Chapter 21

"Breaking the Cocoon" aired on Thursdays, two episodes a week. Kong Xiyan sat in front of her computer with a bowl of noodles and, after a moment's hesitation, turned on the bullet comments.

The drama was directed by a renowned director and adapted from a major intellectual property. Among the three leads, aside from Kong Xiyan, the other two were genuinely scandal-free. Besides, Kong Xiyan's scandal was from three years ago. So when the official Weibo account posted near the airing time, the reposts instantly numbered in the thousands.

Fans of the actors and fans of the original book were all parked at their computers, eager to see this major production.

At eight o'clock sharp, Kong Xiyan clicked on the video. The opening credits ran for four and a half minutes, with lyrics and composition by a well-known singer. She'd heard it online before, but paired with the "Breaking the Cocoon" edits, it carried a slightly different feel.

The first scene was the banquet sequence.

The bullet comments were flooding through:

—Brother Xiao's stunning beauty!

—Calling for Brother Xiao!

—Why are you all just standing there? Lick the screen for me! Ahh, Xiao Cheng is way too handsome!

—Move aside, don't disturb my screen-licking!

—Pfft, where's the handsome? At most he's passable.

Before long, the comments were bickering. Some book fans were posting:

—Stop arguing, go fight somewhere else! Don't ruin our viewing!

—Exactly, stupid brainless fans, chasing a star like you'd stick to them.

—If you don't chase stars, why the hell are you watching a drama? What, is the lead your darling? Gu Ling?

—Scram!

Soon the screen was filled with comments. Kong Xiyan picked up a noodle with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. The show played for a few minutes, reaching the part where she dominated the room.

The comments indeed died down a lot.

—Pfft, skipping Kong the mistress's scenes!

—Same, waiting for Brother Xiao's cut!

—Get lost, if you're not watching, don't spout nonsense. Annoying! Brainless fans, black forever!

—Exactly, watching a drama and seeing you clowns dance is disgusting!

—Um, quietly saying—did you all notice Kong Xiyan's presence is amazing?

—I think so too! Look at those eyes, that momentum—full of acting!

—The one above, I was thinking the same. Even during editing, I felt it—presence two meters tall!

The few comments praising Kong Xiyan were quickly drowned out by accusations of her being a mistress or shameless. Kong Xiyan, surprisingly, didn't feel as upset, and she ate her noodles with more gusto.

Yanyan, having finished dinner, was running around looking for something to play with. Soon she jumped onto Kong Xiyan's desk in front of the computer, plopping her bottom on the keyboard and blocking the view.

Kong Xiyan looked up to see Yanyan's plump body, wide eyes, and tail sweeping over her bowl, occasionally dropping a white hair into it.

A perfectly good bowl of noodles was ruined.

Kong Xiyan was rendered speechless by Yanyan's stare, and she scooped the cat into her arms, rubbing her head. The computer continued playing, and the bullet comments gradually quieted down.

Some book fans grumbled in dissatisfaction: "What crappy adaptation is this? Not watching!"

Others supported it: "I think it's pretty good, especially this Chu Qian—she's exactly the Qianqian in my mind, both domineering and gentle!"

—Right, right! Especially that scene at the banquet just now—wow, it's an epic-level recreation!

—Excuse me, how much are you paid per day? Being this blind—you're definitely paid trolls!

—Pfft, some people's idol just isn't as good an actress. Pure jealousy!

—Objectively speaking, Kong Xiyan being a mistress is true, but what does that have to do with this drama? Is it so hard to admit she acts well?

—Oh ho, here comes the whitewashing. Wonder how much she spent.

—Don't worry, the mistress thing can't be washed away, but her acting has been recognized both three years ago and now.

—Exactly, we're not blind. Can't we tell who's good and who's bad?

Seeing that the comments were about to erupt again, Kong Xiyan helplessly closed the video.

Just as she shut down the computer, she received a WeChat from Fu Qiu, who happily said, "Sister Kong, Sister Kong, did you watch the video? So many people say you acted brilliantly!"

