Chapter 110: A Heart That Refuses to Turn Back Part 1

For two nights in a row, Ming Li’s sleep was fitful, haunted by a series of bizarre and surreal dreams.

Ever since she had received that phone call from Gu Xueqiang, she had been on edge, worried that something might have happened to Gu Qingshuang. But she knew she couldn’t ask. If she did, and Gu Qingshuang found out, everything would eventually spiral back to the starting point.

Yet, by not asking, her heart remained restless.

Even just hearing Gu Qingshuang’s voice over the phone told her that she and Gu Xueqiang had been fighting again. That cold tone, laced with a hint of grievance and stubbornness, was something Ming Li had heard countless times over the past three years. Every argument between that mother and daughter ended in a bitter stalemate.

But what was it about this time?

It wasn’t hard to guess, but Ming Li couldn’t solve it. It was something she was powerless to change.

Unable to find a way out of the deadlock, she remained troubled by her emotions. During breakfast, Ms. Ming even asked if she hadn’t slept well, noting how drained she looked.

Ming Li gave a few perfunctory answers, and Ms. Ming brought up the matter of her resignation again.

Resigning to start her own business was a decision Ms. Ming had made after careful consideration. She had revised her proposal version after version and had almost finalized her initial capital. Combined with the possibility of applying for a startup loan and her extensive research, she was very optimistic about the direction of her new venture. If she weren’t confident, she would never have gambled everything on a business at her age.

Ming Li didn’t dive too deeply into the details, simply saying she respected her mother’s wishes and would help consult once she officially resigned.

Ms. Ming didn’t refuse, saying warmly, “I’m planning to start looking for a venue after the Lunar New Year.”

Ming Li hummed in agreement.

Before leaving the house, Ming Li received a message from Luo Chaoxue: [Good morning qwq]

Ming Li hurriedly replied with an emoji, only to see Luo Chaoxue standing in the hallway the moment she stepped out of her door.

“Good morning.” Hearing the door, Luo Chaoxue turned and smiled at Ming Li. “Can we share a car today?”

Only then did Ming Li remember that Luo Chaoxue was coming to their company today to sign her contract. “Sure.”

The contract with Luo Chaoxue had been drafted by the legal department, with every clause respecting her wishes as much as possible. Ming Li wasn’t very involved and didn’t plan to be. The filming and script were under the director’s control, and other details were handled by various departments. There was very little that actually required Ming Li’s input.

Moreover, she wanted to avoid any appearance of favoritism at the office.

Luo Chaoxue, however, didn’t seem to share those concerns. Ever since Ming Li had mentioned they could try spending time together to see where it went, Luo Chaoxue had been messaging her “good morning,” “good afternoon,” and “good night,” never missing a chance to cross paths.

She had waited in the hallway specifically for this.

Driving to work together was a pleasant enough experience. In the car, Luo Chaoxue brought up a few casual topics. Ming Li followed along for a bit, but the conversation soon died out.

Ming Li was clearly distracted.

When Luo Chaoxue asked what she was thinking about, Ming Li simply shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

Seeing that she didn’t want to talk, Luo Chaoxue didn’t push. She turned on the car stereo and switched to some soothing music.

They remained silent for the rest of the trip. Once they reached the company, Luo Chaoxue smiled and said goodbye, telling her to cheer up. “Let’s have lunch together.”

Ming Li thought about her schedule. “Probably not. I have a business lunch today.”

Luo Chaoxue looked a bit disappointed. “Alright. How about dinner?”

“We’ll see,” Ming Li said. “It should be fine.”

Ming Li waited a while after Luo Chaoxue went upstairs before taking the elevator herself. She didn’t want people to see them arriving in the same car. Firstly, she feared the teasing, and secondly, she wanted to avoid the awkwardness of an “office romance”—even though they hadn’t reached that stage yet.

Two minutes after Ming Li reached her office, Lin Xun knocked and entered to deliver flowers.

Today, it was a bouquet of white bellflowers in full bloom.

Ming Li had assumed that since Gu Qingshuang had been hospitalized, the flowers would stop. To her surprise, they still arrived on schedule. She only then learned that Gu Qingshuang had placed a standing order at the florist for an entire month.

Lin Xun trimmed a few stems and put them in a vase, taking the rest out.

Ming Li stared at the flowers for several minutes before finally gathering her thoughts to start working. However, her efficiency that morning was low; her mind kept wandering.

She had to admit that Gu Qingshuang’s incident the other night and Gu Xueqiang’s phone call had affected her.

As soon as Ming Li sat down at her business lunch, she received a message from Luo Chaoxue: [Will you be drinking?]

Ming Li: [Probably, but not much.]

This lunch had been organized by the general manager of a talent agency in the industry. They had invited several film company owners, famous directors, and currently popular actors—a simple networking event.

Ming Li was here to see if she could push her company’s artists a bit further. After all, there were several major directors present who were highly influential.

However, once Ming Li arrived, the rounds of toasts began. One director even asked which company she was an artist for and which film academy she had graduated from.

Ming Li answered truthfully but shook her head, saying she wasn’t an actress.

The director’s face showed a hint of regret.

Having attended so many banquets with Gu Xueqiang, Ming Li had seen bosses far more powerful than anyone in this room. She was like a fish in water at these events—charming, social, and smooth. She smiled and recommended several artists from her company to the director, adding with feigned humility, “If you truly feel there’s a role suited for me, feel free to call. I’ve done a few cameos, though I’m afraid my acting might not be up to your standards.”

The director added her on WeChat.

In the middle of the lunch, Luo Chaoxue sent another message, and Ming Li replied quickly.

Luo Chaoxue urged her to drink less. Ming Li replied: [Mhm.]

But she didn’t skip a single glass she was supposed to drink. It was called a lunch, but she didn’t eat much; instead, she filled up on alcohol.

Still, the trip wasn’t a total waste. Ming Li managed to find a partner to co-produce another work by the author of Snowy Mountain Peak. In short, she secured a significant investment and landed roles for her artists with two famous directors. Even if they were only supporting roles, it was a chance to be seen. After all, once you can play a supporting role, you have a chance at the lead. It all depended on how they seized the opportunity.