Jin Shuyan was slightly surprised, but then she understood. “No wonder I haven’t seen you these past few years.”
Jiang Xiao also didn’t expect Jin Shuyan to remember her to some extent. They had only met briefly before. “You remember me?”
Jin Shuyan’s face softened with a gentle smile. “Three years ago in the summer, we met. You were with Yanyan’s family at that time.”
Jiang Xiao smiled, “You and your brother look alike.”
Mentioning Jin Zhongbei, Jin Shuyan’s expression softened even more, “You know my brother?” But why had her brother never mentioned her to her?
Jiang Xiao nodded, “I used to be an assistant and met Mr. Jin on set.”
“I see.”
Both of them discreetly appraised each other. Jin Shuyan had long abandoned her previous idea and now saw Jiang Xiao as just an ordinary employee of Huaxia.
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Rd vbl iwklv byzzoyu, vbl vos bye y caklq nsdhlapyvksd qsa qkhl xkdwvlp.
Kkydt Dkys pyke, “Ykpp Kkd, vblal’p psxl osaj yv vbl nsxrydu. R pbswze ts cynj.”
Kkd Fbwuyd dseele, “Rq vblal’p y nbydnl, ol’zz xllv ytykd. Yp. Kkydt-” pbl nyzzle swv vs bla.
Kkydt Dkys’p pvlrp rywple pzktbvzu, qynkdt bla tygl.
Kkd Fbwuyd’p lulp qzknjlale qsa y xsxldv, “R qllz zkjl R’hl plld usw clqsal. R esd’v xlyd yduvbkdt cu kv, fwpv vbyv usw pllx qyxkzkya. R bye vbkp qllzkdt vbl qkapv vkxl R pyo usw.”
Kkydt Dkys alxykdle pkzldv qsa y qlo plnsdep, vbld pweeldzu pxkzle, bla lmralppksd oyax yp y prakdt callgl, “Fsxl rlsrzl pyu R zssj y zsv zkjl Dky Nyd.”
Kkd Fbwuyd oyp vyjld ycynj, “Lso vbyv usw xldvksd kv, vblal kp y alplxczydnl.”
“Qssecul,” Kkydt Dkys pyke.
Jin Shuyan found and spoke to Zhou Yanyan, feeling relieved after confirming that there was nothing wrong.
“I just ran into your former assistant outside.”
Zhou Yanyan’s expression tightened, “What did you talk about?”
“I didn’t say much. Why didn’t you tell me that she’s now Song Yiwen’s manager?” Jin Shuyan asked.
“In our industry, people often change positions,” Zhou Yanyan replied.
Jin Shuyan paused for a moment and then asked, “Why didn’t she continue being your brother’s assistant?”
Zhou Yanyan furrowed her brow, “Shuyan, my brother… he’s already thirty-one.”
“I know,” Jin Shuyan nodded.
Zhou Yanyan felt like banging her head against the wall. “What I mean is, my brother is a bit old for you. You’re only 24.”
Jin Shuyan’s fair complexion turned slightly red. “Yanyan, why are you so straightforward with your words ever since you started dating Song Yiwen?”
Zhou Yanyan didn’t want to discuss it. Though she didn’t like Jiang Xiao, she couldn’t just let her friend fall into a pit. Over the past three years, she had come to realize that her brother and Jiang Xiao were not going to break up, especially now with their precious egg, Zhou Simu. They were unlikely to divorce, unless either her brother or Jiang Xiao cheated, but that seemed unlikely.
“Well, your brother isn’t married yet, and I’m in no rush now,” Jin Shuyan said lightly.
Zhou Yanyan let out a heavy sigh; this was a real dilemma. “Haven’t your parents been pressuring you to date someone?”
Jin Shuyan smiled, “Have you forgotten about my brother? He’s just as old as yours and also doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“Not having a girlfriend doesn’t mean there’s no woman in his life,” Zhou Yanyan retorted.
Jin Shuyan’s heart sank. “You mean your brother has a woman?”
Zhou Yanyan shouted in her heart, she knew too well that not only did her brother have a woman, but he even had a son.
Jin Shuyan’s expression darkened a bit. “Brother Zhou is not that kind of person.”
