The next morning, Jiang Ruoxun headed out wearing only a blazer.
As it happened, Xu Youzhi’s mother, Wang Qiuhua, was waiting for the elevator.
Jiang Ruoxun hadn’t fully “armed” herself yet with her usual disguises, so her bare, clean face was clearly visible to the other woman.
Even though Wang Qiuhua didn’t follow the entertainment industry, it was difficult not to know the Triple Crown Best Actress, Jiang Ruoxun.
A flash of surprise crossed her face; she clearly hadn’t expected their neighbor to be a major star. This was followed by a slight furrow of her brow—not the excitement of seeing a celebrity, but rather a sense of meaningful, lingering worry.
Jiang Ruoxun stood beside her. She didn’t know what Xu Youzhi’s mother looked like, but considering there were only two units on this floor, this middle-aged woman was undoubtedly Xu Youzhi’s biological mother.
“Are you Jiang Ruoxun?” Wang Qiuhua asked suddenly.
“Yes,” Jiang Ruoxun replied.
“You seem to be on very good terms with our Zhizhi,” Wang Qiuhua said.
Jiang Ruoxun felt a jolt in her heart. If Xu Youzhi hadn’t told Wang Qiuhua… her eyes flicked toward the camera near Unit 901; that area could capture the corner right outside the door of 902.
“Don’t worry, the camera won’t film inside your home. We don’t violate other people’s privacy,” Wang Qiuhua glanced at her, seeing only her smooth profile and long lashes. She sighed inwardly; what a stunning beauty—as white as snow and as cold as frost.
“Why do you say that?” Jiang Ruoxun turned to look at her, smiling.
“Our Zhizhi has always been well-behaved. She doesn’t drink or smoke, and she’s different from other children. I hope she continues to live a happy life forever and doesn’t recklessly associate with just anyone.” Wang Qiuhua had seen Xu Youzhi frequently running over to 902 on the surveillance footage last night. She had thought her daughter had made a good friend, but when this friend actually appeared, she was truly shocked.
Naturally, what shocked Wang Qiuhua wasn’t the status of a big star.
It was Jiang Ruoxun’s scandals and black materials.
This was also the real reason Jiang Ruoxun had chosen to take a break for a while.
The rumors about her being a “mistress”—unjust accusations that had spread like wildfire—were hard for people to forget given her immense fame.
Jiang Ruoxun lowered her gaze and finally spoke: “Your Zhizhi is indeed very well-behaved, obedient, and very kind.”
“Because that is how I raised her,” Wang Qiuhua’s tone carried a hint of pride.
But the subtext carried another meaning: a warning to Jiang Ruoxun not to corrupt Xu Youzhi.
“But, Auntie, there’s an old saying that the kind-hearted are easily bullied. Being too ‘good’ might lead to her being taken advantage of,” Jiang Ruoxun flashed a smile. Even without a trace of makeup, her smile was distinctly sweet.
Wang Qiuhua’s expression turned sour just as the elevator door opened with a ding.
Jiang Ruoxun held the door open and arched an eyebrow. “Aren’t you coming in, Auntie?”
Wang Qiuhua walked in without a word. Despite her strong presence moments ago, she now looked restless in the elevator, like a skinned rabbit being toyed with at will by the woman beside her.
She felt that this Best Actress was by no means a harmless person.
Sister, I’ve arrived at school.
Xu Youzhi obediently sent a message to Jiang Ruoxun.
Jiang Ruoxun was still in her car, debating whether to tell Xu Youzhi about the encounter with Wang Qiuhua.
Ruoxun: I just saw your mother.
Youzhi: Which auntie?
Ruoxun: Your mom, silly.
Youzhi: She looked surprised.
Ruoxun: Of course! You’re a big star. Even if my mom doesn’t follow the news, she definitely knows who you are.
Ruoxun: Actually, the way she looked at me was a bit off.
Ruoxun: I’m not sure if it’s because of the rumors.
Youzhi had been smiling while chatting, but her face went blank when she saw those words.
