Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 20

Su Yu’s eyes were red, and her voice trembled. It was clear she was reluctant.

Shen Fengmei looked up at her with teary eyes, full of sorrow. Big, hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She wiped them away, thought carefully, and then looked at the sleeping Mengmeng. Finally, she choked back her tears and nodded.

“I’m sorry, Mengmeng…”

After going upstairs, Shen Xi sat on the rattan chair, feeling upset. She stared blankly at the lights and tree shadows outside. A few minutes later, Thunderstorm, her cat, slowly walked in from the living room and approached her, circling around her legs.

She looked down at the cat. Thunderstorm’s round eyes stared back at her, letting out a few soft meows before standing up and patting her with its paw.

Shen Xi gazed at the night sky outside and suddenly realized it was already late. The cat was probably hungry. She stood up and walked toward the living room. “Come on, I’ll get you some food.”

Thunderstorm happily wagged its raised tail and trotted after her.

After opening a can of food and preparing some snacks for Thunderstorm, Shen Xi’s stomach also started growling. She wanted to order takeout, but after browsing for a while, she couldn’t find anything she wanted to eat. Plus, she was feeling irritated and wanted some fresh air.

Han Ning came to mind. Her eyes brightened, and she picked up her phone to call Han Ning, asking if she wanted to go out for dinner. As expected, Han Ning agreed without hesitation.

Half an hour later, Shen Xi’s car stopped near a restaurant five kilometers from her neighborhood. She and Han Ning got out of the car, one on each side.

It wasn’t even nine o’clock yet, and the streets were still bustling. People passed by constantly. Some recognized Han Ning and covered their mouths in excitement. But when their eyes shifted to Shen Xi, they became even more excited, their gazes filled with admiration—and even a bit of shyness.

Han Ning politely declined fans’ requests for photos and quickly pulled Shen Xi into the restaurant. They found a seat, sat down, and Han Ning sighed, looking troubled. “Ugh… I’m just too famous… Tsk tsk tsk.”

Shen Xi glanced at her while ordering food and struck back mercilessly. “Don’t worry. When Cheng Nian returns to filming, you’ll have plenty of free time.”

Han Ning’s proud expression immediately dropped, but she refused to admit defeat. “Hah… That just means I can take a long vacation.”

Shen Xi said nothing. After ordering, she handed the menu to the waiter, rested her chin on her hand, and looked out at the night view, her eyebrows slightly furrowed as if she was lost in thought.

Han Ning quietly put down her phone and looked at Shen Xi’s side profile, feeling like there was a lot left unsaid.

Earlier in the evening, she had overheard Shen Xi’s conversation with her mother. She knew their relationship wasn’t good, but now, for the first time, she felt curious about what had happened between them.

Not long after, the waiter brought the food. Four beautifully plated dishes were placed on the spotless dark brown table. After wishing them a pleasant meal, the waiter left.

Han Ning absentmindedly chewed on her fish while glancing at Shen Xi. Shen Xi put down her phone and silently ate, creating an odd atmosphere.

The restaurant was lively with people coming and going, but Han Ning felt their table was eerily quiet. The heavy atmosphere made her uncomfortable. She put down her chopsticks, crossed her arms, and decided to ask directly.

Shen Xi noticed the movement and looked up. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Han Ning asked.

Shen Xi lowered her head and continued eating without answering. Seeing that she wasn’t going to talk, Han Ning took a deep breath and decided to speak up.

“I was jogging downstairs earlier and overheard your conversation with Auntie…” Han Ning admitted, rubbing her nose awkwardly. She felt uneasy, as if something bad was about to happen.

The moment she finished speaking, Shen Xi’s chopsticks stopped in midair. She looked directly at Han Ning, her gaze intense. Han Ning felt her heart skip a beat. The way Shen Xi stared at her made her skin crawl. She could even feel goosebumps rising.

After a few seconds, Shen Xi looked away, pressed her lips together, and continued eating.

But a trace of restraint lingered in her expression.

“I don’t understand. Auntie is at an age where she probably doesn’t need much money. She’s your mother—just be kinder to her. Don’t be like me…” Han Ning leaned in and tried to persuade her.

“Bang!”

Shen Xi slammed her chopsticks onto the table. The anger in her eyes was about to burst into flames and burn Han Ning to ashes. Han Ning froze, shocked by her reaction.

“You’ve gone too far, Han Ning! Can you mind your own business?! I don’t need anyone telling me how to be filial! Haven’t I done enough for her?! You—”

Shen Xi choked on her words. She struggled to suppress the urge to show Han Ning her bank transfer records. At this moment, she felt Han Ning didn’t deserve an explanation. There was no need to justify herself.

“I don’t know why you’re acting like this, Shen Xi… After you left, Auntie looked really sad, so I gave her some money. It was just a few hundred yuan…” Han Ning was slightly shocked and confused by Shen Xi’s anger. She stirred the soup in her bowl absentmindedly and muttered, “I just think you shouldn’t treat her that way.”

“You gave her money?!”

Shen Xi slammed the table and stood up, trembling with rage. She looked at Han Ning’s slightly irritated face and felt a wave of regret. Why had she let Han Ning get so close to her in the first place?

“Who do you think you are? Your lack of boundaries is really annoying!” Shen Xi furrowed her brows tightly, her eyes burning with unconcealed anger. She grabbed her phone, stood up, and stormed out of the restaurant under the curious gazes of the other diners.

Han Ning clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and continued eating, ignoring the whispers and stares from the other customers. Once she had eaten enough, she paid the bill and left the restaurant.

Since she had come in Shen Xi’s car, she now had to find her own way back. A taxi honked at her from the roadside, asking if she needed a ride, but she ignored it. She took out her sunglasses, put them on, and walked forward. The night breeze was cool, making her hug her arms as she walked, looking proud and distant.

After walking for more than ten minutes, Han Ning gradually left the noisy streets and reached the area near Yuhe Star Garden. Across the street, a traffic light counted down—80 seconds.

It was getting late, almost ten o’clock. There wasn’t a single person in sight within 200 meters. Han Ning stood there, watching the numbers change on the traffic light. Shen Xi’s words echoed in her mind.

‘Who do you think you are?’

Han Ning’s nose tingled. She took off her sunglasses and quickly wiped the corners of her eyes. With a hint of a nasal tone, she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with self-mockery.

“Yeah… To you, who am I, really…?”