Starlight Has No Past - Chapter 49 Part 3

Translated by Team DHH at http://dhh-workshop.blogspot.com.



Starlight Has No Past
Chapter 49 Part 3

In the southwest side of the Yang City, Zhou Tingsheng had been sending messages to Ye Qiao since 3 o’clock in the afternoon but had yet to receive any reply. He thought she was busy with work and had missed all the messages. After an hour, he started to call her cell phone but the phone was turned off. An ominous feeling entered Zhou Tingsheng’s mind. He drove to the hotel and checked with the hotel staff to learn that Ye Qiao hadn’t been back yet.
The outfit which Liang Zirao had sent was still hanging in the closet of their room, all by itself.

It was only a few minutes before the time he had promised to go home. Zhou Tingsheng drove towards his home, hoping that Ye Qiao was already there. He called Ye Qiao’s grandma, her uncle, and even Qianxi, but no one knew where she was.

The front door of the Zhou family house was wide open. Liang Zirao came up to greet Zhou Tingsheng with a smile when he walked in. She hung up his coat for him and looked behind him: “Where’s Ye Qiao? She didn’t come with you?”
Zhou Tingsheng stopped walking and asked: “She hasn’t come yet?”
Liang Zirao was surprised. “No, she hasn’t. Haven’t you contacted her?”
It was obvious from Zhou Tingsheng’s expression that he hadn’t.

With a gloomy face, Zhou Tingsheng’s eyes turned as dark as night. Liang Zirao comforted him: “She’s a movie star, sometimes she’ll be delayed because of paparazzi or something. Try to call her a few more times.”
Zhou Tingsheng put his coat back on. “I’ll go to her house and find her.”

Before he could walk out, his father’s loud and resonant voice came from inside: “Where are you going?”
Zhou Tingsheng didn’t stop to respond. His father stamped the floor with his cane. “You hardly ever come home and now you won’t have New Year’s Eve’s dinner with us. Do you still take me as your father?”
Zhou Tingsheng had no choice but to turn around to greet his father. “Dad.”
His father pointed in the direction of the dining room and ordered the housekeeper. “Everyone’s here. Let’s bring all the dishes in.”
It was in a tone of voice which brooked no objection.

Zhou Tingsheng stood still at the entrance. Liang Zirao quietly tugged his shirt. “It’s no use going over now. Don’t make dad angry. What if Ye Qiao comes later, are you going to let her see two angry faces?”
Liang Zirao pulled Zhou Tingsheng towards the dining room. After Zhou Tingsheng sat down at the table, his father cleared his throat and spoke. “Didn’t you say you were going to bring someone to see me? Where is she?”
Zhou Tingsheng kept his silence and was still making calls on his phone. Liang Zirao tried to smooth things over. “She’s on her way and should be here soon!”

Zhou Tingsheng’s father pursed his lips, his mustache quivered slightly. “Do you think that I’m too old to have a clear head. I know all about it. She’s Ye Qiao, what’s the big deal about it? The Ye family is a reputable one and they’re willing to let their granddaughter marry into our family. What’s there for me to object it? Why are you trying to hide it from me? Do you think I’m a stubborn old fool?”

Zhou Tingsheng finally looked up at his father, then turned to look at Liang Zirao. Liang Zirao gave him a smile and a verbal push. “What are you looking at! I’ve told dad everything. It took this many years for you to find one, did you think dad wanted you to be single for your entire life?” She whispered in his ears: “I didn’t expect it to be this easy myself. It looks like dad is also willing to let what had happened in the past go, it’s been so many years after all.”
“Really?” Zhou Tingsheng had come prepared to fight if necessary. It took him awhile to realize that he didn’t have to now.
However, the smile at the corner of his mouth only lasted for a few seconds.

The housekeeper had delivered all the dishes to the table and turned on the TV that hung on the dining room wall. On the screen, the news anchor was reporting the latest entertainment news. “We have breaking news. Today, at two o’clock this afternoon, the Yang City police department are currently investigating a new high profile drug case, the new actress Zhao Mo and the hottest lead actress Ye Qiao are both involved. The latter could face imprisonment up to half a year. Our reporters are tracking the story and will update us on the latest information……”

Several news flashes were also sent to Zhou Tingsheng’s cell phone at the same time. Rumors were flying on the internet; some said that Ye Qiao was a good friend of Zhao Mo, some said Ye Qiao was also involved in the previous scandal. There were pictures of Zhao Mo being posted, showing her lingering around nightclubs after the scandal. In the pictures, Zhao Mo looked confused and disoriented, like she was on drugs.
The name “Ye Qiao” was suddenly tarnished.

Fireworks began exploding in the air, welcoming the coming of the New Year.
Yet, what was in the past didn’t seem to have gone very far away.

Translated by Team DHH at http://dhh-workshop.blogspot.com.