With the gun in hand, her sense of security returned at once.

Since the recent trip to Ningbo had delayed the progress on her new films, Wen Tingli began throwing herself into the studio day and night from this point on, often stepping straight out of a crying scene for Twin Pearls one moment and into the pitch-black “factory” set of Spring Wind Blows Again the next. Fortunately, Huang Yuanshan had insisted on purchasing the newest carbon arc lamps, so that even while faithfully recreating the grimy, chaotic conditions of the Hongmian Textile Mill, the lighting in front of the camera remained good, and the finished footage turned out surprisingly well.

Wen Tingli grew increasingly energized.

During this time, she and Huang Yuanshan set about establishing a screenwriting department. Having tasted the difficulty of scrambling to acquire Twin Pearls, they’d realized Xiufeng needed its own pool of screenwriting talent, or they’d always be at a disadvantage when selecting scripts.

After recruiting, they brought on two professional screenwriters, one of them Ke Qing, already something of a名 name in the industry, whose works Regret of the Red Plum and A River of Sorrow had both achieved solid box office success.

Ke Qing hadn’t wanted to come at first — it took three personal visits from Huang Yuanshan and Wen Tingli to persuade him, and the difficulties involved need not be detailed here. On the day the screenwriting department was officially established, Huang Yuanshan was as delighted as a child, personally running to the company’s front gate to set off two strings of firecrackers.

Wen Tingli and Cao Renxiu and the others crowded onto the second-floor balcony to watch below — the louder the firecrackers, the more heartily they laughed.

That day, Cao Renxiu came to Wen Tingli. “Boss Wen, someone’s asked me to arrange a meeting with you.”

Wen Tingli asked who it was.

“A factory worker at Hongmian Textile Mill, Ding Xiao’e. She heard we’re filming their story and was quite moved — she’d really like to speak with you in person.”

Wen Tingli readily agreed. The two sides arranged to meet in the alley behind Hongmian Textile Mill, at half past six in the evening — the only time the workers could get a ten-minute “break” outside.

Cao Renxiu had worked in the accounting office at Hongmian Textile Mill ever since graduating, and with her good Japanese, had gotten to know the factory foremen well over the years. Even so, it took no small effort to bring Ding Xiao’e out to meet them.

To avoid drawing the attention of the Japanese foremen, Wen Tingli and Huang Yuanshan stayed hidden in the car the whole time. Before long, they saw Cao Renxiu hurrying over, leading someone with her.

Wen Tingli and Huang Yuanshan exchanged a shocked glance — though they’d long been familiar with the general conditions of the Hongmian workers, nothing compared to witnessing it with their own eyes.

The worker beside Cao Renxiu was sallow and emaciated, her eyes lifeless, her sleeves and pant legs hanging empty as she walked, as though what lay beneath the clothes wasn’t flesh and blood but a “dried corpse” about to be wrung of its last drop.

“This is Ding Xiao’e.”

Wen Tingli got out of the car and gripped Ding Xiao’e’s hands tightly, wanting to say something, but couldn’t manage a single word.

She herself was already fairly slim — for Spring Wind Blows Again, in order to truthfully portray the suffering of the Hongmian workers, she’d forced herself to lose five or six pounds in the shortest time possible. But it wasn’t until this very moment, seeing Ding Xiao’e with her own eyes, that she realized it wasn’t nearly enough — not even close.

Ding Xiao’e’s arm was even thinner than a young child’s like Xiao Taozi’s, as though it might snap with the gentlest squeeze.

Wen Tingli felt an overwhelming shock, sorrow, and heartache. Even Gu Jie’s skilled makeup work could never fully recreate suffering like this.

In the end, it was Huang Yuanshan who first broke the silence, earnestly shaking Ding Xiao’e’s hand. “Hello, I’m Huang Yuanshan, the director of this labor film. This is Wen Tingli, our leading actress.”

