As Lu Fei walked over, Sun’s mother and uncle put on big smiles, eager to greet her.

Lang Zhe, still glaring venomously at Sun Man from a distance, muttered to his mother, “Mom, how about we all go out for dinner together later?”

But Lu Fei immediately frowned and asked, “When did I ever teach you to disrespect women like this?”

“What do you mean, disrespect?”

“She doesn’t feel any connection with you, and she’s not just being stubborn. Where on earth did you get the nerve to propose in front of everyone? You think you’re moving her, but all you’re doing is moving yourself and making things awkward for everyone. What kind of respect is that?”

“But she rejected me! She’s the one making things difficult and disrespecting me!”

Lu Fei’s frown deepened. “Oh? So your values are skewed, and now your brain’s broken too?”

She felt like she barely recognized her son. While he’d never been particularly smart, he’d at least been obedient. Now, all he seemed capable of was bizarre behavior.

“Mom, I’m your son! If you like Sun Man so much, then why don’t you—” Lang Zhe’s frustration spilled over as he questioned her angrily.

“Because she’s not the kind of girl you can endlessly harass. I don’t know what you did to lose her, but it’s clear you’re out of her life for good.”

Lu Fei could read people well. She knew that while Sun Man might have a soft personality, once someone like her decided to walk away, she would never look back.

“‘In-laws’? What are you even talking about?” Sun’s mother interjected, but Lu Fei shot her a withering look that instantly silenced her.

“Who said we’re in-laws? Don’t call me that. Are you even really her mother?” Lu Fei challenged.

Sun’s mother looked uncomfortable. “Well, of course I am.”

“Then act like one. It’s rare to see a mother so indifferent to her daughter’s feelings. You have a wonderful daughter—start appreciating her.” Lu Fei’s directness, bolstered by her high standing and military connections, made Sun’s mother turn red with embarrassment.

Sun’s uncle wasn’t having it. “Hey, don’t think you can talk to us like that. Your son’s the one who wants to marry our Sun Man!”

Lu Fei merely cast him a disdainful look, not even bothering to respond, and instead turned to Lang Zhe. “Come on. We’re going home.”

Lang Zhe tried to resist, but Lu Fei’s stern command and her presence made it impossible for him to disobey. He was effectively forced to give up and couldn’t bother Sun Man any longer.

As they finally walked away, Sun Man let out a sigh of relief and said goodbye to Ji Fei and the others.

“Good luck with your final performance,” she said with a smile.

“Don’t worry, the Entertainment Judge won’t come after you,” Pei Mingxuan laughed. “She’s already shown her claws.”

Everyone laughed, with Ji Fei looking innocently amused.

Sure enough, they dominated the trending topics online once again.

Back at the Qin household, Qin’s father and mother regretted missing such a dramatic scene in person, especially after they saw the live broadcast replay after dinner.

Once they’d watched the proposal video, they took to the internet to follow the buzz.

Lang Zhe’s friends from the rap community stepped up to defend him, painting Sun Man as the heartless one who spurned his “genuine affection.” They even released footage of Lang Zhe supposedly heartbroken, drowning his sorrows and calling out Sun Man’s name. Fans in the rap community rallied to his defense, some attacking Sun Man for “putting on airs” and others dredging up past rumors about her.

But they underestimated the general public, who, without Sun Man even needing to respond, began calling out Lang Zhe’s manipulative behavior.

“Stop with the emotional blackmail. We’re not falling for that!”

“The Entertainment Judge herself said you were in the wrong. What, you don’t agree?”

“You’re hurt, you’re sincere—that’s your business. The rule for adults is to keep your own business to yourself!”

“If you want to share this, put it on your private page. Why are you forcing it on us?”

“Looking for people to empathize with you? Not many are as thick-skinned as you.”

The backlash grew so intense that Lang Zhe’s defenders ended up deleting their posts.

The final result was a wave of online ridicule directed at Lang Zhe. People mocked him for proposing without consulting her, then turning around and trying to play the victim when she rejected him. 

Despite putting on a brave face, Sun Man still felt the impact. When they met her for their first rehearsal, she had noticeable dark circles under her eyes but greeted them warmly.

Ji Fei quickly checked and saw that Sun’s mother, uncle, and Lang Zhe were still trying to influence her.

Thankfully, after that initial encounter, things seemed to improve as she gradually got back to herself.

Lu Fei and Sun Man appeared completely at ease, working together like teacher and student, with Lu Fei guiding her earnestly and Sun Man listening intently.

Yu Rouyin, there to assist with a scene, observed, “People online were speculating about their relationship, but they underestimate women. Is it really so surprising to see women supporting each other?”

Seeing the harmony, the director and producer finally relaxed. But what really eased their minds was the fact that the Top Flow Group had finally submitted a non-confidential script.

Rumor had it that when the director and producer received it, they clutched it like a lifeline, tears in their eyes, as if they’d finally rung in a peaceful retirement.

Ji Fei later spotted Sun Man and Pei Mingxuan chatting in the hallway.

It was clear that Pei Mingxuan was pitching her agency, and Sun Man seemed genuinely interested.

She, too, realized it was time to get rid of the leeches around her. She’d fulfill her obligations to them but wouldn’t let them control her life anymore.

Pei Mingxuan returned to report that the arrangement was almost a done deal.

They had agreed to sign the contract as soon as the final stage performance was over.

Sun Man’s script was about a mother and daughter building a life together, a touching story of a mother’s dedication and a child’s gratitude, showing how two women in a single-parent family can support each other and prove that kids from single-parent families aren’t defined by stereotypes.

It was a script Sun Man had chosen carefully, reflecting her own longing for a family where she wouldn’t need her mother’s “extended family” as a crutch. If mother and daughter were united, she could grow up feeling loved and whole.

Lu Fei approved of the script wholeheartedly and, upon hearing about Sun Man’s plans to dissolve her studio and join Ji Fei’s team, offered her full support, promising to help in any way she could.

But the day before the first live broadcast, the peace was shattered by shocking news online.

**#Sun Man Hospitalized After Overdosing on Sleeping Pills. Currently in Critical Condition.#

When they saw the post, Ji Fei and Qin Zhao were at the studio.

Pei Mingxuan, who received the news first, was stunned.

How could something so tragic happen so suddenly, after everything seemed fine just the day before?

Pei Mingxuan suspected there had been a conflict with her family over the signing and was ready to call the police, fearing foul play.

But Ji Fei, with a dark expression, stopped her and said, “No… I think she might have done it herself. We need to get to the hospital.”

Qin Zhao stared at Ji Fei in shock, only to hear her muttering to herself angrily.

**“Damn it, Lang Zhe, you’re nothing but a heartless monster!”**

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TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars and likes of the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!