Chapter 55
Zhao Ciying watched Xu Chun, who looked ready to cry, and smiled. Her pale lips curved slowly. A mischievous grin on her face, she said deliberately, “I thought seeing your ex-girlfriend riding high on my coattails would make you want to poach me from her—steal me away for yourself.”
She fixed Xu Chun with a deep smile. “Didn’t expect that in the end, I’d be the one measuring a gentleman by a petty man’s standards.”
Every word out of Zhao Ciying’s mouth made Xu Chun’s heart clench tighter, until it felt like a knife was carving into her chest and she could barely breathe. Yet in front of Qin Yao and Jiang Banxia, she had no choice but to force a smile and pretend she had no interest in Zhao Ciying whatsoever. “Suisui being favored by President Zhao is certainly her good fortune.”
Xu Chun smiled stiffly. “The rest of us can only envy her.”
“Oh?” Zhao Ciying raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Her thick lashes fluttered lightly. She hummed, drawing it out, then suddenly leaned in close, her magnetic voice taking on a seductive edge. “You really don’t want to poach me from your ex-girlfriend and have me for yourself?” Zhao Ciying laughed freely, continuing to tempt Xu Chun without restraint. “She betrayed you, stole your fiancée, and nearly ruined your reputation. Don’t tell me you don’t hate her even a little?”
Zhao Ciying’s tone was level, her eyes fixed on Xu Chun’s. “Don’t you want a little revenge?”
“Just nod right now...” She was like a devil whispering temptation. “And I’ll be yours.”
Xu Chun’s breath caught. She couldn’t deny the flicker of temptation. Zhao Ciying seemed to sense her hesitation and pressed on. “Just say the word right now, and I’ll blacklist her across the whole world. She’ll never have a chance to rise again. How about it?”
Zhao Ciying was indeed skilled at seduction. At least, Xu Chun was now tempted to test the edge of danger. But with Qin Yao and Jiang Banxia watching her, four eyes in all, Xu Chun managed to hold on to a shred of reason. She waved a hand at Zhao Ciying, firm and assured. “No, no, no. President Zhao, you’re joking.”
She put on a serious face, acting so well she almost believed it herself. “Do I look like that kind of person?”
“Even though things ended badly between Yu Sui’an and me, I’m pure of heart, broad-minded, and kindhearted. I would absolutely never do something so petty behind someone’s back.” Her small face was tense, her tone severe. “Please don’t say things like that again, President Zhao.”
“Oh.” Zhao Ciying’s manner suddenly turned cold. “So what you’re saying is—I’m a despicable, shameless villain who schemes behind people’s backs.”
Xu Chun: “?” Hong Shixian’s confusion.jpg
When had she said that? She hadn’t said a single bad word about Zhao Ciying.
Zhao Ciying sneered at her. “Miss Xu, I’ll remember you.” Her attitude shifted abruptly, her presence thoroughly unfriendly. “I’ll be keeping a close eye on you from now on.”
Xu Chun nearly dropped dead on the spot. She wasn’t naive enough to think Zhao Ciying’s “attention” would be benevolent or good for her.
Realizing she’d failed to poach anyone and only gotten herself burned, Xu Chun instantly felt like crying.
She silently made her way to Qin Yao’s side, her meaning obvious. Zhao Ciying clearly understood as well, and with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, nodded at Qin Yao in greeting. “Long time no see, President Qin.”
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression unreadable. “I’ve been busy lately. I haven’t had the chance to properly thank you for looking after my sister and defending her back then.”
Zhao Ciying certainly had a sharp tongue. Qin Yao remained calm, showing no sign of irritation at her passive aggression. “No need for thanks.” A faint smile crossed her striking features. “It was a small effort.”
The woman’s reply was impeccable. Zhao Ciying knew she wouldn’t gain the upper hand with Qin Yao, just as before, so she wisely refrained from clashing with her this time.
Before leaving, she cast a meaningful glance at Xu Chun. Xu Chun trembled and instinctively pressed closer to Qin Yao, wedging herself completely between Jiang Banxia and Qin Yao. Only then did she feel a sliver of safety.
Jiang Banxia watched her stir up trouble and then look terrified. “...”
She was speechless for a long moment. In that interval, Zhao Ciying had already clicked away on her high heels at an unhurried pace. As big shots, their seats naturally weren’t next to the celebrities’. Qin Yao lowered her eyes, her fine lashes sweeping down, then fixed Xu Chun with a calm stare and said nothing.
Xu Chun immediately snapped to attention and raised a hand to prove her innocence. “I absolutely do not have any ideas in that direction.”
“I swear.”
Her words were firm, her earnest eyes and sincere expression hard to disbelieve. Qin Yao was short on time and didn’t bother arguing; she headed in the direction Zhao Ciying had gone. The moment she left, Jiang Banxia moved too. Xu Chun reflexively called out, “Why are you going that way too?”
