An hour after Ni Zijing and Qiao Qiao were surrounded in front of the nanny van, the door to Ni Qing’s office was flung open with a fiery bang.
With a heavy smack, a large tablet was tossed onto Ni Qing’s desk.
Ni Qing’s gaze was entirely fixed on Jiang Yao, and he hurriedly stood up to support his wife. “Didn’t we say that now that you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t rush around like this? Just call out to me and I will come out. What are you rushing for?”
“Don’t look at me, look at these unpublished reports quickly!” Jiang Yao excitedly grabbed Ni Qing’s arm and shook it. “Good news has arrived!”
“What news has got you this happy?” Ni Qing laughed helplessly, gently guiding his wife down to sit before picking up the tablet on the desk.
The eye-catching headline on the tablet read: Shocking! The Plot Twists! Mysterious Wealthy Female Tycoon Publicly Confesses Her Infatuated and Persistent Pursuit of Female Celebrity Qiao Qiao Only to Face Rejection. Are the Two Just Hype or Fated for Romance? Stay Tuned for More.
Ni Qing’s gaze drifted further down.
“Zijing?” A smile crept into Ni Qing’s voice. In the accompanying photo, one woman in a qipao possessed peerless poise, while the person standing right behind that female celebrity, wasn’t that his younger sister?
His sister had actually gotten herself entangled in a scandal?
The report detailed how this mysterious wealthy female tycoon passionately and tenderly professed her love for Qiao Qiao.
Jiang Yao smiled and placed her hand over her belly. “Should this report be published or not?”
While Ni Zijing managed Ni’s entertainment company, Ni Qing had taken charge of the family’s broader business operations earlier, primarily focusing on magazine publishing and media reports. The reason Ni Zijing never had to worry about unauthorized news reports about her being published was precisely because her older brother guarded that gate.
Anyone attempting to write reckless stories had to get approval before publication.
Ni Qing asked, “This name Qiao Qiao, it sounds a bit familiar?”
“Your sister and her made it to the trending searches together yesterday. What kind of older brother are you?” Jiang Yao rolled her eyes without mercy. “Can’t you tell? Zijing is genuinely fond of this girl! I’ve already checked. Ever since she returned to the country, she specifically signed this female celebrity named Qiao Qiao, and apparently, she still hasn’t told the girl that she is her direct superior.”
Right then, Ni Qing’s phone buzzed with an incoming video call.
Ni Qing: “Hello Ms. Zhou, what are your instructions?”
“Oh, I just conveniently forwarded a copy of this report to Mom.” Jiang Yao explained, watching Ni Qing’s expression. “Just look at how long Mom has been worrying over Zijing. I just wanted to give her some peace of mind.”
A well-groomed face appeared on the screen, still wearing a sheet mask.
Zhou Nanzhen was extremely concise, smiling as she said, “I want to meet Qiao Qiao.”
“No, no, no, Mom, what are you trying to do? Zijing hasn’t even brought this up yet, why are you in such a rush?”
Zhou Nanzhen ripped off her sheet mask in one motion, her eyes widening. “Can you help me get an autograph?”
Ni Qing: “?”
“I am her fan.” Zhou Nanzhen rubbed her hands together in eager anticipation, smiling. “Hurry up and let Zijing marry Xiao Qiao and bring her home. She is truly such a wonderful child!”
Jiang Yao tapped on the desk from the side. “That’s not the point, Mom! The issue right now is that your daughter is chasing someone and can’t even win her over! It’s all written in the report. Do you agree to let this be published or not?”
Ni Qing had a massive headache. “Let’s not publish it. Zijing is also getting ready to make her official public debut at Guangya, and publishing this would leave her with nowhere to put her face.”
“Publish it.” Zhou Nanzhen gave the final verdict. “She has the nerve to fail at pursuing someone herself. Once she finishes her current busy spell, tell her to bring the young lady back to Beilin for me to see. Since we messed up the girl’s leg like that, shouldn’t we make amends? I need to do my skincare, hang up.”
Little sister, since Ms. Zhou has spoken, even your older brother cannot save you now.
“You skipped class again, and got into a fight?” Qiao Qiao pinched the bridge of her nose, her tone growing steadily colder. “Qiao Yi, Mom is your legal guardian, call her.”
“Sister!” Qiao Yi panicked. “You can just casually find someone else to come pick me up. Otherwise, otherwise they’re really going to call Mom’s place soon.”
Qiao Qiao felt her mind scramble from being called out to repeatedly, and she felt her right eyelid twitching nonstop.
“Call Mom.” Qiao Qiao took a deep breath. “I have an event tonight, I am very busy.”
Qiao Yi fell silent on the other end for a fraction of a second before suddenly asking, “Sister, is your scandal true?”
Qiao Qiao froze.
“I heard those punks at school discussing you, saying you were cozying up to a sugar mommy.” The background noise on Qiao Yi’s end was a bit chaotic, sounding like people bustling past. “But don’t worry, they had no idea I’m your brother. I honestly couldn’t listen to it anymore and got into a fight with them. Their dirty mouths deserved a beating.”
