After all, she had not been known for her traffic in the past, and another group of directors and advertisers seemed very interested in her.
Although she had no intention of developing in advertising, she maintained the friendliest smile and appeared cordial.
After all, having more friends is better than having more enemies.
She was still considered a newcomer in the entertainment industry and could not afford to make enemies or cause trouble.
“Oh, isn’t this Xiaoman?”
A deliberately cloying and annoying voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Lin Xiaoman knew that someone who liked to cause trouble had arrived.
She turned around. Chu Daizi, looking smug, was wearing the latest Tiffany diamond necklace and a deep V yellow evening gown, seemingly a custom Valentino piece. The gold sequins on the dress sparkled under the crystal chandelier, making her look luxurious and flamboyant, like a peacock spreading its tail.
She was holding the arm of an elegant middle-aged man, refined and graceful. The two together looked like an awkward mix of over-the-top Western and classical Chinese styles.
“Chu Daizi,” Lin Xiaoman greeted casually, glancing at the man beside her. His suit and watch were both high-end brands, clearly expensive, and his demeanor was calm and restrained.
Chu Daizi stepped forward, blocking the middle-aged man: “This is my man.”
“
“Thanks for the reminder, or I might have misunderstood,” Lin Xiaoman responded without politeness, smiling, “I thought he was your elder.”
Chu Daizi instantly became furious: “You… do you know who he is? How dare you say something so rude!”
“Is he just looking old?” Lin Xiaoman looked apologetic, “Then I truly was impolite.”
“You!” Chu Daizi wanted to tear apart the girl smiling brilliantly before her, but in front of Yue Ding, she had to restrain herself. Taking a deep breath, she said proudly, “He is Yue Ding, a real estate tycoon. Doufeng Properties belongs to him! How’s that? Surprised?”
Lin Xiaoman found Doufeng Properties somewhat familiar but couldn’t immediately recall where she had heard of it.
“Aren’t you regretful for saying something so rude? I’m telling you, it’s too late to regret now. You’ve offended our Brother Yue!”
“Why should I regret? Shouldn’t you be the one regretting?”
Chu Daizi was stunned: “What do you mean? Why should I regret?”
“Mr. Yue is a successful businessman in his prime. Isn’t that impressive? But when his age was mentioned, you found it offensive. Isn’t the most disrespectful person actually you?”
Chu Daizi was completely bewildered. What had she said that was disrespectful? Why should she regret? She couldn’t understand, but felt that Lin Xiaoman seemed to be making perfect sense.
Worried about Yue Ding being influenced, she quickly explained: “Brother Yue, I didn’t mean…”
“Miss Lin,” Yue Ding ignored her, stepping forward and courteously nodding to Lin Xiaoman, “Your praise is excessive. My modest real estate business is hardly worthy of being called ‘impressive’.”
“Mr. Yue is too humble,” Lin Xiaoman responded. This man before her was gentle and approachable, yet possessed a superior’s demeanor that involuntarily inspired respect.
This was why someone like Chu Daizi, obediently stood aside after Yue Ding spoke, not daring to say a word.
Lin Xiaoman’s instincts told her.
“I’ve long heard of Miss Lin’s reputation. Today, I see you’re not only beautiful but also articulate, truly worthy of being the champion of ‘Creating Idols’,” Yue Ding smiled at her. “I wonder if I might have the opportunity to collaborate with Miss Lin.”
Hearing that Yue Ding wanted to collaborate with Lin Xiaoman, Chu Daizi’s expression immediately changed. She wanted to take Yue Ding away but didn’t dare to speak.
So she glared hatefully at Lin Xiaoman, certain that she must be feeling triumphant now.
“Sorry, my schedule is too busy to take on more assignments right now.”
Chu Daizi was extremely surprised. She never expected Lin Xiaoman would refuse such a great opportunity.
“Besides, Mr. Yue already has someone to collaborate with. Why look elsewhere?”
Chu Daizi was even more shocked. She never expected Lin Xiaoman would seemingly help her.
“After all, she needs the work more.”
Chu Daizi knew it – this little brat was just finding another way to mock her!
What a bad thing!
“I’ll take my leave now,” Lin Xiaoman glanced at Chu Daizi’s changing expressions and softly laughed.
Probably having seen too many pretentious people in the entertainment industry, she didn’t dislike Chu Daizi as much because she didn’t hide her desires, so Lin Xiaoman couldn’t bring herself to kick her when she was down.
Moreover, even though she knew the person in front of her was not someone Chu Daizi could control, Lin Xiaoman wanted to know what kind of story would unfold between them in the future.
It should be interesting, after all.
Picking up a glass of red wine, Lin Xiaoman walked alone towards the side balcony.
As soon as she entered, she saw Ning Yumei.
The two had almost no interaction, and now they suddenly met, and she was chatting with a young man.
Lin Xiaoman was about to leave without being noticed, but Ning Yumei spoke first: “Aren’t you going to say hello to your sister?”
“Hello, sister.” Lin Xiaoman went with the flow and was about to walk out, but was stopped by Ning Yumei’s next sentence—
“What’s wrong? Feeling regretful seeing another woman next to your fiancé?”
Fiancé?
The old man the original owner was supposed to marry?
He’s here too?
She turned back, expecting to see an old man with a proud little fox, but only saw Yue Ding being entangled by Chu Daizi.
Lin Xiaoman realized that Yue Ding was the original owner’s fiancé.
“He’s now making his way into film and television, investing in many TV shows and movies,” Ning Yumei’s words carried a tone of schadenfreude. “If you followed him, you might even get to play a leading role.”
“Sorry, I’m not interested.”
Although she didn’t know that Chu Daizi’s sugar daddy was her powerful background fiancé, from the beginning, she had no intention of having any connection with that man. Even if they were to be friends, she had her principles.
Men like those dissolute wealthy older men were not on her list of choices.
“If sister likes him, you can have him.”
“Just keep acting tough,” Ning Yumei’s gaze swept over her.
The man next to her suddenly laughed.
“Miss Lin has keen insight. As a counter gentleman, I indeed know the price of her outfit.” The man stepped forward and extended his hand to Lin Xiaoman. “Xue Chenyan, you can call me Xiaoyan.”
Lin Xiaoman didn’t find him unpleasant and shook his hand: “Call me Xiaoman.”
“Young Master Xue is too modest. Your Tianming Group has so many shopping malls. How can you be just a counter gentleman?” Ning Yumei spoke while glancing at Lin Xiaoman with a warning look.
Tianming Group owned hundreds of shopping malls in the country, investing in hotels, imports, and even touching the film industry. It was said they only had one son who was studying abroad, and it seemed he had returned.
“Are the appearance requirements for counter gentlemen this high now?” Lin Xiaoman provocatively looked back at Ning Yumei and smiled slightly, turning her gaze to Xue Chenyan.
Xue Chenyan laughed again: “Xiaoman, you’re so interesting.”
“If it can make you happy, I can say more.”
Xue Chenyan blushed slightly, looking adorably shy.
“Don’t worry, my good talk won’t make you buy anything,” Lin Xiaoman teased.
“It’s a deal.”
Xue Chenyan looked at her and carefully asked, “Can we meet often in the future?”
As if afraid she might misunderstand, he quickly added: “I just want to hear you talk.”
He looked like a pitiful little puppy, staring at Lin Xiaoman with big, watery eyes, making her unable to refuse: “Of course.”
