The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

He Dongchen’s father suddenly felt foolish for even considering his stepdaughter’s words suspiciously.

Everyone looked incredulously at Nian Shiyu, including Nian Yao, who had expected some earth-shattering revelation from her daughter that she refused to disclose early. This was it?

Liu Xuyan, leaning against the wall in the corner, subtly shrugged, covering the curve of a smile with his hand.

Only Nian Shiwen, her own brother, blindly supported her without thinking.

“Shi Yu is right. Le Zile has ulterior motives. Even if she doesn’t, He Dongchen, do you want to marry a woman who clashes with Shi Yu? Bringing discord into the family?”

Nian Shiwen’s expression was serious. He would absolutely not marry a woman his sister disliked. Whoever she liked would be qualified to be with him.

He Dongchen remained silent for a moment, then suddenly countered, “Who are you all to dictate who I marry? Only Dad has the right to. What gives you the authority?”

“Furthermore, Nian Shiyu, why do you naively think the whole world revolves around you?” He Dongchen scoffed at Nian Shiyu’s statement, as if his charm was less than these trivial matters.

Le Zile clearly just lusted after my good looks.

If she wanted to retaliate against Nian Shiyu, why not flirt with Nian Shiwen and Liu Xuyan? Everyone knew these two were doting brothers, winning them over would be more effective for her revenge.

“Enough, I don’t have time for your nonsense,” He Dongchen stood up and spoke his father, “I’ll bring Le Zile to meet you this weekend.”

Father He, feeling ashamed for doubting his son, immediately responded, “Very well, go ahead.”

After He Dongchen left, his father’s expression turned serious. He glanced at the others in the room, said nothing, and left.

Nian Yao opened her mouth as if to follow but felt powerless and exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Disappointed, she glanced at her daughter one last time before silently departing.

***

Nian Shiyu was at a loss, tears welling up in her eyes. Why was everyone like this? Why couldn’t they understand me? Wasn’t it obvious that Le Zile was only dating Big Brother to get back at me?

She looked at Nian Shiwen and Liu Xuyan.

“I have something else to do. I’ll leave first,” Liu Xuyan stood up and left. As he turned, a mocking smile flickered across his lips. It seemed his reputation as a doting brother could be discarded.

When he was underage, Liu Xuyan had to appease Nian Shiyu because he was dependent on her. As an adult, he realized many people liked the idea of doting on younger siblings, so he continued to do so. Now, his sister was just too foolish. Continuing to indulge her would only lead to more harm than good.

After Liu Xuyan left, tears immediately welled up in Nian Shiyu’s eyes.

Nian Shiwen impatiently ran his fingers through his hair, a habit from comforting others.

***

On the weekend, He Dongchen introduced Le Zile to his parents. After the last incident, He Dongchen’s father seriously reflected on himself, realizing he shouldn’t have doubted his son based on others’ words. So this time, he was all smiles, with a friendly attitude throughout.

Le Zile was pleasantly surprised by the favor shown to her. Privately, she whispered to He Dongchen, “I was afraid Uncle would hand me a check.”

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow curiously. “Have you figured out how to respond if he does?”

Le Zile rubbed her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then grinned mischievously and winked, “Depends on the amount. If it’s more money than I could earn in a lifetime, of course I’ll take it and run.”

The system floated in the air and commented, [Truly pragmatic.]

He Dongchen smiled softly. From Le Zile’s smiling eyes, he could clearly see a deep reluctance and sadness.

Some people appeared carefree but were actually acting.

He reached up and tousled Le Zile’s hair. Today, her hairstyle was soft, just like her demeanor.

***

Half a month later, eagerly awaited by book fans and fans alike, ‘The Case’ finally premiered. With its tight plot, exquisite costumes and sets, and the stellar performance of the main cast, the show garnered rave reviews within days of airing. Audiences spontaneously recommended it, attracting a large number of viewers and dominating the ratings.

Those in the industry who had initially waited to see He Dongchen fail were now eating their words. Especially the few actresses who had believed rumors and refused auditions, watching Le Zile’s skyrocketing popularity and endless offers, were filled with regret!

Particularly explosive was their reaction upon hearing about Le Zile’s relationship with He Dongchen!

If only they had auditioned and landed the lead role, they would now be enjoying both love and success!

The group grew angrier as they thought about it, unable to confront He Dongchen and Le Zile, who were currently in the limelight, so they directed their anger towards Nian Shiwen and his sister.

If it weren’t for these two misleading us, we wouldn’t have missed out on our life opportunities!

For a while, scandalous stories about Nian Shiwen and his sister flew everywhere, mostly about how Nian Shiwen protected his sister and inadvertently harmed bystanders.

Being a doting brother indeed attracted attention, but inadvertently harming bystanders was a turn-off.

When they saw Nian Shiyu accidentally collide with a bystander, Nian Shiwen immediately confronted the bystander without clarifying, awakening the fans who had blindly supported the siblings. They started seeing things from the bystander’s perspective, feeling aggrieved and began unfollowing.

As one of the doting siblings, Liu Xuyan faced fans’ questions with a nonchalant attitude; “It’s survival.”

Survival, that’s reality.

Someone dug up that Liu Xuyan’s family was originally well-off, but after his stepmother came, the family went bankrupt. He had to follow his stepmother’s remarriage, living under someone else’s roof.

Liu Xuyan’s fans imagined him as a once well-off young man suddenly becoming a pitiful dependent, just to please his stepsister and live a decent life. It was too tragic.

