Rebirth of the Cannon Fodder in the Entertainment Circle
Chapter 493 - 492: Something Might Have Happened

Chapter 493: Chapter 492: Something Might Have Happened

After returning to the Imperial Capital, Luo Ning resumed her work.

Having won the title of top domestic actress, Luo Ning’s status had climbed another step.

Fang Yan got her two luxury brand endorsements and a magazine cover shoot.

Recently, Xi Shu had taken leave to return to her hometown, and Fang Yan had also taken on the role of assistant.

By the time Luo Ning finished her current work, Xi Shu had not yet returned.

Moreover, for about a week, Xi Shu had not contacted her at all.

Luo Ning felt something was off, she made several phone calls to Xi Shu, but all went unanswered.

Just as she was about to perform a divination for Xi Shu, she received a call from Huo Rui.

As soon as she answered the phone, Luo Ning was the first to speak, "Has something happened to Xi Shu?"

Huo Rui was startled and then said, "I don’t know, I haven’t been able to contact her for two days."

"I was thinking of calling to ask if you had been in contact with her these past two days?"

Luo Ning replied, "No, she hasn’t contacted me in a week."

She asked, "When you contacted her a few days ago, did you call her?"

Huo Rui said, "No, her hometown is in the mountains, the signal there isn’t very good, we communicated through text messages."

"Calling often results in no signal or no response."

"A few days ago, she mentioned going to her aunt’s house, which is deeper in the mountains, the signal there is even worse, so she was worried she might not be able to contact me."

Huo Rui added, "I’ve sent her messages these past two days, indeed there was no reply, but I don’t know why, I’m just really worried."

He truly had developed feelings for Xi Shu, and that was why he was concerned and worried.

Luo Ning frowned slightly, "Did she go back this time because her father was seriously ill?"

Xi Shu had used this reason when she requested her leave.

Seeing the lines on Xi Shu’s face, specifically at the position representing her parents, which showed signs of illness, Luo Ning didn’t think much of it.

Huo Rui replied, "Correct, her dad is sick and in the hospital, her family has called several times."

He sighed, "I originally wanted to accompany her, but she didn’t want me to go."

Luo Ning knew that Xi Shu’s family situation was somewhat complicated, full of greedy relatives.

If they knew that Xi Shu was dating such a wealthy boyfriend, they would definitely try to cling to him and leech off him.

So, Luo Ning guessed that Xi Shu didn’t want to take Huo Rui back with her to avoid letting those people know, not because she was afraid Huo Rui would see her family’s true situation.

Luo Ning thought for a moment and said, "I’m planning to visit Xi Shu’s house to check things out."

She really couldn’t rest assured about Xi Shu.

Considering the current situation, Xi Shu might be in trouble, so she planned to go and see for herself.

Huo Rui immediately said, "I’ll go with you, I was thinking the same."

Luo Ning checked the time and said, "Then book tickets for today, let’s head out as soon as possible."

It was still early in the morning, and they could definitely reach Xi Shu’s house today.

Huo Rui asked, "Is Lu Xun going?"

Luo Ning replied, "He’s gone abroad, won’t be back for a few days, it’ll just be me."

"Okay, then I’ll call Huo Ye to come with us," Huo Rui thought for a moment and said.

Being alone as a single man and woman should be avoided.

Luo Ning is a public figure, being together alone might not be appropriate.

He also feared that Lu Xun might be jealous, having his brother along would be no problem.

Luo Ning also felt his arrangement was better, "Okay."

Half an hour later, Huo Rui arrived in his car to pick up Luo Ning.

He had booked the earliest available flight.

After more than two hours, the three of them got off the plane and were picked up by a car arranged by Huo Rui.

It was another two-hour drive to the county.

Upon reaching the county, Huo Rui asked Luo Ning, "Do you know where Xi Shu’s house is? She never told me the details."

Though Luo Ning had never been to Xi Shu’s house, she indeed had the detailed address.

During their university days, whenever Xi Shu went home during holidays, she would ask Luo Ning to help buy and mail medicine back.

Luo Ning repeated the address, "It’s here."

The driver then followed the navigation and drove on.

Beyond the county, the road to the town where Xi Shu’s house was located was mainly mountainous and extremely difficult to navigate.

Huo Rui didn’t mind as before getting together with Xi Shu, she had voluntarily shared her family circumstances with him.

Looking out at the mountains through the car window, he said to Luo Ning, "Do you know much about her family?"

Luo Ning replied, "I know the basics."

"Besides her parents, she has three older sisters and one younger sister. Her dad used to work in construction but had fallen from a roof leaving his legs impaired and his health has been poor ever since."

"She has a set of grandparents who favor boys over girls, as well as three uncles and one aunt."

"The uncles and the aunt are all like leeches, incessantly exploiting her family."

"She had managed to get into university, but initially, her grandma didn’t permit her to attend. She ran away to school and applied for a student loan."

"Not only did her family not provide her with a monthly living allowance, but she also had to work part-time herself and even spend money to buy medicine for her father."

She looked at Huo Rui and asked, "You should know all of this, right?"

Xi Shu was a strong girl who did not pursue vain dreams. She was straightforward about being poor and also responsible.

Thus, based on Luo Ning’s understanding of Xi Shu, these details about her family must have been shared with Huo Rui.

Huo Rui nodded, "She has told me all this."

"I even once asked her if she wanted to bring her parents to the Imperial Capital, where I could help arrange for them, but she declined."

"She and my last girlfriend are the complete opposite; that one was overly devoted to her brother, but Xi Shu is more independent."

"I feel it’s not that she doesn’t accept my help, but rather she truly doesn’t want to bring her parents to the Imperial Capital, which I somewhat don’t understand."

"After all, she buys medicine and sends money home every month, and also visits them during vacations. It seems she does care about her parents."

Actually, not only arranging for Xi Shu’s parents but even accommodating her siblings would be a trivial matter for him.

Luo Ning said, "Maybe it’s because she’s afraid those relatives will start clinging as well."

"Or maybe there’s some other secret we don’t know about. We might uncover it with this visit."

Everyone has their secrets. She and Xi Shu are close friends, but she wouldn’t pry into the private affairs of Xi Shu’s family.

What Xi Shu told her, she shared; what she didn’t, Luo Ning wouldn’t push.

She found it comfortable to be with Xi Shu; across two lifespans, Xi Shu had always had a good temperament. Thus, Luo Ning believed that even if there were any secrets, they would likely pertain to family issues.

Huo Rui nodded, "Indeed, I’d also like to understand more after this visit."

Luo Ning, sitting in the passenger seat, now turned and looked earnestly at Huo Rui and asked, "Are you planning to marry her?"

She did hope her close friend would be happy.

Huo Rui nodded solemnly, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t have come today."

When they reached the village entrance, because the mountain road was too narrow for cars, Huo Rui had the driver wait below.

He, along with Huo Ye and Luo Ning, walked into the village.