Chapter 12: Saving the PUA’d Supporting Female Lead (12)

The talent show Li Chengyu participated in became a minor hit. With his outstanding appearance and excellent singing voice, he attracted quite a few fans.

However, by this time, Tang Qi had already broken into the mainstream spotlight, thanks to her role as the tragic yet resilient Fourth Female Lead in a movie and the Second Female Lead in a web drama.

Her portrayal of the swordswoman Second Female Lead perfectly matched everyone’s imagination of such a heroine—chivalrous, courageous, and honorable. She possessed a woman’s gentleness and a knight’s carefree spirit, with clean, efficient martial arts moves and an outstanding appearance.

Many people even called for the Second Female Lead to end up with the Female Lead after finishing the show. The originally brilliant Male Lead was completely relegated to a supporting role.

The explosive popularity of this small-budget drama laid a solid foundation for Tang Qi. In the following two years, she filmed numerous movies and TV shows, basically having more than two productions appear on screen each year. Her outstanding acting skills conquered audiences time and time again.

By the time she graduated, Tang Qi held several major film and television awards in her hands, and she was flooded with endorsement deals.

Li Chengyu did not reappear before them either. Luo Xue had almost forgotten about this person, but Tang Qi never let her guard down. She had the System continue to monitor Li Chengyu. She wouldn’t actively strike against the male lead of the world line, but she also wouldn’t just sit and wait for doom.

“Tang Qi, Tang Qi, come look!” Luo Xue rushed in front of her. Because she was running too fast and couldn’t stop her momentum, she slammed directly into Tang Qi’s arms.

Tang Qi quickly put down her script to catch Luo Xue and said with a smile, “Did that hurt?”

“My parents sent me a message asking me out.” Luo Xue didn’t answer Tang Qi’s question. This was the first time they were meeting her together since their divorce. Unable to contain her excitement, her thoughts ran wild. “Are they getting back together? Or do they miss me?”

Tang Qi patted her shoulder. It was only then that Luo Xue remembered they were still on set. She hurriedly straightened up from Tang Qi’s embrace. “They want to meet me tomorrow. I’ll go then.”

The onlooking film crew had long since become accustomed to this. Tang Qi was always exceptionally gentle with her assistant. Many people even secretly shipped their CP.

“I’ll take leave and go with you.” Tang Qi didn’t hesitate for a second. Luo Xue naturally hoped Tang Qi would accompany her. She hesitated for a moment and asked quietly, “But what about filming?”

“One day off is no problem.”

That evening, the two boarded a flight back to Yu City. Luo Xue was so excited she couldn’t sleep all night. Tang Qi watched her happy, smiling face. The words she had originally wanted to say suddenly became impossible to voice.

This was the first time she had ever felt this inability to speak. An indescribable sense of oppression filled her heart.

Late at night, Tang Qi, exhausted from the day’s events, had just finished showering when she heard a knock on her door. Outside was Luo Xue’s face, a mix of excitement and worry, beaming. “Tang Qi, why do you think my parents are looking for me together? Is it because they know I graduated and want to see how I’m doing?”

Tang Qi fell silent. Only then did Luo Xue notice that Tang Qi had just finished showering and hadn’t dried off yet. Her bathrobe was loosely tied, and large droplets of water dripped from her hair, trailing down her slender neck and into her collarbone, then further down… Luo Xue immediately didn’t dare to look anymore.

“Come in and talk.” Tang Qi stepped aside from the door. Luo Xue coughed once and walked stiffly into the room, sitting down rigidly on the sofa.

“Why are you showering so late?” She didn’t dare to look at Tang Qi, lowering her head to stare at the patterns on the table. Tang Qi toweled her hair. “I was just discussing the script with the director.”

Luo Xue felt her mouth suddenly go dry. She picked up the water on the table and gulped it down, pretending to be nonchalant. “I just couldn’t sleep and came to see you. I’m going back now.”

