The film and television city starts from the courtyard

Xiao Qianxi told her assistant to go and rest first, while she closed the door to the practice room and called Zhao Shucheng.

Zhao Shucheng received a call, pulled over to the side of the road, and answered, "Qianxi."

"Qin Chuan, you came to the company today?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Yes, but unfortunately, neither you nor President Chen are here, so we had to come back first."

"My schedule is very full, and I'm often not at the office. It'll be more convenient for you to call me next time."

Zhao Shucheng said with a smile, "Only a surprise attack works. As your rumored boyfriend, if I don't show up for a long time, President Chen will get suspicious. But I heard from Xiaochuan that you've been so busy lately that you look haggard?"

"It's all just work, nothing's tiring or not."

Zhao Shucheng said, "Qianxi, you can never earn enough money, but your health is the most important thing. Don't rush things, or you might end up earning money but not being able to enjoy it."

"I know my limits. You didn't come here just for this, did you?"

"Of course not. The endorsement we discussed is almost ready. President Chen has already spoken to you. You can start filming the promotional video in a couple of days."

Xiao Qianxi was immediately excited when she heard this, because although she earned a lot of money from commercial performances and business trips, it was not as much as the one-time payment from an endorsement.

"Okay, I will prepare well and I definitely won't let you down."

"That's good. By the way, let's have a meal together then, as a way to give outsiders a little treat."

"I see."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Shucheng smiled and drove straight back to the company.

A few days later, Zhao Shucheng was in the studio watching Xiao Qianxi shoot an advertisement when he suddenly received a call from Wang Ying's mother. After hearing the content of the call, he hung up the phone with a heavy heart.

"Qianxi, something suddenly came up, so we can't have dinner together. Let's make plans again when I'm done."

Qianxi asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, you can continue filming. I'll be going now!"

Zhao Shucheng then hurriedly left, leaving everyone wondering what had happened.

Zhao Shucheng drove directly to the airport, bought the earliest flight, and flew directly to England.

More than ten hours later, when Wang Ying came out of the library, she saw Zhao Shucheng standing outside the library.

"Qin Chuan, what brings you here?" Wang Ying looked at Zhao Shucheng with some surprise and asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Aren't you busy at the company?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "You know I'm just a hands-off manager. Once the company is on track, everyone else helps with management and operations, and we just follow the steps."

Wang Ying noticed that Zhao Shucheng's face was expressionless and sensed something was wrong. She asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Shucheng pulled Wang Ying aside and said, "Yingying, Uncle Wang has passed away."

Wang Ying suddenly looked up at Zhao Shucheng, staring at him in disbelief: "What?"

"Your father suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage when he woke up this morning. Although a rescue operation was organized on-site, but..."

Wang Ying's body went limp, her hands and feet turned icy cold, and her breathing became heavy. She asked, "Really?"

“My aunt called me and said she was worried about affecting you, so she wanted me to persuade you to stay and continue your studies. But I think you should know that you should go back and see him one last time. The organization is very considerate and respectful of the family. However, my aunt's idea is to keep everything simple and have the cremation tomorrow. So we're going to fly back right away to see Uncle one last time.”

When Wang Ying heard Zhao Shucheng say that the cremation would take place tomorrow, she immediately grabbed Zhao Shucheng's hand tightly and said, "Okay, let's go back right away!"

"Uncle Wang was only held jointly responsible this time. Now that he's gone, there will naturally be no further investigation or involvement of anyone else."

Wang Ying said, "So my mother really kept everything very simple, without even a memorial service?"

"That's what your aunt meant, but I think you should have a good talk with her when you get back."

"Well, I see!"

They went straight to the airport. While boarding, Wang Ying was somewhat absent-minded and didn't sleep well the whole way. After suddenly waking up, she just silently looked at the blue sky and white clouds outside the plane window.

Zhao Shucheng knew that Wang Ying must be feeling very upset at this moment, but he didn't say anything. He just stayed with her silently and let her calm down.

When Wang Ying's mother saw Wang Ying suddenly appear in front of her, tears streamed down her face.

"Didn't I tell you to study abroad properly? What are you doing back here?"

