Chapter 17 : Letters and Crossroads

Meeting Shu Yun came a week later, but first, Shen Mengke met with Director Sunny.

The day after parting with Chen Yanxing, a new contract arrived.
Shen Mengke had laughed at the added clause: “Mutual consent required for intimacy.”
She was out of Jiangcheng then, so she set it aside.

Director Sunny lived in Mingcheng, not Jiangcheng.
After deciding to halt production, she returned there.
That same day, Shen Mengke left the hospital and went straight to the company to sign the variety show contract.
She moved like a puppet, doing whatever her boss demanded, not saying a word otherwise.
Fan Shi knew she was upset—not just upset, but resentful.
Resentful that no one consulted her, that her boss acted alone, even if he was her boss.

That night, Shen Mengke flew to Mingcheng, Fan Shi by her side.
“You’re limping all the way to Mingcheng?” Fan Shi asked.
“Sunny’s not going anywhere.
Why now?”
Shen Mengke lounged on the hotel sofa, cradling hot water Fan Shi poured, watching her unpack essentials.
“Don’t want to stay in Jiangcheng.”
Fan Shi glanced at her, teasing.
“Heartbroken?”
Shen Mengke clutched her chest dramatically.
“Yeah, heart’s stopped.”
Her beauty shone, especially with that exaggerated pout, eyes pleading—a disarming charm, like Xi Shi must’ve been to Dong Shi.
Fan Shi laughed.
“Enough.
That variety show’s a travel one.
You’re not really dating—think of it as a break.”
Shen Mengke smiled, silent.
A show swarmed with cameras, every move watched—hardly relaxing.

She stayed at the hotel a day, her ankle improving.
On the third day, Fan Shi took her to Sunny’s home.
Mingcheng’s villa district sprawled across a hillside.
The car paused at the entrance for the guard’s check before winding in.
Lush plane trees blocked most houses from view.
The homes looked alike, distinguished only by gate numbers and their owners.

The car stopped.
Fan Shi rang the bell while Shen Mengke eased out, her foot still tender, wincing as it touched the ground.
Fan Shi hurried back to help her.
As they reached the door, it opened.
Shen Mengke looked up, stunned.
“You…”
Jiang Ranran stood there, smiling.
“Teacher Shen, come in.”
Shen Mengke and Fan Shi exchanged surprised glances.
Maybe Jiang Ranran was here for Sunny too?
It was private business.
Shen Mengke nodded, limping in with Fan Shi’s support.
Jiang Ranran’s eyes flicked to her foot.
Closing the door, she asked, “What happened to your foot?”
“Just a sprain.”

Jiang Ranran signaled a servant for tea, ushering Shen Mengke to the sofa.
Once the tea was poured, she said, “Aunt Ruan’s been waiting for you, but she can’t meet you now.
She asked me to give you this.”
She slid an envelope across the coffee table.
Shen Mengke had noticed it upon entering—letters were rare now.
As it came fully into view, she saw her name written in bold, precise strokes: Shen Mengke.

The sharp, sword-like calligraphy made her hesitate to touch it.
She looked at Jiang Ranran.
“Aunt Ruan?”
Jiang Ranran smiled, nodding.
“My mom’s close with Aunt Ruan, so I call her that privately.”
Shen Mengke hadn’t imagined a connection between a scandal-tainted idol and an acclaimed director—worlds apart.
Curious but restrained, she nodded, asking, “Is something wrong with Sunny?
I have questions…”
“Aunt Ruan knows your questions,” Jiang Ranran cut in.
“But she can’t answer them.
The envelope has Director Chu Fu’s card and a recommendation letter.
She’s spoken to Chu Fu about you, seen your work.
Contact her, and there’ll be a role for you.”
She added, “Aunt Ruan said actors must know contentment.
At certain ages, with certain experiences, you can’t outshine everything.”

Shen Mengke paused, taking the envelope, then said, “I’ll be in Mingcheng a week.
If Sunny’s free to meet, please let me know.”
Jiang Ranran smiled.
“Of course.”

Clearly, Jiang Ranran wanted the meeting brief.
Shen Mengke took the envelope and left.
As their car vanished, Jiang Ranran closed the door, looking up to meet Ruan Xiangzhu’s gaze from the second floor.
Smiling, she climbed the stairs.
“Aunt Ruan, why’re you out?”
Ruan Xiangzhu didn’t look at her, eyes on the door.
“Nothing.
You should go.”
Jiang Ranran frowned, leaning on the railing.
“I’m not leaving.
Who’ll take care of you?”
“Lihua’s back.”
“Where?
I didn’t see her!” Jiang Ranran crossed her arms, defiant.
“You can’t kick me out.”
Ruan Xiangzhu sighed, glancing at her, then returned to her study.
Jiang Ranran glared at the closing door, stomping her foot before heading downstairs to plan lunch.

“You’re staying in Mingcheng a week?” Fan Shi asked in the car.
“Yeah.”
Shen Mengke stuffed the envelope in her bag, scrolling through Weibo comments, nonchalant.
“My contract’s almost up, right?”
Though a question, her tone held no doubt.
Fan Shi’s face fell.
“You…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll do the show.
But I’m not renewing.”
“Got a new agency?”
“No… I’m done.”

Silence filled the car.
Shen Mengke’s scrolling slowed, her eyes glazing over the screen’s text.
She could make money elsewhere—maybe join Jiang Zhixing’s music venture.
She couldn’t keep wasting away in this industry.