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Shen Tang ordered a piece of half-baked cheesecake to reward herself for her hard work over the past few days.
She feigned reluctance, “Sister Li, can I eat this? It’s very high in calories.”
“Don’t tease me.” Sister Li also took a piece and ate it, forgetting all about calories. Everyone in the studio had visibly thinned out these past few days.
She was no exception.
She was mentally and physically exhausted, even dreaming at night about how to tear Fan Yu apart.
This bloody storm seemed to have settled, but who knew if it would resurface.
“Tangtang, what are your plans next?” Sister Li began to indulge herself, brewing two cups of coffee, completely abandoning any thought of calories.
Shen Tang took small bites of the half-baked cheesecake, several images overlapping in her mind: Jiang Chengyu washing fruit for her, Jiang Chengyu buying half-baked cheesecake for her across the street, Jiang Chengyu telling her in that meeting room on the eighteenth floor of Evergreen Hotel, “Tangtang, come to my side.”
All the images were of him.
Each scene had an afterimage, then slowly dissipated.
His figure disappeared, and in front of her was Sister Li, looking at her, asking about her plans.
Shen Tang took a sip of coffee to hide her momentary distraction, “You’re the manager, why are you asking me what my plans are?”
Sister Li’s mind was muddled. Shen Tang had been in charge of fighting the battles these days, and she almost forgot her own job.
“You take a few days to adjust. Zhao Chiyi’s Awakening from a Great Dream starts filming at the end of the month.”
Shen Tang hadn’t been paying attention to other entertainment news recently, so she asked, “Who are the male lead and director?”
Sister Li: “It’s still Zhou Mingqian and Gu Heng.”
The drama That Summer likely wouldn’t be aired. From producer Chen Nanjin to supporting actor Fan Yishuo, they were almost completely exposed this time: one had an extramarital affair and had been neglecting his father and daughter for twenty years, the other assaulted someone on set.
One of the production companies for this drama was held by Fan Yu’s shares.
Satellite TV and online platforms wouldn’t risk buying this drama in the next two years; who knows how long it would be shelved.
Zhao Chiyi meant for Awakening from a Great Dream to be a compensation for Zhou Mingqian and Gu Heng.
In this public opinion battle, not only did Zhou Mingqian strongly support her, but Gu Heng also liked her Weibo post, explicitly showing his stance.
True feelings are revealed in times of crisis.
Sister Li’s phone vibrated incessantly, and the office landline rang continuously.
She had no time to answer the calls and asked her assistant to pick them up.
Without exception, they were all discussing collaborations.
Several dramas that had been terminated due to Xiao Zhen’s obstruction were now coming to them, with their remuneration increased by a fifth.
“Shameless.”
The assistant took over Sister Li’s words: “Being decent is a luxury for them.”
“Smart mouth.” Shen Tang pointed to the half-baked cheesecake box, “Punish you by making you eat two pieces.”
The little assistant shook her head like a high-frequency rattle; she wanted to be beautiful and refused sweets.
Shen Tang closed the box and told Sister Li, “From now on, don’t accept any commercial activities or scripts.”
Sister Li: “Are we giving them the cold shoulder? Or waiting until your value increases before accepting?” With Shen Tang’s current popularity and buzz, she wouldn’t lack resources.
“I’m going to retire from the industry. I’ll fulfill my previous contracts for the next six months.”
“What?” Sister Li’s eyes widened. So what she told Director Xiao about retiring wasn’t just to trick him. “You... why are you retiring?”
It was a bolt from the blue; she couldn’t accept it.
They had already overcome the most difficult times; what could be darker than the past few days?
Even if the past few days had negatively affected her reputation, especially with all the slandering from Fan Yu and her family’s fans, it wouldn’t have too much impact after some time passed.
“Anyway, you became popular by riding on scandals, so a little more won’t hurt.”
“With Fan Yu’s vindictiveness, as long as I’m in the industry for a day, anyone associated with me will suffer innocent consequences, and then public opinion will truly become uncontrollable.”
