Chapter 33: Boiled Noodles

Chapter 33

Ji Nian had just signed the contract and said goodbye to the two men. The five million yuan payment would not arrive for another couple of days, but she figured that as a big star in the novel, he probably wouldn't welsh on the deal.

After leaving the hotel entrance, Ji Nian still had over a kilometer to walk before reaching the subway station. Looking at the map on her phone, just as she was about to cross the street, WeChat suddenly popped up with a message.

Shen Shuyao: I feel so sad.

Ji Nian was startled. The female lead took the initiative to contact her. She stopped in her tracks under the green light, staring blankly at the screen.

Ji Nian: What's wrong? Did something happen?

After five minutes, there was still no reply from the woman. Ji Nian felt puzzled.

Shen Shuyao: Yeah.

Ji Nian was surprised. The female lead was in trouble, she had to go find her! This book's luck was all on her. There was a chance to gain some presence.

Ji Nian: Where are you?

Shen Shuyao: I'm at home.

Ji Nian: Send me your address.

The sun was quite harsh. Ji Nian went to the traffic police booth to take shelter from the sun, patiently waiting for the message to come through on WeChat.

After nearly ten minutes, she finally heard the notification tone. Ji Nian eagerly tapped to open it, seeing only an address. She copied it into Baidu Maps to check the route.

"Five thousand kilometers." Ji Nian murmured softly to herself: "Not bad, pretty close."

A car horn sounded, giving Ji Nian a fright. She looked up to see a black Bentley.

Peng He rolled down the window, smiling at the woman on the side of the road, "Miss Ji, where are you headed?"

Ji Nian was surprised. "Oh, it's you guys."

"That's right. Where are you going? Let me see if it's on the way." Peng He asked.

Ji Nian smiled. "Thanks, but no need to trouble you."

"We may collaborate long term in the future. Come on up first, we'll give you a ride." For some reason, Yu Luobai suddenly wanted to invite her into the car.

Ji Nian was taken aback, blinking her eyes. It was a bit hard to refuse, so she slowly got into the car and sat next to the man.

"Thank you."

Checking Shen Shuyao's address on WeChat, the door number was provided. This was a rather large estate. She followed the signs as she walked.

Going up the building and out of the elevator, Ji Nian found the unit number. She opened WeChat and sent two words in the chat - open door.

After waiting a few minutes, she heard the door open just a crack. Ji Nian pushed it open and went inside, the person before her looking startled.

"Goodness, what happened to you?" Ji Nian asked in shock.

The woman's face was streaked with tear stains. She wore a nightgown, hair in disarray, eyes swollen and red, neck marked with fiery red bites.

Seeing the visitor, Shen Shuyao rushed over to hug her without knowing why, crying grievously.

Ji Nian was surprised, then patted her back gently. She softly closed the door, saying, "There there, what's wrong? We'll solve any issues together. Don't cry first."

Shen Shuyao just kept sobbing with bloodshot eyes, not saying a word. Ji Nian supported her to the sofa, calming her to sit down. "Can you tell me what happened? Is it okay to share with me?"

Shen Shuyao shook her head, biting hard on her lip as tears kept streaming.

Ji Nian took some tissues from the coffee table to help wipe her tears. She said gently, "It's fine if you don't want to say. It's almost 2pm, have you eaten?"

Shen Shuyao silently wept, shaking her head without speaking. She sat hugging her knees on the sofa.

"That won't do. No matter how upset, you have to eat." Ji Nian frowned. "You didn't go the whole day without food right?"

Shen Shuyao looked at her tearfully and nodded, voice hoarse as she replied. "I can't eat."

"That won't do." Ji Nian spoke very sternly. "Stay here, let me see what's in the kitchen to make for you."

Without waiting for a response, Ji Nian immediately headed to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, there were some salads, fresh milk, as well as eggs and noodles.

She swiftly took out the eggs and noodles, starting to cook. Boiling noodles was simple - add water and oil, wait for it to boil, crack an egg in, then add the noodles. Season with some salt and soy sauce.

In just over ten minutes, Ji Nian brought out a steaming hot bowl of noodles.

She placed it on the coffee table before the dazed woman. "Be good and eat something first."

Shen Shuyao stared blankly at the noodles on the table, tears welling up again. She slowly shuffled over, picking up the chopsticks on the table to eat mouthful by mouthful.

Seeing this, Ji Nian silently sat next to her without speaking, just accompanying her.

Watching the woman eat noodles between sobs, pear blossoms with rain - her innocent face so pitiful, Ji Nian felt great heartache just looking at her.

"There aren't many ingredients in the fridge. We'll go find something delicious once you feel a bit better."