Unexpectedly, Ding Xiao’e’s first words were: “Miss Cao told me… after the film comes out, a lot of people will come to see it. I’m a little worried, though… will our factory have to close?”

On the way back, all three women’s spirits were unusually low. They’d assumed Ding Xiao’e had wanted to meet them to provide more evidence of the Japanese management exploiting the workers, but it turned out that despite hating how the factory mistreated them, she didn’t want to lose her job.

“My second brother is getting married next year,” Ding Xiao’e had said timidly. “My family’s counting on me to send money home every month.”

Recalling this, Huang Yuanshan struck the window frame furiously. “Exploitation! Everywhere, exploitation! Exploitation of labor! Exploitation of the mind! Exploitation of dignity! Exploited inside and out for so many years that they’ve forgotten they’re even living, breathing people!”

Wen Tingli clenched her jaw, saying nothing. The most painful thing was that Ding Xiao’e was far from the only one — society was full of Ding Xiao’es.

“I’m sorry.” Cao Renxiu covered her face and sighed. “I didn’t expect it to be like this. What do we do now? Should we keep filming this movie?”

“Of course we’re filming it! These are living, breathing lives — if you don’t care, and I don’t care, and everyone just looks away, then who’s left to speak up for these poor laborers in the end? Look at what’s become of Ding Xiao’e — will she even live to see next year? I never realized how serious this was before. Now I think we should push even harder. If one film, Spring Wind Blows Again, isn’t enough, then I’ll make several more — I refuse to believe we can’t wake people up.” Huang Yuanshan grew more impassioned as she spoke. “The moment we’re back, I’m sitting down with Ke Qing to work on a new script!”

Wen Tingli felt herself reinvigorated. What she admired most about Sister Huang was exactly this — nothing could shake her convictions, whatever the circumstances.

Cao Renxiu said worriedly, “But these two films alone have already eaten up most of the company’s funds. Spring Wind Blows Again clearly isn’t going to be profitable. If the box office takes too much of a hit, we can’t count on Twin Pearls alone to cover it — where would we find funding for new films after that?”

As the company’s accountant, she understood the state of their finances better than anyone.

Wen Tingli thought to herself — yes, money. Raising funds had to be the top priority.

She spoke with unusual composure. “No need to rush — we’ll take it step by step. Don’t forget, Golden Films is holding their celebration soon — that’s a ready-made opportunity. So many industrialists will be attending that night — as long as we can get through the door smoothly—”

Within two days, Huang Yuanshan successfully slipped two invitations to Golden Films’ appreciation banquet into Wen Tingli’s hands.

The worry Wen Tingli had been carrying for days finally lifted. She hurried to ask, “Who’s attending?”

“See for yourself.”

The very first name on the guest list was Lu Shicheng.

Wen Tingli’s gaze lingered on his name for a long moment before slowly moving down, where the next line under the VIP section read “Ge Qingyun.”

“Who is this, that her name comes so early on the list?”

“The Ge family’s daughter from Guangdong — people call her Miss Ge. I believe you’ve met her.”

“I have.” Wen Tingli looked slightly curious. “But I thought she’d already gone back to Guangdong.”

Huang Yuanshan shook her head. “She won’t be going back for at least a year or so. I heard from Dong Qinfang that Miss Ge is out here on a family mission this time — she spent a month or two enjoying herself in Shanghai and Hangzhou first, then set off north to handle official business. I hear that on the night she arrived in Beiping, the Deputy Finance Minister personally received her. Business in Beiping must have wrapped up recently, since she’s apparently on her way back to Shanghai now — I’d underestimated Liu Menglin’s abilities this time. Lu Shicheng has worked with Golden Films before, so his attending the celebration isn’t surprising, but this Miss Ge has never had any dealings with Golden Films at all, and yet he’s managed to invite her too.”

Just then, Tan Guiwang came looking for his master and, overhearing this, chimed in, “I heard Miss Ge is close with the Lu family — when she first came to Shanghai, it was the Lu family that hosted her. Maybe this time Miss Ge is only going because of Lu Shicheng.”

