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The two night scenes didn’t go smoothly, dragging on until after nine o’clock.
Chen Yino couldn’t get into character. A scene that should have taken an hour stretched to three hours.
The final result was barely satisfactory.
In Zhou Mingqian’s eyes, it could have been more perfect.
After wrapping up, Shen Tang changed into her own clothes.
“Shen Tang, come over for a chat in a moment,” Chen Nanjin said.
In front of the crew, even if unwilling, Shen Tang had to agree. “Alright, Director Chen.”
Chen Nanjin had been sitting by the monitor the whole time, watching Chen Yino’s performance. At this rate, two months might not be enough to finish filming in Haitang Village.
Fan Yishuo still had many scenes left, and his recovery and discharge would take at least a month.
Chen Yino was feeling down. She apologized briefly to the director and Gu Heng, then sat in a corner, lost in thought.
Tonight’s performance disgusted even herself, but she just couldn’t find the right mood.
Life was unpredictable, but why did it have to happen to her?
As Chen Nanjin passed by, he gave her shoulder a firm pat, then went to find Shen Tang.
Shen Tang was hungry and eating fruit, holding a blue lunchbox.
“I’ll drop you off; we can talk while walking.” Chen Nanjin picked up her script.
Shen Tang ignored him, continuing to eat her fruit.
“Dad, I need to tell you something,” Chen Yino jogged over, hooking her arm through Chen Nanjin’s. Then turning to Shen Tang, she said, “Teacher Shen, please wait a moment.”
She pulled Chen Nanjin to a quiet corner.
“What is it?” Chen Nanjin saw her distressed face. “Did your mother contact you again?”
“No.” Chen Yino pleaded with her father, “Dad, please stop arguing with Mom, okay? I feel like our home is falling apart.”
Already in a bad mood from tonight’s shoot, her eyes began to water as she spoke.
“In a bit, please talk nicely to Shen Tang. Maybe she can be lenient about Mom’s apology. Shen Tang is reasonable. Look how she has never treated me with ill intent. Swallow your pride—no child wants to disregard their parents’ feelings completely.”
Chen Nanjin patted his daughter’s hand, sighing deeply.
Chen Yino’s vision blurred with tears. If tonight’s scene had been a crying one, she surely would have performed exceptionally well.
“I know Mom is excessive, but... she is my mother. What else can I do? She’s collapsing like that—I can’t ignore her. Even if I have to beg Shen Tang, I’m willing.”
Chen Nanjin turned to look at Shen Tang, who was already far ahead.
Chen Yino wiped her tears. “Go after her.” She still clung to a sliver of hope. “Talk to her nicely; maybe she’ll soften.”
After a pause, she added, “If I have time, I’ll visit Grandpa too.”
That elderly, weathered man was her biological grandfather.
“If you don’t want to go to the hospital, go back to the hotel and rest early.” Chen Nanjin gave her some advice before going after Shen Tang.
Chen Yino faced away from the crew, tears streaming down her face.
Life really is a bitch!
________________________________________
The night in Haitang Village was bustling and lively.
Various food stalls along the roadside were crowded with young people looking for snacks.
Some recognized Shen Tang and took photos from afar.
Chen Nanjin finally caught up with Shen Tang at the turn.
Seeing this, the assistant stepped back a few paces, maintaining a proper distance.
Chen Nanjin flipped open the script, randomly pointing to a line, pretending to discuss the scene with her.
“Director Chen, don’t you think this act is laughable and ironic? Making it seem like I’m some illegitimate child who needs to be appeased.”
Chen Nanjin fell silent.
“I’m not blaming Chen Yino for trying to get me to forgive her mother. But what does this mean from you?”
Shen Tang continued walking and eating her fruit. She had long become immune to whatever Xiao Zhen and Chen Nanjin did—it no longer affected her.
“Dad isn’t asking for your forgiveness. I just want to know how you plan to resolve this issue. The longer it drags on, the more it affects the shooting schedule.”
Shen Tang suddenly stopped. “It seems Xiao Zhen’s attack was quite fierce. One visit to Haitang Village, and she’s thoroughly dealt with you and Fan Yu.”
Chen Nanjin didn’t hide it. “Your mother is now the actual controller of my company. She’s been planning this for fifteen years,” since he first founded the company.
