After the Fake Heiress Died, She Was Filled with Regret - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: CEO Tang Already Taught Me This Truth Five Years Ago…

Xia Shinan looked up at Tang Yin.

“CEO Tang, is it fun to force things on people?”

Tang Yin forced a smile. “Shinan, this is just a small request from me. It’s not forcing anything on you.”

“Then I’ll say the same thing again, I have the right to refuse,” Xia Shinan said coldly.

“No, you won’t refuse.” Tang Yin walked up to her. “There are many insiders in the industry tomorrow night. As my female companion, I can introduce you, which will be beneficial for your future development. If you give up these easily obtained opportunities just because of me, what a pity that would be…”

Xia Shinan froze, then smiled.

“You’re right… Thank you, CEO Tang, for the suggestion. I will be there on time tomorrow.” As she spoke, she saw a taxi approaching and quickly hailed it, getting into the car without looking back.

“See you tomorrow.” Tang Yin reluctantly watched Xia Shinan’s figure until the car was far away.

Tang Yin returned to the hotel. Although Qian Yu’s eyes were still slightly red, her mood was much better. She was pulling Ming Jing aside to whisper. Noticing the loneliness on Tang Yin’s face, she spoke up.

“Tang Yin, thank you.”

Tang Yin looked up and smiled lightly: “It’s what I should do. I just thought you would lose your temper terribly with her and was wondering how to persuade you.”

Qian Yu lowered her head, looking at the necklace she was wearing, which was the wedding gift Xia Shinan had given her. She smiled and said:

“The whole way from Hecheng, I was angry. I thought splashing one cup of water wouldn’t be enough. I wanted to scold her, hit her, and she would have to coax me for at least half a year before I would forgive her for deceiving me. But… when I saw her, I didn’t want anything else. The fact that she’s alive is enough to calm me down.”

“Yes,” Tang Yin murmured. Why dwell on the reasons? Her being alive is the best thing.

“My appetite is good when my mood is good. CEO Tang, do you want to join us for dinner?” Qian Yu asked.

“No, I still have some work to deal with. You two go.” This trip to Yuncheng was unexpected, and she still had a lot of work to handle remotely.

“Okay then.” Qian Yu pouted and shook her phone. “Then we’ll have to go try the special Yuncheng dishes recommended by Shinan ourselves. She just sent me the names of several restaurants.”

Tang Yin stopped and turned to look at Qian Yu’s phone.

“Did you two… exchange contact information?”

“Of course, we’re best friends!” Qian Yu raised an eyebrow.

Tang Yin laughed softly, but suddenly felt a sting of jealousy. “It’s a good thing you’re married, otherwise, I’d probably be jealous of you right now too.”

Qian Yu had an expression that said, you’re finally getting what you deserve. “Then let me kindly tell you that Shinan is going to the Zhou family’s banquet tomorrow. You might run into her.”

Tang Yin pursed her lips: “Then let me kindly tell you too, Shinan is my female companion tomorrow.”

“What?” Qian Yu’s eyes widened. “She agreed? Did you threaten her?”

Tang Yin’s eyes were distant. She left the room without saying a word.

At 6:30 PM, Wen Juan drove to pick up Xia Shinan.

She was not wearing the two dresses she had tried on yesterday. Instead, she was in a simple black slip dress, but it had a unique elegance when worn by her.

Xia Shinan’s makeup was also different from usual, cool and noble. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, with a strand hanging down by her ear. The moment she got into the car, Wen Juan felt as if she was seeing a stunning painting.

She smiled with satisfaction. Her eye for talent was never wrong.

“Why aren’t you wearing the ones you tried on yesterday?”

“They weren’t suitable. This one is better, it matches my status as a newcomer.” Xia Shinan didn’t ask Wen Juan why she was in contact with Tang Yin. She could figure it out herself.

Wen Juan was her manager, not her friend, and Xia Shinan knew this clearly.

“Based on your previous attitude and behavior, I thought you wouldn’t agree to be CEO Tang’s female companion. Have you changed your mind?” Wen Juan asked tentatively.

The car window was half-open. Xia Shinan looked at the street outside, admiring the setting sun. The evening breeze gently blew her hair. She said softly: “No, this is the only time.”

The car drove through a busy street, then turned onto an avenue full of plane trees. It was lush and green. A few hundred meters later, several French-style old houses came into view.

Behind the houses was a lake and a lawn, probably a golf course.

The car stopped in front of one of the houses. Xia Shinan got out and was about to go in with Wen Juan when a waiter stopped her.

“Excuse me, are you Miss Xia?”

“CEO Tang is waiting for you in the car. She hopes you can go over first and then go in together.”

Wen Juan smiled knowingly. “You go ahead. I’ll go in first.”

