Chapter 64

Finding Ji Chenli was one thing; whether she was willing to see her was another. Han Xinyuan had harassed Ji Chenli several times to no avail, but she finally caught her at the charity gala for the relocation of the orphanage.

The orphanage had been completed several months ahead of schedule, and the Ming Group had established a charitable education fund in Tao Yuan’s name. Consequently, Tao Yuan was obligated to attend the gala. Since it was Tao Yuan’s first time attending such an event, Ji Chenli accompanied her for fear of any mishaps. With her attendance, Ming Lang naturally followed. As a result, celebrities from the business and political worlds flocked to the event, and stars of all sizes from the entertainment industry squeezed in as well. Media outlets swarmed the venue, turning what was originally a small celebration into a major C City social event. Tao Yuan, the original protagonist, was completely overshadowed; she gave a few words of thanks at the opening and then vanished from sight.

Ji Chenli and Tao Yuan hid in a corner to have tea and food. Ji Chenli was wearing a restrictive fishtail gown. She had been lying to Tao Yuan, claiming she was away filming, and hadn’t shown her face for a long time. Now that Tao Yuan finally saw her, she noticed Ji Chenli was skin and bones; her chin was sharp enough to prick someone, and all the weight she had painstakingly gained had vanished. Assuming the filming was too grueling, Tao Yuan complained heartfully, “What kind of rotten director are you working for? Treating people like livestock? They have no conscience!”

Speak of the devil. As Tao Yuan was complaining, Fang Shi finally emerged from the swarm of reporters. She walked toward Ji Chenli with a glass in hand, raising her champagne with a smile. “Sister Chenli, long time no see.”

Ji Chenli worried that if Tao Yuan and Fang Shi interacted, her cover would be blown. Given Tao Yuan’s personality, if she found out Ji Chenli was involved with Ming Lang again, she would explode. Ji Chenli gave a few dry, fake laughs, picked up a glass, and pulled Fang Shi away to a distant corner. “Director, you came at the right time. I have something to tell you…”

Fang Shi looked bewildered as she was dragged to a far corner. “Sister Chenli, what is so urgent that we have to talk over here?”

“Ah?” Ji Chenli looked back to confirm Tao Yuan was still sitting in the same spot eating. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Ah, it’s nothing. Just that movie… it wasted so much of your effort. I’m truly sorry.”

Fang Shi thought it was something major, but finding it was just about the film, she smiled. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I took over halfway through anyway. Besides, I got paid, so no loss.” Having been immersed in this circle for a long time, she was no longer the blunt, almost thick-headed person Ji Chenli had first met; she had become much smoother in her dealings. In the director’s circle, she was a true child prodigy. Soon, reporters tried to swarm her for an interview, but seeing Ji Chenli standing beside her and recalling the warnings from the staff before entering, they felt a sense of trepidation and retreated to find other targets.

Seeing the reporters leave, Fang Shi understood the situation. She hadn’t had news of Ji Chenli for a long time. Seeing her now, she was gaunt, and her eyes lacked the spirit she once had. Fang Shi frowned, thought for a moment, and asked, “Are you still with her?”

She glanced toward Ming Lang. Ming Lang was, as always, the focus of every lens. Surrounded by prominent elders from various families, she was the only young face among them, yet she fit in perfectly, even maintaining a dominant stance.

“Mhm.” Ji Chenli’s lips brushed the rim of her glass, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Yeah, we’re together.” She and Ming Lang would probably just spend this life wearing each other out until one of them died.

Ji Chenli’s gown was a strapless style, leaving most of her shoulders and back exposed. Because she was so thin, her shoulder blades protruded like the wings of a butterfly—beautiful in a fragile way. As she laughed, they twitched slightly. Fang Shi’s heart stirred at the sight. She drained her champagne and summoned her courage. “Chenli… I…”

Before she could finish, Ji Chenli seemed to see through her thoughts and interrupted, “You should call me Sister Chenli.” She clinked her champagne against Fang Shi’s empty glass and added, “Director Fang, you’re still young. You’ll see much more scenery in the future. Why cling to a piece of weed and refuse to let go?”

Fang Shi was clever; she didn’t need Ji Chenli to be blunt to know what she meant. she took a fresh glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a sip, the bitterness gradually spreading in her mouth. This was the first time she had been moved by someone, yet the connection was severed before she could even express it. Fortunately, Fang Shi was pragmatic. Most of her current reputation was given by Ming Lang; she hadn’t yet fully fledged. Ming Lang could crush her with two fingers. No matter how unwilling she felt, this crush wasn’t as important as her future for the next few decades.

But Fang Shi wasn’t reconciled. A surge of frustration remained in her heart. Being young and unable to do anything else, she resorted to childishly disparaging Ming Lang. “Sister Chenli, you shouldn’t hang yourself on a crooked tree forever either.”

