Qin Yuan’s words sobered Zhou Lihui instantly. That’s right, Zhou JiaHui is his and Xia Yun’s daughter. What does she have to do with Qin Yuan?

Powerless to argue, Zhou Lihui’s face turned slightly pale, as if he had aged significantly in an instant.

Qin Yuan raised her exquisite face and said indifferently, “You’d be better off spending this time arranging a lawyer. See you in court.”

Zhou Lihui closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, physically and mentally exhausted. He grabbed Qin Yuan as she turned to leave the room, his voice hoarse. “Xiao Yuan, must we treat each other like enemies? I’m begging you, just this once, can we reconcile? If you hadn’t left so abruptly back then, there wouldn’t be Xia Yun and JiaHui now. All these years, I’ve been regretting…”

Qin Yuan flung his hand away violently. The next second, she slapped him across the face. “Don’t bring up the past with me. This slap is what you owe me. Your regret is your business. Even if you knelt before me back then, I still would have left. It’s the same today. Even if you kneel before me, I won’t drop the lawsuit. I’ve long had no relationship with you, let alone any affection.”

“Please leave.”

Zhou Lihui had never seen such a ruthless woman in his life. He pressed his lips tight and closed his eyes.

Qin Yuan sat on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and laughed mockingly. “You can plead for Zhou JiaHui; she’s yours and Xia Yun’s treasure. But my daughter is only Ningning.”

“And one more thing you might have forgotten: Ningning is also your daughter.”

Zhou Lihui couldn’t say a single word. He watched Qin Yuan elegantly exhale smoke, and after a minute, he turned and left.

Back at the Zhou residence, Xia Yun and Zhou JiaHui quickly stood up. Zhou JiaHui called out to him, “Dad…”

Xia Yun asked urgently, “Lihui… how did it go? Did you get them to drop the lawsuit?”

Xia Yun and Zhou JiaHui didn’t know Zhou Lihui had gone to see Qin Yuan. They both thought that with the Zhou family’s ability, he could surely get the lawsuit dropped. Zhou Lihui looked at Zhou JiaHui. “Dad will hire a lawyer for you.”

Mother and daughter were stunned simultaneously.

Xia Yun shook his arm, her voice shrill. “What did you say? Hire a lawyer? Why hire a lawyer? Can’t the lawsuit just be dropped? If she really goes to court, what will happen to JiaHui in the future? How will she marry into a good family!”

Zhou Lihui flung her hand away, venting all his pent-up anger. “Do you think I want to go to court? Now it’s the Qin family, Shiguang Media, and Qin Yuan suing jointly. So what if the Zhou family has money? Can I clash head-on with them? Even if I do, do you think I can beat them? Besides, Yining is also my daughter. She rarely even comes home these years, and Huihui provoked her on her own. How much damage did those online exposures cause her? Xia Yun, you have a huge responsibility for Huihui becoming like this, and so do I.”

Xia Yun’s face turned deathly pale as she trembled. “What do you mean… Are you saying this lawsuit must be fought?”

Zhou Lihui said wearily, “I will hire the best lawyer.”

Zhou JiaHui cried instantly. “Dad, I don’t want to go to court…”

Zhou Lihui scolded, “What are you crying for! If you didn’t want to go to court, why did you do it in the first place?”

Zhou JiaHui sobbed. “I… I was just angry and wanted to teach her a lesson…”

Zhou Lihui looked at Zhou JiaHui. Qin Yuan’s words instantly drifted into his ears: “If you want to blame someone, blame Xia Yun for giving you a brainless daughter.”

A life of absurdity, reaping what he sowed.

…

The heat of this matter continued on Weibo. Photos and videos of photographer Joey attending events were dug up by netizens.

After that photo won the award back then, Joey was unwilling to mention the little girl in the photo much. It wasn’t until an interview eight years ago that she finally relented: “Everyone, please stop asking. The little girl in the photo is my daughter.”

As for what mood Joey was in when she took the photo, or what caused her daughter’s sorrow, Joey never mentioned a word.

