No news was published on the matter of the bank robbery and the hostage fiasco that ensued in the coffee shop. This had been the same in the original plotline, which was why Shi Sheng hadn’t been worried. There was a boss there to resolve it, what would she be afraid of?
The sad thing was that Shi Sheng never got any notice from the Xianxia drama she auditioned for. Only when Tang Yin called to check did they find out that the role had already been taken. This was a bit out of Shi Sheng’s expectations. After all, Song Han had been rather satisfied with her.
“Are there any other roles aside from the second supporting female lead role?” This Xianxia drama would be a big hit in the future so of course she shouldn’t just let go of such a good opportunity to get some exposure.
Tang Yin had asked this as well so he shook his head as he answered, “No. All the roles are already occupied.”
The roles on Song Han’s shows had always been a hot commodity. People would start planning on going through the backdoor the moment there was the slightest hint of a new one.
“Who’s the second supporting female lead?” In the original plotline, the second supporting female lead would be a new actress who became famous as a result of this show and jumped directly to the third rank.
“Lin Shanshan.”
“The fuck!” ‘Wasn’t Lin Shanshan dealing with bad publicity these days? How come she still has the time to fight me for the role?’
Tang Yin pushed up his glasses before drawling, “She’s setting herself against you. Her backer comes from an impressive background.”
“Who is he?” She hadn’t thought her enmity with Lin Shanshan was all that big but now it had evolved into one where the two couldn’t coexist in the same world!
Tang Yin cast her a glance, “Lu Dapeng.”
Lu Dapeng was one of the hegemons in the real estate industry. His wife’s family had some dealings with the government so of course his background was impressive.
“Don’t think too much on it. There hasn’t been any shortage of acting roles. I’ll go look them over for you tomorrow. Ah right, there was a cocktail party today and the company has requested you to join. They’ve sent an evening dress.” Tang Yin handed over a bag to Shi Sheng.
‘Why would the company want their actresses to attend a cocktail party and even send them evening gowns?’ Shi Sheng pretty much had confusion written in her eyes.
“The company will organise these sometimes. The company will send a car to fetch you when the party starts. Agents can’t go in so at that time look out for yourself. I’ll be waiting outside for you, if there’s anything just give me a call.”
Tang Yin was as conscientious as if he was dealing with a new actress as he highlighted all the things to take note of for Shi Sheng. His voice wasn’t rushed, like a slightly billowing wind. It wasn’t hard on the ears.
Shi Sheng didn’t interrupt him for once since Milan had never explained all these to Jiang Wan.
……
Only when Shi Sheng saw Xia Man at the party did Shi Sheng recall that this party was where the main leads met for the second time after the female lead had returned from abroad.
‘No wonder the company gave me an evening gown and didn’t prepare a companion to accompany me. It must be because of Xi Mo!’
Shi Sheng took advantage of when no one had noticed her yet to escape from the party. She didn’t want to be used as a shield by Xi Mo. She passed by quite a few people and just as she was about to reach the door, she came face-to-face with Lin Shanshan who was holding onto a man’s arm.
The moment Lin Shanshan saw Shi Sheng, hate flashed in her eyes for a moment before disappearing.
She brought her man to block Shi Sheng’s path before speaking with a faint smile on her face, “Hey, isn’t this Ms Jiang? The party’s about to start, where are you going?”
Shi Sheng scowled slightly before sweeping her gaze over the man Lin Shanshan was clinging on to. He looked pretty normal overall, it was just that his age was a bit high. If one said he was Lin Shanshan’s father, it would be believable.
“Is it any of your business where I go?” Since they had already evolved into full-blown enemies then she had no need to be pleasant to Lin Shanshan.
Lin Shanshan’s face changed slightly. Seeing that Shi Sheng was alone however, she smiled and spoke mockingly, “Has Ms Jiang not found a companion to accompany you? Being so lonely is rather pitiful, Boss Lu, why don’t you find Ms Jiang a partner?”
