Chapter 295: A Few Things After Marriage 4

"Using bronze as a mirror, one can adjust their attire; using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties; using others as a mirror, one can discern their own strengths and weaknesses." Ningning, who had been brought along to the dinner, suddenly recited this, shaking her head. She tilted her head towards Qin Yinong, seeking praise, "Mom, is that how it goes?"

Qin Yinong reached out and patted her little head, rewarding her with a peeled garlic shrimp.

Childish words, yet they struck like a thunderclap. To Wen Shuxian's ears, they made her feel so ashamed she wished she could disappear—even a child had clearer insight than she did.

Fu Yujun and the others didn't intend to embarrass Wen Shuxian. In the adult world, it's all about knowing when to stop. Tang Ruoyao placed a crab with egg yolk into Wen Shuxian's bowl, while the other two urged her to eat.

Wen Shuxian managed a strained smile.

The entertainment industry is like a vast dye vat, an immense ocean, and an individual is but a drop of water in that ocean—most of the time, swept along by the current. It's like sailing against the tide: if you don't advance, you'll fall behind.

Wen Shuxian hadn't taken a break in a long time. She hadn't spent a single New Year's Eve at home. She was either rushing to events or on her way to them. Did she not want to rest? Of course she did, but too many eyes were watching—waiting for her to stumble, to fade from the spotlight, to take her place and snatch her resources, to become the leading star of her generation. She didn't dare rest. She feared that the younger generation would surpass her, that she would be overtaken, even though she was at the peak of her career. She could only keep running and running, finding solace only when she saw the number of billboards increasing day by day, securing endorsements one after another, and watching the zeros in her bank account multiply.

She had taken a break once—about a week off—lying idle at home, so anxious that she lost a handful of hair. Fortunately, she was still young and had plenty of hair to spare. By the third day, she went back to her agency and asked her manager to find her more work.

Many popular celebrities face this same issue. Taking time to improve oneself means losing momentum. Even if you grow during that time, what good is it if no one notices? She had seen too many examples of artists who faded into obscurity after trying to "recharge," while those who made a comeback after laying low were fewer than one in ten.

The entertainment industry moves at a dizzying pace—a new crop every three years, a harvest every year. Even though she was a star with notable works, different from the typical fleeting celebrities, she was still afraid. Back in school, her grades were only average, boosted by the three academic stars of Dorm 405. Once they entered the industry, everyone had their own goals and worked tirelessly toward them with unwavering determination. Only she was chasing fame and popularity, fundamentally setting her apart from the others.

She was a celebrity; they were actors.

Perhaps sensing her low spirits, Fu Yujun spoke up just before the dinner ended: "Are you living in the villa area of Youshan County now?"

Wen Shuxian nodded.

Fu Yujun: "Do you have any schedules tomorrow?"

Wen Shuxian: "I have one in the afternoon."

Fu Yujun wiped her mouth and said leisurely, "Perfect. We'll come over to your place tonight."

Wen Shuxian: "???"

Tang Ruoyao had Qin Yinong and Ningning go home first, while she, along with Fu and Cui, went to Wen Shuxian's house. True to her title as the new "Queen of Revenue," Wen Shuxian owned a luxurious mansion in an affluent neighborhood. The interior decor could be summed up in one word: Rich!

The mansion faced the river on three sides. Opening the curtains felt like drifting on the gentle waves of the waterway, with lights stretching into the distance, twinkling like a vast galaxy flowing across the earth.

Wen Shuxian took an expensive bottle of red wine from the liquor cabinet and set out four glasses, one for each of them.

Cui Jiaran rolled around on the sofa, which was larger than the one in her own home, and said, "I regret it. If I'd known being a celebrity paid this well, I would've become one too. Why did I bother being a stage actress?"

Her expression was one of deep remorse, as if to say, "Don't ask, just know I regret it."

Wen Shuxian, who always enjoyed bickering with her, had already forgotten the dinner table incident and retorted, "Do you think the entertainment industry is a cornfield, just waiting for a clumsy bear like you to pick up ears? Out of so many people, I'm the only one who fought through thorns and brambles to get where I am today."

Cui Jiaran gave her a bear hug, wrapping her arms tightly around Wen Shuxian's waist. "Rich lady, give me a hug."

Wen Shuxian set down the red wine in her hand and laughed heartily. "Sure, sure," she said. "How about you register your fingerprint? I'll let security know, so you can stay here whenever you want. I'm hardly around anyway."

Cui Jiaran accepted without hesitation. "Great."

