Yan Ji stirred her drink with a spoon, a faint smile hanging on her lips. She lifted her eyes to glance at Chen Jin’an before replying, “What I mean is, I don’t need anything. That kind of pleasure was consensual to begin with. CEO Chen doesn’t need to take it too seriously.”
“I can give you better resources.” Listening to her words made Chen Jin’an feel inexplicably uncomfortable. What did she mean by that? That they just slept together and that was it— no need to take it to heart?
Amusement rippled in Yan Ji’s eyes as she refused again, “I’ve never lacked resources. No need to trouble yourself, CEO Chen.”
CEO Chen this, CEO Chen that. Every word sounded distant and unfamiliar. A wave of irritation spread through Chen Jin’an’s chest. Even he could not tell whether he was angry because Yan Ji had rejected his offer, or because she was deliberately drawing a line between them— or perhaps both.
Chen Jin’an was an exceptionally intelligent man. Naturally, he could tell that Yan Ji was doing this to maintain her distance. He fell silent for a moment, pulled out his phone to send a message to his assistant, and then stood up. “I’m leaving.” He said coldly.
“Drive safely.” Yan Ji glanced at his untouched breakfast, her eyes narrowing slightly as she smiled and waved, completely unbothered by his icy tone.
Chen Jin’an was so angry his head started to ache. With a dark expression, he turned and walked out the door. Before closing it, his gaze swept over Yan Ji, who was still calmly eating breakfast as though nothing had happened. He let out a cold snort.
052 asked Yan Ji, 〖Aren’t you afraid he’ll trip you up?〗
“Relax. If I’m the one making a move, there definitely won’t be any problems.” Yan Ji replied casually, the smile on her lips deepening slightly.
────ρя
The promotional photos and advertisement video for Red Moon pushed Yan Ji’s name onto the trending searches once again. Taking advantage of the momentum, the official account for 《Twins》 also released an announcement.
【September 17th, 8:30 p.m. See you there.】
After waiting nearly a month, the drama was finally about to air, and netizens were ecstatic. They could finally witness Goddess Yan’s beauty on screen again!
Meanwhile, Zhang Tong sent Yan Ji her upcoming schedule. “The production team from the variety show 《Pretend Lovers》 sent an invitation earlier. I originally planned to reject it, but after seeing the guest list this time, I figured I’d let you take a look first.”
Yan Ji accepted the file and glanced through it, unable to stop herself from raising an eyebrow.
Xue Yang, Meng Yiming, Qin Yu.
The production team of 《Pretend Lovers》 really knew how to stir up drama.
“I’m taking it. I’ll go.” Yan Ji said without hesitation.
Zhang Tong did not say anything immediately, though inwardly he thought it was exactly as expected. After a pause, he finally spoke, “I’ve already talked with the production team. Once you’re on the show, keep yourself under control. Don’t cause trouble.”
“How could I cause trouble?” Yan Ji replied with a smile. She didn’t cause trouble; she just messed with people.
Zhang Tong thought, Yeah right, I’ll believe you when pigs fly. Still, although Yan Ji’s recent behavior had given him plenty of headaches, her popularity had indeed skyrocketed. He could only hope she knew her limits and wouldn’t ruin her own career.
……
Very soon, the night 《Twins》 would officially air arrived. Countless people sat waiting in front of their televisions, computers, and phones. The moment the clock struck 8:30 p.m., everyone refreshed the page at once. A bright male voice rang out, and after an opening theme song lasting over a minute, the story officially began.
Director Liu impatiently called to ask about the ratings. The technician’s ecstatic voice immediately came through the line, “Director, we broke the record! The viewership ratings just hit 3.85%!”
“Excellent!” Director Liu slapped his palm against the table, grinning so wide his eyes virtually disappeared.
After only two episodes, 《Twins》 quickly dominated the trending searches.
【Goddess Yan isn’t just beautiful, her acting is incredible too! She completely crushes all those traffic actresses! Ahhh, Goddess Yan, I love you!】
【The female lead’s spotlight got completely stolen by Goddess Yan. I almost feel sorry for her, lol.】
【Qin Yu’s looks and acting are actually pretty good, but unfortunately, she ran into the enchanting Yan Ji~】
【My Xiao Ming is still as handsome as ever! That bad-boy charm is killing me!】
【Only two episodes a day…… I really want to binge the whole thing right now……】
The audience’s reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with barely any anti-fans or haters in sight. 《Twins》 even scored above a 9.0 rating on every major streaming platform.
Yan Ji watched a little of it herself. After all, it was her first drama project, so it held a special meaning for her regardless.
Suddenly, her WeChat chimed. A message from Meng Yiming had arrived.
……
An uncontrollable smile spread across Meng Yiming’s face.
《Pretend Lovers》 was currently the hottest reality show around. The program invited four men and four women to form temporary couples, assigning them missions specifically designed to spark chemistry and generate internet buzz.
The previous two seasons had been massive hits. Countless CP fans had emerged overnight, bringing the participating celebrities tremendous attention and popularity.
