Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 3

Shen Xi heard a sound and snapped out of her daze. She hid the worry between her brows and kept a cold expression as she turned around and returned to her seat.

Very few things could capture her attention. As for that startled cry just now, she didn’t even lift her eyes to give it a curious glance.

“My phone, I’ll keep it with me. I might need it later. You go find a place to stay put or just go home…” Han Ning instructed before giving Coco a little push. Coco yelped, turned around, and shot Han Ning a resentful look before reluctantly slinging her bag over her shoulder and disappearing down the hallway.

Han Ning carried a sandwich and coffee over to Shen Xi, pulled out a chair, and sat down across from her. She placed the food in front of her and said, “I brought this for you on purpose. You can’t just skip lunch.”

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” Shen Xi said softly, her eyes still fixed on the computer screen.

Han Ning thought, Why is she so cold? Even her ‘thank you’ sounds distant. How am I supposed to respond to that?

“You have to eat even if you’re not hungry. Skipping meals isn’t good. Look at you, you’re so thin—don’t tell me you’re still trying to lose weight?” Han Ning said as she pushed the food closer to her, then got up and returned to her seat to read the script.

Shen Xi looked at the food beside her with a slight frown. She glanced at Han Ning, who was resting her chin on her hand while reading the script, then pursed her lips, unsure of what to do.

She truly had no appetite and couldn’t eat a single bite. But since Han Ning had gone out of her way to bring it to her, she couldn’t just ignore it. So, she reached into the bag, took out the coffee, and took a couple of sips.

Han Ning, still reading the script, heard the rustling of the paper bag and quickly glanced at Shen Xi. Seeing her drink the coffee she had bought, Han Ning’s eyes curved into a smile, feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Shen Xi’s cold demeanor reminded Han Ning of something familiar. A few years ago, Shen Xi barely interacted with people online. Han Ning used to write long messages, only for Shen Xi to reply with one or two indifferent lines.

Before long, the main actors began arriving one after another in the conference room. Zhou Heyang checked the numbers and turned to his assistant to confirm, “Nie Lan isn’t here?”
The assistant nodded. “She said she’s injured and won’t be able to come for now.”

Zhou Heyang’s face darkened, but with so many people present, he held back his frustration.

For the next few hours, Han Ning was completely focused. As a die-hard fan of the novel, she believed that aside from Shen Xi, the original author, no one in this room understood the characters better than she did. I have to impress my goddess today! she thought. I need her to see that I am the perfect leading actress for her story!

Han Ning poured all of her acting talent into the table read, treating it as if they were already filming. The other actors felt immense pressure. Is this woman crazy? It’s just a table read. Why is she going all out? But they had to admit—she was good. Her skills couldn’t be underestimated.

The female supporting actress, feeling challenged in both professionalism and pride, gave it her all as well, determined to outshine Han Ning. Seeing this competitive energy, the other supporting actors also stepped up their game, unwilling to be left behind.

Sitting in the corner, Shen Xi’s stomach started growling. She didn’t want to leave early, so she opened the paper bag, lowered her head, and nibbled on the sandwich.

Zhou Heyang was very satisfied with the atmosphere of the script reading. Smiling, he turned to Shen Xi and asked, “Shen Xi, as the original author, do you think their character interpretations are accurate?”

All the actors turned to look at her. Shen Xi froze mid-bite, then slowly looked up. With puffed cheeks, she smiled and said, “Very accurate!”

Han Ning’s eyes sparkled with amusement. She’s so cute! she screamed internally.

Shen Xi, with her cheeks stuffed with food, her big blinking eyes, and the way she clutched her half-eaten sandwich while looking flustered from the sudden question—it all hit Han Ning right in the heart.

Who would’ve thought? Han Ning thought. She looks just like a little white hamster!

Zhou Heyang glanced at the sandwich in Shen Xi’s hand, then checked the time on his phone.

“It’s getting late. Everyone did a great job today. Shen Xi and I both saw your effort.

Let’s stop here for now. Go home, eat well, and rest up. See you all tomorrow!” With that, he grabbed his laptop and left with his assistant.

The other actors also began to leave. Han Ning walked over to Shen Xi, bent down, and whispered in her ear, “Shen Xi, how was my performance? And was the sandwich good?”

Just as Shen Xi was about to answer, her phone rang. The screen displayed four words: “That Woman.”

Her expression changed instantly—fear, anxiety, and avoidance all flashed across her face.

She quickly declined the call, grabbed her phone, closed her laptop, and hurried out of the conference room.

Leaning against the window, arms crossed, Han Ning watched her leave. Who was that woman that made her panic so much?

“Could it be… her girlfriend?” Han Ning boldly guessed. For a moment, she felt a pang of disappointment, but it quickly faded. She took a deep breath of fresh air through the open window and mumbled to herself, “Impossible. She’s so cold, so beautiful—no one is good enough for her.” Then, after a pause, she grinned and added, “Except me~”

The area around the film studio hotel had improved its greenery in the past two years.

Last winter, they planted more trees, which had now grown lush and full, providing shade in the summer.

In a small grove, Shen Xi clutched her phone, her fingertips pale, her breathing unsteady. Her face was tense as she listened to the filthy curses coming from the other end of the line.

The woman was none other than her mother—Shen Fengmei, a gambling addict and alcoholic.

“Do you really expect me to believe you’re making a living just by writing those stupid novels?”

On the other end of the phone, Shen Fengmei’s shrill voice was filled with contempt. Her dull, unkempt hair hung over her shoulders, her sallow, wrinkled face twisted in disdain.

Picking her teeth with a toothpick, she spat onto the dirty floor and continued, “I gave birth to you and raised you. You owe me! Don’t be ungrateful—”

Shen Xi’s breath trembled with anger. Her eyes turned red as she gritted her teeth. “How am I ungrateful? Do you want me to show you my bank records? I’ve given you enough money to pay off all your debts and buy a house! If you didn’t spend it all on gambling and drinking, you wouldn’t still be living there!”

Shen Fengmei’s hand froze mid-air. She hadn’t expected Shen Xi to talk back so harshly.

Her face twisted in rage, and she slammed the table. “How dare you talk to your mother like that! It’s your duty to support me! Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been getting close to men all these years. How else could you afford that fancy apartment in Yuhua Star Garden?”

Shen Xi clenched her eyes shut, forcing back her tears. She didn’t want to say another word. With a tap, she hung up.

After calming herself, she walked out of the grove toward the parking lot.

From a distance, she saw Han Ning waving at her. Shen Xi stopped and stared blankly at her.

Han Ning took a few steps closer, hesitating. “Can I… come over?”

Shen Xi didn’t answer but asked instead, “Were you waiting for me?”

“Uh… kind of.” Han Ning scratched her nose. Well, actually, my assistant took my car, and I couldn’t get ahold of her, so I was just trying to get a taxi.

Shen Xi sighed slightly and stared at her. Han Ning blinked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Shen Xi smiled and leaned in to whisper, “Why are you so nosy?”