I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Fang Yutong was completely speechless. Her nails dug deep into her palms, and her eyes glared at Shu Zi as if they were spitting fire. There was not a trace of the gentleness and consideration she had shown just moments before.

Her so-called reconciliation with Yu Shize was just a tacit publicity stunt by both teams to boost the show's popularity; their relationship in private was awkward and complicated.

Shu Zi's words not only exposed her acting but also served as a veiled warning.

Shu Zi, however, seemed oblivious to her anger. Instead, she smiled at her with her eyes crinkling, revealing an extremely bright yet clearly malicious smile:

"Oh dear! Ms. Fang, you look even worse than me! Don't get sick from getting angry. We still have a shoot later, so I'm going to eat first. You... can you take your time touching up your makeup?"

After saying that, she didn't even glance at Fang Yutong's colorful expression. She tossed her hair, turned around, and walked straight towards the elevator with an air of indifference.

His back view was incredibly dashing and elegant.

Cool!

I've been holding my breath all morning, and I've finally let out half of it!

The remaining half... has nowhere to be disposed of yet.

Never mind, let's eat first. Sweet and sour pork ribs and strawberries are waiting for her.

The elevator doors closed, cutting off Fang Yutong's gaze from behind, a gaze that seemed to burn through her very back.

At the front desk, Shu Zi received the conspicuous insulated food container.

Upon opening it, I found sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried vegetables, and rice. In the small compartment next to it were clean, stemmed strawberries.

It has a wonderful aroma and looks delicious.

She subconsciously swallowed, the pleasure she felt from arguing with Fang Yutong and the annoyance she felt because of Gu Yan intertwined, and in the end, all of it turned into anticipation for the food.

Who cares, let's eat first!

Carrying the food box, she didn't go to the noisy public rest area or back to the practice room, but instead turned right onto the rooftop terrace.

This place is usually quiet and has a good view, so it's not frequented by many people. It's her usual spot for secretly having an "extra meal".

I had just sat down on the bench when my phone rang.

It was Gu Yan calling.

Shu Zi stared at the names flashing on the screen, a piece of pork rib still dangling from her mouth, and mumbled a "feeding" sound.

"Did you get the food?" Gu Yan's deep, steady voice came from the quiet background.

"Mmm, I'm eating." Shu Zi deliberately made loud chewing noises to indicate that she was "very busy."

"Are the strawberries sweet?"

Shu Zi pinched a strawberry and popped it into her mouth. The sweet juice instantly spread, making her unconsciously squint her eyes, but she remained defiant:

"...It's alright, a bit sour."

She thought she heard a barely audible chuckle from the other end of the phone, so fast that she thought it was her imagination.

"Did Fang Yutong contact you?" Gu Yan suddenly asked, abruptly changing the subject.

Shu Zi swallowed the strawberry and perked up: "How did you know? Did Wu Qiwei snitch on me?"

Then she realized something was wrong. "Wait a minute, he wasn't there just now... Did you plant a surveillance camera on me?"

"I guessed," Gu Yan said calmly. "What did she say?"

At this point, Shu Zi got really excited.

She embellished and vividly described the entire exchange in the corridor, emphasizing how she had completely overwhelmed the other party and left them speechless.

His tone was incredibly smug.

"Hmph, she's still too green to play these tricks on me!" Shu Zi concluded, taking another bite of the rib.

Gu Yan listened quietly until her smugness subsided before slowly speaking, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion:

"Yeah, that was a good rebuttal."

Shu Zi: "..."

That's it? Nothing more? Shouldn't we praise her quick wit, sharp tongue, and commanding presence?

"However," Gu Yan paused, his tone becoming more serious, "stay away from her next time, don't waste so much breath arguing with her."

Shu Zi was stunned for a moment.

Gu Yan spoke calmly, yet his words carried an undisguised disgust and coldness.

Did he find out something?

"I'm not afraid of her at all..." Shu Zi muttered softly.

"I know you're not afraid."

Gu Yan's voice softened for a moment, "But there's no need. Some people aren't worth wasting your emotions on. Leave it to me."

Shu Zi nodded. "Alright, it'll either be Gu Yan or my dad, it's all the same."

"I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm eating! Bye!"

"Where are you going tonight?" Gu Yan asked before hanging up.

Shu Zi paused, remembering Lin Xueting's worried tone on the phone, and said, "Going home! My mom's back! I'm staying home tonight!"

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Okay, be careful on the road."

"……knew!"

This time, she really hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Shu Zi looked at the delicious-looking food in the lunchbox, but suddenly felt that her appetite was not as good as before.

Gu Yan's words, "Leave it to me," suddenly popped into my head. What was he going to handle? How was he going to handle it? What had Fang Yutong done?

She thought for a while longer, then exclaimed, "Oh dear, my head hurts!"

She shook her head, dismissing those chaotic guesses.

Who cares? If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. She should just enjoy her lunch for now.

After finishing her meal, she spent some time sunbathing on the rooftop, watching the tiny cars and people below, and her mood gradually calmed down.

She didn't have any plans for the afternoon. She originally wanted to go to the practice room, but thinking that she might run into Fang Yutong again, she decided to leave.

Out of sight, out of mind.

She sent a message to Sister Wen to let her know, then took the empty food box and went downstairs.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, my phone rang. It was my family driver, Uncle Liu.

"Young Miss, Madam is waiting for you at home. She sent me to pick you up." Uncle Liu's voice was as respectful and steady as ever.

Shu Zi was stunned for a moment, then she understood.

Yes, given her mother's personality, how could she possibly stay in another city with peace of mind after such a big incident last night?

I'm afraid they saw the news last night and immediately applied for a flight route to fly back.

"Understood, Uncle Liu, I'll be right out."

……

The Shu family.

As the car slowly drove into the tree-lined avenue, Shu Zi could see a slender figure standing under the porch of the main building from afar.

Lin Xueting wore a light apricot-colored silk dress, and the afternoon sunlight filtered through the pillars, casting dappled shadows on her.

She was frowning slightly, looking in the direction of the intersection, holding her phone, clearly waiting for a message.

The car had just come to a stop, and before Shu Zi could even open the door, Lin Xueting had already strode over.

"Mother!"

As soon as Shu Zi got out of the car, Lin Xueting pulled her into a tight embrace.

Lin Xueting held on tightly, her hands trembling slightly, her voice hoarse from a sleepless night, filled with lingering fear and the fatigue of a long flight:

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... You scared your mother to death..."

"Mom..." Shu Zi was a little breathless from being hugged so tightly.

Lin Xueting released her grip, then cupped Shu Zi's face in her hands to examine her closely. "Are you hurt? Is anything bothering you? Let Mom take a good look..."

Shu Zi's nose tingled, but she smiled at Lin Xueting and said, "Mommy, I'm fine, don't worry~"

"How could I not be worried! I was terrified when I saw the news! I immediately had them apply for a flight route, and they flew back that very night!"

"No matter how reassuring Ayan sounds on the phone, I won't feel at ease until I see you with my own eyes!"

She held Shuzi's hand and walked into the house while chattering rapidly:

"I had Uncle Chen prepare the ingredients for the calming soup on the way here, and I started stewing it as soon as I got off the plane. You're a brave kid, but that kind of thing..."

"Just thinking about Mom makes my heart race! Is anything bothering you? Did you sleep last night? Were you frightened?"

Shu Zi followed Lin Xueting through the entrance hall and answered her questions one by one:

"She's asleep. She's with Gu Yan, so she's safe. She wasn't scared, just a little nauseous, but she's much better now."