……
Leaning back against the sofa, Yan Ji figured that this season of 《Pretend Lovers》 would probably generate even more drama. She narrowed her eyes and smiled.
────ρя
The production team required all the celebrities to arrive at the designated location a day in advance. After getting off the plane, Yan Ji boarded the van sent by the program crew. This time, the filming location was a rustic countryside village.
When the vehicle pulled up to the village entrance and Yan Ji stepped out, she discovered that almost everyone else had already arrived.
Meng Yiming spotted Yan Ji immediately and waved at her.
“This season’s theme is the countryside. Do you think you can handle it?” Meng Yiming asked smoothly, naturally taking the suitcase from Yan Ji’s hand to set it aside.
Yan Ji raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. “I grew up in the countryside. Why wouldn’t I be able to adapt?” After speaking, her gaze swept across the area.
Besides herself, Meng Yiming, Xue Yang, and Qin Yu, there were two other women and two other men present— top-tier singer Lin Fang, international supermodel Lu Weini, veteran actor Zhang Guowei, and popular host He Qi.
Yan Ji greeted them one by one.
Not long after, another car drove up. Qin Yu, wearing an apricot-colored spaghetti-strap dress, stepped out alongside Xue Yang, who was dressed in casual clothes.
The atmosphere shifted noticeably the moment the two approached.
Back when Yan Ji and Xue Yang were dating, the entertainment industry had exploded with gossip, and they had even been hailed as a model couple. Although they later claimed they had an amicable split, no one truly believed there wasn’t a hidden story behind it. After all, Xue Yang had walked the red carpet with another actress almost immediately after the breakup.
The moment Xue Yang stepped out of the car, his gaze locked onto Yan Ji. She wore high-waisted, wide-leg pants paired with a black shirt. It was an incredibly simple outfit, yet on her, it looked exceptionally striking. Thinking back to the promotional photos for Red Moon he had seen recently, Xue Yang’s eyes darkened slightly.
Qin Yu naturally noticed Yan Ji among the crowd as well. Her expression dimmed, a flash of malice hidden deep within her eyes.
Once everyone had gathered, the production team sent a host out to explain the rules.
“Hello, everyone! First of all, welcome to 《Pretend Lovers》! Up next, we’re going to play a little game to determine who your ‘other half’ will be for the next half-month.”
The host wore a black mask that completely obscured his face. He continued, “The game is very simple. In a moment, the staff will take the four beautiful ladies away to change outfits. Afterward, the gentlemen will make their selections.”
As soon as he finished speaking, two female staff members stepped out from the side. They led Yan Ji and the others into a rustic courtyard and handed each of them a set of clothes.
“Please change into these outfits within five minutes.”
Yan Ji opened her bundle and discovered a black robe. She quickly slipped it on, covering herself from head to toe. When she walked back out, three other figures, all draped in identical black robes, had already emerged.
Since Lu Weini was an international supermodel, her height stood out far too much among the group. The production team had clearly anticipated this, because four wheelchairs were suddenly pushed out from the side.
Yan Ji: “……”
“Please take a seat in the wheelchairs. The staff will push you over.”
Thus, after waiting around for ten minutes, Meng Yiming and the other men watched as four draped figures were wheeled toward them. The robes concealed their faces and silhouettes entirely, making it impossible to tell who was who.
The masked host spoke in a cheerful tone, “Now, let the gentlemen make their choices! Since Idol Meng is the youngest, you’ll go first. You may get close, but no speaking, and absolutely no touching!”
Meng Yiming frowned at the instructions. He stepped forward a couple of paces, staring at the four identical black figures in confusion.
Which one was Yan Ji?
Suddenly, a faint fragrance drifted into his nose. Meng Yiming instantly recognized Yan Ji’s unique scent, and his eyes lit up slightly. He paused briefly in front of each person before finally walking up to the second wheelchair and pushing it forward.
“I choose her.”
“Once you’ve confirmed your choice, please take your partner to the side and wait.”
Very quickly, all four men had made their selections.
The masked host then announced, “Next, ladies, please remove your robes.”
Yan Ji pulled off the black robe and turned her head toward Meng Yiming. “Your nose is pretty sharp.”
Meng Yiming raised an eyebrow, a brilliant smile spreading across his face.
When Yan Ji saw that Xue Yang had chosen Qin Yu, she couldn’t help but sigh internally. This was probably what people meant by fate.
Meanwhile, Zhang Guowei had chosen Lu Weini, and He Qi’s partner turned out to be Lin Fang.
“Now then, I shall announce the first mission. It’s called ‘Lost Lamb’!” The host declared. “Recently, the villagers have noticed that the lambs they raise keep mysteriously disappearing in the back mountain. Please locate the missing lambs and bring them back to the village. The winning couple will receive ingredients for a sumptuous dinner! Also, the program team will temporarily confiscate everyone’s phones for safekeeping. Now, let the mission begin!”
……
“There are probably a lot of mosquitoes and bugs in the mountains. I brought insect repellent. Do you need some?” Meng Yiming asked Yan Ji, casting a quick glance at the cameraman trailing behind them.