Shen Tang found a card from her bag, “I have other things to do after I retire.”
She shook Sister Li’s shoulder, “Are you stunned?”
Sister Li understood Shen Tang’s personality; once she made a decision, there was no turning back. She usually got so angry with her, but it would feel strange to really part ways.
Shen Tang instructed Sister Li: “I’m giving you the apartment in Shanghai. We can transfer the ownership when you have time. As for the house I’m renting here in Beijing, Yuanyuan says she dreams of having that little place with a scenic terrace in that location. I’ve contacted the landlord, and once he returns to the country, I’ll buy it and give it to Yuanyuan as a 26th birthday gift. Use the cash from my personal account to pay each team member a lump sum of three years’ salary. They haven’t had a good life following me these past few years.”
Yuanyuan was the little assistant.
“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Sister Li was shocked, feeling like Shen Tang was leaving and never coming back.
“You know the password.” Shen Tang placed the bank card on Sister Li’s desk. “I’m not crazy. I’m not short of money. When I was in London, I was so poor I only had money. I didn’t know how to manage finances, so I entrusted it to Xie Yucheng’s company. Over the years, it’s already reached nine figures. I’m alone now, what do I need so much money for?”
“I’ll take the three years’ salary, but I can’t take the apartment.” Sister Li felt ashamed, “I’ve scolded you a lot these past few years. I feel undeserving of so much salary.”
Shen Tang smiled, “Finally, you’ve softened and are reflecting on yourself. Not bad.”
“You, you’re heartless, still smiling.” Sister Li turned her face away, her eyes moist.
Shen Tang put away her joking tone, “You scolded me because I wasn’t living up to my potential. Giving you the apartment is to thank you for taking care of me. Every time I had an engagement, no matter how late, you would wait outside the private room, afraid I’d be forced to drink too much. To me, those nights you waited for me are more precious than an apartment. These past five years, you’ve actually indulged me. You’d scold me verbally, then turn around and busy yourself with handling my scandals. Those two years when I couldn’t get any roles, you never thought of leaving me. You said to persevere for grandpa’s sake, that I wouldn’t be unlucky forever.”
Sister Li’s tear ducts opened, unable to hold back the torrent of tears.
“Shen Tang, why are you being so sentimental?!”
She turned to look for tissues, her vision blurred by tears, unable to see anything. The assistant handed her a tissue box.
The assistant also cried; she couldn’t bear to part with Shen Tang. She started as Shen Tang’s assistant right after graduation, and five years was longer than the time she spent with her family.
“Sister Tang, why don’t you take me with you when you retire? I’ll go to Manhattan with you and continue to be your assistant. I don’t want the scenic apartment.”
She wiped her tears, “Our family will break up now. I feel like life will lose its meaning. And what about the bodyguards? Do they have to find new employers?”
Shen Tang leaned against the table, smiling as she looked at the assistant, who was a crying mess, “Are you crying because I’m retiring, or because the bodyguard is leaving?”
Assistant: “...Of course, it’s because I’ll miss you.”
“I’m keeping him by my side. I’ll still need him to protect me in the future.” Shen Tang took sunglasses from the table and put them on. “Yuanyuan, you don’t understand what someone like him has been through in his past. He’s the type who doesn’t marry, doesn’t have children, has no feelings, no love, and lives a dissipated life.”
She rubbed the assistant’s head, “Live in your scenic apartment, find a nice guy to date, and live the life you want.”
“If you’re reluctant to part with this family, I won’t let you lose your jobs. Wen Di has recovered from her emotional wounds and is planning to find a team to return to the entertainment industry. Her earning power is stronger than mine, and you’re already familiar with her, so cooperating will save time in getting used to each other. In the future, I’ll need your help to take care of Wen Di.”
Sister Li suddenly remembered what Shen Tang had said: “Even if I can’t stay in this industry, I’ll use all my trump cards to ensure all of you have a bright future and won’t cause you any trouble.”