Towards the end, Lin Shanshan was pretty much sticking onto Lu Dapeng. Pleased by her action, Lu Dapeng who had his hand on her waist fondled her a bit as he spoke with a smile, “What kind of companion is Ms Jiang looking for? Though I don’t have much ability, I at least have some friends.”
He felt that Jiang Wan looked pretty good, a pity he preferred the mature type; They were more fun in bed.
“Oh, does President Lu have any friends that are particularly handsome? President Lu you know that young people like me prefer good-looking partners since if they were too ugly, it would influence our appetite.” Shi Sheng ignored Lu Dapeng’s slowly hardening face as she revealed her teeth in a smile and spoke, “If President Lu knows someone like this, I would hope you’d introduce them to me.”
Lu Dapeng wasn’t dumb, he obviously managed to hear her underlying meaning; She was indirectly calling him old and ugly.
“Ms Jiang, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit[1].” Lu Dapeng suppressed the flames of his anger. “In Qing City, as long as I say the word, don’t even think about remaining in this circle.”
Lin Shanshan stood at the side and watched Shi Sheng with an arrogant and mocking gaze. She had thought that this woman wouldn’t dare to directly oppose Lu Dapeng and had been planning to fan the flames a bit more but who knew this woman was this dumb to offend Lu Dapeng. Who wasn’t aware that Lu Dapeng absolutely loathed when people called him ugly or old? She wanted to see how this woman would be able to remain in the circle any longer.
‘Should’ve considered more before opposing me.’
“Toast? When did President Lu propose a toast to me? If President Lu decides to toast me, I naturally won’t refuse.” Shi Sheng’s tone was extremely sincere. “But President Lu clearly didn’t make any toasts, aren’t you wronging me here? President Lu, you can’t just bully me because I’m young!”
“Well aren’t you an eloquent little lass.” Lu Dapeng was so pissed he started laughing before speaking viciously, “There’ll be a time when you’ll beg me. We’ll settle our score then.”
He didn’t believe he was unable to fix a little girl. All these newbies had some youthful arrogance in them, thinking that this circle was that easy to stay in.
“Who does Second Uncle Lu want to settle scores with?” A clear voice with hints of laughter in it sounded from behind Lu Dapeng. Lu Dapeng froze as the expression on his face changed drastically. ‘Why do I seem to have heard… THAT person’s voice? This isn’t possible, wasn’t he overseas? But who else other than him could cause the air to be suffused with killing intent just by calling ‘Second Uncle Lu’?’
Shi Sheng had been facing the door so of course she saw who had spoken as he’d walked in. The lamplight lit up his features. It was as if a layer of light added to him and he seemed like an immortal from a painting. Those inky-black eyes sucked in those who met them.
He wasn’t wearing a tuxedo but casual attire yet he didn’t seem out of place at all in this luxurious and high-class setting. Every step he took was as if it had landed on one’s heart, causing it to tremble. He was like a king who had the reverence of countless people.
He seemed to be a body of light, able to attract the attention of all without a single word.
Lu Dapeng’s last hope was extinguished when he saw who it was. He felt his throat growing dry. His scalp was tingling while his back had already been drenched in cold sweat. In the end, he couldn’t help but harden his scalp to speak, “When did Eldest Young Master return? You should’ve at least informed us.”
Lu Qingyun stood there with his brilliant smile and it seemed like thousands upon thousands of pear blossoms were blooming, “Do I need to report when I decide to return to Second Uncle Lu?”
[1] Common saying used as a threat. It’s like saying, “Look, you better agree while I’m still being nice, or else!”
Chapter 29 : Patron, Please Keep Me (9)“That wasn’t what I meant, Eldest Young Master.” Lu Dapeng hurriedly denied in a terrified voice. “I- I just wanted to express that if Eldest Young Master had informed me beforehand, I could have gone to welcome you.”
Lu Dapeng was filled with apprehension and fear. ‘Wasn’t this fiend perfectly fine with remaining outside the country? What did he come back for?!’
The Lu family was a clan that had more than a hundred years of history. Their clan rules were very strict about hierarchy. Even if Lu Qingyun called him ‘Second Uncle’, he was merely a member of the side branch and Lu Qingyun was from the main line. These years the main branch had moved their base of operations out of the country, so Lu Dapeng didn’t know why he came back…
“That won’t be necessary.” Lu Qingyun’s gaze landed on Shi Sheng.
