Chapter 76.2

The hallway was pitch dark and silent. Only when they opened the door and stepped out did the motion-activated lights turn on one by one, instantly illuminating the entire corridor.

Yun Feiwu thought no one would be there, but as soon as she stepped out of the lounge, she found herself staring into a pair of wide eyes.

Jiang Feng, startled by the sudden lights, had been sitting against the wall, thinking no one was around. Seeing who it was, her eyes immediately lit up: “Sister Yun! President Xia!”

However, in the next moment, Jiang Feng sharply noticed Yun Feiwu’s slightly upturned lips, her slightly swollen cherry-red lips, and the slightly smug smile in her eyes. Every time Xi Ao bullied her, she would subconsciously show this expression. Coupled with Xia Shutong’s slightly unstable steps, Jiang Feng instantly connected the dots about what might have happened in the lounge.

“The second time I’ve caught them!”

“I-I-I… Sister Yun, President Xia, you two have fun—I mean, have a good walk—I mean, goodbye, I’ll go first!” Jiang Feng, like a startled rabbit, jumped up and ran in the opposite direction.

“Xiao Jiang?” Xia Shutong raised her head from Yun Feiwu’s embrace and saw Jiang Feng’s terrified expression, and couldn’t help but speak out in confusion.

Previously, although Jiang Feng was afraid of her, they had spent so much time together on “Mountains and Rivers” that she wasn’t scared anymore. What was going on today?

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“Ebu byhld’v usw zlqv ulv?” Dky Fbwvsdt psqvldle bla hsknl, ypjkdt, “Rv’p iwkvl zyvl.”

“R… R oydvle vs zlyhl, cwv yp pssd yp R pvlrrle swv, R oyp pwaaswdele cu alrsavlap.” Kkydt Wldt’p hsknl talo zswela, “R’hl dlhla plld pwnb y ckt nasoe. R’x dsv lhld y pvya; obu yal vblu czsnjkdt xl? R tsv pnyale, ps R nyxl cynj yde elnkele vs zlyhl zyvla…”

“Gal usw yzsdl? Ls yppkpvydv sa cseutwyae?” Dky Fbwvsdt ypjle ytykd.

“R… esd’v byhl yd yppkpvydv. Lsa y cseutwyae,” Kkydt Wldt alrzkle psqvzu.

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The Golden Laurel Festival was held in a suburban exhibition hall. The main entrance was surrounded by media, leaving only the back door for special guests. The security there was tight, and no media dared to approach. Therefore, most artists attending the festival left through the back door with their bosses.

Those who used the main entrance either wanted media exposure or, like Yun Feiwu last year, had a convoy of bodyguards, answered three questions, and left without the media swarming them.

Jiang Feng, without a management company and attending the Golden Laurel Festival for the first time, naturally didn’t consider these things.

“Where’s your car?” Xia Shutong asked again.

“No… no car. The organizing committee picked me up,” Jiang Feng said, fidgeting with her fingers. “But Xi Ao came on a motorcycle to pick me up. She’s waiting at the main entrance. I’ll leave when there are fewer people.”

Yun Feiwu chuckled, “If you keep waiting, the reporters won’t lessen, not tonight or tomorrow night.”

“Sister Yun…” Jiang Feng blinked pitifully.

Yun Feiwu’s lips curled up, seemingly wanting to pat Jiang Feng’s head, but she was stopped by Xia Shutong.

So Yun Feiwu obediently held onto Xia Shutong and didn’t move.

Xia Shutong sighed lightly, “Xiao Jiang, come with us. Xi Ao can join too. I’ll send her the address.”

Jiang Feng alone might not even make it through the crowd. Even if she did, by tomorrow morning, or even tonight, her and Xi Ao riding a motorcycle together would be trending.

Yun Feiwu trending was manageable due to her company, but for Jiang Feng, a newcomer without a company or background, trending on the day of the Golden Laurel Festival would be disastrous. Many companies might target her negatively.

“Thank you, President Xia,” Jiang Feng said, lowering her head and following them, minimizing her presence.

After spending time together, Jiang Feng somewhat understood Yun Feiwu’s personality. Although Yun Feiwu initially appeared aloof and unapproachable, she was sincere, polite, and very likable. Once you got to know her, Yun Feiwu had a mischievous side, like a… wolf cub?

