Chapter 1: Go home

“Ning Ke!”

“Were you acting like a diva and kicking people on set yesterday?”

“I heard Tang Xi signed the brand endorsement you were negotiating!”

“…”

Amidst the clicking and flashing of shutters, microphones from various media outlets were thrust directly in front of her.

Questions came one after another, mostly hostile.

Ning Ke stopped, her expression cool as she glanced around.

She wore a loose, long black blazer, cinched at the waist with a very thin leather belt.

Underneath, her dress was highly saturated in color, reflecting her usual rich and passionate style.

She scrutinized the questioning reporters, her full red lips curling slightly in a hint of a smile.

Seeing this, the reporters thought she was about to answer and surged forward even more.

Ning Ke had exploded in popularity last year due to an idol drama.

With top-tier looks and competent acting skills, she should have gained countless fans.

However, negative news about her acting like a diva and bullying newcomers surfaced from time to time, almost as if she had the script of a villainess.

Fortunately, her face carried her through.

Her likability among the general public wasn’t high, but she had many loyal fans and high topic engagement.

She was in the news frequently, with reports being a mix of good and bad.

Tonight, she was invited to walk the red carpet at a fashion gala.

Before this, news broke about her diva behavior and her endorsement being snatched, so the reporters’ questions followed the hot topics.

Her manager, Xu Jian, wore a black suit and white shirt, but sported a flashy patterned tie.

He called out to her, “Keke, let’s go first.”

He had witnessed Ning Ke confronting reporters head-on before.

But today, she still had to meet the big boss later, so it was best to avoid complications.

Ning Ke nodded, didn’t stop walking, and moved forward.

Just then, an anxious reporter jumped up.

His hand slipped, he couldn’t hold onto his camera, and it directly hit Assistant An Yu’s eye!

Ning Ke stopped again.

Since someone had been hit, the crowded press calmed down briefly.

Seeing that the person who was hit was just covering her eye and seemed okay, they surged forward again, only to be firmly blocked by the bodyguards.

Ning Ke adjusted her blazer and turned sideways to ask An Yu, “Did it hit your eye?”

An Yu: “It’s nothing, Ning Jie.”

“It just hurts a little.”

“Let’s go.”

Ning Ke didn’t respond.

She turned around and saw the reporter picking up his camera.

He hurriedly squeezed in front of her again, camera pointed straight at her: “Miss Ning…”

Ning Ke stared at him expressionlessly.

She waved her hand, slapping his arm away—

With a clatter, the camera lens fell straight to the ground and shattered with a crackle.

The reporter shrieked, “Why did you smash my camera?”

“Where are your manners!”

“Manners?”

Ning Ke laughed.

“Do you have any manners yourself?”

“Later, please accompany my assistant to the hospital.”

“Don’t be in a hurry to leave.”

Xu Jian vaguely remembered his name was Wang Miao, seemingly working under some editor-in-chief.

He glanced at him sharply, “Know when to stop.”

This reporter named Wang Miao had never seen a manager not stop an artist from losing their temper, but instead help issue a warning.

For a moment, he stood there dumbfounded, forgetting to follow.

Xu Jian turned and saw the corner of An Yu’s eye reddened from the impact.

He lost his temper too and waved to the bodyguards, “Block them all.”

An Yu muttered softly, “Ning Jie, I’m really fine.”

“Don’t be so angry.”

“The media will smear you again later.”

“Oh.”

“Let them smear me then,” Ning Ke said nonchalantly.

“It’s not like it’s the first time.”

An Yu sighed.

She knew Ning Ke had been in a bad mood these past two days.

A brand endorsement that was almost finalized was snatched away, and a drama she had specifically cleared her schedule for was also intercepted.

Anyone would be unhappy.

It was time to enter the venue.

Ning Ke adjusted her expression.

While walking, she located the cameras, curved her lips, and gave a captivating smile.

The lights fell upon her.

She wore a long gown in a rich rose hue.

Thin straps rested on her fair, delicate shoulders, her collarbones clear and exquisite.

Her long hair cascaded down, framing a fair face that was full, radiant, and charmingly pretty.

Flashes flickered on and off.

The person standing in the spotlight smiled deeply, poised and graceful.

