“Ma’am, your gaze seems a bit unfriendly. Do you not like me?”
Xu Zhirang’s slightly confused, childish voice broke the silence, instantly killing Xu Xiu’s interest in cracking sunflower seeds.
Lin Youqiao was startled by his bluntness and quickly hid the unwillingness in her eyes, explaining:
“Little one, don’t misunderstand. I’m just… a bit surprised.”
Xu Xiu dropped the sunflower seeds and turned her cold gaze toward Lin Youqiao, then directly toward Shen Xingyi.
She had almost forgotten—according to the original story, during their first meeting on the plane, Xu Zhirang had spoken up for Lin Youqiao, which made her very fond of him.
After he was taken back to the Shen family, they didn’t spend much time together before developing a close, mother-son-like bond.
But things were different now. It seemed the future “stepmother” and the child were not exactly on good terms.
Xu Xiu wanted to see how Shen Xingyi would choose.
If he sided with Lin Youqiao, she would bring her son back to her side earlier.
She had sent her child to his biological father so he could have a better life—but if he was going to suffer there, it would be better to take him back.
She would leave the “male and female leads” to their own arrangement.
Xu Xiu was still thinking this when Shen Xingyi seemed to sense her gaze and looked back.
Meeting her cold stare, his eyes shifted slightly before he slowly said:
“Does Miss Lin have a problem with my son?”
He was looking at Xu Xiu the entire time, but his words were directed at Lin Youqiao.
“Brother Xingyi, I don’t—I would never. You know me, I’ve always liked children. I was just… shocked…”
Shen Xingyi withdrew his gaze, then lifted his eyes toward her again. The overwhelming pressure made her explanation stall.
His voice turned even colder:
“Miss Lin should be at home reflecting on herself. It would be better not to go out so often, lest she causes more trouble and brings harm to the Shen family.”
A single strike—precise and ruthless—hit Lin Youqiao’s sore point.
The recent online scandals were her reverse scale; no one dared mention them.
If not for Tang Xu telling her Shen Xingyi was at the set with the rumored child, she would not have shown herself for months.
Yet now, in public, he humiliated her like this.
Her emotions churned violently.
She had indeed heard rumors that Shen Xingyi often had a child by his side recently, but she never expected it to truly be his son.
And worse—it was an old acquaintance.
Thinking of that fox-like, seductive woman, Lin Youqiao gritted her teeth so hard she nearly broke them, forcing herself to endure the humiliation.
Her chest rose and fell sharply, but she still managed to squeeze out a gentle smile.
“Sorry, Xingyi ge.” She then looked down at Xu Zhirang. “Sorry, little one. I might have scared you. Shall we chat next time?”
Xu Xiu was slightly surprised by her restraint. Even after being publicly shut down by the male lead, she could still lower herself to smooth things over.
No wonder she ultimately became Mrs. Shen.
Before leaving, Lin Youqiao still couldn’t resist glancing at Xu Xiu. Her gaze was cold and venomous, like a snake.
Xu Xiu met her eyes without flinching.
With a cold snort, Lin Youqiao left with her assistant. Tang Xu got up to see her off as well.
The crew, having just witnessed such a huge piece of drama, was now visibly energized.
After Tang Xu returned, her gaze toward Xu Xiu had become noticeably more subtle.
Xu Xiu assumed it was because Lin Youqiao had said something about her.
But what she didn’t know was that Tang Xu’s feelings toward Lin Youqiao were complicated.
Tang Xu was actually a distant cousin of Lin Youqiao. Originally, they were barely related, but after her father’s business improved, the families became closer.
Since childhood, Tang Xu had admired Lin Youqiao and often unconsciously imitated her.
This time, seeing Lin Youqiao suffer a setback because of the plane incident, she felt a faint sense of satisfaction.
Seeing Xu Xiu in the crew surprised her, but she had no intention of helping either side.
However, Xu Xiu letting Jiang Yumeng outshine Tang Xu made her unhappy—so she had called in a friend, A Song, hoping to make things difficult for her.
Unfortunately, Shen Xingyi had interfered.
But Shen Xingyi appearing with a child made her sense something unusual.
Recently, rumors had been spreading in their circle that Shen Xingyi actually had a son.
She had never believed it.
After all, this was Shen Xingyi—the man Lin Youqiao had pursued since childhood without ever getting close to him. How could he suddenly have a son?
But today, seeing the striking resemblance between father and child, she started to believe it.
That was why she informed Lin Youqiao, expecting a show.
She hadn’t expected something even more explosive.
Xu Xiu turned out to be the child’s biological mother.
Although she was displeased about Jiang Yumeng outshining her, seeing Lin Youqiao humiliated too made her feel much better.
The day’s filming finally ended, and both Xu Zhirang and Shen Xingyi had already left.
Back at the hotel, Xu Xiu thought about everything that had happened.
In the novel’s plot, Shen Xingyi tormented Lin Youqiao from beginning to end, showing no real affection for her—but at the end, he suddenly “woke up” and the three of them ended up happily together in a forced HE.
A very artificial happy ending.
In the story, the child played a major role in their entanglement—both as a source of conflict and emotional glue.
But now, things were completely different.
Xu Xiu decided not to dwell on it. What mattered most was her career.
Today, she successfully obtained the director’s contact information.
Director Chen was preparing a Republican-era literary film after this drama, and the makeup requirements were extremely high.
He had already invited many top makeup artists, and there would be a competitive selection later.
After seeing Xu Xiu’s work today, he was willing to give her a chance.
With free time, she began studying materials from that historical period to prepare.
Opportunities had to be seized.
Soon, the weekend arrived.
Jiang Yumeng had taken leave that day, and Xu Xiu swapped shifts to finish work early and pick up Xu Zhirang.
She had promised to take him to an amusement park.
When she arrived at the car parked in the distance, she unexpectedly saw Shen Xingyi inside.
She didn’t think much of it, got in, kissed her son on the cheek, fastened her seatbelt, and said:
“Mr. Shen is personally driving us? That’s not necessary—you’re too busy for this.”
She naturally assumed the amusement park trip was only between her and her son.
But after hearing her words, Shen Xingyi fell silent.
A rare hint of awkwardness appeared on his face before quickly disappearing.
“I’m going too.”
His lips pressed into a straight line as he added stiffly:
“As his father, I’ve never been to an amusement park with him. You can’t deprive me of that right.”
Xu Xiu looked at him blankly.
Who said she was depriving him?
He can go if he wants—when did she ever stop him?
Strange.
Xu Zhirang looked between his mother and father, blinking his almond-shaped eyes.
He understood now: Dad also wanted to go to the amusement park.
Even though he preferred going with Mom, Dad had never been before.
So pitiful.
Fine then—this time, he would bring Dad along too.
Misinterpreting his father’s meaning entirely, the little boy generously said:
“Mom, let’s bring him along this time.”
Faced with her son’s verdict, Xu Xiu could only agree helplessly.