Fu Yujun held her wine glass with three fingers, sipping slowly. "I knew you were rich, but I never realized just how rich until now. You've really made the most of these years, quickly accumulating your initial capital. Now you can just coast along and enjoy life. Hey, can I have a bottle of this wine?"

Wen Shuxian led her to the liquor cabinet and declared grandly, "Take your pick!"

Tang Ruoyao said, "Actually, at a certain point, money just becomes a number. The funds that have passed through Qin Yinong's accounts are beyond counting. A person can only spend so much. But after working in a high-pressure environment for so long, you get used to the busy life. Slowing down can feel uncomfortable. Eventually, you realize that even without you, the world keeps turning."

Wen Shuxian listened intently, then suddenly paused. "Huh?" she said. "Did you get that backwards?" Wasn't it supposed to be "the world keeps turning without you"?

Fu Yujun understood the deeper meaning in Tang Ruoyao's words and chimed in, "It's not backwards. 'You leave the world, and it still turns'—the subject is you. The other saying has 'the world' as the subject. We can't control something as grand as the world. All you can do is focus on yourself."

Wen Shuxian began to grasp the purpose of their visit that night. She went to the fridge and brought out a large stack of canned beers, piling them on the coffee table. The four of them sat on the floor.

Tang Ruoyao continued, "The first year Qin Yinong and I were together, she worked herself to exhaustion, collapsed, and was hospitalized for a month. She had to use a wheelchair to get around. The doctor said she was lucky to have a good physical foundation, or her recovery would have been uncertain. Even after she was discharged, her health declined significantly. It took two years of careful nurturing to barely return to her previous state."

Wen Shuxian recalled her own collapse on set and subsequent hospitalization, as well as the candies she now always carried in her pocket—a result of irregular meals and sleep that had led to low blood sugar. She paused with the beer can at her lips, as if seeing her own future.

Qin Yinong had Tang Ruoyao by her side, but she had no one. Friends were just friends, each with their own lives and jobs; they couldn't always look out for her. Even if she were in a relationship, it was unlikely her partner would be as attentive and caring as Tang Ruoyao. She might even end up taking care of them.

Wen Shuxian fell into deep thought.

Fu Yujun shared her own experience: "I used to work just as hard as you, thinking that in this industry, there are too many monks and too little gruel. If you don't push yourself, why should opportunities fall into your lap?"

Wen Shuxian nodded vigorously.

The entertainment industry is fiercely competitive—not everyone is a prodigy like Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao, two rising stars whose acting talent is so extraordinary that directors line up to wait for their schedules. Wen Shuxian felt she and Fu Yujun were cut from the same cloth: hard work pays off. If they abandoned diligence, even if heaven dropped a pie, they wouldn't be able to catch it.

Fu Yujun patiently guided her: "Then do you know why I suddenly stopped acting in TV dramas and wanted to perform in theater?"

Wen Shuxian squinted thoughtfully for a moment and said, "Isn't it because you won the Best Actress award?"

"..." Fu Yujun's smile stiffened for a second. "That's part of it, but not the main reason. I started negotiating with the theater director two years ago. He's quite renowned, and I put in a lot of effort to get to know him."

Wen Shuxian accepted her explanation and asked, "Then what's the real reason?"

A sudden thought crossed Tang Ruoyao's mind: Could it be that she didn't want to be so busy anymore because she was pursuing Guan Han?

After learning about Fu Yujun's crush on Guan Han, Tang Ruoyao had privately messaged her out of curiosity, asking why she hadn't made a move all these years—it didn't seem like her style. Fu Yujun had replied that work was too hectic, and she felt she couldn't fully commit to a relationship at the time, so she had quietly kept her feelings to herself.

Unaware of Tang Ruoyao's inner thoughts, Fu Yujun gave a rather official answer: "I felt that if I continued like this, I wouldn't make any progress. My inspiration for acting was drying up, and I had reached a bottleneck of repetitive performances. I wanted to explore new ideas on the theater stage."

When actors film frequently, they tend to unconsciously grow lazy and develop fixed acting patterns. This is especially true for someone like Wen Shuxian, who rotates through idol dramas with similar character types—she's so familiar with them that it's almost become muscle memory. Audiences might not notice, but actors themselves know whether they've grown in a role, gained new insights, or enriched themselves through the experience.

Fu Yujun is someone who knows exactly what she wants and doesn't want. So, the moment she sensed her creative well running dry, she resolutely decided to stop taking on new projects. The drama she filmed after winning the Magnolia Award was one she had signed onto earlier. Unexpectedly, before she planned to step back, she ended up winning an award, which only reinforced her decision to take a break.

Wen Shuxian earnestly sought advice: "But don't you feel anxious when you're not working? Aren't you worried that after a year or two, no one will want to cast you anymore? Or that you'll only get supporting roles instead of lead ones when you return?"

Fu Yujun smiled. "Of course, I do. But life is full of choices. You can't have it all. You're twenty-seven now. Even if you can keep acting in idol dramas until you're thirty, what happens after that?"

Wen Shuxian was completely open with her close friends. "I've started my own studio and plan to mentor newcomers. Eventually, I want to be my own boss."

Cui Jiaran, for once, didn't mock her by asking if she had the brains to be a boss.

Fu Yujun said, "That's a good plan. But as I said before, if your only goal is to make money, your current career path is perfectly fine."

Wen Shuxian tightened her fingers around the soda can and voiced her deepest worry in a low, slow tone, "If... I only think about making money and have nothing in common with you all, will we drift apart in the future?"

Since entering the entertainment industry, Wen Shuxian had made many new friends, but the only ones she could trust unconditionally were these three.

Tang Ruoyao said calmly, "Life naturally has different stages. No one can guarantee that those who accompany you now will stay with you for a lifetime." Wen Shuxian's eyes welled up with tears, but Tang Ruoyao's tone shifted, still composed, "But no matter what path you choose, we will always be friends."

Cui JiarAn said earnestly, "Forever."

Fu Yujun nodded seriously, "Yes."

Wen Shuxian wiped her tears, crying uncontrollably.

Cui Jiaran skillfully raised her phone to record the moment.

Once Wen Shuxian realized what was happening, she chased Cui Jiaran all around the living room.

With a soft pop, Tang Ruoyao opened a can of beer and clinked it with Fu Yujun's. Amid the playful chaos, the two exchanged a knowing smile.

......

Tang Ruoyao woke up on the living room sofa. Wen shuxian's sofa was spacious enough to sleep on like a bed. Rubbing her temples, sore from the hangover, she struggled to move Wen Shuxian's heavy leg, which was draped over her, and sat up.

An empty bottle of red wine sat on the coffee table, and empty beer cans lay scattered all over the floor. Cui Jiaran was sprawled on the woolen rug, one hand still loosely clutching a can. The living room echoed with snores.

The morning sun rose, its golden light gradually spreading across the city. Tang Ruoyao washed her face, tidied the messy living room, and one by one, the others woke up, rubbing their eyes and groggily recognizing each other before heading off to wash up and return to their respective homes.

"Mommy!" Ningning, as enthusiastic as ever, rushed to greet Tang Ruoyao as soon as she appeared at the entrance.

Qin Yinong stopped her daughter, approached, and caught a faint whiff of alcohol on Tang Ruoyao. "You've been drinking?"

Tang Ruoyao hummed in agreement, "We were chatting and drinking until almost four in the morning."

Qin Yinong didn't ask what they had talked about, only saying, "Why don't you go upstairs, take a shower, and get some more sleep?"

Tang Ruoyao stared at her intently and said softly, "Will you join me?"

Ningning quietly covered her eyes.

Qin Yinong looked into her eyes and noticed the intoxicating flush of drunkenness still lingering there. Two hours, based on her understanding of Tang Ruoyao, wasn't enough for her to sober up. Otherwise, she wouldn't have said something like asking her to join her in front of Ningning.

Qin Yinong reached out her hand, and Tang Ruoyao placed hers in it, stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Qin Yinong's waist.

Ningning: Wow.

"Baby..." Hearing Tang Ruoyao's soft murmur accompanied by warm breath against her ear, Qin Yinong confirmed she was still drunk. She freed one hand and waved it behind her.

Ningning, looking regretful, retreated to her room but left the door slightly ajar to secretly observe.

That hug seemed to flip a switch. Tang Ruoyao clung to Qin Yinong, refusing to let go, nuzzling her face into the crook of Qin Yinong's neck like a newborn animal, whimpering softly.

Soon, she could barely stand steadily, whether from acting cute or something else, leaning her full weight on Qin Yinong.

Getting the little drunkard up to the second floor was too difficult, and the stairs were unsafe. Fortunately, there were many vacant guest rooms on the first floor. Qin Yinong chose one and helped Tang Ruoyao inside.

Next door, Ningning took the chance to poke her little head out: "Mom, do you need any help?"

