Chapter 40: He’s Old and Damaged

Yan Zhao, now, was a cleanliness freak.

Lu Hui had thought that after hearing she had slept with other men, Yan Zhao would back down. However, what was aggravating was that Yan Zhao didn’t back down at all, and he kept his composure.

Yan Zhao said, “I know.”

Last time, he had encountered one, and now he had encountered another. Each one was troublesome.

His golden core had been dug out, and he couldn’t use his cultivation anymore. It wasn’t easy to deal with someone who wanted a swift resolution.

Yan Zhao lowered his eyes in deep thought. He really didn’t like the overly liberal atmosphere of this era. He didn’t like her showing off in front of everyone. Since that was the case, the only option left was to take her back.

The key was how to take her back.

When Yan Zhao looked up again, the woman had already slipped away. He clenched his fingers, silent.

The director came to tell him that there was only one day left of filming and then subtly said, “Mr. Yan, the cold and distant persona isn’t popular anymore. You can smile more on the show.”

He would look so good smiling! Once the program airs, it would surely be a big hit. There would be countless fangirls swooning over him.

The director didn’t know if Yan Zhao had heard him or not. Yan Zhao didn’t respond with even a simple “mm” or “oh” but just went back to his room.

The director was helpless. He couldn’t treat him and didn’t dare to.

The cameraman, however, seemed to have more experience. “This guy is just a stiff. Only when he’s in the same frame with Lu Hui does he show any tenderness in his eyes. The air around him is sweet.”

The director sighed. “I always thought he was a trainee prepared to debut with a deep, emotional persona.”

The cameraman sneered. “Not to lie to you, I thought the same at first, but with that face, does he even need to fake a persona?”

“Good point.” The director suddenly had an idea. “I’ll have the post-production cut it together. Our show must have a big couple.”

If the footage isn’t enough, they’ll just edit it. Add some sweet background music, and it will look like a perfect match, even without a marriage certificate.

In the bedroom prepared for Yan Zhao, there was a small fish tank. Kunpeng had been swimming inside for three days, and hadn’t had a chance to get some fresh air. He flicked his tail, stirring up the water, expressing his displeasure toward his master.

Yan Zhao took him out of the water and poked his head. “Stop making a fuss. There are too many people, and I can’t bring you to see her.”

Kunpeng whined, clearly unhappy.

Yan Zhao fed him some dried fish. “Wait a little longer, and we’ll take her back.”

Kunpeng swished his tail, as if agreeing.

Although Yan Zhao had lost his cultivation and couldn’t alter the world’s fate, he could still use a sword to create a gap and have Kunpeng carry them back.

Yan Zhao had just finished showering. His long hair was slightly damp, with a hint of soft, reddish warmth at the edges of his eyes. His slender figure was graceful and alluring.

He had no one to talk to, so he whispered to Kunpeng, “Once we take her back, she won’t be able to escape me.”

For an ordinary person without cultivation, only by finding someone to rely on could they survive in the cultivation world.

He was close to reaching the Divine Transformation stage. Protecting her wouldn’t be difficult. The younger generation in the sect would treat her with respect and not let her suffer a single grievance.

Yanzhao became more and more intrigued by the idea. He relaxed, his eyebrows and eyes softening with ease, “Then it’s settled. After we go back, I want to make up for the wedding we missed.”

A grand sedan chair, a red wedding dress, and even the entire cultivation world to come and congratulate them.

If Lu Hui had heard what Yanzhao was thinking at this moment, she would have cursed him again for being crazy and wished that she could go back to the original world of the book — better off dead than deal with him.

At that moment, she was busy trying to get the child to sleep. Cen Baor was in one of his moods, curled up in the blanket with his little butt sticking out and his head exposed. “They’re all sleeping with the little ones,” he said.

Lu Hui replied, “You have your uncle.”

Cen Baor retorted, “But my uncle doesn’t sleep in the same bed as me.”

“Then where does he sleep?”

“He made me sleep on the floor, and I don’t want to!” Cen Baor insisted, as though he wouldn’t be satisfied until Lu Hui slept with him. “When you have a baby in the future, won’t you sleep with them too?”

Lu Hui scratched her head, “But I’m not your mom.”

The words struck a nerve with Cen Baor. His eyes suddenly turned red, and big tears began to fall like raindrops.

Lu Hui wasn’t too bothered by his tantrums and tears, but she couldn’t resist when it came to his pitiful and fragile crying. She reached out to wipe his tears and stepped back. “I’ll tell you a story, and when you fall asleep, I’ll leave.”

Cen Baor sniffed and nodded, “Okay.”

Lu Hui searched for a few fairy tale stories on her phone, but Cen Baor hadn’t heard of any of them.

The little boy grabbed her sleeve, his eyes closed, eyelashes wet with tears, and he mumbled softly, “Mom.”

Cen Baor’s parents were both career-driven individuals who traveled abroad all the time. They hardly ever had time to take care of him, leaving him with nannies and relatives. This was part of the reason for his arrogant and domineering personality.

Lu Hui gently moved his little hand and tucked him back under the blankets before quietly stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her.

As soon as she turned around, a man appeared behind her, causing her to jump in fright. She let out a sharp scream, but he quickly covered her mouth with his hand, furrowing his brows coldly. “What are you screaming for?”

Cen Yueze’s palm was a bit cold, but she moved his hand away and regained her composure. “You startled me.”

Cen Yueze glanced behind her. “Is Cen Baor asleep?”

Lu Hui nodded.

He asked, “How did you get him to sleep?”

“I didn’t.”

He didn’t believe her but didn’t press the matter further.

Lu Hui tried to move around him, but he kept shifting with her.

