Chapter 88: The Second Episode of the Romance Variety Show

Mr. Xu stood by the window in his study, gazing thoughtfully at Xu Yu’s departing figure. He returned to his desk and retrieved a photograph of Mrs. Xu, gripping the frame so tightly as if he wished to pierce through the image to touch her.

“Yunhua,” he murmured softly, then after a moment, gave a cold laugh. The frame was hurled once more into the drawer, but this time he locked the photo away.

Mrs. Xu stood in the doorway, her voice icy as she watched him. “Xu Hongye, are you regretting it now?”

His expression was frigid. “Who let you in?”

She remained unafraid, closing the door behind her. Jealousy and resentment flashed in her eyes. “Is my face so unpleasant? Am I so different from the woman in that photo? Why won’t you ever look at me?”

He fell silent, sighing softly. “Stop making trouble.”

“Making trouble?” Mrs. Xu’s voice rose, tears welling in her eyes. “What do you mean, then? Regret? Nostalgia? Xu Hongye, your feelings are as worthless as you are.”

A sharp slap rang out.

Mrs. Xu’s head snapped to the side. Mr. Xu glared at her, his voice chilling. “If I ever hear you say such things again, it won’t just be a slap.”

She shuddered in fear, unwilling but not daring to protest.

He snorted coldly. “I’m leaving on a business trip tomorrow for half a month. I won’t be home for a while.”

With that, Mr. Xu left. Mrs. Xu followed him.

She heard the study door lock automatically behind her and bit her lip in fury. Glancing at the time, she realized it was the sixteenth again.

Every year, without fail, Mr. Xu departed on business on July sixteenth. At first, she hadn’t paid much attention, but the coincidence in timing was suspicious. The first time she investigated, she discovered his destination was Z City. Before she could learn more, Mr. Xu found out and warned her off.

Since then, Mrs. Xu dared not dig any further. Her intuition told her Mr. Xu was hiding something from her.

After decades of marriage, this was the first time he guarded a secret so closely. Her gaze grew deep as she dialed a number. “Book me the earliest flight to Z City, as soon as possible.”

She was determined to find out who in Z City could compel Mr. Xu to visit every year without fail.

...

Xu Yunzhu had given the Xu family two and a half million, of which she had borrowed two million.

She hadn’t had the chance to talk to Pei Qiaonian about the matter of the twenty million, so she was short of funds.

And she was desperate to rid herself of the Xu family, who clung to her like sticky candy.

So she borrowed money...

Her creditor was Yan Feixing.

She’d just written an IOU when a message popped up: [Yunzhu, you only borrowed two million? If you need more, just tell me. Take another loan, no rush to pay it back.]

Xu Yunzhu: “...”

If she didn’t know he was a singer, she’d have thought he was a loan shark.

She hadn’t expected Yan Feixing to lend without question, not even asking what she needed it for, nor fearing a scam—he just wired the money to her card.

Apparently, singing paid well. Xu Yunzhu considered whether she should switch careers and become a pop star herself.

Because of last night’s bed-sharing, Xu Yunzhu was still embarrassed, so she didn’t return to the Lan Hai Villa that evening.

It hardly mattered now; she’d borrowed the money, so asking about the check seemed pointless.

Pei Qiaonian hadn’t sought her out either.

The two hadn’t spoken for three days.

When the day arrived for Xu Yunzhu to depart for Harbor City, she was there to participate in the second episode of “Love Season.”

This time, she appeared as a guest star.

Filming began as soon as she landed at Harbor City Airport.

Xu Yunzhu gazed at the city, her emotions complex.

It was the most bustling city she’d ever seen—and also the place where her life had ended.

She shook off the thought. That was the world she came from, and here, she would never encounter the murderer who had killed her.

She relaxed.

A gentle tap on her shoulder came from behind, and a clear male voice rang out, “Yunzhu, it’s been so long. I’ve missed you.”

Xu Yunzhu turned, pleasantly surprised. “Feixing!”

Yes, since Yan Feixing lent her the money, she’d decided that Yan Feixing was her brother from another mother.

He didn’t press her for repayment or interest—what a good man.

A faint blush colored Yan Feixing’s cheeks.

The old Xu Yunzhu had always been cold toward him; the current one was so much cuter.

Her smile was beautiful.

“Let’s walk together,” Yan Feixing said, and they strolled side by side through the airport.

The handsome man and beautiful woman made quite the striking pair.

The barrage of comments rolled wildly:

[Ahhh, Crazy Sister, it’s been so long! She’s even more gorgeous now~]

[Can Yan Feixing be any more obvious? Never seen him act like this with any other female star. Unbelievable.]

[Shipping them hard! Doesn’t he have better chemistry with Qinghuan than with Ning Qinghuan? Ahh, love it! Yunzhu’s smile is stunning, and Yan Feixing is finally acting human.]

[Yan Feixing’s popularity is rising, now he’s riding on Crazy Sister’s fame.]

[Today’s Yunzhu outfit is a must-have, so pretty! Love it, love it.]

[The CP from the first episode was unbearable. Hope they pair them better this time—especially Pei, he must be with Qinghuan or I’ll riot!]

Compared to the first episode, Xu Yunzhu had transformed from a controversial figure into one with polarized fame. People still criticized her, but her supporters had grown.

Her interactions with Yan Feixing drove fans wild.

A glamorous star x top singer—once such a pairing was set, even if it were garbage, fans would ship it passionately.

Thus, the focus of the comments had shifted entirely to Xu Yunzhu.

Even Ning Qinghuan, once the spotlight’s darling, was less favored.

When they reached the meeting point, Xu Yunzhu saw Xu Muning.

Her calf was still wrapped in gauze, limping yet persistent in attending the show—a true testament to determination.

Xu Muning also saw Xu Yunzhu.

She snorted coldly, her gaze fixed on Xu Yunzhu’s hair. This time, she was determined to get a lock of it!

Xu Yunzhu’s voluntary departure from the Xu family had left Muning feeling defeated, as if everything she’d strived for was worthless to Xu Yunzhu.

It wasn’t just a denial of her efforts—it was a slap in the face.

Why did Xu Yunzhu get to stand so high above everyone?

One day, she’d make Xu Yunzhu cry.

Xu Muning steeled herself, though she kept her feelings hidden and clung persistently to Pei Jin, her voice sweet and coy: “Pei Jin, my leg hurts, help me, won’t you?”

Pei Jin, ever the gentleman in public, merely frowned at her pestering and turned to Gu Qi. “Help her.”

Gu Qi: “???”

Freed from the clinging annoyance, Pei Jin’s gaze searched the airport.

This time, he found himself looking for Xu Yunzhu.

He saw her standing beside Yan Feixing, laughing freely, and finally exhaled in relief.

“Ajin.”

The gentle voice of Ning Qinghuan sounded behind him.

Pei Jin’s back stiffened, a sudden sensation of guilt washing over him, as if he’d been caught being unfaithful.