Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Bragging

Seeing her suddenly stiffen, a smile flickered in Jing Xiaoyan’s eyes, and she tapped Jiang Yumian’s back again. “Mianmian?”

A storm of thoughts raged in Jiang Yumian’s head. With so many people here, she had to try and maintain her image. She was a bit fierce, but she couldn’t embarrass her mother.

She controlled her expression, narrowed her eyes slightly, and glanced indifferently at the person on the floor before turning to look at Jing Xiaoyan.

“Are you okay?”

Jing Xiaoyan opened her mouth, about to say she was fine, but met the concern in Jiang Yumian’s eyes. Her gaze flickered, and she nodded, her voice sounding a little wronged. “My hand hurts.”

Jiang Yumian looked down at the hand she raised. “What abou…”

“What about your hand?” A concerned voice spoke faster than she did.

Zhang Yan quickly walked over to the two of them.

Jiang Yumian frowned, no longer looking at Jing Xiaoyan. She wisely stayed silent and tilted her head to look at the people staring at her.

Jing Xiaoyan’s raised hand clenched the air. She gave Zhang Yan a polite smile and said dismissively, “It’s nothing, just got splashed a bit.”

Her gaze quickly returned to Jiang Yumian’s face, feeling bitter inside.

Jiang Yumian looked at the others expressionlessly, trying to recall how Ms. Jiang usually acted.

Sister Guan over there wanted to speak but couldn’t. Mainly, the situation had escalated to this point, and even Jiang Yumian was involved. She didn’t know what to do, so she just stood there as if she were thin air.

Director Liu and the actress quickly lowered their heads again when they saw her indifferent gaze, their hearts racing with panic.

How could they know this little madam would be outside the door…

Director Wu, however, was different. He was beaming. He could see the situation clearly. This madam was on his side!

His eyes were shining, looking at Jiang Yumian as if she were a god of wealth, feeling like she could conjure up some gold coins at any moment.

His gaze was too intense. The corner of Jiang Yumian’s mouth twitched. She knew what he was thinking, but looking at her like that was inappropriate.

Her hand was suddenly pulled. Jiang Yumian’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at Jing Xiaoyan, then glanced at Zhang Yan beside her.

Are they done talking?

Oh my, they actually look like a perfect match.

Jiang Yumian quietly scoffed inwardly. What good is a perfect match? Jing Xiaoyan’s sexual orientation is female, and she only likes me.

Zhang Yan was a bit confused because Jiang Yumian suddenly looked at him and smiled, an even more polite smile than Jing Xiaoyan’s.

“Are you still going to be in this show?” Jiang Yumian’s held hand moved. She stared directly at Jing Xiaoyan.

Knowing that she was backing her up, Jing Xiaoyan smiled and looked back at Guan Jing. The script was genuinely excellent, otherwise she wouldn’t have taken the role. Furthermore, the male lead dies early, in high school, so there are no ambiguous scenes.

Sister Guan saw her looking and nodded. With Jiang Yumian here, it seemed there were no issues. The main thing was that their schedules were set. If they could film smoothly, there was no need to disrupt them.

Jiang Yumian softly “hmph”-ed.

Director Wu’s heart finally returned to his chest. He was instantly overjoyed. With such a big backer here, why worry about one less investor?

Under Director Wu’s intensely worshipful gaze, Jiang Yumian merely glanced at him, pulled her hand away from Jing Xiaoyan’s grasp, and turned to look at the man slumped on the floor.

She mimicked her mother’s demeanor, lowering her eyes, her gaze cold, and said faintly, “I’ll give you one chance.”

The ashen-faced Boss Guo trembled. A chance? He still has a chance?

He quickly raised his head, met Jiang Yumian’s eyes, and quickly lowered his head again. The face he usually saw on TV wasn’t this one. Her current aura was about fifty to sixty percent similar to her mother’s serious interview demeanor.

He clenched his fists, then quickly mustered the courage to stand up, bowed directly to Jing Xiaoyan and apologized. “Miss Jing, I’m sorry! I spoke carelessly! I was low-life! I’m sorry!”

Jiang Yumian raised an eyebrow and snorted softly. She hadn’t even had a chance to ask him to apologize, and he reacted so quickly, so capable of yielding.

She didn’t speak, and he didn’t dare to straighten up.

