Chapter 9

Before Lu Xiaojiang could finish his sentence, Zhao Pingjin punched him in the face.

Lu Xiaojiang staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

Fang Langxi and Gao Ji Yi quickly stood up.

Zhao Pingjin’s expression was as cold as ice. “Lu Xiaojiang, stay away from me.”

Lu Xiaojiang winced in pain, his mouth trembling as he spoke in a muffled voice, “I know you’re angry with me...”

Zhao Pingjin kicked him, and Lu Xiaojiang bent over, clutching his stomach, collapsing to the floor.

Fang Langxi and Gao Ji Yi were both stunned. Zhao Pingjin had hit him so violently. The two immediately rushed over. Gao Ji Yi stepped forward and pulled Lu Xiaojiang up. “Are you okay?”

Fang Langxi couldn’t stand it any longer. “Zhou’er, don’t go too far.”

Lu Xiaojiang, looking miserable, said, “I’m sorry, I was wrong to my third brother.”

Zhao Pingjin’s eyes blazed with fury, and his face turned pale with rage. When he heard those words, he couldn’t control himself. He threw another punch and angrily shouted, “Who the hell is your third brother?!”

Lu Xiaojiang hung his head, not moving. Fang Langxi desperately tried to pull Zhao Pingjin away. The waiter, hearing the noise, opened the door, but Gao Ji Yi shouted, “Get out!”

In an instant, Zhao Pingjin unleashed several more punches on Lu Xiaojiang. Lu Xiaojiang didn’t resist, only crying out in pain. His voice was now higher, distorted with agony. “Zhou Zhou! Just hit me! I’m sorry, hit me!”

Zhao Pingjin’s forehead was covered in veins, and his face, once cold, was now burning with rage. His eyes were bloodshot. “You damn well deserve it!” he yelled.

Lu Xiaojiang sobbed and shouted, “Is it just you with hate? Am I the one who wronged you? Who started this? Back when I was with Lingdang, what the hell was your interference? How did you treat me then, Zhao Pingjin? Don’t act innocent now!”

Hearing this, Zhao Pingjin suddenly froze for a few seconds, staring at Lu Xiaojiang in disbelief. After several moments of intense gaze, he finally understood what he meant. His lips quivered, and then, he let out a harsh, sorrowful laugh. He forced back tears that welled up in his eyes. “Lu Xiaojiang, you hurt her... is it because you hate me? Yes, I did wrong, but do you even understand what happened? I kept quiet about the Lingdang matter out of consideration for your miserable state back then. And now you... you!”

Zhao Pingjin’s face went pale, and he almost staggered from the force of his anger, struggling to catch his breath.

Fang Langxi hurriedly intervened. “Xiaojiang, that thing with Zhou’er is really...”

But Lu Xiaojiang didn’t have a chance to hear him out.

In the next second, Zhao Pingjin raised his hand, grabbed him, and slammed him hard to the floor. His grip had lost all restraint. Lu Xiaojiang was thrown onto the coffee table, crashing into the cups and tea, spilling everything around. Zhao Pingjin stepped forward, putting his foot on Lu Xiaojiang’s arm, his face twisted with rage, his voice hoarse and cold. “Hit you? Damn it, I should just kill you!”

Lu Xiaojiang fell to the ground on his back, letting out a painful scream.

Gao Ji Yi heard his voice and called out, “Hey, Zhou’er! Stop, this could turn into a real problem!”

Lu Xiaojiang collapsed completely.

Zhao Pingjin picked up his suit jacket, his body filled with anger. He kicked open the door and stormed out.

Shen Min stood by silently the entire time, not saying a word of advice. Seeing Zhao Pingjin leaving, she lifted her leg and followed him out.

Fang Langxi was a bit stunned. The severity of Zhao Pingjin’s actions caught him off guard. He had thought the tension between Zhao Pingjin and Lu Xiaojiang was just some petty quarrel, but seeing this, it seemed like a deep-seated grudge. Fang Langxi hurried to lift Lu Xiaojiang, who was lying on the floor, and anxiously asked, “Xiaojiang, are you okay?”

As Shen Min was about to leave, Gao Ji Yi suddenly leapt up, rushing to the door and pulling her back. “What’s going on?”

Shen Min stood by, and though Lu Xiaojiang was still on the floor, she made no move to help him. She only asked, “On the morning of his wedding day, did you call him?”

Fang Langxi’s face changed slightly as he remembered the events surrounding Zhao Pingjin’s wedding.

Lu Xiaojiang’s face twisted with pain, large beads of sweat rolling down as he grimaced, not daring to speak.

Fang Langxi pressed, “Xiaojiang, what did you tell him?”

Lu Xiaojiang remained silent.

Gao Ji Yi nudged Shen Min, “Xiao Min?”

Shen Min shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Shen Min whispered to Fang Langxi, “I’ll go downstairs. He probably won’t be able to drive.”

In November, the award season arrived, and the Beijing Television Arts Festival held its awards ceremony.

Huang Xi Tang met Director Feng and colleagues from the production team in the hotel lobby.

After not seeing each other for a long time, Yin Nan, dressed in a black tuxedo, smiled as he linked arms with her and opened the car door for her. Ni Kailun stood by, watching as Yin Nan and she got into the car arranged by the organizers. Yin Nan and she would walk the red carpet shortly.

