Chapter 17: Hmm, It Doesn't Collapse

He Yunqing watched quietly as Jiang Yao took out her phone and typed “He Yunqing” into the search bar. Search—network connection error… Jiang Yao raised her phone with a frown. “Why does the signal keep going in and out here?” The man smiled faintly. “It might be better if you can’t find anything—seeing things in person could bring a pleasant surprise.” Jiang Yao put her phone back in her pocket. “Forget it, I’ll check later.”

After all, what kind of person He Yunqing really was, she didn’t care in the slightest. That man everyone talked about was, to her, no more than a name. No matter how remarkable he was, he was far too distant from her—forever out of reach.

“I just hope that he’ll be well and, during this period, doesn’t…” Jiang Yao paused, searching for the right word, one she’d heard Ye Yiyi use, “Oh, doesn’t get canceled.” The rate at which Ye Yiyi’s favorite celebrities had scandals was shockingly high. Jiang Yao did a rough count—about eight out of ten, and the remaining two had left the industry altogether…

She clasped her hands in prayer toward the burning, vibrant clouds at the horizon, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and the dimples at the corners of her upturned lips seemed to brim with aged wine. She was meant to be so bright and alive. If not for those heavy shadows of her past, she should have always remained so radiant.

He Yunqing looked at her, the chill in his eyes and brows softened by a faint warmth, yet there was an unspoken sorrow in his gaze. “Mm, no scandals.”

For a long while afterward, Jiang Yao was busy organizing the wedding of the second young master of the Zhang family. Home, hospital, work—she ran between them all. He Yunqing rarely returned to the villa; even when he did, it was only for a brief stop before he hurried off again.

Until the day when the snow began to fall. The wedding of the Zhang family’s second son was finally held as scheduled. Beyond the lavish ceremony, what was even grander were the fan displays meticulously prepared for He Yunqing outside the venue. No one knew how many fans had gathered, but the crowd was vast, and the ocean-blue support signs nearly fused into a sea.

The heiress marrying into the Zhang family pouted at the gloomy weather. “Why does it have to snow on our wedding day? It’s bad luck.” The second young master tried to coax her, “You’ll get to see He Yunqing in a little while.” The bride’s face brightened instantly.

Ye Yiyi nudged Jiang Yao with excitement. “A-Yao, look how popular He Yunqing is! He still has three shows yet to air—once they’re out, he’ll be even more famous!”

Jiang Yao was in no mood for any of this. Besides the two families joining by marriage, there were He Yunqing’s fans, guests from all walks of life, and reporters… The more people there were, the more likely things were to go wrong, so she had to be extra cautious at every step to avoid mistakes.

Ye Yiyi helped Jiang Yao with her work, commenting as she did, “Worth skipping work for this.”

“You have a job?” a clear male voice interjected.

Jiang Yao and Ye Yiyi turned to see Cheng Yanchi approaching, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Jiang Yao remembered—there was some collaboration between the Cheng family’s company and the Zhangs, so Cheng Yanchi was probably dragged here by his father and brother.

As he walked over, Cheng Yanchi teased Ye Yiyi, “How can a minor actor like you be so busy?”

Ye Yiyi’s lips curled in annoyance. “Why do you always have to talk like that? Do you even hear yourself?”

“Oh, I’m the one with issues? You, someone in showbiz, chasing after celebrities like this—don’t tell me you joined the industry just to be a fangirl? How about you?”

“How did a perfectly good person end up with a mouth like yours?” Ye Yiyi shot back with a glare.

Cheng Yanchi was undeniably handsome, with a sunny and spirited charm. If only he would keep his mouth shut, he’d be even more attractive.

“How did a perfectly good person end up without a brain like you?”

“You—” Ye Yiyi was left speechless with anger and turned to Jiang Yao for support.

Jiang Yao was long used to this and only found their bickering noisy. The two had been like this since their school days—never together without an argument.

“You two,” Jiang Yao pushed them both away, “take your fight over there, and come back when you’re done.”

After running around for most of the day, Jiang Yao finally found a moment to herself and slipped into a quiet, unnoticed corner. She dragged over a small stool, sat down, and watched the people coming and going while fishing a pack of crispy noodles from her backpack and munching on it. She hadn’t had a chance to eat since morning.

A carton of milk appeared before her.

Jiang Yao blinked in surprise and looked up, following the milk.

He Yunqing stood beside her, back straight, one hand behind him and the other outstretched, offering her the milk. From her angle, looking up, the man seemed even taller.

Of course, given He Yunqing’s poise, she had already guessed he wasn’t an ordinary person—his appearance at the Zhang family wedding wasn’t strange at all.

“Not going to drink it?”

He Yunqing asked coolly when she didn’t move.

Jiang Yao took the milk, and as it warmed her hands, she realized it was still hot. She sipped gently and looked up. “Are you a friend of the Zhangs?”

“Not exactly,” the man replied.

Jiang Yao propped her chin on her hand, sipping the milk. “Then are you a friend of the bride?”

He Yunqing pressed his lips together, offering no answer.

“Then why did you come today?” Jiang Yao asked curiously.

“To see a friend, and to handle something,” He Yunqing replied succinctly.

Jiang Yao felt that this man before her was always an enigma—beneath the mist of sadness, a chill and a faint current of warmth intertwined.

She lowered her head, pondering, and suddenly a bold thought flashed through her mind. After all, she’d worked enough weddings to have seen all sorts of things—nothing would surprise her anymore!

“What business? You… Don’t tell me… No way, absolutely not.” Jiang Yao shot to her feet, and in her anxiety grabbed He Yunqing’s sleeve. “Sometimes love means letting go and wishing someone well. They’re about to get married, so you shouldn’t come here to cause trouble…”

No matter what, she couldn’t let him ruin the wedding!

A sharp crease appeared between He Yunqing’s brows, and his look at Jiang Yao seemed to say, What on earth are you thinking?

His gaze fell to her hand clutching his sleeve. “Let go.”

Jiang Yao sheepishly pulled her hand back, still searching his face for an answer. “It’s really not what I think?”

He Yunqing gave a soft snort. “Would I need to fight someone for a woman?”

Jiang Yao pursed her lips, prideful yet unable to refute.

Buzz… Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.

Jiang Yao glanced down and saw another string of messages from an unfamiliar number.

“The bride looks beautiful in her wedding dress, but you’re even more beautiful in the princess dress I gave you.”

Sometimes words of praise could be even more unsettling…