The screenshot Lu Li sent was of the dating show officially announcing Shi Xing, posted just ten minutes ago.
The dating show was titled: “Slowly Falling for You”
Shi Xing was the first guest officially announced by the program team.
Yet, Shi Xing was currently at the peak of her popularity.
Her marriage announcement with Qi Chenyan was still trending on the hot search, and now, with the sudden announcement of her participation in a dating show, the internet had erupted into chaos in no time.
“Married and still joining a dating show?”
“So it’s confirmed now, everything from yesterday to today was just a publicity stunt, right?”
“Did she actually marry the young master or not? I’m confused.”
“That shameless woman will do anything for fame.”
“The marriage is probably real, since the young master announced it himself. But the lack of love must be real too, otherwise how could he tolerate such a green hat?”
“Maybe they signed some kind of agreement and had to get married? Anyway, the world of the rich is beyond our understanding.”
“Ahhhhh, she’s so shameless, so shameless! I’ve never been so disgusted by anyone in my life!”
Qi Chenyan stared at the announcement screenshot, his eyes darkening.
Shi Xing sensed something and turned to look at him, biting her chopsticks. “Why aren’t you eating? What are you looking at?”
He had been on his phone since sitting down, and now he seemed upset.
As she spoke, her gaze fell on his phone screen and landed on the announcement screenshot. She froze.
“Slowly Falling for You”
Qi Chenyan turned to her. “Did you know about this?”
“?”
Shi Xing’s eyelashes fluttered quickly. “This…”
Her hesitation was answer enough.
Qi Chenyan almost laughed in frustration. “So, you really agreed to sign it yourself?”
Shi Xing blinked innocently, her voice soft. “I signed it half a month ago. We weren’t together back then.”
At that time, she had been kicked out by the Shi Family, and all her resources vanished overnight. No one in the industry dared to work with her.
This variety show was something Song Lan had managed to secure for her by calling in every favor she had accumulated since entering the industry, begging left and right.
Back then, it was meant as a temporary solution.
However, in her previous life, she naturally hadn’t been able to participate in this show.
In this life, Shi Xing had long forgotten about it.
She certainly hadn’t expected the program team to boldly announce her today, right after Qi Chenyan and she had announced their marriage.
Seeing Qi Chenyan’s darkened expression, Shi Xing tugged at his sleeve. “Are you angry?”
Qi Chenyan closed his eyes, too exasperated to even feel angry.
He sighed helplessly. “Which company is it? I’ll have someone contact them to terminate the contract for you.”
Shi Xing bit her lip. “Guangyao.”
Qi Chenyan’s eyes tightened. “The He Family’s.”
He frowned. “Does He Sheng know?”
Shi Xing shook her head. “I don’t know if he knows or not.”
Qi Chenyan pressed his lips together tightly.
Given He Sheng’s current erratic behavior, getting Shi Xing out of this show might not be easy.
Shi Xing put down her chopsticks. “Can I borrow your phone? I’ll call Song Lan and ask her to come over. She can bring my phone with her too.”
Qi Chenyan had no objections and handed her his phone for her to use as she pleased.
About an hour later, Song Lan arrived.
Wearing a mask, hat, and sunglasses, she sneaked in like a thief. The moment she entered the room and saw Shi Xing, she said despairingly, “Xingxing, thanks to you, these past two days are probably the most famous I’ve ever been in my life.”Countless people were looking for her, wanting news about Shi Xing, and her phone was nearly overwhelmed with calls, forcing her to shut it off.
Fortunately, she had a backup phone, and Shi Xing knew the number.
There were also many people stationed downstairs at her home, and it took a great deal of effort to disguise herself and escape.
Shi Xing felt a bit embarrassed: “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”
Song Lan sighed: “That’s not a big deal, but what’s going on between you and that crown prince of the Qi Family? Did you two really get married? Why? Xingxing, this is a lifelong commitment.
I know things are tough right now, but you shouldn’t throw your whole life away just to latch onto someone powerful. You’ve always told me how much you hate that crown prince, how just looking at him brings bad luck, how he’s the most pretentious person in the world… mmm…”
Before she could finish, Shi Xing covered her mouth.