“The company of Fan Yishuo’s family has also been acquired by your mother.”
Shen Tang was satisfied: “Good. It saves me the trouble.”
She heard that initially, Fan Yu sowed discord between Chen Nanjin and Xiao Zhen, knowing about Chen Nanjin and Xiao Zhen’s marriage and child but pretending ignorance while pursuing Chen Nanjin unreservedly.
Given Xiao Zhen’s personality, how could Fan Yu possibly have an easy time?
Anyway, among these three, none were good people.
Chen Nanjin didn’t care whose company it was. He had long viewed such external possessions lightly. He didn’t want his personal affairs to affect the entire team.
“Tell me, what do you want to do to put this matter behind us?”
“It can’t be put behind us.”
“Tang Tang—”
Chen Nanjin was so helpless.
“I was planning to deal with them anyway. How can there be any forgiveness?”
Shen Tang handed the lunchbox to the assistant, snatched the script from Chen Nanjin’s hand.
She pointed to the back door of the yard ahead and told Chen Nanjin, “Director Chen, I’m home.”
Chen Nanjin negotiated earnestly with his daughter, “Give me a solution, and I’ll follow it.”
“There’s no solution. After all these years of her trying to destroy me, even wishing to strangle me, she should have expected this day. Don’t expect me to soften up. I have no heart, so there’s no softness.”
Chen Nanjin explained, “I’m not asking you to soften up. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll follow through. Tang Tang, Dad isn’t making things difficult for you. Let’s prioritize the crew, okay?”
Shen Tang smiled and countered, “Do you think I’m someone who would easily let go of an opportunity? There must be people working for Xiao Zhen on set. If Fan Yu doesn’t apologize, or if I’m not satisfied, Xiao Zhen will definitely keep pressuring Fan Yu. Why would I waste such a good opportunity?”
Chen Nanjin looked at his daughter. For a fleeting moment, he felt like he was looking at Xiao Zhen.
Their expressions, their eyes—sometimes they resembled the same person.
“Don’t imagine you can hold me hostage with the crew and the team. If Chen Yino can’t adjust her state, that’s her problem, not mine. I have no obligation to pay for others’ moods.”
Shen Tang held the script, mimicking his earlier gesture and pointed to one of the lines.
“In these five years, none of you cared about me. When I was filming, did anyone consider whether my mood might affect the shooting state?”
During the Spring Festival, the romantic drama aired with hundreds of sweet scenes with the male lead. When she joined the cast, her grandfather had just undergone surgery a few months prior. Even after the surgery, he was given a death sentence.
At that time, negative news about her was everywhere.
Who had ever pitied her?
“If Chen Yino lacks even this ability to adjust, then she’s not suited for acting. Whether this production can keep up with the schedule, don’t pin it on me—I won’t take responsibility.”
She closed the script and fished out the house keys from her bag.
The assistant and bodyguard followed her inside.
Chen Nanjin was locked outside the gate.
As soon as Shen Tang entered the yard, Sister Li called her.
Sister Li didn’t bring good news this time. Tonight, the two TV dramas signed at the beginning of the year and other commercial activities received termination emails.
Regarding compensation, legal procedures would be followed.
“This time, I don’t know who we offended.”
Sister Li stared at the email, too stressed to even scold Shen Tang.
Who else could it be? With such speed and decisive actions, it was clearly Xiao Zhen’s style.
Zhao Chiyi met Grandpa today, so Xiao Zhen probably did too and learned about Grandpa’s condition. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be in such a hurry to force her out of the industry.
These five years, Xiao Zhen hadn’t hit her hard because she knew Shen Tang wouldn’t stir up trouble while her grandfather was enjoying his twilight years.
She had two weaknesses: one was Grandpa, and the other was Wen Di.
Now, Grandpa didn’t have much time left. And Wen Di, after breaking up with Yan Heyu, had been leading a life of leisure in the entertainment industry, rarely taking variety show gigs. The money she earned and invested in recent years was enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.
These past few months, Wen Di had been focusing on writing scripts she liked, letting everything else take its course.
Once her weaknesses, now in Xiao Zhen’s hands, everything became uncertain.
Xiao Zhen would never let this uncertainty remain uncontrollable. So she wanted to force her out of the industry and abroad before her weaknesses disappeared completely.
