The Fallen Film Queen’s Possessive Alpha - Chapter 60

The protests at Parliament Square continued unabated, with media outlets stationed there daily for live coverage interviewing demonstrators while providing constant updates on the congressional hearings.

Zhou Zhao had been attending for three consecutive days, responding to inquiries and furnishing the committee with essential information. Meanwhile, Ji Xubai appeared as Zhou Qiwei’s legal representative. This marked their first face-to-face encounter since their unpleasant parting as former spouses.

“Chancellor Du met with several senior legislators the day before yesterday to push for amendments to the Police Conduct Act, particularly regarding detention surveillance and interrogation protocols. Rumor has it the proposal has substantial support.”

“Times have changed. Even children know better now. when incidents occur, everyone checks surveillance footage first. Claiming ‘the cameras malfunctioned’ just doesn’t cut it anymore.”

Having just concluded their testimonies, Zhou Zhao and Ji Xubai sat across from each other outside the hearing room, awaiting the session’s conclusion. Zhou Zhao absently traced the contours of her handbag before tossing over a mint: “Peppermint candy.” It was a shared preference the sharp flavor kept them alert.

Years ago, before their marriage, when Ji Xubai served as Zhou Zhao’s deputy, she’d always carried stimulants for their grueling schedules.

Ji Xubai accepted without ceremony, unwrapping the candy immediately. Testifying was exhausting work. navigating verbal traps in questioning while carefully managing the committee’s perception, all of which would influence the final verdict.

“The hearing’s main course remains the abuse of authority issue. The police are under far greater scrutiny we’ve barely been touched. The current momentum favors us. Isn’t that ideal?”

Ji Xubai knew all this perfectly well, yet couldn’t suppress a sardonic smile: “Of course it’s ideal. Chancellor Du’s been working tirelessly lately, and you’ve been quite occupied too, Ms. Zhou? I hear your second daughter’s been exceptionally… energetic recently. Fortunately, Qiwei’s situation doesn’t require their supervision, or the elders would be stretched impossibly thin.”

Maintaining alliances while restraining Zhou Mu from exploiting Qiwei’s incapacitated state to encroach on MoFang’s operations all while preparing for Zhou Zhao’s political ascension it was a delicate balancing act.

The words were reasonable enough, but laced with Ji Xubai’s characteristic acerbity.

Zhou Zhao understood her family’s dynamics perfectly. They simply pursued what they deemed “the right course”whether concerning Qiwei now, or Ji Xubai and their child in the past… If something couldn’t be salvaged, they’d let nature take its course. Another child could always be conceived in a year or two. Better yet, have two an heir and a spare.

Three wouldn’t be excessive either it’s not like they couldn’t afford it.

This pragmatic approach came naturally to Zhou Zhao, but Ji Xubai could neither accept nor tolerate it.

During their divorce, Ji Xubai had told her the Zhou family wasn’t at fault. Whether Zhou Zhao buried herself in work to escape their child’s illness no longer mattered. Ji Xubai’s love had been utterly depleted she simply lacked the emotional reserves to continue. The end.

Years later, Zhou Zhao finally comprehended Ji Xubai’s perspective, but the realization came far too late.

“Once Qiwei regains consciousness, there might be cause for celebration.” Zhou Zhao straightened her posture, masking her despondency behind renewed composure.

Seeing her mention Zhou Qiwei, Ji Xubai’s eyes flickered before she smiled and said, “An imminent wedding might not be the case, but they seem to have a plan even if they don’t marry, they’ll have a child.”

“How can that be acceptable!” Though children born out of wedlock weren’t uncommon these days, Qiwei’s child would be the next heir of the Zhou family, and their status should be flawless.

“Why not?” Ji Xubai retorted. “Besides, Qiwei said the child would take the surname of whoever gives birth to them. The baby will be named Song Yizhou.”

Zhou Zhao wanted to argue but ultimately held her tongue. Fine, no one could ever sway Qiwei on such matters. To avoid worsening family relations, it was better to let her have her way.

“Actually, I’ve always”

Before Zhou Zhao could continue, Ji Xubai tossed the crumpled candy wrapper into the trash and walked away, leaving only her retreating figure. Just as Zhou Zhao was about to speak again, the conference room door swung open, forcing her to swallow her words.

She wanted to tell Ji Xubai that she had always known about all Ji Xubai had sacrificed and had always been grateful.

Ji Xubai could guess what Zhou Zhao wanted to say, but she had no interest in hearing it. Over the years, Zhou Zhao’s apologies and self-analysis had been more than enough. she had no desire to reopen old wounds. Stepping out of the parliamentary building, she pulled out a burner phone and sent a message to the hospital: “Has Qiwei woken up? Is she any better today? I’d like to visit.”

“Permission granted.”

“Who is it?”

Though her voice was faint, Zhou Qiwei’s condition was far better than when she first awoke. Despite her pallid complexion so pale she could play a vampire without makeup. she managed a weak smile at Song Haoyin from the hospital bed, which was already a comfort. Song Haoyin waved her phone. “Attorney Ji is coming.”

Zhou Qiwei had suddenly woken on the third Tuesday after falling into a coma, with only Song Haoyin by her side. After exchanging a few words, she slipped back into unconsciousness. At the time, her condition was still unstable, and on an inexplicable impulse, Song Haoyin chose to keep silent.

Her silence successfully shielded Zhou Qiwei from the ensuing storm. Due to her coma, the hearings proceeded without her, represented only by her lawyers.

