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"Are you unhappy?"
The barbecue restaurant is near a film set, a common location for period dramas. The crew of "Tide Order" is not the only one filming here.
The person who arrived had exquisite makeup on their face, a red flower decoration on their forehead, and was wearing casual clothes, but it was still clear that they had just finished filming on a movie set.
Several other people at the table also recognized Cen Meng.
The scandal involving Ning Yuxuan and Cen Meng on Weibo caused quite a stir at the time. Gossip among people in the entertainment industry spreads faster than that among netizens, so naturally, they must have heard about it.
They exchanged glances, guessing the newcomer's ill intentions, and remained silent.
"Yu Xuan." Cen Meng smiled. "It's been a long time. There are too many people here. Would it be convenient to talk in private for a moment?"
Cen Meng's smile was no different from before, but after all, she was seriously injured. Even though she was forcing herself to maintain her composure, she looked less radiant than before.
However, since she dared to come and strike up a conversation with her "old friend," she must have made ample preparations.
Cen Meng reached into her pocket to make sure the voice recorder was properly placed inside.
She spoke to Ning Yuxuan, but Ning Shiyue's reaction was even more obvious.
"Cen Meng!" Ning Shiyue suddenly stood up from his chair. "How dare you show your face here?"
The young man's eyes were filled with disgust and wariness.
Ning Shiyue still hasn't forgotten the text message Cen Meng sent to Ning Yuxuan's phone number—it was both laughable and malicious, yet it made one wary.
Cen Meng said she would ruin Ning Yuxuan's reputation.
From then on, Ning Shiyue always kept a suspicion in his mind.
Cen Meng's target today is Ning Yuxuan. She has also prepared methods to deal with Ning Shiyue, but not now.
However, if Ning Shiyue happens to say something that affects his image and she records it, then killing two birds with one stone is not impossible.
Thinking of this, Cen Meng said nothing, but instead boldly glanced at Ning Shiyue.
Beside her, Ning Yuxuan slowly stood up and patted Ning Shiyue's hand reassuringly.
"Ning Shiyue," Ning Yuxuan said calmly, "Don't be impulsive."
Ning Shiyue: "..."
Ning Yuxuan's tone was flat, and she didn't say anything extra, but she still effectively calmed Ning Shiyue's mood.
After experiencing so much in the past, Ning Shiyue knew that Ning Yuxuan would not let Cen Meng mold her however she pleased.
Ning Shiyue gritted his teeth and nodded slightly.
But he didn't sit down; he remained standing next to Ning Yuxuan.
If Cen Meng does anything detrimental to Ning Yuxuan, he can react immediately.
Having persuaded Ning Shiyue to stop, Ning Yuxuan turned her attention back to Cen Meng: "Okay."
A hint of joy flashed in Cen Meng's eyes as she pointed to the side: "I think it's quieter by the back door, let's go there to talk."
Ning Yuxuan turned her head and gave Ning Shiyue a look: "Together?"
Ning Shiyue was slightly taken aback.
Ning Yuxuan shouldn't be afraid of Cen Meng.
Since they invited him along, it means it was intentional.
After hesitating for a moment, Ning Shiyue picked up the phone on the table and followed.
There is an open space next to the back door of the barbecue restaurant, which isolates the noisy environment and forms a stark contrast with the hustle and bustle inside the restaurant.
Cen Meng stared intently at Ning Yuxuan: "Yuxuan, times have changed. Are you shocked and confused to see me here today?"
Ning Yuxuan's eyes remained completely unwavering: "Shocked, confused?"
She slightly curved the corners of her lips: "What makes you think that your appearance would cause me such a strong emotional reaction?"
Cen Meng's brow twitched slightly.
"Isn't that right?" Cen Meng retorted. "All that you did before was to make me unable to continue in this industry, to make me lose everything I had? My fans, my endorsements, even my roles—all gone because of you. Now that you see me here, aren't you surprised? Don't you want to know why?"
After listening, Ning Yuxuan lifted her eyelids and glanced at Cen Meng listlessly.
"Is this all you wanted to say after calling me here?"
The light, casual tone felt like a punch to Cen Meng's heart.
Mingming only came here to record useful material, so that Ning Yuxuan would also be disgraced like her.
But seeing Ning Yuxuan looking at him with such indifferent and even pitying eyes, he still lost control of his emotions.
Whether it was to provoke Ning Yuxuan or simply to vent her emotions, Cen Meng said sternly, "Ning Yuxuan, stop pretending to be so high and mighty. You must be very angry to see that I can still get roles now, right? But I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I still managed to secure a role that belongs to me. Do you know what it is?"