Once out of the industry and abroad, how could she possibly compete with Xiao Zhen anymore?
This was her mother.
Ruthless, selfish.
Her genes carried the same flaws. Her rare kindness came later, from her grandparents.
“If this goes on, it’s not a solution. Once all contracts are terminated, our studio won’t survive.” Sister Li was worried, her mouth on fire.
“Do you know if it’s Chu Ran or Fan Yu’s side causing trouble?”
Shen Tang: “It should be Xiao Zhen.”
Sister Li pressed her tense temples. “If it’s the Xiao family, then we’re in trouble.”
After consideration, Shen Tang decided, “I’ll talk to Zhao Chiyi about cooperation.”
Sister Li almost wrinkled her brows into a knot. “You’re going to Zhao Chiyi?”
She laughed bitterly. “Tang Tang, are you exhausted from today’s scenes? Can Zhao Chiyi help you against the Xiao family? Have you forgotten his antics in the parking lot last time, or are you forgetful?”
She hadn’t forgotten.
But she wasn’t concerned either.
Times had changed.
Now Zhao Chiyi knew she was Xiao Zhen’s daughter and understood that Xiao Zhen still felt guilty towards her. No matter how ruthless Xiao Zhen was, she wouldn’t completely cut ties.
Under the guise of love, he could help her. Xiao Zhen could only seethe but wouldn’t jeopardize the cooperation between the Xiao family and Evergreen Group.
If she really married Zhao Chiyi and settled down afterward, Xiao Zhen would feel reassured and wouldn’t fear her stirring up trouble.
Everyone had their own calculations.
Shen Tang explained to Sister Li: “Zhao Chiyi is pursuing me and mentioned wanting me to sign with Evergreen.”
Sister Li was shocked: “He’s pursuing you?”
“Mm.”
“So, he hasn’t gotten over the beauty hurdle.”
“...” The atmosphere shifted, and Shen Tang smiled.
Sister Li asked her, “Are you planning to accept his pursuit?”
“Too busy, no time for romance.” Shen Tang said, “I’ll talk to him about cooperation, an exchange of interests, no debts owed.”
Standing in the yard, the sound of mahjong from the living room drove away the fatigue of the day.
Shen Tang ended the call, composed herself, and went inside.
“Little Zhao, Little Jiang, do you guys want more tea?” Grandpa was smiling ear to ear after winning.
“We’ll pour it ourselves.” Zhao Chiyi got up to fetch the teapot, filling each cup. In front of Grandpa, no one showed any disdain.
Just outside the door, Shen Tang overheard Grandpa’s words. These men, each commanding billions in listed groups, were simply “Little Zhao,” “Little Jiang,” and “Little Xie” in Grandpa’s eyes.
“Grandpa.” Shen Tang pushed the door open.
“You’re finally back.” Grandpa waved her over. “Come sit here.”
Jiang Cheng Yu arranged his tiles, his gaze fixed on Shen Tang.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chiyi took out a clean cup and poured Shen Tang a cup of jujube tea.
Xie Yun Cheng lounged lazily in his chair, a cigarette in hand.
Because Grandpa was present, he didn’t smoke, just played with it.
“How did you end up here again?” Shen Tang calculated that it had only been about ten days since his last visit.
Xie Yun Cheng smiled meaningfully, “I love a lively scene. Wherever there’s excitement, I go.”
Shen Tang glanced at him, signaling him not to make trouble.
Grandpa endured the night, likely buoyed by his good mood; otherwise, he might have collapsed from exhaustion.
He waited specifically for his granddaughter to return, creating an opportunity for Jiang Cheng Yu.
“Tang Tang, come play.”
Grandpa stood up, leaning on the table edge. Shen Tang handed him his cane.
“Is your back hurting from sitting too long?” Shen Tang asked worriedly.
“Not tired, and my back doesn’t hurt.” Grandpa let the three continue playing. “I usually sleep early. At my age, I can’t stay up late. My room door is soundproof; don’t worry. You can play all night if you want.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Jiang Cheng Yu and Zhao Chiyi responded in unison.
Such synchronization.
Xie Yun Cheng chuckled.
Shen Tang didn’t want to play, but they were short one player.
