Chapter 111

The next morning, the sun was already high, and Kong Xiyan was still lazing in bed. Chi Wanzhao, fully dressed, turned to see Kong Xiyan curled up under the blanket, shifting occasionally. She walked over and called out, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan furrowed her brows, annoyed by the noise, and turned over to ignore her. But with nothing on under the blanket, the movement exposed her fair shoulders, delicate and charming, marked with faint pink traces.

Chi Wanzhao lowered her head and called her name twice more. The person in bed still ignored her, presenting her back. Out of options, Chi Wanzhao bent down and gently bit her shoulder. Kong Xiyan immediately flinched, letting out a pained voice.

"That hurts."

Her voice, just awakened, carried a hint of complaint. She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket before turning over to see Chi Wanzhao, who was already dressed.

"What time is it?"

Chi Wanzhao glanced at her wristwatch. "Eight."

Kong Xiyan froze for a moment, then snapped back. "Eight?"

Chi Wanzhao nodded.

Remembering that Wang Haining's flight was at ten, Kong Xiyan quickly sat up, the blanket slipping from her shoulders to rest at her chest, revealing her fair skin with a few faint red marks here and there.

Chi Wanzhao sat down beside her, her gaze burning.

Noticing the intense stare, Kong Xiyan looked down, then blushed. "Stop staring!"

Chi Wanzhao replied, "Weren't you telling me to look properly last night?"

Kong Xiyan: ...

Seeing her flustered reaction, Chi Wanzhao merely pursed her lips in a smile and got up to leave.

Downstairs, Wang Haining was already ready. She hadn't brought much luggage when she arrived, and now she was leaving with just a small suitcase. Chi Wanzhao came down and asked her about Changning, and they both sat on the sofa waiting for Kong Xiyan to come down.

Time ticked by. Wang Haining glanced at her phone and said casually, "By the way, CEO Chi, Brother Sheng asked me to ask when you'd be free to visit Changning. He's never dealt with anything like this before and has no idea, so he's worried your investment might be wasted."

Chi Wanzhao lowered her gaze. "Alright, I'll have Zhou Sheng contact him."

Wang Haining nodded.

Just as they finished speaking, Kong Xiyan came downstairs. Wang Haining was about to make her breakfast, but Kong Xiyan stopped her—after seeing Wang Haining off, she needed to rush back to change, as the filming ceremony for "Dawn" was in the afternoon.

She had planned to set her alarm for seven and have time to chat with Wang Haining, but last night had been exhausting, and she'd slept in until now.

Seeing her flustered expression, Wang Haining said, "I understand."

Kong Xiyan turned to look at her.

Silence.

Chi Wanzhao interjected at the right moment, "Let's go. Zhou Sheng is already waiting."

Wang Haining stood up, picked up her small suitcase, and just as she stepped out, she saw Kong Xiyan emerging with a slightly larger suitcase, looking puzzled. "What's this?"

Kong Xiyan pointed to the suitcase. "New Year gifts for the children. Please bring them back and hand them out."

Wang Haining didn't know when Kong Xiyan had prepared these and gave a helpless smile. "What's inside?"

Kong Xiyan replied, "Things the kids will enjoy."

Wang Haining simply nodded and asked no more.

Once in the car, Wang Haining received a call from the principal. Voices of several children came through—since school hadn't started, the kids must have gathered at the principal's house. Among them, she recognized the most familiar one: Yuanyuan.

Yuanyuan's childish voice came through softly. "Teacher Wang, are you coming back today?"

Wang Haining's eyes softened. "Yes, I'm coming back."

Yuanyuan cheered happily, and the other children started asking about Teacher Kong. Kong Xiyan took the phone from Wang Haining, exchanged a few words with the children, and wished them a happy New Year. Hearing those young voices, she felt a surge of emotion.

Seeing her expression soften, Chi Wanzhao squeezed her hand. Kong Xiyan squeezed back and smiled.

