"Ningjing, go upstairs and check on your brother first. We''d like to have a word with this youngdy."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Chang Ningjing nodded in response.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi tensed up. Drawing from her years of experience with novels and acting, she anticipated the next scene: they would offer her a credit card and ask her to leave their son.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Come, youngdy. We''d like to have a chat with you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi grew increasingly nervous.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
The couple led Shu Yi to an upscale café near the hospital.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Please, have a seat."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi obediently sat down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"We''ll cut to the chase and speak frankly," Nie Ling said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
The couple''s strong presence was palpable; as they sat there, Shu Yi felt intimidated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"What''s your name?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Shu Yueru."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"You''re an actress, aren''t you? You''re quite beautiful."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Nie Ling sat poised, holding a cup of coffee, scrutinizing Shu Yi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Yes, I am."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"You two aren''tpatible. I don''t think you should be together."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Nie Ling''s voice was devoid of emotion, utterly neutral.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Mrs. Chang, we''re not together."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Yes, I know you''re not together yet. I hope you won''t be in the future either."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi fell silent. This turn of events deviated slightly from her expectations.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Are you listening?" Nie Ling asked again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Yes, I am."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Can you do as we ask?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Chang Huaiming''s fingers drummed on the coffee table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Although Shu Yi had anticipated this oue, hearing it spoken aloud still left her feeling dazed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Indeed, ipatibility is ipatibility. In the adult world, love isn''t always enough. Often, reality trumps romance.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Fortunately, she hadn''t fallen too deeply and could extricate herself in time, cutting her losses.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"I understand. If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi maintained herposure as she spoke and stood up. It wasn''t until she turned to leave that her nose tingled, and a tear rolled down her cheek.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Perhaps it was for the best. There was no point in wasting time on a rtionship without a future. From now on, she would have to learn to be neither sad nor happy, to stop thinking about him, and to stay away as much as possible.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"The girl is quite pretty, but she''s been tainted by the entertainment industry. She''s not good enough for Zhiyuan," Chang Huaiming remarked, taking a sip of coffee.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"She was quite calm. I thought she might put up a fight. We didn''t even bring our credit cards. If she had made a scene, we would''ve been at a loss."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Alright, let''s head back. We can''t let Zhiyuan know about this, or he''ll be upset again," Chang Huaiming said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
In the hospital room, Chang Zhiyuan had been waiting for a long time, but no one had returned. What could his sister possibly be discussing with Shu Yueru that was taking so long?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Chang Ningjing didn''t dare return. If she did, Chang Zhiyuan would undoubtedly ask her where Shu Yi had gone. How could she tell him that their parents had taken Shu Yi aside for a chat?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
She preferred to stay out of her brother''s romantic affairs. It was better to pretend she knew nothing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi sat in her car, trying to collect herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Her phone rang. It was Shen Yin calling. Shu Yi looked at the caller ID, wiped away her tears, and cleared her throat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Hello, Yin Yin."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Shu Yi, are you busy right now?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"No, not at all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"I wanted to ask about that delicious ice cream shop you mentioned before. Where is it?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shen Yin was just feeling bored. Although the weather had turned cooler, who doesn''t love ice cream? A foodie has no resistance to delicious treats.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
After some hesitation, she decided to call Shu Yi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Wait for me at home. I''lle pick you up, and we''ll go together."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Huh? Weren''t you supposed to be at the hospital taking care of Chang Zhiyuan?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"His family is there now. They don''t need me anymore. So I can apany you and my godson for some ice cream!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi was unhappy, but people often put on a mask when they''re feeling down, pretending to be happy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
That''s exactly what she was doing now, smiling in a way that looked more painful than crying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Hearing this, Shen Yin sensed something different in Shu Yi''s voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
When Shu Yi arrived at Ziyue Manor, she parked her car in front of Shen Yin''s house.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Come on, son. Get in the car. Godmother''s going to treat you to something delicious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Afraid that Shen Yin might notice she had been crying, Shu Yi deliberately put on her sunsses as she stopped the car and opened the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Should we invite Qi Ji?" Shu Yi asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Probably not. She might not be able to eat it. It would be too cruel to make her watch us eat."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Haha, you''re right. We''ll invite her next time when we''re having something milder."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"When are you starting your next project?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"I''m not sure yet. Thepany has sent me several scripts recently, but none of them were suitable. I think I''ll hold off for now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Good. Don''t settle for less."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
As soon as they entered the private room, Shen Yin couldn''t help but ask.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Are you feeling down?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"How did you notice? Is it that obvious?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi took out her mirror from her bag and checked her reflection repeatedly, but couldn''t see anything different about herself. She wasn''t wearing makeup, and her eyes weren''t red.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"When someone is pretending to be happy, it''s noticeable. The tone of voice, the subtle expressions on the face – they all give it away. Right now, you''re trying hard to conceal something."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Really? That''s amazing. As expected, Yin Yin knows me best. Even my micro-expressions can''t escape your keen eye."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Tell me about it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
While Shen Yin was ordering, Shu Yi was organizing her thoughts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"You met Chang Zhiyuan''s parents, didn''t you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"How did you know?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Didn''t you say they went to take care of him, so you weren''t needed anymore?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Impressive deduction skills, my friend."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi gave Shen Yin a thumbs up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"What did they say?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi sighed and said, "They told me that Chang Zhiyuan and I aren''tpatible. They asked me not to be with him, not now, not ever."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"And you agreed?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"What else could I do? We really aren''t a good match. They''re practically aristocracy. They''d never allow an actress to enter their family. Rather than begging and struggling, it''s more dignified to agree gracefully."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Pride was still important, and now Shu Yi could only confide in Shen Yin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Don''t be sad, Godmother. Have some ice cream." Xu Yunzheng scooped up some ice cream and offered it to Shu Yi.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi was so touched she almost cried.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Zhengzheng, Godmother loves you!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Shu Yi took a bite and instantly felt better. How could there be such a sweet, understanding, and heart-warming child?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
In an instant, all her unhappiness melted away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Chang Zhiyuan was about to explode with frustration. What was going on? Four people had left, and half a day had passed, but not a single one had returned. He was about to burst from needing to use the bathroom. Who could he turn to now?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"The number you have dialed is switched off. Please try againter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try againter."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
Chang Zhiyuan had never imagined he would one day feel so desperate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Hello, Xiuhe, help me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"Exin clearly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"I''m at the hospital."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"You can still talk, so it can''t be too serious."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0
"It''s about to be serious. Get to the hospital as fast as you can!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="css-i073lf">0