Chapter Three

“And then there’s Jiang Zhiyi…” Chen Bing’s expression was extremely grim. His gaze swept over Shu Yao, complex and hard to read. “How could it be Jiang Zhiyi…”

Shu Yao’s expression was no better. How could it be Jiang Zhiyi? She’d like to know that too! She let out a soft sigh and said nothing.

Though she had a high tolerance for alcohol, that night she’d gone out with the intention of relaxing and de-stressing. She couldn’t remember how much she’d drunk. Before she left, she’d only felt slightly tipsy, but when she stumbled into Jiang Zhiyi’s arms, she was genuinely dizzy.

That night, she hadn’t clearly seen Jiang Zhiyi’s face—only, through years of experience in the entertainment industry, she’d vaguely sensed he was a very tall, handsome man with beautiful, firm pectorals and abs, and a pleasant scent. In the past, even when drunk, Shu Yao would retain a shred of reason, because she couldn’t afford even a single mistake. But that night, the moment she decided to go to the bar alone without telling her assistant, she’d thrown reason to the wind. When she fell into Jiang Zhiyi’s arms, a fire burned inside her, and that string called emotion twanged softly. She couldn’t help pressing herself against his solid chest, gazing into those beautiful eyes, wanting only to reach out and touch them, or give them a gentle kiss…

She wanted to wrap herself around his firm waist, to hold his elegant neck, to rain kisses all over that handsome, radiant face…

Shu Yao cleared her throat uncomfortably, her cheeks flushing slightly. Chen Bing gave her a puzzled look, and she hurriedly lowered her head to hide it. Fortunately, his attention wasn’t on her, and he didn’t notice her unease.

Chen Bing stood up with his phone in hand, pacing the room, frowning. “…Getting Jiang Zhiyi involved is trouble.”

Yes, the biggest trouble was dragging Jiang Zhiyi into it. If it had been any other male star, Shu Yao wouldn’t be so trapped.

Though Jiang Zhiyi’s fame was on par with Shu Yao’s, or perhaps greater, his standing in the film industry was considerable, and his industry reputation was excellent. Despite his low public visibility, maintaining such high popularity and acclaim with so little exposure… you could count on one hand the male stars in the industry who could pull that off.

And moreover… Chen Bing thought with growing irritation, although Jiang Zhiyi was extraordinarily gifted and exceptionally handsome, he’d played the male lead from his very debut. Even though he took on few projects, their quality was high, and his journey had been relatively smooth. No matter how much effort Jiang Zhiyi put into his craft behind the scenes, outsiders couldn’t see it. What they saw was a man who’d had top-tier resources from the start, who didn’t court publicity, didn’t pander to audiences, and carried himself with a certain disregard for convention. In front of the media, he was cool and low-key.

So… there was a lot of speculation about Jiang Zhiyi’s background. Yet to this day, no information about his family or background had ever been leaked. No media outlet had ever exposed it.

Or perhaps… it couldn’t be exposed?

Chen Bing’s face darkened with frustration. Before this, Shu Yao and Jiang Zhiyi had no dealings—they’d never even worked together. Every actress wanted to work with Jiang Zhiyi, or at least stir up a rumor with him, and Chen Bing had naturally considered it too. But as Shu Yao worked hard and gradually rose to fame, Chen Bing had long abandoned any idea of contacting Jiang Zhiyi’s company for collaboration.

Shu Yao and Jiang Zhiyi—one female star, one male star—were never in direct competition. Whether or not she worked with Jiang Zhiyi wasn’t all that crucial to Shu Yao now.

And now, Shu Yao had actually had a one-night stand with Jiang Zhiyi?!

At that thought, Chen Bing’s anger flared, and he glared furiously at Shu Yao.

Shu Yao didn’t dare talk back; she could only meekly endure his angry gaze. Chen Bing paced back and forth in the room, occasionally answering a call and giving brief instructions.

In winter, dawn came late. The sky was still dark and hazy, with no light in sight. Mist hung outside the windows, while the room was warm enough with the heating on. Shu Yao leaned back in her chair, watching Chen Bing pace and take calls, her mind growing foggy.

Chen Bing answered another call and shouted angrily into it.

Shu Yao glanced at him, then looked away. Her hand unconsciously moved to her lower abdomen, her thoughts in chaos.

She had a child… she was pregnant.

Shu Yao stared blankly down at her unchanged belly. Thanks to her busy schedule and year-round exercise, she’d maintained an excellent figure—slim waist, long legs. Now, staring at her flat stomach, where even a hint of abdominal muscles was still visible… she felt a bit bewildered. Was she really pregnant?

