While Shen Qi and the others were working hard on their film, someone else was also having a tough time. That person was none other than Cui Yuelan.
Ever since a few days ago when Old Madam He said she needed someone to help copy Buddhist scriptures, Cui Yuelan had volunteered to show her filial piety, and thus began her miserable scripture-copying ordeal. Cui Yuelan thought copying scriptures would be as simple as just copying some text—something she could dash off casually! Little did she know, Old Madam He had her taken to a remote mountain hut over a hundred kilometers from H City, with no electricity or water, forcing her to copy by candlelight! Not only that, but before each copying session, she had to burn incense, bathe, kneel before the Buddha, and kowtow before she could even pick up the book and copy it character by character!
Cui Yuelan had never realized Buddhist scriptures could have so many characters! She thought scriptures were at most just writing "Om Mani Padme Hum" and that was it! How was she supposed to know there would be this many words? And in such a desolate, remote, and backward place! Cui Yuelan desperately wanted to say she couldn't take it anymore, but Butler He was personally watching over her, so she had to copy whether she liked it or not! She had already spent several nights on this mountaintop, shivering in the cold wind. Luckily, it was still summer; otherwise, she'd be crying like a dog.
That day, Cui Yuelan couldn't bear it any longer. Seizing a moment when Butler He wasn't around, she quickly called He's wife: "Mom, I've had enough. I don't want to stay here anymore! Boohoo... Grandma doesn't like me at all! She's making me copy scriptures on this mountain, and it's so desolate and scary here. I really can't go on."
He's wife hadn't expected her mother-in-law to send Cui Yuelan to copy scriptures on a mountain either. She had always been a tough battlefield commander, never understanding these mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamics, let alone these step-by-step power plays. She could only brace herself and say, "Lanlan, since you've decided to come back and be by Yining's side, these are things you'll have to go through sooner or later..."
"Mom, why not let Shen Qi copy the scriptures? Why does it have to be me? Isn't it obvious she's picking on me?" Cui Yuelan sobbed, "Mom, I was raised by you. I'm much more familiar to you than Shen Qi! When I marry Brother Yining, I'll still call you Mom. We'll be family! What's Shen Qi? You don't know how awful she is! She either belittles me, mocks me, or pushes me around. Mom, you have to stand up for me!"
He's wife sighed and said, "I'm abroad right now, so I can't help you! How about I ask your dad to call the old lady and plead for you?"
"Great, great! Mom, please have Dad call! I really can't take it anymore!" Cui Yuelan kept whining, "Mom, you promised me I'd marry Brother Yining!"
"Alright, alright, of course I'm on your side!" He's wife agreed readily. "You've called me Mom for so many years; I've long considered you one of us!"
Cui Yuelan thought she had evaded Butler He, but she didn't realize every move she made was under his watch. Butler He reported the situation to Old Madam He. Old Madam He snorted coldly and said, "I knew it would be like this. That daughter-in-law of mine isn't a pushover either. She hasn't even returned to the He family yet, and she's already trying to boss around the next generation's mistress of the house."
Butler He listened respectfully.
"It seems I need to do something, or she'll think she can come back and take control of everything in the He family?" Old Madam He's tone was unreadable, but Butler He knew she was angry.
"What do you plan to do?" Butler He asked.
"This granddaughter-in-law might have been married into the family by accident, but since she's caught my eye, if anyone wants to replace her, they'll have to ask for my approval first." Old Madam He paused, then continued, "Isn't Yining filming with Shen Qi now? Give the order to have the media report on their whereabouts extensively. Let's see what else my daughter-in-law can do!"
Butler He smiled. "Yes, ma'am. I know what to do."
After hanging up, a meaningful smile curled at the corner of Old Madam He's lips. Little girl, don't let me down!
They say mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies. In the He family, that couldn't be more true. He Guoxiang had originally pursued He's wife, giving up his proper life as a big CEO to become a mercenary. Could Old Madam He have no objections to her daughter-in-law? By the same token, He's wife had raised Cui Yuelan by her side, treating her like a future daughter-in-law. But before she could even broach the subject, Shen Qi had swooped in out of nowhere and snatched the position of the second young mistress of the He family. Could He's wife like Shen Qi?