Yan Ji shook her head slightly. “No need. Let’s focus on the mission first.”
She lifted her eyes to scan the mountain slope behind the village. The peak was neither particularly large nor small. They had all eaten lunch before arriving, and it was currently around two in the afternoon. Mountains became dangerous after dark, so they needed to wrap this mission up early.
The trail leading up was narrow. Meng Yiming walked ahead of Yan Ji, subtly shielding her behind him. As they climbed higher, the wild grass grew increasingly thick, reaching all the way to Yan Ji’s waist.
“Watch your step. There are plenty of snakes, insects, and rodents in these mountains.” Meng Yiming warned.
“I know.” Yan Ji replied.
The two wandered through the woods for more than half an hour. Forget finding a sheep, they hadn’t even seen a single living animal.
Suddenly, Yan Ji stepped onto a loose rock and twisted her ankle. She sucked in a sharp breath as a sudden wave of pain hit her, causing her eyes to well with tears and the rims to flush red.
“What happened? Did you twist your ankle? Let me see!” Meng Yiming immediately crouched down to inspect it. “Thankfully, it’s not too serious. Climb on, I’ll carry you.”
As he spoke, he turned around and offered his back to her.
“It’s fine, I can walk.” Yan Ji politely declined.
Unexpectedly, Meng Yiming looked back and smiled. “Big Sister[1]jiejie; often used online to refer to confident, independent, and attractive mature women jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454336_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454336_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, we’re a couple right now.” He said, using a teasing, playful tone that made one’s heart skip a beat. “If my girlfriend injured her foot and I still made her walk by herself, wouldn’t that make me a terrible boyfriend?” His eyes crinkled with warmth, his voice carrying a sweet, low cadence that could make anyone’s legs go numb.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Little Brother[2]didi; in modern online culture, women often use it to refer to cute, charming, or attentive younger men jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454336_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454336_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); Meng.” Yan Ji teased with a laugh before jumping onto his back.
Meng Yiming effortlessly lifted her and continued down the path.
Not long after, a patch of white entered their line of sight.
Meng Yiming couldn’t help but smile. “Looks like we’re pretty lucky…… But how are we supposed to get it down the mountain?”
Yan Ji glanced around before turning to the cameraman beside them. “Cameraman-brother, could I trouble you to pull up a stalk of wild grass for me?”
Such a small favor was naturally granted.
Holding the stalk of grass in her hand, Yan Ji told Meng Yiming to move forward a few steps. She waved the grass in front of the lamb, which had been resting on the ground. Attracted by the dangling greenery, the lamb slowly stood up.
As Meng Yiming took a step back, the lamb took a step forward. Seeing that it worked, he slowly made his way downhill with Yan Ji on his back, leading the animal along.
Only after successfully luring the lamb back to the village did Meng Yiming finally relax. His forehead was already slick with sweat. Seeing this, Yan Ji pulled some tissues from her pocket and gently wiped his face for him.
Meng Yiming pressed his lips together, the tips of his ears turning a bright crimson.
“Congratulations to Meng-Yan Couple for winning the first round!” The host announced.
After receiving the news, the other three couples gradually emerged from the back mountain.
Qin Yu looked especially displeased. What kind of ridiculous mission was the production team thinking? She had been mercilessly bitten by mosquitoes and insects in the woods, and several itchy welts had already flared up on her arms.
Watching Meng Yiming carefully help Yan Ji onto a stool, remove her shoe, and gently massage her ankle, jealousy and hatred flooded Qin Yu’s heart. She had originally taken a liking to Meng Yiming as well. If it weren’t for Yan Ji, she would definitely be the one receiving this gentle treatment right now!
Yan Ji!
“Does it feel any better?” Meng Yiming asked, lifting his head.
Yan Ji’s feet were exceptionally fair, her toes round and neat. Unlike other actresses, she hadn’t painted her nails in vibrant colors. Instead, they carried a natural, soft pink hue. Meng Yiming found himself unable to look away as he gently pressed the injured area again.
Being so thoroughly pampered made Yan Ji feel incredibly comfortable. Smiling beautifully, she replied, “Much better. You’ve got great hands, Little Brother.”
Hearing her call him ‘little brother’ over and over again, Meng Yiming suddenly felt a pang of regret. Why had he insisted on calling her ‘big sister’ and teasing her earlier?
“You two really do look like a real couple.” Lu Weini remarked, walking over after observing them for a while. Her gaze lingered briefly on Yan Ji’s face. She had to admit that Yan Ji’s beauty was truly flawless.
Hearing the underlying tone, Yan Ji replied smoothly, “An actor’s job is to make whatever role they play convincing. Sister Weini probably wouldn’t understand, being from the modeling world.”
Lu Weini: “……”
She let out a scoffing laugh, turned on her heel, and walked back toward Zhang Guowei.
……
As the winners, Yan Ji and Meng Yiming received an abundant basket of dinner ingredients— two carp, a large chicken drumstick, a cut of beef, tomatoes, and five eggs. Meanwhile, the other three couples received only a few bundles of green vegetables and a tiny piece of lean meat.
