Fukawa Shoko dragged her weary body back to her home.

It was a dilapidated apartment, the place where her father lived after being chased out. For Fukawa Shoko, she had never lived in such harsh conditions before. But now, she had gradually gotten used to this tiny room that wasn’t even as large as her family’s living room.

In her efforts, Fukawa Shoko had been working tirelessly, yet Duanmu Huai pointed out...

"It’s because of your way that he became spoiled!"

Fukawa Shoko didn’t quite understand, but according to Duanmu Huai, it seemed that "men need to pull themselves together, not be supported by women," which felt somewhat similar to her grandfather’s views. Fukawa Shoko didn’t get along well with her grandfather, thinking that he was always hard on her father. Fukawa Shoko couldn’t comprehend it, as her father was straightforward, sincere, and hardworking, why was her grandfather still so strict with him?

It wasn’t until she stepped into society herself that Fukawa Shoko finally realized how naive her previous thoughts were.

As Duanmu Huai mentioned, what people in society focus on is your capability, not your character.

The work environment at Strawberry PRO Office was decent. Actually, before this, Shoko had applied to many places, but most of them rejected her upon hearing she was just a middle school student without parental endorsement. In the beginning, Shoko could only find a job delivering newspapers—For a flower nurtured in a greenhouse, the storm of reality came far too violently upon her.

Even President Jingzi told Shoko that she was willing to let her join Strawberry PRO, considering her mother’s reputation. Indeed, technically, Shoko’s age didn’t allow her to work; she only got the job by signing a trainee contract.

Actually, after going through all these experiences, Shoko herself was somewhat aware.

That is her father indeed seemed to have a "weak" side.

Strawberry PRO had many celebrities, including Duanmu Huai, Hei Chuan Chi Yin, Arima Kaname, Sakurajima Mai, and Hoshino Ruby. During her time working at Strawberry PRO, Fukawa Shoko had interacted with them multiple times, to put it simply...

Utterly astounding.

In terms of age, Fukawa Shoko wasn’t much different from them, yet they had an aura and presence that Shoko found difficult to match. Especially Duanmu Huai, Shoko’s impressions of Duanmu Huai mostly involved him lazing around the office, giving off a vibe more untidy than ordinary girls.

Of course, this behavior seemed to be normal in the office.

However, when Duanmu Huai made a decision, he gave Shoko a fearsome sense of authority even greater than her grandfather’s, as if his words were not suggestions but final decisions, akin to a King delivering his decree, with others simply expected to execute it.

And this... was one of the reasons why Shoko decided to seek help from Duanmu Huai.

She had no such dependable person by her side.

But Duanmu Huai gave Shoko a feeling of trustworthiness.

Surprisingly enough, she looked even younger than Shoko...

Actually, it’s not just Duanmu Huai, others were the same; they had absolute confidence in themselves, firmly believed they were on the right path, and were filled with fighting spirit. This was something Shoko had never felt from her father, and she understood this was the demeanor a successful person should have.

Hence, Shoko more or less understood, why her grandfather... was never satisfied with her father.

He might be more suited to being a minor employee rather than an heir to the Fengchuan Consortium.

If it weren’t for the Fengchuan Family...

For now, it would be better to consider other issues.

Shoko silently sighed and recalled what Duanmu Huai had told her.

"You said you’d do anything, then start by dealing with the boring trouble with your former bandmates."

Boring trouble.

In their eyes, perhaps it was indeed boring. Actually, Shoko herself thought maybe it’s time to find an opportunity to clarify things with everyone.

Shoko felt there was a part of her that wanted to finally speak out about everything, yet she remained hesitant. Duanmu Huai seemed to have discerned her inner thoughts, pushing her forward in this manner.

As for whether this was right or wrong... sigh, at this point, there was no use dwelling on it.

Fukawa Shoko silently took out her phone and sent a message to one of her contacts.

Regardless, it was time to resolve everything.

So you see, things are really that simple.

The next day after school, Duanmu Huai arrived once again at the LIVEHOUS café, sitting in a corner, watching the other table—there sat Shoko, along with Ruoya Mu, Takamatsu Akari, and two girls he didn’t know. They were probably the band members.

Right now, Shoko was gloomily explaining to them, to put it simply, she briefly informed them about her family situation before standing up.

"I’m sorry, I can no longer form a band with everyone."

"..............."

