Shen Mingyou stopped and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s about investment,” Geng Feng said. A few days ago, Shen Mingyou’s husband, Jiang Chen, had come with a takeover contract trying to buy out Xingchen Entertainment. Geng Feng had stubbornly refused at that time. Shen Mingyou had told him, “Reject it. With me here, are you worried Xingchen has no money?”

Geng Feng felt relieved and, after that, focused on preparing a business expansion plan for Xingchen Entertainment. Now, he wanted to discuss the details and investment matters with Shen Mingyou.

“So, how much can you invest in Xingchen?” Geng Feng asked. “I need to know the exact amount to proceed with the next plan.”

“We have as much as you need,” Shen Mingyou replied confidently.

“Oh, is this the happiness of a rich woman?” Geng Feng said, his face showing joy. “I wish I had it too.”

Shen Mingyou smiled and said, “Just go for it boldly.”

Geng Feng had talent. When Xingchen Entertainment was first established, it developed well. Besides Shen Mingyou, he made several other artists famous. However, constant suppression from big companies, like Guangyao Media, made it hard for Xingchen Entertainment. Guangyao Media, led by Geng Siqi, would use all means to snatch or destroy Xingchen’s artists out of personal grudges. Despite the pressure and losses, Geng Feng persevered for five years.

Yu Zhen, a capable agent, stayed loyal to Geng Feng. Similarly, Shen Mingyou remained because of Geng Feng.

“Mingyou, thank you,” Geng Feng said solemnly before she left.

When Shen Mingyou came downstairs, Shen Mingzhang was already waiting at the cafe. Shen Mingzhang is a psychologist who helped Nian Nian when she was unable to speak until she was two. He became familiar with Shen Mingyou and her family during that time.

Nian Nian happily greeted Shen Mingzhang, “Uncle.”

Shen Mingzhang picked up Nian Nian and said, “Nian Nian is getting heavier again.”

Nian Nian, touching her round belly, replied, “It’s heavier.” She liked her round belly and intentionally ate more to make it rounder.

Though Shen Mingyou didn’t notice the weight gain, everyone else did. Nian Nian’s round belly and protruding butt made her look like a chubby little ball.

Shen Mingyou thought she might need to control Nian Nian’s diet.

Shen Mingzhang had opened his own psychological counseling studio, specializing in performing artists. His studio became well-known, and he himself has been featured in newspapers and TV programs as a psychological mentor.

Shen Mingyou felt that since appearing on the show “Super Mom,” Nian Nian seemed more lively. She brought Nian Nian to see Shen Mingzhang to check on her development.

While enjoying coffee, Shen Mingyou saw Shen Mingzhang guiding Nian Nian in conversation when Zhao Yan entered the cafe.

“Youyou, what a surprise to see you here!” Zhao Yan exclaimed, approaching with something in hand. “I thought I was seeing things, but it’s really you and Nian Nian.”

Zhao Yan had just gotten out of his car and was heading to Xingchen Entertainment when he noticed Shen Mingyou through the glass window of a coffee shop. She was sitting inside with Shen Mingzhang and Nian Nian, who was comfortably nestled in Shen Mingzhang’s arms.

Zhao Yan felt a pang in his heart. He had come with gifts to meet Geng Feng, the boss of Shen Mingyou’s company. Yesterday, Shen Mingyou had called him, asking for help with an endorsement from Sanyan Technology. Zhao Yan was thrilled to help his sister, but when he tried to contact her again, she ignored his calls. It felt as if he was just a tool for her when she needed him and then discarded when she didn’t.

Determined to stay involved, Zhao Yan decided to visit Xingchen Entertainment with his gifts, hoping to learn more about Shen Mingyou’s work environment and find other ways to assist her. But he was surprised to see his sister and Shen Mingzhang together, enjoying coffee and chatting.

“Nian Nian,” Zhao Yan said, putting down his things and taking Nian Nian from Shen Mingzhang’s arms. He weighed her in his arms and said, “Nian Nian has gotten heavier.”

Nian Nian touched her round belly with delight.

“Why are you here?” Shen Mingyou asked.

“I was just passing by. I saw you inside, so I came in to say hello,” Zhao Yan replied.

“After saying hello, you can go.”

“No, I haven’t had a relaxing coffee in a long time. I’d like to take this opportunity to unwind,” Zhao Yan said, sitting down next to Shen Mingyou. “Mingzhang, what were you and Youyou talking about?”

