CHAPTER 153: MY FIRST READER...IS NOT HERE

Seven Years Later

"Boss, you have a meeting this afternoon with President Li," Yu Qing reminded softly as she glanced at the time and looked up from her tablet.

Qi Jianyi raised her head and met her assistant’s eyes with a deep sigh, the weight of reluctance settling on her shoulders.

"Can’t it be pushed back? I really don’t feel like seeing that old man today," she groaned, her tone laced with dramatic flair.

Yu Qing chuckled under her breath at the familiar complaint. This wasn’t the first time her boss had voiced her discontent regarding President Li. Frankly, it had become a routine.

And who could blame her? No one in their right mind enjoyed being cornered by a man who never stopped nagging.

"I’m afraid there’s no more room to delay it, Boss. You’ve already been avoiding him for the past two weeks," Yu Qing explained, her voice patient yet teasing. "No matter what, this meeting has to happen."

Qi Jianyi rolled her eyes and cast her assistant a playful glare. Did Yu Qing really think she didn’t catch that amused glint in her eyes? With a sigh, she leaned back in her plush leather chair, her eyes drifting to the ceiling in silent frustration.

"I just don’t get that old man," she muttered, the edge of irritation softening in her voice.

"Yes, I used to be a writer. I worked in the entertainment industry. But that was nearly ten years ago. I’ve left that life far behind." She paused before continuing, her voice quieter. "So why does he keep asking if I’ve written a new drama script?"

There was a subtle vulnerability in her tone now—soft, almost like a confession.

Yu Qing’s gaze softened. Despite working for Qi Jianyi for years, there were still moments when the woman’s past bled into the present, and Yu Qing was reminded of the legacy she carried.

In truth, Yu Qing had always been one of Qi Jianyi’s biggest fans.

Back then, her novels and screenplays were the talk of the town—works that moved hearts, trended online, and left an imprint on the industry.

At the time, the name Qi Jianyi sent ripples through the entire film industry. Back then, she was still just a teenager yet she stunned the world by toppling veteran writers with nothing more than relentless determination, raw talent, and a boundless imagination.

What she lacked in experience, she made up for with passion and innovation.

She quickly became a beacon of hope—a role model and a source of inspiration for countless youths her age. Her success proved what many had refused to believe: that young people, when given the opportunity, were capable of achieving greatness.

Qi Jianyi shattered the long-held beliefs of those who dismissed the younger generation, and in doing so, carved out a place of her own in an industry ruled by hierarchy and age.

The name Qi Jianyi spread like wildfire, echoing across the country. Her dramas, novels, and films captivated audiences and critics alike. People were drawn to the freshness she infused into her work—the unique way she told stories, the emotional depth she painted with her words.

In a world of repetition and predictability, Qi Jianyi brought something rare: originality.

Though only Qi Jianyi knew the truth behind her determination as an author. It was only for money. She didn’t crave fame, but crave for money. But, money could only be earned if she became famous.

So she worked. She worked really hard.

And her determination to make a lot of money back then unknowingly became an inspiration to others.

Even now, people discussed her stories with nostalgia and admiration. And yet, there was a lingering shadow behind it all—a collective regret that came too late.

Because of the brutal criticism from years ago, Qi Jianyi had stopped writing altogether. Her last drama project, though beautifully written, had been let down by a cast of untrained, emotionless actors.

The public’s judgment had been swift and cruel, focusing solely on the execution, ignoring the brilliance of the script. Only years later did people begin to recognize its worth.

It happened quietly, unexpectedly.

One night, a few fans started rewatching the drama and sharing their thoughts online. Word spread, and the once-forgotten show slowly gained traction.

Eventually, the very same project that had been condemned as a failure went viral—its story finally receiving the praise it had always deserved. But by then, it was too late.

The damage had been done. The author had already disappeared from the scene, choosing silence over return.

Seven years ago, Qi Jianyi had briefly considered writing again. She’d even spoken to her mother about it. And for a while, she did pick up her pen—but only to write a novel meant solely for herself. No pressure, no audience. No one is waiting with expectations.

Rather than revisiting the world she had mastered, she chose to pursue something entirely new. That was the day she made a decision that changed her life.

The writer Qi Jianyi closed her final Chapter. The businesswoman Qi Jianyi turned the page to a new beginning.

She embarked on a path she had once hesitated to take—a life far removed from the cameras, the scripts, and the critics.

She built something from the ground up: her very own hotel empire.

Founding Crown Hotel was a risk, but Qi Jianyi took it. Every mistake, every small victory, she endured them all. She grew. And yet, even after almost a decade away from the entertainment world, people still couldn’t let her go.