Zhou Yanyan shook her head, “Auntie has been protecting you too well.” Perhaps she had also matured over these years. “Shuyan, don’t be so naive. My brother is thirty-one, and he’s a normal man.”
Jin Shuyan clenched her teeth, “Have you been arguing with your brother again recently? Why do you keep disparaging him?”
Zhou Yanyan fell silent.
Jiang Xiao went directly to Huaxia from the hospital. As the manager of Song Yiwen, a popular artist, she had become well-known within the company over the past year. Especially at last year’s company annual meeting, Jiang Xiao even received an award for Outstanding Manager, presented personally by Zhou Xiulin.
Standing at the center of the stage, Zhou Xiulin held her hand with elegance and encouragement, simply saying four words, “Congratulations, keep going.”
Those with vision could vaguely see the potential, knowing that Jiang Xiaoxiao’s manager had a bright future. Now, everything was being confirmed!
Jiang Xiaoxiao walked into the president’s office. Manqi was handing some documents to Zhou Xiulin when she saw Jiang Xiaoxiao smile faintly. “Manager Jiang, long time no see.”
To avoid suspicion, Jiang Xiaoxiao rarely came to see Zhou Xiulin.
“Is Mr. Zhou not in a meeting?”
Manqi: “We just finished a video conference. It should be done by now. Why did you come up? Is it about Princess Zhou?” Being someone close to Zhou Xiulin, Manqi always seemed to know everything happening around him.
Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled helplessly.
Manqi shrugged, “Princess Zhou’s first love, you’re going to have a hard time this time.” She guessed that Jiang Xiaoxiao had come for Zhou Yanyan’s matter. Although they had known each other for a few years, Manqi never quite understood Jiang Xiaoxiao. She had only been Zhou Xiulin’s assistant for a few months back then, and suddenly went abroad for meditation before returning as a manager.
Manqi and Tina initially regarded Jiang Xiaoxiao as a competitor, but now they found it amusing. Tina had unwittingly waded into Zhou Yanyan’s territory, which they later realized. Mr. Zhou never liked assistants interfering in his private affairs, and Tina had accidentally crossed that line. So, for the past few years, Manqi had been cautious about anything related to Tina.
Jiang Xiaoxiao knocked on the office door, “I’ll go in first. We can talk later.”
Zhou Xiulin was still wrapping up the video conference when he glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao and continued.
Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t speak; she just walked quietly to the desk, gazing at him. After all these years, she never grew tired of Zhou Xiulin’s usual attire: a light gray shirt with a black tie.
Zhou Xiulin said solemnly, “For the summer film season, increase online promotion and communicate with major theaters. Also, delay the opening of Lingnan Film and TV City by one month.”
After he finished each point, the conference ended.
Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled faintly, “Why does the film and TV city need to be delayed for a month?”
Zhou Xiulin stood up, “To make arrangements for the nearby residents.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, “When the film and TV city opens to the public, it will also boost the local economy in Lingnan. At that time, they can engage in some small businesses.”
Zhou Xiulin nodded, “Yes. Your old house, I had it rebuilt with two more floors.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao was surprised; it was the place she grew up. Although she hadn’t lived there for a long time, she still had some emotional attachment to it. “Actually, I’m not from Lingnan. I was a few months old when my father brought me here. To be precise, I’m not a native of Lingnan.”
Zhou Xiulin asked, “I don’t recall you ever mentioning this. How did you end up in Lingnan?” He walked to her side, holding her hand as they stood together by the floor-to-ceiling window.
“I guess it’s because my dad wanted to leave the place of heartache.”
Zhou Xiulin also recalled that in recent years, Jiang Xiaoxiao seemed to have never mentioned visiting her mother’s grave.
Jiang Xiaoxiao sighed and turned to hug his waist, rubbing her face against his clothes. She could feel the warmth emanating from his chest, and she was becoming more and more attached to his embrace.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Feeling troubled.”
“Is it because of Yanyan and Song Yiwen’s situation?”
She clenched his clothes tightly, not saying a word.
Zhou Xiulin held her shoulders. “Did Yanyan come to see you this afternoon?”
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked up; she couldn’t hide anything from him. “Yes. The whole internet is buzzing about Yanyan and Song Yiwen’s matter. Yiwen’s fans are causing quite a commotion.”
