Chapter 48: Dormancy

Su Ling felt that the longer she lived after being reborn, the more distant the events of her past life seemed. Those memories felt like a fabricated story, or a prolonged dream.

Yun Bu no longer mentioned Ji Chong. Many people visited her after the accident.

Yun Bu had returned to her usual carefree self. Su Ling knew that when someone was hurt, they would protect themselves, becoming stronger yet also more vulnerable.

The other two girls from the dormitory came by and brought fruit.

After they left, Su Ling peeled an apple for Yun Bu to eat. Yun Bu smiled brightly, as if she hadn’t been the one crying so bitterly earlier.

Su Ling felt a bit helpless.

Ni Haoyan also came, bringing fruit as well.

Yun Bu raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I might as well open a fruit stall in a few days. Just look at this abundance.”

Her hospital room had four or five vases filled with bouquets, and there were piles of fruit everywhere.

Ni Haoyan lowered his head and smiled faintly, never once looking at Su Ling.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery, Yun Bu.”

“Thanks.”

Su Ling felt awkward. If everything had been improving since her rebirth, there was one thing that had worsened—her relationship with Ni Haoyan. In her past life, she could still feel the brotherly affection he had for her, but now it seemed he had grown distant.

Even Yun Bu noticed the tension between them but didn’t say anything.

When Ni Haoyan left, Su Ling stood up. “I’ll see you out.”

Ni Haoyan didn’t refuse. The hospital corridor smelled faintly of disinfectant, mingled with the scent of plum blossoms wafting through the window.

City B hadn’t seen snow.

Ni Haoyan wore a black sweater, his pupils a soft shade of black.

Su Ling furrowed her brows. “Ni Haoyan, what’s wrong?”

Ni Haoyan turned his head, his face devoid of emotion. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Su Ling didn’t beat around the bush; she directly voiced her feelings. “I feel like you’re upset with me. Is it because of what happened last time with Auntie and me?”

Had her recording that video and publicly refuting their family hurt him?

Ni Haoyan let out two words: “No.”

“Then why?”

“Su Ling, did you know all along that my father wasn’t Grandma’s biological son?”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was restrained, his chest rising and falling slightly.

Su Ling was taken aback. “I thought… it didn’t matter. After all, Grandma treated Uncle as her own son, and you and Ni Jianan…”

“You thought?” He cut her off and took a deep breath. “What right do you have to assume how I’d feel?”

She pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. I truly saw you as my younger brother.”

Even without blood ties, her gratitude toward him was real, as was her desire to protect him.

He gave a self-deprecating smirk.

There was so much he wanted to say, but when it came to his lips, he lost the courage. Su Ling was right—whether or not they were related by blood, what difference did it make? Blood wasn’t always a bond; human emotions were.

From the start, Su Ling and he had been siblings. Even if Su Ling eventually left the Ni family, nothing would change.

In her eyes, he was just another member of the “so-called malicious” Ni family.

Ni Haoyan opened his hand. “Among Grandma’s belongings, I think there should be something belonging to your mother.”

Su Ling’s eyes widened in surprise. Ni Haoyan handed her a small, faded photograph. A woman in a pale purple dress smiled under a magnolia tree.

“I found it in Grandma’s box. It must be Aunt Yu Qiao.”

Su Ling held the photo, her heart unsettled for a long time. Her grandmother had never shown her this, only saying that Yu Qiao hadn’t left behind any photos before she passed away.

Su Ling knew that Yu Qiao had been betrayed, which was why she never mentioned her father.

Growing up, Su Ling had never known what her parents looked like.

In the photo, Yu Qiao appeared to be about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, gentle and charming.

Ni Haoyan said, “I’m leaving.”

Su Ling carefully placed the photo in her pocket and nodded.

Ni Haoyan took a few steps, then paused. “Where will you go during the New Year?”

Su Ling hesitated, lowering her gaze with a faint smile. “We’ll see when the time comes.” She no longer had a home to return to, so it didn’t matter where she went.

Ni Haoyan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he left.

In truth, this was the best state for Su Ling and him. They couldn’t move forward, nor could they step back.

At this moment, he felt a sense of desolation, but he had no choice but to let go completely.

He couldn’t understand these complex emotions himself, and she would never know in this lifetime. It was better that way. From today onward, he would slowly let go.

When Su Ling returned to the ward, she was surprised to find Wan Bai Bai and Ji Chong there.

Yun Bu smiled on her face, but her complexion was a little paler. Wan Bai Bai had a cold beauty, but she loved to smile. Seeing Su Ling, her eyes lit up.

“Little Nine!”

“Bai Bai.”

They chatted for a while. Ji Chong asked Yun Bu, “Does it still hurt?”

Yun Bu lowered her eyes and smiled. “No, I’m tough.”

Ji Chong smiled as well.

As he left, Yun Bu watched silently, her face calm. Yun Bu knew that Ji Chong was an ambitious man who would stop at nothing to rise to the top. He wasn’t exactly upright, but he was excellent at socializing.

He was hypocritical.

Yet, she had loved him.

Perhaps she wouldn’t dare to love again. And such a hypocritical Ji Chong might never meet someone like Yun Bu again—someone who purely loved him and worked hard for him.

