Qichi's dislike for Han Jian Yue was also related to Chu Qiao.
Chu Qiao was a rare individual in the industry who had steadily reached her current position through her own efforts, eventually becoming the top star of Meiyu.
However, the entertainment industry was rife with gossip and scandals. No one wanted to believe her achievements were the result of hard work; instead, they preferred to listen to hearsay, including rumors that she had been "kept" by a certain influential figure.
Everyone was eager to guess who this influential figure was. Yan Yi Shuang, the second-tier star of Meiyu who had been previously blacklisted, relied on Liu Yida. As for the rising star Xia Wei Liang, there was no need to even mention it – some great figure wanted to officially announce their relationship every day, wishing the whole world knew she was under his protection.
Therefore, the top star Chu Qiao should be no exception.
Everyone was convinced she must have a sugar daddy behind her!
In terms of beauty, Xia Wei Liang was the epitome of perfection. While Chu Qiao wasn't as breathtakingly stunning, she was a female celebrity with a distinct personality. Her free-spirited demeanor was unique, attracting many male stars and influential figures in the industry.
Among them was Han Jian Yue, the eldest son of the Han family.
At a certain gathering, Han Jian Yue specifically toasted her and behaved very intimately.
What kind of person was Chu Qiao?
She wasn't about to give him face!
As his hand moved towards her backside, she didn't say a word. She turned around and splashed a glass of wine directly onto his face.
Before he could even curse, she grabbed a piece of cake from the table, squeezed his cheeks, and forced his mouth open, stuffing the cake in. She then closed his jaw and forcefully punched his stomach, leaving Han Jian Yue unable to vomit even if he wanted to.
His face turned red with suppressed frustration as he pointed at her.
Chu Qiao, however, smiled alluringly, "You're welcome, my name is Red Scarf."
She turned, ignored the stunned onlookers, swayed her slender waist, and walked away with grace.
That incident had truly frightened President Jiang. Who was Han Jian Yue?
He was the eldest young master of the Han family, known for his volatile temper and vindictiveness!
And who were the Han family?
They were a family that could stand on equal footing with the Xiao family!
President Jiang scolded Chu Qiao profusely, but she, on the other hand, ordered takeout while reviewing her reprimand – and it was spicy boiled fish!
"President Jiang, why don't you calm down a bit? Have something to eat before you continue scolding me?"
President Jiang was so angry; what sins had he committed in his past life to attract such demons and monsters!
Chu Qiao's order of spicy boiled fish wasn't enough; more takeout, including roast duck and lamb ribs, kept arriving.
In the end, President Jiang found himself sitting face-to-face with her, eating and scolding.
"Mhmm, you're right!" She picked up a beer, "Let's clink glasses."
President Jiang raised his own, "To that."
They both drank it down in one go.
To everyone's surprise, Han Jian Yue remained silent the next day. Not only that, but he also invested in a major production and specifically requested Chu Qiao to play the female lead.
Chu Qiao initially intended to refuse, but President Jiang said that if he wanted to do good deeds and leave his mark, then so be it! It would be unfair to be resented for not giving him the opportunity when he wanted to do good deeds! Chu Qiao thought about it and realized it made sense.
Thus, she participated in the film.
Unexpectedly, she even won an award! She unexpectedly gained industry recognition! She unexpectedly became recognized as a skilled actress!
This outcome was beyond her expectations, and what made it even harder for her to explain was that, afterward, there was a rumor suggesting that Chu Qiao's backing was precisely Han Jian Yue.
Qichi had come to be her assistant after that. Everything had been fine before.
Then, one day, he suddenly asked about this person.
"What's going on between you and Han Jian Yue?"
His direct question caught Chu Qiao off guard.
She suddenly raised her hand and hit him on the head, "Call me Sister Qiao!"
At some point, this kid stopped calling her "Sister." He either called her by name or didn't call her anything at all! He was becoming increasingly disrespectful!
Qichi held her hand, "I just want to know, what is your relationship with that person?"
Chu Qiao pulled her hand away and glared at him, "You're so unapologetically nosy. When others ask me, they at least throw out a few questions to get a gem. You, on the other hand, have cut out everything you possibly could."
Seeing his persistence, Chu Qiao didn't hide anything and told him about their past interactions.
Finally, she said, "President Jiang was right. If he wanted to do good deeds, I gave him the opportunity. I just didn't expect this guy's subsequent actions to be so… flamboyant. He either hinted or directly implied that we were involved, and I spit at that! Even without him, this sister could have stood firm on her own!"
Qichi stared at her and pressed further, "But the Han family is solid capital. If he intentionally fed you resources, you could have ascended quickly."
"Do I need him to feed me?" Chu Qiao looked incredulous. "I enjoy the process of climbing from the bottom of the pyramid to the top. What's the point of taking an elevator directly? It's not even worth the ticket price! How could I brag to my descendants in the future?"
Qichi finally smiled. His eyes were bright as he looked at her and said, "You don't need to rely on anyone. From now on, I'll provide you with resources."
After saying this, he was immediately pounded by Chu Qiao.
"You're learning all the wrong things, like making empty promises! Tell me, how many young girls have you tricked this way?"
"I'm not making empty promises…"
"You're still talking!"
"...Alas, I won't say anymore."
"That's more like it!"
Finally, after Qichi repeatedly assured her that he was penniless and would struggle to even pay her salary, let alone provide resources, Chu Qiao let him off the hook.
It was precisely because of this incident that Qichi had a very bad impression of Han Jian Yue, so bad that the mere mention of his name stirred a restless urge within him to destroy him.
Chu Qiao glanced at him, reached out, and poked his forehead. "Our purpose here is to eat well and drink well. Idle people are simply not worth wasting energy on." She then continued, "Even if energy is to be wasted, I'll be the one handling the garbage disposal."
Lin Zhuo Nan had initially been a spectator, but his expression had become much more subdued at this moment.
Even Lin Youyou sensed the change in her cousin.
"Brother Nan, what's wrong?" she asked softly.
"Nothing," Lin Zhuo Nan said, offering a slight smile to Chu Qiao, "You stroll around here. I'm going to meet a friend over there."
"Go ahead, go ahead." Chu Qiao waved her hand and then crouched down to chat with the fox.
Qichi stood beside her, his eyes filled with smiles whenever he looked at her, leaving no room for anything else.
Lin Youyou gritted her teeth in anger. "Qichi…"
Without even looking up, he simply asked faintly, "Is there anything else?"
Lin Youyou, after all, was a young lady from the Lin family, raised pampered and cherished since childhood. Angered, she turned and walked away without a word.
"She likes you," Chu Qiao suddenly said.
Qichi froze, thinking she never cared about such things. He tentatively asked, "Then… should I like her?"
Chu Qiao frowned. What kind of strange question was this? Did he need to ask someone else who he should like? And what did "should" mean? She tilted her head and looked at him, "You should like the Nine Heavens Profound Lady."