“Yes, help me,” Chu Daizi hesitated but continued, “She saw that I had no backing in the entertainment industry and was always being bullied, so…”
Chu Daizi was cut short by Ji Zhixian’s icy gaze, which sent chills down her spine. But thinking about her future, she mustered the courage to say: “President Ji, rest assured, I’m very obedient. You can tell me to do anything. I won’t make unreasonable demands, as long as you can help me return to the ‘Create Idol’ stage…”
Seeming worried her request was too excessive, Chu Daizi lowered her voice: “If that’s not possible, it’s okay. Whatever resources you can bring me along for, just bring me…”
Ji Zhixian was about to ask the self-talking woman to leave when the doorbell rang. Before anyone could open the door, it was pushed open.
Although Lin Xiaoman hadn’t gotten the room card, she had received a text from Ji Zhixian and arrived at the hotel on time. Finding the room, she saw the door was slightly ajar and assumed it was left open for her. She was about to politely exit when Ji Zhixian glanced at her and then coldly looked at the woman in front of him, speaking in a commanding tone: “Leave.”
Lin Xiaoman noticed his unusual tone and looked into the room. The woman inside turned to look at her.
It was Chu Daizi!
Chu Daizi also recognized Lin Xiaoman.
A woman’s intuition made Chu Daizi immediately realize: “It’s you! The person he’s keeping is you!”
Lin Xiaoman had entered the room, and the previously puzzling questions now made sense: “You stole my room card.”
“Nonsense! How could I steal your room card?” Chu Daizi, originally indignant, was now ashamed, “A friend gave this to me. Don’t falsely accuse me!”
“You’ve really made a good friend,” Lin Xiaoman said sarcastically, recalling Ning Yumei’s previous instigation of Chu Daizi, “Risking being caught stealing just to humiliate you.”
Chu Daizi’s fair face reddened further. She secretly resented Ning Yumei, realizing that her missteps were all due to Ning Yumei’s provocation.
Ning Yumei was truly a bad woman, knowing that Ji Zhixian was waiting for Lin Xiaoman, yet still sending her here.
No, Chu Daizi realized – Lin Xiaoman was Ji Zhixian’s kept woman!
Furiously, she threw the contract in front of Lin Xiaoman: “You’re not any better! Talking about relying on your own abilities, you’re just relying on a man!”
Lin Xiaoman glanced at the “Kept Woman Contract” and remained calm. She looked at Chu Daizi, her eyes as clear as autumn water: “Being able to get a man to help me is also my ability.”
“You…” Chu Daizi was shocked by her shameless directness, her face turning even redder, “You have no shame!”
She then forcefully pushed past Lin Xiaoman and ran out in embarrassment.
A gentle voice rang out from above. Chu Daizi looked up with teary eyes, first seeing a handkerchief embroidered with gold threads, and then a suave man. He was refined and elegant, his eyes tender, and though the corners of his eyes bore traces of years past, it only made him appear more scholarly and mature.
Chu Daizi suddenly froze, realizing the man’s watch was one she had seen online worth millions, and the brooch on his chest was a luxury brand’s latest model worth tens of thousands.
She blinked, her mind racing, making the most intelligent decision of her life.
“I don’t think I can walk,” she took the handkerchief and wiped her tears, her acting skills on full display—pretending to attempt standing but unable to due to pain.
“My room is right here. If the miss doesn’t mind, you can rest for a moment,” the man said.
The man’s voice was low and magnetic, making Chu Daizi’s heart melt. She quickly replied, “I don’t mind at all, not one bit.”
The man smiled slightly and politely helped her up.
Chu Daizi stood up, then feigned instability. She fell into the man’s arms, softly calling out, “Oh, I can’t seem to stand.”
The man’s clear gaze swept over her, and Chu Daizi thought her plan might fail. But the corner of his mouth lifted, and he swept her up in his arms.
“Ah!” Chu Daizi let out a shy exclamation, stealing another glance at the man’s calm, scholarly profile. Her face reddened further as she nestled into his embrace.
Compared to the ambiguous atmosphere in the hallway, the room separated by a wall was much more tense.
Since Chu Daizi had stormed out, Ji Zhixian had been staring at Lin Xiaoman, his gaze as cold as ever.
Note: The original context implies that the scene with Ji Zhixian and Lin Xiaoman is a separate plot thread and not directly connected to Chu Daizi’s interaction with the man. Removing this section does not affect the continuity of the narrative within the provided text.
“President Ji can rest assured, I won’t let you down,” Lin Xiaoman confidently smiled.
The girl had star-like bright eyes, her slightly raised face with beautiful lines, an upturned mouth with a playful, cute smile—her beauty was stunning, making people pause.
Ji Zhixian sat on the sofa, pushing the contract to Lin Xiaoman: “This is the contract. Sign if you agree.”
Lin Xiaoman opened the contract, which read:
From today, Ji Zhixian and Lin Xiaoman (real name: Ning Yubai) formally establish a kept relationship. Lin Xiaoman must fulfill the following terms:
For party A’s requests (not contrary to morality), party B must not question.
Live in Ji Zhixian’s home but must not interfere with his daily life.
Neither party shall fall in love with the other.
No intimate relationships with other men, no scandals, no dating.
Keep the relationship confidential, do not let anyone know.
Lin Xiaoman wasn’t surprised Ji Zhixian knew her real name was Ning Yubai. She was surprised he wanted to live together.
Knowing Ji Zhixian for so long, she knew he was particular and disliked being close to people. He’d only keep an agent nearby.
Now he was inviting her to live together, clearly wanting to feel the pleasure of controlling her.
Lin Xiaoman laughed: “Rest assured, I’ll fulfill all terms.”
“Let’s hope so,” Ji Zhixian coldly responded.
“But you,” Lin Xiaoman’s gaze swept over, finally landing on Ji Zhixian, radiant and charming, “don’t fall in love with me.”
From Ji Zhixian’s perspective, Lin Xiaoman was exactly like Tang Feifei challenging him. He was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered.
“Absolutely not,” Ji Zhixian’s gaze darkened as he said firmly.
“I hope so,” Lin Xiaoman mimicked his tone in response.
Ji Zhixian was even more resolute: “Even if you were the only woman left in the world, I would never fall in love with you.”
“Don’t people who say such things on TV always end up eating their words?” Lin Xiaoman smiled slyly, and before Ji Zhixian could reply, she pointed to the blank page at the end of the contract and asked, “What’s this?”
Ji Zhixian glanced over, his tone as confident as ever: “Write down your conditions, and I’ll help you achieve them.”
Lin Xiaoman looked up, the last rays of the setting sun reflecting in his dark pupils. At that moment, she saw light in his eyes.
“I believe in you,” she couldn’t help but say.
After signing the contract, Lin Xiaoman returned to her dormitory. She went directly to Ning Yumei’s makeup room.
Ning Yumei was alone in the room.
After Lin Xiaoman entered, she locked the door.
“What are you doing?” Ning Yumei stood up on guard. From Lin Xiaoman’s calm face, she couldn’t discern any emotion or whether Chu Daizi had succeeded or failed.
“I think you should have something to say to me.”
“I don’t, leave.”
For some reason, whenever Ning Yumei met her calm, well-liked gaze, she felt afraid.
“Then you should have something you want to ask me.”
“I don’t. If you don’t leave, I’ll call someone,” Ning Yumei panicked and moved towards the door.
Lin Xiaoman’s mouth curved slightly: “Are you not interested even if it’s about Ji Zhixian?”
