Xie JinYi did not respond.
Han XianYun's heart sank. "Keep him," he said. "I'll marry you and take you home."
Wen TingXue looked up in astonishment.
Xie JinYi remained unmoved.
How many times did she have to say it for him to understand?
She was not interested in the position of Mrs. Han.
She had no desire to be confined by the rigid rules of a wealthy family.
From beginning to end, all she wanted was power, money, and the feeling of controlling her own life.
Instead of depending on others.
To tempt her with the position of Mrs. Han? Hmph, what a joke!
"Try to persuade her," Han XianYun said.
Unable to do anything with Xie JinYi, Han XianYun placed his hope on Wen TingXue.
Wen TingXue thought to herself, once Xie JinYi sets her mind on something, not even ten horses could pull her back.
And she, not even one horse could move.
What use was persuasion!
After Han XianYun left, Xie JinYi threw off the covers and prepared to leave the hospital.
"You're still pregnant!" Wen TingXue reminded her.
Xie JinYi was indifferent. "It's best if it miscarries. I never intended to keep it."
She was focused on her career now, with no time for childbirth.
And to give birth to Han XianYun's child!
Not only would she have no status, but it would also jeopardize her thriving career. She must be insane to choose that!
Wen TingXue dutifully said, "Didn't he say he'll find a way?"
"Do you believe him?" she asked with a smile, but her eyes held no mirth.
Wen TingXue was speechless.
The marriage alliance between the Han and Yan families had been postponed repeatedly and was already on shaky ground.
If they wanted to break it, it would likely harm the Han family's interests.
And Han XianYun always prioritized his family.
-
Three days after Xie JinYi returned to the film set, Han XianYun rushed back from his overseas business.
He didn't see her, but instead, he saw news of her late-night hospital visit.
Speeding to the hospital.
The child was lost.
Xie JinYi lay in the hospital bed, staring blankly, her face as pale as paper.
She looked as if she might be blown away by a gust of wind.
Han XianYun suppressed his emotions and walked step by step to the bedside.
He spoke, his voice deep and heavy, "How did it happen?"
Xie JinYi raised her eyelids and glanced at him, her gaze light and distant.
She smiled and said, "I intentionally aborted it."
Xie JinYi let out a sudden laugh. Han XianYun's face darkened considerably.
"What are you laughing at?"
His voice was even hoarser and more unpleasant than hers.
Xie JinYi traced his features with her eyes, saying calmly:
"A long time ago, I knew that our separation would be brutal, and neither of us would have an easy time. The facts prove I was right."
"And you're happy?" his voice laced with murderous intent. "You never intended to be with me long-term, did you?!"
It was unclear whether it was jealousy or hatred.
His words were tinged with a gritted-teeth bitterness.
Xie JinYi withdrew her gaze and scoffed. "Did you?"
There was no response. Xie JinYi scoffed again. "If that's the case, why should I have children for you?"
"I said I would marry you and take you home."
He gnashed his teeth as he looked at her, his eyes filled with even more disappointment.
Xie JinYi dismissed it indifferently. "Did you? I don't believe you. Han XianYun, of all your promises to me, this is the one I believe the least."
She paused, then looked at him, her brow slightly raised, forcing him, "Do you believe it? For a notorious actress like me, you're willing to oppose the Yan family and harm the Han family's interests? You elevate me so high, but I don't dare to stand so high."
Because they both knew very well.
What they loved most was not each other, but themselves.
As soon as their own interests were significantly threatened, they would ruthlessly abandon the other.
Just like this child.
It blocked her career path, so she had to abort it.
"Why, in the end?"
After a pause, he repeated his initial question.
His eyes held a stubborn persistence.
Xie JinYi met his gaze for a few seconds and said, "A very good script has found me. If the casting and broadcast go smoothly, I will have a place on the international stage."
She paused and added, "It's a martial arts film."
The room was silent, so silent that she could hear his teeth grinding.
It was as if he were trying to chew her to pieces, not the air.
"I can give you all of that too. Why couldn't you have asked for my opinion? You want these things, fine, I'll give you double, a hundred times more! Why did you have to abort the child!"
He became more agitated as he spoke.
