Chapter 46

Zhao Pingjin held Xitang as he chatted with Gao Jiyi on the sofa.

Gao Jiyi had sent Jiang Songxue to sing karaoke and then said to Zhao Pingjin, “I heard Old Sun came back yesterday.”

Zhao Pingjin didn’t immediately react. “Who?”

“Sun Kehui.”

When Zhao Pingjin heard the name, he smirked sarcastically, “He’s been out of the picture for a while, where’s he been?”

“He went abroad for several years. A few years ago, things weren’t as tight, and he probably made some money. His father wants him to immigrate to Australia.”

The high-ranking children in Beijing were all somewhat familiar with each other, and they often exchanged favors. Of course, there were also people who didn’t get along. Zhao Pingjin had never liked this Sun Kehui. Back when Zhao Pingjin was in high school, his first girlfriend, whose name he had completely forgotten, had also been liked by Sun Kehui. Sun Kehui claimed that Zhao Pingjin had stolen his girlfriend, and they ended up having a confrontation at Houhai. It wasn’t a big deal, and eventually, Zhao Pingjin became friends with several of Sun Kehui’s friends. However, Sun Kehui held a grudge ever since. Even when Zhao Pingjin was with Huang Xitang, Sun Kehui tried to take revenge, publicly humiliating him. But Huang Xitang, back then, was like a firecracker, with Zhao Pingjin supporting her. She could take on anyone. Back then, among the high-ranking children, such rivalry was common, and Zhao Pingjin didn’t take it seriously. Sun Kehui’s father had some power in the police, and Zhao Pingjin had worked with him a few years ago, which made him particularly ungrateful.

Gao Jiyi and Zhao Pingjin were discussing business.

Gao Jiyi seemed uncertain. “It seems like the daughter-in-law of the Lu family is related to him. Should I try to reach out to him?”

Zhao Pingjin disagreed. “He just came back. How much can he help? His father can’t even solve his own problems. What can he do?”

Gao Jiyi thought for a moment. “I’m just worried it won’t be stable enough. I want to have more options. Zhouzi, I’ll still have to rely on you for this.”

Zhao Pingjin’s voice was steady. “I know. I’ll take care of it personally.”

“Well then, thanks, brother.”

“No big deal. You’ve been grinding for so many years; you should be getting promoted soon.”

Zhao Pingjin suddenly reached up and adjusted Xitang’s shoulder. The person in his arms trembled slightly. “Xitang, what’s wrong? Are you cold?”

After discussing business, Gao Jiyi waved his hand and asked Jiang Songxue to come over for drinks. Gao Jiyi pulled her to sit on the other side of the sofa. The two of them drank for a while and then started to get more intimate with each other.

Zhao Pingjin wanted to take Xitang home, so he shook her arm. “Let’s go home and sleep.”

Xitang opened her eyes and climbed out of his embrace.

At that moment, the door of the private room was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang.

A girl barged in, her face flushed, and she screamed as if she had been shocked. “Is Director Gao here?”

The people playing cards in the outer room paused and glanced at the girl at the door. The men on the sofa smiled with their usual ambiguous expressions, their gazes shifting towards the sofa.

Gao Jiyi and Jiang Songxue were still rolling on the sofa.

Xitang looked toward the door and saw a young girl standing there, her eyes and nose red as if she had just cried.

Xitang’s eyes widened in surprise. It was a familiar face—someone from their production team, the young girl Tao Ranran.

She had just seen her during the press conference. The event organizers had brought in some extras from the production team to warm up the scene.

Zhao Pingjin called out, “Hey, Gao Zi, she’s looking for you.”

Gao Jiyi looked up and saw her. “What are you doing here?”

Tao Ranran stormed up to him, angrily saying, “Gao Ge, didn’t you tell me that I could be in Director Feng’s next movie? I just spoke to him, but there’s nothing! The cast list is already set, and he doesn’t even know me, let alone seen my name!”

Gao Jiyi slowly stood up, smiling gently as he tried to calm her down. “Little Tao, don’t worry. I’ll ask again.”

Tao Ranran was somewhat swayed by his refined appearance. Her courage from standing at the door faded, and she hesitated before asking, “Do you still have a way?”

Xitang coldly spoke up, waking her from her delusions. “Ranran, don’t be foolish. For Director Feng’s movies, all the leads must be approved by him before they’re signed. Since he already denied you, that means it’s over. Gao Jiyi is just toying with you. Can’t you see that?”

Tao Ranran had actually confirmed several times tonight that no one had helped her make connections. She had mentioned Gao Jiyi’s name, but all she got in return were mocking laughs from the people around her. Now that Xitang had popped her final bubble of hope, she finally lost all hope, going mad and rushing at Xitang. “You’re doing this to me? I’ve lost my reputation! You’re all animals in human clothing! I’ll report you to the disciplinary committee!”

The men at the table chuckled, “Old Gao, that’s not cool.”

Gao Jiyi dragged her back and harshly pulled her, “Keep it down!”

Xitang immediately stood up.

