With Zhou Shaoqiu's memories in hand, Xu Keke reached out and took the newspaper, staring at it for a long time.

She wasn't reading Ji Mingkai's romantic novel. With the nation in peril, he wasn't thinking about serving his country, but about pursuing women. Ji Mingkai's actions were completely at odds with his reputation as a progressive intellectual; at best, he was just a philandering playboy.

Xu Keke watched the premiere of the movie called "The Tears of a Young Woman".

This film, once released today, will cause a sensation throughout Shanghai and may even become a classic masterpiece that will be passed down through generations. Zhou Shaoqiu, the real-life inspiration for the film's main antagonist, will also become a lasting joke in this turbulent era because of this movie.

The young woman's tears were staged by Tang Wan, Ji Mingkai's fiancée. The film is simple: it tells the story of a woman in the old era who tearfully sends her husband off to study while she cares for her parents alone at home. When her husband returns after completing his studies, the couple, who should have been happy, are instead separated by a woman disguised as a modern woman—who is actually a seductive vixen—who uses her allure to seduce him. The film ends with a shot of the young woman's tears.

This was originally a very ordinary movie, but the lead actress, Mingyu, had just returned from winning an award abroad and was being heavily promoted by the film company. This movie was Mingyu's first film after returning to China. Public opinion was almost entirely positive, with not a single negative voice heard.

Two film critics, whose work had been making headlines in the newspapers, unusually joined forces to offer unrestrained praise for the film. At the same time, they jointly revealed that the real-life inspiration for the film's third party was Zhou Shaoqiu, a modern woman from a recently serialized novel.

This revelation undoubtedly added fuel to the fire for the already popular movie, making it even more popular.

What was originally a romantic tale in the novel became evidence of incriminating behavior. The descriptions in the novel, such as "She looked at me from behind the door, her eyes like autumn waves, like lingering lake water, captivating my heart...", were all turned into evidence of Zhou Shaoqiu seducing Ji Mingkai.

Zhou Shaoqiu, who was envied by everyone, suddenly became a sinner condemned by everyone and morally depraved overnight.

This couple, one a novelist and the other a film director, pushed a sixteen-year-old girl from heaven to hell. Zhou Shaoqiu never married, and posterity views her as a scheming but ultimately tragic third party. All the suffering she endured, even the misfortunes that befell her family, were met with applause from the public. In their eyes, this was the fate that bad people deserved.

Xu Keke got dressed, picked up the newspaper, and went downstairs.

Zhou Shaoqiu's mother, Wang Shujin, was sitting alone in the dining room eating breakfast with a somber expression. When she saw Zhou Shaoqiu come downstairs, her expression softened slightly, but when she saw the newspaper in Zhou Shaoqiu's hand, her face immediately changed.

Xu Keke sat down opposite her, placed the newspaper beside her, and remained silent. The old woman from before had placed milk and bread in front of her. Xu Keke glanced at the soup dumplings and wontons in front of Wang Shujin and frowned.

Remembering their argument the night before, and seeing Xu Keke's expression, Wang Shujin assumed she was complaining that the food she was eating was too traditional and not trendy enough.

Her mood worsened, and she threw the spoon in her hand into the bowl. "It's not only foreigners' things that are good. Your Mr. Ji, he also studied in a private school, but after going abroad to study Western affairs for a few years, he thinks he's something special. There are so many talented young people in Shanghai, which one isn't better than him? He doesn't even have a proper job, and his family provides for all his needs. Now he's even falling out with his family because of you. Do you want to live a life of poverty with him?"

Hearing Wang Shujin say bad things about Ji Mingkai, Xu Keke nodded in agreement, "She's right."

"What?" Wang Shujin didn't understand Xu Keke's meaning and thought she agreed with her statement that they should live a life of poverty with Ji Mingkai. She was furious and slammed her hand on the table, shouting, "What did you say?"

"Sister-in-law, that's enough! We weren't done arguing last night, and now you're bringing this up again so early in the morning. It's so annoying." Zhou Xiangnan walked into the dining room, tying the sash of his bathrobe in his hand and wearing slippers.

Wang Shujin disapproved of her casual manner and turned her head away. Zhou Xiangnan, however, didn't seem to care, acting as if she hadn't seen her. She pulled out a chair and sat down next to Zhou Shaoqiu. She also noticed the newspaper beside Zhou Shaoqiu.

"However, Shaoqiu, you shouldn't be so immersed in your love. I don't approve of Mr. Ji's actions. If he really cared, he should have pursued you openly, gently and sweetly, and shown you his personal charm, instead of making it public knowledge. Such methods are rather low-class."

Wang Shujin didn't completely agree with Zhou Xiangnan's words, but it was rare that her sister-in-law didn't contradict her. Having someone on her side made Wang Shujin feel much better. She picked up her spoon, lowered her head, and began eating her breakfast, her eyes occasionally glancing at Xu Keke.

Zhou Xiangnan said to the old woman behind Hou, "Sister Hua, I am the same as Miss."

“Well,” Xu Keke pushed the milk and bread in front of her toward Zhou Xiangnan, “I haven’t eaten mine yet. I want soup dumplings and wontons.”

Seeing the surprised looks on their faces, Xu Keke said nonchalantly, "Originally, I didn't have that deep feelings for this Mr. Ji. I just didn't want others to interfere with my love life. He publishes novels every day, and I can't stop him. I can't very well issue a statement saying that I rejected him, can I?"

Zhou Xiangnan picked up a piece of bread from the plate, tore it off with his hand, and was about to put it in his mouth when he heard her words. He stopped. "That's why I said this Mr. Ji is a bit low-class. But it's not like there's no way..."

“I’ve already spoken to the newspaper,” Zhou Zi’an said, coming downstairs in a suit. Sister Hua was about to approach him to ask what he wanted to eat when he gracefully raised his hand to stop her. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Zhou Shaoqiu.

"As long as you say you don't like him, have them add a notice to the bottom of the novel, solemnly declaring that Zhou Shaoqiu is already engaged, and asking Mr. Ji Mingkai to stop harassing him."

"A marriage contract!" Zhou Shaoqiu looked at Zhou Zi'an in confusion, then at Wang Shujin. "What marriage contract?"

Wang Shujin rolled her eyes at her son reproachfully, then said with a hint of helplessness, "This was arranged for you by your father before he passed away. Originally, your aunt and I both..."

“It’s none of my business,” Zhou Xiangnan interrupted, raising his hand. “Your mother and I think differently. She’s afraid you’ll be against the arranged marriage, so she wants to keep it a secret. I think he’s a nice guy, and you can try getting to know him as friends first. What if you like him? That would be a good thing.”

"Do I know this person?" Zhou Shaoqiu had no recollection of this incident. He figured it was because Tang Wan's movie had disrupted the two women's plans. After learning that her reputation was ruined, the other party abandoned her.