The Hongmen Banquet

The dinner will be held in a private restaurant.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Lin Qingyue carried an exquisite handbag containing a limited-edition watch she had carefully selected for Lin Jinxuan to celebrate his career success. She promptly opened the door to the private room, a rare gentle smile on her face, and even jokingly said, "Lin Jinxuan, you're so arrogant now that you even have to let me come and celebrate for you..."

Before she finished speaking, her eyes had already swept across the interior of the private room.

The smile froze on her face instantly.

Her gaze was fixed on the man who stood up and looked at her - Shen Yu.

Almost the next second, her gaze, like a sharp knife, swung towards Lin Jinxuan, who was hunching his neck and trying to reduce his presence. Her gaze was so sharp it seemed to pierce through him, filled with undisguised shock and a surging anger that said, "How dare you plot against me?"

Lin Jinxuan was so frightened by his sister's eyes that he shuddered all over. He turned his face away almost instinctively, not daring to look at her at all. He subconsciously shrank behind Xia Xiaoran, wishing he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Xia Xiaoran was also frightened by Lin Qingyue's sudden change of expression, her heart pounding. She gritted her teeth, quickly stood up, and took a step forward, her voice trembling with nervousness. "Sister...sister! P...please don't be angry! Listen...listen to our explanation! Mr. Shen...he really just wants to have a good talk with you! Just once! Please!"

"Mr. Shen, I thought I had made it clear enough that night. There is nothing to talk about between us. Please don't appear in front of me in such a ridiculous way in the future." Lin Qingyue turned her head and looked directly at Shen Yu.

Shen Yu's heart seemed to be pierced by these words. Because of anger, the tails of his eyes were slightly red: "There is nothing to talk about? Lin Qingyue, that's my daughter too! Shouldn't you give me an explanation! "

Lin Qingyue has always been a soft-hearted person. The recent scandal, the possible exposure of her daughter's background, and the complicated company affairs have already made her overwhelmed. Today, she was tricked by her trusted brother and his wife into confronting Shen Yu. At this moment, Shen Yu not only did not show any sympathy, but instead aggressively confronted her as if she had eaten dynamite, instantly igniting her suppressed irritability and anger.

She acted impulsively, and her inherent arrogance and self-protection mechanism led her to choose the most hurtful way to fight back. Her words were like the sharpest dagger, piercing the other person's most painful point:

"Shen Yu!" She interrupted him harshly, "Don't forget your original identity! Just a plaything that depends on my mood! Know your place! Nian Nian is my daughter, her surname is Lin, and she has nothing to do with you!"

These words were extremely harsh and hurtful. Even Lin Jinxuan, who was trying hard to reduce his presence, couldn't stand it and couldn't help but mutter in a low voice: "Sister, your words are too harsh..."

These words hit Shen Yu's heart like a heavy hammer.

The little color on his face, born of anger, instantly drained away. His body swayed imperceptibly, as if he would collapse at any moment. Tears quickly filled his eyes, and in the blink of an eye, a large tear rolled down without warning, sliding down his pale cheek, hitting the carpet, and disappearing without a trace.

All the anger and sharpness were instantly washed away by the immense humiliation and sadness. It was as if all his strength had been drained away, even his voice became weak, leaving only sobs and unbelievable sorrow:

"Sister..." he called out hoarsely, his voice filled with grievance and despair of being completely crushed.

Lin Qingyue's breathing suddenly stopped.

As expected... I still can't stand seeing him like this.

Her heart seemed to be burned by that scalding tear, and the hard shell she had built up began to crumble. She even subconsciously avoided his tearful gaze.

A suffocating silence spread throughout the luxurious private room, so heavy that it seemed to crush everyone's nerves.

After what felt like a century, Lin Qingyue suddenly turned around and stopped looking at Shen Yu's dismal face. She walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair with a slightly stiff movement, and sat down. Her profile was still tense, and her tone lacked any warmth, but she finally relaxed, although it sounded more like a helpless expulsion:

"Lin Jinxuan," she ordered in a dry voice, "Go out and buy a pack of cigarettes."

Lin Jinxuan and Xia Xiaoran were as if they had been pardoned. They almost jumped up and responded repeatedly: "Hey! Okay! I'll go right away!" Before they finished speaking, they rushed out of the private room as if escaping.

The door of the private room closed, Shen Yu walked over and sat down next to her, but his eyes were always glued to her face.

"To make a long story short, Mr. Shen," Lin Qingyue spoke first, her tone as distant as if she were talking to a business rival. "I've already had the trending searches and most of the photos removed. I've also informed several major media outlets that there won't be any more substantive reports. This matter will soon be resolved. Your career is on the rise, and there's no need to get caught up in this..."

Shen Yu interrupted her with a sob, "For six years, I haven't forgotten you for a single day... I know you want to do good for me, but have you ever asked me?! That's my life! What do I want? Have you ever asked?! I have always wanted only you! Only you!"

"Shen Yu, calm down." She tried to comfort him in a calm tone, "You are now a top actor, you have a bright future, so many people like you, you can't..."

"I don't want any of it!" Shen Yu interrupted her categorically, her eyes fanatical and resolute, "I entered the entertainment industry and climbed up desperately just to let you see me! Now you see it, and I have found you, that's enough! I can hold a press conference immediately and explain everything to everyone! I love you, we have a daughter, I want to marry you, and our family of three will be together! I'm going to quit, I can do anything as long as I can be with you!"

His words were like the hottest magma, scalding Lin Qingyue's heart. She looked at the nearly crazed man before her, as if she were seeing the young man who had been willing to sacrifice everything for her six years ago. She knew what he said was true; he was truly willing to give up everything for her.

And this is exactly what she least wants to see.

She couldn't let him do this. She couldn't let his years of hard work go to waste and endure countless criticisms and abuses. He deserved to stand in the spotlight, enjoy the glory and applause he deserved, not be dragged into the quagmire by her and the complications she brought.

"impossible."

The light in Shen Yu's eyes dimmed.

"Shen Yu, don't be so naive." Lin Qingyue stood up and stopped looking at him. "It's over between us. Now you are you and I am me. I have my own life, and I will raise my daughter by myself. I don't need you to be responsible. You should also have your new life instead of living in the past."

"Don't see you again." She picked up her handbag and walked towards the door.

"Be a good actor and don't ruin yourself."

After saying that, she opened the door and walked out without any nostalgia, leaving Shen Yu alone in the empty box.

Shen Yu slowly buried his face in his palms, his shoulders trembling violently. Despair completely submerged him like a tide.

In the hallway, Lin Qingyue leaned against the cold wall and took several deep breaths, barely suppressing the soreness in her eyes and the throbbing pain in her heart. She pulled out her phone and called Wang Jing, her voice trembling. "Double the budget! I want all related entries and discussions completely wiped off the internet. Also, book me a flight back to New York as soon as possible."

She had to leave here, now, right now, before she could soften her heart.