{"id":3679,"date":"2026-05-28T04:18:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T04:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/public-entertainment-industry-39\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T04:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T04:18:40","slug":"public-entertainment-industry-39","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/chapter\/public-entertainment-industry-39\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Industry] 39"},"content":{"rendered":"

**Chapter 39: A Fairy’s Tears**

The indoor pool at the Lakeside Manor matched He Lingji\u2019s taste perfectly\u2014futuristic and sleek, with cold metallic lines that felt luxurious and high-end. Everything was fully automated, and the pool alone covered over a hundred square meters.

Under the glaring white lights, crystalline water droplets splashed onto the poolside, scattering before slowly converging again, flowing back into the blue water.

Would Qin Mang let this slide?

Of course not!

So, when He Lingji asked that question, she turned around with difficulty, her slender arms wrapping around the man’s elegant neck.

She kissed him hard.

And added, defiantly, \u201cYou try it too.\u201d

A married couple should share both hardship and joy!

He Lingji leaned against the pool’s edge, his beautifully sculpted arms resting along the side. Droplets of water fell like rain, making soft, splattering sounds.

\u201cDoes it taste good?\u201d

Under the bright lights, the girl\u2019s eyes sparkled, her smile radiant and smug.

He Lingji\u2019s lips were slightly reddened.

He pressed them together lightly, then, gripping the back of her neck, replied, \u201cI couldn\u2019t tell.\u201d

\u201cTry again.\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c\u2026\u201d

You can *do* that?

A black knit gown and two lacy, vibrant lingerie pieces floated distantly on the water\u2019s surface.

Qin Mang felt her body lighten. Half-opening her damp lashes, she glanced over\u2014

Inexplicably, a memory surfaced: that night outside the charity gala.

He Lingji\u2019s suit had floated like this too.

It had been two months since then.

But she remembered it vividly.

Qin Mang began to space out again, her eyes lingering on the mysterious black tattoo etched into his skin like a brand.

\u201cMrs. He, focus.\u201d

He Lingji\u2019s long, pale fingers threaded through hers on the poolside\u2014possessively locking their fingers together.

No room for refusal.

No room to drift off.

Qin Mang\u2019s voice was muffled: \u201cWhat exactly are you tasting?\u201d

After a long pause, the answer came faint and far away: \u201cYou.\u201d

\u2026

Inside the master bedroom.

Qin Mang, draped in a pale cyan silk robe, lounged lazily on the sofa, video chatting with Meng Ting and Fu Yuan.

Now that she was back at the Lakeside Villa, Fu Yuan\u2014who knew some inner workings of elite families\u2014could only warn her, \u201cWith the year-end approaching, be extra cautious. It\u2019s peak time for media to chase big stories.\u201d

\u201cEvery reporter\u2019s hoping for a bombshell.\u201d

The days around the New Year are dangerous. Celebrities, like anyone else, tend to relax during holidays\u2014making it easier for paparazzi to strike.

Many scandals break just before or after the New Year.

Qin Mang glanced at the man walking out of the bathroom.

He wore a pale cyan robe matching hers. Coincidence? Or intentional?

She chuckled softly and looked away. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019m not going out.\u201d

\u201cYou still need to,\u201d Fu Yuan replied, checking the schedule. \u201cNext week\u2019s the premiere of *Dreams of Old Beijing*. You have to go.\u201d

As an S+ production, the film was slated for a Spring Festival release, unafraid of competing with other blockbusters. It was determined to dominate the box office.

Director Zhou was confident in Qin Mang\u2019s performance\u2014he had already submitted the film to a prestigious international festival for Best Actress consideration.

Still, it was Qin Mang\u2019s first lead role.

Now that it was about to be released, she felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

She wanted to watch it.

But didn\u2019t dare to.

After a bit more work-related chat, Fu Yuan ended the call, reminding her again to watch out for paparazzi.

He Lingji was already getting ready for bed.

Compared to the wild, dangerous allure he exuded at the pool, the man now lounging by the headboard flipping through a hardcover book seemed refined and restrained.

He wore silver-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge\u2014elegant and composed. A small cut was still visible on his lower lip.

*Something about finance\u2014*
Qin Mang took one glance at the book and lost interest.

