I thought everything was going to settle down, or at least move in a good direction. However, early in the morning, my phone suddenly rang. As soon as I answered, I heard Shu Shuang’s anxious voice on the other end. She said, “Gu Baobei, hurry and open your computer, go to Jay’s official website.”
Since the last time I was dragged into Jay and Xu Mei’s scandal, Shu Shuang became unusually enthusiastic. Her sharp tongue became united against outsiders, gradually showing a trend of killing demons when encountering demons and killing gods when encountering gods. She publicly spoke up for me several times. I was very moved and felt that An’an calling her “big brother” was very appropriate.
I groggily opened the webpage and was completely shocked awake.
Because on the homepage of Jay’s official website, there was a huge announcement with only six big characters: “Gu Baobei, I love you.” I stared at it, speechless in my heart, not knowing whether I should laugh or cry.
And when I opened the news website, the news about Jay’s confession had already started spreading. Another flashy piece of news was: “Manager Xu Mei sues Jay for rape.” Rape? More like Xu Mei raped him! Looking at Xu Mei’s series of accusations in the report, I finally couldn’t help but curse out loud, “Damn it! Crazy!” Whoever this woman loves, she ruins! I was so angry I almost threw the computer out too. Later, thinking that if I smashed it, I’d have to back it up and buy it myself, so I cravenly withdrew my hand. Well, I have no backbone…
Xu Mei has been in the entertainment industry for many years and can be considered an old hand. If nothing else, she has tricks. When Jay came to find me last time, although it was a bit abrupt, it could only be said that Xu Mei pushed him too hard. His feelings reached that point, so he exploded. However, I don’t believe he would make a fuss on his official website at the peak of the storm. Because if he did that, both his fans and my dear babies would rebound. Moreover, regardless of the timing, location, or support, such a confession is really not clever.
Thinking of all sorts of things from my previous life, I trust him and firmly believe this confession was not released by him. He has his own difficulties. When a woman goes crazy, she might do anything. Jay has a gentle personality and often accommodates others, but he wouldn’t do things that implicate others. Since the time the photos and scandal came out, he publicly clarified for the sake of my reputation. He didn’t call me but sent me a text message with just three short words: “I’m sorry.” The weight of those three words still makes my heart heavy.
After that, he never contacted me again, so how could he drag me into it again at such a critical juncture? Slapping himself in the face? I think, regardless of my previous or current life, I can’t deny his love for me. He really loved me. Even if he’s too young now and may not love me to the extent he did in my previous life, and isn’t mature enough, his character has always been there. I can’t deny him because that would be like denying that I was blind and loved the wrong person.
After thinking about it, I thought of Xu Mei again and couldn’t help but complain. Does Jay owe Xu Mei too much from his previous life? How can there be so many entanglements? Unable to figure out who made that confession, Shu Shuang sent another text message: “Gu Baobei, I hacked his official website for you!” I instantly felt Shu Shuang was dazzling, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers around her.
But after a long time, I was still fuming with anger. After much hesitation, I finally made up my mind and quickly put on my clothes. I turned around, wrapped the sleeping Gu An’an with a blanket, and woke up Xiao Qi who was sleeping at the foot of the bed. It whimpered but obediently didn’t make a sound, following me out the door.
I carried An’an downstairs to knock on Fu Junyan’s door. I wanted Fu Junyan to take care of An’an tonight. Although I was also very angry, I had been avoiding getting involved in these things since being reborn, but time and time again, I was still dragged into it. I think I should listen to Shu Shuang and turn a blind eye, which I know is actually the best. But… but I don’t want Jay to be ruined like this. In my previous life, he had a bright future, but now, how can he lose his way as soon as he starts?