Xie Yun Cheng pointed to Grandpa’s bedroom door and asked in English, “Is it really that soundproof?”
Shen Tang: “Normal conversation can’t be heard, but loud noises can still be faintly heard.”
She was surprised that the three were willing to play mahjong with Grandpa. “I’m very grateful today. Grandpa hasn’t been this happy in years.”
Xie Yun Cheng: “No need to thank us. We’re just killing time. As long as Grandpa is happy, we can come over every day to play mahjong. I have plenty of time these two months.”
He would return to Manhattan in August.
As for Zhao Chiyi, he had even more free time.
Besides, visiting the set to understand the filming progress was part of his job. Staying in Haitang Village wasn’t neglecting work; video conferences sufficed for company matters.
Only Jiang Cheng Yu had squeezed time to come this time.
He said, “I’ll come whenever I have time.”
Shen Tang didn’t want to owe anyone favors. “No need to bother. Grandpa doesn’t have a gambling habit. Sitting at the mahjong table for too long isn’t good. It’s better to take a walk.”
Xie Yun Cheng agreed. “It’s no trouble. Even if I don’t work for two months, the company will still run. Perhaps next year we won’t even have the chance to play mahjong with Grandpa. You don’t need to feel indebted to us. It’s not about your face. It’s just that Grandpa has had a tough life—poor in the first half, lonely in the second half. Now that you’ve grown up, he’s unable to enjoy it.”
Jiang Cheng Yu tapped the mahjong table with a tile, telling Xie Yun Cheng to say less.
Xie Yun Cheng understood Shen Tang better than he did. “There’s nothing to avoid. Tang Tang isn’t that fragile, or she wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Jiang Cheng Yu sat opposite Shen Tang, glancing at her as he studied his tiles.
Shen Tang wasn’t skilled at mahjong. “Can we switch to cards?”
“Sure,” Zhao Chiyi said, “The sound of mahjong also affects Grandpa’s sleep.”
Shen Tang found a new deck of cards in the coffee table drawer and opened it. In her lifetime, she never imagined sitting at the same table to play cards with these three.
Xie Yun Cheng suggested, “Adding a little bet makes it more interesting.”
Jiang Cheng Yu, skilled at cards, didn’t mind. “What kind of bet?”
Xie Yun Cheng thought for a moment. “Whoever loses each round has to answer one of my questions truthfully. If you lie or evade, you’ll be sorry for Grandpa.”
“...”
Shen Tang didn’t expect Xie Yun Cheng, aside from loving to wander, to be so bored.
The first round’s loser was Jiang Cheng Yu, who boasted about his card skills but still lost. He deliberately let Shen Tang win, not wanting her to be put on the spot.
Jiang Cheng Yu threw down his hand. “Ask.”
Xie Yun Cheng had his question ready. “When was your first love, and how old were you?”
Jiang Cheng Yu glanced at Xie Yun Cheng. “Isn’t this kind of question a bit boring?”
“You might find it boring, but someone finds it interesting.” He said, “Like me.”
Shen Tang looked up, curious about Jiang Cheng Yu’s response. She didn’t expect herself to be so nosy.
Jiang Cheng Yu met Shen Tang’s curious gaze. “When I was 27.”
Shen Tang’s heart thumped once, so clearly.
The year she met him, he was 27.
They started the second round.
Jiang Cheng Yu stopped letting Shen Tang win, realizing from the previous question that Xie Yun Cheng wouldn’t put her in a tough spot.
Unsurprisingly, Shen Tang lost.
Xie Yun Cheng was genuinely worried about Shen Tang’s future. Whether it was Jiang Cheng Yu or Zhao Chiyi, he thought both were fine, much better than himself.
But marrying into the Jiang family was difficult.
And Zhao Chiyi—Shen Tang had no feelings for him now.
“These years, is there anything or anyone you can’t let go of?”
All eyes turned to her.
Xie Yun Cheng gave her time to buffer. “First, is there or isn’t there?”
Shen Tang nodded. “Yes.”
“Family-related?”
“Not.”
Jiang Cheng Yu held his tiles, sensing the answer was imminent.
Apart from family, for someone so cold-hearted, the only thing she couldn’t let go of was probably those three years with him.
Xie Yun Cheng asked again, “Then what is it?”
