Volume One, Chapter 76: Admiration

Xie Liuzheng’s status in the entertainment industry had changed dramatically—she was no longer what she once was. Wanyue had originally arranged a packed schedule for her, but due to her injury, everything had to be postponed. The loss of income pained Xie Liuzheng deeply.

When many brands learned she was hospitalized, they sent tokens of sympathy—not only flowers but also a variety of exquisite gifts. Xie Liuzheng opened one of the boxes and handed it to Song Qingyu. “Qingyu, this bracelet suits you perfectly. Let me put it on for you.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“I had my eye on this bracelet for you for a while. I was about to buy it myself, but since the brand sent it as a gift, I don’t need to waste money on it.”

The two friends were often busy, meeting rarely, but they cared deeply for each other. Song Qingyu did not refuse and extended her hand. The silver chain, adorned with purple crystals, looked even more delicate and beautiful against Song Qingyu’s fair, slender wrist. People often say that clothes and jewelry make the person, but on Song Qingyu, it was the person who made the accessories shine.

“It looks stunning! I knew I had good taste!”

“Thank you, my dear Zheng-jie.”

The two girls hugged. Suddenly, Song Qingyu remembered something. “Zheng-zheng, does this brand have men’s rings?”

Xie Liuzheng raised her eyebrows teasingly. “Oh? Planning to gift your ‘Dirty Bun’ one?”

Song Qingyu cleared her throat. “We’re married—wedding rings are a must. Since he’s with me, I can’t shortchange him.”

Xie Liuzheng looked shocked. “Why are you buying him a ring? Shouldn’t he be the one buying it for you?”

Song Qingyu couldn’t explain that their marriage was simply a contract, so she said, “We’re buying for each other. That’s what makes it meaningful.”

Xie Liuzheng didn’t doubt her and gave a thumbs up. “You two really know how to keep things interesting.”

“There are lots of styles, just see which one you like.” Xie Liuzheng opened the store app for Song Qingyu to browse. Song Qingyu settled on a classic, simple band. “This one.”

“Over twenty thousand! So generous!”

Having earned a good sum from “The Interpreter,” Song Qingyu was open-handed. “Yes, this one.”

It was rare to see such a happy smile on Song Qingyu’s face, especially since her breakup with Chu Xingzhi. Xie Liuzheng bumped her shoulder playfully. “So, how far have you two gone?”

Song Qingyu blushed. “Stop asking that.”

“Come on, I’m dying to know. Have you hit a home run yet?”

“What?” Song Qingyu, with her mind full of data, had no idea what that meant.

Xie Liuzheng leaned in and whispered in her ear. Song Qingyu’s face turned even redder. “No! What are you thinking all day?”

“Wait, you mean to say you two have been married this long and haven’t slept together? Is this marriage just for show?”

Song Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat.

“Or is Pei Jingmo… not up to the task?”

Suddenly, an image from last time flashed in Song Qingyu’s mind.

That… was more than healthy.

Knock, knock, knock—

There was a sudden knock at the door. Both women looked up to see Fu Linhan, smiling.

He waved to them. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”

Song Qingyu felt rescued and stood up at once. “Not at all.”

Xie Liuzheng also straightened up. “President Fu, what brings you here?”

“One of my artists suffered such a serious injury—how could I not come?”

Xie Liuzheng was flattered.

Fu Linhan glanced to the side. “And I didn’t come alone—I brought someone very important.”

Song Qingyu and Xie Liuzheng exchanged puzzled looks.

Who could it be?

Fu Linhan gestured invitingly, and Gu Yuandong, wearing a mask, stepped in.

Both Song Qingyu and Xie Liuzheng were stunned.

The next second, Xie Liuzheng began fussing with her clothes and hair, flustered.

But Song Qingyu’s expression darkened. “What brings President Gu here?”

Thinking that Xie Liuzheng’s troubles might have something to do with Gu Yuandong, Song Qingyu could not bring herself to greet him warmly.

Having not seen Song Qingyu all night, Pei Jingmo missed her terribly. Seeing her pale face, his heart ached. “I’m here to visit Miss Xie.”

Noticing the tension, Fu Linhan immediately spoke up. “We’ve investigated thoroughly. The wire breaking was indeed an accident, not sabotage.”

He paused, then continued, “But it was still the crew’s fault. All your hospitalization costs and other losses will be compensated, and the company will add extra compensation as well.”

Xie Liuzheng was overjoyed.

Wasn’t this just a paid vacation?

Song Qingyu’s expression remained severe. “If it was an accident, why is President Gu visiting Zheng-zheng?”

If Zheng-zheng really was his one true love, he should have protected her. If not, he ought to clarify things, rather than let wild rumors hurt her.

Afraid that Song Qingyu would offend Gu Yuandong on her behalf, Xie Liuzheng tugged her hand. “Qingyu, President Gu means well.”

Pei Jingmo’s gaze never left Song Qingyu, which made Xie Liuzheng curious.

Wasn’t she supposed to be President Gu’s one true love?

