Chapter 8

After the morning fitting photos, Fu Qiu drove Kong Xiyan back to the apartment by early afternoon. Yanyan, who'd been dozing on the sofa, perked up her pointed ears at the sound of the door. She lifted her head, spotted Kong Xiyan, and let out a meow as she scrambled to her feet.

Kong Xiyan was toeing off her shoes when Yanyan padded over on silent paws, swaying as she went, and pressed her plump body against Kong Xiyan's calf.

She was in a dress, and the fluffy brush against her bare skin was especially pleasant. Kong Xiyan scooped up Yanyan and sank onto the sofa, kneading a tuft of white fur—smooth and silky. Leaning in, she caught a faint, clean scent.

Yanyan, a veritable snowball, curled up on Kong Xiyan's lap, sweeping her tail across Kong Xiyan's arm and occasionally brushing over the phone screen as Kong Xiyan scrolled.

Every so often, Kong Xiyan would glance down, rub her forehead, and tuck her closer.

After soothing Yanyan, she finally turned her attention to her phone.

The fitting photos for "Breaking the Cocoon" were out.

The official Weibo account had even tagged her alternate account.

After retouching, she almost didn't recognize herself in the shots. The first two were Xiao Cheng and Gu Ling. Gu Ling was playing a ruthless princess this time—scheming, skilled at playing hearts, known as the "Young Strategist" in the novel.

Xiao Cheng's vice-general was a man of few words, his temperament darkened by the massacre of his family in childhood.

The third photo was of Kong Xiyan.

The daughter of the prime minister. The prime minister's household was wholly loyal, and she was close with the Crown Prince. The emperor had no daughters of his own and favored this brilliant prime minister's daughter, even joking that she should become the Crown Princess.

Thus her status in the state of Wu was distinguished, her glory unmatched by any.

The remaining photos were of the supporting cast, which Kong Xiyan didn't examine closely. She scrolled through the comments—mostly declarations of love for Gu Ling and Xiao Cheng, though, of course, plenty cursing her too.

Quite a few fans had even traced the official tag to her alternate account and started following.

Her alternate account's popularity was skyrocketing.

But she hadn't posted a single Weibo since creating it. Those infuriated fans had swarmed back to the official account's comment section to vent.

The official page was soon overrun.

—Any scene with that homewrecker, I'm not watching!

—Why let a homewrecker ruin my Qianqian?

—Damn it, a homewrecker playing my Qianqian!!!? Begging you not to!

—If I were her, I'd have picked some remote place and let myself wither away long ago. Coming back for a comeback? Sure, shamelessness conquers all!

—Tsk, playing a homewrecker again this time—clearly typecasting!

—Hey, hey, hey, that comment above really ticks me off. Sure, that bitch Kong is a homewrecker, but how is my Qianqian one? If anything, it's that shameless Wei Yan of yours!

Qianqian was the character Kong Xiyan was starring as this time—Chu Qian.

Wei Yan was the princess of the state of Wei, played by Gu Ling.

The moment that comment appeared, a flood of people below started raging.

—What Qianqian? Haven't you read the adapted script? Single female lead! The female lead is Wei Yan! Lin Liang only respects Chu Qian, feels gratitude toward her!

—So what? In the book, Qianqian was betrothed to Lin Liang too, and Lin Liang openly said he likes Qianqian—unlike some shameless woman who throws herself at him! Birds of a feather flock together, and so do their fans.

The abuse continued, and half an hour later, it drowned out the posts cursing Kong Xiyan. When she scrolled down further, the top hot comments were all battles between rival book fans.

As for the "Kong Xiyan, get out of the entertainment industry" or "please recast her" topics, they'd been pushed to the bottom, nearly invisible.

Kong Xiyan watched for a while, then noticed someone had messaged her on WeChat.

She opened the interface and saw a message from Tong Yue.

—Filming starts the day after tomorrow. Do you need me to arrange accommodation?

Kong Xiyan: No need, thanks, Sister Tong.

Tong Yue: No problem.

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment, then typed: Thanks for the Weibo thing too.

Tong Yue: Do well in acting and stand back up—that's the real thanks.

Kong Xiyan: I will.

She had worked in the entertainment industry long enough to recognize what comment-section control meant. Today's official announcement had steered public opinion toward the book fans, letting them tear each other apart and sidestepping the "she's a homewrecker" topic. Aside from Tong Yue, she couldn't think of anyone else who would help her like that.

Kong Xiyan set her phone on the coffee table and picked up the script to study it, while Yanyan shifted in her arms and drifted into a comfortable sleep.

Around four in the afternoon, Yanyan, fully rested, jumped off her and went on a cat-food hunt around the apartment, leaping from cabinet to table. A fat white ball bouncing around—until, before long, a dull thud sounded.

Kong Xiyan looked over to see Yanyan had missed her jump onto the cabinet and bumped straight into the door.

Yanyan: Meow...

Kong Xiyan: ...

To prevent her from tearing the apartment apart, Kong Xiyan, at her wit's end, picked up a leash from the side and walked over. "Come on, be good and come out for a walk with me."

