Chapter 8: Always Not Watching Where You’re Going?

“Who are you calling a tail?” When Ye Mian heard his words, she frowned and turned to look at the man with the mischievous smile, “I was actually going to find Ruan Li today.”

The film set, which had calmed down, erupted into a new wave of excitement at Shi Xun’s arrival, even more so than when Ruan Shu came.

“What the heck, why is Shi Xun here?” Almost instantly, everyone’s attention in the crew was drawn to him.

Shi Xun was undoubtedly the top star in the entertainment industry, having made a name for himself in a talent show with his unruly looks, and later successfully transitioned into acting, winning numerous awards and achieving national fame.

“I didn’t hear that Ruan Li knows Shi Xun.” Someone asked curiously.

Ruan Shu observed the familiar interactions among the three of them, her fists clenched tightly. She truly couldn’t understand how Ruan Li had managed to establish good relationships with such influential figures, but soon, all of that would belong to her.

It was meant to be.

“Who is this Third Brother?” Ruan Li asked, puzzled. She didn’t recognize anyone from the entertainment industry or Beijing with that title, “I thought you only had one brother?”

Shi Xun handed her the gift box, “You’ll find out once you open it.”

Ye Mian knew who Third Brother was; after all, her brother mentioned him at home all the time. She was also curious how these two had become connected.

Ruan Li noticed that both of them were waiting expectantly, so she didn’t hesitate and opened the gift box directly.

“Hmm?” Ruan Li was a bit surprised.

“A dress?” Ye Mian leaned closer to take a look.

Inside the box were two neatly folded dresses. The one on top was the one Ruan Li had worn when she got drunk at the Hua Yan banquet and was splashed with wine by Fu Xingchuan.

It was a new style from brand C this year, but it wasn’t particularly valuable.

“Why haven’t I seen you wear this one?” Ye Mian picked up the dress underneath and, upon seeing the intricate patterns made of small diamonds, she recognized it, “This piece is one of a kind, right? It’s not from your family?”

Instantly, both Shi Xun and Ye Mian looked at Ruan Li with strange expressions.

“How did your dress end up with Fu Huaizhou?” They were both a bit curious, as one would wonder what kind of adult activity would cause someone to leave behind a dress, especially a fitted one, not just a loose jacket.

Ruan Li quickly interrupted their speculations, “Don’t overthink it!”

She was also a bit surprised that Fu Huaizhou could get the designer to create an identical dress, considering that designer was famously stubborn. Had she known there was this opportunity, she wouldn’t have wanted the same one—who wouldn’t want something newly designed?

“He stepped on my dress last time, and this is his compensation to me,” Ruan Li explained, although she hadn’t expected Fu Huaizhou to remember what had happened last time.

Originally, she thought he was just arrogant, but it turned out he had also compensated her for the dress that Fu Xingchuan ruined.

Ruan Li looked up and saw Shi Xun still looking curious, her expression somewhat speechless, “Did you come here just to deliver clothes to me?”

Although she and Shi Xun were both in the entertainment industry and worked for the same company, their ages were similar to Ye Mian, Fu Xingchuan, and Shi Xun, and they had known each other for a long time. However, she and Shi Xun hadn’t had many opportunities to collaborate, given her current standing hadn’t reached the level where she could work with top stars.

So most people in the industry didn’t know they knew each other.

Shi Xun replied, “There’s an awards ceremony, and the company wants me to take you with me.”

“No one informed me?” Ruan Li was a bit bewildered.

“Now you know,” Shi Xun shrugged casually, “My original partner had a last-minute issue, and the company asked me to switch. I saw you were nearby, so I thought of taking you along.”

“What time is it now? I still don’t have a dress or makeup done!”

“Aren’t you set for that?” Ye Mian chimed in weakly, pointing to the gift box beside her, “Why are you still hesitating about attending the awards?”

Shi Xun teased her from the side, “Get ready and come with me to upgrade your status, Ruan Li.”

Before Ruan Li could even think about it, she was shoved into Ye Mian’s car, with instructions to change her clothes while they drove.

As Shi Xun was about to get into his own car after closing the door, someone stopped him. He focused and realized someone familiar was also at the scene.

“Miss Ruan, you’re here too.” Shi Xun casually exchanged pleasantries.

He and Ruan Shu hadn’t met many times, but given his extensive network in the entertainment industry, he was aware of Ruan Shu’s connections since she had come back to meet people in the industry and the vague promotional articles regarding Ruan Li he had seen recently.

He didn’t like such underhanded and low tactics.

Before Ruan Shu was found, she recognized Shi Xun on the big screen. Now, suddenly becoming friends with a top star after being introduced as a Ruan family member was unbelievable.

“This is the invitation to the Ruan family event tomorrow night, my family’s acknowledgment banquet. Do you have time to attend?” She nervously handed him the envelope.

Fu Xingchuan had already taken it in hand; maintaining good relations with the Shi family, who ranked just below the Fu family, was undoubtedly advantageous.

Shi Xun glanced at it and then casually shook his head, “The Ruan family has sent my family an invitation. Didn’t Miss Ruan know that?”

Ruan Shu was a bit flustered. Of course, she knew, but how could she miss such a familiar opportunity? “Oh, really? I didn’t know…”

“Alright, I have things to attend to, so I’ll leave first.” Shi Xun had no time to waste and directly turned to get into his car.

He left behind a somewhat dazed Ruan Shu. Jing Yi leaned over excitedly, “You know Shi Xun, right, Ruan Shu?”

Ruan Shu didn’t deny or affirm it, merely lowering her head and smiling vaguely.

When Ruan Li got out of the car, she had already changed into the “one-of-a-kind” dress, leaving her hair loose since there was no time to style it.

Ye Mian had her own invitation, while Shi Xun and Ruan Li still needed to walk the red carpet, so the three of them exited the car and went their separate ways.

As Ruan Li linked her arm with Shi Xun’s and walked onto the red carpet, the flashing lights nearly blinded her. Since it was live-streamed, the comments were incessant.

“Oh wow, the two biggest faces in the entertainment industry are appearing at the same time.”

“Seriously, seeing these two together is a visual feast.”

Immediately, someone replied, “Their status is different; it’s just a matter of helping out a newcomer, don’t overthink it.”

Shi Xun leaned in and spoke to her, “If you’re looking for Ye Mian in the inner hall later, I won’t arrange a seat for you.”

Ruan Li hadn’t intended to sit with him anyway. As they entered the inner hall, there were already many people seated.

“By the way, Third Brother…” Shi Xun was about to tell her something when he noticed Ruan Li looking down while adjusting her dress as she walked.

A group of people passed by in the hallway, clearly distinguishable from the stars who had just entered. These individuals looked like business personnel, with the event organizers following behind a man in the lead reporting their work.

Ruan Li’s lowered head bumped into a hard, warm chest. She winced in pain and looked up at the person in front of her.

“Third Brother.” Shi Xun was about to reach out to help Ruan Li.

Ruan Li was momentarily stunned and slowly connected “Third Brother” with Fu Huaizhou.

The man in front had already stepped forward first, reaching out to support Ruan Li’s arm. Those around them fell silent, as who would dare to bump into the boss behind the scenes?

The organizer was about to apologize, “Sorry, Mr. Fu.” He glanced at the girl rubbing her forehead, clearly oblivious to the situation, “Which company are you with?”

Fu Huaizhou interrupted him, watching as she steadied herself and then withdrew his hand, gazing down at Ruan Li with a helpless tone, “Do you never watch where you’re going?”