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The icy lake water felt like thousands of steel needles piercing her skin at once. When Lin Li opened her eyes underwater, she saw impurities and bubbles floating in the murky water.

She forced herself to keep a calm expression and made struggling movements as the director instructed.

This was a scene where the female lead had to get wet, but the popular young actress refused to perform it herself, citing her "menstrual period."

"Cut! One more take!" the assistant director on the shore shouted through a megaphone.

Lin Li shakily climbed ashore, and her assistant quickly wrapped her in a towel.

Her lips had turned purple, and her teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

"The director said the expression in that last take wasn't natural enough, so we have to film it again," the assistant whispered, avoiding Lin Li's eyes.

Lin Li closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded.

She has been working in this industry for five years, from a background actress to a professional stunt double, but she still can't see a chance to make it big.

Each time, she told herself to persevere a little longer, and maybe the next time would be a turning point.

"Lin Li, get ready!" the assistant director's voice rang out again.

She took off the towel and walked back to the lake.

The cold December wind lashed across her soaked body like a knife.

She glanced back at the female protagonist sitting in the greenhouse drinking tea, but the other woman was looking down at her phone and didn't even look at her.

"Three, two, one, start!"

Lin Li jumped into the water again.

This time, she deliberately held her breath for a little longer, hoping the director would be satisfied.

When the filming finally ended, Lin Li could barely stand.

She refused the boxed lunches offered by the film crew and took a taxi directly back to the apartment she shared with Tao Jun.

The door opened from the inside as soon as the key was inserted into the lock.

Tao Jun was wearing an apron and holding a spatula.

"Lin Li! Why are you up so early today? I was just about to make your favorite braised pork ribs!" Tao Jun's face was beaming with a sunny smile.

Lin Li didn't say anything and went straight into the bathroom.

Hot water poured over my body, but it couldn't dispel the chill that seeped into my bones.

She looked at herself in the mirror. At twenty-seven years old, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes already required thick concealer to cover them up.

"Lin Li, dinner is ready." Tao Jun knocked gently on the door.

There were three dishes and a soup on the table, along with two bowls of steaming rice.

Tao Jun served her a bowl of soup and asked with concern, "Did the filming go smoothly today?"

Lin Li stared at the soup in her bowl, then suddenly put down her chopsticks. "Tao Jun, I don't want to be an actress anymore."

Tao Jun froze, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air. "What's wrong? What happened?"

“Today I was Li Meng’s stunt double again, jumping into the icy water six times. She was sitting in the greenhouse playing on her phone, while I almost froze to death in the lake.” Lin Li’s voice trembled. “I’m already twenty-seven years old, and I’m still doing this kind of work. I’ve had enough.”

Tao Jun put down his chopsticks, walked around to her, squatted down, and took her hand. "Lin Li, this is only temporary. Your acting is so good, you just need an opportunity."

“Opportunity?” Lin Li smiled bitterly. “This industry is never short of talented people. I’ve persisted for five years, Tao Jun. Five years! I’m tired. I want to live a normal life, nine to five, with a stable income, and without having to be subservient to others.”

Tao Jun frowned: "But didn't you say before that a director really admires you and might give you a small role?"

"That's all just polite talk!" Lin Li suddenly raised her voice. "People in this industry never keep their word! You know, last week when I went for my audition, the assistant director asked me directly, 'Would you sleep with me?' That's reality, Tao Jun!"

Tao Jun's face turned ugly, but he quickly composed himself.

"Lin Li, I understand how you feel. But you've persevered for so long, it would be a shame to give up now. Don't worry about living expenses, I have a salary and I tutor a few students, it's enough for the two of us."

“It’s not about the money!” Lin Li shook her head. “It’s that I can’t see any hope. Every time I fail an audition, I tell myself to try again, but this time I really can’t take it anymore.”

Tao Jun was silent for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "That's right! I know a producer who's currently preparing a web series. I can help you get in touch with him; maybe there'll be an opportunity."

Looking at Tao Jun's hopeful face, Lin Li suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

He's always like that, always optimistic, always believing that tomorrow will be better.

But reality is not a fairy tale; not everyone who perseveres will succeed.

“Tao Jun, I’m not discussing this with you,” Lin Li said calmly. “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll start sending out resumes next week and look for a clerical or receptionist job.”

Tao Jun's smile vanished.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the small living room.

"You can't give up like this! Have you forgotten the vow we made when we first came to Shanghai? You said you would become the best actor, and I said I would become the best martial arts choreographer. We promised to make a name for ourselves in this city together!"

“That was five years ago, Tao Jun. People always change.” Lin Li’s voice was soft, but firm.

