(Lower) Otherwise, no matter how delicious or not her cooking was, he would smile brightly, wolfing down immense amounts, proclaiming her food the absolute best in the world... "Xiao Cheng..." Tears surged up from the depths of her eyes. Xiao Cheng was dead. Xiao Cheng was dead. Why was she still alive? Why would Xiao Cheng also lie to her? Why did Mother have to leave her and die? Why did Father Yin and Mother Yin have to leave her and die? Why did even Xiao Cheng have to leave her now? Why wasn't she dead yet? Why was she the only one left alive? Tears churned inside her body like an ocean! Yet, all those paintings... the paintings Xiao Cheng had drawn for her... Tears surged into her eyes, soaking her eyelashes until they were drenched, but not a single tear managed to fall. She fiercely restrained herself, not allowing even one drop to slip down...

“Have you noticed…”

“...In every single painting, Xiao Cheng depicted Ni smiling. That smile was so brilliant, as if she lived without a care in the world, purely and happily.”

“What Xiao Cheng wanted to see most was your smile. If he could see you in heaven, he would surely want to see you living happily, to see that smile bloom upon your lips.”

The audition room fell silent.

Zhong Ya stared blankly at Yin Xia Mo in front of the camera lens, until the salty tears stung her face with sharp pain, causing her to awaken with a heart-wrenching jolt! What was wrong with her? Clearly, Yin Xia Mo hadn't cried; she had only seemed lost in a daze, her facial expressions so subtle, her lines even spoken unclearly. But glancing around, Zhong Ya suddenly realized almost everyone else was just like her.

Although Yin Xia Mo had not let the tears flow, those watching her were struck by the rapid shift in her expression—joy, disillusionment, despair, and resilience—hitting the softest, most aching nerve in their hearts. After a long moment, Director Wu stood up, walked over to Yin Xia Mo, and said, “Excellent. You are very suitable for this role.”

From her seat, An Huini couldn't believe her ears; she glared fiercely at Yin Xia Mo, a mixture of shock and anger in her eyes! Yin Xia Mo remained standing silently.

It seemed she hadn't fully emerged from the emotion of acting yet.

At this moment, the surrounding crew members began murmuring their praises to one another, unanimously commending Yin Xia Mo’s stunning performance.

Park So-hee walked over with a smile and said to Yin Xia Mo in slightly halting Chinese, “You acted wonderfully!” Seeing Xia Mo’s distracted lack of response, Park So-hee paused for a moment, bowed politely again, and left the audition room for the makeup lounge.

Shen Qiang glanced faintly at Yin Xia Mo, said nothing, nodded a brief acknowledgment to Director Wu, and also exited the audition room.

“Xia Mo, you were truly outstanding. You interpreted the feeling of the elder sister in the film perfectly!” Zhong Ya couldn't help but approach her too. Since filming Pure Love Song, she had held a deep impression of this coolly distant girl.

“That’s only because—her younger brother just died.”

A voice laced with biting sarcasm and deep bitterness drifted in. An Huini advanced step by step toward the silently standing Yin Xia Mo, shot her a provocative glance, and then smiled at Zhong Ya, “Screenwriter Zhong Ya, if you wrote about a sister who became utterly vacant after her brother’s death, then she’d be even more suitable! No, she wouldn’t even need to act; Miss Yin Xia Mo appearing as her true self would be enough.”

Zhong Ya frowned, looking at the quietly standing Yin Xia Mo. Although she disliked the sentiment in An Huini’s words, was it truly that way? “Miss Yin…” Director Wu scrutinized Yin Xia Mo and raised his voice slightly to call out to her.

“She can’t hear you. She’s completely lost it!” An Huini giggled sweetly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Pretending to joke, she waved her hand vigorously in front of Yin Xia Mo’s face.

