Shang Jie hesitated, looking back every few steps as he reluctantly went upstairs. Lady Mei Yu raised her voice, saying, “If you dare to eavesdrop, I’ll really write a check.”
A “bang” was heard as the door to the room closed.
“No one is eavesdropping, not eavesdropping at all!”
Mei Yu turned back and smiled at Jiang Xingxing, saying, “Him? He’s almost thirty, but he’s still like a child.”
Jiang Xingxing looked at the gentle smile on her face, feeling a bit confused. “Madam Mei, do you know that he…”
Mei Yu spoke frankly, “He’s not the elder one.”
Jiang Xingxing immediately understood. Like Lin Chuan, Mei Yu also knew the truth and had no qualms about it.
“I never thought of him as sick. I just see him as sometimes serious and meticulous, and other times lively and carefree. But no matter how he changes, he’s still him.”
Jiang Xingxing nodded. She understood Mei Yu. As a mother, no matter how her son’s personality changed, he would always be her child, and that would never change.
“Madam Mei, why did Mr. Shang develop this condition?” Jiang Xingxing asked curiously.
This question had been on her mind for a long time. Shang Jie couldn’t explain it himself, so maybe his mother could.
Recalling the past, Mei Yu still felt a lingering fear.
“He’s the only son in the family and is exceptionally bright, and his father had high expectations for him, with quite strict demands. When he was twelve, I took him to visit a family we were close to, and something terrible happened. He and the daughter of that family were kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped!” Jiang Xingxing’s eyes widened, and she quickly asked, “What happened next? Were they rescued?”
“Six days and five nights, the police searched everywhere but found nothing. Luckily, he managed to come back on his own.”
Jiang Xingxing suddenly remembered that Grandma Jiang had mentioned she had been kidnapped when she was young, and it was at that time that she was adopted.
Jiang Xingxing asked, “And what about the daughter from that family?”
“Oh, that girl is doing well now. She’s studying abroad, probably around the same age as you.”
Jiang Xingxing’s anxious heart finally settled down, thinking it must have been just a coincidence…
“Human traffickers these days are truly despicable,” Jiang Xingxing said, gritting her teeth.
“Yes, after experiencing such a terrible ordeal, he seemed to change overnight. He became no different from the idle playboys of that family, indulging in a life of excess, once even driving his father to the hospital out of rage. Since then, it’s been like we have two sons because he constantly switches between two personas. We’ve tried every possible physical and psychological treatment, but nothing worked.”
“As he grew older, I gradually accepted the ‘second son.’ Later, the elder one went abroad to study and met Dr. Lawrence, whose intervention proved effective. The second son started appearing less.”
“I see.”
“The second one is carefree and does things recklessly. But sometimes, I wonder, the elder lives the life we chose for him, while the second… maybe he’s choosing his own life.”
No one knows a child better than their mother, and Jiang Xingxing hadn’t expected Madam Mei to see things so clearly.
Mei Yu looked at Jiang Xingxing, “Since elementary school, the second son has always been popular with girls. If it weren’t for the elder constantly ruining his chances, his ex-girlfriends could probably fill a few tables for mahjong.”
Jiang Xingxing chuckled, “That’s really quite pitiful.”
“Isn’t it?” Mei Yu also smiled, her kind eyes gazing at Jiang Xingxing. “I’ve watched him grow up, but I’ve never seen him care so much about any girl. To spend more time with you, he even pretends to be the elder. You should know, he absolutely despises the elder’s serious and stern demeanor. Forcing him to sit in an office for a while is worse than killing him.”
Jiang Xingxing understood that the first personality was calm and reserved, while the second personality of Shang Jie was like someone with ADHD. It was hard to imagine how uncomfortable he must feel spending most of his time at the company, pretending to be composed just to maintain appearances.
“Madam Mei, I know he has sacrificed a lot for me, and I truly like him. I know I’m not good enough for him, but just being able to make him happy now is enough for me.”
Mei Yu shook her head, “Families like ours care about status, but to me, it’s not about those rules and restrictions. I only want my son to be happy.”
Jiang Xingxing nodded, feeling slightly reassured.
Mei Yu continued, “The reason I wanted to talk to you today wasn’t to throw a million-dollar check in your face and ask you to leave my son. I’ve said all this just to give you a heads-up. If you’re really determined to be with him, can you accept him as he is now and also accept him if he completely changes into another man in the future?”
Jiang Xingxing was suddenly stunned.
Accept… him becoming a completely different man.
“Think about it carefully,” Madam Mei patted Jiang Xingxing’s shoulder. “I’m truly sorry that my son is in this situation.”
