After filming the first segment, Jiang Zhen took advantage of the makeup artist coming over for touch-ups to glance around the workspace. She saw no sign of Jiang Yin.
“Where is my sister?”
Liu Yin, who was busy organizing clothes, took a moment to answer. “She left about half an hour ago, right after eating.”
For some reason, a heavy sense of disappointment welled up in Jiang Zhen’s heart upon hearing this. Leaving without saying goodbye, combined with the way Jiang Yin had intentionally avoided physical contact while helping her change earlier, suggested that Jiang Yin still held a grudge against her.
At this particular juncture, Jiang Zhen’s mind was exceptionally sensitive. Jiang Yin had only just returned to the Jiang family. Facing someone like her, who had occupied a place that wasn’t hers for nineteen years, being able to maintain a polite smile was likely Jiang Yin’s limit. Jiang Zhen realized she really should not crave the affection of a “friendly sister” relationship.
At this thought, Jiang Zhen let out a soft sigh.
Behind her, Liu Yin was startled and asked hurriedly, “Is the dress too tight?”
“No,” Jiang Zhen forced a smile. “I just did not sleep well last night, so I am a bit out of it right now.”
A look of pity appeared in Liu Yin’s eyes. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind Jiang Zhen’s ear and whispered, “Just hold on a little longer. This segment is not long. You can rest as soon as we finish filming.”
The latter did not speak; she simply nodded gently.
After a brief rest, Jiang Zhen immediately threw herself back into work.
The scenery outside the car window retreated continuously. The radio played a soothing, melodic tune. Jiang Yin stared at the bustling streetscape, her mind drifting.
Suddenly, the phone in her bag vibrated twice. Jiang Yin took it out and swiped the lock screen. A message immediately caught her eye.
“Xiao Yin, do you have time lately? Mama wants to go to school to see you.”
The sender was not Qin Zhu; it was Li Xiuning.
Jiang Yin’s finger hovered over the input box, making no move to type. After staring at the black and white text for a long time, she pressed the lock button and tossed the phone back into her bag.
Emotionally speaking, Li Xiuning had worked hard to raise her for nineteen years. Jiang Yin was not an ungrateful person and would not simply throw that upbringing to the back of her mind.
Logically, however, Li Xiuning had swapped her identity out of a selfish impulse, forcing Jiang Yin to live a difficult life for all those years when she should have enjoyed wealth. It was not that Jiang Yin was vain, but she often remembered how, when her peers were being coddled in their parents’ arms, she was holding a spatula to prepare three meals a day for herself and Li Xiuning. She even had a permanent scar on her arm because of it.
How could she not be hurt?
Jiang Yin did not hate Li Xiuning, but she found it difficult to face her for the moment. Perhaps only after she sorted out her feelings could she meet this “mother” again.
In Room 117 of the Bamboo Garden Dormitory at Jinghe University, Lin Shu had just finished lunch and was researching a group assignment.
As one of the top universities in the country, Jingda emphasized the comprehensive development of its students. Aside from general core courses, all major-related courses were taught entirely in English.
Hearing the dormitory door open, Lin Shu looked toward the person entering with a look of deep suffering. Once she realized who it was, she lunged forward as if grabbing a literal lifeline.
“Jiang Yin! You are finally back! Oh, I really do not understand this group project. Quick, explain it to me!” She hugged Jiang Yin’s arm with teary eyes, looking as though she wanted to tether herself to her.
Jiang Yin wanted to laugh but felt like crying as she tried to pull her arm away. “I haven’t even looked at it yet. Give me a moment to check it first.”
She set her backpack on the desk and looked at the two other beds. “Yao Yao and Xiao Ning went out?”
“They went to eat hotpot,” Lin Shu said, her teeth itching with irritation at the thought. “Then they left the heavy responsibility of researching the assignment to me. Those two heartless girls! I am not bringing them any more of my mom’s cookies next time.”
Jiang Yin smiled and reached into her bag for her phone.
Lin Shu walked over to the desk and said in surprise, “Eh? You changed your backpack?” She recognized the sportswear brand; a single item of clothing from them could cost thousands or even tens of thousands.
“You really have struck it rich,” Lin Shu said with a face full of envy before her eyes lit up. “Tomorrow is Sunday. How about we go to Yuanning Mall for a bit?”
“Wait for the other two to come back and ask them,” Jiang Yin replied while tidying her bag. “By the way, Lin Shu, do you know which brand of computer is good to use?”
“You are finally buying a computer?” Lin Shu remarked with feeling. “For our major, a basic one is fine. The brand I use is quite good. You have tried it before, so why don’t you buy the same one as me?”
“I do not understand these things, so I will listen to you,” Jiang Yin said, opening a shopping app and handing it to Lin Shu. “Please help me add it to the cart.”
After saying that, she continued looking through the items in her bag.
“Eh?” After turning the bag inside out, Jiang Yin realized that the pink rabbit charm she always kept hanging on it was gone.
“Did you leave it at home?” Lin Shu guessed as she handed the phone back.