Their accommodations for the night were also scattered within the village. The locals had lent them several empty houses, but since no one had lived in them for a long time, the rooms were heavily coated in dust.
Limping slightly, Yan Ji brought over a basin of water and used a towel to wipe down both her and Meng Yiming’s rooms, while Meng Yiming handled the ingredients and prepared dinner.
“You know how to cook?” Yan Ji asked in surprise, watching his practiced movements.
Meng Yiming snorted softly. “I’ve known how since I was a kid. Tonight, I’ll let you taste my cooking.”
“Alright then. Little Brother is amazing.”
Meng Yiming: “……”
Could she please stop calling him little brother?
……
Compared to the harmony between the two, the other three couples encountered all sorts of problems.
Xue Yang and Qin Yu had lived pampered lives for far too long. Suddenly being forced to clean rooms and prepare meals themselves left them completely flustered and scrambling. Qin Yu choked on the dust in her room, sneezing nonstop until her eyes turned red.
Meanwhile, Xue Yang stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at the ingredients in front of him. He had never cooked a day in his life. Back when he was with Yan Ji, she had cooked for him every single day. After getting together with Qin Yu, they either ate out or ordered delivery.
Xue Yang fell silent for a moment before taking the vegetables over to wash them. For some reason, he missed the days when he was with Yan Ji more than ever.
As for Zhang Guowei and Lu Weini’s pair, the woman cooked while the man cleaned. Over with the final couple, when He Qi returned after finishing dinner preparations, he was shocked by the thick layer of dust still inside the room and hurriedly pushed Lin Fang outside before handling the heavy cleaning himself.
The production team watched the chaotic couples with cheerful smiles. This was exactly how good reality TV drama was born!
……
Very soon, Meng Yiming finished preparing dinner. He placed the steaming dishes onto the wooden table Yan Ji had already wiped clean, the aroma proving completely irresistible.
Yan Ji picked up her chopsticks and said with a smile, “Then I won’t hold back.”
She picked up a small piece of fish, popped it into her mouth, and nodded in satisfaction. She gave Meng Yiming a thumbs-up. “Delicious!”
A brilliant smile spread across Meng Yiming’s face, his eyes filled with indulgence. “Then eat more.”
After dinner, Yan Ji insisted on washing the dishes. Once they both finished cleaning up for the night, they exchanged goodnights and returned to their respective rooms to rest. The cameramen positioned the fixed cameras outside their doors before leaving as well.
……
The night deepened, and all was silent.
Qin Yu slowly opened her eyes. She dragged a suitcase out from beneath the bed and pulled a black bag from inside. After pushing open the window and checking both sides, she swiftly climbed out.
Inside the bag was an extremely venomous snake.
The moment Qin Yu learned Yan Ji would be participating in this show, she had already made complete preparations.
The cold moonlight shone upon Qin Yu’s face, revealing a twisted and terrifying expression.
────ρя
The next morning, Meng Yiming woke up especially early. After washing up, he waited for quite some time, yet he still didn’t see Yan Ji come out.
Feeling puzzled, he walked over to her door and knocked twice. “Lazybones, wake up already! The sun’s already high in the sky!”
There was no response whatsoever from inside.
A terrible premonition surged in his chest. Meng Yiming forcefully pushed the door open.
All he saw was Yan Ji lying on the bed with her eyes tightly shut, her lips a dark shade of purple. A snake was coiled near the window, lazily flicking out its tongue.
Meng Yiming’s pupils contracted violently, and his mind blanked for a split second. Without thinking, he rushed forward, grabbed a nearby stick, and knocked the snake away from the window before scooping Yan Ji up in his arms and sprinting outside.
“Where is everyone?! Where is everyone?!” Sweat poured down Meng Yiming’s forehead as he roared at the top of his lungs.
A cameraman hurried over, eyes wide. “What happened?”
“Call an ambulance! Yan Ji was bitten by a venomous snake!” Meng Yiming placed Yan Ji down and frantically checked her body, finally discovering the bite wound on her ankle.
He immediately grabbed a small pocketknife from the room and sliced open the skin near the puncture marks. Blackened blood instantly gushed out. Both of his hands trembled violently as he desperately squeezed the venomous blood away from the wound.
The cameraman was horrified and quickly pulled out his phone to call for help.
Hearing the commotion, the others gradually rushed over as well. The moment they arrived, they were met with the sight of an alarming pool of dark blood on the ground.
“How could there be a venomous snake here?! What the hell was the production team doing?!”
The moment Xue Yang saw Yan Ji’s pale, breathless face, his heart nearly stopped beating.
He hurried over to help. Having once learned emergency first aid for snakebites, he quickly tied two handkerchiefs tightly above the wound to restrict the venom, then brought over a basin of clean water from the kitchen.
“When was she bitten?” Xue Yang asked Meng Yiming urgently.
Meng Yiming’s eyes were completely bloodshot. “I don’t know.” He replied, his voice thick and hoarse. “She didn’t come out this morning, so I opened the door and found her like this.”
