Chapter 66

In City B, the shift between seasons was subtle. Even in the depths of winter, girls could be seen on the streets in knee-length skirts and leggings, as if the cold couldn't touch them.

Kong Xiyan, bundled in a black down jacket, stood at an intersection, watching the young women pass by, chatting and laughing.

"Hey, you watching the livestream today?"

"Of course!"

"Me too! I wanna know what really went down three years ago."

"If Kong Xiyan was set up, Wei Yan's in for it."

"Whether she was or not, Wei Yan's a total scumbag!"

"Ugh, I used to like him so much."

"Oh, come on, switch to Ling Yu! He's my fav now—crazy talented."

The snippets of conversation faded as they walked away. Kong Xiyan watched them go, her gaze steady. After a long moment, she checked the time on her phone.

Nine-thirty.

Fu Qiu should be here any minute.

Ten minutes later, Fu Qiu's car pulled up to the curb. After days apart, she barely had a chance to greet Kong Xiyan before her face crumpled with worry. "Sister Kong, something's up."

"The press conference—"

"There's a problem with the press conference."

Kong Xiyan frowned. "What?"

Fu Qiu tugged her into the car and rushed to explain, "Wei Yan and He Wei are holding their own press conference today, claiming they'll clear up what happened three years ago."

She kept stealing glances at Kong Xiyan, and when she saw her expression stay calm, Fu Qiu grew anxious. "Sister Kong, don't worry. Sister Tong is already working on a solution."

Kong Xiyan lowered her eyes, saying nothing.

She was about to hold a press conference live-streamed across the internet.

Everyone knew that. And Wei Yan and He Wei had chosen that exact moment to announce their own "clarification." The message was as clear as day. But right now, she was just a small actress recently back in the game, while they were—top-tier actors, one a leading lady among the Four Dan and the other on the verge of a Best Actor award. Their status far outshone hers.

Moreover, the two of them together was already a headline, and now they were going to talk about the events of three years past.

Only a fool wouldn't know which press conference to tune into.

After a moment, Kong Xiyan asked, "Who else did they invite?"

Fu Qiu bit her lip, as if afraid to upset her, and forced the words out. "They invited several of their friends... all with some industry clout..."

Kong Xiyan cut her off with a soft "Mm."

Fu Qiu studied her expression and cautiously asked, "Sister Kong, should we head straight to Sister Tong's place?"

Kong Xiyan nodded. "Let's go."

Her eyes were pale, unreadable.

Fu Qiu discreetly glanced at Weibo.

Because He Wei and Wei Yan's press conference had been announced at the last minute, not many paid attention at first. But after an hour or two, netizens had taken notice.

They were already debating which livestream to watch.

Fu Qiu's thumb scrolled through the comments.

—I'll watch He Wei and Wei Yan. Honestly, they sound more credible.

—I'm going with He Wei too. She's my goddess. Such a shame about that scumbag Wei Yan.

—Tell me about it. I feel so bad for He Wei. Wei Yan's the worst.

—Well, none of you are going to watch Kong Xiyan?

—Forget it. Isn't it all the same? As long as they clear up what happened.

—+1.

The comments seemed tame, but Fu Qiu knew exactly how much influence He Wei and Wei Yan wielded. Sister Kong was clearly being overshadowed.

She fretted silently for Kong Xiyan, sneaking glances, but kept her thoughts to herself.

The car was cold and quiet, carrying the chill of winter. Over at Wei Yan's side, however, things were buzzing.

He went to confirm with Jiang Yuan more than once: "Are you sure Kong Xiyan won't cause any more trouble?"

Jiang Yuan nodded and patted his shoulder. "She won't. With CEO Chi stepping in, what are you worried about?"

Wei Yan's expression relaxed. "Good. I was concerned about Zhou Sheng..."

He had thought Jingyan's silence on the Kong Xiyan exposé was because she'd latched onto Zhou Sheng, and Zhou Sheng had put in a word with Chi Wanzhao, leading to tacit approval. Seemed he'd been wrong.

Chi Wanzhao knew who mattered more after all.

Jiang Yuan replied, "After this press conference, it'll all be settled."

Wei Yan acknowledged with an "Mm" at his confident look.

Nearby, He Wei was ready. She clicked over in high heels, her demeanor haughty. "Ready?"

Wei Yan stepped to her side and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Weiwei."

He Wei felt a tug at her heart at his rare tenderness, and her expression softened. "Wei Yan, you know how much I've sacrificed for you."

Wei Yan nodded. "I know. I know."

"I'll take care of you for the rest of my life."

She had long grown immune to this man's sweet talk, but in that moment, her heart still fluttered.

No matter what, this was the man she loved.

