Chapter 237 Song Jingmo… Actually Isn’t That Great

Song Jingmo turned his head slightly, listened to Zhao Lishan finish speaking, nodded, and then pointed something out on his tablet.

Zhao Lishan straightened up, smiled, and turned to give instructions to the staff nearby.

The whole process was natural and professional.

Just an ordinary work exchange between a superior and a subordinate.

Lu Er stood outside the door, quietly watching the scene.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman—standing together, they were indeed pleasing to the eye.

Song Jingmo’s calm composure, Zhao Lishan’s sharp elegance.

Dressed in coordinated professional attire, under the venue lights, they looked like a carefully composed painting.

No wonder Leng Qinghua had been anxious.

Even he himself, watching this scene, felt an indescribable sourness rise in his chest.

Clearly, the two of them hadn’t done anything.

Their distance was appropriate, socially proper.

And their conversation, in such a public setting, could only be about work.

Yet Lu Er still felt uncomfortable.

He stood at the doorway for about three minutes, then turned and quietly left.

Back in the hotel room booked by Leng Qinghua, he tossed his suitcase aside and collapsed onto the bed.

Staring at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, his mind replayed the scene he had just witnessed outside the conference hall.

Song Jingmo’s focused profile.

The strand of hair that slipped down as Zhao Lishan leaned forward.

The unspoken understanding in their hushed conversation.

And that inexplicable bitterness in his heart.

Lu Er turned over and buried his face in the pillow.

Thinking of the photo Leng Qinghua had sent, and the rumors circulating in the hospital, it was no wonder she had been so worried.

At the time, when he saw that photo, his heart had only skipped a beat—he hadn’t thought much of it.

But now, seeing them together in person, that discomfort became vivid and concrete.

Suddenly, Lu Er realized something.

Just based on Leng Qinghua’s one-sided account and a single photo, seeing Song Jingmo standing next to another woman already made him feel uneasy.

Then what about Song Jingmo?

Over the past days, when Song Jingmo saw all those scandalous rumors about him, how had he managed to calm himself down?

How had he endured the jealousy again and again, suppressing the unease in his heart?

Lu Er opened his eyes and sat up.

He took out his phone, opened Weibo, and went to his profile.

In Director Guan’s recent drama, he had many scenes with Ye Qingge.

For promotional purposes, the production team had released behind-the-scenes footage.

There were clips of him acting with Ye Qingge, photos of them eating together, and videos of them leaving the set side by side after filming.

Even though he had already stated on Weibo that he and Song Jingmo were in a good relationship, some fans just loved creating their own fantasies.

These clips were interpreted in all sorts of ways by fans and marketing accounts, quickly turning into “evidence” that he and Ye Qingge had developed feelings for each other.

There was even one time when paparazzi captured him escorting Ye Qingge back to her hotel late at night.

In reality, it had been a group dinner, and since she had drunk a bit too much, he simply walked her back along the way.

But the photos were taken from tricky angles, making it look like the two were reluctant to part at the hotel entrance.

That news trended for an entire day.

Lu Er still remembered that night when he video-called Song Jingmo to explain.

“Dr. Song, did you see Weibo?”

Song Jingmo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. “I did.”

“That’s just hype,” Lu Er hurriedly explained. “There’s nothing between us. We just had a meal together, and there were other people too…”

“I know.” Song Jingmo interrupted. “I trust you.”

He said it calmly, but Lu Er saw the fatigue in his eyes.

Lu Er kept scrolling.

Three months ago, he had attended a fashion event and taken a photo with a brand’s female ambassador.

In the picture, she wore a revealing dress and stood very close to him.

Because she was wearing very high heels, as her partner, he had to let her hold onto his arm.

As soon as the photo was released, people started talking again about how well-matched they looked.

There was also a time when a program deliberately edited ambiguous interactions between him and another actress to boost ratings.

Fans of the pairing celebrated wildly, and the topic trended for two days.

During those two days, Song Jingmo didn’t call once or send a single message.

Lu Er thought he was angry and rushed back to A City overnight after filming wrapped.

It was already two in the morning when he got home. Song Jingmo was still awake, sitting in the living room reading.

“Dr. Song,” Lu Er said carefully, “about the program’s editing—I’ve already clarified it. I’m sorry…”

“I know.” Song Jingmo put down his book and looked at him. “Have you eaten?”

“No.”

Song Jingmo got up and went to the kitchen, cooking a bowl of noodles.

Clear broth noodles, with a poached egg and a few greens.

Lu Er sat at the table eating, while Song Jingmo sat across from him, watching quietly.

“Dr. Song,” Lu Er couldn’t help asking, “aren’t you angry?”

“I am,” Song Jingmo answered honestly. “Seeing those edits, seeing those comments—I was angry.”

“Then how come…”

“But I also know this is your job.”

Song Jingmo sighed softly. “You have your difficulties. I can’t let my emotions make things harder for you.”

“I’m with you to make you happier, not to make you sad.”

He said it calmly.

But Lu Er saw his hand clench and then slowly relax.

Lu Er had always thought that compared to before, when scandals surrounded him constantly, having only a few maliciously edited rumors a year now was already much better.

But in truth, he hadn’t done well at all.

A month ago, he and a co-star gave an interview together.

The host jokingly asked if any sparks had flown between them during filming. The actress deflected with a smile.

He was caught in a dilemma.

If he said no, people would accuse him of not being dedicated to his acting.

If he said yes, it would stir up a storm of speculation.

So he chose to remain silent.

That clip was cut and spread everywhere.

During those days, Song Jingmo called him more frequently than usual.

When he asked why, Song Jingmo would say, “Nothing, just wanted to ask what you’re doing.”

Looking at the past news, photos, and videos on his phone, Lu Er felt his throat tighten.

He had always taken it for granted that Song Jingmo was emotionally stable and rational.

That he wouldn’t get jealous over baseless rumors, wouldn’t feel uneasy because of meaningless gossip.

That he wouldn’t be like himself—overthinking, insecure, and easily shaken.

But Song Jingmo was human too.

He had emotions, insecurities, and jealousy.

He just hid them well and never spoke of them.

To make Lu Er happy, Song Jingmo always chose to handle everything on his own.

Chose to trust him.

Chose not to burden him.

Yet here he was—just an ordinary person—feeling uneasy over a single photo from Leng Qinghua, over seeing Song Jingmo standing next to Zhao Lishan, even though nothing had happened.

Lying on the bed, lost in unnecessary thoughts.

And Song Jingmo had even been ill before.

In all those days and nights when Lu Er wasn’t by his side…

How had Song Jingmo endured them?