Chapter 27: Why Do I Feel Like I’ve Been Caught Cheating?

Song Zhiyi’s voice was naturally soft, and now, startled by Chen Mo’s actions, her explanation was barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz.

To be fair, Chen Mo’s presence was imposing even when he was just standing silently with a blank expression. Now, with the way he interrogated her like a suspect under investigation, the pressure fell squarely on her shoulders.

“Your colleague wanted it?” Chen Mo asked, his lazy gaze fixed on her, as if trying to determine whether she was lying.

“Yeah…”

Chen Mo thought for a moment. Song Zhiyi clearly wasn’t the type to chase after celebrities, so it seemed he had misunderstood her.

He put the signed photo he had wrinkled back in place and handed it to Song Zhiyi.

Song Zhiyi: “…”

She didn’t even dare to take it.

“Don’t want it?” Chen Mo noticed how she shrank into her seat like a student caught goofing off by the teacher.

“Maybe… you can hold onto it for now.”

If she took it, it would feel like holding a hot potato.

Plus, Chen Mo was obviously in a bad mood right now. Song Zhiyi decided it was best not to provoke him.

“Oh.”

Chen Mo casually placed the photo into the storage compartment and started the car.

Song Zhiyi finally let out a sigh of relief. She wasn’t used to this moody, sharp-edged version of Chen Mo. How to put it… it was like she’d been caught in the act of cheating!

The car grew quiet. Song Zhiyi, after some thought, tried to start a conversation.

“Do you… not like Ling Xingyu?”

“Am I supposed to like those kinds of pretty boys?”

“…”

Fair point. In Chen Mo’s eyes, idols who gained fans based solely on their looks mostly came across as delicate and effeminate.

On one show, a male idol cried and demanded to go to the hospital after getting a tiny cut on his finger.

And during today’s event, Ling Xingyu’s few casual words had driven the girls on site into a frenzy. They weren’t even paying attention to the autographs anymore, just busy swooning over him.

No way Chen Mo would like that type.

“Well, how about actresses?” Song Zhiyi seriously suggested, “If we meet one next time, I can help you get an autograph!”

“No.”

Chen Mo didn’t idolize anyone. Besides, he felt none of the actresses in TV dramas were as good-looking as Song Zhiyi.

“Oh…”

Alright then, conversation terminated.

Grumble—

In the quiet car, a sound suddenly came from Song Zhiyi’s stomach.

Chen Mo: “?”

Song Zhiyi: “…”

“You haven’t eaten?” Chen Mo frowned.

“No.” Song Zhiyi shook her head. “When Ling Xingyu and the others left, they didn’t call me. I just took a cab on my own.”

Chen Mo didn’t reply, but his driving speed noticeably increased.

He was even more annoyed with Ling Xingyu now!

His little girl had gone there to do an exclusive interview, but the guy had left her behind?

“Chen Mo-ge, safety first! Don’t drive so fast.” Song Zhiyi felt like the car was about to take off.

“I know what I’m doing.”

They got home in less than fifteen minutes. Song Zhiyi quickly unbuckled her seatbelt. While Chen Mo was turning off the engine and pulling out the keys, she grabbed Ling Xingyu’s signed photo and stuffed it into her bag.

Then she followed Chen Mo inside.

“I’ll cook.”

“I could just order takeout…”

“Go take a shower first.”

“…Oh.”

Alright. Chen Mo wasn’t asking for her opinion; he was informing her.

By the time Song Zhiyi came out of the shower, Chen Mo had already prepared four dishes and a soup: sweet and sour ribs, stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, stir-fried pork with green peppers, a cold sea jelly salad, and a bowl of seaweed egg soup.

“That’s too much.”

Song Zhiyi knew herself well—she was a light eater. Even a small bowl of noodles would be enough for her. She didn’t deserve this four-dish-and-a-soup feast.

“Whatever you don’t finish, just leave it.” Chen Mo handed her a big bowl of rice.

“Thank you…”

She genuinely felt grateful!

…

Meanwhile, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ling Xingyu was lying on the large bed after finishing his interview. He had just taken a shower and walked out wearing a loosely tied bathrobe.

“Xingyu, your schedule for tomorrow is…” Jiang Xu, a capable woman in her early thirties who had managed quite a few idol celebrities, began to discuss his itinerary.

In the entertainment industry, idols who rely on their looks to make a living tend to have the shortest career spans.

In terms of talent, Ling Xingyu couldn’t even make it onto the list of top artists in the entertainment world.

In terms of acting, he’s only had guest roles in two small web dramas.

In terms of looks, he’s still young, so he can ride that for a few more years.

