Chapter 50

Just after the New Year, another news about Four Seasons entered the public eye.

It was a recorded chat log, and the person involved was angrily speaking in the group, “Finding a celebrity endorsement is more reliable than finding Xu Lai. Although it seems popular, there are hardly any real fans buying her products. We’ve been selling her products for several rounds, and still haven’t sold out! She’s just a whore. To put it plainly, this endorsement was her sleeping with my boss!”

The person’s profile picture was a real photo, and there was a voice recording to identify the person, so he was quickly identified as a Four Seasons employee.

This directly angered Xu Lai’s fans, who were already being taken advantage of and criticized for not having purchasing power. Their goddess was also insulted for selling herself for money. The “battle fans” immediately donned their armor and mounted their horses to attack and denounce Four Seasons.

Four Seasons started playing dead and didn’t respond, hoping to get away with it. However, overnight the incident escalated from online to offline, with banners and slogans appearing in various places. Yang Shu was accused of sexually harassing children and Lin Xiao of drug use.

This incited public opinion to boycott Four Seasons, a management team that frequently violates the law and acts unethically. The situation continued to escalate, and Xu Lai’s agency issued a clarification letter, hoping that Four Seasons would provide an explanation.

Four Seasons then hastily issued a statement full of loopholes, claiming that the person involved in the recording had been dismissed by the company over a month ago for being disgruntled and deliberately spreading rumors, and that they had already pursued legal action against the former employee for their actions.

Four Seasons also expressed their deepest apologies for the damage to Xu Lai’s reputation as a result of this incident.

This public relations fiasco was a complete disaster. In the minds of many consumers who were following the development of the incident, Four Seasons was directly in the spotlight.

The “boss” mentioned by the person in the recording who was directly related to Xu Lai and signed with Four Seasons, was revealed to be the brother of Mrs. Wen, and was scolded in the boardroom and suspended on the spot.

Huo Zhenzhen couldn’t resist and came to gossip with Jiang Ci: “What’s up with Four Seasons? It’s too weird, one incident after another.”

Jiang Ci was packing her neatly folded clothes into her suitcase, holding her phone in her other hand. Once was a coincidence, twice was a coincidence, but by the third time, she had to wonder if Wen Nian was behind all of this.

Huo Zhenzhen was too excited talking about Jiang Ci and Lu Xingxue’s budding romance to remember about Wen Nian until now, “Um, what about you and Wen Nian now?”

“As soon as we talked things out, we haven’t seen or contacted each other since,” Jiang Ci said.

Huo Zhenzhen said, “Your situation is probably not even good enough to be friends. Unfortunately, the parents of both families have a good relationship, so you’ll inevitably have to run into each other in the future. I feel embarrassed for you just thinking about it.”

Jiang Ci replied, “Hmm… let’s not talk about it.”

Huo Zhenzhen dropped the sensitive topic and asked Jiang Ci, “How many days are you going on this business trip? Is it to Z City? Hey, I remember Xu Lai’s hometown is in Z City.”

Jiang Ci said, “Leaving tomorrow morning, the concert will end the day after tomorrow… I booked a flight back in the early morning of the day after.”

Huo Zhenzhen got straight to the point and said, “You’re such a clingy person.”

Jiang Ci whispered while holding her luggage, “You don’t know how good she is.”

“…Damn it!” Huo Zhenzhen was caught off guard and felt a surge of jealousy.

Jiang Ci smiled and asked, “How’s your relationship with Xiao A’s mother?”

Huo Zhenzhen replied, “It’s okay. She doesn’t like to see me, so I just don’t bother her. Anyway, she doesn’t interfere with Xiao A and me.”

Lu Xingxue, wearing glasses and with her long hair tied up, sorted out Jiang Ci’s toiletries and skincare products, putting them into a storage bag and then into his luggage. She looked up and asked Jiang Ci, “What about your earplugs? Did you bring them?”

Jiang Ci said, “They’re in my bag, I brought them.”

“I checked the hotel that the organizer booked for you, the environment is pretty good, and it’s close to the concert venue. It might only take about fifteen minutes to walk,” Lu Xingxue said as she closed the luggage and pushed it to one side.

As soon as she turned around, Jiang Ci hugged her waist from behind and stuck to her back. Wherever she went, he followed and murmured, “Why does the holiday have to end?”

Lu Xingxue raised a question, “Are you reluctant to leave the vacation or reluctant to leave me?”

Jiang Ci didn’t answer.

Understanding the situation, Lu Xingxue said, “It seems like you’re reluctant to leave me.”

Jiang Ci grumbled, “You’re asking a rhetorical question.”

Lu Xingxue let go of the luggage, pulled Jiang Ci towards herself, and asked, “How reluctant are you?”

Jiang Ci remained silent.

“How reluctant?” Lu Xingxue teased Jiang Ci by running her fingers through her hair, kissing her earlobe, and lightly tickling her with her breath. “Tell me, I want to know.”

As Lu Xingxue got closer, Jiang Ci surrendered and snuggled softly against her.

Lu Xingxue asked, “Can you take off my glasses for me?”

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The restless low gasps in the room gradually faded away, and Lu Xingxue’s fingertips slowly crawled on Jiang Ci’s smooth back. After the passion subsided, her voice was slightly hoarse, “Let’s take a shower and sleep, hmm?”

With her eyes closed, Jiang Ci lazily replied, “I’m so tired…”

Lu Xingxue offered, “I’ll help you.”

Jiang Ci remained silent, leaning against Lu Xingxue’s chest, and listening to her heartbeat. “Are we…too unrestrained?” Jiang Ci’s voice was tinged with an undeniable doubt.

