Upon learning Qin Zongming's itinerary, Shen Yushu called her overseas friend immediately. "He plans to stay for medical treatment," the friend said. "His condition seems off—his voice trembled the whole time we spoke. I can't confirm if it's a mental illness without a diagnosis."
Shen Yushu watched a plane trace a white trail across the azure sky, then thanked her friend and hung up. Assistant Cheng called soon after, offering to arrange a meeting with Qin Zongming, but she declined: "Tell PR to monitor public opinion closely."
Tossing her phone aside, Shen Yushu reclined on the sofa, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief. Qin Zongming's departure spared them court battles, asset division, and group turmoil. She brewed a cup of pre-rain West Lake Longjing—her go-to for calming nerves—and reflected on how their once-happy home had frayed.
She'd long indulged Qin Zongming, even agreeing to send Qin Jia to Zhenyuan Jewelry instead of making her her secretary, as she'd initially planned. His refusal stemmed from doubting Qin Jia's ability, fearing nepotism backlash. Now, after Qin Jia's poisoning incident, Shen Yushu regretted her past complacency. Glancing at Qin Jia and Qin Mo laughing in the backyard, she resolved to cherish the present.
Life After Qin Zongming's Departure
Shen Yushu threw herself into managing Qin Group with Vice President Su Yao, canceling weekly girlfriend gatherings for business trips. Qin Mo used Qin Jia's 20 million loan to settle his company's debts, then resigned to pursue his long-hidden dream of acting. Qin Jia, meanwhile, embraced a nine-to-five life as a model for Luo Shiqing's clothing brand LQ, shuttling between home and the studio.
On a lazy Saturday, Qin Jia ran into Qin Mo pruning flowers downstairs. "Did you contact Agent Mai?" she asked.
"He's in Beijing—interview's this afternoon," he replied. "Two-hour flight, plenty of time."
Qin Jia wished him luck, and he left soon after.
Beijing, Xinghe Media
At 3 p.m., Agent Amai yawned listlessly in the conference room. "Any more candidates? I'm heading out," he grumbled. The afternoon had yielded no promising newcomers—until the door opened.
Amai's eyes widened at the young man at the door. Qin Mo, slightly flustered from rushing (he'd helped an elderly woman with a heart attack on the way), confirmed: "Is this the artist audition?"
Amai pulled him in eagerly. As Qin Mo introduced himself—21, Columbia economics master, lifelong acting passion—Amai stared in shock. Why would a wealthy, educated heir want to debut as an actor?
"Does your family support this?" Amai asked cautiously. "Our contract is minimum ten years, 3 million penalty for breach."
"My family respects my choice," Qin Mo replied. "When can I start? I owe 20 million and need to repay it quickly."
Amai paused, then smiled: "Sign today, and I'll get you a guest spot on a rural variety show—30,000 appearance fee, 14,000 after deductions. We'll advance 5,000 monthly."
Qin Mo agreed immediately. After signing, the HR manager whispered to Amai: "He looks familiar—isn't he the brother of the green-dress girl from the jewelry competition? The Qin Group heiress?"
Amai checked his phone and froze—Qin Mo was indeed Qin Jia's brother, the Qin family's young master.
That Evening
Qin Mo returned home to a 200,000 yuan monthly allowance deposit—funds he'd mostly invested in his failed company. He deleted a loan text message, then opened WeChat to find a variety show plan from Amai: Living Elsewhere, a slow rural program on Raspberry TV, filmed near Yuncheng.
Amai sent a voice message: "Convince your sister Qin Jia to join you, and your fee doubles to 150,000. We'll pay her 500,000!"
Qin Mo found Qin Jia climbing a locust tree. "Someone's offering you 500,000 to film a variety show," he said.
Qin Jia refused: "I'm shy, no talents."
"It's just eating, sleeping, and light farm work—chopping firewood, picking fruit," Amai's voice urged over the phone. "We can raise it to 730,000 after taxes!"
Qin Jia relented, then asked: "Can I bring my robot friends? Koala, Squirrel, Silly Bear—we pick them up the day after tomorrow."
Qin Mo smiled: "I'll ask."
Monday Morning, Zecheng Technology
Secretary Lin entered the office to find colleagues grinning—Lu Tingzhou was absent. "He's on a date," someone teased. Secretary Lin scoffed, then texted Lu Tingzhou: Miss Qin's here—prepare tea?
Fruit, Lu Tingzhou replied.
At the factory workshop, Lu Tingzhou watched Qin Jia coo at the koala robot. "Name it?" he asked gently.
"Rou Rou—chubby and cute," she said, hugging its paws. "The others can wait—naming needs fate."
As they parted, Lu Tingzhou invited her to his office for fruit, but she declined: "Shooting outdoor scenes with Shi Qing today. This weekend I'm filming Living Elsewhere in Feiyun City—taking Rou Rou!"
Lu Tingzhou's heart sank—he was leaving on a week-long business trip next week. "What show?" he asked impulsively.
After she left, he searched for Living Elsewhere on his phone, then told Secretary Lin: "Ask if I can join."
Secretary Lin contacted the director, who politely refused: "Guest slots are full, budget's tight."
Lu Tingzhou's voice was calm but firm: "Don't worry about the cost."
Secretary Lin quickly clarified: "Director Pei, President Lu doesn't want payment."
The line went silent. The director, realizing the opportunity, stammered: "Of course—we'd be honored to have Mr. Lu!"
Secretary Lin stared at Lu Tingzhou in disbelief. The man, staring at the fruit plate, a faint smile playing on his lips—he'd just cleared his schedule to chase a variety show, all for a chance to spend time with Qin Jia and her robot.