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Jiang Rou sat beside Shangguan Yun, the Bentley Bentayga gliding smoothly along the road to the hospital. Her fingers spun the plain ring on her middle finger, her gaze vacant as she stared out the window. The images in her mind were relentless—Lin Yue and Su Yao embracing intimately, kissing, engaging in things she could hardly bear to imagine...
She closed her eyes, trying to suppress the jealousy that surged within her. The piercing pain spread from her chest to every limb.
"Rou Rou, stop biting your lip; it's not elegant," Shangguan Yun gently tapped the back of her hand.
Jiang Rou snapped back to reality, realizing she had bitten her lip until it bled, a metallic taste spreading across her mouth.
"I'm sorry, Godmother." She took out a mirror and lipstick from her handbag, skillfully touching up her makeup. Once finished, her face appeared flawless again, like a perfect mask.
The car stopped at the hospital entrance, and she linked arms with Shangguan Yun as they walked into the lobby. Security guards and medical staff immediately bowed deeply upon seeing Shangguan Yun and Jiang Rou, greeting them with utmost respect, even more so than they would for royalty.
"Madam, Miss Jiang, you’re here! I’ll personally take you upstairs!" The front desk manager rushed over, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
Shangguan Yun nodded slightly, accustomed to such treatment. The private elevator took them directly to the top floor, where they arrived at Lin Yue's hospital room.
"Hello, Madam Lin, Miss Jiang!" The head nurse spotted them from afar and hurried over with an attitude bordering on flattery.
Jiang Rou knocked on the door but received no response. She knocked again but was still met with silence. Pushing the door open revealed an empty bed with slightly disheveled bedding.
"Lin Yue?" Jiang Rou quickly walked into the bathroom, only to hear her own slightly hurried breathing echoing back at her.
"Where is she?" Shangguan Yun's brow furrowed tightly, displeasure evident in her voice.
Jiang Rou stood by nervously, gripping the strap of her bag as her heart raced like a drum. Although she had known Lin Yue wasn’t there, facing the reality was still unbearable.
"Could it be... she discharged herself?" Shangguan Yun's tone was laced with skepticism.
"I'll ask Lu Chen." Jiang Rou pulled out her phone and dialed Lu Chen's number.
"Brother Chen, are you with Lin Yue?" She feigned panic, her voice trembling slightly. "Godmother and I are at the hospital, but Lin Yue isn't in her room."
On the other end of the line came Lu Chen's surprised voice: "Huh? She's not in her room? She's not with me! What happened? I'll come right over!"
"Lu Chen doesn’t know where she is either?" Shangguan Yun's expression darkened further.
"Godmother, don’t worry; I’ll call Lin Yue." Jiang Rou dialed Lin Yue’s number again.
The phone rang but went unanswered. One ring, two rings, three rings... until it went to voicemail. She tried again but still received no answer.
"How could this happen... Lin Yue never ignores my calls," Jiang Rou said, tears welling in her eyes as panic crept into her voice.
"Nurse! Get the surveillance footage immediately!" Shangguan Yun turned to the head nurse with a grim expression.
Jiang Rou helped Shangguan Yun to sit down in the lounge area of the ward.
Within five minutes, the head nurse returned looking flustered with a tablet in hand; the hospital's surveillance footage displayed a clear scene from that morning.
A slender figure wearing a baseball cap and mask quietly left the inpatient department, skillfully avoiding most cameras before getting into a ride-hailing car.
Jiang Rou watched that familiar silhouette as if someone had violently torn her heart apart. She knew all too well where Lin Yue had gone and who she had gone to meet. She covered her mouth, stifling a sob that threatened to escape.
"Did she just run out by herself?" Shangguan Yun's voice was almost freezing, "How is this hospital being managed?"
The head nurse nearly knelt down, "I’m so sorry, ma'am! We truly didn’t notice that Miss Lin left on her own..."
"This hospital was established with funds from the Jiang family, and you can't even take care of my daughter, the Jiang family's daughter-in-law?" Shangguan Yun glared at the head nurse, questioning harshly, "Is this your sense of responsibility?"
The head nurse bowed repeatedly in apology, "I’m sorry, ma'am! We will definitely rectify this seriously!"
Other medical staff were too frightened to breathe, standing with their heads down at the side.
"Where did she go?" Shangguan Yun's voice was as cold as ice as she turned to Jiang Rou, "Do you know?"
Jiang Rou bit her lip, hesitating to speak, "I... I'm not sure..."
At that moment, Lu Chen rushed in, looking worn out. He immediately noticed Shangguan Yun's fury.
