Chapter 17: Think More for Yourself

On the other end of the line, Old Hu’s voice was tight with frustration, laced with anger.

“Shengmei, I’ve really seen it all now. Your brother’s been causing trouble in the security team from the start, but I didn’t tell you. And now he’s gone and fought the head guard in the hotel lobby! These past few days we’ve been warned over and over—‘Important guests are coming, keep the hotel’s image polished.’ And he went and beat someone up! The manager pointed at my nose and cursed me out. Tell me, what am I supposed to do?!”

Listening, Shengmei quietly excused herself from the dining table, retreating to her room and closing the door before lowering her voice to apologize.

“I’m really sorry, Old Hu. I didn’t expect this would cause you so much trouble. I’ll bring you a good bottle of liquor when I come back home. I’ve dragged you into this, and I feel terrible.”

It wasn’t for Shengying that she apologized—it was because she had asked Old Hu for the favor, and now that things had gone wrong, the responsibility was hers.

After venting, Old Hu sighed. He didn’t scold her anymore, just offered a piece of advice.

“That brother of yours… you’d better keep your distance. Otherwise, everything he messes up will end up being blamed on you.”

He meant it sincerely. They were from the same town, after all. Shengying, already a married man with a child, still relying on his younger sister—it was shameful. And Shengmei, unable to cut ties, would only get dragged down.

“Shengmei, think more for yourself.”

The words hit her hard.

For a moment, her throat tightened, and she didn’t know what to say. All she could manage was a rough whisper of thanks.

“Thank you, Old Hu. I’m sorry for the trouble this time.”

After hanging up, Shengmei broke down in tears.

She hadn’t cried for her family in a long time. She had already decided to plan her life carefully, to separate herself from their demands. But why, after just one sentence from someone who genuinely cared, did her emotions suddenly collapse?

It wasn’t for Shengying, or for her parents—it was for that fleeting moment of concern, someone standing in her shoes, thinking about her.

That was enough to undo her.

Her muffled sobs carried out from her room, and both Guan Ju’er and Qiu Yingying heard them.

They had already noticed her change in expression earlier, so they stayed quiet. It was easy to miss words, but people always catch the sound of crying.

Qiu Yingying’s eyes widened, and she mouthed a question to Guan Ju’er: “What’s wrong with Sister Fan?”

Guan Ju’er shook her head. After a moment’s thought, she poured a glass of warm water and set it at Shengmei’s spot.

They knew better than to ask. If it touched on something private, it could only make things worse.

After a while, Shengmei wiped her tears, gathered herself, and came back out to eat dinner as if nothing had happened.

Qiu Yingying, under Guan Ju’er’s subtle reminder, held her tongue and didn’t ask what had happened.

When dinner was finished, Shengmei began preparing for the concert that afternoon, even taking the time to shower first.

Her eyes were a little swollen from crying, so she slipped two spoons into the freezer, then pressed the chilled metal against her eyelids to bring down the puffiness.

Compared to her glamorous outfit for the banquet, this time her look for the concert was more elegant and intellectual. The clothes were modest, everyday-wear that others could easily take inspiration from. She looked polished, graceful, with just enough presence to turn heads.

Once she was ready, Shengmei stood before her camera and recorded her summary:

“If you’re going to a concert, this outfit works perfectly. It’s also great for less formal occasions—versatile and stylish. And of course, don’t forget perfume!”

She held up a bottle, smiling.

“I’ve always thought perfume is like another outfit. Today I chose a lighter, more refined scent. It gives off a scholarly air—imagine the girl-next-door, or a senior at school with long, flowing hair. On a gentle sunny afternoon, she’s holding her books, walking quietly through the shade of the trees, leaving a soft impression behind. Compared to the stronger fragrance for a banquet, this one is lighter, fresher, and more elegant.”

Shengmei sprayed two mists of perfume into the air, then twirled in place, letting the fragrance settle onto her. She smiled at the camera.

“I’ll be making a dedicated video about perfumes later. If you’re interested, leave me a comment!”

After checking everything one last time, she grabbed her phone and stepped out.

“Guan Guan, are you ready?”

Guan Ju’er came out of her room, a bag slung over her shoulder.

“All set, Shengmei. We’re just waiting for Andy, then we can head out.”

“I’m ready.”

Right then Andy emerged from 2201. She looked both of them up and down, her gaze thoughtful.

“You both look beautiful tonight. Guan Guan is elegant and ladylike. Shengmei… you look refined, very different from how you were at the banquet.”

Shengmei nodded with satisfaction.

“It’s a concert, of course we have to dress the part.”

Guan Ju’er adjusted her glasses, her smile shy.

“I saw how seriously you were taking it, so I thought I should put in some effort too. I even put on a little light makeup… does it look okay?”

Shengmei’s eyes softened.

“Ah! I should’ve offered to help you with your makeup. But actually, what you’ve done suits you perfectly—quiet and graceful. It looks wonderful!”

Andy agreed with a simple nod.

“Yes. Very nice.”

The three of them took the elevator down to the garage and climbed into Andy’s car for the concert.

Since they still had some time before it started, they decided to wander nearby. Guan Ju’er went into a record shop, while Andy and Shengmei stopped at a drinks stall.

“I’ll have a coffee. Guan Guan wants juice. Shengmei, what about you?”

Andy reached for her card, ready to pay. But Shengmei quickly stopped her hand.

“Let me cover this one. I already tagged along to your banquet and your car, and now I’m enjoying this concert thanks to Guan Guan. The least I can do is pay for drinks. I can’t afford much these days, but I can handle this!”

Andy hesitated, then let it go. Shengmei paid. It felt like the right thing—how a proper adult should behave.

She ordered a lemon water, light on the sugar. If she could handle sourness better, she would have gone sugar-free.

At the entrance of the concert hall, as they gathered together, Shengmei noticed something in Guan Ju’er’s expression.

“Guan Guan, what’s wrong? You look a little… out of it.”

Guan Ju’er accepted the drink Andy handed her, her gaze distant.

“It’s nothing. Just… I met a really kind person.”

“What happened?” Shengmei asked.

“In the record shop just now, there was a gentleman. We both reached for the last copy of the same CD. He let me have it. It felt… really nice of him.”

Only then did Shengmei and Andy notice the CD in her hands.

“It was a man?”

Guan Ju’er blinked, surprised at Shengmei’s sharpness.