Yanyan let out a meow and shrank backward, white fur bristling.

Kong Xiyan met her sapphire-blue eyes. "You'll get a midnight snack if you come."

Yanyan immediately gave up resisting and obediently padded over, stretching out her neck.

Kong Xiyan: ...

Sure enough, the glutton trait wasn't limited to humans or animals!

There was a small garden near the apartment, not very large, where elderly folks would come to exercise in the evenings. Kong Xiyan deliberately wore a mask and cap, leash in hand, walking very slowly with Yanyan.

The wind lifted her long hair, and the setting sun stretched her shadow long behind her. A woman and a cat, unhurried and at ease, strolling along.

Chi Wanzhao sat in the car, gazing through the window. Her sharp features softened, and her usually taut lips curved slightly upward. With her hand resting on the window frame, she watched intently.

Lu Han took in her expression and wasn't sure whether to drive. He asked quietly, "President Chi?"

Chi Wanzhao gave him a faint glance. "You're off now. I'll drive the car back myself."

Lu Han understood. "Alright."

Kong Xiyan walked Yanyan for over an hour before heading back. Just as she reached the apartment door, a burst of fragrance hit her nose. Yanyan, unable to contain herself, sprang forward with a dash. Kong Xiyan stumbled a step and hurried after her.

Yanyan stood at the door, pawing at it. Kong Xiyan scooped her up and was about to unlock the door when it clicked and swung open from inside.

Chi Wanzhao stood there in pajamas, hair slightly damp. Her thin lips parted slightly. "You're back."

Her tone was so natural, as if they had been living together for a long time.

Kong Xiyan looked away uncomfortably. "Mm."

On the dining table was dinner, already prepared—three dishes and a soup. The wafting aroma was of braised pork ribs, glossy and coated with a thick, rich sauce. It was clear serious effort had gone into it.

Chi Wanzhao's cooking wasn't just beautiful to look at; it tasted even better, as Kong Xiyan knew well.

She set Yanyan down and watched her dash to the dining table in a flash. Yanyan, mindful of Chi Wanzhao, only crouched there, tail flicking, letting out a few meows, and didn't dare actually take a bite.

Chi Wanzhao was quite pleased with this behavior. She patted Yanyan's head, then fetched a bowl and poured out a generous serving of cat food.

She set it in front of Yanyan.

Just beyond lay a lavish dinner, while in front of her was nothing but bland cat food. Yanyan drooped instantly, flopping onto the table, her long tail hanging low and swaying back and forth.

Kong Xiyan found her act of pitifulness amusing. Seeing Chi Wanzhao serve the rice and hand it to her, she looked up with a pleading tone. "Just give Yanyan a tiny bite."

"She must be tired of eating the same thing every day."

"Try it, if you don't believe me!"

Chi Wanzhao sat down after serving herself, meeting Kong Xiyan's hopeful gaze. She pressed her lips together, speaking with meaning.

"Miss Kong, I eat the same thing every day, and I don't get tired of it."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Yanyan seemed to sense Chi Wanzhao's resolve and let out two mournful meows before resignedly eating her cat food.

After dinner, Kong Xiyan cleared the dishes and carried Yanyan off for a bath. Chi Wanzhao looked at her retreating back, said nothing, and went upstairs.

Only a desk lamp glowed in the room. Leaning by the bedside with a book in hand, the image of Kong Xiyan just moments earlier, walking Yanyan in the evening, surfaced in her mind. Her heart raced, beating faster than she could control, and a warmth crept up her cheeks.

Kong Xiyan finished her bath and carried Yanyan into the bedroom, where she saw Chi Wanzhao lost in thought. She set down the now-dry Yanyan and walked over to the vanity to blow-dry her hair.

The hum of the hair dryer snapped Chi Wanzhao out of her reverie. She withdrew her gaze and caught a glimpse of Kong Xiyan nearby.

She'd just bathed; her pajamas still felt damp with moisture, especially where her long hair lay draped, revealing the faint outline of her slender back.

Kong Xiyan brushed her hair to the right, fingers threading through the strands, head tilted back slightly, revealing her pale, slender neck. From the side, Chi Wanzhao watched as the hair dryer occasionally blew against her pajamas, exposing the red strap of her undergarment underneath.

One shoulder slipped slightly, a small, rounded shoulder peeking out from her pajamas. The fair skin dazzled Chi Wanzhao's eyes.

Chi Wanzhao's gaze deepened gradually. She closed her eyes, a restlessness stirring in her body, a thought taking root in her mind.

Yet the woman at the vanity remained utterly oblivious, still drying her long hair, inadvertently teasing.

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together tightly. Inside, it felt like Yanyan's fur brushing against her—itchy, restless. She gripped the book in her fingers tighter, then abruptly stood up!

Kong Xiyan saw Chi Wanzhao striding toward her with an indecipherable expression and reaching out to snatch the hair dryer from her hand, her voice hoarse. "Yanyan ate too much tonight. Take her to the next room and get some exercise."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Yanyan, who had just dozed off: "Meow..."