In any case, I should go see Xu Mei. The one who tied the bell should untie it. In her heart, I am the stumbling block to her love. So what if I’m not anymore? Will everything get better? Although I also know in my heart that I can’t wake her up, just as Fu Junyan said, love has thousands of forms, and she chose the most selfish one. But regardless of whether it works or not, I should at least make it clear to this crazy woman, at least let her know that I am not a threat, that I am not an obstacle between her and Jay, and that she doesn’t need to force herself and him to a dead end like this. Also, call me selfish or heartless. I am eager to distance myself. I am very afraid, all this chaos makes me very afraid. Moreover, I am not alone now… I looked down at An’an who was still sleeping soundly in my arms and kissed his forehead.
After a while, no one answered. I struggled to free one hand to enter the passcode and open the door, but Fu Junyan was not there. The room looked like no one had been back. He actually had to film a night scene today! I didn’t even know. I really don’t care about him enough…
My heart sank. I looked at An’an, who was curled up in my arms like he had no bones, all soft and snug in the little blanket. I tucked the blanket around him. Unable to find Fu Junyan, I had no choice but to turn around and go upstairs to find Shuang. But then I thought about it and quickly retreated, holding An’an and turning to find Sister Ruofan. Who knows if Shuang would argue until dawn over a single “brother” if she took care of An’an? That gender-ambiguous fellow, in my opinion, really lacked the patience and tenderness to take care of children, only possessing abundant enthusiasm, especially when bickering…
I knocked on Sister Ruofan’s door for a while before it opened. Sister Ruofan was leaning against the door frame, clutching her hair. She was startled to see me. She first froze for a moment, then seeing Gu Xiao’an in my arms, she hurriedly reached out to feel An’an’s forehead, anxiously asking me, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Is An’an sick? Should I call a car for you?” She said a whole string of words in a flurry, scaring me into immediately asking her to keep her voice down. I pointed to my arms and said, “An’an is just asleep.”
“You scared me to death. When our little one got sick in the middle of the night, my sister-in-law had the same look as you. You’re frightening enough,” she said in a low voice, complaining to me.
I smiled at her apologetically and told her I had some urgent business and entrusted An’an to her care. She didn’t ask much, just nodded and carefully took Gu Xiao’an from my arms. She looked up and said to me with a smile, “The little guy is really heavy.” I nodded and led Xiao Qi to follow her into the room. Seeing Gu Xiao’an settled on her bed, and Xiao Qi lying down at the foot of An’an’s bed, I patted its fluffy little head before truly thanking her and leaving.
Unexpectedly, after only walking a few steps, I saw Fang Dingyue standing at the other end of the corridor. He held a half-burnt cigarette between his fingers, the tiny spark glaringly bright in the darkness. And his room door was half open, with some noise coming from inside.
Fang Dingyue turned his head when he heard footsteps. Seeing it was me, he immediately asked, “Xiao’ai, alone?”
I nodded and stopped in the hallway without walking further.
He asked again, “Where are you going?” His tone was still calm and cold, but towards the end, there was a hint of warmth in that last syllable.
I took a few steps forward, thought about it, and told the truth. I said, “To find Xu Mei.”
He glanced at me, seeming to want to say something but didn’t. He lowered his head, took a drag of his cigarette, the faint smoke rings swirling. Then I heard him say, “I’ll go with you.” I was a bit startled, but then I thought it indeed wasn’t good for me, a public figure, to take a taxi alone in the middle of the night. Moreover, Xu Mei was somewhat afraid of Brother Dingyue, so it would be good for him to go. So I nodded.
With that, Brother Dingyue extinguished the cigarette in his hand and waved at me. I obediently followed behind him. He stopped at his own room door and said to me, “Xiao’ai, wait here. I’ll go in to change my clothes. We’ll leave as soon as I get the car keys.” Then he opened the door and went straight into the room.
But Brother Dingyue had only taken a couple of steps when he suddenly turned back. He thought for a moment and said, “Xiao’ai, you better come in. It’s not good to be seen by others this late.” Then he coughed lightly and added, “Don’t mind those few in my room.”