She also said, ‘My trump card is myself’.
At that time, she thought Shen Tang was too arrogant.
“I have an appointment.” Shen Tang left, meeting Wen Di as planned.
Wen Di had visited Haitang Village before and said that when she had enough money, she would buy a house there and look at the sea from the terrace when she was unhappy.
Of the few buildings her grandfather left her, the one that was a guesthouse, she gave to Brother Shen. He deserved it; he took care of their grandfather more than she did these past few years.
The building next to the guesthouse, she gave to Wen Di.
Only the few rooms she and her grandfather lived in, she kept for herself.
Wen Di had been incredibly busy these past few days. She fought fire with fire, using Fan Yu’s tactics against Fan Yu. Besides hiring internet trolls, she also registered small accounts and participated herself.
She hadn’t slept well and felt like she was in a daze even during the day.
“What have you been doing? Your dark circles are so heavy?” Shen Tang stared at Wen Di’s eyes.
Wen Di rested her hands on her cheeks and yawned, “Writing scripts, thinking about plots, eating the large watermelon you opened. My days and nights are upside down.”
She didn’t want the house in Haitang Village. “Let Brother Shen keep that VIP suite in the guesthouse for me to live in. The building next door can continue to be rented out. I was just joking with you back then. If you gave it to me, I wouldn’t even visit a few days a year; it would be a waste to leave it empty. It’s better to rent it out for business.”
She laughed, “Let’s save it for when we’re old and go there to retire.”
Shen Tang never thought so far ahead, wondering if she would be alone when she was old.
“The apartment in Shanghai was given to Sister Li, and the one I’m currently renting will be given to Yuanyuan once I buy it. With them helping you in the future, I’ll be at ease.”
Wen Di looked at her as if she were crazy, “You gave away two apartments for me?”
“Part of it is to thank them for taking care of me these past five years.” The other part was hoping they would treat Wen Di well.
“Fan Yu’s hatred for me will transfer to you, and she’ll definitely try to slander you then. Sister Li knows how to deal with Fan Yu; she’s gained experience in fighting these battles over the years.”
Two apartments weren’t enough to thank Wen Di. Wen Di had a talent for screenwriting; she was blessed by God, and both her adapted and original scripts were incredibly popular.
When Shen Tang couldn’t get any roles, Wen Di sold scripts at a low price, with the only condition in the contract being that Shen Tang had to star in them, even as a supporting role.
Later, when Shen Tang gained popularity and could get roles herself, Wen Di’s scripts no longer had additional conditions, and each script was worth nearly eight figures.
“I’m tired, I’ll sleep for a bit.” Shen Tang lay on the table.
Wen Di was also tired and sleepy, and lay down on her side as well.
Before long, both of them fell asleep in the private room.
Outside the window, the city’s night view reflected on their faces.
________________________________________
The house had been silent for almost two hours. Chu Xiaoyue and Chu Xiaokuo occasionally exchanged glances, communicating through their eyes.
It was the tail end of summer vacation, and they had originally planned to return to school this week. They never dared to imagine that the gossip they were following would lead to their own family, and their villa would completely collapse.
Their father sat in the living room, a laptop in front of him, the webpage showing an email interface. He seemed to be checking emails, but the mouse hadn’t moved for almost half an hour.
Chu Xiaoyue kicked her brother, quietly pointing her finger at their father.
Chu Xiaokuo understood his sister’s meaning. He drank half a glass of ice water, trying to calm himself down.
“Dad.”
After two seconds, “Hmm?”
Chu Yueli slowly turned his head, “What’s wrong?”
The twins came over. Chu Xiaokuo instantly looked like an adult, hands clasped, expression serious.
Meanwhile, Chu Xiaoyue knelt on the carpet, like when she was little, leaning on her father’s lap, looking up at Chu Yueli with expectant eyes.
“Dad, we want to talk to you, just a casual chat.” Chu Xiaokuo began.
Chu Yueli put down the mouse and smiled, “Are you going to comfort me?”
