Chapter 131: No Reason to Continue Existing

The words Xu Anan used to comfort Xue Shengnan were all things she had read online. Many people agreed with them, but she felt they were only partially correct.

It is true that after meeting new people, one gradually forgets the old ones. However, before starting a new relationship, one must ensure they have completely let go of the previous person out of respect for everyone involved. But she couldn't explain all that in detail to a drunk, heartbroken woman.

"Alright, stop drinking."

"Let me take you home."

Xu Anan forcefully took the beer from Xue Shengnan's hand and helped her up, but she hadn't expected the intoxicated Xue Shengnan to be so heavy. Both of them tumbled back onto the sofa. Xu Anan had no choice but to ask a waiter to bring some sobering soup; she needed Xue Shengnan to sober up before she could take her home.

Soon, the waiter arrived with the soup. Xu Anan took it and fed it to the drunken Xue Shengnan. While waiting for her to sober up, Xu Anan idly scrolled through her phone. She couldn't help but open her chat with Jiang Li, only to discover their last conversation was from two weeks ago, when she had messaged him to remind him to buy more cat food for the fat cat. As she scrolled up, she realized they rarely exchanged messages, though that made sense—they had been seeing each other almost every day recently.

What is that scoundrel so busy with?

"Hey, I just saw the Second Master. He is seriously handsome in person!"

"Really? Where? I’m going to take a look too!"

"He’s in the VIP booth on the second floor, but I’d advise against going right now. The Second Master is on a date with the eldest daughter of the Murong family."

"Oh, well. The Jiang and Murong families are a perfect match. Us commoners can only dream."

Hearing the conversation between two passing young women, Xu Anan felt a sudden wave of discomfort. She curled her lips in self-mockery; she had no standing to care. So that was it—he had been busy dating Murong Yan.

"Anan?"

Hearing her name, Xu Anan snapped back to reality. It was Wen Huairou, who was smiling at her. "What a coincidence."

Xu Anan remembered that she hadn't yet returned the lipstick to Wen Huairou. She reached into her bag, pulled it out, and handed it over. "I'm sorry, I forgot to return this when I was at the hospital the other day."

Wen Huairou’s eyes flickered. She hadn't expected the lipstick to be with Xu Anan; no wonder she had been waiting in vain for Gu Yang to make a move. She smiled as she took it. "Thank you."

Xu Anan expected Wen Huairou to sit down, but instead, Wen Huairou said, "Ah Li is upstairs. He’s the one who called me here. Would you like to join us?"

"Who is she?" Xue Shengnan woke up, staring at Wen Huairou.

Xu Anan politely declined the offer. "It’s getting late, and my friend and I should be heading back. Let's hang out another time."

Wen Huairou looked disappointed. "I hear it's very exciting upstairs."

"Exciting? How is it exciting? I want to play!" Perhaps because she was usually so restrained, the alcohol caused Xue Shengnan to rebel. Combined with the blow of her breakup, she completely let go. She grabbed Wen Huairou’s hand. "Let's go, take me! I don't want to go home, I don't want to see that deadbeat who refuses to leave!"

"Shengnan!" Xu Anan reached out to pull her back, but Xue Shengnan clung to Wen Huairou as if to say, 'No one is taking me away.' Wen Huairou was startled by the sudden embrace but quickly regained her composure. She gently comforted Xue Shengnan, "Alright, come with me, I’ll take you up."

With no other choice, Xu Anan followed. Whenever Xue Shengnan was drunk, she was like a different person, as if a repressed spirit had been unleashed within her.

The upstairs area was indeed lively, with men and women sitting around drinking and playing games. Perhaps it was because Jiang Li’s handsome features were so striking, but Xu Anan noticed him immediately. She saw that he appeared completely out of place amidst the revelry; he sat quietly in the center seat, his thick brows slightly furrowed, looking impatient and annoyed by the noise.

"Sister Huairou brought friends? Sit, sit, everyone sit down," someone noticed Wen Huairou and said. When he looked closer, he was surprised: "Miss Xu? Why are you here?" It was Qi Xize.

Xu Anan paused for two seconds before realizing that Qi Xize was Jiang Li’s friend. Did Jiang Li know that Qi Xize wanted to sign her as an artist? She instinctively looked up and locked eyes with a pair of dark, profound eyes. Jiang Li had noticed her.

"Anan, sit next to your friend," Wen Huairou suggested.

Xu Anan quickly looked away and sat down beside Xue Shengnan, stopping her just as she reached for a glass of liquor. Nearby, she heard whispers.

"Who is this? Do they even know the rules?"

"Exactly. Being able to sit here at the same table as the Second Master is already a blessing from their ancestors, yet she just reaches out and grabs the most expensive alcohol."

The conversation wasn't quiet, and everyone present could hear it clearly. Wen Huairou stepped in to smooth things over: "Isn't alcohol meant to be drunk? If you aren't drinking it, why shouldn't others?" She turned to Xue Shengnan and said gently, "It’s fine, go ahead and drink if you want."

Xu Anan waved her hand. "No, no, she’s had enough, and this liquor is very strong; she won't handle it well. I should take her home."

"No!" Xue Shengnan refused to leave. She wanted to get completely wasted; otherwise, how could she sleep? "Anan, just let me drink, please?"

At that moment, a waiter brought over some lighter drinks more suitable for women. Xu Anan let Xue Shengnan drink those and ordered some snacks. "Eat something, or you'll suffer tomorrow."

"Let's continue the game!"

The arrival of Xu Anan and Xue Shengnan had interrupted the game, but it was just a minor interlude that quickly passed. Xu Anan glanced quietly toward Jiang Li and saw Murong Yan whispering something to him; their proximity looked very intimate. Everyone present seemed to accept that Jiang Li and Murong Yan were a couple.

Someone joked, "Let’s skip the high-stakes dares; it would be a shame to split up the Second Master and the Young Miss, wouldn't it?"

"Which family are you from?" Jiang Li shot a cold, sharp look in that direction.

Li Jie was terrified. Unsure if this was good or bad, he stood up nervously and respectfully presented his business card with both hands. "Second Master, this is my card. My name is Li Jie."

Jiang Li didn't take it. He just glanced at it and said coldly, "What film company?"

Li Jie broke out in a cold sweat. "Yuehua Film."

Jiang Li let out an impatient click of his tongue. "Never heard of it. You speak without thinking—there's no need for your company to continue existing."

Qi Xize made a throat-slitting gesture at Li Jie, as if to say, *You're finished.*

Once those words were spoken, everyone fell into a deathly silence. Even the thumping music from downstairs seemed to quiet down.

*Yuehua Film.*

*Thud!*

Li Jie’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.