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On the night of the New Year’s Eve concert, Shen Tang spotted Chu Ran and Chen Yi Nuo backstage.
This year, they were performing on the same TV station for the New Year’s celebration—a coincidence, indeed.
Chen Yi Nuo was as enthusiastic as ever. “Teacher Shen, long time no see.”
Shen Tang gave a slight nod. “It has been a while.”
Chen Yi Nuo was eager to exchange acting insights with Shen Tang. Since trying out a scene from That Early Summer with her last month, she had been looking forward to being cast as the lead role.
“One moment, Yi Nuo, look who’s here,” her manager interjected.
Shen Tang and Chen Yi Nuo turned their heads simultaneously. Chen Nan Jin was walking towards them, surrounded by a group of people.
Chen Yi Nuo waved at her father with a smile, then said to Shen Tang, “This is my first New Year’s Eve performance. My dad came to support me because he thought I’d be nervous.”
Shen Tang replied indifferently, “Then I won’t disturb you two.”
Before Chen Nan Jin could approach, she turned and walked away.
For anyone else, given that Chen Yi Nuo, the daughter of a famous director, had initiated a conversation and her father had also come over, they would’ve seized the opportunity to chat more with him.
However, Shen Tang’s behavior was baffling.
Despite hurrying, Chen Nan Jin still missed the chance to greet Shen Tang.
Chen Yi Nuo linked arms with her father as they headed toward the backstage interview area. “Dad, I told you not to come—it’s so cold.”
Chen Nan Jin smiled gently. “If I’m here, you won’t feel nervous.”
He wanted to take another glance at Shen Tang but restrained himself from turning around.
The voices behind them gradually faded, but Shen Tang couldn’t help but overhear every word of their earlier conversation.
“Why didn’t you stay and talk to Director Chen a bit longer? That was such a great opportunity!” Sister Li was clearly dissatisfied with Shen Tang’s earlier actions.
There had been no progress regarding the role in That Early Summer . The competition was fierce, and Sister Li was growing anxious. But Shen Tang seemed indifferent, which only made Sister Li more frustrated.
Shen Tang retorted, “The more desperate you appear, the less they’ll value you.”
Sister Li fell silent.
Now wasn’t the time to argue—they still had a performance to prepare for that evening. She couldn’t let Shen Tang get distracted.
Sister Li adjusted Shen Tang’s hair. “You really shouldn’t act like a child all the time. This industry is small, and we run into the same people constantly. It wouldn’t hurt to exchange a few words. Look, Chen Yi Nuo even approached you first.”
Shen Tang remained silent.
Thankfully, a phone call interrupted Sister Li’s lecture.
It was from Grandpa. The assistant handed the phone to Shen Tang.
Seeing Grandpa’s number on the screen, Shen Tang felt an inexplicable pang of sadness, overwhelmed by a sense of injustice.
“Hello, Grandpa.”
“Tang Tang, I’m already waiting in front of the TV.”
“Grandpa, it’s still early.”
“It’s not too early—just over an hour left.”
Even from afar, there was someone who cared for her, someone who waited for her.
The second room down the hall was Shen Tang’s dressing room. Suddenly, a commotion arose as Chu Ran, accompanied by two assistants and several bodyguards, approached.
Chu Ran was on the phone: “Yes, I understand, Uncle. Don’t worry.”
One moment, she was smiling warmly into her phone; the next, upon seeing Shen Tang, her expression instantly turned cold, and she rolled her eyes inwardly.
Shen Tang paid no attention to Chu Ran, striding straight into her dressing room without a second glance.
The door slammed shut.
Chu Ran clenched her fists, restraining her temper. “Uncle, did you hear that? That noise just now was Shen Tang’s assistant deliberately slamming the door.”
Chu Yue Li massaged his temples. “Don’t stoop to her level.”
He had called specifically to remind his niece not to clash with Shen Tang and to focus on delivering a smooth performance.
“I’ll come pick you up later. You can stay at our place tonight.”
Chu Ran initially didn’t want to go, but she couldn’t refuse her uncle’s invitation.
Her cousin, whose judgment was often questionable, had given Shen Tang a birthday gift of advertising screens across three cities, causing Chu Ran to lose face among the family.
Everyone knew Chu Ran and Shen Tang didn’t get along, yet her cousin still acted recklessly.
Uncle Chu must have invited her over to mend their strained relationship.
“Uncle, you don’t need to pick me up specially.”
Chu Yue Li: “I’m not busy today anyway.”
And with that, they agreed. He ended the call.
Beside him, Chu Xiao Yue huffed, sitting cross-legged and idly plucking petals from a bouquet of roses.