Shi Xing blinked at her emphatically: “Stop talking nonsense, when did I ever say such things?”
Song Lan blinked back, still processing, when a light, drifting male voice chimed in: “It’s fine, I don’t mind. Feel free to continue.”
“!”
Song Lan’s eyes darted around, and a man emerged from the bathroom. Dressed in a silver suit, tall and handsome—wasn’t that the crown prince of the Qi Family?
Song Lan: “…Ah, right, Xingxing, you always told me how much you like that crown prince, how just looking at him brings joy, how he’s the most amazing man in the world! Your taste is impeccable! This marriage is truly wonderful! You’re amazing!”
Shi Xing forced a stiff smile, “Yeah, my taste has always been pretty good, hahaha.”
After that, both fell silent.
Qi Chenyan stood with his hands in his pockets, watching them with amusement.
Only then did he walk over, wrapping an arm around Shi Xing’s waist as he looked down at her with a low, teasing voice: “Finished? If you’re done, maybe we can get down to business.”
Shi Xing nodded: “Yes, right, business!”
Song Lan’s gaze dropped to Qi Chenyan’s hand resting on Shi Xing’s waist, and she raised an eyebrow.
She then looked at Qi Chenyan’s face. He was turned slightly, gazing down at Shi Xing, his usually cool features softened.
Song Lan nodded silently.
She still didn’t know why Shi Xing had married Qi Chenyan, but this crown prince seemed genuinely interested in her.
Even after hearing all that, he wasn’t angry.
Qi Chenyan had already guided Shi Xing back to the sofa. Song Lan sat across from them and brought up the matter of the variety show.
Song Lan was also troubled: “The director of this show at the time was a senior of mine. I asked him for a favor to get Xingxing signed. But when the show was officially announced today, I contacted him, and he said he’s no longer in charge. The higher-ups replaced him.”
The implication was clear.
Guangyao was doing this on purpose.
How could they not know about Shi Xing and Qi Chenyan’s marriage? Yet they dared to make the announcement now. It was very likely that He Sheng had authorized it.
Song Lan: “When the contract was signed, Xingxing was in a special situation, and no one else would take her. So the terms were quite harsh. It stated that if she couldn’t participate due to personal reasons or if she damaged the show’s reputation, the compensation would be ten times the signing fee.”
Qi Chenyan: “How much was her signing fee?”
Song Lan: “Thirty million.”
Thirty million, meaning she’d have to pay three hundred million.Although three hundred million meant nothing to Qi Chenyan, it would be quite annoying if it ended up benefiting the He Family.
If He Sheng had known about this from the start, then it meant he had done it intentionally—was he planning to use thirty million to tie Shi Xing down?
Qi Chenyan crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa, curious. “Speaking of which, this kind of dating show is for people to fall in love, right?”
Song Lan nodded. “Pretty much. They bring a group of men and women together to develop feelings and eventually pair up.”
Qi Chenyan lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. “That sounds great.”
The two women: “?”
Qi Chenyan turned his head to look at Shi Xing, a gentle curve at the corner of his lips. “Come to think of it, Xingxing and I have never actually dated.”
Shi Xing blinked.
It was true. Whether in her past life or now, they had never dated.
Qi Chenyan took her hand and lightly squeezed her palm. “So, isn’t it a good opportunity? The He Family is paying for us to fall in love. What’s not to like?”
Shi Xing: “What do you mean?”
Qi Chenyan looked at Song Lan. “No need to help her terminate the contract. Just have them sign me up too.”
Both of them: “?”
Shi Xing was surprised, and Song Lan was even more shocked.
Was the young master really going to accompany Shi Xing on a dating show?
Song Lan hesitated. “But… Glory Entertainment might not agree, right?”
Although Qi Chenyan’s status would undoubtedly bring massive viewership and likely make the show a hit, they had just speculated that He Sheng might have done this intentionally. In that case, He Sheng definitely wouldn’t allow Qi Chenyan to participate.
