Tang Li was a little embarrassed by the praise, but she replied with poise, "Actually, I have many shortcomings. I might have a little bit of talent, but I can’t shoot breathtaking scenes like the directors, nor do I have the exceptional acting skills of You Li."

"I’m also tone-deaf. I’m just a very ordinary person who was lucky enough to be liked by everyone. As a behind-the-scenes professional, being in the spotlight all the time can easily make a person restless and impatient."

"That’s something I want to avoid. I’m not trying to be low-key on purpose; I just want more peace of mind."

She was talking about Tan You, but Zhu Lin thought she was talking about herself and came to admire Tang Li even more.

Zhu Lin paused for a moment. "I’d say it’s more than just ’a little bit of talent’."

Tang Li smiled. "There are far too many talented people in this world. I can’t guarantee I’ll always be the best. It’s like the old saying: in scholarship, there is no first; in combat, there is no second."

Because she had to get back for a state media program, Tang Li didn’t stay abroad long after the awards ceremony. The very next day, she and the crew boarded a flight back home. Wen Xiao put an arm around her. "This is too hectic. Let me know the moment you feel unwell."

Tang Li reassured him, "It’s just this once. It’s not like I win an award every time. Besides, I’m in great shape. I could take on three of you."

Even though she was busy with work, she still made time to learn martial arts. Wen Xiao was another story. After all, not every powerful CEO is a master of both pen and sword.

Wen Xiao chuckled. "Yes, you’re the toughest. When we get back, let’s go to the hospital for a full check-up. I can’t help but worry."

Of course, Tang Li wouldn’t refuse Wen Xiao’s arrangements. She touched her still-flat stomach. "I used to be a little scared... scared that I wouldn’t be a good mother."

"But now that I truly know we’re connected by blood, I feel this sudden, overwhelming emotion. I want to give her everything I never had, so she can grow up happy and free."

"It’s a way to make up for my own regrets, I suppose."

Wen Xiao understood what Tang Li meant. A mother not loving her own child inflicts a terrible wound. Some people spend their entire lives trying to heal from that pain. For Tang Li to have become the person she was today was a remarkable feat.

As the two spoke in low voices, Ye Qian watched them with envy. When it came to judging character, Tang Li was leagues ahead of her. Some people really could manage to have it all—a great career and a great love life. Unlike her, who used to mess up both.

’At least my career is on the rise now,’ Ye Qian thought, stretching lazily. Just as she extended her arms, someone suddenly grabbed her from the side.

At the same time, a flight attendant was apologizing profusely. "I’m so sorry..."

Ye Qian glanced at the cup in the flight attendant’s hand, then at the stranger holding her forearm. She shook her head. "No, I should be the one apologizing. I wasn’t paying attention and made things difficult for you. I’m sorry."

The flight attendant breathed a sigh of relief. "Not at all, I wasn’t paying attention either."

The two exchanged a smile, and the flight attendant went back to serving the other passengers. Ye Qian then turned to the stranger who had kindly helped her. "Thank you."

The person smiled. "You’re welcome. It was nothing."

Ye Qian didn’t think much of it. To her, it was just a chance encounter. After returning home and doing a few interviews, she was once again buried in a hectic filming schedule, the memory of the stranger she’d briefly met completely forgotten.

Even though Tang Li was pregnant, she was far too career-driven to just stay home and play the part of a pampered wife. Right up until she was due to give birth, she was constantly shuttling between her company and the film set.

As a result, Ye Qian’s career flourished, with successes in film, television, and music. The movie she starred in had wrapped back in August, and she immediately moved on to the set of a TV series without a break.

On the music front, the songs Tan You provided for Ye Qian were still in her signature sweet style. This time, however, the sweetness was quite different from her previous work. After all, in Tan You’s eyes, there were many different kinds of "sweet."

Ye Qian said, "I just feel... I’m a mom now, and I’m still up on stage jumping and dancing around. It’s a little embarrassing."

Tang Li replied, "Don’t let your age limit you. Just tell me this: when you’re on stage singing and dancing, are you happy?"

Ye Qian thought for a moment before answering honestly, "I am happy. I love the feeling of being in the spotlight. Truly. Maybe because I lost my audience once before, I’m even more captivated by the stage now."

Tang Li said, "Well, there you go. Loving what you do is the most important thing. If you didn’t say you were a mom, who could possibly tell just by looking at you? Some people are still sweet and lovely even when they’re fifty."

Ye Qian cupped her cheeks, then timidly reached out to touch Tang Li’s belly. "I just feel my look is too ’sweet.’ It’s not like you. You have this natural presence. No one would dare mess with you."

Tang Li couldn’t help but laugh. "Am I that intimidating? I always thought I was quite gentle."

Ye Qian suppressed a smile. "You are, you’re gentle. But being gentle and having strict standards are two different things."

"Of course they’re two different things," Tang Li said, shaking her head. "As long as you meet my standards, I’d say I’m pretty good-tempered."

She leaned closer to Ye Qian. "I’m due soon, so I won’t be able to come to the set and keep an eye on things for the next three months. I’ve already given the script to Old Hu. If anything’s bothering you, contact me anytime..."

"Stop worrying about me. Sister Yun is taking good care of me too." Ye Qian put on a gruff act to hide how touched she felt. "You just focus on your postpartum recovery at home. You think I can’t take care of myself?"

"If you knew how to take care of yourself, would you have ended up in such a pitiful state back then? Getting bullied like that?" Tang Li looked at Ye Qian. Even though Ye Qian was a mother now, past experiences didn’t always change a person’s fundamental nature.

At heart, Ye Qian was still a young girl.

"I know now that as long as I stay away from romance, I can manage my life just fine," Ye Qian said, propping her chin on her hand. "Besides, I’m so busy, I really don’t have the energy to think about anything else." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Tang Li could only sigh. She never pushed people to get into relationships; if things went sour, it would only lead to resentment. The only way she could help Ye Qian was to encourage her to focus on her career.

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Tan You rose early and struck a pose in her room. Thanks to her relentless efforts, she had gradually regained her flexibility and was now able to practice her dance fundamentals.

Tan Deming pushed the door open to see Tan You with her right leg lifted up behind her head, her hands clasped around her lower leg. He shuddered. "Doesn’t that hurt?"

"It hurts," Tan You said through gritted teeth. "But I have to practice even if it hurts. You can’t be afraid of hardship when you’re trying to lose weight."