The 4S dealership was very efficient. At 10 a.m. the next day, a salesperson called to inform them that the car had been registered and insured, ready for pickup at any time.

The task of picking up the car was entrusted to Xia Xiyao. Gu Xingyi didn’t go with her; he stayed home to look after Xiao Nainai. Since Xia Xiyao had driven before, Gu Xingyi wasn’t worried.

After arriving at the dealership, Xia Xiyao successfully picked up the car. She tested it out a bit and then drove toward the city center.

She was going to find Lele and Yun-jie and take them to Yin Hai Entertainment tomorrow!

Xia Xiyao had already made up her mind—she would report to Yin Hai Entertainment tomorrow. Although Gu Xingyi had said she could go later, she didn’t want to wait.

She had her own reasons. Besides singing being her dream, she didn’t want to be a mere vase, relying only on Gu Xingyi.

At that moment, Xia Xiyao had no idea that Tao Lele had already resigned. She only called her after she got near the Tianmei Entertainment building, wanting to surprise her.

The call was quickly answered. With a smile on her face, even her voice sounded much brighter.

“Lele! Guess where I am?”

Tao Lele was in her rental apartment packing up. After quitting her job, she was planning to head back to her hometown. She had already made up her mind—if this place didn’t want her, another one would!

Could Tao Lele really not find another job?

Just then, she received a call from Xia Xiyao.

“Xiyao-jie! If you’re not at home, where else would you be?”

“Dummy! I’m downstairs at your company! Come down quick, I have something to tell you!”

“Huh? Then wait a bit, Xiyao-jie! I’ll be right there!”

Tao Lele suddenly panicked. Why did Xiyao-jie come to her company?

She wasn’t sure how to tell Xia Xiyao that she had quit and was going back to her hometown.

Fortunately, her rental place wasn’t far from the Tianmei Entertainment building. Soon enough, she came running down, panting and looking around.

Until she heard a voice: “Lele! Over here!”

She turned her head and saw Xia Xiyao stepping out of a brand-new car, waving at her.

“Xiyao-jie!”

Tao Lele’s eyes curved into a beautiful arc as she quickly walked over to her.

“Xiyao-jie! You bought a car???”

Looking at the shiny new vehicle beside Xia Xiyao, Tao Lele’s face was full of disbelief. That man actually bought a car for Xiyao-jie? Wasn’t he supposed to treat her badly?

Xia Xiyao nodded with a smile and took Tao Lele’s hand.

“Yup! Just bought it! I came today because I have something to discuss with you. Are you free?”

Her almond-shaped eyes curved happily, joy radiating from her face.

That’s when Tao Lele noticed that this time, Xia Xiyao looked a bit different from the last time they met.

Her skin looked more radiant, her cheeks were fuller, and her overall complexion had improved a lot. Most importantly, the confidence she once had seemed to have returned!

Seeing her like this, Tao Lele’s eyes lit up—her Xiyao-jie was back!

“Xiyao-jie! I’ve got plenty of free time! Tell me what it is!”

“Lele! Come back and be my assistant again! Let’s get Yun-jie too. I’m making a comeback!”

Xia Xiyao grabbed Tao Lele’s hand, eyes sparkling with hope.

Tao Lele was stunned—she couldn’t believe her ears!

It took her a while to recover, and then she held Xia Xiyao’s hand even tighter.

“Really? Xiyao-jie! You’re not messing with me, right? You’re making a comeback?!”

“It’s true!”

Xia Xiyao gave her a firm nod.

“Yes! I knew it! Heaven won’t block Lele’s path, hahaha! Xiyao-jie, what a coincidence! I just quit my job! We can work together again!”

Tao Lele jumped up, joyfully waving her arms and legs. She had dreamed of fighting side by side with her Xiyao-jie again.

Xia Xiyao was briefly stunned—that’s when she realized Lele had actually quit.

“Lele! You... I’m sorry, I was too self-centered before. I won’t be like that again!”

Because of her, both Lele and Yun-jie had ended up like this. The thought made Xia Xiyao feel both guilty and sad, and her earlier excitement faded a bit.