Shi Xing lowered her gaze in thought, then suddenly seemed to remember something. “I have an idea.”
Both Qi Chenyan and Song Lan looked at her. She simply took out her phone and drafted a post.
Instead of posting it, she took a screenshot and showed it to them, smiling brightly. “This will definitely make He Sheng agree.”
Qi Chenyan’s gaze fell on the text she had drafted, and his pupils contracted slightly.
She had written: “Do you want everyone to know about your impotence? @He Sheng”
Song Lan was also stunned. “That scumbag He… he’s impotent?”
Shi Xing nodded.
She had only learned about this much later in her past life, from Shi Yue.
Shi Yue had told her in a tone full of mockery and anger.
It was only then that Shi Xing fully understood why He Sheng had never been intimate with her all those years. Aside from enjoying her pursuit and adoration, it was mostly because he himself was incapable.
He was afraid of exposing himself, so he never got close to her.
Perhaps this was also what caused He Sheng’s psychological issues.
When Shi Xing kicked He Sheng yesterday, she had thought, “What’s the harm in kicking him again? It’s not like he can do anything anyway.”
Qi Chenyan lowered his gaze.
Shi Xing had said before that she had never been intimate with He Sheng, so how did she know he was impotent?
And what about her nightmares, the things He Sheng had done to her?
Qi Chenyan wasn’t doubting her, but he felt as though he had overlooked something.
Shi Xing was acting very strangely.
He took a deep breath and spoke. “You plan to use this to threaten him?”
Shi Xing frowned. “Is that not okay?”
Using something like this to threaten someone was indeed risky, as it might push He Sheng to desperate measures.
Qi Chenyan thought for a moment, then nodded. “It’s fine.”
He smiled. “Of course it’s fine.”
That dog He Sheng wouldn’t dare to jump too high.
With his approval, Shi Xing no longer hesitated. Without a second thought, she sent the screenshot of the drafted Weibo post to He Sheng.
Less than thirty seconds after sending it, He Sheng’s call came through.Shi Xing answered the call and immediately put it on speakerphone. Before she could speak, He Sheng’s sinister voice came through the phone: “Shi Xing!”
Song Lan nervously clenched her hands.
Meanwhile, Qi Chenyan leaned back against the sofa, his posture casual, but his eyes were unusually dark and intense.
Shi Xing glanced at Qi Chenyan and curved her lips into a smile. “It’s me.”
He Sheng’s voice instantly turned colder. “What do you mean by what you sent me?”
Shi Xing chuckled lightly. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m threatening you.”
Even through the phone, they could hear He Sheng’s suppressed and rapid breathing. “How did you know?”
With just one sentence, he easily revealed that what Shi Xing said was true.
Qi Chenyan lowered his gaze, concealing the coldness in his eyes.
Shi Xing said, “How I know isn’t important. What matters is that you probably don’t want everyone to find out about this, right?”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
He Sheng’s breathing grew even more rapid, his voice cold and gloomy.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? Even if I did, what could you do about it?”
Shi Xing’s tone remained relaxed. “But you, on the other hand, might be too busy dealing with the fallout. Even if you could convince the public not to believe it, what about your family? They won’t be so easily fooled and will definitely suspect something. I don’t need to explain the situation in the He Family to you, do I? If they find out, do you think you’ll still be able to smoothly take over the He Family?”
He Sheng fell silent on the other end, only his rapid breathing betraying his emotions.
After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and asked, “What do you want?”
Shi Xing replied, “It’s simple. That official announcement about the variety show was your idea, wasn’t it?”
He Sheng didn’t respond.
Shi Xing continued, “Actually, I don’t mind. I can go, but I’ll have to bring someone with me.”
He Sheng probably already guessed who it was, but he still asked uncertainly, “Who?”
Shi Xing said, “My husband, of course.”
He Sheng might not have expected Qi Chenyan to be willing to accompany Shi Xing to such a dating show. He suddenly sneered, “Shi Xing, do you really think Qi Chenyan likes you? Do you think he’d be willing to go on this kind of show with you? Don’t forget, he’s from the Qi Family. The Qi Family won’t allow him to embarrass himself like this.”
