Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 43

Guan Yunshi finally looked directly at Xia Zhixue: “What do you mean by that?”

A glimmer of delight flashed in Xia Zhixue’s eyes. She knew Guan Yunshi had taken the bait.

“Everyone in the industry knows that you and President Qin are childhood sweethearts, a match made in heaven,” Xia Zhixue sighed. “But I have a shameless sister who, in her bid to cling to the Qin family, didn’t hesitate to meddle in your relationship with President Qin. I simply couldn’t stand by and watch, which is why I wanted to warn you.”

Guan Yunshi’s breath hitched, and fury instantly ignited in her heart.

So, it was Xia Jin!

She had always thought Xia Jin’s participation in the variety show was a coincidence, and living next door to Qin Yu was just another coincidence. But she never imagined Xia Jin was so cunning, she had been targeting Qin Yu all along!

“Who is your sister?” Guan Yunshi’s voice trembled slightly.

She struggled to control her emotions, wanting to hear Xia Zhixue say the name aloud.

Xia Zhixue put on a reluctant expression, as though she was hesitant to speak.

“Ah, family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public…” she sighed, feigning hesitation.

Guan Yunshi grew even more certain of her suspicions and snapped impatiently, “Just say it! Who is it?”

Only then did Xia Zhixue “accidentally” let it slip: “It’s Xia Jin. My sister is Xia Jin from Stellar Cube Entertainment!”

Guan Yunshi’s mind went blank as everything suddenly fell into place.

She had always thought Xia Jin’s involvement was accidental, but now she realized how meticulously calculated it all was!

“How… how could she do this?” Guan Yunshi muttered to herself, her voice filled with shock and rage.

Seeing Guan Yunshi’s agitation, Xia Zhixue eagerly poured fuel on the fire.

Pretending to have misspoken, she added, “Ah, my sister truly has no conscience, she’s always causing trouble for our father.”

“She was originally his illegitimate child, yet she still insists on acting like the young lady of the Xia family, constantly humiliating me.”

“For fame and fortune, she even abandoned her own birth mother without a second thought.”

Every word from Xia Zhixue struck deep, painting Xia Jin as a ruthless woman who would stop at nothing for power and status.

Guan Yunshi listened, her anger boiling over. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly dug into her palms.

She had thought Xia Jin was just an ordinary interloper, but now she saw how utterly despicable she was!

A flash of venom crossed Guan Yunshi’s eyes, though she forced a comforting tone.

“Don’t be upset, Zhixue,” she said, patting Xia Zhixue’s hand. “I’ll help you teach her a lesson.”

Xia Zhixue was overjoyed that her scheme had worked, but she maintained a grateful expression.

“Thank you, Miss Guan,” she said earnestly. “I knew you’d help me.”

Watching Xia Zhixue’s insincere smile, Guan Yunshi felt nothing but disgust.

She knew Xia Zhixue was no saint either.

But she didn’t care.

As long as it served her purpose, she was willing to use anyone.

Xia Zhixue smirked inwardly.

Xia Jin, let’s see how you’ll get out of this one!

The car to pick up Guan Yunshi arrived, and Xia Zhixue smiled as she saw her off. “I’ll head to the show recording now, Miss Guan. Just reach out if anything comes up.”

Guan Yunshi nodded with a smile. “Thank you for today.”

“Don’t mention it, it was my duty.”

When Ye Tiyan returned, he saw the two women getting along so harmoniously. Guan Yunshi and Xia Zhixue had become close friends in just over ten minutes.

His heart swelled with joy, this was the kind of noble young lady he ought to marry, someone who could help him expand his connections and climb even higher.

A faint smile playing on his lips, Ye Tiyan followed Xia Zhixue into the manor.

The production crew had been waiting for a while. As soon as the two entered, they warmly welcomed them.

Director Zhang picked up a megaphone and announced, “Great, our special guests have arrived, Ms. Xia Zhixue and Mr. Ye Tiyan!”

“The two are the entertainment industry’s model couple!”

Xia Zhixue smiled sweetly and waved at the camera.

But Ye Tiyan’s gaze fell on the dishes laid out on the table, and he froze instantly.

He recognized Xia Jin’s cooking at a glance.

The dishes, the flavors, they were exactly as he remembered them.

Suddenly, memories of his university days flooded back, Xia Jin cooking for him with such care in their rented apartment.

Back then, she had been so gentle, so wonderful.

The thought made his heart ache unexpectedly.

Xia Zhixue tugged at his arm and cooed, “Brother Tiyan, what are you thinking about?”

Snapping out of his daze, Ye Tiyan gave a distracted wave to the camera.

Jiang Qingli looked at them and politely asked, “Would you two like to join us for the meal?”

Xia Zhixue quickly declined with a smile, “No need, we already had lunch before coming.”

To everyone’s surprise, Ye Tiyan suddenly spoke up, “Yes!”

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Shen Du glanced at Ye Tiyan, a cold smirk curling his lips.

He deliberately said, “Apologies, but there aren’t any extra utensils in the manor.”

“If Mr. Ye is still hungry, I can have someone order takeout for you.”

Xia Zhixue’s expression darkened. She pulled at Ye Tiyan’s arm, looking at him with hurt eyes.

Only then did Ye Tiyan realize his blunder. He hurriedly declined, “No need, I was just joking.”

In the afternoon, all the guests rested in their rooms, preparing for the evening shoot.

Xia Jin was lying on the bed with her eyes closed when Song Qianrou suddenly called in a panic.

“Bad news, President Xia! There’s a flood of negative rumors about you online!”

Xia Jin frowned. “What rumors? Send me the links.”

[Song Qianrou: Xia Jin! The illegitimate daughter of the Xia family, who will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder!]

[Song Qianrou: Xia Jin of Stellar Cube schemed for ages to interfere in Guan Yunshi and Qin Yu’s relationship!?]

[Song Qianrou: Xia Jin abandoned her adoptive mother to chase wealth and status, heartless!]

Xia Jin’s brows furrowed tightly. What a coincidence.

Guan Yunshi had just left, Xia Zhixue arrived right after, and now a storm of slander had erupted.

She clicked open the links, the screen was flooded with hateful comments.

[Xia Jin, get out of the “Almost Lovers” show! What right does a homewrecker have to join a dating program?!]

[Shameless woman! How dare she steal Guan Yunshi’s boyfriend! No wonder Guan Yunshi was crying earlier!]

[She’d do anything for money! Scum like her should be banned from the industry!]

[My heart breaks for Ms. Guan! To have her relationship ruined by this homewrecker is just tragic!]

[I heard she abandoned her own mother to chase after rich men, utterly depraved!]

[Boycott Xia Jin! Purge the entertainment industry of this filth!]

Some even tried to create unflattering photos of themselves in the “Almost Lovers” game, but unfortunately, Xia Jin didn’t have a single bad angle in 360 degrees.

The haters had no choice but to give up and simply post her photos, claiming she was scheming and had a fox-like, seductive appearance.

A torrent of vicious curses and insults nearly drowned her.

Xia Jin remained completely unfazed, even glancing at her own photos with mild amusement.

Then, without hesitation, she used her official account to give one of those posts a like.