Chapter 58

Xu Chun had no idea whether this was a sudden clash or a long-simmering grudge between Qin Yao and Zhao Ciying. She didn't dare move a muscle, clutching her script as she sat in her rocking chair, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.

Faced with Zhao Ciying's domineering presence, Xu Chun forced a smile. “President Zhao, I have to go film now.” Terrified that Zhao Ciying wouldn't believe her, she reflexively raised two fingers in a vow. “Really.”

With that, she turned and pointed at He Qingli, who had sensed things going south and was about to slip away. “If you don't believe me, ask her!”

He Qingli, abruptly singled out by Xu Chun's pointing finger, froze mid-step. She instinctively straightened her back, plastered a resolute smile onto her face, and vouched for Xu Chun: “It's true. The director only gave us half an hour's break just now.” She glanced down at the watch on her wrist. “We're about out of time now.”

“President Zhao, you've probably heard that Director Wang is incredibly strict when he's directing, and especially hard on his actors.” He Qingli kept her voice steady. “So if the two of us are late, we'll definitely get chewed out by Director Wang but good.”

She widened her eyes, all sincerity, hoping it would sway Zhao Ciying.

Zhao Ciying's attitude did indeed seem to soften, but she didn't nod right away; instead, she appeared to grow interested, leaning back leisurely to gaze up at He Qingli. “Oh? He's strict?”

The woman's long, jade-white fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of her chair. “I'd like to hear just how strict he really is.”

He Qingli couldn't help glancing at Xu Chun. After seeing Xu Chun frantically wink and grimace at her, He Qingli cleared her throat and racked her brains to list two or three safe, balanced points. Nothing too over the top; it was all placating filler meant to brush Zhao Ciying off. Yet to her surprise, after He Qingli finished, a smile suddenly spread across Zhao Ciying's face. “I'll remember everything you just said.”

“When I see Uncle Wang later, I'll pass along your greetings.”

Uncle Wang? He Qingli was stunned. “???”

Zhao Ciying and Director Wang were relatives? She instinctively didn’t want to believe it. How could that be? What were the odds that they knew each other and were close relatives?

He Qingli's vision went black for an instant; she wanted nothing more than to leave this beautiful world on the spot.

She frantically reviewed what she had just said. It didn't seem all that over the top; she'd only repeated some generally accepted opinions in the industry. Most importantly, it was as if she'd sensed danger coming and her conscience had suddenly come online. Though her words had sounded like criticism of Director Wang, on closer inspection, she had actually been praising him, affirming his achievements and efforts.

After running through it once more in her head, He Qingli let out a long sigh of relief.

Thank goodness. Her career was safe.

She felt the profound relief of having survived a disaster. Only now, coming back to her senses, did she realize her palms were already soaked with cold sweat. He Qingli couldn't help glancing at Zhao Ciying again, only to find her smiling happily.

That bright, alluring face was truly beautiful, but those seductive eyes kept revealing a hint of madness. The whole woman seemed like a live bomb, chilling and deeply intimidating.

Zhao Ciying really was, just as the rumors said, a complete, unapologetic lunatic.

The morals, logic, and judgments that applied to normal people simply had no effect on her. She did whatever she pleased, beholden to no law, completely uncontrollable.

In that moment, He Qingli desperately wanted to flee this place. But before figuring out how to escape, she didn't forget to consider how to bring Xu Chun along.

Zhao Ciying watched with great interest as He Qingli's expression cycled through every color in the palette. She didn't make things too hard for her. “Fine, you two go.” At that, Xu Chun immediately stood. She and He Qingli had just breathed a shared sigh of relief, identical looks of having escaped death on their faces, when Zhao Ciying added, “After all, for the rest of today...”

She smiled faintly. “I'll be right here keeping Uncle Wang company.”

Xu Chun promptly did a face-plant in front of everyone. Zhao Ciying kindly reached out to steady her, her smile radiant, even the corners of her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Careful there, Miss Xu.”

Whether it was Xu Chun’s imagination or not, Zhao Ciying had enunciated those words with particular suggestiveness, like the intimate, tender whispers of lovers in bed. Xu Chun yanked her hand back in fright, her anxious eyes instinctively darting to Qin Yao.

