The Orange Lemon Sisters reunited in An He’s father’s hospital room.
The moment Gu Shengsheng took off her mask, Xi Xue’er let out a piercing scream: “Ahhhhhh! Who is this?! Shengsheng, your face… did you secretly get more plastic surgery behind my back?! What procedures did you get? Tell me right now!”
“…” Gu Shengsheng rubbed her ears. “You can speak louder and wake up Dad An.”
Xi Xue’er said casually, “Wouldn’t that be even better?”
An He’s father had been in a vegetative state for five years. But An He took excellent care of him. He had a feeding tube in his nose and looked calm, as if he were simply asleep.
An He laughed in exasperation at Xi Xue’er’s comment. “Stop talking nonsense! But Shengsheng, your face…”
Xi Xue’er and An He stared intently at Gu Shengsheng’s face. She no longer had the high nose bridge and pointed chin from before. Instead, she had clear almond-shaped eyes, fair skin, cherry lips, and long, silky black hair flowing down her back. Every smile and every frown was unbelievably charming.
“So beautiful, Shengsheng…” Xi Xue’er was filled with envy. She pinched Gu Shengsheng’s cheek, then touched her own face, comparing the feel. She felt a pang of sadness. “Tell me quickly—what exactly did you get adjusted? It looks so natural!”
Gu Shengsheng’s features hadn’t actually changed much from before, but it was as if a pearl had been polished clean of dust—she now radiated a light that was impossible to look away from. Especially her almond eyes, which shimmered with captivating brilliance.
Gu Shengsheng turned her head away to avoid the pinching. “I really didn’t have any work done—this is how I actually look. Stop pinching my face. You two look great just the way you are now—even better than after plastic surgery.”
Gu Shengsheng was telling the truth. Their features had returned to their natural state. Xi Xue’er was strikingly beautiful, while An He had delicate features and a serene temperament. Each had her own unique charm, and they were many times more beautiful than before.
Xi Xue’er was overjoyed by the praise. With her arm around Gu Shengsheng’s shoulder, the three of them began discussing serious matters.
Gu Shengsheng explained how Sister Long had suddenly asked her to audition for Chaoge and also mentioned the 30-million-yuan breach-of-contract penalty.
Xi Xue’er exclaimed upon hearing this: “Chaoge! Oh my god, I’ve been dreaming of acting in that drama! What are you hesitating for? This is a huge opportunity!”
An He thought carefully. “Chaoge is the company’s flagship drama for next year. People would fight tooth and nail even for a minor role. Why would the company suddenly give you this chance? Besides… there are rumors in the company that Shen Tingchen, the second young master, invested in the production and has already decided that Gu Yunyan will be the female lead.”
Xi Xue’er wasn’t new to the entertainment industry. After listening to An He’s analysis, she realized the situation wasn’t so simple.
Gu Shengsheng’s reputation was now in ruins, with rumors that she had botched her plastic surgery. Why would the company suddenly offer her such a good opportunity—and even threaten her with a penalty if she didn’t take it?
The three of them racked their brains.
“Holy crap!” Xi Xue’er slapped her thigh. “I know! Gu Yunyan wants to use this chance to humiliate you! She bought articles to smear you before, and now she’s using the new drama to beat you down again! She’ll definitely keep releasing statements to trash you—it’s a trap! What if she even slaps you in the face during filming?!”
Gu Shengsheng felt that Xi Xue’er should become a screenwriter: “You’re absolutely right! Then I’m not going!”
“That’s not possible!” Xi Xue’er and An He said in unison.
Joking aside, for someone at Gu Shengsheng’s level, this opportunity was like a pie falling from the sky. Even if it was poisoned, you had to bite into it with all your might. Besides…
“Can you afford the breach-of-contract penalty?”
Although in novels, presidents had assets worth tens of billions, 30 million was not something the current Gu family could casually pull out. And Gu Shengsheng would never ask the original owner’s parents for money—they were still completely in the dark.
Seeing Gu Shengsheng shake her head dejectedly, An He said, “Don’t worry. That Gu Yunyan is so obsessed with maintaining her white-lotus persona—she wouldn’t dare openly bully you on set. Xue’er and I will also go audition. The three of us together—we’re not afraid of her.”
“Right!” Xi Xue’er narrowed her eyes, radiating killing intent. “That white lotus has been constantly fishing for information about you on set, trying to pry details out of me. Today she even eavesdropped on my call, and I gave her a good tongue-lashing. If she tries anything again, I’ll tear her face to shreds!”
Gu Shengsheng’s headache grew worse. In the original book, no one who offended Gu Yunyan ever had a good ending. Were the three of them just going to deliver themselves as cannon fodder?
Gu Shengsheng seriously grabbed Xi Xue’er’s hand. “Promise me: stay far away from Gu Yunyan in your daily life. Absolutely do not provoke her, and definitely do not confront her, okay?”
“Tch, why are you suddenly so timid?” Xi Xue’er looked unconvinced.
“Anyway, you have to listen to me!” Gu Shengsheng said sternly. “If you don’t behave, I… I won’t bring you any more rose petal cakes!”
“No no no!” Xi Xue’er hugged the box of rose cakes tightly. “Fine, I promise! These cakes are too delicious—will my skin really become as good as yours if I eat them?”
Gu Shengsheng smiled. “Of course.” After all, these were made with a touch of spiritual energy.
Xi Xue’er happily touched her own face. “Then bring me extra next time.”