Xue Yang’s brow furrowed deep with worry.
The ambulance arrived quickly. Yan Ji was lifted onto a stretcher and rushed into the vehicle, receiving emergency treatment and proper bandaging on the way.
Only after the ambulance had completely disappeared from sight did Meng Yiming slowly stand up from where he had been kneeling. His legs had already gone completely numb.
His gaze swept coldly across the surrounding crowd. Expressionless, he said, “That venomous snake couldn’t have come from the village naturally.”
“What do you mean by that?” Lu Weini’s expression darkened. “Are you trying to say someone brought the snake in deliberately?”
Meng Yiming didn’t answer. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked back into Yan Ji’s room.
The venomous snake was now coiled beneath the bed, its eerie eyes fixed on the doorway as its tongue flicked in and out.
Meng Yiming used a stick to force the snake out into the open, then grabbed a pair of long charcoal tongs, pinning it down and stuffing it securely into an empty snakeskin sack sitting in the hallway.
Such a massive incident meant the production team stood no chance of escaping the blame.
Yan Ji had already been transferred to the provincial hospital, though there was still no news of her condition. Meanwhile, word that she had been bitten by a venomous snake during the filming of a reality show leaked online immediately, causing an absolute uproar on Weibo.
【What the hell is wrong with the production team of 《Pretend Lovers》? Don’t you guys inspect your locations beforehand? A venomous snake?! Actors don’t even have basic personal safety anymore!】
【I hope Goddess Yan will be okay! Please let her be safe!】
【Is the crew brain-dead? How do you not check for venomous snakes?! If something fatal happens, are you guys going to take the fall?!】
【I’m a nurse at the hospital where Goddess Yan was admitted. I caught a brief glimpse of her when she arrived…… Her face was deathly pale. I’m really terrified for her!】
【To the nurse above, please keep us updated! Let us know the moment there’s any news! Ahhh, I’m so worried! What to do?!】
……
《Pretend Lovers》’s official account was instantly besieged by thousands of angry fans and bystanders alike. The production team was panicking so badly they were losing their minds, secretly praying that Yan Ji would not suffer any permanent complications.
Still…… how had a venomous snake suddenly appeared out of nowhere?
“Director Li, Meng Yiming says he wants to see the raw footage from that night.”
Director Li had been so stressed over the past few days that painful sores had broken out around his mouth. Hearing the request, he froze for a brief moment before waving his hand dismissively. “Give it to him.”
Not long afterward, the assistant ran back into the office.
“Movie King Xue and CEO Chen of the Chen Group also just came asking for the footage……”
Director Li’s expression turned incredibly strange. He could understand why Xue Yang and Meng Yiming wanted the recordings, but why was the billionaire CEO of the Chen Group joining the fray?
“Give it to all of them.” Director Li commanded. After thinking for a moment, he added, “Make a copy for me, too!”
No matter how he looked at it, a venomous snake appearing in a locked bedroom for no reason was simply too suspicious. Perhaps reviewing the night footage would reveal something.
……
The news of Yan Ji’s snakebite remained pinned at the top of Weibo’s trending topics for a full four days before a new update finally emerged.
Yan Ji’s agency released an official statement announcing that she had finally passed the critical stage and was currently stable under medical observation. They also expressed deep gratitude to all the fans who had been worrying for her.
【Thank goodness my goddess is okay! That’s wonderful news! Wishing her a speedy recovery!】
【Goddess Yan, please rest well and recover properly! Make sure to get thorough checkups so there won’t be any lasting complications!】
【Beautiful people really are blessed! Hope Goddess Yan gets better soon!】
────ρя
When Yan Ji opened her eyes, she saw Weiwei and Zhang Tong sitting silently beside her hospital bed. The former had red-rimmed eyes, while the latter wore a grim, bitter expression.
“You two…… what’s wrong?” Yan Ji asked. Her voice was terribly hoarse, and a dry, burning sensation spread through her throat, causing her to frown slightly. “Weiwei, pour me a glass of water.”
“Sister Yan, you’re awake!” Weiwei’s eyes instantly flooded with relief and joy. She hurriedly poured a cup of warm water for Yan Ji, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she handed it over.
Zhang Tong also surged to his feet in surprise. Hearing Yan Ji’s question, he barked, “You were bitten by a venomous snake! It’s a miracle you were treated in time, otherwise, you would have been knocking on the King of Hell’s door by now!”
As she drank the water, Yan Ji’s memories slowly fell back into place.
She really had been bitten by a venomous snake. At the time, she had been lying in bed resting with her eyes closed when she vaguely heard a rustling sound by the window. Opening her eyes, she caught sight of a shadow cast across the ground from outside. Seconds later, a venomous snake sealed inside a plastic bag was tossed through the window.
That silhouette had been incredibly familiar. She knew exactly who it was without even having to think about it.
Yan Ji truly hadn’t expected Qin Yu to have the sheer nerve to smuggle a venomous snake onto the filming set. Just how badly did the woman want her dead?
Narrowing her eyes, Yan Ji had immediately decided to play along and turn the situation entirely to her advantage. She would use this opportunity to eliminate Qin Yu once and for all.