Zhao Pingjin pressed down on her shoulder, lowering his voice to say, “Alright, this isn’t your business.”

Jiang Songxue, who had been standing to the side, laughed while covering her mouth. “I told you, why do you believe everything a man says? Are you that naïve?”

Tao Ranran’s eyes welled up with tears. “He lied to me!”

Jiang Songxue laughed with a knowing smile, “Well, you’re the fool.”

Tao Ranran immediately covered her face and began crying hysterically. “I’m a good girl! If my mom finds out, she’ll kill me...”

Xitang walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a few comforting words. Then she lifted her head, staring coldly at Gao Jiyi. “There are people in this world who break their promises, and there are those who are beasts in human clothing. Ranran, remember to see things clearly from now on.”

Jiang Songxue blew on her nails, “Oh, someone’s got someone’s back. These days, actresses sure don’t hold back in their words.”

Meanwhile, Tao Ranran was sobbing and grabbing onto Gao Jiyi. After a while, a waitress came in and pulled her away.

Gao Jiyi, relieved to see her taken away, sighed and dusted off his sleeves. “What a hassle.”

Xitang, standing by the sofa, coldly added, “Director Gao, when you were sleeping with that girl, did you ever think this would happen?”

Gao Jiyi, already in a foul mood, was enraged by her words. He didn’t dare confront her directly but turned to Zhao Pingjin and said, “Zhouzi, control her mouth! If you can’t, don’t blame me for not being polite!”

Zhao Pingjin, accustomed to being indulgent, stepped aside with a playful smirk, his tone casual and mocking. “I really can’t control her.”

The resentment Xitang had been holding for years now surged within her, and she mocked Gao Jiyi, “Be careful. Tonight that girl might just go up to the roof of your building and jump. If she dies, that’s another life on your conscience.”

Gao Jiyi recoiled as if burned, then yelled furiously, “Huang Xitang, watch your mouth!”

Zhao Pingjin lowered his voice to stop her. “Alright, don’t go too far.”

Jiang Songxue’s eyes widened in surprise.

The room fell silent.

Fang Langqi walked over and politely asked Jiang Songxue to leave. “Miss Jiang, sorry, something came up at home. Gao Ge will call you later.”

Zhao Pingjin glanced around. With Shen Min handling things, everything was naturally well-organized. The clients and managers at the card table had long since dispersed.

Shen Min followed them to the door, waved away the waiting waiters, closed the door, and quietly approached Zhao Pingjin. “You should take Xitang home.”

Zhao Pingjin nodded and said to Xitang, “Let’s go.”

Gao Jiyi, standing behind her, threateningly said, “Huang Xitang, I’m telling you, Zhong Qiao’s death has nothing to do with me.”

Xitang immediately turned around, unafraid, and stared at him. “Really? Then why did you deposit five million into her account? If she took that much money, why would she still jump the next day?”

Zhao Pingjin was taken aback.

Gao Jiyi’s face twisted in anger. “Huang Xitang, you’re investigating me? Are you out of your mind?”

Xitang gritted her teeth. “If you haven’t done anything wrong, why are you so afraid?”

The confrontation between Xitang and Gao Jiyi escalated.

Zhao Pingjin slowly began to understand. The day before Zhong Qiao’s death, Gao Jiyi had deposited five million into her account. Back then, five million was enough to buy two three-bedroom apartments in the third ring road. With that amount, Zhong Qiao could live comfortably for most of her life.

Years had passed, and since seeing her again in Hengdian, Zhao Pingjin had thought she had learned to adapt to society’s survival rules. But he was wrong. Her fiery nature was still there, the same stubborn, unyielding temper, and deep down, she was still that loyal and innocent girl.

Gao Jiyi gritted his teeth. “I’m telling you, she deserved to die. That money was all left for her parents. I’ve done all I can for her.”

Xitang, full of anger and grief, spoke through reddened eyes. “If you couldn’t be with her, why did you deceive her feelings? Why use her for so many dirty deeds?”

Gao Jiyi looked at Huang Xitang with a sinister gaze, as though seeing a monster with Zhong Qiao’s soul. “She got involved with things she shouldn’t have, then used them to threaten people. This is not just my business. It’s much deeper than you think. You think I could just come up with that much money easily? Do you know what kind of person Zhong Qiao was? What makes you think she’s clean?”

Xitang lifted her head. “To people like you, is a human life worth just five million?”

Gao Jiyi sneered. “What? Did I underpay?”

Xitang felt the urge to kill him with a knife.

Gao Jiyi sneered. “Why are you making such a fuss? Aren’t you following in her footsteps? If one day Zhouzhou gets rid of you, would you have the guts to jump, too?”

Zhao Pingjin’s expression changed instantly. He frowned and shouted, “Gao Jiyi, stop talking nonsense!”

Xitang angrily said, “You’ll get your comeuppance for Zhong Qiao’s death!”

Fang Langqi quickly intervened. “Xitang, calm down!”

The situation had spiraled out of control.

Gao Jiyi, in a fit of rage, kicked over a chair, slammed the door, and left.