But Qin Yao's dark, deep gaze rested quietly on the spot where Zhao Ciying had touched Xu Chun, her expression unreadable, giving no particular reaction.

At that, Xu Chun's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to howl on the spot: “I don't want this arm anymore! I'll chop it off right now!”

Fortunately, Qin Yao's gaze quickly moved away from her hand, her voice indifferent. “You two go on. Don't delay the shoot.” From the sound of it, she intended to settle accounts with Zhao Ciying in private.

Xu Chun and He Qingli felt as if they'd received a pardon; they grabbed each other's arms and ran off without looking back.

Terrified that if they delayed even a second, Zhao Ciying would call them back.

Only after they had run quite far did they dare stop, turning back, still shaken. “Zhao Ciying is way too scary.” He Qingli wiped the nonexistent cold sweat from her forehead. “No wonder everyone in the industry is afraid of her.”

A lunatic like that was bound to frighten everyone.

Xu Chun nodded in vigorous agreement, grabbing a bottle of mineral water nearby and chugging several mouthfuls. “I really admire Yu Sui'an now. Not only did she climb into that woman's bed, she managed to survive under her for so long.”

She solemnly raised the water bottle in a toast. “I'll drink to atone for my earlier recklessness.”

He Qingli: “...That little idea of yours earlier really was a bit immature.”

Zhao Ciying gave the impression of a moody tyrant. One moment she’d be smiling and chatting with you; the next, she’d flip without warning. No one could tell what offense they’d committed. Then, in an instant, her expression would change and she’d order the person’s head cut off, along with the execution of their entire family. Who wouldn’t panic at that?

Though Zhao Ciying hadn't quite reached that level of absurdity, it was close enough. The mad, unhinged air about her was exactly like a tyrant's, filling people with bone-deep fear and the urge to retreat three steps.

Xu Chun nervously took a couple more gulps of water, then asked He Qingli with a thread of hope, “She and Director Wang...” She swallowed. “They're not really relatives, are they?”

He Qingli blinked. “Should we go ask Director Wang?”

Xu Chun thought in silence for two seconds. “That works.” It was better to clarify. Otherwise, what if Zhao Ciying was just trying to scare them, and they ended up frightened for a whole day, living in constant dread for nothing?

They clung to hope, not knowing that the moment the two of them mentioned Zhao Ciying's name, Director Wang's face lit up with delight. He hurriedly asked, “Xiao Ci is here? Where is she now?”

Seeing Director Wang's reaction, how could Xu Chun and He Qingli not understand? Their eyes nearly rolled back in their heads; they almost keeled over on the spot.

Director Wang quickly reached out to catch them both, bewildered. “What's wrong with you two? Feeling unwell? How about resting another half hour...” Before he could finish, Xu Chun and He Qingli simultaneously jerked upright like the dead rising from their sickbeds, shaking their heads frantically in refusal. “No need, no need! We were just briefly unwell; we're actually in tip-top shape!”

“Director Wang, when are we starting to shoot? We feel our condition is especially good today! Even if we film all through the night, we'll be full of energy. No problem at all!”

Seeing the two so eager and diligent, Director Wang was greatly pleased. “Good, good.” He said “good” twice, then kindly added, “Xiao Ci is here today too. After we finish shooting, I’ll bring you two to have a meal with her. I’m telling you, our Xiao Ci is amazing. She’s got connections, a network, and money to burn. If you two can get on good terms with her, then you won’t have to fear even if you turn the entertainment world upside down.”

Xu Chun: “?”

He Qingli: “??”

Before they turned the world upside down, they needed to keep their lives intact...

How was it that, after all that running, they'd barely escaped the tiger's jaws only to be forced right back into the net? Their faces went ashen in an instant, their hearts pierced with grief.

At Director Wang's urging, the two muddled through and threw themselves into filming.

Qin Yao withdrew her gaze from Xu Chun's blurry figure in the distance. In the next second, her composed expression turned sharp and cold. A faint smile lingered on her face, but it didn't reach her eyes. “It seems you've already forgotten your lesson from last time.”

