Taking Advantage of Her Vulnerability [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 1

The rainy season in East City had lasted for three days. It started exactly on the day Wen Ling returned, the city shrouded in dark clouds that mirrored her current mood.

First, her secret marriage was leaked, then her divorce. Wen Ling, a minor writer, had become an overnight sensation—all because her partner in both marriage and divorce was Gu Rongqing. In recent years, Gu Rongqing had become the most sought-after actress in the industry. In terms of talent, she was a Golden Flower Best Actress winner; in terms of popularity, her fanbase rivaled that of the top “liuliang” starlets. Her personal life shook the entertainment industry, and the aftershocks had finally blown Wen Ling’s way.

Seeking peace, Wen Ling took her daughter, Wennuan, back to her hometown. She spent three quiet days busy with childcare and cooking, but her mother, Ms. Xu, had finally reached her limit.

“Wen Ling! How long do you plan to stay this despondent?” Ms. Xu burst into Wen Ling’s room, unable to stand seeing her daughter like this—divorced and hiding away after fleeing the capital.

When the door swung open, she saw her daughter reading a story to her granddaughter. Wen Ling was dressed in plain cotton pajamas, her medium-length hair messy on her shoulders. To Xu Yun, her daughter looked “fallen” and nothing like herself.

Wen Ling wasn’t surprised by the intrusion. She didn’t even look up, continuing the story for Wennuan.

Ms. Xu was about to lose her temper again at the lack of response, but her anger vanished the moment her little granddaughter trotted toward her on short legs. Her face transformed instantly, her eyes crinkling into a smile. Even though Wennuan was nearly five, she still carried that sweet, milky scent unique to young children. As Wennuan hugged her legs and looked up with large, blinking eyes, Xu Yun’s heart completely melted.

Picking up the child, Ms. Xu stopped bickering with Wen Ling and headed to the living room to coddle her granddaughter.

Wen Ling breathed a sigh of relief. Her mother’s fiery personality was likely only tolerated by Auntie Lin’s gentle nature—no wonder her parents couldn’t make it work. She was just thankful that little Wennuan was smart enough to know exactly how to handle her grandmother.

“This little imp… she’s so clever,” Wen Ling sighed. She wondered who the child took after. She herself was a bit dull, and Gu Rongqing… her personality was too cold. Or was it? Maybe Gu Rongqing was only cold to me? The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Back in their student days, the “Goddess Gu” she heard about was described as gentle, empathetic, and kind to everyone.

Later—yes, it was only after they actually became involved—did she realize Gu Rongqing was truly cold to her. It was her own fault, really. She blamed her own unscrupulous methods.

“Heh… I really… got what I deserved.” Wen Ling brushed a stray hair from her eyes and paused. It had been nearly a month since the divorce and the subsequent leaks. Her hair had grown quite a bit.

“Wen Ling, come out and make dinner! Your Auntie Lin is coming over tonight.”

“Okay, coming.” She remembered now—her mother’s girlfriend, Auntie Lin, was visiting.

Xu Yun and Wen Ling’s father had divorced when Wen Ling was in middle school because her father had found his “true love.” Xu Yun hadn’t fought it and divorced him swiftly. Her father had opted to “leave with nothing,” which in reality meant leaving the current house and some savings to Xu Yun, while he transferred the company and most of his major assets away.

As for Auntie Lin, she appeared during Wen Ling’s freshman year of college. At that time, Wen Ling had just discovered her goddess, Gu Rongqing, and was full of romantic fantasies. When she asked about her mother’s love life, her mother revealed that Auntie Lin was her first love. But her mother had also spoken of her father as her “youthful innocence.”

Confused, Wen Ling had asked, “If Dad was your youthful innocence, how can Auntie Lin be your first love?”

Her mother explained it was a matter of being young and ignorant. She and Auntie Lin were high school classmates and very close, but people back then were slow to recognize such feelings. Auntie Lin had been bold enough to confess after graduation, but Xu Yun, terrified, had rejected her. They had planned to move south together, but instead, her mother stayed in East City for college while Auntie Lin went south alone. Later, her mother met her father, forgot the past, and had Wen Ling at age twenty before graduating. With no other choice, she married, balancing motherhood and studies, eventually becoming a full-time housewife after graduation.

In this regard, Wen Ling was much like her mother. She had attended the same university as Gu Rongqing, majoring in directing. After graduating, she worked as a director at a children’s theater in the capital for two years. Why only two years? Because by then, Gu Rongqing was pregnant with Wennuan. Wen Ling resigned to stay home—first to care for her wife, then the baby—and began writing novels on the side, becoming a third-rate writer.

Love is just like that; someone always has to be the one giving.

“Mom, why isn’t Auntie Lin here yet?” Wen Ling had prepared several dishes: braised pork for Wennuan, winter melon and pork rib soup for Auntie Lin, and a few home-style sides. She finished only to find her mother still playing with Wennuan.

“Your Auntie Lin said she’d be a bit late. Lin Xu is back.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Is there enough food?” Wen Ling was slightly annoyed. Her mother always forgot these things. To be honest, she wasn’t close to Lin Xu; they had met fewer than five times. Lin Xu was five years younger than her—a young, vibrant girl fresh out of college.

Hearing the irritation in Wen Ling’s voice, Xu Yun turned and glared. “You’ve got an attitude now? Today is my guest’s visit; you’re the one intruding here.” She turned back to Wennuan. “Xiao Nuan, look at your mom. Doesn’t she look like a total pushover?”

