Captivating Beauty 101

Chapter 101

The weather was fickle, the midday sun replaced by a light drizzle, which now threatened to intensify.

It had started raining just as Shen Shu left Xu Jinnan’s office, and her coat was slightly damp as she returned to the studio, but she didn’t seem to notice, quickly changing into her costume and preparing for her scene.

It was her last scene in Full Dress, her final farewell to the character.

She was playing the female lead’s first love, leaving for a new life, their final goodbye a bittersweet parting.

The director had planned to use artificial rain, but the natural downpour made the scene even more poignant, the raindrops drumming against the trees, the pavement, the umbrellas, a melancholic soundtrack to their farewell.

“I wish you happiness,” Shen Shu said, her voice soft, her gaze fixed on the woman in front of her. “Goodbye.”

She turned and walked away, her back to the camera, her figure disappearing into the rain, without a backward glance.

“Cut!”

As the director’s voice echoed through the set, Tong Jia and Xinxin rushed over, one holding an umbrella, the other a towel, and the crew erupted in applause, congratulating her on her final scene.

“Congratulations, Teacher Shen!”

“Teacher Shen, I hope we have the opportunity to work together again.”

“Shu Shu, I’m going to miss you! You were amazing! I hope we can be in the same production again someday!”

Shen Shu thanked them, accepting the bouquet of flowers from the director, her gaze sweeping over the familiar faces, the warm smiles and heartfelt words of farewell bringing a strange sense of melancholy, a bittersweet nostalgia. She remembered her first day on set, the nervousness and excitement, the uncertainty.

It seemed like a lifetime ago.

But among those congratulating her, one person was missing, the most important one.

She had intended to tell Xu Jinnan about her plans… she had wanted to take a few days off after filming, to spend some time with her.

But…

“Shu Shu?”

Tong Jia’s voice brought her back to the present.

Shen Shu looked up, meeting Tong Jia’s concerned gaze. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Shen Shu paused, then shook her head silently.

Tong Jia, watching her, had noticed her subdued mood since returning from Xu Jinnan’s office, her performance during the last scene lacking its usual spark, especially the last two lines.

According to the script, her tone should have been more assertive, more decisive, especially the line “Goodbye.”

But she had delivered it with a hint of sadness, a lingering regret. While her final take had been flawless, Tong Jia, having worked with her for so long, could sense something was wrong.

It was likely related to Xu Jinnan.

She had assumed Shen Shu’s mood would improve after seeing Xu Jinnan, but it had only worsened, and she had wanted to ask if they had had a fight, but seeing Shen Shu’s withdrawn demeanor, she hadn’t pressed her, simply asking Viola about Xu Jinnan.

Viola’s reply had been brief: She’s not doing well either.

Tong Jia decided to wait and see, then perhaps arrange a get-together with Cai Ying if things didn’t improve.

She and Cai Ying usually didn’t interfere in their relationship, but if it was serious, they couldn’t just stand by and watch.

—

While Shen Shu’s scenes were finished, filming continued for the rest of the cast.

The director had suggested a wrap party, but Shen Shu had another engagement that evening, so they decided to postpone the celebration until filming officially wrapped.

Now, they were taking a short break before heading to their next location.

A few minutes later, a knock came at the door of the resting room.

Xia Chun entered, leaving the door ajar, and handed Tong Jia a bottle of grape juice. “Congratulations on your last scene,” she said, her voice gentle. “You look a little pale. Have some juice.”

Their relationship had actually improved since their last conversation, the earlier tension replaced by a more comfortable, professional dynamic.

Shen Shu, aware of the curious glances from the crew members outside, accepted the juice, thanking her politely.

Xia Chun smiled faintly. “I have another scene. I’ll go now,” she said.

Shen Shu nodded.

Tong Jia placed the juice on the table in front of Shen Shu. “Putting aside our past disagreements, Xia Chun is actually quite nice, very thoughtful,” she commented, then added, “Though she can’t compare to Teacher Xu, of course.”

Shen Shu’s heart ached at the mention of Xu Jinnan, and she didn’t reply, her gaze fixed on the bottle of grape juice, remembering the first time Xu Jinnan had peeled a grape for her, the first time she had made her fresh juice.

Then, she remembered Xu Jinnan pushing her away earlier, her touch hesitant, her eyes filled with a strange mixture of desire and… something else she couldn’t quite decipher.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the frustration and confusion swirling within her, but it was no use.

She picked up her phone, the silent screen a stark reminder of Xu Jinnan’s absence, the lack of messages, the unanswered calls.

She had dozens of notifications, but none from Xu Jinnan.

Xu Jinnan hadn’t tried to stop her when she left the office, hadn’t followed her when she closed the door.

And now, not a single message, not a single call…

She felt a tightness in her chest, a suffocating pressure, like a balloon expanding within her, and she took a deep breath, trying to ease the discomfort.