Jiang Yumian stepped back slightly. “Sister, he apologized to you. Do you accept it?”

Hearing her deliberately call her ‘Sister’ here, Jing Xiaoyan curved her lips. “I don’t accept it.”

The man bent at the waist trembled, his heart instantly turning cold again.

“But…” Jing Xiaoyan grasped Jiang Yumian’s hand again, unwilling to give up. “Mianmian said she’d give him a chance, so we’ll see how he performs.”

Boss Guo: !

Jiang Yumian gently tried to pull her hand away but failed. There were too many people, and she didn’t want to make a big movement, so she gave up.

She pursed her lips and spoke to the man in front of her, her tone unfriendly. “Raise your head.”

The man hesitated at the command but quickly raised his head, still not daring to focus his gaze on Jiang Yumian’s face.

Seeing his face clearly, Jiang Yumian nodded, her tone certain. “Your name is Guo Che.”

Guo Che nodded instantly, then quickly shook his head. How could he admit it?

“No need to pretend. I know whose family you’re from. You have five minutes to go vomit all the alcohol in your stomach, sober up, and then come back to talk.”

Guo Che quickly nodded, pulled the door open, and rushed to the restroom.

Jiang Yumian only glanced at him and retracted her gaze. She believed this Guo Che wouldn’t dare to run away like this, unless he was truly drunk stupid.

Guo Che was hugging the toilet bowl and throwing up violently. He was already terrified before.

He was truly scared. The previous incident caused a huge commotion. The few companies that had bullied Jiang Yumian were directly uprooted by Jiang Jiyu, without any mercy. Even companies that were slightly affected were crushed.

His family might have some ability, but compared to Jiang Yumian, it was negligible.

The waiters had heard the commotion earlier. Although they didn’t know what happened, they were waiting outside the door. Jiang Yumian asked them to go in and tidy up the tables and chairs. By the time Guo Che returned, the table was empty.

Jiang Yumian sat on a chair, looking at the man obediently standing beside her, and casually pointed to a chair nearby. “Sit.”

Guo Che shook his head. He didn’t dare.

Jiang Yumian allowed him to do as he pleased.

“If this were a year ago, everything you were thinking while sitting on the floor might have actually happened.”

Guo Che’s face instantly turned pale. He had washed his face and rinsed his mouth before rushing back. His shirt was mostly wet. Now that he was sober, he understood even more clearly what he had done today. His heart was even more panicked.

It was so close, so very close. He was just about to hit Jiang Yumian. It was a good thing he was kicked by her. It was even better that he now had a chance. If he didn’t grasp it well, his family would truly be ruined.

Jiang Yumian didn’t care about his current expression. She glanced indifferently at the others in the private room and said casually, “But this matter has nothing to do with me. I was just passing by and overheard a little. Since Director Wu has settled the roles, just film it as planned. It’s none of my business.”

Guo Che’s eyes lit up. His mind worked quickly. He hurriedly said, “I understand! I understand! I’ll listen to Director Wu for everything. I’ll invest another twenty million. Director Wu, just film whatever you want. Tell me if you need anything, and I’ll arrange it.”

“And!” Guo Che moved back a step and consciously bowed to Jing Xiaoyan again. “And I almost hit Miss Jing while drunk just now. I’ll transfer the compensation for emotional distress to your card when I get back.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Yumian stood up and looked at him with a smile. “Clever.”

“Since it’s all settled, I’ll be leaving now.”

Seeing her about to leave, Jing Xiaoyan quickly grabbed her hand and followed her out.

The still-nervous Guo Che was completely dumbfounded. The matter was resolved just like that!?

His family escaped disaster just like that?

And he was even praised?

He blinked, put his hands on the table, and suddenly smiled. He was praised!

Jiang Yumian really gave him a chance and didn’t completely ruin him.

Before he could be happy for two seconds, the person who had left suddenly came back, scaring him into instantly standing up straight again.

Jiang Yumian’s face was cold. “If I hear a single word about what happened today from anyone else, you’ll deal with the consequences.”

Guo Che trembled. “Yes, yes!”

He didn’t want anyone else to know about such a humiliating incident!

Jiang Yumian finished speaking and left. This time, she was truly gone. Everyone in the private room let out a sigh of relief.

Director Wu felt much better. Although Jiang Yumian didn’t give him gold coins, she helped him secure another investor, and a well-behaved one at that.

