The next day was Friday, and Ning Qiuxiu had a brand endorsement event for a new product.

She had to attend and also give an interview.

It was summer, and the air conditioning in the venue was set very low. Ning Qiuxiu, dressed in a sleeveless little dress, was shivering from the cold.

After the event was finally over, when she saw the swarm of journalists coming to interview her, Ning Qiuxiu was so touched that she nearly cried.

For the first time, she felt the journalists were so warm and friendly.

But their words were far from warm.

Due to the surge in popularity from “Wandering,” there were many journalists present, giving her almost the treatment of a top-tier star.

Facing so many cameras, Ning Qiuxiu maintained a smiling face while answering their questions.

Suddenly, a reporter asked, “Qiuxiu, what do you think about the fact that Ji Weiliang, the female lead of ‘Wandering,’ is a third party? It’s said that because of her scandal, your drama lost the chance to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. How do you feel about this?”

Ning Qiuxiu was initially expected to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress this year for “Wandering.”

However, after Ji Weiliang’s scandal, not only did the drama’s ratings suffer, but award nominations were also out of the question.

Obviously, they wouldn’t nominate a drama with a “third party” playing the lead.

San Tiao’s eyes almost shot fire at hearing this question. Why should such an issue be brought up in this setting? Was there any basic decorum?

She clenched her fists and heard Ning Qiuxiu maintain her smile, countering the question: “So what do you think of ‘Wandering’?”

The reporter was taken aback and said, “I haven’t seen it, but from the online feedback, it seems pretty good. It must be a hard-earned masterpiece of yours. Don’t you think it’s a pity?”

“This is my first drama,” Ning Qiuxiu said seriously, without any trace of arrogance, “I have a second, third, and more dramas to come. My journey is still long. There’s no need to regret over just one drama.”

Ning Qiuxiu’s meaning was clear—she would have more great dramas and more opportunities for nominations.

These awards would eventually be hers, so there was no need to regret.

But she didn’t say it in an arrogant manner.

“So about my first question, what’s your opinion on Ji Weiliang being a third party?” The reporter pressed on.

Ning Qiuxiu smiled, “My upbringing has always taught me not to speak ill of others behind their backs. Sorry, but this question is beyond my scope.”

The reporter was astonished.

San Tiao stepped in and said, “Thank you to all the media friends for your support. Qiuxiu has been busy all day and is tired, so the interview ends here. Thank you all.”

Saying this, she led Ning Qiuxiu away, ignoring the other reporters who were trying to ask questions.

“Are you okay?” San Tiao asked as they reached the backstage.

The journalists invited by the organizer had no boundaries.

Ning Qiuxiu: “I’m okay, but I’m cold.”

San Tiao: “……”

Ning Qiuxiu changed into her own clothes backstage, and she immediately felt much warmer.

With the day’s events wrapped up, their group headed back home.

It was only a little past four in the afternoon, and San Tiao needed to return to the company. Ning Qiuxiu went with her.

Once in the car, San Tiao told Ning Qiuxiu, “By the way, the Lemon TV program team said that Fang Jinran suddenly became available, but the schedule has already been arranged. ‘Wandering’ can only appear on one program. You need to decide whether to perform solo or to sing the theme song together. If you choose to perform solo, they won’t add Fang Jinran to the schedule.”

Given their popularity, the program team naturally wanted to include Fang Jinran to create more buzz, but they were reluctant to force Ning Qiuxiu, who had already changed once, to make another change.

Ning Qiuxiu was not someone they could easily offend.

“…… Is that even an option?” Although Fang Jinran was a big name, suddenly changing the plan seemed inappropriate.

“There’s no choice. His current momentum is strong. Consider it, and don’t worry about it. If you don’t want to share the stage with him, we can just refuse.”

It was a tricky situation.

Refusing might lead to rumors, and if not handled carefully, Fang Jinran’s highly aggressive fans might accuse her of using her background to push him aside.

In any case, they could spin it to their advantage.

Agreeing might feel like the main lead was being pushed down in favor of the second lead.

While Ning Qiuxiu was considering, the phone rang. It was Fang Jinran, who hadn’t been in touch for a long time.