Lu Xingxue flipped over and pressed her down, her face full of tenderness in the dim light.

“Don’t you like it?” Lu Xingxue asked.

Jiang Ci hesitated before admitting, “I… like it.”

The next morning, Lu Xingxue sent Jiang Ci to the airport.

They had spent the whole night together and woke up late, leaving little time before Jiang Ci’s boarding time. Jiang Ci joined the queue for the security checkpoint, waving goodbye to Lu Xingxue.

Lu Xingxue waved back.

The usually crowded airport was surprisingly empty that day, with only a few passengers waiting in line for security. Jiang Ci turned to look at Lu Xingxue.

Lu Xingxue was still standing in the same spot, and Jiang Ci took a step forward before turning back to look at her again.

Lu Xingxue smiled and opened her arms.

Jiang Ci didn’t hesitate for a second and rushed into her embrace.

“Director Jiang, I feel like you’re different from before.”

Although it was already spring in Z City, the temperature was still chilly. However, the conference hall was warm enough with sufficient heating, and under the bright lights, Jiang Ci took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, revealing a beautiful and fair piece of arm.

“Different?” She followed up on Xiao Chen’s words, her gaze still focused on the strings. “How am I different?”

Xiao Chen was her assistant, sitting cross-legged on the toolbox and lazily slacking off. “I can’t really put my finger on it, but I feel like your every move is… hmm, gentler than before? Of course, I’m not saying that you were harsh before. You used to be cool and distant, you know, hard to approach at first glance. When I just joined the company, I didn’t even dare to talk to you, but I found out that you’re actually really nice.”

Cool and distant, Jiang Ci remembered how she had been with Lu Xingxue these days…

“I can’t even imagine how happy the child of you and President Lu will be in the future. Both mothers are so gentle.” Xiao Chen held her face in her hands and shook her head. “Xiao Lu’s temperament must be super soft and super cute.”

The nickname ‘Xiao Lu’ melted Jiang Ci’s heart, and she playfully patted Xiao Chen’s forehead. “Get back to work!”

“Okay.”

They worked until dusk and finished tuning the piano. Jiang Ci buried herself in tool sorting and inadvertently glanced down at the audience seats.

A figure sat at the very back of the audience, watching her. She didn’t know how long they had been sitting there.

—It was Wen Nian.

Xiao Chen also noticed Wen Nian and exclaimed, “Oh! Director Jiang, I don’t know where she got my contact information from. She asked me about your schedule a few days ago and I didn’t want to tell her. But she said she wanted to give you a surprise, and since you two are friends, I thought it wouldn’t matter?”

Jiang Ci could only say, “It’s okay.”

Xiao Chen took over and continued to pack up the tools, while Jiang Ci slowly stood up, stepped off the stage, and walked towards Wen Nian.

“How was your New Year?” Wen Nian stood up from her seat, smiling at Jiang Ci as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Jiang Ci looked at her with mixed feelings and replied briefly, “Good.”

Wen Nian asked, “I’ve booked a restaurant. Do you have time for dinner together?”

Jiang Ci responded, “I have to go to my teacher’s place for a performance after I finish cleaning up here. He’s having a family banquet and it wouldn’t be appropriate if I didn’t go.”

Wen Nian then asked, “How about after the family banquet? Do you have time then?”

Her nonchalant attitude made Jiang Ci feel helpless. “So, did you come here to find me for something? You can tell me now.”

Wen Nian stood in silence for a moment, then approached Jiang Ci and took his hand. “I thought that if I appeared in front of you like this, you would at least be a little surprised…”

They had already said what needed to be said last time. Jiang Ci moved her lips and said, “…Don’t be like this.”

Wen Nian said, “I tried my best, but I can’t let go of you.”

Jiang Ci silently withdrew her hand.

Wen Nian stared at her for a while, then turned her head and smiled, “Don’t be silly, Ah-Ci. You don’t really have genuine feelings for Lu Xingxue, do you? She’s not suitable for you. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and we are completely opposite people. If it weren’t for the engagement, just your background would be enough to make her keep her distance from you. Her social circle is full of people who are more compatible with her. Do you really feel secure being with her? How long can a marriage with such a huge gap last?”

Jiang Ci felt more and more unreal as she listened. She could hardly believe it and even suspected that she had misheard.

Lu Xingxue tried to protect her emotions and pull her out of the shadow of being an illegitimate child. But Wen Nian, who had the same experience as her, should have had more empathy and understanding towards her. Wen Nian claimed to know her better than anyone else, but intentionally hurt her by taking advantage of this.

After knowing each other for so many years, being blinded by love, did Jiang Ci really not understand Wen Nian at all? Compared to the incomplete love of her first relationship, the possibility of this was disappointing and frustrating for Jiang Ci.

What’s more, she was angry that Wen Nian made a presumption about Lu Xingxue.

Seeing Jiang Ci’s wrong expression, Wen Nian tried to persuade her kindly, “Ah-Ci, give me some time. I will prove to you who is really suitable for you.”

“Director Jiang~” Xiao Chen didn’t know what had happened here and shouted at Jiang Ci from the stage with her phone shaking, “There’s a phone call asking if we’re done with our work and when we can go to the teacher’s house. The car to pick us up is already here!~”

Jiang Ci nodded in the direction of Xiao Chen, indicating that she acknowledged it.

“Don’t waste any more time on me.” Jiang Ci turned to Wen Nian and gave her the most direct answer, “You don’t know what kind of person Lu Xingxue is, whether we are compatible or not. You have a bias against her, but that’s okay, I know it myself.”

Jiang Ci continued, “She gives me enough sense of security and I love her.”

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