The three chatted as An He finished massaging her father’s legs. She said, “I’ll tidy up, and then we can go.”
Xi Xue’er protested, “Leaving already? It’s rare we have time—let’s stay and keep Uncle An company longer.”
An He rolled her eyes. “You two are too noisy.”
Gu Shengsheng looked innocent. “Am I noisy? I’m quiet—it’s Xue’er who’s loud.”
“Hey! When have I ever been loud?!” Xi Xue’er pinched Gu Shengsheng’s cheek. The two of them started giggling and play-fighting.
An He lowered her eyes and smiled softly.
The hospital room smelled of disinfectant and illness—not pleasant at all. Yet Gu Shengsheng and Xi Xue’er had never once shown any disgust. They always found excuses to come visit her father with her.
Dad, you can rest easy. I have these two wonderful friends.
Before leaving the hospital, Gu Shengsheng accompanied Xi Xue’er to the restroom. While waiting outside in the corridor, she took out her phone and sent Shen Wang a voice message.
“Shen Wang, Shen Wang, I’m about to go have lunch with my friends. What are you doing at home?”
“I picked out a few good movies for you. If you want to watch, just ask A-Cheng to play them.”
“Shen Wang, Shen Wang, are you sleeping?”
Shen Wang sent back a voice message. Gu Shengsheng raised the phone to her ear.
Three cold words: “You’re so noisy.”
“Have you eaten? I made tuna onigiri and miso soup for you—just ask Sister Li to warm them up.” Gu Shengsheng knew Shen Wang didn’t let others feed him, so before leaving she had specially prepared onigiri he could pick up and eat himself.
“I ate.” There was the rustle of wind through leaves on his end, blending with his low voice as it traveled through the current into her ear—making Gu Shengsheng’s earlobe suddenly feel ticklish.
She could picture him saying this: brows slightly relaxed, carrying a trace of absent-minded laziness—like a black cat basking in the sun.
Gu Shengsheng leaned against the balcony railing, standing on tiptoe. “I’m already hungry. We’re going to have barbecue later—I don’t know what it tastes like. If it’s good, I’ll make it for you when I get back.”
Shen Wang didn’t respond much—just occasional short replies. Gu Shengsheng happily kept talking anyway.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the corridor. A car accident victim was being rushed into emergency. Furious family members surrounded a well-dressed man. Several traffic police tried to maintain order, but the relatives still surged forward, pushing and shouting through tears.
They cursed the man for drunk driving, saying he thought money could buy a life.
A thick smell of blood mixed with alcohol hit Gu Shengsheng’s nose. The scene and the scent made her uneasy. She gripped her phone tightly. “Shen Wang, someone got into a car accident—they just brought them to the hospital. There’s so much blood…”
Shen Wang’s voice came through: “Are you alone right now? Where are the others?”
Gu Shengsheng sniffled. “Xue’er is in the bathroom. I’m waiting for her.”
Shen Wang: “…Go somewhere safe. Don’t look.”
Gu Shengsheng obediently turned her head away. The family’s anguished cries still reached her ears, making her heart clench. “They’re crying nonstop.”
There was no reply from Shen Wang’s side. Gu Shengsheng retreated to the corner of the corridor, covering her ears miserably, wishing Xi Xue’er would hurry out of the bathroom.
Suddenly, a shocked voice rang out: “Shengsheng!”
Gu Shengsheng turned instinctively—and felt a jolt in her heart. It was the lingering emotion of the original owner.
In the original owner’s memories, Shen Tingchen was strikingly handsome, charming and rakish, with a wicked smile that always made her heart race. But the Shen Tingchen before her now was a mess—his suit wrinkled and torn, face bruised and cut. A strong smell of alcohol and blood clung to him.
So he was the drunk driver who caused the accident.
“I’m not her. You’ve got the wrong person.” Gu Shengsheng turned to leave.
Shen Tingchen caught up in a few strides and yanked off her mask. “You…”
His drunken eyes flashed with amazement, blurring the line between memory and reality. “Shengsheng… it really is you? Your face wasn’t already…”
Shen Tingchen raised his hand as if possessed, wanting to touch the stunningly beautiful face in front of him.
Slap! A Chanel handbag flew like a hidden weapon and smashed into him, making Shen Tingchen gasp.
“Have you no shame? Harassing someone in broad daylight!” Xi Xue’er descended like a thunderbolt, shielding Gu Shengsheng behind her and glaring furiously at Shen Tingchen.
Shen Tingchen blurted out, “Shengsheng is my fiancée!”
Xi Xue’er planted her hands on her hips and let out three loud, mocking laughs. “Hahaha. Did I hear that right? Isn’t Shengsheng your sister-in-law now? The entire entertainment industry knows Second Young Master Shen is pursuing Gu Yunyan.”
Gu Shengsheng gently tugged at Xi Xue’er’s hand, signaling her to calm down—only to be pushed protectively behind her again.
Shen Tingchen’s heart faltered for a second, but he quickly composed himself. Looking at Gu Shengsheng with deep affection, he said, “Shengsheng, those rumors aren’t true at all. All this time I’ve been looking for you… I’ve searched for you for so long…”
Before Xi Xue’er could speak, Gu Shengsheng cut in calmly: “How long?”
Shen Tingchen was stunned. “Wh… what?”
Gu Shengsheng lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes. “You say you’ve been searching for me this whole time—how long exactly? Even your mother and sister managed to find the villa. You couldn’t?”