“Because I’m the Jiang family heir.” Jiang Banxia smiled faintly. “Did you forget?”
Xu Chun stared blankly. “Then I’m the Xu family heir too—so why didn’t the brand put my seat with yours?” Sure, the Xu family was only a minor wealthy clan, but it was still a real wealthy clan, wasn’t it?
Jiang Banxia narrowed her eyes. “So you really want to be over here?”
She tilted her head, smiling gently. “Is it because you’re upset that your status as a wealthy heir wasn’t acknowledged...” She asked slowly, “Or are you displeased because you’ve lost the chance to flirt around everywhere?”
Jiang Banxia considered herself a fairly good judge of Xu Chun. “Those things you said in front of President Qin just now were all to brush her off, weren’t they?” She smiled slightly. “Deep down, you never intended to give up on cozying up to Zhao Ciying, did you?”
“Of course not.” Xu Chun answered without so much as a flushed face or a quickened breath, then didn’t dare ask another word about seating. She hurriedly changed the subject and fled. “I’m running late. I’ve got to go.”
She lifted her skirt and rushed off, waving goodbye to Jiang Banxia. “See you when this is over.”
Jiang Banxia watched her calmly, smiling. “Sure.” She watched Xu Chun’s steps gradually slow, then added softly, “If I don’t see you later, I’ll come find you at home.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your parents. I can take the chance to pay them a proper visit, and thank them for the local specialty they brought me last time.”
The “specialty” was just a pack of spiced duck Tang Shiyu had grabbed from the car one time in university when she came to pick Xu Chun up. She’d spotted Jiang Banxia beside her daughter and decided to show a little elder-to-junior kindness. Who’d have known Jiang Banxia would remember it all this time?
Now Jiang Banxia was using the excuse of thanking Tang Shiyu to visit the house. Xu Chun didn’t need to think hard to know her intentions went well beyond simple gratitude.
Just picturing the scene gave Xu Chun an instant headache. Jiang Banxia was excellent at pleasantries, and Tang Shiyu was the talkative, chatty type. If those two women sat down together... it wasn’t even impossible that Jiang Banxia would end up staying the night.
Even more horrifying: after one evening, the two might start calling each other sister and become best friends.
Then would she have any chance of rebelling against Jiang Banxia in the future?
But as the saying goes, misfortunes never come singly. Before she’d even dealt with this headache, Yu Sui’an appeared in her line of sight. Xu Chun paused mid-step, then without a second thought pretended to be blind and turned to walk the other way.
“Jie.” Unfortunately, Yu Sui’an called out softly, stopping her.
Yu Sui’an hurried over, delighted, but when she saw Xu Chun’s expressionless face and remembered how evasive she’d been, her eyes dimmed involuntarily. “Jie, are you avoiding me?”
“No,” Xu Chun said, gazing at the sky. After a moment, she nodded, not bothering to hide it. “But if you want to interpret it that way, fine.”
Glancing at Yu Sui’an, she made an excuse. “The event’s about to start, I should go...” Before she could finish, Yu Sui’an’s fair arm rose to block her. Her eyes fixed on Xu Chun, unblinking. “Jie, I just saw you talking to President Zhao.”
“Jie, were you doing that on purpose?” Yu Sui’an bit her lip lightly. “You’re not the kind of person who’d do something like that, but you did it anyway. So were you doing it deliberately, just to make me jealous?”
“You clearly know I don’t like you being around other women, yet you went out of your way to approach President Zhao, who’s been helping me so much lately. You just wanted to get my attention, then get back at me, make me hurt and regret it, right?”
Yu Sui’an couldn’t help a bitter smile. “I admit it, jie. You succeeded.”
“Seeing you laughing and chatting with President Zhao just now, I admit I was insanely jealous of her. I wished it was me standing in front of you, keeping you company.”
“If I were outstanding enough, if there were enough about me to interest you—would you stop passing me over for other women? Would you think only of me every day instead?”
“I’m sorry.” Yu Sui’an suddenly lowered her head in apology. “It’s all my fault for not being good enough yet.”
Xu Chun genuinely wore the expression of the subway grandpa looking at his phone: “?”
She’d seen people PUA others, but never someone who, once she got ruthless, would PUA even herself.
She truly couldn’t get on Yu Sui’an’s wavelength. “I don’t really understand what you’re saying right now.” Xu Chun no longer wanted to tangle with Yu Sui’an. “I don’t mean any of what you’re describing. You’re overthinking it.”
“No matter what you become, we can never go back to how we were.” Xu Chun advised her kindly. “So let me go, and let yourself go too.”
“I don’t believe it.” Yu Sui’an’s eyes suddenly widened with agitation. “I don’t believe what you just said, jie!”