It was past 9 p.m. when she finished her last engagement for the day.

She entered the empty apartment, the silence amplifying her sense of loneliness, and stood there for a moment, then went to her bedroom, the familiar routine of returning home alone now a heavy weight on her heart.

She took out her phone; still no messages.

She even wondered if her phone had been disconnected, calling the service provider, then realizing how ridiculous she was being.

After her shower, she walked past the guest room, then paused, turning back and entering.

The curtains were a pale blue and gray, Xu Jinnan’s favorite colors.

They had been sleeping together lately, Xu Jinnan only using the guest room when the sheets in the master bedroom were… unusable. She had woken up a couple of times to find the curtains drawn, but a sliver of light would still filter through, highlighting the contrast between the blue and the gray, a strange reflection of Xu Jinnan’s own personality, she thought – the bright, cheerful blue and the quiet, subdued gray.

Xu Jinnan, like her pheromones, was like the sun, warm and bright, a source of hope and comfort.

But she also carried a hidden darkness, a weight of pain and trauma Shen Shu couldn’t even begin to imagine, experiences that would have broken a lesser person.

Shen Shu sat on the bed, lost in thought.

Her sadness gradually subsided as she tried to understand Xu Jinnan’s perspective, the pressure she was under, the weight of the Xu family’s secrets, the Xu Corporation’s struggles, her own anxieties and fears.

Perhaps she was truly exhausted.

But why push Shen Shu away…?

Her earlier composure crumbled, her rational mind unable to quell the hurt and confusion. She understood Xu Jinnan’s weariness, but it didn’t make her own pain any less real.

It was past midnight.

Having woken up at 5 a.m. for hair and makeup, exhausted both physically and mentally, she finally drifted off to sleep, her cheek resting against the slightly damp pillow, the coolness a welcome relief against her burning skin.

The rain, which had been falling all day, had finally stopped, and the rhythmic dripping of water from the balcony, the raindrops tracing paths down the glass and onto the windowsill, created a peaceful, almost hypnotic rhythm.

But her sleep was restless.

The next day, after wrapping up filming for Full Dress, she wasn’t entirely free, a promotional event scheduled for the afternoon.

The rain had stopped, and the sunlight streaming through the gap in the curtains suggested a beautiful day.

But she didn’t feel any joy.

Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, and she instinctively reached for it, her gaze lingering on the window for a moment before she looked at the screen.

It was Tong Jia.

A wave of disappointment washed over her.

“What time should I pick you up?” Tong Jia asked.

Shen Shu sat up, her voice flat, her motivation gone.

After a brief reply, she hung up, her WeChat devoid of any messages from Xu Jinnan.

She did have a few unread emails and text messages, but she wasn’t interested.

It was only a little past 7 a.m.

She got out of bed, not bothering to open the curtains, her mind blank, then went to the bathroom to wash up, but before she reached the door…

Her gaze stopped on a yellow envelope on the coffee table.

She usually sat on the sofa for a while after washing up, but last night, she had gone straight to bed, her mood too somber.

She hadn’t noticed the envelope.

She walked over to the coffee table, picked up the envelope, its dull yellow color mirroring her own mood, and held it in her hand, the weight of it strangely heavy.

She hesitated, a strange reluctance to open it, a premonition of something unpleasant.

She opened the envelope and pulled out a stack of white A4 paper, her eyes falling on the words printed at the top of the first page: Divorce Agreement.

The empty envelope fell to the table with a soft thud, the sound echoing in the sudden silence, like a thunderclap.

Her eyelashes fluttered, her vision blurring, but she still saw the signature at the bottom, Xu Jinnan’s name, a red fingerprint beside it.

Her breath caught in her throat.

–

It was only 8 a.m.

At the Xu Corporation, Xu Jinnan signed the last document and handed it to Viola. “I’ll be out of town for the next few days. I’ve made arrangements for everything, but if anything unexpected happens, give this file to Mr. Cai. He’ll know what to do,” she said.

Viola, sensing something was wrong, glanced at the file, which contained all the details of the three major projects. Was she handing over everything to the Cai family?

“CEO Xu, you’ve put so much effort into these projects, especially the one in the North District…”

“I said if anything happens, not that I’m giving up on them,” Xu Jinnan clarified. “Viola, there might be some… changes at both the Xu Corporation and my own company in the next few days. If I’m not back in time, just follow my instructions.”

With the arrests of the Xu family members, the Xu Corporation would inevitably be affected, but she wanted to protect the innocent employees, those who depended on the company for their livelihood.

And the three projects, with their government backing, couldn’t be abandoned. If the Xu Corporation couldn’t be saved, handing over the projects to the four major companies in North City, including the Cai and Han families, was the responsible thing to do.

