Chapter 72

Kong Xiyan fled after Chi Wanzhao's words and didn't sleep well the entire night. It wasn't until dawn broke the next day that she managed to doze off for a bit.

Her phone rang insistently. Kong Xiyan stretched out a slender wrist and silenced it, but within two minutes it rang again. Somewhat annoyed, she picked up: "Hello!"

Fu Qiu was startled by her tone, then whispered, "Sister Kong?"

Kong Xiyan softened her voice as she rubbed her head: "Xiao Qiu, what's up?"

Fu Qiu glanced at the time: "Sister Kong, we're due at the studio in half an hour. You didn't forget, did you?"

Kong Xiyan smacked her forehead. She really had forgotten—she hadn't even set an alarm. Throwing off the covers, she got up and reassured her: "Give me ten minutes; I'll be ready."

Fu Qiu hurriedly replied, "No rush, no rush. Take your time, Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan hung up, got out of bed, and headed straight to the bathroom. After washing up and changing clothes, she slipped on a thick down jacket, knowing she'd change again for the show.

When she came downstairs, Chi Wanzhao was already seated at the table. Noticing Kong Xiyan's arrival, she glanced over, her expression composed: "Morning."

Kong Xiyan gave a light cough. She envied Chi Wanzhao's unruffled demeanor—when would she ever learn such calm composure? The night before, they had ended awkwardly over a topic, yet here she was this morning acting as if nothing had happened, even greeting her with a good morning.

Kong Xiyan forced a smile: "Morning."

Chi Wanzhao finished her bread and half a glass of milk, then, seeing Kong Xiyan in a hurry to leave, asked, "Miss Kong, have you considered my suggestion from last night?"

Kong Xiyan wobbled mid-step while putting on her shoes, her body bumping into the shoe rack. A blush quickly crept across her cheeks. She held back and said, "Haven't considered it. Not interested."

"And I think treating a cat obsession shouldn't be done rashly—it might backfire!"

Chi Wanzhao chuckled at her earnest tone, her pretty face relaxing with warmth.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kong Xiyan noticed her expression and dared to add, "We can treat it conservatively."

"For instance, you don't have to hold Yanyan while eating breakfast."

Chi Wanzhao: ...

Kong Xiyan continued, "And try to spend less time online from now on."

Her look implied that Chi Wanzhao's intelligence was basically unsuited for the internet, causing Chi Wanzhao to suppress her smile, a hint of displeasure surfacing on her delicate face.

Sensing Chi Wanzhao's mood, Yanyan raised its head, meowed, and jumped off her lap.

Before Kong Xiyan could even catch her expression, her phone buzzed like a death knell. She hurriedly said goodbye to Chi Wanzhao and left. Just past six, dawn was breaking, and the cold wind carried a biting chill. The streets were empty, so Fu Qiu spotted her immediately.

Fu Qiu waved: "Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan hastened to the car. Fu Qiu quickly pulled her inside, made room, and handed her a hand warmer, beaming: "Sister Kong, didn't you sleep well last night? You've got dark circles."

Kong Xiyan leaned toward the rearview mirror and saw faint dark circles under her eyes. Sighing, she said to Fu Qiu, "Wake me when we arrive; I'll catch some sleep."

Fu Qiu hummed in acknowledgment and draped a small blanket over her.

Soon, soft breathing filled the car.

Fu Qiu's phone buzzed with a message. She glanced—it was from Tong Yue:

—Where are you now?

—Just picked up Sister Kong; we're on our way.

—Drive safe.

—Okay.

After replying to Tong Yue, Fu Qiu switched to Weibo.

Kong Xiyan's scenes in "Breaking the Cocoon" were nearing completion. Many fans were begging that the Crown Princess not jump off the building. If she absolutely had to, they'd accept her surviving the fall, hoping for a dual ending—preferably one where, after the fall, she loses her memory and falls in love with the Crown Prince, living happily ever after.

Fans crafted scripts more dramatic than the actual show, and clips circulated nonstop. With Kong Xiyan's recent surge in followers, "Breaking the Cocoon" drew more attention, and calls for a dual ending grew louder. Fu Qiu knew Director Sun was already wavering.

This was a good sign—it meant netizens had warmed to Sister Kong. She was genuinely happy for her.

Fu Qiu's gaze drifted to the sleeping Kong Xiyan.

She'd always known Sister Kong would eventually become a big star, but she hadn't expected it to happen this way—nor that the events of three years ago were a trap set by Wei Yan and He Wei to ruin her. Even now, after the internet had cleared her name, some haters still called her a homewrecker, which infuriated her.

A reputation was easy to destroy but hard to rebuild.

Even if you'd never done those things, in the eyes of those who didn't know the truth, you might as well have. They'd think you were just whitewashing your image, and no matter what, they wouldn't listen.

