SY - 35

Song Zhi walked over and directly turned off the stove: “No need, I don’t have the habit of eating breakfast.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan Zhou paused. He was well aware of her temperament.

Although she appeared delicate and soft on the surface, she had a resilient core, much like Song Luo.

Once she set her mind on something, it was hard to change.

He knew all of this.

He just wanted to see her.

After graduating from high school, he was sent abroad. Alone in a foreign country, he didn’t feel particularly homesick or miss his parents.

It couldn’t be denied that outsiders’ evaluations of him were somewhat accurate.

He was cold-blooded with a weak sense of family ties.

He wasn’t in the habit of shirking responsibility, nor would he attribute his coldness to his childhood experiences.

During that time, the only person he thought about at night, tossing and turning, was her.

Closing his eyes, it was her; opening them, it was still her. Even in his dreams, it was her sweet voice calling his name.

So, he started skipping classes, disregarding the time difference and distance, returning home.

Just to catch a glimpse of Song Zhi.

Yet, he never uttered the word “miss.”

I want to see you.

I miss you so much.

His fingers were still gripping the pot handle, and due to the force, his knuckles were slightly pale.

He wanted to say something but ultimately lowered his head in silence.

Song Zhi tried her best to suppress her emotions, her tone still relatively calm: “I don’t want to create any unnecessary rumors. I hope Mr. Jiang can understand.”

The atmosphere turned icy. Xia Wanyue tightened her coat beside them, fearing she might get frostbite.

She felt that the usual Song Zhi, who was full of dirty jokes and never serious, was all an illusion. The current Song Zhi was the real one.

Neither spoke. Jiang Yan Zhou gradually loosened his grip and lightly nodded.

His voice was hoarse, like a taut string, suppressed to the extreme, snapping instantly.

He apologized to her: “Sorry for disturbing you.”

After washing his hands, he picked up his coat and prepared to leave.

Perhaps it was the aftereffect of a hangover; his steps were still unsteady, his left hand touching his brow bone, gently massaging it.

The alcohol’s aftereffects were strong, and seven hours were far from enough to clear it.

Xia Wanyue had a weakness—she couldn’t bear to see handsome men suffer. Her heart twisted along with his.

But she didn’t forget the main matter and called out to him: “Don’t forget the cats.”

A faint trace of surprise flickered in Jiang Yan Zhou’s deep eyes. Clearly, he had completely forgotten about yesterday’s events.

Without a word, Xia Wanyue picked up the cat basket and thrust it into his arms: “You probably forgot, but yesterday you begged to adopt these cats. Remember to treat them well.”

Even if he was extremely drunk, he wouldn’t cry and make a fuss.

But Jiang Yan Zhou said nothing, lightly nodding as an acknowledgment.

Before leaving, he glanced at Song Zhi.

The latter used chopsticks to pick up the fried egg and threw it into the trash, expressionless.

After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his eyelashes, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and turned to leave.

After the door closed, Xia Wanyue sighed: “I feel like you were too harsh.”

Song Zhi looked at the closed door: “I’m just treating him the way he treated me.”

He had repeatedly pushed her away like this.

Only his rejection was silent.

He took her enthusiasm for granted but never responded.

How could years of affection disappear in just a few days?

People grow through countless tears. During the days after their breakup, Song Zhi cried many times.

Reluctance, and an intense urge to see him.

She endured those sleepless nights alone and wouldn’t let herself fall back into old patterns.

She no longer wanted to be the little golden canary without dignity, kept in his castle.

Xia Wanyue said: “But it clearly seems like he wants to keep you. Are you really not giving him any chance?”

Song Zhi spoke of her grand ambition: “Right now, I don’t think of anything else. I just want to make money.”

Xia Wanyue felt deeply relieved by her idea: “Having ambition is good. Men aren’t as important as money. With money, why worry about men?”

The porridge in the pot was just right, emitting an inviting aroma.