One by one, she stripped the large bunch of roses until rose petals littered the sofa and carpet.
From afar, it looked like a rose petal carpet.
Chu Yue Li set down his phone and moved closer, wrapping an arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “Still upset?”
“I’ve been looking forward to this New Year’s Eve concert for so long, but I can’t even go because Mom took my ticket. Wouldn’t you be upset?” Chu Xiao Yue pouted.
Her mother had forbidden her from attending concerts and confiscated her ticket.
Tonight, she wouldn’t be able to hear Shen Tang sing live.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She angrily tore off another petal.
Chu Yue Li affectionately ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Alright, stop being upset.”
He tried to placate her: “Don’t make your mom angry, okay? Whatever gift you want, Daddy will get it for you.”
Chu Xiao Yue shot him a sideways glance. “She’s the one who started it, okay? Dad, I think you’re blinded by love!”
Chu Yue Li chuckled. “Young lady, how can you talk to your father like that?”
Chu Xiao Yue pursed her lips and remained silent.
‘Ding,’ the elevator doors opened.
Chu Xiao Yue guessed her mother was coming down. She tossed the half-plucked flower in her hand, turned around, and curled up on the couch like a puppy, burying her head under a pillow.
Chu Yue Li shook his head helplessly. These two were always at odds.
Xiao Zhen emerged from the elevator wrapped in a shawl. Seeing the living room floor covered in rose petals, she frowned.
Chu Yue Li stood up. “I’ll go pick up Ran Ran. Do you want to come with me?” He feared that if he left, the mother-daughter pair might start arguing again.
Xiao Zhen almost blurted out, “Sure.”
But then reconsidered. “I’ll go out for some fresh air.”
She removed her shawl and draped it over her daughter before turning to Chu Yue Li. “Wait for me—I’ll go change.”
In front of the vanity mirror, Xiao Zhen applied a delicate layer of makeup. Suddenly, she found herself amused.
It felt like she was preparing for an important date.
But whether she’d encounter Shen Tang tonight was uncertain.
Love, fear, resentment—all these emotions entangled her, suffocating her.
Yet, she still wanted to see her.
After getting ready, Xiao Zhen went downstairs.
Chu Yue Li was waiting by the door with her coat, helping her put it on personally.
Chu Xiao Yue quietly climbed up and peeked over the back of the couch to see what was happening.
She watched her father button up her mother’s coat, then take her hand and tuck it into his coat pocket. They whispered to each other as they walked toward the yard.
She had hoped her father would intervene on her behalf, but it seemed hopeless.
Disappointed, she slid back down onto the couch.
Calling him blinded by love was no exaggeration.
________________________________________
Xiao Zhen glanced at the concert program. Shen Tang’s performance was scheduled before Chu Ran’s. If she timed it right and arrived just before Chu Ran, she might catch a glimpse of Shen Tang.
This was what she told Chu Yue Li: “I’ll go talk to Ran Ran’s manager first.”
The backstage was crowded, and Chu Yue Li disliked noisy environments. “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you in the car.”
After coordinating with Chu Ran’s manager, Xiao Zhen headed straight to the backstage entrance.
Backstage was as bustling as the main stage, with bodyguards and managers guiding Xiao Zhen through the crowd.
A flurry of camera shutters clicked amid the chaos.
“Director Chen, what score would you give Yi Nuo’s performance tonight?”
“Director Chen, how did you feel watching your daughter perform backstage?”
“Director Chen…”
Questions poured in from all directions.
Chen Nan Jin didn’t know which one to answer first. Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar figure. His gaze lingered, then snapped back, sensing something amiss. He quickly looked again.
He hadn’t been mistaken.
Twenty-four years had passed, yet he recognized her instantly despite the distance.
Time had not diminished her beauty; she hadn’t changed much.
When their eyes met amidst the clamor, the world around them seemed to vanish. The only sound was the soft babbling of an infant learning to speak.
Occasionally, a faint ‘mama’ emerged.
Shen Tang remembered that voice from her childhood.
So did Chen Nan Jin.
He also remembered the nervousness and joy of becoming a father for the first time.
He had eagerly awaited the day Tang Tang would call him “Dad.”
But their family’s bond had been tragically short-lived.
Only one year.
Reporters continued bombarding him with questions, both relevant and irrelevant.
Chen Nan Jin was pushed forward by the crowd, unable to steal another glance.
Thankfully, the bodyguards supported Xiao Zhen, making it easier for her to walk.
The past came rushing back.
Xiao Zhen pulled out her sunglasses to conceal her earlier emotional lapse.
