After Xiao Wan stared at Mrs. Meyer for a moment, she suddenly let out a mocking laugh and said, "So, after tearing us apart, now you want us to get back together?"
Mrs. Meyer lowered her head in guilt. Her usual pride was nowhere to be found. In a low voice, she said, "I know I was despicable, but… Lance is my only child. I can't bear to see him in so much pain. As long as he can be happy, I won't stand in your way. I promise you."
"You were able to find me so easily today, so I assume you also know that I'm already in a new relationship now, Mrs. Meyer," Xiao Wan said, disbelief in her voice. "In your eyes, does the love of a girl from the lower class like me mean so little? Do you think you can just offer me a little incentive, and I'll abandon it so casually?"
"No, that's not what I think," Mrs. Meyer said quickly. "It's just… I've come to understand only now how much you truly loved my son back then, and how much Lance loved you. I was wrong to force you apart. I thought it was best for everyone, but I see now that I was mistaken. Xiao Wan, I know you still love Lance. If that's the case, wouldn't it be better for you two to be together again?"
Xiao Wan shook her head firmly. "I did love him once, but now I deeply love someone else. I don't want to hurt him, so I'm sorry, but I can't get back together with Lance."
With that, she opened the car door to leave, but Mrs. Meyer grabbed her hand tightly, her eyes reddened as she pleaded, "Fine, even if you won't reconcile with him, can you at least just go see him? Please, I'm begging you! You… you don't know what state he's in right now! He hardly eats or drinks. Except for when he's filming, he locks himself in his room all day, burying himself in scripts. The media thinks he's just pushing himself to improve his craft after winning the Oscar, but I know the truth—it's because he can't accept your absence. He's trying to escape into his work, but this can't go on. Forget his mental state; even physically, he's on the brink of collapse. So, I beg you, Xiao Wan, just go see him, okay?"
Xiao Wan couldn't bring herself to refuse a mother in tears, nor could she stand the thought of Lance ruining his life because of her. She finally said, "I can't promise you right now. I need to discuss this with my boyfriend first."
"Of course! That's fine!" Mrs. Meyer said quickly. "I'll wait for your reply! Here's my number—you can call me anytime!"
Xiao Wan got out of the car and walked a few steps before turning back to Mrs. Meyer. "Do you know why I stabbed Lance with a knife two years ago, in the studio?"
Mrs. Meyer nodded. "At first, I thought it was because you asked him for money, and when he refused, you lost your temper. But later, I investigated and learned that… you seem to have some psychological trauma."
"Even so, you still want me to get back together with Lance?" Xiao Wan asked. "Aren't you afraid my trauma will resurface and I'll hurt him again?"
Mrs. Meyer shook her head. "I'm not afraid. More than that, I just want my son to be happy. He's always told me that no one but you can bring him happiness. I… trust him."
Xiao Wan took a deep breath and smiled bitterly. "If you had thought this way two years ago, maybe things would've turned out differently."
With those words, she turned and left. Mrs. Meyer couldn't help but recall her son's coldness and distance over the past two years. She raised her hands to cover her face, wondering how everything had gone so wrong. All she had wanted was to give Lance the best, but in the end, it seemed she had caused him the most pain.
Because her meeting with Lance's mother had delayed her, Xiao Wan didn't return to Chen Xin's company until nearly one in the afternoon. He was pacing anxiously in his office, and when he saw her come through the door, he rushed to hug her. "Where have you been? I tried calling you, but you didn't pick up."
Xiao Wan buried her head in his chest and said hoarsely, "I'm sorry."
Chen Xin, unable to bear being angry with her, picked her up and sat her on the chair. Gently wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes, he said softly, "Don't cry, don't cry. I was just worried about you. What's wrong? Didn't you find a necklace you liked?"
Xiao Wan shook her head, bit her lip, and looked at him. "After I finished shopping and was heading back, I ran into Lance's mom."
Chen Xin nodded. "And then?"
