Chapter 557

Recently, CCTV released the interview videos from the previous Internet Conference featuring various big shots.

These videos underwent over a month of review, with constant cuts and edits, and finally passed—no one knows what exactly they were reviewing, but nothing obvious was removed.

There's no help for it; these big shots all enjoy criticizing current issues, and such a large conference naturally requires layer upon layer of review, hence the long delay.

However, once released, these videos generated little to no response—not even a ripple.

Simply because the Internet Conference had already passed over a month ago, its initial buzz had long faded.

CCTV is like this—many brilliant interviews lose their heat due to delayed release, and many videos go unseen.

These big shots' videos are no different; of course, as time passes, more people will watch them, though now only a few still do.

"So the Principal has face blindness and doesn't know Liu Tianxian is beautiful, hahaha."

"He's definitely just pretending. How could he not know Liu Tianxian is beautiful? If he didn't think she was beautiful, why wouldn't he go for someone ugly instead of fixating on Liu Tianxian?"

"Exactly, just loves to show off."

"But the Principal doesn't seem to have any gossip around him."

"We don't know whether he has or hasn't."

"."

The comment count was low; netizens just watched for fun and made random remarks, but those who followed Fang Hong—like Nazha—also saw this video.

"So it's not that I'm not beautiful—it's that the Principal has face blindness. I said I was naturally gorgeous, yet he showed no interest in me. Turns out he's blind."

Nazha felt she had finally found the reason why the Principal never looked at her, and why he remained unmoved when she once tried to give herself to him.

In truth, it had nothing to do with that—essentially, Fang Hong simply had no interest in her; he doesn't sleep with those around him.

Jing Tian also saw Fang Hong's interview, went specifically to the bathroom, stared at herself in the mirror, and murmured: "So beautiful, and no one appreciates it."

Every single girl is self-obsessed.

The truth is simply that Fang Hong doesn't want to mess around—he has his own boundaries.

After creators sliced up the big shots' interviews, netizens only watched for novelty; over time, these videos would be revisited more often as casual entertainment.

Because many later events sparked netizens' interest in them—many of their famous quotes hadn't even emerged yet.

When those quotes finally appeared, people only treated them as jokes.

This year's Spring Festival is on February 18, roughly a month away.

Now, major films have already launched their propaganda campaigns; due to strong box office results in the past two years, many films have been scheduled for the Spring Festival Slot this year.

These include Fang Long's Dragon Blade, Li Bailian and Chen Kun's Zhong Kui: The Demon-Slaying, and Fa Ge and Wang Jin's From Vegas to Macau 2.

Plus others like Wolf Totem, Triumph in the Skies; and also a copycat film, Dad's Vacation, produced by Bona.

Promotional appearances of these film actors can be seen everywhere—in variety shows, on roadshows.

But everyone is watching: what's the Yutu Spring Festival Slot movie? It hasn't been revealed yet.

Is it Gravity? With Liu Tianxian as the absolute lead, she'll certainly have to go out and promote the film, make public appearances.

Regardless of how effective it is, promotion is necessary; also, the male lead Guo Jingfei must fulfill his promotional duties.

This film has few actors—just these two main ones, and Guo Jingfei's screen time isn't much either.

This morning, in a luxurious bedroom, on a white bed, the sheets were tossed about wildly, clearly indicating two people inside doing something illicit.

Suddenly, the sheets were thrown back, revealing Liu Tianxian with messy hair, propped against the headboard, pulling the blanket up to cover her figure.

She took a deep "huh" breath, as if she'd been holding it—still, her fair arms and soft shoulders were visible.

"You crushed me," she said.

"You kept insisting I lie on top of you, and when I suggested changing position, you refused," Fang Hong replied, sitting beside her, also naked.

"I won't change—I like it this way," Liu Tianxian said, poured herself a glass of water, drank, then handed it to the man beside her.

Fang Hong took it, drank, then added: "Then you deserve to be crushed—I gave you the chance to crush me, and you didn't take it."

"Get lost," Liu Tianxian slapped him.

Then she leaned close, her face right before his, turning his head to face her: "Aren't I beautiful?"

"You're beautiful," Fang Hong nodded, looking utterly confused.

"You said I wasn't beautiful in the interview," Liu Tianxian leaned even closer, as if forcing him to see clearly.

"I said I didn't know whether you were beautiful—I never said you weren't. That was just showboating. Are you really taking this seriously?" Fang Hong explained.

"Oh, so that's how it is!" Liu Tianxian relaxed, then added: "So you think I'm beautiful, then?"

"Of course. Who else could be beautiful if not my wife? That's nonsense," Fang Hong declared with righteous certainty.

"Who said nonsense?" Liu Tianxian slapped his face. Though she didn't like hearing it, she was secretly delighted.

"I said nonsense," Fang Hong conceded.

"Hehehe," Liu Tianxian laughed loudly.

As they chatted, a "beep-beep-beep" phone ringtone sounded.

"Grab my phone," Liu Tianxian tapped his arm.

"Who calls this early?" Fang Hong said.

"Just get it—I'm afraid something's wrong. Help me get my phone." Liu Tianxian couldn't reach it.