But, the more they asked Qi Jianyi to return, the more determined she became to stay away.

"Well, Boss... maybe it’s because your work really is that good," Yu Qing offered gently, trying to cushion the moment with a compliment. "Especially since President Li’s daughter is an avid fan of your novels."

Qi Jianyi let out an irritated groan. "If she likes my stories so much, she should just stick to the ones already published," she grumbled, pressing her fingers to her temples.

"Why must she keep asking her father to drag me back into writing?"

"People are like that," Yu Qing said softly, her tone understanding. "They always want more than what they’re given. You just have to take it lightly."

Though she shared the sentiment—she, too, wished for a new novel—Yu Qing had never pushed. As her assistant, she knew just how deeply the backlash from the past had hurt her boss.

Writing had once been Qi Jianyi’s greatest joy, her legacy. But it had also become a source of pain. It wasn’t that she couldn’t let go. It was the people around her who wouldn’t let her move on.

What they didn’t realize was that their persistent urging did more harm than good.

Yu Qing had seen it firsthand—the way the light dimmed in Qi Jianyi’s eyes whenever her past was mentioned. Writing still lived in her heart, that much was clear.

But the desire to share it with the world had long since been extinguished. Maybe it was because of the backlash. Maybe there was another reason Yu Qing couldn’t see.

Whatever it was, she didn’t press. To her, Qi Jianyi wasn’t the author the world remembered. She was the accomplished founder of Crown Hotel—the woman who had walked through storms and come out stronger.

Qi Jianyi didn’t respond to Yu Qing’s quiet words. She rose from her chair and walked to the office door, preparing herself to face yet another round of persuasion from President Li.

Yu Qing followed but stopped when Qi Jianyi paused just before opening the door.

"Boss?" she asked softly.

Qi Jianyi didn’t turn around. But her next words lingered like a whisper that would stay with Yu Qing forever.

"I know you also wish for me to publish again. But you’ve never said it out loud. You never made me feel pressured. Thank you, Yu Qing... for that understanding." Her voice was low but unmistakably sincere.

"Every story I’ve ever written needs its first reader. But mine... mine is not here," she added, her lips curling into a faint, melancholic smile before it quickly faded.

In that fleeting moment, sadness overtook her usually composed features. But no one else could see it. No one could understand the heartbreak she quietly endured all these years.

The sound of breaking glass, the ache in her chest—those were wounds that had never fully healed.

And they were hers alone to carry.

A secret that had lived within her for seven long years.

A regret for not loving him enough.

Without waiting for Yu Qing’s reply, Qi Jianyi opened the door and stepped out, leaving her assistant behind in stunned silence.

If only... if only I had spent more time with him, she whispered to herself—an aching thought that had echoed in her mind for years but never found an answer.

...

"Oh my god, that old man just doesn’t know when to stop, does he?" Qi Jianyi muttered as she climbed into the backseat of her car.

Yu Qing, seated in the front passenger seat, caught her boss’s expression in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but laugh.

"You dare laugh at me?" Qi Jianyi shot her a mock glare, though the smile in her eyes betrayed her amusement.

Yu Qing quickly composed herself, clearing her throat. "Boss, I took the liberty of reserving a private room at your favorite restaurant. What do you say?"

The simple gesture brought a soft laugh from Qi Jianyi. She nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"Sure. Let’s go," she replied.

She had just come from an exhausting lunch with President Li, and Yu Qing had thoughtfully arranged another meal—this time, one she could actually enjoy.

Her assistant knew her well. Knew that a meeting with President Li would ruin her appetite, so she had made plans in advance.

Seeing the contentment on her boss’s face, Yu Qing felt a quiet pride. If she had a tail, it would be raised and wagging nonstop.

Half an hour later, Qi Jianyi stepped out of the car and glanced up at the restaurant she frequented often.

"Go grab some lunch for yourself. Come back once you’re done," she instructed Yu Qing and the driver before heading inside.

As she entered the lobby, she accidentally bumped into someone. Instinctively, she stepped back and lowered her head in a brief nod of apology, ready to walk away—

Until a familiar voice stopped her. "Jianyi?"

Qi Jianyi froze mid-step and turned slowly. Her eyes landed on the man behind the voice, and for a brief second, surprise flickered across her face. Before her stood a man whom she had long forgotten, someone Qi Jianyi never thought she would meet again.

Snapping herself out of the haze, Qi Jianyi quickly masked her emotions. Her back straightened, her expression returned to calm indifference.

"Xu Yichen," she said with politeness. "It’s been a long time."