"She… she told me Lance is in bad shape and asked me to go see him," Xiao Wan said cautiously. "I haven't agreed yet. Xiao Xin, do you think I should go? I promise you, I only love you, but I really… don't want to see him ruin himself because of me…"
Chen Xin sighed, tilted her chin up, and asked, "Is this why you're crying like this?"
Xiao Wan lowered her head. "Every time I think about stabbing him, I feel so guilty… I never properly apologized to him and broke up with him so heartlessly. He must think I'm the worst woman in the world…"
"Lance Meyer is a smart man. He wouldn't think that," Chen Xin said softly. "Don't be sad anymore. Go see him. I'll go with you, okay? Say everything you didn't get to say to him back then, so you won't have to carry this guilt around anymore."
"Really? You're okay with me seeing him?" Xiao Wan asked uneasily.
"Of course," Chen Xin nodded. "I know this is important to you."
Xiao Wan couldn't help but sob as she hugged his neck and choked out, "Xiao Xin, why are you so understanding…"
Chen Xin gently stroked her back and said, "Because I don't want to lose you."
"You won't lose me," Xiao Wan replied, leaning into his embrace. "You're so good to me. How could I ever bear to leave you?"
Looking down at the woman he deeply loved, Chen Xin thought to himself, Yes, that's my strategy. If I'm not good enough to you, how can I possibly compete with others and keep you by my side?
That afternoon, Xiao Wan called Lance's mother, and they arranged to meet at the studio the following day to see Lance.
To surprise her son, Mrs. Meyer didn't tell Lance in advance that Xiao Wan would be coming. As usual, Lance finished his scenes and was on his way back to his private dressing room with his script in hand.
On the way, his agent stopped him, suggesting he participate in a few TV shows, but Lance rejected them all. He looked at his agent with his increasingly dim blue eyes and said, "I've told you, aside from filming, I won't do endorsements or shows. Stop asking me about this."
The agent hesitated and said, "Lance, I know you don't need the money, but the company is trying to help you. These endorsements and shows can boost your popularity. Don't you want more fans to like you?"
Lance paused for a moment and replied in a faint voice, "The person I want most doesn't like me. What does it matter if others do?"
The agent was rendered speechless. He didn't know much about Lance's past relationship, and as a mere agent working for someone from such a prominent family, he didn't dare ask. But he could see how deeply that lost love had affected Lance, especially since it seemed to be worsening lately. Lance was becoming increasingly withdrawn, and the agent feared he might do something drastic but felt powerless to intervene.
When they reached the dressing room door and saw Mrs. Meyer waiting there, the agent felt a headache coming on. This aristocratic woman always carried an air of superiority, scrutinizing everything around her with disdain. Nobody in the crew or the company liked her. Whenever she showed up, everyone felt on edge.
Lance himself wasn't thrilled about her presence either. He gave her a cold glance and said, "Go home. I'm busy with my script and don't have time to go back with you."
To his surprise, Mrs. Meyer excitedly grabbed his arm and said, "Lance, I brought someone to see you. She's in the dressing room."
Lance assumed it was another woman his mother was trying to set him up with. Annoyed, he pushed open the door, ready to send whoever it was away. But standing inside was the woman he had longed for day and night over the past two years.
Xiao Wan had been staring at her photo on the wall, lost in thought. Hearing the door open, she turned to look at him. Just as she was about to smile, Lance rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
She froze for a moment, feeling his body trembling slightly. Her hands, which had instinctively reached out to push him away, slowly withdrew. She exchanged a glance with Mrs. Meyer, who stood at the door. The older woman gave her an earnest nod before quietly closing the door and leaving.
Lance held Xiao Wan for a long time without saying a word, simply clutching her as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
Finally, Xiao Wan broke the silence, trying to lighten the mood with a teasing tone. "With so many of my photos on your wall, people might think you're some sort of creepy stalker…"
Hearing this, Lance tightened his embrace even more. Xiao Wan suddenly felt a dampness on her neck. Her eyes widened in surprise—this usually composed man was crying.
Memories of their time together flooded her mind, and her eyes reddened as well.