Just like earlier, Yun Feiwu didn’t actually intend to pat Jiang Feng’s head; she just reached out to tease her. But Jiang Feng wasn’t sure if President Xia would misunderstand…

Feeling hopeless and trembling, Jiang Feng hoped they wouldn’t notice her anymore.

However, after a few steps, Xia Shutong suddenly turned back, slightly frowning, “Xiao Jiang?”

Jiang Feng shivered and quickly walked beside Xia Shutong, aligning herself with them.

“Xiao Jiang,” Xia Shutong softened her voice, “you’re in your senior year, right? Are you preparing to sign with a company? Have you considered which one?”

“No, not yet…” Jiang Feng buried her head lower, realizing what Xia Shutong wanted to say.

Jiang Feng had been carefree at school and hadn’t considered companies. Now in her senior year, many agents had already called her, including Xia Shutong.

Xia Shutong smiled, “Xiao Jiang, if you’re interested, Wutong’s doors are always open for you. Consider it?”

Jiang Feng had good acting skills and unlimited potential. Wutong had been developing well in recent years and was on the verge of reaching the top. Joining Wutong would benefit both sides.

“I’ll consider it, thank you, President Xia!” Jiang Feng nodded vigorously.

Better to agree first.

After a moment of silence, just as Jiang Feng was about to sneak back, Xia Shutong spoke again, “Xiao Jiang, if you get a chance, say hello to Old Liang for me. I’ve been busy and haven’t seen him in a while.”

Old Liang, a leading figure in the old generation of the entertainment industry, was now an honorary professor at Jiang Feng’s university. Although retired, his name still commanded respect in the industry. Jiang Feng, his last disciple, had gotten the audition for “Chasing Light” and an invitation to “Mountains and Rivers” thanks to him.

Jiang Feng blinked in surprise. “President Xia, do you know him?”

Xia Shutong didn’t answer directly but gave a noncommittal nod.

Of course, she knew him, but not very well. Strictly speaking, they had only met a few times. The last time they met was at a banquet last year, which Xia Shutong attended on behalf of Xia Cha. That’s when she learned about the relationship between Old Liang and Jiang Feng.

Xia Shutong had a bad reputation in the circle, but she was particularly favored by the older generation. Old Liang was no exception; he praised her endlessly at the banquet, expressing his fondness. He even mumbled several times that if his first and second disciples weren’t married and his third disciple wasn’t too young, he would have introduced them to her.

If Jiang Feng mentioned Xia Shutong in front of Old Liang, he would probably slap his forehead and send her directly to Wutong’s CEO office.

“President Xia, please give me some time to consider the company’s offer,” Jiang Feng pleaded pitifully.

The moment Jiang Feng heard Xia Shutong bring up Old Liang, he knew he couldn’t escape signing with Wutong. Feeling utterly disheartened, he just wanted to cry in Xi Ao’s arms.

Seeing Jiang Feng’s look of resignation, Xia Shutong couldn’t help but laugh. She turned her head and met Yun Feiwu’s amused gaze.

At that moment, Yun Feiwu couldn’t hold back anymore; a charming smile broke out on her face, clearly saying, “Look how scared you’ve made the kid.”

Xia Shutong innocently blinked.

After the three of them exited through the back door, Xi Ao was already waiting in the nanny van.

The moment Jiang Feng saw the motorcycle attached to the back of the van, he dashed over, jumped into the car, and slammed the door shut.

Within seconds, Jiang Feng opened the door again, looking apologetically at Xia Shutong and Yun Feiwu outside the car. With Xi Ao by his side, he no longer felt as scared.

Xia Shutong and Yun Feiwu chuckled lightly as they got into the car.

The car started slowly, with soft instrumental music playing inside.

In the front row, Qian Lingling and Xiao Dai were playing a mobile game together.

In the middle, Xia Shutong was half-lying in Yun Feiwu’s arms, resting with a slight smile on her lips.

In the back, Jiang Feng and Xi Ao were whispering about something.

“Xi Ao, I actually sat next to Bian Xin today… you know, the one who bullied Sister Yun Yun on the set of ‘Chasing the Light’ and got kicked out… I think there’s something wrong with her. When Sister Yun Yun won the award, she kept staring at her and smirking creepily. Later, when I won an award, she glared at me like I stole her role… I was so scared, I need a hug.”

Xi Ao, with a cold expression but a loving tone, said, “Hug.”

Author’s Note: Don’t worry, Bian Xin is just here to assist (help the plot).