---

Chapter 19: Yan Man Fainted

“I’m fine.” Yan Man shook her head.

She searched on her phone for the side effects of taking emergency contraceptive pills.

Sure enough, there were menstrual cycle changes and withdrawal bleeding. She even consulted a doctor online. After the doctor’s explanation, she was told it was a normal reaction and would resolve in a few days. However, if the bleeding continued, she would need to visit the hospital.

When she arrived at the company, Luo Xi was already waiting for her in the office.

“Seems like you really hit it off with Director Hu. Last night, he had someone contact us to check your schedule. Can you join the crew next month? There are still ten days left.”

“No problem,” Yan Man agreed.

There was no question about Hu Suling’s directing skills, but since this was her first acting role, Yan Man was concerned her performance wouldn’t meet the director’s standards. She proactively suggested, “Could you help me sign up for an acting class? I’d like to do a crash course.”

“Of course. I know an award-winning actress who runs an acting training course. I’ll get in touch with her.”

True to her proactive nature, Luo Xi made a call and settled everything within moments.

“You can start the day after tomorrow. It’s a seven-day course, and if you want to continue learning afterward, you can go anytime.”

“Thank you,” Yan Man expressed her gratitude, just as a sudden cramp hit her lower abdomen. She gasped and frowned from the pain.

“No need to be so polite with me.”

“What’s wrong with you? You haven’t looked right since you came in. I thought I was imagining things.”

Luo Xi poured her a cup of warm water and placed it in her hands.

Yan Man only shook her head without saying more, embarrassed to admit it was due to the side effects of emergency contraception.

“Get some rest.” Luo Xi patted her on the shoulder.

“Most of this film will be shot indoors, so we’ll mainly stay in Beijing. There may be a few shoots abroad, but they won’t take long.”

“Got it,” Yan Man nodded.

“Honestly, I was afraid that if President Tan found out you were going out of town to shoot a movie, he’d skin me alive. Good thing it’s staying in Beijing.”

Luo Xi patted her chest in relief — crisis averted.

Yan Man gave a small smile. As if Tan Qishen would really care about that.

——

Tan Qishen was at home, listening to Madam Wan Heng’s lecture.

Located in the Pudusi West Alley, just behind the Forbidden City, was a modest-looking siheyuan villa — the Tan family’s residence, known as Tan Garden.

From the outside, Tan Garden appeared understated: a plain brown wooden gate with nothing on it but a sign reading “Private Residence — No Visitors”. But inside, it was a whole different world.

The courtyard had been personally redesigned by famous architects from both China and abroad. The style blended traditional northern siheyuan architecture with southern garden aesthetics, incorporating modern New Chinese design elements. It was clear the owners had both status and refined taste.

Rumor had it this used to be a former prince’s temporary palace. After changing hands several times, it eventually ended up with the Tan family.

Red walls and white snow complemented each other. A thick layer of snow had fallen the night before, blanketing all of Beijing in white.

Wan Heng sat gracefully on a chaise lounge, sipping tea at a leisurely pace.

Tan Qishen sat beside her. Though a servant had poured him tea, he hadn’t touched it.

“Why did you call me back?” he finally asked, unable to hold it in.

“Do I need a reason to have my son home for a meal?” Wan Heng looked up at him and immediately noticed the red marks on his neck — impossible to hide.

She quickly looked down again.

Ugh, she really didn’t want to see that.

“I’m not marrying anyone named Qian, Li, or Wang. You’re wasting your energy.”

Tan Qishen tried to sound as calm as possible.

Wan Heng raised her brows. Her well-maintained face, appearing no older than her thirties, was full of confusion. “When did I say you had to marry any of them?”

She put down her tea cup.

“I was in a hurry before and introduced you to Qian Yi and the others without considering your feelings. But you didn’t like any of them, so I gave up on that idea.”

“But I heard you’re dating a model now?”

Her eyes subtly flicked past Tan Qishen to glance at Uncle Nan behind him.

Seeing his face darken, she quickly added, “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t know who the girl is, and I have no intention of breaking you up.”

“You’ve met her before,” Tan Qishen replied blandly.

Wan Heng was surprised. “I have?”

But she’d met so many models over the years, she couldn’t possibly guess who. Invitations to every major high-society event were sent to her first, and although she didn’t attend all of them, she did go to the ones that interested her. She had met countless celebrities and models — even just last night she met one.

So who was it?

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll bring her home someday.”

Tan Qishen toyed with his tea cup absentmindedly. He didn’t even know why he said that — he was supposed to break up with her once their agreement ended.

“Alright, I won’t ask anymore. Will you stay for dinner tonight?” Wan Heng asked.

It had been almost two months since Tan Qishen last came home.

He gave a short “Mm,” agreeing.

But shortly after, Luo Xi called.

Tan Qishen’s expression instantly darkened. He stood up abruptly, the veins in his clenched hand bulging as he gripped the phone.

Wan Heng had never seen her son like this before.

“Where is she?” His voice was low and laced with tension.

Luo Xi answered anxiously, “We’re on the way to the hospital.”

“Go to ‘Senmu.’ Have the director wait personally.”

Tan Qishen’s tone was grave as he gave precise instructions.

‘Senmu’ was a private hospital owned by the Tan family — extremely discreet, yet its medical care was top-tier, even compared to Beijing’s major public hospitals.

“What’s going on?”

The moment Wan Heng heard the name Senmu, she knew it had to be serious.

Tan Qishen didn’t have time to explain. He didn’t even bother taking his coat as he rushed out, tossing back a single sentence:

“I can’t stay for dinner tonight.”

Though confused, Wan Heng didn’t stop him. She stood and watched her son rush off until he disappeared.

Uncle Nan followed behind. He still hadn’t had a chance to ask about the emergency contraceptive purchase from the night before. Seeing how anxious Tan Qishen was now, he couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, what happened?”

Tan Qishen didn’t hide anything. His voice was cold as he ordered, “Yan Man fainted. Get to Senmu as fast as possible.”

With that, the car shot off like an arrow, heading through the alley toward the main road. Luckily, the old Tan residence wasn’t far from Chang’an Street, and the roads were convenient.

Though the winter sun was warm, it cast an icy light on Tan Qishen’s face through the car window. His expression was so dark it seemed like ink could drip from it, and his eyes were unreadable.

When Luo Xi had told him Yan Man fainted, he couldn’t deny that his heart had skipped a beat.

Less than ten minutes later, a black Cullinan SUV pulled up at the entrance of Senmu Hospital.

He arrived barely a minute after Luo Xi. Yan Man had just been wheeled in when he showed up.

The hospital director personally welcomed him and led him swiftly to Yan Man’s VVIP room.

The suite was like a high-end apartment, spacious and complete with four bedrooms.

Luo Xi rushed to explain, “When I was talking to Manman earlier, I noticed she didn’t look well. I thought it was her period, but she fainted the moment she stood up. It must be serious.”

Tan Qishen walked to the bedside. Yan Man lay there with her eyes closed, pale-faced — a stark contrast to the vibrant woman she had been the night before.

---