“This is an audition, after all. Why didn't the nurses at the mental hospital keep a better watch and let you run out? Oh dear, weren't you performing so brilliantly just a moment ago? How come you can’t even speak now?! Hey, look here, look here! Do you even recognize me anymore?” Just as An Huini’s smile reached its brightest peak of triumph, a tall, unwavering figure stepped in front of Yin Xia Mo, shielding her tightly behind him.

The man stared coldly at An Huini, his voice carrying an inherent authority despite the lack of anger: “An Huini, it seems the price I made you pay before was too small.”

It was Ou Chen... The icy coldness in her eyes made An Huini involuntarily take a step back, fear warring with shock.

This was the man who had single-handedly destroyed the career she had painstakingly built in the entertainment industry! Otherwise, even with her reputation plummeting, she wouldn't have sunk to the point of being rejected by every production company, who tacitly warned her that they couldn't afford to offend the Ou Corporation.

It was only after latching onto President Qian that there had been any sign of her career recovering.

Although she loathed Yin Xia Mo, An Huini knew provoking Ou Chen was extremely unwise. Thus, she could only viciously clamp her mouth shut.

“Xia Mo, let’s go.”

Ou Chen lowered his head, pulling Yin Xia Mo’s shoulder close, looking at the faint tear streaks on her face with heartache.

She cried! She had cried! Perhaps bringing her to the audition had been the right thing to do.

She finally showed some reaction, no longer completely self-enclosed.

But why did she cry? Was it because of the script, or because someone bullied her? Thinking of this, he turned his gaze back to the pale-faced An Huini with a cold intensity! “Please wait a moment.”

Director Wu spoke up, scrutinizing the still-silent Yin Xia Mo.

“Miss Yin, I greatly admire your performance during the audition just now. I wonder if you would be willing to play the female lead in the film?”

“She auditioned just now?” Ou Chen asked, startled, holding his breath.

Had Xia Mo actually managed to go through the audition normally? “Yes, her performance was exceptional,” Zhong Ya replied.

“Xia Mo…” A shock so intense it was almost unbelievable caused Ou Chen’s breathing to falter. He had to grip Xia Mo’s shoulder tightly with his right hand to confirm through that solid feeling that this was not a hallucination born of auditory delusion. After a long pause, he managed to calm his nerves, gazed at her, and asked softly, “Do you want to take the role?” In the audition room, everyone awaited Yin Xia Mo’s answer. An Huini glared at her venomously but dared not utter a sound. Yin Xia Mo stared blankly at the bright yellow winter jasmine on the windowsill, seeming not to hear anything at all.

“The younger brother in this movie is named Xiao Cheng,” Yao Shu’er, who had been nearly forgotten, said softly to Xia Mo. Only she knew that during Xia Mo’s audition, what she had mumbled wasn't "Xiao Cheng" but "Xiao Cheng." “That Xiao Cheng also loved to draw, and he had an elder sister who loved him just as much. Xia Mo, I feel perhaps it is Xiao Cheng who wants you to make this movie, and that the sister and brother in the film have a happy ending.” As if a breeze swept across the bright yellow winter jasmine on the windowsill, the delicate flowers rustling lightly among the branches as if smiling and nodding, Yin Xia Mo’s eyelashes suddenly fluttered. After a long silence, she, too, nodded silently, just like those flowers.

That Xia Mo accepted the role of the leading actress in Painting Mirror! When Zhen En first heard the news, she thought it was sheer fantasy! Just a few days ago, Xia Mo had been sealed up like a cocoon, completely oblivious to the outside world; how could she suddenly agree to take this film? Moreover, it was Xia Mo’s own decision! However, when Zhen En saw the drama script, she froze. The brother in the film was named “Xiao Cheng,” also loved drawing, and also left the world too early. The film described how, after her brother died, the sister fell into a nervous breakdown from which she could not escape, spending every day staring blankly at the drawings her brother left behind, until one day she strangely entered those very drawings, returning to the past to see her brother again, where the two lived together forever in the illusion of the painting.

