The accompanying photo was of Qiao Xi during a work break, dressed in a serene and mysterious blue cheongsam, her elegant and icy demeanor bursting through the screen.
[Hahaha, listen to your sister, wise people don’t believe in rumors. Those who believe are idiots. (dog head)]
[That’s right, I’m so annoyed, Sister Xi is Brother-in-law Xi’s anyway, stop shipping her with random people!]
[Today is another day blessed by the beauty of the Goddess of Divine Beauty.]
[Sister, you’re so beautiful. (heart)]
[Looking forward to ’Detective in the Republic’ wrapping up!]
The comments section was harmonious, with the occasional negative comment quickly drowned out by the fans.
As for the person who sold out the drama crew, Mo Qing swiftly found them out and fired them to set an example.
This little incident was like a pebble in a pond, causing a few ripples before disappearing, without causing much of a disturbance.
Jiang Yongge, fearing retribution from his boss, made a special call to Shen Dang to clear his name.
"President Shen, there’s nothing going on between Qiao Xi and me, we’re just acting together. I didn’t expect rumors to spread."
Movie Emperor Jiang wanted to plead his innocence.
Shen Dang already knew about the online rumors because he was in touch with the well-informed Tang Honghe.
Shen Dang’s voice was detached, "I know it’s fake, don’t worry. Xixi isn’t blind."
However, he could tell from those photos that Qiao Xi’s life on set was quite good.
Now, he could only keep track of her through the online pictures.
The feeling was maddening, both close and distant.
Alright, I’m bothering you.
"Well, I won’t disturb you any longer, President Shen. As for Qiao Xi here, I’ll make sure no one gets too close to her."
Jiang Yongge hung up the phone and was about to head back when he accidentally made eye contact with Qin Mo.
Had he heard something?
"How long have you been here?"
"...When you were talking about Qiao Xi."
Qin Mo came to discuss something with him and didn’t expect to overhear those words.
Jiang Yongge pulled him close, whispering, "Brother, pretend you didn’t hear anything."
"Actually, I know about Qiao Xi and President Shen’s relationship."
There was a hint of bitterness in Qin Mo’s smile, but his acting was so good that Jiang Yongge couldn’t detect any oddity in him.
Jiang Yongge was even more surprised, "You know?"
When did he find out? Before him?
Suddenly, Jiang Yongge didn’t feel so suffocated anymore, having someone he could talk to about it.
Jiang City welcomed its second snowfall.
Aside from filming, Qiao Xi was rather lazy about moving around.
During a break from filming, Qiao Xi was wrapped in a down coat that reached her ankles, huddled on the couch.
Bei Bei suddenly burst in, "Sister Xi, something big happened!"
Qiao Xi turned to look at Bei Bei, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
Su Tutu, nestled with Qiao Xi like a penguin, asked lightly, "Your house collapsed, Sister Xi?"
Qiao Xi rolled her eyes in annoyance, "I will never have my house collapse in this lifetime."
Being beautiful and successful in her career, her house was never at risk of collapsing.
"No, that’s not it!" Bei Bei looked at Qiao Xi, her expression slightly tense, "Sister Xi, it’s about your family."
"My family?" Qiao Xi’s brow furrowed, "What about them?"
She hadn’t paid attention to the Qiao Family’s activities for a long time.
Bei Bei handed her the phone.
Qiao Xi’s eyes narrowed as she saw the news headline.
President Rong of Huarong Real Estate absconds with a huge sum, Qiao Group may face a crisis.
Qiao Zhenbin had partnered with President Rong to invest in real estate. The last news Qiao Xi heard was that Qiao Zhenbin had found another piece of land. Now President Rong had run off with the money?
Should she say Qiao Zhenbin was unlucky or what?
He was indeed not cut out for business.
Shen Dang had already mentioned problems with Huarong Real Estate, and now they had erupted.
Qiao Xi had nothing to say about that.
Qiao Xi handed the phone back to Bei Bei, her voice utterly calm, "Don’t worry about it."
Seeing how undisturbed Qiao Xi looked, Bei Bei coughed and pretended to be calm as well.
"Alright, we won’t handle it then. I’ll go out now."
Bei Bei closed the door of the rest area.
Su Tutu also checked Weibo briefly, her expression hesitant, "Xixi, your dad..."
Su Tutu didn’t know what to say.
With that kind of foresight in investing???
The fact that Qiao’s hadn’t collapsed yet was just good luck.
"Will your family call you to ask you to seek help from the Shen Family?"
Qiao Xi was decisive.
She couldn’t run away; they would always try to get something out of her. How could they let her go without peeling off a few layers?
"What are you planning?"
"I’ve blocked all their contact information and set my phone so only numbers in my contacts can reach me."
That should give her a few days of peace.
"You should. Good people are bullied, and good horses are ridden."
The evening of the incident, Chen Jiayan called Qiao Xi.
Qiao’s had lost hundreds of millions, and Qiao Zhenbin couldn’t pay back the bank’s money; all his mortgaged properties were auctioned off.
With Qiao’s stocks in turmoil, Chen Jiayan took the opportunity to reacquire some scattered shares.
Now Chen Jiayan held more shares than Qiao Zhenbin himself.
After ending the call with Chen Jiayan, Qiao Xi contacted Shen Dang.
Boss Shen had already guessed Qiao Xi’s intention and spoke with a carefree chuckle, "Are you calling about Qiao Zhenbin’s situation?"
"Boss Shen is smart," Qiao Xi complimented.
"What else could Teacher Qiao be contacting me for?," Shen Dang’s voice held a trace of self-deprecation.
"What else could it be? There’s nothing!"
Shen Dang suddenly narrowed his eyes, a hint of danger lurking within, "So what do you want to say?"
"My father might seek help from the Shen Family again, as he did before. We’re divorced now, and the Shen Family has no reason to help him, right?"
Old Master Shen had arranged her marriage to Shen Dang because of her grandmother, and since Qiao Zhenbin controlled Qiao’s, Qiao Xi feared this could become an unexpected issue.
Shen Dang suddenly laughed.
Qiao Xi was puzzled, "What are you laughing at?"
Shen Dang’s laughter grew a bit louder.
Even over the phone, Qiao Xi could imagine his carefree, devil-may-care laughter.
Qiao Xi waited coldly for him to finish laughing.
"Teacher Qiao," Shen Dang’s voice was light, "just tell them directly not to count on the Shen Family for help."
"...It’s no different."
Shen Dang already knew her thoughts, there was no point in hiding them.
"You, always beating around the bush. If I weren’t born smart, I really wouldn’t catch your hints."
Would anyone else have the shameless audacity to praise themselves ?
Just him, one of a kind!
Qiao Xi was somewhat speechless, "This matter is quite serious, he could do anything when the time comes."
"Don’t worry, the Shen Family isn’t an easy mark."
Those words from Shen Dang were reassuring for Qiao Xi.
But then Shen Dang added, "However..."
Qiao Xi tensed, "However, what?"
"If your dad can’t seek help from the Shen Family, he will naturally turn to you."
"Knowing you’re in Jiang City, couldn’t they still find you?" Follow current novᴇls on novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet