Chapter 17: Passionate Yet Fickle

After sleeping soundly until dawn, Tang Yuan woke up shortly after six in the morning. As soon as she stepped out of her room, Jiang Nian handed her a gift box.

“Madam, the CEO asked me to give this to you.”

Tang Yuan took the box and headed downstairs without hesitation.

Jiang Nian was somewhat surprised. The CEO had been spending a lot of time with Miss Song this month, barely returning home in over ten days. In the past, Madam would have subtly inquired about the CEO’s schedule. But now, she hadn’t asked a single question—just grabbed the gift box and walked away.

Shen Zhou was still not home; he was probably called away again by Song Qianqian last night.

Tang Yuan did some aerobic exercise on an empty stomach, ate a light breakfast, and by half past seven, she headed out to deliver the gift.

Yesterday, she had upset Yao Mei, and now, seeing her so early in the morning, Yao Mei only felt unlucky.

“Mom, this bracelet was sent by Shen Zhou.”

Yao Mei raised her hand to accept it. This was the imperial green jade bracelet she had been searching for. Such high-quality imperial green jade was rare in today’s jade market—money alone couldn’t easily buy it.

Seeing the bracelet, her expression softened somewhat. As she slid it onto her wrist, she asked, “Has Zhou taken you for a checkup yet? Are you pregnant?”

“I’ll get checked this afternoon. It’s just a stomach issue.”

A trace of sarcasm flashed in Yao Mei’s eyes. “I heard from the servants at Shuiyue Bay that you were looking for herbal remedies to get pregnant?”

Tang Yuan froze. How desperately she once wanted Shen Zhou’s child, and now that boomerang had come back with full force.

She had been foolish—foolish enough to believe that having a child could bind Shen Zhou to her. Instead, she had become nothing but a complete joke.

“Tang Yuan, to be fair, Zhou has been quite good to you. Twenty thousand yuan pocket money every month, and he’s helped your family several times. Your brother, Tang Shangxu, owes much of his success to Zhou. Don’t think that just because your Tang family has prospered, you can harbor other dirty thoughts. Zhou said last night—you’re still not worthy of having a child.”

Tang Yuan’s hand at her side slowly clenched. Having seen through everything long ago, this time it didn’t hurt as much.

“Mom, rest assured, I’ll give you a copy of the medical report today. I can’t have a Shen family child.”

Though the words sounded submissive, they struck Yao Mei’s ears like thudding blows against cotton—something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Enough. Go away. If you keep being disobedient, I’ll call the Tang family and ask how they’re raising their daughter.”

Tang Yuan’s pupils shrank slightly. She hated kneeling in the Tang family ancestral hall.

There was a small dark room there for punishment—cold and gloomy, pitch black. She had once been locked inside for two days after making a mistake, and came out barely half alive.

Lowering her head, pursing her lips, she said calmly, “Then I’ll go now.”

Yao Mei finally felt a release in her chest. Everyone knew Tang Yuan feared returning to the Tang family; their treatment of her was far harsher than the Shen household’s.

Shen Zhou had truly been kind to her, yet she showed no gratitude.

* * *

After getting into the car, Tang Yuan suddenly realized her back was soaked in cold sweat.

The Tang family hadn’t punished her many times, but their oppressive environment was suffocating.

She had known from a young age that she was adopted, always living in fear of being discarded. So when it came to being first, she never accepted second place.

The Tang family had trained her to be outstanding, only to make her a suitable wife for someone else.

Leaning back, her eyes reddened.

She pressed the accelerator and drove to the studio.

Fu Yansheng was already waiting there. Today, he wasn’t wearing a mask, and his figure was strikingly attractive—his handsome features were chiseled like carved jade. Upon seeing her, he lowered his eyelashes, lost in thought.

Tang Yuan drove her own car and motioned for him to get in.

He held a contract in his hand and took the passenger seat.

As usual, she reached over to fasten his seatbelt, noticing his stiffness and offering comfort.

“We’ll be working closely from now on. Get used to it early on. As a manager and part-time assistant, I might even have to approve your outfits.”

He looked out the window, his fingers subtly tightening. “Mm.”

Tang Yuan drove to Director Zhang’s filming location.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Song Qianqian again.

Song Qianqian had been propelled to fame by Shen Zhou, bolstered by major endorsements, and was now a top-tier rising star, adored wherever she went.

Seeing Tang Yuan, fury blazed in her eyes as she strode over.

“Oh, so you’re here. I was just thinking about you. Didn’t expect you to come crawling over yourself, you slut!”

She raised her hand to slap Tang Yuan, but Fu Yansheng grabbed her wrist firmly.

Song Qianqian tugged hard but couldn’t break free, her cheeks flushing red with anger.

“Aren’t you afraid of being blacklisted? Just wait!”

She broke free and turned to make a call.

Tang Yuan frowned and called after her, “Miss Song, I have a good relationship with Mrs. Shen Zhou.”

Song Qianqian paused, hanging up the phone she hadn’t dialed yet. She knew this was a threat.

“What do you mean?”

Tang Yuan stepped closer. Taller by several centimeters, with superior poise and beauty, she easily overshadowed Song Qianqian.

Song’s cheeks flushed deeper, feeling utterly dominated.

“Didn’t Mr. Shen warn you some things shouldn’t be taken too far? If this gets to his wife, who he’ll side with is uncertain. The Shen family can’t afford a scandal—you should understand that better than I do, Miss Song.”

She was certain Shen Zhou, despite doting on Song Qianqian, saw her as a mere substitute—not worth sacrificing his carefully built reputation.

Shen Zhou was a man both romantic and ruthless; he could elevate you to heaven one moment and cast you into hell the next.

Song Qianqian’s expression shifted repeatedly, her eyes filled with resentment.

Tang Yuan smiled faintly. “Let’s keep the peace. I won’t say more to Mrs. Shen Zhou. I hope, Miss Song, you’ll rise to your position soon.”

Song Qianqian clenched her teeth until she almost bled, her chest heaving violently. Ever since she had climbed into Shen Zhou’s arms, no one else had dared to let her suffer like this!

You despicable woman! That damned slut!

She wouldn’t take that slap lightly. Just wait—she would make that wretched woman kneel and apologize personally!

“Then try it. Say another word, and see how Brother Zhou punishes you.”

With that, she turned back to make the call.

Tang Yuan frowned; Song Qianqian was truly troublesome.

She ignored her and led Fu Yansheng to meet Director Zhang.

Just as they were about to sign the contract, Director Zhang suddenly received a call—it was from Jiang Nian.

He held his pen tightly, and upon hearing the instructions, his expression grew strange.

After hanging up, he put down the pen. “Tessa, Assistant Jiang just called. I can’t assign you this artist role anymore. You know I work for Fenghua Entertainment, and I have to depend on the company to survive.”

Tang Yuan’s fingers clenched slowly at her side.

“Director Zhang, please sign the contract first. I will handle any issues that come up later.”