After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“I’ve made some soup and a couple of my signature dishes. Take them to Ye Qin for her,” Yang Li said, busy at the kitchen counter.

Wang Lin reached around her from behind and wrapped her arms around Yang Li’s waist. “You’re so thoughtful.”

Yang Li offered a soft laugh. “Didn’t you say she hasn’t been eating well? I don’t know what else I can do to help you all through this tough time, so I just made some simple food.”

As she finished speaking, Wang Lin couldn’t resist kissing her on the neck. “You’re working hard.”

“Alright,” Yang Li said, slightly embarrassed, and gently pulled his hands away. “Hurry up and take this to her. I still have to go coach Lin’er on his homework.”

Wang Lin smiled. “Got it. I’ll head out now.”

…

Wang Lin arrived at Ye Qin’s apartment door. He rang the bell first, but there was no answer. Knowing she must be inside, he had no choice but to use his spare key to open the door. The moment it opened, a strong, heavy smell of alcohol rushed out. Wang Lin covered his mouth and nose with one hand and closed the door with the other before stepping inside.

The lights weren’t on in the living room; the curtains were tightly drawn, even in broad daylight. As Wang Lin walked, his foot struck a beer bottle. Frustrated, he fumbled his way to the window and yanked the curtains open. Sunlight streamed in, revealing the utter mess of the room.

Ye Qin wasn’t in the living room.

“Ye Qin, Qin, are you there?” Wang Lin approached her bedroom door. It wasn’t closed, just slightly ajar. Wang Lin pushed it open. Ye Qin was indeed still asleep in bed. The room was pitch black. Wang Lin immediately drew the curtains open. The person on the bed woke up quickly, covering her eyes with her hand. “What do you want…?”

Wang Lin was furious. “Look at you! What a mess! You look neither human nor ghost!”

Ye Qin laughed exaggeratedly. “The company’s suspended my work. Why are you still trying to manage me, Sister Wang?”

“I manage you because I’m your manager, and I’m your friend!” Wang Lin declared, striding forward and forcefully pulling her out of bed without another word. “Yang Li made this especially for you. Eat something.”

At first, Ye Qin wanted to maintain her pride and refuse, but when the container lid was lifted, the aroma was so enticing that she couldn’t resist. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten a proper meal. It had been days of drinking, living in a daze where day was night and night was day.

“Slow down, eat slowly. It’s all for you.” Watching her devour the food ravenously, Wang Lin felt both relieved and heartbroken.

Mid-meal, Ye Qin suddenly paused, speaking indistinctly through a mouthful of food. “I’ve figured it out.”

“Figured what out?”

“Sister Wang, can you help me arrange a press conference?”

“A press conference… What are you going to do?”

“You’ll know when the time comes.” Ye Qin avoided the question.

“Alright then. Just eat well first. This place is a disaster. I’ll go out and clean up for you.” No matter what, it was a good sign that she was finally willing to pull herself together.

However, Wang Lin never anticipated Ye Qin’s true intention for calling the press conference. If she had known, she would never have allowed her to do it.

…

As preparations for the press conference began, the news had already spread.

“I wonder what method Ye Qin will use to try and clear her name this time?”

“I don’t want to see this woman anymore.”

“What? She hasn’t been kicked out of the entertainment industry yet?”

“……”

Even Shen Lu, far away in Tibet, saw the news online—the time Ye Qin was scheduled to hold a press conference. Although it was just a glance, Shen Lu mentally noted the time and the website where the live stream would be available.

On the day of the conference, Ye Qin was getting her makeup done backstage. Wang Lin waited nearby. “Now can you tell me what you plan to do?”

Ye Qin looked at Wang Lin’s reflection in the mirror. “Sister Wang, I’m sorry, but… I’ve already made up my mind.”

“No, what is it you’re going to do?” Wang Lin suddenly panicked.

“There are some things I think I need to clarify. Then, I’ll be withdrawing from the entertainment industry indefinitely.”

“???” This was Wang Lin’s immediate reaction. She couldn’t comprehend it. All those years of effort, finally cultivating Ye Qin to her current status—was it all going to be ruined like this? “Ye Qin, you are not allowed to be reckless!”

“Sister Wang, I’m not being reckless. I’ve thought about this for a long time these past few days, turning it over and over. Maybe this is the right choice. I love Shen Lu. I love her, but because of all this, I lost her. I can give up fame and my career.” Ye Qin paused, then added, “Sister Wang, I know this is unfair to you, but I genuinely have no other choice.”

With that, she resolutely pushed the door open and walked out. Wang Lin was stunned in place. By the time she chased after her, Ye Qin had already stepped onto the stage.

She was out! Reporters frantically took pictures of her. The constant flashes and the clicking of camera shutters were relentless.

Ye Qin calmly walked onto the stage and sat in the center seat, adjusting the microphone to a comfortable angle. Facing the multitude of media outlets below, she felt a moment of disorientation—it had been a very long time since she’d been in such a setting. Before, with her tight schedule, she dealt with the media almost daily. This was the first time she had faced them after such a long interval.

The live stream began. Shen Lu, in her hostel, quickly opened her laptop and entered the live broadcast room. Ye Qin looked… quite haggard. Despite the makeup, her face lacked its usual confidence and arrogance. Shen Lu felt a pang of sadness.

“I am Ye Qin. It’s been a long time since we last met. A lot has happened these past few days, and everyone has many questions and speculations. Today… I will clarify everything for you.”

Ye Qin paused, then continued, “My father was an alcoholic. When I was little, he would come home and beat my mother and me. Then my mother would steal his money to go gamble, leaving me alone at home. When I was five, my mother conspired with a lover she met at the card table to murder my father. She was subsequently sent to prison. That man was powerful and was soon released, while my mother took the full blame. I was raised by my grandmother after that.”

The reporters below were stunned. They had never expected Ye Qin to voluntarily confess such things in front of so many people. Even Shen Lu was extremely surprised. What was Ye Qin trying to do? What was the purpose of this press conference?

“When I was eighteen, I met my manager. She led me out of that dark period, debuted me, and gave me everything I have today. I want to sincerely thank her now.” Saying this, Ye Qin stood up and bowed.

“I know the history with my parents is deeply shameful, which is why I lied publicly. Now, that lie has nearly consumed me, and I’ve experienced the repercussions. I’ve thought a lot during these two months without work. First, I want to sincerely thank and apologize to the fans who have always supported me—I’ve disappointed you. Starting today, I will withdraw from the entertainment industry indefinitely. When I will return… is unknown. Perhaps I will, perhaps I never will.”

As the words left her mouth, the venue erupted in an uproar.

Ye Qin stood up and bowed once more, then quietly walked off the stage amidst the commotion, not looking back. This time, she felt an unprecedented sense of lightness, free from all burdens, walking away resolutely.

This… she… Shen Lu was shocked. She stood up. How could she do this? She just quit, just like that.