She spoke slowly and deliberately; her magnetic voice and languid tone seemed entirely at odds with her dangerous expression.

Zhao Ciying met her with a smile as warm as a spring breeze. “Last time, I have President Qin to thank.” Her words were full of praise and affirmation for Qin Yao. “You taught me these shrewd ways of dealing with people in a timely fashion.”

“Your kindness is so great that calling you Master right now wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

“No need for Master.” Qin Yao smiled faintly, unmoved. “I advise you not to take some things too far.” The smile on her face gradually faded. “Since I can make you stumble once, I can make you stumble a second time.”

Even with her scar so mercilessly dredged up by Qin Yao, Zhao Ciying showed not the slightest anger. Instead, she asked with great interest, “Are you saying all this to me today because of that Miss Xu?”

Qin Yao's deep eyes rested on her quietly. She said nothing.

Zhao Ciying had her answer. As if she'd heard something rare and amusing, she said, “Well, the sun really has risen in the west.” She clapped her hands slowly. “I never thought even you, Qin Yao, would have a weak spot.”

A brilliant grin spread across her face. “Do you think I'll let it go so easily, just as you wish?”

“I don't think that. But I do think that if you have psychological problems, you should go see a therapist.” Her shapely lips parted slightly. “Rather than running around going mad all over the world.”

As her words fell, the temperature around them plummeted instantly, like the depths of winter, cold enough to give frostbite.

Qin Yao's dark eyes fixed steadily on Zhao Ciying. “I'm not mocking you, nor is there any other unkind meaning behind it.” Her expression was serious now. “I'm genuinely concerned about you.”

Zhao Ciying looked at her coldly for a long, long time, then suddenly threw her head back with a laugh and clapped her hands. “Well said. Really well said.”

She thanked her politely. “Many thanks to President Qin for your heartfelt concern.” Zhao Ciying smiled faintly. “It’s just a pity. I won’t listen.” She rose slowly, looking down at Qin Yao from her greater height. “President Qin would do well to mind her own business.”

“Lest your hand reach too far.” She leaned in slightly, her bewitching eyes carrying an icy chill. “And end up having your left arm and right arm cut off instead.”

Faced with Zhao Ciying's provocation, Qin Yao wasn't angered. She slowly raised her head and asked with leisure, “Are you talking about your sister?” Qin Yao looked directly into Zhao Ciying's rather fine fox-like eyes. “She's doing very well now, and she's enjoying her current life. So at present, she doesn't have any other ideas.”

Zhao Ciying's eyes darkened at once; her smile didn't reach her eyes. “Then I really must thank you for taking such good care of my sister.”

“No need. Over the years, she's helped me a great deal as well.”

Every earlier remark Zhao Ciying had been able to counter with composure, but this last sentence alone made her defenses crumble and her expression change. Furious and flustered, she stomped away in her high heels, each step ringing loud.

She clenched her teeth. Her sister would rather busy herself around an outsider, would rather run herself ragged for an outsider all these years, than come home and spare her a single glance. Fine. Just fine indeed.

But that didn't matter now, because she had new entertainment.

Qin Yao had pried away her dear sister. So why couldn’t she turn around and pry away Qin Yao’s corner? Besides, she thought with a delighted lift of her brows, that little plaything was rather interesting too.

It was just that Yu Sui'an was truly a headache.

The thought of Yu Sui’an made the hostility around Zhao Ciying spill out unchecked. A mere small-time celebrity had dared to openly provoke her. Give her an inch and she’d take a mile.

Zhao Ciying sneered. She had lifted Yu Sui'an up, so naturally she could also make her fall hard. But just making her fall didn't seem satisfying enough. Her eyes shifted; she leisurely picked up her phone and dialed a number. “Have you heard of Yu Sui'an? Blacklist her across every level.”

“Don't leave her a single opportunity.” Zhao Ciying's tone was gentle, sounding very reasonable, yet every word dripped with cold ruthlessness. “Otherwise, I'll hold you accountable.”

Yu Sui'an soon learned from her agent that she had been blacklisted by Zhao Ciying.

