Chapter 122

Chi Wanzhao left work at her usual time, rarely lingering at the company. Just after five o'clock, several Jingyan employees caught sight of her leaving with Kong Xiyan.

Gathered at the windows, everyone saw their usually aloof and distant President Chi smile softly at Kong Xiyan, personally opening the car door for her before getting in. The two seemed to be talking about something, and President Chi's perpetually taut face showed a hint of indulgence, her gaze gentle. She nodded and said something—by the look of her lips, it was a simple "Okay."

Impressive, really!

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed that President Chi was not only married but also a doting wife. Now, they had no choice but to believe it.

After today, Jingyan would surely stop spreading nonsense about President Chi and Chai Yin having some kind of affair.

Unless they wanted to become the next Department Two.

A few people still lingered at the sixth-floor window, some holding bags, others clutching documents, all staring downstairs with envy. "I used to think President Chi looked her best at work. I was wrong—she clearly looks best in love!"

"You're wrong again. There are plenty more facets of President Chi's beauty you'll never see."

"..."

The speaker wanted to retort but, on second thought, couldn't.

Indeed, there were many beautiful sides of President Chi that they would never witness.

With a mix of envy and resentment, they watched Chi Wanzhao and Kong Xiyan's car drive away. The offices at Jingyan that hadn't yet closed were still bustling. Tonight, Jiang Yuan drove them back to the apartment.

As for Zhou Sheng? He stayed behind at the company, working overtime.

He had just set down a stack of documents and exhaled in relief when his phone buzzed. Zhou Sheng picked it up, glanced at the screen, and a sharpness crept into his eyes.

"Hello."

"Alright, I understand."

"Don't tip them off. Keep digging."

After a brief exchange, Zhou Sheng hung up. He clutched the phone in his palm, thought for a moment, and then dialed Chi Wanzhao.

"President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao was in the car, watching Kong Xiyan play with Yanyan. She spoke into the phone. "What's up?"

Zhou Sheng said, "President Chi, about the accident on 'Meet on Friday' that you asked me to investigate—we've got some results."

Chi Wanzhao's smile faded, and she turned to look out the window at the lush greenery. "Who was behind it?"

Zhou Sheng's voice dropped. "One lead points to someone connected to Xinhui. We haven't pinpointed the exact person yet, but I've ordered the team to continue digging."

Chi Wanzhao glanced at Kong Xiyan, who was laughing as she chatted with Yanyan, and had already guessed who it might be. After a brief hesitation, she replied, "Keep investigating for now."

Zhou Sheng immediately acknowledged, "Yes, President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao ended the call, and Kong Xiyan looked up at her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

After a pause, she added, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan hummed in question.

Chi Wanzhao stroked Yanyan's white fur as if nothing were amiss. "What role do you think Guan Xiaoying played in what happened three years ago?"

Kong Xiyan was taken aback. What role did she play? Could it be more than just fueling the fire behind He Wei and Wei Yan?

She frowned deeply. Seeing this, Chi Wanzhao shifted closer. "What if she did more than just stir the pot? What if she orchestrated the whole thing three years ago..."

"Impossible!" Kong Xiyan cut her off. "No, she wouldn't."

Chi Wanzhao didn't argue, only reaching out to take her hand.

Kong Xiyan fell silent.

Was it really impossible?

Three years ago, Guan Xiaoying had schemed against Xiao Fan, manipulated her, all for a role—leading to Xiao Fan's sudden death.

Was her insistence that it was impossible just self-deception?

She'd rather believe her old friend was merely a villain than admit she was a criminal.

Kong Xiyan lowered her head, eyes downcast, and asked, "Did you find out something?"

"Are you sure?"

Chi Wanzhao shook her head. "Just a few threads. Nothing conclusive. If you don't want me to dig further, I'll stop right now."

After all, she'd promised Kong Xiyan she'd let Guan Xiaoying off once. She wouldn't go back on her word.

As for what she'd found, she'd hand it over to someone else.

That accident had more than just Xiyan as a victim.

Kong Xiyan's voice remained steady. "What did you find?"

Chi Wanzhao looked at her directly. "The accident on 'Meet on Friday'—she's connected to it."

Kong Xiyan's face went pale in an instant, and she said nothing more.

After a long while, she turned to look out the window. Yanyan, sensing her low mood, lifted her head, let out a soft meow, and licked her chin—a prickly, ticklish feeling. Kong Xiyan turned back and stroked Yanyan's white fur.

The softness in her hand softened her gaze as well.

Soon, they arrived at the apartment. Jiang Yuan got out first and opened the doors for them. Kong Xiyan held Yanyan and followed Chi Wanzhao inside. Just as they reached the entrance, Tong Yue called to ask if she'd be interested in shooting a commercial—one they could do before filming began for "Dawn."

Kong Xiyan was a bit surprised.

