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After being hung up on by Qiao Nuo, Jin Chengyan immediately called back, but Qiao Nuo's phone was already turned off!
He let A Shan in and asked about Ruan Shengyu's current situation. Since he learned from Ni Yue that Ruan Shengyu was also involved in the kidnapping case, he hadn't inquired about her condition after sending her away from Qin Cheng to recuperate.
As if recalling something, he opened his laptop and searched for that hidden file. However, when he opened it, it was completely empty!
Qiao Nuo had taken the fingerprint report! Moreover, fearing that Jin Chengyan wouldn’t know, she had deleted the file!
Jin Chengyan's forehead throbbed with veins; he should have deleted that information earlier. He had kept it to remind himself that Ruan Shengyu had once harmed Qiao Nuo, so they could part ways cleanly.
Little did he know that Qiao Nuo had seen it!
"Where is Ruan Shengyu now?" Jin Chengyan asked anxiously. What did Qiao Nuo mean by saying not to let Ruan Shengyu go? What was she planning?
His current concern was indeed for Ruan Shengyu's safety. If Qiao Nuo acted impulsively and did something drastic, it would ultimately be Qiao Nuo who suffered!
A Shan immediately sent someone to investigate Ruan Shengyu's whereabouts. At that time, Ruan Shengyu's every move was no longer under A Shan's control.
Before long, A Shan solemnly reported to Jin Chengyan, "She left Qin Cheng for C City, saying she was going there for an audition."
"An audition?" Jin Chengyan frowned. "Is she really going to audition with her mental state?"
Jin Chengyan couldn't understand what kind of game Ruan Shengyu was playing; how could she still be taking on roles in this condition?
He took out his phone and called Ruan Shengyu, demanding that she return immediately!
She hadn’t even left Qin Cheng; she had stayed there! Hadn't he told her not to appear in Qin Cheng again?
Ruan Shengyu's phone number hadn't changed; perhaps she thought someone would reach out to her.
She answered the call, and the noise on the other end was overwhelming.
"Ruan Shengyu, you need to come back to Qin Cheng immediately!"
"I have a job right now, and besides, we no longer have any relationship. Isn't it unreasonable for you to demand my return?" She lowered her voice.
Jin Chengyan felt anxious as he listened to Ruan Shengyu's voice. There were people calling her name, confessing their feelings, and reporters asking questions.
"Where are you? How can you take on work in this state?"
"Isn't this job one you introduced to me? I had so many roles before because of your help!"
Jin Chengyan had already left the office and was arranging a flight to C City. He hadn't helped Ruan Shengyu with any roles; he had long stopped involving himself in her affairs.
She knew how good he had been to her in the past. He had helped her break free from her brother's relentless entanglement, given her a new identity, and made her a sought-after actress in the film industry, allowing her to live a life free from worry.
While she accepted Jin Chengyan's help wholeheartedly, she had given her heart unreservedly to Yan Beiting, yet she had never received any response.
Now she understood that no matter how much she loved Yan Beiting, even if Qiao Nuo didn't exist in his heart, he would never love her back.
She could only cling tightly to Jin Chengyan. She could show weakness, but she also needed a job to support herself. So what if Jin Zhongshu ordered a ban on her in Qin Cheng?
As long as she successfully becomes Jin Chengyan's wife, what could they possibly do to stop her?
But now, how could Ruan Shengyu push Qiao Nuo aside and become Jin Chengyan's wife?
"Miss Ruan Shengyu, I heard that you are the third party in a marriage in Qin Cheng, causing disharmony between the couple. The legitimate wife is too concerned about her reputation to confront you directly. This is in stark contrast to the characters you portray in films! How do you explain this?"
Ruan Shengyu was on the phone with Jin Chengyan when a reporter suddenly appeared, thrusting a tricky question at her with a recorder in hand.
Jin Chengyan on the other end of the line clearly heard it too.
Ruan Shengyu was taken aback and quickly hung up the phone.
Xu Lin, who had been following Ruan Shengyu, darkened his face and blocked the reporter from getting any closer.
Other reporters, hearing what this one had said, quickly joined in the wave of inquiries.
The waiting fans were equally astonished; how could their beloved pure and innocent star be the third party in someone else's marriage?
"You have no basis for your claims, and we reserve the right to pursue legal action!" Xu Lin said forcefully to the reporter.
The reporter was angered by Xu Lin's response, and those around them began to believe that there must be some truth behind the rumors.