Jiang Xingxing quickly waved her hands, “No need to apologize, Madam Mei. Mr. Shang treats me very well. Before meeting him, I didn’t know being liked by someone could feel so wonderful.”
Madam Mei said, “Freedom, real freedom, is being able to love the person you want to love. He doesn’t have a split personality; he’s just trapped. I truly hope that one day, you can change him.”
Madam Mei offered to drive Jiang Xingxing home, and as soon as she arrived, she received an anxious call from a certain someone: “Did my mom give you a hard time?”
“No,” Jiang Xingxing kicked off her heels and dove headfirst into the soft, fluffy bed. “Madam Mei is like a goddess to me; everything she says is right, and everything she does is beautiful.”
Shang Jie breathed a sigh of relief, rolled up his pants, and sat down, reminding her, “She’s your future mother-in-law, so don’t idolize her too much. It’ll save you from disappointment later.”
Jiang Xingxing clicked her tongue, “You’re really funny. As if I’d be lucky enough for Madam Mei to be my mother-in-law.”
“I need to criticize you here. Don’t sell yourself short. Didn’t your elementary school teacher teach you? Confidence. Confident girls are the most beautiful.”
Jiang Xingxing rolled her eyes. Here was this heir from a wealthy family, pampered since childhood, giving her a pep talk. It was laughable.
The two bantered back and forth, and then Jiang Xingxing, feigning lightheartedness, cautiously asked, “Shang Jie, what if I broke up with you… what would you do?”
After asking this, there was a long silence on the other end of the line. She called out “Hello?” a few times, and then came Shang Jie’s low, stifled voice—
“If you dare say that to me again, I’ll cut you off.”
Jiang Xingxing: …
Not someone you want to mess with.
~
Jiang Xingxing did not expect that the male lead in “City of Daylight” was actually the famous Shi Yi.
This was his third film, and his previous two films had been both critically acclaimed and box office hits, making Shi Yi one of the hottest male actors of the moment.
He had impeccable, handsome features, but at the same time, there was a rugged, masculine air about him. With such an outstanding appearance, coupled with his formal training as an actor and refined acting skills, he was far removed from the young idols who were all looks and no talent. He became one of the leading figures among the new generation of popular idols.
But during his scenes with Jiang Xingxing, Shi Yi was clearly struggling.
In the film, Shi Yi played a warlord who fell in love with Jiang Xingxing’s character, Bai Qingqing. He brought her to his mansion, showering her with affection, even planning to make her, a woman of questionable background, his legitimate wife.
But just last night, his subordinates had been completely wiped out by the government. Overnight, the warlord had become a lone commander, and his deputy reported, risking his life, that the informant was likely the woman by his side.
So, in the mansion, Shi Yi and Bai Qingqing finished their final intimate dance. As the music playing from the gramophone softly wound down, Shi Yi wrapped one arm around Bai Qingqing’s slim waist while slowly reaching for the gun holster behind him with the other…
The camera zoomed in, eventually focusing on Jiang Xingxing and Shi Yi’s faces. They stood so close, almost face to face, and Shi Yi stared intently into Jiang Xingxing’s eyes, searching for any hint of betrayal, hoping it would give him the resolve to kill her.
Yet, Jiang Xingxing’s hazel eyes were like the dark night, absorbing all emotions, like a black hole where any trace of madness would disappear.
She absorbed his love for her, yet gave nothing back.
As Shi Yi gazed into her night-like eyes, his hand brushed over her red, seductive lips. Just a little closer, and he could kiss her. His composure began to falter, and he was visibly losing control.
“Cut!” The director suddenly yelled, and Shi Yi quickly pulled back, his heart racing beyond normal speed.
The director shouted angrily, “Shi Yi, what’s wrong with you? You were supposed to draw the gun, not keep staring at Bai Qingqing’s face!”
Today, Shi Yi just couldn’t get into the right state of mind, resulting in multiple takes. Both the director and the crew were starting to get a bit impatient.
Shi Yi repeatedly apologized, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Jiang Xingxing handed him a cup of warm water and said, “Senior, is there something I didn’t perform well? If there are any issues, we can discuss it.”
“It’s not you…” Shi Yi took the warm water and drank it all in one gulp. “You acted very well. It’s me who wasn’t in the zone.”
Jiang Xingxing nodded and encouraged him, “Senior, keep it up!”
“Yeah! Keep it up!”
They restarted the scene, and this time, Shi Yi finally drew the gun and aimed it at Jiang Xingxing’s forehead. Jiang Xingxing’s eyes shifted subtly, and a faint, sorrowful smile appeared on her lips as she stepped closer to Shi Yi.