Fortunately, such people were in the minority; most could tell right from wrong.

Fu Qiu sighed. Although Sister Kong had shed the "homewrecker" label, she was still far from where she once stood in the industry. The entertainment world changed every year, let alone after Sister Kong's three-year absence.

Climbing back to her former position wouldn't be easy. Sister Tong had some resources, but none were top-tier—otherwise, she wouldn't be hesitating over which movie to take.

Lost in thought, Fu Qiu finally tucked the blanket around Kong Xiyan.

When they arrived at the studio, Tong Yue was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Kong Xiyan, she hurried over: "Quick, go get your makeup done."

Kong Xiyan knew she'd delayed them and apologized, "Sorry, Sister Tong."

Tong Yue, seeing her still drowsy, couldn't bring herself to scold her and reassured, "It's fine. Relax—I've already talked to the crew. We'll start in an hour."

Kong Xiyan followed Fu Qiu to the makeup room at the back.

Today's show was a classic celebrity interview, with Kong Xiyan as the main guest. Other cast from "Breaking the Cocoon" were invited; Xiao Cheng couldn't make it due to filming, but Gu Ling came.

She and Gu Ling had grown closer lately.

Entering the makeup room, Kong Xiyan saw Gu Ling already changed and sitting before the mirror, having her makeup done. Gu Ling greeted her coolly, "Morning."

"Morning."

After exchanging pleasantries, Fu Qiu called Kong Xiyan to change clothes, and Gu Ling looked away.

Today, Gu Ling was a special guest. She'd read the interview outline, which focused on Kong Xiyan's performance in "Breaking the Cocoon." If not for the accident on "Meet on Friday," she probably wouldn't have accepted the invitation—she and Kong Xiyan weren't exactly close.

But that accident had strangely drawn them nearer.

Not only closer, but it also sparked her curiosity.

For something that happened three years ago, Kong Xiyan had been an innocent target for so long, yet Gu Ling had never heard her complain.

They'd filmed together for a while; the crew had whispered behind her back, uttering all sorts of harsh words. Gu Ling didn't believe Kong Xiyan was unaware, but she never defended herself, not once.

Gu Ling had previously thought that was because she was guilty and couldn't explain. But recalling Kong Xiyan's expression at the time, she now realized it was disdain for explanation.

This made her want to understand the woman before her more deeply.

When Kong Xiyan emerged from the dressing room, Gu Ling gave her a long look.

She wore a white blouse with a knee-length light red skirt and ten-centimeter heels. The skirt had an elastic waistband, and the stylist pulled the tightening cord, cinching her waist to an impossibly delicate curve.

She swept the hair at her temples back into a loose ponytail, letting the rest cascade down her back. Her bangs were short, grazing her brows.

Rose lips, powdered face, and eyes that shimmered like autumn water.

Even before makeup, she was stunning—a beauty that outshone the spring blossoms.

Gu Ling lowered her gaze after a single glance. Her assistant called her several times, but she didn't respond; it wasn't until Kong Xiyan, now seated beside her for makeup, called out, "Gu Ling," that she snapped back.

"Huh?" She turned and looked up.

Kong Xiyan smiled faintly: "Your assistant's calling you."

Gu Ling nodded slightly with a smile and turned to speak with her assistant.

During Kong Xiyan's makeup session, Fu Qiu brought breakfast to tide her over.

Kong Xiyan munched on a bun while skimming the interview questions. Soon, Tong Yue called them to go on stage.

The host was nearly forty but well-preserved, looking just over thirty. With impeccable makeup, a sleek light-gray suit, and a gentle smile, she exuded warmth. She led Kong Xiyan and Gu Ling to their seats before settling into her own.

Since it wasn't a live broadcast, Gu Ling felt less nervous and could even share amusing anecdotes from filming "Breaking the Cocoon" while the host kept the focus on Kong Xiyan's time on set. Kong Xiyan chimed in occasionally, nodding, and the interview flowed smoothly.

The interview was scheduled for forty minutes; usually, such shows were taped in one go, but today was special—the host called for a break midway, telling Kong Xiyan, "We have another special guest coming."

Another special guest? During the makeup touch-up, Kong Xiyan asked Tong Yue, who just smiled: "You'll see soon enough."

Her mysterious tone piqued Kong Xiyan's curiosity. She wanted to press further, but Tong Yue stepped out to take a call.

Kong Xiyan sat back before the mirror to touch up her makeup, and Gu Ling whispered, "Who else is coming?"

Kong Xiyan shook her head: "I have no idea."

For a private interview like this, special guests usually had a close connection to the interviewee. She truly couldn't guess who else in the industry shared such a bond with her.