Chapter 37 p1
“Oh, not big,” Xu Jinnan said, a hint of amusement and a subtle challenge in her voice.
She looked at Shen Shu’s reflection in the mirror, then turned around, leaning back against the counter, one hand resting on the surface.
She looked up at Shen Shu. “You seem to have some misconceptions about me.”
Shen Shu: “…”
While Xu Jinnan had preferences regarding body types, she was generally accepting of natural variations. But honestly, “not big” was a bit insulting.
Shen Shu’s gaze fixed on the space between Xu Jinnan’s eyebrows. “Then take it off. We’ll return it tomorrow,” she said curtly, turning to leave the bathroom.
Seeing her about to escape, a competitive spirit ignited within Xu Jinnan.
She couldn’t physically demonstrate her stamina at this moment, but she could certainly clarify the “not big” comment.
She took two quick steps, blocking the doorway.
Shen Shu almost bumped into her, stumbling slightly as she stepped back. Xu Jinnan instinctively steadied her, their bodies close.
Shen Shu’s gaze drifted downwards, landing on the curve of Xu Jinnan’s cleavage.
“Return it, and then what?” Xu Jinnan asked, looking down at her.
“…Get a larger size,” Shen Shu replied calmly. “Or if you don’t like it, we can return it altogether.”
If it weren’t for the faint pink tinge on her earlobes, Xu Jinnan would have thought they were discussing pillow sizes, not dress sizes.
“I like it,” Xu Jinnan said, her gaze lingering on Shen Shu’s flushed earlobes. Her heart skipped a beat, the sweet scent of Shen Shu’s pheromones, mingled with the faint fragrance of milk, intoxicating.
Her scent gland tingled.
She quickly stepped back, forcing a smile. “Then find me a larger size.”
Shen Shu nodded and left the bathroom.
Xu Jinnan looked at her slender back. “Shu Shu,” she said softly, “thank you. I really like it.”
“Mm…”
It was past 10 p.m.
Shen Shu sat on the bed, staring at the explicit words on the page – breast, panted, stroking.
An image of a body clad in black lace flashed through her mind.
She tightened her grip on the book. Perhaps… not so small after all.
She straightened up, surprised by her own thoughts.
She read this book every night.
Initially, it had been because the character Nightingale shared some similarities with the protagonist, and she had been trying to find inspiration. While certain passages had quickened her pulse, this was the first time she had associated them with Xu Jinnan.
She put down the book, exhaling slowly, and turned off the light.
Pulling the blanket up to her chest, she closed her eyes.
The faint scent clinging to the blue-gray blanket was like the warmth of the sun, a clean, comforting fragrance.
Xu Jinnan’s pheromones.
She decided to buy a new blanket. That way, if Cai Ying stayed over again, Xu Jinnan would have one too.
It would save them the trouble of sharing.
Xu Jinnan felt the world spinning, a cacophony of voices echoing in her ears.
“You useless waste!”
“How could I have given birth to such a thing?!”
“It’s okay. Close your eyes. It’ll be over soon…”
“Nannan, endure it. Endure it with me!”
“But Mommy, they say I’m crazy. Am I really crazy?”
“No, they’re the crazy ones. You’re the best. The best in the world. Mommy will always be with you…”
“Will you… die with me?”
The cold, desperate voice echoed in her ears.
Xu Jinnan jolted awake.
She clutched her chest, gasping for breath, then, realizing the room was dark, reached for the light switch.
As the room lit up, she squinted, her eyes adjusting.
After a few seconds, she realized the glass of water on her bedside table was empty. She got out of bed and went to the kitchen.
She filled the glass with cold water and drank it in one gulp, then noticed Shen Shu standing at the bedroom doorway, her eyes sleepy.
“Did I wake you?”
Shen Shu glanced at the glass in her hand. “Just thirsty,” she replied softly. She was a light sleeper and easily woken.
Xu Jinnan poured her a glass of water and placed it on the counter. “Drink this and go back to sleep. Didn’t you say you have an early call time tomorrow?”
“Mm,” Shen Shu murmured, taking the glass.
As they were about to return to their rooms, Shen Shu stopped. “Sacred Heart Pictures wants to sign me. What do you think?”
Sacred Heart Pictures was Tong Jia’s company.
Tong Jia had mentioned this a few days ago, saying she would respect Shen Shu’s decision.
