Chapter 14 Part 2

This was an upscale private members-only bar. The prices were steep, the privacy top-notch, and the clientele consisted of high-powered regulars. An obscure actress like Jiang Jianxue hardly stood out, so they didn’t need elaborate disguises.

Still, to dodge any hassle, Shi Qianyu stifled her impatience and fitted Jiang Jianxue with a hat and sunglasses. The two of them made their way slowly through the lobby and out to the entrance.

A car idled across the street. The window slid down, revealing a woman in a mask. She was strikingly beautiful, her skin ghostly pale—almost unnaturally so. To stay camera-ready, she maintained a strict regimen for her skin and figure year-round. On off days, she was usually asleep by ten.

But not tonight…

Shi Qianyu glanced at her watch: twelve-thirty in the morning, and there she was at the bar door.

“Sister, good evening.” The door swung open, and Yan Xi stepped out. She’d had a packed schedule the day before, wrapping up in the wee hours, then shot several ads that morning before racing here straight from the set. Heaven knew how long she’d been waiting outside.

Shi Qianyu gave a slight nod by way of reply, then offered a polite smile. “How did you find us?”

“I asked her agent.” Yan Xi’s gaze shifted to the drunken Jiang Jianxue, a faint frown creasing her brow. “Sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you.”

“I’m taking her home now.” Yan Xi moved forward as if to help.

Shi Qianyu pulled Jiang Jianxue back a step, leaving Yan Xi’s hand to grasp at air. Her tone stayed courteous, though. “No need. A’Xue rarely comes back home, and my mother misses her terribly. She specifically told her to stick around these next few days—no going anywhere, just stay with us.”

“We won’t impose on you. It’s late, Miss Yan. You should get some rest.”

“Is Sister angry with me?” Yan Xi asked, her expression earnest. “There may be a misunderstanding between us. I can explain.”

She looked utterly sincere.

No surprise there—she was an actress, after all.

Yan Xi had started as a child star, taking on countless roles from a young age. She’d stepped away for a few years to focus on school, then skyrocketed to fame with a major immortal fantasy drama.

In the show, she played a ethereal fairy in flowing white robes—flawless, save for her reticence. In real life, she hailed from a scholarly family: beautiful, poised, adored by legions of fans. And like her character, she rarely spoke—a near-mute. She’d aced the role through sheer typecasting.

The rift between Yan Xi and Jiang Jianxue hadn’t sprung up overnight. It stemmed mainly from clashing personalities: one vibrant and headstrong, the other reserved and composed. Shi Qianyu couldn’t fathom how two such ill-matched women had gotten together in the first place—or stayed entangled all these years.

Ultimately, though, it was their mess to sort out. Shi Qianyu had no interest in meddling; her voice cooled accordingly. “If that’s the case, why not talk it over with her first?”

“Because she wouldn’t listen.” Yan Xi lowered her eyes, her voice soft. “We’d just had a fight. She refused to speak to me. By the time I tried reaching out to Jianxue again, she’d blocked me. Things were urgent, so I had no choice but to act preemptively.”

“But I never meant her any harm. Not in the slightest.”

“Save it for telling her yourself tomorrow.” Shi Qianyu knew Yan Xi’s character and believed she wasn’t lying. Still, as an outsider, she couldn’t absolve her on Jiang Jianxue’s behalf. “She’s far too drunk tonight—nothing you say will stick. If you’re sincere, come by tomorrow.”

“I’ll be taking her now. Good night, Miss Yan.”

Without lingering, Shi Qianyu turned, supporting the half-asleep Jiang Jianxue as they made for the car. She started the engine and pulled away from the bar.

They arrived smoothly at the Shi Family Old Mansion before long.

The place was enormous. Mr. Shi had overseen its construction personally, leading the crew when he married Lady Fang. From the grand fountains and rockeries to every single brick and tile, nothing escaped his meticulous planning.

As far back as Shi Qianyu could remember, Mr. Shi had never raised his voice to Lady Fang. He was always gentle, indulging her every whim. When she took up painting, he set aside his work to travel the world with her, sketching landscapes and soaking in local cultures. When she complained that the housekeeper’s dumplings lacked that homey flavor, he enrolled in classes, learning everything from fillings and dough consistency to pleating techniques, even picking up steamed dumplings and soup dumplings along the way.

Shi Qianyu recalled Lady Fang recounting how, in the early days after their marriage, her grandparents had disapproved of her free-spirited painter life. They deemed it unprofitable, unlikely to lead anywhere—no match for Mr. Shi. They’d schemed to end the engagement behind his back. He’d been deep in building his career then, too busy to notice until he caught her crying in secret.

That was the first time the ever-filial Mr. Shi had lost his temper. He’d swiftly packed their things, whisked Lady Fang away from the family home, and built this mansion just for her. They’d moved into a space filled with everything she loved, down to the last blade of grass. He knew her inside out—and he was willing to give her everything.

Shi Qianyu pulled up to the curb and called over a servant to lend a hand in getting Jiang Jianxue to her room.

She followed them into the living room and spotted her mother’s silhouette by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Glancing at the time, she walked over. “Mom, it’s one o’clock. Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Your father’s still out at his dinner. I’m waiting up.” Lady Fang had been painting and put the finishing stroke just as Shi Qianyu entered. She beckoned her daughter over to admire it, pride shining in her voice. “What do you think of this new one?”