“Just chatting,” Shen Mingzhang replied.

As Zhao Yan and Shen Mingzhang engaged in small talk, Shen Mingyou felt bored and was about to leave with Nian Nian when Lin Simeng walked in. She had gone downstairs to buy coffee.

Lin Simeng noticed Shen Mingyou and approached happily, “Mingyou, you haven’t left yet.”

“Not yet,” Shen Mingyou said. “I’m enjoying some coffee with my brother. I heard this place has great coffee.”

Lin Simeng saw two men at the table but didn’t know which one was Mingyou’s brother. “You must be Mingyou’s brother,” Lin Simeng said, addressing Zhao Yan. “Hello, I’ve heard Mingyou mention you. You both look so alike.”

Shen Mingyou nodded, “Yes, this is my brother Zhao Yan.”

Zhao Yan felt a mix of grievance, sadness, and anger as he held Nian Nian. After Lin Simeng left, Shen Mingyou and Nian Nian also departed, leaving Zhao Yan and Shen Mingzhang alone.

Feeling uncomfortable, Zhao Yan drank his coffee quickly, its bitterness lingering. “You must be very happy. Youyou treats you better than me, her biological brother,” Zhao Yan said.

Shen Mingzhang laughed, “Don’t you know Mingyou is doing this on purpose?”

“Doing what on purpose?” Zhao Yan asked, puzzled.

“What Mingyou is doing is a childish form of revenge,” Shen Mingzhang explained. “She’s been living with frustration because of you.”

“I didn’t realize that,” Zhao Yan said, defending himself. “I’ve never treated Youyou differently from my other sister.”

Shen Mingzhang shook his head, “Do you think Mingyou wants to be treated the same as your other sister? She actually wants you to acknowledge the difference.”

“What you call fair treatment is actually discrimination,” Shen Mingzhang added.

Zhao Yan was stunned. “If you really don’t understand, why are you always trying to please Mingyou?” Shen Mingzhang asked. “It’s because you feel guilty and want to make up for letting her down.”

Shen Mingzhang stood up and left, leaving Zhao Yan in a daze. His eyes were a bit red as he realized Shen Mingzhang was right. His guilt led him to try and please his sister.

Zhao Yan and Shen Mingyou were very close when they were young, relying on each other when their parents were absent. When their parents divorced, Zhao Yan wanted to live abroad with his mother and sister, but his plans were not accepted.

On the day his mother passed away, the ten-year-old boy cried at home for a long time because he couldn’t bear to leave his mother.

Soon, his father remarried, and his stepmother and stepsister moved in.

At first, he, like Youyou, was resistant to his father’s new wife and her daughter. His sister went abroad with their mother and could avoid them, but he couldn’t.

His stepmother was very kind to him and treated him like her own son. Zhao Yan enjoyed the maternal love from his stepmother, which he had never received from his biological mother.

He was only ten years old at that time. Initially resistant, he later saw that his stepmother was sincere, and his stepsister was quiet and respectful. Gradually, he became more accepting of his stepmother and Zhao Qi.

However, he truly accepted them as family after the fire that occurred when he was eleven years old.

It was New Year’s Eve. All the servants had gone home for the holiday. His father and stepmother were out, so he and Zhao Qi were the only ones left at home.

That night, the house suddenly caught fire for unknown reasons. The fire grew rapidly. When he woke up, he was trapped in the fire, unable to escape. As he thought he would die that winter night, Zhao Qi, despite her weak condition, broke open his door and dragged him out. She was seriously injured while saving him.

Zhao Yan woke up in the hospital to see Zhao Qi being treated in the intensive care unit. His stepmother’s eyes were filled with tears. He was shocked, moved, and worried.

He didn’t want anything to happen to Zhao Qi and didn’t want his stepmother to blame him.

Fortunately, Zhao Qi survived. After this incident, his stepmother not only forgave him but treated him even better. From then on, Zhao Yan treated Zhao Qi as his own sister and took care of her as much as possible.

If it weren’t for Zhao Qi, he would have died in that fire more than ten years ago.

But Zhao Yan never thought of hurting Youyou. His sister will always be the closest person to him, and he is willing to give his life for Youyou.

Yet sometimes, when faced with a choice, the person who gets hurt might be the one they care about the most.