Deliberate Possession [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Who Chased Whom?

The next day, when changing into her gown, Jiang Yumian added a black women’s knit printed suit jacket over her outfit. Jing Xiaoyan hadn’t been able to control herself yesterday, and her back was covered in small red marks.

She fiercely shook her fist at the culprit.

Fu Leyi was doing Jing Xiaoyan’s makeup. She glanced at the two people in the mirror exchanging meaningful looks and couldn’t help but smile. “You two have a very good relationship now, huh?”

Jiang Yumian pouted, muttering softly, “Who has a good relationship with her?”

Sister An, her manager, pulled her arm and tugged at her suit jacket beside her, asking doubtfully, “Are you cold?”

She was here specifically to accompany Jiang Yumian. It was impossible for her to come alone to such an event, and Xiao Feng had other work, so she, the manager, had to come.

Jiang Yumian shook her head, looking at the mirror. “It’s not because I’m cold. I just want to look more composed.”

Fu Leyi glanced at her and smiled. “You want to look more composed, huh? Alright, then I’ll give you a mature look later, the kind of charismatic woman with imposing presence. How about that?”

Jiang Yumian immediately gave her a thumbs-up. “Nice! That’s exactly what I want.”

Since she was back at the company, she had to change her image, right?

Jing Xiaoyan, who had been silent, finally spoke. “If you give her a mature, charming makeup look, what about me?”

Jing Xiaoyan looked at herself in the mirror. Her gown this time was arranged by Jiang Yumian’s team, a newly released high-fashion custom piece: an ivory Chinese-style bamboo print suit jacket with a skirt as the lower half.

It wouldn’t have been a big deal if Jiang Yumian didn’t wear her black printed suit jacket, but with her wearing it, the two of them on the red carpet looked very much like a pair.

If her girlfriend was mature and charming, what about herself?

More mature?

Fu Leyi didn’t give her time to wonder. She quickly said, “I already thought it through for you. The elegant and aloof style, to match your gown. You two are walking together, right? It’ll be a great match.”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded, quite satisfied.

After both of their makeup looks were done, Jing Xiaoyan accompanied Jiang Yumian to the waiting area for photos. The more she looked at the photos, the more she felt she looked a bit submissive next to Jiang Yumian, especially when she smiled.

Jiang Yumian also noticed it, and felt she had quite the female CEO vibe.

She composed her expression, reached out, lifted Jing Xiaoyan’s chin, and squinted her eyes. “The CEO and her wife.”

“Hahahahaha!” Jiang Yumian burst into laughter after saying it.

Jing Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow, swatting her hand away. “If I don’t smile, it’s the female CEO and her nemesis.”

Jiang Yumian suppressed her laugh, pulled Jing Xiaoyan over, and held up her phone. “Come on, nemesis, let’s take another selfie.”

She took the picture, looked at her phone, and complained a little. “Why aren’t you smiling?”

Jing Xiaoyan raised her chin with a cold face. “Aren’t we nemeses? Smiling would ruin the persona.”

She was quite meticulous. Jiang Yumian reopened the camera. “Then I’m making you smile. Hurry up, I need to post this on Weibo to complete a nine-picture grid.”

When she mentioned posting on Weibo, Jing Xiaoyan’s small face tightened even more, and her eyes showed a hint of arrogance.

Seeing her deliberately keep a straight face, Jiang Yumian took a picture, put her phone away, crossed her arms, and deliberately walked around Jing Xiaoyan, scrutinizing her up and down.

Jing Xiaoyan blinked. Although she didn’t know what she was looking at, she maintained her posture for her to look.

Jiang Yumian glanced around. There were only a few scattered staff members, all busy with their work, with no time to pay attention to them. She leaned in closer, whispering into Jing Xiaoyan’s ear, “Fine, let’s see you be this way in bed.”

After saying that, Jiang Yumian didn’t rush to move away. She lowered her gaze, staring at Jing Xiaoyan’s increasingly rosy ear, feeling more satisfied.

But she was also quite embarrassed herself.

She let out a soft hum, stepping back. “The female CEO won’t walk the red carpet with her nemesis. Remember to smile.”

Jing Xiaoyan stared at her retreating figure towards the waiting area, feeling like Jiang Yumian had changed her personality along with her outfit.