It was his loss.

Wan Bai Bai stayed behind.

Su Ling asked her, “How did you hear about this?” After all, they were famous stars. News of Yun Bu’s accident shouldn’t have reached them. Moreover, Lotus Records was just a low-budget production. Stars like Wan Bai Bai and Ji Chong wouldn’t usually pay attention to such things.

Wan Bai Bai was surprised. “Didn’t you know? Lotus Records is now funded by Qing Entertainment!” Wan Bai Bai and Ji Chong were signed artists of Qing Entertainment and had made cameo appearances in Lotus Records . Naturally, they heard about Yun Bu’s accident from others.

With Qing Entertainment’s involvement, it became a big production.

Su Ling froze. She had been staying in the hospital with Yun Bu these past few days and hadn’t heard about it.

She knew Qin Xiao had the ability to get her into the set to find Yun Bu, but she hadn’t expected such a straightforward and forceful method. By putting his name on the Lotus Records production, he controlled everything.

Su Ling was grateful to Qin Xiao for this.

After all, he had saved Yun Bu’s life.

After Wan Bai Bai finished explaining, she remembered something. “Did your agent tell you about the Yi Mi Awards ceremony?”

Su Ling nodded. Lin Qing had informed her a few days ago that she was nominated for Best Newcomer. However, Su Ling didn’t take it too seriously. She knew she wasn’t a prodigy, and based on the currently aired Twelve Years of Dust , her chances of winning were slim.

Wan Bai Bai smiled. “Prepare well. After all, it’s your first time attending.”

Su Ling nodded. Wan Bai Bai raised an eyebrow. “Little Nine, President Qin is this year’s special guest presenter.”

Su Ling felt a bit helpless and replied sincerely, “I don’t think those awards are meant for me.”

Wan Bai Bai chuckled at her honesty and sincerity. “Who knows? The New Year is almost here. Another year has passed.”

Yes, a new year had arrived.

Qin Xiao had considered many possibilities, some of which were far-fetched. But then he dismissed them as absurd and laughable.

He didn’t believe in gods or reincarnation—he only believed in himself.

But these strange coincidences and inexplicable events made him want to uncover the truth. If it was her, then anything was possible. After all, Su Ling was a miracle in his life.

Qin Xiao didn’t immediately seek out Su Ling. He was creating an illusion.

An illusion that he wasn’t obsessed with her, that he didn’t cling to her.

After experiencing so much, even without Zuo Yin telling him, he understood that Su Ling was friendliest toward him when he reined in his sharp edges.

The real him—the terrifying, obsessive side of him—would only make her afraid and uneasy.

If she liked a certain version of him, he didn’t mind becoming that version.

Qin Xiao began to lie low.

The Yi Mi Awards ceremony was an opportunity. He couldn’t forcefully control everything about her. Instead, he had to slowly infiltrate her world without making her feel threatened.

He Qing understood the boss’s intentions, so this year, the financial reports from Qing Entertainment were meticulously prepared, and the invitation was placed on Qin Xiao’s desk.

After reading the list of award nominees, Qin Xiao smiled.

He Qing was curious but hadn’t managed to glimpse the names on the list.

So what did President Qin’s smile mean? Did Miss Su win an award or not?

The Yi Mi Awards carried significant prestige, and as the president of Qing Entertainment, Qin Xiao’s presence at the ceremony naturally came with generous rewards. He generously handed out eight-figure cash prizes.

He Qing muttered, “Rich people really are indulgent.”

The Yi Mi Awards happened to fall on the day before the Lunar New Year. That day, it snowed in City B.

Su Ling wore a pale yellow evening gown and shivered from the cold.

Lin Qing, wrapped in a thick coat, looked at the pitiful sight of the young girl and couldn’t help but feel both amused and sympathetic.

Underneath her long dress, Su Ling had worn thermal leggings. Some of the other actresses hadn’t bothered with that.

“Bear with it. The venue has air conditioning. Let’s go inside quickly, and it’ll be over soon.”

Su Ling nodded and followed her inside.

The hall was brightly lit, and everyone could see each other clearly. Many recognized Su Ling. She was a new face with high popularity, and her stunning beauty made her stand out even among a gathering of beauties.

Her aura was simply pure.

The Yi Mi Awards ceremony was relatively open and free, and after it ended, there was a networking party.

Su Ling saw many familiar faces: Wan Bai Bai, Shen Yi, Ji Chongwen, Director Wen, and Dong Xu were all there.

However, when Qin Xiao walked in, the venue fell silent for a moment.

Su Ling looked up and saw him. He wore a suit, his features rebellious and arrogant, his expression cold and unapproachable.

Someone whispered, “Is that President Qin? He’s so young?”

“He’s handsome, very manly. He could debut as an actor. But he looks so cold. I heard he has a terrible temper.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen him. Doesn’t he usually avoid events like these?”

He was the thickest golden thigh.

Even in the entertainment industry, he was a legend.

Su Ling stood among the crowd, looking up at him with everyone else. His shirt buttons were fastened neatly, exuding an air of restraint.

The event organizers came over to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with him.

His face remained expressionless, and he didn’t glance over here.

Su Ling suddenly realized that Qin Xiao rarely smiled.

He only made an exception for one person.