Lance took a deep breath and finally released her. His tearful blue eyes gazed at her as he gently touched her hair. "You seem to have gained a bit of weight. Your boyfriend must be treating you well, huh?"
Xiao Wan smiled through her tears. "Don't tell me you've been secretly stalking my Instagram like everyone else?"
Lance lowered his gaze, his tone desolate. "Yes. It's the only way I can keep up with your life."
Xiao Wan rubbed her eyes, trying to hold back her tears. "But you seem to have lost weight. Have you been skipping meals to focus on acting?"
Lance smiled faintly, then seemed to remember something. He turned, opened his suitcase, and handed her something. "Here, this is for you. I've been wanting to give it to you, but seeing how happy you are now, I didn't dare disturb you."
Confused, Xiao Wan unwrapped the package, only to find Lance's Oscar statuette inside. She panicked and said, "No, I can't accept this! You worked so hard to earn it—"
"Take it," Lance insisted, pressing it into her hands. His gaze was both tender and intense. "I couldn't have won this without your support back then. Even though we can't be together anymore, I hope you'll keep this. Whenever you see it, remember the happy times we shared. That's enough for me."
Xiao Wan held the statuette, its weight mirroring the heaviness in her heart. Tears streamed down her face as she covered her eyes with her hands and finally said the words she had been unable to utter before. "I'm sorry, Lance. I'm so, so sorry… I shouldn't have left you like that. It's all my fault…"
"You're saying such silly things." Lance gently caressed her face. "It was my fault. I was too weak back then and didn't fight hard enough to keep you. Xiao Wan, I may not understand why you lost control and stabbed me, but I know you must have had your reasons. And I've never believed that you left me for money. If there's a word to define our relationship, perhaps it's what you'd call 'destined but not fated to be together.'"
Xiao Wan broke down into sobs, and Lance quickly pulled her into his arms, softly consoling her, "Don't cry. It's all my fault, not yours. I didn't understand you well enough at the time. After we broke up, I was trapped in sadness and couldn't recover. It wasn't until I finished filming Ethereal Love that I began to sort out my thoughts. But by then, you had moved on and found someone new. I didn't dare disrupt your life. I thought that maybe, someday, I could gradually forget you. But you're just like Nick's wife in Ethereal Love—I simply can't let you go."
Through her tears, Xiao Wan choked out, "Lance, your mother told me you've been isolating yourself, burying yourself in scripts and shutting out the world. I don't want you to live like this. I know I have no right to say this now, but I still hope… you can find happiness again."
Lance's eyes reddened as he smiled. "If that's your wish, I'll do my best to fulfill it."
Xiao Wan buried her face in his chest again, feeling like a failure. She had come here today intending to comfort Lance and encourage him to move forward, but instead, she was the one crying uncontrollably, leaving him to console her.
After a long while, Xiao Wan finally calmed down. She looked him in the eyes and said seriously, "Promise me, you won't isolate yourself anymore. You won't lock yourself in your room just to read scripts. I want you to live a normal life again—eat well, sleep well. Lance, can you do that?"
Lance nodded solemnly. "I promise. But Xiao Wan, can you promise me something too?"
"Tell me," she said quickly. "As long as it's within my power, I'll promise you anything."
Lance's smile was tinged with vulnerability. "Can I contact you sometimes? I promise not to interfere with your relationship. It's just… when I'm exhausted from filming, I really want someone to talk to."
Xiao Wan hesitated for a moment. "But I want you to forget about us and start a new life."
"I will have a new life, but I will never have a new love." Lance's voice was gentle yet resolute. "You're the only one I'll ever love in this lifetime."
Xiao Wan stared at him, reminded of his portrayal of Nick in Ethereal Love. Nick had also lived alone and died in the desert. For a fleeting moment, she felt lost. Was it Lance who brought Nick to life, or was it Nick who shaped the man Lance had become?
Gripping his arm tightly, she raised her voice in panic. "Lance Meyer, you listen to me! If you dare to end your life like Nick did, I'll never forgive you!"