But the enemy of my enemy is my friend! Originally, Old Madam He didn't have strong feelings about Shen Qi. Otherwise, she wouldn't have summoned her only once in all this time. However, when Cui Yuelan was sent back to the country by He's wife, Old Madam He instantly understood her daughter-in-law's intentions. She was an expert in household intrigues; how could she not see through her daughter-in-law's little schemes? So, the granddaughter-in-law that her daughter-in-law disliked became the one Old Madam He was determined to protect! Even if Shen Qi wasn't pregnant yet, Old Madam He decided to back her!
Shen Qi, however, knew nothing about these battles within the He family! Her daily work now consisted of doing makeup and styling for the lead actors and actresses, and when she had free time, she'd draw or listen to music. Occasionally, He Yining would drag her into the water to swim, catch fish, and make soup. Little did they know, every move they made had already been photographed and posted on Weibo and major websites. Now the whole world knew how devoted the He family's CEO and his wife were to each other. Look, the CEO had even set aside his work to accompany his wife! For her sake, he had teamed up with friends to buy this film! If that wasn't love, who could claim to be in love?
Shen Qi usually didn't browse Weibo, but just because she didn't, didn't mean others didn't! When Cui Yuelan saw the news spreading online, she completely lost it. She immediately called He's wife, throwing a fit and insisting she break up Shen Qi and He Yining. Reluctantly, He's wife, feeling sorry for Cui Yuelan, finally called Shen Qi.
That day, after washing up, Shen Qi was about to head back to the crew's dormitory to rest. Before she could lie down, her phone rang. Seeing the number, she was taken aback. Wasn't this an international number? Despite her surprise, she answered: "Hello, this is Shen Qi."
There was a brief silence on the other end before a voice spoke: "I am He Yining's mother."
Shen Qi froze. Her mother-in-law? Why would she be calling? She didn't know how to respond. It was too sudden!
"Mom..." Shen Qi struggled to say, "What are your instructions?"
He's wife's voice was icy: "Don't call me Mom. I can't accept that."
Shen Qi choked. Had she done something wrong? She had never met this mother-in-law, so how could she have offended her?
"Then what are your instructions?" Shen Qi could only ask.
He's wife sighed and said, "I won't beat around the bush. I'll be straightforward with you."
Shen Qi remained silent.
"You and Yining should separate. You're not right for each other." He's wife said domineeringly. "You were never meant to be together. You married in someone else's place, and he married in someone else's stead. Your union was a mistake from the start. Besides, Lanlan was raised by me. She and Yining have had feelings for each other since childhood. She's the daughter-in-law I recognize."
Shen Qi had expected this outcome, just not so suddenly.
"Have you discussed this with He Yining?" Shen Qi asked softly.
"There's no need for discussion! He's my son; any decision he makes has to go through me first." He's wife continued arrogantly. "I didn't want to call you this early, but your behavior lately has been too much! Lanlan has already returned to the country, and you're still clinging to Yining!"
Shen Qi smiled bitterly. So, this was all her fault?
"I'm a straightforward person and don't like beating around the bush, so I'll say it plainly. I will never acknowledge your existence!" He's wife declared firmly. "Yining is a filial child; he'll consider my feelings. If you truly love him, would you really want to see him suffer and struggle because of you and me? Miss Shen Qi, you're not a bad catch. You can find a better归宿 without Yining. But Lanlan is different. Yining is her everything. If she can't marry him, her whole life will be ruined."
So, it was okay to ruin her life instead? This mother-in-law sure had double standards.
"If He Yining says these words to me himself, I will leave him without hesitation." Shen Qi bit her lip, her voice calm. "But if this is just your wish, I'm sorry, I can't accept it."
"Whether you accept it or not, you have to! He Yining can marry anyone, but not you!" He's wife's voice suddenly rose, laced with anger. "I absolutely forbid you two from being together!"
Shen Qi replied calmly, "I'm sorry, Madam He. I have things to do here, so I can't continue this conversation. If you want us to separate, please have He Yining tell me himself. Goodbye."
With that, Shen Qi hung up. She took a deep breath. Had she been brave just now? Huh, maybe. If He's wife had said this to her a few days ago, she might have actually left. But He Yining had clearly told her that his feelings for Cui Yuelan were only sibling-like. These past days, he had shamelessly stuck around, which was essentially his way of showing his stance. Since he was trying so hard, how could she irresponsibly call it quits? If He Yining personally told her to leave, she would walk away without looking back. But as long as he didn't say it, she wouldn't give up!
Shen Qi's attitude infuriated He's wife, making her dislike Shen Qi even more. However, Shen Qi couldn't care less about that now. Today, Mr. Charles had called with good news: her design had been recommended by him to a major brand.