“No.” Chu Xiaokuo said, “I don’t think you need our comfort. I just want to know your thoughts, or rather, no matter what decision you make, my sister and I will support you.”
This wasn’t the main point of the conversation.
He took a deep breath, “My thought is, if you can’t accept that Mom concealed the fact that she was already married and had a child before marriage, then just divorce her quickly. It would be a relief for Mom too. Don’t think that doing so is undignified; my sister and I will absolutely understand.”
Chu Xiaoyue echoed, “My brother and I are both twenty. We’ll soon have our own lives and don’t need you to force yourselves for us. Whether you and Mom live together in the future or not, it won’t affect our love for both of you.”
Chu Xiaokuo continued what he hadn’t finished saying: “If you still love Mom, then let go of this completely. Don’t hesitate now and then argue with Mom later; that would also be torture for Mom, don’t you think? She’s wrong about this, but I believe that for the past twenty-five years, she’s lived with more pain and fear than we can imagine.”
Chu Yueli looked at his two children. Overnight, the rumors had made them grow up.
“I was just thinking about how to comfort you two,” he blamed himself. “I’m so sorry for making you endure criticism at this sensitive age.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. An idol became my sister; it’s more magical than a novel.”
It was late, and Chu Yueli told the two children to go upstairs and sleep.
Chu Xiaoyue hugged her dad, “Goodnight.”
Chu Yueli rubbed his daughter’s nose, “Goodnight. Tomorrow is another day.”
At 1:30 AM, Chu Yueli was smoking on the terrace when a car entered the yard. Xiao Zhen had rushed back from abroad overnight. He extinguished his cigarette and went back inside.
Xiao Zhen tidied up her makeup in the downstairs bathroom before going upstairs to find Chu Yueli. She stood at the bedroom door, her feet glued, not daring to move forward.
The two looked at each other from a distance.
Chu Yueli didn’t know she was coming back tonight. Her phone had been unreachable these past few days, and he had learned about her condition through her bodyguard.
Xiao Zhen held onto the doorframe. “I’ll sleep in the guest room downstairs. I came back because I was afraid the children would do something rash.” She exerted too much force, and her nail broke as she gripped the doorframe.
“I’m sorry.”
Beyond that, she didn’t know what to say.
She knew he wouldn’t initiate a divorce.
“I’ve already asked the lawyer to draft the divorce agreement. I don’t want anything. All assets will go to the children and you. The children are grown, so there’s no custody to fight over. If there are no asset division disputes, the divorce will be quick. Just bear with it a little longer.”
Chu Yueli walked over step by step. Only when he got closer did he see that her eyes were swollen. No amount of makeup could hide it, and she must have cried countless times these past few days.
“For a man who was already unfaithful before marriage, you’ve hated him for so many years and retaliated for so many years. Aren’t you tired? Neither I nor the children could make you let go of the past.”
Xiao Zhen didn’t dare to look at him, staring at her broken nail.
“I’m sorry, for making you a laughingstock.”
She finally managed to lift her hand and hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
Xiao Zhen also asked herself if she was tired. Yes, she was tired of hating.
But she couldn’t not hate. She was still stuck in her pain, yet he married Fan Yu and had a daughter so quickly. The public relationship she once fantasized about never happened, nor did a grand wedding.
Nothing was left but a scarred divorce certificate.
And Fan Yu, with just a little thought and some tactics, had everything.
How could her heart ever find balance? She didn’t know.
She had Tangtang at twenty-one, fell out with her father, abandoned her studies, and ended up with nothing. Those absurdities, how she wished they were a dream.
Xiao Zhen didn’t want to defend herself. In all these years, the only right thing she did was marry Chu Yueli. In the abyss of eternal damnation, there was still a glimmer of light.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized again, releasing him.
Before she turned away, Chu Yueli’s palm pressed against her back. “It’s all in the past,” he said. “I knew Shen Tang was your daughter a long time ago.”
