Chapter 173 What’s wrong—here to question me?

Song Jingmo frowned: “This photo… was it sent by Yan Huaijin, or by Cong Jinyue?”

A few seconds later, Lu Er replied: “Yan Huaijin. He said he ran into you at the airport.”

Song Jingmo stared at the screen, his gaze darkening.

He immediately initiated a video call.

The call connected quickly. Lu Er’s voice carried a hint of laughter: “What’s wrong—are you here to interrogate me?”

“Er’er,” Song Jingmo said calmly, though there was clear displeasure in his tone, “isn’t he a bit too concerned about you? Does a big movie star really have that much free time?”

He had just returned to the country and was already busy taking photos to stir trouble. Fortunately, his Er’er was smart enough.

Lu Er laughed on the other end. “Oh, are you jealous?”

Song Jingmo didn’t respond.

Lu Er quickly coaxed him, “He’s just concerned about me, afraid I might get deceived. It’s well-intentioned…”

“Well-intentioned?”

Song Jingmo cut him off. “He knows we’re together, yet the moment he sees me being close to another girl, his first reaction is to take a photo and send it to you. And that’s well-intentioned?”

Lu Er fell silent.

After a while, he asked softly, “The girl in the photo… is she your sister?”

“My biological sister, Song Nanzhi. She grew up abroad with our parents.”

Song Jingmo’s tone softened slightly. “She injured her leg recently. It wasn’t convenient for her to stay alone overseas, so she came back to recover.”

A clear sigh of relief came from Lu Er through the screen. “That’s great.”

“What’s so great?”

Song Jingmo raised an eyebrow. “Did you think she was some kind of ‘love rival’ sister?”

“No!”

Lu Er quickly denied it, though his voice carried unmistakable relief. “I just think it’s nice that you have a younger sister.”

“That way, when I steal you away, I won’t feel as guilty. Otherwise, it always feels a bit… immoral.”

Song Jingmo couldn’t help but laugh. “What exactly goes on in that head of yours all day?”

“Thinking about you,” Lu Er said matter-of-factly. “Thinking about whether someone might take you away, whether you still love me, whether you…”

The moment he saw the photo, his heart had wavered.

“Er’er,” Song Jingmo said softly, “I will always love you, until the end of my life…”

Before he could finish, Song Nanzhi’s face suddenly squeezed into the frame.

She leaned in beside him and waved at the screen with a bright smile. “Hi, sister-in-law! I’m Song Nanzhi!”

Lu Er was clearly stunned for a moment, then his cheeks flushed slightly. “H-hello…”

“Sister-in-law, you’re even prettier than on TV!”

Song Nanzhi spoke sweetly. “My brother must have the luck of a lifetime to have chased someone as amazing as you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him for you. I guarantee he won’t go around flirting.”

Song Jingmo helplessly pushed her aside. “Alright, stop scaring him.”

“When did I scare anyone!”

Song Nanzhi protested and leaned in again. “Sister-in-law, can I get your autograph?”

“My roommate really likes you, and I’d love a photo too. Once my leg heals, can we take a picture together?”

Lu Er, warmed by her enthusiasm, smiled and nodded. “Of course. How’s your leg?”

“Much better, just inconvenient to walk.”

Song Nanzhi’s eyes darted playfully. “Sister-in-law, you’re filming in K City recently, right? My brother said he’ll come see you in a few days…”

“Nanzhi.”

Song Jingmo shot her a warning look.

She stuck out her tongue. “Sister-in-law, can I go to K City to have fun? I’ve never been to a film studio before!”

Lu Er’s eyes lit up. “Of course! I’ll be wrapping up my scenes soon, so I’ll have time to show you around.”

“There are so many fun places in K City, and lots of delicious food too…”

“She’s not going.”

Song Jingmo cut in directly. “Her leg isn’t convenient. She’ll just cause trouble if she goes.”

Song Nanzhi pouted. “How would I be trouble? I can sit in a wheelchair—you two can push me. A family of three, how romantic!”

“And then get photographed by paparazzi and trend online the next day?”

Song Jingmo said expressionlessly. “Do you want your sister-in-law to be rumored in a love triangle?”

Song Nanzhi: “…”

Lu Er laughed on the other end, his eyes curving into crescents. “Nanzhi, come visit after your leg heals. I’ll have Bai Zhi take you around the studio properly.”

“Really?”

Song Nanzhi was delighted. “I’ll come as soon as my cast is off!”

