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In the white, sterile room of the hospital, sunlight filtered softly through the blinds, casting gentle stripes across the crisp sheets.
The quiet beeping of medical monitors filled the room, soft and rhythmic.
Xu Jiaqi's lashes fluttered open slowly, her eyes adjusting to the bright white light of the hospital ceiling.
For a moment, she was disoriented.
Everything was hazy for a moment until her vision cleared, and she saw Lili leaning over her, concern etched into every line of her face.
"Jiaqi…" a soft voice called.
She tried to sit up as Lili leaned forward, quickly placing a hand behind her back to help her sit up.
"Jiaqi? You're awake?"
"What… happened?" Xu Jiaqi asked, her throat dry and voice hoarse.
"You fainted," Lili replied, adjusting the pillows behind her back. "Right there on the set. Scared everyone half to death."
As soon as Lili said that, everything came rushing back—her reflection in the mirror, the gasps, the phones, the viral video, the name 'Yan Qingsi'… her heart clenched painfully.
She swallowed, her voice hoarse. "Water… please."
Lili nodded and poured her a glass from the jug on the table, handing it over quickly.
Xu Jiaqi took a few sips, the coolness easing her dry throat.
"I—"
Just as she was about to speak again, the sound of the door opened making her pause.
Mo Yuwei entered, looking elegant and composed as always, but her face was unreadable—serious, if not slightly tense.
Xu Jiaqi quickly placed the glass back on the table and sat straighter. "CEO Mo…"
Mo Yuwei gave a small nod as she approached, her sharp heels clicking against the tile floor.
Her gaze was steady, unreadable.
Xu Jiaqi felt cold sweat on her palms.
Was CEO Mo angry at her?
Did she regret helping her?
Because she fainted? Had she delayed work?
"I'm so sorry, CEO Mo," Xu Jiaqi rushed out. "I didn't mean to collapse like that on set. I just… I saw the news and— I didn't mean to affect the shoot. I'll make up for it, I promise."
Mo Yuwei's gaze narrowed, and Xu Jiaqi immediately went quiet.
"Stop."
The single word, spoken in Mo Yuwei's cool, clipped tone, made Xu Jiaqi's throat tighten.
She immediately closed her mouth.
At that moment, Lili took the hint and quietly excused herself, closing the door behind her.
—
Silence filled the room again.
Mo Yuwei sat down in the chair beside the bed, crossing her legs elegantly.
"You think I'm angry because you fainted?" she asked calmly.
Xu Jiaqi nodded slightly, uncertain. "I… thought maybe…"
Mo Yuwei sighed. "I'm not angry."
Xu Jiaqi looked up slowly. "You're not?"
There was a brief silence.
"No," she finally said. "I'm not here because of that."
Xu Jiaqi watched her cautiously, unsure of what was coming.
"Fang Zemin wants to meet you," Mo Yuwei said bluntly.
Xu Jiaqi's heart skipped a beat.
"What?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"He asked to speak with you. Said you can go to the company and name your terms."
Xu Jiaqi's lips parted, her breath faltering. Her mind instantly flooded with memories of that building. Of the way she'd been treated.
Of the humiliation. The rejection. The threats.
"No," she whispered. "I don't want anything from them. I'm not going back. I just want them to release me."
Mo Yuwei nodded once, her expression still serious. "They will. Very soon."
A short silence fell between them again before Mo Yuwei shifted in her seat.
"Xu Jiaqi…" she said slowly, "Tell me what happened with Yan Qingsi."
Xu Jiaqi's body tensed.
Her hand clutched the bedsheet, knuckles white.
Her throat felt tight again, and tears began to sting the corners of her eyes.
She wasn't expecting that question, but part of her had known it would come eventually when she saw the news.
She looked away as tears welled up in her eyes.
Her vision blurred until Mo Yuwei's figure became hazy.
Mo Yuwei noticed and added softly, "You don't have to tell me now. Only if you're ready."
Xu Jiaqi shook her head slowly. "No… I don't have anything to hide. You deserve to know. You've helped me so much already."
Mo Yuwei leaned forward slightly.
"What happened?"
Xu Jiaqi took a deep breath.
Her hands were trembling. "Yan Qingsi's death… it wasn't an accident. And it wasn't natural either."
Silence.
A heavy silence followed her words.
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