5 – Mаkе hеr whitе tо thе рoint of trаnsраrеnсy
With everуthing аrranged, Jiаng Ning’s mind went blank.
Тhis timе, соuld shе hаve а diffеrеnt еnding?
She hoрed that Gu Chi, the аntаgonist, wоuld рlау thе rolе shе susрectеd. Оtherwisе, both she and Gu Сhi would bеcome mеre stеpрing stоnes on Yе Chen and Jiаng Zhi’s раth tо succеss.
Тhе night wаs bustling with life. A tаll man, wrаppеd up tightly, еxuded аn air of nobilitу thаt рassеrsbу could sensе evеn withоut seeing his fаce.
Gu Сhi arrivеd аt Тwilight Bаr and heаded straight fоr thе mоst expensive VIP suite.
Pushing орen the door, hе fоund a middle-agеd mаn with blond hair and blue eyes sitting inside.
Upon seeing him, the man immediately stood up to greet him.
“Young Master, when will you return? Madam has issued her final notice.”
Gu Chi sank his tall frame into the sofa, his demeanor filled with arrogance and nobility—a far cry from the gentle and obedient persona he displayed in front of Jiang Ning.
With his mixed Western and Eastern heritage, his features were deep yet distinctly Asian.
“You go back first, and tell my mother that I won’t be returning for now.”
The butler knew Gu Chi’s unyielding nature and sighed helplessly. “But this can’t go on, Young Master. Both Madam and the Master have said that if you remain stubborn and insist on pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, they will not offer you any assistance and may even revoke your status as heir.”
The butler couldn’t understand his young master’s thinking. With such a prestigious background, why would he dive into the murky waters of the entertainment industry, only to end up blacklisted?
Gu Chi found it laughable. The arrogance in the young master’s expression seemed to dismiss all of this. “Since I returned to the country and entered the entertainment industry, when have they ever offered me help?”
They were probably thrilled when he was blacklisted, hoping it would force him to return obediently.
The butler was momentarily speechless. After a moment of thought, he added, “But with the vast family fortune at stake, aren’t you afraid…”
“My parents only have me as their child,” Gu Chi interrupted the butler’s rambling. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”
With that, Gu Chi gave the butler no further chance to speak and stood up to leave.
Halfway out, he suddenly received a call from his former agent.
His former agent had treated him well when he showed great potential. But after he refused to engage in shady dealings and was sidelined by the company, the agent’s attitude did a complete 180-degree turn, becoming as opportunistic as they come.
After more than a year of cold treatment, this sudden call from the former agent made Gu Chi scoff. He hung up without hesitation.
Furious at being hung up on, the former agent immediately called Sister Ai.
His tone shifted instantly, dripping with flattery. “Hello, Sister Ai, that stubborn kid isn’t answering.”
“Is that so…” Sister Ai replied. “Then just give me his number. I’ll explain the situation to him myself.”
“Ah, yes, of course…” the former agent agreed readily but added, “But Sister Ai, Gu Chi… well, he doesn’t have many strengths, but his flaws are plenty. He’s not particularly talented, yet he acts like a diva, and he can’t keep his mouth shut. In the entertainment industry, a loose tongue can easily lead to trouble. Are you sure you really want to take him on?”
Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, Sister Ai was well aware of the former agent’s ulterior motives. She snorted inwardly. “I recall he was the champion on ‘The Strongest Voice’ before. His talent seems quite good to me.”The attempt to sow discord failed, leaving the former agent grinding his teeth in frustration. Helplessly, he gave Gu Chi’s phone number to Sister Ai.
But when Sister Ai called, she was also rejected.
Gu Chi thought it was his former agent calling from a different number.
Sister Ai had no choice but to inform Jiang Ning.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Ning smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll let him know.”
Before bed, Jiang Ning sent Gu Chi a WeChat message. She had already gotten his phone number earlier and added him directly.
“I’ve spoken with Sister Ai. From now on, you’ll be working with her. Also, you’ll be joining me on ‘Happy Journey’ tomorrow. Send me your address, and I’ll have my assistant pick you up in the morning.”
A simple message to relay information, yet it rang like a clear “ding-dong,” sending ripples through someone’s heart.
Gu Chi held his phone, gazing at the message from the other person. His deep, night-like eyes sparkled with starlight and joy.
“Happy Journey” was a reality show that had just launched this year. Thanks to its solid financial backing, it managed to invite several high-profile celebrities, naturally drawing significant attention.
A variety show couldn’t possibly feature only big stars—otherwise, the budget would burn through quickly. Alongside the major celebrities, there were also a few rising stars and newcomers.
Though billed as a reality show, it felt more like a dating program.
Originally planned for six participants, the addition of Gu Chi brought the total to seven: four men and three women.
The most anticipated highlight was the appearance of the engaged couple: Jiang Ning, the top music idol who had never participated in a variety show, and Ye Chen, the award-winning actor.
The prospect of these two top stars sharing the screen and spreading sweetness overshadowed all other variety shows airing at the same time.
The program would first be broadcast live, after which all the exciting moments would be edited and released.
Jiang Ning remembered that in the previous nine cycles, news of her alleged affair with Gu Chi had sparked nothing but condemnation.
Overwhelmed by the flood of slander, she had stayed up all night, her face haggard and exhausted.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhi dressed like a pure, innocent little white flower.
Everyone sympathized with Ye Chen for being “cheated on,” and Jiang Zhi’s adorable interactions with him led viewers to start shipping the two.
Some even claimed that Jiang Ning’s title as the most beautiful woman in the entertainment industry was merely exaggerated by her fans, arguing that she wasn’t as attractive as Jiang Zhi.
When Jiang Zhi and Ye Chen eventually went public with their relationship, Ye Chen posted on Weibo, implying that Jiang Ning’s infidelity had caused him immense psychological trauma. He credited Jiang Zhi for staying by his side, cheering him up, and taking care of him, which helped him overcome that painful period.
As a result, audiences became obsessed with this “redemption arc” couple.
Pfft, as if they hadn’t been involved in an improper relationship long before that.
It was from that point onward that Jiang Zhi gradually stripped away Jiang Ning’s aura.
This time, it wouldn’t happen again…
Jiang Ning’s life motto had always been to aim for the top.
She was determined to crush Jiang Zhi and Ye Chen into the dirt.
Being called a perfect match for trash like Ye Chen was no compliment. She wanted everyone to say that Ye Chen was unworthy of her, Jiang Ning!
Jiang Zhi loved pretending to be pure, dressing up like a little white flower.
Well, she could let her stay white—so white she’d become transparent.
Jiang Ning’s looks and figure were nearly flawless, but she wasn’t the innocent type of beauty. Her allure was captivating and impossible to ignore.
In the past, Jiang Ning had been too cautious, worried that bold makeup would come off as tacky. She deliberately toned down her appearance, yet she still earned the title of the most beautiful woman in the entertainment industry.
This time, Jiang Ning thought differently.Since this world had bestowed her with such an exceptional appearance, how could she not make the most of it, or else how would she ever make up for the suffering she had endured?
Her slender fingers glided over the hangers one by one. In the end, Jiang Ning chose a black strapless, waist-cinching gown. The simplest style of clothing was precisely what best showcased the allure of her striking beauty.