Not daring to look up, she slowly walked towards the door. Just as she was about to turn the door handle, she heard Tang Qi’s slightly low voice. “Luoluo.”

“Wh-what is it?” Luo Xue was so nervous she almost bit her tongue. She closed her eyes and told herself to calm down, told herself not to think wildly.

“No matter what the result is tomorrow, I will always stay with you.”

Luo Xue hadn’t expected Tang Qi to say such a thing. Her heart skipped a beat involuntarily. She nodded firmly. “Mm, I’ll always stay with you too. You are my most important… friend.”

“Sleep now. Don’t overthink things.” Tang Qi smiled and ruffled Luo Xue’s disheveled hair. Luo Xue grumbled in dissatisfaction, “Don’t mess up my hair.” And yet she didn’t stop Tang Qi’s hand.

The next day, the two arrived at the agreed-upon hotel very early. Tang Qi knew the three of them would surely have things to discuss, so she waited in the adjacent private room to listen.

The System was curious. “Are Luo Xue’s parents really getting back together?”

Tang Qi’s hand paused as she poured tea, then she slowly spoke. “No, they’re not. They’ve come to make a final break.”

“What? Then why didn’t you stop Luoluo from coming?” The System became anxious.

Tang Qi was silent. Stopping it the first time wouldn’t prevent a second time. She couldn’t keep them from meeting forever.

The System immediately went to check and came back clamoring in less than a second. “Host, Luoluo is crying! Hurry and go!”

Tang Qi stood up. It had only been a few minutes past the agreed meeting time. How could they be done talking so quickly? With a sense of urgency she didn’t even realize she possessed, she rushed straight to Luo Xue’s private room.

“Luoluo.”

Luo Xue’s hands were trembling as she typed a message to Tang Qi. Hearing the voice, it was as if she had found something to lean on. She rushed over frantically, like a fledgling bird burying its head in Tang Qi’s chest. “Tang Qi, Tang Qi! They… they don’t want me anymore!”

It had been a long time since Tang Qi had seen Luo Xue cry. She patted her back to soothe her. “Don’t cry, don’t cry!” A twinge of regret stirred in her heart. She should have just made things clear yesterday. It was her own reluctance to shatter Luo Xue’s illusions, always wanting to let her be happy for at least one more day.

Since when had she started feeling this reluctance?

She pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Luo Xue’s face. “Stop crying. You won’t be pretty if you cry anymore.”

As she spoke, she looked up and saw the two others in the private room. The pair hadn’t expected anyone else, and they suddenly looked awkward. Mother Luo quickly composed herself, her tone displeased and haughty. “Who are you?”

Thinking of how Luo Xue had died in poverty and alone in the world line, Tang Qi’s gaze darkened. “Hello, I am Tang Qi.” She took off her hat and mask and nodded to the two. Then she gestured to the table and chairs in the room. “Please, sit and talk.”

Father Luo and Mother Luo hadn’t expected to meet a major celebrity. Suppressed by Tang Qi’s powerful presence, they subconsciously sat down. Only when they were seated did the two come to their senses, their expressions turning sour.

Tang Qi also helped Luo Xue sit down. Mother Luo spoke up. “I still have matters to attend to. I’ll be leaving first.” She picked up her handbag and made to stand.

Tang Qi took out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a faint plume of white smoke. “The time you agreed upon was 11:30. It’s only been ten minutes since then. I wonder what you said in these few minutes to make Luoluo so heartbroken?”

Through the smoke, Tang Qi’s gaze landed unceremoniously on the two of them, carrying a faint displeasure. Her tone was even less polite. “Luoluo ordered quite a few of your favorite dishes earlier. I wonder what matter can’t wait until after you’ve eaten?”

Looking at the table full of food, a flicker of shame crossed Father Luo’s face. “It’s nothing, just discussing some things with Luoluo.”

Mother Luo, however, sneered coldly. “A mere performer dares to point fingers at me?”