“Sister Juan…” Xia Shinan was helpless. Wen Juan had already been led inside, so she had no choice but to follow the waiter to Tang Yin’s car.

The air conditioning in the car was set to a comfortable temperature. Xia Shinan got in and was met with Tang Yin’s smiling face.

Tang Yin had specially styled herself for the banquet tonight. The makeup highlighted her sculpted features, and her reddish-brown lips made her entire face look as exquisite as a supermodel’s.

Her shoulder-length hair was slicked back, with a little hair wax to keep it in place, but it didn’t look greasy at all; instead, it added a touch of competence.

Xia Shinan’s breathing paused. She pursed her lips and spoke with a neutral expression: “Does CEO Tang have any other instructions?”

Tang Yin couldn’t stop smiling when she saw Xia Shinan. She took out a jewelry box and opened it. Inside was a diamond necklace that looked quite valuable.

“This is for you.”

“No need.” Xia Shinan glanced at it, then looked straight ahead. “I already have a necklace to match my outfit.”

Tang Yin looked at her slender neck. It was a pearl necklace.

“Yours is good, of course, but this one suits you better,” Tang Yin said softly. “You didn’t even wear the dress I picked for you yesterday.”

Xia Shinan chuckled softly. “Because I know my place. I’m afraid that if I wear diamonds for too long, I’ll truly believe I deserve them, and I’ll be sad when I have to return them.”

“After all, they belong to someone else, and you shouldn’t take them casually. CEO Tang already taught me this truth five years ago.”

Tang Yin froze, her breathing halted. She grabbed Xia Shinan’s wrist and said anxiously: “Shinan, all those things I said before…”

“It’s getting late. Isn’t CEO Tang going yet?” Xia Shinan lowered her eyes, looking at her hand gripping hers. “I hope CEO Tang can be a little gentler with her female companion.”

Tang Yin was startled by her words and immediately let go. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. I’ll get out first, so people don’t see me in the car and affect CEO Tang’s reputation.” Xia Shinan said, opening the car door and stepping out, standing by the side.

Tang Yin opened her mouth, but no words came out. Every word Xia Shinan said was drawing a line between them, and also seemed to be reminding her: See, that’s what you said before.

She looked at Xia Shinan’s back, like a cool, lonely beauty in an oil painting. She wanted to reach out and touch her, but found that Xia Shinan was covered in thorns.

Or perhaps, these thorns were only revealed in front of Tang Yin.

Tang Yin took a deep breath. So what? She deserved it. So even if Xia Shinan was covered in thorns, she wasn’t afraid and would try to reach out to her.

Getting out of the car, Tang Yin quickly walked up to Xia Shinan. “Let’s go, let’s go in.”

She held out her hand at the same time.

“Mhm.” Xia Shinan glanced at it and walked toward the door first.

Tang Yin lowered her right hand, the disappointment hidden in her eyes finally leaking out.

The two walked into the mansion. There were already quite a few people around. A waiter led them upstairs, saying the dinner party would start soon.

Tang Yin was still wearing the highly-designed suit, but the white silk shirt was replaced with a black one, with one button undone at the collar. The fragmented diamonds on her ear sparkled, very eye-catching.

However, these earrings were originally meant to be paired with that necklace…

Her appearance attracted the attention of many people present.

“Is that CEO Tang of the SN Group? I didn’t expect her to be so young and so good-looking…”

“Yes, I heard she’s very shrewd in business. How else could she build an empire from scratch in just a few years? I heard she now has a piece of the entertainment industry pie.”

“Hey… Who is the person next to her? Haven’t seen her before. A newcomer in the industry?”

“What’s so strange about that?”

“How is it not strange? CEO Tang is a woman, and she brought a female companion instead of a male one!”

“It’s all like that in the industry. As long as you can get ahead, who cares if she’s a woman?”

The conversation at the end seemed to take a negative turn. Tang Yin frowned and looked at the person who was talking, her aura chillingly cold.

Her icy gaze made many of the gossiping people nearby quiet down.

Tang Yin looked at Xia Shinan worriedly. “Don’t pay attention to those words.”

Xia Shinan curved her lips. “I’ve heard worse. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Tang Yin looked at her with heartache. “Why did you want to become an actress? Actually, you’re good at playing the piano and studying. Other professions would suit you too.”

Xia Shinan raised her eyelids, looking at Tang Yin. “Acting brings quick money. That’s it.”

She was lying.

Tang Yin pursed her lips, certain in her heart.

In just a few minutes, the news spread that CEO Tang of SN had brought a female companion. Not a familiar face, but one that was clean and beautiful, and CEO Tang was clearly very concerned about her.

