In the sweltering summer noon, the air was unusually stifling. The hot wind blowing against one’s face could probably melt makeup instantly.

The western suburbs were far from public transportation. Chen Die dragged her suitcase and took a taxi to the nearest subway station. Tiny beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose, and strands of hair at her temples stuck to her cheeks with moisture.

She had originally planned to follow the agreement and move out of the villa after her official graduation tomorrow.

But yesterday, Wen Liang’s words, “Then why are you still sleeping with me?” made her unable to stay even for another moment. So after Wen Liang left for work in the morning, she began packing her luggage.

This decision was made impulsively, without even securing a new place to live.

After taking the subway to the transfer station, she walked out to find Xia Ying already waiting for her by the roadside.

Seeing Chen Die emerge, Xia Ying ran over and asked, “Oh my goodness, what’s going on? The number you called me from isn’t yours, is it?”

Chen Die took out her phone to show her. “It died. I borrowed one.”

With all the drama yesterday, she hadn’t remembered to charge it.

“I thought you’d been kidnapped!!” Xia Ying slapped her thigh, then suddenly noticed the faint marks on Chen Die’s cheeks. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Have you been crying?”

“We broke up,” Chen Die said.

Xia Ying was stunned.

“Suddenly felt meaningless, so we split,” Chen Die shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll need to stay at your place tonight. There’s no time to rent an apartment.”

Xia Ying opened and closed her mouth, then patted Chen Die’s head. “No problem, you can stay at my place as long as you want!”

Chen Die laughed at her. “I’m the one who wanted to move out. Why does your expression look so grave, as if I got dumped?”

Xia Ying wasn’t giving her any face. “Your expression right now doesn’t look like someone who got dumped. It looks like your boyfriend died.”

As she spoke, she took the initiative to grab Chen Die’s suitcase. “Come on, get in the car.”

Xia Ying lived in Century Harbor, in a 140-square-meter apartment by herself. It was more than spacious enough for Chen Die to move in, though Xia Ying hadn’t even set up the second bedroom.

Upon arriving home, Xia Ying busied herself taking out spare bedding to air in the sun.

Chen Die said, “Just leave it there. I’ll take care of it myself in a bit.”

“It’s fine. What should we eat for lunch?” Xia Ying asked.

“Just something simple.”

Xia Ying said, “Then take a look at what’s in my refrigerator.”

Chen Die plugged in her phone to charge, then went to open the refrigerator. It was very much in line with Xia Ying’s status as a single girl living alone—not many ingredients, just a fridge full of carbonated drinks.

After searching for a while, Chen Die took out a package of noodles and checked the expiration date.

“How about noodles?” she asked.

Xia Ying nodded. “Sure.”

Chen Die grabbed a handful and tossed it into the boiling water.

These were skills she had known since before her previous home. After getting together with Wen Liang, she never had the chance to do these things herself again.

Beside her, Xia Ying leaned against the table. “How did your boyfriend… I mean, ex-boyfriend react to you moving out?”

“He doesn’t know. I left after he had already gone to the company.”

“Huh?” Xia Ying hadn’t processed this. “Won’t he come looking for you at my place?”

“He won’t.”

Chen Die glanced at the time, figuring Wen Liang probably knew by now. She looked at her phone on the table, which had now charged enough to turn on. The corner of her lips curled up slightly. “He probably won’t even call me.”

Xia Ying found this hard to understand.

How could someone have no reaction to their partner suddenly leaving after being together for so long?

Even when she first discovered Xu Zhiran was cheating, amid her anger and shame, she had the impulse to ask him why and even wanted to pitifully ask if it was all false.

Chen Die served the noodles.

Her relationship with Wen Liang was unequal. Although outsiders might see the good side of how Wen Liang treated her, that goodness was more like a condescending charity.

Wen Liang had brought her home when she was 16 years old.

He had provided her with a place to live and a comfortable life and later granted her the kind of indulgence and favoritism he didn’t show others.

But none of it was built on an equal relationship.

The more he gave, the more unequal their relationship became.

When she brought up the contract with him, Wen Liang would only think she was feeling wronged and acting like a clown seeking attention in front of him.

Now that she had moved out without a word, Wen Liang probably just thought she was throwing another tantrum.

So he wouldn’t call her. Like dealing with a disobedient pet, he was just waiting for her to come to her senses and slink back with her tail between her legs.

The next day was the graduation ceremony.

This night was Chen Die’s first night truly away from Wen Liang in six years, and as expected, she didn’t sleep well, only falling asleep when dawn was about to break.