Kong Xiyan smiled slightly. "Mm."

Fu Qiu typed a flood of messages: "I told you, Sister Kong is amazing! When I saw you film that banquet scene, it was so cool my legs almost gave out!!!"

Seeing her playful words, Kong Xiyan shook her head with a smile. Yanyan found a comfortable spot in her arms and started purring. The whole apartment was quiet, only the occasional beep from her phone indicating WeChat notifications.

Fu Qiu continued: "I don't care, I'm going to create an alternate account and confess on the official Weibo!!! Sister Kong, you don't know, when they first posted the promo and deliberately cut you out, I was so mad. But it's good in a way—tonight they'll discover Sister Kong's strength."

Through the screen, Kong Xiyan could almost see her smug, adorable expression. She tapped a reply after a moment: "No need to go."

Fu Qiu sent a sticker of playful defiance with the words: "Sister Kong, let the past stay in the past. From now on, let's work hard together. I want to see Sister Kong become a huge star!"

Kong Xiyan looked down at her phone, her faint joy cooling a few degrees, and she didn't answer Fu Qiu.

The past couldn't just be left in the past.

Only Xiao Qiu didn't understand that.

As Kong Xiyan stared blankly at her phone screen, the phone suddenly vibrated. She answered without thinking, calling out, "Xiao Qiu."

There was a brief silence on the other end before a voice replied, "Xiao Qiu?"

Kong Xiyan quickly pulled the phone away to check the caller ID. The name Chi Wanzhao was clearly visible. She bit her tongue and corrected herself, "President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao lay in bed, gazing up at the crystal chandelier above, and asked, "No scenes tonight?"

Kong Xiyan hummed in affirmation. Hugging Yanyan, she stood up. Yanyan had been sleeping on her legs for a while, and being so heavy, Kong Xiyan stood abruptly, her legs numb for a moment. She let out a soft exclamation, which Chi Wanzhao caught.

"What are you doing?"

Kong Xiyan rubbed her thigh. "About to take Yanyan upstairs to sleep."

Chi Wanzhao's voice lacked its usual forcefulness, sounding somewhat hoarse, as if drifting from afar. Her gaze fixed on the crystal lamp as she said, "Would you mind telling me about what happened in the countryside?"

The sudden question made Kong Xiyan pause, her brows knitting slightly.

She had spent three years in the countryside, and she'd assumed Chi Wanzhao had already investigated thoroughly.

After all, in that remote place, Chi Wanzhao had still managed to lure her out with a single photo, draw her back into the entertainment circle, and even sign a contract with her.

If she said Chi Wanzhao hadn't investigated her, she wouldn't have believed it.

But asking now—maybe she hadn't dug deep enough.

After all, there wasn't much to find.

Kong Xiyan set Yanyan on the bed, tucking her under the covers, and replied in a soft voice, "In the countryside, it's nothing really. Just a normal life."

Chi Wanzhao pursed her lips, her eyes dark and bright.

The only sound across the call was their soft breathing. Kong Xiyan thought a moment, then asked, "President Chi, why do you ask?"

Chi Wanzhao replied, "Just asking."

Then she changed the subject: "The girl you lived with—is her name Wang Haining?"

Kong Xiyan sat up straight, frowning, her fingertip pressing against the phone case. "Has something happened to Haining?"

Chi Wanzhao's tone was calm: "No, the company has a poverty-alleviation project, and I thought we could discuss it with her in detail."

Kong Xiyan relaxed, her expression easing. "Really? Then Haining will definitely be delighted."

Chi Wanzhao: "She cares deeply about the people there?"

Kong Xiyan hesitated before replying, "She cares about everyone she knows. Haining, truly, is a very good person."

Chi Wanzhao fell silent. A knock came at the door, and she told Kong Xiyan, "I understand. That's all for now—I'll hang up."

"Okay."

A soft reply came from the other end. Chi Wanzhao lowered the phone, her brows drawing together in a frown, and pressed end call.