22 – Puрру
Yе Сhеn is thе protаgоnist оf this wоrld, blеssed with a fortunе thаt no onе else саn rivаl.
Jiаng Ning dаrеd not lеt hеr еldеst brother сonfront Ye Chеn hеad-оn.
Shе hurriеdlу сallеd him bасk.
Fortunatеlу, the сall connеctеd quickly.
“Big brоther, wаit a mоmеnt.”
Jiang Ning toоk a deeр brеаth, suрpressing thе lоnging fоr hеr family in hеr heаrt, and tried tо sound as nаtural as рossible.
On thе оthеr end оf thе line, Jiang Chеngyu rаisеd his hand to signаl his assistant tо stoр thе сar, his tоne gentlе: “What’s wrong, Хiао Ning?”
“Big brother, I’m fine. As for Ye Chеn’s mаtter… I’ll handle it. Plеаse don’t get invоlvеd.”
Jiang Chengyu frowned deeply, thinking Jiang Ning didn’t want to make a big fuss: “Are you being soft-hearted?”
Of course not.
Jiang Ning shook her head, realizing Jiang Chengyu couldn’t see her, and said, “No, big brother. I have another way to deal with Ye Chen’s cheating, but not now. Believe me, I won’t let myself be wronged.”
Jiang Chengyu understood his sister. If she said this, she truly didn’t want him to interfere.
Even though he wanted to stand up for his sister, Jiang Chengyu wouldn’t ignore her wishes.
After hesitating for a moment, he agreed not to get involved, but on one condition: Ye Chen must pay for what he did. If Jiang Ning couldn’t make that happen, he would step in to clean things up.
With his promise, Jiang Ning knew her brother wouldn’t interfere for now and breathed a sigh of relief.
Ye Chen had suppressed the trending topic, so the matter wasn’t widely known, but it couldn’t stop netizens from gossiping.
Now, everyone was speculating whether Jiang Ning and Ye Chen had broken up.
And whether Jiang Zhi was the third party.
Opinions were divided online. After disguising herself, Jiang Ning went straight to find Gu Chi.
Ten minutes earlier, Jiang Ning had sent Gu Chi a WeChat message saying she was coming to see him.
Her long hair tied into a high ponytail, Jiang Ning wore a rose-red tracksuit, a white baseball cap, and a mask matching the cap’s color, covering herself completely.
Yet even so, her tall figure and unique aura still made passersby instinctively glance her way.
Arriving at the residential complex where Gu Chi lived, Jiang Ning adjusted her baseball cap.
21st floor?
So high.
Holding a file folder in her hand, Jiang Ning reached the apartment number Gu Chi had given her and pressed the doorbell.
Gu Chi seemed to have been waiting by the door. As soon as she pressed the bell, the door opened immediately.
Jiang Ning looked at Gu Chi in surprise.
Gu Chi lived in a one-elevator-one-apartment layout, so there were no other neighbors on his floor.
Under her baseball cap, her bright eyes were filled with confusion.
Gu Chi, who had been pacing near the door ever since receiving her call, looked guilty. He instinctively touched the tip of his nose: “Senior sister, please come in.”
Jiang Ning had already discussed the issue of addressing her with Gu Chi before. Seeing him persist, she didn’t say anything, assuming he just couldn’t change the habit right away.
Gu Chi had no work today and was wearing comfortable gray loungewear. But with his excellent physique—broad shoulders, narrow waist, and straight shoulders filling out the loose loungewear—he gave off a lazy, casual vibe.
Yet the way he looked at her was incredibly obedient.
In that moment, Jiang Ning deeply realized he was still a younger brother. Despite his devilishly handsome and cool appearance, it was a contradictory and strange feeling.
At the entrance, Gu Chi thoughtfully took a brand-new pair of pink slippers from the shoe cabinet and handed them to Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning glanced down at the slippers. Hmm, were these just bought?
Her stare at the slippers caused Gu Chi to misunderstand, and he hurriedly explained: “I just went downstairs to buy them. They’re new.”He was afraid Jiang Ning would think it had been worn by another girl.
Even more afraid she would misunderstand that he had lived with another girl.
His anxious, eager-to-explain demeanor made Jiang Ning find it somewhat amusing.
Gu Chi… a lofty young master, and the greatest villain in the world’s setting.
Yet from him, Jiang Ning only felt sincere affection.
“Mm, I know,” she nodded.
The two arrived in the living room. Jiang Ning sat on the sofa and pushed the document folder toward him: “This is the movie script I chose for you. See if you feel anything about it.”
Anything Jiang Ning gave him, Gu Chi could never dislike; even if he felt nothing, he would make himself feel something.
He took the script and set it aside, asking about what concerned him more: “Senior Sister, what do you plan to do about the situation online?”
