Chapter 47

Kong Xiyan wasn't sure if Chi Wanzhao was serious or just teasing her. She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Why?"

Chi Wanzhao glanced down at her phone. "As an artist's assistant, she's too careless."

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "Xiao Qiu is fine. She hasn't been careless at all."

"First, she doesn't care about her artist, only gossip."

"Second, she lacks tact—doesn't know what to say and what to keep quiet."

"Third, calling at this hour without considering whether her artist is resting, thinking only of herself." Chi Wanzhao turned her head, her expression cool. "Miss Kong, I could list a dozen flaws like these. With just these three, I have reason to fire her."

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together. "Actually, Xiao Qiu isn't that bad. She just graduated and doesn't know much yet. She's still learning. You need to give her a chance."

Chi Wanzhao said, "Fine, I'll assign her to another artist. She can't work with you."

Kong Xiyan frowned. "Why not me?"

Chi Wanzhao answered lightly, "Because you're my wife, Chi Wanzhao's wife. Even your assistant has to be one in a million."

One in a million, shrewd and polished—that would be another Tong Yue.

It wasn't that she disliked Tong Yue; it was that slickness that bothered her. It always reminded her of people from her past.

Fu Qiu was immature, naive, and blunt, but she meant no harm. Being with her was uncomplicated. Kong Xiyan didn't have to decode hidden meanings in her words or watch for traps.

Kong Xiyan's expression gradually cooled. Having spent so much time with Chi Wanzhao, she even sounded like her when angry. She said, "President Chi, I don't need someone one in a million."

Chi Wanzhao stared at her tense profile. "Why?"

Kong Xiyan turned her head away. "No reason. I'll go upstairs to rest."

She turned and walked toward the staircase. Her injured foot still hurt, making her walk unevenly—one step light, one heavy. Chi Wanzhao watched her back, silent for a long moment. It wasn't until Kong Xiyan reached the top and straightened up that she spoke. "President Chi, you're right. I'm not smart, and I can't read people, which is why I was deceived three years ago. But I'm not the same person I was back then."

"I won't fall into the same trap twice."

Chi Wanzhao gave her a long look, her gaze following until Kong Xiyan disappeared into her room before slowly withdrawing. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Yanyan hopped onto her leg and licked her calf with a pink tongue.

The entire apartment was silent.

Chi Wanzhao lowered her head, scooped up Yanyan, and pressed her forehead against its red nose. Her voice softened considerably. "Sorry."

Yanyan didn't respond, just stared at her with puzzled blue eyes. A moment later, it stretched out its tongue and licked Chi Wanzhao's cheek.

Light and ticklish.

Chi Wanzhao bowed her head, pulled the cat into her arms, and rubbed its head.

Upstairs and downstairs, two separate worlds.

Kong Xiyan had been sleeping apart from Chi Wanzhao since before the trip to Changning, so she was normally alone at night.

But maybe it was because she'd gotten used to the small space in Changning that her room now felt inexplicably large. Even the bed seemed too big.

She wasn't used to it.

Chi Wanzhao didn't come to her, didn't knock. She heard the door of the adjacent room open and close, and a nameless frustration lodged in her chest, heavy and stubborn.

She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Moonlight slipped through the curtain gap, not as bright as in the countryside, but that elusive quality gave it a hazy beauty.

Suddenly, she recalled the night Chi Wanzhao, drunk, had leaned close to her ear and whispered.

Isn't the moonlight beautiful?

Kong Xiyan let out a heavy sigh.

Beautiful, my ass!

...

Fu Qiu wasn't fired, nor was she transferred to another artist. She didn't even know the incident had occurred. The next afternoon at two o'clock sharp, she was already waiting downstairs for Kong Xiyan.

When Kong Xiyan walked out and saw her, she paused. She had expected...

Seeing her freeze, Fu Qiu waved eagerly. "Sister Kong!"

She radiated youthful energy, eyes crinkled in a smile, mouth wide open, arms waving enthusiastically.

As Kong Xiyan approached, Fu Qiu pushed her into the car, muttering, "It's freezing out here! Sister Kong, get in. I've got a hand warmer ready for you."

The warmer sat on the seat. Once Kong Xiyan was in, Fu Qiu plopped down beside her, picked up the warmer, and placed it in Kong Xiyan's hands. "Warm up."

"I remember you hate the cold, Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan smiled faintly but said nothing.

Fu Qiu couldn't help asking, "Sister Kong, how was your trip home?"

Kong Xiyan's gaze rested on the warmer. "Not bad."

Fu Qiu sighed. "You have no idea how much I wanted to go with you, but Sister Tong made me handle a ton of stuff, so I didn't even have time to call you."

Her aggrieved tone drew a light laugh from Kong Xiyan.

"Next time!"

"Next time, I'll definitely go back with you, Sister Kong!"

Kong Xiyan tilted her head to look at her. "Alright, if there's a next time."

Fu Qiu broke into a wide grin.

The car's heater was on full blast, warm and cozy. Fu Qiu chattered on about everything that had happened during the week, while Kong Xiyan occasionally chimed in.

Just before they reached the set, Fu Qiu lowered her voice. "Oh, right, Sister Kong, did you see the news about Guo Yixi on Weibo?"

Kong Xiyan's eyes dropped. "Mm."

Fu Qiu sounded a bit wistful. "Sigh, not long ago she was all high and mighty, and now she's about to be blacklisted. The He family is terrifying."

Kong Xiyan: "Mm."

Fu Qiu sighed again. "Guo Yixi's pitiful too—now no one online dares to speak up for her. Did you know, Sister Kong? Her fan club disbanded."

Her fan club disbanded?

Kong Xiyan genuinely hadn't known that.

But—it had nothing to do with her.

Seeing they were about to reach the set, Fu Qiu slapped her forehead. "Oh right, Sister Kong, I forgot to tell you something."

Kong Xiyan opened the car door, stepping out into the cold. The wind whipped around her, and she pulled her coat tighter. "What is it?"

Fu Qiu opened her mouth. "It's just..."

Before she could finish, the sound of high heels tapping on the pavement grew closer.

Kong Xiyan heard it too. She looked up and met the eyes of the person before her.

He Wei extended a hand with a smile. "Miss Kong, long time no see."

Three years had passed, but Kong Xiyan hadn't expected her first meeting with He Wei to be under these circumstances. The face was familiar, yet the aura was completely different.

In the past, He Wei had been impulsive. No matter the occasion, if she was in a bad mood, she would pick a fight with Wei Yan. And then savor being coaxed back into good humor.

Three years had gone by.

Time had erased many traces of her former self. Now, standing before Kong Xiyan was a completely stranger woman.

He Wei's brown hair, dyed, drifted back in the cold wind. Her delicate features exuded elegance. She cast a faint glance at Kong Xiyan, curled her lips in disdain, and extended her hand. "Miss Kong, long time no see."

Fu Qiu swallowed nervously off to the side. Even she could feel the force of He Wei's presence—aggressive and overwhelming.

Kong Xiyan looked down at those slender, fair fingers, tipped with bright red nail polish, well-manicured and smooth. She seemed unfazed by He Wei's intimidating aura, raising her head with neither humility nor arrogance. Her bright eyes lifted to meet He Wei's, and she gave a light smile. "Long time no see."