Photographers from various media outlets called her name.

Ning Ke changed angles, offered different poses.

After the photos were taken, the host cued her for a brief chat.

Before the chat was over, the next person to enter was clearly Tang Xi, the one who had just snatched her endorsement.

Ning Ke furrowed her brow.

The organizers of today’s event were deliberately creating a buzz.

Ning Ke was a beauty with striking features, deep-set brows, captivating eyes, and a fashion style that was equally passionate and rich.

Tang Xi was her exact opposite.

She followed a fresh and elegant route, favouring white dresses and blue-and-white sailor outfits, often playing the female lead in campus dramas.

Although their appearances differed, they were similar in age, and many resources overlapped.

Furthermore, they had competed for resources since their debut, making them bona fide rivals.

Ning Ke was signed with YinChen Entertainment, while Tang Xi was with Huanyu Entertainment.

The two companies were just across the road from each other and had been competing fiercely in recent years.

Just a few days ago, Tang Xi had snatched a beauty endorsement from her.

Tang Xi was startled for a moment upon seeing her, but quickly put on a smile.

After signing her name, she gracefully approached, holding her skirt.

Seeing this, the host asked with a smile, “The last time you two collaborated was two or three years ago, right?”

“Are there any plans to work together again?”

Tang Xi smiled brightly, “It has been a long time.”

“I also look forward to collaborating with Ning Ke again.”

Ning Ke slowly sized Tang Xi up and said with a smile, “Let’s forget it.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the camera flashes noticeably intensified.

Tang Xi’s smile froze for a second, seemingly trying hard to endure the embarrassment.

“I heard Teacher Tang Xi’s collaborations are scheduled until the year after next.”

“How could I possibly wait that long?” Ning Ke casually added, asking with a smile, “Isn’t that right, Teacher Tang Xi?”

These words, falling on attentive ears, confirmed that Tang Xi stealing the endorsement was definitely true.

Everyone thought Ning Ke would have to suffer in silence, but who knew she would publicly throw shade on the red carpet!

Tang Xi took a deep breath, clenching her teeth.

Ning Ke gave her a cold glance, then looked at the host and pointed to his wrist.

The host paused for two seconds before understanding.

He looked down at the time and quickly said, “Alright, please proceed backstage, both of you.”

Ning Ke didn’t spare Tang Xi another glance, nor did she go to the inner venue to take her seat.

She chose to leave directly.

Manager Xu Jian was waiting in the car.

He had taken off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and was admiring his patterned tie in the mirror.

As soon as they got in, he said, “That reporter ran off.”

“Probably afraid we’d demand medical expenses.”

An Yu, afraid these two troublemakers would cause more issues, quickly said, “It’s just a small red spot near the corner of my eye.”

“It didn’t really hit the eye itself.”

“It’s fine.”

Ning Ke glanced at her, “Fine.”

“But don’t come crying to me later if it hurts.”

An Yu: “Don’t worry, it’s really nothing.”

The topic shifted.

As they neared the company, Xu Jian added, “Keke, if CEO Xu says something harsh later, try to bear with it.”

“Don’t lose your temper.”

Ning Ke: “Mm, got it.”

The CEO Xu mentioned by Xu Jian was precisely YinChen Entertainment’s boss, Xu Yinlou.

Divorced, just past forty, she was also Xu Jian’s aunt.

Last year, YinChen Company signed a VAM agreement with another company.
(TL Note: VAM stands for Valuation Adjustment Mechanism, a common financial agreement in China involving performance targets.)

One of the targets was to achieve a profit of two hundred million within three years.

All the company’s artists had performance targets.

Ning Ke wasn’t A-list, but her mandatory targets weren’t low either.

With her recent collaborations and endorsements being snatched one after another, it wasn’t surprising the big boss wanted to see her.

The drive over was filled with a tense atmosphere in the car.

Xu Jian offered a few words of comfort, then lay down in the back seat and fell asleep.

Ning Ke leaned back and closed her eyes for a while, then logged into her side account to browse Weibo.

As luck would have it, she saw a trending topic:

[#ViolinistXiaLinshengReturns#]

[#XiaLinshengSameSexFriend#]

Ning Ke’s brow furrowed.

