After the Harem Novel’s Female Lead was Spoiled by the Comments - Chapter 36

The yacht steadily docked at the marina. Yan Qingwen and Wen Hebai, who had changed back into their regular clothes, got off the yacht. Lu Tie, Qi Zange, and the bodyguards, who had long been waiting at the pier, immediately came forward with umbrellas.

“President Yan, are we going straight back to the hotel next, or do you have other arrangements?” As Yan Qingwen’s secretary, Qi Zange would continue to dutifully complete her work as long as she had not been freed from the curse.

Yan Qingwen handed the yacht keys to her and said, “Send Ah Bai to the production team first.”

When she said she had come to accompany Wen Hebai for the show recording, it naturally was not a mere cover—at least, not entirely.

The show’s recording began in the afternoon, and Wen Hebai had to go over two hours early to do her makeup, so going over at this time was just about right.

After getting into the car, Wen Hebai held the show script and read as she said, “Today’s recording plan is to do an escape-room-style puzzle game at the aquarium in the afternoon. At night, there’ll be a bonfire party by the beach. Filming will probably finish after ten. You don’t need to stay with me the whole time. Go handle your own business first!”

Yan Qingwen gave an “Mm,” then suddenly discovered that Wen Hebai had become much more “sensible.” She actually did not take the chance to make all kinds of demands.

When they arrived at the makeup room arranged by the production team, Wen Hebai quickly entered work mode. While doing her makeup, she asked Lu Tie to negotiate with the production team regarding some inappropriate parts of the script. Yan Qingwen, on the other hand, became the only idle person here, just like Wen Hebai’s state when she had gone to work with her two days ago.

This truly was a novel experience. Yan Qingwen thought this while casually picking up a fashion magazine to read. She suddenly discovered that the cover of this magazine was actually Wen Hebai, and inside was an interview with Wen Hebai from half a month ago.

At that time, they had not yet gotten married, so when Wen Hebai was asked about topics related to love, she thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “I may not have the chance to date. Perhaps one day, a marriage partner will fall from the sky, and then I’ll directly step into the marriage hall.”

The magazine reporter thought she was referring to a marriage alliance, but Yan Qingwen found it somewhat subtle: had Wen Hebai’s mouth been blessed by a deity?

If not for the fact that Yan Qingwen had been the one to confess first back then, leaving both sides in a difficult position and finally deciding to get married, she might have thought this marriage had been a scheme set up by Wen Hebai.

Suddenly, the half-closed door of the makeup room was pushed open, and Wang Qihuan’s slightly dissatisfied voice sounded. “Wen Hebai, I heard you aren’t staying at the hotel arranged by the production team? Are you using special privileges?”

Only after opening the door did she discover that aside from Wen Hebai and the styling team, there was also an unexpected person here.

“Yan Qingwen?!” Wang Qihuan was slightly surprised. She had just heard someone say that Yan Qingwen had accompanied Wen Hebai to record the show. She had thought Yan Qingwen had only come to Qiong Island and would not show up on the production team’s side. Unexpectedly, not only had she come, she was even patiently waiting here while Wen Hebai did her makeup.

“Hello.” Yan Qingwen smiled faintly, dignified and composed.

Wang Qihuan’s eyes quickly glanced at Wen Hebai, then swiftly turned back. She also revealed a smile that she usually only showed in front of cameras. “Hello, President Yan. We meet again.”

Even when facing Yan Qingwen, she still gave people the feeling of elegance mixed with arrogance carved into her bones.

Wen Hebai turned back in confusion. “When did you two meet?”

Facing Wen Hebai, Wang Qihuan’s attitude became much more casual. “At a political and business salon a few years ago.”

Wang Qihuan was neither a businesswoman nor involved in politics. For her to have met Yan Qingwen at a political and business salon, there was only one possibility—she had accompanied someone from the political or business circle to attend the salon at the time.

Yan Qingwen quickly searched the corresponding memory from her mind. Back then, Wang Qihuan had already debuted, and the rumors that she was being kept had been raging. On the day of the salon, Wang Qihuan had followed low-key behind her mother, Bureau Chief Qi. When Yan Qingwen spoke with Bureau Chief Qi, the two of them had met face to face.

Thinking carefully, the rumors that Wang Qihuan was being kept had gradually disappeared only after that salon.

