This back and forth left Su Qin furious.

Fortunately, Su Ming held a welcome-back dinner for her and announced that he would soon establish a company dedicated to promoting her. They’d also bring in a few smaller artists as supporting roles to complement her.

Su Qin felt both delighted and proud, though she kept a modest appearance, gratefully thanking her father for the expense.

Su Ming’s vanity as a patriarch was fully satisfied by his daughter.

As they spoke, Li Yang arrived.

He brought a gift to celebrate Su Qin, and the group sat down in a high-end French restaurant, enjoying red wine, steak, and caviar, both exquisite and delicious.

Li Yang took a bite, but suddenly his mind flashed back to Xu Wan eating fried dough sticks.

She had made it look so appetizing.

Yesterday, he had secretly asked his assistant to bring him a portion, but he’d found it greasy and underwhelming.

“Brother Li Yang,”

Su Qin interrupted his thoughts with a shy smile, raising her glass. “Thank you for all your support. I heard you’re partnering with my dad to start a company. I hope everything goes well in the future.”

Li Yang responded with a mild acknowledgment, downing his wine.

Su Ming chuckled, “Good spirit! How about another?”

“Bring another bottle,” Li Yang said. “Tonight’s a celebration—I feel like having more.”

Neither of the others declined, one calling for more wine, the other pouring, and the two men began drinking.

Late into the night, both were tipsy.

Su Ming, his speech slurred, stumbled as he was helped back to his car by the driver.

Li Yang rubbed his forehead in the back seat, while Su Qin, focused only on her Brother Li Yang, had abandoned any pretense of her usual image, speaking to him softly and attentively.

Her heart pounded as she wondered if she might stay with him tonight and finally close the distance between them.

Then, she noticed Li Yang leaning back, head down, brow slightly furrowed, calling out a name repeatedly.

She thought he was calling her, so she leaned closer, only to hear it clearly.

“Su Wan…”

“Su Wan…”

Time froze at that moment.

Su Qin’s smile stiffened on her face, her complexion instantly paling.

…

After the drama premiered, each episode received rave reviews, with the rating holding steady above nine.

Countless media outlets praised the show’s excellent editing.

Su Wan’s brilliance completely overshadowed Su Qin, and her interactions with the male lead felt so natural and touching, as if they were truly in love.

Especially the scene where Su Wan confessed under a large tree; countless people were reposting gifs of her tearful eyes.

“If Su Wan looked at me like that, I’d give anything, even years off my life.”

“Hold on, I’ll splash you with cold water to wake you up.”

“One by one, dreams flew out the window…”

“Su Wan is my wife; back off, all of you!”

…

Every day, the comments section was filled with fans battling over Su Wan.

For various reasons, the cast couldn’t gather for post-release promotions, so the director was left to manage everything himself.

He was visibly frustrated by all the questions.

Su Wan was at home lazing around like a couch potato every day; what could he do?

There wasn’t a single thing he could do.

The entire internet was searching for any sign of Su Wan—would she really retire after announcing it? At the very least, couldn’t she do a little promotion, just for her fans?