Shi Xin Xin watched the scene of the two parting, unable to help but tear up. Sometimes she didn't understand, but that's how things were; no one could predict what the future held.
The airport broadcast announced boarding for the flight. When Yue Ran heard Shi Xin Xin's flight number, he let go. As he watched Shi Xin Xin's figure gradually disappear into the crowd, he felt a struggle within him.
Yue Ran turned, put on his mask and sunglasses. Only when she was happy would he be happy. Many people were waiting for him. Yue Ran left the airport, got into his low-key black Bentley, and sped away.
Shi Xin Xin, wearing sunglasses and a mask, walked out of the airport. The dazzling sunlight suddenly brightened her vision. She took off her sunglasses and looked at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar scene before her, a sense of excitement surging within her.
Finally, she was back. Shi Xin Xin still vividly remembered the scene when she first went to America. Now, she had returned. Assistant Xiao Mi's newly turned-on phone had already received countless calls.
"The car is ready. You should rest a bit!" Xiao Mi observed Shi Xin Xin's slightly tired state and was about to call to reschedule when Shi Xin Xin stopped her.
"It's okay, I can do it." Shi Xin Xin knew the interview time was approaching. It wouldn't be good to change the schedule right after returning to the country, and besides, she didn't feel tired.
The staff were all surprised that Shi Xin Xin went straight to the recording site after disembarking. Makeup and recording proceeded in a rush, with Shi Xin Xin cooperating with the staff's arrangements.
She wore a classic Chinese-style long dress in a vibrant red. Her black hair exuded an aura of innate elegance and beauty. A delicate bracelet on her wrist showcased her refined and grand demeanor. The experienced host was captivated by Shi Xin Xin's powerful presence, her gaze unable to shift away.
Shi Xin Xin skillfully answered the host's originally sharp questions, remaining gentle and natural throughout. She was no longer the naive and innocent girl she once was.
The interview and recording went smoothly, completed in one take. Shi Xin Xin even reviewed the results and footage with the staff before finishing her work. Xiao Mi packed up and took Shi Xin Xin back to the hotel.
"She's truly amazing, coming back from America and getting it done in one take, with such a good temper. Incredible," the photographer remarked to a colleague from the editing department. There was hardly anything to edit; the entire process could be described as perfect.
The host also tidied up some of her notes and approached them, her eyes sparkling with admiration, or at least, surprise. She truly hadn't expected Shi Xin Xin to change so much.
"She had quite a few scandals domestically before, seeming like a naive airhead. Now she's completely different, her aura is like that of an empress." Everyone was busy with their work, yet they continued to exchange their evaluations and thoughts.
Those who had initially held reservations about Shi Xin Xin now fell silent. Shi Xin Xin had truly changed. She was no longer the clumsy girl with flaws everywhere.
Shi Xin Xin returned to the hotel, put down her luggage, and slipped off her high heels, collapsing onto the cloud-like duvet. She didn't want to block out the noise from outside. Listening to the boisterous conversations in Chinese, she felt an immense sense of familiarity and warmth.
In America, these bustling streets outside her window and the familiar language were precisely what she had longed for. Her nerves slowly relaxed. The open window let in the warm breeze, and the familiar city sounds served as a lullaby. Before long, Shi Xin Xin drifted off to sleep.
"Hello." Shi Xin Xin was awakened by her vibrating phone. Groggily, she answered. She glanced at the blinding sunlight outside the window and then burrowed back into her bed.
"Why didn't the international star notify me of her return?" Wen Xiao Xiao's voice, tinged with a hint of teasing and displeasure, questioned Shi Xin Xin on the other end of the line.
"Xiao Xiao, I just finished filming the interview and went straight to sleep to adjust to the time difference." Shi Xin Xin's eyes crinkled with a smile at the tone of her voice. She rolled over, massaging her temples with her left hand.
"If it hadn't spread through the photography circles, I wouldn't have known you returned so soon!" Wen Xiao Xiao, seeing the beautiful sunshine outside, still planned their meeting for the evening. Shi Xin Xin must be having a hard time adjusting to the time difference after her return.
"Alright, open your computer and check your Weibo." Wen Xiao Xiao knew this would be a huge surprise. Then she heard Shi Xin Xin exclaim in astonishment.
"This is the fruit of your hard work." Wen Xiao Xiao's eyes shimmered with deep emotion and relief. Shi Xin Xin stared blankly at the numbers on the computer screen, her mouth agape in surprise, tears welling up in her eyes.
Overnight, no, within a single day, her Weibo followers had surged. This was a number she had never dared to imagine before.
Shi Xin Xin sobbed with joy, unable to believe it was real. It all felt so surreal. She slapped her thigh hard, and with a "crack," Shi Xin Xin put down her laptop and stood up.
"It's real, it's real, I..." Joy mingled with overwhelming relief. Shi Xin Xin was happy but still shedding tears. She read the numerous comments and private messages from netizens, feeling deeply moved.
"Yes, there are so many private messages and comments. Reply to them properly, and then call me when you're done." Wen Xiao Xiao's gaze shone with happiness as she looked at Shi Xin Xin's Weibo interface. Such a lively scene probably meant someone already knew. Wen Xiao Xiao's expression darkened slightly, and she became guarded.
Shi Xin Xin browsed through everyone's messages with delight. There were both positive and negative comments, but she read them all carefully. She felt an indescribable happiness at receiving so much attention and so many comments on her first Weibo post since returning to the country.
Shi Xin Xin cradling her laptop, typed diligently. The sunlight outside slowly shifted westward, casting an orange glow through the window onto Shi Xin Xin. She stretched, finally finishing. She updated her Weibo again, closed the laptop, and then picked up her phone and went into the bathroom.
"Are you done? I've arranged a welcome dinner for you at nine tonight. Be ready." After a few pleasantries, Shi Xin Xin looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was fully revitalized and filled with joy. She hung up the phone, and the water from the showerhead cascaded down, flowing over Shi Xin Xin's smooth, soft skin.
Shi Xin Xin meticulously organized her luggage. She thought of her home, a sanctuary no matter what.
"Xiao Mi, find a cleaning service tomorrow to thoroughly clean my apartment." Shi Xin Xin looked at herself in the mirror. Her skin was still as smooth as before, but the demeanor in her eyes had changed. She couldn't help but feel a hint of nervousness as she looked at her reflection. She was back. If he appeared again, would he recognize her?
Memories of the past flooded her mind. In the mirror, she saw Sheng Chen Jin's piercing gaze and his furrowed brow. A faint smile played on Shi Xin Xin's lips. She realized how childish she had been in the past.