After Letting Go, Her Regret Remains - Chapter 14

The words Shang Li had been about to utter were instantly swallowed back, a chill seeping from deep within her bones.

Maybe she should just say Meng Yuan was busy.

She nearly sent that message out, but in the next moment, her mind was flooded with the image of Lai Yanmei’s aged, anxious face.

She couldn’t prove with mere words that she and Meng Yuan were still in love, nor could she ease Lai Yanmei’s worries.

But how could she even bring it up to Meng Yuan?

Her mind replayed Meng Yuan’s cold expression as they passed each other sharp as needles, piercing her heart one after another, leaving her breathless with pain.

Once again, she found herself trapped between a rock and a hard place.

Sitting idly on the sofa for a long time, Shang Li gazed at every object in the living room, feeling as if she had merged into them unaware, unfeeling, neither sorrowful nor joyful.

Tick-tock, tick-tock!

The sound of the second hand turning made time tangible, relentlessly urging her on.

She stood up and went upstairs. Arriving at the door, Shang Li took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts for a moment, and pushed it open. Just as she was about to call Meng Yuan’s name, she caught sight of her on the phone and quickly stopped herself.

“You’ll be joining the crew in a month. Make sure to read the script whenever you have time.”

A faint voice came from the receiver, it was Meng Yuan’s agent, Wen Tang.

Ever since Meng Yuan skyrocketed to fame and signed with Starry Sky Entertainment, this top-tier agent had been by her side. Wen Tang was straightforward and had a fiery temper, one of the few people who could keep Meng Yuan in check.

Once upon a time, Shang Li had been the one others referred to as “the only one who can handle this young lady.”

A faint, fleeting sense of melancholy brushed her heart.

“Got it. My ears are about to grow calluses from your nagging. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up,” Meng Yuan grumbled impatiently.

The next second, Wen Tang’s explosive voice erupted, nearly blasting the receiver apart. “You dare hang up! What I’m saying is Director Liu watched your last performance and wasn’t satisfied. I went through so much trouble to help you. If you don’t step up your game.”

Meng Yuan narrowed her eyes slightly, her entire face radiating intense displeasure. Without letting Wen Tang finish, she scoffed, “Who does she ever approve of? In her eyes, everyone’s full of flaws.”

“Of course there is! Shang Li.”

As those last three words fell, the air instantly grew still.

Hearing her own name so abruptly, Shang Li instinctively glanced over.

Visibly, Meng Yuan’s expression darkened immediately, tinged with annoyance. “In that case, why doesn’t she go find her instead?”

With that, Meng Yuan hung up without another word, lying down and turning her back to Shang Li.

Shang Li let out a soft sigh, approached, and sat down on the other side. Slowly turning her head, she gazed at the nape of Meng Yuan’s neck, hesitating to speak.

After a long while, Shang Li finally called her name softly, “Meng Yuan.”

Meng Yuan didn’t move, only letting out a noncommittal “Hmm” from her nose.

Shang Li lowered her gaze and mustered her courage. “My mom wants to have a meal with us in a few days. Do you have time?”

“Didn’t you say I shouldn’t interfere in your affairs?” Meng Yuan retorted sarcastically, as if out of spite.

“Meng Yuan!” Shang Li pursed her lips, her mind going blank, feeling as though something was stuck in her throat. “If you’re busy, it’s fine.”

Meng Yuan: “When?”

“The 27th.” After a moment’s thought, Shang Li added, “We can push it back a couple of days if needed.”

Meng Yuan: “I have things in the morning and evening on the 27th. Is noon okay?”

Shang Li nodded, feeling an illusory sense of relief as if granted a pardon, completely forgetting that Meng Yuan hadn’t even glanced her way. “Alright, don’t forget.”

“Mm.”

The conversation ended there.

Shang Li leaned against the headboard, her gaze slanting toward Meng Yuan like a dim, pale moonlight, unable to even illuminate the shape of her.

Meng Yuan was wrapped in a thin blanket, her thick, long hair cascading like a waterfall. Faintly, a small section of her fair neck was visible.

Shang Li stared at that spot, losing herself in thought. Her vision was soon filled by that expanse of white, transforming into a vast, snowy landscape that settled deep within her eyes and heart.

Heat rose like steam, while a chill seeped into her bones.

“Meng Yuan, can we not argue so much? I’m really exhausted.”