“When did you know?” Xiao Zhen was shocked.
“Five years ago, occasionally.” Chu Yueli didn’t want to recall that much.
Those days were agonizing for him.
He had always thought that the conflict between Shen Tang and Chu Ran was because Shen Tang was angry with Chu Ran due to Xiao Zhen.
If it weren’t for Shen Tang’s identity being exposed this time, he wouldn’t have known that Xiao Zhen had been planning in the entertainment industry for so many years, never letting go of the past in order to get revenge on Chen Nanjin.
“Since you’ve gotten your revenge, let it go.”
Xiao Zhen grabbed his arm, “That video where Chu Ran pushed Shen Tang, did you have someone release it, sacrificing Chu Ran to cover for me?”
Chu Yueli looked at her quietly, saying nothing.
Even when angry, he still didn’t want her to be ridiculed by her friends in that circle.
His daughter was right; he had been foolishly infatuated.
He felt guilty towards his niece, wondering how to compensate her.
Who knew that at the time, not many people condemned Chu Ran for that video; everyone was busy gossiping about other things.
Chu Ran said she couldn’t even gain popularity.
________________________________________
It was a sunny new day in Beijing.
Chen Nanjin returned home and went straight to the bedroom’s walk-in closet, taking out a suitcase to pack his clothes.
Fan Yu panicked, pretending to be calm, “What are you doing?”
“The lawyer will contact you then.” Chen Nanjin only took a few changes of clothes. He rarely stayed in his other apartment, so he had almost no clothes there.
“You’re divorcing me?” Fan Yu’s face turned pale. “At a time like this, you’re really going to divorce me? What about Yinuo if we divorce?”
“She’s twenty-two, not a child. It’s time for her to start dating.”
“You want to completely ruin her?” Fan Yu placed all her hopes of reconciliation on her daughter. She and Chen Nanjin were at a dead end, but even so, she still didn’t want to let go.
“She’s already a subject of gossip now. If we divorce again, she’ll become a complete laughingstock. Can’t you bear with it for our daughter?”
Chen Nanjin stopped talking, his mind made up.
Fan Yu didn’t argue with him. The arguments of these past few days had broken her heart. She left the bedroom.
Soon, Chen Yinuo came in.
Her face was full of fatigue from the long journey. “Dad.”
Chen Nanjin acknowledged her with a ‘hmm’. “You didn’t rest well on the plane. Go get some sleep.”
Chen Yinuo linked her arm through her father’s, not letting him pack his clothes. “Dad, you’re leaving this home. What about me? For my sake, can you and Mom just calm down? Twenty-two years of marriage, are we really going to abandon each other in times of trouble?”
Chen Nanjin looked at his daughter, “It has nothing to do with this incident. When she threw away our family’s passports, there was no possibility left.”
“Dad, the passports...”
Chen Nanjin stopped his daughter, “No need to say more. Dad knows what he’s doing. Even if your mom and I divorce, I’ll still be your dad.”
“But this family will never be complete again.”
“Tangtang’s family was gone when she was one. Nothing is insurmountable.” Chen Nanjin patted his daughter’s hand. “Don’t try to persuade me. There’s no possibility of us continuing.”
Chen Yinuo’s tears streamed down.
Chen Nanjin didn’t look at his daughter again. He zipped up his suitcase and carried it downstairs.
________________________________________
At eleven in the morning, Shen Tang was still asleep.
She had slept in the private room with Wen Di last night, and then they went drinking.
Twenty-five years of trials and tribulations didn’t disappear just because she got drunk.
Sister Li sent her a message: there was a dinner party with the executives of a certain A sports brand in the evening, and they would also cancel the original contract and sign a new one.
To thank Brand A for their crucial support, she would endorse them for free for the next two years. After retiring from the industry, she would no longer participate in any commercial activities, only authorizing her image for endorsement.
There was also an unread text message on her phone, from an unknown number: [Tangtang, are you free tonight? Dad wants to meet you.]