Ning Yuxuan didn't answer, but Cen Meng continued talking to herself: "I'm a third party! Just like the label you put on me, a mistress! But I'm not afraid, as long as I can still act, I will never give up!"
Following the previous controversy, in order to avoid risks, the production team, which originally had a large budget and a strong cast, canceled its collaboration with Cen Meng.
However, another fantasy web series saw the potential in Cen Meng's controversial popularity and cast her as a mistress in the series, using it as a promotional gimmick.
Such a small production team and such character settings would have been something Cen Meng would never have looked up to in the past.
Moreover, playing such a role might make it even harder for her to shake off the "mistress" label for the rest of her life.
But there was nothing she could do. She couldn't find any other production teams willing to hire her, so she had to take a desperate gamble and fight for survival.
As long as she can drag Ning Yuxuan into this mess, there's still room for maneuver.
Netizens have always been passionate about something, wanting it to live or hate it to death.
If it is proven that Ning Yuxuan is just a selfish, calculating person, and netizens also dislike her, then netizens' attitudes towards her will naturally take a 180-degree turn.
If she were to subtly guide public opinion, all the so-called "black marks" from the past would be seen as Ning Yuxuan's scheme against her.
This role as a third party will also become a choice she is forced to make under Ning Yuxuan's pressure, making netizens feel even more sorry for her.
Thinking of this, Cen Meng looked at Ning Yuxuan with hatred, yet her eyes also held a hint of anticipation—
Tell me, tell me how much you hate me, how much you want me to die.
Where no one could see, Cen Meng gripped the recording pen tightly with her fingers.
Ning Yuxuan glanced at Cen Meng's fingers in her pocket and said slowly, "Cen Meng, I've discovered that you and Gu Yunhao are truly kindred spirits."
Cen Meng's voice trembled slightly: "Why...why are you bringing him up?"
The name Gu Yunhao remains a sore spot for her to this day.
After being dumped by Gu Yunhao through unilateral emotional abuse, she tried to contact him many times, and even asked Gu Yunhao's friends to plead for her.
At first, she still had hope, after all, in the past, every time she just had to act cute and use a little trickery, this man would listen to her and obey her every word.
But this time, Gu Yunhao seemed determined and refused to pay any attention to her no matter what.
If Gu Yunhao had even a shred of pity for her, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to play the role of a mistress in a poor film crew in an attempt to turn her life around.
Ning Yuxuan said casually, "Because you and Gu Yunhao are both like to talk to yourselves. Whether you became a mistress, played the role of a third party, or flaunted other people's books and houses, it was all your own choice. But you insist on saying that I caused all of this."
Cen Meng's fingertips dug tightly into her palm.
It was the same thing again. Ning Yuxuan looked down at her from her superior position and said these things to her so casually.
She hates Ning Yuxuan the most for being like this!
Ning Yuxuan had such an enviable family, with a mother and younger brother who were admired by everyone. She had never had to worry about food or clothing since she was a child, and she had no idea what she had been through!
What's wrong with her wanting to strive for what Ning Yuxuan has had since birth?
Originally, Cen Meng came to provoke Ning Yuxuan, but she was provoked first.
Cen Meng's voice was shrill: "What right do you have to judge me like that? Do you think I want to be a mistress? Gu Yunhao clearly loves me, but he's with you because of his grandfather's expectations! You have Grandpa Gu's support, but I have nothing. I can only fight for it myself!"
The woman's chest heaved, and her eyes were red.
She practically hissed at Ning Yuxuan: "And that book, that house! Things you can get so easily, but I have to go through so much trouble to get them, and in the end you still take them back!"
Ning Shiyue couldn't hold back any longer: "Cen Meng, can't you have any shame? Which of these things you mentioned originally belonged to you? Even that inhuman thing, Gu Yunhao, wasn't yours to begin with."
Cen Meng was surprised that Ning Shiyue, who had been silent all along, would suddenly speak.
She stared blankly at Ning Shiyue: "You—"
Ning Yuxuan laughed out loud.
"A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence." Ning Yuxuan said to Ning Shiyue with a smile, "Your ability to roast people has improved a lot."
Ning Shiyue snorted softly: "I've always been like this, I just haven't had the chance to show it before."
Ning Yuxuan: "You did a great job. I'll reward you with two more skewers of roasted potatoes when we get back."
The two teased each other in a relaxed tone.
They hadn't returned for a while when Zhuang Yiming came over and asked if they were done.
Ning Yuxuan didn't even look at Cen Meng: "Is my roasted eggplant ready?"
Zhuang Yiming chuckled: "Alright, alright! It's fresh and hot, just served. We know you love eggplant, so we saved it all for you. Sister Yuxuan, it's perfect for you to eat now!"
"Okay." Ning Yuxuan smiled and asked Ning Shiyue, "Shall we go back?"
