Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 5

Ten minutes later, through Shen Xi’s words, Han Ning finally understood her hidden pain.

“It wasn’t until yesterday, when you told me that you had been in seclusion writing extra chapters for three days, that I realized I had misunderstood you back then. I thought your companionship and concern for me only lasted until you finished writing. Once you achieved your goal, you would just leave…” She smiled slightly. “I don’t like being passive.

Rather than guessing and becoming dependent on you, I decided to take the initiative and cut ties myself.”

Hearing this, Han Ning looked at Shen Xi with growing sympathy. She never imagined Shen Xi had thought so much or felt so insecure. It was as if she could see the soft and sensitive heart hidden beneath Shen Xi’s cold exterior.

“That month with you was truly enjoyable for me…” Shen Xi lowered her head and smiled.

Han Ning was pleasantly surprised. Back then, Shen Xi barely responded to her messages, and she had assumed Shen Xi was annoyed but couldn’t delete her because she was a fan of her books.

What Han Ning didn’t know was that during that time, Shen Xi had just lost her job. Her future seemed bleak, and her family background was a complete mess—offering her no support at all. Although her novel was doing well, her heart was clouded with darkness. She spent her days at home, either writing or reading novels.

During that period, thanks to Han Ning sharing interesting stories with her from time to time, even if it was just a one-sided conversation, Shen Xi felt like her days weren’t so unbearable…

Pulling herself out of that gray memory, Shen Xi looked at Han Ning with soft eyes and whispered, “Han Ning, I truly appreciate you. Not just for writing the extra chapters for Nan Yan… but for everything. I really, really appreciate you.”

Han Ning gazed into her eyes as if she could read her mind. Her instincts told her that maybe Shen Xi wasn’t in a good place back then. Otherwise, why would she suddenly say so much, as if she were opening up her heart?

Shen Xi’s gaze remained warm. She reached behind her, picked up her phone, and opened WeChat. A few seconds later, Han Ning’s phone chimed. She looked down and saw a message: Can you add me now, chatterbox?

She smiled with squinted eyes, looked up at Shen Xi, and accepted the request. Then, she proudly waved her phone in front of her and hummed, “Finally, I’ve won one round!”

After saying that, she grabbed the breakfast from the table and handed it to Shen Xi.

“Here, your breakfast.”

Shen Xi didn’t refuse, taking the paper bag with a slight smile. “Thanks~”

From that day on, Han Ning happily believed that her relationship with Shen Xi had gotten closer. But she was overthinking—it had only gotten a little closer… nothing more.

Half a month passed. The new drama was preparing for filming. Shen Xi barely showed up on set. Even though she and Han Ning lived in the same neighborhood, they had never eaten together. Han Ning had invited her a few times, but Shen Xi always declined.

“Does she have no friends at all?!” Han Ning lay on her bed, staring at a photo of Shen Xi on her phone, frustrated. In the picture, Shen Xi still had that eternal icy expression, looking at the camera with a cold gaze that sent shivers down people’s spines…

At home, Shen Xi did nothing but write and sleep.

At around ten in the morning, she let out a soft groan on her bed, her fingers twitching slightly. She raised an arm and took off her eye mask. Her black-and-white pupils stared at the ceiling as she pursed her lips. There was lingering resentment in her eyes.

In her dream, Shen Fengmei was chasing after her relentlessly. Somehow, she even managed to bring those people from the past into her room. Her own mother led that group, surrounding her.

“Just have a drink with your brother, and you’ll get plenty of benefits…” A fat, greasy man sneered, his eyes filled with lewdness. The people around him cheered, their gazes like sharp knives, making her tremble with fear, unable to escape…

“You refuse to support your own mother? You’ll die a horrible death!” A shrill voice cursed her venomously. It was Shen Fengmei’s twisted, greedy face…

Shen Xi’s chest rose and fell rapidly. She shut her eyes tightly, her stomach churning.

The past made her feel sick, just thinking about it made her want to vomit!

She spat out the mouthwash, placed her toothbrush in the cup, and after washing up, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her long dark brown hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes filled with vulnerability and fear, her face deathly pale.

She looked terrible.

“Ding-dong, ding-dong.”

The doorbell rang, making Shen Xi jump like a frightened bird, afraid her nightmare had become real. She left the bathroom and peeked through the peephole. Seeing who was outside, she let out a breath of relief—it was Han Ning.

Shen Xi opened the door and let her in.

“How did you know my room number?” Shen Xi asked, puzzled. She had never told her, and one reason she chose this apartment complex was for its security.

Han Ning put down a small gift, walked to the window, and looked outside. Then, she turned around with a smug smile and raised an eyebrow. “Because I’m Han Ning!”

Shen Xi lowered her gaze and chuckled. “Oh right… I forgot. You can make even the security guard downstairs swoon with just one wink.”

Han Ning blinked. “The security guard is a woman.”

“Does that stop you?” Shen Xi teased, winking.

Han Ning flicked her wrist dramatically and grinned. “Not at all~”

Looking across to the opposite building, Han Ning suddenly gasped. “Wait, your apartment is right across from mine?!”

She expected a response, but when she turned around, Shen Xi was gone. She walked out and saw Shen Xi sitting on the carpet in the next room, playing with something.

Curious, Han Ning walked over, her eyes lighting up when she saw a black-and-white cat.

“Oh? You have a cat?”

“Mm.” Shen Xi’s usual cold response.

Han Ning rolled her eyes but couldn’t resist petting the cat. The little thing was surprisingly friendly, not resisting at all. Han Ning found it amusing and suddenly had an idea.

“Do you like cats?” Han Ning sat on the carpet, surprised that Shen Xi didn’t move away.

Shen Xi held the cat in her arms, kissed its head gently, her eyes filled with unconcealed affection.

Han Ning watched, secretly jealous of the cat…

“Yeah, they’re easy to care for and cute,” Shen Xi replied. Then, she looked at Han Ning, her eyes twinkling. “Do you not like cats?”

Han Ning’s smile widened. “Of course, I do!” She scratched the cat’s chin, making it squint in enjoyment.

Inspired, Han Ning decided to get her own cat, thinking it would bring her closer to Shen Xi…

A week later, she adopted a black-and-white cat. Holding it in her arms, she mused, “Shen Xi named hers Thunderstorm… Then mine will be…”

She poked the kitten’s forehead and declared, “Your name shall be Lightning!”

That night, Lightning ran wild, jumping on Han Ning’s bed and stomping on her chest. She had to kick it out, only for it to scratch at her door all night.

The next day, she arrived on set with dark circles under her eyes. The makeup artist sighed, “Tsk…”

Han Ning sighed, “I got a crazy cat…”

Just then, Liang Xun walked in, looking serious. “Take a look at this.”

She read the article and chuckled. All I want is to eat, shop, hold hands, and maybe… some other fun things.