Chapter 81

Winter sunlight was never generous, but today was a rare fine day, and sunshine quietly filled the room.

The room was in disarray.

Clothes were carelessly tossed on the floor—shirts, jeans, and lingerie hanging off the bedside. When the sunlight stung Kong Xiyan's eyes open, she saw the mess everywhere.

She thought for a while before her memory returned.

She had no idea whether Chi Wanzhao had been spurred on by the alcohol last night, but she had tormented her for most of the night—not satisfied with just the bed, insisting they go into the bathroom together.

Under the pretext of helping her scrub her back.

But as she scrubbed, her hands wandered, and she pressed Kong Xiyan against the large mirror in the bathroom. The memory of her own wanton reflection made Kong Xiyan blush and shrink back under the covers.

"Awake?"

Chi Wanzhao spoke lazily, her arm wrapping around Kong Xiyan's shoulder, then turning to hold her. The blankets were filled with the familiar scent of body wash. Kong Xiyan, her face flushed, stared at the collarbone before her.

"Awake."

Only after speaking did she realize her voice was hoarse.

Chi Wanzhao slowly opened her eyes and looked down at the figure curled in her arms, smiling. "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan kept her head buried and said nothing.

Chi Wanzhao's legs wrapped around Kong Xiyan's waist, rubbing lazily. The places where their skin touched tingled. Kong Xiyan couldn't help but reach out and embrace Chi Wanzhao's slender waist, burying her head in her chest and asking in a muffled voice, "What did you mean last night when you said you didn't have a cat fetish?"

A light laugh came from above, and then a lazy voice drifted into her ear. "Literal meaning."

Kong Xiyan pouted.

At this moment, asking her to think about the literal meaning with her mind still a mess was overestimating her.

She stared at the bare skin before her, dissatisfied, and bit down in annoyance. Chi Wanzhao's chest stung, and her instinctive reaction was to recoil. Taking advantage of the gap, Kong Xiyan raised her head. Under the messy hair, her pretty face showed a hint of irritation. Chi Wanzhao pulled her out from the covers and carefully examined her features.

It was but an instant.

Yet it felt like a century.

In Chi Wanzhao's eyes, Kong Xiyan saw not only her own reflection but also unmistakable tenderness. The questions from moments ago no longer seemed important. She cupped Chi Wanzhao's face and gave her a big kiss, then said with satisfaction, "Time to get up."

With that, she threw off the covers, grabbed her bathrobe, and ran into the bathroom, wearing nothing underneath.

Behind her, Chi Wanzhao was momentarily stunned, then touched her cheek, smiled, and pressed her lips together.

When Kong Xiyan came out of the bathroom, Chi Wanzhao was no longer in the room. The mess had been cleaned up. The bed was neat and tidy, and the sheets had been changed.

Fast indeed.

Kong Xiyan smirked and headed downstairs.

Wang Haining was sitting at the dining table feeding dried fish to Yanyan. When she saw Kong Xiyan, she greeted without looking up. "Down already?"

Kong Xiyan nodded. Her gaze swept around the apartment. Wang Haining caught her gesture and smiled. "Stop looking. She's in the bathroom and has been in for quite a while."

Kong Xiyan blushed instantly.

She pulled her gaze away and called out to Wang Haining, "Yanyan."

Yanyan meowed but didn't move and stayed by Wang Haining's side. Kong Xiyan found it novel—yesterday Yanyan had been baring its claws at Wang Haining, but now it had changed its tune and clung to her. Incredible.

She approached Wang Haining, picked up Yanyan, and asked, "What did you do to it?"

Wang Haining smiled gently, looking down at the cat she had spent half the night taming. "Nothing much. I gave it what it wanted and let it eat some dried fish."

Kong Xiyan looked suspiciously between her and Yanyan, then stroked Yanyan's head, indicating she didn't believe it.

Wang Haining urged her to go have breakfast, saying that since they hadn't come down for a long time, and she didn't want to disturb them, she hadn't knocked. Kong Xiyan felt a bit embarrassed. She smiled and rose to have breakfast.

She had just filled her porridge when she saw Chi Wanzhao emerge from the bathroom.

She had already changed, her long hair tied up, makeup done, exuding capability. Seeing her come out, Kong Xiyan asked, "Want some breakfast?"

Chi Wanzhao glanced at her, then at Wang Haining, and looked down as she said, "No need. Zhou Sheng is waiting for me outside."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Since Chi Wanzhao was still putting on her trench coat, Kong Xiyan went to open the door. Zhou Sheng lowered his head in greeting. "Good morning, madam."

Kong Xiyan said, "Morning."

She turned to see Chi Wanzhao already in high heels and walking over, so she stepped aside to let her pass. Zhou Sheng was already standing by the car, door open.

As Chi Wanzhao passed Kong Xiyan, she paused, turned, and said, "I'll be home early tonight."

Kong Xiyan looked up at Chi Wanzhao, feeling something was off. She studied her and the sense of wrongness grew stronger.

After saying that, Chi Wanzhao left without waiting for her reaction, her heels clicking as she walked away.

It wasn't until the car had driven past her that Kong Xiyan realized what was different.