Quite bold.

Seeing her walk over, Jiang Yumian had already calmed down. She tilted her head and looked at Jing Xiaoyan. “Smiling now?”

Jing Xiaoyan smiled, ignoring the other artists around them. She leaned in close to Jiang Yumian’s ear and whispered, “Mhm. After all, I’m Mrs. Jiang, not CEO Jiang’s nemesis.”

Jiang Yumian suppressed a smile. Quite sensible.

“I’ve thought about the compensation you owe me,” Jing Xiaoyan suddenly whispered in her ear.

Compensation? What compensation?

Jiang Yumian was stunned for a few seconds, then finally remembered. Ah… it was about the time she misunderstood Jing Xiaoyan. She had indeed promised compensation, and she almost forgot.

She blinked and nodded. “Tell me. As long as it’s within my ability.”

She was afraid Jing Xiaoyan would ask for some difficult demand, which she wouldn’t be able to fulfill.

Jing Xiaoyan quickly smiled. “It’s not hard. You have to listen to me from now on. For the next three weeks, whatever I say goes.”

Jiang Yumian closed her eyes. Excessive.

She gritted her teeth. “Fine.”

Sister An was walking over at that moment, waving at them. “Let’s go. It’s almost your turn.”

She shook the phone she was holding to her ear, explaining, “I’m a little busy. I’ll wait for you in the car first.”

Jiang Yumian was slightly taken aback. Sister An was leaving too quickly; she hadn’t even made her appearance yet, but she still nodded quickly.

Jing Xiaoyan pulled her along. Seeing Jiang Yumian distracted, constantly looking in the direction Sister An left, she pursed her lips and thoughtfully reminded her, “Watch where you’re going. There are steps.”

Her voice was a little cold.

Jiang Yumian quickly looked down. “Oh.”

Hearing the host’s introduction, they walked forward. Su Mumu and Chu Qianyun had already finished and were waiting for them behind the stage.

As they stepped out, Jiang Yumian waved to both sides, a dignified and proper smile on her face. While lifting her skirt, she tilted her head and whispered, “Walk faster, walk faster, I’m freezing!”

Jing Xiaoyan let out a soft hum.

Jiang Yumian was puzzled for a moment. She turned to look at her, seeing her expressionless. She gritted her teeth and threatened with a forced smile, “If you dare to act aloof here, you’re sleeping with Jiang Xiaoyan when we get home!”

She was still putting on airs when they were about to go on stage!

Jing Xiaoyan instantly smiled as she looked up, winked at Jiang Yumian, and led her toward the host.

The sound of shutters and camera flashes was constant. Jiang Yumian glanced at the two hosts not far away. One was an acquaintance, and the other was a fake, male host whose eyes lit up when he saw them.

“Don’t pay attention to that guy when we get up there. Sign your names, take pictures, and then leave,” Jiang Yumian tightened her grip on Jing Xiaoyan’s hand, reminding her.

Since no one could hear them talking now, she wasn’t afraid of whispering a few words.

Jing Xiaoyan looked at her, smiling. “Should I smile at him?”

Being sassy right now, Jiang Yumian turned her face away, waved to the other side, and ignored Jing Xiaoyan.

After getting on stage, she took the signing pen from the attendant, quickly signed her name, turned around to return the pen, and pulled Jing Xiaoyan aside to take pictures.

Jing Xiaoyan began to compose her smile now. She still had to strike a few poses. Artists walking together could cooperate, so she boldly hooked Jiang Yumian’s chin.

Her gaze lingered on Jiang Yumian’s face, the affection in her eyes completely unconcealed. Jiang Yumian was flustered for a moment, afraid to meet her gaze, truly worried that she would lean in and kiss her. But she still cooperated by smiling, and finally, she looked back at her defiantly.

You scoundrel.

“Wow~ Did Teacher Jiang add the black suit jacket to wear a couple outfit with Teacher Jing? They must be the warmest pair of actresses today. The two of you look truly stunning together.”

Jiang Yumian, who had intended to leave after taking photos, heard this and quickly pulled Jing Xiaoyan, who was about to smile and respond. She was suppressing her anger, took the microphone, and politely responded to the host’s passive-aggressiveness. “Thank you for the compliment, but it’s still very cold. It’s not warm at all.”