"I'm not speaking without evidence. It is said that the apartment Miss Ruan currently resides in was gifted by that successful individual. The multiple films you've taken on were also due to his behind-the-scenes assistance. But you failed to secure your position and ended up as a mere mistress!" The reporter's words grew sharper with each passing moment.
However, Ruan Shengyu had been in the entertainment industry for many years; she didn't even take off her mask and managed to hold back Xu Lin, who was about to explode with anger.
Her action silenced the eager reporters, and the surrounding fans quieted down, waiting for Ruan Shengyu to provide an explanation.
Ruan Shengyu glanced at the reporter who had asked her a question and smiled slightly. "I don't know where you got these unfounded rumors, and I don't wish to elaborate further. We all understand that the more one explains, the worse it gets. Thank you."
With that, Ruan Shengyu got into the car, escorted by Xu Lin and Airport Security.
Of course, in the entertainment industry, without photos or videos as solid evidence, it is hard for people to believe anything.
Qiao Nuo sat in the passenger seat, watching Ruan Shengyu's van gradually drive away.
The show was just beginning!
"Qiao Nuo, let's go to my house now. Ji Nuan Yang brought back a lot of dresses from Paris for me. Tonight, we’ll dress up beautifully and walk the red carpet!"
Qiao Nuo smiled brightly. "Sure! I trust your brother's taste."
Just then, their car window was tapped.
It was the reporter wearing black-rimmed glasses from earlier.
"Miss Ji, I've done as you instructed!"
"Well done! Here’s your payment." Ji Xining handed the reporter a check. "The remaining half will be given to you after tonight's success!"
The reporter took the check, satisfied with the amount written on it. "It’s an honor to work for Miss Ji!"
As Ji Xining closed the car window, she caught a glimpse of the woman sitting in the passenger seat. The woman looked somewhat familiar.
With the window shut, Ji Xining drove away from the airport, her excitement bubbling over at the thought of the big event that night. She sped along the highway, even overtaking Ruan Shengyu's van.
Ji Xining's red Ferrari positioned itself in front of Ruan Shengyu's van, deliberately refusing to accelerate. The driver of the van soon noticed that the Ferrari was intentionally blocking their way.
"Miss Ruan, could that car in front be one of your crazy fans?" After years of driving, he had seen his fair share of fans chasing after celebrities.
Ruan Shengyu frowned slightly. She had just arrived in C City and was already embroiled in airport drama, being questioned about being a mistress. No one would be happy under such circumstances, especially not a star like her.
And now, there was a fan chasing them—how annoying!
Ruan Shengyu took off her sunglasses and glanced ahead. To her surprise, she saw the red Ferrari with two fair arms extending out of the windows, both giving the middle finger to the cars behind!
The gesture lasted about ten seconds before the person in the front car withdrew their arms and suddenly accelerated away, disappearing in a flash.
Ruan Shengyu trembled with anger! She really wanted to turn back!
But this was a hard-won audition opportunity. After being blacklisted by Jin Zhongshu, she hadn’t been able to land any work, and her agency hadn’t arranged anything for her either.
Even though Xu Lin was out there trying to secure jobs for her, it was fraught with difficulties. Now that Wen Han Studio wanted to meet her, she was naturally eager to go.
She hoped to land the lead role in that big IP project to change her current situation!
So no matter how challenging this journey might be, she had to persevere!
Tonight, there is an awards ceremony in C City. Although it doesn't have the prestige of a decades-old film festival, Ruan Shengyu had previously been advised not to attend. However, under the current circumstances, she had no choice but to show up.
Even though the organizers had changed her grand entrance to a mid-show appearance, Ruan Shengyu understood the significance of this shift.
Upon arriving at the hotel where she was staying, Ruan Shengyu began to prepare herself. She intended to make a stunning entrance on the red carpet that evening to reclaim her image.
After taking a shower and getting ready to apply her makeup, the doorbell rang.
Ruan Shengyu and Xu Lin had come without their usual makeup artists or stylists, as those companies had already withdrawn their support. However, Xu Lin was still with her.
Ruan Shengyu knew that Xu Lin was sent by Jin Chengyan. As long as Xu Lin remained by her side, it meant that Jin Chengyan had not given up on her; she still had a chance.
When Xu Lin opened the door, Jin Chengyan walked in without even glancing at her. He turned his back to Xu Lin and said in a low voice, “Get out.”