Lance chuckled. "I won't, silly girl. How could I? I still want to see you live a happy life."
Once assured he was sincere, Xiao Wan let out a breath of relief. But sadness quickly overtook her again—her own carefully planned life didn't have much time left.
Still, she decided to keep this secret from him. He had promised to live well, and that was enough. She would allow herself this bit of selfishness.
"And you… don't be at odds with your mother anymore," she said. "She's made a lot of mistakes, and her ways of loving you were wrong, but she's changed now. I can tell she's no longer as controlling as she used to be. Even if you don't reconcile with her, at least visit her sometimes, okay?"
Lance nodded. "Okay."
Xiao Wan glanced at the time and said softly, "My boyfriend is still waiting for me outside. I have to go."
"Alright," Lance replied. But as she turned to leave, he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Just one last hug," he murmured weakly in her ear. "I know that once you step out of this room, I'll never get to hold you like this again."
Tears streamed down Xiao Wan's face as she gently clasped his hands.
Outside, Chen Xin sat on a chair, head bowed as he handled company matters on his phone. Mrs. Meyer approached and said, "Thank you for allowing Xiao Wan to come see Lance."
Chen Xin looked up with a polite smile. "It's nothing. I just want her to be happy."
Mrs. Meyer sighed regretfully. "I was so foolish back then. I shouldn't have torn them apart."
Chen Xin replied, "Perhaps this was a path Lance had to take. If it weren't for the heartbreak, his performance in Ethereal Love wouldn't have been so remarkable. To gain something, one often has to give something else in exchange. He won his dream Oscar but lost the woman he loves."
Mrs. Meyer asked, "And what about you? What did you give up to win Xiao Wan's heart?"
Chen Xin paused thoughtfully before smiling. "My heart—and the relentless desire to have her all to myself."
Mrs. Meyer was momentarily stunned, but before she could respond, the door to Lance's room suddenly opened. Xiao Wan walked out with Lance in tow. She gave him a look, and he approached his mother.
"Mom, I'll come home for dinner with you today," he said.
Mrs. Meyer was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged him tightly. "Alright, I'll have dinner prepared right away!"
Lance patted her back comfortingly before turning to Chen Xin. "Take good care of Xiao Wan. If she's ever unhappy, I'll take her back."
Chen Xin smiled confidently. "I'll take such good care of her that you won't have the chance."
The four parted ways at the studio entrance. Lance asked Xiao Wan eagerly, "When this film is done, will you come to the premiere? You can bring your boyfriend."
Xiao Wan glanced at Chen Xin, then nodded. "We'll come. Take care of yourself."
"I will," Lance promised before getting into the car. Mrs. Meyer followed but couldn't resist leaning out the window one last time to say to Xiao Wan, "Thank you so much."
Xiao Wan shook her head. "It's nothing."
As the car drove away, Xiao Wan let out a sigh and leaned weakly against Chen Xin. He gazed at her tear-streaked face with concern. "You cried so much your eyes are swollen."
Xiao Wan closed her eyes as he kissed her cheek and murmured, "Thank you, Xin."
Chen Xin softly whispered in her ear, "As long as you're happy, I'll do anything."
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed. The weather in July was growing hotter by the day.
One weekend, Xiaowan was lounging in the pool, scrolling through Instagram on her phone, when she suddenly saw a photo and couldn't help but call out to Chen Xin, who was sitting by the poolside. "Xiao Guai, Xiao Guai! Come over here! My fan just told me that Haydon's daughter was born!"
"Huh?" Chen Xin, who was on a call, turned to her and said, "Hold on a second, don't hang up."
He walked over to look at her phone. In the photo, the NBA star was holding a tiny, soft baby, his face glowing with the joy of fatherhood.
"Cute," Chen Xin commented. "But definitely not as cute as our daughter will be in the future."
Xiaowan rolled her eyes at him. "Who said I'm having kids with you? Shoo, go play somewhere else."
Chen Xin chuckled and returned to his phone call. Xiaowan continued scrolling for a while. She wanted to like the post but ultimately decided against it. Better not disrupt his current life.
