My Wealthy Ex-Girlfriend Knelt and Begged Me to Come Back [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 45

When Ji Jiayu picked up, Sister Rong’s anxious voice came through the receiver, urgent like a fire on her heels

“Jiayu, what happened? Why did you post on Weibo without discussing it with us first?!”

“If you hadn’t admitted it, we could still have denied there was anything between you and President Qiu. But now President Qiu has gone public, and you responded too? Don’t you realize you’re slapping the company in the face?!”

“Sister Rong, I’m sorry… but I had to respond,” Ji Jiayu explained.

“President Qiu made the first move. I had to reply. The fact that we’ve broken up can’t be misunderstood by the public.”

Sister Rong sighed. “Do you know what people online are saying about you right now? My god… even PR can’t clean this mess up…”

At that moment, online commentary was already boiling again—

【Poor girl fails to cling to a rich backer, Ji Jiayu—discarded rich wife!】

“You mustn’t make any more impulsive moves. I’ve booked a red-eye flight for you and Xiaoyao. Tomorrow morning you’ll return to the company. We’ll do a live broadcast to clarify things between you and President Qiu. You need to explain everything, make it clear you have no further contact. You were just starting to gain some momentum—don’t ruin it now!!”

“Okay.” Ji Jiayu nodded slightly. “Sorry for the trouble, Sister Rong. I’ll return with Xiaoyao and clarify.”

She hung up, pale fingers brushing across the phone screen.

“Beep, beep—” Just after ending the call with her agent, another call came through.

Ji Jiayu answered.

“Xiaoyu, what’s going on? Were you really with President Qiu?” Lin Wan coughed a couple of times, then paused before steadying her voice, soft and concerned—

“Why didn’t you tell Mom? I’m not unreasonable. I don’t like President Qiu as a person, but if you like her… it’s not impossible…”

“Mom,” Ji Jiayu cut her off, “Mom, listen to me…”

“We’ve already broken up.”

“We’re not together anymore. Qiu Miaoran and I broke up a long time ago.”

“What?” Lin Wan’s voice trembled. “Who brought it up? Did she dump you?!”

“I was the one who ended it. I found out that while she was with me, she was still engaged to my sister.”

Lin Wan’s heart jolted. She had thought Qiu Miaoran broke up with Lin Qiaoxuan and then fell for Ji Jiayu. But no—it turned out Qiu Miaoran wanted both at once?!

Lin Wan’s beautiful eyes widened in fury, her teeth nearly cracking as she ground them together. “She dared to do that?!”

“Trash.”

“Should we call a shareholders’ meeting? Why don’t we make your identity public? I’ll transfer the shares meant for you and Qiaoxuan equally to both of you…”

She suggested it calmly—both girls were her daughters, so naturally, she wanted to divide things fairly.

“Mom, I don’t want to go public for now. I have an audition soon, and I don’t want my identity to change the way people see me. That wouldn’t be fair to the other candidates,” Ji Jiayu said gently.

“I want to be myself—not just your daughter, not just the heiress of the richest family…”

“I want to be known as actress Ji Jiayu. Can you understand that, Mom?”

“…Mm.” Lin Wan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, lowering her eyes. In the glass, her reflection seemed to overlap slowly with her daughter’s face.

The daughter she had lost and found again… looked so much like her younger self.

Back then, Lin Wan too had been stubborn, headstrong, determined to carve her own path without relying on anyone.

“All right, I understand. I know your work is special. But promise me—if you ever need anything, you must tell Mom. Don’t always bear everything alone, and never let yourself be wronged…”

“My daughter, as long as you’re happy and healthy, that’s all I want.”

Ji Jiayu had suffered enough in the first twenty years of her life. It was her mother’s failure for not protecting her.

This time, she would not allow her daughter to suffer again.

“Stay strong, Xiaoyu.” Lin Wan’s reflection on the glass smiled as she gripped the phone. “Even if the sky falls, Mom will hold it up for you. I’ll always be your fan. Always behind you.”

“Fly free, Xiaoyu. Mom will always be with you~”

For the first time, Ji Jiayu felt it—she wasn’t alone anymore. Behind her, she had her mother.

Her lips curved into a smile, her eyes dampening with heat. “Mom, what are you saying… where did you even learn that from?”

“I go online too, you know~ What, only young people can play on Weibo?” Lin Wan chuckled. “By the way, why are you still awake so late? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

“I’m heading back to Jing City tomorrow,” Ji Jiayu replied.

“Then go rest now. I won’t keep you. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Xiaoyu~”

“Goodnight.”

…

The next morning, Ji Jiayu and assistant Xiaoyao took an early flight back to Jing City.

At Qiushui Entertainment’s office building, in an empty conference room, the lights, reflectors, and phone stand had already been set up.

Sister Rong came over, patting Ji Jiayu’s arm. “Come on, everything’s ready. Explain your past with President Qiu clearly. We can’t let your public persona collapse. Don’t let your private life affect your career.”

Crisis PR works within 24 hours—there was still time.

