CHAPTER 5

Liang Qian wasn’t the type to share details about his relationship with his friends.

He rarely spoke about the sweet moments, let alone discussed his girlfriend’s future career plans with them.

So, when Meng Huaiqian heard that Chi Shuang’s contract had expired four months ago and she still hadn’t signed with a new agency, his first thought wasn’t that she wanted to leave the industry—it was that she hadn’t found the right company, or rather, that no company had offered her the terms she wanted.

Caring for someone isn’t just about words.

Besides, he wasn’t very good at this sort of thing. He just wanted to do whatever he could to make her life smoother, a little better.

For the past two weeks, he had been under immense pressure—handling his own work, dealing with issues at Liang Qian’s company alongside a few friends, and searching for Liang Qian. He was already at his limit. Any moment he could spare to breathe, he gave to Chi Shuang.

After learning about her situation, he had been thinking about this for the past two weeks.

He might not be able to take care of every aspect of her life, but when it came to her career—her means of survival—he wanted to contribute however he could.

Chi Shuang was stunned.

So shocked that she forgot to respond.

Even Liang Qian had never offered to throw money into starting a company just to make her the one and only princess of it.

Meng Huaiqian saw her staring at him, wide-eyed, as if she had absorbed everything he said. He let out a breath of relief and continued, “I’ve looked into how Xingqi has managed your career over the years. Do you feel like your workload is too small? Even the projects you did take on weren’t the ones you wanted? This past year, you only starred as the female lead in one historical drama and played the second female lead in a comedy film. The movie didn’t do well at the box office—probably due to inadequate marketing.”

“But I watched that film. Even if it wasn’t a hit, it had fundamental flaws.”

He put it as gently as he could.

The movie’s logic was a mess, its story melodramatic. The leads and supporting cast all seemed to be acting in separate films, completely out of sync.

Of course, Chi Shuang’s performance was still commendable.

At the very least, she was the only reason he could focus on the screen.

“The drama is quite long—over fifty episodes…” He paused for a few seconds. “I’ve only made it to episode ten.”

It was almost unbearable.

The excessive filler made it hard to sit through.

He had dozed off several times while watching. He wouldn’t admit it, but this show had basically become his new sleeping aid—whenever he had trouble falling asleep, all he had to do was put it on, and drowsiness would wash over him instantly.

Chi Shuang went from shocked to speechless.

She stared at Meng Huaiqian. If she didn’t interrupt him now, what else was he planning to say? What other brilliant insights did he have to share?

“Enough!”

She glared at him angrily. “Meng Huaiqian, don’t sit here critiquing my work. Do you think you’re being sharp and witty? Or do you just want me to reimburse you for your VIP subscription?”

Meng Huaiqian apologized smoothly. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not signing with another agency,” Chi Shuang stepped down from the high stool, shooting him a glare. “There were two or three companies interested in signing me back then…”

Wait, why was she even explaining this to him?

“I don’t want to do this anymore, do you understand? I quit. I’m switching careers. I’m retiring. Have I made myself clear enough? Do you get it?”

Meng Huaiqian was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure.

He really hadn’t expected her to change careers.

She wasn’t even twenty-six yet—still in the prime of her acting career. He had thought she was feeling unfulfilled, that she simply hadn’t found the right company. He had even made arrangements in advance, hiring top-tier coaches for her.

Back when Liang Qian first introduced her to their circle, he had never heard of the name “Chi Shuang.” But after everything he had learned recently, he was sure she had real talent as an actress.

The entertainment industry was tough—outsiders couldn’t fully grasp its struggles—but at least on the surface, it was glamorous and sought after.

For someone at her age to willingly give up all that… He figured he shouldn’t push any further.

“I understand,” Meng Huaiqian said. “I’m sorry.”

Silence fell between them.

Chi Shuang had mixed feelings. On one hand, she could tell Meng Huaiqian genuinely wanted to make it up to her and take care of her. On the other hand, she really, truly hated him right now. Rather than continuing to resent each other, it would be better if they just cut ties. As long as he stopped appearing in front of her, she wouldn’t have to keep snapping at him.

Forget it.

At the end of the day, it had been Liang Qian’s own choice.

Aside from her powerless rage, what else could she do?

“Meng Huaiqian, just leave,” Chi Shuang said, her anger completely drained. For the first time since the incident, she faced him with a sense of calm. “You don’t have to do anything for me. Look—we didn’t even get to hold our engagement banquet. We were just boyfriend and girlfriend, not husband and wife. There’s really no need. You’re not some kind of masochist who enjoys getting yelled at by me, are you?”

To put it bluntly, if they ever recovered Liang Qian’s body, or if he remained missing for two years, as just a girlfriend, she wouldn’t even have the right to inherit a cent of his assets.

Given such a distant relationship, why was Meng Huaiqian going out of his way to take care of her?

A sharp pain stabbed through Meng Huaiqian’s heart.

The engagement banquet.

He could still remember every detail of that night—how radiant Liang Qian had looked, how he had beamed with joy as he declared, “Marrying the person you love is an experience you all need to have—it’s incredible.” The rest of their friends had groaned in disgust and thrown whatever they had on hand at him.