After a brief chat with the children, she spoke with the principal for a while. The moment she hung up, they arrived at the airport. Kong Xiyan wanted to get out and see Wang Haining off, but Wang Haining refused. "Zhou Sheng can escort me in. You and CEO Chi don't need to come inside."

After all, the commotion she caused at the airport was still trending on Weibo. She was a walking traffic magnet now, wherever she went it was headline news.

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment and looked at Chi Wanzhao, who nodded. "Don't get out."

"Alright."

Wang Haining got out and saw Kong Xiyan slumped against the car window, looking at her forlornly, clearly unhappy.

It made her laugh.

Zhou Sheng accompanied Wang Haining in and came out shortly after. Once he was back in the car, Chi Wanzhao said, "Drop the missus off at the apartment first, then to the company."

"Understood, CEO Chi."

Kong Xiyan kept her eyes on the window. Wang Haining probably hadn't boarded yet, but unfortunately, she couldn't see her off personally.

She sighed. Chi Wanzhao leaned closer. "Don't worry. If you want to go back, we'll pick another time."

After all, that place, Changning—she liked it too.

It was just that, if they went this time, things were bound to look quite different.

Hearing Chi Wanzhao's consolation, Kong Xiyan leaned against her shoulder, took her hand, and said, "Alright. Once I'm done filming 'Dawn,' we'll go back together."

Chi Wanzhao hummed in agreement.

Zhou Sheng drove Kong Xiyan to the apartment, then quickly took Chi Wanzhao to the company.

As soon as Kong Xiyan entered the apartment, she received a message from Wang Haining saying she had boarded. She replied telling her to travel safely and set her phone down on the coffee table. Yanyan had been trailing her since she got home, refusing to leave her side. Kong Xiyan had to tiptoe carefully, even to the bathroom, afraid of stepping on her.

The cat had missed her during her absence and was especially clingy.

For lunch, Kong Xiyan just had some noodles and fed Yanyan her cat food. The apartment hadn't been lived in for a while, and many things were running low. She figured she'd need to go to the supermarket after the filming ceremony.

Just as she was thinking about it, her phone on the coffee table rang. She assumed it was Fu Qiu reminding her about the ceremony, but was surprised to see a familiar name on the screen.

Guan Xiaoying.

Kong Xiyan hesitated for a moment, then answered.

"Hey, Xiyan, when did you get married?"

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment. "In October."

Guan Xiaoying's tone paused. "No wonder you wouldn't come to Xinhui—it's because of CEO Chi. But Xiyan, you're really something, getting married without even telling me."

"Are you not considering me a friend anymore?"

Kong Xiyan's expression darkened slightly. She said, "Xiaoying, I have something I want to return to you. If you have time..."

Guan Xiaoying immediately replied, "I have time. With you asking, I'm free anytime. How about this: I heard today is the filming ceremony for 'Dawn,' and I'll be near there. Call me when it's over, okay?"

Kong Xiyan said calmly, "Alright."

She agreed and hung up, her face turning serious.

Not two minutes later, Fu Qiu called to remind her about the ceremony and said she'd pick her up near the apartment in half an hour.

Kong Xiyan patted her cheeks and went to her room to change.

She wore a red dress with a ruffled hem that reached her ankles, adorned with white polka dots. The V-neckline revealed her fair, slender neck, and a silver necklace disappeared into the collar, adding a bit of subtle allure.

The dress was fitted at the waist.

During this time, Kong Xiyan had been eating poorly and had slimmed down considerably. In this dress, her waist looked impossibly tiny.

Once changed, she received a call from Fu Qiu. Kong Xiyan took her long trench coat from the rack, slipped it on over the dress, and hid her beautiful figure.

Fu Qiu hadn't seen Kong Xiyan since before the New Year—almost two weeks. When she saw Kong Xiyan walking toward her in a flowing dress with her hair down and a faint smile on her face, she couldn't help but marvel.

Absolutely stunning!

