CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: SUDDENLY BECAME POPULAR

Returning to Maplewood Gardens, it was lunchtime, and Laura Lawson greeted me respectfully when she saw me come back.

I glanced at the still exquisitely presented dishes and remembered having just seen Henry Preston and Azure Vaughn. My appetite vanished instantly, and I went upstairs without touching my chopsticks.

"Madam, are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to call a doctor for you?" Laura followed up considerately and asked.

Ever since I forgave her for breaking my skincare products, she’s been even more attentive to me.

If she weren’t Azure’s mother, I might genuinely like this type of nanny.

"No, I just don’t feel like eating. Tell the other ladies to eat together." I replied irritably, lying on the bed.

Laura didn’t dare to say much and quietly withdrew.

In the midst of a chaotic mind, I fell asleep. If it weren’t for the bombardment of phone calls from Crystal Dawson and the others, I could have slept until the next day.

Crystal Dawson’s loud voice was filled with excitement, "Oh my god!!! Goddess!!! University A’s cello goddess is back in action!!"

"Huh?" I was a bit groggy from sleep and didn’t understand what she was saying.

"I’ve sent you the link, take a look, do it now!" Crystal said and then hung up.

Seeing the missed calls on my phone, Tiana O’Connell and Leah Lane both called three times, and I hadn’t picked up.

WeChat pushed Crystal Dawson’s message over, and I squinted to click open the link. It was a video from today’s performance at University A’s music hall.

I was sitting in the leftmost position. Whoever was filming would occasionally zoom in on me as if they had a crush on me.

Then there was a heap of netizens frantically praising me, calling me a graceful beauty, the former goddess of the University A Music Department. It made me feel elated, my sleepiness completely gone.

Who doesn’t like being praised? This was the first time I’d experienced such a feeling.

There were quite a few people who complimented me growing up, but most were due to my dad’s status. It was indeed the first time so many people were attracted to me purely because of my personal charm.

Crystal Dawson called again right on time after I finished watching, "So, didn’t expect it, did you? Suddenly famous, hahahaha..."

"It is a bit unexpected." I said, delighted, "Looks like my charm hasn’t diminished with time!"

"Absolutely not, you were just blinded by Henry Preston at the time. So many people were pursuing you, yet you had to be a humble lackey for him." Crystal Dawson continued to be exasperated on this topic.

"The past is unbearable to recall, haven’t I opened up now?" Reflecting on those past events, there was a hint of melancholy in my heart.

"Now that you’ve let it go, come out for a drink. I’m free anyway, let’s make you a big online celebrity." Crystal Dawson started fantasizing about the future, "Then we four could form some band, Leah Lane as lead singer, and us three as accompaniment, perfect!"

I felt Crystal had too much time on her hands, coming up with such unrealistic fantasies. I replied, "Forget the future, where are you? Let’s meet for a meal, skip the drinks."

I had been hungry all day, and the weight gain plan couldn’t be paused.

Crystal Dawson agreed without a second thought, "Alright, I know a tea house, their tea is good, and the food is better than any five-star hotel I have been to. I’ll send you the address!"

After receiving the tea house address, I changed outfits and set out.

Unexpectedly, I ran into my dad at the tea house entrance. He was chatting with a few friends, seemingly just finished eating and coming out.

"Dad!" I called out.

"Zoe, what are you doing here?" My dad was surprised to see me, as were the several old friends beside him who all glanced at me.

One of the uncles, sharp-eyed, spoke up immediately, "Hathaway, isn’t your daughter the beautiful cellist from University A today? She’s trending online now!"

My dad had probably seen it too; there was a touch of pride on his face, but his tone was quite restrained, "Oh, trending for what? She majored in cello back at university, and it’s been neglected for years!"

"Neglected for years and still such high level? Hathaway, your daughter is really impressive!"

"And she looks good too, just like a person of fortune."

Listening to these compliments, I felt a mix of pride and a little embarrassment. How does my image as The White Witch align with being that of fortune?

Just then, Crystal Dawson’s phone call came through to hurry me up. I quickly told my dad, "Dad, my friends are waiting for me, I’m going in first!"

"Go on then, I’m about to head back too." My dad waved his hand.

I nodded and started towards the tea house, suddenly wanting to tell my dad about a meal in a couple of days. Looking back, I saw a woman about forty years old stepping out of my dad’s car, standing right under a streetlamp where the lighting was quite bright. She was wearing a scoop neck, body-hugging dress in classic black and white, charming yet retaining an air of intelligence. She bowed respectfully to my dad, her cleavage shown just right — not too obvious yet slightly alluring.

My dad said something to her and got into the back seat. The woman was the one driving.

Wasn’t the old driver a man? Now my dad switched to a female driver??

I felt a bit puzzled and particularly uncomfortable.

"Zoe, what are you doing at the door? Acting as a receptionist?" Tiana O’Connell also just arrived and joked, seeing me lost in thought at the entrance.

"Waiting for you, being your personal greeter, touched?" I snapped out of it and hooked my arm around Tiana’s, smiling, "Let’s go, Crystal’s already nagging me to death!"

Tiana and I chatted and walked. When we arrived at the private room we had reserved, upon opening the door, we were met with the gentle aroma of tea. The hidden corner speakers played elegant classical music, making one feel refreshed.

Crystal Dawson was posing with a teacup, having Leah take photos of her, then posting them to WeChat Moments to tease her potential suitors.

I used to think Crystal Dawson was a heartless player who didn’t understand the charm of love, but now I increasingly felt she’s the one most aware in the world.

"Zoe, Tiana, you’re here." When she saw us, Crystal Dawson dropped her flirtatious pose and finally sat like a normal person. She waved us over with a grin, "Hurry, sit down, I’ve already ordered the food, trust me, the taste is top-notch!"

Tiana and I also sat down at the tea table, "Alright, we trust you!"

The four of us fit just right at the tea table, the beautiful tea server dressed in a graceful teal qipao with her hair adorned with a white jade hairpin, quite stylish.

I ordered a cup of Jin Jun Mei, a sweet-tasting black tea. The tea server elegantly demonstrated the tea-making process while softly explaining the origin, price, and flavor profile of the tea, which was delightful to watch.

While sipping the tea, the dishes came as well, and indeed, each one was quite delicious.

Just as a server opened and closed the door, I saw Henry Preston and Ivan Underwood passing by outside.