Huang Yuanshan shot him a sharp glare.

Fortunately, Wen Tingli didn’t seem to dwell on it, merely raising an eyebrow and handing the guest list back to Huang Yuanshan with a smile. “I’ve seen it. Let’s get to work preparing.”

Within two days, the kindergarten at the Commercial Press where Xiao Taozi attended announced a field trip — a three-day, two-night excursion to Suzhou, at a cost of five silver dollars per child, with the principal requiring at least one parent or guardian to accompany each child.

This was the kindergarten’s first such event, and Xiao Taozi was thrilled beyond words, chattering nonstop to her sister the moment she got home, refusing to eat properly at dinner, counting on her fingers how many days remained until departure.

Seeing her sister so happy, Wen Tingli went straight to the kindergarten to pay the fee without a second thought — except that day happened to coincide with Golden Films’ celebration, and she couldn’t get away. After discussing it with the principal, they decided Zhou Sao would accompany Xiao Taozi instead.

Early that morning, Wen Tingli drove Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi to school, then rushed back to the company to film, and that evening, the moment she wrapped, drove straight to the celebration.

The moment Wen Tingli’s figure appeared at the restaurant entrance, several of Golden Films’ senior staff reacted as though facing a formidable enemy.

“How did she get in? Weren’t you told to keep an eye out for people from Xiufeng and Huamei?”

Reception Manager Zhao wiped the sweat from his brow. “I tried to stop her, but she had an invitation in hand — genuinely signed by Boss Liu himself. There were plenty of reporters around too, you know how it is — Wen Tingli has quite a following these days, and if we’d insisted on turning her away, it might have made an ugly scene.”

“Idiots! That invitation must be forged. Quick, go report this to Boss Liu.”

The group found Liu Menglin in the crowd. Liu Menglin said pleasantly, “On an occasion this important, if she didn’t come to join the fun, she wouldn’t be Wen Tingli, would she! Just let her in. Huang Yuanshan will probably show up too — don’t stop either of them. I want them to see what a proper trap looks like — don’t worry, I’ve already made arrangements. I’ll bet you anything Wen Tingli won’t have the mood tonight to poach anyone from us. Watch…”

He smiled and tilted his chin toward the entrance. The others followed his gaze and saw Lu Shicheng and Miss Ge walking in together, one just ahead of the other. Under the lights, they truly made a striking pair — and notably, their pace matched perfectly, as though they’d arranged it beforehand.

A stir rippled through the crowd.

“Young Master Lu, it’s been ages!”

“Miss Ge, when did you get back from Beiping?”

Several eager reporters pushed forward to ask, “Did you two arrive together?” “Miss Ge, is it true you’ve developed an interest in film investment because of Young Master Lu? That must be it — otherwise you wouldn’t have taken time out to attend Golden Films’ celebration. Are you also planning to test the waters with Golden Films first, like Young Master Lu did?”

Meanwhile, Wen Tingli stared fixedly at the pair without blinking.

Liu Menglin, watching this, smiled even wider, murmuring to the person beside him, “See that? Everyone has a weakness. Once her mind’s in turmoil, she won’t be able to focus on business… and that’s just the appetizer. There’s a whole feast waiting for her still.”

Wen Tingli quickly steadied herself, picked up a glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray, and walked steadily toward Miss Ge — only for Gao Tingxin to swoop in first and whisk both of them away together.

Wen Tingli had no choice but to stop where she was.

She hadn’t forgotten the purpose of tonight’s visit.

Before setting out, an emergency had come up on set, and Sister Huang had been forced to stay behind to handle it — which meant tonight’s entire social burden had fallen onto Wen Tingli’s shoulders alone.

Not even the sky falling would stop her from getting her business done tonight!