Although Yan Qingwen had already founded Shengyan Media at that time, Wang Qihuan had already signed an agency contract with another company, so there had been no opportunity for the two sides to cooperate. Moreover, some of Yan Corporation’s projects needed Bureau Chief Qi’s approval. If she cooperated with Wang Qihuan, it would easily invite gossip, so after that event, Yan Qingwen and Wang Qihuan had no further contact.

Wen Hebai gave a light “Oh,” then turned back to look at her script.

Wang Qihuan was so angered by her perfunctory attitude that she nearly lost her temper. But considering that Wen Hebai had Yan Qingwen backing her, while she herself was alone and weak, she had no chance of winning against them. So she could only find an excuse and leave.

“She seems… to care quite a lot about you,” Yan Qingwen said thoughtfully.

The styling team here were all Wen Hebai’s personal team, so there was no worry that they would go outside and talk nonsense.

In the mirror, Wen Hebai looked as if she had seen a ghost. “Wife, do you want to go see an ophthalmologist?”

Wow, Teacher Wen was really bold. She dared to imply that President Yan’s eyesight was bad! The stylists pricked up their ears and quietly exchanged glances: so this was how Teacher Wen and President Yan interacted in private!

Yan Qingwen met her gaze through the mirror, her eyes seeming to smile without smiling. “Otherwise, why would she care which hotel you’re staying at?”

“She just wants to compare everything with me. She’s simply unhappy that I’m staying at another hotel.” As Wen Hebai spoke, she suddenly turned back, sly fragments of light hidden in her eyes. “Wife, could it be that you’re jealous?”

She threw back the question Yan Qingwen had once asked her. After taking this tiny revenge, she instantly felt refreshed and comfortable all over.

However, Yan Qingwen did not deliberately contradict her just to bicker, nor did she touch her conscience and admit it. Instead, she lowered her eyes and pondered exactly what kind of feeling she had when facing this matter.

Yan Qingwen’s silence made Wen Hebai uncertain. Her originally calm heart suddenly stirred, as if a trace of unrealistic expectation had grown.

At that moment, Qi Zange knocked and entered. “President Yan, there’s an important call.”

Yan Qingwen walked out to take the call without the slightest hesitation. The light that had ignited in Wen Hebai’s eyes dimmed again.

By the time Yan Qingwen finished handling the call and returned, Wen Hebai had already finished her makeup, changed clothes, and gone off to record the show.

Considering that the afternoon recording plan was a puzzle-solving game, even if she went over, she might not necessarily be able to see Wen Hebai. Yan Qingwen dismissed the idea of going to the recording site and said to Qi Zange, “Let’s go.”

The yacht docked at the pier set sail again, but this time, Wen Hebai was missing, and Qi Zange plus four bodyguards had been added.

After half an hour of sailing, Yan Qingwen arrived on a privately developed island.

This island had a golf course and was only open to VIP tourists. Therefore, there were fewer visitors in the golf course area, and the environment was quiet and secluded.

When Yan Qingwen arrived, she saw from afar a beauty in a qipao with a braided ponytail swinging a club. With one stroke, the golf ball flew off to who knew where.

She gazed into the distance for a moment before withdrawing her gaze, tossing the club to the caddie beside her, and turning to walk toward Yan Qingwen.

Only when she came closer did Yan Qingwen discover that although the other party was wearing a qipao, her temperament was not gentle. Instead, she was coldly beautiful and dangerous, like a snow leopard known as the “king of the snowy mountains.”

Although this was their first meeting, both sides already knew each other’s background, so there was not much unnecessary small talk.

Zhuang Mei went straight to the point. “I want to cooperate with you, President Yan.”

“Forgive me for being blunt, but this brings me no benefit. I also do not want to get involved in your internal disputes,” Yan Qingwen said. She knew how to negotiate. Even though the killing aura on Zhuang Mei’s body gave her some pressure, she remained as steady as Mount Tai.

“Does President Yan think it was a coincidence that Zhuang Yigu appeared around you? If that were really the case, you wouldn’t have investigated all the way to my side. President Yan couldn’t possibly be naive enough to think that as long as you do nothing, you won’t be dragged into this fight, right?”

Yan Qingwen remained silent, wanting to see what other cards Zhuang Mei still had.