After a long pause, Qiao Qiao asked, “Which police station?”
Knowing she was bound to send someone to pick him up, Qiao Yi cheerfully reported the address.
Qiao Qiao hung up the phone and stared blankly at the dark screen of her phone, a trace of self-mockery curling at the corners of her mouth that she hadn’t even noticed.
Qiao Qiao’s relationship with her parents had always been distant, or rather, practically nonexistent.
When she was born, her father’s business had failed, plunging the household into a gloomy haze of despair. Arguments and accusations accompanied her entire upbringing. Later, as life gradually improved, Qiao Yi was born into the family.
Naturally, everyone’s love and affection were poured onto Qiao Yi.
It wasn’t until her parents divorced later that her mother took Qiao Yi away without a backward glance, while her father frequently traveled abroad for business, leaving the father-daughter duo with barely a few chances to meet each other all year.
Sometimes Qiao Qiao wondered if there were two Qiao Yis in this world, her father probably would have taken the second Qiao Yi away as well, rather than reluctantly tolerating her.
She had understood this fact from a very young age, so for all these years she had relied entirely on her own efforts while keeping her distance from her parents, drawing a circle to enclose herself.
“Qiao Qiao, are you in there?”
Ni Zijing came to look for Qiao Qiao. Even though she had a room card, she still stood outside the door and politely asked for permission before entering.
Hearing the voice, Qiao Qiao’s scattered focus finally re-converged. “I’m inside, come in.”
Ni Zijing was here to escort Qiao Qiao to the evening banquet. Once inside, she noticed that Qiao Qiao’s expression looked a bit off. Her eye rims were slightly red, so could she have been hiding and crying?
Did she do something wrong just now?
“What’s wrong?” She squatted down in front of Qiao Qiao, tilting her head up to look at the person before her.
Hearing Ni Zijing speak, an idea suddenly formed in Qiao Qiao’s mind.
“Sister Cancan, can you do me a favor?”
Ni Zijing agreed readily. “Name it.”
“Find someone you trust and help me pick someone up from the Beilin Police Station. His name is Qiao Yi.” Qiao Qiao paused, lowering her voice. “It needs to be right now, but I can’t leave at the moment.”
Ni Zijing was momentarily startled when she heard the name, but she didn’t ask who he was. She simply forwarded the address and name to Ji Qinglin, telling her to go pick the person up.
Ji Qinglin happened to have returned to Beilin City this morning, so she was definitely free right now.
A reply quickly popped up on her phone from Ji Qinglin: Received, heading over right now.
“Thank you, you’ve helped me out again.” Qiao Qiao let out a sigh of relief, her stiff shoulders finally relaxing.
“I have a condition.” Ni Zijing smiled and shook her phone, drawing Qiao Qiao’s curious gaze toward her.
“I’ll help you pick the person up, how about you have dinner with me?”
Ni Zijing had read Qiao Qiao’s profile, and it didn’t list any brothers or sisters. Therefore, regardless of what relationship this Qiao Yi had with Qiao Qiao, she decided not to press and put her in an awkward spot.
The corners of Qiao Qiao’s mouth curved upward. “Just that small request? Fine, I agree.”
“You agreed so readily, aren’t you afraid I’ll trick you away?” Ni Zijing smiled.
“It’s just a meal.” Qiao Qiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze rippling like water. “Didn’t you say you have an event tonight? Why aren’t you leaving yet?”
“I’ll escort you over first.” Ni Zijing stood up and picked up the white off-the-shoulder gown. “Before that, let’s help you change your clothes.”
The heating in the room was turned up high. Qiao Qiao reached out her hand to Ni Zijing, who naturally supported her to stand up. As Qiao Qiao held the gown, she watched Ni Zijing frown and say, “Wearing this little in such cold weather? I think the qipao you were wearing earlier paired with fur would look great, and it’s warm.”
“Isn’t that all because of that President Ni? I have to dress up and give her face, right?” Qiao Qiao said, feeling rather helpless.
Ni Zijing nodded, looking Qiao Qiao up and down from head to toe. “That President Ni’s face must be huge.”
Qiao Qiao thought to herself that if she didn’t show up this time, she’d be standing the person up twice in a row. And this President Ni really was mysterious; of all things, she had to host an evening banquet to treat the production crew.
Too much money with nowhere to spend it.
With that thought, she pushed aside Ni Zijing’s playful gaze. She grabbed onto Ni Zijing’s arm to shift her weight, but her center of gravity suddenly shifted, causing her to tumble straight toward the other woman.
Ni Zijing caught the beauty full in her arms, and the smile on her face refused to fade away.
She leaned in close to Qiao Qiao’s ear and whispered, “Just wear this outfit, don’t change. I bet that President Ni will definitely love looking at it.”
How could she not love looking at it? She couldn’t even take her eyes off her right now.
Qiao Qiao glanced sideways at her, her eyelashes fluttering. “You talk as if you are that President Ni yourself.”