The livestream began—

“Hello everyone, I’m actress Ji Jiayu.”

“Regarding some of the recent comments online, I’d like to respond—”

“Yes, I did date President Qiu for a period of time. But during that time, I never once used her connections for personal gain. As for Director Ye’s new drama and the role of Mu Qingyu, that was earned through my audition. Later, my studio will post the audition clip.”

“Currently, President Qiu and I have parted ways peacefully. I hope everyone can stop prying into my private life and instead focus on my work.”

She finished explaining, then glanced at the screen. Naturally, many of her fans, “the Fish Food,” were cheering for her—

But others were cruel, spewing venom from behind their keyboards.

If she endured, she’d only grow angrier. If she backed down, she might as well die of frustration.

She refused to let it get to her.

So she decided to clap back.

“Fish Food, go study if you should be studying, go work if you should be working, go play if you’re free. I’ve already clarified everything that needs clarifying. Now, I’ve got a few words for certain trolls!”

【Mistress!! Everyone knows the Qiu family of Jing City was engaged to the Lin family of Nancheng. They even hyped it up on variety shows. Your greed is disgusting.】

Ji Jiayu: “I wasn’t a mistress. During my relationship with President Qiu, I didn’t know she had a fiancée. Think about it—would a mistress and the legal partner ever get along this well?”

【Aaaah so Qiu Miaoran cheated on Jiayu! Disgusting!】

【These wealthy families have so many vague engagements… Didn’t Lin’s heiress also get photographed drunk at a bar late at night? [whispers]】

【Rich circles are such a mess. Xiaoyu should shine alone—don’t join that pit!!】

…

【ID: A-Yang’s Civilian Girlfriend: This name has been trending all day. I clicked in to watch, and this disgusting actress is still whoring herself out. Nauseating, makes me lose my appetite…】

Ji Jiayu: “ ‘A-Yang’s Civilian Girlfriend,’ I suggest you retake elementary Chinese. If you’re not brain-dead, then something else is wrong with you. You don’t sound quite normal.”

【ID: Happy Yang Classmate: Ji Jiayu get out of the entertainment industry! Unreal. Are there no clean women left? You and your slut mother were both ruined by men.】

Ji Jiayu lowered her gaze, chuckled lightly, lashes trembling before she raised her eyes to the camera. The lighting made her hazel eyes glow, ethereal.

“ ‘Happy Yang Classmate,’ do you not have a mom or dad? Do your parents know you spew filth like this? You can curse me, but don’t you dare insult my mother…”

“ ‘Happy Yang Classmate,’ I hope illness defeats you soon.”

【Wearing so little, aren’t you just trying to seduce people? You spread your legs for President Qiu, got used up and tossed aside!】

At that moment, Ji Jiayu was in an off-shoulder blouse, the sheer gray fabric accentuating her glowing fair skin.

Yet the trolls called it indecent.

Her lips curved into a faint mocking smile. “You’re that ugly… and you think you could seduce anyone? Who would even look at you?”

Her tone dripped disdain, eyes half-lidded, both distant and alluring.

No one could imitate that otherworldly gaze.

The chat exploded—

【Brave Jiayu! Fearless!】

【66666666, goddess slayyyy~】

【[whispering] She’s like a fox spirit… Falling for a starlet who’s actually a little demon in disguise?

—That’s exactly the vibe! Shameless, deliciously shameless!!】

【Yes! Drag those keyboard warriors, queen!!】

…

No one noticed a tiny pop-up notification at the far left—

——“User Qiu Miaoran has entered the livestream.”

Ji Jiayu felt thirsty after all that roasting. She waved to Xiaoyao, fingertips painted red. “Xiaoyao, I’m a bit thirsty…”

Her assistant brought drinks.

Ji Jiayu twisted open a cap, tilting the bottle to her lips. Her rosy mouth glistened with water, making her look even more enticing.

“This tea is zero-calorie, it won’t make you fat. Plus, it has vitamins—perfect for office workers who need energy for 996 shifts!”

WTF?! She just dropped an ad mid-PR livestream?!

Trolls fumed—Ji Jiayu was monetizing the scandal!

【You can’t wash away the fact you were used and discarded!】

But Ji Jiayu ignored them, her lashes lowered, slender fingers caressing the bottle.

“Links will be added below. If you like it, feel free to buy.”

The trolls went berserk—

【Discarded rich wife, disgraced star Ji Jiayu!】

But before Ji Jiayu could reply, a new comment popped up—

【ID: Qiu Miaoran: We did break up. She dumped me.】

That single line—“She dumped me”—scrolled across the screen repeatedly, pinned by moderators, slapping down the “discarded rich wife” narrative.

【Aaaah is this real? Is it really her?!】

【OMG I checked—it really is President Qiu! Why does this feel kind of sweet… like she’s protecting her?】

【Wait… So Jiayu broke up with Qiu after discovering the engagement. Then Qiu immediately broke off the Lin engagement to chase her. Jiayu resisted. Then Qiu pinned her down in bed, seven days and nights of… hahaha】

【Yes! More details please, I live for this forced-love redemption arc~】

Fans quickly drowned them out—

【Breakups can be blessings. On to better things, Jiayu!】

【Promise us, baby—don’t pick from the trash next time. We all stink because of her!】

…

Ji Jiayu saw the comment: 【ID: Qiu Miaoran: We did break up. She dumped me.】

She didn’t respond directly.

