Chapter 46

The director was convinced that what he had just said came straight from the heart. Maybe it wouldn't move everyone, but at least 40% would probably be touched. But when he looked up expectantly after his impassioned speech, all he saw in the barrage of comments were question marks.

[?] How do you expect me to imitate that?

[I suspect you're mocking my intelligence, and I have evidence.]

[No time like the present, director. Why don't you demonstrate by imitating it yourself first?]

[Forget imitation. I feel like I don't even deserve to play 21 ever again in my life after hearing that! Waaaaah!]

[?] Who do you take me for? What do I have that I could imitate with?

The director was stunned for a moment, then heaved a huge sigh of relief after thinking it over. "If I can't imitate it, then that's fantastic, just fantastic!" Once he finished exclaiming, the director rushed to end the livestream. As long as he ended it fast enough, the viewers' complaints wouldn't be able to catch up to him.

The director had just sat down when a staff member next to him cried out in astonishment again. "Director, someone just gifted 100,000x10..."

Without even lifting his eyelids, the director replied, "That's Boss Shen again..."

"It's not Boss Shen this time! It's someone else called Yue Bao Shi Wo De Bao..."

Reading out that name, the staff member felt oddly embarrassed. What a terrible name to choose!

So it wasn't Boss Shen? That was great news. A new moneybags had appeared, so how could they remain stagnant?

"What did he leave as the gift message?"

"The message says he hopes the show team can come up with a game purely based on luck to gamble with Yue Bao again."

The director stroked his non-existent beard contemplatively. "Hmm..."

"Director! He gifted another 100,000x10!"

The director immediately reversed what he was about to say, speaking righteously, "The money Yue Jie earned just now wasn't entirely her own effort. Teacher Shen helped out too, so we should test her again, that's only right! We'll start as soon as Yue Jie gets back!"

Shen Yue had just painstakingly shuffled her way back to the courtyard, ready to fling herself into bed, when she heard the director's bold, aspiring words.

Her little head was puzzled for a moment before she chose to ignore it. She was so close, so close! She could already smell her pillow's scent! And lingering on it was the smell of her own drool!

Just when Shen Yue thought there was only one step between her and her bed, though in reality it was still several hundred steps away, she was obstructed by the show staff. Shen Yue halted and looked up at the obstacle before her in confusion, tilting her head quizzically.

The director admitted he found it cute, but steeled his heart and spoke up, "Yue Yue, the money you just earned wasn't entirely your own effort because Teacher Shen helped out. So now you have to earn it back. Hand over everything you have on you."

When Shen Yue heard this, it was like a bolt from the blue. Her previously sleepy brain was instantly wide awake.

She only felt pain.

The lovely money had only accompanied her briefly and hadn't even had a chance to absorb her body warmth before it had to be taken away!

But Shen Yue also knew the show staff were right - her brother had helped her after all. So although reluctant, Shen Yue still took out all the money she had and handed it over.

All the money...

A scene suddenly flashed through Shen Yue's mind - she was standing outside her bedroom, which was completely empty. And in front of her was the housekeeper who always smiled gently at her.

"Where are my things?"

"Miss, the Shen Family has nothing that belongs to you. Please return everything of the Shen Family's by today."

"What...do you mean?"

"You are not the Shen Family's daughter, so of course you cannot own anything of the Shen Family's."

"But my parents..."

"They have already agreed. I'm just following orders."

That day, she had handed over everything. Left with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Everything related to the Shen Family was like a dream to her, and a bitter dream at that.

When Shen Yue placed the money in the director's hand, she didn't know why, but for the first time she actually felt the emotions from her memories.

Previously when she looked at the memories in her head, it was like watching someone else's story. She would dig them out to watch the bizarre skills demonstrated, or to see how miserable her future was to motivate herself to enjoy the present.

But this time, when this memory surfaced, the sour feeling in her heart could not be controlled. By the time Shen Yue realized it, tears had already silently slipped from the corners of her eyes.

She didn't know why she was crying, just like she didn't know why the tears wouldn't stop.

The director, who had been about to propose a gambling game after taking the money, froze when he saw Shen Yue's tears.

Yue Jie is...crying?

Little Yue Yue who always had a blank expression but could do anything...was crying?

Shen Shuangyi had been worried about Shen Yue so he followed behind her. He had planned to return to earning money once Shen Yue went into her room, but he didn't expect Shen Yue to be obstructed outside. Unsure what the show staff were planning, he didn't immediately go over. But in just that brief span, he saw Shen Yue crying.

A scene flashed through Shen Shuangyi's mind - Shen Yue looking at him and calling him brother. Something in his mind snapped.

In a few large strides he was in front of Shen Yue, pulling her to his side.

Shen Shuangyi didn't interrogate the director or ask Shen Yue what was wrong. He simply took out a handkerchief and started gently wiping Shen Yue's tears while coaxing softly, "Don't cry. Brother will earn money later and give it all to you."

The Shen Shuangyi on camera always had an indifferent attitude, and would even make crying children wail harder. Yet now he was being so gentle, something he'd never done before.

And Shen Yue was also different from children her age. Her crying had no hysterical screams or exaggerated performative sobs, just silent teardrops falling one by one.

Wordless, yet all the more heart-wrenching.

The two of them standing together silenced everyone present.

Even the barrage comments fell silent.

Through her tears, Shen Yue could vaguely make out the blurred figure before her. Her overridden rationality gradually returned upon hearing the word "money".

He'd really give her money? How wonderful! Then wouldn't she be able to sleep again?

Brother, you really are my brother.

"Brother..." Shen Yue had wanted to flatter her brother, but having just cried, her voice came out a devastating crack that made her seem extremely aggrieved.

Shen Yue was startled and quickly shut her mouth.

But it made Shen Shuangyi's heart ache even more. He had already entered the fantasy of being his little sister's savior, unable to extricate himself.

Why else would she only cry so grievously in front of him? Clearly it meant he was the only one she trusted enough to show vulnerability to!

Don't ask how Shen Shuangyi knew. He just did!

Sure enough, she was his little sister. Even her stoicism and wariness were the same as him!

Shen Shuangyi directly pulled Shen Yue into his embrace, gently patting her back and murmuring reassurance, "Don't be upset. Let's go home."

The director heard this and realized something was off. He hurriedly blocked Shen Shuangyi's way, "Teacher Shen, what are you..."

"Please move aside. We won't be filming this show anymore."

Shen Shuangyi's tone brooked no argument.

Unlike Dong Yunxin's previous whining and tantrums, Shen Shuangyi was very calm. Yet the lingering distress in his eyes inexplicably made people feel afraid.

Unlike Shen Shuangyi's usual superficial aggressiveness, in this moment, everyone felt...

Shen Shuangyi really was a Shen Family member.