Chapter 73

After the break, Gu Ling and Kong Xiyan returned to the set. They had just settled into their seats when the host smiled and asked, "Miss Kong, we've invited a special guest today—an old friend of yours. Why not guess who it might be?"

Kong Xiyan was momentarily taken aback. An old friend?

She had few close friends in the industry. With her hectic filming schedule and constant travel, she rarely kept in touch with co-stars for more than a couple of months.

She was slow to warm up to people and never one to initiate contact. She had plenty of acquaintances back then, but true friends were scarce.

A figure crossed her mind. She lowered her head and asked, "Is it Guan—is it Xiaoying?"

The host smiled coyly. "Whether it is or not, you'll have to see for yourself, Miss Kong."

With a gesture of invitation, the host directed her attention to a door on the set that Kong Xiyan hadn't noticed before.

Kong Xiyan rose and walked slowly to the door, her expression composed. She wrapped her fingers around the handle, eyes lowered, and after the host counted down from three, she pulled it open. There stood Guan Xiaoying.

Guan Xiaoying wore a black dress with a neckline that hugged her skin, the dark fabric making her complexion look even fairer. Her delicate collarbones led to a slender neck, and she exuded an air of refined elegance.

Kong Xiyan stood still as Guan Xiaoying stepped forward and embraced her. "Long time no see."

Guan Xiaoying was about the same height as Kong Xiyan. After the hug, she rested her head on Kong Xiyan's shoulder—a gesture so intimate it seemed they were truly old friends reuniting after years apart.

The host quickly came over to lead them to their seats, introducing their relationship to the camera and marveling at their enviable friendship.

While the host chattered on, Kong Xiyan gathered her scattered thoughts, keeping her gaze down and her emotions hidden.

Gu Ling's eyes lingered on the pair for a moment before she, too, looked away.

After the introduction, Kong Xiyan lifted her head and smiled at Guan Xiaoying. "How did you find the time to come?"

Guan Xiaoying's smile remained warm. "What can I do? An old friend asked, so I had to make time even if I didn't have any."

Kong Xiyan smiled.

The 'old friend' Guan Xiaoying referred to was clearly her, and this invitation had obviously been extended by the show's producers in her name.

She didn't respond, and the host quickly steered the conversation away, as if afraid of slighting Guan Xiaoying.

And rightly so—she was not only a Best Actress winner but also Madam Wei of Xinhui. Her status and the power behind her made her someone everyone wanted to curry favor with; no one would risk ignoring her.

After redirecting the topic, the host asked Guan Xiaoying several questions about events three years ago. Guan Xiaoying answered earnestly, taking every opportunity to speak in Kong Xiyan's defense.

Kong Xiyan occasionally nodded in agreement.

When a topic ended, Guan Xiaoying turned to Kong Xiyan with a serious expression. "Xiyan, three years ago, you should have come to me."

Her tone carried regret, as if Kong Xiyan's failure to seek her out had caused her great sadness.

Kong Xiyan forced a smile. "So much happened back then, and things were complicated. You were busy filming, and I was afraid it would affect you."

Guan Xiaoying reached out and patted Kong Xiyan's hand. "You're always like this, afraid of troubling others. But don't forget our relationship. I'm not afraid of trouble—I'm only afraid you no longer see me as your friend."

Her words rang with sincerity, and a hint of tears glistened in her eyes. "You've been wronged."

Kong Xiyan calmly withdrew her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "No, I'm fine. Thank you, Xiaoying."

The host promptly handed Guan Xiaoying a tissue, while smiling and offering a few remarks to the camera.

In the latter half of the interview, with Guan Xiaoying's presence, the host directed most of the questions to her, making Kong Xiyan seem like a supporting act. Kong Xiyan's expression remained calm, but Gu Ling felt uncomfortable, casting evaluating glances at Guan Xiaoying.

The twenty-minute interview quickly came to an end.

Kong Xiyan and the others filed out of the recording area and returned to the dressing room at the back.

The host followed them and asked, "Madam Wei, will you have time later? If so, perhaps..."

Guan Xiaoying cut her off with a graceful smile. "I'm sorry, but I'd like to have a proper talk with Xiyan later."

The host nodded in understanding. "Of course, of course." She excused herself and left the dressing room.

Gu Ling saw that Guan Xiaoying seemed to want a private word with Kong Xiyan, so she wisely excused herself to the restroom. The staff inside were soon cleared out by Guan Xiaoying's assistant, and even Tong Yue waited outside the door.

Kong Xiyan sat in front of the mirror, removing her jewelry. She looked up at Guan Xiaoying and asked, "Is something the matter?"

Guan Xiaoying sat down beside her. "Xiyan, about what happened three years ago—why didn't you come to me?"

It was the same question she'd asked on stage, and Kong Xiyan had answered it dutifully then. Now that Guan Xiaoying asked again, Kong Xiyan frowned. "Xiaoying, I already told you—it was too complicated, and I didn't want to drag you into it."

After all, if someone in Kong Xiyan's own position could be toppled, then Guan Xiaoying, who had nothing at the time, would have fared no better.

