Chapter 131: One Year Later

One year later...

Shanghai!

The production of the film "Nine-Layer Fire" had been fraught with twists and turns. First, the cast and crew were struck by a mudslide, and shortly after, the lead actor was maliciously kidnapped. Inadvertently, this generated significant attention before the film was even released, and its final box office performance was undeniably spectacular. Director Chen Dan earned the title of "Best Crime Director," and the dual leads, Lin Liyang and Cheng Yishu, were both crowned "Best Actor."

For a time, the accolade of "Youngest Best Actor" allowed Cheng Yishu to gain even more recognition and affection from the public. It marked his successful transition from an idol to a seasoned actor of substance.

Today was the day of Su Nian’s release. Xu Ningning had dressed up early, determined to pick him up in person. Although some things had not been explicitly stated, or perhaps there hadn't been time to say them, an unspoken understanding had already formed between them.

During that kidnapping a year ago, after the police arrived, Su Nian had seen Sister Yang and her henchmen fleeing. He pursued them and engaged in a fight. Having grown up as a street tough, brawling was second nature to him. Seeing that Lin Wen and Si Nan were in dire straits, he had lost control in his desperation and severely injured one of the attackers. Fortunately, the police arrived just in time; otherwise, it could have been fatal. If that had happened, Su Nian would not have simply been "locked up" for a year.

Cheng Yishu dropped Ranran off at the school gate. Watching her wave goodbye and skip into the school, he hurriedly drove away before he could be spotted. It wasn't out of any particular fear, but he didn't want to bring trouble to the child. Ranran herself had come to realize that her "Yishu Brother" was different from ordinary people, and that he shouldn't be seen by strangers.

Si Nan had just flown back from Hong Kong. His leg was still troublesome, leaving him with a slight limp, but it did nothing to diminish the charisma of a domineering CEO. If anything, the cane only added to his gentlemanly air.

"Hello? What is it?" Cheng Yishu’s phone rang while he was driving; it was a call from the caregiver.
"Hello? What’s the matter?" At the same time, Si Nan, having just stepped out of the airport, also received a call from a caregiver.

"What?"
"What!"
"I’m coming right over!"
"I’m heading to the hospital immediately..."

When Xu Ningning saw Su Nian again, she felt unexpectedly shy. She had thought she would throw herself into his arms and cry, regardless of the reason—just cry first! But as she stood there watching Su Nian emerge from the slowly opening iron gate with a canvas bag on his back, all she could think about was grinning at him. Every other thought vanished from her mind.

"What are you smiling at? Does it look that bad?" Su Nian wore a simple pair of jeans and a shirt. His hair was cropped into a very short buzz cut, making him look energetic, and his eyes were filled with hidden laughter. She had expected someone just coming out of that place to look decadent or weary, but he didn't.

"It’s not bad. It looks quite good!" Xu Ningning stared at his shorn head, beaming.

"There’s something I haven't told you yet," Su Nian said, fidgeting with the strap of his backpack.
"What is it?" Xu Ningning found herself feeling nervous.
"I..." Su Nian spoke cautiously, "I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Xu Ningning wasn't disappointed; she just looked at him, puzzled.
"I was entrusted to look after Wen, and yet I let her get hurt," Su Nian said, his face full of regret.
Xu Ningning’s smile faltered slightly. She gave a dry laugh and said, "Wen... she's doing quite well now."
"That’s good," Su Nian swallowed, feeling awkward.
"Let's head back then! Su Mo is waiting for us," Xu Ningning said, curling her lips into a smile.
"Wait a second!" Su Nian grabbed Xu Ningning as she turned to leave. Her body stiffened.
"There is one more thing. I think... if I don't say it now, I might never have the courage to again. I..."
Su Nian stammered, and Xu Ningning felt anxious.
"What is it?" she asked without turning back, her face flushed and her heart pounding, her voice no louder than a mosquito's.
"I, I..." Su Nian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as if to steel his resolve. "I..."
"Wait!"

The phone in Xu Ningning’s pocket vibrated, making her heart race. After answering it, she stood frozen on the spot.
"What happened?" Su Nian asked, looking at her with concern as he saw the shock on her face.
"Let's go, quickly!"

Xu Ningning pulled Su Nian along. In their haste, their fingers interlaced without either of them noticing. It was a natural, fated progression that required no flowery language or clichés.

When they arrived, Cheng Yishu and Si Nan were already there, standing at the door of the VIP ward, locked in a tense stare-down. If not for the palpable dissatisfaction and hostility in their eyes, one might have thought these two equally handsome men were interested in each other.

"You're fast," Cheng Yishu remarked, glancing at Si Nan.
"Likewise," Si Nan retorted coldly.
"So idle? Is your conglomerate going bankrupt, with the CEO always running around?"
"Is the Best Actor retiring? Can't find any roles?"
"My, your tongue has grown sharper."

Cheng Yishu looked at him with amusement. "Learning to jab at people? Don't worry, as long as you, President Si, don't play dirty, I’ll have more work than I can handle."
Si Nan glared at him. "I wouldn't bother with such boring things."
"Boring? You have the nerve to call it boring?" Cheng Yishu curled his lip. "Who was it that replaced my endorsements, who was it that..."
"You two, can you stop arguing?" Xu Ningning gasped, breathless from running. "Every weekend you meet, you have to bicker. Aren't you tired of it?" The main thing was that it was always the same issues and the same lines.

"Su Nian... you're back! It's good that you're back!" Cheng Yishu and Si Nan finally noticed the two behind them. Cheng Yishu patted Su Nian on the shoulder with a smile. "You've had a hard time."
Si Nan also looked at Su Nian, who simply smiled back at both of them.

"We're together again," Su Nian said simply. For a moment, the air went quiet. It was as if these few words had brought them all back to that heart-stopping night from the previous year.

"What did the doctor say?" Xu Ningning broke the brief silence, asking urgently. "The head nurse's call scared me to death; I thought... but seeing you two still bickering, I guess it’s nothing bad?"
"Of course it's fine!" Cheng Yishu said, trying to comfort her. "It was the caregiver who, while wiping Wen down this morning, noticed that her hand moved and her eyelids fluttered a few times, so they called me immediately."
"It was *my* caregiver who noticed it!" Si Nan emphasized.
"But the caregiver called *me*!" Cheng Yishu countered.
"If my caregiver hadn't noticed it, who would your caregiver have called?" Si Nan replied with dissatisfaction.
"Ha, if my caregiver hadn't made the call, where would you have even been?" Cheng Yishu retorted.

"Enough, enough, enough..." Xu Ningning felt a headache coming on. "I know you're rich, competing over who pays more for caregivers, who has better qualifications, better experience... and in the end, you each hired one. I’m truly defeated by you two!"

"Hmph!"
"Boring!"

The two men scoffed at each other, standing back-to-back, continuing to guard the hospital room door, waiting only for the doctor to come out and give them the best news of all.