Before Shi Xing could respond, Qi Chenyan, who had been silent until now, spoke in an indifferent tone, “I’ll go if I want to. Who can stop me? Do you think I’m as useless as you?”
Song Lan, on the other end, let out a stifled laugh and quickly covered her mouth, afraid He Sheng would hear her and try to silence her.
How ruthless of the young master.
If He Sheng were here, he’d probably start a fight.
He Sheng’s teeth ground audibly, and they could hear something shattering on the other end of the call.
After all, the fact that Qi Chenyan also knew about this was nothing short of a great humiliation for He Sheng.
It took him a while to regain his composure. Suppressing his anger, he said, “Fine, I’ll have someone prepare the contract right away.”
If they wanted to join the show, fine.
Once they were on the show, he’d have plenty of ways to ruin Qi Chenyan!
He’d make Shi Xing regret this completely!
Qi Chenyan said, “No rush. Let’s talk about the payment first.”
He Sheng asked, “How much do you want?”
Qi Chenyan thought for a moment. “Three hundred million after taxes.”
Not only He Sheng, but even Song Lan and Shi Xing were stunned.
Shi Xing cleared her throat and leaned closer to his ear. “Do you know how much three hundred million is?”
Even the world’s top superstars don’t ask for that much. Demanding such a high fee would make people think they were laundering money.Qi Chenyan glanced at her. “How come I didn’t know? Does Xingxing think I’m not worth three billion?”
He sighed. “But I already quoted a low price.”
Shi Xing and Song Lan: “?”
Indeed, this young master’s worth was priceless.
Qi Chenyan’s lips curved slightly. “Besides, if the He Family wants to invite me onto their show, they can’t possibly be unable to come up with three billion, right? If they’re that insincere, it’d be better to just post on Weibo, darling.”
Shi Xing: “?”
Alright, he’s impressive.
She nodded. “Yes, my husband is right.”
Song Lan on the other end: “?”
Thank goodness she wasn’t an enemy of this couple.
He Sheng’s voice was tense and trembling, filled with fierce hostility. “Third Young Master Qi wants to take three billion from my He Family—aren’t you afraid you might not live to spend it?”
Qi Chenyan chuckled lightly. “Just three billion? If you think that can buy my life, Young Master He, you’re still too naive.”
He Sheng fell silent again.
Qi Chenyan shrugged. “It seems Young Master He isn’t willing. Darling, post on Weibo. I’m quite curious to see Young Master He become a laughingstock anyway.”
Shi Xing nodded firmly. “I’ll post it right now.”
He Sheng, on the verge of breaking down, raised his voice. “Shi Xing, are you really going to treat me like this for his sake? All these years of feelings between us—do they mean nothing to you? It’s true my health has some issues, but I’m almost cured. Besides, do you know why I became like this?”
Shi Xing was momentarily stunned. Qi Chenyan’s eyes turned cold. “Darling, hurry up and post.”
He Sheng: “It’s all because of you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have ended up like this…”
Qi Chenyan’s tone turned icy. “Darling, are you posting or not?”
Shi Xing snapped back to reality. “Oh, posting.”
He Sheng’s breathing grew increasingly rapid. “You don’t remember, do you? Back then, when someone gave you trouble, I got beaten up by those people trying to help you. That’s when they injured me…”
Qi Chenyan gritted his teeth lightly. “Darling…”
His emotions were clearly becoming unsettled, likely because He Sheng’s words made him anxious, afraid Shi Xing might soften toward He Sheng.
Shi Xing’s long eyelashes fluttered. Suddenly, she turned her head and pressed her lips against his mouth, which kept calling her “darling.”
Song Lan blushed and covered her eyes, but couldn’t resist peeking through her fingers.
Shi Xing gently caressed Qi Chenyan’s lips, feeling him relax from his initial stiffness. Then, she softly kissed his lips and said in a gentle voice, “Be good, A Yan. I’ll post it right now, okay?”