As the news of Yin Xia Mo becoming the lead actress in Painting Mirror spread, the entertainment circle erupted in a frenzy. All media outlets scrambled to report on the matter, digging deeply—what was Yin Xia Mo’s mental state? Why did Director Wu abandon superstars like Shen Qiang and Park So-hee to choose Yin Xia Mo, who had only filmed one series? How could the Young Master of the Ou Corporation, Ou Chen, allow his new wife to step back into the acting world? Was there a problem with their marriage? Such speculation and questions flooded the front-page headlines of every newspaper and magazine!

Following closely—came even more sensational news! The production company of Painting Mirror announced that the male lead in the film would be played by the Heavenly King superstar Luo Xi, who had been away in America for some time! Luo Xi’s fans were ecstatic, gathering outside Luo Xi’s management company to cheer, sending countless gifts and flowers to Luo Xi, posting endless congratulatory messages online to celebrate Luo Xi’s return, and even spontaneously fundraising to purchase ad space in major newspapers to welcome his comeback! In contrast to the excitement and elation of Luo Xi’s fans, the media, though also thrilled, focused on why Luo Xi, who had announced a temporary withdrawal from acting, would agree to take on Painting Mirror. Was his involvement related to Yin Xia Mo’s casting? Had the old flame reignited? Was Yin Xia Mo’s marriage into a wealthy family not going smoothly, forcing her to seek solace in filming? Was Luo Xi’s return specifically to legitimately accompany and comfort her?

Zhen En felt a twinge of worry when she learned Luo Xi would also be in Painting Mirror. Given Ou Chen’s past temperament, he would never allow Xia Mo any opportunity to interact with Luo Xi. Although Ou Chen had tacitly permitted Luo Xi to visit Xia Mo frequently during the period Xia Mo was disoriented, filming together would inevitably involve various intimate scenes and emotional exchanges and communication... Would Ou Chen prevent Xia Mo from filming? However, since accepting the film Painting Mirror, Xia Mo seemed to be gradually recovering. She no longer sat staring blankly by the living room window all day; instead, she quietly read the script every day. As she turned the pages, her expression subtly shifted, showing traces of joy and sorrow, as if she had found a new anchor, moving from her self-enclosed world into the world of the film’s story. If Ou Chen stopped her from filming, would Xia Mo retreat back into her former cocoon?

Yet, Zhen En’s worries seemed excessive. Ou Chen appeared unconcerned by Luo Xi’s casting. He continued to delegate the Ou Corporation’s business to his subordinates, spending every day by Xia Mo’s side, even starting to learn how to cook for her himself.

This day was the official start of filming for Painting Mirror. Morning sunlight streamed onto Yin Xia Mo; the script lay quietly on her lap. Ou Chen walked out from the kitchen carrying a tray. The air was thick with the aroma of breakfast. He first placed the warm milk before her, then carefully placed a fried egg between slices of perfectly golden toast, adding a few slices of ham, tomato, and lettuce to form a sandwich, which he gently brought to her lips.

“Xia Mo, please eat something, okay? We might be on set for a long time today,” Ou Chen coaxed her patiently in a soft voice, bringing the sandwich closer to her mouth. “If you don’t eat, you won’t have the energy. What if you faint while we’re filming?” “Just a little bit.” “Be good.” “The egg is fried perfectly fragrant, try it, it’s delicious.” The bone-distinct fingers holding the sandwich bore small blisters from oil spatters. One didn't know how many failed attempts it took to achieve this one perfect, golden-brown result. Looking at the blister on that hand, Yin Xia Mo’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Slowly, her gaze shifted to Ou Chen, who was half-crouching before her. There was a soft stir in her eyes, like faint ripples beneath the surface of water. Then, she bit into the sandwich in his hand, chewed slowly, and then swallowed deliberately.

