Chapter 122 - Landing Herself In Trouble
Against the glossy keyboard, rapid tapping of her nimble fingers produced a sonorous sound. The clock continued to tick in the background, the sun rising outside, painting the horizon red. The sleepless night was dedicated to research.
'On Friday seventeenth a minor arrived at District police station with evidence of sexual assault against Fu Entertainment Senior Manager. The minor refuses to divulge her identity but it is speculated she is a trainee in the same Industry. Fu Entertainment PR tries its best to suppress the issue. The convict is expected to be sentenced next Monday.'
'UPDATE: Fu Entertainment had provided their Manager with the service of the Company's senior lawyer to clear his case. The company's act of shielding a sexual predator is condemned by its competitors. In response, the company's PR claims their Manager is not yet convicted and all of this farce is in fact a stunt pulled at them by those competitors.'
'The victim has revealed an inclination towards pulling back the case. Meanwhile, Lawyer Jian had been successful in causing a delay in the court's verdict.'
Chen Yi rested her head against the couch. Easing her shoulders, she let out a soft sigh, her fingers messaging her temple, her eyes divulging tiredness ensuing from a night full of work, an endeavor to distract herself from the turmoil of destructive emotions in her heart.
As Chen Yi connected strings of data she had collected, her mind clicked at an odd irregularity.
"Twenty Four Hour News- Isn't that the same channel Xu Jiayi works under?" The most detailed articles were issued by that channel. No other channel showed interest in this incident.
Chen Yi thought back to Xie Ming, Su Jiayi's assistant, her disgust for Qin Chanpu had been too strong for Chen Yi to forget.
So Xu Jiayi had visited Qin Chanpu in pursuance of this case?
Could it be...this convict was in fact Qin Chanpu?
Chen Yi glanced at the Xu Jiayi contact card resting aside her coffee, her expressions turning inquisitive.
When Chen Yi had gone through a cursory study of all the Managers' profiles, she did not stumble across this information regarding Qin Chanpu.
During her days at the University, Chen Yi had heard Qin Chanpu's name on a few occasions, his name was often associated with small harassment disputes. That's how she realized his questionable character.
But as far as this case was concerned, it was a full-fledged sexual assault, much more serious than those minor harassments.
When Chen Yi passed by Li Shanguaan's room, she inquired about her health.
"Having you two stay closeby is certainly helping. I feel much better now. I can't thank you enough for compromising for my sake." Li Shanguaan coughed lightly, suppressing a smile, her eyes radiating the warmth of pure motherly affection. The sort of pure affection drew Chen Yi's soul towards it just as a moth is drawn towards the fire.
'No, she did not deserve this.'
Chen Yi felt a heavy rock had settled over her heart.
"I only need to attend a few classes for this semester. I did not have to compromise anything. Mother does not need to thank me." Despite the unease, she managed a smile.
"Oh, does that you can spare a few more days for me?"
At this question, Chen Yi was caught off guard.
Her eyes looked at Li Shanguaan, and she could not bring herself to lie. Not to this person.
She sighed, nodding in silent admission. "Does Mother want me to accompany her?" That was what Chen Yi had expected. For her sake, Chen Yi made up her mind to put up with Li Luxian for a few more days.
Li Shanguaan's pale complexion blossomed in visible happiness. "You can't go back on your words."
Something felt amiss. "What? Does Mother want me for something else?" Chen Yi had a bad feeling about this.
"I have a surprise for you." A mischievous glint flashed in Li Shanguaan's eyes. "For you and... Li Luxian. After all, you two are newlywed."
"..."
Chen Yi realized, she had dug a pit for herself.
"Mother..."
Could she take back her words?
Chen Yi opened her mouth, her eyes looking at Li Shanguaan's excited expressions and no word came out in objection. She sighed in defeat. "Alright Mother, I look forward to your surprise." She said with a bitter smile.
While on her way to the venue for the real audition, Chen Yi dropped by Gu Chiantao's place.
"Why do you look so sullen?" After staring at Chen Yi with curious expressions, Gu Chinatao could not hold it in anymore and asked, her nimble fingers rolling Chen Yi's hair into an eloquent hairstyle.
Chen Yi sighed. Was it really that obvious on her face?
"Why would I not be sullen? I am going to give an audition for my first job. I should be terrified, shouldn't I?" She muttered under her breath in a half-hearted manner.
Gu Chinatao gave Chen Yi a look.
Chen Yi raised her eyebrow at her.
Gu Chinatao said with a shrug. "Something tells me it's not about that."
"Oh, how are you so certain Youngest Miss Gu?" Chen Yi's voice had a hint of taunt.
"From the days I have spent with you, this little audition is nothing for you. I can bet Millions you will get it. Why would you be sullen over that?" She gave a final touch to her makeup. Chen Yi's dress, her accessories, everything had been hand-selected by Gu Chiantao.
She wasn't a famed stylist for no reason.
The overall look was perfect for the role Chen Yi was going to audition for...The bloodthirsty Vampiress Princess.
"Thanks for rooting for me." Chen Yi checked her reflection in the mirror. Having someone believe in you was a nice feeling.
"Who said anything about you? I am rooting for my spectacular styling. Even a beggar could pinch the role with this level of expertise." Gu Chiantao twirled the makeup brush in her hands, looking at her product in admiration, a playful smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "So, what was the other thing you wanted to discuss?"
Chen Yi rolled her eyes at her. "I have been assigned to Qin Chanpu."
Gu Chiantao's eyes widened.
But before she could begin to overreact, Chen Yi said. "Hang on there's more you need to know." Chen Yi narrated the whole incident to Gu Chinatao, including her discovery regarding Qn Chanpu. When she arrived at the point where Xu Jiayi had handed her the personal contact card, Gu Chiantao's mind erupted.
"Wait for a second! So you mean to say you got the personal number of Sir Xu? The celebrity, the handsome journalist Xu Jiayi? The heartthrob, the one who had been declared as the most handsome man of Asia by National magazine, that Sir Xu?" Forgetting everything about Qin Chanpu's involvement in the possible case of sexual assault, Gu Chinatao asked.
"Uh... Yes, I guess?"
Admitting this to Gu Chiantao proved to be a mistake. Because the moment after, Chen Yi was aggressively bribed with all sorts of valuables and services to share the said number.
Chen Yi: "...."