Yan could say anything more, Zhou Tao pulled him away. Seeing that Zhang Yan still had a sullen face, Zhou Tao covered his mouth and laughed, "Fangfang is an adult now, it's normal for her to have her own preferences—besides, Kang Hui is also known for being outstanding in our school."

"An outstanding person is not necessarily a good match!"

Zhang Yan clenched his fists and gritted his teeth: "Anyway, if you can't get past me, all your excellence will be in vain."

After saying that, he found that Zhou Tao had stopped moving.

Looking to the side, I saw Zhou Tao with his head down, clearly troubled by something.

It seems that she and Yao Ke have not truly reconciled.

Zhang Yan recalled what happened on New Year's Eve, and on one hand, he couldn't help but feel eager to try it, but on the other hand, he felt like a beast.

Since completely giving up on Zhou Nan, he has been like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins, his mind always dancing to the tune of the conductor's baton.

Hold back, don't be reckless, we have food at home!
At this moment, Zhou Tao seemed to notice Zhang Yan's restlessness. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly walked to Zhang Yan's parents' side.

After seeing his parents, Zhang Yan regained his rationality and began to worry about whether his younger sister could pass the test smoothly.

The art exams officially began at 9 a.m.

As the line gradually thinned out, it was soon Zhang Fang's turn. Although they knew they couldn't see, the father and son still instinctively stood on tiptoe and craned their necks.

When Zhang Fang came out, the father and son immediately rushed up to her, vying to ask her questions:

"How did you do on the exam?"

"How did you do?!"

"Aren't you nervous?"

What kind of content was tested?

“EMMM~”

Faced with her father and brother's persistent questioning, Zhang Fang poked her chin and thought for a moment before shaking her head: "I think I did alright on the exam."

"Since you did okay on the test, why are you shaking your head?"

Zhang Yan complained, "You're always the most talkative one, but now that you've spoken, you've become mute again!"

"How can I..."

“Alright, alright!”

At this moment, Sun Xiaohong also ran over and pulled her husband, saying, "Let's go back and talk about it. Don't affect their exam."

The family of four, along with Zhou Tao, then left the examination area.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Broadcasting Institute, Zhou Tao said to Sun Xiaohong, "Aunt Hong, since Fangfang said her performance was acceptable, I think there shouldn't be any major problems. Next, let her focus on reviewing her academic subjects. Once the Broadcasting Institute posts the results, I will definitely call you as soon as possible."

The results of the art exams will be announced in about a week. Sun Xiaohong has been in Beijing for nearly three months and is eager to go home. In addition, her husband is also here this time, so they can go home together.

Therefore, I could only ask Zhou Tao to help convey my art exam results.

On their way back, they went their separate ways at the bus stop because they were going in different directions.

Zhou Tao returned home alone and saw Yao Ke there as well. He asked in surprise, "Does the Literature and Art Department get off work so early?"

"No, the Arts and Literature Department and the Broadcasting Department have a joint event tonight, and the leader specifically asked me to host it, so I came back early to change my clothes."

He had just been transferred from the broadcasting department to the arts and culture department, and he had connections in both. Moreover, he was getting married soon, so it was normal for him to be in charge of hosting the social event.

However, upon hearing that it was a joint event with the broadcasting department, Zhou Tao couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is the plan from the broadcasting department? It's been several days and we haven't heard back yet. Why don't you ask them again tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Ke's face fell. He was the last person who wanted to trouble his superiors; he had only gone last time out of necessity, and this time…

He said cautiously, "The leader must have his reasons. No matter how much we urge them..."

"I didn't ask you to rush me, I just asked you to ask!"

"Yes, yes, I'll ask again if there's a suitable opportunity."

Yao Ke nodded and made perfunctory promises, then changed his clothes and rushed out the door as if avoiding a plague.

After he left, Zhou Tao sulked for a while.

Her parents told her to focus on being a good wife and mother, but with Yao Ke's stubborn and unyielding nature, what kind of future could she expect from him?
She tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to fall asleep.

Around ten o'clock, Yao Ke returned home reeking of alcohol. He fumbled in the dark to fill a basin with hot water and sat on the edge of the bed to wash his feet.

"Did you ask?"

Zhou Tao suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

Startled in the darkness, Yao Ke turned around and exclaimed, "What are you asking?"

Before Zhou Tao could answer, he realized what was happening and hurriedly stammered, "I couldn't find a suitable opportunity this time, there were too many people. Don't worry, there will be another chance next time..."

Zhou Tao didn't bother listening to what he was saying and simply covered his ears with the blanket.

Yao Ke said a few soft words, and seeing that Zhou Tao was lying motionless inside, and feeling the effects of the alcohol, he also lay down and soon fell asleep.

The next morning.

Zhou Tao was still sulking about what happened yesterday, but Yao Ke seemed to have forgotten all about it. He happily prepared breakfast and, seeing that his fiancée was still not getting up, said, "Then I'll put it in the pot to heat up for you, and you can eat it when you get up later."

If Zhou Tao is truly the type to be a devoted wife and mother, then Yao Ke would actually be a very good husband candidate.

But who can blame Zhou Tao for being unwilling to accept the status quo?
Therefore, Yao Ke's good temper became a sign of weakness.

After Yao Ke left, Zhou Tao got up. She was supposed to go to work today, but she just couldn't muster the interest.

Why don't we go and see Fangfang and Aunt Hong off?

Originally, Zhou Tao had agreed not to go to see them off today because he had to go to work, but now he was so angry that he suddenly changed his mind.

(End of this chapter)