"Aunt Shangguan," he quickly interjected with a smile, "I just asked the attending physician; Lin Yue's indicators have all returned to normal. She’s perfectly fine to go out for a bit."
"Just because her indicators are normal she can leave the hospital on her own?" Shangguan Yun shot him a cold glance, "Is this how you act as an older brother?"
Lu Chen's expression froze, realizing he had made a mistake.
"What exactly happened?" He leaned closer to Jiang Rou and whispered.
"Lin Yue sneaked out of the hospital early this morning," Jiang Rou said pitifully, her voice tinged with tears. "She won’t answer my calls..."
Lu Chen opened his mouth, clearly understanding something. He tried to smooth things over: "Maybe Lin Yue just felt cooped up and wanted some fresh air. Should I go look for her?"
"Fresh air?" Shangguan Yun scoffed, her gaze shifting between Jiang Rou and Lu Chen. "This matter is probably not that simple, is it?"
Jiang Rou and Lu Chen exchanged glances, neither daring to speak.
Shangguan Yun's expression darkened to an extreme: "You better explain this clearly," she narrowed her eyes. "What exactly happened with Lin Yue while she was in the country?"
Jiang Rou gently shook her head, biting her lip.
"Aunt Shangguan," Lu Chen spoke up first, "Nothing particularly special happened while we were in the country."
Shangguan Yun leaned slightly forward, her gaze piercing: "Really?"
Jiang Rou finally lost control and tears streamed down her face: "Lin Yue... she has been getting close to an actress recently..."
"Jiang Rou!" Lu Chen stared at her in shock, not expecting her to be so direct.
Shangguan Yun's eyes flashed with surprise before she regained her composure: "You all speak one at a time and make it clear."
"The actress is named Su Yao." Jiang Rou lifted her head, tears flowing but her voice surprisingly clear.
Lu Chen rushed to explain: "Aunt Shangguan, Su Yao is the lead actress in Dark River; their interactions are due to the needs of the production..."
"Let Rou Rou finish." Shangguan Yun raised a hand to interrupt him.
"That night we met her at the Charity Gala..." Jiang Rou sobbed as she spoke.
Shangguan Yun placed a hand on Jiang Rou's shoulder: "Don’t rush; take your time."
Jiang Rou took a deep breath; tears still fell but she began to narrate clearly: "That day we were considering entering the entertainment industry and met several actors and directors..."
She recounted Lin Yue's encounter with Su Yao, their subtle exchanges of glances, and Lin Yue's unusual frequent visits to the film set.
"Honestly, Su Yao is indeed very beautiful—more stunning than many top stars." Jiang Rou's voice trembled slightly. "Her acting skills are exceptional; she brings characters to life."
"She is an outstanding person." Jiang Rou managed a bitter smile.
"So what I’m hearing is that Su Yao has interfered in your lives? And now Lin Yue has feelings for her?" Shangguan Yun asked incredulously.
"Is Su Yao currently in America?" Shangguan Yun’s gaze turned even colder.
Jiang Rou hesitated and glanced at Lu Chen, softly saying, "Um, she just arrived yesterday..."
"Auntie," Lu Chen stepped forward, "Xiao Rou is right. Su Yao is indeed exceptional, but their relationship shouldn't be that serious..."
"Not that serious?" Shangguan Yun scoffed, "Then tell me, where is Lin Yue right now? Is she off to find that girl?"
"She even sneaked out of the hospital for that girl. Do you think that's not serious?"
"A female celebrity, abandoning everything to run off to America while filming? She has no sense of professionalism or responsibility!" Shangguan Yun's words grew sharper.
"How would she know about Lin Yue's situation? How did she find out Lin Yue was in this hospital?"
"Rou Rou," Shangguan Yun suddenly turned to Jiang Rou, "I remember you were holding Lin Yue's phone, weren't you?"
"It was me who told Su Yao about Lin Yue's situation," Lu Chen quickly interjected.
"Godmother, actually..." Jiang Rou hesitated for a moment, then looked directly at Shangguan Yun. "It was me who invited Su Yao to America."
"What?" Shangguan Yun's expression turned incredulous.
"Because... Lin Yue would be happy to see her. I just wanted her to be happy..." Jiang Rou's voice was filled with grievance.
"Nonsense!" Shangguan Yun slammed her hand on the armrest of the sofa.
"Godmother..." Jiang Rou's tears began to flow uncontrollably.
"You are too kind," Shangguan Yun sighed. "Lin Yue likes this girl, and you step back and even take the initiative to let her meet Lin Yue?"
