"If it weren’t for that bastard Shen Dang, I wouldn’t have been unable to get out of bed on time to get back to the set."
Shen Dang pulled her close and leaned over to look at her, "Okay, it’s all my fault."
The bastard admitted his mistake quickly.
Yet there was a smug smile on his face.
"Then where did you go wrong?"
Qiao Xi wasn’t buying his act.
She pushed him away and took a few steps back, creating a safe distance between them.
Her eyes were cold as she looked at him.
Shen Dang suddenly fell silent.
Under Qiao Xi’s indifferent gaze, Shen Dang chuckled softly, "Was my mistake clinging to you last night and this morning?"
Qiao Xi wanted him to shut up!
Shen Dang caught her, coaxing in a low voice, "Xi Bao, I really am sorry."
A mistake he wouldn’t correct, right?
Qiao Xi ground her teeth as she looked at his lethargic demeanor, "I’ll come back after the film is finished."
"Don’t be ridiculous."
Shen Dang immediately straightened his face.
Shen Dang bent down, resting his head on her shoulder, "What should I do when I miss you? Last night I just really missed you, that’s why it got a bit late."
His warm breath on her ear was stirring the emotions inside her.
As soon as the man showed weakness, Qiao Xi felt even less able to resist.
His former nonchalant demeanor was already attracting, and now he was directly showing vulnerability to manipulate her.
"What about this morning then!"
Qiao Xi bit her teeth in annoyance.
"This morning was because last night left me wanting more, I couldn’t control myself, who told me it’s been days since I last saw you."
So he had a reason for everything.
Qiao Xi remained silent.
Shen Dang pinched her earlobe, "You still have to come home anyway, or else our marital home will just have me, how pitiful would that be?"
Qiao Xi laughed coldly.
Shen Dang continued, "I called Xie Baola this morning, so don’t worry, it won’t affect your shooting."
Qiao Xi glared at him, "What did Baola say?"
Shen Dang smiled lazily, "She said she knew you definitely wouldn’t make it to the set today, so she arranged for someone else’s scenes."
Qiao Xi was so angry she couldn’t even get mad.
But thanks to Shen Dang, Qiao Xi ended up resting at home for the day.
Shen Dang didn’t go out either, he just worked from home.
Tang Honghe came looking for Shen Dang with work matters; he wanted to treat him to dinner, so Qiao Xi went out with Shen Dang in the evening.
Qu Jiashu was also there.
When these people got together, it was always to talk business.
Qiao Xi didn’t participate in such business matters. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
Lin Muxian also came.
She took the initiative to chat with Qiao Xi.
Knowing that she and Shen Dang had gotten their marriage certificate, she even asked her when she planned to have children.
Qiao Xi said indifferently, "There’s no rush."
According to protocol, you’d at least have a wedding before thinking about kids.
Shen Dang was listening to Tang Honghe go on about planning, though his attention was also on Qiao Xi’s side.
Hearing Qiao Xi say there was no rush, he felt the same.
He wasn’t obsessed with the idea of having children; they would come naturally when it was time, and he wouldn’t make trouble that would delay her career.
They were both still young, and they always took precautions.
Neither side had considered having children for now.
Lin Muxian stroked her prominent belly, a gentle smile on her face, "Qiao Xi, do you like kids?"
Qiao Xi thought for a while, then nodded, "I suppose I do."
Lin Muxian chuckled, "Why add a ’suppose’? Don’t you even know whether you like them?"
Her and Shen Dang’s children...
She would naturally like them.
She grew up in a loveless environment; Qiao Xi knew that pain, so her future children would definitely grow up surrounded by love.
She would love her children very much.
She wouldn’t let her children become like her.
Qiao Xi raised her eyes, smiling faintly, "I haven’t thought that far ahead."
"Jiashu said to make Shen Dang their godfather when the baby is born, to let you experience what it’s like to be parents first."
Qiao Xi smiled again.
After dinner finished and the business talk was done, Qiao Xi left with Shen Dang.
Their car was in the parking lot; Qiao Xi walked with Shen Dang to find it.
"Let me go! I’m not going with you!"
"Young Master Xu fancies you, Miss Nan. You’d better not refuse the toast, lest you be forced to drink a forfeit!"
"Young Master Xu be damned! Let me go or I’ll call the police!"
Sudden voices of argument broke out in the quiet parking lot.
A pretty girl, somewhat in disarray, was being harassed by a group of men.
Qiao Xi saw the girl’s face at a glance.
Extremely pretty, with the vividness of a rose and sharp determination, her indomitable spirit shone through.
Like a rose with thorns that might draw blood at any moment.
Qiao Xi felt she looked familiar.
Then, she heard a man brazenly say, "You’ve been blacklisted by the Gu Family. Do you still think you’re the same Miss Nan? Be sensible and go with us!"
Someone from showbiz?
Indeed, her face stood out and was quite beautiful.
And it was naturally so.
Her features had a spirited look to them, just a little grooming would bring out her radiance.
Something stirred inside Qiao Xi.
Nan Zhi didn’t notice Qiao Xi or Shen Dang; she scoffed, "So what if I’m blacklisted, just wait until I rise again, and I will bite all of you to death!"
She was like a tiger.
But it seemed this tiger had been defanged.
Thus, she wasn’t so intimidating anymore.
"Enough already, don’t talk so much, just get on the car quietly," the impatient man said. "Who dares to offend Young Master Gu? If you behave, maybe Young Master Xu will let you return to showbiz."
"I’ll go have a look."
Qiao Xi released Shen Dang’s hand and walked over.
His wife was warm-hearted and helpful.
What else could he do?
Of course, he was there to back her up.
Shen Dang followed Qiao Xi leisurely.
Qiao Xi’s gaze fell on Nan Zhi’s face.
Being closer now, she increasingly sensed Nan Zhi’s relentless spirit.
This kind of person...
Given the chance, she would scramble upwards at all costs.
Qiao Xi smiled faintly, "Are you from showbiz?"
Qiao Xi thought she looked familiar, but she really hadn’t seen her before.
However, Nan Zhi recognized Qiao Xi, as well as Shen Dang behind her. He stood behind Qiao Xi like a mountain.
Nan Zhi nodded, "Yes, I’ve acted in a few dramas. My name is Nan Zhi."
Perhaps Qiao Xi had stumbled upon Nan Zhi online.
A beautiful girl tended to leave an impression.
Qiao Xi asked, "You’ve been blacklisted?"
Nan Zhi nodded again.
Such matters might not reflect well when spoken of, but being blacklisted wasn’t her fault, and she didn’t feel there was anything to be ashamed of.
"I’m Qiao Xi. I can help you, if you need it," Qiao Xi offered politely.
She didn’t concern herself with the several aggressive-looking men in front.
With Shen Dang around, Qiao Xi truly wasn’t afraid.
When those men realized who Qiao Xi and Shen Dang were, they hadn’t paid much attention at first, thinking someone was just meddling needlessly, until they recognized the identities of Qiao Xi and Shen Dang.
This big shot... they suspected Young Master Xu couldn’t afford to provoke them, could he?
What should they do now?
One of the men, reckless, tried to drag Nan Zhi to the car; they just needed to get the job done.
Nan Zhi immediately called out to Qiao Xi, "Qiao Xi, I need help! Please help me!"