"Thank you, sweetie, no need."

Qin Yinong helped Tang Ruoyao sit down on the edge of the bed and wanted to go upstairs to get her pajamas. Tang Ruoyao held onto her hand tightly, pressing it against her own face, and asked foolishly, "Am I hot?"

Qin Yinong gently stroked her flushed cheek with her fingertip and said, "Yes, you are."

Tang Ruoyao: "Am I sick?"

Qin Yinong: "No, you're just drunk."

"I'm not drunk." Tang Ruoyao gazed at her with hazy, drunken eyes, pouting, "Kiss."

Their lips met, and Qin Yinong gave her a light kiss.

Tang Ruoyao raised her hand to cup the back of the woman's head, their lips deeply entwined.

Tang Ruoyao leaned back, and Qin Yinong followed, leaning over her with one hand braced beside her neck and the other resting on Tang Ruoyao's waist.

Tang Ruoyao was too drunk to remember to breathe. Just as Qin Yinong was getting aroused by her, she suddenly pushed Qin Yinong's shoulder away, her chest heaving, her eyes unfocused, and said, "I'm going to pass out."

She closed her eyes, fell back, and instantly fell into a deep, steady sleep.

She fainted cleanly and decisively.

Qin Yinong smiled.

Tang Ruoyao slept until noon in the guest room. When she woke up, she found herself changed into comfortable pajamas. She sniffed her clothes—there was no trace of alcohol, only the fresh scent of shower gel. She figured Qin Yinong must have bathed her.

Tang Ruoyao opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Mommy."

"Good afternoon." Tang Ruoyao glanced toward the kitchen and saw only the busy figure of the housekeeper cooking.

Qin Yinong had gone to work.

Qin Jianing was practicing calligraphy in the living room. She preferred bright places, so Tang Ruoyao had set up a long desk specifically for her to practice writing, complete with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. Tang Ruoyao walked over behind her and said, "Your handwriting is much better than your Mom's."

Qin Jianing glanced back at her, a sly smile in her eyes: "I'm going to tell Mom you said her handwriting is ugly."

Tang Ruoyao made a questioning sound: "Isn't that what everyone in the family agrees on?"

Qin Jianing gave her a look that said, "You're de@d."

Tang Ruoyao grinned mischievously: "So what if I said it? Did your Mom hear it herself? What proof do you have that I said it? If your Mom asks, I'll say it was you."

Qin Jianing snorted and lowered her head to continue practicing calligraphy: "You're just taking advantage of how much Mom dotes on you."

Tang Ruoyao spent a lot of time playing with Qin Jianing, and the two of them were used to being informal with each other.

Tang Ruoyao, having gained the upper hand, cheekily added, "We're the two closest people in the world. Who else would she dote on if not me?"

In a family, the relationship between spouses takes precedence over the parent-child relationship. If the parent-child relationship is elevated above everything else, shifting the family's focus entirely onto the child, it can lead to irreversible consequences. On the contrary, if a child grows up in a harmonious family surrounded by love, it is more conducive to their physical and mental well-being.

Qin Jianing was naturally intelligent, and with the intentional or unintentional guidance from Qin and Tang, she had long understood that Mommy and Mom loved each other the most and were the ones who would spend their lives together, while she herself was the fruit and proof of their love.

She was love itself, so she never felt jealous of the adults.

Qin Jianing finished the last stroke of the character "失 (loss)," dipped the tip of her wolf-hair brush into the inkstone, and said with a composure beyond her years: "I will have my closest person too, someday."

Tang Ruoyao: "Good luck."

Qin Jianing glanced at her again: "When can I start dating?"

Tang Ruoyao and Qin Yinong had already discussed this issue. Tang Ruoyao replied, "You can start dating whenever you want, but you must be certain that the person is someone you genuinely like and can form an emotional connection with. Feelings aren't toys—you can't just play with them when you like them and discard them when you don't."

Qin Jianing was more mature than she had expected. She earnestly corrected her, "You can't just throw toys away after playing with them either."

She had watched an animated film called Toy Story, where the toys were alive. If children abandoned them, they would be very sad. So even with toys, she couldn't hurt them.

Tang Ruoyao humbly admitted her mistake, "Mommy was wrong."

Qin Jianing forgave her generously, "It's okay."

Qin Jianing circled back to the main topic and sighed, "Then I guess it'll be a long time before I can date. When I was in kindergarten, I thought all the boys were so immature. Will elementary school students be more mature?"

