Chapter 82

Zhou Sheng noticed that Chi Wanzhao was in a good mood all day. Though nothing outwardly changed, her tone when speaking to him carried an unprecedented gentleness.

That feeling.

He clearly wasn't the only one who'd noticed. The entire secretarial office had picked up on it, even going so far as to set up a private group chat to discuss it. When Zhou Sheng went to Jiang Yuan's desk with documents concerning Changning, he caught the man glancing at his computer screen every so often, a smile occasionally tugging at his lips.

Curious, Zhou Sheng leaned over.

The group was called "Water Cooler Talk." The members were all secretaries from the CEO's office. Zhou Sheng's gaze skimmed the chat history.

—I bet the CEO's in love!

—No way! If she's in love, I'll eat my desk.

—I'll bet against that.

—Put your money where your mouth is. I'm betting against it too.

Zhou Sheng looked away and glanced through the glass partition. Several secretaries were either buried in documents with serious expressions or typing away at their keyboards with stern faces. Nothing about them suggested they were slacking off. They were seasoned actors, every last one.

Noticing his silence, Jiang Yuan asked, "What's up?"

"Nothing," Zhou Sheng said, setting the Changning documents on Jiang Yuan's desk. After a beat, he asked, "When did you get added to that group?"

Jiang Yuan looked up, flashing an innocent smile. "Right when I joined the company."

Zhou Sheng was speechless.

So in all his years here, he'd never known there was a secret gossip group among the secretaries? And Jiang Yuan had been let in right away? Why? Was he really that bad at keeping a straight face?

Zhou Sheng shot the secretaries outside a look of indignation, then lowered his head and said to Jiang Yuan, "When you cash in, are you backing out?"

"I'm in for a hundred to one."

Jiang Yuan placed his bet, and the group chat erupted, everyone babbling about what they'd buy if they won. Zhou Sheng smirked and left the office.

Chi Wanzhao's office sat at the far end. When Zhou Sheng knocked and entered, she was focused on her computer screen. She glanced up at his arrival and said, "If nothing pressing comes up, clear my schedule for tomorrow."

Zhou Sheng nodded in understanding. "Understood."

He then handed her the company's annual report.

Chi Wanzhao took it, flipped through a few pages, and asked offhandedly, "How are the Tong Yue negotiations going?"

Zhou Sheng stood straight, head slightly bowed. "Tong Yue has reached an agreement with Director Lin. Filming will start after the New Year."

Chi Wanzhao gave a simple nod.

Seeing that, Zhou Sheng continued, "Also, President Wei of Xinhui has opened a new branch and wants to invite you to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony."

Usually, he wouldn't bother her with such invitations, knowing her temperament all too well. She detested attending events of any kind, turning down every business interview, which had fueled the mysterious rumors outsiders spread about her.

In truth, the CEO simply couldn't be bothered.

Having worked beside her for so long, Zhou Sheng could count the events she'd attended on one hand—and two of them had been connected to Xinhui.

Before Jingyan's rise, Xinhui had dominated City B. With extensive connections and resources, they were skilled at spotting fresh talent and churning out hits. Back then, everyone in the industry wanted to sign with them; they were a powerhouse of award-winning actors and top stars. Their glory days were legendary.

Zhou Sheng recalled that the madam had once been with Xinhui.

But in three short years, fortune had flipped. Jingyan had soared while Xinhui waned.

Still, a lean camel is bigger than a horse—Xinhui maintained its position near the top of the industry. That was why, despite her aversion to social functions, Chi Wanzhao would still lend her support.

That was also where Zhou Sheng felt uncertain.

Hearing his report, Chi Wanzhao mulled it over, then asked, "When?"

"After the New Year," Zhou Sheng replied.

Chi Wanzhao acknowledged with another nod. "Got it."

Taking the cue, Zhou Sheng exited the office without further ado.

Chi Wanzhao swiveled her chair toward the floor-to-ceiling window behind her desk. Outside, the sky was a soft blue, the sunlight bright—a rare winter day. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth touch her skin, and a faint smile curved her lips as she picked up her phone from the desk.

—What are you doing?

When Kong Xiyan received Chi Wanzhao's message, she was lounging lazily on the sofa, soaking up the sun. After finally wrapping up filming and a hectic schedule, all she wanted was to lie there, doing nothing. Wang Haining had already come by several times to scold her.

"You two need to show some restraint. When you get going, you have no sense of moderation."

Kong Xiyan buried her head deeper with every reprimand. She wanted to be sensible too! But at the critical moment, it was the other person who lost all control!

Kong Xiyan grumbled in protest and hauled Yan Yan the cat onto her chest, squishing and squeezing it until the poor thing struggled through several positions to escape, only saved by the chime of a notification. She picked up her phone from the coffee table and glanced at it.

Chi Wanzhao: What are you doing?

She thought for a moment, then typed: Nothing, just lying around.

Chi Wanzhao: Still feeling sore?

Kong Xiyan's face immediately flushed. How could she ask something so embarrassing so casually?

Kong Xiyan, cheeks burning: Not sore.

Chi Wanzhao: So it was comfortable?

Kong Xiyan: Comfortable, yes, it was killing me!

