CHAPTER 30

Shi Hai blinked, "Huh?"

Xiaoyuan leaned in close to him, close enough for their noses to almost touch.

Shi Hai could hardly breathe as he gazed upon Xiaoyuan's flawless face, radiant and fragrant with a refreshing breath. Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, fluttering his heart into a panic.

D@mn! A beauty attack! It hit him like a punch to the heart!

"If you're single, would you like to be my boyfriend?" After all, she was an actress, lines of love came naturally to Xiaoyuan. She controlled her facial expressions, with a smile in her eyes, guiding him to look into her eyes, making him lose focus and passively engage in eye contact with her.

She still had that ability. This wasn't a scripted play, she was improvising on the spot.

Maybe it wasn't powerful enough, Xiaoyuan thought to herself.

She raised her hand, gently pinched Shi Hai's chin between her thumb and index finger, as if about to press her lips against his.

She felt Shi Hai stiffen all over, even his ears turning red rapidly. His arms against her chest echoed with the erratic sounds of his heartbeat.

'Huh? He's easily embarrassed? Or is the charm of this move too strong?' She should focus more, be more engrossed. Actually kissing him wouldn't be a bad idea, but her heart in her chest remained still, showing no response.

As she lost focus for a moment, Shi Hai snapped back to reality, quickly pushing her hand away and jumping to the side. "You..." He struggled to find the right words, coughing awkwardly. "You, you, you, you, you little girl! Don't joke around!"

Xiaoyuan sighed inwardly, taking a step back and apologizing earnestly, "I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry for taking advantage of you."

What was she doing? Using him as a scene partner? Or did she really want a boyfriend? Or was there some other reason bothering her so much that she urgently needed a solution?

Shi Hai was at a loss, half crying and half laughing. "Hey, haha, it's not about your charm." he considered the girl's self-esteem, "I already have a girlfriend... uh, although we've been having some quarrels lately... Here, let me show you her photo." He pulled out his phone and showed her his lock screen.

She had short hair, a deep facial structure, sparkling big eyes, and a healthy, sun-kissed complexion. She was stunningly beautiful.

Xiaoyuan praised sincerely from the bottom of her heart, "Wow, she's so beautiful."

She suddenly realized, "With such a girlfriend, no other girl can attract you!"

Shi Hai felt embarrassed internally. Yes, even if his heart belonged elsewhere, Xiaoyuan's looks were captivating. He had to maintain his composure, "I'm 34 already, I'm much older than you, I never even thought in that direction."

Xiaoyuan was even more surprised, "You look so young!"

Shi Hai laughed, "Haha, thank you for the compliment."

They both naturally brushed off the earlier awkward situation. When they parted, Xiaoyuan added him on WeChat, exchanged a few jokes, and then they each got into their cars to leave.

Sitting in the back seat, Xiaoyuan felt the night outside the window turn melancholic, sighing softly. She had almost made a fool of herself, thankfully he had good manners and didn't mind. She did have a certain fondness for Shi Hai, but it wasn't enough to make her heart race. What she did just now was merely acting out a scene, this was her own created drama. If it were someone else's script, she would have to put in even more effort.

She smiled bitterly.

This was really bad.

She couldn't find anyone to date and had no work lined up.

Feeling stuck, she didn't know where to find a breakthrough.

Back at home, Cai Juan rushed out, "Why weren't you answering your phone?"

Xiaoyuan took out her phone and checked, "It's out of battery." Seeing a worried look on Cai Juan's face, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"Brother Zhishi is looking for you. Quick, call him back using my phone."

Xiaoyuan took Cai Juan's phone and dialed Xiang Zhishi's number.

Xiang Zhishi didn't blame her, his voice was hoarse as he said, "Xiaoyuan, mom is sick and had surgery."

Xiaoyuan held her breath, feeling a stab in her throat, "What kind of surgery?"

Cai Juan glanced at her, noticing her sudden change in expression, shoulders tensed, a mix of panic and forced calm.

"It's not a major surgery—just acute appendicitis. You know, she... has suffered a lot before, so she's struggling a bit." Xiang Zhishi explained gently.

