Chapter 4 Ambiguous Entanglements

Fallen angel, heaven has drifted far from you... Darkness shall be your silent destination, and the first light of dawn will become a distant luxury.

Before stepping into the hospital room, Xue Zuining took a deep breath, as if to purge every trace of suppressed emotion from her heart.

“Ningning, is that you?” Her mother’s gentle voice floated from within, “Why are you hiding from your mother?”

Zhong Yilan was propped against the headboard, the pristine bedding making her complexion appear even more pallid and fragile.

“How could I! You’re the best mother in the world!” Zuining slowed her pace, feigning a lightheartedness she didn’t feel. Her heart ached as she noticed the bruising on her mother’s hand, and without warning, she gently embraced that familiar warmth. “Mom, everything will get better.”

Zhong Yilan reached out to smooth her daughter’s unruly hair, her gaze carrying the calm wisdom of years gone by. “As long as you’re well, nothing else matters, no matter what happens.”

Zuining paused, lifting her head in confusion. “You? Who else besides me?” She wondered silently. Her father had passed away long ago, and in this world, who else was there to worry about but each other?

Zhong Yilan stiffened for a moment, but soon smiled, patting her daughter’s hand as she explained, “Of course, you and Chen Sang. The road ahead, in the end, is one he will walk with you.”

“No way! Even if Chen Sang is my prince, I still need my queen mother more…” With a sigh, Zuining wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck, pressing her cheek to her shoulder, greedily drawing in the warmth she craved most.

Her mother smiled at her daughter’s playful affection, patting her back. “Alright, get up now. It’s so hot, aren’t you afraid of sweating through your clothes?”

Zuining nuzzled against her, her small head bowed, her voice muffled. “I wish I could cling to you like this forever.” She glanced at the time. “I don’t want to go…”

“Didn’t you say you have work? No slacking off!” Her mother watched her daughter rise, noting the faint shadows beneath her eyes, a bitterness welling in her heart. “Ningning, if you’re exhausted, why not find a different job?”

“I’m not tired,” Zuining replied with a lazy yawn, trying to reassure her mother. “I was just rushing a small project the night before last. I’m really fine. Besides, my agent believes in me! So just relax, focus on getting well, and wait for me to become famous. Then I’ll buy you a mansion, a luxury car, and you’ll have abalone and seafood every day.”

“You cheeky girl!” Her mother looked at her exhausted but ever-considerate daughter, who used humor to put her at ease. How could she bear to discourage her? She knew—even without firsthand experience—how exhausting and bitter life in the entertainment world could be.

“I’m off, bye!” After hurriedly fixing her makeup in the bathroom, Zuining pressed a farewell kiss to her mother’s cheek, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left the double ward—only to nearly collide with a nurse in the hallway.

“Miss Xue—” The nurse called after her retreating figure.

Zuining stopped abruptly and turned. “Yes?” Hadn’t she already settled all the bills?

“Dr. Li asked you to come to his office. It’s about your mother’s condition.”

“Is there news?” The knot in Zuining’s brow seemed to loosen.

The nurse shook her head apologetically, “I’m not sure. You’d best see Dr. Li as soon as you can.”

Zuining nodded and headed toward the doctor’s office.

Dr. Li, her mother’s attending physician and the surgeon who’d operated on her, greeted Zuining with his usual gentle, kindly expression, drawing a faint smile from her.

“Miss Xue, please have a seat.” He closed his pen, gesturing to the sofa.

“Thank you.”

Noticing she’d worn makeup today when she usually didn’t, Dr. Li asked, “Another job?”

“Yes, my agent arranged a dinner tonight with investors and the director.” Zuining checked the time; her agent’s hints had been clear—if she could please those guests at dinner, even if she didn’t secure the female lead, she might land a crucial supporting role. That would cover most of her mother’s next round of medical bills. Tonight’s dinner was critical.

Understanding how tough the world could be for a young woman, Dr. Li did not mince words, his tone heavy. “I’m sorry. As your mother’s physician, I regret to say there’s still been no progress regarding her diagnosis. Our hospital’s equipment is limited, and I’ve done all I can.”