“But the rest of what you said is quite right. I indeed intentionally matched my outfit like this because fans love to see us together.”

The male host also quickly made a joke. “Hahaha, I’m also kind of shipping you two.”

Jing Xiaoyan leaned into the microphone. “Then you have good taste. I’m also quite a shipper.”

The male host smiled humbly. “Overrated, overrated. I heard that Teacher Xiaoyan’s new work will be meeting everyone soon, and our male lead is the next person to come out. Do you want to say hello to him?”

He raised his finger toward Zhang Yan, who had just come out and was waving at them. Since they hadn’t left yet, he was waiting there.

Jing Xiaoyan only glanced at him, then quickly took the microphone from Jiang Yumian’s hand. She knew that although the person beside her was smiling, she was probably furious inside because she had said she deeply disliked Zhang Yan.

“Sorry, our new work isn’t even finished filming yet, so it’s not convenient to give spoilers. It will be a while before it meets everyone. But I hope everyone can pay attention to my debut variety show, Didn’t Expect That, which is currently airing.”

Seeing Jiang Yumian standing by the side, the female host quickly smiled and took over the conversation. “Yes, our variety show is really popular right now. Many friends are watching it. I heard that Teacher Jiang also adopted a little dog, and its official name was given by Teacher Jing?”

A smile quickly appeared on Jiang Yumian’s face. She leaned against Jing Xiaoyan, deliberately avoiding taking the microphone and letting her hold it for her. “Yes, Jiang Xiaoyan has grown up a lot. I’ll share photos with everyone when I get a chance.”

The female host smiled. “Hey, I heard that Teacher Jiang’s historical drama finished filming some time ago, and it seems to be scheduled for next summer vacation!”

Jiang Yumian nodded. “Yes, it’s tentatively scheduled for next summer vacation. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone.”

The male host interjected, unwilling to be outdone. “Does Teacher Jiang have any other new projects coming up to meet everyone?”

Although he wasn’t supposed to ask this, it was their mission to try to get some information out of Jiang Yumian about whether she was really planning to retire from the industry.

Jiang Yumian twitched her mouth. “Yes, didn’t you hear? Jing Xiaoyan just said it. Our new variety show. Isn’t it currently being filmed?”

Afraid that entertainment reporters would seize on this point and claim that Jiang Yumian had a bad attitude, Jing Xiaoyan smiled and playfully patted her. “Stop being silly.”

Jiang Yumian smiled at her, successfully resolving the awkwardness.

Seeing that they couldn’t get any more information, the hosts reluctantly let them go.

Walking backstage, Jiang Yumian was shivering from the cold. She let out a light breath. “Are you cold?”

Jing Xiaoyan nodded, a little confused. “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t talk to them?”

Jiang Yumian looked at her irritably. “I wanted to take a picture and walk straight off, but who knew you would strike a pose there? That’s how he got a chance. And he’s malicious. He asked those questions on purpose. If I didn’t reply to him, or if my words didn’t smooth things over, the marketing accounts would spread rumors.”

While explaining, Jiang Yumian pulled her toward Su Mumu’s assistant. A staff member walked ahead of them to guide them.

Jing Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

She glanced at the people around them. Jiang Yumian held her hand and walked forward. “I’ll tell you in the car.”

In the car, Su Mumu and Chu Qianyun were already waiting for them. It was a large passenger van with plenty of space.

Seeing them get in and sit in the back, Chu Qianyun immediately said, “Let’s go. Let’s go out for dinner together.”

Jiang Yumian had just sat down and quickly said, “Wait a moment. I need to find Sister An.”

The moment she finished speaking.

Jing Xiaoyan inexplicably let out a cold hum.

Jiang Yumian looked over at the sound, but the other person immediately turned her head away, refusing to look at her.

“I’m going first?” she asked tentatively.

Jing Xiaoyan moved to the side, stiffly spitting out two words. “Whatever.”

Chu Qianyun turned her head to look at them, rolling her eyes in a very ungraceful manner. “Mianmian, go quickly. Don’t mind her.”

So childish. They didn’t even treat her and Mumu as outsiders. She wasn’t even trying to hide her jealousy.