Around Chi Wanzhao's neck was nothing other than the necklace she had given her.

The 'SO' necklace!

Recalling what Chi Wanzhao had said about the meaning of that necklace, Kong Xiyan couldn't help but smile, her eyes curving with joy, and she stood idiotically grinning at the empty doorway. Wang Haining shook her head in resignation and called out, "Xiyan."

"Your phone is ringing."

Kong Xiyan snapped back to attention, closed the door, and hurried back inside. The blush on her face hadn't completely faded, and there was delight in her brows as she answered the phone in a lighter tone.

"Hello."

The person on the other end paused for a moment before calling, "Xiyan."

Hearing that familiar voice, Kong Xiyan took the phone away from her ear to look, and saw three big characters on the screen:

Guan Xiaoying.

Her smile faded, and she said in a normal tone, "Mm, what's up?"

Guan Xiaoying stood by the window, watching the cold wind blow outside with a mournful howl, and said gently, "Nothing really. It's been a while since we last met. Just missed you and thought I'd call to check in."

"What? Did I catch you at a bad time?"

Kong Xiyan gave a soft laugh. "No, it's just that I've been busy lately..."

"No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat and rest. I heard you just wrapped up the filming for your drama. How about taking some time to meet up with an old friend?"

Kong Xiyan glanced toward Wang Haining and declined politely. "Sorry, Xiaoying. I have a friend visiting these days, so I really can't get away."

"Alright then."

Guan Xiaoying said understandingly, "How about in a few days?"

Kong Xiyan lowered her gaze. "Okay."

Guan Xiaoying chuckled, "Then it's settled. I'll get in touch with you in a few days."

Kong Xiyan hummed and hung up, her expression turning somewhat somber.

Wang Haining noticed the change, looked up from the sofa, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Kong Xiyan sighed. "Nothing, just an old friend."

Wang Haining frowned slightly.

An old friend.

She had lived with Kong Xiyan for three years, but she had never heard of any old friend in City B.

Though she wanted to ask, she could tell that Kong Xiyan didn't want to talk about it, so she held back. Then, as if struck by a thought, she took out her phone and asked, "By the way, that drama you're filming—is it called 'Breaking the Cocoon'?"

Kong Xiyan walked over and sat down beside her. "Why?"

Wang Haining showed her the phone. "It's been suspended."

"Last night, after the latest two episodes were released, it was pulled this morning."

Kong Xiyan immediately took the phone to look.

So it was because of Xiao Cheng.

At first, Xiao Cheng's hookup and threesome had been a private matter. Even if exposed, it would only make people think his lifestyle was questionable—not too serious. But unfortunately, at this critical moment, someone leaked that one of the fans he had slept with was underage!

That was what drew the entire internet's attention.

Now it wasn't just a personal privacy issue; it had escalated to a legal problem. Last night, Xiao Cheng had been actively managing public relations, but with little effect. All topics related to him were completely overrun.

As the male lead of 'Breaking the Cocoon', he naturally dragged the drama down with him. Last night, after the latest two episodes were released, it was ordered to stop broadcasting.

The book fans and drama fans of 'Breaking the Cocoon' immediately grew restless. They became the main force attacking Xiao Cheng, condemning him for causing the suspension.

More were passersby, all expressing regret.

Others mocked the series for its bad luck: first He Lao, then Kong Xiyan, then the replacement of Wu Qing, and now a complete halt because of Xiao Cheng.

Truly—a drama plagued by misfortunes.

As Kong Xiyan read, she grew anxious inside. She knew 'Breaking the Cocoon' was invested by Jingyan Entertainment. If it was halted, would that affect Jingyan?

She bit her lip, thought for a moment, and then called Chi Wanzhao.

Chi Wanzhao had just entered her office. Seeing Kong Xiyan's call, she couldn't help but brighten. She picked up. "Hello."

Kong Xiyan asked worriedly, "I saw the news. 'Breaking the Cocoon' has been halted. Is Jingyan going to..."

"No."

Chi Wanzhao cut her off bluntly. "Jingyan won't be affected. Don't worry."

Hearing her calm tone, a possibility suddenly occurred to Kong Xiyan. She pursed her lips and asked.

"Was 'Breaking the Cocoon' suspended with your approval?"

From last night to this morning—only a few short hours. Everyone in the industry knew Jingyan's influence. Without Chi Wanzhao's tacit consent, how could it have been suspended so quickly?

Chi Wanzhao didn't deny it. She nodded. "Mm."

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment, then asked, "So, was Xiao Cheng's situation also exposed by you?"

Chi Wanzhao's tone carried a hint of sharpness. "He who digs a pit for others has his own fall to follow."

"I was merely illustrating that principle."

Kong Xiyan: ...

So it turned out Chi Wanzhao had been in the corridor that day.

No wonder the atmosphere in the car felt off. Then, recalling Zhou Sheng's dejected expression, she couldn't help but ask, "So, what about Zhou Sheng?"

Chi Wanzhao sat in her chair, thought it over, and said, "Zhou Sheng?"

"He should be fine."

Kong Xiyan: ...