Guo Che just said he would listen to him. How much respect is that!

Jiang Yumian’s re-entry was entirely because she wanted to avoid Jing Xiaoyan’s hand, as she was trying to hold hers again.

Seeing her finally emerge, Jing Xiaoyan’s gaze followed her closely, without any attempt to hide it.

“Mianmian.” Jing Xiaoyan tugged at Jiang Yumian. Whether she wanted to know or not, she had to explain. “That was Zhang Yan. We’ve worked together before. I don’t know what he meant, but I don’t like him.”

Jiang Yumian paused her descent down the stairs. The powerful aura she had in the private room was completely gone. She blinked blankly. “Oh, why are you explaining to me?”

Jing Xiaoyan stepped down a step, walking beside her, and continued to explain, “I’ve read the script. There are no ambiguous scenes.”

“If there aren’t any, there aren’t any. I didn’t say anything.” Jiang Yumian’s expression flickered. She avoided her gaze and continued, “Even if there were, you’d have to follow the script. Would you not film it if there were?”

Jing Xiaoyan’s fingers tightened slightly on Jiang Yumian’s wrist. She stared intently at Jiang Yumian.

Jiang Yumian couldn’t handle Jing Xiaoyan’s intense gaze. It made her face hot and very uncomfortable.

And she noticed there was still a hint of grievance in the way Jing Xiaoyan looked at her, which made it impossible for her to keep up the pretense.

“You’re covered in alcohol. Go to the restroom and clean up.” Her tone softened considerably. She pointed to Jing Xiaoyan’s skirt hem. Fortunately, the skirt was black, but the alcohol stains on her jacket were still obvious.

Jing Xiaoyan still held onto her, her voice wronged. “My hand hurts.”

Jiang Yumian was startled. Didn’t she say she was fine earlier?

She lowered her eyes and looked at Jing Xiaoyan’s obediently extended hand. The fair back of her hand was scratched by the glass shards. It didn’t break the skin, but a faint red mark was clearly visible.

Jing Xiaoyan was holding her phone at the time, and unfortunately, it was hit by the glass, but luckily her hand wasn’t cut.

Jiang Yumian: “…”

If she had shown me any later, it would probably have healed.

Meeting Jing Xiaoyan’s wronged eyes, Jiang Yumian licked her lips. “I’m a little hungry. How about this? I’ll treat you to dinner. Will your hand be better after we eat?”

Jing Xiaoyan’s face quickly broke into a smile. “Okay.”

Jiang Yumian snorted. I knew it.

“Then go clean up quickly. Your agent is waiting for you. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Jing Xiaoyan looked back at Guan Jing, who was looking away from them, and nodded. “Okay.”

At this moment, the people in the private room also came out. Guo Che saw Jiang Yumian, who hadn’t left yet, and his feet instinctively shrank back, but Jiang Yumian had already seen him. He could only bite the bullet and head downstairs.

Guo Che’s legs were weak as he descended the stairs. As he passed Jiang Yumian, he stammered an explanation, “I, I’m going to, to pay the bill.”

Jiang Yumian nodded, slightly narrowing her eyes. “Drink less, work more. With Jing Xiaoyan in it, the movie you invested in won’t lose money.”

Guo Che nodded repeatedly. “I understand!”

With this lesson, he wouldn’t dare to get drunk outside again. He was starting to develop a psychological trauma.

Jiang Yumian nodded without smiling. “You may leave.”

Jing Xiaoyan watched the person who seemed to be fleeing in panic, squeezed Jiang Yumian’s wrist, and looked at her with smiling eyes, thanking her softly, “Thank you, Mianmian, for coming to back me up.”

Jiang Yumian’s carefully maintained assertiveness instantly vanished. Her face was tight, and she spoke nonsense. “I didn’t specifically come to find you. I was just passing by, and your door wasn’t closed, so I accidentally heard it.”

Sister Guan, who was not far away, almost covered her ears. She didn’t know whether to leave or not. She heard everything. Oh, how she wished she could run up to Jiang Yumian and tell her that Jing Xiaoyan deliberately didn’t close the door.

The curve of Jing Xiaoyan’s lips deepened. “Thank you, Mianmian.”

Jiang Yumian slightly turned her head. “No need to thank me. If you ever have any trouble in the future, just call me. As you saw, my family is very powerful.”