Ning Shiyue: "Mm."
Cen Meng looked at the group of people in disbelief, a sense of absurdity rising within her.
She was emotionally accusing Ning Yuxuan, but Ning Yuxuan and Ning Shiyue seemed completely unaffected and even joked with each other.
Even Zhuang Yiming, who used to be a nobody far less famous than her, didn't even give her a second glance.
Cen Meng suddenly felt like she was a joke.
There was no strength left to say what was left unsaid.
Watching the three people walk away, Cen Meng did not stop them.
She touched the voice recorder.
Although it didn't go as smoothly as she had hoped, at least she managed to record some footage.
...
The dinner party for the cast and crew of "Tides of Life" ended at 10:30 p.m.
The group split into several cars and went back.
Ning Yuxuan and Ning Shiyue naturally went together, and Zhuang Yiming joined them as well. The three of them took a taxi back to the hotel together.
Zhuang Yiming sat alone in the passenger seat, leaving the back seats for the siblings.
He had just drunk the most beer of everyone, and his face was slightly flushed.
Zhuang Yiming was already quite talkative, and the alcohol made him even more excited.
"Um, Sister Yuxuan," Zhuang Yiming turned around and slurred, "What's going on with Cen Meng? Didn't she have a scandal and retire from the entertainment industry? How come she's still getting roles?"
Ning Yuxuan's brow twitched slightly: "You know Cen Meng too?"
Zhuang Yiming nodded: "That's right! We worked together on a drama before. The actress who played the female lead had already been filming for three days when this Cen Meng joined the cast halfway through and took her place as the female lead."
When that scene was filmed, Zhuang Yiming was a supporting male character with few scenes, while Cen Meng was the lead actress.
Cen Meng showed great respect to the popular male lead and second male lead, as well as to veteran actors with high status.
But Cen Meng was not only very cold towards him, an actor who was not famous, but also very careless when acting with him.
If problems arise during the actual filming, the blame will be shifted onto him.
However, out of respect for the people behind Cen Meng, the director never criticized Cen Meng, but instead blamed the young actors.
At that time, Zhuang Yiming was still a nobody, and he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
Now that he'd had a few drinks, Zhuang Yiming launched into a long tirade about his dissatisfaction with Cen Meng.
The taxi driver in the next seat kept glancing at him, thinking that he had heard a lot of exclusive news on this trip and could tell his wife about it when he got home.
After criticizing Cen Meng, Zhuang Yiming asked Ning Yuxuan, "By the way, Sister Yuxuan, I heard from Brother Shi Yue that you have a boyfriend? Why didn't he come with you?"
Before Ning Yuxuan could answer, Ning Shiyue rolled his eyes.
"Zhuang Yiming, don't let your words get the better of you after drinking," Ning Shiyue said bluntly. "What business is it of yours if he's my sister's boyfriend?"
Although Zhuang Yiming had drunk some alcohol, he was not completely drunk and was still rational.
He waved his hand: "Yes, yes, I'll listen to you, Brother Shi Yue, I won't ask anymore."
The hotel is located near the barbecue restaurant.
With a quick press of the accelerator, they arrived at their destination in less than ten minutes, leaving Zhuang Yiming no further room to maneuver.
After getting out of the car, Zhuang Yiming went upstairs in the elevator first.
Ning Yuxuan and Ning Shiyue walked slowly behind.
“I’ve sent you the recording,” Ning Shiyue said. “I just listened to it briefly with my headphones. The place was quiet, so the recording is quite clear.”
Ning Yuxuan smiled and patted Ning Shiyue's shoulder: "Not bad! You know what I mean without me even having to say it."
Ning Shiyue scoffed, a smug look on his face, but deliberately feigned indifference: "What's the big deal? I've known you since I was born, so of course we have to have some chemistry, right? Besides... Cen Meng never won against you before. You deliberately called me over, it definitely wasn't just to get my help."
Ning Yuxuan gave her an approving look.
It took Ning Shiyue a while to suppress his smile as Zhuang Yiming's words echoed in his mind.
"Speaking of which," Ning Shiyue frowned slightly, "why didn't Brother Zhiyan contact you tonight?"
He knew Xie Zhiyan was busy with work, but Ning Yuxuan barely touched her phone the whole time they were having a late-night snack at the barbecue restaurant.
I neither called nor sent a text message.
Ning Shiyue felt a little guilty last night for interrupting Ning Yuxuan and Xie Zhiyan's call, and thought that if Xie Zhiyan called again tonight, he would definitely not be a third wheel.
As a result, he didn't even have the chance to make amends.
Ning Yuxuan shook her head: "I don't know. Xie Zhiyan is not in the country right now. He might be jet-lagged."