Youzhi: My mom is very kind. You probably just misunderstood.
She calls her “Mommy” instead of just “Mom,” Ruoxun thought, frowning slightly. Is this girl a total “Mama’s Girl”?
Ruoxun: Maybe I did misunderstand.
Ruoxun: But she did tell me to stay away from you.
Youzhi froze again.
……..
Jiang Ruoxun hadn’t gone out to meet friends; it was her grandfather’s birthday, and she had to show up.
Ever since she entered the entertainment industry to make money, she had little contact with the Jiang family, except for her grandparents, with whom she remained close.
“Ruoxun is here.” Her stepmother, Nan Tingyin, called out in surprise as she saw Jiang Ruoxun walk in wearing only a blazer. She clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Ruoxun to show up. She turned her gaze toward her husband, Jiang Ruoxun’s father, Jiang Han.
Jiang Han smiled, however. “It’s good that you came.”
Nan Tingyin’s face remained indifferent. “Chuzhi, Qilin, come greet your sister.”
The two siblings born to Nan Tingyin and Jiang Han—Jiang Qilin and Jiang Chuzhi—walked over. Seeing Jiang Ruoxun, they wore the same shocked expression as Nan Tingyin, eyes wide as they called out, “Sister.”
Jiang Chuzhi looked somewhat reluctant, only calling out after Jiang Qilin gave her a look.
It had been five years since they last met.
Jiang Ruoxun smiled coldly; these two were more than five years younger than her.
“Hello, little brother and sister.” She gave a short laugh and then stopped smiling.
Knowing that her sister didn’t like her, Jiang Chuzhi tactfully walked away. Jiang Qilin stood beside Nan Tingyin, seemingly observing Jiang Ruoxun, until Nan Tingyin sent him away to fetch something.
Nan Tingyin’s brother approached with a wine glass, smiling. “If it isn’t Qilin and Chuzhi’s sister. I heard she’s become a big star.” His voice was thick with sarcasm. “Being a star isn’t easy; most of the people in that circle have ulterior motives…”
Jiang Ruoxun tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her cool, seductive gaze instantly darkened. Since Nan Tingyin and Jiang Han married, the family gatherings naturally included the Nan family. This clan was clearly hostile toward Jiang Ruoxun. Even when she brought gifts, they were never distributed to her, under the pretext that “she’s grown up and doesn’t need gifts.”
Even during dinners, she was always missing a seat, a bowl, or a word of concern and praise from her relatives.
She had experienced being ignored since childhood, and because of it, she hated attending these gatherings.
Nan Tingyin delighted in this but would still mock her, saying, “Such a disobedient child.”
Nan Tingyin’s sister covered her mouth and laughed. “I heard this child has won several awards. I tell everyone I meet that our family has a big star. I even thought that if we ran into each other, I’d ask for an autograph.”
Jiang Ruoxun, naturally, wouldn’t endure this. Her bright eyes sparkled. “Your family is so rich; it shouldn’t be a problem to find a young ‘pretty boy’ actor to serve you, right?”
The aunt’s face turned pale. Nan Tingyin spoke up as if reprimanding her: “Ruoxun, do not be rude to your elders. We are clean people. Those people in the entertainment industry are all schemers. Who knows how many people they’ve ‘served’ behind the scenes? They couldn’t possibly be a match for us.”
She truly acted as if she were a mother scolding a child, while also taking a jab at Ruoxun’s profession.
Jiang Ruoxun gave a cold laugh.
With Nan Tingyin’s sarcasm, the aunt regained her confidence, laughing until her smile lines deepened. “Oh, well, that’s not necessarily true. Our Ruoxun must be different from those people. Those people don’t even have resources for a good movie, unlike our Ruoxun, who has so many resources to choose from. Isn’t that right, Ruoxun?” The two sisters tag-teamed with their insults; they truly were cut from the same cloth.
Jiang Ruoxun glanced at Jiang Han. He merely smiled, showing no intention of speaking up for her.