Yin Nan and she sat side by side in the backseat of the car, leaning back in their chairs, looking calm and relaxed. Yin Nan smiled and asked, “Are you nervous?”

Xi Tang sat up straight, her hands pressed against the heavy fabric of her dress. She turned to smile slightly in response, “A little.”

Yin Nan was almost certain to win Best Actor tonight. In October, he had already won the Most Popular Male Actor award at the first television ceremony held by Galaxy Media, a major achievement. Xi Tang, however, did not win that night. Her company had received early notice, and Ni Kailun arranged for her to attend the award ceremony, though it was more of a formality. That evening, she returned to the set to continue filming. But tonight was different. The Beijing Television Arts Festival was the largest television award ceremony in the country. The Golden Camellia Award was considered the most prestigious of the three major television awards and was the focal point of the entertainment industry each year. The awards were announced live and were seen as the fairest in the industry. This year, the most highly recognized and media-backed production was The Last Princess of He Shuo.

The Camellia Theater appeared on the right side of the road, its towering top layers cascading like a blooming white camellia, shimmering in the night.

The flashing of spotlights and the screams of fans grew louder and closer.

Yesterday, Beijing had a sudden cold snap, so the assistant had placed a row of heat pads under her gown. Xi Tang looked stunning tonight. Yin Nan, ever the gentleman, extended his arm. Xi Tang, in her high heels, gracefully stepped out of the car, her hand linking with his arm. The two of them stood side by side at the end of the red carpet.

The fans’ screams pierced the air.

Xi Tang wore a pure white satin strapless gown. As is customary for award shows, female stars’ makeup tends to be heavy, but her makeup artist had used matte brown tones for her eyeshadow, which appeared subtle on camera, blending with her natural skin tone. Only her red lips stood out, bold and vibrant, accentuating her delicate beauty. As she stood on the red carpet, arm in arm with Yin Nan, they made the most glamorous couple of the night. In The Last Princess of He Shuo, Yin Nan’s character, Officer Song Jiahua of Beiping Hospital, was accompanied by his wife, portrayed by Xi Tang. The grand princess was elegant, with a slender neck and a soft, gentle smile on her face.

After entering the theater and sitting down, the ceremony began with lively music and conversation. Over the course of the two-hour event, Xi Tang remained seated until the very end, feeling a bit sore in her back and shoulders.

When they left at midnight, her assistant immediately wrapped a down jacket around her shoulders.

Ni Kailun sat in the back of the car, and as the assistant opened the car door, Xi Tang noticed her face looked dark, like the bottom of a pot.

Xi Tang sat in the car, her face falling. “I’m sorry.”

Ni Kailun responded with a neutral expression, “It’s not your fault.”

The company’s driver was about to close the car door when suddenly a figure hurried past the theater exit. Upon seeing their car, the person immediately stopped. “Miss Ni,” he called out.

Xi Tang looked up to see a man dressed in a black sequined feathered suit, smiling as he walked toward them. This was Zhang Zhiyin’s manager, Chang Weihong.

Chang Weihong had just turned off his phone and was beaming as he approached. “Miss Ni, my apologies, I’ve given way this time.”

Zhang Zhiyin had won this year’s Golden Camellia Award for Best Actress for her role in The Pear Blossom Street Case File. She was still inside taking photos and giving interviews with her trophy. This was the role Xi Tang had passed on to film The Last Princess of He Shuo.

Ni Kailun’s lips twitched slightly. “Mr. Chang, congratulations.”

Chang Weihong was a senior manager and producer in the industry, so Xi Tang had no choice but to greet him as well. “Brother Hong.”

“Oh, I also heard that your artist was rejected for an audition for Spring Late?” Chang Weihong said casually, glancing at Xi Tang. “Zhiyin got in, by the way. Hey, Kailun, does Zhenzhen still act? I kind of miss her.”

Ni Kailun was too upset to engage in small talk. With a cold face, she said, “Drive.”

As the car left the theater and got onto the road, Ni Kailun waved her hands in frustration, angrily cursing, “Scheming little bastard! Shameless pervert! I’m so mad, I’m going to have a stroke!”

Xi Tang held her hand, noticing that Ni Kailun had been in a bad mood lately.

The car stopped in front of the hotel. The assistant got out to help Xi Tang, while Ni Kailun, pale-faced, angrily opened the car door.

Suddenly, the driver behind them exclaimed, “Miss Ni!”

Xi Tang turned around in shock and was startled to see Ni Kailun, her face deathly pale, collapse onto the ground.

Xi Tang immediately ran to the other side of the car. Ni Kailun was sitting on the ground, tightly clutching her arm, her lips trembling. “Xi Tang, I’m feeling unwell.”

Xi Tang called out loudly, “Driver, help her! Quickly, take her to the hospital!”

The driver lifted Ni Kailun into the car.

Xi Tang quickly stretched out her arm to stop him. “Slow down! Slow down!”

The driver, panicked, asked, “What happened?”

Xi Tang placed one hand on her chest to hold up her gown and protect her modesty, while the other hand supported Ni Kailun’s body. “Be careful! Don’t press on her stomach! She’s pregnant.”