“Dr. Li, I…”

“But!” He raised a calming hand as she sprang to her feet. “Although our resources are meager, I’ve heard that several months ago, Xishan Sanatorium under Shengtian Group imported two of the world’s most advanced medical machines from abroad, though for certain reasons they’re not yet in use. If you could gain access to those, perhaps they could help your mother’s condition significantly.”

Dr. Li’s words were like a final lifeline to Zuining, who was drowning. “Dr. Li, what do I need to do?”

He hesitated, knowing her ordinary background, and could only offer comfort. “As a patient’s family, you must be patient and trust the doctors and the hospital. We’re already negotiating with Xishan Sanatorium and hope to bring you good news soon.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Doctor.” Zuining bowed respectfully, then hurried off to the designated hotel.

At the Regent Hotel, surrounded by dazzling gold and jade decor, Zuining couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. So be it—since she’d chosen this path, how could she expect to avoid the world’s intoxications?

A waiter led her to the private room, opened the door, and then tactfully withdrew.

Her late arrival drew every gaze in the room. Flustered, Zuining saw her agent approach with a practiced smile.

“My little star, why are you only just arriving?” Her agent seized her hand, leading her to the table. Embarrassed, Zuining withdrew, blushing. “I—I got lost.”

“Lost?!” A shrill, mocking voice piped up. “Miss Xue, you certainly have a unique way of making an entrance.”

“Siqi, mind your manners!” A balding man pinched the woman’s cheek, then turned to Zuining with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Miss Xue is so beautiful—if I were to get lost, it’d only be for a man I couldn’t resist.”

“Chairman Zhao, you’re so generous! Don’t take offense.” The agent poured two glasses of wine. “Let her apologize to you herself. See, Mr. He hasn’t said a word of complaint.”

Whether due to her words or Zuining’s attitude, Chairman Zhao drank the apology wine with good cheer. “Go sit by Mr. He—he’s your true benefactor.” He nudged her forward. “Besides, he’s a real gentleman!”

Zuining was pushed to sit beside a well-dressed young man, who appeared courteous and refined.

Throughout the meal, other than pouring drinks and forcing a stiff smile, Zuining tried to remain silent. He Min, watching her tense like a taut string, smirked, leaned closer, and let his hand rest ambiguously on her shoulder. “First time?”

“I…” Zuining tensed like a startled cat at the warmth of his touch. “Mr. He, you’re drunk.”

He Min merely tapped her parted lips with his finger, signaling her to look across the grand table. What she saw made her blood run cold.

Chairman Zhao, oblivious, was making lewd jokes, his fat hand like a venomous serpent roaming where it pleased. “...I’ve worked in real estate for over ten years. You know what kind of ‘property’ doesn’t need a deed?” He squeezed the woman in his arms, Ma Siqi, making her wince in pain, though she dared not protest. “A girl’s chest!”

The room erupted in false, sycophantic laughter. He Min whispered in Zuining’s ear, his breath hot, “Truth is, the entertainment world is filthier and nastier than you can imagine, Miss Xue. I wonder…”

As his hand slid along her thigh, even through her dress, Zuining sprang up reflexively. He Min glanced at his empty hand, something complicated flickering in his eyes.

“S-sorry!” Zuining stood awkwardly to the side, head lowered, at a loss.

At least the situation hadn’t escalated. Her agent breathed a silent sigh of relief, hurrying over with a conciliatory drink, only for He Min to intercede. “No more wine. Miss Xue is already drunk—take her out for some air.”

Her agent nodded, supporting Zuining as they left. In the corridor, the fresh air eased the tension in Zuining’s mind, but her steps faltered—whether from heels or the effects of the dinner, she couldn’t tell.

“Sister Tao, I’m sorry.” Guilt gnawed at Zuining, knowing how hard her agent had worked to arrange this opportunity, nearly ruined by her.

Tao sighed, patting her back. “Go and throw up if you need to, then I’ll get you a room to rest. I can’t let you go home alone like this.”

Zuining nodded. After freshening up, she let Tao guide her to the elevator.

In a daze, she rode upstairs. Tao opened a room with her card but didn’t escort her inside.

Before Zuining could even insert the card into the slot, a pair of damp hands wrapped around her waist from behind in the dark.

“Miss Xue, you seem to enjoy playing hard to get.”