Chapter 111: Zhou Wan and Liu Ruyun Meet

On the way back, Shen Xian drove while Ning Cai sat in the passenger seat, not saying a word. The atmosphere was stifling to the extreme, with only the sound of tires humming against the pavement. Ning Cai seemed to have lost all interest in communicating with Shen Xian, and he remained silent as well.

Long ago, he had decided to keep his distance from her. This trip to Kyoto had only solidified that resolve. As for the eighty-million-yuan breach-of-contract penalty, he would find a way to make up for it—perhaps by grooming some new talent for Yu'an Media, or by turning Liu Sheng into a superstar. There would always be a way.

"Come to my friend's house for lunch today," Ning Cai finally spoke, her tone cold and devoid of emotion. "Follow the navigation."

Shen Xian nodded. Another silence fell between them; it was as if a rift had grown, or perhaps the chasm had always been there.

"Do you have nothing you want to say to me?" Ning Cai asked suddenly after a few minutes.

Shen Xian sighed. "Ning Cai, you are a person of absolute rationality. You should understand that whether it's your father, Ning Zheng, or your grandmother's family, the path they have chosen for you is the one best suited for you. You know that in your heart better than I do."

Ning Cai said nothing, effectively conceding the point.

"If a prominent family wants to develop steadily and maintain long-term stability, they must have someone to carry the banner. You are that person for the Yu family," Shen Xian continued.

Once Ning Cai entered politics, the Yu family would be under her protection to a certain extent. This was exactly why they had always pushed her toward a political career. Did she not understand this? She understood it better than anyone.

"So you sold me out," Ning Cai said indifferently.

Shen Xian did not reply. If he said, "I did it for your own good," it would sound incredibly trite. What he loathed most was when parents claimed that everything they said and did was for their child's benefit. Ning Zheng was like a ruler, binding Ning Cai within a rigid frame, while the Yu family was like an engine, desperately driving her forward.

"I'm heading back to Nanzhou tomorrow. What about you?" Shen Xian asked.

"You go ahead," Ning Cai replied. "I still have some things to handle. I'll return to Nanzhou once I'm finished."

***

Meanwhile, the video of Liu Sheng singing "To You" at Yao Feiyu’s wedding had gone viral. Though his voice had been ruined, the melody and lyrics touched many. People flooded the comments section: "Strongly demand a studio version!" "The quality of this song is excellent, I love it!" "I have a feeling Liu Sheng is about to explode in popularity!"

Lying in his hospital bed, Liu Sheng scrolled through the comments, feeling as though his career was about to see a second spring.

Simultaneously, "Today You Are Going to Marry Me," the duet between Zhou Wan and "Postman," also went viral. After a night of circulation, it shot to the top of the love song duet charts and the new release charts.

Taozi Baobao, a famous blogger with 90 million followers, published another music review: "After listening to 'Today You Are Going to Marry Me,' I actually have an urge to get married. Both the lyrics and the composition are top-tier. Postman always provides surprises, and it continues here. Come to think of it, Postman hasn't released a solo single in a long time. I strongly demand a solo release!"

This post caused a massive stir online, as Taozi Baobao had never specifically reviewed or urged a creator to release music since rising to fame.

Over the past few days, people had been knocking down Xiao Yang’s door, which had even improved business at his karaoke bar. However, those entertainment agents and scouts left empty-handed because Xiao Yang was immovable. Some tried to offer him women—but he wasn't interested, and he looked down on those in the entertainment industry. Others tried to offer him money, but the "Scholar" already had hundreds of millions in his account. Furthermore, the Scholar claimed he was going to raise pigs, and it was rumored that several wealthy women were even sending him money for it.

Liu Ruyun hadn't been in touch with Chen Feng for the past two days, having spent the Mid-Autumn Festival alone in Nanzhou. After breakfast, she went for a walk and, as if guided by fate, found herself outside Shen Xian’s apartment complex. She looked up at the familiar building, a sense of melancholy in her eyes. It felt as if she had lost something—her heart felt hollow.

What was he doing right now? Doing chores? Or just sitting there in a daze?

"He spends every holiday alone. If I go to keep him company today, is there a chance we could reconcile?" she wondered. "There must be. He definitely still loves me!"

With that thought, Liu Ruyun gathered her courage and walked toward the complex. Soon, she was standing outside Shen Xian’s door. After a moment of hesitation, she pressed the doorbell.

Inside, Qingqing was feeling unwell with a fever, and Zhou Wan had just coaxed her to sleep. Hearing the bell, Zhou Wan felt a spark of joy. Could it be Shen Xian? He must have felt wronged in Kyoto and returned early.

Excited, she went to open the door without bothering to check the peephole. When the door swung open, she saw Liu Ruyun standing there. Both women froze.

How did she get here? Why is she here? The same thought crossed both their minds.

Zhou Wan’s face turned cold instantly. "What are you doing here?"

"Is... is Shen Xian home?" Liu Ruyun bit her lip.

"He's not. He's in Kyoto on business," Zhou Wan said, preparing to shut the door.

"Can we talk?" Liu Ruyun asked suddenly.

Zhou Wan hesitated, then opened the door to let her in. Liu Ruyun noticed the laundry hanging on the balcony—women's clothes, likely Zhou Wan's. It meant Zhou Wan was living here. Were they already cohabiting? A surge of discomfort welled up in Liu Ruyun’s chest. Why? He used to treat her so well; why was he being good to someone else now?

"When did you and Shen Xian... start?" Liu Ruyun asked.

"It's been a while," Zhou Wan replied. She knew she had fallen for Shen Xian, a feeling that had become particularly clear today. After he left, she felt empty, especially on this Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for reunions, when she and Qingqing were the only ones at home. She didn't miss her own family, but she missed Shen Xian.

"Shen Xian is a very good person," Liu Ruyun said suddenly.

Zhou Wan instantly grew wary. What did she mean? Was she planning to win him back? If she tried, would Shen Xian agree? It was possible, given they had been together for three years. And she and Shen Xian hadn't even crossed that final threshold yet!

"Shen Xian doesn't love you anymore. There's no point in trying to turn back," Zhou Wan said, asserting her position.

Liu Ruyun turned to look at her, a faint, mocking smile on her lips. "You're nervous. You're afraid I'll take him away, and you have no confidence in yourself. It's hard to imagine—a majestic, beautiful superstar, actually feeling nervous over a man!"

Zhou Wan remained silent for a moment, then pointed toward the door. "Get out!"