My Wealthy Ex-Girlfriend Knelt and Begged Me to Come Back [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 41

Ji Jiayu was being watched by a group of people, with long cameras pointed at her, and asked tricky questions.

Yet she wasn’t flustered at all.

In her hand was a small bottle of drink. She held it with both hands, pursed her lips into a smile, and dimples appeared on both cheeks. “Wait a moment, I’m a bit thirsty…”

She appeared calm and collected, as if born for variety shows.

The crew, unfamiliar with proper procedure, took out a bunch of small bottled drinks from the back and handed them to everyone—another commercial plug for the sponsors.

The camera zoomed in on Ji Jiayu for a close-up—

She held the bottle, a smile on her lips, her cheeks slightly sunken into shallow dimples. “In this scorching summer, don’t forget to drink water…”

“Remember to drink ‘Wa Ha Ha,’ which comes in honey orange and honey grapefruit flavors~” Ji Jiayu smiled sweetly, her fingers pressing on the cap. She twisted it with a “click”—

She lowered her head slightly, pressed her pink lips to the bottle, and took a small sip. She swallowed slowly, the pale skin of her neck rising and falling gracefully, sunlight casting a faint golden halo on her profile, even her hair gleaming in the light.

The side profile on camera looked extraordinarily beautiful.

After finishing, she carefully twisted the cap back on.

Even drinking water exuded charm—her fingertips and lips lightly flushed, appearing alluring.

After breaking free from the original story’s constraints, the conscious Ji Jiayu possessed a charm the female supporting character never had—an ambition for career success and business endorsements.

She was simply drinking water, yet it looked like a painting that no one could look away from.

Everyone watching became thirsty as well, twisting open their own bottle caps to perform the commercial act of drinking…

A crew member reminded her: “Jiayu, you’ve finished drinking; don’t forget to answer the question from earlier~”

“Mm, as for the person I like…” Ji Jiayu slowly twisted the bottle cap back, placing the drink on the small tray table.

“Because I’m relatively petite, I tend to appreciate someone taller than me. They should excel in their field and bring warmth to others. I tend to prefer… someone more positive.”

She paused, then suddenly lifted her gaze, her eyes curving slightly, sparkling as she looked at A-Yang not far away.

“People with good looks tend to catch my attention more easily…”

“As for whether I like anyone on this car, A-Yang, you don’t have to worry about me falling for you… haha~”

Her words sounded like a joke, but were actually a subtle dig at someone’s vain self-importance.

The one who provokes first gets humiliated—A-Yang had caused trouble first!

Ji Jiayu grew up in an orphanage, constantly scrambling for food with other kids. If she wasn’t strong, she wouldn’t even have enough to eat. She wasn’t some naive girl falling into traps for others…

If A-Yang dared to step on her, she would step back!

Yu Yingdi, the actor, tactfully eased the tension: “Jiayu means A-Yang is beautiful, but not her type, haha…”

A-Yang clenched her hands on her lap, the knuckles cracking as she tightened them: “…” Heh.

Next, Kai Kai, sitting in front of A-Yang, asked Lin Qiaoxuan: “Xiao Lin, is it true that you were previously called off from an engagement? You’re so pretty and have a good family… Was your partner not meeting your standards?”

Upon hearing “called off the engagement,” Lin Qiaoxuan’s brows furrowed instantly.

This amateur was really bad at talking—or rather, this trashy straight man was clearly planted by the show to stir trouble!

Lin Qiaoxuan pressed her lips, gripping the drink bottle. “You…”

You… grandpa’s leg, if you can’t speak properly, just don’t say anything!!

Before she could retort, someone intervened and answered first—

Ji Jiayu snorted lightly, as if hearing something absurd. Her eyes curved into beautiful crescents, and she said:

“It’s 2020, how can people still say ‘called off engagement’?”

“A marriage contract being dissolved either means love ended or there was never love to begin with~”

Ji Jiayu’s words were measured and pleasant…

As an “outsider,” her response was reasonable. The male amateur named Kai Kai’s way of questioning was too blunt. Ji Jiayu didn’t intend to protect Lin Qiaoxuan—it was just that she felt her family’s privacy had been infringed…

Though Ji Jiayu’s identity as a Lin family member hadn’t been revealed, ever since finding her family in Nancheng, she had tentatively included Lin Qiaoxuan as family, despite occasional odd behavior from her.

