Chapter 19

Qin Yao sank into thought.

She sat slightly turned, head bowed a little, bright light spilling over her from the courtyard and blurring the fine lines of her face. Under that strong illumination her well-cared-for skin was translucent, not a pore to be seen, and the aura about her—sometimes tender, sometimes cold—was the kind that drew people in and left them unable to pull away.

Xu Chun stared at Qin Yao without blinking. Jiang Zhaolie, snapping back from her own thoughts, caught sight of Xu Chun's expression and felt her heart drop.

Fortunately, after a brief consideration, Qin Yao ultimately gave only Qiao Wan's name. After a few simple questions, Grandpa Xu's face showed undisguised disappointment.

She was still too young, after all.

If there was any chance, he hoped Xu Chun could find someone older, someone who would look after her and be patient with her.

The conversation ran its course without reaching any conclusion. As lunchtime approached, Grandpa Xu, as host, pressed Qin Yao and Jiang Zhaolie to stay for the meal. Qin Yao did not refuse; Jiang Zhaolie wanted to leave but knew this was not the time.

After the birthday banquet, Qin Yao had given Jiang Zhaolie several severe scoldings. Perhaps because of that, once her overheated head had cooled, Jiang Zhaolie realized her earlier behavior had been somewhat rash. She frowned in concentration and thought carefully for a while, then belatedly discovered that lately, the moment anything involving Yu Sui'an came up, she lost all reason.

She had never been like this before. Nor was she the lovestruck sort; otherwise she could never have returned home and so quickly built her own achievements and won unanimous praise.

At work, Jiang Zhaolie was clear-headed and rational. Before making any decision she would weigh the pros and cons over and over, and only act once she was certain the plan would yield the greatest benefit; she would never recklessly do something this impulsive.

She had changed so much... Was it because this was the first time she had ever liked someone this much? So she was willing to make exceptions and change herself for Yu Sui'an's sake?

As Jiang Zhaolie was lost in thought, she caught sight of Xu Chun turning to leave. She instinctively called out to her. When the other stopped and turned back, face full of confusion and eyes wary, Jiang Zhaolie suddenly found herself mute, unsure what she had meant to say.

Xu Chun frowned at her. When Jiang Zhaolie still would not speak, her patience ran out and she said irritably, “If you've got something to say, say it. Spit it out.”

Jiang Zhaolie snapped back to herself, but what came out of her mouth was, “Nothing.”

Xu Chun: “?” Are you insane?

Xu Chun turned and walked off without a second thought. After a few steps, Jiang Zhaolie's voice, pitched very low, drifted after her, “About what happened before... I'm sorry.”

The tone was sincere enough, but Xu Chun only quickened her pace.

Jiang Zhaolie smiled bitterly. She understood Xu Chun's desire to avoid her; after all, she had made Xu Chun lose face publicly, and for the rest of her life she would be gossiped about and laughed at because of Jiang Zhaolie. If it were possible, Jiang Zhaolie would certainly never be so rash again.

Xu Chun thought the two female leads in this novel were simply abnormal. They were going along fine as villains, and then out of nowhere they started acting out some repent-and-reform, turn-over-a-new-leaf routine with her. Did they think she would fall for it? Of course not, because her wise eyes had already seen through everything.

Now that her engagement to Jiang Zhaolie was as good as dissolved and the matter was settled, she would soon be single again. Xu Chun's eyes suddenly lit up. Didn't that mean she could now run wild without restraint?!

Xu Chun was picturing her happy future, eyes curved in a smile, when she unexpectedly met Qin Yao's sharp gaze. Her smile froze instinctively, her expression slowly fading, and she immediately put on a sad, forlorn look, calling softly to Qin Yao, “Sister.”

Qin Yao didn't call her on it. “As for your engagement with Zhaolie, we're waiting for your grandfather to think it over and give me an answer.” She paused for a moment. “But before that, I'd like to ask what you think first.”

