Having offended Yang Tianzhen now, even if Yu Hao had a million tongues, he wouldn’t be able to clarify, and it’s likely that Shuyuan now also bears a grudge against Yang Tianzhen, given her agitation.

Xiao Keyi furrowed her brows.

Although Yu Hao indeed is irritating, Yu Hao has always been under his father’s strict guidance and has never faltered.

But his current reaction is extremely abnormal.

Yu Hao glanced twice at Xiao Keyi, though he really liked her, currently he had to prioritize his hold on the company, so he could only suppress his feelings.

He tightly clenched his fists, telling himself that with further effort, he would surely surpass Xu Ke. Then, he could completely replace Xu Ke in Xiao Keyi’s mind. Moreover, he heard that the two had already quarreled, so there was a chance for him; he just had to wait for the right moment.

He quickened his steps to leave; staying any longer and he might become a laughingstock, which wasn’t the result he wanted.

"Yiyi, what on earth are you looking at? Come on, stop staring off into space. Is there some young gentleman who has captured your heart?"

Jiang Na casually reminded her, and the two finally sat down. Watching the slightly composed Shuyuan, they both felt heavy-hearted, wondering what caused such a big reaction from Shuyuan.

Shuyuan felt as if her heart had been fried in oil, with past memories haunting her like a bone-deep shame, constantly tormenting her and impossible to forget.

An assistant handed Shuyuan a glass of cold water, which she drank, feeling her mind clear a little.

She tidied her makeup and wiped the sweat off her forehead, feeling somewhat better, but the anxiety in her heart hadn’t ceased, and she was afraid of meeting that man again.

"Alright, Yuanyuan, don’t worry. I’ll always be by your side, no matter what happens, don’t be afraid. I will never leave you."

Her assistant finished speaking, wiped the water from Shuyuan’s lips, and she finally relaxed a lot.

This assistant had been with Shuyuan since her youth and knew her well, sympathizing with her greatly. Many outsiders assumed Shuyuan’s achievements were outstanding, but little did they know the hardships she’d endured. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The assistant had witnessed everything, which is why she took extra care of Shuyuan, even shielding her when others bullied her.

"Ms. Shuyuan, are you alright? Would you like me to arrange for a doctor? There’s one on my building’s top floor."

Xiao Keyi, still worried, asked kindly but Shuyuan shook her head and wiped dirt from her hands.

"No need, it’s an old ailment. It’s hard to cure, and I’m sorry I embarrassed you all today. Such a sight might shatter your perceptions of me." Shuyuan spoke with a bleak smile: "People think I’m a goddess untouched by the mundane, but really, I’m an ordinary person with feelings, making mistakes that caused my prolonged sickness."

In Xiao Keyi’s memory, Shuyuan was an extremely elegant woman, captivating on stage with endless fans; how could she be in her current state?

This completely contradicted Xiao Keyi’s memories, full of melancholy, as if she were enveloped in darkness.

"Goddess Shuyuan, it’s alright. My friend won’t mind, though she’s worried about you, hoping you understand. But your health might not have been good over these years. If possible, you should take care of it."

Jiang Na agreed with Xiao Keyi, she’d become friends with Shuyuan by chance, hence her concern.

"No problem, I know my body well. You’re young, work hard! By the way, is this your friend? She’s truly beautiful. If she were in the industry, she’d be immensely popular. Even the famous female stars might envy her. Thankfully, she’s not in entertainment."

Shuyuan spoke sincerely. After so long in showbiz, having met many domestic stars, she had never seen anyone as stunning as Xiao Keyi, even surpassing female stars.

Xiao Keyi blushed, the compliment from her idol was something she hadn’t received before despite her beauty.

"Well, I won’t enter the entertainment circle, just leave a path for the goddess."

Xiao Keyi joked, prompting huge laughter from Jiang Na and Shuyuan. Jiang Na couldn’t deny her friend’s natural beauty, though she shunned entertainment for inheritance, either choice leading to greatness.

Some are born at others’ finish lines.

Xu Ke’s business deals were almost complete, with the responsible people holding a good impression of him.

Especially Xingyu Group’s chairman, Yang Tian felt as if Xu Ke were his own son, seeing his daughter’s morose look, he brought her back to his side.

"Let me tell you, of all the young people I met today, I think the president of Xiao Group’s branch is truly exceptional. You should interact with him more, it’s beneficial for you. At your age, you should consider a partner, think about your future."

Hearing her father talk, senior Yang Tianzhen couldn’t concede.

Especially regarding her future, where Yang Tianzhen had firm views and looked down upon average individuals, finding her father’s concerns excessive.

"Dad, stop worrying about my affairs, I’m independent, I know who I want to marry. Stop forcing me or I’ll stop being polite."

Yang Tianzhen turned away pretending to be angry. Yang Tian saw his daughter wasn’t willing, and contrary to usual, he didn’t try to coax her but shook his head, feeling somewhat regretful.

If his daughter could be with Xu Ke it might truly work out, yet she had no feelings for him.

His daughter, accustomed to independence abroad, wouldn’t listen to him now, so it’s better not to intervene.

Yang Tianzhen constantly sought an independent career and scorned being manipulated like a puppet.