This was the first time anyone had compared Ming Lang to a “crooked tree.” Hearing this, Ji Chenli nearly spat out her champagne. Honestly, artists really were talented; the more she thought about the metaphor, the more fitting it seemed. She took a tissue to wipe the wine from her lips and smiled gently. “I’ve already hanged myself once. What difference does a second time make?”

Fang Shi didn’t understand her. “What?”

“Nothing.” Ji Chenli shook her head with a smile. Just then, another person walked over with a glass. Wearing a dark pinstripe suit with a refined smile, he looked every bit the noble gentleman. Ji Chenli had met Qu Hefeng a few times in her previous life, but they hadn’t had much interaction. He looked sophisticated, but for some reason, Ji Chenli instinctively disliked him.

“Miss Ji, I have long looked forward to meeting you.” Qu Hefeng raised his glass in a proper toast to Ji Chenli and gave a slight nod to Fang Shi.

Ji Chenli thought to herself that this was the first person in Ming Lang’s “high-society” circle who had treated her with such courtesy. One does not hit a smiling face, so she raised her glass in return. “As for looking forward to it, I suspect most of what you’ve heard are jokes at my expense.”

Qu Hefeng looked a bit surprised. “Miss Ji knows of me?”

“Yes.” Ji Chenli smiled and returned the toast. “I have long looked forward to meeting you, too.”

Qu Hefeng realized Ji Chenli was teasing him with his own words. He couldn’t help but laugh, raising his glass in praise. “Miss Ji is indeed an interesting person. The rumors outside really shouldn’t be listened to.”

“Likewise.”

The two exchanged words like long-time friends. Fang Shi, unable to join the conversation, made an excuse to leave. Once she was gone, Qu Hefeng added, “Sister Lang’s taste has always been excellent. The person she chooses, regardless of the rumors, won’t be lacking.”

It was all polite small talk. Ji Chenli found it dull and made an excuse to slip away to the restroom. Qu Hefeng wasn’t angry; he leaned against the windowsill, maintaining his refined appearance. Ming Yan only approached once Ji Chenli was gone, leaning beside Qu Hefeng. “Did you see?”

Qu Hefeng chuckled. “I saw. She’s just average-looking; why does your sister like her so much? I think Xinyuan is much better.”

“Who knows what my sister is thinking,” Ming Yan said bitterly. “I don’t know what kind of love potion this Ji Chenli gave her.”

“Let’s not talk about her.” Qu Hefeng clinked glasses with Ming Yan. “Hey, I heard from my old man that the higher-ups are planning a move soon.”

“What move?”

“A direct subway is going to be built between S City and C City. The specific location hasn’t been chosen, but in my view, there are only a few undeveloped places left in C City: either West Alley or Hedong. West Alley is too small, just an old street with a complex population; they’ve been trying to demolish it for over a decade with no luck. I bet this time it’ll be Hedong.” Qu Hefeng leaned closer to Ming Yan, encouraging her. “What do you think? Why don’t we cooperate and do something big?”

“How? The capital I can currently use is less than fifty million. A piece of land as big as Hedong would start at at least a billion. Just the two of us? Where’s the money?”

“There are still the Shi and Wang families, and the Chengs,” Qu Hefeng egged her on. “Don’t you want to do something that would make your sister see you in a new light?”

Qu Hefeng’s words made Ming Yan feel a stir of ambition. She never had grand aspirations before, only caring about fun. But ever since she fell out with her sister, she realized the importance of making a name for herself; otherwise, she would always be a step below her sister, even in an argument.

“I need to consider such a big matter further.”

“Be quick about it. Once the notice is issued, a piece of meat this fat won’t be left for small fry like ​unauthorized copy​us,” Qu Hefeng reminded her.

Ming Yan gritted her teeth. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this really wouldn’t come a second time. She thought for a moment and then nodded resolutely. “Let’s do it!”

“Good girl!” Qu Hefeng said happily. Still uneasy, he asked, “Can you make the call on this? If your sister finds out and swallows it all herself, we won’t get a thing.”

“Don’t worry, most of the Ming Group is in my hands right now.” Ming Yan gave Qu Hefeng a reassuring answer. “My sister is dazed by Ji Chenli; she hasn’t cared about the business for a long time. She spends her days doing laundry and cooking; she’s nothing like she used to be.”

Qu Hefeng marveled at the news. “They say a hero can hardly pass the barrier of a beauty, but it turns out a beauty also has trouble passing that same barrier. Talk about a beautiful face bringing disaster…”

The banquet hall was crowded. After washing her hands, Ji Chenli slipped onto the balcony, wanting to hide behind the curtains for some air. To her surprise, someone was already standing there. A woman in a royal blue evening gown, noble and dignified, stood in the shadows. Her eyes gleamed like a wild beast’s, startling Ji Chenli so much she stepped back and nearly twisted her ankle.

The person stepped out from the darkness. Ji Chenli saw her clearly and thought to herself: What is wrong with Han Xinyuan, hiding there without a sound like a ghost? Scaring people to death.