Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Can Only Choose to Respect and Bless
"I’ve already explained everything that needed to be said during the live stream. From now on, I’m just an ordinary person and won’t be responding to any questions regarding today’s matters. As for the rest, I’ll leave it to the law. I trust the legal system will bring me justice."
After finishing his statement, Shen Yi hastily ended the stream without leaving any time for interaction with his fans.
Once the live broadcast ended, Shen Yi officially announced his decision to leave the entertainment industry on Weibo.
The company and his manager were frantic with worry, attempting every possible way to persuade him to revoke his retirement decision. Yet their efforts proved fruitless.
In the end, having no other choice, the company resorted to bringing up the breach-of-contract fee. But Shen Yi had evidently anticipated their move long beforehand.
"I’ve been somewhat of a top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry, and after all these years in the business, I can afford to pay the breach-of-contract fee. Of course, if the amount is ridiculously high, I wouldn’t mind using legal means to sue you. Hopefully, we won’t have to meet both Qingyue and you in court."
This one line from Shen Yi completely cut off their leverage, leaving the company powerless against him.
When Sang Ning found out that Shen Yi had employed this approach to strike back at Qingyue, she was momentarily overwhelmed with frustration and called Shen Yi, her tone equally anxious and exasperated.
"Brother, I really have to call you ’brother’ this time. You’re seriously leaving the industry—all for some lowlife like Qingyue? Is it worth it? If I had known you would use a strategy of ’hurting yourself a thousand times to harm the enemy eight hundred times,’ I definitely would’ve stopped you!"
In Sang Ning’s eyes, Shen Yi’s decision to leave wasn’t voluntary. It was more about him exposing a painful past he couldn’t bear to confront, ultimately feeling ashamed and out of place in the entertainment industry.
"Listen to me: the past is in the past, there’s no need to dwell on it. You can still change your mind and it’s not too late," Sang Ning pleaded earnestly.
Shen Yi’s career was flourishing—it was a shame for him to walk away at this peak moment. Sang Ning had initially assumed his talk of retirement was just banter, but it turned out to be real after all.
"Sang Ning, there’s no need to feel regret for me. I’ll have a better life in the future. To be able to meet a friend like you before leaving the industry, that’s my greatest fortune," Shen Yi said with a genuine smile, his lips forming an elegant curve.
"I’ve considered exposing this issue many times before, but I could never overcome the fragile barrier in my heart. Now, I’ve chosen to face it bravely, finally letting go of past burdens and reconciling with my history. As a friend, I hope you can respect my choice."
Upon hearing Shen Yi’s words, Sang Ning fell silent.
Shen Yi was an independent adult with his own thoughts. She had no right to make decisions for him.
He was right—since they were friends, she could only choose to respect and support him.
Sang Ning still felt regretful for Shen Yi but didn’t know what comforting words were appropriate to ease his mood, so she could only sigh helplessly.
"Shen Yi, I take back my earlier request. You don’t need to contact Chu Xi anymore; I’ll figure out another solution myself," Sang Ning finally said. She understood that Shen Yi was undoubtedly feeling low and had no reason to add more troubles to his plate.
Furthermore, given Chu Xi’s hostility toward her, Sang Ning wasn’t entirely confident about convincing Chu Xi to help. It was best to rely on her own efforts.
"It’s alright, don’t think of it as a burden on me. I’ll act within my capacity," Shen Yi replied calmly.
After ending the conversation with Shen Yi, Sang Ning asked Li Juezhou to help arrange a meeting with Shen Fang.
Currently, the police investigation had reached a stalemate. Regarding Doctor Zhou’s apparent suicide, the police had meticulously examined the scene. After repeated comparisons, the present evidence was enough to disprove the theory that Doctor Zhou had died by suicide. The case was now largely classified as homicide.
However, evidence of homicide remained insufficient. Without solid proof, the police couldn’t arbitrarily arrest suspects.
Instead, Sang Youming and Hu Zhi—due to direct accusations from Doctor Zhou himself—were unable to leave the police station until their suspicions were completely cleared.
Sang Ning applied to visit Sang Youming and Hu Zhi, accompanied by Li Juezhou.
She had originally assumed her parents would look gaunt and haggard after all this time, but to her surprise, when she finally saw them, she discovered they had both gained some weight.
Sang Ning had prepared herself for an emotional moment, but instead, Sang Youming’s antics completely caught her off guard.
The two were being held in the same detention room, which was furnished with a bed, sofa, cabinets, and even a small bathroom—every living necessity provided.
Apart from losing a certain degree of freedom, it was hardly any different from staying at home.
When Sang Ning arrived at the detention room door, Sang Youming was gnawing on a large drumstick. As soon as he spotted her, his first words were: "Daughter, are you here to bail me out? Can you postpone it for a few more days? The food at the police station is pretty good; they’ve got everything. I almost don’t want to leave. Wouldn’t mind staying here for the rest of my life."
Sang Ning: "..."
Her worry had been wholly unnecessary. With optimistic and cheerful parents like Sang Youming and Hu Zhi, they’d probably adapt well to any environment—especially since their detention room life seemed far from difficult.
"Uncle, Auntie, if there’s anything you want to eat or play with, just let the officer watching over you relay it to me," Li Juezhou asked politely.
Standing beside Sang Ning, who he towered over by almost a full head, Li Juezhou’s height lent him an intimidating presence. Yet, the gentle tone he used to speak to Sang Youming and Hu Zhi created a stark contrast, making him seem unexpectedly soft-spoken.
"Hm?" Sang Ning squinted slightly, turning to Li Juezhou with an unfriendly expression, "What’s going on here?"
Li Juezhou smiled faintly and replied, "Your Uncle and Aunt aren’t criminals; they’re simply cooperating with the investigation. What’s wrong with letting them enjoy some comfort?"
Sang Ning immediately understood: it was Li Juezhou who had privately arranged these perks for her parents. That explained their comfortable circumstances.
"Thanks. But you need to rein it in a bit; otherwise, they might get carried away," Sang Ning whispered to Li Juezhou, leaning close to his ear.
Hu Zhi spoke up at this moment, "Xiao Ning, can you keep your voice down when whispering? We heard everything!"
Sang Ning glanced over at Hu Zhi and replied, "I meant for you to hear it. You and Dad still haven’t cleared your suspicions, and living too extravagantly in the detention room could provoke jealous eyes. We should keep things low-key."
Sang Youming and Hu Zhi exchanged a glance—she had a point.
So, Sang Youming handed the uneaten portion of his drumstick through the door gap. "Daughter, then help me handle the rest of this."
Then, he turned to Li Juezhou and said, "Xiao Li, you don’t need to arrange special treatment for your Uncle and Aunt anymore. We’re tough enough to manage on the standard meals."
After leaving the detention room, Sang Ning picked up the drumstick and began eating.
Li Juezhou’s eye twitched slightly as he watched her—what a hypocrite.
Clearly, Sang Ning just wanted to eat it herself, yet she acted as though she had such noble reasons.