Given Fang Jinran’s fans’ strong influence and his own unwillingness to let Ning Qiuxiu face unnecessary criticism, he had avoided contact since the end of the Zhu Shu program.

Now, after more than half a year, a phone call from him brought an awkward atmosphere.

“Did I interrupt you?” Fang Jinran asked.

“No, I’m free. What’s up?”

“Well,” Fang Jinran seemed a bit hesitant, and after a moment, he said, “The rehearsal for our joint performance might take up a lot of my time, mostly in the evenings. I’ll try to clear some time during the day, but I’m sorry.”

Rehearsal? Ning Qiuxiu hadn’t even agreed yet, but Fang Jinran was already talking about it.

She was puzzled: “Have you already confirmed the performance?”

“Haven’t you received the news? My agent told me to prepare. My schedule is so packed, I can only try to make time.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

“Why agree to it if you don’t have the time?”

“I…” Fang Jinran sighed, “It’s arranged by my agent.”

Ning Qiuxiu suddenly remembered Fang Jinran’s troublesome agent, who had exploited him when his family was in trouble and made him sign a long-term contract, binding him to their company for nearly a lifetime.

Fang Jinran was squeezed for all he was worth in the company.

Even when he became popular with a movie, he wasn’t freed from it. His agent became even more ruthless.

Now he was still being exploited like this.

“Is your agent trying to drain you dry?”

“I’ve saved some money this past six months, preparing for the legal fees. My agent probably knows this, so they’re trying to maximize my value in every possible way.”

“……” That’s really disheartening.

Ning Qiuxiu couldn’t imagine Fang Jinran’s situation.

“So what are your plans after this? Start your own studio?”

“After the lawsuit, I’ll be bankrupt,” Fang Jinran said with a bitter smile. “I might go to Yixing. They’ve contacted me and said they’ll help with the lawsuit.”

Going to Yixing again.

Ning Qiuxiu didn’t think Yixing was great.

Just look at how quickly Ji Weiliang’s situation deteriorated. If it wasn’t for their poor public relations, Ji Weiliang might have had a chance to recover.

Ning Qiuxiu suddenly said, “Do you want to come to my company?”

“Hmm?”

“Although my company doesn’t have as many resources as Yixing, our treatment will definitely be as good, and we won’t exploit you. As for the lawsuit, we share a top-notch legal team with Zhuosen Group, so you’ll get excellent support.”

Fang Jinran actually had resources, but he said, “I…”

“Don’t rush to refuse or agree,” Ning Qiuxiu interrupted. “Consider it carefully, and you can also look into Fengyi Entertainment’s background to make a well-informed decision.”

“Okay,” Fang Jinran smiled. “Thank you, Qiuxiu.”

“You’re welcome. We’re friends.”

“About the rehearsal…”

“If the show asks if I’ll be singing or performing with you, since you don’t have time, I’ll just say I’ll handle the singing. That way, they won’t schedule you for it.”

It was just as well that Ning Qiuxiu didn’t have to make a choice.

San Tiao listened to her on the phone word for word. After Ning Qiuxiu hung up, San Tiao said, “This lawsuit won’t be easy.”

Ning Qiuxiu knew it wouldn’t be easy because the agreement was voluntarily signed by Fang Jinran, and the contract’s contents were normal and didn’t involve any illegal or improper practices.

Winning was nearly impossible.

“But we still have to seize the opportunity and try. Otherwise, his entire career will be ruined by his agent.”

Without striving for it, she wouldn’t even have a chance.

San Tiao chuckled, “If you bring him in, aren’t you afraid that Mr. Zhan will get jealous?”

San Tiao had heard plenty of the “gossip” about Fang Jinran and Ning Qiuxiu before. Even though it was false, Mr. Zhan…

Ning Qiuxiu tossed her head, “It’s fine. I’m in charge now.”

San Tiao: “???”

Such words wouldn’t even be believed by their dog.

The interview with Ning Qiuxiu quickly made its way online. Although Ning Qiuxiu’s answers were eloquent, some people still had sharp angles.

【Ning Qiuxiu was supposed to attend the Lemon TV gala with Ji Weiliang, indicating a good relationship. Now that Ji Weiliao is in trouble, Ning Qiuxiu doesn’t say a word for her friend. Isn’t this too real?】

Ning Qiuxiu’s current status was significantly different, and her fans quickly countered.