Xie JinYi remained calm. "Listen to your words, 'give you'? Hmph, you have given me a lot of resources, but this is different. What I want is the status I've fought for, the glory that is truly mine, not the false prosperity you've built for me, which disappears the moment I leave you.
"Han XianYun, you still don't understand me. No, maybe you do, but you look down on me from the bottom of your heart, because you think my current position is thanks to you. That's true, I don't deny it, but wasn't there also my own effort involved?"
By the end, she no longer bothered to argue.
Those who looked down on her would always look down on her.
There was no point in saying more.
Han XianYun closed his eyes tightly and said, "That day, I shouldn't have taken you away."
He was referring to their beginning.
He negated all their past.
"From now on, don't appear in my sight, or else..."
He looked at her with cold eyes.
Xie JinYi nodded. Han XianYun left.
From then on, the two were completely estranged.
-
In April, it was unclear if it was Fu YuChuan's doing, or if people in the industry were jealous of Yu WenLi's popularity, or if his past was exposed.
In any case, the trending topic of Yu WenLi's infidelity climbed to the top of the search list.
Clicking on it revealed a video of Yu WenLi with women on both sides in a bar.
The filming date was likely from the end of the previous year.
At that time, Yu WenLi had just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and wanted to push Wen TingXue away in this manner.
However, netizens were unaware of this and could not tolerate such behavior.
Especially since they had benefited from the "childhood sweethearts, fairytale romance" image.
After Yu WenLi returned to the entertainment industry, marketing accounts had repeatedly described their love as "unwavering loyalty" and "deep marital affection."
Now, such evidence was exposed.
Netizens felt deceived.
Within half an hour, the topic topped the hot search list.
Following closely was another topic: "What is your opinion on Yu WenLi and Wen TingXue's love?"
The most popular reply below read: [Looking at their relationship timeline, it's evident that when Wen met Yu, she wasn't beautiful or exceptional. In other words, she was likely quite insecure.
[Such an unequal relationship persisting for so long, Wen doesn't think Yu's infidelity is a big deal. Instead, she'll clean up his mess, as long as he's willing to return to the family.]
At first glance, it seemed to make sense.
The number of likes and comments was outrageously high.
As a result, all of Wen TingXue's social media accounts were attacked.
The content was nothing more than insults calling her foolish in love or urging her to divorce quickly.
Or perhaps, "friendly" greetings from Yu WenLi's fans.
Wen TingXue: "..."
She had only stayed up for two nights, how did the world change when she woke up?
Yu WenLi cheated? What kind of cheating?
He wouldn't even dare to think about it!
Especially that top comment, Wen TingXue was simply: "..."
She opened Weibo and prepared her long post.
Yu WenLi was not in the country at the moment and likely wouldn't be able to post a clarification anytime soon.
It's okay, she could clarify it herself.
From their dating history, to the process of being healed, and then to the explanation behind the video.
Wen TingXue's words were calm as she recounted the story.
After posting on Weibo, the heat only grew.
In the end, it directly topped the list.
At the same time, Yu WenLi returned from abroad and reposted her Weibo with the caption: My heart is small; it only holds one person.
Ten minutes later, the person who broke the news was sued.
Netizen: The heart is indeed not big.
...
Wen TingXue came out after a shower, and Yu WenLi happened to open the door to return.
In the steaming mist, the two embraced.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"
The young girl clung to him like a koala, nuzzling and kissing him.
Yu WenLi kicked the suitcase aside and carried her to the living room, lifting her by her hips.
"Afraid you'd cry at home," he teased in a drawn-out tone.
Wen TingXue snorted dismissively. "Your wife has grown up. How could she cry over such trivial matters?"
Yu WenLi gave a meaningful "oh," "Then don't you cry tonight."
Wen TingXue: "..."
"Even if you cry, I won't stop," he added with a darkening gaze.
Wen TingXue playfully tried to get down from him.
But he grabbed her waist and carried her to the bathroom.
"I've already washed! You wash yourself!" she yelled, clinging to the doorframe.
Yu WenLi unceremoniously pried her hands off.
He tossed her into the warm bathtub, his voice hoarse, "The water's already drawn. It's such a waste to wash alone."
He shed his black suit, which exuded an aura of abstinence.
Only a dark red tie remained, wrapped around his wrist.