Facing Fukawa Shoko’s response, the others were silent and looked complex. It’s unsurprising, if Shoko had some personal issues, or faced some kind of trouble, perhaps as friends they could help. But this involved Shoko’s family, leaving them unable to meddle.

After all, with the abrupt changes in her family, now Shoko had to shift from being a privileged young lady to supporting her family. In such circumstances, no matter how nerve-wracking one might be, it was impossible to say "Forget your family, come form a band."

"I’m sorry."

At this moment, the sharp-eyed girl among them also honestly apologized to Shoko.

"I originally had quite a bit of prejudice against you, after all, you quit the band without saying anything back then... But now... Well, I’m sorry."

"Me, me too... I always thought it was you, Shoko, who hated me..."

Takamatsu Akari also spoke up. Perhaps because the words were finally spoken, Shoko shook her head with a slight bitter smile.

"Not at all. In fact, I’ve always hoped you, Akari, could keep moving forward because your lyrics are really great, but... you do need to practice more."

"Yes, thank you, I’ll work hard!"

Takamatsu Akari nodded forcefully, and her previously gloomy expression dissipated quite a bit.

Next, it should end like this—well, originally, it should have been.

"Wait, wait a minute!"

However, another girl spoke up at this moment. Duanmu Huai didn’t know her, she was a mature-looking girl with curly hair. She stared intently at Shoko, her face full of reluctance.

"Is there really no way at all? Shoko? Even if you can’t participate all the time, even if you can only come occasionally, we can still be together!"

"......"

Hearing the girl’s plea, Shoko frowned slightly, while the sharp-eyed girl stared at her unhappy.

"What are you talking about? Didn’t Shoko make it clear? She simply doesn’t have the extra time to spend on the band now!"

"I understand, but even if it’s just a nominal position? Even if you can’t practice, can’t perform, we can still be together! Shoko! What do you think? I can talk to my mom to ask my uncle..."

"What do you mean by this!"

However, before the girl finished speaking, Shoko coldly interrupted her.

"Are you trying to threaten me to stay?"

"No, I don’t mean that..."

Facing Shoko’s questioning, the girl seemed shocked and quickly shook her head in denial.

"I don’t mean that, I just, I just want to..."

"I’ve said everything I wanted to say. Goodbye."

After saying this, Shoko turned straight around, leaving without looking back, and Ruoya Mu also stood up, leaving together with Shoko—oh, they know each other, it seems she went to find Shoko that day at the school gate.

Anyway...

Duanmu Huai took a sip of coffee, looking at the dining table not far away. At this moment, that girl sat slumped on the ground like an abandoned widow. The sharp-eyed girl sneered, not even glancing at her, and pulled Takamatsu Akari away—speaking of which, everyone initially was on good terms, maybe they could have had a farewell meal. In the end, this person ruined the atmosphere.

Just like Shoko said, the other clearly intended to let her family give Shoko’s father a job to stabilize Shoko. But to Shoko, who has strong self-esteem, such a proposal that equates to charity is definitely unacceptable. Not to mention this is coming from a friend... it’s simply an insult.

Even if it were Duanmu Huai who suggested it to Shoko, it wouldn’t make Shoko so agitated.

After all, sympathy from outsiders and pity from friends are two different things.

And this girl’s approach is digging her own grave.

Like Takamatsu Akari and that sharp-eyed girl, they could still maintain a friendship with Shoko.

As for this self-assertive unfortunate person—afraid she won’t even be able to remain friends.

Because she personally severed the connection between the two sides.

What an utterly foolish thing to do.

Duanmu Huai shook his head and stood up. It’s possible that Fengchuan Shoko didn’t want to tell her friends about her situation considering this aspect. But now none of these matter. Schrödinger’s box has already been opened, all ambiguous elements have been eliminated, and everything will become reality, good or bad.

Blame it on yourself for being too dumb to even speak properly.

Duanmu Huai glanced at the girl again. At this moment, she was still sitting slumped on the ground, looking like a puppet, her expression pallid and eyes lifeless, resembling an abandoned wife. One couldn’t help but want to sing a rendition of "Thirty Road Cape." Changing the background to a seaside cliff would be more fitting.

Forget it, saying this now is useless.

Duanmu Huai withdrew his gaze, turned around, and walked away.

Shoko has already done what she needed to do. What he has to do next is what she hopes he will do.