Chapter 26: He Ran Exits, Wen Lingyue Attends the Banquet

#Heart-Throbbing Casting#
#He Ran Is Married#
#He Ran Out of the Entertainment Industry#

Paparazzi leaks thrust He Ran and the production team into the spotlight. His plans were destroyed before they even began. He wanted to clarify that his married status could be verified abroad.

Everything he had built—his public image, his reputation—was wiped away in an instant, like raindrops in the wind.

Director Fu Xin was in a frenzy.

First, He Ran had to go. Second, they needed to find a way to minimize the damage caused by this incident.

But the difficulty was that, with everyone online already aware, there was no way to fully mitigate the negative impact.

Fu Xin recalled Wen Lingyue’s expressionless demeanor when she leaked information on a live broadcast, and his mind went blank.

Millions were watching the livestream, and she wasn’t even fazed—she simply revealed the news.

Nothing like this had ever happened in the entertainment industry!

Fu Xin couldn’t help but approach Wen Lingyue: “Miss Wen, can’t we discuss this privately?”

If she spoke to them privately, they could quietly replace the actor, and this crisis would vanish without a trace.

Wen Lingyue replied with three words: “I’m willing.”

Fu Xin: “……”

After a moment, she continued: “Or… you can just replace me.”

This wasn’t a threat. Having experienced reality shows, she felt it was meaningless.

Fu Xin nearly fell to his knees: “No! We signed a contract for the entire season!”

“Suit yourself.”

Wen Lingyue couldn’t resist commenting: “Your show is just average.”

The escape rooms and survival challenges weren’t really challenging. Only a few of the teammates were interesting.

“……”

If anyone else had said this, Fu Xin would have spat in their face.

But this was Wen Lingyue. Thinking of her various incredible feats, he awkwardly said, “Don’t worry. Next episode will definitely have something new!”

If she made it look so effortless again, he felt like flipping her name backward!

•  

Ling City.

After finishing her reality show work, Wen Lingyue checked on the production progress of Dreamscape, did her makeup and hair, and changed into a gown—her friend Shu Lan had returned to the country and invited her to a banquet.

Maple Mountain, luxurious villa.

Music played softly, mingled with the scent of perfume and the shimmer of evening attire.

Jiang Yurou entered, arm in arm with Zhou Huailang.

Young master Peng Qian approached with a smile: “Brother Zhou, Sister-in-law, you’re here. You’ve been feeding us a lot of sweet moments on the show recently.”

Laughter echoed around.

“Brother Zhou and Miss Jiang are a perfect match. Isn’t it enough that they’re feeding us all this sweet stuff?”

“It’s just that Wen Lingyue is too eye-catching inside.”

The laughter stopped abruptly.

Jiang Yurou said lightly: “Since Huailang joined the show, Wen Lingyue naturally has to join as well.”

Everyone understood immediately—Wen Lingyue was there for Zhou Huailang.

Peng Qian winked at Zhou Huailang: “Looks like she still hasn’t gotten over you.”

“Mr. Peng, you know me well.”

A cold, clear female voice came from the front of the banquet hall.

Peng Qian shivered and looked toward the entrance, his eyes fixed, unable to look away.

At the entrance, Wen Lingyue appeared in a pure white mermaid gown. The minimalist design accentuated her slender figure. Her hair was up, and two smooth, delicate pearls at her earlobes enhanced her elegant and noble aura—beautiful beyond description.

Peng Qian was stunned. How had he never noticed Wen Lingyue’s beauty before?

Silence fell.

Wen Lingyue’s cool gaze fell on Peng Qian, making him completely flustered. He stammered: “I-I’d really like to… get to know Miss Wen.”

After saying this, he blushed: “No, I mean… I don’t really know Miss Wen that well.”

What was he even saying!

Peng Qian wished he could slap himself.

Wen Lingyue glanced at his flushed face, speaking coldly: “If you don’t know me, don’t talk nonsense.”

She stepped forward and stopped in front of Jiang Yurou and Zhou Huailang, her overwhelming presence pressing down on them. For a moment, both felt uneasy.

Wen Lingyue looked at Jiang Yurou, her voice soft but forceful: “Every time you mention Zhou Huailang, you drag me into it. What, without me, is he worthless?”

Their expressions changed in unison.

Suppressing her inner resentment, Jiang Yurou said: “Wen Lingyue, don’t be stubborn. Everyone in Ling City knows your intentions.”

Zhou Huailang was gentle and refined, upright and pure—the top talent of Ling City. Five years ago, when Wen Lingyue was brought back, her heart had fluttered for him.

“Ha—”

Wen Lingyue wanted to laugh at her former self.

Back then, newly returned to the Jiang family, she was anxious. Even small acts of concern from Zhou Huailang made her pour out her heart, seeing him as an older brother.

She later realized a person like him smiled at everyone; the so-called warmth was merely casual courtesy.

But she didn’t blame him.

Ultimately, she had been starved for love, easily moved by any kindness from others. Luckily, she had now seen through it—she was the only one who could love herself in this world.

Her gaze shifted to Zhou Huailang, calm and unshaken: “The truth is, I never liked you.”

Zhou Huailang’s heart tightened, a complicated feeling rising.

She then looked at Jiang Yurou: “You are actually very insecure. Your insecurity gives you no sense of safety.”

“It makes you feel that Zhou Huailang is a treasure, and everyone wants to take him away.”

Jiang Yurou’s fingers clenched, her entire body taut like a drawn bow: “And you’re still so stubborn!”

Wen Lingyue shook her head and ignored her, walking further into the banquet hall.

Jiang Yurou, left behind, paled and flushed in turns.

Once Wen Lingyue left, the oppressive atmosphere dispersed, and everyone exchanged glances, secretly shocked—

When had the timid, shrinking Wen Lingyue become this commanding presence?

Her aura was so strong, it was as if they had just seen a senior family elder.

Peng Qian snapped out of his daze, grinning foolishly: “Brother Zhou, so Wen Lingyue doesn’t like you. Does that mean I have a chance?”

Zhou Huailang, lost in Wen Lingyue’s words, felt complicated and remained silent.

He had only considered her a younger sister, but her words made him feel an inexplicable discomfort.

“Why is everyone stuck here?”

Jiang Su and Lin Wanyi arrived late.

Lin Wanyi’s eyes scanned the hall and saw a familiar figure: “Lingyue!”

Jiang Su looked too. Seeing Wen Lingyue, he was about to step forward, as the main figure of the banquet was appearing.

Shu Lan descended the staircase, wearing a black and gold gown. Gold threads traced intricate patterns over black silk, her black hair and red lips elegant and noble.

She delivered a speech.

As the only daughter of the Shu family, Shu Lan had received elite education since childhood. This banquet marked her return to the country and her assumption of the family business.

After her speech, she stepped down and saw her friend, no longer restrained by her former demeanor. Her eyes lit up: “This is the real Wen Lingyue!”

Relaxed, confident, and at ease.

Wen Lingyue smiled and raised her glass: “Congratulations on your return.”

Shu Lan raised an eyebrow and picked up a glass of red wine: “Congratulations on leaving the Jiang family.”

Wen Lingyue smiled.

She was the only person who celebrated her leaving the Jiang family.

The two chatted happily, while Lin Wanyi and Jiang Su lingered like shadows.