“Hey! Xiyao-jie! Everyone has the right to make their own choices! I don’t blame you, and I’m sure Yun-jie won’t either. Besides, you’re making a comeback now! Let’s focus on the future!”

Seeing her fall into guilt again, Tao Lele quickly hugged her to comfort her.

“Mm! Lele, do you know where Yun-jie is? Let’s go find her right now!”

“I do! She’s definitely at Qingpu District People’s Hospital, taking care of her mama! Other than her four-hour work shift, she’s always there!”

“Great! Let’s go now!”

Xia Xiyao didn’t waste time. She had Tao Lele get in the car, and the two of them rushed to the hospital.

In the car, Tao Lele curiously glanced at the new interior, then looked at Xia Xiyao, who was focused on driving.

“Xiyao-jie, does he know you’re making a comeback?”

Xia Xiyao nodded, a small smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

“He knows. In fact, he was the one who negotiated the contract for my comeback. He also bought me this car.”

Tao Lele’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe it and blurted out in shock.

“He negotiated your contract?! No way! Xiyao-jie! You’re not messing with me, are you?!”

Xia Xiyao shook her head and said seriously, “It’s true. He negotiated my contract with Yin Hai Entertainment, and it’s a top-tier one!”

“!!!”

Tao Lele was speechless. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t figure out how someone like Gu Xingyi managed to land a top-tier contract!

Xia Xiyao noticed that Tao Lele hadn't responded, so she continued speaking.

“Gu Xingyi… he's really treating me well now. Don’t act that way toward him anymore, okay?”

“Ohhh~~~ Xiyao-jie, so fierce and protective of your man! I’m jealous! Totally inconsolable now!”

Tao Lele pouted dramatically, dragging out her words in mock sulkiness, teasing Xia Xiyao.

A blush immediately spread across Xia Xiyao’s pretty face, but she didn’t deny it.

As they chatted, they soon arrived at the hospital. Xia Xiyao and Tao Lele carried the fruit they had bought on the way and headed to the inpatient department.

Third floor, Room 302.

With a nervous heart, Xia Xiyao knocked on the door. The moment she saw Yun-jie, she almost burst into tears.

Yun-jie, who once had a full head of black hair, now had strands of white. Her once strong face was now weathered and worn out. She looked exhausted, wearing plain cotton clothes so washed they had faded white.

This sight was eerily similar to how Xia Xiyao had been before—clearly, Yun-jie hadn’t been doing well either.

When she saw Xia Xiyao, Yun-jie froze, staring at her in a daze.

Xia Xiyao didn’t know what to say. The two of them simply looked at each other in silence.

It was Tao Lele who broke the stillness, running in and grabbing Yun-jie’s hand.

“Yun-jie, Xiyao-jie and I came to see you! How’s Auntie’s health?”

Only then did Yun-jie come back to her senses, a bit flustered, wringing her hands together.

“You should’ve called before coming... Look at me, like this. Xi... Xiyao, come in, sit down.”

“I just got Mama to sleep. Her health is alright—she can eat, drink, and with one more surgery, she should recover.”

Speaking of her mother, Yun-jie finally revealed a small smile, though it carried a faint trace of bitterness.

She had run out of options. There was still over 100,000 yuan in debt outside, and she'd already borrowed from every relative and friend she had. How was she supposed to pay for the next surgery?

Xia Xiyao walked into the room and sat down. She lowered her head, biting her lip like a child who had done something wrong, unable to look at Yun-jie.

Tao Lele patted Yun-jie’s hand and glanced over at Xia Xiyao.

Yun-jie followed her gaze and looked at Xia Xiyao carefully. A moment later, a relieved smile appeared on her face.

She walked over and sat beside her, holding her hand.

“Xiyao, I’m really happy you came to see me. And seeing you like this now, I’m even happier. It means you’re doing well. Back then, I stopped you because I wanted the best for you. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

“Yun-jie! I’m sorry!”

Xia Xiyao couldn’t hold it in anymore and threw herself into Yun-jie’s arms, tears streaming down like rain.

Yun-jie gently patted her back and spoke softly.

“No need to apologize. What mother would blame her child? I truly treated you like my own daughter.”

“Alright now, stop crying. Cry anymore and you’ll turn into an ugly monster!”