Chapter 20

Xitang was annoyed when Zhao Pingjin asked her to come along. “Why do I have to go to a reunion of your classmates?” she asked.

Zhao Pingjin glanced at her and smirked, “You’re just decoration.”

As they walked into the hotel lobby, Xitang ran into an acquaintance. It was a man who had helped with promotions at her company before, and he recognized her immediately. After a brief exchange, they continued on their way.

During the dinner, Zhao Pingjin treated Xitang exactly as he had said: like a decoration. She sat at the table while the men discussed old times, travel, investments, and food, and she simply ate her meal. She had a new drama coming up in ten days, so she decided to indulge a bit before going back on a diet.

Halfway through the meal, a middle-aged man was ushered in. The young men at the table immediately stood up.

“Dad,” “Uncle Hu,” “Hello, Uncle Hu,” they greeted him.

The man, with graying hair and a white short-sleeved shirt, had a commanding presence. He greeted Zhao Pingjin warmly, “Zhou’er, it’s been a long time.”

Zhao Pingjin replied with a smile, “Uncle Hu, it’s been years. You look even more energetic.”

Uncle Hu gave him a playful glare, “I see you still haven’t settled down. Has Zhao Jiang still not taught you a lesson?”

Zhao Pingjin laughed, “My dad is too busy to manage me. Lei said you were eating here, so I should have come to greet you, but he said it was inconvenient, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Uncle Hu said, “I just sent a leader off. Little Lei told me you were here, so I came over to say hello.”

After a few cups of tea, he stood up. “You young people go ahead and have fun. Don’t drink too much. Little Lei has a flight tomorrow. I’ll be going now. Zhou’er, come visit me at home sometime.”

Everyone stood up.

Zhao Pingjin replied, “Okay, Uncle Hu. Let me introduce you to someone. This is Huang Xitang, she graduated from the Beijing Film Academy and is now working on a film crew in Hengdian.”

All eyes turned to Xitang.

Only Hu Shaolei smiled without saying anything.

Huang Xitang remained composed and simply smiled and refilled the teacups. She hadn’t expected Zhao Pingjin to introduce her in such a way.

Zhao Pingjin glanced at Huang Xitang and signaled her with his eyes.

Xitang stood up and said politely, “Hello, Uncle Hu. My name is Huang Xitang.”

Uncle Hu looked at Zhao Pingjin and then at Huang Xitang, understanding the situation. He took out his business card case and handed her a card, “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Huang.”

Huang Xitang took the card with both hands, “Thank you.”

Fortunately, Xitang had brought her work bag with her. She politely handed Ni Kailun’s business card to Uncle Hu, “I’m sorry, I don’t have my own card. This is the business card of my agent, Ms. Ni Kailun.”

After the elder left, the men sat back down. Zhao Pingjin looked at her and said disdainfully, “You’re still so clumsy.”

Xitang rolled her eyes at him secretly.

The other men now understood the situation. Hu Shaolei laughed, “Zhouzi, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Xitang had recognized the name on the business card. It turned out that she had underestimated the situation. Uncle Hu was a big shot in the film industry, the head of a monopolistic film company.

Around ten o’clock, Zhao Pingjin called for the bill. The restaurant manager came in and bowed, “Mr. Zhao, I apologize for the interruption, but there seem to be some reporters outside.”

Zhao Pingjin was taken aback, “What’s going on?”

The manager respectfully replied, “We sent someone to check, and they said they were here because Ms. Huang Xitang is dining here. Some reporters are even outside the restaurant. Although we don’t allow guests to take photos, we can’t stop them from coming in...”

Zhao Pingjin nodded in understanding and waved him away.

The men started joking, “So Huang小姐 is a big star...”

Huang Xitang blushed, “I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Hu Shaolei laughed and walked to the window, opening the curtains. “Wow, there are quite a few people.”

Zhao Pingjin also went to the window and looked out. He could see the restaurant entrance from the fifth floor. There were several cars parked outside, and a few figures were moving around.

He felt dizzy.

He stepped away from the window.