“You don’t actually think that way. You just want revenge and want me to suffer. That’s why you said those things.” Yu Sui’an couldn’t help raising her voice. “Jie, why do you have to be like this?”
“Does seeing me suffer make you happy?” Yu Sui’an smiled bitterly. “Does seeing me wish I were dead make you feel better?”
“Someone as kind as you, jie—when you see me unhappy, you can’t possibly feel good about it either.” She stepped forward, lowering herself to plead humbly. “Jie, please stop being angry with me, alright? I already know I was wrong, and I’ve already been punished.”
“So let’s just let that matter go, alright?”
Xu Chun was utterly baffled—why was this person so stuck in her own world? Apparently everything she’d just said had been wasted.
“Impossible.” Xu Chun rejected her again without hesitation, then repeated, “Seeing you suffer—yes, it does make me feel better.”
“Seeing you do so many wrong things and still face no punishment, still riding high, fills me with indignation. So I’m going to poach President Zhao, leave you isolated and without support, and let all the people you once hurt turn on you. Only that will satisfy the hate in my heart.”
Her words were harsh, but after hearing them, Yu Sui’an only fell silent.
It was a long while before she raised her head, smiling faintly, not the least bit angry. “Jie, if you want President Zhao, just say the word.”
“I’ll give her to you.” Her eyes and brows held a smile. “I don’t care about any of that. I just need you to be happy.”
Xu Chun: “???”
...So twisted.
Goosebumps rose all over her. Now even if Yu Sui’an wanted to give, Xu Chun didn’t dare take. She suddenly recalled how everyone said Zhao Ciying, once unhinged, was even worse than Yu Sui’an, so she immediately abandoned any thought of cozying up to Zhao Ciying.
One Yu Sui’an was already terrifying enough. Add Zhao Ciying to the mix, and... she feared she’d die young.
“No thanks.” Xu Chun shook her head hurriedly, then, ignoring Yu Sui’an’s attempts to make her stay, click-clacked away on her heels. As she fled, she wondered: why were there so few normal people in this world?
Was this the legendary broken yuri novel? Love it, love it.
Xu Chun thought expressionlessly.
The brand event dragged on for a long time. Xu Chun mingled among the crowd and ran into He Qingli. He Qingli smiled on the surface, but upon seeing Yu Sui’an trailing after Xu Chun, a few choice curses flitted through her mind.
She walked over to Xu Chun. “Why did you bring her here?”
Xu Chun turned around and immediately protested, “I’m innocent!”
“I don’t want to deal with her either, but she insisted on following me—what could I do?” she said with heartfelt anguish. Recalling Yu Sui’an’s earth-shattering, outrageous nonsense, Xu Chun held back and held back, ultimately unwilling to hear it a second time—even though those words had come from her own mouth.
He Qingli’s eyelid twitched. She sighed. “Good thing she’s busy filming other stuff right now. Otherwise, just wait and see if she doesn’t follow you into the new production.”
Xu Chun hadn’t even considered that until He Qingli brought it up. Then she paled in alarm as the realization hit her. In the new drama, aside from her own somewhat larger role, there was another female character with a fair amount of screen time. That role had been contested by various factions and still hadn’t been decided.
If that role fell into Yu Sui’an’s hands with Zhao Ciying’s help...
Xu Chun shuddered violently.
Her eyes darted around. While He Qingli wasn’t looking, she stealthily pulled out her phone and sent the director a message: 【Director, you know the second female lead hasn’t been decided, and it’s affecting our filming schedule? I have someone in mind I’d like to recommend. Would you take a look?】
She then sent over He Qingli’s credits and résumé.
The director had been under pressure from all sides lately, so stressed his hair was about to fall out. Now Xu Chun had suddenly charged onto the battlefield, mercifully volunteering to draw the fire for him—how could he not welcome it?
He immediately agreed: 【Yes, yes, yes! Great, have her join the production with you tomorrow!】
Xu Chun’s popularity was high right now, and she had ties to both the Jiang family and the Qin Group. The director figured that even if the others were unhappy, they’d understand his predicament out of consideration for those two powers, wouldn’t they?
Before, he’d been pulled in every direction. Agreeing to anyone would offend someone else. But with Xu Chun in the mix, it was different. At most he’d get a few complaints; they wouldn’t dare actually do anything to him.
Unless they thought their capital and backing could surpass those two families—otherwise, no deal.
At that moment, the director practically regarded Xu Chun as his savior. Clumsy with words as he was, he managed to stammer out a great many awkward compliments before stopping.
The director’s impatient, couldn’t-be-more-eager attitude, however, made Xu Chun fall silent. Had she just... been too rash and presumptuous? Why did this feel fishy?
Unfortunately, the die was cast. Xu Chun could only put away her phone and turn to He Qingli to claim credit. “I just got you the second female lead in my drama.” She smiled smugly. “With me here, even if Yu Sui’an has the world in her grasp, she won’t be able to squeeze you out and replace you.”