“Maybe. I will go back and look for it when I have time.” Jiang Yin took the phone, placed the order in a few clicks, and said to Lin Shu, “Let’s go. Let’s look at the group project together.”
After filming ended, the group prepared to return to their studio to rest.
Wu Yu Ting handed Jiang Zhen today’s lunch menu. Upon seeing the boiled broccoli and boiled chicken breast, Jiang Zhen handed the phone back in despair.
Seeing her look of utter hopelessness, Wu Yu Ting could not help but laugh. “Knowing someone is in as much pain as I am every day makes me feel much better.”
Jiang Zhen wailed and covered her face.
Song Xi, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and asked, “Your state during filming today was not great. Are you still worried about that stalker?”
“Mm, a little bit.” Jiang Zhen nodded absentmindedly. In truth, part of the reason was the lingering disappointment from realizing Jiang Yin did not enjoy her company.
Besides wanting to be on good terms with Jiang Yin, there was a more hidden reason deep within Jiang Zhen: she was afraid that if she made Jiang Yin unhappy, Jiang Yin might use it as an opportunity to kick her out of the Jiang family.
It was not the money or status she was loath to part with, but the years of affection with the Jiang family. They had given her too much warmth and care; Jiang Zhen truly could not let go of a bond that felt thicker than blood.
Even though it was wrong to speculate about Jiang Yin this way, Jiang Zhen could not control her fear and worry. This resulted in her always being overly pleasing and cautious when facing Jiang Yin. However, looking at it now, it was probably better if she appeared before Jiang Yin less often.
Seeing her silent for a long time, Song Xi assumed Jiang Zhen was remembering the fear of being stalked. She said, “Zhenzhen, do not worry. I will definitely find a way to catch that sasaeng creep.”
Perhaps because she was tired, Jiang Zhen leaned against the seat and forced a small smile. “Thank you, Sister Song.”
As they got out of the car, Liu Yin, in the back seat, suddenly let out a small sound of surprise.
She felt around the seat for a moment and picked up a pink rabbit charm.
“Zhenzhen, is this yours?” Liu Yin held the charm out to Jiang Zhen.
“It is not mine,” Jiang Zhen shook her head immediately after a glance. However, she felt the charm looked familiar. After searching her memory, she found the answer. “It seems to be my sister’s.”
She took the charm and examined it for a moment, then continued, “I will keep it for now and ask her about it later.”
With that, the group entered the building one after another.
The studio they rented was located near a residential area in the Fourth Ring Road of Jinghe City. There were many entertainment and media companies in this area, and many people like Jiang Zhen had struck out on their own, so they often ran into acquaintances.
Before even entering the office building, they came face-to-face with several former colleagues. A woman in a swaying red dress was surrounded by assistants and photographers, appearing to be filming a series of “office arrival” photos.
Seeing someone enter, the group stopped their work. The person being photographed spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and greeted her with a smile. “Ah Zhen, what a coincidence to run into you here.”
“Sister Zhaozhao,” Jiang Zhen smiled politely and responded to the greeting.
Just a moment ago, she had wanted to hide behind Liu Yin, but she hadn’t expected Shen Ningzhao to pick her out anyway.
The two used to be under the same manager at the same company and were on fairly good terms. But after some difficult things happened, Jiang Zhen took a few assistants and left to work independently; Song Xi later joined her studio as well.
That had only happened last year. Since that incident, today was only the third time they had met.
“Even though we are in the same building, we rarely see each other,” Shen Ningzhao said, a hint of confusion in her seductive eyes. “Are you avoiding me on purpose?”
“Cough, Sister Zhaozhao,” Jiang Zhen said awkwardly. “Why would I avoid you? Haha. If the wrong people hear that, they might start rumors about us not getting along again.”
“You have certainly learned how to shut me up with words.” Shen Ningzhao stopped, looking a bit hurt. Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, and a bright smile bloomed on her red lips. “Since you do not want others to misunderstand our relationship, let me treat you to dinner this weekend. It has been a long time since we former colleagues gathered together.”
In public, with many paparazzi hiding in the shadows and passersby watching, Jiang Zhen could not refuse. she had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.
“Then it is settled. I will contact you then.” Having gotten her way, Shen Ningzhao smiled happily. She was already born with a dazzling and intoxicating beauty; this smile was bound to stir many hearts.
After seeing Shen Ningzhao off, Jiang Zhen finally let out a sigh of relief.
As they stepped into the elevator, Song Xi poked her. “If you really do not want to go, I will find an excuse to decline for you.”
Jiang Zhen shook her head. “Forget it. We were definitely photographed. It will be online in less than an hour. If I do not go, people with bad intentions will surely make a big deal out of it.”
Hearing this, Song Xi frowned and let out a low sigh.
“You mentioned wanting to move the studio last time. I have already asked someone to look for a suitable office location,” Song Xi patted her shoulder. “When that time comes, you will not have to dodge Shen Ningzhao anymore.”
Back at the studio, Jiang Zhen tossed her bag onto the sofa, took out the rabbit charm to snap a photo, and prepared to send a message to Jiang Yin.
It was only when she opened the “Friends” tab that she remembered she did not have Jiang Yin’s contact information at all.