The phone rang relentlessly, shrill and piercing. On the cracked screen, the name Qian Qian flashed—two characters that stabbed into Bai Chenxi's eyes like poisoned needles.
The child in her arms flinched at the sound and burrowed closer into her chest.
Qian Qian.In her previous life, it was this very "endearing" name—this so-called best friend—that had pushed her straight into the abyss.
Murderous rage surged through her veins, but she forced it back down. Now was not the time to tear off the mask. She needed information. She needed patience.
Taking a steadying breath, she pressed the speaker button. Her voice came out deliberately hoarse, as if she had just woken up:"Hello? Qian Qian?"
"Chenxi, my darling!" Zhao Qian's syrupy voice chirped on the other end, warm and overbearing, dripping with false concern. "Why did you take so long to pick up? About that dinner I mentioned yesterday—have you thought it over? Director Wang specifically asked to meet you! Sure, your market value isn't exactly high these days, but he said he loves your kind of mature charm!"
Chenxi's lips curled into a mocking smile, though her eyes remained as cold as winter steel.
Director Wang? The infamous predator of the industry—known for preying on desperate, fading starlets. In her past life, Zhao Qian had used this exact excuse of "helping her career" to push her into such traps, disguising them as "networking opportunities." Each time, Zhao Qian had watched from the sidelines with glee, savoring her humiliation.
And the naive fool she once was… had mistaken it all for sisterly devotion.
"Dinner…" Bai Chenxi's voice faltered deliberately. At the same time, she rocked the child gently in her arms, soothing his tiny whimpers.
"Yes! A golden chance! Do you know how hard I worked to get this for you—" Zhao Qian's tone suddenly paused. On the line, her ears picked up a faint, muffled sound.
"Chenxi? What's that noise? It sounded like… a child?"
Chenxi's heart lurched. Alarm bells rang in her head, but her face betrayed nothing. Smoothly, she let out a weary sigh:"Oh, nothing. Must be the neighbor's brat downstairs watching cartoons. They blast the volume like crazy—it's so annoying."
And before Zhao Qian could probe further, she quickly diverted the conversation."Anyway, Qian Qian, thank you for the offer. But… I'll pass on Director Wang's dinner. I want some quiet time. Maybe read through a few scripts."
Silence crackled on the line. For the first time, Zhao Qian sounded caught off guard."You… what? Reading scripts? Do you even have scripts left to read?" There was a faint edge of scorn under her honeyed words. "Chenxi, don't be stubborn. This isn't the time to be picky. Have you forgotten your pile of penalty fees? Director Wang has a huge production lined up—"
"I'll handle the fees," Chenxi cut her off coldly, her voice calm yet implacable. "And as for scripts—Hong Jie contacted me yesterday. There's a supporting role audition in a small web drama. I plan to try for it."
She dropped the name of her former manager Hong Jie on purpose—the woman Zhao Qian had long dismissed as worthless. And she made sure to emphasize that "lowly web drama," something Zhao Qian would scoff at without hesitation.
Sure enough, Zhao Qian's tone instantly soured."Hong Jie? She still exists? Chenxi, are you out of your mind? Those pathetic jobs will only drag you further down! Listen to me—come to the dinner tonight. It's your only chance to—"
"No, Qian Qian." Chenxi's refusal was soft, but edged with unmistakable distance. "I'm tired. I want to try standing on my own feet. Thank you, but no."
And without waiting for a reply, she ended the call.
The screen went dark. Chenxi's eyes gleamed with icy determination.
Zhao Qian… this is only the beginning.
On the other side of the line, Zhao Qian stared at her phone in disbelief. Fury twisted her pretty features as she slammed it onto the sofa.
"Bai Chenxi! You dare hang up on me?!" she snarled, her eyes narrowing with venom. "Rely on yourself? Ha! I'll see how far you get before you crawl back. Don't blame me for being ruthless when you refuse a toast and insist on a forfeit!"
Setting the phone aside, Chenxi tightened her hold on the child. Her gaze swept across the shabby apartment, sharp and searching, looking for any clue about his origins.
Her eyes caught a drawer half-open beneath the nightstand. Something inside glinted faintly.
Heart thudding, she crouched down and pulled it open.
On top lay a brand-new household registration booklet.
Hands trembling slightly, she flipped it open.
Head of Household: Bai Chenxi.
The second page—
Member: Bai Nianchen.Relationship to Head: Son.
Her breath stilled.
Son.
Her fingers gripped the booklet tighter, as if to ground herself against the whirlwind roaring in her chest.