Turning around, she spotted Vice Chairman Weng of the Film Association and others arriving, and hurried over with a smile to greet them. But after just a couple of steps, two women approached from the opposite direction. “Young Master Lu and Miss Ge are practically as good as engaged, it seems — just the other day they were seen having dinner together at Jinyang Restaurant, and now tonight they’ve arrived together again for the banquet.”

“Lu Shicheng had dinner with Miss Ge? Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?”

“That day my husband Yiming and I had just arrived in Shanghai from Tianjin — Mrs. Cao was hosting us at Jinyang Restaurant. We were seated upstairs by the window, and looking down, we saw a man and a woman leaving through the back door of the restaurant. Mrs. Cao blurted out, ‘Young Master Lu’ — that’s how I found out that was the famous Lu Shicheng. At the time, he was holding Miss Ge’s coat for her, ever so attentive — Miss Ge’s shoe strap had come loose, and he even bent down to fasten it for her.”

Just as Wen Tingli reached them, the two women fell silent in unison.

Yet the moment she’d passed them, they deliberately continued, loudly enough to be overheard: “I heard that when Old Master Lu fell seriously ill, Old Master Ge personally traveled to Nanyang to visit — the real purpose being to arrange a marriage between the grandchildren. Now that Lu Shicheng has just returned to Shanghai, the Ge family has been visiting the Lu residence frequently — clearly this match is nearly settled. And that’s not all — the other day, Mrs. Cao and Mrs. Gao went to a jewelry shop to pick up some pieces, and ran into Lu Shicheng in the VIP room choosing a watch — a lady’s diamond watch, apparently the only one of its kind in all of Shanghai… just wait and see if Miss Ge is wearing it on her wrist tonight.”

Meanwhile, Liu Menglin was in high spirits entertaining Gao Tingxin and the others. Lu Shicheng’s presence, combined with the tremendous success of Sands of Time, was undoubtedly the most eye-catching advertisement possible — in just a short while, several companies had already expressed interest in discussing partnerships with Golden Films.

Liu Menglin was overjoyed, quickly having someone bring out the prepared outline for their new film, determined to sign investment letters of intent with Gao Tingxin and the others on the spot. Just as things were getting lively, someone hurried over, and Liu Menglin excused himself from the group with a smile.

Leading the man outside discreetly, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Well?”

The man reported in detail: “Miss Wen has been sitting alone on the sofa in the flower hall — hasn’t moved in about six or seven minutes now.”

Liu Menglin grinned broadly. “Doing what? Daydreaming?”

“At first she seemed to be looking for someone around the room. Then Miss Ge came back from the garden, and Miss Wen stopped and just stared at the diamond watch on Miss Ge’s wrist. After that she sat down and hasn’t moved. Oh, and Miss Wen hasn’t touched any food either — just drinking glass after glass of champagne. Looks like she’s got quite a temper simmering.”

Liu Menglin chuckled inwardly — now that was the right remedy for the right ailment.

When handling important matters, letting emotions take over was the worst mistake one could make. Too bad for Wen Tingli, who’d gone to such lengths to sneak into his event, only to fall short in the end.

“Then Miss Wen wrote a note and had someone deliver it — not sure if it’s meant for Lu Shicheng.”

“Go stop that note immediately!”

“But… what if Wen Tingli confronts Lu Shicheng directly to verify it, or gets jealous and makes a scene with Miss Ge on the spot — wouldn’t that backfire on us?”

Liu Menglin scoffed. “She has no way to prove we’re behind this. At an event like this, who doesn’t gossip a little about others? Even if she corners me, I’ve got a thousand ways to wriggle out of it. Second, if she goes to verify it, that just proves she’s put all her focus on the man — even if Lu Shicheng flatly denies it, she’ll still be suspicious, and she won’t have the mind for anything else all night. And if she goes straight to make trouble for Miss Ge, even better! Not only will the guests get to watch Wen Tingli make a fool of herself, but she’ll offend Miss Ge badly too, and even Lu Shicheng will genuinely resent her for it. It’s a lose-lose situation for Wen Tingli either way — I’m almost hoping she does make a scene.”