Suddenly, Cen Yueze chuckled softly. “I heard I slept with you.”

Lu Hui hadn’t expected Cen Yueze to have heard the things she had said to Yanzhao. Her face turned hot with embarrassment. “Don’t spread rumors, thank you.”

Cen Yueze had finally found a little way to regain his face and wasn’t about to let it go easily. “The first time we met, I could tell you were craving my body.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“My body, do you think you can covet it?” Cen Yueze, now feeling smug, swayed in front of her like a peacock.

Lu Hui couldn’t stand it anymore and pushed him away, walking off.

—

The first recording of the show ended on the fourth day, and they began to pack up the equipment.

Compared to her initial isolation, it seemed Lu Hui wasn’t as alienated now. A few senior colleagues appeared more willing to put down their prejudices and reassess her.

She wasn’t as bad as the internet had made her out to be, nor as good as her fans made her seem. Overall, she was a pretty capable and decent young woman.

During the group photo, Lu Hui and Ning Jiao were pushed to the center.

Before leaving, Ning Jiao tugged on Lu Hui’s arm. “Lu Hui, I need your help with something.”

Ning Jiao knew how to play the game, but she wasn’t evil. Recently, Lu Hui’s show had gained popularity, and she was almost becoming a rising star.

Ning Jiao didn’t think much of those who weren’t famous but was much more polite to those who were. Moreover, after spending some time together, Lu Hui was much better than the other egotistical and manipulative people in the entertainment industry. It wouldn’t hurt to make friends.

“What is it?”

“You and Yanzhao should be quite familiar with each other, right? Could you give me his contact details?” Ning Jiao didn’t hide her intentions. “I really like him and want to get closer.”

Lu Hui’s expression turned a little complicated. This girl was beautiful, but her judgment was quickly clouded.

When Ning Jiao noticed her hesitation, she frowned, “You don’t want to help?”

She pouted. “You don’t like him, so don’t keep him to yourself.”

Lu Hui replied, “It’s not that I’m stingy, I just don’t have it.” She made herself clear, “Yanzhao is a country bumpkin who can’t even use a phone.”

Lu Hui tried her best to pull Ning Jiao out of the pit she was about to fall into.

Ning Jiao blushed a little. “Well, I can teach him how to use a phone.”

Lu Hui raised an eyebrow. “What do you like about him?”

Ning Jiao shrugged, “He’s good-looking.”

Good looks can’t feed you, can they? He’s a killer, girl—he’s a scumbag.

Ning Jiao told her, “As long as you don’t compete with me, I’ll consider you a good sister.”

Lu Hui couldn’t really smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

After their conversation, the production team called for them to get in the car. They were heading to the city to catch a flight back to Beijing.

Ning Jiao whispered to the director that she wanted to ride in the same car as Yanzhao, and the director readily agreed.

As for Lu Hui, she squeezed into a car with the director. Before getting in, Cen Baor ran over reluctantly and asked, “Will you be coming back next week?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, I don’t hate you anymore.”

“Oh.”

“Goodbye!” Cen Baor waved enthusiastically at her, then was lifted by his little uncle and tossed into the car.

They hurriedly arrived at the airport, and it was already past eight in the evening. With no time for dinner, they boarded the plane.

Lin Tong still had a bunch of things to deal with and couldn’t come to the airport to pick her up, so she had to take a taxi by herself.

Lu Hui wore a mask as she exited the customs, and suddenly, a group of girls with large cameras swarmed around her, the flashing lights making her eyes hurt.

The director walking beside her was also startled by the scene. “Did you get involved in a scandal!? Are the media after you?”

Lu Hui shook her head. “No.”

They started handing her letters, and Lu Hui realized these were all frontline fans. She had seen her fans before, but never this many.

It was like a wall of people, tightly packed.

The director thought to himself: Isn’t this supposed to be a rising star? How did she become this famous?

He temporarily played the role of her bodyguard, grabbing her arm and pushing through the crowd.

Once they reached a quieter area, Lu Hui’s chest was heaving as she leaned on her waist, catching her breath. “Thanks so much, Director.”

The director waved it off and then said, “Hurry up and get a car.”

Lu Hui nodded. “Okay.”

Before they could find a place to grab a taxi, a group of fans suddenly swarmed after them again.

The director sighed, “I want to escape!”

Lu Hui, feeling a headache coming on, said, “We might as well just walk out slowly.”

“Looks like that’s our only option.”

The fans, who had been too excited and too close earlier, now distanced themselves by about a meter after calming down.

As they neared the airport terminal’s exit, several well-trained bodyguards in black suits suddenly appeared, blocking the fans about three meters away.

The director was furious. “What kind of bodyguards are these? They’re late! I’m docking their pay!”

Lu Hui was dumbfounded. “I don’t have the money to hire bodyguards.”

The director, who had seen a lot, immediately recognized that these bodyguards were clearly professionals. “Did they mistake you for someone else?”

“I don’t know.”

However, when Yu Mandong appeared before her with a cane, Lu Hui understood what was going on.

The director closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again. “Is he your… man?”

The man, in a suit and long pants, exuded a cold, decisive aura. His features were handsome, with an impeccable jawline, and his expression was severe, adding a layer of untouchable aggression. He looked like a person with power and resolve.

Lu Hui stood behind the director, her gaze flat as she looked at him. She said, “What a joke. This old and crippled man could be my father.”

“…”

The director was too intimidated by the cold, murderous look in the man’s eyes to speak, so he fell silent.

Lu Hui was known for her sharp tongue; she dared to say anything, even in front of the other party.

Did she want to drag him down with her? Of course she did.

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