Shen Tang didn’t reply and deleted it.
She lay on her pillow, suddenly missing someone.
At 6 PM, Shen Tang put on her makeup and went to the dinner as scheduled.
The dinner was set in a VIP private room at Evergreen Hotel, just one wall away from the room where she had dined with Jiang Chengyu and Xie Yucheng last time.
The waiter pushed open the private room door for her, revealing an empty, large dining table.
By the window, there was another long dining table, where the man she had been thinking about at noon was sitting.
The private room door closed automatically, shutting out all sounds.
Jiang Chengyu was dressed in a formal suit, his tie neatly tied.
He stood up and walked to her side to pull out a chair for her.
She had been in a daze these past few days, and for a moment, she couldn’t remember when she last saw him. Shen Tang quickly returned to normal and smiled, “Didn’t you say you were having dinner with A brand’s executives?”
Jiang Chengyu returned to his seat, “I invested in Brand A. All the procedures will probably be completed in two months. The information should be disclosed in November.”
There was warm water prepared for her on the table by Jiang Chengyu. Shen Tang picked it up and drank, her heart already sinking into the mud.
He became a major shareholder of Brand A, and she was the endorser. This might be their only connection in the future.
Jiang Chengyu unfolded a napkin for her. As she took the napkin from his hand, Shen Tang noticed that his watch and the one she was wearing were a couple’s set.
Jiang Chengyu looked at her, “I still haven’t been able to treat you to a meal in public without any worries.”
Shen Tang shook her head, “This is good, quiet.”
She lowered her head to arrange the napkin, not looking at him. Jiang family’s second young master, besides being arrogant, if he focused his gaze on anyone, no one could resist.
Jiang Chengyu’s gaze remained on her face. “After things quiet down, we’ll go to SZ Restaurant. You should like the night view there, and some of the dishes are your favorites.”
Shen Tang glanced up at him, “Thank you. I’m flying to Shanghai tomorrow to handle some personal matters, and I’ll be joining a film crew at the end of the month, which is also in Shanghai. After filming this drama, I’ll retire from the industry and go abroad. I probably won’t come to Beijing again.”
After that, the private room was as cold and silent as a winter night on Mount Han.
The silence chilled the warm water in her glass.
A knock on the door and the sound of a dining cart broke the silent entanglement between them.
All the dishes were Shen Tang’s favorites.
Jiang Chengyu picked up the serving chopsticks and put food on her plate, “Is there nothing in Beijing worth your longing for?”
There used to be. At first, she didn’t like this city because Chen Nanjin’s home was here, and she didn’t even buy a house here.
Later, with him, she also looked forward to coming to Beijing, looked forward to seeing him.
Shen Tang: “Not anymore.”
She no longer looked at Jiang Chengyu. The way he looked at her was the same as on the night they broke up; he wanted to look into her heart.
Coming to ask for reconciliation and pursue her again and again was indeed difficult for someone who had always maintained a high posture.
With such blunt words, Jiang Chengyu didn’t persist. “Tangtang, may I presumptuously ask you a question?”
“Ask away.” Shen Tang began to eat.
Delicious food, but her tongue had lost the ability to love.
Jiang Chengyu: “You kept your education a secret, and no one knew which middle school you attended after arriving in London. Was it to protect Ning Yinchen?”
Shen Tang frankly admitted, “Yes. You haven’t met him. You don’t know how quiet he is and how he dislikes dealing with the media. If he were exposed, paparazzi would definitely stake out for him.”
Jiang Chengyu said, “I’ve met him. I met him at the launch ceremony of the GR and Xiao Ning Group collaboration project. He also asked Yan Heyu if there was a celebrity named Shen Tang in China, saying she was his schoolmate.”
Shen Tang was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
She asked, “Is there anything else you want to ask?”
“No.” Jiang Chengyu clinked glasses with her. “I hope many years from now, I will still be fortunate enough to be in your heart.”
Shen Tang drank that glass of plain water. Water, too, could intoxicate a person.
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