After the Agreement, the Aloof Movie Queen is Chasing Me All Over the Internet - Chapter 17

A Gift from Miss Du Yaozhi…

The core gala took place after the formal dinner, with an extremely exclusive invitation list. It was generally reserved for A-listers and individuals with significant influence to gather in private booths and discuss business in a relaxed setting.

Although Xu Wanxin was the heiress of Huasheng, her professional capabilities were nowhere near the required level. Aside from her frequent fan interactions, everything about her was a product of Huasheng’s grooming, built on a foundation of “lovable” personas created by stepping on her peers.

Sitting at the same table as Shen Qing, she was clearly out of her league.

However, galas occasionally gave the green light to those with deep pockets and abundant resources, allowing Huasheng to pull strings and secure sponsorships for mutual benefit. To put it bluntly, Xu Wanxin had fought tooth and nail just to squeeze her way in.

But since she had managed to make it, she wasn’t about to let the opportunity to humiliate Du Yaozhi slip away.

**

As the banquet concluded, Shen Qing gave a slight nod toward the head of the table before rising to leave.

Beside her, Jing Ping whispered, “The driver is here. We can head down now.”

“Mhm,” Shen Qing hummed in response.

“Teacher Shen,” Xu Wanxin called out, lightly lifting the hem of her dress with a polite air.

Hearing the familiar address, Shen Qing turned back, but when she didn’t see the face she expected, a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes. She didn’t let it show, however. The tail of her black velvet dress swayed slightly as she turned around with the aloof grace of a swan, her tone as detached as if she were speaking to any other stranger.

“What is it?”

“Thank you for stopping, Teacher Shen. Listening to the seniors talk tonight was truly enlightening,” Xu Wanxin said, offering a slight, flawless bow. “Since this is my first time collaborating with the brand, I wanted to ask for some advice regarding your experience with brand partnerships. I wonder if I could take a moment of your time for some guidance?”

Jing Ping stood to the side, subtly cutting her eyes at Shen Qing. Shen Qing caught the look.

“You’re the Miss Xu from Huasheng Entertainment?” Shen Qing retracted her gaze and refocused on Xu Wanxin.

“That’s me.” Xu Wanxin’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected to be remembered by Shen Qing so quickly and was inwardly thrilled.

“Experience isn’t something that can be summarized in a few words.” Shen Qing tilted her wrist to check her watch. “My time is limited today. If it’s urgent, contact my manager first.”

“It’s no trouble; I can ask later. Are you heading to the garage, Teacher Shen?” Xu Wanxin pushed her luck, adding, “I just heard Sister Jing mention it. It happens to be on my way, so perhaps we can share the elevator.”

Sister Jing?

Jing Ping frowned. She preferred it when Du Yaozhi called her that. The greasy, sycophant tone in Xu Wanxin’s voice made her skin crawl. She stole a glance at Shen Qing.

Shen Qing didn’t refuse and walked toward the elevator bank. It seemed her schedule was indeed the priority.

As Jing Ping pressed the floor button, Xu Wanxin slipped inside. Jing Ping shifted her feet to make room for the socialite.

Standing poised with her hands clutching her bag, Xu Wanxin smiled. “That ‘Legend’ necklace really suited you tonight, Teacher Shen. The brand’s interactive segment was very interesting as well.”

“Miss Xu flatters me.”

The elevator gave a slight sensation of weightlessness, which, in the cramped space, felt like a heartbeat.

Hearing Shen Qing respond, Xu Wanxin was beaming internally, though she forced a humble expression. “I was just watching intently. I didn’t expect a guest to go up the next second.”

A guest.

The lingering warmth of Du Yaozhi’s skin and the sensation of her fingers brushing against the back of Shen Qing’s neck still seemed to haunt her. It felt raw, almost reckless.

Shen Qing subconsciously touched the skin of her throat. The necklace had been returned to the brand, leaving behind only a few faint, inconspicuous red marks.

“You know her, don’t you?” Shen Qing stared at the cold elevator doors, lowering her hand. “I heard you two were on good terms.”

Seeing Shen Qing initiate conversation, Xu Wanxin was puzzled but answered smoothly. “Of course. Yaozhi used to be with our company; we were in the same batch. We’re very close. I was actually quite sad when she terminated her contract.”

“I see,” Shen Qing nodded, continuing, “Exactly how close?”

“Hmm?” Xu Wanxin chirped. “I just greeted her today and even gave her a hug. We’re very close. I saw she was dressed too thinly and didn’t have an assistant to give her heat packs. I was worried about her, so I gave her my shawl.”

“At first, she seemed reluctant to take it, I’m not sure why there’s a bit of a rift between us. I had to persuade her several times before she’d accept. I just hope it keeps her warm so she doesn’t catch a cold.”

Xu Wanxin put on a worried face, her hands folded demurely over her stomach. Even with her mediocre acting skills, she looked pitiable and kind.

Jing Ping held her breath, mocking her inwardly. This girl is finished. It would have been a perfect move, demonstrating her kindness while showing off her wealth. But Xu Wanxin was simply too foolish. With just two leading questions from Shen Qing, she had stepped right onto the landmine.

Shen Qing’s lashes lifted. “You gave it to her?”