Zhou Yining finished reading the news and comments on Weibo, closed the app, and handed the phone to Zhang Ran.

That photo was taken by Qin Yuan when Zhou Yining was seven. Qin Yuan wanted to take her away, apologizing to her and saying she would take good care of her in the future, giving her a better life than staying with Zhou Lihui.

What was Zhou Yining’s mood at that time? Her whole world was overturned.

Xia Yun, whom she had called Mom for years, wasn’t her mother. Now this beautiful stranger said she wanted to take her away. Children unloved always matured earlier; she understood Qin Yuan’s words but pretended not to.

No matter how bad Xia Yun treated her in the Zhou family, or how biased her father was, what could a seven-year-old child do?

She cried heartbreakingly. Qin Yuan tried to hug her, eyes red, saying, “Come with Mom, okay?”

The next second, Zhou Yining pushed her away. All the fear, sorrow, and grievance exploded in an instant.

She used all her strength to push Qin Yuan away, crying and shouting at her, “You’re not my mom! I won’t go with you!”

Then, she ran forward desperately as if fleeing a beast, not caring even when her shoes fell off.

Such a small person, yet with such a sorrowful back view. Qin Yuan had never felt like this before; even giving birth to Zhou Yining hadn’t hurt this much. The pain of separation numbed her. Standing in place, she instinctively raised the camera hanging around her neck and captured that scene.

Someone once asked Joey which photo she was most satisfied with.

Joey said, “The sorrowful back view of a little girl.”

Because that photo pierced the heart the most.

…

After resting for a day, she returned to the set to film the final scenes of The Heart Knot.

Colleagues on the set had all seen the Weibo discussions over the past two days, but no one mentioned it in front of her. Zhou Yining acted as if nothing had happened, interacting calmly with everyone. Wei Zhong looked at her a few times and smiled. “Go put on makeup. Get ready to work.”

Zhou Yining smiled. “Okay, thanks Director.”

When she finished makeup and was waiting on the side, Ji Dongyang arrived. He glanced at her and turned back to the rest room.

After Zhou Yining finished a scene with Lu Ling, Ji Dongyang was already waiting on the side. Zhou Yining subconsciously looked for him. Their eyes met, and his eyes held a smile. Zhou Yining’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. Before, it always felt like there were two layers of gauze between them—hazy and blurred, loving each other but not seeing clearly.

Now that a layer was torn away, she stood before him in her truest form.

No need to be perplexed by the past, no need to be lost about the future.

She was certain that in this world, no one was better than him.

…

Filming the last intimate scene at night. With previous experience, Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining filmed relatively smoothly. Just like last time, Ji Dongyang broke his rule and smoked a cigarette after the bed scene. Zhou Yining, lips red and face flushed, rubbed her face and exhaled, walking out of the room to look at A Ming. “A Ming, brew him a cup of coffee.”

A Ming muttered a complaint, “Dong-ge’s self-control is getting worse and worse. He was never like this filming before!”

Zhou Yining raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that quite normal?”

A Ming: “…”

Indeed normal. Meeting the little witch makes it abnormal.

It was already 1 AM when they wrapped up. Ji Dongyang waited in the rest room for two minutes before Zhou Yining came over.

Ji Dongyang picked up his car keys. “I’ll drive you back.”

Zhou Yining grabbed his hand, resting her head on his chest. “No need. Zhang Ran will take me.”

The next second, she lifted her exquisite face, squinting with a smile. “Or did you want to stay the night?”

Her hand moved down, touching his body through his suit pants.

“Held it in just now?”

“…”

Ji Dongyang grabbed her hand directly. Her hand was very small and soft; he could hold it entirely in his palm by tightening his fingers. He said in a deep voice, “Stop fooling around. You really don’t need me to drive you?”

Zhou Yining stopped smiling. “No need. There are still reporters at the complex gate. You go back and sleep early.”

He definitely hadn’t rested well these past two days.

Standing on tiptoes, she kissed his lips and looked into his eyes. “I’m going.”

Ji Dongyang bowed lower, hugged her tight, turned his face, and kissed her lips lightly.