Jiang Ning’s performance on the show undoubtedly showed she was deeply hurt by Ye Chen. If she didn’t eventually present evidence, Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi’s fans might counterattack, claiming she deliberately misled people.
Right now, everyone was speculating that Ye Chen had betrayed her.
And that was indeed the truth.
However, after the public opinion storm erupted, Jiang Ning had taken no action. He worried she still hadn’t given up on Ye Chen.
“Leave it for now.”
The timing wasn’t right yet. Letting the online rumors ferment now would yield unexpected effects later.
Gu Chi thought she was still being soft-hearted toward Ye Chen. A trace of gloom flickered in his dark eyes: “Whatever Senior Sister decides is fine.”
“Mm, take a look at the script first.”
Jiang Ning noticed the balcony was filled with greenery and instinctively stood up: “Can I take a look at your balcony?”
For her, there was nothing Gu Chi wouldn’t allow.
He nodded in agreement.
Gu Chi’s balcony was a long one connecting the living room and bedroom.
Jiang Ning stepped onto the balcony, took a deep breath, and as she turned, the wind blew open the white gauze curtains of the bedroom.
A fleeting glimpse of a poster photo thus entered her vision without reservation.
Jiang Ning instinctively took a step forward and lifted her hand to pull aside the curtain.
On the bedroom wall, on display stands—everywhere were her photo portraits, different styles but the same face.
Jiang Ning was stunned for a few seconds, taking a moment to react before instinctively withdrawing her hand, letting the curtain fall back into place.
This should be Gu Chi’s bedroom, right?
And it was filled with her photos.
Fortunately, the bedsheets and duvet covers were normal, not printed with her pictures.
This feeling was very subtle…
Jiang Ning knew Gu Chi was her fan, but she hadn’t realized his affection for her was this fervent.
Who would have thought that the outwardly cold, aloof young master of the Gu family, who seemed to keep everyone at a distance, would be so infatuated with a female celebrity to this extent.
Jiang Ning thought she would at least feel embarrassed, but her heart was very calm. The only ripple was perhaps the fluster of being liked by him so intensely.
His affection seemed even deeper than she had imagined.
Jiang Ning didn’t regret using his luck to oppose the male and female protagonists, because she had no other choice.
What she could promise was never to hurt him.
With the person hidden in his heart right there, how could Gu Chi possibly focus on reading the script?
Seeing her motionless for a while, Gu Chi suddenly thought of something and shot to his feet, his face instantly paling.
Gu Chi had never feared anything in the world; his only weakness was Jiang Ning.
He quickly ran to the balcony.
Jiang Ning was squatting on the ground, gently poking a mimosa plant with her finger.
Gu Chi’s first glance went toward the bedroom.
Seeing the sliding glass door of the bedroom was closed, he heaved a deep sigh of relief.”Senior Sister…” Gu Chi’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes dark and profound as if trying to draw Jiang Ning into his gaze.
Jiang Ning responded with a soft “Hmm?” before standing up, clapping her hands lightly, and turning to look at him with a faint smile gracing her face.
She was extraordinarily beautiful—so breathtakingly lovely even when doing nothing, let alone when illuminated by such a radiant smile.
Gu Chi felt his heart thump wildly, its rhythm seeming to quicken more than tenfold.
“You…”
He wanted to ask if she had seen the photos in the bedroom, but embarrassment held him back, and the words on the tip of his tongue took an abrupt turn.
“Are you hungry? Should I make you something to eat?”
Jiang Ning indeed hadn’t eaten much. Recalling the delicious desserts he had prepared on the show, she guessed his culinary skills must be excellent and didn’t refuse.
“Thank you.”
Gu Chi headed to the kitchen to prepare food for Jiang Ning. Feeling she shouldn’t just wait to be served, Jiang Ning slipped in to assist him.
Though she couldn’t cook, helping out was no problem for her.
She took charge of washing the vegetables.
In the spacious kitchen, the two stood side by side at the counter—one chopping, the other washing.
Gu Chi couldn’t help stealing glances at Jiang Ning several times.
She was focused on washing the vegetables, her head bowed in concentration. Her high ponytail slipped to the side, revealing a slender, pale neck—delicate and fair… just like that night, the source of his loss of control.
Gu Chi was already unsettled around Jiang Ning, and this glance revealed something unusual.
On the lower back of her neck, there was a faint red mark.
That mark…
was left by Gu Chi himself.
His breathing grew heavy as he tried to force himself to look away.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ning suddenly turned to face him.
“Gu Chi, can we still use this?”
Her overly pale arm, soaked with water, appeared before his eyes. She held a wilted avocado in her hand, her bright eyes glistening like polished black onyx.
She was looking at him intently.
Gu Chi cleared his throat softly. “No need, there are fresh ones in the fridge.”
“Oh…”
Seeing his face flushed to an absurd degree, Jiang Ning felt both puzzled and amused. How could he be so easily flustered?
