Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 51

In the photo, Shen Xi’s outfit gave off a broken and fragile vibe, but her gaze was firm.

She looked into the distance at the riverbank, with sunlight gently illuminating her face.

Her expression was relaxed, as if she were basking in the warmth of spring—serene and content, full of the vitality of a new beginning.

Nie Lan rested her chin on her hand, staring at Shen Xi’s photo for an unusually long time. A strange, mesmerizing emotion grew inside her—indescribable, yet undeniable. This photo made her feel something for Shen Xi that she had never felt before.

Originally, she only wanted to provoke Han Ning, but the photo stirred something deep inside her. She closed her laptop, took a sip of alcohol, chuckled softly, and sighed. “No wonder people say love is just a feeling…”

After a minute of contemplation, Nie Lan lay in bed and made a major decision.

She was determined to have Shen Xi—by any means necessary.

With that thought, she closed her eyes and had a restful sleep.

Meanwhile, in the hotel room, Han Ning was excitedly scrolling through Weibo’s trending topics. She laughed and joked with Shen Xi, completely unaware that the seemingly random photo she had posted had inadvertently strengthened Nie Lan’s resolve.

At six in the morning, Han Ning woke up and instinctively reached for Shen Xi’s side of the bed—only to find it cold. Her groggy mind slowly recalled their conversation before sleeping.

“To make it look real, we have to sleep in separate rooms. Otherwise, it’d be too fake…” Shen Xi had said firmly.

Han Ning had protested, grumbling and refusing to let go, but Shen Xi had coaxed her to sleep before sneaking out of the room.

Yawning, Han Ning got out of bed, freshened up, and sent Shen Xi a good morning emoji.

Shen Xi was probably still asleep, as there was no reply.

At the door, Kou Kou was waiting. Han Ning pocketed her phone and left with Kou Kou for the filming location.

The number of episodes for Thorn Rose couldn’t be increased. Although Zhou Heyang still had some investment funds left, he couldn’t pour everything into it. Given the budget constraints, maintaining quality without unnecessary filler was already an achievement.

Determined to create a high-quality production, he fired the inexperienced cinematographer and brought in an old friend to take over. He also cut a few minor roles, reallocating the saved budget to costume and set design. With the leads delivering solid performances, the filming progressed smoothly. Shen Xi and Chen Rong had no choice but to work overtime on the script.

“In the past, actors waited for scripts. Now, the script is waiting for actors. Looks like even you have a day when you’re forced to work overtime,” Han Ning teased as she lounged comfortably in a reclining chair, sipping milk tea.

She glanced at Shen Xi, who was frantically typing, trying to keep up with the schedule, yet still maintaining her composure. Raising an eyebrow, Han Ning smirked mischievously.

“Shut up!” Shen Xi snapped. She was focused and irritated by the distraction. She shot Han Ning a glare, her tone icy.

Han Ning shrank back, awkwardly clearing her throat. She knew Shen Xi hated being disturbed while working—pushing her too far might actually make her explode.

She wasn’t about to risk it.

Bored, Han Ning looked around. It was lunchtime, and staff members were distributing meals and drinks. Behind them, a woman carrying a thermos walked toward them.

Han Ning sat up and nudged Shen Xi. “Xi Xi, your mom’s here.”

Shen Xi rolled her eyes. “Are you that bored? I’m serious—I’ll get mad.”

“She’s really here. She brought you soup.”

By then, Shen Fengmei had already approached. Han Ning stood up with a bright smile.

“Auntie.”

Shen Xi looked up in surprise. “Mom, why are you here?”

Placing the thermos on the table, Shen Fengmei said, “Didn’t you ask me to bring you soup the other day? I figured writing takes a lot out of you, so I made some chicken soup to nourish you.” She then ladled a bowl for Han Ning. “Ning, you should have some too.”

Han Ning accepted the fragrant soup and took a sip. Her eyes lit up. “Auntie, this is amazing! The flavor is perfect.”

“Oh, it’s nothing special—just some home-cooked food. I hope you don’t mind.” Seeing Han Ning finish her bowl quickly, Shen Fengmei took it and prepared to pour her another serving.

Shen Xi stopped her. “Mom, Ning is filming. She needs to control her diet. Don’t give her too much.”

A flicker of panic flashed in Shen Fengmei’s eyes. She pulled Shen Xi aside, her lips trembling. “Don’t interfere…” Then, forcing a smile, she turned back and filled another bowl for Han Ning.

“Uh… Auntie…” Han Ning hesitated. Just like Shen Xi said, she needed to watch her intake while working. But with the soup already in front of her, she felt bad refusing, especially since Shen Fengmei was Shen Xi’s mother.

Something felt off. Shen Xi, sensing it too, decisively blocked the bowl. “Mom, Ning doesn’t want any more.”

“Ning Ning…” Han Ning tried to mediate, then turned to Shen Fengmei with an apologetic smile. “Auntie, it’s not that I don’t want to drink it. The soup is delicious, but I have to control my diet for work. Once filming is over, I’ll drink as much as you want, okay?”

Shen Fengmei’s hands trembled. Then, under Shen Xi’s sharp gaze, the bowl suddenly slipped from her grasp and crashed onto the ground. She crouched down, covering her face, and sobbed. “Ning, I’m so sorry…”

Shen Xi’s hair stood on end. Panic flooded her as she exchanged a startled look with Han Ning, who was just as shocked.

“What do you mean, Mom? Say something! What do you mean you’re sorry to Han Ning?” Shen Xi glanced at the spilled soup, and a terrifying realization hit her. A chill ran down her spine. “What did you put in the soup? What did you do to Han Ning?!”

At those words, Han Ning instinctively tried to gag herself, desperate to vomit the soup she had just consumed. Bent over, she coughed violently, her face filled with fear.

“I… I put sleeping pills in her soup…” Shen Fengmei admitted, wiping her tears.

Shen Xi exhaled in relief. Han Ning was still coughing, but at least her heart had stopped racing in terror.

“Auntie, I think I deserve an explanation,” Han Ning said, stepping forward, her voice controlled but filled with anger. “What were you trying to do? Why do you always make things harder for Shen Xi? As her mother, you should be the one who loves her most.

Instead, you keep causing her trouble. I don’t understand, and honestly, I pity her for having a mother like you.”

She had tried to hold back, but her words struck a nerve. Shen Fengmei burst into wailing sobs.

The commotion drew attention. Han Ning, startled, whispered to Shen Xi, “I’m fine. You should ask her why she did this. There’s no reason for her to drug me.” She glanced at the sobbing woman and sighed. “I’ll step away for now. You two talk. I still need to throw up some more…”

With that, Han Ning walked off.

“Enough with the fake crying. You don’t even have real tears. You’re just being annoying,” Shen Xi muttered impatiently.

Shen Fengmei abruptly stopped wailing, lowering her head. “I had no choice… I was threatened.”

“By who?” Shen Xi had a bad feeling.

“…Nie Lan.”

So she had already made her move. This changed everything.

“She came to me this morning, saying if you didn’t break up with Han Ning and be with her, she’d send loan sharks after me. She also said…” Shen Fengmei hesitated, fear in her eyes.

“She said she could find me anywhere and make my life hell if I disobeyed her…”

At that moment, Han Ning stood before Shen Xi, her expression heavy, her eyes glistening.
She took a deep breath and said, “Shen Xi, let’s break up.”