25 – Pretty When Crying
Xu Ni tried to explain, “I didn’t. I’m not familiar with Chu Song at all. How could a big star like him, who seems detached from the mundane world, be someone a small-time director like me could know? Today was just a coincidence, a chance, a small step for human civilization—a simple act of helping others.”
Fu Guidu listened to her nonsense without a word.
He opened the document and signed his name.
His handwriting was sharp, elegant, and bold.
His tone was unhurried: “Oh?”
Xu Ni: “Heaven and earth can bear witness.”
He lifted his gaze, lazily enunciating each word: “The mole on your thigh is quite lovely… Not familiar?”
Xu Ni: “…”
Eavesdropping! On! Private! Conversations!
How could he have heard every single word so clearly!
Was this her fault?
As a fan of Chu Song for ten years, she had watched all his content until she was practically sick of it. The mole on his thigh was from a movie he filmed a few years ago, where he made a small sacrifice for art, and it happened to be captured on camera. Back when she was studying for exams, she would often rewatch award-winning films, and Chu Song’s works were particularly high-quality. She had watched his movies so many times she could practically recite them—how could she not notice the details?
And now, of all things…
She had been caught red-handed by Fu Guidu.
Thinking quickly, Xu Ni calmly replied, “I saw it by chance in a film. My heart remained completely unmoved. Unlike you—if you were to show me, I’d definitely blush, my heart would race, I’d lose control, and I’d struggle to breathe. Ah, that’s what true attraction feels like.”
Fu Guidu: “…”
With a mouth like that, no wonder she was a director.
Words others would be too embarrassed to say just rolled off her tongue.
Fu Guidu gave an ambiguous smile, closed the document, and looked at her: “What would you like to drink?”
Xu Ni sat up obediently: “I’m not picky, easy to please. Anything will do.”
Hint delivered.
She was so good at this!
Fu Guidu raised an eyebrow.
He stood up and headed toward the kitchen.
Xu Ni let out a sigh of relief.
Interacting with such a powerful figure was truly nerve-wracking.
Men like him were so hard to fool. If she hadn’t taken acting classes, how could she have pulled off this infatuation act? Thankfully, her skills were solid enough.
Just as she was thinking this…
Fu Guidu returned, glancing at his phone as he handed her a glass of water.
The cold glow of the phone screen reflected in his dark eyes, making the upward curve of his eyes even more mysteriously enchanting. His skin was flawless, exuding an air of undeniable nobility. If he weren’t so palpably real, Xu Ni would have suspected he might be a shapeshifting spirit.
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Xu Ni said with a sweet smile.
She cupped the glass with both hands and took a small sip.
She didn’t know what brand of mineral water this was, but it tasted clearer and sweeter than any water she had ever drunk in her life.
Fu Guidu sat across from her, his eyes fixed on his phone as he said calmly, “Ms. Xu, have you ever been in the aquatic products business?”
Xu Ni looked puzzled: “Aquatic products?”
Fu Guidu: “Weibo trending searches, number 22.”
Suspiciously, Xu Ni opened Weibo on her phone and checked the real-time trending topics.
Scrolling down a couple of times…
“New Director’s High-Society Social Butterfly”
Xu Ni: ?
She clicked to read.
The headline read: “New Beauty Director Reportedly Circulates Among Financial Tycoons to Secure Resources!”
Xu Ni: Huh?
Below were accompanying photos.
The images were somewhat blurry, but her profile was still recognizable. It was taken at Puhe Winery—she was wearing a strapless evening gown, her skin as pale as snow. A man stood beside her, his face obscured by the dim lighting. They were seen “sneaking out” from a side exit.
Then “sneaking” into a car.
Throughout, she was looking around nervously, as if guilty of something.
“……” Isn’t this her and Chu Song?
Why was only her face clearly captured? How come Chu Song wasn’t shown at all throughout? You couldn’t even make out his clothes clearly—only the outline of a man. Was his crisis awareness and ability to dodge paparazzi really that impressive?
Of course.
She also had a rough idea that this was probably targeting her. Otherwise, why would they focus on her and not capture Chu Song, a superstar? It was simply because he wasn’t the target, and the person who took the photos was foolish enough not to realize the man was Chu Song.
And the content of this Weibo post was entirely filled with buzzwords and suggestive language.
“Seductress, high-society expert, no background but great resources, intriguing.”
These suggestive descriptions made the report sensational.
Plus, given the unusual circumstances between her and Chu Song at the time—and the fact that something had happened—she was naturally afraid of being discovered, which made her expressions and actions seem a bit unnatural.
The comments below were even more entertaining.
Most people didn’t know her.
But the malice was inexplicably overwhelming.
“Dressed like that, it’s obvious what kind of person she is. Just goes to show how chaotic and dirty the world of the rich is.”
“Never heard of her. The director’s circle isn’t easy to navigate. Male directors have it easier, but a young female director with no background or talent—how did she get such good resources? We all know the answer.”
“Is she even that good-looking? I honestly think she’s average. Without filters, I’d look better than her.”
“Who’s the man? The photo’s too blurry. I really want to dig into this. Usually, the rich and powerful ones are older and married, right? Expose him already!”
“People like her who climb the ladder through shady means ruin the atmosphere. Which company is she with? If they insist on using her, I’ll definitely boycott this drama!”
“Agree with the comment above!”
Xu Ni couldn’t help but marvel—when had she become so popular?
She even had paparazzi taking photos of her?
As a nobody, she actually made it to the 22nd spot on the trending list?
If she hadn’t bought her way there, she might as well have harassed Fu Guidu on the spot.
This drama had just started filming, and something like this happened. She hadn’t even had time to offend anyone in the industry yet. It didn’t take much guessing to narrow down the suspects.
“Judging by the clothes, this happened today?” Fu Guidu glanced at her.
Her fair skin was perfectly complemented by the light-colored dress, giving her a delicate, rosy glow that seemed fragile and precious.
Xu Ni felt overwhelmed.
Now she finally understood what Fu Guidu meant by “seafood business.”
He was implying she was a player, a “sea queen.”
How unfair!
“Can I say this is all a misunderstanding?” She forced an awkward smile, trying to sound a little ingratiating. “Someone’s targeting me. Do you believe me?”
Fu Guidu tilted his head slightly, his gaze indifferent. “Oh?”
He seemed willing to hear the details.
Xu Ni: “Not a single word in this post is true. The man is Chu Song. He got into a scuffle with another man at the winery and was injured. I accidentally stumbled upon him and was forced to take him to the hospital. As soon as we stepped out, someone took photos. I’m just a scapegoat, caught in the crossfire. I’m so wronged.”
As she spoke.
Her lips quivered, and tears began to fall, one after another.
Her eyes turned red, looking pitiful and heart-wrenching.
Fu Guidu watched her calmly.
It was less like watching and more like observing.
He rarely encountered women like her.
It was as if she had a thousand faces.
Every time they met, it felt like opening a blind box.
You never knew what kind of persona you’d get.
Let alone how much of it was real.
Xu Ni cried for a long time, but seeing that Fu Guidu remained unmoved, she began to feel restless. She lifted her head and asked, “Aren’t you going to say something?”
Fu Guidu casually rested his arm on the table, tapping it idly. Hearing her words, he responded with a touch of courtesy, “You look quite pretty when you cry.”
Xu Ni’s sobbing abruptly stopped: ?