Chapter 19: Day Nineteen, No Thought

Lu Shuyan hung up the phone the moment he saw it.

The night was too quiet.

So quiet that emotions surged up.

He had never felt so uncomfortable as he did now.

His chest felt as if a hand was gripping it tighter and tighter, suffocating him.

It was also as if it was stuffed with a ball of wet cotton, making it hard to breathe.

He thought that once he met Si Nian again and laid everything out, all his inexplicable emotions would disappear.

But apparently, they didn’t.

The man’s fingers, resting on the table, curled slightly.

The newly released wedding photos of “Mo He,” eagerly anticipated by many, did not disappoint.

Aside from netizens who already recognized the couple-like chemistry between the two models, leaving comments such as “a perfect match” and “a fairy-tale romance,” most comments read, “When I get married, I want photos like these too.”

As soon as the new photos were released, “Mo He’s” bookings were immediately filled until next year, even after the price increase.

The owner of Mo He Studio wanted to book Si Nian and Yuan Yu for the next few seasons’ shoots.

Naturally, the future shoots would follow the newly raised pricing.

Even with the price hike, the benefits brought by the hype made it a guaranteed profit.

The owner was very sincere, especially toward Si Nian.

The modeling industry had its own hierarchy.

More famous models preferred doing advertisements and fashion shoots rather than wedding photography.

Si Nian considered it.

Back when she had just broken up with Lu Shuyan and was going to interviews to get back to work, it was Mo He’s owner who first gave her an opportunity.

She was grateful for that.

So she agreed to shoot for the next two seasons, charging based on market rates.

Even though her modeling fees had skyrocketed, the studio owner was more than happy.

That weekend, Si Nian had plans to go shopping with Jiang Yihan.

Lately, with her rising modeling fees, her wallet was getting heavier, and she could finally afford to cover all of Jiang Yihan’s expenses during their outings.

Before, she used Lu Shuyan’s money for that.

Now, it was her own hard-earned money.

As soon as they arrived at the mall, Jiang Yihan ran to take a picture next to Si Nian’s Y-brand skincare ad.

Then, she pointed to the rows of stores—cosmetics on the first floor, women’s fashion on the second.

“One day, I hope every store here will have your ads hanging up!”

Si Nian sipped her juice through a straw.

The dream was a bit exaggerated.

But still, she said, “I’ll take that as a good omen.”

After finishing their shopping, they headed home as usual.

Jiang Yihan linked arms with Si Nian.

As they passed the entrance to their residential complex, they suddenly noticed a gleaming Rolls-Royce parked by the roadside.

Jiang Yihan felt the license plate looked familiar and nudged Si Nian to check.

But before she could, the car door opened.

Jiang Yihan recognized the person stepping out.

It was Lu Shuyan’s assistant—the one rumored to have scored 732 on the college entrance exam, always wearing an expressionless, businesslike face like a machine.

Si Nian was about to ask why she was being pulled back when she, too, noticed Zhao Chao.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

Zhao Chao was already walking toward them.

“Miss Si,” he greeted politely when he reached them.

Then, he turned to Jiang Yihan, recognizing her as Si Nian’s close friend.

“Miss Jiang.”

Si Nian glanced at Zhao Chao standing at the entrance.

“Are you here to see me? What’s the matter?”

Zhao Chao immediately nodded and respectfully relayed the message.

His boss, Lu Shuyan, wanted to see Miss Si to discuss something.

Si Nian: “…”

“…?”

The scene felt oddly familiar.

Last time, when she heard a similar request, she had been excited, even eager—ready to march in and dump a bowl of spicy soup over Lu Shuyan’s head.

But this time?

Everything that needed to be resolved had been resolved.

Everything that needed to be said had been said.

What else did Lu Shuyan want?

There was no longer any anticipation in her heart.

Instead, she felt resistance—like she was being dragged into unnecessary trouble.

And this time, Lu Shuyan wasn’t giving her any time to delay.

Zhao Chao relayed that his boss wanted to meet her tonight.

Right now, even.

“Lu always wants to talk tonight. You can get in the car now.”

Si Nian took a deep breath.

“What does he want now?”

She started to ask, “Why can’t he just—”

Then she remembered they had deleted each other’s contact information.

She looked at Zhao Chao.

“Why can’t he just message me himself?”

Zhao Chao remained professional.

“I don’t know what Mr. Lu wants to discuss. I’m just here to deliver the message.”

Si Nian was speechless.

She rejected it bluntly.

“I’m not going.”

She pulled Jiang Yihan and turned to leave.

Zhao Chao quickly followed.

“Miss Si!”

He was clearly surprised.

Last time, she had eagerly agreed to meet.

Why had she changed her mind so suddenly?

Si Nian didn’t even glance back.

“If Lu Shuyan wants to talk, he can come to me himself. I don’t have time.”

She entered the complex.

Jiang Yihan, still being dragged along, glanced back at Zhao Chao standing at the entrance.

“What does Lu Shuyan want this time?”

Then, she gasped.

“Oh my god, is he trying to give you money again in some way that’ll get him arrested?”

“What a vicious man!”

Si Nian thought about it.

“Honestly… I wouldn’t be surprised.”

She didn’t dwell on it.

She went home and carried on with her evening.

Until—an hour later—a text message arrived.

From an unknown number.

It said Lu Shuyan was now at the café outside her complex.

He wanted to talk.

Si Nian figured the number was unfamiliar because she had deleted Zhao Chao’s contact too.

When she had told Zhao Chao earlier, “If he wants to talk, let him come find me himself,” she hadn’t expected Lu Shuyan to actually do it.

But he did.

She had said it.

Now, it was being put into practice.

Si Nian looked out the window.

Her eyelids twitched.

Then, she sighed, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.

The café outside the complex was decent.

For ordinary people, it was quite high-end.

But compared to Michelin-starred restaurants overlooking city skylines, it was unimpressive.

When she entered, she saw Lu Shuyan sitting inside.

Even in this setting, he made everything around him look more luxurious.

Si Nian walked over and sat across from him.

She got straight to the point.

“What do you want now?”

Lu Shuyan looked at her.

He noticed the wariness in her expression.

Then, he suddenly recalled the wedding photography pictures—how she had smiled so sweetly in them.

Si Nian asked again.

“What do you want?”

Lu Shuyan pursed his lips.

Then, he took out a document folder and slid it across the table.

His voice was unexpectedly gentle.

“I had this reviewed by lawyers. It’s a voluntary gift agreement, notarized. You won’t have any legal risks.”

“If you don’t trust it, you can have your own lawyer check it.”

Si Nian: “?”

Lu Shuyan: “Open it.”

Si Nian looked down at the folder.

The amount was different from last time.

Lu Shuyan said, “Take it, Si Nian.”

She frowned.

“Lu Shuyan, did you call me out tonight just to give me money again?”

He remained silent.

Si Nian took a deep breath.

“I told you before I don’t want it.”

“No matter how much you assure me, I don’t want it.”

For the first time, she realized deep down she meant it.

She truly didn’t want Lu Shuyan’s money.