I Refused to Be a Substitute, and Shot to Fame on a Variety Show With My Mother-In-Law

88 The Daughter of an Old Friend

Li Xiwu answered, “Li.”

The smile faded from the old lady’s face and transformed into an expression Li Xiwu couldn’t read. It was complicated. She couldn’t explain it. It was as if… she was looking at someone through her, but it also seems like she was the only one she was looking at. But she didn’t think much of it. Because this was the first time she had seen this old lady today.

Li Xiwu did not know that the netizens in the live-stream were no longer calm when the old lady appeared. Originally, because Pei Jingzhou had temporarily left, there were fewer comments. As the old lady arrived, the comments became excited—

[This is what a beauty should be!]

!!

[I’ve never seen such an elegant old lady.]

[This is probably the most elegant foreign old lady I’ve ever met.]

[It’s obvious that she has a temperament that comes from her bones.]

[The scene of Sister Li and the old lady sitting together is simply a visual enjoyment!]

[Especially since Sister Li is very young and the old lady is already in her twilight years. Help! Who can draw this scene! Amazing.]

[Doesn’t anyone think this old lady looks familiar?]

[I think she looks familiar too, but I can’t remember…]

…

On the other side of the lake.

Han Pin looked up and saw his eldest nephew walking over. He reminded Pei Qingji, “Your good old son is here.”

Pei Qingji cleared his throat. “Ahem… you’re here!”

Pei Jingzhou walked over and stood beside Pei Qingji. “You’re in a good mood today.” His gaze fell to the empty bucket beside him. “Just bad luck,” he added.

Pei Qingji was speechless. His good old son really knew how to hurt people. Pei Jingzhou’s gaze landed on the fishing rod in Pei Qingji’s hand. “Dad’s fishing rod is estimated to be around 30 yuan.”

One slash!

Pei Jingzhou said, “I might have estimated it too highly. More than twenty.”

Two slashes!

Pei Qingji snorted. “The pot calling the kettle black. I’ll wait to see if your fishing rod can exceed ten yuan in the future.”

Pei Jingzhou said meaningfully, “You don’t have to worry about that. It’s not that Dad doesn’t know that I’ve been very capable since I was young. If I can’t afford a fishing rod that costs ten yuan, I can make one myself. It’s better than you squatting here aggrievedly and worrying that you won’t even be able to keep a fishing rod that costs more than twenty yuan.”

Pei Qingji stood up. “It’s easy for you to speak while standing at the sidelines, right?”

Pei Jingzhou nodded. “It’s indeed easy for me to speak. You’re standing too. How do you feel?”

Pei Qingji pulled a face. “It’s alright.”

Beside him, Han Pin laughed uncontrollably. “Nephew, you have the elegance of your father when he was young.”

Pei Jingzhou smiled humbly. “Uncle, you flatter me.”

Han Pin smiled, but as he smiled, his smile gradually froze on his lips. “Madam Di Xin…”

Pei Jingzhou frowned and turned around. Pei Qingji also looked in that direction. The moment he saw Madam Di Xin, Pei Jingzhou’s expression darkened. He was about to go back when Han Pin reached out and pressed his hand on Pei Jingzhou’s shoulder. “Jingzhou, wait a moment.”

Pei Jingzhou did not listen to Han Pin. He removed Han Pin’s hand and walked back quickly. Han Pin’s hand froze in midair.

Pei Qingji asked, “Why is Madam Di Xin here?”

Han Pin raised his chin in that direction. “It’s obvious that she’s here for Little Li. Didn’t you see how ugly Jingzhou’s expression was just now?”

As if it had nothing to do with him, Pei Qingji turned around and sat down. “My good old son didn’t inherit my love genes at all.”

Han Pin did not plan to go over. He sat down and said, “Not necessarily.”

Pei Qingji sneered. “Why not? After Little You left, he fell silent for a year before finding a new lover. That lover even looks like her. It seems that he likes her very much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten married back then.”

Han Pin chuckled. “As a father, don’t tell me you want to see your son become depressed day by day after losing his love and be tortured by longing for her for the rest of his life? If Jingzhou really becomes like this, you’ll be anxious.”

Pei Qingji said, “What I’m more anxious about now is whether Qianye knows that I’m fishing here. If she does, can I keep my 30-dollar fishing rod?”

Han Ping shifted his position. “Best of luck.”

–

Meanwhile, After Madam Di Xin sat down, Li Xiwu asked, “Do you mind the camera? We’re recording a show. It’s live.”

Madam Di Xin smiled and shook her head. “I don’t mind.”

Li Xiwu smiled.

Madam Di Xin looked at the bucket beside Li Xiwu. It was clean and free of fish. “I can tell you haven’t had much luck today.”

Li Xiwu’s eyes curved. “Grandpa Jiang is fishing today. Those who wish will take the bait.”

Madam Di Xin reached out to Li Xiwu. “May I try? I haven’t fished in a long time, either.”

“Sure, no problem.” Li Xiwu handed another fishing rod to Madam Di Xin. “For you.”

Madam Di Xin took it and thanked her. Then, she fiddled with it incoherently. When she didn’t understand, Madam Di Xin would ask Li Xiwu. Although Li Xiwu was also a dabbler, Pei Jingzhou had taught her a little just now. It was still very easy to operate. After finally throwing out the bait, Madam Di Xin heaved a sigh of relief. “Fortunately, this set of bones isn’t useless.”

Li Xiwu helped set up the fishing rod.

Madam Di Xin turned to look at Li Xiwu with a benevolent expression. “Miss Li.”

Li Xiwu replied, “Yes?”

Madam Di Xin suddenly said, “You look like the daughter of an old friend of mine.”

Li Xiwu pursed her lips and smiled faintly. She was already used to people saying who she looked like. When she heard the old lady say that she looked like the daughter of an old friend, Li Xiwu said in a half-joking tone, “Probably because I have a more common face.”

Madam Di Xin shook her head. “No.”

Li Xiwu looked at Madam Di Xin.

...

Madam Di Xin smiled. “I’m glad I saw you today.”

Li Xiwu responded politely. “Me too.” Not just polite, but sincere. Because the old lady was elegant and polite. Li Xiwu suddenly realized that the old lady was studying her seriously and intently. She returned the old lady’s gaze and smiled. “What’s wrong?”

After a long silence, Madam Di Xin asked, “Don’t you remember me?”

Li Xiwu was stunned. She looked a little confused. It sounded to her as if the old lady had seen her before? But that shouldn’t be! In her impression, there were no memories of this elegant old lady. Just now, she thought that it was because she looked like the daughter of the old lady’s old friend that the old lady took the initiative to talk to her. There was no possibility that she knew the old lady.

Li Xiwu straightened. “Sorry, I…”

“Madam Di Xin.” Pei Jingzhou’s voice came from behind and interrupted Li Xiwu.

Li Xiwu and the old lady turned at the same time. Pei Jingzhou walked over. Madam Di Xin was about to get up when Li Xiwu helped her. “Slow down.”

Madam Di Xin smiled lovingly. “Thank you.”

Li Xiwu said, “You’re welcome.”

After standing up, Madam Di Xin looked at Pei Jingzhou and greeted, “Mr. Pei, long time no see.”

...