Ning Shiyue's eyes widened: "He went abroad? When?"
Ning Yuxuan: "My flight was this morning."
Ning Shiyue: "...Are you sure?"
Ning Yuxuan looked at Ning Shiyue with some surprise: "Yeah, why would I lie to you? He even sent me a screenshot of the flight information. It's flying at seven this morning."
Ning Shiyue: "That's impossible, then..."
How could he possibly make it back in time for Friday?
Ning Shiyue stopped himself from saying the second half of the sentence in time.
He promised Brother Zhiyan that he would keep it a secret, and he had already messed it up last time, so he absolutely couldn't let it slip this time.
However, the doubts in my heart still hadn't dissipated.
At the same time, Ning Yuxuan's phone rang.
Ning Yuxuan took out her phone, and both she and Ning Shiyue's eyes fell on the screen at the same time.
Upon seeing the name "Mr. Xie the purchasing agent" on the screen, Ning Shiyue was puzzled for a second before suddenly realizing what it meant.
The way they address each other might be a bit of fun between couples, but the three words "Mr. Xie" are definitely correct.
"You guys chat!" Ning Shiyue said hastily, "I'm going back first!"
Ning Yuxuan was speechless for a moment as she watched Ning Shiyue hurriedly flee the scene.
She answered the phone: "Hello? You busy man have time to come see me?"
Xie Zhiyan's voice was as magnetic and pleasant as ever. As if he hadn't noticed the teasing in her tone, he calmly explained, "I just had dinner with a client and got back to the hotel not long ago. What about you?"
Ning Yuxuan: "I just got back too. I had a late-night snack, barbecue."
Xie Zhiyan: "With Shi Yue?"
Ning Yuxuan rolled her eyes: "Yes, but it's not just him, there are several other men... Let me think, there should be five, they are all very handsome and much younger than you."
Ning Yuxuan was just saying it casually.
However, upon brief recollection, those people did indeed seem to be several years younger than Xie Zhiyan.
All the participants in this barbecue party were young male actors. Beforehand, everyone briefly introduced themselves to Ning Yuxuan. The youngest was a film academy student and was only eighteen years old.
Xie Zhiyan chuckled softly.
"Are you telling me all this so you'll make me go back sooner?"
Ning Yuxuan pouted: "I didn't say that. Besides, if I told you to come back earlier, would you actually come back earlier?"
Xie Zhiyan only sent her the flight itinerary for going abroad.
Ning Yuxuan still doesn't know when he will return, and she hasn't taken the initiative to ask.
Xie Zhiyan said calmly, "This time we're discussing transnational cooperation. The specifics are quite complicated, so we'll have to hold meetings for a few more days. I probably won't be able to fly back until next week."
Ning Yuxuan's heart sank slightly.
I had anticipated that this business trip would be quite long, covering tens of thousands of kilometers round trip, and I definitely wouldn't be back in two or three days.
However, hearing Xie Zhiyan say this in person still stirred something within me.
She suppressed her emotions and said, "Oh, I understand."
Xie Zhiyan: "Are you unhappy?"
Ning Yuxuan: "No."
Xie Zhiyan: "Didn't you miss me?"
Ning Yuxuan denied it without even thinking: "No, not at all."
There was a few seconds of silence on the phone, then Xie Zhiyan sighed softly, "But I do have it."
Ning Yuxuan: "..."
She had heard similar sentences many times yesterday and thought she was immune to them.
My heart still raced despite my best efforts.
Ning Yuxuan pursed her lips, telling herself not to be bewitched by this man.
He was the one who suddenly went on a business trip, he was the one who said he wouldn't be back this week, and now he's saying all this.
Ning Yuxuan didn't reply for a long time.
Xie Zhiyan asked her, "Are you downstairs at the hotel?"
Ning Yuxuan was startled and subconsciously looked around.
Then he realized how ridiculous he was; Xie Zhiyan was on the other side of the world, how could he possibly be here?
Ning Yuxuan: How did you know?
Xie Zhiyan: "I can tell from your voice."
Ning Yuxuan said she had just returned to the hotel.
However, the sound of traffic could be faintly heard nearby, and pedestrians occasionally passed by.
Ning Yuxuan was surprised by the man's keenness and hummed in agreement: "I was just about to go upstairs with Ning Shiyue when you called. I answered your call downstairs."
Xie Zhiyan: "Isn't it cold outside tonight? Should we go back first?"
Ning Yuxuan: "It's okay, I..."
She meant to say that she was wearing a long dress with a light jacket over it, and the temperature was just right.
I suddenly remembered the question Xie Zhiyan asked yesterday.
As if bewitched, Ning Yuxuan asked, "Would you like to see what this dress looks like now?"
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