“Yes.” Xu Wanxin didn’t see the issue. Though the shawl was expensive, she could easily afford it.

“Miss Xu is quite considerate,” Shen Qing remarked as the elevator slowed down.

“Not at all, Teacher Shen. You flatter me.” Xu Wanxin felt a warm glow in her heart, a smile spreading across her face.

“And you’re very observant.”

“It’s only right to look after a former colleague.”

“Then,” Shen Qing said, the atmosphere suddenly turning deathly still. “Since you’re so observant, you must have noticed my name embroidered on the inner lining?”

The air in the small space seemed to freeze. Shen Qing spoke with a slight pause in the middle, her voice rising coldly at the end, cutting through the silence with absolute finality.

Shen Qing knew exactly how to deliver a line to inject it with chilling pressure. She knew how to make a question feel like an execution, making the listener tremble with fear. She would lure her prey into a trap with a gentle, leading tone, and once they realized the truth, she would show no mercy.

This was her usual method. Very few people could read her emotions instantly.

Except for Du Yaozhi.

She was the exception to Shen Qing, the only exception.

“It’s” Xu Wanxin, still riding her high, turned pale the moment the words sank in. She stammered, trying to patch up her lie as she backed against the elevator wall. “No… no…”

“I was just… I was just so worried about her. Teacher Shen, I might have mistaken the shawl. I have a similar one. This… this is a misunderstanding!” Xu Wanxin babbled. Without her assistant there to spin the PR for her, she could only try to throw Du Yaozhi under the bus. “Maybe it was her… maybe Yaozhi took your shawl by mistake! I really don’t know the situation. I just care about her too much, and I care about you too much, Teacher Shen”

“Miss Xu.”

Shen Qing completely ignored the incoherent rambling. She lowered her gaze, her tone freezing over.

“Stay away from people you aren’t supposed to touch.”

“This is my final warning to you,” Shen Qing said just as the doors opened.

As Shen Qing stepped out, Jing Ping signaled the car. The driver hopped out to open the door. Shen Qing walked over without a hint of emotion, bent down, and sat directly in the back.

“Teacher Shen! Teacher Shen… let me explain, it wasn’t like that!”

Shen Qing closed the door without looking up. She leaned her head back against the seat, signaling the driver to move. The car started and pulled out of the garage, leaving Xu Wanxin’s pale, panicked face far behind.

Why would Shen Qing bother with someone Du Yaozhi hated?

She gazed out at the pitch-black night through the window, slowly calming down. Her eyes drifted to the empty cup holder next to her seat.

That was where someone had once resolutely rejected her, choosing someone else instead.

Du Yaozhi, why?

In just a little more time, I wouldn’t have had to lie to you anymore.

Is she really that good? Is she worth your love? Is she worth sharing a bed with? Is she worth kissing… and making love to?

Is she worth never looking at me again?

Shen Qing desperately wanted to destroy that person. But if she did, what would Du Yaozhi do? Would she be sad? Would she cry? Would she hate Shen Qing even more?

Shen Qing closed her eyes, her lashes trembling as she breathed. She was a sinner herself; what right did she have to think these things?

Jiang Yunjian would not let Du Yaozhi go. Therefore, Shen Qing couldn’t tell her the truth. The more Du Yaozhi knew, the more danger she was in.

But if she really hates me that much… then it’s better to stay away and protect her from a distance.

“Boss,” Jing Ping noted Shen Qing’s dark expression. Her mood was clearly at rock bottom.

“Mhm,” Shen Qing replied curtly.

“Want to see the gifts?”

“I’m not in the mood,” Shen Qing said coldly. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “Just keep the appropriate ones. I shouldn’t have to tell you that, right?”

Aside from fans, brands, and important partners, the gifts intended to flatter her were all the same.

“Right… are you still thinking about Miss Du?” Jing Ping turned her head slowly, finding the right moment to speak.

“She has someone she likes. It has nothing to do with me.” Shen Qing turned her face toward the shadows of the window. “Don’t mention it again.”

“Well, you never know. Maybe you’ll be mentioning her every day soon,” Jing Ping said confidently, her tone playful.

“Jing Ping.” Shen Qing’s gaze sharpened. She had said she wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

“Boss, don’t look at me like that. I wanted to say, there might be more to this,” Jing Ping said with a smile. “I actually think you could pursue her. You’re an actress, after all. Learn a bit, act a bit, it’ll definitely work.”

Shen Qing’s brow furrowed. She suspected her manager might be overworked and hallucinating. She probably needed a psychiatric evaluation.

“There’s a gift I probably should have filtered out, but now I’m having a hard time deciding.” Jing Ping held up a simply wrapped gift, shaking it slightly.

It was standard for managers to handle an artist’s gifts, especially for someone of Shen Qing’s stature. Jing Ping usually organized them and kept the ones with sentimental or collection value. But this one…

“What is it?” Shen Qing glanced disinterestedly at the item in Jing Ping’s hand. “What could possibly be special about it?”

“Oh, it’s very special!”

Jing Ping flipped her wrist, revealing the sender’s name on the back.

“Look! It’s from Miss Du Yaozhi. Want to unwrap it yourself?”

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