Just moments ago, Song Zhi, who adamantly refused breakfast, was now serving herself a bowl.

Xia Wanyue was somewhat speechless: “So quick to compromise?”

“Wouldn’t want it to go to waste.” Song Zhi justified, “One pot of porridge as a breakup fee, pretty cheap for him.”

Xia Wanyue enjoyed this bowl of Song Zhi’s “breakup fee” contentedly, not forgetting to comment: “Never expected such a big boss to be quite skilled in cooking.”

Song Zhi was spreading jam on a slice of bread: “He lived alone from a very young age. He knows how to do some simple household chores.”

Xia Wanyue was puzzled: “Why did he live alone? Was there no one at home?”

“There were people.”

Song Zhi shrugged, not wanting to talk about anything related to Jiang Yan Zhou anymore, “Who knows.”

________________________________________

The evening scene was the last shoot in the old downtown area and also Zhang Fanfan’s wrap-up scene.

She was already made up and waiting. An assistant came over with a cup of hot water, and she frowned impatiently: “Are you trying to scald me to death?”

The assistant quickly apologized and turned to add cold water for her.

Song Zhi was always criticized for being spoiled, but she thought Zhang Fanfan was the typical princess syndrome.

Having carried the label “princess syndrome” for over twenty years, Song Zhi felt a bit indignant for herself.

Zhang Fanfan saw her and sarcastically asked: “Oh, your complexion looks great today. Seems like you were well taken care of yesterday.”

Song Zhi yawned and pulled out the chair next to her to sit down, casually nodding: “Not bad. The little wolf dog has too much stamina; I couldn’t handle it.”

The person who initiated the topic blushed: “You... you’re shameless.”

Song Zhi smiled mischievously: “Didn’t you ask first? How am I shameless?”

Zhang Fanfan was the typical rich girl, well-protected by her family. Coming to the entertainment industry was just a fleeting passion.

Once the heat died down, she would likely return to being a rich girl.

Someone who barely dated would naturally be inexperienced in this area.

But she was somewhat curious.

He Hanyang was indeed very handsome, with a decadent charm.

It wasn’t surprising that Xia Chulan was obsessed with him.

Seeing Zhang Fanfan’s curious yet embarrassed micro-expression, Song Zhi suppressed a laugh internally but only slightly curved her lips outwardly: “Want to know the details?”

Zhang Fanfan arrogantly lifted her chin: “If you want to say it, I don’t mind listening reluctantly.”

Song Zhi stood up, her expression teasing: “I don’t like forcing people.”

Zhang Fanfan: “...”

She knew it. Song Zhi, this thorny rose, wouldn’t be so kindhearted.

The neighboring film crew’s shooting location was next to theirs. Song Zhi could even hear Lin Shanshan reciting lines.

Her emotionless reading style would probably need re-dubbing later.

As two series starting production almost simultaneously, plus similarities between directors and actors, this drama was often compared from casting onwards.

Moreover, Lin Shanshan’s style clearly had traces of imitating Song Zhi. If it weren’t for Song Zhi’s high-end fashion choices, Lin Shanshan might even copy her style.

Even Song Zhi’s background as coming from a scholarly family, Lin Shanshan tried to mimic, going back several generations to find a great-grandfather who was once a university professor.

Lin Shanshan’s popularity entirely rode on binding herself to Song Zhi, a blood-sucking clone who occasionally stepped on Song Zhi.

Because of the recent rumors with He Hanyang, Song Zhi’s popularity was at its peak.

Probably seizing this opportunity, early this morning, the hashtag #LinShanshanSongZhi unexpectedly reached the third spot on the trending list.

Tagging Song Zhi’s name seemed to naturally boost attention.

Clicking into the topic, most of the top posts were praising Lin Shanshan while criticizing Song Zhi.

