Chapter 3: 003
The phone call wasn’t over yet.
Shu Ran was determined to vent her anger, giving Agent Lin no chance to end the call. She cried dramatically, “Sister, Sister. What should I do? I’m so scared. What if the reporters find out about her?”
Shu Ran acted distraught, as if on the verge of a breakdown.
Agent Lin was always cautious about handling her artists’ relationships. Seeing Shu Ran’s state, she wouldn’t leave her to handle the breakup alone. However, Shu Ran was too upset to listen to reason.
And there was Meng Jiang outside.
Frowning, Agent Lin lowered her voice, advising Shu Ran not to directly confront Qi SiJia, but to shift the blame for the breakup onto her, in case Shu Ran became a big star and Qi SiJia used this as leverage.
Shu Ran agreed superficially.
Finally, Agent Lin addressed Shu Ran’s request for a car.
“The G-Wagon is definitely out of the question. Other newcomers would have complaints.” Agent Lin hesitated, then offered a compromise: her own 300,000 yuan Volkswagen Beetle.
“This—” After all that drama, Shu Ran was disappointed with the offer of a Beetle: “A Beetle?”
“It’s enough,” Agent Lin said. “Even if you drove a G-Wagon, someone who can only afford a 30,000 yuan Wuling wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a million-yuan luxury car. Would they?”
Shu Ran thought about it and agreed.
“But…” Shu Ran was still uneasy. “She…”
“Hmm?”
“She asked me to meet her at Huaqing Garden for tea.”
“Use your brain next time you date. You’ve been PUA’d for so long, learn to be more discerning.” Agent Lin’s face was full of disdain. “She probably wants you to pay the bill.”
Realizing this, Shu Ran couldn’t help but curse: “I’ll be damned.”
Chen Cheng waited outside the restroom for a full ten minutes before Meng Jiang finally emerged, looking down at her phone.
As Meng Jiang’s exclusive agent, Chen Cheng was surprised. Her client was always disciplined, paying attention to her posture. She rarely walked while looking at her phone; it affected her poise and could lead to a hunched back.
But now, the woman’s head was bowed, her abundant curls cascading down her shoulders.
Her hair covered half her face, and Chen Cheng could only see the outline of Meng Jiang’s eyes, fixated on her phone screen.
Her jeweled, transparent nails tapped the screen. Chen Cheng craned her neck for a peek, just catching a glimpse of what seemed to be another virtual gift, another “depth charge,” for her wife.
Just as she leaned closer to see who the lucky author was, Meng Jiang, as if having eyes in the back of her head, flipped her hand and pocketed the phone.
Stingy.
Chen Cheng coughed awkwardly, changing the subject to work: “The station director wants to invite you for a tour of the station later. They also have a program they’d like you to join…”
As expected, Meng Jiang wasn’t interested.
Her lips parted slightly: “Decline for me.”
Chen Cheng sighed: “I knew you’d say that.”
She took out her phone and sent a polite rejection message.
Meng Jiang seemed distracted, walking briskly ahead, forcing Chen Cheng to jog to keep up.
It was Meng Jiang’s vacation, and she was declining all engagements.
Her only upcoming work was Lantai Station’s pre-recorded acting variety show.
With little on Meng Jiang’s plate and no need to be on set, Chen Cheng also had an extended break.
So Chen Cheng had meticulously planned Meng Jiang’s schedule for the next month.
“The new assistant starts the day after tomorrow. She’s a Ning Cheng local, knows the rules. You can ask her if you need to go anywhere…”
Mid-sentence, Chen Cheng noticed Meng Jiang, usually efficient and decisive, seemed distracted. She called her name twice before Meng Jiang looked up, a thoughtful expression on her face.
“A Ning Cheng local?”
Meng Jiang’s beautiful eyes flickered thoughtfully. Chen Cheng assumed she had concerns about the assistant.
“My bad, my bad.” Chen Cheng tried to reassure her, “I almost forgot, your alma mater is Ning University. You’re practically a local yourself, so I’m even more at ease. The new assistant should adapt to your pace quickly…”
Before she could finish,
“Chen Cheng,” Meng Jiang interrupted, “Are you thirsty?”
Chen Cheng was confused: “A little.”
Meng Jiang hummed, speaking slowly, “The tea at Huaqing Garden in Ning Cheng is quite good. You said I’m practically a local, so I should treat you to a cup. You can also arrange things while we drink tea.”
