The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

A week later, Shang Yibo's scenes in Huizhou were successfully completed, bringing a perfect end to this intense and fulfilling filming experience.

Meanwhile, after in-depth communication and negotiation with Yihua Entertainment, Shang Yibo and the company officially reached a peaceful termination agreement. This was also thanks to Zhou Yanruo's efforts and Qi Qingnan's understanding and support. Everyone ended their cooperation in a friendly atmosphere. Of course, Shang Yibo did not care too much about the liquidated damages he was supposed to pay. Shen Yihua also showed rare humanity, deciding that the liquidated damages would not be paid directly, but would be deducted from the recording fees of the two variety shows that Shang Yibo participated in afterward. This arrangement not only alleviated Shang Yibo's current financial pressure, but also helped Yihua Entertainment to promote new artists.

On the day filming wrapped, with director Lai Yiu-leung's crisp "Cut! OK!", all of Shang Yibo's scenes at the Ling family's old house in Huizhou were successfully completed. Director Lai Yiu-leung emerged from behind the monitor and, along with the cast and crew, gathered around Shang Yibo. Assistant director Xiao Qian respectfully presented Shang Yibo with a bouquet of flowers. Lai Yiu-leung clapped first, beaming, and said, "Our most adorable Ling Shaojing has finished filming today. Thank you, Mr. Shang Yibo, for all your hard work." Several months of working together had made him genuinely fond of this young man. In a previous interview during a set visit, Lai Yiu-leung praised Shang Yibo without reservation: "Yibo is a promising talent, both gifted and hardworking, with exceptional comprehension. In life, he's unpretentious, sincere, and exceptionally polite." This completely changed his preconceived notions about idol stars.

Shang Yibo smiled shyly, presented the flowers in his hand to Li Yaoliang, and said gratefully, "Thank you for the director's careful guidance, and thank you everyone for your selfless help." He put his hands together and expressed his sincere gratitude to the other people around him.

To celebrate Shang Yibo's completion of filming, the production team prepared a lavish wrap party to express their gratitude to him and his team.

Shang Yibo politely declined the offer.

Since his contract termination with Yihua Entertainment has not yet met the conditions for public announcement—a clause specifically stipulated in the termination agreement—it requires a joint press conference by both parties at an appropriate time to make the announcement. Furthermore, Shang Yibo has always maintained a low profile and is not particularly fond of such social occasions.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, Shang Yibo took Zhou Yanruo back to Beijing the next day, leaving Ding Jiajia and Zhang Xiaoguang to handle the handover with the crew.

Around noon, Shang Yibo and Zhou Yanruo arrived in Beijing. As soon as Shang Yibo turned on his phone, he received two messages. One was from Fang Xichen: "Yibo, go straight home after you arrive in Beijing. Old Zhang will pick you up." The other was from Chu Fanyan: "Yibo, your father is coming home today. Come home too."

At the same time, Zhou Yanruo also received a WeChat message from Fang Xichen: "Zhou Yanruo, Chairman Chu is returning to Beijing today. You and Yibo should come to Zimo Garden together so we can discuss the follow-up work arrangements."

Shang Yibo turned to Zhou Yanruo and said, "My mom wants me to go back to Zimo Garden. Why don't you come back with me?" Zhou Yanruo replied, "Yes, President Fang also left me a message, saying that he wants to discuss the follow-up work arrangements."

The two walked out of the business passage, where a luggage cart was already waiting. Old Zhang was busy loading luggage onto the van. Zhou Yanruo stepped forward and greeted him politely, "Mr. Zhang, thank you for your hard work." As she spoke, she helped organize some of the smaller pieces of luggage.

Mr. Zhang smiled and replied, "Mr. Shang, Mr. Zhou, please get in the car first. It will be ready soon." Shang Yibo nodded and then strode into the car.

The airport was not far from Zimoyuan; they arrived at their destination in less than forty minutes by car.

Chu Fanyan had been waiting at the gate for a long time. When she saw Shang Yibo, she excitedly greeted him: "Yibo, you're finally back. Your father just got home too."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yibo quickened his pace, taking three steps at a time to climb the steps, pushing open the door and rushing inside. He didn't even have time to change his shoes before heading straight to the living room.

In the living room, Chu Fanqing sat upright on the sofa facing the door, looking haggard and uneasy, with obvious unease in her expression.

Fang Xichen sat beside him, gently covering his hands with one hand and placing it on his knees. Chu Fanqing had lost a lot of weight, and his eyes were full of fatigue and worry.

"Dad," Shang Yibo called out in a trembling voice, his voice filled with concern.

Chu Fanqing withdrew her empty and unfocused gaze, focused on Shang Yibo, and said gently, "Yibo, you're back. Come and sit down."

Fang Xichen stood up and gestured, "Yibo, sit here and have a good chat with your father. Yanruo, I have something to discuss with you. Let's go over there." As he spoke, he gently raised his hand to Zhou Yanruo, who had walked in with Shang Yibo, and led her towards the tea room behind the restaurant.

Seeing Shang Yibo nod in acknowledgment, Zhou Yanruo followed Fang Xichen toward the tea room.

Shang Yibo sat down opposite Chu Fanqing. Chu Fanyan came over, poured Shang Yibo a cup of tea, and refilled the thermos in front of Chu Fanqing with hot water—American ginseng tea that Fang Xichen had specially prepared for him. Afterward, she silently returned to the kitchen.

In the living room, only the father and son remained, sitting facing each other. After a brief silence, Shang Yibo called out again, "Dad."

Chu Fanqing raised her eyes, which were bloodshot.

Shang Yibo said with concern, "You've lost so much weight. You must have had a tough time lately."

This was the first time Chu Fanqing had heard his son greet him with such concern, and his eyes welled up with tears.

“It’s alright,” he answered softly. “They didn’t give me any trouble. It was just that I was under too much mental pressure. It was my own problem.” He paused slightly, picked up his thermos, took a sip of ginseng tea, trying to hide his emotions, and then asked softly, “Is your work over there finished? It seems to be going smoothly.”

Shang Yibo felt a mix of emotions. He had never seen his father speak so cautiously, especially in front of him. The experiences of the past month must have put immense pressure on his father.

"My scenes have been completed." Shang Yibo knew that Chu Fanqing didn't like him acting, so he didn't want to talk much about that aspect of his work. Instead, he directly told Chu Fanqing his decision: "I have decided to terminate my contract with Yihua Entertainment and retire from the entertainment industry."

"I fully support your decision," Chu Fanqing stated without hesitation.

Shang Yibo's lips curled up slightly, and he said with a hint of teasing, "Dad, do you have to make a statement so quickly? Do you really dislike my acting that much?"

Faced with Chu Fanqing's decisive support, Shang Yibo smiled with relief. It seemed his father's mental state wasn't as bad as it had appeared when he first entered; his inner resilience remained. He had previously worried that his father's spirit would break down after experiencing so much, but now it seemed that worry was unnecessary.