Having coffee together wasn’t a big deal, but one was a newly rumored female celebrity, and the other was a rich second-generation heir. Just one glance between them could spark various rumors.
Zhang Chengxu had a very good impression of Lin Xiaoman and believed she wasn’t creating publicity.
Later, it was proven that everything was the company’s doing, and she and Tang Feifei were actually cousins. His impression of her became even better.
But Xue Chenyan was laughing so exaggeratedly, clearly not a good person. Handsome young masters were never good people. They didn’t know how much trouble such behavior could bring to these young celebrities. Troublemakers, only caring about their own enjoyment and leaving the cleanup to others.
He knocked on the office door and pushed it open. Ji Zhixian was just finishing signing a contract and looked up at him.
“Go to City B tomorrow afternoon,” Ji Zhixian instructed.
“I’ll book the tickets right away.”
“About Lin Xiaoman’s matter…” Ji Zhixian paused, not specifying how to handle it.
Zhang Chengxu understood: “Got it, we’ll suppress it directly.”
“No need,” Ji Zhixian suddenly changed his mind. He knew Lin Xiaoman wasn’t as naive about the entertainment industry as she appeared, just like how she had handled the Little White incident well. This matter didn’t require his interference.
“Don’t manage this matter.” Although rationally he knew they wouldn’t have any relationship, Ji Zhixian was still unhappy. “Don’t accept the program in City C for now.” That was an invitation from City C’s TV station, hoping he would be a special guest on a singer’s show. Previously, he was prepared to go take a look, which Zhang Chengxu found strange, as Ji Zhixian rarely appeared on shows. And he was already so busy.
Why would he accept such a small program?
“Okay,” Zhang Chengxu responded while placing a thick document in front of Ji Zhixian. “These need to be confirmed quickly.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Zhixian, who had returned to work, and carefully withdrew from the office.
His boss had been working too hard recently, and he could feel the low pressure in the office. The boss seemed to be in a bad mood.
Ji Zhixian had been spending the past few days at the company. One reason was that work was indeed too busy, and another was that he needed to sort out some thoughts.
Recently, when facing Lin Xiaoman, he always had a strange feeling, the same feeling he used to have when facing Tang Feifei—saying things insincerely while doing unexpected things. He was too familiar with this feeling. Back then, when facing Tang Feifei, he who was usually smooth with everyone would suddenly not know what to say and even do some uncharacteristic foolish things.
There was also the “An Zhi Feifei” account in his phone that he hadn’t logged into for a long time.
He knew she had a boyfriend who wouldn’t look at him twice, yet he kept doing futile, silly things.
Now it was the same. To keep her, he was acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
He was going crazy.
But he liked Tang Feifei. How could he possibly like Lin Xiaoman?
It must be because they were too similar. Even he couldn’t tell them apart. Once this event passed, he would definitely come to his senses.
But before he came to his senses, he would try to avoid seeing Lin Xiaoman as much as possible.
He worked at the company late again, returning home after 10 PM. He knew Lin Xiaoman was catching an early morning flight to City C and definitely wasn’t home.
Returning home, he felt somewhat dazed. His originally simple and empty home now had many small items. Dolls on the sofa, a pink teacup on the table, fluffy slippers at the entrance…
Without his realizing it, Lin Xiaoman had already occupied his life.
He suddenly realized this, but he didn’t feel annoyed at all.
On an airplane table, there was an additional gift box. He walked closer and saw written on it: “A gift for you.”
Opening it, he found a tie. He suddenly recalled the photo of Lin Xiaoman and Xue Chenyan in the coffee shop, with a shopping bag next to Lin Xiaoman.
So she had gone to buy a gift for him.
His thoughts stirring, he dialed Zhang Chengxu’s number: “Book the nearest flight to C City.”
At this moment, Lin Xiaoman was already on the plane.
Several college-aged boys wearing baseball uniforms kept looking at her.
“Is this Lin Xiaoman?”
“Seems like it.”
A thin, small boy was pushed forward by the others, standing in front of Lin Xiaoman with a reddened face. He held out a notebook: “Um… I’m Lin Feng, your fan. Could you give me an autograph?”
Lin Xiaoman glanced at the laughing boys behind him, feeling uncomfortable, but seeing the boy’s expectant face, she smiled slightly: “Okay.”
Lin Feng took the autograph back to his seat happily. A tall boy snatched his notebook: “Let me see.”
“Xu Yuan, give it back quickly.”
“Call me daddy, and I’ll return it.”
“Give it back.” Lin Feng tried to grab it but was pushed to the ground.
“Didn’t you hear me? Call me daddy.”
His companions watched the commotion and started cheering: “Come on, call him!”
They seemed like habitual bullies. Lin Feng fell to the ground, not daring to resist.
Surrounding passengers showed dissatisfaction but no one spoke up.
“Get up.” A hand extended to him. He looked up in surprise, seeing Lin Xiaoman’s gentle appearance, his eyes reddening. “It’s just an autograph. If he wants it, let him have it. I’ll sign another for you.”
Lin Feng grabbed Lin Xiaoman’s hand and stood up.
“Who wants an autograph from a kept woman?” Xu Yuan sneered.
Lin Xiaoman glanced at him, her gaze as cold as ice and sharp as a knife, making Xu Yuan’s heart skip a beat.
He continued boasting: “Everyone knows how you became famous. Without that, someone like you could never win a championship. Even an autograph, I wouldn’t want it!”
He forcefully tore the signed paper, throwing the pieces in Lin Feng’s face: “Trash and a mistress, perfectly matched!”
Lin Feng was hit by the notebook pieces, just lowering his head, weak and anxious. Lin Xiaoman saw him clenching his trembling fists.
“Pick up the paper,” she stared directly at Xu Yuan, her cold intent deepening. “Don’t trouble the flight attendants.”
“Why should I listen to you?” Xu Yuan waved the notebook, looking smug. “Just a kept woman, what’s there to be proud of?”
Just as Lin Xiaoman was about to speak, someone sitting in front suddenly stood up and punched Xu Yuan.
“Watch your mouth.”
He looked fiercely at Xu Yuan, his water-colored eyes filled with terrifying intensity.
It was Xue Chenyan.
“Of course, even if you don’t stay, I can still contact you. Just wait to receive the lawyer’s letter.” Xue Chenyan’s voice was gentle, his face showing seamless consideration. “By the way, Xiao Man’s family and mine are old friends. We met and had coffee together yesterday, which is completely normal. Being wrongly accused like this, I feel so aggrieved. Regarding the emotional damage, my lawyer will discuss it with you in detail.”
Then, he bowed slightly to the other passengers: “I’m truly sorry for causing such trouble. My secretary will give everyone an electronic card from Tianming Group as an apology, hoping everyone can have a pleasant journey.”
Xu Yuan sat blankly in his seat, his face full of disbelief and panic. He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.
On the other side, Xue Chenyan had his assistant compensate the passengers and squatted down to pick up the paper from the ground, handing it to Lin Feng: “Next time someone slanders your idol, you must stand up and protect her, understand?”
Lin Feng looked up at him, his eyes full of admiration. If only he could stand up for Lin Xiaoman like this person did.