Instead, she crawled over and frowned, studying the cut on his lip.

She gently touched the edge with her fingertip, worried. \u201cMaybe don\u2019t go to the office tomorrow.\u201d

If the employees saw this\u2014

*Oh god.*

She still hadn\u2019t recovered from the last time she got socially annihilated across the internet.

Once could be written off as an accident. But repeatedly? People would assume she was some little vixen who liked to bite.

She had to maintain her image as the elegant, ladylike Mrs. He in front of the staff.

\u201cIt\u2019s the annual party tomorrow.\u201d

He Lingji turned a page, his tone calm and composed.

Qin Mang: \u201c!\u201d

\u201cCan the president skip the annual party?\u201d

He Lingji finally looked up at her. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c\u2026\u201d

\u201cDo you think you can show your face looking like that?\u201d

\u201cOf course not, my friend!\u201d

She answered her own question, expertly.

He Lingji took her hand, still resting against his lips, and casually suggested, \u201cIce for the swelling?\u201d

Which reminded Qin Mang\u2014

She immediately went to fetch ice, ready to apply it to his lip.

He Lingji dodged.

His long fingers brushed against her lips. \u201cToo cold. Can you think of another method, Mrs. He?\u201d

What method?

Qin Mang met his teasing gaze\u2014and suddenly remembered that time when he had a fever.

She had jokingly said she\u2019d hold the ice cube in her mouth to help \u201cyoung Mr. He\u201d reduce swelling.

Apparently, this dog hadn\u2019t forgotten.

And now, he wanted payback.

He Lingji saw her hesitate.

He didn\u2019t press\u2014just laid back down, flipping through his book, unconcerned about the cut and unbothered that employees might see it tomorrow.

The next second.

He was yanked upright by his collar.

\u201cWhat are you lying there for? Are you a salted fish?!\u201d

He Lingji was caught off guard.

In one night\u2014

He was kissed by Mrs. He twice.

This time, her kiss tasted like ice.

But beneath the chill was a molten heat.

Enough to melt the ice completely.

Blazing like wildfire.

\u2014

The next morning, though Qin Mang had a day off and could\u2019ve slept in for beauty rest, she forced herself awake\u2014concerned about He Lingji\u2019s lip injury.

She cupped his jaw and examined it closely.

Her efforts weren\u2019t in vain. After a night of ice cubes that had numbed her entire mouth, the swelling was gone. Only a faint cut remained\u2014barely visible unless you looked very closely.

But\u2014

If someone *did* notice\u2026

Qin Mang reminded him, \u201cJust say you bit yourself while eating.\u201d

Even when half-asleep, she still remembered to help him craft an excuse.

He Lingji, never one to suffer in silence, tucked a tie into her fingers and gave a one-word command: \u201cTie.\u201d

Qin Mang drew out the word dramatically: \u201cTiiiiieeee\\~\u201d

Lucky for this dog\u2014she was in a good mood today.

Otherwise, she\u2019d have tied it around his wrist and *left him bound*.

Let him cry to the heavens with no one to save him.

\u2014

**He Corporation Annual Gala**

Everyone noticed\u2014He Lingji was in a good mood.

After he gave a brief speech,

Even the host picked up on it and cautiously asked, \u201cPresident He, something made you happy today\u2014care to share with us?\u201d

He Lingji casually adjusted his tie with long fingers.

Unbothered. \u201cNothing really.\u201d

\u201cJust a personal thought.\u201d

Then he stepped offstage, leaving the spotlight to outstanding employees.

He didn\u2019t say more\u2014but with so many eyes in the He Group, people quickly put the pieces together.

\u201cPresident He\u2019s tie wasn\u2019t tied by him today.\u201d

\u201cHe usually wears it very neatly, but this one was slightly off. Whoever tied it clearly wasn\u2019t used to it!\u201d

\u201cSo that means\u2014someone else did it!\u201d

\u201cDamn, eagle-eyed!\u201d

\u201cOhhh, I see, I see!\u201d

\u201cOh my god, it must be the missus\u2014so sweet!\u201d

\u201cSpeaking of which, President He and his wife are so lovey-dovey, and yet someone still tried to stir things up\u2026 don\u2019t they know their place?\u201d

