Chapter Forty-Nine: She Was Drunk

Jiang Yunzhu’s eyes lit up; she happened to have something she needed from him, and the opportunity had just presented itself. She didn’t bother changing her clothes, nor did she touch up her makeup—her face was completely bare.

When she reached the lobby, she saw a Rolls-Royce Phantom parked outside the hotel. The assistant director stepped forward and opened the door for her. “Miss Jiang, please get in.”

Jiang Yunzhu hesitated for a moment before stepping into the car. She shot the assistant director a smile. “You’re being quite generous.”

“It’s Mr. Shen who’s generous,” the assistant director replied.

The dinner wasn’t far, just a restaurant nearby. Since there were so many guests, they hadn’t reserved anywhere especially high-end. Still, the place had a pleasant atmosphere.

Jiang Yunzhu followed the assistant director inside, clearly heading toward the private room at the back. But just then, a familiar voice called out.

“Yunzhou?”

Jiang Yunzhu paused and turned slightly, spotting Zhou Qingpei standing among a small crowd not far away. Since it wasn’t a formal banquet, Zhou wore something casual, her hair tied up high, making her look a bit like a high schooler.

“What are you doing here?” Zhou Qingpei seemed genuinely surprised.

But Jiang Yunzhu knew her all too well. She arched a brow and didn’t bother to reply.

Zhou Qingpei walked closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, though loud enough for the assistant director to overhear. “I just saw your benefactor. Are you here to keep him company?”

There it was: spreading rumors, and not even trying to be subtle.

The corners of Jiang Yunzhu’s lips quirked up, but there was a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Benefactor? Since when do I have a benefactor?”

Zhou Qingpei frowned slightly. “Yunzhou, no need to be so guarded. You’re new here—it’s normal to have a patron. Besides, in this industry, finding a backer is hardly unusual.”

“So, by following Shen Ruizhang around, you’re treating him as your benefactor too?” Jiang Yunzhu shot back mercilessly. “If he heard you say that, I’m sure he’d be heartbroken.”

Zhou Qingpei’s face paled. “A’Rui is different to me, of course.”

“But isn’t a different kind of benefactor still a benefactor?” Suddenly, Shen Tingxiao’s voice cut in.

The assistant director, looking startled and unsure whether he ought to leave, realized he’d just overheard something he probably shouldn’t have. At the sound of Shen Tingxiao’s voice, his face turned white as a sheet.

All three of them turned toward him in unison.

He was dressed in a black trench coat, arms folded across his chest, his gaze cold as he stared at Zhou Qingpei.

“M-Mr. Shen,” Zhou Qingpei greeted with a guilty smile.

Who here didn’t know Shen Tingxiao? The famous Shen Tingxiao from M Country. To be honest, for Jiang Yunzhu to be associated with someone of his stature was already quite an achievement.

Watching Zhou Qingpei’s face grow more ashen, Jiang Yunzhu curved her lips and walked over to Shen Tingxiao, slipping her arm through his. She turned to Zhou Qingpei and announced, “Allow me to introduce—this is my fiancé. There’s nothing improper between us; we’re in a legitimate relationship.”

Shen Tingxiao raised an eyebrow.

At her words, Zhou Qingpei went even paler. She looked at Shen Tingxiao, noting that he had no intention of refuting it.

Zhou Qingpei gripped her wineglass so tightly that the base pressed into her palm, her smile stiff and forced. “Is that so?”

“Of course. Miss Zhou, if you can’t keep your own affairs clean, must you assume others are the same?” Jiang Yunzhu shot back with a raised brow.

Zhou Qingpei bit her lip. “You’re joking, Yunzhou. Between A’Rui and me, it’s always been—”

“I’m not interested in whatever goes on between you two,” Jiang Yunzhu cut her off, then turned to Shen Tingxiao, still holding his arm. “Tingxiao, let’s go in. We shouldn’t keep the director waiting.”

Shen Tingxiao glanced sideways, his eyes scrutinizing her. After a long moment, a faint, sardonic smile curved his lips. “Very well.”

That hint of irony in his smile was subtle, but in that fleeting instant, Jiang Yunzhu noticed the brief change in his expression with absolute clarity.

The smile she’d worn vanished as she turned away, fading as quickly as if blown off by the wind, leaving her face cool and indifferent. Yet because Zhou Qingpei was still watching, she didn’t let go of Shen Tingxiao’s arm. Instead, she rose onto her toes, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered just above a breath, her voice soft against his cheek. “Mr. Shen, do me a favor.”

“When you need something, I’m ‘Mr. Shen.’ What am I after?” Shen Tingxiao raised a brow, a glint of amused curiosity in his eyes, his body unconsciously leaning a little closer, until it seemed as though they could hear each other’s heartbeats.

Jiang Yunzhu kept her pose, wishing she could get even closer to avoid being overheard. “Mr. Shen, one of my artists has gotten into trouble—accidentally offended Lei Yaoyang from Starlight Entertainment. I’d appreciate it if you could lend a hand.”

“Since we’re supposed to be a couple, shouldn’t you use a more intimate name?” Shen Tingxiao’s tone took on a teasing note, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. Jiang Yunzhu tilted her head to look up at him, her neck curving gracefully, her lips holding just the right hint of a smile. “Tingxiao?”

“Too ordinary,” Shen Tingxiao complained. “Not special enough.”

Jiang Yunzhu almost rolled her eyes, but kept her composure as she considered. “Tingxiao… darling?”

The word was so saccharine she could barely say it herself.

Shen Tingxiao seemed satisfied. “From now on, you can only call me that.”

Jiang Yunzhu agreed with a bright smile. “Of course!” She couldn’t imagine calling anyone else that anyway.

As they spoke, the two reached the private room. The instant she pushed the door open, Jiang Yunzhu let go of his arm.

Most of the power players from the crew were at this gathering. Amid the rounds of drinking and toasting, Jiang Yunzhu quickly found herself tipsy.

It was Shen Tingxiao who carried her to the car.

With her thoughts muddled by alcohol, Jiang Yunzhu’s mind kept drifting. She cupped Shen Tingxiao’s face in her hands, staring at his crimson lips, suddenly seized by the urge to kiss him. His lips looked just like jelly—surely, stealing a kiss wouldn’t be too much?

She leaned down, moving to press her lips to his.

But just as she was about to touch him, Shen Tingxiao suddenly covered her mouth with his hand, then swept her up in his arms and carried her into the car.

Jiang Yunzhu, still fixated on his alluring lips, was not about to give up. As she lunged for him again, Shen Tingxiao caught her chin, his voice turning dangerously low. “Jiang Yunzhu, do you know who I am?”

She clung to his neck, eyes half-closed as she tried to focus on him, but her vision swam. “Of course I know who you are—you’re Shen…”

She never finished saying the rest. Her head lolled, and she collapsed into Shen Tingxiao’s arms.

The air in the car instantly grew cold.

Shen Tingxiao’s expression was grim. Gripping her chin tightly, his eyes flashed with something like resentment as he bit her lips hard.

She wasn’t entirely oblivious—she let out a small whimper of pain, her brows knitting together, only to relax again as he finally released her.

“Drive,” Shen Tingxiao commanded tersely, his voice still icy.