Jiang Chu drove and took Su Ding back to the temporary rented apartment.
"Thank you for today."
Su Ding felt much calmer after returning home.
Jiang Chu smiled gently, "You're welcome, you saved my life. Are you hungry? Shall I make you something to eat?"
"No, you should go back first."
Su Ding said softly, leaning back on the sofa, feeling somewhat tired.
Jiang Chu didn't push further, "Alright, I'll head back first. Call me if you need anything."
Su Ding nodded.
After a simple lunch, Shao Zhenggang's call came through.
"Xiao Xu, you finally answered. Where have you been for the past two months? What was that video about?"
A barrage of questions made Su Ding impatient.
She interrupted him directly, "A lot of things are too complicated, don't ask too many questions. Actually, there's something I wanted to tell you."
Shao Zhenggang was accustomed to Su Ding's indifference towards him and didn't pay it much mind.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm selling the company. I'll give you thirty percent then."
Su Ding stated it concisely, patiently waiting for Shao Zhenggang's reaction.
"Why are you selling the company all of a sudden?" Shao Zhenggang asked, then realizing his tone was a bit harsh, he softened it, "I mean, do you need money?"
"I'm leaving Jiangcheng."
Su Ding's words immediately made Shao Zhenggang uneasy. "Why?"
"It's inconvenient to tell you." Su Ding didn't want to say too much to Shao Zhenggang. Giving him thirty percent was meant as his final retirement fund; he had no right to inquire about anything else.
She still wouldn't forgive him for her mother's death.
Shao Zhenggang was choked with anger, "Have you thought it through? You're not staying with Mr. Jin anymore?"
Hearing Jin Ye's name, Su Ding's voice grew colder, "Yes, I'm just informing you about this. I'll start handling it in the next few days."
Shao Zhenggang was silent for a moment, then finally compromised, "Alright."
"Okay, I'll hang up now."
Just as Su Ding was about to hang up, she heard Shao Zhenggang say, "Wait!"
"Where are you going after you leave Jiangcheng?"
"Abroad, probably." Su Ding hadn't decided yet, but it was highly likely she would return to where she was five years ago and start her life anew.
Shao Zhenggang, however, said, "Don't always go abroad. Stay in the country. I have a small villa in Y City that's been vacant for years. You could go there. The climate in the Southern Region is good, the pace is slow, and it's suitable for living."
"Y City?" Su Ding frowned. "How come I didn't know you owned a property there?"
"It's an old story. Your mother's maternal family in the Southern Region was a mysterious clan. When your maternal grandfathers left, I bought a villa there to prevent your mother from being too sad."
Shao Zhenggang sighed, reminiscing about the past.
Why had he been so blinded by greed back then to get involved with Wang Meilan?
Su Ding hesitated upon hearing this.
"Your mother's last wish was to bring her ashes back and introduce you to your grandmothers, grandfathers, and uncles, but unfortunately, it's difficult to find them."
Shao Zhenggang sighed, "If you lived in the Southern Region, perhaps you could find that clan. Who knows?"
Su Ding touched the jade pendant around her neck and said, "Alright, I'll consider it."
After hanging up the phone, Su Ding began contacting the company.
She announced the news of selling the company, stating that if anyone wished to acquire shares, she was willing to offer them at a discounted price.
Simultaneously, she released the news to the industry.
Next, she would wait for interested parties to contact her. Su Ding then managed her finances from her original account and called Xiao Yuan.
"Are you sure about this?" Xiao Yuan asked with reluctance.
"Yes. I'll transfer the breach of contract fee to you. After I leave, please compensate the company on my behalf. I don't want to deal with anything there anymore."
Xiao Yuan knew about what had happened recently and expressed her understanding.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it properly. I'll also keep your departure a secret."
"Thank you," Su Ding said gratefully.
In reality, given her scandalous reputation, a comeback as a star actress was impossible.
Huang Qi Group hadn't asked for liquidated damages from her because no one dared to override Jin Ye and handle her affairs.
After all matters were settled, Su Ding collapsed and fell asleep.
When she woke up, the sky was dim. Bright moonlight shone on her face through the window, a scene of quiet solitude.
She looked around the small rented apartment and smiled silently.
When she returned to the country, she never imagined she would end up in such a state.
Looking back, along the way.
She had experienced sweet affection and happy joy, career success, and the adoration of fans.
Similarly, she had also experienced despair and helplessness, and heartbreaking pain.
"It's okay, I'm leaving soon."
Su Ding spoke softly to herself in the quiet room.
But her mind couldn't stop replaying Jin Ye's harsh words to her earlier that day; he had even held Shao Lin.
They were completely finished.
Tears quietly flowed down her face, unseen by anyone, falling freely.
She remembered their first meeting, his noble indifference.
His special attention towards her, she thought he wanted to exploit her…
They met, got to know each other, and fell in love because of the child.
She had experienced the happiness of being cherished and the security of being protected…
He was once her celestial guardian, protecting her,
Shielding her from the wind and rain, defending her from her enemies' harm…
But now?
A wave of grief surged through Su Ding, her heart aching to the point of spasms, her body trembling, tears streaming down her face.
For Shao Lin, he had betrayed her.
Betrayed her.