Men’s Moral Cultivation

The restaurant was brightly lit at night, with laughter and chatter of varying tones emanating from each private room.

Following the signs, Jiang Xiao quickly found the public restroom. She waited outside for a while, but only saw unfamiliar faces coming and going. Unable to find the two people she was looking for, she had no choice but to head back.

The third floor was dedicated to large gatherings, with only four private rooms and an open-air balcony. The balcony was surrounded by tall potted plants, making it necessary to get close to see if anyone was there.

Jiang Xiao continued walking down the corridor, passing the emergency exit. Just one more turn and she would see the balcony.

“I have a family.”

These four short words made Jiang Xiao stop slowly.

“Married?” Qin Yuanyuan seemed skeptical of this shocking news, standing there in a daze. But she quickly resumed her pursuit, her voice sickeningly sweet as she followed up, “For a successful man like Mr. Zhou, it wouldn’t be a problem to have a few more families outside.”

Jiang Xiao raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. She didn’t expect Qin Yuanyuan to be willing to be a mistress. Her moral baseline was quite low.

In the past, regardless of whether Qin Yuanyuan was a mistress, it had nothing to do with Jiang Xiao. She neither had the position nor the interest to advise her. But now, Qin Yuanyuan had set her sights on her husband, and she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Even though she was upset, she didn’t rush forward to intervene. After all, nothing had happened between the two yet. Unlike Zhou Wenting and Lin Qianyu, whose affair was confirmed before she took action.

Moreover, such matters crucially depended on the man’s self-discipline. If he himself couldn’t keep his integrity and was prone to infidelity, what was the point of intervening? In that case, it would be better to run away, get a divorce, and find peace early.

Standing in a blind spot of the view, Jiang Xiao couldn’t see what was happening on the other side. She could only speculate based on the voices and decided to wait and see.

From the sound of their entanglement, it had been a while. Perhaps Qin Yuanyuan followed Zhou Qishen as soon as he left.

Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but admire Qin Yuanyuan’s boldness. To say such things on an open-air balcony where people were coming and going, she truly wasn’t afraid of being discovered.

As the saying goes, high-risk strategies often yield high rewards. Sometimes, a straightforward temptation can be more deadly than subtle ambiguity. Who could resist a beautiful woman hinting that she would willingly be a mistress?

Before long, Zhou Qishen’s voice came again: “Are you an artist under Fenghua Entertainment?”

His tone was leisurely and calm, clear but devoid of the earlier politeness.

Qin Yuanyuan, oblivious to the change in his tone, nodded happily, “Yes.”

She thought he was asking because, like her current sponsor who only targeted artists from his own company. After all, his own artists were easy to control, and even if he was caught with evidence, he could easily get away with it.

Her past successes through her charms gave her the confidence that Zhou Qishen would be like those rich playboys, readily accepting her offer.

She never imagined that her foolproof tactic would backfire.

After confirming Qin Yuanyuan’s response, Zhou Qishen took the cigarette from his mouth, glanced at his watch, and his eyes darkened, realizing he had wasted three minutes.

Zhou Qishen, with one hand in his pocket, stood tall. His gaze, through the swirling smoke, fell casually on Qin Yuanyuan. With just one look, he impatiently looked away and clicked his tongue in disdain, “Given your misconduct, I will have the company terminate your contract.”

After speaking, he extinguished the half-burnt cigarette in the ashtray on the trash can beside him, not giving Qin Yuanyuan a chance to argue, and walked away.

Qin Yuanyuan was stunned, rooted to the spot, realizing she had hit a wall.

Recovering, she tried to chase after him, but her high heels betrayed her, causing her to sprain her ankle and fall to the ground. Her carefully chosen dress was stained by the dirt, leaving her in a sorry state.

Qin Yuanyuan ignored the pain and tried to get up using both her hands and feet, but a sharp pain in her ankle made her unable to move.

Seeing Zhou Qishen’s figure disappearing around the corner, Qin Yuanyuan bit her red lip, a trace of panic flashing in her expression, and tried to call out to stop him: “Mr. Zhou, wait, I-I didn’t mean that.”