Chi Wanzhao: Good. We'll continue tonight.

Kong Xiyan: ...Why are you so shamelessly slick?

Chi Wanzhao: Hmm? I think I'm not skilled enough. Didn't I hurt you last night?

Kong Xiyan: You're too smooth and too shameless!

Chi Wanzhao: ...

Wang Haining noticed Kong Xiyan's expression shifting with every message and came over to sit beside her. "I'm heading to the cemetery later. Are you going to rest at home?"

Kong Xiyan straightened up quickly. "I'll go with you."

Wang Haining said, "There's no need..."

But Kong Xiyan cut her off. "I want to pay my respects to my father too."

Wang Haining nodded. "Then go get changed, and be quick."

Kong Xiyan trotted upstairs and came down in an outfit that covered her from head to toe.

Wang Haining smiled at her. "Look at you, what's this all about?"

Kong Xiyan sighed. She didn't want to bundle up like a bear, but the paparazzi were relentless—you never knew when they were watching. Although the He Wei and Wei Yan business had quieted down a bit, she still made trending searches every few days. Her follower count climbed daily, and discussions about her multiplied as new topics kept popping up. She didn't mind the hype, but she hated complications, so she always dressed discreetly when going out.

Wang Haining didn't know the entertainment world, but she knew about the recent controversies surrounding Kong Xiyan. With understanding, she picked up the handbag for her and smiled. "Let's go."

Yan Yan tried to follow. Kong Xiyan bent down to stroke its head softly. "Be good, stay home and wait for us."

"Meow..."

The cat mewed unhappily and plopped onto the floor.

Wang Haining watched the exchange and smiled. "Isn't it a coincidence? Yan Yan and Yan Yan—they match perfectly."

"You think the CEO named the cat after you?"

Kong Xiyan straightened and linked her arm through Wang Haining's. "What are you thinking? That can't be. I didn't even know her back then."

Wang Haining opened her mouth, about to say something else, but Lu Han had already come over. She closed it without speaking.

The two got into the car.

The cemetery sat on the outskirts of City B, near the sea. Coincidentally, Kong Xiyan's father and Wang Haining's mother rested in the same cemetery—a lucky accident that had led to their meeting three years ago. Wang Haining had come to visit her mother's grave and had run into Kong Xiyan nearby.

Back then, Kong Xiyan would sit by the sea all day long. Passersby would point and stare, as if the mere sight of her sullied them. Wang Haining rarely went online, but she knew Kong Xiyan was an actress—she'd seen her shows—yet she had no idea what had driven the woman to such a state.

Kong Xiyan had no will to live, drifting through days in a daze. Wang Haining had felt a surge of sympathy and approached her.

That contact had lasted three years.

Recalling their first meeting, Wang Haining couldn't help but laugh. "Look, you used to love sitting right there. Remember?"

Kong Xiyan followed her pointing finger. The beach had changed, but the table and chair where she'd once sat were still there—older, more weathered.

"Of course I remember."

"Thank you, Haining."

She reached out and took Wang Haining's hand, her gaze sincere. Wang Haining used her other hand to ruffle Kong Xiyan's hair, as if comforting a child.

Lu Han drove them straight to the cemetery. They bought two bouquets from a nearby flower shop. After a moment's hesitation, Kong Xiyan said in a muffled voice, "Please wrap up one more for me, too." Her words came out muffled through the mask, so the shopkeeper had to ask again before nodding and saying, "Wait a moment."

Wang Haining looked at her in confusion. "Who's that for?"

Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes. "Just visiting an old acquaintance."

Wang Haining nodded, saying nothing further.

The two quickly exited the shop. The cemetery was vast, and Kong Xiyan walked deeper, parting ways with Wang Haining midway.

She hurried to a tombstone and set down a bouquet. Staring at the man's photo on it, her eyes burned. She removed her mask and hat, and the winter wind whipped her hair around, stinging her face as her eyes reddened.

"Dad."

"I'm home."

Standing before the tombstone, she thought that after three years, she should have so much to say. But now, standing here, words failed her. She bent down and touched the photo with her fingertip—it was icy cold.

The man in the photo smiled warmly, his eyes gentle and tender.

Looking at him, Kong Xiyan couldn't help but smile too, tears welling in her eyes, a lump forming in her throat.

When Wang Haining came looking for her, she found Kong Xiyan standing in silence in front of the tombstone. She hurried over and called out, "Xiyan."

Kong Xiyan turned around, tears still glistening in her eyes, catching the sunlight. She lowered her head and wiped them away with her fingers, then said offhandedly, "Are we heading out already?"

Wang Haining nodded. "Mm."

"Then let's go," Kong Xiyan said.

Before leaving, she cast one last glance at the man's photo and smiled, a look of peace easing her features.

Noticing that she still held a bouquet, Wang Haining asked, "Who's this for?"

Kong Xiyan walked forward, passing through rows of tombstones, and stopped before one at the edge. She bent down and placed the flowers in front of it, then explained, "A casual acquaintance."

Wang Haining looked over. The tombstone belonged to a young man with a crew cut, in a white shirt, smiling warmly—clearly in the prime of his youth. Her gaze dropped to the name carved below.

Guan Xiaofan.

Died at the age of twenty-three.