Chapter 51

Zhou Han came to pry about Kong Xiyan, and Fu Qiu told her, even sharing what she had overheard in the restroom.

Kong Xiyan just lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, not replying.

Zhou Han and her mother had been brought into the house by her father. At the time, Kong Xiyan had already debuted, and out of consideration for her status and opinion, no ceremony was held. They simply lived together as partners, without even registering a marriage certificate.

During that period, she was busy flying all over the country, taking endless gigs, and had no time to look after her father. She thought it wasn't bad to have someone accompany him, so she let it be.

Later, Zhou Han approached her, saying she wanted to follow her, but her then-manager refused.

She remembered that manager telling her: this girl has crooked intentions; stay away from her in the future.

Unexpectedly, those words proved prophetic.

Not long after, Zhou Han and her mother slandered her and left without a care. Later, He Wei played a card of "burying the hatchet" by hiring Zhou Han as her assistant, earning her much praise.

Even now, many people still praise her as an angel.

Fu Qiu saw she didn't want to talk, so she lowered her head and stayed quiet.

Sister Kong's family matters had been all over the internet three years ago, so she naturally knew about Zhou Han.

It's just—she wasn't a good person.

When they arrived at the apartment building, Kong Xiyan opened the door and got out of the car. After thinking for a moment, she turned back to call Fu Qiu: "Xiao Qiu."

Fu Qiu looked up at her: "What is it, Sister Kong?"

Kong Xiyan smiled lightly: "Nothing. You did well today."

Fu Qiu's fair cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She scratched her head: "I'm sorry, Sister Kong. About telling them about your cat—I really didn't know it would be used against you. I..."

"It's not too late to learn now."

Kong Xiyan patted her head as she leaned out: "Go back now. See you tomorrow."

Fu Qiu's torrent of apologies was interrupted. Seeing Kong Xiyan's calm demeanor, she nodded: "Okay."

"See you tomorrow, Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan watched the car drive away, then turned and went back into the apartment building. Perhaps because they hadn't slept together the night before, Yanyan was especially clingy during the day. Hearing the noise at the door, she pricked up her ears and wiggled them, then meowed and jumped off the sofa. Seeing Kong Xiyan, she swaggered over and rubbed against her calf.

Kong Xiyan picked her up and whispered, "Missing me?"

Yanyan stared with her blue eyes: "Meow."

Kong Xiyan rubbed her belly: "Look at you at noon—did you have two servings?"

Usually, before going to the set, she would prepare two portions of food—one in the kitchen and one in the fridge. When both she and Chi Wanzhao were away, Zhou Sheng would usually come by at noon to feed Yanyan.

Kong Xiyan worried that Zhou Sheng might sometimes be busy, so she secretly left a portion in the kitchen, afraid Yanyan would go hungry.

Only she didn't expect that this little move caused Yanyan's weight to keep creeping up.

She rubbed Yanyan's head and muttered softly: "Come on, let's go for a walk."

Yanyan listlessly flopped on the sofa: "Meow..."

Kong Xiyan threatened her: "If you don't get up, she might not give you dinner."

Only then did Yanyan reluctantly get up, giving Kong Xiyan a fierce meow, and resignedly waddled out the door.

Kong Xiyan, following behind her, unknowingly curved her brows and eyes.

In the Jingyan office, Zhou Sheng stood behind Chi Wanzhao, head slightly bowed, speaking respectfully: "President Chi, Wei Yan's assistant has contacted Guo Yixi."

"Should we..."

Chi Wanzhao turned her head: "No."

Her delicate profile tightened, lips pressed into a thin line. Her long hair was neatly coiled at the back of her head, only fine bangs covered her willow brows, and her eyes beneath them glinted coldly: "Don't interfere with this matter."

Zhou Sheng frowned: "But Guo Yixi is making such a big stink about this now. Wouldn't it be good to dig up the old matter along the way?"

"Good?"

