Chapter 56: Leaving the Entertainment Industry

"Stop fussing. I'm leaving the hospital today." Shen Yan's voice drifted over, cool and calm, and Ye Yao Yao immediately paused what she was doing.

This was the right thing to do.

Stomach ailments are chronic; they can't be cured in a day or two and must be nursed gradually.

"This is what President Shen said himself, I didn't force you," Ye Yao Yao distanced herself from the matter.

Shen Yan smiled. When did this woman develop so many adorable little expressions?

Ye Yao Yao glanced at him, and Shen Yan's smile instantly disappeared.

"Stomach illness is a chronic condition; it needs careful management."

His words made Ye Yao Yao sense something was amiss.

She frowned, and sure enough, Shen Yan continued, "Since it needs management, shouldn't you be responsible for it?"

"Why should I be responsible?" Ye Yao Yao sprang to her feet. "Your stomach problems aren't because of me!"

"But I did have a relapse after eating your chili," Shen Yan retorted, leaving Ye Yao Yao speechless.

Something strange stirred in his heart.

Was she really so eager to sever ties with him?

It was just a matter of asking her to look after him—was she truly so unwilling?

"Shen Yan, let me say it again: you brought this on yourself. You knew you shouldn't eat spicy food and did it anyway. That's why this happened."

Ye Yao Yao spoke solemnly, "Your body is yours—if you don't cherish it, no one else can help you."

She tossed these words behind her and turned to leave.

She reminded herself to be ruthless; if not, she would only be used by others.

Yet, as soon as she walked out the door, Ye Yao Yao turned back.

Fine, she would never let Shen Yan through her door again in this lifetime!

Shen Yan was still wounded by her words when he saw her return, and a relaxed expression appeared on his face.

Ye Yao Yao brought Shen Yan home and began to study his diet.

It didn't require much effort; she had already been preparing nourishing meals for him before.

After finishing the meal, Ye Yao Yao found Shen Yan absorbed in his computer. She snatched it away, saying, "You need to eat at regular times. Otherwise, you'll get sick again and blame me."

"Alright." Shen Yan obediently took his seat at the table.

The food tasted strangely familiar.

Though their previous interactions had been unpleasant, Shen Yan's stomach still favored Ye Yao Yao's cooking.

Things had changed.

Ye Yao Yao used to cook for him willingly; now, she was compelled to do it.

During the meal, neither spoke.

Ye Yao Yao's irritation gradually subsided under the comfort of good food.

After eating, she washed the dishes and went out to the balcony to bask in the sun.

After sitting for a while, drowsiness crept in, and with her eyes closed, she drifted off.

Seeing this, Shen Yan tiptoed over, gazing at the two round patches of baby fat on her cheeks, resisting the urge to touch them.

Yet the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

After these days of turmoil, her face had filled out; she looked less frail.

He watched for a while. As Ye Yao Yao slept uncomfortably, she tried to turn over and almost fell from her seat.

Shen Yan caught her in time, and the movement woke Ye Yao Yao.

Their eyes met.

Ye Yao Yao glanced at Shen Yan's stomach.

Thinking of something, Shen Yan slumped to the floor, feigning weakness.

Ye Yao Yao landed on top of him, the two rolling onto the ground together.

"Weren't you supposed to be resting?"

"I came over to check on you."

"If you're so weak, how can you walk over?" Ye Yao Yao's words had a hint of sarcasm.

Shen Yan answered without so much as a blush, "I just ate, so I have a bit of strength left."

Ye Yao Yao couldn't be bothered to expose his act.

She got up; life had been too comfortable lately, and idleness made her sleepy.

She'd only been sunbathing for a while and had fallen asleep.

Ye Yao Yao turned around and saw Shen Yan already standing. She couldn't help but laugh, "I thought President Shen was so weak he needed me to help him up."

With those words, she went inside and sprawled across the bed in a star shape.

Time for a nap!

Shen Yan smiled faintly and walked out, closing the door behind him.

When she woke up, Ye Yao Yao scrolled through her phone, seeing an increasing number of negative news reports about Gu Yan Cheng.

It was mostly disappointed fans venting their grievances online.

Ye Yao Yao only needed a brief analysis to understand Gu Yan Cheng's motives.

He was striving to climb higher, but every resource he gained had to be shared with Qin Miao, as if he were paving the way for someone else.

Gu Yan Cheng's dislike for Qin Miao was obvious to all, and naturally he began to slack off.

Looking at all this, Ye Yao Yao was filled with guilt. Gu Yan Cheng should have been a rising star in the entertainment industry, but because she had been manipulated, he was left at the mercy of others.

This couldn't go on.

Ye Yao Yao decided to meet with Gu Yan Cheng.

She had someone investigate his schedule for the evening, then made dinner for Shen Yan before heading out.

Shen Yan called after her, "You're not eating?"

"I have something to do."

"What is it?" Shen Yan pressed her for details.

Hard-won, she finally had some flesh on her face—now she was running around again?

Annoyed by his questioning, Ye Yao Yao shot him a glare, "President Shen, my only duty is to help you recover. I don't owe you any other explanations."

"Ye Yao Yao!"

She had no interest in hearing anything further and left swiftly.

She hoped she wouldn't be late; cooking had taken up some time.

When Ye Yao Yao arrived, Gu Yan Cheng had just finished his engagements and was about to get into his car. He looked up and saw her.

Their eyes met, each harboring their own thoughts.

Reason told Gu Yan Cheng he should leave, but his legs refused to move, holding him in place.

His companions noticed something was wrong, but he dismissed them all.

In the end, Gu Yan Cheng sat across from Ye Yao Yao.

They faced each other for a conversation.

"Yao Yao... Sis, what brings you here?"

"I saw all your news lately. What's going on?"

Gu Yan Cheng's pupils contracted, his gaze evasive. "Nothing, just felt it wasn't worth it anymore. I don't want to do it."

"Don't want to do it?"

Ye Yao Yao nodded. "That's fine. I don’t think the entertainment industry is a good place. One small mistake gets magnified countless times, blown out of proportion."

"Everyone makes mistakes, but public figures are expected to set a positive example, so their errors are exaggerated."

Her words were gently probing, hoping Gu Yan Cheng would understand and withdraw in time.

"Besides, some mistakes aren't really ours to make, are they?"

Hearing this, Gu Yan Cheng's body tensed violently.

He looked up at Ye Yao Yao, disbelief in his eyes, suspecting she knew something.

Nervous, he asked, "Yao Yao, what do you know?"

"What should I know?"

Ye Yao Yao concealed her knowledge flawlessly. "Yan Cheng, I just think you’ve been too tense lately, and I’m worried about you."

Gu Yan Cheng looked at her, half convinced, half doubting. "Really?"

"Of course. We’ve known each other for so many years—would I ever mislead you?"

Ye Yao Yao smiled innocently and let out a heavy sigh. "Yan Cheng, if the entertainment industry really makes you uncomfortable, then leave."

"There's nothing wrong with cutting your losses in time."

This was the best way for Gu Yan Cheng to break free.

"I... I'll think about it."