So exhausted that uttering those words drained Shang Li of all her strength. She didn’t even have the energy left to hear Meng Yuan’s reply before sinking into a deep sleep.

“Ma’am, this way, please.”

Shang Li smiled and nodded, following the restaurant hostess into the elevator. As they ascended, she took a moment to send Meng Yuan a message: [Are you done with work yet?]

The restaurant had been reserved in advance by Lai Yanmei. Its location was prime high-end yet discreet clearly the result of considerable effort in selection.

With a soft ding, the elevator arrived at their floor. There was still no reply to her message. Shang Li’s left eyelid twitched, and a vague sense of foreboding crept over her.

But just before stepping into the private room, she managed to put on a relaxed and cheerful smile. “Mom, Meng Yuan isn’t finished with work yet. She’ll be here a bit later.”

“It’s fine, as long as she can make it.” Lai Yanmei, dressed in an elegant qipao with her hair meticulously styled and makeup understated, hurriedly stood up and pulled out the chair beside her. She then strode over to Shang Li, took her hand, and scrutinized her intently.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable under the gaze, Shang Li quickly said, “Mom, I’m fine.”

These past few days, she had officially joined the theater rehearsals, spending every spare moment at the theater. Though tired, her complexion had improved significantly. Under Lai Yanmei’s microscope-like scrutiny, she remained unflustered.

Reassured, Lai Yanmei relaxed slightly.

Mother and daughter sat side by side, chatting idly about daily life.

The clock on the wall ticked away, soon passing noon.

While responding to Lai Yanmei, Shang Li stole glances at her phone. Still no reply from Meng Yuan. Her sense of unease grew stronger.

“Is Meng Yuan still not done?”

Shang Li’s heart skipped a beat, and a flicker of panic flashed involuntarily in her eyes. “N-not yet. There was an unexpected issue on set. It might take a little longer.”

Lai Yanmei took a sip of tea. “Alright, tell her not to rush and to be careful on the way.”

“Okay, I’ll let her know.” Shang Li breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly lowered her head to type a message urging Meng Yuan.

[Meng Yuan, when are you coming?]

[Mom and I are already at the restaurant. How much longer will you be?]

She sent several messages in a row, but they all sank without a trace. Growing increasingly restless, Shang Li excused herself to the restroom, planning to call Meng Yuan directly.

Just as she pushed the door open, a notification from Weibo popped up, with Meng Yuan’s name glaringly prominent. The entire headline, strung together, was even more eye-catching.

Frowning, Shang Li tapped into it. Under the headline [Love Born from Acting? Fiction Turned Reality? The Secret Lover of Popular Actress Meng Yuan Is.], a video was simultaneously released.

She watched it at double speed. There was no substantial evidence. Shang Li didn’t dwell on it and instead dialed Meng Yuan’s number.

After two consecutive calls went straight to voicemail, Shang Li’s irritation grew. She struck the keyboard with force, her messages tinged with frustration.

The next second, she abruptly looked up and, through the mirror’s reflection, saw Lai Yanmei standing right behind her.

Shang Li jumped, her whole body trembling. A beat later, she noticed Lai Yanmei’s grim expression. Her mind raced as she scrambled to find an excuse for Meng Yuan. “Mom, Meng Yuan, she—”

“What’s going on here?” Lai Yanmei cut in, stepping closer and handing her the phone, her voice laced with anger. “Is what’s written here true?”

Shang Li glanced at the screen, it was the same video she had just watched. She hurriedly replied, “Of course, it’s fake.”

“But it’s described so vividly, and look at these photos.”

Shang Li snatched the phone, exited the tabloid’s page, and said earnestly, “It’s all just rumors and speculation. Given Meng Yuan’s status, there are plenty of people trying to ride on her coattails.”

“If it weren’t true, who would dare say such things? Isn’t this just spreading falsehoods?”

“Don’t worry, Meng Yuan will handle it. Anyway, she’ll be here soon. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her yourself.”

Hearing this, Lai Yanmei’s expression softened slightly. “Fine, I’ll ask her later.”

Just then, the phone rang, it was Meng Yuan calling.

Shang Li’s spirits lifted, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Answering the call, her voice brightened considerably. “Meng Yuan, where are you?”

But the next moment, her heart plummeted, as if sinking into an icy abyss.

“I have something to attend to today and probably can’t make it. You go ahead and eat with Auntie.”

Support After Letting Go, Her Regret Remains