Jiang Yumian’s eyes held a smile. She sat closer to her, grabbed her hand and tickled her, then patted the seat in front of her. “Mumu, lend me your phone for a moment. I need to call Sister An. Our phones are still with her.”

Su Mumu suppressed a laugh, unlocked her phone, and handed it over. “Here you go.”

Jiang Yumian dialed a number, leaned toward Jing Xiaoyan, and put the call on speakerphone for her to hear.

The call connected quickly.

An Zhiying: “Hello?”

Jiang Yumian leaned against Jing Xiaoyan. “Hello, Sister An, it’s me. We’re in Mumu’s car. Could you bring my jacket and phone over, please?”

An Zhiying was confused. “You’re already out? And in Mumu’s car?”

Jing Xiaoyan glanced at the phone, then quickly turned her head away again.

Jiang Yumian rubbed her palm against Jing Xiaoyan’s, quickly saying, “Yes. That male host, Zeng Qing, do you remember him? And the marketing accounts he works with, keep an eye on them.”

Sister An replied quickly. “Alright, hang up. I’ll be right there.”

Su Mumu took the phone back, asking directly, “What’s going on?”

Jiang Yumian’s previous defamation was partly caused by this host. When he saw Jiang Yumian being targeted by capital, he took the opportunity to step on her, asking seemingly normal questions, which were then exaggerated by marketing accounts, causing immense injustice.

At the time, Jiang’s mother had only dealt with the capital forces, ignoring these minor figures, which was why he was still causing trouble now.

Jiang Yumian reached out and put her arm around Jing Xiaoyan’s arm, continuing, “With that question of his, people will definitely say that Jing Xiaoyan is neglecting the movie’s male lead and intentionally clinging to me.”

Although the host said that she deliberately wore the jacket to match Jing Xiaoyan, if Jiang Yumian hadn’t responded, the narrative would be twisted outside, and it would definitely become: Jing Xiaoyan is scheming and trying to use their CP to climb the social ladder, but the host skillfully resolved the awkwardness.

Zeng Qing had done this many times. Outside, everyone now said he had high emotional intelligence, but artists with any sense in the industry could see through it.

“Also, regarding our CP relationship, I estimate it won’t be long before rumors about Jing Xiaoyan liking girls start circulating.”

Because they didn’t dare to provoke her, they only dared to target Jing Xiaoyan, trying to ride the wave of popularity and make some money.

The car door suddenly knocked. The conversation in the car temporarily stopped. An Zhiying handed the jacket and phones into the car.

Su Mumu politely asked, “Sister An, are you getting in? Let’s eat together.”

An Zhiying shook her head. “No, no. I still have work.”

She was nearly overwhelmed with work.

Jiang Yumian draped the jacket over her legs, looking out the car. “Sister An, remember to keep an eye on that Zeng Qing.”

An Zhiying nodded. “Got it.”

The car door closed. Su Mumu turned to look at her. “Is he suspicious?”

“Mhm, very suspicious. He used to walk around me, but now he’s targeting someone I’m protecting right in front of me. Let’s wait and see. He probably has someone behind him.”

Chu Qianyun rubbed her forehead, a little helpless. “Let’s go first. The industry is really messy. Jing Xiaoyan, you should continue filming on set. The outside world is too rough; it’s not suitable for you to be out here.”

“What are you afraid of? I’m here. She can dismantle the entire entertainment industry if she wants to.” Jiang Yumian’s words were very arrogant, sounding like she was deliberately trying to please Jing Xiaoyan.

It was overly dramatic. Su Mumu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “You two finally got together?”

Chu Qianyun widened her eyes and also turned back to look. So fast? Did Jing Xiaoyan really force the relationship?

Jing Xiaoyan glared at her. What was she thinking?

She cleared her throat, deliberately beating Jiang Yumian to the punch. “Not yet. She’s currently chasing me.”

Jiang Yumian was dumbfounded. “?”

Who chased whom? And who is chasing whom?

Jing Xiaoyan kept a straight face, asking deliberately, “Isn’t that right?”

Not knowing what she was up to, Jiang Yumian twitched her mouth. “I guess… so…”

After all, she had to listen to her.

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