After chatting a bit more, Song Jingmo took back the phone and said to Lu Er, “Don’t spoil her too much—she gets overly excited around people.”

Lu Er smiled. “I think Nanzhi is quite adorable. By the way, when are you coming? Have you booked your ticket?”

“This weekend.”

Lu Er’s eyes sparkled like stars. “I’ll wait for you.”

After a few more words, they finally ended the call.

As soon as Song Jingmo turned around, he saw Song Nanzhi propping her chin in her hands, staring at him with bright eyes.

“Bro, you and sister-in-law are really close. I’ve never seen you this gentle before.”

Song Jingmo didn’t respond, only urging, “Eat. After that, I’ll take you to uncle’s place.”

—

The weekend arrived in the blink of an eye.

With the New Year approaching, the hospital had become much quieter.

Many patients chose to go home for the holidays. Outpatient visits decreased, and inpatients were gradually discharged.

A few days earlier, Yin Siyao had taken leave to return to his hometown, making the orthopedics department noticeably calmer.

At five in the afternoon, Song Jingmo got off work on time.

After changing out of his white coat and walking into the parking lot, he saw Bai Youyu, Tang Lan, and Leng Keyan already waiting.

“Director Song!”

Tang Lan waved excitedly. “Over here!”

Leng Keyan leaned against the car, head lowered as he looked at his phone, brows slightly furrowed, clearly preoccupied.

“Did you bring everything?” Song Jingmo asked.

“All set!” Bai Youyu smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Director Song, for giving us a ride. Otherwise, we’d have to call a cab.”

Song Jingmo opened the trunk and helped load their luggage.

Once inside, Tang Lan and Bai Youyu naturally took the back seats, leaving the front passenger seat for Leng Keyan.

The car drove out of the hospital and merged into the evening rush-hour traffic.

Along the way, Tang Lan and Bai Youyu excitedly discussed their travel plans for K City.

“I checked online—there’s a Republican-era themed street in the film studio that’s super popular right now. Tons of influencers are going there.”

Tang Lan scrolled through her phone. “We should take photos there. They’ll definitely go viral.”

Bai Youyu nodded. “And the food street! I heard K City’s Crossing-the-Bridge noodles are really authentic—completely different from what we have here.”

“Exactly! And flower cakes, steam-pot chicken…”

Tang Lan counted on her fingers. “I’m going to eat my way through K City!”

The two grew more and more excited, but Leng Keyan remained quiet.

Leaning against the window, he watched the scenery rush past.

He held his phone, occasionally lighting up the screen to check it, only to lock it again in disappointment.

Bai Youyu noticed his silence and asked carefully, “Keyan, what’s wrong?”

“Are you not happy with our travel plans? If there’s anywhere you want to go, you can tell us.”

Leng Keyan forced a smile. “No, your plan is great. I just… might not be joining you.”

“Huh? Why?” Tang Lan was puzzled. “Didn’t we agree to travel together in K City for a few days?”

Leng Keyan paused for a few seconds. “I have other arrangements.”

The answer was vague, but Bai Youyu understood.

Her gaze dimmed slightly, though she maintained her smile. “I see… that’s okay. We can meet for dinner if there’s time.”

Tang Lan glanced between them, hesitating to speak.

As Bai Youyu’s close friend, she knew Bai Youyu liked Leng Keyan—and that Leng Keyan had someone else in his heart: Yin Siyao.

In such a triangle, there wasn’t much an outsider could say.

The atmosphere in the car became subtly tense.

Song Jingmo glanced at Leng Keyan. “During the New Year, there’s a lot going on at home. Siyao might be busy.”

“I know.”

Leng Keyan’s voice was soft. “I just… haven’t gotten used to it.”

He wasn’t used to waiting so long for replies, nor to this distant, on-and-off feeling.

Since Yin Siyao returned home, his replies had clearly become less frequent.

Sometimes a message sent in the morning wouldn’t get a reply until night.

And even then, it was just a few short words: “Busy,” “Got it,” “Okay.”

Leng Keyan knew he shouldn’t overthink it—Yin Siyao must have a lot to deal with back home.

But the feeling of being neglected still left an emptiness in his chest.

He was afraid of being too clingy, afraid of annoying him, so he didn’t dare send too many messages.

Every day, he simply waited, holding onto his phone, for those few brief replies.

That cautious, restrained longing… really hurt.

Watching his lonely profile, Bai Youyu felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.