Shi Yi stepped back repeatedly, his hand holding the gun starting to shake. The outcome between the two was already decided.
“Shoot,” she rasped, “Shoot and kill me.”
“Bai Qingqing, don’t push me.” Shi Yi’s hand trembled as he pressed down on the safety latch.
At that moment, countless emotions flickered in Jiang Xingxing’s dark eyes, words unspoken, all condensed into a cold, sad smile.
Everyone on set could see the acting in her eyes.
Even Director Gu Ye couldn’t help but be amazed. Such a young actress, yet she was able to convey such complex emotions with just her eyes, creating tension that gripped the whole scene.
With acting skills like this, if she doesn’t become famous, then there’s no hope for the entertainment industry. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Jiang Xingxing’s slender fingertip touched the muzzle of the gun, and she said in a hoarse voice, “Kill me, and I’ll be free.”
In the brief moment Shi Yi was distracted, Jiang Xingxing swiftly disarmed him, taking the gun and reversing it into her hand.
The situation flipped instantly, all within the narrow confines of their expressions.
The director then called for a halt, visibly excited. “Xingxing, that was incredible! I can’t even describe it—I’m so satisfied with that scene!”
Jiang Xingxing responded, “It was all thanks to Senior Shi Yi. He guided me.”
She was humble, but she meant it sincerely. Shi Yi was indeed a talented actor, though he seemed distracted in earlier takes. Once he focused, he got into character, and their performance felt like a duel between two masters.
This scene relied entirely on their expressions. If either one wasn’t in the right state, the whole thing wouldn’t work.
After finishing the shoot for the day, Jiang Xingxing removed her makeup and changed her clothes, ready to leave. Shi Yi, dressed in a down jacket, chased after her, “Xingxing, wait a moment.”
“Senior, is there something else?”
“It’s snowing quite a bit outside. Let me give you a ride home.” Shi Yi had already opened an umbrella, shielding her from the snow. “I’ve asked my assistant to bring the car around. It’ll be here soon.”
“No need, senior. The bus stop is just outside the film city. I can manage on my own.”
“After this film, you’re definitely going to make it big. You won’t have to take the bus anymore; you’ll have your own car, and even a personal assistant. You’re going to become a star!”
There was a hint of affection in the way Shi Yi looked at her.
Jiang Xingxing didn’t meet his gaze, otherwise she would have seen the undisguised admiration he had for her.
She smiled lightly, “I’ll take your word for it, senior.”
Shi Yi looked at her radiant smile, feeling a warmth in his heart. No other girl had ever made him feel like this.
“You don’t have to call me ‘senior.’ We’re about the same age. If you don’t mind, you can call me by my name.” Shi Yi’s ears turned slightly red.
Jiang Xingxing was about to respond when her eyes drifted past him, looking towards something behind him—
Soft, thick snowflakes were falling, and at the end of the old Shanghai street, Shang Jie stood wearing a black trench coat, a gray scarf draped around his neck. He held a black umbrella, looking like a figure straight out of a vintage painting, and it was unclear how long he had been standing there…
Jiang Xingxing’s eyes lit up, and she walked past Shi Yi, heading toward Shang Jie.
“Why are you here now?”
“It’s snowing. I came to pick you up.”
Jiang Xingxing felt a bit of pain in her heart. “You’re so busy, you didn’t have to come.”
Shang Jie took off his gray scarf and wrapped it around Jiang Xingxing’s long neck, looping it several times until she was thoroughly bundled up, leaving only her bright eyes visible.
Holding the scarf, he pulled her close and, without regard for the man standing nearby, bent down and kissed her lips.
His lips were a bit cold, but he used his tongue to warm hers, savoring the moment until she gradually regained warmth.
Jiang Xingxing’s cheeks flushed red, and she gently pushed him, whispering, “That’s enough.”
Shang Jie caressed her forehead, smiling, “Let’s go home.”
“Mm.” Jiang Xingxing instinctively took his hand and turned back to Shi Yi, “Senior, I’m heading home now.”
Shi Yi waved at her, but his eyes betrayed his reluctance to let her go. Shang Jie lifted his head slightly, casting a cold, threatening glance in Shi Yi’s direction, and the warmth in his gaze quickly vanished.
Shi Yi immediately looked away.
The girl nestled against the man, their tall and short figures slowly disappearing into the snow-covered street.
On set, Jiang Xingxing was always seen as a diligent, hard-working “iron lady,” to the point where everyone thought of her as a strong, independent woman. But beside this man, she finally showed a softer, more delicate side of a little girl.
Shi Yi truly envied Shang Jie.
Sansukini: Late update today. I thought I posted the chapter 2 days ago. Anyways, Awesome mother-in-law.
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