Chapter 504: Chapter 504 - 498: Slender Pale Fingers Slowly Tighten

"Shi Su! Shi Su! Shi Su!!!"

Accompanied by the joyful shouts of fans from the audience, there were also screams and cheers for other contestants.

It’s been a while since Shi Su last appeared on Weibo’s trending topics, but now she’s back at the top with #ShiSuSupportsBattleZoneFinals and #ShiSuDancing holding steady in the top two spots.

Fans took countless photos, surprised and delighted by Shi Su’s performance tonight, known for her graceful poise in front of the camera, as the entire audience was buzzing.

After the guest performance ended, Shi Su took the host’s microphone, said a few encouraging words, and then retreated backstage without stealing more spotlight from the contestants or joining the audience like other guest performers.

Mr. He knew how exhausted she was today and didn’t ask her to wait for the finals to end below. He specifically instructed the production staff to look after her and let her rest a bit.

Backstage, Shi Su sat in the dressing room. Since the makeup artists were busy touching up for the contestants, a helper was sent to assist her with removing her makeup. However, she insisted they focus on the contestants first and found a quiet corner to sit alone, using makeup remover to gently wipe her face.

As she removed her makeup, she overheard the busy makeup artists occasionally glancing her way and exclaiming, "Shi Su, you’re really amazing! After all those years of studying dance, even many professional idols can’t match your skills. Who would’ve thought you only rehearsed today!"

"Yes, Shi Su, have you considered joining similar shows more often? Isn’t there a celebrity dance competition on XX channel? Have you ever thought about participating?"

"I never expected you to act so well and dance so magnificently. These young talents rehearsed for nearly half a month, yet they can’t match your fluidity..."

The shower of compliments was endless. Shi Su flashed a polite smile in their direction before turning back to continue cleansing her face in the mirror.

Lin Chen came in looking for her at this time, seeing her removing makeup, he poured her a glass of water and placed it beside her. Crossing his arms, he smiled and softly said, "Did you see the excitement just now? If you really don’t want to act anymore, transitioning to participate in similar variety shows in the future might be good. Your short three-minute guest performance today truly captured all the attention. Shi Su, you’ve always been too modest. You’re truly made for this industry, always keeping a low profile, devoted to studying scripts and honing your acting skills. Learning that you won the dance Lotus Award in your teens, I truly can’t bear the thought of you moving entirely behind the scenes."

"What’s the difference between being a permanent cast member in dramas and in variety shows? Both have scripts; one requires acting skills, the other a persona." Shi Su continued wiping the lipstick from her lips, her eyes revealing no particular emotion.

Lin Chen noticed that Shi Su had changed a lot in recent days. Though she always had a low-key nature, remaining calm amidst all praises and criticisms in the circle, she seemed more distant recently.

Perhaps it’s because Mr. Jing is still in the hospital and hasn’t woken up. Although work must go on, away from the cameras, Shi Su can’t help but feel down and worried.

Lin Chen didn’t say much more, as it’s evident that Shi Su has made up her mind, though it’s uncertain when she plans to retire completely.

Jun came in, filling Shi Su’s ears with various conversations. Instead of listening in, her mind replayed the voices from the audience who kept calling her name, though among those shouts, it seemed as if a line of words transformed into Jing Jihan’s voice echoing in her ear.

—You are loved steadily by me, granting you the courage to do anything.

The car stopped below the hospital, and Shi Su didn’t get out but gazed up towards the floor above.

From this angle, she couldn’t see the ICU room but could observe the windows of the floor. The automatic lights inside flickered on and off, indicating that everything was still orderly. Although Jing Jihan hadn’t woken up, at least he was lying there peacefully.

Lu Zhao hadn’t contacted her today. No news is the best news.

He had endured another day.

That meant there was a bit more hope.

"Not going up?" Jun asked from the passenger seat, turning her head to look back.

Shi Su didn’t respond, just sat in the car, gazing outwardly.

Lin Chen and Jun exchanged a glance.

Shi Su had practiced dance the whole day and came over after removing her makeup. Exhaustion was evident, yet she refused to rest. She hadn’t slept last night and persevered until today, leaving others to wonder what she was thinking. Her face betrayed no emotion, yet she seemed overly tranquil.

"Tonight’s trending topics are still up. Lin Chen and I will head back to the hotel to sort out the press release. The studio is still waiting. We’ll leave the car with you here. If you’re too tired, you can sleep in the car for a bit."

With that, Jun and Lin Chen got out of the car.

Sitting alone in the car, Shi Su quietly looked at the silent WeChat messages from Jing Jihan for a long while. Suddenly, she got out of the car, opened the driver’s door, and sat inside. She then checked the address Mr. He had sent her.

Imperial Capital Junyue Hotel.

Her second uncle Shi Wancheng returned to the capital today but arrived when it was already dark. Instead of heading directly to the Shi Family home, he went to stay at the hotel.

After searching the location on her phone, she started the engine and drove to the hotel.

Upon reaching the front of the Junyue Hotel, it was now close to eleven at night. Even in typically congested areas within the second ring road, traffic and pedestrians had dwindled significantly by now, leaving one or two rare parking spots open.

Shi Su drove into a parking spot, turned off the engine, and glanced at the time.

11:05 PM.

Originally, she planned to see where Shi Wancheng would go upon leaving the hotel in the morning, fortunately having no work scheduled for tomorrow.

She had already prepared to sleep in the car tonight, but just as she was about to close her eyes, several figures emerged from the hotel’s main entrance. Immediately, Shi Su’s gaze fixed on two of them.

Even from a distance, seeing the face of one of them was enough to identify Shi Wancheng. Being the full-blood brother of her father, Shi Lingkang, as they aged, they increasingly resembled Mr. Shi, unmistakably recognizable.

And the person walking out of the hotel with Shi Wancheng, politely smiling and shaking hands to bid farewell...

Watching as that person descended the steps from the hotel entrance, step by step toward the direction of the parking lot, she saw him head towards a position two cars away from her, opening the back door of a Mercedes SUV and getting in.

At a distance of less than ten meters, Shi Su’s hand tightened slowly on the steering wheel—