Ji Jiayu’s words were like a gentle breeze, clearing Lin Qiaoxuan’s mind and cooling her temper.

She recalled the purpose of appearing on the show—to promote her family’s enterprise and a new product line—not to argue with an amateur.

“Yes, Jiayu sister is right. The engagement was broken off simply because we weren’t compatible. I want to find someone new, someone I like more—nothing else.”

After speaking, Lin Qiaoxuan slightly turned her head toward Ji Jiayu, smiling faintly, then turned back to the camera. “As for the type I like…”

“Mm… someone who looks delicate but isn’t weak at all, like… a black-footed cat.”

Ji Jiayu raised an eyebrow. She had seen this animal online before and was a little surprised it was mentioned. “A black-footed cat?”

“It lives in desert regions. It’s small but can prey on creatures much larger than itself, like sheep,” Lin Qiaoxuan explained with a faint smile.

“Soft-looking but actually fierce…”

Lin Qiaoxuan’s smile revealed a tiny sharp tooth, innocent yet slightly unsettling.

Ji Jiayu pursed her lips, her long lashes fluttering.

Lin Qiaoxuan’s analogy caught her off guard—she always thought “deceptively charming and duplicitous” was a negative trait, much like herself: glamorous outside, rotten at the core…

“Excuse me, we’re asking about people, not animals,” the actor Yu Yingdi reminded, acting as the scene controller.

“No need to change, just drink it,” Lin Qiaoxuan said lightly.

A small paper cup was filled with vinegar.

She raised it and drank; her fine eyebrows furrowed, the tip of her nose wrinkled, giving her small face a touch of earthy realism.

“Yue… really sour…” she muttered.

That evening, a tag related to Summer Youth Tour trended on social media:

#SummerYouthTourHealthyViewsOnLove#

@LateNightEmotionWall: Before entering a marriage, mutual understanding is key. Trial and error is not shameful. Video attached—Lin Qiaoxuan explaining the “called off engagement” on the variety show.

[Comments flooded in:]

“So the rumor was true, Lin Qiaoxuan got dumped? Rich heiress or not, still rejected! The abandoned heiress…”

“Some people don’t even click the video before commenting, ridiculous!!”

The post got over ten thousand likes.

Lin Qiaoxuan’s own post read:

@LinQiaoxuan: Tongda Plaza opens, No. 233, East Sports Road, Nancheng. Come by~

“Go Lin! You’re amazing, I love you!!”

Meanwhile, nearly half a country away in Jing City, at Qiushui Venture’s office:

Manager Zhang handed Qiu Miaoran a set of documents:

“This is the C-round financing research for Shangkang Medical, and here’s the due diligence report on Yunwen Data.”

“Mm,” Qiu Miaoran nodded, “I’ll review them later.”

Over the past year, Qiu Miaoran’s team had led investments in emerging global medical development, high-tech medical devices, optical waveguides, and new energy sectors.

When the final analysis was sent to Qiu Miaoran’s inbox, the lights in the neighboring office had gone out.

She packed her bag and drove home.

Pressing her fingerprint on the lock, the door clicked open. The living room lights were on, but no one was there.

By now, Aunt Chen was asleep.

The girl curled up like a little cat on the sofa was gone.

No one would wait for her under a blanket on the sofa anymore.

Qiu Miaoran sat on the sofa, turning on the TV. She wanted to rewatch Alas, the Moon Shines on the Ditch, but suddenly remembered something… she had been too busy today and forgot something.

She went upstairs to her study, closing the door.

Lighting incense, she began her meditative practice.

A wisp of incense rose.

Qiu Miaoran sat by the small incense table, closed her eyes, and tried to meditate.

She fingered a sandalwood bracelet taken from the drawer, rolling each bead, but her mind couldn’t settle.

Without glasses, her phoenix eyes opened sharply. The deep black of her pupils revealed unease, her brows furrowed as if complaining to herself about this unrest…

Her slender fingers tightened the beads, gently rubbing them, sighing softly.

No matter how much she meditated, a restless mind made it futile.

Some people are like this—after scheming and finally possessing, they become indifferent, losing themselves in arrogance, thinking they control others’ fate…

Until they realize what they’ve lost, they can’t help but look, think, or even just glance at a photo to find solace.