Nian Yao saw this news online and was furious, disregarding decorum as she angrily accused Liu Xuyan of being ungrateful!

Regardless, she had raised this stepson for several years, hadn’t she? Now, he was quick to kick her when she was down!

He Dongchen’s father furrowed his brows slightly and privately expressed to his son how people’s true nature could be deceptive. He was glad he had seen through those few people early on and hadn’t held out much hope for them.

He Dongchen remained noncommittal.

***

‘The Case’ was a huge success, with many extending olive branches, eager to collaborate on adapting other works under his name.

After all, let’s share the cake together.

He Dongchen wasn’t so aloof; he selected a few well-reputed film and television companies to collaborate with.

In the next phase of preparations for remakes, besides one of his own works, there was also an excellent fantasy novel from the website.

Previously, when He Dongchen acquired the film and television companies, it wasn’t just for his own projects but also to transform Green Net into a film and television production base, converting outstanding works into visual media. This served both to promote and expand their reach and to attract more talented authors.

During his busy periods, Le Zile was also occupied, having taken on a lead role in a TV drama and keeping busy to the point where she hardly had time for dates.

As He Dongchen had more flexible working hours, he accommodated her by frequently visiting the set and occasionally arranging afternoon teas for the crew.

“Miss Zile, your boyfriend is here again.” A staff member grinned teasingly at Le Zile, who was getting her makeup done, holding a stack of beverages to distribute to everyone.

Everyone immediately caught on; it’s polite to wish them well, after all.

Le Zile listened with a smile, thankful once again that she had made her move early!

Love should be loudly declared!

He Dongchen entered the room and saw his girlfriend’s triumphant expression. “What’s got you so happy?”

Le Zile truthfully explained.

He Dongchen was silent for a moment before saying softly, “Making your move early? You clearly waited a full 8 months for the project to finish before daring to speak out.”

“How did you know?” Le Zile exclaimed, then quickly covered her mouth, pretending as if she hadn’t said anything; adorably so.

Some people might appear seductive, but in reality, they were incredibly cute.

“Of course, I knew. I even have proof.” He Dongchen pulled out his phone and found that initial picture.

Le Zile, dressed in a red dress, hid behind a pillar, her face contorted with anxiety. The clear reflection in the mirror made every detail visible, even her eyelashes were distinctly visible.

“Ahhh!!!” Le Zile screamed, reaching out to snatch the phone.

He Dongchen, using his height and agility, held the phone high above, watching Le Zile jump around in embarrassment with amusement. In a relaxed tone, he added, “Don’t worry, I have more evidence.”

“More?” Le Zile felt like dying inside.

Her image of beauty, elegance, and dignity was completely shattered!

He Dongchen opened the Weibo homepage and pointed to the profile with the username [He’s Wife,] saying, “Look, the earliest comment was shortly after we started shooting.”

Le Zile hadn’t expected her alternate account to be exposed, feeling ashamed and furious.

He Dongchen, not satisfied with just that, directly tagged and retweeted the post.

Then everyone knew; Le Zile, supposedly focused on her career and maintaining a dignified image, had secretly used an alternate account to leave adoring comments on He Dongchen’s Weibo.

Just look at that username, [He’s Wife]!

As fans and bystanders enjoyed the spectacle, someone suddenly commented, “Does this count as successfully ascending to the position of a celebrity chaser?”

Even He Dongchen’s fans were amused.

Thinking about it this way, everyone felt a twinge of jealousy and resentment.

Afterward, Le Zile was mad for several days and didn’t talk to He Dongchen. Then He Dongchen posted a handsome and charming photo, and his cute and obedient girlfriend came back again.

Watching them show their love online, Nian Shiyu felt incredibly upset. Why didn’t anyone believe me?

Once, she accidentally let it slip in public, and everyone fell silent, then speechless.

Now everyone knows that Nian Shiyu was just He Dongchen’s step-sister, and their relationship was ordinary.

Le Zile, full and bored, flirted with He Dongchen to retaliate against Nian Shiyu?

Compared to watching Nian Shiyu eat dirt and call out ‘big sister-in-law,’ isn’t He Dongchen himself more appealing?

Nian Shiyu really thinks too highly of herself.

Many girls who admired Nian Shiwen were discouraged by Nian Shiyu. Nian Yao watched her son drag on year after year, watched He Dongchen fall in love and get married on the other side, and grew more and more anxious. Finally, she ordered her daughter not to interfere in her son’s love affairs anymore.

Nian Shiyu felt wronged. I don’t like those girls. Why did my own brother and mother prefer the other side over me? The more wronged she felt, the more she acted out, eventually making Nian Yao angry enough to send her son abroad for further studies.

***

He Dongchen occasionally heard a few words from Father He, smiled and said nothing, just a person without much importance.

Over the years, He Dongchen and Le Zile’s relationship stabilized. Under Father He’s increasingly anxious pressure to marry, they finally got married and now have a lovely daughter.

In this life, He Dongchen wrote many novels, developed Green Net, and produced numerous excellent films and TV series. Le Zile gradually improved her acting skills step by step, interpreting many classic roles.

In later years, some critics commented that Le Zile’s portrayal in certain dramas wasn’t deep or sad enough.

If Le Zile were still alive, she would surely nod in agreement. Yeah, yeah, being pampered every day, how could I understand that kind of heart-wrenching pain?

Her remarks were just as sour as before.