Chapter 3: I’m Going to Chase Him

The girl was pulled away by Ji Xueli, and she looked at her in confusion. “Who are you?“

“Why did you call him ‘Your Highness’?” Ji Xueli asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She needed to understand the male lead’s background.

“You don’t even know who he is, and yet you’re trying to get close?” The girl sneered.

“Have you heard of the Duan family? There are four prominent aristocratic families—the Ji family, the Cheng family, the Ji family, and the Duan family, who lead the rest. In Huacheng, the Duan family holds all the power.“

Ji Xueli nodded. As expected of the male lead. His background is truly impressive.

“You must be new to the industry, right? Let me tell you, anyone backed by His Highness becomes famous across the country,” the girl said, seeing Ji Xueli nod along.

Oh, so the female lead must also be from the entertainment industry…

“Okay, thanks.” Ji Xueli waved and was about to turn away.

“Hey…” The girl frowned, watching Ji Xueli leave. She thinks just because she’s pretty, she can approach anyone.

Once Ji Xueli returned to her spot, Duan Qingyu was nowhere to be found. She looked around, and not finding him, was about to leave, but someone stopped her.

“You’re leaving so soon?” Chengdu had come up at some point, looking at her.

“Yes, it’s not that interesting.” Ji Xueli glanced at the woman in his arms.

Chengdu noticed how much more refined her features were compared to before and couldn’t help but comment, “You came to the yacht party right after coming back for him, didn’t you? You used to not like this kind of occasion.“

“I didn’t like this kind of occasion before?” Ji Xueli caught the key words and asked, testing him.

“Yeah, you were either on set or walking the red carpet.” Chengdu nodded.

The original owner was a workaholic… Ji Xueli concluded from his words.

“But you left so decisively. Do you still love him after coming back?” Chengdu smirked, gossiping.

She knew questions like this would come up.

“Where is Duan Qingyu?” Ji Xueli ignored his question and asked.

“Him?” Chengdu looked around. “Huh, where did he go?“

Ji Xueli pulled out her phone. “Forget it, just give me his number.“

She was certain that both she and the male lead had deleted each other from their contacts. She had to add him first.

Chengdu looked at her suspiciously. “What? You want his number? Are you trying to do something inappropriate?“

He and Ji Xueli had been close when they were younger, though their relationship had faded. Despite that, they still spoke frankly to each other.

“Mm.” Ji Xueli nodded in acknowledgment. Anyway, they knew each other. Once she added him and had Chengdu mention it to the male lead, it would indirectly express her feelings. Perfect.

“……”

No rebuttal?! So direct?! Chengdu froze for a moment as he stared at her, eyes wide with surprise. “What?! You really want to do something inappropriate with him?“

He was utterly confused. Wasn’t she just fighting Duan Qingyu a few years ago over Ji Yanzhou? How did she end up like this? Did a trip abroad change her mind?

“Why such a big reaction? What’s the problem?” Ji Xueli felt he was overreacting. Was it really that shocking to want to reconcile after a breakup?

The woman in Chengdu’s arms overheard the conversation and looked at Ji Xueli with a sarcastic tone, “Looks like His Highness’s popularity hasn’t waned. Xueli came back to the country and went straight to the Prince.“

“Otherwise, should I go to you?” Ji Xueli smiled, Is it wrong for me to add the male lead on my contacts and ask for a reconciliation?

Chengdu shot her an annoyed look.

The woman, under Chengdu’s glare, backed off slightly and said softly, “Sorry, Miss Ji…“

“Are you done yet?” Ji Xueli didn’t look at her anymore and turned her attention back to Chengdu.

“Wait… But Xueli, Duan Qingyu is hard to chase.” Chengdu noticed how calm she was and swallowed, dryly continuing, “You should know…“

Ji Xueli took her phone back and shrugged casually. “Sometimes, the harder you try, the sweeter the fruit.“

Chengdu watched her leave, feeling a little emotional. After going abroad, she could say something like that—only the old Ji Xueli would say that.

A few years ago, she was all about her career and Ji Yanzhou. Now…

Chengdu laughed. He was now even more curious about the moment when Ji Yanzhou would see her again.

Thinking of this, Chengdu took out his phone and sent a message: Ji Xueli is back.

As soon as he hit send, a voice came from behind, “What’s going on?“

It was Duan Qingyu, who had disappeared earlier.

“Xueli just asked me for your contact info,” Chengdu said honestly.

Duan Qingyu raised an eyebrow. “Mine?“

“Yeah, she said she wants to chase you.” Chengdu added.

He was waiting to see Duan Qingyu’s reaction, but the man merely curled his lips slightly and said indifferently, “I know.“

Chengdu was even more curious now. He patted his female companion’s waist, signaling her to leave for a while.

“Your Highness, aren’t you curious at all? She’s Ji Yanzhou’s beloved white moonlight. She’s finally back in the country, and now she’s fallen for you at first sight. Though we used to play together as kids, after high school, you left Huacheng…“

Chengdu trailed off, deciding not to say more to avoid any unpleasantness.

Duan Qingyu took a sip of his drink, his throat moving slightly. “How’s Ji Yanzhou’s secretary?“

“I’ve seen her a few times. She’s pretty, though her brows and eyes are a bit like Xueli’s.” Chengdu had never thought much of it before, but after seeing Ji Xueli again and hearing Duan Qingyu bring it up, he started thinking there was something to it.

He covered his mouth, as if discovering a secret. “A substitute?!“

“Wow, it seems Ji Yanzhou really can’t forget Xueli. But aren’t you afraid he’ll find out that Xueli’s chasing you and cause trouble?“

Duan Qingyu smirked, a playful look crossing his face. “Let her chase. If she wants to, she can.“

Chengdu could tell from his tone that he wasn’t afraid at all. He shrugged. “Well, you’re His Highness, you don’t mind causing trouble.“

“Does Ji Yanzhou know she’s back?” Duan Qingyu asked.

“I just told him.” Chengdu grinned. He was enjoying the drama.

“Then things are going to get even more interesting.” Duan Qingyu leaned back on the couch, a few buttons of his shirt undone, revealing the white skin of his neck and collarbone.

He looked so enchanting… Chengdu couldn’t help but avert his gaze, now understanding why so many people wanted to climb into his bed. Even he almost felt tempted by that face…