Half an hour later, that same Manager Bao came to find Liu Menglin again.

“We intercepted the note. It really was addressed to Lu Shicheng — it says: I’ll be waiting for you under the octagonal pavilion in the back garden. Miss Wen is still there waiting, it seems.”

“Hurry, tear that note up. Where’s Lu Shicheng?”

“He’s upstairs talking business with Director-General Wan of the Shipping Bureau — probably won’t be down anytime soon.”

Liu Menglin considered this. The note had been “sent,” but Lu Shicheng wasn’t coming — for Wen Tingli, that would be a devastating blow.

He asked, intrigued, “So is Wen Tingli restless right now? Or crestfallen?”

“Too far away to tell exactly what she’s doing, but she clearly doesn’t have the mood for anything else. She’s been here quite a while and hasn’t taken any action. Meanwhile, we’ve already signed letters of intent with four companies in the same amount of time.”

Liu Menglin looked over his documents with satisfaction — tonight had indeed been productive. His only regret was that Miss Ge, the one he’d most wanted to work with, showed absolutely no interest in film investment, no matter how much he talked himself hoarse — she just smiled politely. No matter, four letters of intent were plenty already; what pleased him most was that they’d successfully contained tonight’s biggest threat, Wen Tingli.

So, sometimes a trap didn’t need to be elaborate — it just needed to work!

Human nature was inherently greedy, and fragile too — Wen Tingli only had herself to blame; anyone who tried to have everything was bound to end up with nothing.

“Knowing her temperament, she won’t just sit there waiting passively forever. She’ll either storm off in a huff, or — no, more likely, she’ll go make trouble for Miss Ge. Get everyone around Miss Ge out of the way quickly, and create the impression for Wen Tingli that it’s a good time to act—”

Wen Tingli came down from the pavilion and walked straight along the garden path. Looking up, she saw Miss Ge sitting alone on a sofa in the sitting room, sipping champagne.

Completely alone, without a single companion nearby.

Wen Tingli’s gaze fixed, and she stepped forward once more, walking toward Miss Ge.

“Boss Liu.” A figure rushed toward Liu Menglin, lowering his voice urgently once he arrived. “Wen Tingli’s gone to confront Miss Ge, looking fierce.”

A gleam of excitement flashed in Liu Menglin’s eyes. “Quick, have our people quietly gather nearby, ready to add fuel to the fire if needed. Make sure Wen Tingli embarrasses herself in front of everyone tonight — with this many reporters present, I’ve already got tomorrow’s headline picked out: [Xiufeng Film Company’s Boss Fights Over a Man, Makes a Scene] — how’s that?”

He recalled how decisively Wen Tingli had walked away from the set of The Graceful Detective 3, and how she’d later exploited Golden Films’ weakness to steal Twin Pearls right out from under him. He’d been nursing that grudge for months now — if he didn’t teach Wen Tingli a proper lesson, it would be an insult to all he’d invested in cultivating her early on, especially since this time, she was the one who’d walked right into the line of fire.

Yes, he held grudges, he was petty — Huang Yuanshan certainly hadn’t been wrong about that.

Another five minutes passed before Manager Bao’s figure reappeared. This time, Liu Menglin didn’t wait for him to arrive, striding forward to meet him instead.

“Are they arguing?” A smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Or fighting?”

Manager Bao’s expression was puzzled. He shook his head. “No fighting. The two of them are chatting quite amicably.”

Liu Menglin pressed his hand downward. “Don’t rush. This is what they call ‘the calm before the storm.’ Keep watching.”

Ten-odd minutes passed with no sign of Manager Bao returning. Liu Menglin, unable to bear the suspense any longer, decided to go check for himself, but had barely gotten halfway there when Manager Bao came rushing up, out of breath.