Tang Ruoyao rested her chin on her hand and said, "You'll have to wait until you start elementary school to find out."

'Though they'll mostly be just as immature.'

Tang Ruoyao silently grumbled to herself.

While other children were growing up, Qin Jianing's emotional and intellectual development was even faster. To her, people her age would likely always be synonymous with immaturity. Geniuses often had this kind of trouble.

Looking at it optimistically, Qin Jianing probably wouldn't be able to date during her school years—she simply wouldn't find anyone on her intellectual level.

At the time, Tang Ruoyao hadn't considered that while schoolchildren might not appeal to her, there were also older, more experienced individuals who could capture her interest, nearly causing chaos in the family.

......

In June, the cicadas' chirping filled the air, and the scorching sun baked the earth. The trees lining the roads stood like rows of soldiers on guard, while a stray dog lay panting in a corner, tongue lolling out.

Tang Fei's middle school entrance exams had concluded, and his graduation ceremony was held in the school auditorium.

Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao decided to attend together as family members. Ningning wanted to go too, but the school was crowded and chaotic, and it was in the evening. Worried about the child's safety, they refused.

Ningning was a bit upset at the time—Uncle Tang Fei was her family too, so why couldn't she go? In the end, Tang Fei promised her that he would accompany her on her first day of elementary school so the whole family could be together. Only then did Ningning agree.

Tang Fei had spent half a year adjusting to his new school. Like his sister, he showed a talent for academics. After a year of catching up, his grades stabilized in the top ten of his grade by the second semester of eighth grade, and he never fell out of the top three in ninth grade.

As an outstanding student's family member, Tang Ruoyao went on stage to receive an award. When she removed her mask and spoke a few words, the audience erupted in excitement.

They finally realized that Tang Fei, who frequently ranked first in his grade, was Tang Ruoyao's brother! And what about Qin Yinong?

Some sharp-eyed students immediately glanced toward the seat where Tang Ruoyao had been sitting. Sure enough, a beautiful woman wearing a mask was there, her captivating eyes fixed adoringly on the person on stage.

The next day, it trended on social media: [Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao Attend Graduation Ceremony]

According to insider sources, Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao attended the graduation ceremony at XX Middle School.

Socrates: [I thought I'd traveled back to 2018 and wondered why Tang Ruoyao was graduating again, lol.]

Scholes:: [Little brother: Finally got my name mentioned today. Feeling pretty awesome.]

I Saw All Flowers in Chang'an in One Night: [But we still don't know the younger brother's real name.]

Rainbow Bubblegum: [The younger brother's name is Tang Di, my future husband.]

Half Summer: [Is the one upstairs dreaming in broad daylight?]

Respectfully Crossing the River: [Time flies so quickly. In the blink of an eye, Tang Di has already graduated. Should Qin Tang's daughter be starting elementary school by now? Looking at the photos from the last chance encounter, the little one has grown so much.]

......

By the end of August, the summer heat had gradually faded. Qin Jianing put on her newly bought dress, tied her shoulder-length hair into a perky ponytail that revealed her full, smooth forehead, and slung her pink backpack over both shoulders as she headed to elementary school to register, officially becoming a proud first-grader.

Qin Yinong, Tang Ruoyao, and Tang Fei accompanied her, making the occasion quite a grand affair.

On registration day, the road leading to the Experimental Elementary School was jam-packed, with car horns blaring incessantly. Occasionally, frustrated drivers stuck in the traffic would roll down their windows to curse, but the vehicles barely moved an inch.

The driver stayed in the car, inching forward at a snail's pace, while Tang Ruoyao opened the back door and stepped out, extending a hand into the car. Ningning placed her hand in Tang Ruoyao's palm and carefully got out, followed by Qin Yinong and Tang Fei.

They decided to walk the rest of the way to register. Tang Fei carried Ningning's pink backpack and held a small floral umbrella, walking behind the three of them. Even with bodyguards around, he remained vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.

Since dropping out of kindergarten, Qin Jianing had never set foot in a school again. Her young heart held an unfavorable impression of schools. At the school gate, she hesitated noticeably, and the three adults paused patiently beside her. Ningning glanced at her mother, and Qin Yinong gave her an encouraging look.

Tang Ruoyao bent down to meet her at eye level and said gently, "If you don't want to go to school, we won't force you. But we hope you'll give a different kind of life a try. If you still don't like it, we'll bring you home."

Ningning pressed her lips together.

