Chapter 2 — When Love Runs Dry

Meanwhile, I held Meo Meo tightly in my arms inside the quiet bedroom, softly whispering stories to lull her to sleep. Looking back now, how could I have ever been so foolish as to believe Feng Yin acted purely out of a father's devotion to his daughter? I should have realized long ago that in the depths of his heart, virtually anyone else held more weight than I did.

Because the filming location was relatively close to home, I still returned to the grand villa every single evening. That particular afternoon, right as I finished work for the day, Feng Yin sent me a text message. He stated that he had matters to attend to that evening and would be coming home late. I read the message, yet chose not to reply. Nor did I bother to ask him when he might finally return. Upon arriving home, I dined in solitude, took a warm bath, and completed my nightly skincare routine. I no longer behaved as I once did—attentively squeezing toothpaste onto his brush beforehand or brewing a soothing hangover tea for his return. After reviewing my lines for a long while, a heavy wave of drowsiness swept over me. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, a faint sound echoed from the hallway. The bedroom door slowly pushed open, and Feng Yin and I locked gazes in the dim light. I quickly averted my eyes, not uttering a single word. He furrowed his brow slightly.

“Why didn't you leave a light on?”

I replied flatly:

“I forgot.”

The man said nothing more, turning on his heel to walk out. After he finished his shower and stepped into the bedroom, I was still awake. His warm hand settled gently upon my abdomen, and his strong arm wrapped around my waist from behind. Knowing precisely what he intended, I instinctively shifted my body away. Yet Feng Yin only tightened his hold, radiating an overwhelming pressure that brooked no refusal. His voice dropped to a low, resonant murmur:

“Sam Ninh, let us have a child.”

My breath caught in my throat, and my entire body grew rigid. His previous cruel words echoed sharply in my mind: “It doesn't matter if you want fame, but you must not affect Jing Yan.” I reached up and pried his hands away from my waist.

“Feng Yin, I do not wish to have a child right now.”

Hearing my response, the man froze in momentary astonishment. After all, ever since we married, I had expressed my desire to have a baby on more than one occasion. My intentions back then had been glaringly transparent. On one hand, witnessing how tenderly he cared for his daughter, I foolishly hoped that bringing a child into the world might finally draw his gaze toward me. On the other hand, grandmother was advanced in years, and I desperately wanted to grant her peace of mind. She had asked me more than once with hopeful eyes:

“Ninh Ninh, my child, when will you and Feng Yin finally give me a grandchild?”

Because I needed to relearn the dialogue for the second female lead, I woke up long before dawn broke. Fortunately, having acted in numerous productions over the years, I had developed my own specialized method for memorizing lines. As I stepped out of the house, I was still completely immersed in the script, entirely forgetting to bid Feng Yin a morning farewell. When I was about to leave, the man cast a deep, inscrutable gaze in my direction.

“I will be away on a business trip for a few days.”

I simply nodded without asking for details, heading straight to the set. The moment I arrived, I caught sight of Su Jing Yan and little Meo Meo. The little girl joyfully bounded over and threw herself into my arms. A curious colleague nearby asked:

“Sister Ninh Ninh, you and Meo Meo seem awfully close…”

I offered a gentle smile:

“Perhaps she simply enjoys the dramas I used to star in.”

Meo Meo opened her mouth as if to protest, but a swift glance from Su Jing Yan caused the child to obediently snap her lips shut. Over the next several days, Meo Meo did not come looking for me again. It wasn't until the day Feng Yin was scheduled to return, taking advantage of a moment when Su Jing Yan was busy filming, that Meo Meo whispered to me:

“Sister Ninh Ninh, Daddy is coming back soon. Will you come with me to welcome him at the airport?”

It was only then that I recalled a message Feng Yin had sent me earlier.

“My flight lands at noon.”

He had always retained that particular habit of communication, never directly commanding me what to do, yet expecting compliance. But I no longer wished to chase after him on his terms. I gently caressed Meo Meo’s delicate face:

“Sister has been far too busy these past few days, so I won't be able to go with you.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed the little girl's features, but she still answered obediently. When I finally returned home that evening, Feng Yin was seated in the living room, his legs crossed, an unmistakable aura of exhaustion clinging to his frame. Seeing me return, he asked with a stern expression:

“Why didn't you come to the airport?”

I placed my handbag on the rack and lowered my head to change into my indoor slippers.

“I had far too much work.”

He stared at me in stunned silence for a second, then pressed further:

“Are you still angry because I cast Su Jing Yan as the female lead?”