Chapter 20: Affection

A chilling hatred flashed in Ning Lan’s eyes, and she pinned all the blame on Yun Fu. These days, she hardly dared to step outside, for the moment she did, taunts and curses would assail her from every direction. Still, Xingchen had worked hard to suppress the scandal, desperately trying to clear their names. Coupled with the support from Ning Lan’s fans, the controversy was no longer as heated as it had been in the first few days. Yet it would not truly go away, not while it remained pinned at the top of Weibo.

None of this troubled Yun Fu in the slightest.

Miss Yun Fu, are you free tomorrow? came a message from Lian Hanqi. Yun Fu arched an eyebrow and, after a pause, replied in her unhurried way—Yes.

The next day, when Lian Hanqi saw Yun Fu, he pulled a few lollipops from his pocket and handed them to her.

...

“You seem to like them,” he said.

Yun Fu accepted the candy in silence. It wasn’t that she particularly liked sweets, but when she grew restless, she always needed something to bite. Over time, it became a habit to carry candy with her. She hadn’t expected him to notice.

Her lowered eyelids concealed all emotion. She took out a lollipop, her slender, fair fingers peeling away the wrapper at a leisurely pace before slipping it between her lips. “Where are you taking me?”

Meanwhile, Ning Lan received the final cast list. The moment she saw Yun Fu’s name, her expression changed dramatically.

“She’s playing Qian Xuan?!” At the mention of the name, Ning Lan immediately recalled the humiliation she suffered at Yun Guang Mall that day.

Her hands clenched tightly, her gaze venomous.

Her manager nodded. “Yes, Director Bai has approved it as well.”

Director Bai was not only the chief director but also held considerable influence. That meant Yun Fu’s role could not be changed.

Ning Lan’s face shifted, then a calculating smile crept across her lips as she whispered instructions to her manager.

Just as Lian Hanqi was about to answer Yun Fu’s question, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen: a call from Qiao An.

She answered. On the other end, Qiao An’s voice was tinged with urgency. “Yun Fu, Xingchen Entertainment suddenly announced a press conference for tonight at seven, at the Vise Hotel! We don’t have a gown prepared, and there’s no time to arrange one. What should we do? This is your first role, after all. Never mind, try not to worry. I’ll see what I can do.”

Yun Fu checked the time—it was already past three in the afternoon. Qiao An had just left the office; there was no way she could manage it in time. As a key cast member, Yun Fu had to attend—this was an opportunity hard won.

Clearly, Ning Lan was orchestrating her embarrassment.

Yun Fu’s dark eyes deepened, ominously heavy, like storm clouds gathering over a city.

“What’s wrong?” Lian Hanqi asked. Yun Fu summarized the situation in a few words.

To her surprise, Lian Hanqi smiled.

Her frown deepened.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence? I was planning to take you to Shengshi today anyway.”

Shengshi—the top company in the entertainment industry, home to nothing but Best Actors, Best Actresses, and A-list stars. Even their least-renowned artists were second-tier. Their resources were unrivaled: the best endorsements, the most skilled stylists and designers.

He had just said he’d take her to Shengshi?

Yun Fu’s expression cooled, but a glimmer of comprehension flickered in her eyes, her face relaxing slightly.

Twenty minutes later, their car stopped in front of Shengshi. Lian Hanqi led Yun Fu through the executive elevators straight to the president’s office.

He didn’t even bother to knock; he pushed the door open.

Inside, someone started to protest, but on seeing who had entered, the words died instantly.

“M-Mr. Lian, what brings you here?”

Lian Hanqi pulled Yun Fu forward by her wrist. “You have two hours. She needs to attend a press conference.”

The man’s eyes flickered, then a sly smile appeared. “Understood.”

He picked up the phone. “Alex, bring your team up here—now!”

Yun Fu stood quietly, watching and listening.

This man was Qin Yi, president of Shengshi—young, wealthy, and striking, the dream of countless actresses. Unfortunately, he was immune to all charm. No one could find out anything about him; rumors had it his background was extraordinary.

All these details Yun Fu had picked up in a hurry from Qiao An. But now, it seemed the famously mysterious and powerful Qin Yi was exceedingly respectful toward Lian Hanqi.

Lian Hanqi... Yun Fu repeated the name silently.

Five minutes later, there was a knock at the office door.

The man who entered led the way with long hair and features more exquisite than a woman’s, yet entirely devoid of softness. A line of people followed in his wake.

This was Alex, the internationally renowned stylist, who worked only for Shengshi’s artists—especially those at the very top.

When Alex saw Yun Fu, his eyes lit up.

“Your next assignment,” Qin Yi told Alex, gesturing toward Yun Fu.

Alex nodded, and with a wave of his hand, his team swarmed around her.

Yun Fu’s brows knitted, her eyes shadowed with gloom, though she kept it contained.

At the Vise Hotel, Qiao An waited anxiously by the entrance, recalling Yun Fu’s assurance that she would handle everything. But they had no agency backing them, and after reaching out to everyone she could, no one was willing to help—no gowns, no stylists.

The fickle warmth of the entertainment world was on full display.

Now, all Qiao An could do was pin her slender hopes on Yun Fu herself.

As seven o’clock approached, a car finally glided to a stop.

The door opened, and Yun Fu stepped out. Qiao An stared at her in a daze.

“Let’s go.”

“You—” Qiao An began.

“I’ll explain later,” Yun Fu replied.

Nodding dumbly, Qiao An suddenly remembered that as the car door opened, she had glimpsed a man inside.

Inside the hotel, the production team had already assembled. Camera flashes flickered incessantly, the press packed the hall, and fans crowded outside, having rushed over at the first rumor.

Most of the reporters swarmed around Ning Lan, who played the female lead, and Du Xingyuan, president of Xingchen Entertainment. The pairing of a handsome man and beautiful woman was especially eye-catching.

“Ning Lan, you’re working with Fu Shiqian this time, playing a couple. In real life, would you be attracted to someone like him?”

Fu Shiqian, the male lead in “Astonishing Beauty,” had just turned thirty and already won Best Actor. He was gentle, courteous, and his looks needed no introduction—a powerhouse star in the industry.

All the media attention was on Ning Lan. She reached up with a shy smile, covering her mouth delicately. “Senior Fu is indeed outstanding, but I already have Xingyuan.”

With that, she leaned bashfully on Du Xingyuan’s shoulder.

She had pulled out all the stops lately and finally managed to win Du Xingyuan back. Now, their relationship seemed restored.

Du Xingyuan stroked her hair indulgently, his eyes filled with adoration.

If not for Yun Fu’s involvement, one might truly believe they were the picture of bliss.

But the press knew how to tailor their words to their audience. “Haha, Ning Lan, you and President Du are such a loving couple.”