Chapter 112

A fair number of actors came to the ceremony, including the leads, special guests, and a few of the performers playing college students. Kong Xiyan made a round backstage but didn't see Gu Ling. Fu Qiu noticed her scanning the crowd and asked, puzzled, "Sister Kong, what's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan tilted her head. "Didn't Gu Ling say she was in this drama? Why hasn't she shown up?"

She and Gu Ling weren't close, but Gu Ling had visited her in the hospital with Tong Yue, so it was natural enough to ask.

Fu Qiu chuckled at her question. "Sister Kong, Gu Ling's assistant said she's feeling unwell and can't make it today."

Kong Xiyan nodded. Soon, director Lin Yisen arrived. Just as she'd seen on TV last time, Director Lin was young and handsome, his suit making him look like he'd just stepped off a runway. Kong Xiyan had heard that when he first started directing, people had tried to recruit him for acting roles.

He was something of a legend.

Lin Yisen walked straight over to Kong Xiyan and Yuan Xiujun, smiling. "I'm sure I don't need to introduce you two—both of you are big names in the industry."

Yuan Xiujun turned to look at Kong Xiyan. "No need. We met yesterday."

"Miss Kong is quite the sensation on Weibo right now."

Kong Xiyan smiled modestly. "Mr. Yuan loves to tease. I've known of Mr. Yuan for ages but never had the chance to collaborate. I'm so glad we can work together now."

Yuan Xiujun's handsome face held a light smile. "Miss Kong certainly knows how to speak."

Director Lin cut in. "Indeed, but now you'll have to call her Mrs. Chi."

Yuan Xiujun quickly corrected himself. "Right, right. Mrs. Chi, Mrs. Chi."

Kong Xiyan's cheeks flushed as if she were shy. "Alright, Mr. Yuan and Director Lin, stop teasing me. Just call me Xiyan. I don't want to hear those awkward titles for the next few months of filming."

Director Lin understood. "Fine, Xiyan."

Just then, Director Lin's assistant came over to say everything was ready and they could begin.

Yuan Xiujun turned to Kong Xiyan. "Shall we go?"

Kong Xiyan replied, "Sure. After you, Mr. Yuan."

He walked ahead of her, saying, "Since we're filming together, let's not be so formal. I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, you can call me Brother Yuan."

Kong Xiyan quickly responded, "Of course not."

Yuan Xiujun smiled and didn't say anything more.

They'd been chatting backstage, but the ceremony was to be held in front. Director Lin stood by the curtain, waving to her and Yuan Xiujun. "Time to go on stage."

Kong Xiyan and Yuan Xiujun exchanged a glance. They each had their assistants touch up their makeup and clothes, then headed onto the stage.

The seats below were packed with reporters. As soon as they spotted Kong Xiyan and Yuan Xiujun, they frantically clicked their shutters, a sea of flashing lights. Director Lin led Kong Xiyan and Yuan Xiujun to their seats, followed by the Q&A session.

Actually, there had already been a press conference for *Dawn* earlier, where Wei Yan and He Wei were announced as the male and female leads. No one had expected what would happen afterward.

The questions about the plot of *Dawn* had already been covered last time. Today's reporters were less interested in the ceremony than in Kong Xiyan and Chai Yin.

Kong Xiyan had just announced her marriage on Weibo, with no warning at all, stunning everyone.

And to make matters worse, Chai Yin had chosen this exact moment to return.

These reporters were always chasing rumors, able to spin a story from nothing. And Chai Yin had previously had some connection with the CEO of Jingyan—and Kong Xiyan's marriage partner was none other than Jingyan's CEO.

To them, this chain of events was deeply connected.

Even if it weren't, they'd invent one.

Sure enough, after a couple of token questions about *Dawn*, the focus shifted to Kong Xiyan, who was playing the female lead. A reporter stood up and asked bluntly, "Miss Kong, did you and the CEO of Jingyan start dating in secret? How long have you been together?"

Kong Xiyan smiled gracefully at the question. "I don't think today is appropriate for discussing personal matters."

The same reporter persisted. "Miss Kong, are you avoiding the question? There were no signs of you two before, so why the sudden announcement? Is there some other reason?"

Kong Xiyan gave a poised smile. "A reason?"

"I can't speak for other people's marriages, but as for mine—I announced it because I love her and want to spend my life with her. There's no other reason."

A wave of gasps rippled through the reporters after her statement. They hadn't expected her to say something like that in front of them all. Even the reporter who asked the question was rendered speechless and sat back down.

Director Lin seized the moment to steer the conversation back to *Dawn*, but the reporters kept glancing at Kong Xiyan.

It wasn't long before the special guest came out.

Kong Xiyan had no one sitting beside her, but Chai Yin came up from backstage and took the seat next to hers.

The reporters below pointed their cameras at the two, clicking away, already dreaming up the most sensational headlines.

But after Kong Xiyan's earlier statement, the reporters were a bit more careful when questioning Chai Yin.

The reporter who'd questioned Kong Xiyan had gone quiet, but others around her were actively asking questions.

