Hao Yuan’s mind raced. Moments later, she gave Sun Hui a pointed look before heading over towards Wan Qingsi.
“President Wan, what I said just now, I was just joking around,” Hao Yuan said, “Please don’t take it to heart!”
Wan Qingsi smirked, though he didn’t comment. Sun Hui was so terrified at that point that she was practically trembling. Sun Hui took several steps back unconsciously, which earned her a disparaging glare from Hao Yuan. Seeing that Sun Hui wasn’t playing along, Hao Yuan kept going, “President Wan, we aren’t the only ones talking about this, you know? Everyone on the internet is saying stuff like that about Sister Mei Jing. Won’t you make a statement in order to clear her name?”
“If you have time to worry about all this nonsense, then I suggest you use that time to find a script that you like. I heard you aren’t satisfied with any of the movies that the company has offered you,” Wan Qingsi said. “You said you want to be famous, yet you’re here talking bad about others. Is that your idea of becoming famous?”
“He never even mentioned about Mei Jing… I bet he’s already decided to abandon her,” Hao Yuan thought.
“Well, President Wan, there is a movie that interests me!” Hao Yuan said, batting her eyelashes.
It had been half a month since Ying Xin’s return, and the ball to be held the day after tomorrow would be her official “welcoming party” of sorts.
“Mommy, I want to join the company,” Ying Xin said. After two weeks of interacting with the members of the Ying family, she was sure that nobody had seen through her cover. Everyone believed that she truly was Ying Xin.
Xin Qing was in the middle of flower arranging when Ying Xin asked. She picked up the hobby last year when Ying Qingcang had hired an expert from Japan to teach her the art of flower arranging; Ying Qingcang didn’t want her to be bored at home. After a year of practice, Xin Qing became pretty good at it.
“Haven’t you always been interested in the showbiz?” Xin Qing asked, glancing at Ying Xin. Deep down, Xin Qing couldn’t help but sneer.
“I was young and immature,” Ying Xin said, helping Xin Qing with the flowers. “Mommy, I’ve thought it through. My brothers are still so young. I can’t let daddy handle everything at the company. I want to help him.”
Ying Xin gave Xin Qing a wary look to gauge the latter’s reaction. When Xin Qing didn’t show any response, Ying Xin went on, “If I start learning from daddy earlier, then I’ll be able to take over sooner. That way, you and daddy go have fun on your round-the-world trip!”
“Won’t you find a job at the company too menial?” Xin Qing took Ying Xin’s hand. “I can’t stand the idea of my precious daughter going through so much labor!”
Ying Xin shook her head. “No, mommy. I’ll learn well from daddy. Mommy, please permit me to enter the company!”
Xin Qing feigned a look of resignation. “Fine then. I’ll talk to your daddy about it later,” she said. “You can go after the ball.”
“Okay! I’ll work hard! I promise!” Ying Xin threw herself into Xin Qing’s arms, smirking smugly. Little did she know that Xin Qing was also smirking contemptuously…
The ball was held at a beachside villa that weekend. Needless to say, a lot of big names from all over the world showed up at the event. A lot of celebrities and people from the showbiz showed up too. Granted, most of the latter group were there to witness Mei Jing get humiliated; Wen Pinyu and Tang Yue were among them.
Lin Musheng came to S City a day before the ball, much to Ah Sha’s surprise.
“I left in a hurry last time,” Lin Musheng said, opening the car door for Ah Sha chivalrously. “Now that I’ve settled everything, it’s time for me to spend time with my dearest!” The man was dressed in a Sapphire blue suit, which made him look incredibly handsome.
Ah Sha held the hem of her skirt and got into the car. She wore a purple minidress with two pieces of long fabric hanging from her waist to the floor. At the end of the fabric were a lot of shiny bells, which would produce a ringing sound whenever she walked.
“You look stunning,” Lin Musheng said, starting the car. “Guess I’ll have to thank that woman. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have the chance to be your date tonight.”
Ah Sha smiled wryly. “Are you absolutely positive that Wan Qingsi really sent you to pick me up tonight?”
