Chen Sichu couldn’t help but think back to when that TV drama’s ratings had exploded.
Back then, Sister Wen had probably—maybe, possibly—been just a little bit upset?
Chen Sichu really wanted to tell Li Yunshang that, but she simply couldn’t go against her conscience and say something so untrue.
Chen Sichu remembered very clearly: Lin Shuwen had been completely indifferent to the TV drama’s flopping ratings.
At the time, Sister Wen had still been riding the high of her sudden wealth, occasionally checking her bank balance and then curling up on the sofa in a silly daze.
As for the drama’s ratings tanking—maybe there was a bit of sadness there! But it was nowhere near the joy she felt from getting her pay.
“Chuchu, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Miss Li, I… I think it’s better if you ask Sister Wen about this yourself,” Chen Sichu said with a conflicted expression.
“That’s true. Then let’s head to the backstage!”
Backstage at that moment, Chen Junmiao was also questioning her life choices. She’d heard what “Lin Shuwen” had said during her performance, but she distinctly remembered Sister Wen not showing the slightest hint of sadness back then!
Could it be that Sister Wen had hidden all her feelings deep inside?
But Sister Wen didn’t seem like the type to bottle up her troubles, either…
Just as Chen Junmiao was wondering if she’d been too careless and overlooked Lin Shuwen’s feelings, Qin Qianyue walked over first. He patted Lin Shuwen on the shoulder and said, “Wenwen, a temporary setback doesn’t mean anything. You’ve got such a great image—you’ll definitely go far in acting.”
Luo Ming took a tissue and dabbed at the non-existent tears at the corner of his eyes, nodding emphatically. “Thank you for the encouragement, Brother Qin. I’ll work hard. Acting is my dream, and I absolutely won’t give up. If you ever have the chance in the future, Brother Qin, please do give me a leg up.”
“Of course! Wenwen, you really did me a solid today by performing a new song from your album at my venue. This time, I owe you one. I’ll handle Sister Shan on your end—I won’t let her give you any grief.”
Luo Ming’s lips curled up slightly at that. Perfect—maximum profit, minimum hassle.
And this very scene happened to be witnessed by Chen Sichu and Li Yunshang, who had just arrived backstage.
Chen Sichu was stunned. “Sister Wen actually cried! So it really was me being too oblivious? I never realized Sister Wen cared so much about TV ratings.”
Li Yunshang, on the other hand, felt a pang of heartache. In her impression, “Lin Shuwen” was supposed to be a confident, radiant, and talented girl. For someone so wonderful to actually shed tears—the entertainment industry was just awful!
If Li Yunshang had a Sharingan, her hatred for the industry in that moment would’ve been enough to awaken her Mangekyo.
She wanted to create a world where Lin Shuwen could be happy every single day.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have a Sharingan, so all she could do was walk over and pull the beauty into a comforting hug.
Luo Ming: “???”
What just happened? Why did Li Yunshang suddenly hug him?
” Sis, are we too oblivious?” Chen Sichu walked up to Chen Junmiao and asked.
Chen Junmiao nodded with a complicated expression. “Before this, Sister Wen was probably using her smile to hide her sadness—otherwise, she couldn’t have written a song like ‘Snail.’
In tough times, people’s thoughts tend to spark more brilliantly, and their emotions ring truer.
Just now, when Sister Wen sang that song, she poured real feeling into it—you could hear the bitterness of being in adversity, and the fierce determination to claw her way up.”
“Sis, I need to apologize to Sister Wen. I didn’t know any better before, and I’d tease her about being a ‘ratings killer’ all the time. Sister Wen would just laugh it off, but now that I think about it, she must’ve been hurting inside.”
“Yeah, I should apologize too. I didn’t stop you, and I even kind of enjoyed watching the drama…”
“Ahem! Miaomiao, Chuchu, time to go!” Luo Ming cut off Chen Junmiao’s words.
“Sister Wen, are we heading straight home?” Chen Sichu asked.
“Not yet. It’s already 5:30—about time for dinner. Perfect timing to welcome Yunshang.”
At 6:30 in the evening, the minivan pulled up at the same private-kitchen restaurant where Sister Shan had treated them last time.
Luo Ming grabbed the menu and quickly scanned the first half. Everything looked pretty normal. Southern-style portions tend to be small, so four people would probably need about ten dishes to feel full, which came to around 1,000 yuan.
But the second half of the menu was where things got suspicious: Garlic Cabbage for 488, Sizzling Scallion Pork Belly for 588, Signature Crispy Duck for 588, Special Sweet-and-Sour Pork Tenderloin for 688, and Vinegar-Braised Wild Boar Tenderloin for 888.
Luo Ming couldn’t help but frown.
He didn’t think he could afford these dishes!
Just then, Chen Sichu spoke up: “Sister Wen, don’t flip to the back. Sister Shan said those dishes are for scamming fools—anyone who orders them is the fool.”
“Exactly! Wenwen, there’s no need to order anything that expensive. I’m fine with something simple,” Li Yunshang chimed in.
Luo Ming seized the opportunity to back down gracefully. “Alright then! We’ll order from the front. Yunshang, you go first!”
Li Yunshang took the menu and ordered a plate of garlic-stir-fried lettuce—she knew Lin Shuwen was watching her figure.
The Chen sisters also tried to order mostly vegetables.
“Are we all rabbits at this table? Go ahead and order whatever you want—I’ll diet later, I promise!”
“You said it yourself, Sister Wen. I’m not forcing you!”
“Just order already!”
And so they did. The result? Luo Ming ate until he was stuffed.
After a satisfying meal, Chen Sichu dropped Luo Ming off at home, then drove Li Yunshang to the hotel she’d booked.
Li Yunshang had considered staying at Lin Shuwen’s place, but their relationship clearly wasn’t at that level yet. Knowing the right boundaries between friends was important.
“Chuchu, Wenwen’s going to Hangzhou for a business performance tomorrow?” Li Yunshang asked after getting out of the car.
“Yeah!”
“Could I tag along?”
“Probably! But no taking photos backstage or anything.”
“Don’t worry about that—I won’t do anything out of line.”
“Alright! I’ll come pick you up tomorrow. It’s on the way to Hangzhou anyway.”
“Thanks, Chuchu.”
“Of course! You’re Sister Wen’s friend, after all.” With that, Chen Sichu started the car and drove off.
Back at Luo Ming’s place, as soon as he walked through the door, he saw Sister Shan sitting on the sofa.
Luo Ming thought she’d come to ask about his new song—he’d already cooked up an excuse and was about to explain, but Sister Shan spoke first: “Wenwen, I’m sorry. I didn’t notice how you were feeling before.”
“Huh? My feelings?”
“Yeah. I thought you didn’t really care about those two dramas flopping. I had no idea you were silently carrying so much.
Back then, I even said you were obsessed with money, staring at your bank balance and smiling like an idiot. But now I realize—that was probably your way of coping with the pain, wasn’t it?
I thought I knew you well, but after hearing your song ‘Snail,’ I know now—I didn’t know you well enough!
Wenwen, if something’s bothering you, don’t bottle it up. You can talk to me. When I signed that contract with you, I said we’re not just agent and artist—we can be… uh, mother… I mean, sisters.”