Human nature is selfish.

…

Soon, the incense burned completely, filling the room with sandalwood aroma.

She hesitated, then took out her phone and opened the social media app resembling a “yellow-skinned, big-eyed monster.”

Over a month ago, Ji Jiayu’s manager suggested she follow @JiJiayuFans.

This seemed to be a platform for young fans to follow their idols.

Sometimes, when Qiu Miaoran was restless, she abandoned meditation, giving in to curiosity, browsing Ji Jiayu’s recent activities.

Ji Jiayu had participated in Summer Youth Tour, a variety show.

@JiJiayuFans:

#TrueChemistry#

[Photo]: Ji Jiayu and Lin Qiaoxuan playing “Draw & Guess.”

@SummerYouthTourOfficial @JiJiayu @LinQiaoxuan

Seeing “Lin Qiaoxuan” next to Ji Jiayu, Qiu Miaoran’s eyes narrowed. How did these two end up together?

To Qiu Miaoran, seeing her ex-fiancée’s name alongside Ji Jiayu felt completely wrong…

She scrolled through the comments:

“Ahhh I ship them! Pretty sisters together, the dumped engagement doesn’t matter, next one better~ beautiful girls belong together!”

“Don’t ship in front of the actual stars! Fans, this is just the fan club~”

The most over-the-top comment:

@DrugAddictFan: biubiubiu~sending love~

[Photo]: Ji Jiayu and Lin Qiaoxuan, embracing after winning, with a pink heart drawn around them.

Qiu Miaoran held down the comment, furiously typed, but… couldn’t post—must log in.

Not a regular social media user, Qiu Miaoran, a nearly thirty-year-old top CEO, had no account.

She was furious; her fingers trembled over the screen.

“What nonsense are these people talking?!”

She called Li Te assistant.

At midnight, Li Te woke, startled, seeing three missed calls from Qiu Miaoran.

Terrified, he sat up.

“Q-Qiu…Qiu boss… I was asleep…”

“Why are you sleeping at midnight?” Qiu Miaoran’s voice was cold.

Li Te shivered, “What’s the matter? I’ll handle it now…”

“Do you use social media? Have an account?”

“I… don’t really use it. If needed, you can register, and tomorrow the official account team can verify…”

Qiu Miaoran hung up: “Fine… go back to sleep.”

Li Te, fully awake now, had no energy left: “…”

Absolutely ridiculous! Trash boss, that’s why your wife left!

…

Next morning, Summer Youth Tour guests departed from the hotel to Xiaozhu Village.

Teams remained as in the first episode—

Ji Jiayu × Lin Qiaoxuan; Kai Kai × A-Yang; Xiao Tao × Yu Hu.

The host explained: “Yesterday’s points ranked Ji Jiayu and Lin Qiaoxuan first. Your team draws a task card first.”

“Jiayu sister, you draw?” Lin Qiaoxuan smiled sweetly, “You’re so pretty; luck should be on your side…”

Ji Jiayu’s delicate fingers picked a card. She read the printed text, puzzled: “Number 1… ‘Go up the mountain’? What does that mean?”

“Curious about your task?” the host said mysteriously, “Top secret for now. The crew will send you to the designated location.”

Kai Kai × A-Yang drew number 3: go underground.

Xiao Tao × Yu Hu; Yu Yingdi drew number 2: go into the water.

Three teams would be driven to three filming bases near Xiaozhu Village.

Ji Jiayu stood by a black van. Suddenly, a fair hand reached out, fingers on the handle, pulling the door open.

“Jiayu sister, you go first~”

Ji Jiayu’s eyelid twitched, feeling slightly odd—Lin Qiaoxuan had been hostile when she first arrived in Nancheng, then suddenly changed demeanor. His attentiveness now seemed suspicious…

She was distracted while entering the car, and the door was low.

Her forehead bumped into something with a dull thud.

Lin Qiaoxuan was slightly bent behind her, his hand braced on the door edge.

The thing she hit wasn’t the car—it was Lin Qiaoxuan’s hand.

Fortunately, her forehead wasn’t bruised.

“Careful, don’t hit your head,” Lin Qiaoxuan said from behind, his tone full of concern.

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