“How are you going to handle it?”
“It’s their business; I can only focus on Yiwen’s work. As for their relationship, it depends on how they handle it themselves. I just didn’t expect this choice by the two of them. So many people resort to any means for fame and fortune, and love has become such an elusive thing. Yanyan has been heavily criticized by Song Yiwen’s fans, but this time, she didn’t fight back. Sigh…”
Zhou Xiulin raised an eyebrow. “Don’t think too much about it.” It seemed like she had become more sensitive and kindhearted since giving birth.
Jiang Xiaoxiao listened to his words. “Do you have a solution?”
Zhou Xiulin took out a red invitation card from the desk.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked puzzled. “Who’s getting married?”
Zhou Xiulin gestured for her to open it and see.
Jiang Xiaoxiao slowly opened it, unable to conceal her surprise. “Mo Yiheng’s engagement? I’ve never heard of the girl’s name. But isn’t he with Xinran?”
Zhou Xiulin continued, “The wedding is at Crystal Hotel the day after tomorrow.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao sighed softly, “Xinran has been entangled with Mo Yiheng for three years, and in the end, she’s not the bride.” If this news came out, it might divert some attention from Song Yiwen and Zhou Yanyan’s matter.
Zhou Xiulin tightened his grip on her hand. “Let’s go together the day after tomorrow.”
“But I…”
“Do you want me to take Jiang Qin with me?”
“What identity do I have to go there? Mo Yiheng didn’t send me an invitation.”
Zhou Xiulin smiled, “What do you think? Naturally, as my companion.”
Jiang Xiao’s brows twitched, “Mr. Zhou, I don’t want to be involved in any rumors with you.”
Just before the end of the workday, Manqi came in, and Jiang Xiao was still sitting on the sofa looking at several scripts that Huaxia was planning to shoot.
Manqi handed the documents to Zhou Xiulin.
Zhou Xiulin instructed, “I’ll attend the wedding the day after tomorrow. Prepare a gift for me tomorrow, and also arrange a formal dress for Jiang Xiao. She will accompany me.”
The company had such a provision for wardrobe expenses, and Zhou Xiulin handled it professionally, making others unable to figure out their relationship.
Jiang Xiao finished organizing the scripts, “Manqi, I’ll go with you.”
As they were leaving, Manqi asked, “Is Zhou Yanyan’s situation resolved?”
Jiang Xiao shrugged, “You see, I’m coming to Mr. Zhou through the back door.”
“So, Mr. Zhou asked you to accompany him to the wedding? Quite an opportunity. By the way, whose wedding is it?”
“Mo Yiheng’s.”
“Mo Yiheng? Is the bride Zhao Xinran?”
Jiang Xiao shook her head.
Manqi’s lips curved into a sneer, “Mo Yiheng, that playboy, as expected! Zhao Xinran is left with nothing in the end. But she didn’t lose out completely; Mo Yiheng has provided her with many resources in these three years. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have easily reached her current A-list status.”
Jiang Xiao remained silent. She hadn’t contacted Zhao Xinran for a long time. Zhao Xinran’s acting career had been flourishing these years, but her romantic relationship ultimately didn’t go as she had hoped.
In the evening, Jiang Xiao and Zhou Xiulin went to visit her parents together.
Little Sprout had just returned from kindergarten. It was his first day, but he showed no emotions. After happily eating a few snacks, he asked a few times, “Grandma, when will Mommy and Daddy come to pick me up?”
Zhou’s mother quickly called Zhou Xiulin to ask them to come back early.
Zhou Simu sat on the sofa; he could already operate the TV remote control on his own. He found a channel, and coincidentally, it was airing a campus drama with Zhou Yanyan as the female lead.
Zhou Simu pointed at the TV, “Auntie.”
Mother Zhou smiled, “Is Auntie pretty?”
Zhou Simu nodded, “Pretty.”
Zhou’s mother kissed his forehead, “Auntie did not spoil you for nothing.”
Every time Zhou Yanyan went out, she would bring back many gifts for Zhou Simu. Although she didn’t like Jiang Xiao, she adored her nephew.
Father Zhou brought over a book of poems, “Simu, let’s not watch TV dramas. Grandpa will teach you poetry, okay?”