In her dreams, she was still entangled with Wen Liang from the past, feeling uncomfortable no matter what.

She woke up at just six o’clock.

She opened her suitcase.

She hadn’t brought all her clothes from the villa, leaving behind those expensive designer brands Wen Liang had bought for her. What she brought were only the simplest clothes.

When Xia Ying got up yawning, she saw that Chen Die had already bought two breakfast sets from the downstairs breakfast shop.

She was wearing a white T-shirt paired with jeans.

Xia Ying opened her eyes wide. “Are you going to the graduation ceremony dressed like that?”

“What else?”

“But it’s the graduation ceremony! You’re even giving a speech as a representative! Isn’t this too understated?”

Chen Die smiled. “Why do I need to be flashy?”

“No way, you’re the campus beauty, we need to graduate in style.” Xia Ying disagreed, immediately rushing back to her bedroom and picking out her most figure-flattering outfit.

The price tag wasn’t even removed yet.

When they were shopping, Xia Ying had fallen in love with this dress and bought it immediately, but never found an occasion to wear it.

A wine-red spaghetti strap dress with subtle shimmer.

It was beautiful, but if worn by someone unsuited for it, the person would be overshadowed by the dress. Xia Ying had never dared to wear it, just leaving it in her closet.

Chen Die couldn’t refuse her and changed into the dress.

The wine-red dress reached her mid-knee, beneath which were legs as if carved from jade. Her leg shape was exceptionally beautiful—slender, and fair, with high Achilles tendons and smooth, elastic lines.

Her two concave collarbones could hold fish, deeply sunken. With black hair against white skin, she appeared aloof yet alluring.

Xia Ying stared in amazement and gave a thumbs-up. “Perfect.”

The graduation ceremony coincided with the school’s 80th anniversary, and the campus was decorated with small colorful flags marking the 80th anniversary, creating a lively atmosphere.

Chen Die was the top student in the Performance Department and would also give a speech as a representative at the graduation ceremony.

After finishing her speech, she came down from the stage and walked to her advisor’s side.

Ying Shu asked, “I heard you’ve already signed to be the lead in ‘Flower Hairpin’?”

“Yes.”

“When do you start filming?”

“Beginning of next month, about half a month from now.”

Ying Shu patted her shoulder, saying with satisfaction, “Well done, it’s a good start. I believe you’ll achieve success, child.”

Chen Die smiled slightly. “I hope so.”

As it turned out, the dress Xia Ying had chosen for her was the right decision. Photos of Chen Die giving her graduation speech on stage were posted on the school’s forum and quickly accumulated comments.

“Wuwuwuwu Senior Sister is truly gorgeous!”

“Chen Die is exactly my aesthetic.”

“Only my wife can pull off this kind of dress (speaking in a manly voice!)”

“The campus beauty is from the Performance Department, right? Their class has many talented people. Besides those who came in with their fan base, several have already starred in shows, so why hasn’t the campus beauty made any moves?”

“This kind of earthly beauty has probably just come to enjoy human life.”

“After the campus beauty’s photoshoot went viral, she already had offers for female lead roles. With top grades in professional courses and excellent looks and temperament, if she had agreed to act, she would have been famous by now.”

“With that temper, slapping someone in front of so many people, she’d be blacklisted in the entertainment industry right away.”

“Her boyfriend is impressive, driving a Bugatti worth tens of millions. He could directly invest in making movies if he wanted.”

“If I had such a boyfriend, I’d just want to live off him without working.”

After a while, someone replied with a comment that changed the direction of the thread.

“I was standing next to the campus beauty and her friend at the graduation ceremony just now and heard her talking about moving. Seems like she broke up with her boyfriend?”

“Broke up?!”

“Surprised! Wasn’t Chen Die said to have a boyfriend since she first entered school?”

“What?? Congratulations to the beautiful sister for becoming the commonwealth of all single dogs again!!”

“Is this news reliable? My friend has already started writing a love letter.”

“LOL to the commenter above, whether it’s reliable or not doesn’t affect the campus beauty rejecting your friend.”

“Graduation season = breakup season for real.”

…

Wen Yuan Group.

Today everyone in the company could sense that their Mr. Wen was in a very bad mood, causing the entire company to be under low pressure.

Everyone worked cautiously, afraid of triggering his wrath.

Wen Liang sat at his desk with a dark face.

After a while, he closed a document, frowned, and pressed his temples, then called his assistant through the intercom.

“Mr. Wen,” Zhu Qicong entered.

His voice was flat. “Has Chen Die gone back?”