So, she had deliberately allowed the snake to strike her ankle once, while instructing her system, 052, to contain the venom and prevent it from actually spreading to her heart. Afterward, she had simply closed her eyes and waited.
The next time she opened them, she was already there in the hospital.
“Sister Yan, please eat something. You’ve been unconscious for nearly five days.” Weiwei opened the insulated container on the bedside table and handed Yan Ji a bowl of nutritious porridge.
Yan Ji accepted it and blew on it, taking a couple of spoonfuls.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to force the production team to give us a proper explanation for this negligence.” Zhang Tong said sternly, checking the time on his watch.
Yan Ji calmly swallowed her porridge and replied evenly, “This matter has nothing to do with the production team’s negligence. It was a deliberate attempt on my life.”
“What did you say……?” Zhang Tong’s eyes widened in utter disbelief as he stared at her.
He wanted to ask how she could possibly know that, but the moment he met her calm, unbothered gaze, a piercing chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head. His expression morphed into horrified realization as he lowered his voice and hissed, “Are you insane?!”
“I would never let anything happen to myself.” Yan Ji murmured, a gentle, serene smile playing on her lips.
Zhang Tong’s mouth opened and closed, but for a long moment, no sound came out. Thinking back on all of Yan Ji’s radical actions since her breakup with Xue Yang, he couldn’t help but let out a heavy, exhausted sigh. Looking deeply defeated, he muttered, “You shouldn’t gamble with your own life like that.”
Yan Ji offered no response, returning to her porridge.
Sensing the suffocatingly heavy atmosphere in the room, Weiwei sat frozen, barely even daring to breathe.
What…… was happening?
Not long afterward, a soft knock broke the silence inside the room. Weiwei stood up and opened the door to reveal Meng Yiming. The moment he saw that Yan Ji was truly awake, his eyes instantly brightened.
“How are you feeling? Is there anywhere that hurts?” Meng Yiming asked, carrying a fresh fruit basket in one hand and a vibrant bouquet of flowers in the other, placing them carefully beside her bed.
Yan Ji smiled warmly at him. “I’m alright.”
Seeing that they needed privacy, Zhang Tong exchanged a knowing glance with Yan Ji before quietly leaving the room, pulling Weiwei out along with him.
The atmosphere fell silent for a beat. After a moment, Meng Yiming pulled out his phone and handed it to Yan Ji.
“I’ve felt from the beginning that your incident was deliberate. I managed to get the raw surveillance footage from the director, and I found something interesting.”
He pressed play, and a short video clip began on the screen. Yan Ji instantly recognized the place. It was one of the guests’ quarters. Cold moonlight illuminated the dirt ground. Originally, the camera had been aimed directly at the doorway, but it had later been accidentally bumped and tipped over, causing the angle to abruptly shift toward the wooden fence just outside the room.
Yan Ji raised an eyebrow.
As the video skipped forward, a dark shadow suddenly darted across the edge of the screen. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“This came from the fixed camera placed outside Qin Yu’s room.” Meng Yiming explained calmly, taking the phone back. “At first, I wanted to show this to the entire crew, but after thinking it through, this shadow alone isn’t enough definitive proof.”
“It was Qin Yu……” A look of appropriate shock appeared on Yan Ji’s face. Inwardly, however, she was amused. Qin Yu really was careless enough to leave behind such a useful piece of evidence.
Meng Yiming looked down at Yan Ji’s still-colorless face, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. “Don’t worry. Just focus on resting. I will definitely investigate this thoroughly and get justice for you.”
Hearing his earnest declaration, Yan Ji smiled up at him and playfully blinked. “Thank you, Little Brother.”
Meng Yiming: “……”
The tips of his ears flushed a brilliant red. He immediately shot up from his seat, muttered something incoherent about having urgent matters to attend to, and practically fled the room.
Yan Ji chuckled softly at his dramatic exit. Picking up her own phone from the bedside table, she opened Weibo and began scrolling through the latest updates.
Not long after, another knock sounded at the door. Without even raising her head from her screen, she called out, “Come in.”
This time, it was Chen Jin’an who walked through the door.
He wore a pair of elegant, gold-rimmed glasses and looked as though he had driven straight over from a board meeting. Surprisingly, the glasses suited him exceptionally well, softening the rigid, cold indifference that usually sat between his brows.
“CEO Chen?” Her tone carried a hint of genuine surprise.
Chen Jin’an awkwardly shifted his gaze away from her before pulling up a stool to sit beside the bed. “I just came to see if you were still alive.”
“Thank you for your concern, CEO Chen. As you can see, I’m much better already.” Yan Ji replied with a gentle smile, completely unbothered by his prickly demeanor.
Hearing the sheer calm and politeness in her voice only made Chen Jin’an feel irritated all over again. They had already shared the most intimate of nights, yet she still insisted on keeping him at arm’s length.
However, the moment his eyes drifted over her pale, bloodless face, the depth of his irritation evaporated. He suppressed his sigh, comforting himself with the thought that it was beneath him to pick a fight with a bedridden patient.