He Wei and Wei Yan lingered together a moment before Zhou Han came running over. "Sister He Wei, everything's ready."

As she spoke, she gave Wei Yan a glance, a flicker of disdain in her eyes before it vanished. Hearing her, He Wei drew away from Wei Yan and said, "See you in a bit."

Since Wei Yan was at the center of the recent storm, he went out first. He Wei stayed backstage, listening to his calm voice over the microphone, her eyes lowered. Zhou Han whispered, "Sister He Wei, is this really safe?"

"What if Kong Xiyan shows up to cause trouble..."

He Wei cut her off. "That's why I'm waiting."

Zhou Han knew what she was waiting for, but she still couldn't shake her unease, her brows knit tightly.

He Wei glanced down at her phone, catching Zhou Han's conflicted expression from the corner of her eye. After a moment, she said, "Nothing's going to happen."

"But..."

He Wei's face turned cold. "Go out first."

Zhou Han gave her a long look, then lowered her head and left. He Wei watched her slim figure disappear before withdrawing her gaze.

Actually, the day before, when she and Wei Yan had suggested ensuring Kong Xiyan couldn't hold her press conference, and Jiang Yuan had gone along with it, she'd thought it madness. But Jiang Yuan had convinced her.

Jingyan was prepared to cut Kong Xiyan loose. She had no reason not to take the gamble.

Three years ago, she'd walked in with nothing and won.

She had no reason to lose now that she had everything.

He Wei slowly clenched her fist. Her phone rang suddenly, and she hurried to answer, hearing the voice on the other end say, "Sister He Wei, they've announced the press conference is cancelled."

"Good."

He Wei hung up, her bright red lips curving into a smile, white teeth gleaming in a way that sent chills down the spine.

Then the door slid open, and Jiang Yuan stood at the threshold, calling out, "Miss He, Mr. Wei is ready for you on stage."

He Wei walked forward with her chin held high in her high heels. Just before she stepped out, she couldn't help but double-check: "The security's all set? You're sure Kong Xiyan can't get in..."

Jiang Yuan smiled elegantly, his expression unchanged, as though everything was under control. "She won't. Miss He needn't worry."

Only then did He Wei walk to the front of the press conference, satisfied.

Today they'd invited every magazine and newspaper in City B, big or small—even the obscure ones got invitations. So a good crowd of reporters sat below the stage. A few had originally planned to attend Kong Xiyan's event, but when they learned hers was cancelled, they all hurried over.

So the room was packed with the city's entire press corps.

No one missing.

Seeing the reporters, He Wei smiled gracefully and carried herself with poise. She wore a blue long dress and ten-centimeter heels, walking with her head high, radiating confidence.

On the stage, besides Wei Yan, several veteran actors were seated—all people they'd worked with, invited by He Wei and Wei Yan.

Planted to add weight.

He Wei smiled faintly. It was indeed effective.

She took the stage gracefully, and Wei Yan pulled out her chair, helping her sit down, their gestures intimate and attentive.

The reporters murmured among themselves: "They seem pretty loving, huh?"

"Yeah, seems like it."

Since it was live, netizens watching from outside saw it too, especially Wei Yan and He Wei's fans, who furiously typed out their joy.

—See? Our He Yan couple are perfect together! Screw Kong Xiyan!

—Exactly!

—Saying their marriage fell apart? Total nonsense!

—Oh, wasn't Kong Xiyan supposed to have a press conference too? Where is she?

—Heard she chickened out.

The bullet comments flooded the screen with rows of "hahaha." Kong Xiyan watched with cold eyes. Finally, she placed her phone in Fu Qiu's hands. "Let's go."

Fu Qiu was confused. "Sister Kong, where to?"

Kong Xiyan gave a faint tug at the corner of her mouth. "To find Sister Tong."

Tong Yue was already at Wei Yan's press conference. She was hearing He Wei's gentle voice carry through the venue via the microphone.

"I know everyone's eager to hear about what happened three years ago. But in fact, it's been so long that I've already let it go and don't plan to bring it up again."

"Three years ago, I was deeply hurt. For a while, I didn't even know why I should go on living. Thinking back now, I can hardly remember how I managed to hold on."

"But some things—even if bringing them up again is like rubbing salt in my wounds—I absolutely will not allow others to slander me at will."

"So I..."

Just as she was getting into the swing of it, a cold, crisp voice cut through from the back of the press conference, interrupting her.

Kong Xiyan stood there, calm and composed, her gaze cool and unruffled. She lifted her eyes, a glint of cold light within, and addressed He Wei and Wei Yan on the stage. "So, are you planning to spin another story to fool the media?"

"Or to fool your fans?"

"Or perhaps... to fool yourselves?"

The moment she finished speaking, chaos erupted across the entire press conference.