Wennuan looked at her mother, then at her grandmother, and nodded seriously. She told Wen Ling, “Mommy, if you take good care of me and Grandma, Nuan-Nuan will give you a reward!” Then she giggled.

To Wen Ling, that sounded like pure mockery.

Shortly after, the doorbell rang. Her mother sent her to open it, and sure enough, it was Auntie Lin and Lin Xu. Lin Xu was dressed youthfully in a hoodie and jeans. She had a round, cute face—unlike Wen Ling. Wen Ling wasn’t unattractive, but she had a “handsome” or sharp quality to her features; when she actually dressed up, she looked quite cool and striking. But usually, she didn’t bother. Usually, she was just… a mess.

Perhaps that was why she was so heavily criticized when the secret marriage was exposed. After all, “Goddess Gu” wasn’t just a nickname. Ever since university, Gu Rongqing had been a vision: fair skin, stunning features, long legs. She was cold, and she always hid her figure under meticulous clothes—either shirts and trousers or long dresses, always buttoned to the very top, giving her a forbidden, “abstinent” aura.

“Xiao Ling is home? It’s been a while.” The speaker was Lin Song (Auntie Lin). She and Lin Xu didn’t look much alike. Auntie Lin had a gentle, elegant air and was still very beautiful; one could imagine how radiant she was in her youth. Lin Xu, however, was just pure “cute.”

“Yes, I just got back a few days ago. Come in, Auntie Lin, Lin Xu.” Wen Ling wondered if Auntie Lin knew that the person she had married—well, divorced now—was Gu Rongqing.

“Mommy, who are the pretty auntie and the cute sister?”

“This… is…” Wen Ling was at a loss for words. How was she supposed to tell Xiao Nuan, ‘This is your grandmother’s girlfriend’?

Wennuan was confused, her large eyes wide as she stared at the mother and daughter. She felt she might have used the wrong titles.

“Xiao Nuan, you should call this one ‘Grandma,'” Xu Yun said, pointing to Lin Song. Then she pointed to Lin Xu. “And call this one ‘Auntie.'”

“Hello, Grandma. Hello, Auntie,” Wennuan chirped obediently.

“Is this Wen Ling-jie’s daughter? She’s so cute!” Lin Xu picked Wennuan up and pinched her cheek. Wennuan’s face fell instantly; she hated being suddenly snatched up and pinched.

“Mommy~” Wennuan whimpered. Lin Song, unable to watch any longer, swatted Lin Xu’s arm.

“Oh, sorry! I just thought she was so adorable. She’s such a beautiful baby.” Lin Xu stuck her tongue out sheepishly and put the child down.

“It’s okay, she’s just a bit shy,” Wen Ling said, picking up Wennuan and stroking her cheek. She thought to herself: This kid is only a terror at home; she’s a little rascal with people she knows but acts like a coward with strangers.

“Let’s eat. I didn’t know Lin Xu was coming, so I’m not sure if the food is to your taste.”

“It’s fine, I’m not a picky eater. Thanks for the trouble.”

After dinner, they chatted in the living room while playing with Wennuan. The child had relaxed and was now even crawling into Lin Xu’s lap to act spoiled. Wen Ling facepalmed; as expected, once the kid felt comfortable, her true nature came out.

Lin Xu asked about Wen Ling’s work. Wen Ling mentioned she was writing novels, making just enough to get by. Then her mother asked Lin Xu how her job was going. Wen Ling learned the girl was a photographer for a magazine and did freelance work on the side. As the adults talked, Lin Xu got excited, sharing stories about her shoots. Since she mostly photographed celebrities, Wen Ling began to tune out, preoccupied with poking her daughter’s soft little belly.

Suddenly, she caught the name Gu Rongqing.

Lin Xu was saying that their magazine had been planning to book Gu Rongqing for a cover. The deal was originally discussed when the secret marriage was leaked, but now, not only had the divorce been exposed, but there were rumors of her checking into a hotel with the international film star Ji Chenxi.

Hearing this, Wen Ling couldn’t listen anymore. She wanted to retreat to her bedroom. Wennuan heard her “Mami’s” name and wanted to chime in, but she felt her mother’s grip on her arm tighten.

“Mommy~ it hurts~” Wennuan whined. Wen Ling snapped out of it, realizing she had squeezed too hard.

“Sorry, baby. Mommy didn’t mean it,” Wen Ling apologized quickly, soothing her.

Meanwhile, the conversation had shifted from Gu Rongqing and Ji Chenxi entering a hotel to Gu Rongqing being seen leaving the hotel, shaking off Ji Chenxi’s hand and crying as she walked away. The online discourse had evolved from the divorce to “infidelity with Ji Chenxi,” and then to “Ji Chenxi dumping Gu Rongqing.” Apparently, Gu Rongqing hadn’t looked that heartbroken even during her divorce.

Wen Ling’s mind was spinning: Ji Chenxi is back. Ji Chenxi.

If Gu Rongqing was Wen Ling’s goddess, then Ji Chenxi was Gu Rongqing’s goddess. That woman was radiant and captivating, a figure who had obsessed the entire Beijing Film Academy.

And Wen Ling? Ji Chenxi was her goddess’s goddess. She only ever had eyes for Gu Rongqing.

Years ago, when Ji Chenxi went abroad, Wen Ling had taken advantage of the situation while Gu Rongqing was grieving that loss.

And now, Ji Chenxi had made Gu Rongqing cry again. Could she take advantage of her vulnerability once more?