Chi Wanzhao's eyes were like hanging pearls: "What I want isn't 'good'; I want absolute certainty."

Zhou Sheng nodded: "I understand, President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao glanced sideways at him: "Keep watching Guo Yixi's side."

Zhou Sheng: "And Miss Sun?"

Chi Wanzhao pondered for a moment: "Tell her that what she wants, I will soon obtain."

Zhou Sheng: "Yes."

After Zhou Sheng left the office, Chi Wanzhao opened her phone, her finger resting on Jiang Yuan's name. A few minutes later, the call connected.

The phone was quickly answered, and Jiang Yuan respectfully said, "President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao hummed: "I heard you negotiated with Guo Yixi?"

Jiang Yuan: "Yes. President Chi, any instructions?"

Chi Wanzhao tapped her finger against the phone: "See if she has any valuable inside info."

Jiang Yuan hesitated: "President Chi means..."

Chi Wanzhao hummed: "Bring it to me."

Jiang Yuan understood: "Yes, President Chi."

He had just hung up when Wei Yan walked up to him, handing him a drink: "Who was that?"

Jiang Yuan showed him his phone: "Who else? Your meal ticket, President Chi of Jingyan."

Wei Yan squinted his starry eyes: "What did she call about?"

Jiang Yuan clapped his shoulder: "Brother, do you really not know, or are you playing dumb? Your matter is all over the internet. You think she doesn't know?"

"Besides, you're her top guy at her company. If you get into trouble, won't she be affected? She'd be calling up in a panic."

Wei Yan curled his lips: "True."

Jiang Yuan looked up and took a sip of cold drink: "True?"

"I think if you do a great job with 'Dawn' this time, you'll be completely established at Jingyan. Don't let me down."

Wei Yan nodded slightly: "By the way, what are you going to do about Guo Yixi?"

Jiang Yuan frowned: "What else can I do? She's just trying to force you to show your hand. I've already set up a meeting with her. Let's see what inside info she has. If it's worthless, let her do what she wants. If she really has something, do you think I'd let her release it?"

He said a mouthful, and Wei Yan just gave a short hum: "You handle it."

Jiang Yuan tossed the empty beverage can into the trash: "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Wei Yan returned the phone to Jiang Yuan, exchanged a greeting, and turned to leave. Because of Guo Yixi's matter, his Weibo was being raided. Although his fans were trying to suppress it, there were too many internet trolls, and the incident was attracting a lot of attention, so his comment section was in chaos.

He couldn't even stand to open his phone.

Jiang Yuan watched him leave, his gaze turning cold. He lowered his head to look at his phone, dialed a number: "Miss Guo, have you considered?"

"—Yes. Where shall we meet?"

Jiang Yuan lowered his head: "You decide, Miss Guo."

Guo Yixi wore sunglasses and a cap, dressed in a black down jacket, concealing her body tightly. Half her face was hidden inside the jacket, and she walked quickly.

Since her matter was exposed, all the agreed advertisements, films, and TV dramas had fallen through. Her agency even made her pay a huge penalty for breaching her contract.

She knew someone was behind this, making things difficult for her.

And who that was went without saying.

Except for He Wei, no one hated her that much.

She walked along the street with furrowed brows, lowering her head whenever she saw a person, afraid of being recognized. Since her fall, all her former friends had distanced themselves, avoiding her as if she had the plague.

It was only after being turned away by Director Sun multiple times that she finally understood.

She had truly lost her power.

But unfortunately for them,

She still had some evidence about Wei Yan.

And this evidence was enough to shatter the public persona Wei Yan had painstakingly built over the years. She believed He Wei wouldn't disregard Wei Yan's image.

Sure enough—Wei Yan's assistant came to see her.

Guo Yixi walked into the small teahouse. Inside, a server led her to a private room where Jiang Yuan was sitting.

