The Seventh Rib

[Complete] Next book: Hidden Marriage, Everyday Life with a Child Blurb: The casting announcement for Director Fang's final film sent shockwaves through the entire entertainment industry. The male lead was set to be Chen Jingzhou, a top-tier star who excelled in both acting and music. One of the candidates for the female lead was his sworn rival, He Chuxi, a newly crowned Best Actress. The other was an innocent-looking actress who had just graduated. Given Director Fang's standards and his choice of male lead, everyone in and out of the industry knew He Chuxi stood no chance. Moonlight spilled softly into a dim, sensuous room. The woman lay across the man's shoulder, languid, tracing a fingertip from his sharply defined brow to his high nose. Her voice was husky as she asked, "Chen Jingzhou, am I not innocent?" The man chuckled softly, remembering what had just happened. He said nothing. "Give me the female lead in Director Fang's film." "All right." I want my rose to bloom forever. Coming soon: Hidden Marriage, Everyday Life with a Child Lin Ke followed her family's arrangement and married Si Yuming, a financial tycoon. They kept their marriage secret, and with both of them busy, they barely saw each other even once a month. Their only connection was their three-year-old daughter, Si Xiaotie. Recently, Lin Ke transferred to work at Si Yuming's company, where she happened to overhear some gossip. "The media caught the Jiang family's heiress on a date with President Si yesterday. Rumor has it she's his first love, and they've been secretly married for years." "I knew it! The little princess's mother has to be her!" "Now that you mention it, they do look a bit alike." Her coworker nudged her shoulder. "Lin Ke, you've met the little princess, right?" She had. They didn't look alike. -- One day, the boss brought his child to work. As they discussed business, everyone held their breath, afraid of waking the little one in the lounge. Ten minutes later, a well-rested Si Xiaotie rubbed her eyes and wandered out, her big, bleary eyes sweeping the room before she rushed straight into Lin Ke's arms and called sweetly, "Mommy!" Lin Ke awkwardly glanced at the calm man in a suit at the head of the table, then picked up her daughter and answered gently, "Yes, sweetheart." #2025.05.28 #Marriage first, love later; raising a child. Xiaotie is her nickname. Theme: Love is the medicine for the heart.