Was she going to become a mother?

The worry and anxiety in her eyes faded, gradually replaced by tenderness and a flutter of emotion.

Shu Yao opened her mouth to say something, but Chen Bing cut her off. He’d just hung up and turned back to her. “Did Jiang Zhiyi say anything?”

Shu Yao blinked. “What?”

Chen Bing said, “That night—did the two of you talk at all?”

Shu Yao understood. Awkwardly, she said, “Brother Chen, we were both drunk. I don’t remember much… I think he probably doesn’t either. We were both drunk.”

If one of them had been sober, nothing would have happened that night!

Chen Bing’s expression grew grave. “And after you sobered up? What was his attitude?”

Shu Yao had no choice but to rack her memory.

When they woke the next morning, even though they’d spent the night in the same bed, holding each other, the Jiang Zhiyi before her was much the same as the one in front of the media.

An exceptionally handsome face, every feature as if meticulously crafted by heaven—flawless.

Yet when they woke, they were wrapped in each other’s arms. Her legs were tangled around his waist; his firm abdomen pressed against her soft body. They lay like young lovers who’d been together for a long time, sleeping in each other’s embrace.

Unfortunately, it was nothing more than two adults taking what they wanted. Before that night, Shu Yao had never even looked closely at Jiang Zhiyi’s features, because she knew they traveled in different circles, so she’d never paid him much attention.

Only after that night did she realize just how fatally alluring this man was—how, beneath his cool exterior, there burned a fiery, intoxicating heart that left her dizzy and lost for words.

Even though they’d shared such intense passion the night before, when Jiang Zhiyi woke and saw her, there was only a brief flicker of surprise before his expression returned to what it was in front of the cameras—cool, detached.

Shu Yao was naturally shocked and embarrassed, but what was done was done. They were both in the entertainment industry; they both knew these things could be either a big deal or a small one. Shu Yao was mortified—she’d never imagined her one-night stand would be with Jiang Zhiyi, which left her full of regret and frustration.

Shu Yao spoke first, making her position clear: just a casual fling; pretend nothing happened.

Shu Yao recalled Jiang Zhiyi’s expression at the time—the man’s brow was faintly furrowed, his gaze coolly resting on her for a few seconds. Beyond that, Shu Yao couldn’t read anything in Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes. Discovering that his one-night stand was with her—was he pleased? displeased? disgusted? not disgusted?

Ah, impossible to tell.

After that, Jiang Zhiyi coolly indicated he respected Shu Yao’s wishes. From waking to leaving, their total “conversation” added up to no more than five sentences.

Shu Yao showered and left first. Jiang Zhiyi sat casually by the window in his robe, his back to her, gazing outside.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

They had to stagger their exits from the hotel. After getting fully dressed, Shu Yao put on her mask and sunglasses and slipped out secretly. Who knew how much later Jiang Zhiyi left.

After that, they had no further contact. As before, they were merely colleagues working in the same industry—no connection whatsoever.

Shu Yao picked and chose the details of that morning and recounted them to Chen Bing.

As expected, Chen Bing’s frown deepened. Faced with such a situation, Jiang Zhiyi had remained calm and rational—nothing like the man who’d been tangled up with Shu Yao the night before, radiating raw desire.

Shu Yao was at her wit’s end. Their only real, intimate glimpse of Jiang Zhiyi had been those few minutes after she’d woken up with him three months ago—yet even in those minutes, he’d spoken so little and revealed nothing on his face.

Shu Yao even began to feel—was this the end for her? After all this struggle, she still couldn’t hold her ground in this industry.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Neither Chen Bing nor Shu Yao spoke. Chen Bing sat with a grim face, thinking for a while, then said, “Alright, stay here for now. Don’t go home. I’m going to a meeting.”

Shu Yao looked up. “…Okay.”

Even if she were allowed to go home, she probably couldn’t return now anyway, Shu Yao thought bitterly.

Chen Bing walked to the door with his phone, then suddenly turned back, his expression complicated. Shu Yao was startled. “Brother Chen?”

His gaze traveled over her and settled on her belly. Shu Yao instinctively covered her abdomen with her hand.

Chen Bing let out a soft breath. “Time is tight. Use this time to think carefully about your future direction.”

Shu Yao was taken aback. Chen Bing said, “Once the company works out a PR strategy, I hope you’ll have made up your mind.”

Shu Yao asked blankly, “What…?”

Chen Bing’s voice was cold: “My advice is—when the time is right, get rid of it.”

With that, he pulled open the door and left, leaving Shu Yao stunned and lost.