As for the rest…

“Keep an eye on things while I’m away,” she said, wanting to tell Viola she had also spoken to the other companies, that with her skills and experience, she could easily find another job, but she decided to wait.

Viola frowned. “CEO Xu, is it really that serious?” she asked, her voice full of concern. She had seen companies crumble overnight, but she hadn’t expected this to happen to Xu Jinnan, especially with her recent success.

She didn’t understand what was going on.

“It’s not that bad. I’m just… preparing for the worst,” Xu Jinnan replied, not wanting to elaborate.

“CEO Xu, can you tell me what’s happening?” Viola asked, her voice sincere. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Xu Jinnan, her makeup impeccable, her lipstick a vibrant red, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, leaned back in her chair, her usual sharp, confident demeanor replaced by a strange weariness.

Xu Jinnan didn’t answer, simply giving Viola a few more instructions, then grabbed her car keys and bag and left the office.

Viola followed her to the door, watching as she walked away, her expression grim.

She knew this wasn’t a trivial matter.

–

Xu Jinnan’s car was parked downstairs. As she stepped out of the building, she took a deep breath, the air strangely heavy and oppressive despite the cool, crisp autumn air after yesterday’s rain.

She had gone back to the apartment yesterday afternoon, knowing Shen Shu would be home, and she had assumed Shen Shu had seen the divorce agreement on the coffee table.

She had felt a strange mix of emotions, hoping Shen Shu would be so angry she would never want to see her again, yet also hoping she would come looking for her.

She had even spent the night in her car, afraid of losing control if Shen Shu did come.

She looked up at the clear blue sky, its reflection in her eyes like the deep blue of the ocean, a vast expanse of blue, tinged with the salty tang of the sea.

She hoped Shen Shu wouldn’t come, yet she also regretted her absence.

I must be going crazy too, she thought.

She glanced at her watch; the Xu family should be making their move soon, and it was time for her to leave for Qucheng.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, then reached for the car door—

“CEO Xu!”

Viola’s urgent voice made her stop and turn around.

Viola hurried over. “Your phone was off. Miss Shen called looking for you,” she said, waiting for a response.

But Xu Jinnan didn’t say anything, simply nodding after a long silence, her face pale.

She got into the car, the engine starting with a low rumble, like a mournful sigh, and drove away, leaving North City behind.

Several times during the drive, her vision blurred by tears, she had to pull over to the side of the road to compose herself.

Over an hour later, she arrived at a rest stop.

A gray van, its headlights flashing, honked twice as she pulled in, and she parked beside it, lowering her window.

Li Lan got out of the van and walked over, glancing at Xu Jinnan’s red-rimmed eyes before looking away. “We have Lu Yun in custody,” she said.

“I know,” Xu Jinnan replied.

Li Lan paused. “Your wife called,” she said.

Xu Jinnan’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel, turning white.

“Are you afraid of… involving her?” Li Lan asked.

Xu Jinnan lowered her gaze.

It wasn’t just about protecting Shen Shu; it was also about her own… condition.

If she could only bring Shen Shu pain and suffering, then what was the point?

“You should call her back. She was crying,” Li Lan said, her voice softening slightly. Judging by the hoarseness in Shen Shu’s voice, she must have been crying for a long time.

“We’re leaving in ten minutes,” she added, then turned and walked back to the van.

Xu Jinnan closed the car window and, after a moment, took out her phone, which she had turned off that morning.

She had wanted to turn it off last night, afraid of Shen Shu calling, afraid she wouldn’t be able to resist answering.

But she had also been worried about Shen Shu trying to contact her, perhaps even coming to look for her, which would be dangerous, especially at night.

So, she hadn’t turned it off until this morning.

She turned on her phone, the few seconds it took to boot up feeling like an eternity.

As soon as the signal connected, a flurry of notifications popped up, and her eyes fell on a single name.

Shen Shu.

She took a deep breath and opened the messages.

Two missed voice calls.

And several text messages.

Shen Shu: [Xu Jinnan.]

Shen Shu: [What is this supposed to mean?]

Shen Shu: [Talk to me.]

Shen Shu: [Why?]

Shen Shu: [Tell me to my face.]

Shen Shu: [Even if we’re getting a divorce, I deserve an explanation.]

Xu Jinnan leaned against the steering wheel, her body trembling, her eyes filling with tears.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

It was Shen Shu.

Viola said Miss Shen called looking for you.

She was crying.

She couldn’t ignore Shen Shu’s call, her heart aching, a heavy, suffocating pain, and she answered, her thumb trembling slightly as she pressed the button.

She heard a soft sniffle, then Shen Shu’s voice, choked with emotion, whispered her name.

Xu Jinnan’s throat tightened, the words catching in her throat, unable to speak.

Tears streamed down her face. After a long silence, she finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.

“Shen Shu, let’s get a divorce.”