"Miss Chai, I heard you've decided to come back to China for your career. Besides *Dawn*, do you have other plans?"

"Yes. It's an honor to star in Director Lin's film, but *Dawn* is just one part of my plan."

"Miss Chai, would you mind sharing what those plans are?"

"Actually, I came back this time to find something I lost. I hope it's not too late."

While the reporters whispered among themselves, speculating what Chai Yin had come back to find, another reporter stood up abruptly and asked, "Miss Chai, does what you're looking for have anything to do with three years ago?"

Chai Yin glanced at her. It was the same reporter who'd questioned Kong Xiyan. She nodded. "Yes."

The reporter smiled. "And the rumors from three years ago..."

Chai Yin cut her off with a smile. "I'm sorry, that's a personal matter, so I can't answer that."

As soon as she finished, the rest of the reporters began to murmur, their gazes shifting between Kong Xiyan and Chai Yin. Finally, no one else asked another question.

The Q&A session ended, followed by the ribbon-cutting and a group photo. After that, there wasn't much left that involved Kong Xiyan.

Her head had started to throb during the questioning. Leaning on Fu Qiu as she got into the van, she massaged her temples and checked her phone.

Sure enough, today's ceremony was already all over Weibo.

#Kong Xiyan Shows Off Her Marriage at Press Conference#

#Kong Xiyan's Bold Confession#

#Chai Yin and Kong Xiyan Meet#

#Chai Yin Breaks Silence on Three-Year-Old Rumors#

Within half an hour, the fourth post had already shot to the top of the trending list.

#Chai Yin Breaks Silence on Three-Year-Old Rumors#

Kong Xiyan clicked on that post and read the fans' comments underneath.

—Hey, what does Chai Yin mean by that? Is she really back because of the Jingyan CEO?

—Probably. After all, she's never had a scandal in these three years. I heard she has someone she really likes.

—What do you all know? I heard Chai Yin and the Jingyan CEO were in love three years ago, but their families didn't approve, so they broke up!

—Chai Yin's fans need to calm down. The one with the Jingyan CEO now is Kong Xiyan. No matter what, your "queen" is just an ex. What's there to gloat about?

—And what do you have to gloat about? Who knows why the Jingyan CEO married Kong Xiyan anyway—and so fast. Maybe it'll end in a few days. Then the CEO will get back with Chai Yin, and we'll see how you feel!

—Pah! Shame on you! No matter what happens later, she's open and honest right now! Unless your Chai Yin is shameless enough to be a mistress!

Reading these comments only made Kong Xiyan's head hurt worse, her temples pounding. She set her phone aside, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Fu Qiu, sitting beside her, asked with concern, "Sister Kong, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Kong Xiyan's voice was steady, but she looked tired. Fu Qiu suggested, "Sister Kong, do you want me to take you home to rest?"

After all, the ceremony was over, and she could skip dinner.

Kong Xiyan rested her hand on her forehead, thought it over, and said, "No need. I still have something to do. Just drive to the nearest coffee shop."

Fu Qiu gave her a worried look but said quietly, "Okay."

The temperature outside had risen, spring was in the air, and everything had come back to life. Chai Yin stood by Kong Xiyan's car, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and watched the car drive off before pulling out her phone to make a call.

"Hello, CEO Chi."

Chi Wanzhao's voice was neither warm nor welcoming; it was sharp, carrying a chill through the signal. "Miss Chai, I recall that three years ago, you were quite sensible."

Chai Yin smiled softly. "It seems CEO Chi is truly in deep."

Chi Wanzhao wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Miss Chai, I hope you haven't forgotten how we collaborated three years ago."

Chai Yin replied, "Of course I haven't. But what happened today, there was a reason."

"What reason?" Chi Wanzhao asked.

Chai Yin's expression turned serious, her voice dropping. "Guan Xiaoying met with Wei Yan and He Wei two days ago."

She'd only found out about this when she met with Chai Yin. After arriving in City B, she'd received a message from Zhou Sheng. She skimmed it and got the gist of the situation. When Guan Xiaoying met with He Wei and Wei Yan, she felt a sense of dread.

Sure enough, Chi Wanzhao fell silent on the other end.

Chai Yin waited but heard nothing, so she prompted, "CEO Chi?"

Chi Wanzhao gave a faint "mm," then said slowly, "Just keep an eye on Guan Xiaoying for now. I'll contact you later."

Chai Yin frowned.

That was it?

This wasn't like Chi Wanzhao at all.

But she didn't question it further. "Alright."

After hanging up, Chi Wanzhao pressed the intercom and had Jiang Yuan come into the office.

Jiang Yuan stood before her, head bowed. "CEO Chi."

Chi Wanzhao turned to look at him. "How are things going?"

Jiang Yuan replied calmly, "CEO Chi, everything is in place. I was planning to start once you returned, but since you and your wife went public first, and now with the *Dawn* press conference, if we act now, it might have some impact."

Chi Wanzhao's eyes darkened. "Make the move."

Jiang Yuan glanced at her sideways. "Understood."