Chapter 70: He Wants to Bully Me

Once again, Ji Xueli arrived at the cruise ship, and it was even more luxurious and extravagant than the last time.

She walked into the main hall and looked around, noticing a few well-known actresses already sitting on the laps of older men…

The last time she came, she was focused solely on finding the male lead and didn’t notice the numerous shady dealings at the ball.

As expected, the entertainment industry—unless you have money, power, or a good mentor—everything runs on unspoken rules…

“Lili, come up.”

A voice called from the second floor. Ji Xueli looked up and saw Chengdu, just like when she first arrived, calling her up to the second floor.

She was happy to call Chengdu a friend. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as though they had been friends for a long time.

She walked up and joined him, still surrounded by a crowd of people. Her eyes locked onto Duan Qingyu, sitting in the middle of a sofa, his legs crossed. His cold and noble demeanor made him seem like an unattainable, high-class figure.

But Ji Xueli knew what kind of madness lurked beneath his exterior.

“Lili, it’s been so long! Did you miss me?” Chengdu stretched out his arms and gave her a hug.

“Not really,” Ji Xueli replied as she returned the hug, purposely playing it cool.

Chengdu pouted, “Tch, I knew it. You must have forgotten about us with all those handsome men on set, huh? Forgetting your friends for good looks…”

“Hey, don’t say things like that,” Ji Xueli quickly interrupted and instinctively glanced at Duan Qingyu.

Duan Qingyu was looking at her, his deep, ink-like eyes as sharp and profound as ever, the faintest hint of red at the corners of his eyes, making him look even more mesmerizing than all the women in the room.

For a moment, Ji Xueli thought he looked more beautiful than any actress present…

“Sit here,” Chengdu said, motioning for her to sit next to Duan Qingyu.

Ji Xueli turned to Duan Qingyu, slightly opening her lips. “It’s been a while. The young master is still as carefree as before.”

“Where do you see that?” Duan Qingyu spread his hands, seemingly not agreeing with her comment.

“Surrounded by beauties, with fine wine at your side,” Ji Xueli said, her voice lingering as she looked around at the women in the hall.

“Surrounded by beauties… Lili, you truly are a beauty.” Duan Qingyu repeated her words, his voice low and pleasant.

Ji Xueli met his gaze, realizing that the “beauty” he referred to was herself…

She quickly looked away, trying to stay calm. She couldn’t let herself be swayed by his charm. He wasn’t the male lead anymore.

They curiously asked, “Xueli, hasn’t your drama finished shooting yet? It’s been months.”

She had even taken a month off due to a car accident… Ji Xueli smiled, “The young master has invested, so the director can’t just slack off.”

“You’re from START Entertainment, if the young master doesn’t invest in you, who else would?”

“Even if I’m from START, the young master doesn’t invest casually. It’s all because of Lili,” Chengdu corrected with a grin.

Duan Qingyu smiled but didn’t say anything.

Ji Xueli took a sip of her drink. If Duan Qingyu started to dislike her, maybe she should just push his buttons? But that might backfire…

It would be fine if it was Chengdu or someone else, she could just leave, but Duan Qingyu was a big shot—someone who could stir up things in the entire Beijing area…

“Lili, do you know who’s coming later?” Chengdu sat down beside her, unable to resist spoiling the surprise.

“Who’s coming?” Ji Xueli asked with interest.

Just as Chengdu was about to answer, his eyes caught something, and he smiled, “Oh, wait, they’re already here.”

Ji Xueli turned to follow his gaze, and it felt as though she had been struck by lightning, frozen in place.

The handsome man with the indifferent expression was none other than Ji Yanzhou, and the woman beside him was Xie Yujun.

“They’ve arrived,” people around them started gossiping.

Ji Xueli pursed her lips and nervously stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Go quickly and come back soon,” Chengdu said as he saw her stand up without suspicion.

She had just called to end things and become friends, and now she was at the sea ball—if anyone saw her, she wouldn’t be able to explain it away.

Ji Yanzhou had probably come to discuss the Haitang Bay project with Duan Qingyu. He was here for business, unlike her.

Duan Qingyu watched her leave with a composed expression as he glanced at Ji Yanzhou and Xie Yujun, his eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness.

It was clear she was avoiding him. Why couldn’t she face him directly? What had happened between them?

Once inside the bathroom, Ji Xueli started thinking of a solution. The reason Ji Yanzhou had been angry with her before was all because of Duan Qingyu.

So if she was caught now, it would be over for her.

She felt like someone who was about to be caught in an affair…

She stepped out a bit and peeked toward the scene. Duan Qingyu was still sitting, while Ji Yanzhou and Xie Yujun stood to the side, with Ji Yanzhou’s face showing clear signs of displeasure.

It seemed like an argument was brewing, Ji Xueli thought.

She decided to stay out of it. A mere mortal like her shouldn’t get involved in a battle of gods.

She scanned the area and quietly called a server. “Is there another way out?”

The server pointed to a set of stairs leading to where she had come from. “Miss, there’s only that way.”

Ji Xueli sighed and urged the server to leave quickly. She was thinking of another way out when a voice suddenly sounded behind her.

“If you want to leave, I know a way.”

She turned around to see a young man with a somewhat handsome face. He smiled at her, his eyes filled with admiration and desire. He hadn’t expected to see such a stunning woman after just going to the bathroom.

“Can you tell me where the route is?” Ji Xueli asked, her tone polite but cautious.

The man stepped closer. “I think I’ve seen you before. What have you acted in?”

“Wrong person. I’m not an actress. Where’s the way out?” Ji Xueli furrowed her brow. She had forgotten she was at the sea ball, where no one would approach without a purpose.

“Forget it, I don’t need to know,” she said, turning to walk toward the bathroom, deciding she’d just wait until Ji Yanzhou left.

But in the next second, her wrist was grabbed tightly by the man. He smiled lecherously as he pulled her toward him. “We’re at the sea ball, why act so high and mighty? I know a way out. Come with me to the third floor, I’ll take you out and make you famous.”

“Make me famous? With your money?” Ji Xueli struggled, sarcastically replying.

“I can make this small-time star like you famous,” the man said as he pushed her against the wall, his hand moving toward her behind.

Ji Xueli grabbed his hand and twisted his wrist, using the martial arts she had learned before joining the set. She was more than capable of dealing with a pervert like him.

“Ah!” The man screamed.

Seeing this, Ji Xueli was about to kick him where it would hurt the most when, in the next moment, someone grabbed the man from behind, yanked him away, and threw him across the room.

Ji Xueli looked up, and it was Duan Qingyu’s cold, white face.

She blinked and immediately put on a pitiful expression. “Duan Qingyu, he wants to bully me…”