Tense, Ou Chen’s hand froze before her! She hadn’t spat it out! This time, she had swallowed it without spitting it out! Overwhelming joy gripped his entire body. He didn't even stop to confirm if the look in her eyes just now was his imagination. He gently brought the milk to her lips, holding his breath as he said tensely, “Drink a little more milk.” Miraculously, she drank the milk and ate a few more bites of the sandwich. Although this was the most she’d eaten all morning, to Ou Chen, it was enough to make him deliriously happy.

After clearing away breakfast, Ou Chen carefully placed the script from her lap into her bag, helped her put on her coat, and drove her to the set. He was in such high spirits that a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth as he drove.

Zhen En, however, was still somewhat worried. Could Xia Mo’s mental state handle filming a movie? Could she remember her lines and perform and deliver dialogue smoothly under the harsh glare of the spotlights and in front of everyone? On the first official day of shooting, Zhen En’s heart was clenched tight. Yet, as Director Wu shouted “Action,” under the blinding light of the lamps, Xia Mo miraculously came alive! Before the camera lens.

Late at night, Yin Xia Mo was organizing goods on the supermarket shelves when she heard a sound and looked up. It was Luo Xi, his eyes bright and smiling, calling her name, appearing at the supermarket entrance while holding a stack of sketches destined for the art exhibition. A close-up shot zoomed in on Yin Xia Mo’s face. The smile on her lips bloomed like a flower. Looking at Luo Xi, it was as if she were gazing at the most worthy treasure in the entire world, her eyes filled with the light of happiness, vast as the ocean.

A pool of blood covered the floor. Yin Xia Mo screamed, clutching Luo Xi, who had been shot in the chest, frantically trying to stop the bleeding. Wild tears streamed down onto Luo Xi’s pale face. She pressed her hand over the bleeding wound in his chest, her body trembling in despair, her throat hoarse as she shrieked.

Zhen En stood on the periphery, watching Xia Mo surrounded by six or seven cameras. At this moment, Xia Mo was like the Xia Mo before Xiao Cheng passed away—radiant. In front of the cameras, she laughed and wept; all her emotions were poured into the story of the film. Every smile, every tear was heartbreakingly moving. Perhaps Xia Mo would get better? Zhen En secretly prayed that the Xiao Cheng in heaven had arranged for Xia Mo to film this movie, that this film was the turning point for Xia Mo’s recovery.

“OK!” But it seemed Zhen En’s prayers had little effect. As Director Wu waved his hand in satisfaction and called cut, the lights dimmed, and the light ignited in Yin Xia Mo’s eyes also faded. She sat back down on the sidelines in silence. Waiting for the next scene that required her appearance. She seemed to have returned to that closed-off space, unable to see Ou Chen, who was always by her side, or Luo Xi, who watched her with quiet concern. She just stared down at the script; in such a short time, the edges of the script were already worn soft by her fingers.

Day after day. Yin Xia Mo seemed cleaved into two people: the Xia Mo fully immersed in acting, and the silent, disoriented Xia Mo when not filming. Somehow, this Xia Mo made Zhen En even more anxious and fearful. Vaguely, Zhen En felt an unsettling dread, as if Xia Mo were burning the last vestiges of her life to perform this film, and when the film wrapped, Zhen En dared not let her fear show and alert Ou Chen.

Ou Chen was no longer the cold and arrogant Young Master Ou of the past. Beneath the startling gauntness and weight loss was an astonishing tenderness. He managed all of Xia Mo’s daily needs, even meticulously trimming her nails and bending down to brush the dust off her shoes. When Xia Mo was lost in silent reverie, Ou Chen would gaze at her just as silently, as if his own life resided within hers, and the moment her life extinguished, his would follow.

The days passed one by one. The set of Painting Mirror never buzzed with the usual chaos of other film productions. No matter the location, security companies hired by the Ou Corporation kept chasing reporters and onlookers far away. Whether the crew was moving lights and props or other actors were chatting on the sidelines, everything was done quietly. “OK! Very good!” Director Wu’s call was the only high note on the set.