Shi Sheng immediately smiled. ‘This is the patron, the future patron, can’t offend him.’
Lin Shanshan went into a daze as she stared at him. You probably couldn’t find a man handsomer than him in the entertainment circle. And from how Lu Dapeng addressed him, one could see his status was much higher. If she was able to get this person to take a liking to her…
Thinking up to this point, Lin Shanshan immediately knocked that train of thought out of her head and the infatuation in her eyes slowly faded.
This man didn’t seem easy to get close to. If he warranted such fearful respect from Lu Dapeng, he wasn’t one she could afford to provoke. She might as well stick with Lu Dapeng, or else she might end up not gaining anything but instead losing everything.
Lin Shanshan clearly knew her own limits. But when she looked up, she saw Shi Sheng smiling at that man, who actually walked over, causing Lin Shanshan to hate Shi Sheng even more. ‘Why her?!’？
“Patr- Mr Lu, what a coincidence!” Shi Sheng greeted with smiling eyes.
When Lu Dapeng saw Lu Qingyun nod at Shi Sheng, he was so terrified his soul nearly left his body.‘Wasn’t Jiang Wan just a normal person? When did she get to know this demon?’
“Do you still have business here, Second Uncle Lu?” Lu Qingyun stood next to Shi Sheng as he shot a side glance at Lu Dapeng who didn’t dare to move an inch.
Lu Dapeng’s body shivered as he quickly shook his head. “No, no, nothing at all. I’ll be leaving now, Eldest Young Master.”
Lu Dapeng pulled Lin Shanshan and headed towards the door, pretty much having given up on attending the party. ‘Like hell I’d still attend! With this freak here, I’d only go in if I didn’t feel like living anymore!’
“Wait a second.”
Lu Dapeng paused as he turned around and spoke in a respectful and apprehensive voice, “Does Eldest Young Master have any more orders?”
“Apologise.”
‘Apologise?!’ Lu Dapeng was beginning to feel unwell. ‘Just what relationship does Jiang Wan have with this devil? He actually told him to apologise to her!’
Lu Dapeng had cold sweat pouring off him as he looked at Jiang Wan before bowing, “Ms Jiang, it was my mistake earlier. Do be generous and let me off. I’m not the one who has enmity with you, it’s only because Lin Shanshan incited me that I let pig oil cover my heart[1]…”
Lin Shanshan paled. She hadn’t expected Lu Dapeng to sell her out so easily.
“Lu Dapeng, what is the meaning of this?” Just because he was afraid of this man, he’d put all the blame on her?
“Shut up.” Lu Dapeng rebuked Lin Shanshan with a vicious face. Had it not been for her, he wouldn’t have even looked at Jiang Wan, let alone have offended this demon because of her matter.
“I don’t need to teach you what to do, do I?”
“No, no, not at all. Rest assured Young Master, I will definitely resolve this matter satisfactorily.”
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Lu Dapeng’s eyes. Lin Shanshan had nearly caused him to offend this devil. Having no other outlet, he could only vent on Lin Shanshan.
“Don’t let down the reputation of my Lu family.” Lu Qingyun waved his hand. As if he had just received an amnesty, Lu Dapeng immediately dragged a pale-faced Lin Shanshan out the door.
“You’re actually this impressive.” Shi Sheng made a worshipful expression. “President Lu is already one of the top players in the industry, you’re really amazing to be able to get him to call you ‘Eldest Young Master’.”
Lu Qingyun’s gaze landed on Shi Sheng’s calm eyes. There wasn’t the slightest ripple there. This woman clearly didn’t wish to praise him.
‘You should at least put more effort into your acting. Right now, you’re clearly just being perfunctory with me.’
Young Master Lu once again doubted his own charm. ‘Why was it useless against this woman?’
“You don’t feel like praising me yet you went against your conscience to do so. Don’t you feel upset?”
