The internet exploded.

New photos of Hua Ling and Xu Ming were plastered everywhere — the two standing close, arms wrapped around each other, a wall of fresh red roses behind them. Xu Ming, tall and striking in his suit, looked down at Hua Ling with what could only be described as a gaze full of devotion. She, in turn, leaned into him as though the entire world belonged to them. The caption read: The New Couple in Town!

The comments section was on fire.

"Ahhh! They’re so perfect together! My heart can’t take it!"

"This is what true love looks like!"

"Not only is she talented, she’s gorgeous, and now she’s dating Xu Ming! This woman is blessed by the heavens!"

"If I were her, I would never let go of a man like that!"

"Xu Ming looks like the kind of man who would carry you through storms without flinching!"

"Ugh, I’m so jealous! Hua Ling is living the dream life!"

"Mark my words, they’ll be married by next year!"

"I want a love like this too!"

"Just look at the way he looks at her... if that’s not love, I don’t know what is!"

"These two are a match made in heaven! No one else comes close!"

Every platform was filled with similar sentiments.

Hua Ling’s image as the perfect star was cemented further — already famous, rumored to be closing in on a brand ambassador deal with one of the top luxury fashion houses, and now in a romance with a man whose name alone commanded attention.

Xu Ming was not just any businessman. He came from the prestigious Xu family, known throughout the country as a family of scholars.

His grandfather, Xu Zhenhua, was a revered academic and custodian of the nation’s oldest library archives.

The family owned stakes in multiple top universities, and their philanthropic contributions in education had earned them both political goodwill and public admiration.

On top of that, the Xu Group was one of the country’s most powerful conglomerates, with business ventures spanning finance, technology, and real estate.

Now, with Xu Ming’s relationship tied to a beloved celebrity, even the company’s stock prices surged overnight. Blue Entertainment’s shares rose in tandem, riding the publicity wave.

Everything looked perfect on the surface.

Meanwhile, inside the quiet walls of Yellow Garden, Hua Jing sat cross-legged on a bed with a phone in her hands. It was the first one she had touched in over a year, a recent gift from Fu Jing Rong.

Her fingers trembled as she typed her own name into the search bar.

The first results were old — painfully old.

Tragic Night: The Accident That Stole Our Brightest Star.

Lifetime Achievement Award Night Turns into Nightmare.

Car Brake Malfunction — Accident or Premeditated Attack?

The Nation’s Heartbreak: Hua Jing’s Future Uncertain.

Her Voice Stilled — Will Hua Jing Ever Sing Again?

Blue Entertainment’s Jewel in Critical Condition.

Fallen Angel: How the Stage Lost Its Queen.

Glory to Dust — The Rise and Fall of Hua Jing.

Article after article documented that night. Some spoke of the "mysterious absence" of her manager during the trip to the award ceremony.

Others speculated about rivalries in the entertainment industry. A few dared to suggest foul play but were written off as baseless gossip.

In the months that followed, the headlines shifted.

Public Interest in Hua Jing Fades as New Stars Rise.

The Hua Era is Over.

Hua Ling — The New Darling of the Nation.

Passing the Torch? Hua Ling Shines Where Hua Jing Once Did.

Her name was buried under newer, shinier stories. The world had moved on.

As she continued scrolling, a notification chimed as a new article had just been released.

She quickly opened it as she liked gossip but seeing the heading, she immediately regretted it!

The New Couple in Town! Hua Ling and Xu Ming’s Blossoming Romance.

Hua Jing scrolled down the tabloid page, her eyes narrowing at each new image.

There was Hua Ling, clinging to Xu Ming’s arm as if her life depended on it. Xu Ming, in turn, smiled down at her with feigned tenderness, holding out a massive bouquet of crimson roses. In another shot, he had his hand protectively at her waist while reporters swarmed around them.

One clip auto-played — Xu Ming’s voice came through clear and steady: "I can’t wait to marry you."

The crowd in the video erupted into cheers. Hua Ling covered her face shyly while leaning into him.

Hua Jing’s lips curled in disdain. She clicked her tongue. "Shameless."

It seemed they couldn’t wait to flaunt themselves — exactly like in her other life. Some people, she thought bitterly, really never changed, no matter the world. Back then, that same pair had worked tirelessly to bring about their perfect wedding day... but she had ruined it spectacularly. She still remembered the looks on their faces when their "perfect day" crumbled into public disgrace. The fallout had been delicious — the two had blamed each other until the relationship cracked and collapsed entirely.

After that, she hadn’t heard from them for a long time — not until she returned to this world.

Now, staring at the same cheap display of affection, Hua Jing let out a short, frustrated laugh. Oh, they had no idea. The two of them carried enough secrets to sink their pretty little ship before it ever reached port. It was only a matter of time.

Her gaze slid back to Xu Ming’s face, and she found herself frowning. What had she ever seen in him? He wasn’t even her type. Now that she had Fu Jing Rong, the difference was like upgrading from a cracked teacup to the finest porcelain.

By the time she finished scrolling, her anger had dissolved, replaced by a strange, almost amused detachment.

She didn’t even notice the sound of footsteps until a shadow fell across her.

Fu Jing Rong had just stepped out of the shower. He wore only loose grey sweatpants, his upper body bare, droplets of water sliding down over well-defined muscles.

Hua Jing’s eyes widened. Her face heated instantly.

She dropped the phone with a clatter. "Ah!"