Zhuang Mei also knew that her will would be difficult to shake, so she could only continue throwing out bait. “Although this is our family’s struggle, from the moment he appeared in K City, you—and even many famous young ladies in K City—already became his prey. Even if you can stay out of it, how can you guarantee that after he establishes himself in K City, he won’t make a move against you and the people around you? When you want to eliminate him, you’ll discover that you know nothing about him and the force behind him.”

What Zhuang Mei said was exactly the situation Yan Qingwen was currently facing, and it also struck her thoughts.

Suddenly, Yan Qingwen asked an inexplicable question. “Why K City?”

Zhuang Mei understood the implication behind her words.

“Because K City has none of my forces.” Zhuang Mei also answered her directly.

As an underground organization, although the real power of Shenji Sect had gradually been divided up by the “Council of Five Elders,” its reputation, foundation, and roots remained. It was like a martial arts alliance. The five forces beneath it each worked for themselves, but because everyone only trusted the martial arts alliance, the five forces still had to rely on this signboard to act.

When Shenji Sect was first established, it was a gang with tens of thousands of members under it. Even after it later moved underground, its numbers only increased.

Later, in order to adapt to national conditions, the nature of Shenji Sect was changed. It transformed from an illegal gang into an institution that trained martial arts talents. The five great families also established security companies one after another, and all their security personnel came from Shenji Sect.

After years of development, Shenji Sect’s security personnel had already spread throughout the country.

Once, among the five great families, the Zhuo family’s Zhonggu Security Company had cooperated with Yan Corporation. Not only Yan Group and its industrial parks, but even the Yan family’s security had come from Shenji Sect.

Seven years ago, because the contract expired, the Yan family ended its cooperation with Zhonggu Security. At the same time, an internal dispute broke out within Shenji Sect, causing the five great families’ security companies to lose out to K City’s state-owned security companies. In the end, they were unable to return to K City.

Yan Qingwen had a deep impression of the matter of changing security companies. After all, it had been after changing security companies that Wen Hebai had been stopped outside the Yan family manor.

Unexpectedly, from that moment onward, it had already been destined that Zhuang Yi would choose this place as the starting point of his revenge.

“Then what exactly happened between you and him?” Although Yan Qingwen had learned from Jiang Yunhan’s inner thoughts and the [Comments Section] that Zhuang Yi’s inheritance rights had been “taken” by Zhuang Mei, for the siblings to reach the point of fighting until one side died, there seemed to be some hidden circumstances.

Zhuang Mei would not reveal any more secrets. With a languid expression, she said, “He tried to obtain something that did not belong to him, while I want to protect what belongs to me. We are destined to stand against each other.”

What she had revealed just now could not be considered any great secret. If Yan Qingwen agreed to cooperate with her, she might tell Yan Qingwen more about Shenji Sect and the Zhuang family depending on the situation.

Yan Qingwen glanced at the time and said, “I have one last question—the photos of Wen Hebai outside Yiqi Bar. Were they your doing?”

Zhuang Mei was only slightly surprised. Not much emotion showed on her face, but Yan Qingwen still captured her microexpression.

It was not her.

Zhuang Mei did not feel angry or displeased at being questioned. She calmly said, “If you are willing to cooperate with me, I can help you investigate… although you may not necessarily believe the results of my investigation.”

Yan Qingwen had already made her decision. “All right. Happy cooperation.”

After leaving, Yan Qingwen returned to the show recording location. Because it was mealtime, and because they would be attending the bonfire party next, the production team had arranged for the guests to eat outside a wooden hut on the beach.

When Yan Qingwen arrived, there was already a circle of spectators outside the wooden hut. Several guests stood before a table full of food, listening to the director’s team announce the results of today’s game.

Today’s puzzle-solving game directly determined whether they would eat a seafood feast or coarse grains tonight, so every guest’s face showed an extremely nervous expression.

Yan Qingwen immediately saw Wen Hebai standing in the second position from the right. She looked like she was already hungry, her eyes constantly darting toward the king crab placed in front of her.

Although with Wen Hebai’s status, she would not be so greedy over a single king crab that she drooled, Yan Qingwen inexplicably felt that her appearance like this was somewhat… cute.

President Yan has started putting a filter on Wen Puppy.