Tang Fei glanced back at the Peppa Pig backpack, whether he could see it clearly or not, and said with utmost sincerity, "When your uncle was in elementary school, he never had such a cute backpack."

Ningning lifted her head to gaze at the sprawling campus and stepped inside.

Tang Ruoyao took the "Admission Notice" and went to check the class assignments on the bulletin board. They hadn't arrived particularly early, and the area was crowded with people. Wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, Tang Ruoyao squeezed her way through with difficulty, raising a hand to signal to Qin Yinong that she was fine.

Qin Yinong's furrowed brows remained tense.

She should have let Tang Fei go.

Tang Ruoyao steadied herself in the crowd, scanning the posted lists on the bulletin board line by line. Suddenly, her eyes fixed on one, and she took a photo with her phone before making her way back out.

She hurried back and showed her phone to Qin Yinong. "Found it, she's in—"

A gentle touch landed on her forehead as Qin Yinong wiped her sweat with a tissue before asking, "Which class?"

Unconsciously, Tang Ruoyao's lips curved into a smile, her voice softening considerably. "Class One."

Qin Yinong took her hand, interlacing their fingers firmly, not letting her stray another step away. "Let's go find the classroom, then."

Tang Fei naturally took on the role of the errand-runner.

The young man was tall, long-legged, and brimming with energy. After asking for directions, he hurried back and led them to the entrance of Class One, First Grade.

Qin Yinong realized she had been somewhat unfair to her assistants when she compared them to five thousand ducks. The real five thousand ducks were the horde of little kids and their parents gathered at the Class One classroom and its entrance—noisy, chaotic, with some children clinging to their parents' arms and wailing loudly. It was a scene of utter pandemonium.

Tang Ruoyao stole a glance at Qin Jianing.

Qin Jianing didn't show much expression, but Tang Ruoyao felt she must have rolled her eyes inwardly.

...She wondered if seeing these classmates would make Ningning even more reluctant to go to school.

The rest went relatively smoothly. The students attended a class meeting in their classrooms while a crowd of anxious parents watched their precious children from outside, worried they might struggle to adapt to elementary school life.

After the class meeting, there was a parents' meeting in the multimedia classroom. The homeroom teacher distributed the "Elementary School Student Daily Routine" and gave a speech urging parents to diligently supervise their children, work together for progress, and create a brighter future.

Qin Yinong attended the parents' meeting while Tang Ruoyao took Ningning around the school, bought two boxes of ice cream for the children, and waited for Qin Yinong at the agreed spot.

Around 12:30, Qin Yinong, with her hat pulled low, walked over from the road, scanning the area as she went.

Tang Ruoyao waved her hand.

Qin Yinong quickened her pace.

Tang Ruoyao took her hand and asked gently, "Are you hungry?"

Qin Yinong nodded. If they weren't in public, she would have thrown herself into Tang Ruoyao's arms right then to vent about the parents' meeting.

Tang Ruoyao said, "I'll take you to eat something delicious. I've already picked a place. The driver parked outside, so we'll need to walk about 200 meters, and the drive will take about 25 minutes."

Qin Yinong nodded again.

She let her mind go blank, allowing Tang Ruoyao to lead her, staying within a step's distance. Their shadows, shortened by the midday sun, intertwined intimately, and with just a glance, she could see Tang Ruoyao.

In daily life, Qin Yinong was becoming increasingly dependent on Tang Ruoyao. Tang Ruoyao took care of all their daily needs, and Qin Yinong only had to show up, letting Tang Ruoyao handle everything without a second thought, as if she had regained her carefree childhood.

Professionally, the company was already on track. Tang Ruoyao learned quickly and had started participating in company decisions, offering unique insights into future planning. Through Han Yuping's introductions, she gradually entered that circle, much like Qin Yinong had in the past, building her own network and connections. She even got to know the renowned actor Qiao and invested in one of his film projects, earning a small profit.

She was walking the path Qin Yinong had once walked.

Qin Yinong suspected that in a few years, she could stay home to "support her wife and raise their child." Of course, it was just a thought—she wouldn't let Tang Ruoyao face the storms alone—but undoubtedly, her life would become much easier.

The once fledgling young one had grown up and could now stand on her own, filling Qin Yinong's heart with both pride and complexity.

Tang Ruoyao, wearing disposable gloves, peeled a shrimp for Qin Yinong and brought it to the distracted woman's lips, asking softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Qin Yinong opened her mouth to eat it and said with a smile, "I was wondering if I'll become physically weaker since I'm so pampered now—clothes handed to me, food brought to my mouth."