Shen Tang said, “Chopsticks. I can always pick them up but can’t put them down. Every time, Sister Li forces me to let go.”
Xie Yun Cheng saw the array of emotions on Jiang Cheng Yu’s face and couldn’t help but laugh.
Zhao Chiyi breathed a sigh of relief; he and Jiang Cheng Yu were now on equal footing.
Feeling good, he voluntarily took on shuffling the cards.
Joy led to sorrow. This round, Zhao Chiyi drew a terrible hand; even his skills couldn’t save him.
If Xie Yun Cheng asked about romantic experiences, he couldn’t compare with Jiang Cheng Yu.
At this moment, a phone on the table rang—it was the secretary’s call.
This late at night, unless it was urgent, the secretary wouldn’t disturb him.
Zhao Chiyi hurried to answer, “What’s the matter?”
Secretary: “President Zhao, we just received news. President Xiao has terminated Shen Tang’s two TV dramas and all upcoming commercial activities. Now, they’re preparing to remove Shen Tang’s existing endorsements.”
“Is the information accurate?”
“Verified, confirmed. The brands she endorsed are currently holding meetings.”
Terminating unsigned deals was one thing, but removing existing endorsements would have a bad impact. Who knew what versions would spread?
“Forget the others for now. None of the current endorsements can be removed.” Zhao Chiyi threw down his hand. “I’m heading back to the hotel.”
Today was somewhat disappointing; it should have been his turn to answer a question.
“Sorry, I’ll treat everyone tomorrow.”
He grabbed his suit and left.
Shen Tang didn’t want to play anymore; she had quite a few scenes tomorrow.
Xie Yun Cheng left first. Jiang Cheng Yu stayed to tidy up the card table.
“Leave it; we’ll clean up tomorrow. Go rest early.” Shen Tang issued her dismissal.
Jiang Cheng Yu: “I’m fine, and I’m free tomorrow too.”
Ignoring him, Shen Tang went to her room.
Her phone was out of battery, and she urgently needed to charge it.
She closed the bedroom door behind her but didn’t lock it.
Turning around, Jiang Cheng Yu blocked the door with his hand. “Not discussing anything related to feelings, just confirming something with you. Five minutes max.”
Shen Tang released the doorknob, allowing Jiang Cheng Yu to enter. He gently closed the door behind him.
“What do you want to say?” She tossed her bag onto the sofa and searched for the charger, avoiding his gaze.
Jiang Cheng Yu sat on the same sofa he had occupied before. The room’s arrangement hadn’t changed since his last visit. His time spent with her during that period was precious to him.
His eyes followed Shen Tang’s figure. “Grandpa told me about your parents.”
Shen Tang almost dropped her phone. Finally, she looked at him.
Grandpa never liked to gossip with anyone, let alone mention her background. She never expected him to voluntarily tell Jiang Cheng Yu.
There was only one possibility—Grandpa felt his time was running out and wanted Jiang Cheng Yu to take care of her.
Jiang Cheng Yu asked her, “Are your parents in the country or abroad? Are they unreachable?”
Fearing she might choose silence, he said, “Tang Tang, there’s nothing you can’t tell me.”
If he wanted to investigate, he would have known the truth by now.
But finding out and her trusting him enough to tell him were two different things.
Shen Tang forgot to plug in the charger. “You know them too—Chen Nanjin and Xiao Zhen.”
Few things left Jiang Cheng Yu speechless, and this revelation ranked high.
Shen Tang sat on the bed edge, staring at the black phone screen.
About being abandoned, she didn’t want to share it with anyone. Yet, more and more people were learning about it.
Those who knew might feel sympathy for her.
But for her, it was a long twenty-five years.
The cruelest part was that Chen Nanjin’s family was the model family in the entertainment circle, appearing frequently on various platforms’ front pages. And the fame of Xiao Zhen’s family rivaled that of entertainment stars.
She couldn’t escape it.
Jiang Cheng Yu approached, bending down to gently embrace her. “Let me hold you. Hold the little you from childhood, and the you who always liked to cover your head while sleeping.”
He quickly released her, plugged in the charger, and charged her phone.
His fresh scent lingered on her.
Shen Tang turned her face away, realizing this man was annoying. With just a few words, he could easily stir her emotions.
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