The fact that Shen Shu was asking for her opinion made Xu Jinnan feel strangely touched.
She smiled faintly. “Do you want to sign with them? If so, go for it. I told you, I support you in whatever you want to do.”
Shen Shu looked at her for a moment, her earlier hesitation seeming to vanish.
She had chosen to return to acting because she loved it, hadn’t she?
She nodded. “Good night.”
“Good night,” Xu Jinnan replied. Shen Shu paused, then repeated, “Good night.”
Shen Shu had already left when Xu Jinnan woke up. She slept in, then messaged the private investigator Chen Bo had recommended, setting up a meeting, before finally getting ready and leaving the apartment.
The car stopped outside a narrow alleyway, and a few moments later, a figure approached, blocking the sunlight, and knocked on the window.
Xu Jinnan lowered the window. A young man with bleached blond hair, a silver chain around his neck, and a lollipop in his mouth looked up at her.
“Miss Xu?”
“Get in,” she said.
“Sorry to bother you,” he said, getting into the car.
“I only have his name, these two contact numbers, and a few locations where he’s been seen. Can you find him?” Xu Jinnan said, handing him the information.
The young man looked through it, then took the lollipop out of his mouth. “I can try, but this isn’t much to go on. What about payment?”
Xu Jinnan handed him a wad of cash. “Two things. Find this person, and keep this between us. This is just a down payment. There’s more if you find him.”
The young man took the money, checking its authenticity. “Don’t worry, I’ll find him for you,” he said with a grin, then disappeared into the alleyway.
Xu Jinnan waited for a few minutes, then Tong Jia messaged her, asking if she was free to meet. After confirming her schedule with Zhou Pei, she agreed.
If it weren’t for Lu Yun, Zhou Pei would still be useful.
She had realized that Zhou Pei was Lu Yun’s informant, and now that she couldn’t trust Lu Yun, she couldn’t fully trust Zhou Pei either, despite her competence.
Just as she was thinking this, Lu Yun called.
She hadn’t been returning Lu Yun’s calls or messages lately. She simply didn’t know what to say.
Did she pity Lu Yun? Yes.
But what about the original Xu Jinnan? What had she done to deserve such treatment?
The memories flashed through her mind, her heart clenching, as if she was experiencing the original Xu Jinnan’s pain and fear – huddled in the corner of that dark study, trembling.
She couldn’t face Lu Yun.
After Xu Jinnan hung up, Lu Yun sent a text message.
[Nannan, I know you’re angry with me, but please take care of yourself.]
[You know your father hasn’t been like that in a long time. He was just drunk that night, and he regrets it… ]
[Nannan, you weren’t like this before. Please don’t ignore me.]
Just drunk?
Xu Jinnan’s anger flared at Lu Yun’s pathetic excuse.
Lu Yun understood her daughter perfectly, having molded her into the person she was.
She thought this ridiculous explanation was acceptable, that the original Xu Jinnan would understand, even forgive her.
That she would always be under her control.
That was the real reason for Lu Yun’s heart attack, wasn’t it? She had been losing control, and it had terrified her.
Xu Jinnan’s temples throbbed. She had initially thought Lu Yun’s love for the original Xu Jinnan was genuine, but now, she realized it was a twisted form of control, a terrifying form of emotional manipulation.
She stopped thinking about it, deciding to wait until she uncovered the Xu family’s secrets.
At the Blue View Cafe, Xu Jinnan arrived first. Tong Jia had asked if she could bring her girlfriend, and for a moment, Xu Jinnan suspected she was just showing off.
As expected, before she could even see Tong Jia, she heard her cloying voice.
“Darling, that’s Ms. Xu.”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
She looked up. The Alpha beside Tong Jia smiled. “Hello, Ms. Xu.”
“Ms. Xu, this is my girlfriend, Qiao Rui,” Tong Jia introduced.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Qiao,” Xu Jinnan replied politely.
After a few minutes of small talk, she learned that Qiao Rui was a dance instructor, specializing in adult classes, and many celebrities hired her as a private coach. She seemed like a decent, down-to-earth Alpha.
“Your phone’s been ringing. Aren’t you going to answer?” Tong Jia asked.
Qiao Rui glanced at her phone. “It’s a marketing call. From that real estate agency we visited last time.”
“Ugh, they’re so persistent.”
Qiao Rui stroked Tong Jia’s hair. “It’s fine. Just ignore them.”