Tang Ruoyao peeled another shrimp without hesitation and replied, "You won't."

Qin Yinong asked curiously, "Why?" And why so confidently?

Tang Ruoyao gave her a meaningful look, then let her gaze drift down to Qin Yinong's slender, elegant hands, lingering there.

Qin Yinong immediately understood and nearly choked on the shrimp.

Tang Ruoyao chuckled.

Ningning tried to decipher something from their exchanged glances, but Tang Fei placed a peeled shrimp in her bowl and softly called back her attention, "Eat the shrimp before it gets cold."

Ningning said, "Thank you, Uncle."

Tang Fei replied, "You're welcome."

As the only one close to being an adult in the family, he had to endure too much.

......

After returning home, Qin Yinong asked Ningning about her thoughts on her classmates. Ningning answered honestly, "They don't seem very smart."

"Then do you still want to go to school?"

"I'll keep going for now and see later." the child said with a thoughtful tone.

Qin Yinong breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as she was willing to attend school, even if she ended up skipping grades frequently like her biological mother in the future, it was fine.

......

After consulting with her team, Wen Shuxian decided to temporarily pause accepting acting roles. Apart from necessary commitments, she would no longer take on other schedules. She needed to take a break and slowly reflect on what she truly wanted.

That night, the three members of Room 405, while seemingly casual, were actually subtly and overtly trying to comfort her. First, they affirmed her efforts over the years, then reassured her fears about the potential collapse of their friendship. The final choices, however, could only be made by her.

At home, Wen Shuxian watched all the fan-edited clips of her TV dramas since her debut. In the barrage comments, fans were going wild with praise: "Sister, marry me," "Sister, I'm yours," "Goddess-level looks and acting skills." It was these exaggerated compliments that had inflated her confidence in the past. Coupled with consistently high ratings, she had come to believe that while her acting might not be top-tier, it was certainly first-rate.

She turned off the barrage comments and objectively watched the performances she had never had the time to carefully review.

Half a month later, at the National Theatre.

Actors were rehearsing on stage while Wen Shuxian stood quietly below, watching.

Cui Jiaran's mentor walked over with his hands behind his back, then turned back and said, "Hey, aren't you that... ahem, here to see Xiaocui?" The elder had forgotten her name again.

Wen Shuxian didn't take offense and respectfully greeted him as a student, saying, "Hello, Teacher Song."

Teacher Song replied kindly, "Xiaocui is rehearsing. Have you been waiting long?"

Wen Shuxian said, "I just arrived. I'm here to learn."

Teacher Song chuckled and walked away.

After finishing a scene, Cui Jiaran came down from the stage. Wen Shuxian handed her a bottle of mineral water and asked, "Will you take me in?"

Cui Jiaran replied generously, "Of course, I'll take you in." She then asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Wen Shuxian shook her head. "I'm not sure, but I want to find something to do. I've started losing hair again at home."

Cui Jiaran stood on her tiptoes to examine her head and laughed. "It's true, you're almost bald on top."

Wen Shuxian immediately exploded into a firecracker.

Cui Jiaran quickly said, "This is a sacred theatre ground—no fooling around. I'm sorry."

Wen Shuxian merely huffed.

Acting in theatre isn't something one can just jump into. For now, Wen Shuxian could only be a student, arriving on time every day with a pen and notebook, taking notes from the audience. Cui Jiaran glanced at her notes and shook her head.

She had no foundation in theatre and couldn't practice on stage—this path was a dead end.

Others offered Wen Shuxian suggestions. Tang Ruoyao had a new film starting in mid-May. The teams Tang Ruoyao worked with now were either renowned directors or talented young emerging directors, and she always gained a lot from each project. As a top-tier celebrity, Wen Shuxian could bring buzz and popularity. If she was willing to take on a minor role, the crew would welcome her with open arms.

And so, Wen Shuxian joined the crew.

Every day, she fluctuated between "What kind of goddess is Tangtang?" and "What kind of trash am I?" She went into seclusion for three months, posted nothing on Weibo, and stopped surfing the internet. Aside from necessary public appearances, she buried herself in the film set, sitting behind the director's monitor to watch.

It wasn't that she lacked talent, it was just worn down by the day-to-day grind. During her university years, she had built a solid foundation, and as she settled into studying, the things she had long forgotten gradually resurfaced.

On the day her scene was filmed, Wen Shuxian repeatedly begged the director, almost to the point of tears: "You have to be strict with me, don't let me pass easily. If I delay the filming schedule, I'll cover all the losses."