[Though Song Zhi and Lin Shanshan look similar, their personalities are easily distinguishable. Compared to Song Zhi, who is entangled in scandals yet tries to maintain a pure image, Lin Shanshan is like a breath of fresh air. Rising from humble roots, she moved the director with her efforts and finally landed her first leading role. Such an inspiring journey successfully turned some viewers into fans.]

[Lin Shanshan clearly cherishes this hard-earned opportunity more. Looking at leaked photos of both, Song Zhi mostly appears lost in thought or daydreaming. Although undeniably beautiful, her professionalism leaves much to be desired.]

[Isn’t it said that Song Zhi was kept by some big shot, which is why her resources are so extraordinary? I thought everyone knew.]

[As her former fan, Song Zhi... she’s famously two-faced.]

Those leaked photos were clearly deliberately taken. What they referred to as Song Zhi being lost in thought or daydreaming was actually the director asking her to get into character. The character Sheng Yan was inherently obsessive and twisted, living in her own little world that outsiders couldn’t penetrate.

Yesterday’s trending topics were painstakingly removed. Xia Wanyue specifically advised Song Zhi to stay low-key, hoping to wait until netizens forgot about the matter before appearing in public again.

But Lin Shanshan’s team, seeing Song Zhi at the eye of the storm, deliberately created another wave of attention, stepping on Song Zhi in the process.

Though Song Zhi wasn’t too concerned about many things, it didn’t mean she was willing to be someone’s stepping stone to climb up.

To prevent her from saying inappropriate things, her Weibo account was usually managed by the company, filled mainly with promotions and advertisements.

She rarely logged into Weibo.

[Song Zhi: Dolly the cloned sheep only lived for six years. I wonder how long cloned humans can live~]

The accompanying picture was a magazine cover she shot. Lin Shanshan had taken a similar pose just two days ago.

The implication was self-evident.

By the time Xia Wanyue discovered this tweet, it was too late.

Within half an hour, Song Zhi’s post was forwarded tens of thousands of times.

[Damn, so bold.]

[666, the main character personally joining the feud. Grabbing popcorn to watch the show.]

[White flower blackening? Unexpectedly intriguing.]

[This trending topic came out of nowhere. Anyone with eyes can see what’s going on. It’s normal for Rich Sister to be angry. Bloodsucking and stepping on others, especially during sensitive periods.]

[Can’t wait to see how Lin Shanshan responds hahaha.]

Xia Wanyue felt her head about to explode from anger: “Couldn’t you have restrained yourself for a bit? Once you posted this tweet, this topic won’t die down for three to five days.”

Song Zhi wore a “Who cares” expression: “I’ve disliked this little bitch for a long time.”

There was nothing to do but accept fate. Xia Wanyue helplessly calculated her workload, repeatedly reminding Song Zhi: “From now on, please don’t post any more tweets. I’ll handle it with PR.”

Having received the final warning, even though Song Zhi had rolled up her sleeves ready to personally join the fray, she had to be dissuaded halfway.

Tang Xiaoyan, who had just woken up, rushed over like a cat smelling blood, sending condolences.

[Tang Xiaoyan: Yesterday’s scandal with He Hanyang, today personally stepping into battle with the white lotus. How many surprises do you have left for me?]

Song Zhi was typing when Xia Wanyue entered with a worried face: “Song Zhi, does Lin Shanshan know your backing is gone?”

Song Zhi was stunned by her question: “What backing?”

“Jiang Yan Zhou.”

Lin Shanshan went from being an unknown eighty-line actress to leaping into the limelight with incredible resources. Industry insiders could immediately see that someone was pushing her.

Previously, although she provoked Song Zhi, she was obviously cautious, doing so carefully.

But now, it seemed she knew there was no possibility between Song Zhi and Jiang Yan Zhou. She went all out, sparring no effort to step on Song Zhi.

She had just snatched one of Song Zhi’s endorsements.

Xia Wanyue tentatively asked: “I heard that movie she’s starring in, Shenhuan invested fifty million. Could it be Jiang Yan Zhou promoting her?”