As the two groups passed each other, no one noticed anything unusual except for the two of them.
Xiao Zhen sat in Chu Ran’s dressing room, sipping a cup of coffee, still lost in thought.
When Chu Ran returned, Xiao Zhen realized she had perfectly missed Shen Tang.
________________________________________
Early on New Year’s Day morning, Shen Tang wrapped up her New Year’s Eve performance and flew directly back to Hengdian.
On the 30th, she had received global New Year greetings across three cities, staying on trending topics for days. The production crew couldn’t stop talking about it.
When they finally saw her in person, everyone gathered around to ask who could be so extravagant and romantic.
Shen Tang naturally didn’t reveal the truth, instead smiling wryly. “I’m curious too.”
With that single sentence, she deflected the gossipers.
During a break, Sister Li brought her a bottle of lemon tea.
Shen Tang gave her a helpless look. “Sister Li, are you treating me like your daughter?”
She was referring to Sister Li’s constant hovering.
Sister Li’s daughter was in second grade, and she smiled. “You’re right—you’re my little girl. A troublesome one at that.”
Shen Tang had no response and accepted the lemon tea.
Sister Li sat beside her. “Chu Ran joined the production today. Zhao Chi Yi escorted her.”
Shen Tang showed no reaction, taking small sips of the lemon tea.
Sister Li continued, “Zhao called me earlier. He’s treating the crew to dinner tonight, but it’s actually for you. Chu Ran will be there too. He hopes you two can move past your past grievances.”
“No time—I’m learning to cook.” Shen Tang closed the bottle cap and set the drink aside before heading off to find the director.
Sister Li suppressed her frustration. “Shen Tang.”
Shen Tang didn’t look back.
After finishing work that evening, everyone else went to the restaurant, but Shen Tang returned to the hotel. Sister Li explained to Zhao Chi Yi that Shen Tang wasn’t feeling well and had gone back to rest.
Zhao Chi Yi smiled knowingly. “Health comes first.”
To date, Shen Tang was the only one who repeatedly refused to give him face.
Midway through the meal, he excused himself early.
There was nothing interesting to discuss with them—it was all bland.
When Chu Ran saw him leaving, she asked, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Zhao Chi Yi: “I have a video conference.”
He offered a brief apology before leaving the private room.
“Is Shen Tang at the hotel?”
The secretary replied, “Yes, Miss Shen has been learning to cook with the chef every night recently.”
This woman was intriguing.
Skipping his dinner invitation to learn cooking instead.
Zhao Chi Yi instructed, “I’ll go check on her.”
His casual remark sent his subordinates scrambling.
The hotel where the crew was staying was under Evergreen Group’s control. When Zhao Chi Yi requested access to the kitchen, the management assumed the big boss was conducting a surprise inspection.
The secretary informed the management that the boss was going to watch Miss Shen cook.
The management immediately understood, clearing the kitchen, turning off the surveillance cameras, and tightening security.
Zhao Chi Yi went alone to the kitchen, with his secretary and bodyguards standing guard outside.
The spacious kitchen contained only the chef and Shen Tang, who weren’t surprised to see him arrive, having been forewarned.
Shen Tang glanced up briefly before continuing her task. “What brings you to inspect the kitchen so late at night, Mr. Zhao? How poetic.”
“The same could be said of you,” Zhao Chi Yi stood by the counter, eyeing a plate of prepared oatmeal shrimp. Judging by appearance, they didn’t seem appetizing.
He picked up a pair of chopsticks to taste them.
Before the chopsticks touched the shrimp, Shen Tang swiftly blocked them with her hand.
Their eyes locked in a silent standoff.
Zhao Chi Yi suddenly smiled. “It’s just a shrimp. Why are you being so serious?”
Shen Tang: “I made these specifically for him. Of course, I’m serious. Besides tasting them myself, the first person to try them has to be him.”
“Hmph.” Zhao Chi Yi set the chopsticks down, losing interest in tasting them. This woman had clearly fallen for Jiang Cheng Yu and was even learning to cook for him.
Hands in his pockets, he stood by and watched her prepare another batch of ingredients. “So, you’re not joining us for dinner tonight—are you still upset that I didn’t release the surveillance footage that night and clear your name?”
“Mr. Zhao, you’re overthinking it. I’m not new to society—I don’t pursue truth and fairness in every situation.” Shen Tang looked up at him. “I’ve long since stopped dwelling on what happened that night. You had your own considerations and interests.” She gestured to the marinated shrimp. “I need to get back to work. Excuse me.”
This was her way of showing him out.
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