Chapter 37: Absolutely Not, Absolutely Not – She’s My Person
Xuan Du had been having a rough time recently, or rather, things started going downhill around New Year’s Eve.
The previously agreed-upon partners suddenly withdrew their investments, disregarding their losses, and raw material suppliers delayed deliveries. Xuan Du wasn’t stupid, she knew there must be something fishy going on behind the scenes.
But she didn’t know who was behind it, and not knowing who your opponent was was even more frustrating than being defeated.
Xuan Du learned about Dong Ling’s recent activities, and after finding out that Dong Ling had been in contact with Zimei Cosmetics, she smashed the cup in her hand, but she quickly realized that this wasn’t something Zimei could pull off.
The person targeting her continued their scheme, whether it was enticing her with new product development or other collaborations, even the goodwill her company received during its low period was a trap.
This matter couldn’t be hidden, so Xuan Du went home and told her father about it, hoping he could help.
But even her father couldn’t find out who was behind it, only that this scheme targeting her had been in place for about six months. This timeline made Xuan Du’s blood run cold.
“Forget it, A Du, let this matter rest, don’t investigate further. I’ve told you to keep a low profile, you didn’t listen in the past, but you can’t cause any trouble recently. I’ve heard that the inspection team from Jingzhou will be making a secret visit soon. You know how many eyes are on me in this place, one wrong step could be disastrous. You can think about starting a company later, be on your best behavior for now.”
The nearly fifty-year-old mayor said calmly, waving his hand at his youngest daughter.
Even though Xuan Du was unwilling, she could only lower her head and agree, leaving the study with a gloomy expression.
When Dong Ling drove home, the housekeeper waiting at the door said there was a guest.
Dong Ling handed her bag to Auntie Liu, who was waiting, changed her shoes, and looking at Xuan Du sitting on the sofa, wasn’t surprised at all.
“What’s up?”
Dong Ling sat down opposite Xuan Du and asked Auntie Liu to make her a cup of tea.
“I heard you’ve been having dinner with the CEO of Zimei Cosmetics lately, why didn’t you invite me? I know him well too.”
Xuan Du leaned back on the sofa and took a cigarette from her cigarette case, holding it between her fingers.
“Sorry, no smoking in my house.”
Xuan Du’s gaze fell on the ashtray in the Dong family’s living room, and she looked up, saying: “Oh?”
The sound of something heavy hitting the bottom of the trash can came. Dong Ling said calmly: “Not anymore.”
Xuan Du looked at the ashtray in the trash can, shrugged, and put away her cigarette.
Xuan Du brought up the previous topic again: “We’re all friends, don’t forget to invite me next time, dinner’s on me.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
As for why there wouldn’t be a next time, they both knew in their hearts.
Xuan Du’s mood seemed to improve even further, and she said: “Then let’s not invite him, when are you free for dinner? My treat.”
Dong Ling sometimes couldn’t understand Xuan Du, like at this moment. She thought Xuan Du would be furious about her failed plan and her company’s crisis, even confront and question her like before, but Xuan Du was sitting in her house as if nothing had happened, smiling and asking if she was free for dinner.
“Don’t play these games with me, you might not be tired of pretending, but I am. I said, I hope there won’t be a next time.”
Dong Ling picked up the tea Auntie Liu had just brought, took a sip, and looked into Xuan Du’s eyes.
“Why are you so fierce? Isn’t the current situation great? Don’t tell me I didn’t contribute to it.”
Xuan Du complained innocently, then laughed heartily.
Like a murderer holding a knife, saying with a smile “They’re not dead yet.”
Dong Ling felt that Xuan Du was deliberately trying to provoke or disgust her.
The more negative emotions she showed at this time, the happier Xuan Du would probably be.
“You truly are Ah Sheng’s true disciple.”
Dong Ling said slowly. If it was a game of disgust, knowing Xuan Du’s past, she naturally knew how to strike where it hurt the most.
She didn’t really want to do this, but Xuan Du started it.
Xuan Du’s expression immediately changed, her face darkening.
“You’re saying I’m like her? Hah, just a small-time actress, and you’re bringing up old grievances, using this to provoke me?”
Xuan Du practically gritted her teeth as she said this, a chilling darkness in her eyes.
Dong Ling just looked at her coldly, not responding.
“Stop looking at me like that!”
After shouting, Xuan Du realized she had lost her composure and took a deep breath.
“That look, like I’m something dirty, just like that bitch He Diesheng, she hates me, Dong Ling, why don’t you hate me?”
Xuan Du stared at Dong Ling, demanding an answer: “Why? Dong Ling, why don’t you hate me?”
Xuan Du knew that what she did wasn’t right, that she deserved Dong Ling’s hatred and revenge, but why didn’t Dong Ling hate her? She knew Dong Ling wouldn’t rekindle their friendship, and based on Dong Ling’s personality, she wouldn’t even maintain a superficial relationship, so she would rather Dong Ling hate and take revenge on her, so it would seem like they still had some connection, instead of being strangers.
“Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.”