Tao Jun suddenly knelt down on one knee in front of her, cupping her face in his hands: "Lin Li, look at me. Do you remember the first time we met? You were playing Juliet in that small theater. Although there were only a dozen or so audience members, your performance made me cry. At that moment, I knew that you were born to stand on the stage."

Lin Li's eyes welled up with tears.

That was one of her fondest memories: the annual performance of the university drama club, where she played Juliet, and Tao Jun was just a passerby who came to visit a friend.

After the performance, he waited at the backstage entrance, blushing as he asked for her contact information.

“That’s all in the past…” she said softly.

"No! That's just the beginning!" Tao Jun said urgently. "Lin Li, give yourself another year, just one year. If things still don't improve, I'll help you switch careers, okay?"

Looking into Tao Jun's sincere eyes, the ice in Lin Li's heart began to melt.

She knew he genuinely cared for her and truly believed in her talent.

“Tao Jun, you’re always like this…” She finally smiled slightly, “Every time I feel discouraged, you can find a reason for me to keep going.”

Seeing that her attitude had softened, Tao Jun immediately pressed his advantage: "Because I know how amazing you are! Lin Li, believe me, your chance will come soon. Until then, let me be your support, okay?"

Lin Li sighed and reached out to ruffle Tao Jun's hair: "Sometimes I really hate how optimistic you are."

“But you love my optimism, right?” Tao Jun grinned, revealing two small tiger teeth.

Lin Li finally smiled through her tears: "Okay, I'll hang in there for another year. But if I'm still only a stand-in next year, you can't stop me anymore."

"Deal!" Tao Jun jumped up excitedly. "To celebrate this brilliant decision, I'm going to buy a bottle of red wine!"

Watching Tao Jun's excited figure as he left, Lin Li shook her head.

She knew that half of her decision was for him, to live up to his trust and expectations.

But deep down, she still doubted whether this path was really worth continuing down.

……

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Mashuer sat nervously on a bench in a hospital corridor.

Ma Jimu was undergoing a follow-up examination; this was his first comprehensive check-up after taking the traditional Chinese medicine provided by Suning for a month.

“Mom, I’m not nervous.” Ma Jiming squeezed her hand. “I feel much better, really.”

Ma Shuer forced a smile: "Mom knows. Go on, the doctor is waiting for you."

After Ma Jiming followed the nurse into the examination room, Ma Shuer's phone rang. It was a message from Su Ning: "How's the examination? Do you need me to come over?"

Ma Shuer replied, "You don't need to come at the beginning. Come over for dinner tonight; I bought your favorite fish."

Putting down her phone, Ma Shuer reflected on the changes that had occurred over the past month.

Ma Jimu's complexion improved day by day, his appetite returned, and he even began to be able to do some light exercise.

Most noticeably, he no longer needed to take those expensive imported drugs every day, yet he was more energetic than ever before.

Two hours later, the attending physician held the test results, his face filled with disbelief.

“Ms. Ma, this…this is truly astonishing.” The doctor adjusted his glasses. “Ms. Ma’s various indicators have shown significant improvement, especially her white blood cell count and platelet count, which are almost back to normal levels.”

Ma Shuer forced herself to remain calm: "Really? That's wonderful."

The doctor looked at her suspiciously: "Have you tried any new treatment methods? Or changed your medication?"

“No! It’s just the original treatment plan.” Ma Shu’er avoided the doctor’s gaze.

“That’s impossible,” the doctor shook his head. “This level of improvement couldn’t have happened naturally. Ms. Ma, if you’ve used any new medications, please let us know; it’s important for other patients as well.”

Ma Shuer remembered Su Ning's warning not to reveal anything about traditional Chinese medicine.

Society has a deep-rooted prejudice against unconventional treatments. Once the news gets out, not only will Su Ning be in trouble, but Ma Jiming may also be forced to stop taking effective medication.

“Doctor, I understand your curiosity, but we really just followed the original treatment plan.” Ma Shuer put on a professional smile. “Perhaps it’s because Ji Mo’s constitution is special and he responds to the medication particularly well.”

The doctor clearly didn't believe her, but he couldn't force her to tell the truth.

"Okay! If you change your mind, you can contact me anytime. Come back for a follow-up appointment next week."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, doctor."

"polite."

As they left the hospital, Ma Jiming asked softly, "Mom, why didn't we tell the doctor that it was my older brother's medicine that cured me?"

Ma Shuer crouched down, looking her son straight in the eye: "Because this world is complicated, baby. Some people won't understand, and might even stop your older brother from continuing to help us. In the end, there's even the risk of him going to jail. You also want to continue taking your medication, right?"

