Chapter Sixty-Four: An Overwhelming Sense of Crisis

The young blond was named Will Gerard, only nineteen years old, from a good family. Carrying his dreams of music, he had dropped out of school early and had been performing at this bar for over half a month, waiting for a record company to sign him so he could shine brilliantly in the music world.

No one laughed at his dreams, for he truly was talented.

It was hardly surprising to him that Jiang Yunzhu wanted to sign him.

His sapphire eyes flashed with caution as he tried hard to appear worldly and sophisticated. “An Asian face, huh? Which company do you run? What’s its prospects?”

Jiang Yunzhu smiled, gave the company name, and watched as Will pulled out his phone to search it. His eyes flickered.

“Your company isn’t solely focused on music.”

“But we have the capability to produce music. If you sign, you’ll be our first music artist, and all resources will be devoted to you.”

He was still hesitating, so Jiang Yunzhu decisively added his contact, sent him the contract. “Take your time to consider, or have some professionals review the contract for you. When you’ve made up your mind, come find me. Our doors are always open to you.”

Will left, full of thoughts.

Shen Tingxiao, meanwhile, was watching her.

Jiang Yunzhu smoothed her hair, the sapphire bracelet glinting on her wrist. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m just curious,” Shen Tingxiao said. “My uncle is such a shrewd and capable man—how could he neglect you for Zhou Qingfei?”

At the mention of that name, Jiang Yunzhu couldn’t help but recall the past, countless choices that always favored Zhou Qingfei. Ten years of protection and affection, and she was never worth even a fraction.

Her fingers trembled slightly, but she forced a smile. “Even the most capable people can be swayed by feelings. Matters of the heart—who can explain them?”

It was already the second half of the night. Sang Bai had to attend a shoot tomorrow and had left early. By the time Jiang Yunzhu and Shen Tingxiao came out, it was nearly midnight, the city ablaze with lights.

The air was neither cold nor hot, and a gentle breeze caressed their faces, utterly pleasant.

Jiang Yunzhu stretched out her arms, spun around like a little girl. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt this relaxed. Walk with me, won’t you?”

The streetlights bathed her, making her seem like a jubilant sprite.

Shen Tingxiao’s throat moved. “Alright.”

They strolled along the long street, their conversation wandering from one topic to the next, aimless and free.

Shen Tingxiao spoke of his tough school days, how he was recognized as the biological son and brought back to the Shen family, how he vied for power with the adopted son, drinking himself senseless for a project at business dinners.

Jiang Yunzhu reminisced about her first day at the Shen house. She brought a ragged cloth doll she’d hugged since childhood—her Abebe, worn out but never discarded, unable to sleep without it.

But the housekeeper didn’t know. While tidying up the room, she found the battered doll and tossed it away without a second thought. Jiang Yunzhu was only a few years old then, sobbing uncontrollably, inconsolable until Shen Ruizhang took her hand and searched every trash bin in the villa district, eventually finding it.

As she recounted this memory, Jiang Yunzhu wore a gentle smile. The comfortable breeze seemed to return her to that warm, sunlit afternoon.

Shen Tingxiao’s expression darkened, his voice cold. “I’m your boyfriend now—why bring him up?”

He reached out before her forehead, as if to sweep away those memories. “Even if he was good to you once, that’s in the past. Forget it—forget it. Now he only brings you pain!”

Jiang Yunzhu laughed lightly. “Alright, alright, I won’t mention him. Tell me instead, how did you secure the equity in this branch company?”

And so, as they walked and talked, neither noticed the wind growing colder. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the clear sky, thunder rumbling down!

The smile vanished from Jiang Yunzhu’s face, turning pale as she instinctively threw herself into Shen Tingxiao’s arms, trembling.

Gone was her earlier confidence and radiant laughter.

“What’s wrong? Are you still afraid of thunder?”

It had been a long time since Jiang Yunzhu lost composure like this. Her body shook with instinctive fear, clearly showing signs of stress.

Shen Tingxiao placed a protective hand on her back, gently comforting her. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Jiang Yunzhu clung tightly to his sleeves. “It’s going to rain. Let’s go back, to your car.”

Rain came suddenly and fiercely.

Shen Tingxiao pulled her along, running. Despite their haste, they were soaked to the skin.

The wipers swept back and forth. Both of them looked bedraggled, hair dripping water down their faces. Shen Tingxiao handed her some tissues. “Dry off. Don’t catch a cold.”

Another streak of lightning split the sky. Jiang Yunzhu cried out, Shen Tingxiao hurriedly pulled her into his embrace. Their clothes were soaked, body heat seeping through the fabric.

Heartbeat, pounding.

For a moment, neither spoke. The car shut out the sound of rain; inside, only their heartbeats grew louder.

“Tingxiao…”

“Hmm?”

Jiang Yunzhu lifted her head from the crook of his arm, softly kissed his cheek.

“I’m alright now. Let’s go.”

...

Early in the morning, Jiang Yunzhu received her invitation to the Golden Olive Award gala.

Her drowsy eyes widened instantly.

Golden Olive!

This was the most prestigious award in the industry. All sleepiness vanished as she hurried to check the details.

As expected, it was the nomination from when Mill had plagiarized her short film concept to submit for the awards.

The scandal had stirred up quite the commotion at the time. The committee simply struck Mill’s name and replaced it with Jiang Yunzhu’s.

On the night of the gala, the venue was packed with luminaries. Recognizable TV stars gathered, glasses clinking after the red carpet.

Before the award ceremony, it was the perfect occasion for networking.

Jiang Yunzhu wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.

As a newcomer, she put on a brave face to greet industry veterans, hoping to find potential collaborators.

She used to be nervous at such events, but after forcing herself through them a few times, she became more adept.

“Yunzhu?”

A familiar voice.

She turned to see Shen Ruizhang, with Zhou Qingfei holding his arm. The two looked intimately close, but she could tell her uncle was no longer so obsessed with his white moonlight as before.

She nodded politely to them both. “You’re here too.”

Polite, distant—her tone was pure business.

She had grown up, able to fight on her own, to carve out her own world, and could handle these occasions with ease. It was exactly what Shen Ruizhang had once hoped for.

Yet somehow, it left him aching inside.

He wanted to tell her, since she’d left, no one had done better than her. He wanted to ask her to come back, but the words wouldn’t come.

His lips moved, and all he managed was, “Your recent work has stirred quite the buzz. You’re more accomplished than ever.”

“Yes.”

Her natural response made Zhou Qingfei clench her fingers in secret, an unprecedented sense of crisis enveloping her.