If none of this had happened, by now, Liang Qian would have had another title—Chi Shuang’s fiancé.

He could imagine how happy Liang Qian would have been.

But now, all of it was gone. Liang Qian’s whereabouts were unknown, and everyone told him that the chances of survival were slim. Yet, he still held onto that faint glimmer of hope—what if?

“A Qian really wanted to marry you,” Meng Huaiqian said in a low voice. “He was certain that you were his wife, so I also recognize you as his wife.”

Chi Shuang suddenly looked at him.

Worried that she might misunderstand, he softly added, “But don’t worry. If—I’m saying if—you meet someone else in the future, we will all sincerely give you our blessings. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters. But before that, let me take care of you. If you need anything, just tell me. This is also my responsibility.”

Until Liang Qian returns.

If Liang Qian never returns, he was willing to take his place and protect her for the rest of his life.

His words were sincere. Even though they came from Meng Huaiqian, Chi Shuang took them to heart, and her eyes welled up slightly. She turned her head away, unwilling to let him see her cry, gripping her phone tightly as if loosening her grip even slightly would make her emotions collapse again.

“…What exactly happened that night?”

She had only learned the general situation but didn’t know the details.

Asking now was just a way to distract herself.

Meng Huaiqian’s Adam’s apple moved. He lowered his head and said, “At the time, someone accidentally spilled alcohol on my clothes. I had been drinking and probably wasn’t very polite about it. Later, when I went to the deck for some air, that person and I had a conflict. A Qian stepped in to stop me, but he wasn’t paying attention to his footing…”

This was also the official account given to the public.

They had grown up together since childhood, their bond unbreakable, and they knew each other well. To Liang Qian, the company’s reputation was more important than his own life.

If the truth were to be revealed, it would inevitably cause an uproar. What kind of crisis would Liang Corporation face then?

If A Qian were still alive, he would never want such a situation to happen.

Besides, no matter the reason, in that moment, A Qian had stepped forward without hesitation to shield him—if A Qian hadn’t blocked the way, the one missing now would be him instead, wouldn’t it?

After hearing this, tears silently slid down Chi Shuang’s cheeks, like dew on a white peony—crystal clear yet inexplicably sorrowful.

Look at this.

Just because of something so trivial, Liang Qian lost his life.

How laughable. How tragic.

Meng Huaiqian stared at her for a few seconds before looking away and said with difficulty, “I’m sorry.”

“Leave.”

After composing herself, she spoke coldly. “I have hands, feet, parents, and friends. I don’t need anyone else’s care to live just fine. Meng Huaiqian, the only reason we know each other is because of Liang Qian. Now that he’s gone, we’re nothing to each other. Let’s not see each other anymore. That would be best for everyone.”

Meng Huaiqian gazed at her but, in the end, said nothing.

After he left, Chi Shuang sat alone for a long time before her cousin came downstairs. Seeing that only she was there, her initial surprise quickly turned into understanding. “Perfect timing. It’s almost dinner, right? How long have we been breathing in all this formaldehyde? Let’s go, I’m treating you to a feast today!”

Chi Shuang had no appetite, but she was also concerned about her health.

Liang Qian had no parents. Perhaps only she and his few friends were truly grieving for him. But she was different. She had parents, family, and close friends—how could she afford to break down? She had already been in a slump for half a month. If this continued, her parents would surely come all the way here to watch over her day and night again.

“Okay! I want something delicious!!”

The two sisters went to a hot pot restaurant they frequented. This restaurant was owned by a senior from Xingqi, and it had excellent security and privacy. Chi Shuang was used to coming here and often ran into colleagues from the same company. People in the industry even joked that this place was practically Xingqi’s internal cafeteria.

After drinking, her cousin saw her dazed eyes and flushed cheeks and couldn’t help but sigh emotionally. “Shuangshuang, why wasn’t I born into Auntie’s womb so I could be your real sister?”

As she spoke, she left her seat and sat next to Chi Shuang, reaching out unceremoniously to pinch her face. “Look at this face! It’s like it was sculpted by the gods, you know that? Your skin is so soft and delicate—it’s like squeezing out water. When I was a kid, the most memorable ad I saw was the one about peeling an eggshell. Yours is pretty much the same!”

“Sculpted by the gods…” Chi Shuang burst out laughing. “Sis, if you wrote that in my comment section, my fans would come after you.”

Her cousin cupped her face and suddenly spoke seriously, “Shuangshuang, do you believe me? I always feel like if I were gone someday, my husband would remarry within two years. Two years would already be him showing deep love and devotion, haha! I’m telling you this because I want you to understand—no one is indispensable in anyone’s life. You’re sad now, and we all understand that, but don’t trap yourself. You’re still so young, so beautiful, and you have money…”

“You’re going to have an even better life. I just want you to be happy every day. A beauty like you, crying all the time—it’s such a waste of that face! Be careful, or Nuwa will get mad when she sees it and won’t bother sculpting you so finely in your next life!”

Chi Shuang rested her face in her cousin’s hands and responded softly, “Mhm.”

Liang Qian did not die for her.

He broke his promise.

He was the one who wronged her.

It was all his fault.