Shen Jingwei pushed Yan Renzhong away from him in a flash, and both n turned to look at Shen Dou Dou.
Yan Renzhong pursed his lips in apparent displeasure at the disturbance.
"Hey, Dou Dou. I didn’t see you there."
Shen Dou Dou, sensible as always, gathered her bag at once and announced, "Mom is calling ! Bye, Big Brother! Bye, Big Brother-in-law!!!"
"..."
When did Shen Dou Dou’s hearing beco so good that she could hear Mother Shen call for her from far away?
Then again, Dou Dou showing restraint prior to witnessing two n kiss was definitely a sign of improvent!
Yan Renzhong pulled a chair and took a seat next to Shen Jingwei’s bed.
"Jingbao, we have co to so conclusion regarding the poisoning incident."
"Oh?"
"By chance, two cups of tea were ordered from Peak Point Shooting Studio’s kitchen that morning -- one for you and one for actress Huang Liying. An unknown culprit poured a vomit-inducing herbal concoction into the pot of tea in the kitchen.
The target was most likely not you but Huang Liying."
"Oh, no," Shen Jingwei grew concerned. "Is Huang Liying alright?"
"Yes, she survives," Yan Renzhong answered curtly. "What I want to tell you is that the entertainnt industry, at tis leading toward award ceremonies, is akin to a dangerous forest, where danger lurks at every corner. You should be careful."
Shen Jingwei chuckled.
"Why would they want to harm ? I am only a Z-Lister. I am no threat to anyone."
Yan Renzhong arched an eyebrow at him and leaned back into his seat.
"Really, a Z-Lister? Do you still see yourself that way?"
"Uh, yes."
A snort escaped Yan Renzhong’s lips. To make his point, he grabbed the remote control and switched on the television.
As if on cue, one of the comrcials starring Shen Jingwei was played on the screen.
"..."
Followed by an advertisent for "Dance Of The Dragons", in which a clip of Xie Jianyu and Zhang Fengxi’s first life was shown.
"..."
"Also..."
Yan Renzhong casually scrolled through his phone.
"If you are just a aningless Z-Lister, why would Weibo explode at the re ntion of your na?"
"Oh please, it doesn’t," Shen Jingwei exclaid, all the while acknowledging that so parts of it were true.
He did beco increasingly more popular, reflected in the growing stream of job offers he received.
"You are not a Z-Lister anymore, Jingbao. You are an accomplished actor in your own rights."
"..."
The words of praise were very kind and deserved, but Shen Jingwei still couldn’t see himself as anything but a Z-Lister. From the mont he left the acting academy and ventured into the unknown world of the entertainnt industry, he had always identified himself as a Z-Lister.
Most aspiring actors and actresses gave up trying after they failed to make a break after months, but Shen Jingwei was different. He simply ca to accept his situation. Rather than break down and wail on the ground, he chose to keep his head high and just march forward, aiming just to be a little better every single day.
A soft smile spread on Yan Renzhong’s face as he watched Shen Jingwei’s thoughtful expression.
"You have co a long way," he said. "You have done a very good job, not only surviving but also excelling in this industry. Now is the best ti to stop belittling yourself."
"..."
Shen Jingwei reached out and squeezed Yan Renzhong’s hand.
"I guess I need to thank you."
Yan Renzhong squeezed back at his hand.
"No need."
"You made it happen."
"I gave you the start you needed. If you were unable to perform, like Jin Zhuo for example, you too would be swept away by the current, with no choice of ever making a coback."
Shen Jingwei swallowed hard.
That much was true, he thought to himself.
If Jin Zhuo was unable to make a break through his role as Xie Jianzhi, he was probably going to face difficulties landing another prominent job in the future.
Mother Shen and Shen Dou Dou returned after so ti.
"The doctor said that Jingwei’s condition is stable. He can go ho now if he wants," Mother Shen explained. "Little Yan, aren’t you busy with your job every day? During the days Jingwei is recuperating, isn’t it better for him to stay with and Dou Dou? We have a lot of free ti and can thus take good care of him."
Mother Shen deliberately asked for Yan Renzhong’s opinion because she didn’t want Shen Jingwei to make the decision himself. Since his future mother-in-law personally asked, how could Yan Renzhong say no?
"Yes, Auntie," he replied. "I think that’s for the best."
Thus, the decision was made.
Shen Jingwei went ho with Mother Shen and Shen Dou Dou that evening, and would stay at the Shen family house for the next three days.
Living together with his family unwittingly made Shen Jingwei recall his life in Nanwu Town.
When he was younger, Shen Jingwei was used to sending and picking Shen Dou Dou up from school. Their schools were located within walking distance, so the siblings were used to walking back and forth every single day.
And on their way ho, Shen Dou Dou would babble about everything that happened to her at school that day.
When they were small, Shen Jingwei knew every single aspect of his little sister’s life.
He knew the school subjects Shen Dou Dou hated and liked the most.
He knew the first boy whom Shen Dou Dou liked.
He knew Shen Dou Dou’s nesis at school.
He could even tell the tis when Shen Dou Dou was faking sickness to skip school.
Looking back, Shen Jingwei regretted the three years he stayed apart from his family.
Although he kept communicating with his mother and sister, it was evident that he missed out on many, many things in his family’s life.
Before he knew it, Shen Dou Dou had already grown up into a young adult. And she was very dedicated to her art.
Her... very disconcerting art.
In an attempt to restore their close sibling ties, Shen Jingwei steeled his heart and asked his sister a question.
"Dou Dou, how is manhua college recently?"
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