Naturally, Ni Zijing chose to skip over that topic, figuring she would find out tonight anyway, so there was no need to say extra words now. She raised her hand to check her watch. “Time is almost up, let’s not change clothes. Shall I push you over?”
The venue was chosen on the third floor of the same hotel where Qiao Qiao was staying. They had invited reporters and media, primarily because Ni Zijing also needed to make her official public debut through this opportunity.
And along the way, to let everyone know that Qiao Qiao was Guangya’s key promoted star this year.
“Forget it, let’s go.” Qiao Qiao tossed the gown onto the bed, and Ni Zijing immediately draped a coat over her shoulders. The moment they stepped out the door, a wave of cold air hit them head-on.
Thinking about the questions reporters had asked earlier, Qiao Qiao felt a pang of worry. “Those reporters might write nonsense today. Will this affect your personal life?”
“That doesn’t matter.” Ni Zijing’s tone was casual.
With her older brother watching those reports, nothing unauthorized would ever get published.
Inside the elevator, Ni Zijing watched the floor numbers slowly tick down and spoke up. “Don’t worry too much, Qiao Yi should be able to get picked up shortly. I’ll drop you off at your seat and then I’ll have to leave. Oh right, the person who went to pick up Qiao Yi is named Ji Qinglin, the short-haired one who took you to the hospital earlier.”
Qiao Qiao nodded. “Okay.”
The third floor of the hotel was the designated venue for the evening banquet, and several media outlets had already arrived at the scene.
As the elevator doors opened, Sister Zou was already waiting by the entrance.
“Sorry to trouble you.” Zou Jingzhi nodded to Ni Zijing. “I’ll take Qiao Qiao inside. I’m afraid the media will swarm you again if they see you coming together.”
“Alright.” Ni Zijing also had to go prepare. She smiled at Qiao Qiao. “Then I’ll be heading off?”
Qiao Qiao made a polite gesture of invitation. “Have a safe walk, are you sure you don’t want me to send you off?”
Ni Zijing truly had no defense against Qiao Qiao, giving her another helpless look before stepping into the elevator.
Arriving at her seat, Sister Zou brought the young assistant over to look after Qiao Qiao while she stepped away to handle some matters.
The lighting inside the venue purposefully used ambient mood lighting, making it very soft.
The assistant looked at Qiao Qiao’s serene face, her lowered gaze maintaining a composed and detached air, giving off an otherworldly vibe as though these past few days of chaos hadn’t affected her in the slightest.
“Sister Qiao, some of those news reports are writing absolute nonsense.” The assistant was young after all, unable to resist continuously refreshing the entertainment news. “They’re even saying you deliberately plotted this whole thing to compete for popularity with Yu Huai. Aren’t you angry at all?”
“If I got angry over every groundless piece of nonsense, I’d have died of anger long ago.” Qiao Qiao’s voice remained calm.
The assistant hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “Sister Qiao, sometimes it feels like your heart isn’t even in the entertainment industry at all, but every time you act, you perform exceptionally well and take your job very seriously.”
Qiao Qiao’s long, slender eye-tails lifted slightly, the ambient lighting casting a soft glow over her silhouette.
“There are plenty of people in the entertainment industry who love acting, and just as many who are simply in it for quick cash. For me, acting is just a job.” Qiao Qiao used her finger to hook a strand of curled hair behind her ear, revealing her translucent earlobe, where a teardrop-shaped earring complemented her qipao.
She looked at the assistant with a smile and continued, “Since it’s a job, of course you have to treat it seriously when you do it. Even if you can’t achieve perfection, at the very least you shouldn’t let down the people and fans who like you. As for those negative voices, why bother listening? They’re just passersby in your life.”
Qiao Qiao’s words left the young assistant completely dumbfounded, muttering, “Sister Qiao, you are so carefree.”
Carefreeness was something born out of repeated lessons, though Qiao Qiao kept that thought to herself.
The lights directly above her dimmed right on schedule.
The assistant let out an exclamation. “Ah, they must be getting ready for President Ni’s entrance!”
More and more guests and media personnel kept pouring in. Out of the corner of her eye, Qiao Qiao spotted Yu Huai, dressed to the nines, entering the venue and immediately scanning the room for her before heading directly in her direction.
She glanced to the side; Yu Huai’s assigned seat happened to be right next to hers.
Talk about enemies crossing paths on a narrow road.
The music had already started playing, and Qiao Qiao stared fixedly toward the main stage ahead, where a massive spotlight shone down.
A row of reporters waited at the base of the stage, ready to capture first-hand material.
Did this President Ni really need to make such a grand, theatrical entrance?
Qiao Qiao let out a light scoff, and her phone in her coat pocket suddenly vibrated violently. She hurried to pull it out, and the expression in her eyes instantly froze the moment she looked at the screen.
Pressing the answer button, a familiar yet distant voice rang out sharply, piercing straight into her eardrums.
“What is wrong with you, what is going on?! Your brother got into a fight and fractured his bone, and you actually kept it from me! Qiao Qiao, you get your ass back to Beilin right now, come back! Come back and see what has become of your brother!”