She had been having a hard time lately, or more precisely, her days had been miserable ever since she’d clashed and quarreled with Zhao Ciying. Compared to before, the difference was like heaven and earth. Things that used to go smoothly and fall into place had become a struggle at every step, with every effort falling short.

If possible, she wouldn't have wanted to defy or go against Zhao Ciying either; after all, Zhao Ciying was truly an excellent and perfect patron. But Zhao Ciying just had to take an interest in Xu Chun.

Her interest in Xu Chun wasn’t the same as her interest in Yu Sui’an herself. To Zhao Ciying, Yu Sui’an was merely a money-making tool. But toward Xu Chun, she was like a hunter facing prized prey, desperate to capture her alive, with a fierce possessiveness.

This inevitably gave Yu Sui'an a very strong sense of crisis.

She even felt that if she didn't resist, Zhao Ciying would recklessly make her move on Xu Chun. Zhao Ciying knew perfectly well how deeply and obsessively Yu Sui'an cared for Xu Chun, yet knowing all that, she still extended her claws toward Xu Chun.

With Zhao Ciying's power, if she wanted a person, she wouldn't need to expend any effort at all. But Yu Sui'an hadn't expected that she would ultimately underestimate Zhao Ciying's resolve. To get Xu Chun, she had so easily kicked Yu Sui'an aside—just because Yu Sui'an had gotten in her way and displeased her.

But Zhao Ciying wasn't serious about it at all. Because she hadn't gotten Xu Chun yet, her interest in Xu Chun only grew stronger. And if one day she did get Xu Chun, it surely wouldn't take long before she tired of her, and then, just as she'd treated Yu Sui'an, she'd ruthlessly cast Xu Chun aside.

And if Xu Chun dared to quarrel with her, she’d simply repeat the same trick by blacklisting Xu Chun across the entire internet, just as she’d done to Yu Sui’an, leaving Xu Chun no room or hope.

Thinking of Zhao Ciying's network of connections, Yu Sui'an sat on the sofa at home, cold all over. Now she had nothing left. Zhao Ciying had taken back everything she'd ever given her, not leaving a single cent. She had even stripped away more, leaving Yu Sui'an's future hopeless; all she could do was sit at home like a defeated wretch, waiting to die in destitution.

By now, Yu Sui'an had even considered the idea of humbling herself and enduring humiliation to seek help from Jiang Zhaolie or Jiang Banxia. As long as Xu Chun wasn't harmed by Zhao Ciying, she would do anything.

But Jiang Zhaolie or Jiang Banxia alone would be powerless against Zhao Ciying.

Yu Sui'an's mind was a tangled mess; she was so distraught she couldn't even eat. Just then, her agent drove over, opened the code lock on her door directly, and stormed in, giving her a thorough scolding: “Yu Sui'an, what exactly are you trying to do?!” The agent's tone was sharp, showing no mercy. “What are you making such a fuss about?!”

“Didn’t you want to climb to the top of the entertainment world? Didn’t you want to be above everyone else? You finally climbed into Zhao Ciying’s good graces and got the capital and the chance to rise. Now, for the sake of a mere ex, you lose your head and dare to offend even Zhao Ciying? I think you really don’t want to live!”

“I think you've been cursed, you've lost your mind!”

The agent was so furious he was incoherent, scolding Yu Sui'an several more times before his anger eased slightly. Ignoring Yu Sui'an's glare, which looked like she wanted to devour him, he coldly tossed a management contract in front of her. “The company wants to terminate your contract now. So tell me, what do you plan to do?”

“I can't beat Zhao Ciying anyway. Once she gives the word, not even a god descending to earth could save you.” The agent was thoroughly exasperated by her foolishness. “While there's still room to turn things around, I advise you to go apologize to Zhao Ciying properly. As long as she doesn't hold it against you, this matter will blow over.”

“Otherwise, I won't help you.”

Though the agent's words were harsh, he genuinely had Yu Sui'an's interests at heart. After all, he managed so many artists, but Yu Sui'an was the only one who stayed popular long-term, and who could be paired with Xu Chun for long-term hype to draw traffic. If he really had to give up on Yu Sui'an, he truly couldn't bear it.