It accentuated the muscularity of his forearm.
Wen TingXue: "..."
She wanted to run, but she couldn't.
-
Until late at night, the young girl, with faint tear tracks, fell into a deep sleep.
Yu WenLi put on a sleep shirt and went out onto the balcony.
The phone in his palm rang.
He swiped to answer.
Que You's voice came through.
"I've investigated. It is indeed related to Fu YuChuan. It was a foolish act by someone around him, intended to bring down Little Sister-in-law and thus control you. But it's likely not Fu YuChuan's intention; he's not that stupid."
Indeed.
This move wasn't particularly brilliant.
But it was very effective.
So effective that he had genuinely considered leaving the entertainment industry.
From love at first sight to "she's the only one."
This journey, the emotions were real, the love was real.
But he had never considered giving up his dreams, and that was also true.
He was destined to tread this thorny yet glamorous path.
He had prepared himself to bear everything from the very beginning of his dream.
Every song he composed, every lyric he sang, was a journey towards it.
He had even, more than once, taught her how to face slander and gossip.
At the time, he not only wanted her to be strong enough to be invincible.
But also feared that she wouldn't be able to withstand these external factors and break up with him.
After all, being an idol's girlfriend was not easy.
A trivial matter could be attacked by the entire internet, escalating to an incomprehensible degree.
Even with his immense power, he might not be able to block all the criticism.
Therefore, he had been subtly teaching her and influencing her for a long time.
Hoping she could stay with him for a long, long time in this not-so-warm entertainment industry.
But yesterday, seeing the baseless accusations.
The slander that he should have borne, simply because of a deliberately misleading comment, led to her becoming the target of public wrath.
Attacked and cursed by so many people.
He suddenly felt powerless.
On his flight back, he was thinking, perhaps he should retire.
Becoming a behind-the-scenes songwriter wouldn't be bad either.
Although not as glamorous, it was still something he loved.
And she could attract less attention, be cursed less.
At that moment, love ultimately prevailed.
He was willing to give up the dream he had prepared for his entire youth and poured all his energy into.
But when he returned home, her condition was unexpectedly good.
She even had the energy to comfort him...
Yu WenLi lit a cigarette and held it between his fingers, not smoking.
He watched it burn down little by little.
Que You waited patiently. After a long while, he heard the voice on the other end say, "Begin."
Que You: "Okay."
He hung up the phone. Yu WenLi leaned on the railing, his gaze sweeping into the distance.
His sight fell precisely on the location of the Fu family's old mansion.
Taking a puff of smoke.
Yu WenLi thought, the position of the Fu family's heir should probably change hands.
In mid-June, at the Fu family's old mansion.
Fu YuChuan and Lin WanQing were officially engaged.
But even on such a joyous occasion.
The groom was caught in the act with another woman.
And it was exposed to all the guests.
It could be said that the Fu family was utterly disgraced.
But some intelligent observers realized that this was a malicious scheme to disqualify Fu YuShen from inheriting the family fortune.
Years ago, Fu YuShen had assaulted Fu ZhiYi on her nineteenth birthday, and Fu YuChuan had caught him red-handed.
Years later, Fu YuChuan was caught in the act by Fu YuShen at his own engagement banquet.
Coincidentally, the female protagonist in both incidents had the same face.
It was uncanny.
"How will this be resolved now?"
"How else can it be resolved? Young Master Fu is finished. The Fu family still needs someone to lead, so the Elder Council can only turn a blind eye. They can't break another leg, can they?"
"Exactly. Once the Second Master Fu falls, won't the Fu family..."
As the guests were whispering amongst themselves, several white-haired elders appeared, leaning on their canes.
"Everyone, everyone,"
The white-bearded elder in the middle spoke kindly, his voice full of vigor.
There was no sign of his age, well over ninety.
Those familiar with the Fu family knew that the elders of the Elder Council rarely appeared.
Their appearance always signified a major event.
He faintly recalled the last time they appeared was when Fu YuChuan took over as heir.
This time...
The crowd discreetly sized up the legs of the Second Master Fu, who had not yet fully sobered up...
Could it be that they were going to break them forcefully?
Just like the eldest son Fu YuChuan back then?
