Xia Siyu drove the car, taking him along the road. Originally, the Qingcheng Apartment was in the city center of Yancheng, but Xia Siyu directly took him west and north, even getting on the highway out of the city.

Throughout the journey, Xia Siyu remained silent and reserved. There was no need to look at Xia Siyu’s navigation or location; just by looking at her face and her expression at the moment, one could tell exactly where she was going and whom she intended to meet.

The car drove farther and farther, reaching dusk, with the sun casting rays down from the winding mountains in the north. In this autumn season, the leaves on the mountains had already turned completely red. Coupled with the blood-red sunset, there was an extra sense of desolation.

After leaving the highway and driving down a small road for a while, the car stopped in a parking lot. As Bo Yan got out of the car, he found that they indeed arrived at the destination—"Yancheng Cemetery."

It was easy to guess. Xia Siyu usually seemed carefree and indifferent. Even when she herself was suppressed, she had little reaction. But the only person who could truly touch her heart was her mother.

No wonder she burned incense and bathed solemnly last night and refrained from eating meat today, all to come see her. So, when she previously planned to take photos and include her two winning trophies, it must have been to show them to her mother.

To be honest, they’ve been together for several years, but Xia Siyu had never brought him to see her mother. Even in the early days of their reunion, she didn’t mention her mother. It wasn’t because she didn’t care; quite the opposite, she cared very much, so much so that she didn’t want to share it with anyone else, not even to mention it, thinking it would be a desecration.

Besides, she herself was "not very successful." She had been in the business for ten years, only won Best Supporting Actress the year before last, and then Best Actress this year. The previous eight years were spent idling away. Some might say that many stars have been in the industry for twenty or thirty years and still haven’t won half a prize.

That only shows that aspirations differ. Xia Siyu’s goal was only her mother. Even now, she doesn’t think she surpasses her mother’s skills back then. After all, her mother won two Best Actress awards before turning thirty and was also a dance prodigy, winning gold awards. If it weren’t for that public scandal, maybe she wouldn’t have left the circle, maybe she could have continued to shine, perhaps her accomplishments would have been limitless.

That’s why she hadn’t come to see her mother for years, feeling ashamed to face her. Only after winning two Best Actress awards herself did she feel qualified to see her mother, so she dared to come over.

Bo Yan walked in with her. It wasn’t a weekend today, nor was it a day like Qingming or Chongyang, so there were few people at the cemetery. Especially now, close to dusk, people were scarce.

The entire cemetery was nestled by mountains and water, with winding mountains to the north, and a moat flowing softly nearby. The feng shui was quite good, but the people buried in the cemetery couldn’t enjoy it. Ultimately, it was all for the living to appreciate.

When they reached the spot, Bo Yan understood why Xia Siyu said there’s no need to buy flowers.

Because there wasn’t a headstone at all, in the place of the grave, Xia Siyu had planted a tree.

The tree chosen was a vibrant green pine, transplanted during the years marking her mother’s birth and death. Several years had passed, and the tree was flourishing, lush and verdant. Although Xia Siyu hadn’t dared come for several years, she continually had it well-maintained. There were professionals to prune and fertilize it, lacking the eerie creepiness typical of graveyards, instead lending a more solemn atmosphere.

Xia Siyu picked a great spot here too, right at the highest point of this hilly area. The tree stands proudly, overlooking the cemetery below, and from the treetop, one can even see the city’s outline.

With a tranquil environment and the presence of trees, there were many birds in this area, and birdsong was constant. Autumn was the season for pine cones to mature, and even squirrels were jumping between the branches.

Xia Siyu stepped forward, and Bo Yan followed her. He was constantly observing her expression, fearing she would be angry or sad. Xia Siyu walked underneath the tree, reached out, and touched the trunk lightly. The bark had a moist and rough texture. She looked up, gazing at the evergreen pine needles above: "Actually, I went against Mom’s last wishes. She felt that once a person dies, they’re gone—burned into ashes, scattered in rivers, scattered on mountains, returning the way they came. She didn’t want to see anyone from the Qin family, including my dad. After all, at the end of life, after experiencing everything, both bitter and sweet times, she only wished I would be well. She never wanted to be my burden, nor did she want me to come specially for her every year."

In truth, she knew her mother didn’t just not want to see those people she’d rather not see. Her mother left the entertainment circle because of the "scandalous photo" incident ruining her reputation, and then enduring disdain from the Xia family over it forever after. Though she didn’t say anything outwardly, she must have still harbored resentment within. If such a thing ever happened to Xia Siyu, she wouldn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, she’d call the police, sending whoever spread her private photos to jail.

But her mother was different, being of an older generation, strong-minded, but ultimately finding it difficult to let go in her heart.

Or perhaps, Xia Siyu’s utter disregard for critical fans originated from her mother’s experience, coincidentally nurturing her deep-seated confidence in the entertainment industry despite years of massive backlash. Otherwise, having twice plummeted to low points, criticized harshly for years on end, few would have the fortitude to endure until the day of vindication without being completely defeated.

Bo Yan remained silent. Many painful experiences require a lifetime to heal. Unable to heal within a lifetime, they might carry over to the next generation. Xia Siyu’s peculiar personality stemmed from her childhood. Though her parents loved her, they couldn’t give her a complete family. Living between two countries fostered a sense of division in her character. Her mother’s experiences taught her that it was enough to steadfastly be herself. Other people’s remarks simply didn’t matter.

So she was both confident and insecure, arrogant yet clear-minded; though she received much love, she also lacked love.

But having walked this path to now, she seemed finally to understand that one’s life shouldn’t be restricted by the shackles of childhood. Her world could be quite expansive indeed. The Tong family she once resented profoundly, and those heartless Xia family members, whom she saw as mortal enemies—now, upon reflection, she found them somewhat laughable.

"Each one talking about righteousness and morality while fighting viciously for property—what’s the point?"

Competing with these people only demeans her.

In the same vein, she found her pursuit beyond just the competition with Shang Feifei. She wished to stand taller and aim farther, leaving an indelible memory for generations to come, remembering that once there was an exceptionally brilliant actress from China, Wen Qunxiao’s daughter, named Xia Siyu!