Zhu Qicong nodded. “I’ll go ask now.”

He dialed Zhou Sao and received the reply that Chen Die had not returned to the villa.

Zhu Qicong was nervous, fearing Wen Liang’s anger, but tried to appear calm. “Miss Chen is not at home at the moment. Do you need me to find out where she is?”

Wen Liang’s face darkened.

When he didn’t smile, his appearance was terrifying, especially with that scar at the corner of his eyebrow.

Zhu Qicong’s heart was pounding. Recalling the question Mr. Wen had asked him in the car after the bidding ended, he hesitantly suggested, “Why don’t you call Miss Chen and see? Perhaps the misunderstanding can be resolved.”

Wen Liang gave a light snort, whether in mockery or disdain was unclear.

He lifted his hand slightly, gesturing for him to leave.

Zhu Qicong nodded and immediately left.

Wen Liang leaned back in his office chair, grabbed his cigarette case, and put one in his mouth.

It had been a long time since he had felt this irritated.

This irritation caused by things being out of his control prevented him from staying calm.

Chen Die had estimated Wen Liang’s reaction quite accurately.

So not receiving any messages or texts from him didn’t make her feel disappointed; rather, it gave her an indescribable sense of relief.

She had been with Wen Liang for six years.

During these six years, her initial attraction to Wen Liang caused her to shatter the part that truly belonged to herself to fit with Wen Liang. Blended, she gradually lost her sense of self.

She was like a cat raised by Wen Liang.

Now she finally belonged to herself.

After the graduation ceremony ended, Chen Die was the last to leave.

Outside, the sunlight was perfect, and the air felt warm.

She stood in the sunlight, squinting and stretching.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. Chen Die answered, and the person on the other end notified her to come for an interview at Yiming Entertainment.

A few days ago, Chen Die submitted her resume to several entertainment companies. Having decided to enter the entertainment industry, it was unrealistic for Chen Die to fight alone without experience.

Yiming Entertainment wasn’t an established entertainment company but had developed rapidly in recent years, expanding quickly in scale. It was said that the company’s president also owned a film production company, with abundant resources.

After leaving school, she took the subway directly to Yiming Entertainment.

The HR person responsible for receiving Chen Die was a young woman.

Chen Die came to the company with the resource of starring in the major production “Flower Hairpin” directed by a famous director. With other excellent qualifications, signing a contract wasn’t an issue.

After confirming, HR told her that subsequent work arrangements and the assignment of an agent would be decided after a company meeting. She didn’t stay long at the company and went downstairs after saying goodbye.

Chen Die stood at the entrance of the company, just opening her umbrella when a man approached.

He looked somewhat familiar.

Chen Die looked at him, squinting slightly.

The man also saw her, smiled, and said, “Sister!”

Chen Die thought, “…”

She remembered now.

Chen Shao.

That seemingly not-too-bright blood-related cousin of hers.

Chen Die had no interest in entangling with the Chen family members and was about to turn and leave when she heard Chen Shao ask, “Did you come to sign a contract today?”

Chen Die paused her steps and turned back. “How did you know?”

“Quite coincidentally.” Chen Shao smiled kindly, took out a business card, and handed it to her. “This company is mine.”

The business card displayed “Chairman of Yiming Entertainment.”

Chen Die glanced at the words on the card and suddenly realized something. “Was it your decision to call me for an interview and contract signing?”

“I suppose so.”

Chen Shao looked at his sister who had been living away from home. Her eyebrows were fine and black, slightly furrowed. Her cheeks were dusted with translucent powder, glowing in the sunlight.

He sighed again, thinking it was truly a damn blessing for that savage Wen Liang.

Chen Die frowned. “Is this the Chen family’s intention?”

“How could it be? Would the Chen family princess agree?” Chen Shao’s tone was disdainful.

“Then why?”

“Because you have investment value. Wen Liang hasn’t mistreated you. You look much more like a princess than that idiot Chen Shuyuan. The entertainment industry now lacks your type, and I think you can bring me value.”

Chen Die looked at him and laughed lightly. “That’s too insincere.”

Chen Shao paused briefly before breaking into laughter, laughing so hard he leaned against the wall, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Chen Die had no idea what was so funny.

After finishing laughing, Chen Shao shrugged. “Alright, that’s just part of the reason. Mainly, I’m too bored.”

“…”

“I’m quite annoyed with Chen Shuyuan, just want to give her some trouble.”

Chen Die asked, “What did she do to you?”

“The princess fell and scratched my new car, which I had waited half a year to get, with her high heels.”

