"Probably."
Su Hua lowered her eyes. She both hoped he would remember what happened five years ago and dreaded the thought of it. Back then, he had seen her brutal and bloodthirsty side, and the disbelief in his eyes had been unmistakable.
Someone as gentle as him would surely dislike such a violent and ruthless version of her, wouldn’t he?
With that thought, Su Hua clenched her hands tightly. What if he found out about her condition? Would he think she was terrifying?
After breakfast, Su Hua headed to the company to handle some work. Meanwhile, Lin Xuan went to the bank to withdraw a large sum of money, accompanied by Butler Wang and two bodyguards. Lin Xuan casually stuffed the money into a sack, completely unfazed by the possibility of robbery.
He walked out of the bank carrying a sack full of cash.
The onlookers were practically blinded by the sight.
"Holy crap, is that all money in there?"
"What else would it be? He just walked out of the bank with it!"
"Damn, he’s loaded. Look at his bodyguards, his outfit, and his car. He’s definitely a tycoon. Ugh, why are there so many rich people in the world, and why can’t I be one of them?"
"Carrying money in a sack—that’s my dream."
Several young men with brightly dyed hair stared greedily at the sack Lin Xuan was carrying.
They wanted to follow him and rob him of his money.
But when they saw the two bodyguards, they chickened out.
Lin Xuan drove his Koenigsegg all the way to Dream Studio.
At that moment, Dream Studio was enveloped in a heavy, lifeless atmosphere.
"Dieyi, I’m sorry. I got eliminated early this time," Yu Wanqing said, her eyes red.
"It’s not your fault," Su Dieyi replied, stubbing out her cigarette in the ashtray. "Starlight Entertainment is targeting us—no, more accurately, they’re targeting me."
Because she had refused to play along with the industry’s underhanded tactics, Li Wei had become furious and tried to pressure her by threatening her career. Without hesitation, she paid a hefty termination fee and left Starlight Entertainment.
But the entertainment industry was a dark place, and she chose not to sign with another company.
She had won numerous awards in the music industry, and her concerts were always sold out. Yet, right before her first concert after leaving Starlight Entertainment, a wave of so-called "scandals" was exposed about her.
Accusations of being a homewrecker, ungrateful, and heartless toward her parents were thrown at her. Overnight, she became a public enemy.
Fans turned their backs on her, concert tickets were refunded, and her singing career was effectively over.
But she refused to give up. She started her own studio, hoping to nurture the next big star. However, she had underestimated Starlight Entertainment’s power. They made sure none of her artists could rise to fame.
They were untouchable, while she was nothing more than an insignificant ant, powerless to fight back.
"I’ve dragged you all down," Su Dieyi said, her voice hoarse.
"Dieyi, don’t say that. We’re grateful for everything you’ve taught us. Without you, we might have already left the entertainment industry," Yu Wanqing said, clutching Su Dieyi’s hand.
"Dieyi, if we stick together, we’ll get through this."
"It’s no use," Su Dieyi shook her head, smiling bitterly. "No matter how much effort we put in, it’s futile. I’ve already sold my house and car, and I can’t keep the studio running anymore."
All the money she had earned over the years, apart from paying the termination fee to Starlight Entertainment, had been poured into the studio. And yet, it had all come to nothing.
"Dieyi," a man and a woman walked into the meeting room.
"Xue’er, Gu Bin, you’re here. Please, sit," Su Dieyi greeted them.
But Gu Xue and Gu Bin remained standing.
"Dieyi," Gu Xue bit her lip. "My brother and I came today to terminate our contracts. I don’t want to waste any more time here." At Dream Studio, all she saw was darkness and no future.
If she wanted to make it big in the entertainment industry, she had to leave Dream Studio.
"Dieyi, we won’t be paying the termination fee. You promised to nurture us, but your studio hasn’t done anything for us. If the studio can’t give us anything, why should we pay the fee?" Gu Xue spoke with conviction.
Su Dieyi looked hurt, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.
After a long pause, she said, "Alright, I agree to terminate the contracts." She signed the termination papers.
Gu Xue and Gu Bin took the contracts, visibly relieved.
"Dieyi," Gu Xue’s tone turned condescending. "My advice? Quit the entertainment industry while you still can. Running this studio will only drag others down."
She felt like Su Dieyi had already wasted a year of her life.
Yu Wanqing snapped, "Since you’ve terminated your contracts, you’re no longer part of this studio. Get out!"
"Fine, we’re leaving. Like we care anyway," Gu Xue sneered, leaving Dream Studio with Gu Bin. They headed straight to Starlight Entertainment.
"Dieyi, don’t take Gu Xue’s words to heart," Yu Wanqing comforted her.
"She’s right. Running this studio only brings others down," Su Dieyi said with a bitter smile. "Wanqing, Zhou Wei, you should leave too."
"Once you’re gone, Starlight Entertainment won’t target you anymore. With your talent, I’m sure you’ll make it big in the music industry."
"Dieyi, I’m not leaving!" Yu Wanqing cried. "I’ll work without pay if I have to."
Zhou Wei sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, disbanding the studio was the best option for everyone.
"Wanqing, even if you work without pay, I can’t keep the studio running. The rent, utilities, and my own living expenses—I’ve almost run out of the money from selling my house and car. I have no choice but to close the studio."
"Don’t be sad. All good things must come to an end. We’re all still in Yundu City, so we’ll see each other often. It’s just that we won’t be working together anymore."
Su Dieyi brought out a bottle of red wine she had brought with her. "Let’s have a toast."
The group drank in silence.
Before leaving, Yu Wanqing threw herself into Su Dieyi’s arms, sobbing. "Dieyi, I’m going to miss you so much."
Su Dieyi smiled gently. "The place I’m renting now is just a few hundred meters from your home. If you miss me, you can come see me anytime."
"Dieyi, goodbye," Yu Wanqing said, her eyes red as she left the studio.
Su Dieyi stayed alone in the empty studio for an hour and a half. Her eyes were hollow, devoid of any light.
She had thought she could stand up to the industry’s powers, but she had been naive.
As long as Starlight Entertainment existed, she would never rise again.
Su Dieyi laughed at herself, then got up to pack her things. She carried a large cardboard box and walked toward the door. Just as she opened it, Lin Xuan appeared.
He waved at her. "Hello, Miss Su."