Things like commercial endorsements were usually decided entirely by Tong Yue.

Now that Tong Yue was suddenly asking her opinion, it felt unusual.

Still, Kong Xiyan didn't say much, just asked Tong Yue to send over the details.

Tong Yue said a few more things before hanging up.

A moment later, Kong Xiyan saw the commercial info Tong Yue had sent.

It was a skincare ad for a well-known domestic brand. Kong Xiyan remembered that this brand always hired the hottest actresses of the moment for their campaigns—no matter how packed their schedules or how steep their fees, they always managed to land them. For that reason, the brand was beloved by the public, with top-notch sales.

They say influence cuts both ways.

The actresses boosted the product's sales, and the product raised the actresses' profiles.

She recalled that in the early years, the brand had to beg people to shoot for them. Now it was the opposite—countless actresses wanted to collaborate.

Kong Xiyan hadn't expected the commercial Tong Yue mentioned to be this one.

Then she frowned. With Tong Yue's temperament, if she had a resource this good, she'd have booked it already—why ask for her opinion?

There had to be a reason.

Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa, thinking for a long time without figuring it out. She considered asking Chi Wanzhao, but when she turned, she saw Chi Wanzhao cooking in the kitchen, wearing an apron, sleeves rolled up to reveal her slender forearms—pale, elegant, with beautiful lines.

She watched for a moment, then looked away. Her phone lit up with a Weibo notification. She picked it up and saw it, and then she understood why Tong Yue had sent her this ad for approval.

Because the commercial was for two people.

And the other person was Chai Yin.

No wonder Tong Yue didn't dare make the call on her own.

Kong Xiyan followed the notification into Chai Yin's Weibo page and saw that Chai Yin had already agreed to take the commercial. Her comment section was flooded with congratulations from fans.

—Goddess is amazing!!! She lands Director Lin's movie and an HG ad right after coming back—so cool!!

—Totally agree, the goddess is too cool! I want to have her babies!

—Hey? Why hasn't the other person been announced?

—Who cares who it is? As long as Yin Yin's in it, I'm buying!!

—Congrats, congrats! She's leaving Kong Xiyan in the dust now!

—Are you kidding me? Kong Xiyan? Just this ad alone puts her miles ahead. HG is famous for never settling for second best—and Kong Xiyan???

—Hey, hey, hey, you're going too far. You think us Yan Yan fans are dead?

—Just ignore the professional trolls up there. This is a happy moment. Hope the goddess can enjoy it without being bothered.

—Then I hope the goddess can end up with someone she loves. It's fine—you two have been through three years together, and I believe there's a rainbow after the storm!

That last reply quickly got boosted to the top. Kong Xiyan watched the comments below, which went from Chai Yin's love life and rumors to directly bringing up Chi Wanzhao and her name.

She didn't need to guess—it would inevitably become another storm.

She exited Chai Yin's Weibo and saw that Ding Siyuan and Shan Cheng were still trending.

Except this time, the news came from the authorities.

Announcing that they had been admitted to a drug rehabilitation center, along with a notice of a professional ban.

Kong Xiyan tapped on the photo. Ding Siyuan and Shan Cheng looked disheveled—hair unkempt, covering their faces, eyes vacant and spiritless. Even through the screen, you could feel their malaise.

She clicked into the post and saw the most-liked comment.

—A person always pays for what they've done, sooner or later.

She stared at that comment for a long time, then exited Weibo.

Chi Wanzhao hadn't finished cooking dinner yet. Kong Xiyan set down her phone and went to the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around Chi Wanzhao from behind, pressing her cheek against her back.

"Hungry?"

Chi Wanzhao turned off the stove, set down what she was holding, and turned to look at Kong Xiyan. Seeing her eyes slightly reddened, she asked, "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "Nothing. Is dinner ready? Need any help?"

Chi Wanzhao took her hand, lowering her voice. "Xiyan."

Her tone wasn't aggressive, but Kong Xiyan still felt the pressure. She ducked her head, silent for a moment, then said, "Xiaowan, keep investigating."

"Hm?"

Chi Wanzhao was puzzled at first, then understanding dawned. "But you..."

Kong Xiyan said quietly, "I don't want to watch her keep making mistakes."

She hoped Guan Xiaoying would stop while she still could.

If not, then it would be up to her.

Chi Wanzhao nodded. "Alright."

Back in the kitchen, Chi Wanzhao resumed cooking, and Kong Xiyan leaned against her back, her head occasionally bumping against Chi Wanzhao's slender frame, as if wrestling with some weighty decision. Chi Wanzhao savored the warmth of the moment, slowing her movements deliberately.

After a long pause, Kong Xiyan eased back slightly and spoke again. "Xiaowan."

Chi Wanzhao tilted her head. "Hm?"

Kong Xiyan said, "I want to take that commercial."

Chi Wanzhao's voice softened even more. "Alright."