Hearing that this scene was successfully completed, the cameramen and lighting technicians paused their work and, along with the grips, began moving the cameras and lights to the next location. Since the next scene was about to start, Yin Xia Mo and Luo Xi didn't walk back to the rest area; they sat side-by-side on a massive reef. Today’s shoot was by the seaside.

The seaside in early spring was cool and crisp. Yin Xia Mo stared silently at the azure sea surface, the wind tousling her long hair into slight disorder. A jacket was gently draped over her shoulders; the jacket still held Luo Xi’s warmth, yet she seemed utterly unaware, gazing fixedly at the ocean.

“When I was in New York, I went to church every week. One time, I heard a prayer.” Luo Xi also gazed at the sea, his voice carried by the wind to her ears, “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.” Golden sunlight lay upon the sea surface.

“...Grant me the courage to change the things I can...” Blown by the sea breeze, the golden sunlight on the water rippled in waves like scattered shards of gold. “...And the wisdom to know the difference between the two.” In the distance, a few seagulls flew over the sea, the crests of the waves dyed gold by the sunlight, like the color of freedom.

Yin Xia Mo looked blankly at the sea surface; the sunlight also cast a faint golden hue on her eyelashes.

“You have done everything possible for Xiao Cheng. For the things that cannot be changed, you must accept them,” Luo Xi gazed at her, frail as paper, with aching sympathy. “And now, for Xiao Cheng’s sake, can you live on with strength?” The sea breeze blew gently.

Ou Chen watched the two figures seated on the reef in silence. He held Xia Mo’s jacket, having been about to walk over, but then he stopped. Golden sunlight illuminated her and Luo Xi together. She wore Luo Xi’s jacket over her shoulders, and Luo Xi gazed at her tenderly, seemingly speaking to her. She seemed to be listening, yet also remained lost in thought. Even from a distance, Ou Chen could sense the deep affection in Luo Xi’s eyes for her. If only he hadn't forcibly taken her away from Luo Xi back then... If only Luo Xi, not him, had stayed by her side after Xiao Cheng’s death... The azure sea. The golden sand beach. The two figures on the reef bathed in sunlight looked like a beautiful oil painting framed in gold, and he was the superfluous element spoiling the composition.

“Young Master.”

A familiar voice brought Ou Chen back to himself. He masked the shadow in his eyes and turned to see Butler Shen, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. After Yin Cheng’s passing, the disoriented Xia Mo hadn't returned to the Ou residence. Her old apartment was too small, and Ou Chen didn't want her disturbed further, so he had left Butler Shen at the residence instead of bringing him along.

“Young Master, this is a letter received just now. It appears to be—” Butler Shen tried his best to control the tension in his voice, yet the trembling of his hands still betrayed his agitation. A young man resembling a university student had arrived at the main gate of the Ou residence moments ago, claiming to be a classmate of Young Master Cheng, delivering this letter as entrusted by Young Master Cheng before his death. Stunned, he hadn't dared to delay and immediately decided to bring the letter to the Young Master.

“It seems to be written by Young Master Cheng.” It was a pale blue envelope, the script on it delicate and elegant.

"Xiao Cheng?!" Jen, in the lounge area, heard the sound unconsciously. She froze for a moment, then a rush of blood surged upward. She sprang from her chair with an exclamation, lunging fiercely toward the letter held by Butler Shen! Ou Chen's body instantly stiffened too! He stared intently at the letter; in the lower right corner of the pale blue envelope, by the sender’s name, was a familiar, delicate script— "Cheng." On the distant reef, Yin Xia Mo vaguely heard that name. Slowly, she turned her head.

"Xia Mo! This letter—Xiao Cheng's letter," Ou Chen extended the envelope toward her, his throat suddenly so hoarse he could barely speak.

She stared fixedly at the letter in his hand, abruptly standing up. Luo Xi quickly steadied her, preventing her from stumbling over the sharp pebbles underfoot.

The sea breeze was chill and clean.