…

In the past few days, production teams constantly contacted Wan Wei wanting Zhou Yining to appear on shows, even hoping Joey could appear together. The pay offered was very high. Wan Wei certainly couldn’t decide for Joey. She was also very clear about what the shows wanted to dig up by inviting Zhou Yining. On this point, Wan Wei respected Zhou Yining’s choice.

Zhou Yining said, “I don’t want to go on those kinds of shows.”

Wan Wei: “I respect your decision. However, you are an artist. You have to participate in The Heart Knot movie promotions and brand endorsement events. You can’t stop the mouths of reporters and hosts. Just giving you a heads-up.”

Zhou Yining was silent for a few seconds. “I’m mentally prepared for that.”

“That’s good. The Heart Knot wraps tomorrow. I’ll go over.”

“Okay.”

Hanging up the phone, Zhou Yining looked at Ji Dongyang behind her and exhaled somewhat helplessly. “Ji Dongyang, I seem to be famous before the movie even airs.”

Ji Dongyang put down the script. “That day would come eventually.”

Zhou Yining raised an eyebrow. “You believe in me that much? Speaking of which, when we were filming Taiping Dynasty, you found me very unpleasing to the eye and even scolded me.”

Bringing up old scores? Ji Dongyang looked up at her. “You were indeed very unprofessional back then.”

Zhou Yining was powerless to refute: “…”

She leaned over. “After the movie wraps, we probably won’t be able to see each other often like now, right? Wan Wei is looking for new scripts for me.”

It was impossible for them to always have the luck to stay in the same crew.

Ji Dongyang looked at her. Zhou Yining thought for a moment and added, “But there probably aren’t suitable scripts yet, and there’s the movie promotion period. What about you? There must be many scripts looking for you.”

“Quite a few.” Ji Dongyang pressed his lips together. “But I’ll rest for a while in the coming months.”

Zhou Yining looked at him in surprise. “Rest for how long?”

Ji Dongyang smiled. “Not sure.”

Zhou Yining bit her lip, then said after a few seconds, “My mom wants me to go back to the UK for a while.”

Ji Dongyang thought for a moment and said, “Back to the UK for treatment?”

Zhou Yining’s episode last time had left him with lingering fears. Qin Yuan had said she wanted to take her back to the UK. Although her mood had been stable these few days, the fact that she did have an episode couldn’t be ignored.

Zhou Yining nodded. “Mm.”

Ji Dongyang thought about it, rubbed her hair, and said, “Okay.”

On March 26th, The Heart Knot officially wrapped.

The crew held a celebration banquet at the hotel. Shen Yanjun and Lu Xiao came too. Shen Yanjun looked at Zhou Yining, who was wearing an off-shoulder cocktail dress, and walked over. Seeing him approach, Zhou Yining smiled at him.

Shen Yanjun looked down at her. “When are you going back to B City?”

Zhou Yining said, “Tomorrow.”

After the incident, Shen Yanjun had visited the set to see her. Zhou Yining didn’t know about this; Shen Yanjun mostly just looked at her for a while and left.

Shen Yanjun smiled. “Treat me to a meal next time I come over on a business trip.”

Zhou Yining nodded. “No problem.”

Their relationship could ultimately only return to the starting point—childhood friends meeting occasionally for a meal.

Drinking was unavoidable at the celebration banquet. Lu Xiao was cheerful and generous, drinking straightforwardly. He looked at Ji Dongyang and Zhou Yining standing together and laughed. “Miss Zhou, have a drink with me?”

Without a word, Zhou Yining raised her glass and downed it.

Lu Xiao was stunned and glanced at Ji Dongyang. Ji Dongyang looked indifferent, glancing down at Zhou Yining. Zhou Yining quickly said, “I can hold my liquor pretty well, you know that.”

Lu Xiao continued to laugh. “Indeed, pretty good.”

Wei Zhong walked over and greeted Lu Xiao. Lu Xiao said, “Director Wei has worked hard these past two months.”

Wei Zhong smiled. “Everyone worked hard.”

