After A Secret Marriage With The Trending Queen - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Shen Jing silently watched the woman in front of him, trying to figure out her game.

Tan Xueying finally spoke, “I know you have debts outside that you dare not let your family know about. You desperately need money right now.”

“So what?” Shen Jing crossed his arms, looking annoyed. He had zero goodwill toward this woman who was trying to wreck his sister’s marriage.

“I need you to do something for me,” Tan Xueying said.

Shen Jing laughed. “With just this little bit of money?”

Tan Xueying had anticipated he would say that. She was prepared. She flipped her bag upside down, pouring out all the money inside. It instantly covered the table, with some bills spilling onto the floor. “Is this enough?”

Shen Jing was completely stunned.

“What… what do you need me to do…” Shen Jing’s voice trembled slightly.

“It’s very simple,” Tan Xueying looked up and smiled. “I know there’s a secret between Ye Qin and Shen Lu. As long as you make this secret public, all this money will be yours.”

“That’s it?” Shen Jing countered.

“That’s it,” Tan Xueying emphasized again.

After a moment of silence, Shen Jing suddenly burst into a wild, mocking laugh. He looked down at Tan Xueying from above. “Do you really think I would sell out my sister for this money?”

“You won’t?”

“No.” With that, Shen Jing’s face darkened. “Miss Tan, please take your money and get out of my room immediately, or I’ll call the reporters. Let everyone see what kind of face you wear in private.”

“You!” Tan Xueying stood up furiously, pointing at Shen Jing’s face. “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! In a little while, those debt collectors will probably be knocking on your door. Do you think you can handle it then?”

“That probably has nothing to do with you, Miss Tan,” Shen Jing said, arms crossed, looking utterly defiant.

Tan Xueying had no choice but to gather her money and leave sullenly. Shen Jing had put on a show and won the moment, but he nearly forgot about a major problem. That woman, Tan, was right. The debt collectors would show up soon, and then he wouldn’t be able to hide it even if he wanted to. Did he seriously just let go of that huge pile of money? Shen Jing rested his chin on his hand. Was he crazy?

However, the depth of Tan’s scheming was genuinely terrifying.

…

Today was the last day of filming. Everyone in the crew was in a relaxed mood, discussing what to eat at the celebration banquet that evening, though those decisions were up to the higher-ups—they were just talking.

In the final scene, the two female leads in the drama began a sweet, lovey-dovey life. In reality, who would have thought their relationship was now a hostile, incompatible mess?

This was Shen Lu’s last time sitting on this set to watch the filming. She couldn’t believe three months had flown by.

Li Li came out holding Tan Xueying’s sorted belongings from the set. She happened to pass where Shen Lu was sitting and couldn’t resist stopping to make a sarcastic remark. “Well, isn’t this Shen Lu, who was getting so hot and heavy with my Sister Xueying a while back?”

Shen Lu glanced at her, not bothering to reply.

Li Li leaned closer. “What, got dumped?”

Shen Lu still ignored her.

“I told you a long time ago, a person of your status shouldn’t fantasize about being a big star’s girlfriend. You’re not worthy.”

Shen Lu smiled. “Are you just idle all day, or are you secretly in love with me, to be so concerned about my personal affairs and love life?”

“You…! Who’s concerned about you!” Li Li stamped her foot furiously. “If I were you, I wouldn’t have the nerve to go to tonight’s celebration banquet, stirring up so many rumors on set. I wonder what everyone is saying about you behind your back.” With that, Li Li walked away with her head held high.

The celebration banquet… Shen Lu really hadn’t planned to go, not because of what Li Li said, but mainly to avoid awkwardness. It was just one meal; there would be plenty of opportunities following Ye Qin to other sets later.

After the final scene was shot, the director officially announced the wrap of the entire drama. The scene erupted in cheers and excitement. Ye Qin walked towards her, waving a hand in front of her face. “What are you spacing out about?”

“Nothing, is the shooting done, Sister?” Shen Lu snapped out of her daze.

“Mhm, it’s done. It’s finally over. I swear, I will never collaborate with that woman surnamed Tan again in this life,” Ye Qin said, stretching her arms.

On the way back to the hotel, the driving Shen Jing was hesitant to speak. He wanted to tell the two sisters in the back about last night’s events, but if he did, his sister would learn about his debts. That would surely lead to a thorough scolding and blame. Thinking of this, he held it in.

Shen Lu helped carry things back to Ye Qin’s room. As she took the jacket Ye Qin casually tossed to her, she finally brought up the question that had been bottled up. “Sister, are you going to the celebration banquet tonight?”

Ye Qin was surprised. “Yes, why wouldn’t I? I’m the female lead. It would be pointless without me.”

“Then… can I not go?” Shen Lu asked cautiously.

“Why don’t you want to go?”

“I… after what happened last time, I feel awkward seeing Sister Xueying…” Shen Lu mumbled softly.

Ye Qin thought it was a bigger deal. “I see…”

She drew out the last syllable, and Shen Lu almost thought she would grant permission, but then her tone shifted. “Still no. You’re my assistant. Are you going to abandon me there alone?”

“…But, isn’t Sister Wang there?”

“Sister Wang, Sister Wang… she’ll be busy socializing. She won’t have time to be with me all the time.”

Shen Lu couldn’t help but pout. “Is there really no room for negotiation?”

Ye Qin suddenly looked at her and smiled, taking two steps closer. “Shen Lu, are you pouting at me?”

“No, I am not.”

As the words left her mouth, Ye Qin placed her hand on Shen Lu’s shoulder. “Alright, you go back and get ready. We’ll go to the celebration banquet together tonight.”

“……” Shen Lu felt like dying. What misfortune to be stuck with an unyielding boss like this!

“Go on, go on…” Ye Qin urged her downstairs, with a hint of excitement. “When you go back, pay close attention and see if there’s anything unusual in the room.”

Shen Lu didn’t understand what she was talking about and fled like a ghost.

It looks like I can’t avoid this celebration banquet tonight after all. I’ll just try my best to avoid Sister Xueying when I get there.

She took out her room keycard, and with a beep, opened her door. Shen Lu walked in dejectedly and closed the door, heading straight for her bed. As she lay down, she suddenly felt something hard poking her underneath. Startled, Shen Lu immediately sat up and yanked the covers back. On the bed was an exquisitely packaged, square box.

Could this be what Ye Qin meant… the unusual thing in the room?

Shen Lu, filled with intense curiosity, tore open the box. Inside was a neatly folded small cocktail dress, and on top of the dress was a handwritten card.

Shen Lu picked up the card. Written on it was this message:

“Wear this for the celebration banquet. You’ll look beautiful.”

Hehehehe… Shen Lu chuckled. That tone and that handwriting—it was so typical of Ye Qin!