Chapter 49: He Wen's Meeting

"Heh!" Qi Tian let out a cold laugh. "What? Ruan Wushuang, didn't expect it to be me?"

"Why? Why did you hurt him! Weren't we friends?" Ruan Wushuang demanded.

"Friends?" Qi Tian seemed to hear the greatest joke in the world. "Hahaha, friends? Would you become friends with the son of your father's murderer? Years ago, it was his father, unable to distinguish right from wrong, who killed my father, drove my mother to suicide, and destroyed my family!"

Ruan Wushuang finally understood the reason: it was all grudges from the previous generation, but this was not Ye Mochen's fault!

"Even so, you shouldn't have hurt him! None of this has anything to do with him!" Ruan Wushuang clenched her fists, her eyes already bloodshot.

Qi Tian screamed with even greater madness, "Sins of the father, paid by the son! I want him to suffer the consequences!"

"Qi Tian, I beg you! It's not too late to turn back now! The grudges of the last generation shouldn't be yours to bear. Don't sink any deeper!" Feng Changge pleaded desperately. "Give Wushuang the antidote!"

"Hahaha, antidote? The venom is the most mysterious poison in the world—no cure exists! He won't survive!" Qi Tian threw his head back in wild laughter.

"Zhentianming—" Ruan Wushuang was provoked by his words. Though she tried to remain calm, her fury was impossible to hide. In a flash, she darted past Feng Changge, her mystical energy gathering for an attack straight toward Qi Tian. Her long robe whipped in the wind, billowing loudly.

"No!" Feng Changge could only cry out in anguish, tears streaming down her face.

Qi Tian secretly prepared himself, power gathering in his palm beneath his black robe, his gaze cold and bloodthirsty, devoid of emotion—a venomous scorpion lurking for years, dark and terrifying.

The two clashed in a battle of the century, blow against blow. Ruan Wushuang's mystical power far surpassed Qi Tian's, and soon he was forced back at every turn.

Qi Tian saw the murderous intent in her eyes, and as she unleashed her strength, he secretly used a dirty trick—a silver needle shot toward her at lightning speed. Ruan Wushuang failed to dodge; it was about to pierce her skin.

Suddenly, a more powerful surge of mystical energy swept across, forcing everyone present to take a step back. It encased Ruan Wushuang in a golden protective circle.

Ruan Wushuang stood stunned. She couldn't be mistaken—this was Mochen's presence! His mystical energy, richer than ever!

Qi Tian had never imagined such an unbelievable turn. He bit down hard, his eyes filled with a terrifying storm, like an abyss that could swallow all, chilling to the bone.

Could it be...

Everyone looked toward the source of the golden light, and saw the one who had previously collapsed now standing unharmed. With a sweep of his black robe, he stepped forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ruan Wushuang, both of them elegant and peerless.

Indeed! Ruan Wushuang curved her lips, joy overflowing at the corners of her mouth as she met Ye Mochen's gaze.

Even years later, those who recalled this scene found it unforgettable.

"Cut!" Lu Jin called out, snapping everyone out of their immersion—the actors and crew alike.

Applause broke out across the set. "Fantastic! So exciting!"

"Thank you everyone! Thank you, Director!" The actors bowed humbly after the scene. Filming had been sporadic, but today it was finally finished.

"Come." Lin Xi stepped forward and helped Wen Jin, who was still sitting on the ground, wiping away tears, handing her a tissue.

"Thank you, Xi." Wen Jin's eyes were still red, her voice tinged with tears.

Lin Xi waved it off lightly. "It's nothing. I'm just helping my little sister-in-law, as I should!"

Wen Jin blushed and slapped her playfully.

"So, so? How did my villain do? Wasn't it extraordinary?" Jiang He popped up behind them, waggling her brows.

"Absolutely a natural performance!" Lin Xi gave her a thumbs-up without hesitation.

The whole crew burst into laughter.

Lu Yuxiu gazed at Lin Xi's profile, momentarily lost in thought, silent.

Since they started dating, he felt himself growing anxious, constantly fearing loss. Lin Xi always approached their relationship rationally, as if she were heartless. Sometimes he worried—was she ready to walk away at any moment? She still kept a lock on her heart, unwilling to open up, and there was always a small barrier between them.

"What's wrong?" Lin Xi noticed his gaze and smiled gently at him.

Was it because of her illness? Lu Yuxiu felt a stab of pain. Was she afraid her illness would relapse, and thus dared not give too much of herself to him—not allowing herself to fall too deeply, nor being overly careful with him?

"Nothing." Lu Yuxiu's expression stayed unchanged as he affectionately ruffled her long hair.

He desperately wanted to tell her he didn't care about her illness at all, that he'd face every unknown with her, hold her close and say, "Don't be afraid." But he couldn't, not yet—not wanting to upset her. She was so fragile.

"Alright, this morning's scenes were excellent, very few retakes. Let's keep it up this afternoon!" Director Lu waved his hand. "Break time, everyone go eat!"

"Great!" Everyone headed back to their lounge to have lunch.

"Come on." Lu Yuxiu pulled Lin Xi away from Wen Jin and Jiang He, leading her into his own lounge.

"The script reading for the movie is set for next Saturday." Lu Yuxiu pressed her into a chair, leaning against the desk behind her, blocking her in, holding her fast.

