Chapter 331: Chapter 331

Complex and disdainful gazes eagerly fell upon her, hovering above her as though admiring her pathetic and disgraceful state.

"Serves her right. Who told her to become a mistress and ruin someone’s family? This is karma for her. Hah!"

"She’s a famous socialite in the entertainment circle, climbed the ranks by sleeping her way to the top. Those directors’ wives joined forces to blacklist her, but even then, she doesn’t give up and goes to be some wealthy businessman’s mistress, dreaming of marrying into a rich family. Men who get involved with such a promiscuous woman will surely regret it..."

"Such a beautiful face, graced by the heavens to live, but sadly she doesn’t walk the right path..."

She listened to the scorn and ridicule from every direction, trapped in an encircling wall of isolation.

No one cared about the grievance and fury in her eyes, nor did they bother to discern her innocence or guilt. They merely spewed subjective prejudices with casual cruelty, utterly unaware that every word shot through her like a thousand piercing arrows.

This upside-down world had long ceased to accept a righteous soul. She couldn’t resist but could only sink in agonized despair while being dragged into the muck, condemned never to rise again.

The winter that year was bitterly cold—so cold that Shen You’an would forever remember the numb stiffness of her body at that moment. She could no longer distinguish whether it was her body or her heart that was colder.

Backstage, what greeted her was a basin of cold water.

"Ah, sorry, you suddenly appeared, so I didn’t see you."

She didn’t overlook the malicious smirk in the perpetrator’s eyes, but by then she was too frozen to utter a word.

All she wanted was to leave this place as soon as possible—right now, at this very instant—because staying even one second longer would push her to the brink of collapse.

Suddenly, a coat was draped onto her shoulders, and warmth enveloped her.

Shen You’an froze for a moment. When she turned her head, all she saw was the tall and imposing back of a man walking away.

Two staff members spoke in hushed but excited tones: "Was that Jiang Han? How could he be backstage at this moment? Wasn’t he just being interviewed by the media?"

Upon hearing Jiang Han’s name, Shen You’an had already been stunned.

She lowered her head and touched the soft, perfectly tailored fabric of the coat. Jiang Han’s wealth was well-known—this jacket must have been terribly expensive.

She thought she must wash it properly and find a way to return it to him.

Later, she mused that given their respective statuses, she might never see Jiang Han again in this lifetime.

As the two staff members darted suspicious glances her way, she quietly slipped out, without overhearing their conversation behind her back.

"This fashion event brought many big-name celebrities. Some didn’t even issue press releases. Among them, I heard one was a super A-list star that President Lin personally invited as the headline act."

"Isn’t Jiang Han the headline act?"

"Jiang Han’s fashion appeal pales compared to that A-lister..."

"Miss Shen." A young woman with a sweet smile stopped her.

Shen You’an paused in surprise, "Are you calling me?"

The girl’s round eyes and face radiated a charming fortune-like softness.

Her smile made her eyes curve into crescents and revealed two dimples.

Having experienced far too many setups, Shen You’an dared not follow a stranger so recklessly.

The girl glanced back at her, seemed to consider something, and then walked over to hand her a phone. "It’s my phone. You can film or record now. If I harm you in any way, you can use this to call the police and keep evidence."

The girl’s sincerity was evident. Shen You’an thought to herself that she’d already hit rock bottom—there was no point fearing further trouble—so she followed her, resigning herself to whatever might come.

The girl led her to the venue’s rear door, where an upscale motorhome was parked.

The girl opened the door and invited her aboard. Warm-heated air filled the interior, and Shen You’an, freezing all over, shivered violently as warmth suddenly embraced her.

Thoughtfully, the girl handed her a cup of hot tea. "Drink this to warm yourself first."

The spacious cabin was fully equipped with areas for changing clothes, applying makeup, relaxing—a level of luxury that left one in awe.

Shen You’an scanned briefly, then quickly averted her gaze, not wanting to dwell.

The window was tapped from outside; the girl opened it and retrieved a paper bag handed through.

She passed the bag to Shen You’an. "Your clothes are soaked through. Change into these dry ones. Don’t worry; they’re brand new and unused."

Shen You’an’s eyes grew warm, and she murmured, "Was it Mr. Jiang?"

The girl blinked in surprise, replying, "What Mr. Jiang?"

Shen You’an whispered, "I understand discretion. I won’t speak out or cause trouble for Mr. Jiang. Please convey my thanks to him. I have no way to repay this kindness in this lifetime, but in the next life, I’ll go to any lengths to repay it."

In this dark and cold world, even a small trace of warmth was enough to comfort an entire life.

The girl opened her mouth, as if to explain something, but ultimately shook her head, smiled faintly, and left the motorhome, giving Shen You’an some space to herself.

As Shen You’an glanced at the cotton jacket and pants inside the paper bag, the long-repressed tears within her finally overflowed in this warm and relaxed environment.

She collapsed onto the sofa, allowing all the anguish and resentment in her heart to pour out unrestrainedly.

"No sadness allowed."

The sudden voice within the enclosed space startled Shen You’an, who jumped in alarm. She looked to where she’d been seated and saw a rabbit plush toy with long ears and tiny pointed teeth—adorable and playful.

Shen You’an cautiously picked up the toy and squeezed its belly.

"No sadness allowed."

Shen You’an broke into laughter through her tears.

"It’s you, being mischievous, isn’t it?"

"No sadness allowed..."

"No sadness allowed..."

The whimsical voice crossed through time and space, repeating itself like a spell in her ears.

Shen You’an abruptly opened her eyes, terror still lingering in her unfocused gaze.

Before her was Gao Yuyue’s concerned expression. "You had a nightmare?" Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveI[F]ire.net

Shen You’an touched her face, feeling the damp chill beneath her fingertips.

She stared blankly at the droplets on her fingers, as the rabbit plush toy’s bizarre voice echoed in her mind.

"No sadness allowed."

The taut thread in her mind strained further, almost breaking as a faintly familiar sensation teetered on the edge of revelation. But Zhang Zirui’s booming voice suddenly interrupted her train of thought: "The stables are here! Everyone, get ready—time to disembark."

Her train of thought was abruptly severed; strangely, Shen You’an felt a small sense of relief.