What I think? Xu Chun suppressed her inner excitement. That was exactly what she wanted!

But in front of the female lead's mother, she still had to be a bit reserved, so she put on a look of great reluctance and sorrow. She pressed her lips together lightly, expression forlorn. “Zhaolie is a good person. We've known each other since childhood and have been close all these years; there's no denying we share feelings. It's just...” She did not finish, but Qin Yao understood.

Qin Yao noticed the slight downward turn of her lips, her lashes lowered like trembling butterfly wings, and her outwardly pure, flawless look. The corners of Qin Yao's own mouth curved up slightly. Obligingly, she asked, “Just what?”

“It's just that, in the end, there's no place for me in her heart.” Xu Chun's voice was thick with emotion, on the verge of tears. “Even though it pains me terribly and I can't understand how things came to this, I do understand that feelings can't be forced.”

Having said her piece, she once again emphasized her reluctance to part with Jiang Zhaolie, mingled with helplessness. She was a villain after all, and Xu Chun felt she shouldn't go too far; leaving the other a way out was better for everyone.

But Qin Yao, having heard her out, did not follow the expected script. She pondered for a moment, deep eyes full of seriousness. “If you're still unwilling to let Zhaolie go, I can help you.” Qin Yao said it lightly. “She wouldn't dare disobey me.”

Xu Chun was utterly horrified: “?!” Are you the devil?

She could no longer maintain her dramatic expression and declined with a pained look. “No—no need.” She laughed stiffly. “I like to think of myself as a successor of socialism; I couldn't bring myself to steal someone's love like that.” Afraid Qin Yao might take her earlier words seriously, she hurried to cover for herself. “Rather than making both of us miserable, I'd sooner let them be together—call it accumulating good karma for myself.”

Qin Yao said nothing, but her half-smiling eyes rested on Xu Chun, clearly seeing right through her little schemes.

Xu Chun broke into a cold sweat, thinking this person was truly hard to fool. No wonder she could keep Jiang Zhaolie in check and become the novel's greatest villain. But then a new thought struck Xu Chun: wasn't Qin Yao's position now equivalent to the story's ultimate big boss? True, her ending wasn't great, but if there was someone who knew the plot inside and out standing beside her...

Wouldn't the two of them together be a match made in heaven?!

The horizons of her thinking instantly expanded!

The more Xu Chun thought about it, the more she felt this was a sure-win, no-loss proposition. Qin Yao was cool and stunning, and had money, status, and position. She was devoted to her career and kept herself clean, unlike Jiang Zhaolie who ran around causing trouble. And she was Jiang Zhaolie's mother; she could easily keep Jiang Zhaolie and Yu Sui'an in line and stop them from going crazy. There was simply no more perfect marriage candidate.

Qin Yao suddenly noticed that the girl, who only reached her shoulder, had lifted her head, eyes shining like a starving wolf that had spotted meat. “...?”

She instinctively wanted to step back but held herself still, because the green gleam in Xu Chun's eyes had already receded. Instead, Xu Chun was now fidgeting shyly and staring at her, tentatively asking, “Sister, if I break off the engagement with Zhaolie, your family won't be angry, will they?”

Qin Yao: “??”

Xu Chun blinked and continued probing. “I'm just worried that you, out of kindness, helped me save face, but it might conflict with what the rest of your family thinks and affect your relationships.” She shook her head gently, full of consideration. “I don't want you to fall out with your family because of me, sister.”

Qin Yao had lived many years and seen plenty of scheming in the business world. After a brief silence, she finally understood what Xu Chun meant. Her half-smiling eyes fixed on the other's face, and she spoke slowly: “I'm on my own.”

Just as she thought! Xu Chun was overjoyed. She knew a career-focused woman like Qin Yao would never let something like romance trip her up!

Her heart settled back into her chest, but she kept up the act to the end. Xu Chun let out a timely sigh of relief. “That's good. If you were unhappy because of me, sister, I'd be plagued by guilt for the rest of my life.”

