Since starting to date Xiang Yang, Chen Jiaojiao hadn't interacted much with Zhou Jinbei.
Every day, after work, she would go home and be affectionate with him.
Today, however, Lu Mingzhe's sudden visit and words had disrupted her usual routine.
Thinking about breaking up with Xiang Yang and becoming alone again made her feel quite upset.
However, she couldn't *not* break up.
Her relationship with Lu Mingzhe was too awkward.
Lu Mingzhe and Xiang Wan had also fallen out like this.
At a time like this, if she were caught in the middle…
Forget it, it was obvious what everyone's reaction would be if her situation with Xiang Yang were known to these people.
She didn't want to make a fool of herself.
She wondered what Xiang Yang was busy with and if suddenly telling him about breaking up would affect his mood.
After much thought, Chen Jiaojiao decided it was best to clarify things in person. On impulse, she drove to Xiang Yang's film set.
Xiang Yang had been completely honest with her, telling her his work location, the hotel he was staying at, and even the room number.
Chen Jiaojiao took the highway, driving for over two hours to the film studio. She found the hotel at the address he'd given and knocked on the door, but no one was inside.
It was already this late; hadn't they finished filming? Were they shooting a night scene today?
Fearing it might be inconvenient for Xiang Yang, Chen Jiaojiao called his agent.
—
Sister Hua personally coming to see Xiang Yang was something he couldn't help but be moved by.
After that scene was filmed, the agent immediately told Xiang Yang to change and invite Sister Hua to dinner.
"Don't forget that you were recommended by Sister Hua with just one word. Everything you have today is because of her favor."
"Besides, she's so busy, and she made a special trip all this way for you. Now everyone on set will look at you with more respect. You know how much this means."
"No matter what, you must treat her to a meal. You need to behave well tonight."
Xiang Yang understood.
Sister Hua had treated him well, and her status in the industry was evident.
With her arrival today, everyone else had cast envious glances at him. His status on set would surely not be low in the future, so Xiang Yang was very grateful to her.
He genuinely saw her as an older sister, with heartfelt gratitude.
Xiang Yang sincerely invited her to rest in his dressing room first and then have dinner together.
The last time he saw her, although he had deliberately styled himself, with makeup and fashionable attire, he looked like any other young idol.
Today was different.
He wore the ancient costume of a noble young master with a hair crown and the somber makeup characteristic of a villain.
Even though he had changed back into trendy clothes, his entire demeanor was a blend of charm and a hint of coldness.
This gave him a mature handsomeness that didn't quite match his age, making Sister Hua find him more and more appealing.
Xiang Yang emerged from the dressing room, removing his hairpiece as he apologized to Sister Hua for making her wait.
"I'll just remove my makeup and be ready."
Sister Hua gazed fondly at his handsome features.
"No need, this is fine. Let's go after you take off the hairpiece."
Those who had been in the entertainment industry for a long time knew which were the best hotels and restaurants in the film studio.
Some celebrities, due to filming ancient dramas year-round, spent half the year here and had even bought houses in the film studio.
Familiar with the place, they ordered their meal. After some casual conversation, Sister Hua asked Xiang Yang if he had been there before.
Xiang Yang answered truthfully, "No."
"Do you like the drama you're filming now?"
"I like it very much. I've discussed this role privately with the screenwriter and assistant director. They've told me a lot more, and I feel it's special."
"Then you can take on more roles like this in the future."
Sister Hua looked at him gently.
"If you stay in the film studio often, living in a hotel won't be convenient. A new residential complex has recently opened, and I have some shares in it, so I can get an internal price."
"Let's go out and take a look later. See which unit you like, and I'll get one for you."
Sister Hua was being too generous.
She had just given him the role, and now she was offering him a house?
Xiang Yang's heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked over, preparing to refuse.
His agent, at the opportune moment, clutched his stomach.
"Oh, my stomach hurts, I don't feel well."
"What's wrong?" Xiang Yang looked at his agent again.
"Maybe I've eaten too many boxed lunches these past few days; they're not very healthy, and my stomach always hurts."
"It's been hurting faintly all afternoon. I thought it would be fine... I can't eat dinner tonight. I need to go buy medicine quickly."
"Is it serious? Do you want me to accompany you to the hospital?"
"No need. It's not a big deal. It used to hurt occasionally; I'd take some stomach medicine and sleep it off. How about this, you chat with Sister Hua, and I'll go buy medicine first."
Sister Hua's assistant was also a sharp one.
Seeing her like this, she quickly stood up.
"I'll go with you. If medicine doesn't help, we'll go to the hospital. I'll drive you."
Thus, only the two of them remained.
No matter how foolish Xiang Yang was, being alone with Sister Hua, facing her confident gaze, he sensed something else.
He felt utterly awkward from head to toe.
He could only stand up and pour her a drink.
"I'm not very good with words; please bear with me."
"Thank you for helping me secure this role. I don't need the house; I don't have the financial means to buy one yet."
"I will work hard in the future and not bring shame to you or the company. I toast you with this drink."
It was not bad. He wasn't glib.
Sister Hua had heard all sorts of flowery, long-winded, overly grateful, and indebted speeches.
Occasionally hearing something sincere like this was quite interesting.
Sister Hua smiled and clinked her glass with his.
"You'll be on set for months. What if your girlfriend misses you?"
She hadn't expected her to talk about his girlfriend so frankly.
Xiang Yang, being naive, thought she had truly let him off the hook.
"She loves her work very much; her career ambition is even stronger than mine, and she's very supportive of my work. We chat on the phone when we have time. A few months should pass quickly."
Sister Hua's smile slowly faded.
"Is that so? That's good. It seems you like her very much."
Xiang Yang smiled, thinking: Of course. Otherwise, why would I let her be my girlfriend?
"Does your girlfriend know how you got this role?"
The previous moment, Sister Hua had a gentle and tolerant expression, but the next moment her face turned serious.
She adopted a disdainful and interrogative demeanor.
Meeting her gaze, Xiang Yang couldn't help but feel nervous.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Xiang Yang, you're already 20 years old, you've had a girlfriend; you're not some clueless youngster anymore."
"Are you trying to play dumb with me repeatedly? Is that interesting?"
"You've known very clearly from the beginning what I want. I've given you ample time to handle it, and it seems you haven't handled it very well."
"Since you don't want to do as I wish, then there's no need for us to continue talking."
Xiang Yang's heart chilled. He knew his words had angered her.
But he didn't want to yield.
"So, Sister Hua, are you saying you want to terminate my contract?"