Lin Xi blinked in confusion at his actions. "It's been moved up?"

"Yes." He looked down at her deeply, his eyes shining as if filled with spring water.

"What's wrong?" Lin Xi lifted her face slightly, their breaths mingling, his cheek so close.

He parted his lips, his voice gentle yet carrying unquestionable authority. "From now on, the first thing you do after filming is to come find me."

Lin Xi caught on immediately, her smile spreading across her face, lingering in her eyes, dazzling like stars.

"Our Yuxiu is jealous?" She hooked his chin with her finger, grinning mischievously, the corners of her mouth lifted high.

"Yes!" He didn't shy away, disregarding any so-called dignity before his woman.

Lin Xi laughed, reaching out to smooth his hair. "Alright~ From now on, I'll come to you first after filming! Satisfied?"

Lu Yuxiu wrapped her shoulders, pulling her into his arms, his cheek pressed to her forehead, warm breath spilling into her ear. He feared it was all just a dream, yet Xi was so real before him.

Sunlight poured in, making her seem to glow—a ray of hope he could grasp.

Lin Xi quietly nestled in his arms, her heart warm, smiling softly.

"Xi!" Miya burst in, apparently with urgent news.

Lin Xi slipped out of Lu Yuxiu's embrace, turning to look at her. Seeing Miya frozen at the door, Lin Xi couldn't help but laugh. "Miya, what's wrong?"

Lu Yuxiu rose as well, slightly displeased.

"Well..." Miya hesitated.

"I'll go out. You eat first." Lin Xi squeezed Lu Yuxiu's hand and followed Miya out.

They returned to Lin Xi's own dressing room.

"It's He Wen." Miya showed Lin Xi her phone. "She contacted me through her agent today, said she wants to meet you and Wen Jin."

Lin Xi narrowed her eyes.

Since Lin Xi warned He Wen last time, she'd caused no further trouble. But Miya told her He Wen was planning to terminate her contract with Starry.

Now, she suddenly wanted to meet Lin Xi and Wen Jin, and Lin Xi couldn't quite figure it out, but she was curious what He Wen would say.

The three arranged to meet at a private, upscale restaurant.

When Lin Xi and Wen Jin arrived, He Wen was already seated, apparently waiting for some time.

"You’re here." He Wen smiled graciously, inviting them to sit. "Let's order first, it won't take long."

Lin Xi and Wen Jin, puzzled by He Wen's demeanor, couldn't ask any questions. They ordered steak.

The meal was served quickly, but silence lingered. More precisely, the two waited for He Wen to speak.

Only the sound of cutlery filled the air, the silence stretching on.

Finally, He Wen seemed to take a breath and spoke lightly, "You must have heard about me terminating my contract."

Lin Xi and Wen Jin exchanged glances. Lin Xi saw surprise in Wen Jin's eyes.

"Yes, I heard, but I'm curious—why terminate so suddenly? That matter would go unnoticed as long as you don't speak of it." Lin Xi asked.

"Why?" He Wen smiled faintly, but her eyes carried a hint of mockery.

"Because I'm afraid."

"What?" Lin Xi narrowed her eyes.

"I'm afraid I'll go looking for Gu Yao! Even more afraid of seeing Gu Yao and her together, so sweet and loving in front of me!" He Wen's voice suddenly turned shrill and sharp, pointing fiercely at Wen Jin.

Wen Jin froze. Lin Xi immediately raised her arm to shield her.

"Heh." He Wen scoffed. "Lin Xi, I know you look at me like a joke now. Your words that day were like a slap, waking me up. He's never seen me in his eyes!"

"So, you still haven't let go?" Lin Xi looked at her coldly.

"Let go?" He Wen snorted. "Letting go of someone isn't that easy."

"Lin Xi, you were wrong about one thing that day. Yes, I'm vain, I wanted to be the Gu family's young mistress. But I truly loved him for ten years—from the first glance, to now, ten whole years. My entire youth was spent striving for him. I thought if I could stand at his side, he'd see me, but it was all my own fantasy. He never even looked at me..."

Tears streamed from He Wen's eyes.

Lin Xi was stunned by her words. She hadn't expected He Wen to be so deeply in love with Fourth Brother.

She didn't notice Wen Jin's shock and confusion behind her.

"Now, I can't tell if what I feel is love or obsession. It ends here. Thinking back on all my hopes, it's just sad and laughable. All I can do is wish him well and never see him again..."

He Wen smiled bleakly, wiping her tears.

"Are you really willing?" Wen Jin's gentle voice came from behind Lin Xi.

"Of course not! No one has ever loved him like I did. I don't know how long it will take to forget him..." He Wen suddenly raised her head, staring fiercely at Wen Jin. "Yes, I'm not good enough for him, but what about you, Wen Jin? Are you good enough for him?"

Wen Jin's gentle question was like a knife to He Wen's heart. Did she think that a little bit of his affection made her superior, able to mock He Wen?

He Wen, like a porcupine, vented all her anger and pain on Wen Jin.

Listening to her, Wen Jin simply sat there, stunned.

Indeed, she had never considered whether she was good enough for him—so outstanding, dazzling, perfect, attentive.

Was she truly worthy of his affection?