“…”

Chen Die confirmed that he was indeed an idiot and didn’t want to engage further. Just as she was about to leave, she was caught by a hand on her shoulder.

“Come, sister, let’s discuss your future work arrangements.”

Chen Shao seemed unaware that this was only the second time he had met this sister, acting very familiar as he took her to the Western restaurant across from the company.

Chen Die was bewildered and somewhat annoyed.

But her years of living had made it difficult for her to argue with someone in a quiet Western restaurant.

So she just frowned and asked quietly, “What exactly do you want from me?”

“Have a meal.” Chen Shao opened the menu and continued, “By the way, there’s a spot for a guest on a variety show in a few days. Before you start filming, we can build some buzz for you.”

Chen Die was surprised. She hadn’t expected activities so soon, nor had she expected the seemingly frivolous Chen Shao to arrange work.

This spot was originally for another female trainee in the company, but just before her debut, she was exposed for dating and was directly blacklisted and shelved.

Chen Shao didn’t explain further, flipped through the menu, and called the waiter over to order.

Just after ordering, familiar figures suddenly appeared at the entrance of the restaurant.

Chen Shao let out an “Oh,” and Chen Die looked up, then followed his gaze.

Several young men in suits walked in, with an air of privilege.

Walking at the very back was Wen Liang.

When he looked up, his gaze paused, easily capturing Chen Die’s location.

His expression remained unchanged as he flicked his finger at his cigarette, took another puff, and then tossed it into the ashtray in front of the counter before striding over.

He had always been clear about his targets, cutting through the people who had been walking in front of him.

The men in front looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

They watched as Wen Liang quickly walked to a woman’s side, grabbed her wrist, pulled her up, and pressed her onto the sofa at an empty table nearby.

Then he picked up a chair, and the chair legs made a harsh scraping sound against the floor, particularly jarring in the venue playing soft music.

Everyone froze simultaneously and looked towards the two.

He sat down next to Chen Die, hooked his long leg around another chair, his hand lazily draped over the back of her chair. His eyes were pitch black as he looked at her.

The Western restaurant was completely silent.

Chen Die met his gaze without speaking, only smelling the cigarette scent on him.

The others were seeing Chen Die for the first time and didn’t know what was happening.

However, after clearly seeing Chen Die’s face, a vague premonition arose—this was probably the “Lingling” in Wen Liang’s phone.

So now this was… what’s going on?

It looked like they were about to fight.

In the end, it was Xiao Shi who first spoke to break the strange atmosphere. “Liang, who’s this? Won’t you introduce us?”

As expected, there was no response. Xiao Shi had the deepest friendship with Wen Liang in the group and didn’t mind. He turned to ask the one who seemed approachable, “Are you the ‘Lingling’ in our Liang’s phone?”

Chen Die raised her eyebrows, looked at him, and nodded.

“Finally seeing you in person! We’ve wanted to meet you for so long, but Liang never brings you out!” Xiao Shi raised his hand to greet her. “No wonder you’ve got Liang head over heels. You’re truly better in person than by reputation.”

Wen Liang’s face darkened as he looked at Xiao Shi. “Let go.”

Xiao Shi only then noticed his hand had somehow touched Chen Die’s shoulder. Spaghetti strap dress, skin so white it hurt the eyes—he quickly withdrew his hand.

This possessiveness was extreme.

“Chen Die.”

Wen Liang spoke. His voice was slightly hoarse, like a deep bass, with a warning undertone.

“Throwing a tantrum has its limits. Do you think I’m too lenient with you? Coaxing you and still you play games with me.”

He pressed his lips tightly, visibly trying to suppress his anger, and finally said in a measured voice, “Come home with me tonight, and I won’t pursue anything else.”

He was always like this—even his compromises were arrogant.

Chen Die smiled slightly. “Wen Liang, I’m not throwing a tantrum with you.”

The group of people around were too curious about Wen Liang’s household members and held their breath while watching intently. They hadn’t expected to hear such content and didn’t dare breathe a word.

This woman was truly valiant.

“These six years, I’m very grateful to you. Without you, I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today.” Chen Die said calmly. “But I don’t want to be that cat you keep anymore.”

She looked at him, chin slightly raised, her tone firm. “I don’t belong to you.”

Wen Liang’s Adam’s apple moved heavily.

Chen Die stood up. “Goodbye, Wen Liang.”

She spoke with extreme detachment.

Wen Liang’s lips tightened into a line, his knuckles turning white from force, almost breaking through the skin.

A moment later, he suddenly smiled, looking up with a curl of his lips, coldly complimenting her, “Very good.”