\u201cShhh, that someone\u2019s a department director. She can make your life hell with a flick of her finger. Don\u2019t say anything.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m not scared. If I were her, I\u2019d be too embarrassed to show my face around HQ.\u201d

\u201cTao-jie, you work in the President\u2019s Office. You\u2019ve seen the missus, right? Spill a little\u2014what\u2019s she like?\u201d

Tao Qin, smiling and chatting with coworkers, paused a few seconds before replying calmly and without exaggeration:

\u201cBeautiful, radiant, and when she appears\u2014no one can look away.\u201d

\u201cShe\u2019s dazzling.\u201d

\u201cWow!\u201d

Soon, everyone\u2019s attention shifted to the mysterious Mrs. He.

Pestering Tao Qin to tell them more.

The radiant heiress and the cold, abstinent ruler\u2014ahhhhh!

I\u2019m dying from shipping them!

Now *this* is what a match made in heaven looks like.

As for those stories about a sparrow turning into a phoenix?

They\u2019re better left in novels.

In real life, I prefer power couples, equally matched in status and strength. That\u2019s the real fairytale!

Sparrow-like supporting girls, get lost\u2014ya ya ya ya!

—

**On the day of the premiere:**

Qin Mang, under the stylist\u2019s arrangement, changed into a qipao she hadn\u2019t worn in ages.

The qipao was a modest yet elegant piece embroidered with wisteria in a dark pattern. Its slit design revealed one slender, snow-white calf.

She draped a pure black, fluffy long shawl over it, nearly brushing her ankles\u2014a stunning blend of dark elegance and irresistible allure. Her gaze shimmered with a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

No excessive jewelry.

Just a delicate, thin pair of earrings that swayed gently with every movement, making her look like she had stepped out of a painting.

It was her *first time*, after all!

Qin Mang exhaled nervously and clung to He Lingji\u2019s suit sleeve without letting go:

\u201cWhat if I look awful on camera?\u201d

\u201cWhat if my acting\u2019s embarrassing?\u201d

\u201cHow did I even act back then?\u201d

He Lingji flicked one of her dangling earrings, utterly composed. \u201cThen we\u2019ll go home.\u201d

\u201cLet them perform it for you instead.\u201d

Qin Mang still wasn\u2019t reassured: \u201cWhat if your investment flops?\u201d

\u201cThis is the He Group\u2019s first time investing in film, right?\u201d

\u201cWhat if the box office tanks\u2026\u201d

He Lingji replied nonchalantly:

\u201cMrs. He, this investment wasn\u2019t even as much as you spent on your last shopping spree.\u201d

Qin Mang choked.

She only spent *a little*\u2026

As the investor, He Lingji had also received an invite to the premiere.

The two of them left the lakeside estate in separate cars.

He Lingji arrived low-key and sat in the VIP front row\u2014the best seat in the house.

Qin Mang was seated in a different section.

Though she had been a bundle of nerves, when Qin Mang entered and passed by He Lingji\u2019s seat, she bent to adjust her dress and sneakily patted the back of his hand resting on his knee.

The tail of her black furry shawl covered the motion.

She meant to tease him to ease her nerves.

But he caught her fingers instead.

Qin Mang didn\u2019t pull away.

She hadn\u2019t managed to scare him\u2014instead, *her* little heart almost skipped a beat.

He Lingji\u2019s thin lips curled in a faint smile.

He slowly released her hand.

\u201cMiss Qin, be careful.\u201d

Qin Mang clutched her chest and met his gaze, giving a slight smile: \u201cThank you, President He.\u201d

Each word sounded like she was grinding her teeth.

Director Zhou, the only one nearby who knew their relationship, offered, \u201cWant to switch seats with me?\u201d

Qin Mang replied coolly, \u201cNo need.\u201d

\u201cWouldn\u2019t want this delicate flower to sully the pristine glacier.\u201d

Director Zhou: \u201c\u2026\u201d

Hard to tell if she was praising herself or mocking President He.

Definitely not praising him.

After that, Qin Mang elegantly made her way to the seat labeled with her name.

Director Zhou looked at Qin Mang, then at He Lingji.

He thought this rich investor really lacked dignity.