“This is bad — Wen Tingli and Miss Ge have been talking for ages, and she’s actually taken out a new film outline to show Miss Ge. Miss Ge took it!”

Liu Menglin’s mouth fell open. “Impossible!”

“Go see for yourself if you don’t believe me — the two of them seem to be getting along remarkably well.”

Liu Menglin shoved Manager Bao aside and strode quickly to the sitting room in the back garden. One look, and his expression turned ugly.

Wen Tingli and Miss Ge weren’t just getting along — they were positively on fire together.

Whatever Wen Tingli had said, the usually dignified Miss Ge was laughing uncontrollably.

“Oh, that’s truly— so wicked… but I love this ending. Liuye Xiang not only avenged her sister, but secretly placed her sister’s ashes in her brother-in-law’s ancestral shrine. After how badly the Zhao family mistreated Liu’er, imagine — for years to come, they’ll be kowtowing before Liu’er’s ashes.”

“The irony being they’ll think they’re bowing to their ancestors!”

The two burst into hearty laughter together.

Wen Tingli laughed as she said, “We’re planning to put the shot of the entire Zhao family kowtowing to their ‘ancestors’ at the very end of the film — the camera pulling back from close to far, laying bare the family’s superstition and weakness in full. Only then can the irony land with full force.”

Ge Qingyun clapped her hands. “Brilliant. I go to the cinema often myself, and it’s rare for a film not even shot yet to have me this excited already. Did your Boss Huang really come up with this script herself?”

“Of course — you’ll understand once you meet her in person. Her head is full of the most wonderful ideas. Have you seen A Desolate Life, her breakout hit from a few years back? The original ending was quite ordinary — it was Sister Huang who changed it and made it a massive success. No one tells a story better than she does.”

Ge Qingyun’s face lit up with delight. “I have seen A Desolate Life — my favorite part was actually the ending. So that was your Boss Huang’s design? All right, you’ve convinced me. I’ll come visit your company soon, and have a proper chat with this delightful Director Huang in person. I don’t have time these next couple of days, though — how about next Sunday?”

Wen Tingli’s heart leapt with joy, though she kept her expression composed. “Then it’s settled. Next Sunday, Sister Huang and I will be waiting for you at the company.”

Ge Qingyun’s smile suddenly faded, and she studied Wen Tingli up and down with a meaningful look. “Miss Wen, I’ll be honest with you — the moment you approached me earlier, I saw straight through your intentions. And yet, your opening lines, the topics you brought up, all happened to interest me exactly — as if you held up a mirror straight to my heart! Don’t think I didn’t notice — you were deliberately working to get close to me. Let me ask you — with so many investors here tonight, why did you single me out specifically? If it’s about youth, Lu Shicheng and Gao Tingxin aren’t old either, and presumably no less receptive to new ventures. And if it’s because we’re both women, there are plenty of other ladies here tonight interested in film investment too.”

“I like your name, Miss Ge,” Wen Tingli said calmly. “Back in school, when we performed a stage adaptation of Dream of the Red Chamber, I loved a particular line from the book — ‘let a favorable wind carry me up to the blue clouds [qingyun].’ It happens that Xiufeng is on the rise these days too — isn’t that quite the coincidence, quite the fated meeting? Besides, the moment I saw you tonight, I could tell you’re a kind and interesting person.”

Ge Qingyun raised an eyebrow. “And how exactly did you determine I’m kind and interesting, Miss Wen?”

Wen Tingli pointed at her handbag. “Your dress is new, your bag is new — yet the handkerchief inside that bag is worn so thin, and you still can’t bear to throw it away. Clearly it means a great deal to you. A person who holds onto the past like that can’t be all bad — no, I should say, someone sentimental like that has a rich capacity for feeling, and feeling is exactly what film needs. Otherwise, when it comes time to collaborate, investor and filmmaker would be speaking two different languages entirely — no matter how generously you invest, the process wouldn’t go smoothly.”

Ge Qingyun teased, “So Boss Wen reads palms too, does she?”

