There were very few food shows in the country, and none were popular. This one had a low budget and was a small production. One of the guests had acted like a diva and quit. The director—Xu Duo’s friend—asked if he knew anyone suitable, and Xu Duo thought of Su Ci immediately.

Xu Duo could tell Su Ci needed money.

Recommending her this time was his way of showing goodwill. He genuinely wanted to sign her.

After listening to his explanation, Su Ci glanced at the boy beside her, who was resting with his eyes closed, and agreed.

A food program was great—she could eat, and she could earn money to support Lu Zhe. Of course she wanted to join the recording.

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

Su family.

Qin Shiyan had no schedule today and specially came to visit Mother Su. “Auntie Su, I just made this myself. Please try it.” She handed the box she was carrying to Aunt Hua.

She had practically grown up in the Su household, though she used to enter through the back door.

After her father saved Su Shengguo’s life, he was no longer just the Su family’s driver—he became Su Shengguo’s benefactor. Only then did she have the chance to become the Su family daughter’s playmate, entering and leaving through the main entrance.

“Leave it. I don’t have an appetite right now.” Mother Su’s expression was faint.

Qin Shiyan’s smile paused. “Auntie Su, are you feeling unwell?”

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but ever since she had placed a small teardrop mole at the corner of her eye—just like Su Ci’s—Mother Su’s attitude toward her had changed a lot.

She lowered her gaze. Had she miscalculated?

Originally, she intended for the Su family to see traces of Su Ci in her. Having spent many years at Su Ci’s side, she had picked up much of Su Ci’s behavior and mannerisms. She didn’t mind becoming Su Ci, didn’t mind becoming Su Ci’s shadow.

But ever since she added the teardrop mole, she realized that this move might have been a mistake.

Mother Su’s attitude toward her had clearly grown colder.

But it didn’t matter. Qin Shiyan considered herself patient and intelligent.

She lowered her chin slightly, her voice filled with sadness and loss. “Auntie Su, I dreamed of Cici last night.”

Only then did Mother Su look at her, her emotions stirring. “What did you dream of?”

“I dreamed about the days I used to play with Cici. I grew up with her. Now that she’s gone, I miss her every day.” Tears shimmered in Qin Shiyan’s eyes. She asked bluntly, “Auntie Su, do you dislike that I have this teardrop mole like Cici’s?”

Mother Su did indeed dislike that Qin Shiyan had added a mole identical to her daughter’s.

In her eyes, everything about her daughter was unique. She didn’t appreciate Qin Shiyan’s deliberate imitation.

“I just miss Cici too much. I even thought… why wasn’t I the one kidnapped back then? Why wasn’t I the one who fell into the sea?” Tears overflowed from Qin Shiyan’s eyes; her sadness looked painfully real. “So I got this teardrop mole like Cici’s. When I look in the mirror, I can remember her.”

No matter how much she loved her daughter, Mother Su could not bring herself to say that someone else should have died in her daughter’s place. Thinking of how Qin Shiyan had grown up alongside her daughter and how deep their bond had been, she sighed. “You’re thoughtful.”

Ever since her son had shown her the photo of their daughter two days ago—proving that Su Ci was alive—Mother Su’s grief had turned into anxious longing.

Her husband and son had already sent people to search for her. She believed it wouldn’t be long before they brought her back.

But they had not said anything publicly. Until their daughter returned, they would not make the matter known.

Seeing Mother Su’s gaze soften, Qin Shiyan knew her words had touched her.

Next, she continued along the topic of Su Ci, chatting with Mother Su and occasionally bringing up some of Su Ci’s “little anecdotes.” Slowly, a smile returned to Mother Su’s face.

Hmph—what anecdotes did Su Ci even have?

A pampered young lady spoiled by the Su family from birth, she had never truly considered Qin Shiyan a friend.

Su Ci’s personality was clingy, coquettish, always thinking up ways to tease her. Yet in Mother Su’s eyes, those antics were all beloved memories.

How annoying.

Fortunately, Su Ci was gone now.

Thinking of the Su Ci she had run into that day, Qin Shiyan’s gaze darkened once again. Truly, calamity lives a thousand years.

After chatting and coaxing Mother Su into smiling again, Qin Shiyan finally took her leave.

Just as she walked into the garden, she saw Su Zhiyuan returning from outside. She smiled brightly, her expression gentle. “Brother Su, you’re back.”

Su Zhiyuan nodded to her and walked straight past without stopping for even a moment.

Qin Shiyan bit her lip.

Although her looks couldn’t compare to Su Ci’s, she surpassed countless actresses in the entertainment industry. She had gained a huge fanbase for her visuals as soon as she debuted.

Yet all this time, Su Zhiyuan had completely ignored her affection. If it weren’t for Su Ci, he probably wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

Su Zhiyuan entered the house and saw his mother sitting on the sofa. He walked over. “Mom, I’m flying to D City tomorrow. I’ll return soon.”

“You found Cici?” Mother Su jolted, sitting upright instantly.

“No. It’s for work. Dad and I will have our people speed up the search. Little sister will be back soon.” He had received a message from the police—Su Ci was in D City. He planned to go personally and bring his sister home.

Before seeing her with his own eyes, he didn’t want to give his mother false hope.

Mother Su’s expression dimmed. “I’ll have Aunt Hua pack your luggage. Be careful on the road.”