Why wasn’t President Gu looking at her, but at Qingyu instead?

“There are rumors outside that Miss Xie is my one true love—”

“What?” Xie Liuzheng’s mouth fell open in surprise. He’d just said it so plainly?

Pei Jingmo looked at Song Qingyu and explained, “I do admire Miss Xie, but I am only a fan of her work, not a suitor.”

Outside, several paparazzi disguised as patients and family members were lurking. Fu Linhan knew Pei Jingmo had said this for their benefit, so he made no move to stop him.

Song Qingyu and Xie Liuzheng exchanged glances.

He had explained it so clearly—they had clearly misunderstood before.

President Gu was a fan of Zheng-zheng’s work. Seeing his idol bullied, he had stepped in to help.

Realizing she had spoken to President Gu rather harshly earlier, Song Qingyu felt a twinge of regret.

As for Xie Liuzheng, her feelings were complicated. It wasn’t that being the crown prince’s one true love would turn her into a phoenix overnight, but after feeling proud for so long, to find it was all a misunderstanding left her a little unsettled.

But the feeling faded almost as quickly as it came.

Thinking that the crown prince was her fan, she cheered up. “So, President Gu, which of my works made you a fan?”

Seeing the anticipation on Xie Liuzheng’s face, Pei Jingmo was silent.

The crown prince, who never watched TV dramas, was at a loss.

He looked at Fu Linhan, who was equally exasperated.

Previously, Xie Liuzheng had only starred in brainless dramas—he certainly hadn’t watched those. But now, with her question hanging in the air, Fu Linhan had to step in. “It was that one where you sang and danced on stage, very festive.”

When Pei Jingmo had asked Fu Linhan to sign Xie Liuzheng, Fu Linhan had watched a few clips of her performances. The only one he remembered was that lively stage scene, though the show’s name escaped him.

Xie Liuzheng’s eyes shone. “‘The Real and Fake Heiresses: My Sister Is an Idiot’?”

Fu Linhan: “…Yes, that’s the one.”

Xie Liuzheng shot Gu Yuandong a complicated look. “That was something I filmed in college. I never thought President Gu would enjoy that kind of show.”

Pei Jingmo: “…Yes, Miss Xie acted very convincingly.”

Xie Liuzheng: “…”

An awkward silence filled the air. Fu Linhan almost laughed out loud but stopped himself when Pei Jingmo shot him a glare.

Another knock sounded at the door.

“Sorry, am I interrupting?”

Lu Rongrong entered, carrying a bouquet of lilies, dressed in a custom red gown, and smiling radiantly.

No one had expected Lu Rongrong to appear.

Pei Jingmo’s face immediately turned cold. Song Qingyu instinctively stepped in front of Xie Liuzheng to shield her.

She wasn’t sure if Gu Yuandong had explained things to Lu Rongrong, but she sensed hostility.

Fu Linhan smiled. “What wind brought Miss Lu here?”

Lu Rongrong walked in uninvited and placed the flowers on the bedside table. “There are rumors outside that Miss Xie’s injury was my doing. I’ve been wrongly accused. If I didn’t come to visit, it would look like I had something to hide.”

She turned to Xie Liuzheng with concern. “Miss Xie, are you all right?”

Xie Liuzheng looked at Lu Rongrong. Though the woman smiled, there was something unnerving about her—her smile was almost frightening.

Fortunately, after so many years in the industry, Xie Liuzheng had learned to say the right thing to the right person, no matter the situation.

“President Fu has already explained that my fall was an accident, not foul play. And President Gu has clarified—he’s only a fan, not a suitor.”

“Oh?” Lu Rongrong raised her brows and glanced at Gu Yuandong. “It seems the misunderstandings run deep.”

Song Qingyu spoke up. “Whether others misunderstand is irrelevant. As long as you, Miss Lu, don’t.”

Lu Rongrong’s gaze shifted from Xie Liuzheng to Song Qingyu.

Truth be told, when she’d first heard that Gu Yuandong had returned and immediately had Panhai sign Xie Liuzheng, claiming she was his one true love, Lu Rongrong hadn’t believed it. Compared to Xie Liuzheng, it was Song Qingyu who gave her a mysterious sense of threat.

It wasn’t until she discovered Song Qingyu was already married, and to a penniless, powerless laborer at that, that she’d shifted her attention to Xie Liuzheng.

Lu Rongrong smiled faintly and walked up to Pei Jingmo, fixing him with an intense gaze. “Of course I won’t misunderstand. I’m confident that I’m the only one in Yuandong’s eyes.”

Pei Jingmo’s eyes were icy, showing Lu Rongrong no courtesy. “Confidence is a good thing. Overconfidence, however, is just laughable.”

Lu Rongrong’s expression froze.

Pei Jingmo said coldly, “My eyes can take in everything—except Miss Lu.”

“You—” Lu Rongrong hadn’t expected Gu Yuandong to embarrass her so publicly. She gritted her teeth in anger.

But she quickly forced a smile. “Remember these words. One day, I’ll make sure you see only me!”