“Can’t help it — tonight, this banquet isn’t just you investors selecting who to invest in. As one of Xiufeng’s owners, I’m choosing my partners too.”

Ge Qingyun nodded, laughing. “Well, well, I like your honesty and your— audacity! In that case, bold Boss Wen, I’ll see you next week. I have your card — I’ll be in touch.”

She leaned in to shake Wen Tingli’s hand. Wen Tingli saw her out, and Liu Menglin glared furiously at Wen Tingli from outside. She flashed him a radiant smile and continued chatting idly with Ge Qingyun as she walked. Liu Menglin rushed forward to intercept, saying to Ge Qingyun, “Miss Ge, are you leaving? Let me see you out.”

Wen Tingli graciously stepped aside, then turned and saw Lu Shicheng standing at the top of the stairs, apparently having just come down.

He was surrounded by a number of people, yet his eyes were fixed in her direction — though whether he was looking at Miss Ge or at someone else, she couldn’t tell.

Wen Tingli lifted her chin and walked toward him. As she passed him, she said quietly, “Not going to see her off?”

Before Wen Tingli could reach him, Lu Shicheng had already begun staring intently at her face. Wen Tingli paid him no mind, walking straight past, and had just reached the front door when she heard Liu Menglin’s voice, tinged with anger, calling from ahead: “Wen Tingli!”

It seemed he’d returned after seeing Miss Ge off.

“Who gave you permission to sneak into my event?!” Liu Menglin stormed up to her, furious.

Wen Tingli laughed, “There’s no need to see me off — I know this place well, no trouble at all.”

“I’ll see you off?!” Liu Menglin, no longer bothering to maintain any pretense of decorum, spat on the ground. “I’m throwing you out! Who do you think you are, stealing right out from under me time and again.”

Wen Tingli feigned innocence. “If I were truly here to steal from you, I wouldn’t have limited myself to talking with Miss Ge tonight — I’d have gone after Gao Tingxin, old Boss Gu, everyone. But you’ll remember — while you were busy discussing partnerships earlier, I deliberately kept my distance.”

Liu Menglin was momentarily speechless.

“See.” Wen Tingli’s smile turned saccharine. “We’re simply each relying on our own abilities. Miss Ge was always a client you failed to secure — my talking with her hardly infringes on your interests, does it?”

Liu Menglin only found her smile more grating for it, jabbing a finger toward the door. “The exit’s that way — get. out. now. Don’t ever let me catch you at another Golden Films event again, or I’ll personally chase you off with a beggar’s staff!”

Wen Tingli had already been on her way out, but at this last remark, she stopped and turned, her expression cold. “It’s been a while, and your temper’s still as hot-headed as ever. You know better than anyone why I left Golden Films in the first place. These days I’ve simply gone off to make my own way — I owe you nothing, from start to finish.”

Then, just as quickly, she softened into an easy smile. “Of course, out of respect for you as my former senior, I won’t hold it against you.”

Liu Menglin’s throat tightened with fury he couldn’t voice, wanting badly to curse her out on the spot, but afraid of making even more of a spectacle, could only watch helplessly as Wen Tingli walked away.

Wen Tingli left in high spirits. Her car was parked across the street, not far at all. Crossing the road, she’d just turned the corner when a gust of wind hit her face — despite the summer night, the wind was bitterly cold, like a blade. She couldn’t help shivering, her legs suddenly going weak, and she hastily grabbed a roadside utility pole to steady herself.

Must be from not having eaten in so long.

Ever since seeing Ding Xiao’e, she’d realized her own physique was still too healthy compared to a real factory worker.

To better match the image of the “Ding Xiao’es” of the world, she’d doubled down on dieting, often eating nothing but a piece of dry bread all day, drinking warm water when the hunger got unbearable. Today, up to this point, she’d only had an apple at noon — even at the banquet, she hadn’t dared touch any of the desserts, drinking nothing but a few glasses of champagne all evening.