Zhou Simu slid off the sofa and ran over, showing a very eager-to-learn expression, “Okay.”
Mother Zhou shook her head, “This child just got back from school; don’t push him too hard.”
When Zhou Xiulin and Jiang Xiao returned, they heard Zhou Simu’s tender voice reciting a poem.
“The bright moon shines before my bed, I suppose it is frost on the ground.
Lifting my head, I gaze at the bright moon; lowering it, I think of my hometown.”
Perfect recitation!
Jiang Xiao’s face beamed with a smile, “Little Sprout can recite poems!” They believed in a relaxed approach to Zhou Simu’s education and were determined to cultivate his interests.
Zhou Simu saw his parents had come back and suddenly, tears welled up in his eyes. “Mommy… Daddy…”
After all, he was just a three-year-old child. It was his first day of school, and he hadn’t seen his family for nearly eight hours; he felt wronged.
With this cry, Jiang Xiao’s heart ached; she hugged Little Sprout tightly, almost wiping away tears herself.
Both mother and son seemed to have endured much grievance.
Father Zhou, who was sitting nearby, put away the book, sighed silently, and then glanced at Zhou Xiulin.
Zhou Xiulin chuckled, walking up to them, “My little treasure, what happened?”
Little Sprout sniffled, “Missed Mommy…” reluctantly adding, “and Daddy too.”
Jiang Xiao’s eyes were red.
Zhou Xiulin patted his son’s head, “Shall we go out to eat tonight?”
Little Sprout’s tears stopped, “Can we go to the restaurant Mommy took me to last time?”
Jiang Xiao explained, “It’s a children’s themed restaurant in the city center.” Half a year ago, Jiang Xiao had taken Little Sprout there once, and she didn’t expect him to remember.
Zhou Xiulin wiped his eyes with a few tissues, “Let’s go then.”
A smile immediately appeared on Little Bean Sprout’s face, and he held Jiang Xiao and Zhou Xiulin’s hands.
Mother and Father Zhou looked at each other. Grandparents might be good, but there was no replacement for parents.
Father Zhou said softly, “Then why don’t we also go to the restaurant tonight?”
Mother Zhou looked disdainful, “…immature.”
It was rare for their family of three to go out for a meal. On the way there, Jiang Xiao made a reservation.
It was nearly 6 pm when they arrived, just after working hours, and fortunately, there weren’t as many people as on weekends.
Jiang Xiao first ordered some food for Little Bean Sprout and fed him until he was almost full before letting him play.
The themed restaurant had food that appealed to children’s taste, as well as various toys and simulated scenes.
Little Bean Sprout went to play, and only then did the two of them start eating.
Zhou Xiulin glanced at the little guy, “He’s such a clever kid.”
Jiang Xiao turned her head, and Little Bean Sprout saw them too. He smiled at them, his smile innocent. Jiang Xiao stared at him in a daze; she felt like she was making up for everything she had missed during her own childhood through her son. With him, it was as if she was experiencing her childhood again.
Zhou Xiulin softly said, “Eat some more; you barely had anything earlier.”
Suddenly, Jiang Xiao said, “After this busy period, I want to take Little Bean Sprout on a trip.”
Zhou Xiulin smirked, “Taking your son and not your husband?”
Jiang Xiao: “…”
Before long, Little Bean Sprout ran over. “Daddy, I need to pee—”
Jiang Xiao told him, “The restroom is outside; turn right when you go out.”
Zhou Xiulin stood up, holding Little Sprout’s hand, and walked out.
That night, Little Sprout played until 8 pm before agreeing to leave. When they came out, Zhou Xiulin took Little Bean Sprout to the parking lot first. Jiang Xiao intentionally avoided it and waited for them on the roadside.
As a result, the next day, a shocking headline appeared on the entertainment weekly, “Papaya Entertainment.”
[Huaxia CEO Zhou Xiulin embraces a three-year-old child, who is suspected to be his illegitimate child.]
Sansukini: So the title of this chapter is so long, so I condensed it to a shorter sentence. What do you guys think? Is the cat out of the bag? Will they go public? See you next week. 😈😈😈
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Translator Nim you are so funny. 🤣
They are so sweet and the fact that they kept everything under cover for so long is amazing.
Thank you.