She clicked on the trending hashtag.

First, she saw a short video, then two photos.

She zoomed in after dragging her finger.

In the photo, the renowned young artist was intimately holding the arm of a woman.

The person wore a white coat, her back view elegant and refined.

As she stared at the photo, An Yu suddenly remembered something, “Ning Jie, Miss Yan called just now.”

“She said she would wait for you downstairs at the company.”

Hearing those words, Ning Ke frowned, clearly displeased.

This Miss Yan was named Yan Yunzhi.

Not just anyone, but her wife.

Two years ago, after a single meeting over dinner, Ning Ke and Yan Yunzhi had a flash marriage.

It was a family alliance, devoid of affection.

In these two years, she had been busy with her career, while Yan Yunzhi held two world tours.

The two had barely met a few times, let alone exchanged many words.

Even now, their WeChat chat history was still stuck on that one time this summer—

Yan Yunzhi asking her how to deliver the gifts prepared for the Ning family elders.

Due to her and Yan Yunzhi’s public figure statuses, coupled with some business collaborations between their families, their relatives hoped they would keep a low profile.

Thus, their marriage had never been mentioned publicly.

Even few of their close friends knew.

Today was Yan Yunzhi’s grandfather’s eightieth birthday.

When Ning Ke went home last night, she ran into Yan Yunzhi, who had already mentioned this matter.

Seeing her lost in thought, An Yu called out again, “Ning Jie?”

Ning Ke replied irritably, “I know.”

YinChen Company was located in the city center; the drive took an hour.

The heating in the company was strong.

The big boss was still in a meeting.

Ning Ke stepped out to call a friend, “Lin Yun.”

“Keke,” Lin Yun was furiously typing on the other end.

“I was just about to call you.”

“The project proposal is done, but I’m stressing out over the guest selection.”

This variety show, called “Perfect Partner,” was a slow-paced travel and leisure program.

Lin Yun had spent half a year writing the proposal, begging everyone for sponsorships.

Just when they were finally ready to start filming, two or three guests backed out at the last minute, leaving them short-staffed.

Ning Ke: “The ones you had agreed on really bailed?”

Lin Yun: “They all went to join that romance reality show ‘Meeting Her’ that Tang Xi is on, did you know?”

Ning Ke: “I know.”

“Who else are you thinking of inviting?”

“I can ask around.”

Lin Yun: “I’ve asked a friend to help invite guests.”

“And then Jiang Hongbing…”

Ning Ke: “Jiang Hongbing?”

“She’s a Best Actress winner.”

“Would she participate in such an unknown, small variety show?”

Lin Yun: “I’ll ask a friend to try.”

“What if…”

Ning Ke cut her off bluntly, “What ‘what if’?”

“The show has no reputation, the investment meeting didn’t attract good funding, and the follow-up marketing won’t take off.”

“She joins a flop show?”

“Is she crazy, or are you?”

Lin Yun: “I…”

Ning Ke: “Stop trying to get back with your ex.”

“You already broke up with her, yet you’re still thinking about her.”

“Says the one who doesn’t get back with exes,” Lin Yun seized the chance to retaliate immediately.

“If you don’t get back with exes, why did you marry Yan Yunzhi?”

Ning Ke choked, “I already told you it was arranged by the family elders.”

“I only…”

Halfway through her sentence, she saw Xu Jian coming out.

“Gotta go, Jian Ge is looking for me.”

Lin Yun: “Hmph, hanging up just because you can’t win the argument.”

Xu Jian called her, “Let’s go, Keke.”

Ning Ke: “Coming.”

The big boss was waiting for her in the office.

Seeing her enter, Xu Yinlou said to her assistant, “You all may leave.”

“Ning Ke and Xu Jian stay.”

Xu Jian, who dressed flamboyantly outside, was meek and subservient in front of his aunt, standing ramrod straight.

“CEO Xu.”

Xu Yinlou hummed in acknowledgment and asked Ning Ke, “What’s this about kicking someone on set?”

Ning Ke said somewhat nonchalantly, “I kicked him.”

“Xu Jian wasn’t there at the time.”

“No one stopped me.”

“It has nothing to do with him.”