"The Fu family has caused such a scandal, and we are truly ashamed to face the Lin family and Miss Lin."
Lin WanQing stood by with a faint smile, not responding.
The elder continued, "It is indeed due to our poor upbringing that we have made a spectacle of ourselves. We beg everyone, for the sake of the Fu family's dozens of ancestors, not to spread this matter. The Fu family thanks you."
These words carried two meanings: one was to inform everyone that the Fu family had stood for a hundred years in the capital.
The second was to request everyone, for the sake of the Fu family, to forget this embarrassing incident.
Based on the former, no one dared to refuse.
The elders bowed their fists in salute, with perfect etiquette.
After all, it was a family matter. Once the mouths were dealt with, the outsiders would naturally be asked to leave.
Fu Family Ancestral Hall.
A basin of cold water splashed onto him, and Fu YuChuan's consciousness cleared considerably.
He paused for a moment, then remembered everything.
A look of annoyance flashed across his handsome face, and he then looked at Fu YuShen in the wheelchair.
"It was you. You plotted against me!"
Fu YuShen smiled helplessly. "Second Brother, don't wrongly accuse me. I didn't go near you today."
Fu YuChuan's eyes widened, clearly recalling something.
He turned back mechanically, looking at the young girl with disbelief.
His voice was extremely hoarse, "You..."
"Yes!" The young girl admitted without reservation. "It was me."
"Why?" he asked.
His tone was surprisingly light.
"Why?"
The young girl repeated with a smile, and at the same time, took a few steps forward, came before him, and leaned down, saying word for word:
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yu Jie. Yu Mei'er is my older sister. When I called you for help, hoping you could save my sister, you probably never expected to fall into my hands one day, Fu, Second, Master."
The last address was filled with extreme sarcasm.
Fu YuChuan stared at her face in a daze, not sure if he was looking at her, or through her face, at Fu ZhiYi.
When Yu Jie's name was mentioned, Wen TingXue was stunned for a moment.
That's right.
How could there be two people so alike in the world? Even their personalities, habits, and even their pauses in speech were identical.
Unless it was reincarnation, or deliberate training and imitation.
Yu Jie was naturally the latter.
As for her face, she already resembled Fu ZhiYi a little.
With a slight change here and there, and learning her posture and demeanor, she was almost like a reincarnation of Fu ZhiYi.
No wonder she could charm Fu YuChuan so deeply.
Thinking of this, Wen TingXue immediately looked at Fu YuShen's expression.
As expected, there was not a hint of surprise.
Sensing her gaze, Fu YuShen slightly raised his eyes and gave her a faint smile.
Then, he turned his head and said to the elders:
"Let me have a chat with Second Brother."
Fu YuChuan's career had suffered a setback because of a woman, implicating the family.
The Elder Council was already displeased.
They were now too lazy to say more.
With a wave of their hands, they allowed them to resolve it first.
-
Fu YuShen deliberately took Fu YuChuan to the room where Fu ZhiYi had died.
Before entering the door, Fu YuChuan suddenly looked at Yu WenLi and asked, "Xiao Zhen, he's your subordinate, isn't he?"
Yu WenLi nodded.
Fu YuChuan smiled in defeat and asked again, "The two major financial groups in Country Y, and several senior figures in China's financial circles, are also your people, right?"
Yu WenLi nodded again.
Fu YuChuan looked at him deeply and said, "You are truly capable of enduring. And you are ruthless. No wonder Fu YuShen is cooperating with you."
With so many trump cards, why didn't the surnamed Qi use them when he tried to lure him?
He was tricked by Mo YiChen into being cyberbullied, and he didn't use them.
After a series of blows, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and still didn't use them.
He held on until now, and all the calculated schemes, one after another, were used on him.
Heh.
Fu YuChuan even wanted to thank him for taking him so seriously.
Yu WenLi looked back at him, his tone indifferent. "If it weren't for Second Master Fu's relentless pressure, I would have just been a small singer."
What he wanted was never conspiracy and scheming.
He just wanted to write and sing songs well, but they wouldn't allow it. They insisted on bringing dirty and dark things before him.
"..."
The two entered the room, and Wen TingXue was still in a daze.
They, just now, what were they talking about?
Why couldn't she understand a single word?