Yin Xia Mo took the letter from Ou Chen, her fingers trembling slightly.

The letter seemed mailed from heaven; the pale blue envelope bore no postmark, only simply addressed to the recipient, "Sister," and the sender, "Cheng."

After a long pause, she gazed at the letter.

Two tears slid down, wetting the pale blue paper. The tear stains slowly bloomed outward.

It was the exact type of envelope Xiao Cheng always favored; he had said pale blue was the color of the ocean, the color most suited to her.

On stationery of the same pale blue.

The delicate handwriting was as familiar as Xiao Cheng’s angelically clear eyes, as if he were softly calling her "Sister," laughing as he spoke to her— Sister: If you receive this letter, then I must already be in heaven.

Do not be sad. Everything will be well in heaven, except for the fact that sometimes I will miss you terribly, terribly much.

Sister, I truly did not want to leave you, but just as you said, heaven is fair; for everything it bestows upon people, it takes something away.

Heaven gave you to me, making you my sister and me your little brother; this was the greatest fortune and happiness it bestowed upon me.

Sister, do you know how much I love you? Even if heaven asked me to choose between you and life again, even if I had to choose a hundred times, I would still choose to be your little brother; I would discard everything else.

So, I am truly blessed.

Sister, please don't grieve because of my departure, okay? I am only leaving you temporarily, and I will return to your side soon.

While I am away from you, you must live well, live happily, see the world's beautiful sights for me, eat the world's delicious foods for me, don't get sick, and don't overwork yourself.

Sister, I am only leaving you for a while.

In the next life, I will return to your side. Then, I hope I can become your older brother, so I can take care of you and spoil you like a little princess.

Perhaps, I won't have to wait that long; I might return soon. Maybe I will become a tiny baby and crawl into your belly.

Hehe, Sister, look, you just can't see me for a little while, but I can see you every day in heaven.

Every time I see you smile, I feel a hundred times the joy; every time I see you sad, I feel a hundred times the sorrow.

Sister, please, for my sake, live happily every day, okay? I will love you forever.

Your Xiao Cheng.

The golden sunlight shone upon the pale blue letter paper as tears streamed down Yin Xia Mo’s pale, exhausted cheeks.

Her body trembled in waves; her long hair blew wildly in the ocean wind. She clutched the paper tightly, piece after piece of tears soaking the writing until it blurred.

Then.

She choked and fainted, two tears rolling down toward her ears.

Luo Xi’s heart ached as if being twisted. She reached out her arms to hold her, but someone else had already gathered her tightly into an embrace, and so her tears flowed onto that person’s chest.

"Xia Mo!" Ou Chen cried out painfully, holding her icy body close.

—A snow-white ceiling, the scent of disinfectant, seemingly countless white shadows flitting back and forth. The sounds near her ears were intermittent, like wisps of cotton. Someone was constantly holding her hand tightly; that deep ache and terror seeped into her heart, fingertip by fingertip, through their joined hands.

It was like waking from a long, long dream.

She thought… she would die in that protracted nightmare.

"Mr. Ou, congratulations, your wife is more than two months pregnant…" Through the thick cottony barrier, she vaguely heard a voice speaking to the person who had never let go of her hand.

*The hand holding hers instantly stiffened like iron! And then it grew scorching hot! That hand held her, fervent and trembling! A man’s face buried itself into her palm; it seemed hot tears were wetting her palm. The voice was hoarse with excitement: "Xia Mo, did you hear? The baby—we have a baby…" Baby… Perhaps, I won't have to wait that long; I might become a tiny baby and crawl into your belly…………

Listening intermittently to Ou Chen’s husky, excited voice, she lay on the hospital bed, her dark eyelashes trembling and wet. When his hot tears landed on her palm, her own tears slipped from beneath her tightly closed lids………… She gradually lost track of time………… as if the daylight and the pitch black of night were slowly alternating………… just like lives continuously fading away…… and new life arriving…………

Summer of Bubbles III