Fang Hong reached out and grabbed the phone, glanced at the caller ID—a number he didn't recognize—and handed it to Liu Tianxian.

"Hello? Who is it?" Liu Tianxian answered. A woman's voice came through; as she listened, her expression grew increasingly grave.

"Alright, I'm coming right away," Liu Tianxian hung up, hurriedly got out of bed, and began dressing.

"What's wrong?" Fang Hong asked, puzzled.

"Yao Bei is critical— I have to go immediately. Come with me," Liu Tianxian said urgently, pulling on shorts and a bra: "Quick, help me fasten the back."

Fang Hong, just about to get up and dress, turned back and fastened the clasp on her back.

Feeling the clasp secure, Liu Tianxian turned around and saw the man still naked—she immediately frowned: "Why aren't you getting up? Hurry up!"

Fang Hong was speechless; he was going to get up anyway—he was just coming to button your coat.

But he didn't explain, quickly put on his clothes, knowing Liu Tianxian's mind was in chaos.

In Fang Hong's memory, Yao Beina had passed away this month, though he didn't know the exact date—he couldn't remember that clearly.

"Hurry up, go warm the car, don't dawdle," Liu Tianxian scolded him, then immediately went to the bathroom to wash up after dressing.

Fang Hong didn't wash up—he just put on his clothes, threw on a down jacket, and went out.

If he'd washed up here, he'd have been in the way, and who knew what Liu Tianxian would've said to him—right now, Liu Tianxian was frantic and disoriented.

As soon as Fang Hong stepped out and went downstairs, he ran into Xu Liyun.

Seeing him about to leave, Xu Liyun called out: "Son, aren't you eating before you go?"

"No, I've got something urgent," Fang Hong hurried out to start the car—the outside was still frozen solid.

"What's so urgent?" Xu Liyun pressed.

But all she got in response was silence; soon after, she saw Liu Tianxian hurrying downstairs in quick, tiny steps.

She was still putting on her wool coat as she came down, looking extremely rushed.

"Xixi, aren't you eating?" Xu Liyun asked.

"No, Mom, I've got an emergency—you eat yourself," Liu Tianxian said, pulled on her coat, tucked her long hair behind her ears, and stepped out.

As soon as she stepped out, a cold wind hit her—she tightened her coat. A car was parked at the entrance; she opened the door and got in.

Since the car hadn't been warmed up, it was freezing inside.

"Why's it so cold?" Liu Tianxian said.

"Didn't warm it up—turned on the heater, it'll be fine soon," Fang Hong said, testing the air vent with his hand—warm air was already coming out.

"Drive faster," Liu Tianxian pulled out a hair tie and began tying her hair up in the rearview mirror.

She'd just washed her face and brushed her teeth before coming out.

"You still haven't said which hospital," Fang Hong asked.

"My mind's gone blank from the rush," Liu Tianxian slapped her head and said: "Peking University First Hospital."

Knowing the exact location, Fang Hong pressed the accelerator and asked: "How's Yao Beina doing now?"

"I don't know, but from the tone of the call, it looks like she's not going to make it."

Liu Tianxian's mood sank a little; she added: "I talked to her not long ago—she said she was fine. This happened too fast."

"Don't be too pessimistic—maybe it's just a false alarm," Fang Hong could only offer this comfort, though he knew there was no hope.

He couldn't change anything—when he was reborn, she'd already been diagnosed; she'd been treated for four or five years and still hadn't recovered—what could he do?

"Human life is truly fragile."

Liu Tianxian shook her head, her expression dark, eager to speak: "Her condition had been stable—after chemotherapy, she was basically cured, nothing wrong. Then it recurred."

Fang Hong listened in silence; the car's atmosphere was heavy with sorrow.

Soon, the car pulled into the parking lot of Peking University First Hospital. Liu Tianxian put on sunglasses, a mask, and a baseball cap, then rushed out impatiently.

Since she was wearing a coat with the collar up, hardly anyone could recognize her.

Besides, it was winter—pedestrians hurried past, all bundled up tightly.

After asking directions, the two passed the main hospital building and arrived at a building in the back courtyard—this was where the special and high-end wards were located.

Taking the elevator to the floor, they saw many people in the corridor, silent, heads bowed, or looking despondent.

"Xichang."

Shuchang recognized them at once.

Others at the sound of the call looked up toward the end of the corridor and saw the two hurrying forward.

"Changchang," Liu Tianxian called out, then immediately greeted Yao Beina's family: "Uncle, Auntie."

Their friend had only come—Shuchang alone; everyone else was absent. Everyone here was family.

Yao Beina's family nodded; most knew Liu Tianxian—they'd seen her since childhood, but hadn't seen her in years, and marveled at how much she'd grown.

"How's Na Na now?" Liu Tianxian asked.

"The doctors are still trying to save her—the cancer has metastasized and spread," Yao Beina's father said, then bowed his head and sighed deeply.

Yao Beina's mother wiped tears from her eyes, heartbroken.

The others' faces were equally grim—metastasis meant it was serious, nearly hopeless. Of course, medically speaking, there was still a chance—but it was extremely slim.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong exchanged a glance, their expressions downcast.

(End of Chapter)