“Auntie is right,” Jiang Ruoxun said with a sweet smile, like ice melting in spring. But her smile wasn’t bright; it was chilling. “However, the producer of one of my movies cheated on his wife. Even though that movie had a high rating and won awards, I find it unlucky. I hope that when Auntie discusses my movies, she avoids that one.”
The aunt’s face turned even paler; her husband had just been caught cheating a few months ago.
“Haven’t you seen your grandparents in a long time?” Jiang Han coughed, intending to stop the conversation.
Jiang Ruoxun replied with an “Oh.” “Two months.”
Because only her grandparents were kind to her, she usually brought them gifts, choosing times when she could avoid Nan Tingyin and her two children.
“Go see your grandparents,” Jiang Han said with a sigh.
After Jiang Ruoxun left, Nan Tingyin finally spoke.
“Is it true she became someone’s mistress?” she asked mockingly.
The aunt snorted. “She really disgraced the Jiang family.”
Jiang Han glanced at her. “I believe Ruoxun isn’t that kind of person. She won’t lose face for the Jiang family.”
“Being an actress is already losing face for the Jiang family,” Nan Tingyin laughed mockingly. To the wealthy elite, some second-generation rich kids might play around in the entertainment industry for a while, but how could they treat it as a profession? What she found embarrassing was that the eldest daughter of the Jiang family was still stuck in show business—it disgraced her family status!
Jiang Han didn’t want to say more and left alone. Jiang Qilin walked over and asked, “Mom, where’s Sister?”
Nan Tingyin glanced at him. “She went to see her grandparents.”
Seeing that his mother was unhappy, Jiang Qilin frowned. “Did you all give her a hard time again?”
Nan Tingyin curled her lip. “She asked for it.”
Jiang Qilin couldn’t help but rebuke her. “So you used an excuse to make me leave.”
Nan Tingyin: “Qilin, I really don’t understand why you care so much about that woman. When she was little, she purposefully made you drink chili water. Someone with such a wicked heart should stay far away from us. We are the family. I made you leave because I didn’t want you helping her.”
“I think you’re just afraid I’ll talk back to you and make you lose face.” A rare flash of anger appeared on Jiang Qilin’s usually gentle face.
Nan Tingyin glared at her but was helpless. She knew clearly that Jiang Qilin seemed to like Jiang Ruoxun very much. Every time she saw her daughter following that woman around, her blood boiled. But she also knew that even if she preferred boys, Jiang Qilin was a hundred times more useful than Jiang Chuzhi. She would have to rely on this daughter for a comfortable retirement.
Xu Youzhi rehearsed all morning and went to lunch with the club president and others.
She was still thinking about Jiang Ruoxun pinching her face and hugging her last night. Suddenly, her face turned red.
The club president, Tang Heng, was a blunt person and immediately pointed it out. “Youzhi, why did your face suddenly turn red?”
Xu Youzhi made a sound of acknowledgment and touched her face; it was indeed a bit hot.
“President, let me ask you… do you turn red when a girl hugs you?” Xu Youzhi had been hugged by people other than Jiang Ruoxun, but only Jiang Ruoxun’s hug made her unable to find peace.
Tang Heng had recently started dating a girl. She was different from Li Qingshuang; Li Qingshuang was focused on Kuang Yuan and had no interest in anyone else, while Tang Heng associated with both men and women.
Tang Heng: “Once I realized I liked girls; I started finding physical contact with them quite unnatural.”
The food in Xu Youzhi’s mouth suddenly lost its flavor. She didn’t seem to have a physiological reaction to Jiang Ruoxun, so it was impossible for her to like girls, right?
But she also didn’t seem to reject any of the girl’s actions.
Just then, Tang Heng’s girlfriend walked over.
The weekends were usually boring, but since they had just started dating, they were inseparable.
The girlfriend had long curly hair and a gentle temperament. Her smiles toward Tang Heng were full of doting affection. Tang Heng then walked off to a corner with her.