The director: "..." He said, "Okay."

He then glanced at Tang Ruoyao and, while Wen Shuxian wasn't looking, pointed at his own head.

Tang Ruoyao shook her head with a smile.

"Really Can't Think of a Name, So Let Me Be Lazy for the Extra Chapter - Scene One, Take One, Action!"

"Cut."

"Scene One, Take Two, Action!"

...

"Scene One, Take Thirteen, Pass."

Wen Shuxian looked surprised and walked over to the monitor: "Director, director, how about one more take?"

"Scene One, Take Fourteen, Pass."

"I think I can do better." Wen Shuxian said, her eyes sparkling.

"Scene One, Take Fifteen, Pass."

Wen Shuxian: "Let's just shoot sixteen takes for good luck."

A vein twitched at the director's temple.

Tang Ruoyao promptly dragged Wen Shuxian away.

Cui Jiaran and Fu Yujun each came to visit the set, and their first reaction was to lift Wen Shuxian's hair: "Did you secretly get a hair transplant?"

Wen Shuxian instantly turned into a firecracker, exploding with fury.

Tang Ruoyao stood by, laughing so hard her eyes curved.

Wen Shuxian's sudden low profile sparked various rumors online. Some said she was past her prime, others claimed she had offended someone and was being shelved, and there were even rumors that she was pregnant.

If Wen Shuxian had seen these, she would have been covered in question marks and might have passionately retorted: "You're the one who's pregnant! Your whole family is pregnant!"

After the film wrapped, having endured three months of solitude, Wen Shuxian finally understood the path she should take.

Her looks weren't an advantage on the big screen—182.5 out of 365 degrees were dead angles, and with her round face, she couldn't withstand the scrutiny of film cameras. She could basically give up on a career in movies. If, as she aged, she developed new possibilities, she could reconsider then.

She had a clear advantage in television dramas. From then on, she needed to be patient when selecting scripts and couldn't just take on roles frantically to maintain popularity. Besides idol dramas, there were other genres, and her acting range could be quite broad.

After staying idle at home for a month, a new project came knocking—a modern professional drama with an inspirational theme.

Domestic professional dramas were mostly love stories disguised as workplace shows, and Wen Shuxian had already filmed several of them, so she initially lacked interest. But her agent's one sentence made her snatch the script.

"It's produced by Qintang Entertainment, the company your two good sisters are in."

Wen Shuxian went home, flipped through the script, and cried out to Tang Ruoyao over the phone: "Daddy!"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "That is entirely unnecessary!"

Qintang Entertainment had built a reputation for producing high-quality film and television projects, earning the saying among netizens, "If it's from Qintang, it's a masterpiece." The company was very strict in selecting scripts and had successfully promoted several of its artists.

This drama was decided to be produced a few months ago, with the crew being the familiar, reliable team they always worked with. The script revolves around several young intern doctors training in a hospital—a medical-themed story with both main and supporting roles. The female lead is the role offered to Wen Shuxian.

Producing such a drama domestically carries considerable risks. Wen Shuxian not only fits the character profile but also, given her usual level of public attention, collaborating with Qintang Entertainment would generate buzz for the series even before its release, saving a significant amount on promotional costs.

Tang Ruoyao laid out the facts to Wen Shuxian, who still addressed her as "Daddy" repeatedly: "Daddy, no need to say more. I understand your thoughtful intentions. I will work hard and make sure this drama becomes a milestone in my career."

Tang Ruoyao poured some cold water on her overexcited mind to cool her down: "You have to audition for it, it's not just handed to you."

Wen Shuxian hadn't experienced the feeling of auditioning in a long time and declared with great enthusiasm, "Just wait and see! If I don't pass the audition, I'll chop my head off and give it to you to kick around!"

Tang Ruoyao no longer tried to downplay her own role in it and sincerely encouraged her: "Good luck."

Wen Shuxian became obsessed with the script day and night, gathering a pile of related materials, including graphic surgical scenes. She went from vomiting into the toilet to being able to watch such videos while eating—truly giving it her all.

Two months later, Wen Shuxian successfully passed the audition and threw herself into the intense filming schedule.

In the same month, the historical drama "Wu Zetian," a Sino-foreign co-production starring Qin Yinong, began filming in the ancient capital. At the same time, it was officially announced: Tang Ruoyao would play the role of Shangguan Wan'er.

The entertainment industry... was once again set ablaze.

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