Chapter 1 The First Round of Auditions finally concluded at six in the afternoon. Knowing that Quan Jiu had a pile of personal matters to attend to, Jiangnan Chen let her go back first, saying they would have dinner together another day.
Wang Feifei handed Quan Jiu a car key, "A homecoming gift for you."
Quan Jiu felt embarrassed and declined, "This is too valuable."
"Oh, our family has plenty of cars, just one car, it's nothing. Accept it. Also, there's a gift in the car for the two little ones. I hope you like it. I can't leave the set right now, so I won't accompany you to your new home today."
Mimi and Tutu obediently blew Wang Feifei a kiss. They were so soft and cute that Wang Feifei wished she could hug them tightly.
"Then I'll gratefully accept," Quan Jiu smiled, no longer being polite. She pulled her suitcase, held her son and daughter's hands, and headed to their new home.
...
Lijing Yuncheng, a well-known high-end residential area in City A, was chosen by Quan Jiu because there were five kindergartens within a one-kilometer radius of the complex.
"Click~" Quan Jiu opened the door to her new apartment. The two children excitedly ran inside.
"Mom, I really like the interior design style." Tutu, with his hands behind his back, explored everywhere like a curious cat.
Mimi followed, then ran into a pink children's room. She looked around, then ran back out, "Mom, I like it here."
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, looking at the luggage filling the living room. These were items she had shipped back from abroad.
"Hurry up and unpack. Each of you pack your own room and belongings," Quan Jiu instructed.
Thus, the mother and her two children began a happy yet tiring process of organizing and cleaning.
...
Jiang Mengran, in the design department of Chu Group Building, finally managed to get off work. She then rushed to a beauty salon for a two-hour beauty treatment, picked up her pre-ordered meal from Juxianzhai, bought a bottle of high-end red wine, and finally arrived at Building 7, Unit 1003, Lijing Yuncheng.
Upon entering, the living room was completely dark. She thought no one was home. Not wanting to turn on the light, she was startled to suddenly see someone lying on the living room sofa. "You don't make a sound when you're home, you scared me to death," she chided.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I brought you your favorite red wine and food from Juxianzhai. I waited for two hours to get it, you have to eat at least a bite." As she spoke, she began arranging the food in the dining room.
The person on the sofa had their left leg bent and their long right leg casually resting. Even with their eyes closed, their perfect side profile exuded a captivating aura. Unfortunately, upon hearing the sound, their eyes opened, revealing an immediate gloom, a clear sign of "keep away."
Jiang Mengran was now a little afraid to meet his gaze, as his eyes were too cold, making her feel like a stinking rat in a ditch for no reason. Although Chu Rong had a gloomy and stern side before, he was mostly gentle most of the time.
But ever since that woman left, she hadn't seen any tenderness on his face.
Thinking of this, Jiang Mengran gritted her teeth in hatred. Damn Quan Jiu, she had been gone for five years, yet she still lingered like a ghost, pestering her. It would be best if she were dead, otherwise, she would never let her go.
"What are you doing here?" Chu Rong didn't move, his voice as cold as ever.
Jiang Mengran's heart turned cold, but outwardly she said with a wronged and pitiful expression, "I thought you probably hadn't eaten dinner again, so I specially went to Juxianzhai to buy you food."
"I don't eat dinner. Don't come over unless there's something important."
Jiang Mengran's heart trembled, and tears streamed down her face. She could no longer hold back and poured out her grievances, "ARong, what has happened to you all these years? We were perfectly fine, why are you treating me like this?
I've waited for you for five years. A woman's youth is limited. If you could give me a definite commitment, I'd be willing to wait for fifty years, let alone five. But you've been indifferent to me all these years, making me doubt if you still love me."
Chu Rong glanced at her sideways, "I am a married man. I hope you won't say such things again."
Jiang Mengran was struck at her weakest point, her voice becoming sharp with emotion, "What married man? That woman left long ago. She abandoned you, didn't want you anymore. Why are you still holding onto this empty marriage?
ARong, you don't love her. You married her back then solely because of me. You don't need to feel guilty towards her. She exchanged two years of your time for blood. It was so precious. If it were me, I'd exchange my life for it. She only shed a little blood, you don't need to blame yourself."
Chu Rong's expression grew colder, "I don't want to hear such words a second time."
Jiang Mengran was chilled to the bone by his gaze. She endured it, then softened her tone, "ARong, I don't mean to pressure you. I just... I just feel wronged when those people point fingers at me every day. You know, the whole company is watching me make a fool of myself, and I'm really upset."
"Don't spread rumors about you and me at the company anymore. There are too many people talking," Chu Rong got up. "You should go back early." He then returned to the bedroom, not giving her another glance.
Jiang Mengran was furious. She was clearly just one step away from becoming the young madam of the Chu family, yet this step felt like crossing the Milky Way, impossible to bridge.
She was so angry she felt dizzy. She sat on the sofa for a while to compose herself before going to the bedroom.
"ARong, I was wrong, I shouldn't have angered you. Let's forget it for now. I actually came to tell you something. I heard that the company will focus on investing in the film and television industry this year. The investment department is currently preparing to invest in a film by a new director named Jiangnan Chen.
But today, Mengmei went for an audition and was verbally abused and beaten by their staff without reason. Tianyu is already preparing to sue. If this incident comes out, that drama won't be able to be filmed anymore, and they are no longer worth investing in."
A cool voice came from the bedroom, "The investment department will handle this matter. You just focus on your design department."
Jiang Mengran's legs went weak. This was her being told not to meddle. She stood there blankly for a long time, then turned and left with a gnashing of teeth filled with hatred.
Passing by the dining room, she saw the opened red wine and the cold food, as if mocking her failure. She picked up the items and stormed out. Only when she reached the main street did she smash everything onto the ground.
"Damn it, damn it." Jiang Mengran kicked her car in a frenzy to vent her anger. After a few minutes, she sat on the ground in annoyance.
It seemed she had to resort to other means. Simply waiting would not bring her opportunity or happiness.
With her mind made up, Jiang Mengran returned to her own home, took an old mobile phone from a drawer, and dialed the only number stored within.
...
The next day, Quan Jiu took her son and daughter to report to kindergarten early in the morning. Since it was just outside the complex, it didn't take much time. After completing the enrollment, she headed to the film set.
As soon as she entered the set, Quan Jiu felt that the atmosphere was a bit off. Seeing the employees gathered outside the conference room, she walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"
The employees turned their heads, their faces filled with amazement: This young lady is so beautiful, but who is she?
As Jiang Mengmei was not present today, Quan Jiu did not deliberately conceal herself. Seeing the employees looking at her with confusion, she smiled and pushed open the conference room door.
"... Tianyu will not settle this matter. We will proceed directly with legal proceedings."
Quan Jiu pushed open the door and entered.
Everyone in the room looked over, and the room fell silent. All were stunned by her beauty. Finally, Wang Feifei broke the silence, "Jiujiu, why are you here so early?"
Jiangnan Chen stood up and pulled Quan Jiu outside, "Leave this to me. Don't get involved."
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, "I was the one who hit them, how can I not take responsibility?" She sat down.
Seeing her insistence, Jiangnan Chen had no choice but to sit down and continue the negotiation.
The opposing lawyer heard Quan Jiu's words and questioned, "So, you admit to hitting someone."
Quan Jiu smiled and nodded, took out her phone, and pressed the recording playback interface. Soon, vicious curses from Jiang Mengmei could be heard, perfectly clear without any static.