Her lashes quivered, lips pressed together. After a pause, she only said: “All right, I’m logging off now. Goodbye, Fish Food~ Time to rush to my next schedule.”

“As for those still cursing me—stay here and keep at it. And may your moms find vegetables at the market getting pricier every day!”

She turned off the livestream.

Xiaoyao approached, puzzled by the smile lingering on Ji Jiayu’s face. “Why are you still smiling?”

Ji Jiayu arched a brow, lips curved faintly.

“They put me on the hot search again, and I squeezed in an ad. Why wouldn’t I smile?”

Xiaoyao sighed. “Black fame is still fame, huh~”

“Exactly.” Ji Jiayu’s hazel eyes shimmered as she blinked, looking quietly proud. “They’re just giving me heat.”

Her chair scraped against the floor as she stood.

“Sister Rong, I’m heading out. I have an appointment this afternoon.”

“Okay,” Sister Rong called after her. “Don’t forget, you’ve got an endorsement coming up, and next week’s film audition—Director Ye recommended you!”

“Got it.” Ji Jiayu waved, leaving.

In the elevator, she pressed “1.”

This afternoon, she was meeting Ji Chen.

Some things couldn’t be avoided. Better to lay everything bare than keep running.

Half an hour later, she arrived at the private club.

The place was elegantly decorated, with its own courtyard filled with incense and sandalwood.

She stepped inside, past wooden screens. Potted plants and shrubs lined the space.

A wind chime jingled brightly at the door.

A uniformed attendant approached. “Welcome, do you have a reservation?”

“Yes.” Ji Jiayu showed the room number Ji Chen had sent.

“This way, please.”

The attendants here wore silk green qipaos, their graceful figures matching the vintage setting.

Up the stairs, they stopped at a suite named Cloudwater Pavilion.

The attendant left.

Ji Jiayu knocked.

Click—the door opened from inside.

The figure within stepped aside. “Come in.”

The private room had a balcony with excellent light. The angle cast a halo around Ji Chen’s silhouette.

From the doorway, Ji Chen’s profile was clear: defined jawline, high nose, soft rose lips, crescent eyes brimming with gentleness.

Ji Jiayu froze, breath catching. The face was too beautiful—like something holy sculpted in light.

She stepped in slowly, eyes stinging.

Her throat tightened, lids heavy with dampness.

They sat across a small table.

“Ji Chen-jie…” Ji Jiayu’s hoarse voice cracked slightly. “Have you been waiting long?”

“I just arrived.”

The room was small but bright, with a balcony overlooking the garden and koi pond below.

“Shall we order?” Ji Chen scanned the menu on her phone. “I remember you like sweets. They’ve got brownies and cheesecake here. Let’s get both.”

Ji Jiayu lowered her head, soft hair slipping across her cheek. Her voice was rough. “I’m sorry…”

“I shouldn’t… shouldn’t have done what I did…”

Suddenly, she stood, chair scraping harshly.

“Sorry, I need some air.”

She walked to the balcony, the wind tossing her long hair. The sheer blouse on her shoulders fluttered, her pale neck and shoulders fragile against the breeze.

Her slender fingers clenched the railing, knuckles white, then loosened.

Footsteps approached.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?” Ji Chen’s voice was gentle, like flowing water.

“Jie…” Ji Jiayu’s voice broke completely, eyes wet.

“I was with Qiu Miaoran.”

No matter what strangers online said, none of it hurt her.

But with Ji Chen—it was different.

She feared disappointment in her eyes.

Silence hung for a minute.

“I know,” Ji Chen finally said.

Ji Jiayu turned, lashes wet with tears, staring in shock.

“You know?”

“Yes. I know.” Ji Chen’s tone was steady, firm. “I’m on your side.”

“Xiaoyu, I’ll always stand with you.”

Ji Jiayu bit her lip, eyes meeting Ji Chen’s before flicking away, brimming with unshed tears.

She looked so pitiful, nose pink, gaze full of ache.

Still such a little crybaby…

Ji Chen pulled out a handkerchief, leaning closer as she offered it.

Her voice was low.

“Crybaby.”

The two of them, close together on the vintage balcony, looked almost like a painting.

And that painting fell into someone else’s eyes.

In the rear courtyard, beneath a large white parasol, someone sat with tea.

Qiu Miaoran leaned back stiffly in her chair. Her tailored gray skirt suit hugged her frame, long legs crossed elegantly.

But her body had gone rigid, her spine straight as an arrow.

She tilted her head slightly, the umbrella shading half her face.

One hand rose slowly, slender fingers pushing her gold-rimmed glasses up her nose.

Behind the thin lenses, her phoenix eyes burned black—

Staring intently at the balcony above.

Her gaze did not move.