The two went up to the second floor. There were even more people, and they were all the more curious about who Xia Shinan was. Xia Shinan saw Wen Juan. “CEO Tang, I’m going to chat with Sister Juan for a while.”

Tang Yin nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you.” Xia Shinan immediately walked toward Wen Juan. Tang Yin saw her look relieved and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Wen Juan was holding a wine glass and chatting with a certain producer. Seeing Xia Shinan, she immediately beckoned her over.

“This is CEO Lin of Jimu. CEO Lin, this is the newcomer from our company.”

Xia Shinan greeted him with a smile. “Hello, CEO Lin. My name is Xia Shinan.”

Her words and demeanor were generous and proper, easily earning her goodwill. CEO Lin looked her over and smiled:

“Wen Juan, you have good taste. The newcomers you bring are much better than those from other companies.”

“You flatter me, CEO Lin. It’s her good luck to have the opportunity to work on a drama produced by CEO Tang recently. If you need any role for your next fantasy drama, you can let Shinan audition. She’s very hardworking.”

During their conversation, a few more big names arrived. Xia Shinan didn’t know them, but she was obedient and well-behaved. She greeted them when Wen Juan told her to and toasted them when she was asked to.

She drank quite a bit back and forth, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Qian Yu and Ming Jing arrived a little later and saw Xia Shinan on the second floor.

“What’s wrong with Tang Yin? Where did she go? How can Shinan drink so much?” Qian Yu frowned, ready to rush over, clutching her skirt, but Ming Jing stopped her.

“You’ll only make things difficult for Shinan if you go over now. Since she’s entered this industry, some socializing is necessary.”

“Besides, I believe Shinan knows what she’s doing. Tang Yin also won’t let others bully her. Don’t go steal Tang Yin’s job. Let her be the hero who rescues the damsel in distress.”

Qian Yu glared at her. “You clearly favor Tang Yin more!”

Wen Juan hadn’t expected that Tang Yin merely bringing Xia Shinan around would attract so much proactive attention from others. She curved her lips and introduced Xia Shinan even more enthusiastically, as if presenting her most prized product, only to achieve a better sale.

Xia Shinan didn’t mind. Everyone was just working, but her stomach still felt a bit uncomfortable from drinking too much. But as she raised her glass again, ready to toast Director Qin in front of her, Tang Yin suddenly appeared and snatched the glass away.

“Excuse me, Shinan is my female companion. I need her to leave for a moment.”

Wen Juan was stunned, feeling that Tang Yin’s gaze toward her was terrifyingly cold.

She quickly forced a smile. “Oh, CEO Tang, don’t mind. We just wanted to chat more with Director Qin.”

Tang Yin glanced disdainfully at the slightly bald man in his forties and smiled: “I didn’t expect to see Director Qin at the banquet today. I was worried Director Qin might lose his job after the scandal of sleeping with the actress last month.”

The man’s face stiffened, and he left with his wine.

Tang Yin pursed her lips, glanced at Wen Juan again, then pulled Xia Shinan away.

The end of the second-floor corridor led to a balcony. This was not the center of the banquet and there weren’t many people. Xia Shinan was dragged by Tang Yin, feeling a surge of annoyance.

“Please let go of me first, CEO Tang…”

Tang Yin still said nothing. Not until she brought Xia Shinan to the balcony. The environment here was quiet, but it seemed to give Tang Yin an outlet for her emotions.

“You would rather drink with others than spend time with me, is that it?”

She stood in the corner, watching Xia Shinan engaging in polite but insincere conversation with others. She felt heartache and extreme anger at the same time.

Xia Shinan looked at her. “I’m here to make my future work smoother, to get to know producers and network with directors. What’s the problem with that?”

Tang Yin’s expression was furious. “But that Director Qin just had a scandal about sleeping with an actress two months ago. He has no good intentions in approaching you! And that other producer, his private life is even more chaotic! Shinan… you just entered the industry. Many temptations are clearly traps!”

“And you were drinking with him! You even took his business card!”

Xia Shinan tilted her head. “So?”

“What…” Tang Yin was stunned.

Xia Shinan smiled, looking at the full moon hanging in the sky. “You want to say they all have bad intentions toward me… But so what?”

“What about you? You asked me to be your female companion, using these resources as conditions. Aren’t you tempting me too?” Xia Shinan looked at her. “CEO Tang, is there nothing you want from me?”

Tang Yin was caught off guard by her question. After a few seconds, she said firmly: “I’m different from them. I like you.”

The night wind messed up the strands of hair by Xia Shinan’s ear at that moment. She listened to the wind, but she laughed, with a hint of sarcasm.

“Like?”

“Has CEO Tang’s taste changed? You clearly found me so disgusting and our past relationship so unbearable. Now we’ve only met a few times, and you say you like me?”

“That’s truly ridiculous.”

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