Xu Jinnan looked at the two of them and suddenly understood Cai Ying’s feelings. Disgusting lovebirds.
After a while, Qiao Rui excused herself, saying she had a class.
“Your wife and I signed the contract this morning,” Tong Jia said, her tone returning to normal once her girlfriend was gone. “I initially wanted to find her an experienced agent, but they’re all overloaded, so I decided to manage her myself. What do you think? Touched?”
Xu Jinnan chuckled. “Don’t play the emotional card. You’re only doing this because she’s valuable, aren’t you?”
Tong Jia shrugged, admitting, “That’s true. I’ve been in this industry for years. I know talent when I see it.”
While Shen Shu’s current status wasn’t significant enough to warrant personal management from the company’s founder, Tong Jia had a sharp intuition.
She had been considering it since seeing Shen Shu’s audition.
Shen Shu’s beauty and charisma were undeniable, she was hardworking and humble, and most importantly, she had a natural talent for acting. It was a gift.
And some people were naturally charismatic and generated buzz, like Shen Shu, who had trended online with just a photo in a qipao.
And there was one more thing. Tong Jia glanced at Xu Jinnan.
This was a purely business consideration – Shen Shu had a wealthy backer.
And this backer was clearly very generous.
Therefore, Shen Shu’s commercial value was high.
“Shen Shu has one more scene to film, then she’s done… Oh, right, did you know she has a super topic on Weibo now?”
Xu Jinnan took out her phone. She had been too busy to check social media lately.
The super topic had just been created, with only 23 posts. After she followed it, the follower count increased to 36.
There were only a few photos in the album – one in a qipao, one at the entrance of the film studio, and one at the jewelry store, showing only her back.
“It’s just starting, so there aren’t many fans yet. Once the drama airs, she’ll gain more attention,” Tong Jia said. “Anyway, I’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry.”
“Good,” Xu Jinnan replied, checking in. “I’m leaving her in your capable hands.”
Tong Jia: “…”
“Teacher Xu.”
“?” Hearing the overly respectful title, Xu Jinnan knew what was coming.
“I’ve taught you everything I know.”
“One more tip! Something spicy. My darling loved the last one.”
Xu Jinnan: “…”
After getting rid of Tong Jia, Xu Jinnan left the cafe, feeling drowsy. She found a quiet spot to park, reclined her seat, and closed her eyes.
Her phone vibrated.
She silenced it, then, thinking it might be Shen Shu, checked it anyway.
A notification from the group chat.
Chen Bo: [@Xu Jinnan Nan-jie, come chat with us!]
Han Fu: [Almost everyone has left this group.]
Chen Bo: [Back in Nan-jie’s glory days, before she found religion, this chat was so lively…]
Han Fu: [Shut up. Did you even graduate elementary school?]
Xu Jinnan scrolled up and saw a message from Song Ronghui: [Leaving.] Below it: Song Ronghui has left the group chat.
Chen Bo: [Aww, she’s going abroad. So sad.]
Xu Jinnan paused. After such a major blow to her reputation, Song Ronghui wouldn’t be able to recover in North City anytime soon. Leaving the country was her best option.
Then, she saw Chen Bo add two new members to the chat.
Xu Jinnan: “…” Truly heartbreaking.
HP Han Wenfang: [Hi]
Momo: [Hello everyone, I’m Chen Baimo! Kisses]
Xu Jinnan didn’t recognize Chen Baimo, but she knew Han Wenfang. Chen Bo was truly a social butterfly.
Just as she was about to close the chat, Chen Bo tagged her again.
[@Xu Jinnan Nan-jie, are you coming to the event next month? You said everyone in this group had to attend.]
Han Fu: [Come on, Nan-jie! It won’t be fun without you.]
Momo: [What event? Is it the one I’m thinking of?]
Chen Bo: [@Momo You’ll find out. You have to come!]
Momo: [Okay!]
Song Ronghui had also mentioned this event. She still didn’t know what it was, but judging by these people’s behavior, it wasn’t anything wholesome.
Xu Jinnan ignored the messages. If she replied, Chen Bo wouldn’t stop.
He wasn’t a good person, but his attitude towards the original Xu Jinnan had been… almost admiring.
She hadn’t left the group chat because of him. He was well-informed, his social circle vast and diverse, and he was often the first to share news, like the banquet incident.
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