‘Even if you’re going to go against your conscience to praise me, you should at least put more effort into hiding it! Just what do you mean by completely not hiding your true thoughts…’
“Nope.”
‘Getting a verbal praise from me(bbb) is already not bad but you still want a sincere one? In your dreams!’
Lu Qingyun “…”
For the first time, he found himself unable to say anything to that. ‘Isn’t this being a bit too honest?!’
“Eh? Lu Qingyun, where’d you kidnap this girl from? All I did was go to park the car and you abandoned me! And I even went to the trouble of fetching you too, are you still human?!”
‘Kidnap? This phrasing was simply…’
Shi Sheng looked at the newcomer. He was dressed normally for this kind of event and looked rather good too.
Not waiting for Lu Qingyun to reply though, he immediately leapt to the next topic, “I saw Lu Dapeng just now. Did he eat gunpowder or something? He was ranting at a woman, just what did you do to him?”
Shi Sheng was speechless. ‘It seems like this fellow really understands Lu Qingyun ah. All he saw was Lu Dapeng getting angry and he could guess that it was Lu Qingyun’s doing. There’s only one person that fit this description, and that’s Lu Qingyun’s good friend[2]/accomplice: Su Yixiu.’
“And this is?” Su Yixiu changed the topic back to Shi Sheng in a flash as he curiously examined her. “Lady, your heart must be huge if you can stand with him for this long.”
‘Wasn’t this the one Lu Qingyun asked me about the last time? Being able to stand with him without any change in expression, no wonder he wanted to ask about her.’
“Big enough for the world[3].” Shi Sheng spoke with a straight face.
“Pft~” Su Yixiu couldn’t help laughing.
Shi Sheng glared at him. ‘What are you laughing at, eh?!’
“I am Jiang Wan.” ‘He’s on future patron’s side. Just ignore him.’
Su Yixiu revealed an expression of pleasant surprise and his tone was more excited than before. “So you’re Ms Jiang. I am Su Yixiu, Lu Qingyun’s childhood buddy cum nanny.”
Shi Sheng’s lips twitched. ‘Childhood friend and nanny… you sure those fit? I(bbb) don’t understand the logic of villains!”
“Thanks for that matter last time. Had it not been for you, I figure Lu Qingyun would’ve probably been done for back there. You might not know this but his only flaw is that his stamina is horrible. Why, back in junior high…”
“If you’d shut up, you’d be more pleasing to look at.” Lu Qingyun interrupted Su Yixiu.
“Even if I’m don’t, I’m still eye-candy.” Su Yixiu humphed though he didn’t continue his previous line of conversation.
Shi Sheng “…”
‘Hehe[4], I feel like I’ve fucked a dog[5]. Why is there such an adorably dumb person in the villain camp?’
“Ms Jiang, are you here alone tonight?” Since Lu Qingyun was interested in this girl, then as his nanny/assistant/best friend, he naturally had to help him out.
“Temporarily yes.” Xi Mo hadn’t showed up yet, not sure what he was up to.
“That’s great. Uh, I’ve got some stuff to deal with so I gotta go first. Lu Qingyun’s only just returned from abroad and isn’t quite used to this place yet so might I be able to trouble Ms Jiang to help me look after him for the night?” ‘Bro, I can only help you to this point.’
Shi Sheng felt like there was something weird with Su Yixiu’s choice of words.
“Then it’s settled. Ms Jiang you’re a good person. Then, I’ll just take my leave now.” Su Yixiu finished his one-sided ‘conversation’. As if he wasn’t reassured though, he warned Lu Qingyun, “Lu Qingyun, I am telling you right now, don’t fuck this up. Our friendship won’t be able to stand it.”
Su Yixiu then ran out the door as if someone was hot on his heels.
Shi Sheng, who had received a ‘good person card’, was speechless. ‘Hey, the hell? I haven’t agreed yet and you just left? Though… I wouldn’t have rejected anyways.’
[1] An idiom for letting petty stuff like jealousy, greed, etc win against his conscience.