“It’s beautiful.” Shi Qianyu nodded but didn’t sit. Instead, she stepped behind her mother and began massaging her shoulders. Raised in such a nurturing home and influenced by her father, she’d picked up a knack for caretaking herself. “I’ll have it framed tomorrow and hung on the living room wall.”

“No need to go overboard.” Lady Fang beamed, her laughter lighting up the room. Then her expression sobered. “What’s going on with A’Xue? Drinking herself silly again. Lucky she’s staying with us these days—her father would have her head otherwise.”

“Did she fight with Yan Xi?” Lady Fang had sharp instincts for this sort of thing—woman’s intuition, perhaps. She’d sensed the tension between them from the start. Yan Xi hadn’t been the megastar she was now back then, but she was already a rising talent, swamped with gigs. No way she’d jet back from overseas on a whim just to check on Jiang Jianxue.

Lady Fang had always been worldly and open-minded. When it came to same-sex relationships, her acceptance was instantaneous.

“Yes.” Shi Qianyu nodded, genuinely impressed. “You saw right through it.”

“That’s nothing.” Lady Fang waved it off. “I even know why they keep clashing. It’s those personalities—oil and water, both too stubborn to bend. How could they not fight?”

“You’re right.” Shi Qianyu agreed. Even her mother could spot it; the two involved remained oblivious. “Their personalities will take some smoothing over. I doubt the arguments will stop anytime soon.”

“By the way, Yan Xi will probably swing by tomorrow morning to bother you. You should turn in early and catch some extra shut-eye while you can.”

Lady Fang shook her head. “At my age, sleep doesn’t come that easy anymore. Besides, your dad’s not back yet.”

“You haven’t been home in ages either. I don’t know what’s with you two and being busy all the time—especially you. It’s family business, and nobody’s riding you about it. Why be so dedicated? Your dad won’t fire you for taking a few days off.”

“Speaking of which, your uncle’s new restaurant is about to soft-open. Why don’t you swing by for us tomorrow when you get a chance?” She met Shi Qianyu’s eyes, her tone deadly serious. “You hear me?”

“Got it.” Shi Qianyu nodded with a helpless sigh, then added, “But it’ll have to be after work. We’re wrapping up a project soon, and I can’t step away right now.”

“Then go after work!” Lady Fang didn’t press the issue this time. Instead, she let out a sigh, her mind drifting to something else as she launched into a familiar complaint, her voice thick with irritation. “I had you in the books by thirty-two. And you? Not even a prospect in sight.”

“Don’t bury yourself in that office forever. Finding someone is what matters.” Lady Fang fretted endlessly over her daughter’s love life, terrified she’d end up alone in her old age. Man or woman, it didn’t matter—she hadn’t brought a single one home in all these years. “Look, even your little sister’s got her act together more than you!”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Shi Qianyu didn’t bother arguing. Whatever Lady Fang said went. “I heard you loud and clear.”

“You’d better mean it.” Lady Fang shook her head again. Just then, headlights swept across the window outside. Realizing Mr. Shi had returned, she rose from her seat, bringing their conversation to a close. “It’s late. No more fussing around—just crash here tonight.”

“That old room of yours hasn’t seen a soul in forever. There was dust everywhere, and it was driving me nuts, so I had the housekeeper spruce it up yesterday.” A sly smile tugged at her lips as she leaned in, feigning mystery. “Guess what I dug up?”

“What?” Shi Qianyu asked.

“A stack of old photos.” Lady Fang rummaged through the nearby drawer for a moment before pulling out a bundle and handing it over. “School pictures, vacation snaps, random shots from your downtime. I remember that one year you got obsessed with photography out of nowhere and begged us for a camera. These must be from back then.”

“And these here—group shots with your friends.” It had been so long ago that Lady Fang couldn’t quite recall the girl’s name. “Wen something-or-other, right?”

“Wen Xin,” Shi Qianyu supplied.

“Oh, yeah.” Lady Fang nodded. “Her folks were in business too, if I remember right. We crossed paths with them a bit back in the day, but then they up and moved away one day, and poof—never saw them again.”

“You were heartbroken back then. Swore up and down you’d hate her forever.”

Lady Fang teased her deliberately, trying to coax a laugh. “You still holding that grudge?”

Shi Qianyu shook her head. “That was just childish nonsense.” She lowered her gaze to the photo in her hand. Memories and the images alike lay buried in the past, tangled with those hazy, bittersweet feelings. Time had worn them down—what it had stolen, what it had spared? So many things were lost beyond recovery.

Only the longing endured, pristine across decades, right up until that reunion with Wen Xin.

That night in the bar, she had sat quietly amid the dim glow, watching Wen Xin down glass after glass. Only with the final drink did she rise at last, brushing past her just as she’d rehearsed in her mind a hundred times—feigning casual confidence, flashing a smile as she asked for a sip.

Truth be told, her nerves had been every bit as frayed as Wen Xin’s. It had been far too long since their paths had last crossed.

Even now, Shi Qianyu couldn’t fully recapture the whirlwind of emotions from that day. But one truth stood crystal clear—

“I never hated her, not really.”

Shi Qianyu smiled softly. The girl she’d been back then was all sharp edges and stubborn pride, her words a shield for her heart. These days, she could speak plainly at last.

“A girl like that? I was too busy liking her to hate her.”