“My dad is in this state, as his daughter, can’t I even come back to see him?”

"What good will it do you to come back? Actually, your dad is doing quite well now. You could say it's the best outcome. After all, compared to him standing in the dock, with the whole family living in fear and trembling, this is much cleaner and more efficient."

Wang Ying didn't expect her father to say that, but seeing her heartbroken mother, she knew that she wasn't truly indifferent.

After handling the funeral arrangements for Wang Ying's father, Zhao Shucheng and Wang Ying first took her mother home before returning to Zhao Shucheng's apartment.

Seeing Wang Ying's somewhat lost expression, Zhao Shucheng could only say, "Alright, Yingying, I know you're upset, but Uncle Wang certainly wouldn't want you to be like this. You have to be strong. Although Uncle is gone, Auntie is still here. Even for Auntie's sake, you have to be strong."

"Besides, you're not without confidence. No matter what happens, I'll always stand by your side."

Wang Ying leaned against Zhao Shucheng's chest, pressed tightly against his chest, and burst into tears.

Zhao Shucheng simply patted Wang Ying on the shoulder and said, "Cry, cry, let it all out. Tomorrow you'll be that intelligent and wise young lady again."

The next day.

Wang Ying received a call from Xu Lin, who also knew about Wang Yin's father's situation and was genuinely worried that Wang Ying might do something rash.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. This is the best outcome. I don't believe in fate, but I do believe in cause and effect." Wang Ying looked at the people coming and going outside the window and said, "When I was little, my dad taught me, 'Don't reach out, or you'll get caught.' He got caught, then he was trapped and died, reaping what he sowed."

"Then what are you going to do next?"

"Go back to school, then find a job to support my mom."

"And what about you and Qin Chuan?"

"Still the same, what's wrong?"

"When I heard you say you were looking for a job to support your aunt, I thought you two... I was just overthinking it. Qin Chuan likes you so much, how could he break up with you because of your uncle? But Qin Chuan is so rich, why are you still working to support the family?"

“I don’t want to be a parasitic vine. Women should have their own careers. Besides, she’s my mother, so I should support her instead of relying on Zhao Shucheng’s support.”

"Wang Ying, are you really alright?"

"Of course it's fine, but after I graduate, I'll probably marry Qin Chuan first, and then look for a job. You can all be my bridesmaids then."

"Okay, we'll definitely come."

Zhao Shucheng knew that Wang Ying needed time to heal her wounds, and he believed that Wang Ying would definitely be able to get over it soon. So for the next few days, he went home to accompany her in the evenings as usual, and went out to work as usual during the day.

Wang Ying didn't think there was anything wrong with Zhao Shucheng's actions. In fact, she felt that Zhao Shucheng had given her ample privacy, allowing her to confront her vulnerability and process her emotions.

A week later, Wang Ying finally emerged from her grief. After experiencing this family tragedy, she had matured a lot. She realized that she carried not only her father's expectations, but also her mother's, and even her own dreams.

"Qin Chuan, I'll go back to class tomorrow."

"Really, you're ready?"

"Of course, and also, thank you for your understanding these past few days."

"You're my fiancée, so of course I have to take care of you. By the way, would you like me to take you to school?"

Wang Ying shook her head and said, "No need. You've already neglected a lot of your work because of me. Although you haven't said it, I can tell you've been very busy. Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself and won't make you worry. After all, I also have to take care of my mother."

"Okay, you've grown up and know what you want and what you need to do. But remember one thing: I will always be your strongest support. No matter what happens, I'll be there to back you up."

"I see!"

Zhao Shucheng's busy schedule was genuine. It was already the second half of 2007, and the signs of a global financial crisis were already emerging. Naturally, Zhao Shucheng wouldn't miss such a good opportunity.

Moreover, the new product developed by Zhao Shucheng's company has reached its most critical stage, so he naturally has to personally oversee it.

With Wang Ying gone, Zhao Shucheng's life returned to normal. He was constantly in meetings and frequently had to go to the research lab to assist with product research, explain his ideas, and enable employees to monetize the products according to their own ideas, or use them as the company's technological reserves, so that the company could always stay ahead of its competitors.

