Second People’s Hospital, Orthopedics Ward.
The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting mottled shadows across Zhou Mumu’s pale face. She still lay on her side, her gaze hollow as she stared out the window—as if waiting for something, or perhaps nothing at all.
The ward door was gently pushed open, and her manager, Yang Li, walked in carrying breakfast. She had not slept all night, and the dark circles under her eyes were clearly visible.
“Mumu, I bought millet porridge, and your favorite pumpkin cakes.” Yang Li tried to make her voice sound lighter. “Eat a little, okay?”
Zhou Mumu did not respond.
Yang Li set the breakfast on the bedside table, sat down beside the bed, and spoke softly, “Your sister… I got in touch with her.”
Zhou Mumu’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
“She’s awake and on her way to the hospital.” Yang Li held her uninjured right hand. “Mumu, Chaochao is coming. Pull yourself together, okay? If your sister sees you like this, how heartbroken she’ll be…”
Zhou Mumu’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She still did not speak, but at last, a faint ripple appeared in her eyes.
At that moment, Yang Li’s phone rang.
The caller ID showed Director Wang from the company’s artist management department. Yang Li’s heart tightened. She glanced at Zhou Mumu, then stood up and walked out into the corridor before answering the call.
“Yang Li, how is Zhou Mumu?” Director Wang’s voice was businesslike, devoid of any concern.
Yang Li took a deep breath. “Boss Wang, Mumu is seriously injured. Her left leg has a comminuted fracture, and her left arm is also broken. The doctor said it will take at least four months to—”
“Four months?” Director Wang interrupted her, his tone laced with obvious impatience. “Yang Li, you should know that the company has already signed Zhou Mumu onto the premiere variety show Extreme Survival Challenge. Filming starts next Friday. And now you’re telling me four months? In four months, she’ll have no value left.”
Yang Li froze. “Extreme Survival Challenge? When was that signed? Why didn’t I know?”
“It was signed last week, arranged by the company. We planned to inform you in the next few days—who knew this incident would happen.” Director Wang’s voice turned colder. “The production team has already officially announced the lineup. Zhou Mumu must go.”
“How can she go in this condition?!” Yang Li’s voice rose uncontrollably. “She can’t even get out of bed right now! The doctor said she needs surgery, metal pins! Boss Wang, Mumu is a living person, not a commodity of the company—”
“Yang Li!” Director Wang cut her off sharply. “Watch your position! You are the company’s manager, not her nanny! You know better than I do what Zhou Mumu’s situation is. Her negative trending topics have been up for three days, and the entire internet is cursing her. The company is giving her this opportunity out of old sentiment—to give her a hand! This show has high popularity and is a premiere format. If she performs well, she might even make a comeback!”
“A comeback?” Yang Li trembled with anger. “Sending someone covered in injuries to a wilderness survival premiere show—what kind of comeback is that? That’s sending her to her death! To make an even bigger spectacle of her!”
“Then what do you suggest?” Director Wang sneered. “What value does she have now? Who will remember Zhou Mumu in four months? While she still has attention—even if it’s negative attention—cash it in quickly. This is the company’s final kindness. Either she goes on the show, or she pays the penalty for breach of contract. You choose.”
Yang Li gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. “How much is the penalty?”
“Five million.”
Five million.
Yang Li’s vision went dark.
Zhou Mumu had debuted for seven years. Most of what she earned had gone to tuition fees, repaying student loans, and treating her mother’s illness. She lived frugally, and her total savings were less than five hundred thousand. Where would five million come from?
“Boss Wang… Mumu really can’t do it right now, she—”
“Yang Li, don’t tell me this.” Director Wang’s tone left no room for negotiation. “The contract is signed in black and white. The company has already done its utmost. Either she goes on the show, or she pays. There is no third option. If she insists on breaching the contract, the company will immediately initiate legal proceedings. At that point, it won’t just be her reputation that’s ruined.”
The call was disconnected.
Yang Li leaned against the cold wall, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from her body. She thought of what Qin Zhou had said yesterday—“all treatment costs will be covered by us.” She thought of Ji Huaizhou’s promise that he might help investigate the truth. A faint glimmer of hope rose in her heart.
But that hope was too fragile.
Who was Ji Huaizhou? Would he really go against Xingyao Entertainment for an unknown minor artist? Even if he was willing, how long would it take? And Extreme Survival Challenge was set to begin filming next Friday—there were only seven days at most.
In seven days, could Zhou Mumu recover from her injuries? Could she participate in such a high-intensity wilderness survival program?
The answer was obvious.
Yang Li slowly slid down to the floor, burying her face in her hands as her shoulders shook violently. In her ten years in the industry, she had managed many artists and seen all kinds of dirty tactics—but this kind of blatant, undisguised exploitation and abandonment was something she was witnessing for the first time.
She remembered when she had signed Zhou Mumu seven years ago—the girl’s eyes sparkling as she said, “Sister Yang, I’ll work hard. I won’t embarrass you.”
She remembered how Zhou Mumu had excitedly called her for half an hour after landing her first speaking role.
She remembered how every time Zhou Mumu received her pay, she would set aside a portion to send to her sister, saying, “My sister works hard in the military. I have to take care of her for Mom and Dad.”
Such a good child.
How had she ended up like this?
“Sister Yang?”
A hoarse yet familiar voice sounded above her.
Yang Li abruptly lifted her head and saw a face identical to Zhou Mumu’s.
It was Zhou Chaochao.
She wore a slightly oversized black jacket, her hair short and neat, her complexion still somewhat pale. Yet she stood straight, her gaze sharp as a blade. Though her features were the same as Mumu’s, her aura was completely different—resolute, cold, carrying the killing edge forged on a battlefield.
“Chaochao…” Yang Li hurriedly stood up, tears spilling uncontrollably again. “You… you really came back…”
“Where is Mumu?” Zhou Chaochao went straight to the point.
Yang Li pointed toward the ward door. “Inside… but Chaochao, you need to be prepared. Mumu… she’s in a very bad state.”
Zhou Chaochao nodded and pushed the door open, walking in.