Jiang Zhaolie hadn't wanted to interrupt their conversation, but when she heard Xu Chun's whole tea-scented, cloying speech, something possessed her to change her mind. Though she couldn't understand what the other was scheming, instinct told her the other definitely had ill intentions toward her mother.

So she spoke up without hesitation. Xu Chun immediately glared at her twice, and that glare only confirmed Jiang Zhaolie's suspicion. She really did want to fool her mother, to do something to her.

Jiang Zhaolie instantly went on guard. Xu Chun looked at her expressionlessly. Aren't you tired? All day long it's either guarding against Yu Sui'an or guarding against Qin Yao. With vigilance this high, why don't you just go be a lookout?

Xu Chun was very disappointed not to get further conversation with Qin Yao. Qin Yao was busy; who knew when their next meeting would be. If some interloper suddenly appeared in the meantime, she'd have nowhere to cry. She gazed after Qin Yao with reluctance, but Grandpa misunderstood her meaning and earnestly advised her: “Chunchun, Jiang Zhaolie isn't worth it.”

“She's still too young, not steady enough, and not mature enough in the way she does things...”

Xu Chun nodded in strong agreement, then said decisively, “Right. If I'm going to find someone, it should be someone like Qin Yao.”

Grandpa: “???” Say that again?

Jiang Zhaolie vaguely caught two or three words—“find Qin Yao”—and frowned slightly. What did Xu Chun want with her mother? Was she planning to keep running to her mother to tattle on her?

But once this matter was settled, they would clearly have nothing to do with each other anymore.

She thought until her head ached and still couldn't figure it out. Meanwhile, Qin Yao began lecturing her again, so Jiang Zhaolie had to temporarily push down her doubts and obediently listen. She was still afraid of Qin Yao; none of the children of the Qin and Jiang families were unafraid of her. Even some of Jiang Zhaolie's uncles and aunts—elders who were usually arrogant and overbearing—all turned meek as lambs before Qin Yao.

Jiang Zhaolie's mind drifted off. For as long as she could remember, there had been no man or woman at Qin Yao's side. So sometimes she was terribly curious—what kind of person would someone as rare and precious as Qin Yao finally spend her life with?

...

The cast of Secret Crush was announced one after another, and filming would begin shortly. Xu Chun went home, packed her luggage, and, accompanied by her agent, checked into a hotel near the set. The company assigned her two assistants and six bodyguards—partly to look after her, partly to help the agent keep an eye on Yu Sui'an and prevent Xu Chun from falling victim to any more of her schemes.

Although an agreement had been reached with the other team, the agent still couldn't rest easy. She had too much on her plate to stay by Xu Chun's side at all times, so having more people around Xu Chun put her mind at ease.

The production knew about the bad blood between Xu Chun and Yu Sui'an, so they deliberately arranged their rooms on different floors. Yu Sui'an was somewhat disappointed when she found out; she pressed her lips together, but did not insist on having the production change her room.

Push too hard and the prey only struggles harder. Perhaps in a few days, once Xu Chun's anger had cooled a little, they could go back to the way things were.

On the second day, after the whole crew finished the opening ceremony, Xu Chun finished her makeup and changed into the costume required for filming. Xu Chun was tall and slender, and the designer suits she wore fit her with just the right air of understated luxury. With her long black hair elegantly pinned up, her aura was clean and sharp, and when she wasn't smiling there was a faint, aloof air about her that warned people to keep their distance.

It was in this state that Yu Sui'an met her. Perhaps because the other had made her attitude clear to her before, she felt the woman today was especially cold, especially heartless.

The way she looked at her was so unfamiliar, so indifferent—nothing like the former warmth and deep feeling, as though she were merely a colleague she barely knew.

That stark change made Yu Sui'an tense, emotions churning darkly in her eyes. She tried to force a smile and approach, but before she could get close, the other stood and, flanked by assistants and bodyguards like a star surrounded by lesser lights, left her line of sight without sparing her so much as half a glance.