[2] There’s a connotation for gay fuck buddy here. This will be relevant later on. (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
[3] This has several meanings. One is caring for the world (Which I doubt is what Shi Sheng meant since she’s… well, Shi Sheng). Another is having grand ambitions (i.e conquer the world)
[4] Guess there was no getting around this one was there? Well this is the pinyin for what the raws say is ‘呵呵’. It can convey… a lot of things. Mostly used to express ‘I am so done with your nonsense’. It’s one of those language specific slangs. I couldn’t replace it here like I did before. It’s pronounced more like hurhur than heh heh.
[5] NO THIS IS NOT LITERAL. It’s just to emphasize her disbelief. See also: Looked like she had swallowed a fly. It’s basically like saying ‘WTF?!’ but reekahia said this sounded more charming so it’s staying in.
Chapter 30 : Patron, Please Keep Me (10)“Xia Man, you still dare to come back? Just how are you so shameless? If I were you, I’d spend the rest of my life overseas and never come back, especially not to humiliate myself and the Xia family.”
Just as Shi Sheng was about to continue walking, she heard Xia Man’s name being spoken, causing her to pause and turn back.
A beautifully dressed woman was blocking Xia Man from entering just a few steps from Shi Sheng. Xia Man’s gaze hardened slightly as she spoke in a cold voice, “I have no relation to the Xia family.”
Ridicule suffused Xia Xuan’s face as she spoke, “Well aren’t you hard as nails? What, did you manage to find a backer? Oh that’s right, the only thing you can depend on now is that body of yours…”
Pa!
Xia Xuan fell and just so happened to slam into Shi Sheng. Shi Sheng stumbled and hit the flower pot beside her. That flower pot was square-shaped so there were corners on it which caused her waist to ache.
‘I was just watching a show, how come I managed to get implicated too! And as for you Lu Qingyun… would it kill you to have caught me?!’
Lu Qingyun had been standing beside her. He clearly could’ve helped her steady herself without much effort but this fellow simply folded his arms and smiled as he watched her bump into the flower pot.
“Are you alright?” A pair of hands helped her up. Shi Sheng furrowed her brow and looked up at their owner: Xi Mo.
“Ah Mo, you got people to hit me? What did I do?” Xia Xuan held onto her face as she looked at Xi Mo with a wronged expression. The one who had hit Xia Xuan just now was Xi Mo’s assistant.
Xi Mo helped Shi Sheng up before placing an arm around her waist, his voice aloof and distant, “You were blocking my girlfriend.”
Shi Sheng “…”
‘This reason’s rather haphazard!’
‘Your grandpa. Xi Mo you were clearly helping Xia Man settle her grudges yet you just HAD to pull the aggro to me! You want to protect the white moonlight/vermillion spot in your heart[1]? No problem! But you pulled the aggro to me, you inhumane bastard!’
Xia Xuan’s pupils dilated as her expression was filled with disbelief. She shot a knife-like gaze at Shi Sheng before questioning Xi Mo while pointing at her, “She- Who is she?”
‘Girlfriend? When did Xi Mo get a girlfriend? It must’ve been this woman who seduced Ah Mo!’
Shi Sheng felt revolt at Xi Mo’s touch so she grabbed onto Lu Qingyun and used the leverage to pull herself out of Xi Mo’s arms. Leaning against Lu Qingyun’s arm, she spoke, “President Xi, you can eat anything you want but can’t just speak anything you want. There’s clearly nothing between us. It’s not good of you to ruin my reputation like this.”
‘It seems like I am going to have to completely oppose Xi Mo today. Forget it, continuing to stay at Dongfang Entertainment is tiring as is. I mean, wouldn’t anyone who had a boss who’d pull you out as a shield at any time agree?’
Lu Qingyun looked at the woman leaning on him and a trace of slyness flashed in his eyes. He retreated a step, planning on letting Shi Sheng fall. However, she had already expected him to do this. Though she looked like she had been leaning heavily on him, she hadn’t actually put that much weight against him. When he moved, Shi Sheng moved with him.