"She's still sleeping. She's very weak."

"..." Xiaoyuan stood frozen, motionless. Cai Juan, worried, touched her and realized her hands were cold.

"Can you come and see mom?" Xiang Zhishi asked after a moment of silence.

"I... I have something else..."

Cai Juan felt Xiaoyuan's grip tighten on his hand. He looked at her in astonishment, her tone was normal, with a slight smile, as if she was talking to her brother as usual, a hint of playfulness. But her eyes were red, tears welling up and rolling down her cheeks continuously.

"What's wrong?" Cai Juan heard Xiang Zhishi ask, his tone unusually serious. He was usually gentle with Xiaoyuan and rarely spoke to her like this.

"I..." Xiaoyuan glanced at Cai Juan, wiping her eyes. "I have to film, I need to go for an audition..."

Cai Juan looked at her in surprise. Xiaoyuan avoided his gaze. On the other end of the phone, Xiang Zhishi sighed, "...Okay." Then he hung up.

As soon as Xiaoyuan heard the call end, she started crying. Cai Juan didn't know how to comfort her.

He had only recently found out that their mother had been staying at a recuperation center in Pengcheng. He now understood why Xiang Zhishi visited Pengcheng twice a year, but Xiaoyuan had never gone with him, unaware of the situation. It seemed like a family matter, perhaps an unhappy one, making it difficult for him to inquire further.

"Cai Juan, do you think I'm heartless, unfilial, for not even visiting my own mother..." Xiaoyuan sobbed, wiping her eyes repeatedly.

"Hey, hey, of course not! Please don't cry," Cai Juan comforted her. "Brother Zhishi isn't blaming you..."

How unwilling must she be to see her mother to come up with an excuse about auditions?

"I won't tell Brother Zhishi." Cai Juan couldn't bear to expose her.

Xiaoyuan sat blankly on the sofa, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks.

.......

That night, Assistant Gao came out of the bar in great spirits, having flirted with a handsome mixed-race guy, ready to take him home.

The guy was very considerate, "Sister, you've been drinking. Should I drive?"

'This kid, does he want to see what car I drive?"'

Assistant Gao smiled slightly, tossing him the car keys. "Here, drive carefully."

The night was cool and refreshing. Assistant Gao squinted at the night sky, the convertible stirring her hair in the breeze.

The handsome guy drove steadily, trying to please her. "Sister, it's still early. How about we go for a drive?"

Assistant Gao playfully pinched his cheek. "No, sister wants to sleep now."

"Okay, then where does Sister live?"

'This kid, does he want to know where I live?'

Assistant Gao smiled, "Let's go to the Marriott Hotel."

The handsome guy, sensing the mood, replied obediently, "Alright!"

Assistant Gao slid her hand over his chest muscles and pressed gently, smiling in satisfaction. "Do you work out at the gym often?"

The young handsome guy blushed shyly, "I train at home by myself."

Assistant Gao chuckled. "You've done well."

The young handsome guy blushed even more, "Sister can come check it out later..."

The car gradually stopped at the intersection, waiting for the red light. Suddenly, Assistant Gao thought of her boss.

'Ah. A billionaire boss must be so lonely, without even someone to warm her bed...'

She picked up her phone, pondering for a few seconds.

"Just wait a little bit."

She recalled that after their hotel visit, Wei Zhuang had said something similar to her, and at that time, she wondered if the boss was waiting for this girl to throw herself at her.

Later, on the night the boss went to Beicheng, she suddenly received a call from him, saying he wanted to draft a contract. She wouldn't suddenly issue an order like that, so Assistant Gao speculated that maybe they had run into each other again in Beicheng, hence the boss's "wait a little bit."

So this "just wait a little bit" might have a hint of fate in it?

'If she wasn't mistaken, then the boss is quite "romantic," huh?'

'President Wei, what's going on with you? Hahaha, at your age, stop being so shy, and quickly seal the deal if you're interested!"'

Assistant Gao's smile suddenly faded.

'Hmm, Xiaoyuan doesn't seem willing, and President Wei even said to "wait three days."'

