Chapter 16: Practicing the Art of the Pure-Hearted Lotus Daily—Accomplished

Yu Fuqing’s eyes flickered with desire for a brief moment.

Bai Lu saw it all too clearly.

Shen Xinluo saw it just as plainly.

“Ah~~” Shen Xinluo let out a delicate moan, clutched her head, and collapsed into Yu Fuqing’s arms, settling onto his lap. She even pressed her chest deliberately against his arm.

“Brother Fuqing, I feel so dizzy.”

Bai Lu: “…………”

Shen Xinluo’s acting… really left much to be desired.

It was rather unconvincing.

In her previous life, before Shen Xinluo stole Bai Lu’s identity and became the young miss of the Lu family, Yu Fuqing had only ever seen Shen Xinluo as a convenient fling with no strings attached.

Without the aura of the Lu family heiress, Yu Fuqing truly had no interest in Shen Xinluo.

Yu Fuqing reached out and pushed Shen Xinluo away, his tone indifferent. “Be careful.”

Shen Xinluo said, “Brother Fuqing, Bai Lu, don’t worry about me. I just didn’t sleep well, and I have a bit of low blood sugar. It’s nothing.”

Bai Lu: “…………”

Shameless, isn’t she?

Who’s worried about you?

With which eye did you see me worrying about you?

“……” Yu Fuqing probably found this exasperating as well. After a pause, he finally asked, “I didn’t have a chance to ask earlier—how did you hurt your forehead?”

Bai Lu answered quickly, “She ran into something herself.”

Yu Fuqing frowned. “She ran into something herself?”

“Bai Lu…” Shen Xinluo looked at Bai Lu with pleading eyes.

Bai Lu turned her head away, ignoring her.

Shen Xinluo hesitated, then lied, “I was just so guilty and upset. Ever since Bai Lu’s accident, I haven’t rested properly. While she was in a coma, I stayed by her bedside, taking care of her. I didn’t sleep well or eat much, so I was a bit weak and accidentally bumped my head.”

As she finished, Shen Xinluo snuck a glance at Bai Lu.

Bai Lu only pressed her lips together, half-smiling, as if she had no intention of exposing Shen Xinluo’s lie.

Shen Xinluo immediately grew bold and reached out to hug Bai Lu. “Bai Lu, it’s my fault you ended up in the hospital. I have a responsibility to look after you until you’re discharged.”

You just want an excuse to get close to Yu Fuqing, don’t you?

Bai Lu pushed Shen Xinluo away and shook her head. “Sister, it’s all in the past. I don’t blame you. Director Zhang said it himself—some people just aren’t cut out for this. You could never master skiing, yet they had you play a national team athlete. It’s really too much to ask of you.”

Tears shimmered in Shen Xinluo’s eyes. “Bai Lu, I’m glad you understand, sister!”

Bai Lu nodded emphatically. “I understand! Don’t worry, sister. When I’m back on set, I’ll talk to Director Zhang and make sure he stops giving you such a hard time! I’ll see that your skiing scenes are reduced!”

Reduce her scenes?

Whatever emotion Shen Xinluo had managed to muster instantly vanished. “No, I—no, I can learn! I’m not afraid of hard work!”

But Yu Fuqing nodded. “Bai Lu is right. All those difficult skiing stunts—Director Zhang refuses to use stunt doubles. It really is too dangerous. Don’t worry, I’ll call him in a bit.”

His family had invested in this drama. In fact, before Bai Lu’s accident and coma, several other actors had already been injured and hospitalized.

There was nothing to be done; Director Zhang was a perfectionist, and since the drama was about sports, bumps and scrapes were inevitable.

But now, rumors were already circulating outside: the drama was jinxed, beset by bad luck. The string of accidents among the cast was proof enough.

Several advertisers and investors were already considering pulling out.

If another accident occurred, the drama might really be finished, and Yu Xing Entertainment would suffer a huge loss.

This was one of the reasons he had hurried back from abroad to check on Bai Lu.

As the leading lady, Bai Lu's safety was paramount!

Bai Lu beamed. “Sister, did you hear what Brother Fuqing said? Fewer scenes for you—how wonderful, isn’t it!”

She had grown thinner, losing all her baby fat, and her complexion was now a bit pale, but it only made her skin appear all the more fair, her eyes bright, her teeth dazzling.

Even without a touch of makeup, her face was a portrait of youth, as if adorned by a million-dollar artist.

And when she smiled, those deer-like eyes, soft and glistening, curved into crescent moons—utterly charming and adorable.

Even Yu Fuqing was a little dazed by her.

His little girl had truly grown up.

Still as sweet and innocent as ever, but now, her eyes and brows carried a hint of allure.

Innocence and allure intertwined to perfection.

Shen Xinluo suffered another silent blow, and she saw the undisguised amazement in the eyes of the man she loved, her teeth almost grinding to dust. “Yes, yes, that’s… that’s great.”

A daily dose of irritation for Shen Xinluo: get √

Bai Lu gave a huge yawn, crinkling her little nose and rubbing her eyes.

Yu Fuqing reached out and ruffled her hair. “Bai Lu needs to rest. I’ll come back to see you tomorrow.”

Bai Lu tilted her head and gave him a sweet smile, deftly dodging his hand. “Okay.”

This hospital was a private palace owned by the richest man, Huo Yan. No unauthorized persons were allowed inside, so Yu Fuqing didn’t have the privilege of staying overnight.

Shen Xinluo said, “Brother Fuqing, there’s a ski resort halfway up the mountain. I can take you there.”

“No need, Uncle Shen will drive me,” Yu Fuqing replied, giving Shen Xinluo a long, deep look. “You take good care of Bai Lu. After all, she’s only in the hospital because you pushed her.”

Shen Xinluo panicked. “Brother Fuqing, I didn’t mean to…”

“Exactly! That’s why you should take extra care of Bai Lu, until she’s safely out of the hospital,” Yu Fuqing said, his words heavy with meaning. “That’s the only way to prove it was an accident, isn’t it?”

He emphasized the word “accident.”

Not only were Yu Fuqing and Bai Lu childhood friends, but Shen Xinluo and Yu Fuqing were as well.

Long ago, Yu Fuqing had seen through Shen Xinluo: petty, jealous, vain. Nothing like the gentle, tolerant facade she put on.

He knew the truth in his heart.

But for the sake of his little girl, who so desperately longed for familial love, he would not be the villain to expose Shen Xinluo.

Shen Xinluo could only agree. “I’ll take good care of Bai Lu, don’t worry, Brother Fuqing.”

Bai Lu suddenly thought of something and beckoned him over.

Yu Fuqing immediately leaned down. “Bai Lu, what is it?”

The two of them ignored Shen Xinluo entirely.

Bai Lu reached out and patted Yu Fuqing’s head, her expression grave. “You need to rest well and come see me tomorrow.”

The little girl mimicked his tone of concern, looking absolutely adorable.

Yu Fuqing was amused by her. Despite his exhaustion, his face was alight with unconcealed affection.

Crack~

Listen, the sound of a breaking heart.

No, it was just Shen Xinluo snapping her manicure.

Bai Lu was thoroughly satisfied and waved her hand. “You may all withdraw. I need to rest.”

Yu Fuqing smiled indulgently. “Yes, my little princess.”

Bai Lu: “…………”

Princess, my foot. I want to be the emperor of showbiz.

Get it? Emperor!!

Once he left the hospital room, Yu Fuqing’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, steely expression.

Shen Xinluo was startled by his demeanor, thinking he was about to confront her, and she panicked.