The sun must be rising from the west today for such a treat.
Chen Cheng’s eyes lit up: “Sounds great!”
Qi SiJia wore three masks. She actually wanted to wear a gas mask to the meeting, but ultimately refrained.
Punctual as always, after Shu Ran’s call, she contacted the restaurant and drove towards Huaqing Garden.
However, after three months without use, her bright yellow Wuling Hong Guang electric car broke down under the overpass.
Worse, the rain intensified. Qi SiJia, holding a rusty umbrella, struggled by the roadside.
The tire was flat. Normally, she could change it herself. Her social anxiety made her reluctant to ask for help, and over the years, she’d become incredibly resourceful.
She handled everything herself, but with the worsening rain and lack of tools, she had to call Ye QianQian for help.
“You finally decided to come out of your shell.”
Ye QianQian burst into laughter after hearing the story. She was at a party with her frenemies. A girl next to her handed her a tissue. Ye QianQian wiped her tears, then crumpled the tissue and tossed it back at the girl.
A look signaled her to throw it away.
Zheng Xin, despite the humiliation, calmly took the tissue, her eyes flashing with resentment as she crushed it and threw it in the trash.
Ye QianQian caught her reaction, smirking.
Then, stepping onto the balcony, her expression relaxed, she couldn’t help but tease Qi SiJia, “Little Yellow Duck?”
“What can I say? You’re planning to settle down with someone, yet you drive that eyesore of a toy car. People who don’t know you would think you’re incredibly calculating, pretending to be poor in front of your girlfriend to avoid being taken advantage of.”
Qi SiJia absolutely didn’t have that intention. She was willing to spend her own money on her girlfriend.
She just didn’t know how to do it.
As for her family background…
After all these years, Qi SiJia kept it separate. Qi Jun’s money was Qi Jun’s; taking it meant obligations.
She earned what she worked for, and Qi SiJia currently had no intention of working for Qi Jun.
Ignoring Ye QianQian’s probing, Qi SiJia went straight to the point: “Jinxiu Villas isn’t far from you. If it’s convenient, could you find a driver and bring my Cullinan over?”
“No.”
Qi SiJia paused: “Huh?”
“Stop joking,” Ye QianQian chuckled. “I’ll go myself.”
Qi SiJia frowned: “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Her voice was a rich baritone, especially when she spoke on the phone, deliberately lowered three tones, incredibly sexy.
Like a whisper in her ear, Ye QianQian paused, cursing inwardly: Frigid tease.
“I promise, I won’t cause any trouble. I’m just curious. It’s been five years. It’s been so long since you’ve asked me for help. I have to see this person.”
“Relax, I’ll just stay in the car and take a quick look. Miss Ye doesn’t often offer chauffeur services.”
And she dared to bring up five years ago.
Qi SiJia pursed her lips, grateful Ye QianQian wasn’t planning to sabotage her.
But since they were at this point, there was nothing to hide. She was at that age where she wanted to settle down.
After several failed online relationships, Qi SiJia didn’t have many requirements anymore.
And Shu Ran’s temperament—gentle, seemed like someone suited for a long-term relationship.
Introducing her to Ye QianQian wasn’t a big deal.
“Alright, it’s settled,” Qi SiJia said. “You have to stay in the car.”
Ye QianQian leaned against the wrought-iron railing, staring at the soft soil in the garden, wanting to stomp all over it.
Annoyed, but her tone remained unchanged, she offered Qi SiJia some heartfelt advice: “But, honestly, playing around is fine, but don’t expect forever. Remember what happened five years ago with your college sweetheart?”
“What was her name again… what was it?”
Meng Jiang.
For years, Qi SiJia hadn’t spoken that name.
As if deliberately trying to forget the person, but today, somehow, the topic of first love kept coming up.
She recalled their first meeting, Meng Jiang’s introduction: “My name is Meng Jiang. If you can’t remember, call me Dream.”
“Is that a nickname?”
“Yes. You can forget everything else, but not your dreams. Remember that.”
Truly unforgettable words.
The rain outside was fine and dense, like needles hitting the windshield.
Qi SiJia glanced out, then looked away.
Ye QianQian continued her heartfelt advice: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Come back sometime. That illegitimate stepdaughter shouldn’t be occupying your rightful place in the Qi family. Don’t blame me if I decide to make her life difficult.”
Knowing Ye QianQian was referring to Zheng Xin, Qi SiJia was amused: “I know.”
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