Gu Chi was… quite adorable.
A man like him was leagues ahead of Ye Chen.
During the last rewind, she had forcibly altered the plot and ended up sleeping with Gu Chi…
Judging by the circumstances that day, it was likely his first time too.
After all, he had saved her. Having taken someone’s first time, Jiang Ning felt that now, with a clearer mind, she owed him an explanation—even though he had been willing that day.
“Gu Chi, about that night… I told you not to speak of it…”
Jiang Ning’s opening words instantly froze Gu Chi’s joyful movements, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
“I haven’t told anyone,” he replied in a low voice.
Both of them knew exactly what she was referring to.
Bringing it up made Jiang Ning feel awkward too.
She had only sought revenge, with no intention of involving emotions. But with Gu Chi, she had indeed dragged him into this. If she hadn’t known about his feelings for her, it might have been different, but knowing how deeply he cared, Jiang Ning couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.
“Mhm, I know you haven’t told anyone. What I meant was… once things with Ye Chen are settled, let’s have a proper talk…”It’s still too early to say these things. She isn’t sure if she can truly defy fate, nor is she certain she can bring Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi down—after all, they are the protagonists of this world.
If she still cannot contend with the World Consciousness, her only outcome will be death.
Her ambiguous attitude gave Gu Chi a glimmer of hope. If she refused, she wouldn’t need to wait until her affairs with Ye Chen were resolved.
His dark eyes instantly lit up, and Gu Chi looked at Jiang Ning with a face full of delight. “Alright.”
After Jiang Ning left, Gu Chi took out the script and began reading.
During the year he was blacklisted, in order to have another chance to get close to her, Gu Chi had studied many scripts and continuously practiced acting.
The theme of the movie Hidden was perfectly suited for him.
Moreover, he could tell that this script was exceptionally well-written.
The director of this film was a renowned figure both domestically and internationally.
For roles in his directed works, audition opportunities were highly sought after.
Jiang Ning giving him the chance to audition for the lead role in this film stirred a subtle feeling in Gu Chi’s heart.
It felt as if he were being kept.
The usually aloof young master blushed at this thought.
His dark eyes sparkled, brimming with intense joy.
If it were her, even if it meant being in the position of someone kept, he would probably be willing.
Another three days passed, and public attention toward Ye Chen’s suspected infidelity had already waned. The TV series Ignite, starring Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi, was about to premiere.
As the film emperor’s first foray into idol dramas, the show skyrocketed in popularity the moment it aired.
It was a modern sweet romance.
While the plot wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, among the sea of dramas filled with misunderstandings and angst, this pure, sweet love story immediately stood out.
Coupled with a handsome and refined male lead who was also a genuine high-society heir in real life, the series had fans screaming with excitement from the very first episode.
Compared to the gentle and scholarly male lead, the female lead was adorable, innocent, and charmingly naive.
The likable characters brought benefits to the actors as well.
After just three episodes aired, Jiang Zhi’s Weibo follower count soared at an astonishing rate.
Discussions about the drama flooded the internet.
Its super-topic quickly climbed to the top of the trending charts.
Fans were swooning over the sweetness.
“Ahhh, mom, help! Xiao Zhi is so cute and sweet in Ignite. The more I watch, the prettier she gets. I’m in love!”
“Sniffles, I’m completely hooked. Sorry, Goddess Ning, but suddenly I feel like Ye Chen and Xiao Zhi are such a perfect match.”
“I’ve never watched a drama that kept me smiling like an auntie the whole time. This is amazing—the director really knows what we want!”
Most fans only shipped the characters in the drama, but a small portion had already started shipping the actors in real life.
Today’s hot searches were all about Jiang Zhi. In high spirits, she opened Weibo to read the comments.
Seeing fans say that she and Ye Chen were a better match than Jiang Ning, Jiang Zhi curled her lips into a pleased smile.
If it weren’t for the marriage arrangement set by their parents, Jiang Ning wouldn’t even have had the chance to appear alongside Brother Chen.
Brother Chen had only ever loved her, so by no means could she be considered a third party.
With this in mind, Jiang Zhi remained confident.
Watching her Weibo follower count climb steadily, Jiang Zhi was in an excellent mood. Her eyes, praised by fans as the most innocent, now concealed a deep ambition.
This was only the beginning. She, Jiang Zhi, would definitely replace Jiang Ning and become the top star in the entertainment industry.She had always firmly believed that if it weren’t for Jiang Ning’s privileged family background and earlier debut, Jiang Ning would never surpass her.
Thinking about netizens who accused her of being a third party interfering in the engagement between Ye Chen and Jiang Ning, Jiang Zhi curled her lips into a cold smile and made a call to her agent.
In the entertainment industry, who is painted as black or white depends entirely on whose public relations team performs better.