However, he didn’t respond and walked away without looking back.

Jiang Xiao, hiding around the corner, didn’t expect Zhou Qishen to give such an answer. She had thought he might agree or refuse, but she never expected him to not only refuse but also dismiss Qin Yuanyuan without any mercy.

When an artist has their contract terminated by their agency, it’s not just about paying a penalty. Without a reasonable official explanation,they will most likely be automatically categorized as artists with bad records, and the public opinion alone would be enough to overwhelm Qin Yuanyuan.

Moreover, being dismissed by a company as large as Fenghua Entertainment would make it difficult for any other entertainment company to consider signing her. Any reputable company would investigate the reasons, and no wall is impenetrable. Slightly more reputable companies wouldn’t want such a morally questionable artist, and the outcome is predictable.

Zhou Qishen’s words were cold and ruthless. Jiang Xiao didn’t know whether to admire his unwavering decisiveness or to laugh at Qin Yuanyuan for reaping the consequences of her actions.

While she was in a daze, Zhou Qishen had already turned the corner and was now standing in front of her.

Their eyes met, both a little surprised.

Jiang Xiao turned her head to look at the long corridor behind her and the emergency exit next to her, realizing that her simple idea of running away was not feasible. The embarrassment of being caught eavesdropping instantly surged in her heart.

Just as she was about to say something, the sound of high heels clicking suddenly echoed, seemingly very close.

In a moment of panic, Jiang Xiao grabbed Zhou Qishen’s arm, pushed open the iron door of the emergency exit, and hid inside with him.

The stairwell was darker compared to the brightly lit corridor. Jiang Xiao was in such a hurry that she couldn’t see her surroundings clearly. Fortunately, Zhou Qishen reacted quickly, holding her waist and standing close to the wall by the door, hiding in the blind spot of the view.

Jiang Xiao kept her eyes on the glass window of the iron door, listening carefully to the sounds outside, praying not to be discovered by Qin Yuanyuan.

After a while, the sound of high heels gradually faded away.

“Why are we hiding?” Zhou Qishen’s voice was deliberately lowered, sounding like a whisper in her ear.

Jiang Xiao raised her eyes slightly, seeing his handsome face in the dim light, his phoenix eyes looking at her with a hint of a smile.

The question stumped Jiang Xiao. She didn’t know why she hid, and if she was hiding by herself, it would be one thing, but why drag Zhou Qishen along? He wasn’t afraid of Qin Yuanyuan at all.

Seeing she couldn’t answer, Zhou Qishen changed the question: “Why did you follow me out?”

The man’s chest was hard and powerful, his warm breath and strength surrounding her, giving her a sense of security.

Perhaps because of the close distance, their breaths mingled, and Jiang Xiao smelled a faint scent of alcohol. She couldn’t tell who it was from, her breathing becoming slightly rapid. “I… I got lost on the way to the restroom. Do you believe that?”

He lowered his head closer to her, slowly saying, “I believe you.”

“Haha.” Jiang Xiao forced a laugh, thinking he was joking.

Feeling uncomfortable with his hand still on her waist, Jiang Xiao tried to move, wanting to change her position and escape his hold, so she took a step back.

Noticing her small movements, Zhou Qishen lowered his eyes and without a sound tightened his grip, pulling her back. “Besides that, don’t you have anything else to say?”

Jiang Xiao was puzzled: “Say what?”

“For example, you followed because you were worried about me, or you were afraid I’d be taken by someone else.” Zhou Qishen quickly added, his hoarse voice carrying a hint of ambiguity.

Jiang Xiao detected the abnormality in his tone, staring at him for two seconds before reaching out to touch his cheek. As expected, it was burning hot. She raised an eyebrow: “Are you drunk?”

Her naturally upturned fox eyes were gentle and filled with emotion, enchanting but completely clear.

Realizing this, Zhou Qishen’s expression suddenly became unclear. Before long, he lowered his head dejectedly, resting his forehead against hers, their skin touching, their soft hair intertwining.