For once, Zhou Qiwei left the decisions entirely to Song Haoyin, how long her waking periods would last, whether to inform Du Xin of her condition.

Song Haoyin worried about delaying Qiwei’s affairs, unaware of how thrilled Zhou Qiwei was to have this rare chance to indulge herself, spending time solely with the person she loved most.

Ji Xubai was the fourth to learn of Zhou Qiwei’s actual condition. She, along with Du and Xuan, tacitly agreed to Song Haoyin’s request to keep Zhou Qiwei’s awakening a secret. Now that Ji Xubai had abruptly announced her visit, there must be something important to discuss in person.

At dusk, Ji Xubai arrived punctually at the hospital room. Song Haoyin initially intended to leave, but Zhou Qiwei asked her to stay, citing “the need for the proxy shareholder to understand the company’s current situation.”

“Nothing major, really. The hearings are wrapping up, and a resolution will come soon. I came to ask given how things stand, we’re bound to take a chunk out of the opposition. But with Jiuzhou’s scale, biting off too much could trigger unnecessary turmoil.”

“Aside from Zhou Zhao’s promotion being a done deal, what kind of compensation do you want?”

Zhou Qiwei lay half-reclined on the hospital bed, squeezing a stress ball in her hand as she exercised. Hearing Ji Xubai’s words, she pondered for a long moment before turning to Song Haoyin: “I remember there’s some kind of association in your entertainment industry?”

Song Haoyin found it strange that she’d bring this up but answered anyway: “There’s an Actors’ Association in the entertainment world, similar to a labor union. The people there are quite opinionated, they want to have a finger in every pie.”

Clearly not a high opinion. Zhou Qiwei thought for another moment before telling Ji Xubai: “Since there’s no urgency, let me think about it and discuss it first.”

After some casual conversation, Zhou Qiwei grew tired. Just as Ji Xubai was about to leave, she suddenly asked: “Are you still taking the medication?”

Song Haoyin, standing nearby, was baffled by this abrupt question, but Ji Xubai clearly understood. She nodded knowingly: “Still taking it.”

“Take care of yourself.”

Song Haoyin saw Ji Xubai out of the ward. Before leaving, Ji Xubai glanced back into the room and advised: “Miss Song, you should take care of yourself too. Qiwei’s condition is improving don’t wear yourself out.”

The two women hadn’t been particularly close before, but Zhou Qiwei’s recent misfortune had unexpectedly brought Song Haoyin into her inner circle.

Now Song Haoyin stopped Ji Xubai: “Attorney Ji, during our last meeting, I noticed General Manager Zhou Mu seemed to have other ideas about Magic Cube. What do you think?”

“The Zhou familys pecifically those two won’t allow Zhou Mu to interfere with Magic Cube at this time. Besides, Du Xin isn’t someone to be trifled with. Don’t worry, nothing will happen… Well, under current circumstances, if Zhou Mu dares make any moves, Zhou Zhao would be the first to object.”

“As I’ve said before, Kyushu Group is too massive tug one thread and the whole web moves. Zhou Zhao’s waiting for her promotion. For her, the Zhou family maintaining stability is the best support.”

After their farewell, Song Haoyin returned to find Zhou Qiwei already burrowed under the blankets, only her eyes visible as she complained softly: “I thought you’d come back sooner.”

Though her complexion remained unnaturally pale and she’d lost considerable weight, seeing her hiding under the covers like a pouting child melted Song Haoyin’s heart into a puddle.

“My mistake, leaving you alone in the ward.”

The entire floor was under tight security, and with the late hour, only the two of them remained in the ward. After changing clothes, Song Haoyin carefully nestled beside Zhou Qiwei, gently extracting her from the blankets to whisper: “Since you’re well enough to get up, how about I take you out for a walk tomorrow?”

“Whatever you say.”

Zhou Qiwei understood her condition. With Song Haoyin regularly supplementing her pheromones, her levels had returned to normal. a short outing would be fine. “But what were you and Ji Xubai discussing about the company?”

Since waking up, Zhou Qiwei had become increasingly clingy. Occasionally she’d feel embarrassed about it, but Song Haoyin always seemed delighted.

“The company’s fine. I was just curious while you were suffering and the eldest young miss was getting promoted, what was the second young miss up to?”

“Probably feeling constrained and unable to do anything, which is frustrating her.” Zhou Qiwei leaned against Song Haoyin’s embrace, speaking terrifying words with a delicate expression: “My second sister likely wants to get her hands on Magic Cube. After all, business partners aren’t as good as subsidiaries. Unfortunately, the timing’s wrong, she can’t reach it no matter how she tries, so she’s just sulking.”

Bullseye.

Song Haoyin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, should she praise Zhou Qiwei for understanding her family so well, or lament these complicated family dynamics?

“The Zhou family’s affairs are actually quite restrained. Later, let Yuanbao tell you about the Qu family’s scandals you could write an award-winning script. It’s got everything: wealthy family feuds, political-business collusion, trading daughters for profit, desperate counterattacks, and righteous betrayal. Guaranteed box office gold.”

“Oh right,” Zhou Qiwei suddenly opened her eyes and asked: “How did Ji Xubai sound when mentioning Zhou Zhao?”

Song Haoyin found this odd: “Very calm, nothing unusual.”

Zhou Qiwei said nothing more. Her energy was limited, and being with her girlfriend made her drowsy.

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