“My identity today is Luoluo’s friend. It has nothing to do with my profession.” Tang Qi narrowed her eyes. “I can roughly guess why you came here today. It’s simply because Luoluo has graduated, and you want to make a clean break with her. You hope she won’t show up again and affect the families you have now.”

Luo Xue wept silently. Hearing Tang Qi’s words, she couldn’t help but shrink into herself, as if wishing she could just disappear from here.

“You want to maintain your current families. That’s completely understandable. But is Luo Xue not your family too? Does giving birth to her mean you shouldn’t raise her?”

The two were indeed veterans who had navigated the business world for many years. The awkwardness from moments ago was long gone. Father Luo reverted to his businessman’s demeanor, chuckling. “You wouldn’t know this, but we simply wanted to check on Little Xue and give her some money. A young woman can’t be without money. Saying we didn’t raise her, that’s a terrible injustice.”

Watching Father Luo’s business-negotiation act, Tang Qi curled the corner of her mouth. “You did raise her, indeed. A hundred thousand a year is really no small sum. But if I recall correctly, that’s about the price of one handbag for the children you have now, isn’t it?”

She turned her gaze to Mother Luo. “Your twin daughters bought a bracelet at an auction a few days ago. That was ten years’ worth of living expenses for Luoluo.” She then turned to Father Luo. “Oh, and the son you longed for in your heart? Didn’t he crash a car into someone a while back? You paid quite a bit in compensation.”

It was rare for Tang Qi to be so aggressive. “Our Luoluo started living alone before she was even ten. Is that what you call raising someone? Just a moment ago, I thought you would at least have a meal with her, gently comfort her and help her accept things. I never imagined you couldn’t wait even a minute.”

Father Luo wanted to say something more, but Tang Qi waved her hand and stubbed out her cigarette. “Shall I make this matter public and let everyone judge? See if the public agrees with your explanation? I happen to have a few familiar friends in the media. I’m sure they’d be delighted to release this for everyone to see.”

“What do you mean by that?” Mother Luo couldn’t stay seated.

“I mean exactly what I said.” Tang Qi took a piece of candy from her pocket and placed it in Luo Xue’s hand, her voice softening. “Eat one. Leave the rest to me.”

Luo Xue took the candy, but her hands trembled so much she couldn’t unwrap it. Tang Qi took it back, peeled it open, and fed it to her. Only then did she turn her attention back to Father Luo and Mother Luo.

“So, how much do you want?” Father Luo once again adopted a businessman’s stance.

“Business is a matter for outsiders, not for one’s own family,” Tang Qi said in a low voice. Father Luo nodded. “You’re right. But this is all we can do.”

“No, you can do more. For instance, calling Luoluo a few times. Sending her a message to ask if she’s eating well, if she’s dressed warmly.” Tang Qi pulled out a bank card. “There’s one million here. More than you’ve given her all these years combined. Take it away from her, and from now on, Luoluo will have nothing to do with you.”

“What do you mean by that? She’s the child I carried for ten months and gave birth to. Is she not going to recognize me as her mother anymore?” Mother Luo protested.

“What you said just now… wasn’t that exactly what you meant? For me to take the money and leave, to never appear before you again.” Luo Xue wiped away her tears. “As you hoped, I will never appear again.”

She placed the bank card in front of them. “You gave birth to me but didn’t raise me. This money is being returned to you. From now on, we have no connection whatsoever.” The moment they had walked in and immediately told her to take the money and leave, she had lost the last shred of expectation she had for her parents.

Tang Qi’s thoughts were very clear. What Father Luo and Mother Luo were doing was simply trying to send Luo Xue far away, but they didn’t want to sever all ties completely. Now that she wanted a completely clean break, the two were suddenly unwilling to agree.

“Take the money and go. Or else, see you on the front page of tomorrow’s news.” Tang Qi narrowed her eyes. “Oh, and sign this.” Tang Qi took out a document she had prepared beforehand. Father Luo took it—it was a severance of relations agreement.