At this thought, his tone softened a bit. “Suisui, there are so many women in the world. Why do you have to hang yourself on Xu Chun alone? Aren’t there plenty of women better than her out there?”

“Besides, I never saw you being all that fond of her before. Why is it that now that you've broken up, you can't forget her, can't let her go?”

“You don't understand.” At the mention of Xu Chun, Yu Sui'an finally deigned to speak. She stared blankly at her agent. “Before, I was young and foolish, and I did wrong by her, let her down, and missed my chance with her.”

“But now I know I was wrong. I know how good she was to me, how tolerant she was, so.” Her eyes were resolute, her expression certain. “No matter what, I will win her back.”

“But she doesn't like you anymore!” the agent couldn't help raising his voice.

Yu Sui'an's gaze shot over, sharp enough to devour him. Though startled by her look, the agent still analyzed it for her with utmost seriousness: “If she liked you, how could she bear to watch you be bullied like this? How could she bear to watch you humiliate yourself, chasing after her every day, while she doesn't even look back at you?”

“She simply has no heart! If she had a heart, she wouldn't let you suffer like this every day.”

The agent's words made Yu Sui'an fall silent. She wanted to refute him, but when she opened her mouth, she suddenly didn't know what to say.

It seemed... true.

If it were the sister from before, how could she bear to watch Yu Sui'an humiliate herself, to watch her be bullied like this? How could she bear to watch her taste all the bitterness of love for her sake?

“Besides.” The agent added fuel to the fire. “Don't you know? Recently Xu Chun has been getting quite close to Qin Yao, to Zheng Jinchan and Zheng Yanran. With so many outstanding women surrounding her at once, do you really think she can resist being moved?”

“If it were you—if Xu Chun had let you down, and you'd been made a laughingstock because of Jiang Zhaolie, but then many people who were interested in you, from even better families than Xu Chun's, surrounded you—wouldn't you also look down on Xu Chun and instead slowly pick out the most suitable, most powerful and wealthy marriage candidate from among them?”

Yu Sui'an's nails dug unconsciously, viciously into her palm. After a long while, she finally spoke. “So what do you think I should do now?”

“Go apologize to Zhao Ciying right away.” The agent spoke with finality. “At the same time, properly win back Jiang Zhaolie and marry into the Jiang family. I've recently heard that Jiang Zhaolie and Qin Yao are very close—not the relatives we assumed on the surface. They might very well be—”

Yu Sui'an's gaze snapped over, but the agent only gave her a mysterious smile.

After long deliberation, for the sake of her future, Yu Sui'an finally compromised. “...Fine.”

Seeing that Yu Sui'an had truly taken her words to heart, the agent spoke. “I'll help you work things out with the company, but as for Zhao Ciying.” He said seriously, “That's up to you.”

Yu Sui'an nodded, her voice low, her mood subdued, replying softly, “I understand.”

But after the agent left, she was still somewhat unwilling to accept it. Unable to stop herself, she dialed Xu Chun’s number. Her heart was full of anxiety, and she feared the other wouldn’t pick up. Yet to her surprise, this time the other party answered at once, that voice she couldn’t forget sounding quickly in Yu Sui’an’s ear. “What is it.”

Yu Sui'an's heart beat fast, pounding as if it might burst from her chest.

She took a deep breath, forcing down her inner nervousness. Parting her somewhat dry lips, she asked softly, “Sister, among Qin Yao, Jiang Zhaolie, Jiang Banxia, Zheng Jinchan, Zheng Yanran, and Zhao Ciying, or anyone else I haven't named.” She closed her eyes, her palms unconsciously clenched tight.

“Is there anyone you like very much?”

With that, Yu Sui'an shut her mouth tightly, like a prisoner awaiting judgment, her head spinning, her ears ringing.

Hearing this, Xu Chun couldn't help glancing at Qin Yao and Zhao Ciying beside her, as well as the recently arrived Jiang Banxia and Zheng Jinchan. “...I like them all quite a bit. What's wrong?”

Yu Sui'an: “?”