Chapter 68: Chapter 68 “I am reminded of my parents.

Ji Zeqiu had known Shen Qingtang’s blood type was the same as Wen Li’s since he met her, and since she bore a resemblance to Wen Li, he helped her out when she was in danger.

Back then, Shen Qingtang had just entered the entertainment industry for a year and had played many minor roles, some with a line or two, others without any lines at all.

Even so, she cherished these opportunities, believing that gold would eventually shine and that one day her abilities would be acknowledged by others.

But reality would slap her hard in the face.

When she finally got the role of the second female lead and was so excited that she couldn’t sleep well for two days, Director Li told her the part was being recast and callously offered her a minor role instead.

Later, her agent told her it was because the actress was sleeping with the director, which was why the director gave her the part.

“Sometimes, in this circle, education isn’t the most important. Taking a shortcut isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” her agent hinted darkly.

Shen Qingtang bit her lip hard, feeling as though a giant stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She stared blankly at the script on the table, filled with notes; she bit her lip until it bled, unaware of the pain, the taste of iron and blood filling her mouth.

Unwilling to admit defeat, she continued to play minor roles that only amounted to a few minutes of screen time.

Later she met a director at a party, and he approached her.

“I’ve seen your previous work; you’re a good actress. How about playing the lead in another movie I’m planning?”

“Really?!” Shen Qingtang’s eyes lit up, thinking someone had recognized her talent.

“Of course,” the director said with a smile forming on his skin as he caressed her hand. “There’s just a little condition.”

The implication was clear.

Shen Qingtang’s face stiffened and her heart sank as she tactfully declined.

But nobody expected him to start cursing her in public: “Who do you think you are? I thought your acting was good and recommended you for the role, and you don’t even appreciate it. Don’t be ungrateful!”

Suddenly, everyone at the party turned to look at her; their probing and mocking eyes made her feel indescribably embarrassed.

“No, it’s not like that,” she tried to defend herself.

But no one paid her any attention.

The director turned around and complained to a colleague, “You better never work with this woman. An 18th-tier actor pretending to be a diva, not even aware of her own insignificance.”

“Alright, alright,” the colleague nodded.

Hearing his defamation, along with the echoes of many industry insiders, as if they wanted to blacklist her, Shen Qingtang’s face turned abruptly pale.

“I didn’t… he’s talking nonsense; he was clearly harassing me just now.”

The group seemed to be in cahoots, and no matter how she tried to defend herself, no one would listen.

It was at this moment that Ji Zeqiu appeared before her, smiling lightly as he handed Shen Qingtang a glass of champagne, “Director Li, let’s not joke around. My friend here is very timid, how could she dare to act like a diva with you?”

The director paused, “She’s your friend, Teacher Ji?”

“Yes, and I’d appreciate it if you could forgive her for my sake,” Ji Zeqiu nudged Shen Qingtang’s back, signaling her to toast.

Shen Qingtang hurriedly raised her glass of champagne.

“Haha, it’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding,” Director Li laughed and, no longer daring to harass Shen Qingtang, turned and left.

“Teacher Ji, thank you!” Shen Qingtang looked up at Ji Zeqiu with a bright smile.

She never expected the top-tier influencer, Ji Zeqiu, to stand up for her.

Seeing a smile similar to the one he knew, Ji Zeqiu was stunned for a moment, his facial expression a complex mixture of emotions.

After a while, he said, “This circle is too complicated, and if you want to stay out of trouble, it’s impossible. What will you do when this happens again in the future?”

“I…” Shen Qingtang clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips turned white.

She knew that she would only encounter more of these situations in the future, not less.

But what could she do?

“Would you be willing to make a deal with me?” Ji Zeqiu’s deep, dark eyes stared at her.

Strangely, Shen Qingtang’s cheeks felt somewhat hot, and her heart was beating a bit faster.

“Instead of dealing with those people, how about following me? In return, I’ll give you money and resources, and be your background,” he said.

“Why… would you choose me?”

Shen Qingtang had thought that Ji Zeqiu might have chosen her because he had some feelings for her.

But he said,

“You resemble the person I like to some extent. If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

The ripples that had begun to form at the bottom of Shen Qingtang’s heart suddenly vanished.

Knowing this, she still agreed to the deal.

Because her grandmother, whom she depended on for survival, was sick and needed a large sum of money for treatment, and there was no time to wait for her.

Later, Ji Zeqiu helped her a lot, found doctors for her grandmother, and she gradually had some works, her name becoming known to the audience.

To Shen Qingtang, she was very grateful to Ji Zeqiu in her heart, so when she received his call and rushed to the hospital, even though she knew he needed her blood to save Wen Li, she still agreed.

“Doctor! She has the Rh negative blood type too, she can donate blood to the patient!” Ji Zeqiu anxiously told the doctor.

“That’s great, come with me quickly!” the doctor hurried toward the blood donation room.

Shen Qingtang looked up at Ji Zeqiu and noticed his attention was entirely on the operating room, not sparing a glance for her.

Her nose felt sour, and she held back her tears as she followed the doctor.

Ji Zeqiu watched the door of the operating room, his hands by his side shaking fiercely, and his back was sweating coldly, soaking his clothes.

A car accident…

Again, a car accident…

Long-sealed memories were unlocked, reminding him of his parents’ deaths in a car accident. His chest felt a pressure he couldn’t breathe through.

Ji Zeqiu’s eyes were bloodshot, and stomach acid churned inside him, as he desperately resisted the urge to vomit.

Lin Xu stepped forward, wanting to tell Ji Zeqiu to take care of Shen Qingtang, but then she noticed his current state seemed a bit abnormal.

His cheeks were devoid of color, and his forehead was soaked with dense, cold sweat.

“What’s wrong with you?” Lin Xu stepped forward, taking his hand.

She found the temperature of his palm to be frighteningly cold.

Ji Zeqiu gripped her hand in return, very tightly, as if seeking some sense of security.

He closed his eyes, and it took a long while for him to recover, his voice hoarse and terrifying, “I remembered my parents…”

Lin Xu was stunned.

She instantly understood what he was saying.

He was afraid of car accidents, afraid they would take away everyone around him.

“Don’t worry, Wen Li will be okay,” Lin Xu rubbed his head.

Although she didn’t like Wen Li, seeing her son in such a mental state, she thought she should comfort him first.

“Not only will Wen Li be fine, but your mother will be too.” As for his father’s words, that couldn’t be confirmed yet.

“What did you say?” Ji Zeqiu was stunned.