Their movements weren’t too big. In the eyes of others, Lu Qingyun had simply switched his posture to better support Shi Sheng. In truth, the two were having a secret battle. In the end, Lu Qingyun smiled and gave up on pushing Shi Sheng away. Instead, he hugged Shi Sheng’s waist and pinched it.
‘Lu Qingyun, you bitch!’ Shi Sheng was grinding her teeth inwardly. ‘Chu Tang, you can get off the top of my blacklist now!’
All this had only happened in a few seconds so Xi Mo hadn’t had much time to process Shi Sheng’s words. When he finally noticed Lu Qingyun, he scowled as he swept a dark gaze over Shi Sheng, “Wan’er, don’t make a fuss. Come over.”
“What does President Xi mean? I might be your company’s artist but I don’t recall having sold my body to the company.” Shi Sheng coldly gazed at Xi Mo. ‘The hell. Standing behind you is the main female villain, I’d only go over if I went crazy.’
Xi Mo lowered his voice, “Jiang Wan, have you forgotten what you promised me?”
Shi Sheng feigned ignorance, “What did I promise President Xi?”
The one who made the promise was Jiang Wan. Besides, Xi Mo had half-coerced her into it with threats. Shi Sheng didn’t believe that Xi Mo dared to say it out in front of such an audience.
“Wan’er, I was late because I had some matters to take care of at the company. Don’t be upset.” Xi Mo suddenly softened his tone. “Come over here first. Don’t forsake your future for the sake of a moment’s anger.”
‘Holy fuck, you actually dared to THREATEN me!’
Xi Mo was the cold-blooded type. Aside from Xia Man, he could use anyone.
No, he even used Xia Man, although the extent was very little.
Taking a deep breath, Shi Sheng spoke with a smile on her face, “President Xi and I are merely an employer and employee. Instead of explaining the reason for being late to me, you should be explaining to your fiancée.”
Xi Mo’s fiancée was the woman who had been slapped just now, Xia Xuan. She was the daughter of Xia Man’s father and his previous wife. She was also the target of Jiang Wan’s vengeance.
With the Xia family as her backing, Xia Xuan had made quite a name for herself in the circle; She was currently a first ranked celebrity.
Hearing Shi Sheng mention Xia Xuan, Xi Mo laughed coldly inwardly. He just treated it as Shi Sheng throwing a tantrum because she knew about his fiancée.
Thinking thus, Xi Mo’s face softened a bit more. “Our engagement was simply decided on by our elders but my heart only has you. Wan’er, come over here first.”
“President Xi, I believe I’ve made myself very clear already. You’re a CEO, you don’t have to make things tough on your employee, right?”
Xi Mo nearly broke his own teeth with how hard he was clenching them. ‘Humph, you still know I’m the CEO? Then you still dare to defy me? I had thought this woman was one of the ones who knew their own limit but now I see that she’s just as greedy as the rest of them.’
“Jiang Wan, very good.” Xi Mo’s face darkened as he stopped pretending. He had already given her enough face just now but she hadn’t known when to stop.
“Thanks for President Xi’s praise.”
Xi Mo clenched his fists, his gaze dark. ‘Jiang Wan, if I can make you then I can break you. I want to see how you’ll beg me then.’
As they were already starting to attract attention from the surrounding onlookers just by standing there, Xi Mo coldly humphed before heading for the party, just leaving Xia Man there. He knew this wasn’t a good place to talk.
“Ah Mo, wait for me.” Xia Xuan raised her skirt as she chased after him, not forgetting to shoot a glare at Shi Sheng. Shi Sheng was speechless. ‘That fellow already hit you and you still chased after him? Are you a fucking masochist?!’
Xia Man remained standing there the entire time. From the bitterness of seeing Xi Mo with another woman, to confusion before straight out being stunned stupid. ‘What’s going on? Xi Mo was spurned?’
However, upon seeing Lu Qingyun’s face, Xia Man suddenly felt like it wasn’t so strange.
Shi Sheng raised her brow as she looked at Xia Man. ‘The female lead this time is rather normal.’
[1] As you might have guess, it means something like one true love. Though most of the time it’s not reciprocated or there’s no one there to reciprocate it anymore.