To say she was unmoved would be a lie. An inexplicable suffocation rose in Yu Sui'an's chest, along with a panic she couldn't control. Unlike that earlier calm certainty of victory, this time she truly felt things were slipping beyond her grasp.

Xu Chun truly hadn't noticed Yu Sui'an's presence. Having read through the script carefully once more, she nervously messaged He Qingli: 【What do I do, I feel like I can't do this.】

He Qingli replied immediately: 【Please believe in yourself, you can do it. After all, you're the person who dared to spout nonsense and muddy the waters on a dating show in front of the entire country.】

Xu Chun: “...”

Thank you, kind soul, for the encouragement. She felt much more relaxed.

Yu Sui'an had always worked hard on her acting, so although this was Xu Chun's first time working with her, after a brief period of adjustment the filming went very smoothly. Watching her look so frail, as if any bone in her body might snap with a light twist, Xu Chun felt a perverse desire to torment her rise in her heart.

When she came back to herself, Xu Chun fell silent.

But after a moment, she found herself a beautiful excuse and reason. She had simply gotten too deep into character. She really was born to be an actress!

So after filming ended, Xu Chun accepted everyone's rainbow farts with a clear conscience and a smile, proudly puffing out her chest. “It's also because everyone cooperated so well together.”

Everyone exchanged knowing glances and obligingly followed along, offering a few more words of flattery and praise.

The mood on set was harmonious, but when Yu Sui'an's fans saw the photos sent back by the on-set photographers, none of them could sit still. 【Is Xu Chun using this to get her revenge? She's so rough with Suisui, no tenderness at all. Isn't she just using the shoot to take revenge on Suisui?】

【Since you fans are saying it yourselves, Yu Sui'an must have done something especially outrageous before, so Xu Chun is taking the chance to get back at her. Everyone disperse. This is exactly what Yu Sui'an deserves.】

【I seem to recall that a certain someone's idol just a couple days ago snatched someone's rich heiress fiancée and even egged that fiancée on to publicly cut ties with her, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. You haven't forgotten what your idol did already, have you?】

【Ugh, some people just selectively forget certain things. Pure playacting at being blind and deaf.】

【Heaven has eyes. What goes around comes around. I wonder how long this drama will shoot? If it could shoot for half a year, ten months, even better.】

【Agreed. Adapting a three-million-word novel for the screen. It should take at least a year or two, right?】

【As a fan of the original novel, I hope the production presents every spicy detail from the source in exhaustive detail. Otherwise, we one hundred million original-novel fans won't care whether it's Yu Sui'an or whoever. We'll attack indiscriminately!】

Yu Sui'an's fans: 【...】

Their idol filming some domineering-CEO-falls-in-love-with-me melodrama with that person was already gross enough, and now she had to film that kind of scene too? They were so disgusted on Yu Sui'an's behalf they wanted to haul up the train tracks and run away overnight.

Original-novel fans hadn't expected the two sides to be at each other's throats so fiercely on the very first day of shooting either. They couldn't help but marvel: 【Who knew things off-screen would be even more entertaining than on-screen. Plenty of drama to snack on in the months ahead.】

After waiting patiently again and again, Yu Sui'an found that Xu Chun showed not the slightest intention of approaching her or talking to her, not even to discuss the script. She lowered her lashes lightly and had no choice but to go over herself. “Sister, you were in great form today.” Yu Sui'an said softly. “More vivid than any shoot before.”

Yu Sui'an pressed her lips into a soft smile. “I really like the way you are today, sister. I hope that every day from now on, I'll get to see a performance as wonderful as today's.”

“But.” The smile at the corners of Yu Sui'an's mouth faded a little. She lifted her head and slowly met Xu Chun's gaze. “Sister, you don't need to go easy on me, to be so careful with me. Even if you treat me roughly and violently, it's all right.”

Xu Chun was utterly baffled: “...?”

Who on earth volunteers to be mistreated?

This was simply too perverse!