Telling her would only have made her another victim.

Guan Xiaoying saw that Kong Xiyan didn't want to revisit the topic. She held back and then pressed on. "Fine, three years ago I had no power or influence, and I understand why you didn't want to involve me. But what about now? I'm Madam Wei at Xinhui now, and I'm fully capable of protecting you."

"Would you consider coming to Xinhui?"

Kong Xiyan was stunned by the offer.

Xinhui—her old company.

Three years ago, after the scandal broke, they hadn't helped her; instead, they'd fanned the flames. Now they wanted her back?

Guan Xiaoying patted her shoulder. "I know what you're thinking, but over these three years, I've already removed everyone who framed you. They've all received the punishment they deserved. Xiyan, if you come back, I can give you the best resources and make you an international superstar!"

Kong Xiyan listened seriously before looking up. "Xiaoying, I know you mean well, but I've already signed with Jingyan, and my contract..."

"Don't worry about the contract," Guan Xiaoying interrupted. "If you're willing to come, we'll cover any buyout fee."

Her gaze was intense, fixed on Kong Xiyan's face, not missing a single expression.

But Kong Xiyan merely shook her head. "Sorry, Xiaoying. For now, I can't leave Jingyan."

Seeing she couldn't persuade her, Guan Xiaoying gave a helpless smile. "Alright, I'll respect your decision. If you ever change your mind, feel free to reach out anytime."

She exchanged numbers and WeChat with Kong Xiyan.

Kong Xiyan looked at her sincere profile and said softly, "Thank you, Xiaoying."

Guan Xiaoying shook her head. "I haven't been able to help at all. Don't thank me."

Their eyes met, and they exchanged smiles.

A short while later, Guan Xiaoying took her leave. Her assistant immediately stepped forward. "Madam."

Guan Xiaoying handed her the bag and headed toward the restroom. "Wait for me outside."

The assistant acknowledged, "Yes, Madam."

Upon entering the restroom, Guan Xiaoying saw Gu Ling looking into the mirror. To be fair, Gu Ling was one of the more striking among the younger actresses—not stunningly beautiful, but hard to ignore.

Perhaps it was her cool temperament.

Guan Xiaoying's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she looked away.

It was Gu Ling who spotted Guan Xiaoying in the mirror. She turned and greeted, "Madam Wei."

Guan Xiaoying stood beside her and asked with a nod and a smile, "I heard you had an accident on a show not long ago. Are you feeling better?"

Gu Ling replied, "Much better. Thank you for your concern, Madam Wei."

Guan Xiaoying remained graceful. "Don't mention it. Since you're Xiyan's friend, you're my friend too. It's only natural to ask."

At those words, Gu Ling lowered her gaze to her own shoes and said nothing. Guan Xiaoying paused, then added, "Actually, I've been meaning to thank you. It might sound a bit off, but I'm grateful you swapped places with Xiyan that day."

"I was on set that day. If you hadn't swapped..."

Guan Xiaoying trailed off, but Gu Ling's expression shifted.

If she hadn't swapped with Kong Xiyan, it would have been Kong Xiyan who fell, not her.

Gu Ling thought for a moment, then said calmly, "Whether we switched or not, someone had to get hurt. If it came down to choosing between her and me, I'd rather it be me."

Her gaze was clear, her demeanor steady. "Because she was the only one on that stage who held onto me."

"I'm willing to take that hit for her."

Guan Xiaoying's expression darkened slightly at Gu Ling's clear eyes, and she said coldly, "Miss Gu's friendship with Xiyan is truly enviable."

Gu Ling said nothing, simply nodded and brushed past her.

Behind her, Guan Xiaoying's gaze followed her fixedly.

Gu Ling returned to the dressing room and saw Kong Xiyan sitting before the mirror, looking at her phone. She glanced at Kong Xiyan, then walked over, picked up her clothes, and went into the changing room without a word.

Kong Xiyan stared at her phone with a serious expression, her brows knitted tightly, as if awaiting some momentous news.

A moment later, the phone buzzed.

The voice on the other end was calm as always. "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan hesitated. "It's nothing. I just wanted to ask if she could be trusted."

Chi Wanzhao looked at the blank paper before her, her black pen poised over the empty space. After a moment's thought, she said, "Everyone I've assigned to you is reliable."

Kong Xiyan felt relieved, her brows relaxing into a smile. "Alright, I understand." She hung up and called out, "Sister Tong."

Tong Yue, busy with something, turned and hurried to Kong Xiyan's side. "What's up?"

Kong Xiyan handed her a slip of paper with several names written on it. "Sister Tong, could you look into when these people left Xinhui?"

Tong Yue seemed puzzled, but she didn't ask questions. She took the note and said simply, "Okay."

Kong Xiyan nodded.

The names on the paper were all people she'd had dealings with. One thing Guan Xiaoying had said stayed with her.

She'd claimed that in the past three years, she had dismissed everyone who'd framed her.

But how did Guan Xiaoying know that Kong Xiyan had been framed three years ago?

If those people had resigned after the incident with Wei Yan and He Wei, it would make sense.

But if it had been earlier...