The two chatted for less than ten minutes. Seeing the exhaustion etched onto Yan Ji’s face, Chen Jin’an stood up to take his leave.
Before departing, he paused and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a proper explanation for this matter.”
Yan Ji simply blinked in response.
Just as she was about to lie down and catch some sleep, the door clicked open yet again.
This time, Xue Yang walked in.
His handsome face carried obvious worry and concern, and his gaze toward Yan Ji was heavy with guilt. “Ah Yan, are you alright?” He asked gently.
Yan Ji narrowed her eyes.
A sudden wave of raw grievance surged through her chest. Ah Yan was the private nickname Xue Yang had used exclusively for the body’s original owner, and the sorrow she felt now was a lingering emotional echo left behind by her. She frowned slightly at the phantom ache before forcing her expression back into a smooth smile.
“Even Movie King Xue came to visit me? Don’t worry. I’m not going to die.”
“Don’t say things like that……”
“You’ve made your appearance, so if Movie King Xue doesn’t have anything else to say, I’m a little tired and would like to rest.” Yan Ji interrupted him. The deep exhaustion weighing down her features did not seem fake in the slightest.
Xue Yang fell silent for a long moment before finally murmuring, “I’ll come visit you again tomorrow.”
Yan Ji said nothing. Under the heavy fog of her medication, she was genuinely running out of energy. Seeing her state, Xue Yang quietly slipped out of the room and gently clicked the door shut behind him.
────ρя
The news that Yan Ji was officially out of danger naturally reached Qin Yu’s ears.
Inside a loud, chaotic bar, Qin Yu downed glass after glass of alcohol, her eyes flashing with pure malice and resentment. That woman really was a lucky cockroach. Even an extremely venomous snake had failed to kill her.
It didn’t matter, though. Qin Yu had plenty of time to play the long game. If one attempt failed, she would just try a few more times.
As the heavy alcohol numbed Qin Yu’s brain, a handsome stranger walked over and wrapped a familiar arm around her waist, steering her out of the crowded club and into the dim, secluded alleyway out back. It was a spot perfect for late-night trysts.
Before long, the sounds of heavy, ragged breathing echoed in the shadows.
Unbeknownst to them, an ordinary-looking, middle-aged man stood hidden in the dark nearby. He silently lowered the professional camera in his hands, checked the crystal-clear shots, and pulled out his phone to dial a number.
“Hello, this is He Gu. I wonder if you still remember me…… I’ve already obtained everything you wanted…… Alright, sounds good.”
After hanging up, a satisfied smile spread across the man’s face.
────ρя
A massive exposé soon exploded across Weibo.
【According to insider information, a certain rising young actress surnamed Qin has been secretly photographed juggling multiple wealthy and influential men at the same time! Even this blogger was left shocked and speechless. Enough talk— let’s look at the receipts first!】
The woman in the photos was undeniably the same person, but the men beside her changed constantly. Some were kissing her, some were wrapped around her intimately, and several photos caught them slipping out of luxury hotels together. There was even a scandalous video compiling dashcam and surveillance footage of her engaging in illicit late-night activities with four entirely different men.
The sheer scale and boldness of her secret life sent shockwaves through the internet. The moment the exposé dropped, it paralyzed the trending charts.
【Oh my goodness! If I’m not mistaken, isn’t that Xue Yang in the third picture?! Coming out of a hotel?! And they’re linking arms?!】
【Damn, that’s impressive. Wasn’t she terrified of getting caught?】
【Isn’t this Qin Yu? I used to actually like her because of her looks…… I never expected her to be like this. Absolutely disgusting.】
【Every single one of those men is wearing a giant green hat[3]cuckolded jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454336_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454336_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. Did 《Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf》[4]one of China’s most famous and long-running children’s animated series; the cartoon takes place on the ‘Green Green Grasslands’, a massive expanse of lush green grass jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454336_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454336_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); film on top of their heads?】
【Four guys at the same time…… Damn, the slut really knows how to have a wild time. Gotta admit her body is flawless though, tsk, tsk.】
【How much for a night?】
【She’s just getting passed around by men. Disgusting!】
……
Qin Yu’s personal Weibo page was instantly overrun by millions of toxic and outraged comments, and Xue Yang was faring no better. Staring at the explicit photos on his phone screen, the veins in Xue Yang’s temples throbbed violently. His head really had become a massive, humiliating green pasture. Even while Qin Yu was playing the part of his devoted girlfriend, she had been hooking up with other men behind his back the entire time!
Thinking of how easily he had been played, Xue Yang’s expression turned icy cold.
“Xue Yang, regarding this matter……” His manager looked at him awkwardly.
Back then, the manager had warned Xue Yang repeatedly that Qin Yu was bad news, but he had refused to listen and had even abandoned Yan Ji for her. Now, he was undoubtedly regretting it so much his intestines were turning green[5]the phrase comes from old traditional beliefs that intense emotional agony affects the internal organs jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454336_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454336_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
Xue Yang’s face remained frozen as he flatly replied, “Handle it however it needs to be handled. Cut all ties.”