He gave some advice: \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t spoil women too much, or they\u2019ll become overconfident.\u201d

He Lingji absentmindedly rubbed the wedding ring on his ring finger. In the dim lighting, his eyes were distant. Only when they brushed over Qin Mang did a hint of warmth appear.

After a moment, he said calmly, \u201cSo what?\u201d

\u201cShe\u2019s my wife.\u201d

\u201cShe *should* be spoiled.\u201d

—

As the movie started, Qin Mang gradually calmed down.

Now was the moment of truth.

It wasn\u2019t her first time seeing herself on the big screen.

Nor her first time knowing this story.

But still\u2014

She couldn\u2019t help but empathize with the characters, slipping back into the emotional state she had when playing Yun Qin.

Qin Mang had always cared about appearances. Instinctively, she pressed her lips together and tilted her head slightly to keep the tears from falling.

When the camera swept over her\u2014

Her black and white eyes were slightly red at the rims, filled with shimmering tears that looked ready to spill. Her gaze was radiant, like rippling spring water.

This shot was made into a GIF and posted on the film\u2019s official account.

Before the premiere even ended, it had already been reposted over a hundred thousand times.

Thanks to that GIF, Qin Mang went viral again.

Praised as \u201ca fairy shedding tears.\u201d

She trended to second place on the hot search list.

Number one?

**#QinMang\u2019sActingInDreamsOfBeijing**

A famous critic wrote: \u201cQin Mang\u2019s beauty is undeniable. But on the big screen, looks are secondary. What matters is bone structure and emotional impact. Qin Mang shows us a promising future for domestic cinema.\u201d

This critic was notoriously harsh, rarely offering praise. The fact that he openly complimented Qin Mang made netizens suspect he was bribed.

He swore: \u201cJust watch it when it\u2019s released! I never take dirty money!\u201d

Netizens were thrilled: \u201cNow that\u2019s the brutally honest critic we know and love!\u201d

The critic: \u201c\u2026\u201d For the first time, he was left speechless.

—

After the screening, interviews followed, but Qin Mang went backstage to fix her makeup and collect herself.

Unexpectedly\u2014

Just as she entered the hallway, a slender hand grabbed her wrist.

She fell straight into someone\u2019s chest.

Startled, she gasped, but the familiar cool scent stopped her short.

\u201cYou scared me!\u201d

She almost thought it was a crazed fan!

But He Lingji didn\u2019t answer. He lowered his gaze to her still-reddened eyes, voice low and deep:

\u201cFairy shedding tears?\u201d

\u201cCry for me again. Let me see.\u201d

\u201cHe Lingji.\u201d

\u201cHmm?\u201d

\u201cYou\u2019re a pervert.\u201d

\u201cMm.\u201d

Qin Mang didn\u2019t know how to deal with this shameless man. She had long realized he had a twisted kink\u2014he *loved* watching her cry.

Yeah\u2014

Just like she loved watching his hips move.

Fine, fine. They were even.

Qin Mang generously forgave him, \u201cI need to go on stage later. Let me go.\u201d

She still had to fix her makeup.

She hadn\u2019t cried, but the corners of her eyes were a little smudged.

\u201cThere are people coming and going here. Someone might\u2014\u201d

Before she could finish\u2014

\u201cIt\u2019s Qin Mang! She\u2019s over here!\u201d

Qin Mang\u2019s ears were sharp, especially to the sound of camera shutters. She reflexively reached out to block He Lingji\u2019s face and quickly pulled him into the makeup room.

No time to explain. She commanded: \u201cDon\u2019t come out!\u201d

\u201cIf you dare, I\u2019ll *never* cry for you again!\u201d

That threat\u2014

Made the usually cold-faced President He suddenly smile.

Facing her fierce glare, she looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

As if if he didn\u2019t agree, she\u2019d pounce and bite.

\u201cOkay.\u201d

Only after getting his agreement did Qin Mang slam the door shut.

She turned to face the chasing reporters.

They\u2019d followed her so persistently, even sneaking backstage just to get a shot.

Qin Mang approached them step by step, her expression cold. Her red lips spat two simple words: \u201cDelete it.\u201d

The paparazzi gulped and showed her their screen: \u201cWe\u2026 we were live streaming.\u201d

Qin Mang: \u201c!\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3679","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3679"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3680,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3679\/revisions\/3680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}