Wan Qingsi would be attending the ball with the Ying family. The plan was to have Xiao Hua attend with Ah Sha, but then Lin Musheng suddenly showed up…
“So what?” Lin Musheng laughed derisively. “Why care? Isn’t he attending the ball with another woman too?”
“I’m worried that you two might come to blows,” Ah Sha said, glaring at him. “I’m warning you, okay? Don’t try any funny business during the ball. You’ll ruin my daddy’s plans.”
Lin Musheng raised three fingers and swore: “I promise!”
“But it won’t be my fault if Wan Qingsi tries any funny business…” Lin Musheng added in his mind.
Ah Sha was one of the later ones to arrive. By the time she got there, most people were already there. Needless to say, her showing here with Lin Musheng drew a lot of whispers. Tang Yue, however, stopped Ah Sha the moment she saw Ah Sha.
“Ah Sha!”
Ah Sha was taking a glass of juice from Lin Musheng’s hand when Tang Yue approached. Tang Yue was dressed in a long, black train dress that gorgeously trailed behind her.
“Long time no see,” Ah Sha said. “From your figure, you obviously haven’t gotten what you want yet.”
Tang Yue gritted her teeth. She had indeed been trying very hard, though none of her tries ended up with a pregnancy. Ah Sha’s mocking remark angered her so much that she felt like splashing the wine in her glass onto Ah Sha’s dress. However, Tang Yue knew she didn’t even have to do anything tonight. Ah Sha would be humiliated soon enough, most likely in a while.
Tang Yue chuckled. “You seem to be doing well,” she said. “I thought you wouldn’t even be here tonight!” Tang Yue glanced at Lin Musheng. “It turns out that you’re here, and you even brought a date!”
“Mister…?” Tang Yue held out her hand. Lin Musheng’s eyes darted to Tang Yue briefly, then he looked at Ah Sha. “You dislike her?” he asked Ah Sha.
Ah Sha laughed and nodded. “I hate her guts.”
“Oh!” Lin Musheng said, looking as though he just had an understanding. He never gave Tang Yue a second glance.
Tang Yue’s expression changed slightly, and she took in a breath. “Sir, I wonder if you’re aware of the relationship between Mei Jing and the President of Stars Entertainment? Well, you must be, since it’s all over the news.” Tang Yue feigned a look of surprise. “The Ying family might do something to Miss Mei Jing tonight! When the time comes, you might need to take care of her.”
“Sure!” Lin Musheng nodded seriously. “In fact, that’s why I’m even here tonight. If she sees Wan Qingsi and the Ying family’s daughter together with her own eyes, I’d finally have a chance to pursue her, isn’t that right, Ah Sha?”
“You…” Tang Yue stared at him with disbelief. “You mean you don’t mind at all?”
Lin Musheng looked at Ah Sha sadly. “Of course I mind…” he said. “Ah Sha, when are you going to dump him and be with me instead?”
“Sir, I must remind you that you might have to splurge a lot of money if you want to be with Ah Sha,” Tang Yue said, refusing to give up. “Not everyone can afford to support an actress.”
Ah Sha sneered. “You really have been feeling too comfortable lately, haven’t you? Have you forgotten your own place again? I thought you’ve wised up and would at least wait until you’ve married into the Wen family before you come at me. Obviously, you disagree…”
“What are you planning?” Tang Yue said, startled by the menacing look in Ah Sha’s eyes. She took an unconscious step back, but when she saw a familiar figure from the corner of her eye, she stepped forward again and knocked Ah Sha’s glass, spilling the fruit juice onto her own dress.
“Ah!” Tang Yue shouted, hands covering her chest. Then she looked at Ah Sha, tearful. “I was reminding you out of the kindness of my heart, why are you trying to humiliate me?”
Having seen the whole thing, Wen Pinyu came over and draped his suit jacket on Tang Yue. “Mei Jing, how dare you!” Wen Pinyu growled, raising his hand to slap Ah Sha.
SMACK! Lin Musheng caught Wen Pinyu’s arm. “I suggest you watch your behavior, Young Master Wen.”
“And who the hell are you?” Wen Pinyu glared at Lin Musheng, then snorted. “What a fickle. You found yourself another man just after you were dumped by Wan Qingsi? Let’s see if this man over here can even protect you tonight!”