Jiang Yuan had brewed a pot of tea. Seeing Guo Yixi enter, he waved at the server, who bowed and left. Jiang Yuan then pulled out a chair for Guo Yixi.

Guo Yixi got straight to the point: "Where's Wei Yan?"

Jiang Yuan leisurely sat back in his seat and raised a cup of tea to her: "Miss Guo, you didn't think Mr. Wei would come in person, did you?"

"If nothing happens, but paparazzi take a photo and twist it into malicious gossip, it would be hard to shake off."

Guo Yixi slapped a USB drive onto the table: "Perhaps Mr. Jiang should verify it yourself and see if it warrants him coming in person."

Jiang Yuan lowered his eyes, glanced at the black USB drive, placed his laptop on the table, plugged the drive in, and after a moment, a dim video appeared.

And a few voices talking.

His expression darkened.

Guo Yixi watched his change in expression with satisfaction: "Mr. Jiang, do you still think Wei Yan needed to come in person?"

Jiang Yuan stared at the computer: "Name your price."

Guo Yixi frowned: "What do you mean?"

Jiang Yuan turned to look at her: "You don't think this alone can make Mr. Wei apologize, do you? Or do you want to use this to re-enter the entertainment industry? Miss Guo, don't blame me for not warning you—there are a hundred ways to obtain this USB drive. What do you think?"

"If it comes to worst, even if you do release this, we can find flaws in it. And maybe you'll end up with nothing."

"So, name your price."

"It's better for both of us."

Guo Yixi was angered by Jiang Yuan's words, but she also knew he was speaking the truth.

Wei Yan and He Wei's influence had grown day by day over the past three years. Going head-to-head with them would yield no benefits. Besides, even if she did release the video, it wouldn't topple Wei Yan.

Behind him stood Jingyan.

Guo Yixi sighed and extended five fingers: "This much."

Jiang Yuan curled the corner of his mouth: "Fine, but I hope Miss Guo will sign this confidentiality agreement."

Guo Yixi frowned: "Confidentiality agreement?"

Jiang Yuan: "Of course. If you were to sell this material a second time, wouldn't our money be wasted unfairly?"

Guo Yixi put on a stern face: "Don't worry—"

"I don't worry. You'd better sign, Miss Guo."

Jiang Yuan's expression suddenly turned serious, his voice low, his face stony. His starry eyes locked onto Guo Yixi: "Miss Guo, look at this agreement and sign."

Guo Yixi looked at the document he handed over, read it carefully, and found nothing wrong. She asked, "When will the money arrive?"

Jiang Yuan slid the computer to her: "Enter your account."

Guo Yixi first entered her account number, then returned the computer to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan's fingers tapped on the keyboard. After a few minutes, he said: "I've transferred seventy percent upfront; the remaining thirty percent will come after the deal is done. I hope that about this matter, including this contract, you won't let a third person know, Miss Guo."

Guo Yixi looked down at each clause in the confidentiality agreement, bit her tongue, and said: "Fine."

Jiang Yuan packed up his computer and placed the signed contract into his briefcase: "As for Mr. Wei, I hope you keep it secret from him too."

Guo Yixi looked up: "Why?"

Jiang Yuan curled his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes: "We're all smart people; why say it outright?"

Guo Yixi: ...

After tidying up, Jiang Yuan gave a slight nod and left the teahouse, winding through alleys before exiting. Once out, he called Wei Yan.

Wei Yan eagerly asked, "How did it go? Guo Yixi—"

Jiang Yuan stopped, looked up at the sun in the sky. It wasn't scorching, but he still squinted slightly and replied: "Rest assured, Mr. Wei. Miss Guo has no real inside info—just a bluff. I've already verified it."

Wei Yan exhaled in relief: "Good. When will you be back?"

Jiang Yuan walked to his car: "Now. Are you still at the company?"

Wei Yan: "Mm."

Jiang Yuan pressed his lips: "Okay, I'm on my way."