Lin Xingyan settled down at Qiao Ci's place.
In just half a month, his presence filled the three-bedroom, one-living room apartment.
He cleaned the living room, personally chose the sofa covers, and mostly cooked in the kitchen. Men's clothes hung to dry on the balcony, and the bathroom...
With him around, the entire apartment felt warmer.
Li Meng, however, couldn't stand it. After Lin Xingyan delivered food once more, she complained to Qiao Ci, "Good heavens, he's been eating and living here for half a month for free, spending your money, sleeping in your bed. Has he latched onto you?"
"Perhaps the rumors are true! They say the Bai family has recently acknowledged a man, rumored to be Bai Xingyan's father's illegitimate son, and that man is exceptionally outstanding. So, is Old Master Bai really letting him run wild?"
"Don't think I can't see it. This kid clearly likes you. I'm telling you, you need to keep your eyes wide open this time and not repeat past mistakes..."
Qiao Ci's ears were getting calloused from her incessant chatter. "I know what I'm doing. I'll be joining the crew for filming in a few days. If you have nothing to do, try signing more promising talents."
"Got it, you're the boss, you call the shots." Li Meng knew that Qiao Ci was quite decisive now, so she just offered a small reminder.
Just as she finished work and was about to rest, the phone rang. Qiao Ci thought it was Bai Xingyan, so she answered without looking. A stern, middle-aged male voice said, "Come back for dinner tonight."
Glancing at the screen, she saw it was the original owner's father, Qiao Wenzheng.
Thinking she would be joining the film crew in a few days, Qiao Ci said, "Okay."
It was time to meet the original owner's parents.
After telling Bai Xingyan she wouldn't be back for dinner, Qiao Ci drove directly to the Qiao family's residence.
The Qiao family lived in a luxurious villa complex in the suburbs, offering excellent security and privacy.
As soon as she got out of the car, she ran into Lin Yinyin, who was arm in arm with Gong Han and heavily disguised.
Upon seeing Qiao Ci, Lin Yinyin instantly became like a fighting cock. She took off her sunglasses and scrutinized Qiao Ci, saying sarcastically, "Long time no see, Queen Qiao. You're back on top and can even enter this high-class villa community now. You haven't really latched onto some sugar daddy, have you?"
Qiao Ci, a person of action rather than words, took out her phone and snapped several photos directly at their faces, then tapped rapidly on her phone screen.
Qiao Ci is not a foodie v: Ran into them. She then posted the close-up photos she had just taken.
Immediately, comments flooded in.
[Holy cow, didn't these two break up? Are they going to shoot a new adult film together this intimately?]
[No need to say more, I've got my peanuts and melon seeds ready. I'll be lurking on the small websites all night, waiting for a surprise!]
[Haha, what kind of awkward situation is this? The Queen meets her ex-boyfriend and the mistress who have already announced their breakup.]
Realizing what Qiao Ci was doing, Lin Yinyin lunged forward to snatch Qiao Ci's phone. A sharp-eyed security guard nearby immediately approached, "What are you doing? Loud noise and disturbance are prohibited here."
Seeing the security guard, Lin Yinyin immediately pointed at Qiao Ci and yelled, "This woman is taking our photos! Isn't this a high-class villa community? How can any trash be let in?"
The security guard, who was about to reprimand Qiao Ci, immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing her face. His expressionless face broke into a wide smile, "Miss Qiao is back? Let me help you park the car."
Others might not know, but these well-trained security guards were aware that Qiao Ci was the daughter of the developer of this villa community.
Asking him to drive her away? Did they want him to lose his job?
"Thank you." Qiao Ci tossed him the keys and turned to leave.
Miss Qiao? She's a regular here?
Didn't they say the houses here were hard to buy, and even renting required a waiting list?
Just as the two were about to follow her in, the security guard, with a cold expression, said, "I've never seen you before. Please show your identification."
"We were staying here last night, and you were on duty then." Lin Yinyin felt deeply unbalanced. "We paid a year's rent here, so we're practically half-owners. Be careful, I'll report you!"
"Thank you. I only recognize identification, not people. After all, cosmetic surgery is so advanced nowadays, there are too many people who look alike." The security guard refused to budge.
Gong Han had no choice but to present his ID. The security guard glanced at it and said, "Please wait a moment."
He then walked aside and called Qiao's father's assistant.
Gong Han could vaguely hear... yes, bullying... fierce... such words.
Not long after, Gong Han's phone rang. It was the agent who had rented them the villa: "I'm sorry, Mr. Gong, there's a serious electrical leak in the villa you rented. To ensure your safety and rights, we have doubled your deposit and returned it to you. Please check."
At the same time, the security guard finally returned, his expression still indifferent. "I'm sorry, no record found."
Gong Han was furious, but there was nothing he could do. He had to turn and leave with Lin Yinyin.
Lin Yinyin couldn't tolerate such humiliation. Why could Qiao Ci go in, and she had to go argue with the security guard.
Gong Han, not wanting her to cause trouble here, forcibly dragged her away.
Those who could live here were either wealthy or noble. If they accidentally offended someone important, it would be more than just trouble. Wasn't it embarrassing enough already?
"What are you doing? Why are you pulling me!" Without the halo of the national heartthrob, Lin Yinyin found Gong Han increasingly displeasing. If she didn't need to regularly absorb his luck, she wouldn't bother with him anymore.
"Is that a place you can cause trouble? If you accidentally offend some VIP, being unable to handle the consequences is the least of it. Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?" Gong Han spoke without any pleasantries. If she hadn't seduced him, how could he have been banned from the entire internet, his path in the entertainment industry ended, and his company's development frequently hit roadblocks? He worried every day.
Only when he was with her could he forget these troubles. He was addicted to her body, damnably addicted!
"Heh heh." Lin Yinyin didn't want to argue with him further.
In the Qiao family's living room, Father Qiao and Mother Qiao sat side-by-side on the sofa, with Qiao Ci sitting opposite them. The atmosphere was serious, like a trial.
Father Qiao received a call and said emotionlessly, "Well done. Promote him to a junior captain."
After hanging up, he looked at Qiao Ci and stated with a stern expression, "Let me be clear beforehand. Inviting you back for dinner does not mean I compromise. I still oppose you entering the entertainment industry. Constantly appearing in public, why not come back and inherit the family business?"
"Oh, Xiao Ci finally came back for a visit. Why are you saying all this? Come, let's eat. This is all your favorite..." Mother Qiao glared at Father Qiao disapprovingly and placed a piece of braised pork rib in front of Qiao Ci.
"Okay, Dad." Qiao Ci replied cheerfully, then picked up her chopsticks, placed the rib in her mouth, and smiled at Mother Qiao, "Thank you, Mom."
Mother Qiao was stunned for a moment. How long had it been since Qiao Ci had smiled at her after their falling out?
"What did you say?" Father Qiao thought he had misheard and confirmed, "I said, okay. After I film one more drama, I'll gradually fade out of the entertainment industry."
He looked carefully into Qiao Ci's eyes and found she didn't seem to be lying. Father Qiao's expression softened slightly. "It's good that you've come to your senses. The entertainment industry is too treacherous; it's not suitable for a young girl. These past few months, you've been cursed online, and your mother hasn't slept soundly all night. She couldn't curse back and ended up crying several times..."