Xu Lin had never seen Jin Chengyan so furious. Under A Shan's watchful gaze, she quickly exited the room.
Ruan Shengyu caught a glimpse of Jin Chengyan in the mirror at her vanity. He looked angry, and his hasty arrival from Qin Cheng made her wonder if it was because he had overheard someone misunderstanding her over the phone.
“You're here? But I can't entertain you right now; I have something going on tonight,” Ruan Shengyu said, applying lotion with satisfaction.
Seeing Ruan Shengyu like this made Jin Chengyan reflect on how many things he had done wrong in the past.
“Aren't you supposed to be unwell? Why are you still taking jobs? You have enough money to live a life of luxury,” Jin Chengyan remarked, looking at Ruan Shengyu in the mirror.
She was truly beautiful. Even though she wore heavy makeup every day, once it was removed, she still looked like a girl in her early twenties.
However, Jin Chengyan could no longer see the clear gaze in her eyes that he once cherished.
"Money will eventually run out. If I don't go out to earn it, are you going to support me?" Her tone carried a hint of helplessness, mixed with a touch of resentment towards Jin Chengyan.
Originally, he should have been the one supporting her, Ruan Shengyu, not Qiao Nuo.
Jin Chengyan took a deep breath. He wasn't a fool; he knew very well what kind of heart lay beneath Ruan Shengyu's innocent exterior.
Yet, he always believed that it was the environment she grew up in that forced her to fight for those things, to grasp them tightly in her hands.
She lacked a sense of security and feared losing everything. Thus, it was inevitable that she would resort to extreme measures. Jin Chengyan understood all of this. He even indulged her!
He showered her with affection in his own way, but it led her down the wrong path. He wanted to pull her back onto the right track.
"I'll send you abroad. You used to say you wanted to study; this is a good opportunity for you to take a break."
"You can't wait to send me away so you can enjoy a pleasant world for two with Qiao Nuo?"
Jin Chengyan frowned. Why had Ruan Shengyu never shown such concern for him before? Now, she finally seemed to care about his relationship with Qiao Nuo.
But Jin Chengyan no longer needed that kind of concern.
"I know it was you who hurt Qiao Nuo," he said slowly, as if stating a simple fact like he had just come from Qin Cheng.
The lotion in Ruan Shengyu's hand fell onto the table, producing a sharp sound.
He... already knew!
Did Qiao Nuo tell him?
“It wasn't Qiao Nuo who told me. The police found the murder weapon at the scene, and your fingerprints were on it. I have the original report here.” But he had already burned it; what he kept was a document someone had sent him at the time, which was why Qiao Nuo had seen it.
Ruan Shengyu was stunned. He had clearly hidden that brick; she had been too busy escaping to deal with the murder weapon, and yet...
“Ruan Shengyu, there has never been love between us, only my one-sided feelings for you. I am like a spare tire that you find burdensome in your hands but feel regretful to throw away. Every time I distance myself from you, you give me a little sweetness to keep me longing for you. It has always been this way for so many years.
“Yes, I married Qiao Nuo to provoke you, to see how deep your feelings for me really are. At that time, if you were willing, I could have divorced Qiao Nuo immediately and been with you! I never cared about your past, but you didn’t care whether I did or not; you only cared about Yan San. You are someone I should have left long ago.” Now, saying goodbye was not too late.
“You're angry!” Ruan Shengyu stood up and walked in front of Jin Chengyan. “When we’re angry, we say hurtful things to each other! Couples do that, but I know I am the one who is right for you!”
Jin Chengyan's lips curled slightly upward. Was this the moment when Ruan Shengyu finally acknowledged their relationship as a couple?
Unfortunately, he was already married to Qiao Nuo.
“Do you think you understand me well? Do you think you're the one who is most suitable for me? Or do you believe that without me, you've lost a protector? I know everything you've done to Qiao Nuo! Just because I haven’t come looking for you doesn’t mean I don’t know! Your narrow-mindedness and self-righteousness—when everything is over, all those sweet memories turn into nothingness. What you can remember about me only represents pain and regret.”
“No—” Ruan Shengyu screamed, trying to stop Jin Chengyan's cold words.
Those words pierced Ruan Shengyu's heart like sharp knives.
"To me, you are nothing now," Jin Chengyan continued, his words piercing through the air like a dagger, the last sentence enough to shatter Ruan Shengyu.
