Chapter Eight: Relatives Have Arrived at My Home

Chapter Eight: My Relative Came to Visit

Yang Xin'er intended to make her relationship public, but she did not forget to discuss it with Zhang Le first.

“Hehe!” Zhang Le listened to Yang Xin’er's words and replied with a smile, “Just follow your heart. Why worry so much? Whatever decision you make, I’ll support you. You’re right; we’re in love, we’ll get married, and we don’t need to sneak around. Don’t worry, I’m here for everything!”

“Mm!” Yang Xin’er nodded in agreement. She couldn’t say why, but being with Zhang Le gave her a strange sense of security. Even if Zhang Le had achieved nothing and possessed nothing at all, he could still be her harbor, her support.

Yet, the storm did not subside with their silence; instead, it grew ever more intense.

The crisis management plan of the company Yang Xin’er worked for was rendered useless by her resolute stance. However, the songs Zhang Le had written for her were released just in time, and a press conference was held.

Without any response from the parties involved, Yang Xin’er's new song launch naturally drew countless members of the media.

She had only recently released an album, and now she was releasing new songs again. For the media—and especially for her fans—this was a powerful attraction. Who wouldn’t be curious about what compelled her to release new music so hastily? Was it because of her rumored romance?

Of course, the greatest draw was still the gossip linking Yang Xin’er with Zhang Le.

Between a fan and a goddess, there is an unbridgeable gap. No matter the truth of the matter, the news was explosive. What intrigued everyone most was why neither party had made any statement.

Scandals are common in the entertainment industry, and using them for publicity is routine. Yet, when rumors arise, don’t people usually jump at every opportunity to clarify in public or before the media? But Yang Xin’er and Zhang Le had both vanished from the spotlight.

Now, with Yang Xin’er—one of the parties involved—holding a press conference for her new songs, the media was bound to seize the opportunity.

Many reporters came, but backstage, Yang Xin’er appeared calm. Only her agent, Lu Wen, paced back and forth in agitation, a mixture of worry and helplessness.

“Xin’er, won’t you reconsider?” Lu Wen, clearly reluctant to give up, made one last attempt.

“I’ve thought it through,” Yang Xin’er replied simply.

“Even so, there’s no need to rush. Can’t you at least get checked before making a decision?” Lu Wen suggested.

“There’s no need. I’m not pregnant,” Yang Xin’er said quietly. A smile touched her lips at the thought, carrying a hint of elusive happiness. She recalled the confusion she’d felt when her ‘relative’ visited a few days before—a tangle of complex emotions.

With the arrival of her period, pregnancy was naturally impossible. Yang Xin’er felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She was, after all, unprepared for motherhood. Yet, she was uneasy too, uncertain how to face Zhang Le or how he would react to the news.

Accepting Zhang Le, at first, was inseparable from the thought of a child. She was not sure if his pursuit was driven by affection or by a sense of duty because of the ‘child.’

But now, after some time together, Yang Xin’er found herself falling in love with Zhang Le. He might have nothing to his name, but he was gifted, always composed no matter the situation, and he took responsibility.

Yang Xin’er realized she had grown dependent on him, and the fear of losing him crept into her heart.

When you care, you fear loss. When you fear loss, you become anxious.

The truth could not be concealed. Lies will always be exposed one day.

When her period arrived, Yang Xin’er immediately sought out Zhang Le and told him directly, “My relative came to visit.”

Zhang Le, not catching her meaning, thought she meant real relatives had come to “inspect” him. He grew nervous. “They’re here? Where are they? Let them wait a moment. I need to tidy up a bit—I've been busy writing scripts, and the place is a mess.”

Yang Xin’er was momentarily stunned by his response, then quickly explained, “You misunderstood. By ‘my relative,’ I mean my period started. My period came.”

This time, Zhang Le understood and was left momentarily speechless.

Is it possible to have one’s period during pregnancy? That didn’t seem scientific! He didn’t remember anything like that from biology class.

Could it be…

He looked at her, and Yang Xin’er spoke, a little uneasy, “I’m not pregnant. My period was late this month, so I bought a pregnancy test to check myself. I don’t know if I used it wrong or if it was defective, so… so… I’m sorry, I…”

“Hehe!” Zhang Le laughed, pulling Yang Xin’er into his arms. “As long as you don’t leave me, we’ll have our own child sooner or later. Without a child, would you leave me?”

“No! I’m afraid you’ll leave me! Do you know? I can’t live without you anymore!” Yang Xin’er held him tightly as she spoke.

“Xin’er, Xin’er! Are you listening to me?”

Lu Wen’s somewhat irate voice brought Yang Xin’er back from her memories. She looked over, a little dazed.

“Sister Wen, whether or not I’m pregnant doesn’t affect my decision. I’m not marrying him because of a child!” Yang Xin’er declared.

“Will your family agree?” Lu Wen asked suddenly. Having managed Yang Xin’er for four years, she knew her background well. Zhang Le might be talented, but the gap between him and Yang Xin’er was vast.

If she could not win her family’s approval, there was little they could do. If she made her declaration now, it might be difficult to resolve things later.

“They will agree,” Yang Xin’er said, her eyes growing resolute.

At that moment, it was time for the press conference, and both women said no more.

The hall was crowded with media, and as Yang Xin’er appeared, the venue erupted into noise as everyone rushed to ask her questions.

But Yang Xin’er did not answer a single one. Smiling, she waved, her eyes steady and unwavering.

“I’m glad so many of you could attend my new song launch today—even though I know you’re not really here for the music! Still, thank you!”

As Yang Xin’er began to speak, the crowd quieted. Though questions burned on their tongues, they listened intently.

“In fact, the answer you seek is in my new songs.”

With these words, a murmur rose from the audience. But Yang Xin’er paid no heed and continued, “Many of you must be curious why, having just released a new album, I am now so eager to share new songs. All four tracks are masterpieces, even classics, and I can’t wait to share them with you. They’re all love songs, and the lyricist and composer is none other than Zhang Le!”

Four love songs—each a masterpiece, even a classic. And the songwriter was Zhang Le, the rumored boyfriend! Yet Zhang Le had no background in music. His history was well known; when did a directing major become so gifted in music?

As her words fell, the room burst into chaos. Yang Xin’er’s announcement set imaginations ablaze.

“Miss Yang Xin’er, is the Zhang Le you mentioned—the songwriter—also the director and leading man in your new album’s music video?”

“Miss Yang Xin’er, as far as I know, Zhang Le graduated from the directing department. Did he really write and compose your new songs? And if they are all masterpieces, why do you hold him in such high regard?”

“Miss Yang Xin’er, what is your relationship with Zhang Le? Was there any truth to the flash marriage rumor?”

...

Questions poured in, but Yang Xin’er calmly regarded the reporters and showed no hurry to answer.