Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Lu Junrong and I were doing quite well, and I often took Qiaoyi out to play.

Sometimes I had the illusion that we were like a family of three.

I even fantasized that one day he would propose to me. I would wear a pure, beautiful wedding dress and walk into a church, where he would slip a diamond ring onto my finger.

Whenever Sister Fang saw my lovestruck expression or heard my fantasies, she would be speechless and just shake her head.

“A woman in love has a negative IQ,” she’d say.

We had been friends for so long that she always spoke her mind in front of me.

“Zhiyi, when it comes to dating, it’s fine to play around and flirt, but don’t get too emotionally invested.”

“Ah Ron’s bedroom eyes are the most deceptive. Yes, he dotes on you now and treats you well, but he treats every girlfriend well. He’s a talented man, but he’s also a playboy. He’ll never be devoted to just one woman. Don’t give him your heart, or you’ll end up in total ruin.”

I laughed and scolded her. “Can’t you wish me some luck? Ah Ron is sincere toward me.”

In the middle of the following year, I graduated from the acting class.

Shortly after, more good news arrived: I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Deer Award.

This award carried immense weight and was widely considered the top domestic film honor in the industry.

I didn’t dare hope that a newcomer like me could actually win.

I treated it as a chance to go out and see the world.

I put on a haute couture gown, did my makeup beautifully, took some lovely photos, and sat there clapping with everyone else.

When the presenter read my name, I didn’t react for a moment. Lin Yanxi, who was sitting next to me, gave me a nudge with a smile, and only then did I snap out of it.

It seemed… I really had won.

The steps to the podium weren’t high, but it felt like a journey that took decades.

When I took the trophy from the presenter’s hands, the cold sensation told me it was real.

I never dreamed I would be lucky enough to receive such an honor.

Besides thanking the team and the Director, the person I thanked most was Ah Ron.

The applause and flowers made me feel like I was walking on clouds-light, airy, and absolutely wonderful.

After the awards ceremony ended, I couldn’t wait to call Lu Junrong.

But I tried several times and couldn’t get through.

Sister Fang said that Ah Ron had been busy filming out of town recently, so he was probably occupied.

It was understandable.

Next, I called my parents.

When they first found out I had divorced Shen Jincheng, they were furious.

They scolded me for being indecent, saying I was crazy to run off to Gangcheng with a strange man and that I wouldn’t even know if I were being sold off. They tried to force me to remarry Shen Jincheng and even threatened to buy plane tickets to Gangcheng to drag me back to our hometown.

I told them it was absolutely impossible.

They used harsh words, saying they no longer recognized me as their daughter, then tried softer tactics, saying my mother had suffered a stroke because of me and that I needed to come back immediately.

I knew they were actually worried about me.

But I couldn’t turn back. I withstood the pressure and stayed in Gangcheng.

They scolded me at first, but after I sent money home time and again, the scolding gradually faded. When my photo started appearing in newspapers and on television, they finally believed that I had truly become a star. They began to tell me to take care of my health and not to overwork myself.

Now that they knew I had won an award, they would never stop me from chasing my dreams again.

Everything was moving in a good direction.

I was going to be very happy.

After the celebration party ended, I rushed home.

Since Ah Ron was busy, I would celebrate with Qiaoyi.

To my surprise, when I arrived, I saw Lu Junrong’s male Assistant’s car parked outside.

The Assistant stopped me, his expression somewhat awkward. “Miss Qiaoyi went to his Uncle’s house.”

I looked at the lit villa and understood instantly.

I said to the Assistant, “Don’t tell Ah Ron I was here.”