"I just... wanted Lin Yue to be happy..." Jiang Rou sobbed, her shoulders shaking like a wronged little wife.
"Kindness cannot come at the expense of family interests!" Shangguan Yun shook her head, her voice stern. "If you can't even uphold this bottom line, how can we trust you with the Lin family in the future?"
Jiang Rou's eyes were misty with tears as she spoke in a pitiful tone, "I'm sorry... Godmother... it was my fault..."
"Rou Rou," Shangguan Yun softened her tone. "You grew up alongside Lin Yue; you have pulled her back from depression time and again."
She held Jiang Rou's hand and spoke gently, "The Lin family can trust Lin Yue because they know you are by her side."
Shangguan Yun turned to Lu Chen. "As her brother, allowing outsiders to interfere in your sisters' relationships—this is your responsibility?"
"Aunt Shangguan..."
"You have spoiled Lin Yue too much; you've indulged her since childhood. And now look what has happened!" Shangguan Yun questioned sharply.
Jiang Rou quickly tried to mediate, "Godmother, Brother Chen also wants Lin Yue to be happy."
"Feelings are complicated. Lin Yue is a naive child; how could she know the wickedness of people?"
"Don't forget the responsibilities of the family!" Shangguan Yun's voice carried an unmistakable anger. "What stage has Lin Yue and that actress reached?"
Both fell silent again.
"Could it be... they have already been intimate?" Shangguan Yun's voice suddenly rose, her face turning pale.
"Nonsense! Absolutely ridiculous!" Her fingers trembled slightly from agitation.
"Godmother, please don't get too upset," Jiang Rou sobbed. "I believe Lin Yue isn't that kind of person..."
"Yes, Aunt Shangguan, please don't rush to conclusions," Lu Chen advised. "There’s no evidence to suggest..."
"Stop making excuses for Lin Yue!" Shangguan Yun coldly interrupted. "That child has become uncontrollable!"
"In that circle, there’s no sincerity; they only think about climbing up the social ladder and achieving instant success!" Shangguan Yun spoke with conviction as if she had experienced similar situations. "This selfish woman who disregards Lin Yue’s condition and seduces her—destroying the peace among three families—how can you still call her a good girl?"
"You are too naive!" Shangguan Yun's tone reflected a deep understanding of worldly affairs.
"Godmother..." Jiang Rou choked back tears. "I didn’t think it through; please don’t be angry..."
Lu Chen lowered his head, silent, his eyes flickering.
Shangguan Yun took out her phone and unhesitatingly dialed Lin Yue's number.
In the hotel room, the two who had just shared an intimate moment were still immersed in the afterglow of love, completely unaware of the turbulent currents outside.
Lin Yue's phone vibrated again, the screen boldly displaying the word "Mom."
"My mom?" Lin Yue exclaimed, sitting up abruptly from the bed. "Why is she calling so early…"
She glanced worriedly at Su Yao, who smiled gently and said, "Answer it. Don’t let Auntie worry."
After a moment's hesitation, Lin Yue pressed the answer button. "Mom?"
Shangguan Yun's voice was surprisingly calm. "Lin Yue, I heard your friend came to America to see you?"
Lin Yue's heart stopped for a moment as she instinctively looked at Su Yao beside her.
"Yes…," she replied cautiously.
"This is the first time I've heard you mention a friend besides Lu Chen and Jiang Rou. It seems this friend is quite special," Shangguan Yun said in a flat tone that carried an invisible pressure.
Lin Yue swallowed hard. "Um…"
Shangguan Yun maintained her calm demeanor, devoid of any hint of anger. "Since your friend has come from afar, you should invite her over for dinner to show some hospitality. Come home tonight; I’ll have the chef prepare something nice."
Lin Yue felt a tightness in her chest and turned to glance at Su Yao, her throat suddenly dry.
"Mom, she just arrived in America; she might need to adjust to the time difference…"
"Lin Yue, all I want is to invite your friend for a simple family dinner," Shangguan Yun's tone left no room for negotiation.
Su Yao noticed Lin Yue's unease and gently touched her arm.
"What’s wrong?" she silently mouthed.
"I'll ask her opinion," Lin Yue said as she turned back to the phone.
She knew her mother too well; beneath that warm and gentle voice often lay the calm before a storm.
"Alright, discuss it among yourselves. See you at home at seven," Shangguan Yun said without giving Lin Yue a chance to respond before hanging up.
Lin Yue put down her phone and gave Su Yao a wry smile.
Su Yao had already half-sat up, her eyes filled with questions. "What happened?"
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