"So just leave. There’s nothing here worth your attachment," Jin Chengyan said, looking at the crumbling Ruan Shengyu, his heart hardened as he spoke those words.
Only when she leaves would Qiao Nuo's hatred diminish. He couldn’t let Qiao Nuo do anything extreme; in the end, it would be her who suffers.
Moreover, he didn’t want Qiao Nuo to become that kind of person. Qiao Nuo should live happily, carefree, and enjoy the beauty of this world.
He wanted to shield her from the darkness of this world, to raise a light for her with his own arms!
"Do you not love me anymore?" Ruan Shengyu sank onto the carpet, her voice trembling. "You said you would always protect me. Are you going back on your word?"
Jin Chengyan turned his face away, unwilling to look at Ruan Shengyu’s tear-streaked face.
If he were to protect her for a lifetime, it had to be under the premise that she was his wife; it was only natural for a husband to protect his wife.
But now he was someone else's husband. Why should he abandon his own wife to ensure another woman’s peace?
"I once loved you," Jin Chengyan said as he pulled out a check from his pocket and placed it on the vanity before turning to leave.
As soon as Jin Chengyan walked out, Ruan Shengyu's tears suddenly stopped. She picked up the check from the vanity and forced a bitter smile.
Jin Chengyan was generous, giving money that others might never earn in a lifetime to his ex-girlfriend—no, she wasn’t even an ex-girlfriend; they had never officially been together. They could only be called friends!
He had given a friend what others might spend their whole lives trying to earn!
She carefully placed the check in her bag and sat peacefully in front of the vanity. Starting with her skincare routine, she applied her makeup step by step, until a stunningly beautiful woman appeared in the mirror.
...
"Young Master, where are we going now?" A Shan asked hesitantly.
Jin Chengyan merely lowered his head, fiddling with his phone. The location of Qiao Nuo's phone had finally stopped at a residential area, which A Shan confirmed was the Ji Family's residence!
He truly couldn't understand why Qiao Nuo got along so well with that pair of siblings from the Ji Family, who seemed so fake.
In any case, he just couldn't stand those siblings!
"Let's go to the Ji Family." Since he couldn't reach Qiao Nuo on her phone, he had no choice but to find her in person to ensure she wouldn't do anything reckless.
As for Ruan Shengyu, given her personality, it was certain that she would leave C City immediately after what he had said.
Thinking about it made his head ache. A relationship that had been tangled for six years had just come to a definitive end, leaving him with a sense of relief, yet he found himself in chaos because of Qiao Nuo.
He could navigate the business world with ease and maneuver among industry giants, but when it came to matters of the heart, he stumbled.
Qiao Nuo seemed to have become his Achilles' heel; no matter what he did, things never turned out right.
The car finally came to a steady stop outside the residential area. Jin Chengyan wasn't a resident here, and since the security guard hadn't received any notification from the residents inside about a visitor, he naturally wouldn't let them through.
Being a high-end residential area, Jin Chengyan waited for over ten minutes before A Shan managed to sort things out and allowed him entry.
They headed straight for the Ji Family's villa.
As the servant opened the door, A Shan blocked the way of the Ji Family's servant, and Jin Chengyan charged inside!
"Who are you? Breaking into a private residence is against the law! Do you know this is the Ji Family?" The servant shouted at Jin Chengyan while keeping a wary eye on A Shan.
A Shan slightly lowered his head. "It's precisely because this is the Ji Family that we came in."
There weren't many servants in the Ji Family, so Jin Chengyan managed to enter smoothly.
Standing in the empty living room, he could only hear laughter coming from the second floor, some belonging to Ji Xining and some to Qiao Nuo!
Following the sound, Jin Chengyan found Ji Xining's room.
The two girls were in the dressing room selecting evening gowns. Ji Xining handed Qiao Nuo a dark green dress that exposed her back and thighs, while Qiao Nuo picked out a red dress for Ji Xining that revealed her midriff and back!
"Why does Ji Nuan Yang like to buy you such revealing dresses?" Qiao Nuo asked, looking at the gowns, which were all somewhat daring.
According to Jin Chengyan, they weren't short on money at home, so why buy such little fabric for clothes?
But Ji Nuan Yang had good taste; he knew these dresses would look great on Ji Xining. Was it because he wanted to dress up his sister nicely to help her find a good husband?
"Do you know his biggest hobby is turning me into a princess? All my clothes are approved by him." When mentioning Ji Nuan Yang, a slight blush appeared on Ji Xining's face.