After playing in the water for a bit longer, she noticed that Chen Xin was still on the phone. Curiously, she asked, "You've been on that call for over half an hour now. What's going on?"
Chen Xin finished up his conversation and put down his phone, his expression a bit serious. Xiaowan immediately leaned in, concerned. "What's wrong? Is there a problem at work?"
"No, it's not a problem. It's actually good news," Chen Xin replied.
"Good news? Then why are you frowning?" Xiaowan teased, reaching out to smooth the crease between his brows.
Chen Xin caught her hand and kissed it gently. "Because I have to go back to China for a while. My dad plans to open a branch in City C, and I need to help the headquarters with some preliminary work."
Xiaowan was stunned. "How long will you be gone?"
"At least half a month. Starting a new company is complicated," Chen Xin explained.
"What? Half a month?" Xiaowan exclaimed, panic rising in her voice. "So I won't see you for half a month?"
"You can come back with me," Chen Xin suggested. "It's been a while since you've visited."
"I'm not going back," Xiaowan refused immediately. "Nobody there wants to see me."
She pouted and splashed water at him. "Ugh, I hate you! How could you spring this on me? I wasn't prepared at all! I forbid you to go!"
Chen Xin had no choice but to jump into the water and hold her, comforting her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know you don't want me to leave, and I don't want to leave you either. But this is really important, and my dad has high expectations of me. I promise, as soon as I finish, I'll come back right away, okay?"
Xiaowan leaned against his chest, feeling aggrieved. "When are you leaving?"
"…The day after tomorrow."
"Chen Xin, go to hell!"
On the third morning, Chen Xin drove Xiaowan to the airport. All the way there, this little troublemaker kept picking on him—biting, pinching, and pulling at him. If the car weren't so cramped, she might have unleashed even more creative attacks.
Chen Xin endured her antics with a mix of helplessness and affection. When they arrived at the airport, he held her close as they walked into the terminal, where Harold and Ye Chen were already waiting for him. Harold would be traveling with him to China, while Ye Chen had come to see them off.
As Chen Xin was preparing to check in, he suddenly realized his passport was missing. He was sure he had brought it when he left the house, so there was only one explanation.
He turned to Xiaowan, extending his hand. "Hand over the passport."
Pouting, Xiaowan said, "Kiss me, and I'll consider it."
Chen Xin smiled, leaned in, and kissed her—a deep, lingering kiss filled with reluctance. If he could, he wouldn't leave her for this long.
As the two kissed without a care for their surroundings, Harold whistled, while Ye Chen looked away, struggling to conceal the jealousy flickering in his eyes.
After a long moment, Chen Xin finally let go of Xiaowan, whispering, "I'll come back as soon as I can. You have to behave while I'm gone, okay?"
Xiaowan nodded, retrieving the passport from her bag. "You better behave too. If I hear about you messing around, I'll castrate you."
Chen Xin chuckled helplessly. "I wouldn't dare."
He then turned to Ye Chen, earnestly saying, "Bro, I'll have to trouble you to take care of Xiaowan while I'm away."
Ye Chen inwardly cursed, You're handing a rabbit to a wolf and asking the wolf to watch over it? But he nodded and replied, "Don't worry."
After waving goodbye to Chen Xin and Harold, Ye Chen looked at Xiaowan, who was standing there looking glum. "Let's go. I'll take you home."
"I don't want to go home," Xiaowan muttered, her mood downcast. "I'm upset that Xiao Guai is gone. I don't want to go anywhere."
"Then what do you want to do? Should I take you to school?" Ye Chen asked.
Xiaowan glanced at him, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "No, I want to do something that'll make me happy."
Before Ye Chen could ask what, Xiaowan suddenly reached into his pocket, snatched his wallet, and ran off, laughing. "I'm going to max out your credit cards! Let's see how mad that makes you! Hahaha!"
"Slow down, or you'll trip," Ye Chen called after her, chuckling softly as he casually followed her lead.