Afraid that Jing Xiaoyan would get narcissistic again and say something, Jiang Yumian quickly added, “I’m doing this for my mom’s sake.”

It felt like a very unnecessary explanation.

Jing Xiaoyan still looked at her and smiled.

Jiang Yumian knew Jing Xiaoyan was laughing at her.

“You, you go clean up quickly,” Jiang Yumian was a little embarrassed. She didn’t want to say any more. She twisted her wrist and easily broke free this time. She waved her hand and walked away.

Jing Xiaoyan didn’t follow. Sister Guan was still waiting for her.

Jiang Yumian quickly ran to the hotel entrance, leaned against the door, and played with her phone. Since she had offered to treat Jing Xiaoyan to dinner, she wouldn’t leave. Besides, the people inside hadn’t left yet. She was here to keep the peace.

Although she now had a car to drive, an assistant to use, and her financial freedom had been restored, it was only ten thousand a month.

What she said earlier was true. If this incident had happened a year ago, when she was still immature, the Guo family might really have been ruined.

But now was different. She understood a lot more and had started to get involved in the company’s business. She couldn’t be so willful.

One should always leave a way out for others. Guo Che was able to become a major investor because his family had some real power. After all, he hadn’t done anything extremely outrageous, and this matter really had nothing to do with her.

She wasn’t the kind of overbearing CEO in novels who, at the drop of a hat, would destroy this family and that one just to vent anger, causing massive chaos and offending a bunch of people.

The business world wasn’t like that. Although these people were nothing in her mother’s eyes, having too many enemies was never a good thing.

A good scare was enough. There was no need to push people to desperation.

And…

The way Director Wu looked at her, it was as if she could actually afford to invest money, but she didn’t have any. Still, she couldn’t embarrass her mother. If she couldn’t handle such a small matter, she’d be ruined.

It’s a good thing I’m clever.

Hehe, it’s a pity I can’t share such an exciting story with anyone.

Jiang Yumian excitedly typed on her phone, then deleted half of it and recorded a voice message to share with the rich sister. “Sister, let me tell you, I just saved a damsel in distress!”

After saying that, she glanced inside the door. People were coming out one after another. This restaurant was in a relatively secluded alley, and there weren’t many people. The people coming out were the ones from the private room.

Director Wu glanced at Jiang Yumian at the door, wanting to say hello, but saw she was busy typing, so he wisely walked away.

Jiang Yumian muttered to herself, Why aren’t they leaving yet? I’m not done talking.

Sea Cotton has Baby: I was so awesome!

His hand was almost reaching my face. Luckily, my foot was fast, and I kicked him to the ground. I was so awesome.

And that Director Wu looked at me like I was a gold mine. I actually don’t have a penny, hahaha. Good thing I was clever. I didn’t spend a cent, and I still managed to look impressive.

First Love Sister: [Wow, Mianmian is so amazing~]

Sea Cotton has Baby: Hehe, I wonder how much compensation for emotional distress that bad guy will give Jing Xiaoyan. I really want her to share a little with me, sniff…

And the actress he brought. They’re probably in that kind of relationship. Forget it, let’s not discuss other people’s private matters. It’s just that she didn’t even dare to look up at me. I wonder if she’s as pretty as Jing Xiaoyan.

First Love Sister: You were actually paying attention to that too?

Sea Cotton has Baby: Yes, yes. But I still think Jing Xiaoyan is prettier. That bad guy has no taste, letting someone else play her part. So stupid.

Seeing that everyone around her had left, Jiang Yumian picked up her phone again and continued to brag. “Sigh… If it weren’t for the fact that I don’t like the whole casting couch thing, I’m not bragging, but with my family’s power, I’d want to keep her as a mistress.”

Jing Xiaoyan was standing behind her, smiling. She looked at the voice message that popped up on her phone, deliberately waited for two seconds, reached out and patted Jiang Yumian’s back, her voice filled with intense amusement. “You said you want to keep me as a mistress?”

This familiar voice!

Jiang Yumian’s legs went weak. Her phone almost fell to the ground. She was so scared she didn’t dare to turn around.

I was joking!

I was bragging!