He Qingli: “???” Sis, you really are something.
He Qingli had looked into this drama before. Though its effect on boosting one’s prestige was unimaginable, the filming process would be brutal. A senior actress she knew had told her that ninety percent of each day on set was spent struggling and running through harsh environments, undoubtedly hell for a delicate female star.
Upon learning that, He Qingli had abandoned the competition without a second thought.
Boosting prestige was important, but some money... wasn’t strictly worth earning. And with her lonely, unsupported background, she surely couldn’t outcompete those backed by patrons and families. Better to bow out gracefully early than lose ugly later.
Who’d have known that in just a few breaths, her good idol would secure the role for her!
At that moment, He Qingli felt like closing her eyes and fainting on the spot.
But looking at Xu Chun’s slightly shining eyes, eager like a puppy hoping for praise, she forced out a smile uglier than a crying face. “Thank you, Sister Xu Chun.” She gripped Xu Chun’s hand tightly. “You really are my good sister.”
“Oh, no need to be so polite with me.” Xu Chun felt a little embarrassed. “Just treat me to a meal.”
He Qingli’s mouth twitched. “...Naturally.”
At least she had a job now, better than sitting at home twiddling her thumbs. And with Xu Chun shielding her from above, even if Yu Sui’an found her disagreeable, she presumably couldn’t make a move against her anymore.
Thinking that, her urge to cry eased considerably.
After the two finished chatting, staff soon came to invite the female stars over for photos. Xu Chun and He Qingli stood together, one bright and commanding, the other sweet and demure, quickly drawing the eyes and lenses of the media.
Yu Sui’an bit her lip lightly, involuntarily recalling how, back when she and Xu Chun hadn’t broken up, they too had walked red carpets together like this, appearing openly before the media’s cameras without any need to hide or dodge.
That was her most beautiful memory. Back then, everyone knew her jie belonged to her, that she couldn’t be casually touched or coveted. But now...
The women around her jie changed one after another, and the sheer number left her powerless and furious.
She wished she could drive away every woman around her, then go over and stay by her side herself, no matter the occasion. She wished she could loudly declare to the whole world that her jie belonged to her alone, that no one could take her away.
But in truth, the people around the other woman were each more formidable than the last, each more powerful and wealthy. Before them, she was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, as lowly as an ant.
Yu Sui’an couldn’t stop herself from thinking—if only she too had been born among the elite.
If only she had been born with power and influence, money, status, position. She would stop at nothing to win her back.
Her nails dug deep into her palm until a staff member raised their voice slightly to call her. Yu Sui’an snapped back to reality, shooting the staff member an icy look. “Got it.”
Today’s event didn’t have many requirements or content. Given Xu Chun’s current fame and popularity, she only needed to dress up and make an appearance so her popularity wouldn’t suffer once she entered the new production.
The new drama’s scheduled filming period wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either; still, if a star went too long without appearing, she’d inevitably be gradually forgotten.
The company’s plan was to use today’s opportunity to stockpile material and send out press releases, then while Xu Chun was filming, rehash old content and market her beauty.
This strategy was the most effective way to maintain traffic, so the team unanimously agreed. Without it, Xu Chun would be taking advantage of her rare free day before joining the production tomorrow to lie at home and rest.
But just as celebrities had their motives, brands naturally wanted to extract profit from them too. Take Xu Chun: wearing the brand’s jewelry and wristwatch, she wandered the venue like a human display stand. If any big boss took an interest in what she wore, they’d call over the brand’s staff and purchase it, indirectly boosting the brand’s sales.
But Zhao Ciying didn’t play by the rules. She called out to the wandering Xu Chun. “Come here.”
Xu Chun turned, realized she was being addressed, and pointed at herself in surprise. “Me?”
Zhao Ciying nodded and beckoned. “You.”
With a slight frown, Xu Chun lifted her skirt and slowly walked over, stopping before Zhao Ciying. Zhao Ciying didn’t mince words. “You’re with Qin Yao now, aren’t you?”
“Dump her, and come work with me instead.” She swirled the champagne in her glass leisurely. “How about it?”
Tempting as it was, Qin Yao was watching from not far away, so Xu Chun refused without a second thought. “Sorry, I’m afraid that won’t work...”
Before she finished, Zhao Ciying cut her off. “Interesting. You’re very interesting.”
“But the more you refuse me... the more interested I become.” Zhao Ciying’s gaze fixed on her, brimming with deep amusement. “The more I want to snatch you away.”
She didn’t bother lowering her voice, so when others’ eyes turned toward them, the smile on Xu Chun’s face froze.
So twisted!
Since when did people still run this kind of forced-romance, overpowering-the-reluctant script—
It was absolutely thrilling!