“I’ve been cooperating with you. Can’t you say something nice to please me? Xiaoxiao, there are many answers.” His self-muttering carried a trace of indistinguishable grievance.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiao’s cheeks also heated up slightly. Whether he was drunk or not, his childlike tantrum indicated he wasn’t thinking clearly.

There was no point in talking to someone not in their right mind. Jiang Xiao perfunctorily replied, “Yes, yes, I’m really scared, so scared you’ll be taken away by Qin Yuanyuan. Is that okay?”

Her unwilling and forced tone was too obvious. Zhou Qishen suddenly laughed, his breath mixed with the smell of alcohol brushing against her ear, both hot and itchy. “Well, that’s enough.”

Jiang Xiao’s ears softened, her eyelashes fluttering, rendered speechless by him. She pushed his shoulder with annoyance, “We should go back.”

Saying that, Jiang Xiao didn’t care whether the man behind her followed, returning to the private room in one go.

Before sitting down, Jiang Xiao glanced at the seat next to Ji Changzheng. To her surprise, it was empty, and Qin Yuanyuan didn’t show up again for the rest of the meal.

In the bustling nightlife, the drunk crowd gathered at the restaurant entrance. It didn’t matter much who left first. Soon, only a few people were left.

Director Zheng and Jiang Xiao’s cars arrived at the same time.

“Xiaoshen, which hotel are you staying at? Come with me, I’ll have my driver take you,” Director Zheng, red-faced from drinking but still rational, patted Zhou Qishen on the shoulder, signaling for him to get in the car.

Zhou Qishen, however, declined: “No need to trouble you. I’m going the same way as Miss Jiang. We agreed at the dinner table that she would give me a ride.”

Jiang Xiao looked up, a question mark slowly forming above her head: “?”

“…If that’s the case, then alright,” Director Zheng glanced back and forth between them a few times, said no more, and slowly got into his car with the driver’s help.

Left with a confused Jiang Xiao, she watched as Zhou Qishen approached her step by step, taking the initiative as he gestured for her to get in first: “Get in the car.”

The road was crowded, and since it was already narrow, they could only park temporarily. Not wanting to inconvenience anyone, Jiang Xiao reluctantly bent down and got into the car.

Zhou Qishen followed closely behind, closing the door. The driver, Xiao Zhang, immediately started driving towards the hotel.

Jiang Xiao’s car in Hengdian was a comfortable van provided by her company, spacious with wide seats, convenient for resting during breaks. To avoid paparazzi and obsessive fans, it was also very private, with the car’s interior decorations not visible from outside.

When Zhou Qishen sat down and saw the car’s pink decorations, he was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Xiao noticed where he was looking and blinked before explaining: “This is Loopy, a character from my favorite cartoon. Isn’t she cute?”

When bored, she watched cartoons to relax, and although she wasn’t obsessed, over time, she bought some related merchandise. Besides stickers and decorations, there were two Loopy plush toys on the back seat.

When she was in a bad mood, just looking at them made her feel better. However, she doubted Zhou Qishen would appreciate something so childish.

Zhou Qishen smirked, tilting his head as he shifted his gaze to her: “It’s very cute, just like you.”

“Like me?” Jiang Xiao raised her eyebrows in surprise.

It wasn’t surprising she didn’t believe him. Even her friend Liang Cheng said that Loopy didn’t suit her at all.

One looked cute and naive, while the other appeared seductive and cunning, with nothing in common from head to toe.

But Zhou Qishen earnestly repeated: “Yes, both are very cute.”

In his dark eyes reflecting her face, there was a sincere warmth, like the dawn breaking through the night, making people naturally want to get closer and trust him.

Her body reacted faster than her mind, and as the heat began to spread from her cheeks to her ears, Jiang Xiao realized his compliment had a hint of flirtation.

In the air-conditioned car, the temperature inexplicably began to rise.

Jiang Xiao’s cheeks reddened, leaving her speechless. Given more time, responding might seem like she was overcompensating, so she pretended not to catch his underlying meaning.

Zhou Qishen’s gaze lingered on her tightly bitten red lips before he looked away, his Adam’s apple moving subtly as he changed the topic: “By the way, there are two things I need you to decide on.”

“What things?” Jiang Xiao took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and glanced his way.