Qiao Nuo recalled seeing Ji Nuan Yang and Ji Xining kissing in the car outside Jin Mansion last time.
“Are you and Ji Nuan Yang… siblings?” If that were the case, Qiao Nuo truly felt her worldview shatter.
“With my looks and Ji Nuan Yang’s appearance, how could we possibly be siblings?”
Qiao Nuo was speechless. If Ji Nuan Yang was considered ugly, how would all the other men in the world survive?
“He’s not my biological brother; I was adopted by the Ji Family.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Oh come on, why bring up such formalities? It’s not like it’s something shameful. I was indeed adopted by the Ji Family! Thank goodness I’m not really one of them!” Ji Xining seemed quite open-minded about it, perhaps relieved that she wasn’t a true member of the Ji Family. “Look at this dress; isn’t it stunning?”
Ji Xining held up a black strap dress, which had two front panels covering her chest and tied around her neck, exposing her navel, while the back was completely open!
Qiao Nuo gasped. How could anyone wear such a dress in public? What if she accidentally exposed herself?
“Try it on; it really looks amazing!” Ji Xining exclaimed as she reached to take off Qiao Nuo's clothes to help her change.
Qiao Nuo wasn’t particularly conservative, but this dress was far beyond her comfort zone. She dodged Ji Xining's hands.
The two began to playfully tussle in the dressing room, their laughter ringing like silver bells.
“Ahem…” Jin Chengyan cleared his throat twice, interrupting the giggles from inside the dressing room.
At that moment, Qiao Nuo had already been half undressed by Ji Xining's antics, with her midriff exposed!
Qiao Nuo had also removed Ji Xining's clothes, leaving her in just a small tank top.
When Jin Chengyan appeared, both of them were startled. Upon seeing him at the door, Ji Xining quickly hid behind Qiao Nuo, frantically putting on her clothes. Although the tank top covered what needed to be covered, she was still flustered.
"What are you doing here?" Qiao Nuo managed to get dressed in a hurry as well.
However, Jin Chengyan did not look up. From the moment he saw Qiao Nuo and Ji Xining playfully undressing, he kept his head down, not wanting to interrupt their moment.
But he didn’t know when this playful banter would end, so he finally spoke up.
Ji Xining, now fully dressed and fuming, exclaimed, "Don't you know that you can't just barge into a girl's room? How did you even get in here? This is our Ji Family, not your Jin Family!"
Jin Chengyan's gaze shifted past Ji Xining and landed on Qiao Nuo.
Qiao Nuo wore a calm expression, her cheeks still flushed from their earlier laughter, but her eyes were cold and indifferent.
Heh, it was just a phone call saying she wouldn’t let Ruan Shengyu off the hook, and he rushed over from Qin Cheng. How much did he care about Ruan Shengyu?
"Qiao Nuo, come out. We need to talk."
"Why should Qiao Nuo go out with you? This is my territory! You have no right to boss around my friend here!" Ji Xining shot back protectively.
Jin Chengyan was truly fed up with Ji Xining. He glanced at
This is the Ji Family, not the Jin Family!
"Ji Xining is gone, so let's have a proper talk!"
Qiao Nuo shrugged indifferently. "What do you want to discuss? How you sheltered Ruan Shengyu? How you love Ruan Shengyu but don't want her to face legal consequences? Or should we talk about our contractual marriage? The terms are really unfair. Why can you unconditionally file for divorce at any time during these four years, while I must agree and cannot initiate the divorce?"
"Qiao Nuo, don't be so extreme. I have my reasons for doing this!"
"Fine, I'm not being extreme. Then tell me, what are you going to do about Ruan Shengyu?" Qiao Nuo sat on the soft couch in the dressing room, looking at Jin Chengyan with an indifferent expression.
"I'll make her leave Qin Cheng and never come back." From then on, the Jin Family Young Master and Young Madam of Qin Cheng would only be an enviable couple in the eyes of others.
"Hah," Qiao Nuo chuckled lightly. "But she wants to kill me!"
"She has already received the harshest punishment; I have left her."
Qiao Nuo raised an eyebrow. "Alright then, how about you accompany me to an award ceremony tonight? It would be our first public appearance as a couple."
Qiao Nuo's agreement relieved Jin Chengyan. It was just an award ceremony, and they would appear together as husband and wife, so he naturally agreed.
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