"Ningjing, go upstairs and check on your brother first. We'd like to have a word with this young lady."
Chang Ningjing nodded in response.
Shu Yi tensed up. Drawing from her years of experience with novels and acting, she anticipated the next scene: they would offer her a credit card and ask her to leave their son.
"Come, young lady. We'd like to have a chat with you."
Shu Yi grew increasingly nervous.
The couple led Shu Yi to an upscale café near the hospital.
"Please, have a seat."
Shu Yi obediently sat down.
"We'll cut to the chase and speak frankly," Nie Ling said.
The couple's strong presence was palpable; as they sat there, Shu Yi felt intimidated.
"What's your name?"
"Shu Yueru."
"You're an actress, aren't you? You're quite beautiful."
Nie Ling sat poised, holding a cup of coffee, scrutinizing Shu Yi.
"Yes, I am."
"You two aren't compatible. I don't think you should be together."
Nie Ling's voice was devoid of emotion, utterly neutral.
"Mrs. Chang, we're not together."
"Yes, I know you're not together yet. I hope you won't be in the future either."
Shu Yi fell silent. This turn of events deviated slightly from her expectations.
"Are you listening?" Nie Ling asked again.
"Yes, I am."
"Can you do as we ask?"
Chang Huaiming's fingers drummed on the coffee table.
Although Shu Yi had anticipated this outcome, hearing it spoken aloud still left her feeling dazed.
Indeed, incompatibility is incompatibility. In the adult world, love isn't always enough. Often, reality trumps romance.
Fortunately, she hadn't fallen too deeply and could extricate herself in time, cutting her losses.
"I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Shu Yi maintained her composure as she spoke and stood up. It wasn't until she turned to leave that her nose tingled, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
Perhaps it was for the best. There was no point in wasting time on a relationship without a future. From now on, she would have to learn to be neither sad nor happy, to stop thinking about him, and to stay away as much as possible.
"The girl is quite pretty, but she's been tainted by the entertainment industry. She's not good enough for Zhiyuan," Chang Huaiming remarked, taking a sip of coffee.
"She was quite calm. I thought she might put up a fight. We didn't even bring our credit cards. If she had made a scene, we would've been at a loss."
"Alright, let's head back. We can't let Zhiyuan know about this, or he'll be upset again," Chang Huaiming said.
In the hospital room, Chang Zhiyuan had been waiting for a long time, but no one had returned. What could his sister possibly be discussing with Shu Yueru that was taking so long?
Chang Ningjing didn't dare return. If she did, Chang Zhiyuan would undoubtedly ask her where Shu Yi had gone. How could she tell him that their parents had taken Shu Yi aside for a chat?
She preferred to stay out of her brother's romantic affairs. It was better to pretend she knew nothing.
Shu Yi sat in her car, trying to collect herself.
Her phone rang. It was Shen Yin calling. Shu Yi looked at the caller ID, wiped away her tears, and cleared her throat.
"Hello, Yin Yin."
"Shu Yi, are you busy right now?"
"No, not at all."
"I wanted to ask about that delicious ice cream shop you mentioned before. Where is it?"
Shen Yin was just feeling bored. Although the weather had turned cooler, who doesn't love ice cream? A foodie has no resistance to delicious treats.
After some hesitation, she decided to call Shu Yi.
"Wait for me at home. I'll come pick you up, and we'll go together."
"Huh? Weren't you supposed to be at the hospital taking care of Chang Zhiyuan?"
"His family is there now. They don't need me anymore. So I can accompany you and my godson for some ice cream!"
Shu Yi was unhappy, but people often put on a mask when they're feeling down, pretending to be happy.
That's exactly what she was doing now, smiling in a way that looked more painful than crying.
Hearing this, Shen Yin sensed something different in Shu Yi's voice.
When Shu Yi arrived at Ziyue Manor, she parked her car in front of Shen Yin's house.
"Come on, son. Get in the car. Godmother's going to treat you to something delicious."
Afraid that Shen Yin might notice she had been crying, Shu Yi deliberately put on her sunglasses as she stopped the car and opened the door.
"Should we invite Qi Ji?" Shu Yi asked.
"Probably not. She might not be able to eat it. It would be too cruel to make her watch us eat."
"Haha, you're right. We'll invite her next time when we're having something milder."
"When are you starting your next project?"
"I'm not sure yet. The company has sent me several scripts recently, but none of them were suitable. I think I'll hold off for now."
"Good. Don't settle for less."
As soon as they entered the private room, Shen Yin couldn't help but ask.
"Are you feeling down?"
"How did you notice? Is it that obvious?"
Shu Yi took out her mirror from her bag and checked her reflection repeatedly, but couldn't see anything different about herself. She wasn't wearing makeup, and her eyes weren't red.
"When someone is pretending to be happy, it's noticeable. The tone of voice, the subtle expressions on the face – they all give it away. Right now, you're trying hard to conceal something."
"Really? That's amazing. As expected, Yin Yin knows me best. Even my micro-expressions can't escape your keen eye."
"Tell me about it."
While Shen Yin was ordering, Shu Yi was organizing her thoughts.
"You met Chang Zhiyuan's parents, didn't you?"
"How did you know?"
"Didn't you say they went to take care of him, so you weren't needed anymore?"
"Impressive deduction skills, my friend."
Shu Yi gave Shen Yin a thumbs up.
"What did they say?"
Shu Yi sighed and said, "They told me that Chang Zhiyuan and I aren't compatible. They asked me not to be with him, not now, not ever."
"And you agreed?"
Shu Yi nodded.
"What else could I do? We really aren't a good match. They're practically aristocracy. They'd never allow an actress to enter their family. Rather than begging and struggling, it's more dignified to agree gracefully."
Pride was still important, and now Shu Yi could only confide in Shen Yin.
"Don't be sad, Godmother. Have some ice cream." Xu Yunzheng scooped up some ice cream and offered it to Shu Yi.
Shu Yi was so touched she almost cried.
"Zhengzheng, Godmother loves you!"
Shu Yi took a bite and instantly felt better. How could there be such a sweet, understanding, and heart-warming child?
In an instant, all her unhappiness melted away.
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Chang Zhiyuan was about to explode with frustration. What was going on? Four people had left, and half a day had passed, but not a single one had returned. He was about to burst from needing to use the bathroom. Who could he turn to now?
"The number you have dialed is switched off. Please try again later."
"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later."
Chang Zhiyuan had never imagined he would one day feel so desperate.
"Hello, Xiuhe, help me."
"Explain clearly."
"I'm at the hospital."
"You can still talk, so it can't be too serious."
"It's about to become serious. Get to the hospital as fast as you can!"