【What nonsense. If Qiuxiu spoke up for Ji Weiliao, you’d probably accuse her of supporting the third party.】

【Qiuxiu and Ji Weiliang haven’t interacted at all. After the drama wrapped, there were no news about them appearing together except for this program’s arranged duet. Good relationship? Are you kidding me?】

【Can we not drag Qiuxiu into Ji Weiliang’s whitewashing? Take her away and toss her into Mr. Zhan’s arms.】

【Mr. Zhan, please give our little Qiuxiu some affection.】

【Ahhh, I want to eat Mr. Zhan and Qiuxin’s dog food so badly. Please, save us.】

In the end, the topic was successfully diverted to fans begging for “dog food” from Qiuxiu and Mr. Zhan.

After arriving at the company together, San Tiao went to handle her tasks, and Ning Qiuxiu went to find Zhan Qingyue.

In the scorching heat, she was a bit thirsty and went to the office kitchen to get some water.

Just then, Zhan Qingyue had asked his secretary to prepare a cup of coffee. The powder was already ground.

The secretary saw Ning Qiuxiu coming in and winked at her, “Miss Ning, Mr. Zhan wants a cup of coffee.”

Ning Qiuxiu casually took over the task, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll poison his coffee?”

The secretary replied, “As long as it’s made by Miss Ning, even if it’s the worst coffee, Mr. Zhan will drink it without changing his expression.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

So flattering is a common tradition among Zhan Qingyue’s people?

“Also, aren’t you afraid of your boss docking your salary for making him drink bad coffee?”

Clearly not afraid, because Zhan Qingyue would just hold a grudge against her.

Ning Qiuxiu was genuinely upset, thinking about her boyfriend.

She wasn’t sure about Zhan Qingyue’s taste, so she made the coffee according to her own preferences.

As she was about to take it to his office, she remembered her fans online asking for updates, so she took a photo and posted it on Weibo.

[Ning Qiuxiu]: First time making coffee, hope I don’t poison someone.

After posting, she took the coffee to Zhan Qingyue’s office, knocked on the door, and said sweetly, “Mr. Zhan, your sweet and lovely secretary has made coffee for you.”

“You’re here?” Zhan Qingyue wasn’t expecting her today.

“Just came to make coffee for you,” Ning Qiuxiu said with a mischievous smile, making Zhan Qingyue think the coffee might be bad.

Zhan Qingyue didn’t drink the coffee. Instead, he waved her over, saying, “Come here, I want to show you something.”

“What is it?”

“This.” Zhan Qingyue pointed to his computer, took a sip of coffee, and then pulled her into his arms, blocking her mouth.

The coffee was transferred from his mouth to hers.

“……” Ning Qiuxiu was caught off guard by the sweet coffee, started coughing, and spilled coffee all over Zhan Qingyue’s white shirt and her own light-colored top.

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

Zhan Qingyue: “……”

Why try to replicate others’ romantic gestures without the skills?

Ning Qiuxiu found it amusing to see coffee stains on his shirt and laughed, “This is called getting what you deserve, Mr. Zhan. If you often walk by the river, you’ll get your shoes wet.”

Seeing her laughing happily, Zhan Qingyue smiled slightly.

He took out a black shirt from the cabinet and waved it in front of her, saying, “If your shoes are wet, just change them.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

He then handed her a black t-shirt of his own and said, “I didn’t prepare clothes for you, so just make do with this.”

Ning Qiuxiu was wearing a denim t-shirt, and the oversized black shirt made her look like a kid wearing adult clothes, obviously not her own.

Zhan Qingyue was quite pleased seeing her in his clothes, with a bit of a possessive look in his eyes.

Ning Qiuxiu noticed his look and wondered, “???”

“Do you remember a certain novel with a similar scene?” Zhan Qingyue asked.

That novel was “Domineering Qiuxiu and Charming Zhan,” and the scene was a common trope in romance novels—boyfriend’s shirt play.

“……”

Ning Qiuxiu, hearing him bring it up, suspected that Zhan Qingyue might have intentionally stained her clothes.

Then she had an idea and said, “I remember, didn’t you end up in bed for three days after that?”

Zhan Qingyue: “???”