Kong Xiyan reached Fu Qiu and saw her still staring blankly. She laughed. "What's the matter?"

Fu Qiu snapped back to reality, helped Kong Xiyan into the car, and said, "It's just been a while since I saw you, Sister Kong, and you've changed."

Kong Xiyan sat down and touched her cheek. "Really? Lost weight?"

Fu Qiu shook her head. "You've become fairy-like. Ethereal and beautiful!"

Kong Xiyan burst out laughing at her exaggerated expression and patted her head. "You little rascal."

Fu Qiu broke into a grin.

Originally, for today's ceremony, Tong Yue had booked a stylist. But since Kong Xiyan had already put on her dress, the stylist was dismissed, leaving just her makeup and hair. Fu Qiu sat on a stool waiting for Kong Xiyan, stars in her eyes.

She thought to herself that Sister Kong would definitely be the most beautiful one at the ceremony today!

Kong Xiyan tilted her head and noticed Fu Qiu's fan-girl look, smiling softly. Her slightly cold expression blossomed like a flower, lovely beyond measure.

Seeing that, Fu Qiu quickly said, "Sister Kong, don't smile at me like that anymore!"

"It's too much!"

After finishing her makeup, Kong Xiyan walked over and tapped her head. "Come on, it's time."

Only then did Fu Qiu grab her bag and trail behind Kong Xiyan.

The two quickly got into the car.

Today was the filming ceremony for "Dawn," and all the cast members were expected to attend. While abroad, Kong Xiyan had heard the male lead was settled—a film star named Yuan Xiujun who had won Best Actor last year.

The name wasn't unfamiliar to Kong Xiyan. Yuan Xiujun had started as a child actor, starring in numerous TV dramas, and was beloved by viewers. His name was practically a household word.

Kong Xiyan was taken aback when she learned he'd be in this film, but then understood.

The year before last, Director Lin won thirteen international awards with "Mountain Woman," causing a stir in the industry.

And "Dawn" was clearly not a commercial film but an art piece, the kind usually aimed at awards.

So it was clear that Director Lin wanted to make a splash again with "Dawn." Given his experience and reputation, it would be hard for "Dawn" not to win awards.

And Yuan Xiujun had spent years in the industry, acting in countless roles. Now his choices were based on the script's impact rather than the paycheck. Though he'd won Best Actor last year, he wasn't confident in his position.

So when Director Lin extended an offer, he naturally came.

Lost in thought, Kong Xiyan heard Fu Qiu say, "Sister Kong, we're here."

She looked out the window and saw many people had already arrived, with journalists holding cameras and snapping photos. Fu Qiu opened the door and helped Kong Xiyan out, and soon reporters gathered around.

"It's Kong Xiyan!"

"Kong Xiyan is here!"

"Miss Kong, can you share your feelings about participating in 'Dawn'?"

"Miss Kong, is what you said on Weibo true? Are you really married to the CEO of Jingyan?"

"Miss Kong, ..."

Kong Xiyan had just stepped out when she was surrounded by reporters. Fu Qiu and several security guards shielded her as she made her way inside. Kong Xiyan nodded to the crowd, offering only a smile and no words. As she was about to enter the hall, she heard the sound of a car door opening behind her, and then the reporters swarmed past her.

"Miss Chai, are you planning to return to China for your career?"

"Miss Chai, what do you think of the online rumors about you and the CEO of Jingyan?"

"Miss Chai, there are rumors that you're close with the CEO of Jingyan. Did you know she was getting married?"

Facing the barrage of questions, Chai Yin smiled frankly. "Dear friends of the press, today is the premiere press conference for 'Dawn.' Discussing personal matters isn't really appropriate. But since everyone is so concerned about my relationship with CEO Chi..."

"All I can say is, we've always been friends. And of course, I'm also friends with CEO Chi's wife, Miss Kong."

With that, she walked straight ahead until she stood before Kong Xiyan, smiled, and said, "Congratulations on your marriage."

Kong Xiyan smiled in return. "Thank you."