Very soon, Xue Yang’s agency released an official statement on Weibo, publicly admitting that he had severely misjudged Qin Yu and declaring that he was officially separating from her, effective immediately.
……
Yan Ji watched the internet burn, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her lips as she scrolled through the chaotic comments and Xue Yang’s desperate damage control.
Qin Yu had once used the same dirty, malicious tactics to drag the body’s original owner down into the depths of hell. It was only fair that she used those exact same methods to let Qin Yu taste the flames of hell herself.
Turning her head toward the window, Yan Ji looked out at the clear blue sky. The weather today was spectacular, without even a trace of white clouds. Later, she would have Weiwei push her wheelchair downstairs for a walk.
────ρя
Two more days passed, and the scandal only escalated further.
Qin Yu had been completely abandoned by her agency. Even her manager refused to answer her calls or do damage control. Cheating on a couple of guys might have been salvageable with the right PR spin, but juggling this many men— and every single one of them a wealthy, prominent young elite? To top it all off, there was that graphic car video involving four men simultaneously. Qin Yu’s acting career was thoroughly and irrevocably ruined.
“The number you have dialed is currently busy……”
Listening to the automated tone, Qin Yu’s face twisted into a mask of pure fury. She had never imagined her private affairs would be laid bare like this. Those men who used to endlessly proclaim their devotion to her had all vanished into thin air.
After all, no one wanted to be publicly branded a cuckold. Wearing one green hat was humiliating enough, but after carefully counting, she was juggling nearly ten of them. The fact that none of them had actively destroyed her yet was purely out of pity for their past feelings.
Qin Yu took a ragged breath and violently smashed a nearby glass cup against the wall. Scalding hot water splashed across her hand, but she didn’t even flinch. Only deep, consuming hatred burned in her eyes.
It was Yan Ji! That b*tch had orchestrated all of this!
Qin Yu clenched her fists so tightly that her manicured nails dug into her palms, drawing blood. Her eyes narrowed as a wave of homicidal intent churned violently within her.
────ρя
The night was as cold as ice. The hospital corridors had already emptied out, swallowed by silence.
A petite figure scaled the drainage pipe outside the brick wall, reaching the second floor before quietly slipping through a cracked restroom window. She moved like a ghost, heading straight for the VIP ward on the sixth floor.
The door to the private room clicked open soundlessly. The intruder gripped a heavy dagger that caught the cold gleam of the moonlight. Step by step, she crept toward the hospital bed. She raised the knife high, her features warped with a sickening mix of excitement and madness.
Die!
She drove the knife down hard into the blanket, but the impact felt entirely wrong. Qin Yu violently ripped the sheets aside, only to find the bed completely empty.
With a sharp click, the overhead lights flooded the room with brilliant warmth.
Sitting comfortably in an armchair in the corner, Yan Ji lightly clapped her hands. Flanking her on either side were Meng Yiming and Zhang Tong.
Looking at Qin Yu’s paralyzed, shocked expression, Yan Ji offered a small, knowing smile. “Surprised?”
She had easily predicted that a cornered rat like Qin Yu would try to retaliate, and she had spent the last two days waiting for her to spring the trap. Sure enough, the woman couldn’t resist making a desperate move. Zhang Tong had already alerted authorities, and the police were currently on their way up.
Qin Yu stood frozen for a split second before suddenly lunging forward at high speed, aiming the blade directly at Yan Ji’s throat.
Meng Yiming instantly stepped into her path. He grabbed Qin Yu’s wrist mid-air, twisting it backward with brutal force. The agonizing pain forced her fingers to fly open, and the heavy dagger fell to the floor with a sharp, echoing clang.
Yan Ji’s expression remained perfectly serene as she looked into Qin Yu’s venom-filled eyes. Minutes later, the police arrived and dragged the screaming woman away in handcuffs.
Seeing that Yan Ji had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, Meng Yiming assumed she was simply in shock from the close call. He gently told her to rest well and promised he would return to check on her tomorrow morning.
By sunrise, Qin Yu’s nighttime break-in was fully exposed online. Combined with the hidden camera footage Meng Yiming provided— which strongly suggested the original venomous snake incident was also premeditated by the same culprit— public outrage reached a boiling point. Qin Yu became the most despised woman in the country.
【She has the heart of a literal viper!】
【People like her deserve the death penalty!】
【How did Goddess Yan even offend her? Why was she so vicious? She seriously tried to murder her twice!】
【Eat sh*t, you disgusting b*tch! I hope you reincarnate as livestock in your next life!】
Just as the online storm reached its absolute peak, Qin Yu’s official sentencing was handed down by the courts— attempted murder, with a sentence of up to ten years in prison.
Coincidentally, the legal announcement dropped on the exact same day Yan Ji was finally discharged from the hospital.
As she stepped out into the hospital lobby, three dazzling, high-profile figures approached her from directly ahead. Yan Ji narrowed her eyes slightly before her lips curved into a fascinated smile.
Oh? The three of them actually ran into each other right here?
References[+]