Xuan Du was a pitiful and hateful person, Dong Ling had done her best.
“We’re no longer on the same path, why are you clinging to me?”
Those who drifted apart in life were never heading in the same direction from the beginning.
“Let’s go, I’ll see you out.”
Dong Ling stood up, indicating that it was time for her guest to leave.
Xuan Du’s fists clenched and unclenched, this was still Dong Ling’s house, she held back and walked out.
Just as they reached the door, Xuan Du suddenly spoke.
“You were the one who said you would always protect me.”
Xuan Du looked at Dong Ling, her tone stubborn.
This seemed to open the floodgates, letting Xuan Du’s emotions pour out like a torrent.
“You were the one who entered my world first, you were the one who took my hand, you were the one who said we would be best friends forever! Dong Ling, you said all of this!”
“But you were also the one who made new friends, the one who ignored me for others, you always think I’m wrong no matter what I do, you also think I’m a scourge, that I shouldn’t have been born, right?”
“Why can you just let go so easily? I can’t.”
Xuan Du’s emotions went from intense to calm, but that calmness had a chilling undercurrent.
Staring into Xuan Du’s eyes, Dong Ling frowned, feeling a physiological discomfort.
“What does that have to do with my boss?”
A voice came from the side, making Dong Ling turn her head immediately.
Song Mingzhi smiled apologetically at Dong Ling: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just happened to arrive.”
Dong Ling was pleasantly surprised: “Why are you here?”
“Yuki asked me to deliver a document to you.”
Song Mingzhi waved the document in her hand and closed the car door.
She walked to Dong Ling’s side, turned to look at Xuan Du, and said politely: “Miss Xuan, allow me to tell you something, friendship isn’t family. CEO Dong didn’t raise you and doesn’t need you to support her in her old age, why should she be responsible for you forever? Even pets can be given away if they bite the hand that feeds them, and humans are even more fickle than pets.”
“I’ve heard this philosophy before, that those who helped you when you were in trouble are more reliable than those you helped. But even if someone is kind, you can’t cling to them and then turn against them. Helping someone and then being resented by them, that doesn’t make sense.”
Song Mingzhi spoke clearly, her tone neither too fast nor too slow, her expression showing no sign of directly insulting someone.
“What does it have to do with you? It’s none of your business, you’re just a small-time actress, who are you to judge?”
Xuan Du hated this kind of moralizing, especially from a nobody actress.
Dong Ling snapped back to reality from Song Mingzhi’s words and immediately became displeased.
“I said, she’s my person.”
Dong Ling put her arm around Song Mingzhi’s waist and walked inside, mercilessly shutting Xuan Du out.
As for whether Xuan Du would curse at the door, based on her understanding of Xuan Du, she wouldn’t do that, it would be too embarrassing.
Xuan Du looked at Dong Ling incredulously, her gaze shifting between her and Song Mingzhi.
“So it’s all true, you… No wonder you’ve always liked girls since you were young, and you weren’t happy about the engagement with Wen Han…”
Dong Ling: ???
No! That’s not it at all!
Why did Xuan Du make her sound like a promiscuous lesbian with ulterior motives?!
Dong Ling met Song Mingzhi’s gaze, her scalp tingling, and hurriedly explained: “It’s not what she said…”
Seeing Song Mingzhi’s expression become gradually subtle and strange, Dong Ling glared at Xuan Du.
“It’s not what you think, just leave!”
If she didn’t leave, she would pull out a knife!
Xuan Du left with a complex expression and a troubled heart. After she left, Dong Ling was still heartbroken over her ruined reputation.
“Engagement?”
Song Mingzhi’s lips moved slightly, uttering these two words.
“It was just a joke between the elders, I would never get engaged to him, don’t worry about it.”
Dong Ling hurriedly clarified, she didn’t want to follow the path of the vicious female supporting character, she would absolutely not get engaged, she and Wen Han only had pure sibling affection.
The cliché of the female lead misunderstanding that the male lead and the female supporting character have a marriage contract? Absolutely not!
Song Mingzhi’s expression relaxed, and she nodded.
It seemed that although the girl didn’t say it, she still cared about her opinion, otherwise she wouldn’t be worried about her misunderstanding and make such a promise.
“By the way, why did Yuki ask you to deliver the document?”
Dong Ling took the document from Song Mingzhi, a little puzzled.
Even if Yuki was busy, she would ask other assistants, why would she ask Song Mingzhi to deliver documents?
Song Mingzhi explained casually: “I happened to be leaving the company and saw Yuki on the phone, she seemed to have other things to do, and I was free, so I brought it over for her.”
Dong Ling nodded without suspicion and led Song Mingzhi inside.
“Since you don’t have any events tonight, stay for dinner.”
“Then I’ll impose on you.”
“Not at all.” Dong Ling said to Auntie Liu, “We have a guest tonight, add another pair of chopsticks, and make two dishes without garlic.”