'Ah, both women, but the thoughts of these two women, one mature and one young, are so hard to fathom.'

Assistant Gao's eyes twinkled, and she suddenly smiled.

She opened Xiaoyuan's contact and sent a message: [Miss Xiaoyuan, have you given it some thought?]

'Okay, let me give it a push and see what happens...'

Xiaoyuan took a shower, wiped her face, and sat listlessly at the edge of the bed, her phone resting at her feet. Her 1.5-meter bed was pushed against one wall, with the mirror on the dressing table opposite not covered, reflecting her face. She seemed to see that little girl who used to sing in front of the mirror.

🎶"I walk alone on the country road, bringing pastries for Grandma to taste..."  🎶

"What are you doing? Why aren't you washing the clothes at home? Why are you being lazy and giving me excuses!" The man entered, reeking of alcohol, and slapped her hard across the face.

She fell to the ground, instinctively shrinking back, seeing stars, struggling to form words. "...the washing machine..."

"Don't washing machines need electricity? My clothes must be hand-washed!" the man shouted.

She was kicked in the stomach, the pain curling her up into a ball. She didn't dare to respond, desperately shrinking back until her back hit the bed. She quickly dove under it, but another kick came, hitting the bed. She screamed and huddled inside, too scared to come out.

"...Husband, husband, please don't be angry," her mother's footsteps approached, timidly coaxing, "I'll wash it."

"Bah! Don't you have to go to work? I want her to do it!"

"Okay, okay, I'll tell her to wash it later!"

The man stumbled out, cursing with a bottle in hand, "D@mn girl, useless..."

...

Xiaoyuan shook her head violently, trying to shake off the painful memories. She buried her face in her knees, not wanting to see the version of herself that had lost its laughter, wrapped in memories.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and all she could hear was the unsteady breath in her chest, surrounded by darkness.

"Xiaoxiao, Mom is begging you, don't provoke your dad, just listen to him, okay? Mom is already tired from working every day..."

In the darkness, her mother's tired and helpless words floated in the air. She hid under the bed, struggling to move, feeling dizzy, her whole stomach in excruciating pain, her nostrils filled with old dust, tears streaming down.

'He's not my dad, but you're my mom...'

Xiaoyuan lifted her head, sniffed, wiped her tears with a tissue, and looked at her reflection in the mirror with a touch of resilience on her face.

The phone rang, her red eyes glanced at it, it was her brother.

Xiang Zhishi's tone returned to its usual softness, "Don't worry, Mom isn't seriously ill. I'll be here taking care of her for a while. Just behave there, okay?"

Xiaoyuan's eyes welled up again, "Mm..."

"You mentioned going for an audition earlier, that's good. Let Cai Juan accompany you. Keep me updated if there's any progress... You've grown up now, and I'm more relieved as your brother!"

Xiaoyuan bit her lip, "...Brother, is there enough money at home? Don't we need to pay for Mom's care?"

Xiang Zhishi laughed, "You don't need to worry about that. Alright, go to bed early. We'll talk on the phone tomorrow."

Xiaoyuan curled up, nodding slowly, "Mm."

After hanging up the phone, she remained curled up at the edge of the bed for a long time. A message flashed on the screen—

[Miss Xiaoyuan, have you given it some thought?]

It's said that the night is when people are least rational, not suitable for making any decisions. Yet, she was very clear-headed.

She dialed Assistant Gao's number. After several rings, when it connected, she heard a grunt from the other end, followed by a low mutter of "sh!t!" After two seconds, Assistant Gao's voice sounded normal, professionalism lacing her tone. "Miss Xiang?"

Xiaoyuan replied, "Assistant Gao, hello. I hope I'm not disturbing you too much."

Assistant Gao chuckled on the other end, "Miss Xiang? "Is there something I can help you with?"

Xiaoyuan took a moment. She knew her next decision would affect her life, and she just hoped she could control that impact. Her palms were slightly sweaty, she could even feel the tension creeping up her spine, "Assistant Gao, I'm willing to sign that contract, but I need to modify some clauses."

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