Su Zhiyuan responded, “Alright, I will.”

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

Lu Zhe went to school. The recording for the show was scheduled for next month. Su Ci was bored out of her mind.

She checked the time, deciding to pick Lu Zhe up after school and go to the restaurant with him afterward.

The sun outside was harsh. Even though her skin was pale as snow, Su Ci cherished herself dearly. After applying a layer of sunscreen, she changed into a pretty dress, grabbed her umbrella, and finally headed out at an unhurried pace.

Walking was impossible—she took a taxi to the First High School entrance. It was still early.

Su Ci planned to wait at the drink shop across the street. At that moment, a girl came out of the school gate crying.

She was wiping her tears, clearly heartbroken.

The next second, however, a security guard stopped her. It wasn’t dismissal time yet—without a leave slip, she couldn’t exit.

The girl began arguing with the security guard.

Standing outside with her umbrella, Su Ci glanced over a few more times. The next moment, she saw the girl’s wrist—it was a single red line, showing 10 minutes left.

Su Ci frowned. She asked Fu Gui, “How is she going to die?”

Fu Gui: 【She’s going to jump off a building, Master. Save her and you’ll get golden cotton candy.】

Fu Gui remembered how the Master got angry yesterday because Lu Zhe “cheated” by hugging another rabbit. Maybe this time the golden cotton candy would be his.

Fu Gui: 【Master save her, Master save her…】

Su Ci felt a headache coming on. “Shut up.”

She saw the girl blocked from leaving the campus. The girl, angry, turned back toward the school.

Was she really going to jump?

Su Ci quickly rushed forward but was stopped by the security guard. “Are you a student here?” The girl in front of him was so beautiful, he was sure he’d never seen her at the school before.

“I have something urgent. I’m here to find my brother.” Su Ci looked at him with a well-behaved expression.

“To enter the school, you need to register. Fill out the form first.” The guard handed her the logbook.

Seeing the girl walking farther away, Su Ci hurried to write on the form.

The girl, crying, walked up to the rooftop of the teaching building. Su Ci quietly followed her, climbing six flights of stairs until her legs turned weak.

Out of all the ways to die, why did she have to choose the rooftop?

Ugh. She had sacrificed too much for saving people… and for Lu Zhe.

Panting heavily, Su Ci finally reached the rooftop and immediately saw the girl already sitting on the railing.

“W–wait.” Su Ci called out.

“Don’t come over!” The girl shouted when she saw someone suddenly appear.

“Oh. I won’t go over. The sun over there is too harsh. I’ll just stand here.” Su Ci stayed where she was, conveniently in the shade.

The girl: …

“You’re going to jump?” Su Ci asked, catching her breath.

“I want to die. What does it have to do with you?” the girl cried while snapping at her.

Su Ci narrowed her eyes, noticing the name tag pinned on the girl’s upper left side.

Shen Xue?

That sounded familiar.

Su Ci pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before remembering—there was a cannon-fodder female supporting character in the book named Shen Xue. She liked Fu Baili and constantly caused trouble for Zhao Youyou. Once, she tried to frame Zhao Youyou but failed and was slapped in the face by Fu Baili.

Su Ci remembered this cannon-fodder girl did die in the novel. It was mentioned in a single line that she met a miserable end.

So this was how she died—from the rooftop.

Looking at the clearly brain-reduced cannon fodder in front of her, Su Ci sighed. “It really has nothing to do with me. I only came up to get some fresh air. But your looks are still decent. If you jump, your face will be ruined. Your skull will burst, your face will split open, maybe even your eyeballs will pop out. Are you sure you want to jump?”

Hearing Su Ci’s words, Shen Xue choked mid-sob, stunned.

She gripped the railing tightly, weakly saying, “It… it’s none of your business.”

“I know. I’m just up here to enjoy the breeze.” Su Ci stood at the stairway entrance, holding her umbrella, looking as exquisite as ever. “If you really want to jump, I’m begging you—wait until I leave the school. I’m afraid if I see your horrifying appearance, I’ll have nightmares.”

“You…” Shen Xue sucked in a breath. Was this person trying to make her jump or trying to stop her?

“Ai.” Su Ci sighed again. “Why do you want to die? Because you embarrassed yourself in front of Zhao Youyou? Or because Fu Baili broke your heart?”

“How do you know?” Shen Xue widened her eyes.

“The whole school is talking about it,” Su Ci told her.

Shen Xue: …

She wanted to die even more.

“I’m saying, your taste is terrible. Someone like Fu Baili is worth dying over?” Su Ci truly didn’t understand.

“Don’t you insult him.” Shen Xue still liked Fu Baili very much.

Su Ci pursed her little mouth, full of disdain. “I’m telling the truth. He’s not as handsome as my Lu Zhe, not as good in studies as my Lu Zhe, and his personality isn’t as gentle as my Lu Zhe’s.”

Ah, now that she compared them, she realized Lu Zhe was even better.

“What do you even see in Fu Baili? That he’s blind enough to like Zhao Youyou? Then you’re even more blind than he is.” Su Ci’s tone carried obvious disgust. For someone who could so easily throw away her own life for another person—she looked down on that kind of person.

Shen Xue stopped crying. She grit her teeth.

She had never seen anyone “comfort” people like this!