Hunger tended to bring on drunkenness faster, and champagne was intoxicating enough on its own. She was probably a little low on blood sugar now, combined with the alcohol taking effect — no wonder she felt so dizzy. There was no way she could drive home like this. Looking around, the street was completely empty; she’d have to go back into the banquet hall and call for a car to take her home.

As she walked, she heard the sound of a car behind her. Turning around, she saw Lu Shicheng driving slowly behind her.

She called out to him, “This isn’t the way to the Lu residence. If you’re looking for Miss Ge, she lives on Route Doumer — that way.”

Unexpectedly, Lu Shicheng pulled the car up beside her and got out to stop her. “You look terrible. I’ll take you home.”

“I don’t need you to take me anywhere!” She pushed his hand away. “You ignored my note earlier — what business do you have with me now?”

“Note?” The surprise on Lu Shicheng’s face didn’t seem feigned.

Wen Tingli arched an eyebrow — she’d known it was Liu Menglin’s doing — but she had no intention of letting it go just yet.

“I sent the note to discuss a partnership with you — though I should have known you wouldn’t have time to read my note tonight, seeing as your beloved was here too.”

She laughed lightly, her cheeks gradually flushing with a drunken glow, entirely unaware of it herself.

“But I bet you’d never guess — I went straight to Miss Ge myself. She heard about our company’s upcoming films and is quite willing to give a collaboration with Xiufeng a try. She’s such a lovely, sincere woman — I have a feeling we’ll work together beautifully. Ha, you, and Liu Menglin— no one can stop me, Wen Tingli!”

She forced herself to take a couple more steps, but the dizziness hit her again, and without thinking, she grabbed his collar and pressed her head against his chest, suddenly feeling nauseous.

“If you don’t move away, I’m going to throw up all over you—” Before she could finish, her body lifted off the ground — he’d picked her up and set her in the back seat of the car, anxiously feeling her forehead, then quickly pulling off his own jacket to drape over her.

On the drive, Wen Tingli kept murmuring drunken words: “So hungry, my stomach hurts, I want to throw up…”

Then, thinking of something, she suddenly began crying softly. “Papa, don’t say you’re a failure anymore, I’ll— hic— I’ll make you proud…”

Listening to these words, Lu Shicheng’s heart already ached terribly. He took several deep breaths, forcing down the bitterness rising in his chest, and stopped partway to call Louis.

By the time they reached her house, he leaned down to carry her out of the car and up the steps. The jostling roused her slightly, and she looked around weakly. “We’re home? Let me down.”

He turned sideways to press the doorbell with his shoulder, softening his voice to comfort her. “Louis will be here soon. Let me get you inside for something to eat first. Are Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi not home?”

“They’re not home… they went to Suzhou.”

Lu Shicheng turned decisively and started back down the steps. “I’m taking you to Huiqun Hospital.”

“No.” Wen Tingli reached up and grabbed the front of his shirt. “I don’t want to go to the hospital — I’m afraid of what the reporters will write. Let’s just go inside and wait for Dr. Louis… the key’s in my bag, find it for me.”

Lu Shicheng had no free hand left to search for the key. Seeing her fading in and out of consciousness, he had no choice but to kneel halfway down, one knee pressed to the ground, so he could keep holding her securely against him while freeing a hand to search through her bag.

Wen Tingli leaned her head against the curve of his neck. She couldn’t move, but she could clearly feel that his skin was warmer than hers — he was sweating, and the pulse in his neck was racing.

Though she had little strength left, her mouth still wanted to move, and without meaning to, her lower lip brushed against the skin of his neck when she opened it to speak — it looked, unmistakably, as though she were kissing him there.

His eyes stayed fixed on the ground, but the tips of his ears turned instantly red. She, in her hazy state, seemed to sense it too, and finally quieted down. He quickly composed himself, though, and pulled a key from her bag, then swiftly picked her up again and unlocked the door.