Xu Yinlou’s voice turned cold, “Why did you kick him?”

“Ning Ke, I know you have a wild personality, but since you signed with my company, you must follow my rules.”

Ning Ke remained silent, sullen.

Xu Jian quickly interjected, “Keke didn’t do it for herself…”

“There was a photographer on set taking pictures up the skirt of the third female lead.”

“That girl is only sixteen or seventeen and was terrified.”

“That’s why Keke kicked the photographer…”

“Is that so…” Xu Yinlou’s expression softened slightly, but her tone remained businesslike.

“The confirmed drama and endorsement are gone.”

“Whether you can meet your performance targets, figure it out yourself.”

Ning Ke nodded, “I know.”

“Rest assured, CEO Xu.”

Xu Yinlou was a cold and assertive woman, but Ning Ke respected her greatly.

There was only one reason: two years ago, after being blacklisted, it was Xu Yinlou who helped her terminate her contract with her original company and signed her anew.

After being reprimanded by the big boss, Ning Ke’s mood didn’t worsen, but it certainly wasn’t good.

Xu Jian had it worse; he stayed behind to be scolded alone.

Before she even reached the elevator, she heard Xu Jian’s wail, “Ouch! Auntie, I was wrong!”

“I really didn’t keep a young model!”

“Don’t hit my face with the feather duster!”

Ning Ke couldn’t help but laugh.

After laughing, she called An Yu and asked her to bring some clothes over.

After all, she was going to meet elders; this strappy red dress was clearly inappropriate.

Ning Ke changed into a cream-white cashmere coat.

Looking in the mirror, it felt awkward no matter how she looked.

She disliked wearing such plain colors; brighter, more flamboyant colors suited her better.

But today, there was no choice but to endure it.

After exiting the elevator, Ning Ke sent her location to Yan Yunzhi.

She then took a picture of the company’s back door and sent it with a concise message: “[Here.]”

The other party didn’t reply immediately.

Ning Ke told An Yu not to wait, “You can go back.”

“Your eye is still red.”

“Don’t play on your phone when you get home, be careful not to ruin your eyesight.”

An Yu was already used to Ning Ke’s way of speaking.

She said cheerfully, “Then I’m clocking off early!”

“Making my escape!”

“Bye-bye!”

Ning Ke watched her retreating figure and sighed.

‘Everyone else was off work, but she still had to go ‘work’—acting—at the Yan family’s place.’

There was still no reply to the message sent moments ago.

Ning Ke stared at the chat window for a moment, lost her patience, turned off her phone screen, slipped it into her pocket, and stood by the roadside waiting.

The cold wind whistled.

The snow from two days ago hadn’t completely melted.

The air carried the unique crisp, fresh scent that follows snowfall.

With each breath, cold air filled her lungs.

Ning Ke rubbed her temples, feeling the anger that had simmered in her heart all day subside a little.

In just that short while, the snow started falling again, even heavier this time.

Waiting for a long time became a bit boring.

She tilted her head back and reached out her hand to catch a few snowflakes.

Before she could clearly see the shape of the hexagonal ice crystals, the snowflakes melted in her palm.

Ning Ke pressed her lips together.

Just as she lowered her hand, she noticed a car had stopped by the roadside at some point.

Silver-grey, with smooth, sleek lines.

Understated, yet clearly expensive at first glance.

It was Yan Yunzhi’s car.

Ning Ke pulled open the car door.

Inside the car, Kunqu opera was playing softly.

It was the elegant, melodious, gentle, and far-reaching “water-milled” tune.

The heating was on in the car, yet a window was open.

Outside the window, heavy snow fell gently.

The person in the driver’s seat wore a crisp, well-structured peacock blue coat, cinched only by a thin belt.

The color was light, simple, and elegant.

Hearing the sound, the person turned her head to look at her.

Her long black hair fell onto her shoulders, unadorned except for a pair of matching peacock blue tassel earrings swaying gently beside her fair cheeks.

Ning Ke stood by the car, motionless.

Yan Yunzhi smiled at her, her expression as clear and beautiful as an orchid.

Her calm, water-like eyes curved.

She spoke softly and gently, “Ning Ke.”

“Let’s go home.”