Song Mingzhi was slightly startled. Seeing this, Dong Ling winked at her and said as if taking credit: “I noticed you never touch dishes with garlic. Don’t worry, you’ll be comfortable at my house.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
Song Mingzhi covered her mouth with her hand, unable to hide her smile.
In the evening, Dong’s parents were out at a business dinner, so there were only three people at the dining table: Dong Ling, Song Mingzhi, and Dong Tang.
Dong Tang looked at his sister’s guest, thought for a moment, and said: “Miss Song, haven’t we met somewhere before?”
Dong Tang felt that Song Mingzhi looked familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen her before.
Song Mingzhi said apologetically: “I don’t recall meeting Mr. Dong.”
Actually, after Dong Tang spoke, Song Mingzhi remembered where they had met, it was probably at a project bidding meeting. They had exchanged greetings, but at the time, she was representing the Jingzhou faction, and now, years later, in a different location, it was normal for him not to remember.
Since Dong Tang found her familiar, she considered his memory quite good.
Dong Ling teased: “Brother, your pick-up line is really old-fashioned.”
“What nonsense, eat your food.”
Distracted by Dong Ling, Dong Tang stopped trying to recall where he had met Song Mingzhi and put some food in Dong Ling’s bowl to shut her up.
Dong Ling chuckled and continued eating.
Looking at Dong Ling’s puffed-up cheeks as she ate, Song Mingzhi’s smile softened.
Song Mingzhi didn’t stay at Dong Ling’s house, leaving shortly after dinner.
Watching her leave, Dong Ling suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Dong Tang, saying: “Brother, it’s okay if you like this type, but Mingzhi is off-limits, don’t you dare have any ideas about her.”
None of the male supporting characters who liked the female lead could get her, their family already had one vicious female supporting character, her brother shouldn’t join in the fun.
Dong Tang: ?
He looked at his precious little sister with a complex expression, recalling the gossip others had told him recently.
He didn’t believe it at first, because Dong Ling had never shown any such signs since she was young, and her personality wasn’t like those spoiled children, she didn’t like that kind of lifestyle, she wouldn’t do something like keeping a small-time actress.
And he had just observed during dinner, that Miss Song didn’t seem like the type to be kept, their relationship seemed to be just that of ordinary friends.
To test it further, Dong Tang asked: “Why not?”
Dong Ling’s face paled, and she said: “Brother, you don’t really have such thoughts, do you? Anyone else is fine, even if you marry a gorilla, but not Song Mingzhi.”
Dong Tang smiled: “You’re truly my good little sister.”
“Come on, I’m doing this for your own good, she’s not suitable for you, not at all. Brother, if you’re feeling lonely, I’ll tell Mom, she’s eager to set you up on blind dates. Think about it, you’re almost thirty, she’s already introduced you to so many people. And if you really want to find a partner, you can tell me, what type, what personality, I’ll definitely help you.”
Dong Ling tried to persuade Dong Tang to give up on Song Mingzhi from all angles.
Her brother simply didn’t understand the mission she was shouldering. If he planned to pursue Song Mingzhi, he wouldn’t be going against Wen Han, but against her, against this world!
021 suddenly chimed in: [And against me.]
Dong Ling: [Scram.]
“Stop.”
Dong Tang stopped her, sensing his sister’s protectiveness towards that woman.
He didn’t know what to say anymore. He always indulged Dong Ling, and thinking about it, it wasn’t a big deal if his sister liked women, as long as she was happy.
After figuring it out, Dong Tang carefully advised: “Keep this to yourself for now, don’t let Mom and Dad know yet. Although they dote on you, it’s still better to tell them after you’re sure, don’t be impulsive.”
Dong Ling initially thought her brother was talking about not letting their parents know that he was interested in Song Mingzhi. After all, their parents didn’t have a good impression of the entertainment industry, and hoped he would marry a virtuous wife, but the more she listened, the more confused she became.
“Huh? Aren’t you talking about yourself? What does it have to do with me? I’m not the one in love.”
Dong Tang patted Dong Ling’s shoulder, alright, alright, I know you have a girlfriend now, no need to show off.
Dong Ling felt that her brother was acting strange tonight, everything about him seemed inexplicable.
Before Dong Tang went to the study, Dong Ling remembered something else and called out to him.
“Brother, Mingzhi’s movie is being released on May Day, it’s Labor Day, it’s not easy for your employees to work on a holiday, why not treat them to a movie?”
Dong Ling hinted strongly, the company would be giving out benefits for Labor Day anyway, what was one more movie ticket?
Dong Tang paused, then nodded aloofly.
Sigh, my little sister has grown up.
After much anticipation, the May Day holiday finally arrived.
Among the films released during the same period, “A Mysterious Person’s Funeral” had a screening rate between second and fourth place, varying across different cinema chains, but generally within the top four, and there were more than ten movies released during this May Day holiday period.
As the attendance rate increased, the cinema chains would adjust the screening rate.
It was also on this day that the number of Song Mingzhi’s Weibo followers skyrocketed.
Dong Ling was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling, then, noticing that the number of their CP fans was also rapidly increasing, her smile gradually disappeared.