Volume One, Chapter 23: Broken

Faced with Xie Liuzheng’s astonishing words, Song Qingyu covered her ears, pretending not to hear.

“I happen to be staying at your place for a few days. During this time, you can sleep with him,” Xie Liuzheng said while munching on bread. “A man and a woman, sharing a bed—sparks are bound to fly, passionate and lingering…”

Song Qingyu sensed something was amiss. “How long are you staying?”

“Four, five… seven or eight days, perhaps.”

“You’re not filming, not keeping up with your schedule anymore?”

Xie Liuzheng was relentless when it came to acting. Back in university, she always took bit parts; later, thanks to Chu Xingzhi’s connections, she landed a lead role that brought her a burst of fame.

Her dream was to win Best Actress, and she accepted every role that came her way. These past two years, her career soared, and netizens hailed her as one of the new Four Blossoms of the entertainment industry.

Given her current momentum, she should have scripts and invitations pouring in. Why had she suddenly become idle?

Xie Liuzheng’s expression stiffened for a moment, then she brushed it off. “I’m tired. I want to give myself a few days off and rest well.”

“Do you think I believe that?” Song Qingyu’s face darkened. “Is it Chu Xingzhi?”

Xie Liuzheng instinctively wanted to deny it. But remembering they had broken up and would never reconcile, she admitted the truth.

Chu Xingzhi was unwilling to give up on Song Qingyu, but unable to win her over himself, he turned to Xie Liuzheng.

He had no doubt asked Xie Liuzheng to speak kindly for him, persuade Song Qingyu, and urge her—on the strength of their many years together—to give him a chance, forgive him this once.

Xie Liuzheng’s stance was firm.

“I will always stand with Qingyu. If Qingyu forgives you, we can be friends again. If she doesn’t, there’s nothing left to say between us.”

Xie Liuzheng understood Song Qingyu, and knew that recently many people had tried to use emotional or moral coercion against her.

Song Qingyu was already covered in metaphorical wounds; Xie Liuzheng had no desire to be another blade.

Chu Xingzhi, furious, halted all of Xie Liuzheng’s projects.

In the entertainment industry, capital rules.

Capital can make you a superstar overnight, or bury you so deep no one remembers.

Song Qingyu was livid. She never imagined Chu Xingzhi would go after Liuzheng just to force her back.

This only confirmed her belief that she had made the right choice.

But Liuzheng…

“So what are you going to do?”

Xie Liuzheng shrugged. “There’s always a way out. I’ll take things step by step. Besides, since Chu Xingzhi still wants me to persuade you, he won’t go too far.”

Despite her words, the entertainment industry changes rapidly.

New faces swarm in like fish crossing a river; if you’re out of sight for a while, you’re forgotten.

Song Qingyu worried herself sick, but Xie Liuzheng acted as though she didn’t care.

Yet Song Qingyu knew this was just a façade. She knew better than anyone how much Liuzheng loved acting.

—

Pei Jingmo found a moment to return to the Gu family’s old residence.

Noticing unfamiliar cars parked outside the villa, he asked the security guard, “Who’s here?”

“The young lady and her cousin.”

Pei Jingmo raised his brows, put on his mask, and walked inside.

Even before he saw anyone, he heard laughter and cheerful voices from within.

Gu Fengjiao said, “All the kids were afraid of you when they were little. Only Yuru wasn’t. Her first essay in primary school was ‘My Uncle,’ and she even won an award!”

Sheng Yuru chimed in with a laugh. “Yes, the teacher had me go on stage to accept the prize. I was so proud.”

Mother and daughter traded remarks, clearly seeking to ingratiate themselves.

“Cousin Yuru wrote that essay just to tell the teacher she was Gu Chengde’s niece, so the teacher would give her the award, didn’t she?”

Everyone in the living room turned to look at Pei Jingmo.

Aunt Tang was the first to greet him. “Oh, Second Young Master is back.”

“Aunt Tang…”

Seeing the mask on Pei Jingmo’s face, Aunt Tang paused. “Your face—”

“It’s ruined. Too ugly—I didn’t want to frighten you all.”

Hearing this, Aunt Tang’s eyes reddened. “Ugly or not, you’ll always be the most handsome in my heart.”

Gu Fengjiao reacted quickly, smiling at Pei Jingmo. “You should have told us sooner you were back from the Far East. We could have prepared a family dinner to welcome you.”

She nudged her daughter, giving her a meaningful glance.

Sheng Yuru took the hint, flashing what she thought was a sweet smile. “Second Cousin…”

Pei Jingmo acknowledged her with a cool “mm,” then walked over to Gu Chengde. “Dad.”

Gu Chengde gazed at Pei Jingmo, feelings complicated. “It’s good you’re back.”

“Where’s Xiaoxi?”

“In the studio.”

“I’ll go see her first.”

Pei Jingmo headed upstairs, ignoring Gu Fengjiao and Sheng Yuru, leaving their faces awkward and strained.

But Gu Yuandong had always been this way—fighting, misbehaving, arrogant.

If the old master hadn’t sent him to the military, he might have been ruined.

He was decorated now, but his temperament hadn’t changed—still so disagreeable.

Except for Song Qingyu, Pei Jingmo never cared about his image in the eyes of others.

He despised hypocrisy and flattery.

—

Knock, knock, knock…

Hearing the door, Gu Chenxi assumed it was Sheng Yuru and didn’t want to respond.

“Xiaoxi, your brother’s back.”

Gu Chenxi’s eyes lit up. She jumped up and ran to open the door.

Seeing the masked man standing there, she paused for a moment—

“What’s wrong? Don’t recognize your brother?”

Pei Jingmo removed his mask.

Seeing his familiar face, Gu Chenxi threw herself into his arms, excited. “Second Brother…”

Pei Jingmo gently stroked her head. “Good girl, did you miss your brother?”

Gu Chenxi nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

“From now on, I won’t leave. I’ll stay with you always, alright?”

“Really?”

Gu Chenxi’s eyes sparkled; just like Song Qingyu’s, they were untouched by the world.

“Mm.”

“Alright!”

The studio was filled with Gu Chenxi’s paintings: sunrises, sunsets, everything she had seen.

Pei Jingmo didn’t understand art, but he knew his sister was talented.

He noticed a painting hanging on the wall—it depicted their family of five.

In truth, Gu Chenxi had never met her mother; her mother died of hemorrhage after giving birth, so Chenxi had painted her based on Pei Shishi’s likeness.

Gu Chenxi’s gaze lingered on Gu Mubai, her eyes tinged with sadness. “Big Brother… is broken.”

Pei Jingmo: “…He’s not broken, just not awake yet. Don’t worry, he’ll wake up.”

Pei Shishi had thought two sons were enough trouble and never planned for another child.

So when she became pregnant with Gu Chenxi, she didn’t pay much attention, even taking cold medicine and supplements.

Once she realized, she feared the medication might harm the baby and considered an abortion. But having carried the child, she couldn’t bear to let go and decided to give birth.

Gu Chenxi was quiet as a newborn, didn’t cry or fuss, and still couldn’t speak at two or three years old.

The medication had affected her—she seemed normal, but her reactions were much slower than most.

Worried she might be bullied, the family sheltered her.

“Cousin…”

Sheng Yuru’s voice suddenly rang out as she barged in without knocking—