Otherwise, the entertainment industry is full of handsome men and beautiful women, and sooner or later, they will steal his popularity!

So, while he can still rely on his face to earn money, making money is the key!

“Jiang Jie, just send the schedule to my phone.” Ling Xingyu waved his hand and lay back on the big bed, comfortably taking out his phone to scroll through his social media feed.

“Alright.” Jiang Xu didn’t want to waste time talking, and since it was already late and they had a flight early tomorrow, she didn’t push it.

“Wait a minute…” Ling Xingyu suddenly sat up. “Jiang Jie, did you add that Song Zhiyi on WeChat? Push her towards me!”

Jiang Xu: “???”

What does that mean?

Are you horny or something?

“What’s going on?” Ling Xingyu noticed Jiang Xu staring at him like he was some animal and couldn’t quite understand.

“What’s going on in your head?” Jiang Xu walked over to the bed, crossed her arms, and looked down at him.

“Wh-what’s the matter…”

“She’s a reporter!”

“I know,” Ling Xingyu pulled out a cigarette from a box on the bedside table, lit it, and took a drag. “She seems soft, not like those paparazzi.”

“Didn’t I set you up with two fake dating rumors?”

Ling Xingyu exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. “Those two, one is the head of a failing team, and the other is a minor actress with just a supporting role, not even as popular as me… and they’re not even that good-looking.”

The entertainment industry is full of beautiful women, and Ling Xingyu sees those heavily made-up actresses every day.

Today, he happened to see a naturally pretty reporter without makeup—new and fresh, so why not enjoy it!

“Alright, forget about the WeChat thing. I’ve already deleted her. You should focus on your own business.” Jiang Xu rolled her eyes at him and firmly refused to give him Song Zhiyi’s WeChat.

Ling Xingyu pouted. “Jiang Jie, you’re too strict!”

“I’m just looking out for you. You don’t want to ruin your career, do you?” Jiang Xu spoke with some displeasure. “There have been so many celebrities recently who have crashed and burned.”

“Tch…”

That’s true—many celebrities have inexplicably or without warning had their careers fall apart.

The bigger the tree, the more it attracts the wind. He understands that much!

“Also, take it easy with the ‘yellow, gambling, and drugs’ public welfare event in the border town.” Jiang Xu looked at the things in his hand.

“I know, I know, I’m just smoking some weed, no one will find out.”

Jiang Xu gave him a look. “Forget it, you’ll be leaving tomorrow anyway. Rest up.”

“Alright! Jiang Jie, take care!”

After Jiang Xu left the room, Ling Xingyu walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, kicked back on the sofa, and smoked some weed.

Ah, it’s too bad he didn’t add the pretty reporter’s WeChat.

Ah—this weed feels good!

The next day.

Song Zhiyi arrived at the newsroom, where Lin Qiqi had already been waiting. As soon as she saw her, Lin Qiqi started offering her tea and giving her a shoulder rub, acting like a sycophant. “Zhiyi, my good sister, did you get the signed photos?”

“Got them.”

“Ahhh—thank you!” Lin Qiqi hugged her tightly and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. “Hurry up and give them to me!”

Song Zhiyi took the small stack of signed photos that she had put in her bag yesterday.

“Wow… so many?” Lin Qiqi was shocked.

Is this the reward for the interview?

“Maybe they hadn’t all been handed out yet, so he gave me all of them,” Song Zhiyi wasn’t sure why Ling Xingyu gave her so many.

“Eh? Some still weren’t handed out? This batch of fangirls isn’t doing their job… oh well, this is even better!” Lin Qiqi gleefully started flipping through the signed photos.

Ah!

Her husband is so handsome!

“Zhiyi?” Lin Qiqi paused as she reached the last photo, holding it up and pointing at a white crease in the middle. “Why is this one bent?”

“Oh…” Song Zhiyi’s big eyes shifted nervously. “Maybe I accidentally bent it when I put it in my bag.”

If she told the truth—that Chen Mo deliberately bent it—Lin Qiqi might get upset.

After all, that’s her husband!

“It’s fine, it’s fine, even with the crease on my husband’s face, he’s still as handsome as ever!” Lin Qiqi smiled, “Anyway, there are so many signed photos, one with a flaw doesn’t matter.”

“I heard that there were a lot of fans at the event, it must have been chaotic?”

“It was pretty chaotic. Several police officers couldn’t even control the fans!”

“My husband came here just for the charity event—his values are so righteous!” Lin Qiqi proudly puffed her chest.

Song Zhiyi sat at her desk.

Seeing Lin Qiqi still holding the photo, she shrugged. She actually thought Chen Mo looked even better!