Ma Jiming nodded earnestly: "Big Brother's medicine isn't bitter, and it really works. I like Big Brother."

Mashu smiled: "Mom likes him too."

That evening, Mashuer prepared a sumptuous dinner.

As Su Ning entered, Ma Jiming rushed over and hugged his leg: "Big brother, I have good news for you! The doctor said my condition is much better!"

Su Ning picked up the boy and turned to Ma Shuer: "How were the test results?"

"It's so good it makes the doctors question their existence." Ma Shuer's eyes glistened with tears. "Thank you, Su Ning. I really don't know how to repay you."

"Seeing Ji Mo get better is the best reward." Su Ning put the boy down and took out a small paper packet from her pocket. "This is the medicine for the next course of treatment. The dosage can be halved."

After dinner, Ma Shuer washed the dishes, while Su Ning played with Ma Jimu in the living room, building blocks together.

Looking at this scene through the glass door of the kitchen, Ma Shuer felt a long-lost sense of warmth and security welling up in her heart.

In the stillness of the night, Ma Shuer nestled in Su Ning's arms and whispered, "Today the doctor kept asking us what new medicine we were using, and I did as you said and didn't reveal anything."

Su Ning stroked her hair: "You did the right thing. Once this gets out, countless people will come knocking on our door, and then we won't have any peace and quiet anymore."

“I know,” Mashuer sighed. “It just makes me feel a little sad to think about the other patients who are still suffering.”

"That's just how the world is. We have limited abilities, so let's take care of ourselves and the people around us first." Su Ning kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep! You have to report to your new company tomorrow."

In a good mood that evening, Ma Shu'er rewarded Su Ning handsomely, and the two then engaged in another thrilling encounter...

……

The next morning, Ma Shuer put on her long-unused business attire and prepared to apply for a receptionist job at a law firm.

A former top lawyer now has to start from the bottom, but she has no complaints.

"Mom, you look so beautiful today!" Ma Jiming said indistinctly as he ate the breakfast Su Ning had made.

Ma Shuer squatted down and straightened her son's collar: "At home, you have to listen to your older brother, understand?"

"I know!" Ma Jiming suddenly turned to Su Ning, "Big brother, can I call you Dad from now on?"

This unexpected question left both adults stunned.

Ma Shuer's face turned red instantly, while Su Ning seemed caught off guard.

"Ji Mo, don't talk nonsense..." Ma Shu'er scolded softly.

"Why not?" the boy asked stubbornly. "My older brother is so good to us, just like a father. All my classmates have fathers, but I don't."

Su Ning squatted down and looked Ma Jiming straight in the eyes: "Jiming, whether you call me Dad or not won't change my love for you and Mom. But if you really want to call me that, of course I'll be very happy."

Ma Jimu's eyes lit up, and he rushed into Su Ning's arms, shouting loudly, "Dad!"

Ma Shuer turned around and secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

This simple title means so much to her.

After seeing Ma Shuer off, Su Ning took Ma Jiming to the market to buy groceries.

On the way, the boy held his hand tightly the whole time, introducing him to everyone he met: "This is my dad!"

That evening, when a tired Mashuer returned home, she was greeted by the aroma of food filling the house.

There were four dishes and a soup on the table, along with a small bunch of wildflowers.

Ma Jiming excitedly grabbed her hand and recounted his experience of "Dad" taking him to the park that day.

"How was your first day?" Su Ning served her a bowl of soup.

Ma Shuer smiled wryly: "I stood all day, my legs are about to break. I didn't know that working at the front desk was so hard."

"You'll get used to it eventually," Su Ning comforted her. "Tomorrow I'll teach you how to use points to redeem things; it'll save you a lot of money."

Ma Shuer looked at him gratefully: "I really don't know how my son and I would survive without you."

Just then, Ma Jiming suddenly asked, "Mom, when are you and Dad getting married?"

There was silence at the table.

Ma Shuer and Suning looked at each other, neither of them knowing how to answer this naive yet pointed question.

At this moment, Su Ning explained to Ma Jiming without any pretense, "Ma Jiming, Dad may not marry your mother, but he will still take care of you and your mother."

"Why? Why can't you marry Mom?" Ma Jiming looked at Su Ning with a puzzled expression.

"Ji Mo, you are still young and don't understand many things! When you grow up, you will naturally understand."

"..."

Hearing Su Ning explain that he wouldn't marry her, Ma Shuer, who was standing to the side, still felt very sad.

However, she also understood that Su Ning had her own ideas and thoughts, so Ma Shuer didn't force her to do anything.

In fact, Ma Shuer really enjoys his current life, after all, he hasn't enjoyed this kind of support for more than ten years.

...(End of chapter)