Wen Pinyu turned to the security guards who had rushed over after hearing the commotion courtesy of Tang Yue. “You guys! Come! Toss this woman out!” Wen Pinyu said, pointing at Ah Sha.
Lin Musheng chuckled. “Oh? I’m curious to find out if anyone has the guts to touch a woman whom I, Lin Musheng, intend to protect.”
Wen Pinyu froze instantly. “Lin Musheng?” he said shakily. “Y-you’re the head of the Triad?”
Lin Musheng leveled a cold stare at Wen Pinyu. “You’ve got some nerve, Young Master Wen,” Lin Musheng said threateningly. “Not even your brother dare to speak to me like the way you did just now.”
Wen Pinyu had never met Lin Musheng before, but he was familiar with Lin Musheng’s name as well as the Triad. When his brother sent him overseas last year, it was Triad’s men who oversaw his journey. Even when he’d arrived overseas, the Triad’s men still hung around to keep an eye on him.
His big brother had a close relationship with the Triad. When the Wen family split apart that year, a lot of the elders deliberately created problems for his big brother; the Triad stepped in and handled every single one of them. Needless to say, the Triad’s involvement pissed of those elders, who couldn’t accept that someone in their family had ties with the mafia.
“Mr… Mr. Lin,” Wen Pinyu said obsequiously. He couldn’t afford getting on Lin Musheng’s sh*t list. Putting aside the fact that Lin Musheng himself was a very powerful person, Wen Pinyu would still be screwed the moment his big brother found out.
Lin Musheng smirked. “Why, weren’t you trying to chase me out earlier?”
“No! Th-that’s a misunderstanding. Just a misunderstanding. Any friend of my brother’s is mine as well! Please don’t take it to heart. Now, I have to take Yueyue to change her clothes. Let’s catch up later!” Wen Pinyu said, then dragged a shocked Tang Yue away.
While she was being dragged away, Tang Yue turned around. She saw Ah Sha smirked at her.
“Pinyu!” Tang Yue said when she stepped out of the bathroom. She stared at Wen Pinyu, her eyes red with unshed tears. “I’ve caused you trouble again, haven’t I?”
Wen Pinyu felt a pang of emotion. “Nah, you didn’t. Don’t worry okay,” he said. “Lin Musheng is the head of the Triad, the largest organization in Hong Kong. He’s pretty close with my brother.”
“Is that so?” Tang Yue said. “It’s all my fault then. I shouldn’t have said anything when Mei Jing poured the drink on me.”
Touched, Wen Pinyu stared at Tang Yue lovingly. “Yueyue, you’re always thinking about what’s best for me. You don’t have to suffer like this, you know? That woman wouldn’t be looking smug for long, don’t worry. Even with Lin Musheng as her date tonight, she’ll still be totally humiliated when Wan Qingsi and Ying Xin make an appearance later.”
“Oh… I wonder if Ying Xin would try to bully Mei Jing,” Tang Yue said. “It’s bad enough that Senior Wan abandoned her, but if the Ying family bullies her again…”
“Yueyue, don’t be so kind,” Wen Pinyu said with a frown. “She’s been so mean to you, so why are you even worrying about her? I tell you what, let’s just enjoy the show tonight!”
Tang Yue lowered her head and left smugly with Wen Pinyu. The lights on the second floor came to live, and Ying Qingcang descended the stairs slowly. Dressed to the nines, Ying Xin followed behind him. Wan Qingsi was right beside Ying Xin.
The crowd plunged into silence as Ying Qingcang took his position at the center of the hall. “Welcome everyone. I’m glad to see so many people attending my daughter’s welcoming party, this evening. Now, allow me to introduce my daughter, Ying Xin.” Ying Qingcang made a hand gesture, after which Ying Xin stepped forward and bowed to everyone.
“Hello, everyone! I hope everyone enjoys the party!” Ying Xin smiled playfully. Reporters crowded her and began snapping photos of her.
“Let the party begin,” Ying Qingcang announced a neutral face. “Do help yourselves, and have a good time.” Ying Qingcang turned away and left.
“Brother Xunxun!” Ying Xin went to stand beside Wan Qingsi. “The first dance belongs to us!”