Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I saw Shen Sui again a week later.

He had accompanied Lu Li to the same show I was appearing on.

I could tell he was incredibly impatient, barely maintaining his mask of gentle composure. Surprisingly, no one else on set seemed to notice.

After I took my seat, Shen Sui’s gaze swept over me with a calm indifference, as if he were looking at a complete stranger.

I gripped my wrist tightly, feeling the cold touch of metal beneath my palm.

Shen Sui had always been generous with me; I had received many gifts from him. But this bracelet was the only one he had given me for our anniversary.

How much joy I felt back then is matched only by how pathetic I feel now.

I used to think he had remembered the date, that he was clumsily trying to reciprocate my love. In reality, it was just a coincidence.

It just so happened that Lu Li wanted to go shopping that day, and Shen Sui went with her. Perhaps I had crossed his mind by chance, and he bought it on a whim.

And yet, I had convinced myself it was a sign of his love.

Once I have completely moved on, I will take this bracelet off.

That day is coming very soon.

The production crew didn’t give me much screen time. I only needed to smile and offer a few words here and there.

During her interaction with the host, Lu Li suddenly shifted the conversation toward me.

“Speaking of which, I feel so bad that Jiang Zhi has been getting so much hate because of me,” she said. “I’m truly sorry. I wasn’t in my right mind that day.”

I opened my mouth, but the words “it’s okay” wouldn’t come out.

Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, the host quickly laughed and intervened.

“I knew it was all just a misunderstanding. Why don’t you tell us, President Shen-what is your relationship with Jiang Zhi?”

He smilingly tossed the question to Shen Sui.

On the surface, it seemed like an attempt to help Lu Li and me bury the hatchet. In reality, he was handing the floor to the most powerful person in the room.

Shen Sui looked up at me. I tightened my grip on my wrist.

A slight smirk played at the corner of his mouth, though his eyes remained cold. He always wore this expression right before doing something cruel.

Shen Sui stared at my face, his tone dripping with a sort of mocking interest.

“Jiang Zhi and I were classmates before. Now, we’re barely even casual friends.”

Barely even casual friends.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself, hearing his voice say those words still sent a wave of overwhelming desolation through me.

I heard a faint, internal thud.

Finally, I had fallen off the tightrope.

It was exactly as I had expected.

I struggled to maintain a polite smile for the cameras while my hand frantically fumbled to unfasten the bracelet.

The clasp was difficult to open, and with my mind in such a state of disarray, I failed several times. My fingertips were turning red from the friction.

The male guest sitting next to me noticed. Seeming unable to bear the sight, he spoke up.

“Can’t get it off? Let me help you.”

I hesitated for a moment before extending my hand toward him.

I didn’t notice that across the room, Shen Sui’s expression had suddenly turned dark.