Jing Xiaoyan reached out and hooked her arm around Jiang Yumian’s neck, pulling her closer, and said another sentence: “It’s not entirely impossible…”

Jiang Yumian’s throat nervously bobbed. She pushed Jing Xiaoyan’s arm away, her neck stiff, not daring to look back. “What do you mean ‘not impossible’? Wouldn’t that be taking advantage of you for free?”

Jing Xiaoyan deliberately played dumb. “You thought of it first, not me. But I agree. Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Little Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Yumian turned around in disbelief, about to argue, but was instantly blocked by Jing Xiaoyan’s next sentence. “I’m so hungry. Where should we go to eat now?”

Jing Xiaoyan blinked innocently. “Little Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Yumian’s little hand trembled. She took a step back, her face taut. “Don’t call me that!”

Jing Xiaoyan’s smile deepened. “Okay, Mianmian.”

What is she smiling about all the time? She smiles so much!

Jiang Yumian gnashed her teeth, turned around, and walked toward her car. I’ll just not look at her!

Jing Xiaoyan followed her closely.

By the car, seeing her open the door, Jing Xiaoyan unceremoniously opened the passenger door and sat down, then fastened her seatbelt under Jiang Yumian’s watchful eye. Her movements were clean and quick, without any hesitation.

Jiang Yumian was impressed by her cheekiness.

Jiang Yumian numbly pulled down her seatbelt and fastened it.

After thinking for a long time, she decided to clarify. “I was just bragging earlier.”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded. “I know. But words spoken are like water poured. You can’t take them back.”

Jiang Yumian’s face fell. Why is she so shameless…

She reminded her helplessly, “I have a girlfriend…”

“I know that too. But don’t you guys not meet? Don’t you have no feelings?” Jing Xiaoyan turned to look at Jiang Yumian. “I’ve thought it over these past few days. I’m going to poach you.”

Jiang Yumian’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

Jing Xiaoyan leaned in, deliberately putting her face close to Jiang Yumian’s, and suggested seriously, “You already want to keep me as a mistress. Why don’t you just dump her and be with me? Look, I can be touched, hugged, and I can warm your bed. Isn’t that better than the one on your phone?”

After all, it’s still me either way.

Jiang Yumian’s face instantly darkened. She immediately pulled away from Jing Xiaoyan. She actually told her to dump the rich sister! Her sister was so good! How could Jing Xiaoyan say that about her!

“I know how good she is. I don’t need you to tell me.” Jiang Yumian was furious. Her tone was very harsh. She warned her with a cold face, “If you say one more word, get out of the car.”

Jing Xiaoyan’s smile froze. She seemed to have underestimated the other “her” in Jiang Yumian’s heart.

The car started quickly. When they turned out onto a street, Jing Xiaoyan didn’t speak again.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy. Neither of them spoke. The traffic light was red now, forcing them to stop. It was hard for Jiang Yumian not to focus her thoughts on Jing Xiaoyan.

She must be feeling wronged again.

Such a dog.

She sighed softly. Jing Xiaoyan didn’t mean it. She just liked her and got a little excited. I might have been too harsh just now.

Jiang Yumian was already trying to convince herself. She was considering how to break the ice and thinking about how to comfort Jing Xiaoyan.

But the person beside her spoke first.

“I was wrong.”

Jing Xiaoyan’s cautious tone fell on her ears. Jiang Yumian’s eyelashes fluttered. She was suddenly at a loss.

Seeing Jiang Yumian still expressionless and ignoring her, Jing Xiaoyan reached out and tugged at the fabric sticking to Jiang Yumian’s arm.

Her voice was small. “I’m sorry…”

Jiang Yumian’s chest warmed. She slightly turned her head, concealing the panic in her eyes.

“Mianmian…” Jing Xiaoyan tugged at her clothes again, her voice pleading. “Talk to me.”

“The light is about to turn green. I, I need to drive.”

Jiang Yumian wanted to pull Jing Xiaoyan’s hand away, but she was afraid that if her movement was too big, Jing Xiaoyan would misunderstand. She could only use her other hand to gently pull Jing Xiaoyan’s hand down, then quickly added, “I’m not angry. You, you don’t be unhappy.”

After saying that, Jiang Yumian wanted to slap herself. I’m clearly the one who’s unhappy. What am I even saying!

Why is Jing Xiaoyan the one apologizing, but I’m the one who’s flustered!

Jiang Yumian wanted to cry. She knew she was weak-willed, but this was the first time she realized she could be this much of a pushover…