I will set you free.

In the pitch-black night, the wind howled outside the window. A cold aura surrounded Lu Hanye as he flung one photo after another in front of Ye Ruowan. “Did you do all this?” It was midsummer, yet Ye Ruowan wore a heavy coat. She glanced at the photos on the table—each featured a female star rumored to have been involved with Lu Hanye. “Yes, I had them all blacklisted.” After speaking, she raised her eyes to Lu Hanye. “Brother Han, you used to handle all this yourself, didn’t you?” “Unbelievable.” Lu Hanye brushed past her without a second glance. Ye Ruowan savored those four words, feeling her heart tighten with pain. She pressed a hand to her chest, reaching for her medicine. Her Labrador, who had been waiting outside, hurried to the kitchen, pried open a drawer, and returned with a bottle of medicine in its mouth, wagging its tail. “Duoduo… thank you…” Ye Ruowan gently petted Duoduo. Even the dog knew she had a heart condition, but the man who had loved her for twelve years seemed to have forgotten. But then, he wasn’t just a popular actor anymore; he was also the CEO of Luyin Entertainment. He was no longer the boy who would queue all night just to buy her breakfast… After changing clothes, Lu Hanye left again, showing no emotion even when he saw the bottle of medicine on the table. This time, she had crossed the line by touching someone she shouldn’t have… She didn’t sleep at all that night. Before dawn the next day, Ye Ruowan received a call from her manager, Sister Zhao. “Ruowan, did you see the trending news?” At her words, Ye Ruowan opened her computer, and a few large characters caught her eye. —Singer Ye Ruowan, a Jealous Woman!! Jealous woman… Ye Ruowan clicked through the posts. They all accused her of using her position as Luyin’s boss’s wife to suppress actresses she didn’t like, fearing they would take her place. Ye Ruowan quietly closed the laptop. Sister Zhao was furious on the other end of the line. “Have they all forgotten who founded Luyin Entertainment? Without you, Ye Ruowan, Luyin wouldn’t even exist!” “Forget it, Sister Zhao. The internet has a short memory. This will blow over soon.” For the past few years, Ye Ruowan had been labeled a jealous woman, and she had grown accustomed to it. “But…” Sister Zhao hesitated. “What else?” “Han Shuangshuang has been invited back to the company by President Lu.” Upon hearing this, Ye Ruowan felt a chill run through her. She forced herself to remain calm and told Sister Zhao she would handle it before hanging up the phone. Her heart ached again. Duoduo circled around her anxiously, and Ye Ruowan hugged him. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” It’s just heart disease, after all. She’d survived over twenty years with it. There was a singing competition in the afternoon, and Ye Ruowan had to attend as a mentor. The chauffeur arrived on time to pick her up. At the competition venue. It was a talent show for new singers. When Ye Ruowan received the list of contestants, her eyes paused on one name: Han Shuangshuang. She was Lu Hanye’s latest rumored lover and the source of his anger last night. Wasn’t she an actress? Ye Ruowan didn’t have time to wonder before the competition began. A few contestants later, that familiar figure appeared on stage. The woman had chestnut curls and wore a white short dress, looking playful and cute, with a constant smile that was indeed pleasing to the eye. No wonder Lu Hanye had fallen for her! Her phone vibrated, and Ye Ruowan saw a message from Lu Hanye: “I want Han Shuangshuang to win.” Her eyes flickered, and she slowly turned off the screen. The music began, and Han Shuangshuang sang as if victory was certain. The other judges had already been bought off. Ye Ruowan watched as each judge passed her, and then listened to Han Shuangshuang’s off-key singing. In the final moment, she pressed “FAIL.” A single vote to veto!