Wei Zhong looked at Zhou Yining. “Our female lead worked the hardest this time.”

This role was a huge challenge for Zhou Yining; the psychological pressure was much greater than for ordinary people. If the female lead weren’t her, this movie wouldn’t be so successful.

Zhou Yining knew the director’s meaning and smiled with pursed lips. “Thank you for the praise, Director.”

Wei Zhong smiled. “Look forward to working together next time.”

For a famous director to say this was undoubtedly the greatest recognition. Zhou Yining raised her glass. “Okay, I toast to the Director.”

After the celebration ended, Zhou Yining got into the nanny van. Now media reporters recognized her car; as soon as she left the hotel, two cars followed immediately. Zhang Ran was less experienced than A Ming, but lately, paparazzi followed everywhere. She said, “Now the paparazzi are all staring at you, not even staring at Dong-ge anymore.”

Zhou Yining glanced at the rearview mirror. A black SUV overtook them. She recognized it as the second-hand car Ji Dongyang asked Lu Xiao to get. She smiled silently. “Ignore them. They can’t get into the complex.”

Waiting in the underground parking lot for a while, the black SUV drove in and parked next to her.

Zhou Yining said to Zhang Ran, “Check if there’s anyone.”

Zhang Ran hurriedly opened the door and got out to check. After a while, she climbed back into the car. Before she could speak, Ji Dongyang had already opened his door and got out.

Zhou Yining glanced at him. “Forget it. You go back first. Come pick me up tomorrow morning.”

Zhang Ran nodded. “Okay.”

Zhou Yining shouldered her bag and got out, walking to Ji Dongyang’s side and linking her arm with his. “Did you block the paparazzi?”

Ji Dongyang said indifferently, “Mm.”

Zhou Yining rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you afraid of being recognized?”

Ji Dongyang put his arm around her soft, slender waist and walked toward the elevator. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”

Zhou Yining looked around. “Better be careful. My matter just exploded. If our romance is exposed later, fans will think our crew has too many publicity stunts.”

Ji Dongyang reached out and turned her face straight. “No one’s here. No need to look.”

“…Oh.”

As soon as they entered the elevator, Zhou Yining clung to him completely, her face flushed, even her breath smelling of alcohol.

“Ji Dongyang, will you come to see me if I go to the UK?”

“I will.”

Ding—

Ji Dongyang held her waist, lifting her out of the elevator. Zhou Yining said, “That’s good then.”

Ji Dongyang curled his lips slightly and raised his eyes. The next second, his smile vanished. He stopped in his tracks, looking at Zhou JiaHui and Xia Yun standing at the door.

Zhou Yining looked up in confusion, following his gaze. She straightened up quickly and said coldly, “What are you doing here?”

Xia Yun forced a smile at her and pulled Zhou JiaHui. Zhou JiaHui looked at her awkwardly. “Sister.”

Zhou Yining frowned. “Don’t call me sister. Disgusting.”

Xia Yun and Zhou JiaHui’s faces changed abruptly. Zhou Yining said coldly, “I know what you came for. But I won’t interfere with what my mom decided to do. Even if she didn’t do this, I would.”

Ji Dongyang glanced at them, put his arm around Zhou Yining, and walked to the door, fishing the key out of her bag to open it.

Acting as if they didn’t exist from start to finish.

Zhou JiaHui bit her lip and grabbed Zhou Yining’s hand from behind. “Sister, I don’t want to go to court. Talk to your mom; she’ll definitely listen to you. I’ll do anything as long as the lawsuit is dropped…”

Zhou Yining shook off her hand. “Stay away from me.”

With that, she stepped into her home.

Zhou JiaHui wanted to follow in. Ji Dongyang raised his hand, bracing it against the doorframe to block her, looking down at her coldly.

Zhou JiaHui froze in place, calling out stammeringly, “Dong-ge…”

Ji Dongyang lowered his hand and was about to close the door. Zhou JiaHui panicked and blurted out, “If you don’t drop the lawsuit, I’ll expose your relationship with Dong-ge!”

Ji Dongyang held the door, looking at her indifferently. “Please do.”

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