That day, Zhao Shucheng suddenly received a call from Yang Cheng, which surprised him somewhat, since the two of them had no interaction other than Wang Ying and Xie Qiao.

Especially since Xie Qiao broke up with him, the two had very little contact. The fact that she suddenly called him, and that she was also in England and even at the same university as Wang Ying, made Zhao Shucheng feel a little worried.

"Yang Cheng, why are you calling me all of a sudden? Did something happen to Wang Ying?"

“Wang Ying is fine, she’s doing well. But she’s looking for a part-time job recently, so I want to ask, what’s the situation between you and her? If you broke up with Wang Ying because of Uncle Wang’s matter, and she’s working because she has no income, I look down on you.”

Zhao Shucheng looked at the phone with amusement and said, "Yang Cheng, what nonsense are you talking about? We're doing fine, and I even gave Wang Ying a foreign bank card, and I transfer money to her on time every month. I would never let Wang Ying suffer."

"Then why did she suddenly go to work? Do you know that she's been working very late every day lately, and she's exhausted?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "I really don't know what you're talking about. I've been busy with company matters lately, and when I video chatted with her, Wang Ying acted normally. But I understand what you're saying, and I'll go see her and ask her what she thinks. If she just wants to gain experience, then I think there's no problem. But if it's for making money, I'll try to persuade her against it."

"Okay, I was just asking."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Shucheng frowned. Wang Ying suddenly went to work, even though he was sending her living expenses every month. Could it be that her mother was facing some difficulties?

Zhao Shucheng didn't think much of it and drove directly to the house where Wang Ying's mother lived, where he saw her cleaning the room alone.

"Aunt!"

"Xiao Qin is here. Please have a seat. I'm just tidying up the room since I have nothing else to do."

"Auntie, are you doing alright here? It's my fault for being so busy lately and not being able to visit you often."

“I’m doing very well. I have enough to eat and wear, and I don’t have any of the worries I used to have. You’re busy with your company, so just focus on your own business and don’t worry about me.”

Zhao Shucheng nodded, seeing that everything was indeed normal on her end, and said, "That's good. By the way, Auntie, I forgot to mention this. This is a gift from Yingying and me. If you want to eat or buy anything, just use this card."

"Xiao Qin, what do you mean by this?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Auntie, please don't worry about it. I was just thinking that you might not like the furniture here, but I don't know your preferences, so I figured I'd pay for it and you can get what you need yourself. Besides, Wang Ying is a clean freak, so her room will definitely need new sheets and blankets, and we might as well replace the furniture with new ones too."

"She's still studying abroad and can't come back to arrange things herself. My company's research and development is at a critical stage, so I don't have time to do it either. That's why I can only trouble you, Auntie, to do these things. But when Yingying comes back for winter break, she definitely hopes to stay with you."

Wang Ying's mother didn't quite believe Zhao Shucheng's words, knowing he was worried about her lack of income and financial hardship. She initially didn't want to accept the money, but considering Zhao Shucheng was her future son-in-law and he had already said so much, she had no choice but to accept it.

She had originally planned that if Zhao Shucheng didn't give her much, she would use her savings to buy new furniture for Wang Ying. However, after seeing the balance in her bank account, she suddenly realized that she might have been overthinking things.

When Zhao Shucheng returned home, he video-chatted with Wang Ying and mentioned that Yang Cheng had told him about Wang Ying's part-time job.

“Yingying, you don’t really need to work so hard. You know I don’t need money. Your studies are the most important thing right now.”

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. My schoolwork is almost finished, and I just want to put my skills to the test. Besides..."

Wang Ying also had another suspicion: although Zhao Shucheng treated her very well and gave her living expenses, she didn't want to be a dependent. Besides, Zhao Shucheng was so outstanding now, and given her family's situation, she didn't want others to think she wasn't good enough for him. Therefore, she needed to be even more outstanding and not rely on Zhao Shucheng for everything.

Seeing that Wang Ying, though somewhat tired, seemed to be in much better spirits than before, Zhao Shucheng didn't continue to stop her from working. He simply told her to take care of her health and not overwork herself. (End of Chapter)