Xitang remembered the reporter she had met in the lobby and realized that she had been careless. She had been in this industry for almost ten years, but she had never faced such a situation before.

Zhao Pingjin smiled, “Brother, it seems like I can’t continue drinking with you tonight. This girl has caused trouble.”

The guests left first.

Xitang hid in the corner of the sofa and called Ni Kailun.

As soon as Ni Kailun heard her voice, she exclaimed, “Didn’t you go back to your hometown? When did you come back?”

Xitang said softly, “Didn’t Zhao Pingjin tell you?”

Ni Kailun was furious because of the Zheng Youtong scandal, “Yes, and you’re in big trouble now.”

Xitang ignored her and said, “Quickly send someone to pick me up.”

Ni Kailun began to give instructions. “I’ll send Ake to pick you up, and bring a publicist along. What are you wearing? Have you put on any makeup? You need to be camera-ready. Go out through the front door. I’ve already contacted a few media outlets. Wait for half an hour before you go out.”

After hanging up the phone, Xitang told Zhao Pingjin, “You go ahead. I’ll wait for my company to pick me up.”

Zhao Pingjin picked up his coat and said, “Let’s go.”

Xitang asked, “Where are we going?”

Zhao Pingjin replied, “Home.”

Xitang remained seated. “There are so many people outside.”

Zhao Pingjin stood over her, displeased. “Would you rather be caught hugging that greasy-haired actor than be seen with me?”

Xitang, unaccustomed to such a situation, was reluctant to argue. “Don’t make things worse,” she said.

Zhao Pingjin ordered her with his eyes, “Let’s go.”

Xitang shook her head. “You go first. Be careful.”

Zhao Pingjin was on the verge of anger. “Come with me.”

Zhao Pingjin had always been accustomed to getting his way, and he seemed incapable of tolerating any resistance. Seeing this, Xitang sneered, “You want to make headlines? Are you sure? Don’t you care about your family?”

Zhao Pingjin was stunned, but he insisted, “This is my own business.”

Xitang laughed scornfully, “Is it?”

As always, she had a way of knocking him down with her words.

Zhao Pingjin took a deep breath and reached for his cigarette case. After a few attempts, he managed to light it. “Huang Xitang, you always know how to humiliate me.”

Xitang maintained her mocking smile. “Mr. Zhao, you don’t need me to do that.”

Zhao Pingjin was so angry that he couldn’t speak. He simply sat there smoking in frustration.

Even though he was furious, he didn’t leave.

The two of them sat in silence until the door to the private room was abruptly pushed open. Ni Kailun stormed in. She didn’t even look at Zhao Pingjin as she stood in front of Huang Xitang and examined her from head to toe. “Touch up your makeup and change your shoes.”

Her stylist arrived with a large bag and pulled out a pair of high heels, which her assistant helped Xitang put on. The makeup artist took out a compact.

Xitang let them do as they pleased.

Ni Kailun said, “If any reporters ask about Zheng Youtong, don’t say anything. Don’t frown. Smile and look shy. I’ve already made some arrangements.”

The makeup artist complimented her gently, “Your skin is so good. Just a touch of lipstick will do.”

Ni Kailun said excitedly, “The media will release old photos of you and Zheng Youtong from your college days. Tomorrow, you’ll be all over the headlines.”

Xitang was shocked. “Where did you get those photos?”

Ni Kailun glanced at her, “I paid someone to get them from your school.”

Xitang tried to protest, but Ni Kailun interrupted her. “Invitation requests have doubled. Several TV stations want you to participate in their variety shows. The investors of ‘Palace Love’ and ‘Sword Break’ have also requested that you participate in all future promotional activities. Xitang, you should thank Mr. Zheng.”

Zhao Pingjin couldn’t listen anymore. His face turned ashen as he grabbed his coat and opened the door.

Two people were standing outside, presumably assistants brought by Ni Kailun. They looked at him awkwardly when they saw him.

Ni Kailun had already taken Xitang’s arm and was walking out. The two assistants immediately stood up straight and greeted her loudly, “Sister Xitang!”