I was surprised in my heart. I wanted to peek inside but restrained myself. But I still said “Mm” and followed him into the room. Only when I got closer did I hear that the noise in his room was actually the sound of mahjong tiles, crisp and clear, quite pleasant to hear. I couldn’t help but stand by the door and curiously look inside. I saw four men with vastly different temperaments playing and joking around in his room. There were also a few bottles of high-end foreign liquor on the low cabinet beside them, more than half empty.
We had just entered the door when a man wearing a blue plaid shirt heard the sound and called out without even raising his eyebrows, “Third Brother, are you playing or not? I’m being teamed up on by the three of them.” I snuck another glance at the baby-faced man in the blue plaid shirt. This man looked extremely young, not at all like someone who would say “I”…
The man in the military uniform across from him heard this and curled the corner of his mouth. Before the blue plaid shirt could finish speaking, he laid down his tiles and said, “I won.” But his tone was solemn and cold.
Hearing this, the blue plaid shirt exploded, “Damn it! You won again!” With that, he pushed his hand and the tile arrangement was immediately revealed. His tone was also extremely crude, but he had a likable baby face. Even saying such words, he still had a naive and cute look. I couldn’t help but find it amusing in my heart.
The two on the sides also snickered. A man in black clothes mocked, “Who told you to tease his sister yesterday? Winning against you is nothing. Be glad he didn’t beat you up!”
Seeing the constipated look on that blue plaid shirt’s face, which actually somewhat resembled my favorite steamed bun face, I finally couldn’t hold back and let out a chuckle. This sound made them turn their heads. The blue plaid shirt’s eyes instantly lit up. He stretched out his hand, pointed at me, and shook it, “Damn! Isn’t this the mermaid princess hanging on the skyscraper in the city center! Yeah! Why is your hair black?” Hearing his way of addressing me, I couldn’t help but laugh again. What a cute man, he could be friends with my An’an…
“Hopeless.” The man in black clothes stretched out his long hand and patted the blue plaid shirt’s head. He turned his head and looked at me with deep meaning in his eyes, saying, “Her name is Gu Baobei, not some mermaid princess.” His tone carried a hint of grimness and suppression, making me feel uncomfortable all over.
At this time, the man in white clothes who had been leaning against the wall lazily without saying anything curled the corner of his mouth. He exuded an air of frivolousness all over, but his eyes were very refined. I was just about to hear him spit out some ivory, but unexpectedly, as soon as he opened his mouth, he said, “Not bad, Third Brother. You even know to call a female celebrity to accompany us brothers in the middle of the night… She’s pretty, but how is one enough?” Then he hooked his finger at me flirtatiously and said, “Come here, girl. Keep big brother company first and let big brother have a good look at you.” I sighed in my heart. Looks like he won’t be spitting out any ivory…
I understood. This is the typical second generation1. Among these men, after looking around, that blue plaid shirt is still the cutest. I concluded in my heart.
Because in my previous life, I knew that Fang Dingyue’s family was illustrious. Those involved in politics, which big courtyard doesn’t produce a few kicking and frolicking ones? I think none of these guys are easy to deal with. Just that military uniformed man whose rank can be seen is a lieutenant. Who knows if the others are dummies or figures?
I’ve been timid and afraid of trouble since I was little. I don’t know who I take after in this regard? It often made Dad furious, saying how he gave birth to such a hopeless person like me? I think it’s because in my previous life, I had enough of the bitter and unspeakable mess, so now I dislike trouble and am timid and afraid of things even more than before. Although this still can’t explain why I wasn’t very bold in my previous life either…
I firmly adhered to Brother Dingyue’s words to not pay attention and very calmly just stared at Brother Dingyue’s closed room door in a daze.
I heard a whistle behind my ear, “Oh, this one is directly here for Third Brother…” Then there were a few more laughs.
The corner of my mouth twitched. These second generation young masters are really quite bored… I’m also a second generation, so why did I grow up so healthily?
At this time, Fang Dingyue had already changed his clothes and came out with his car keys. He didn’t look at me either, turning his head to glance at the four people who were still playing mahjong enthusiastically despite the constant jokes. He casually pushed and disrupted the game, then snorted coldly at the man in white clothes, “Fourth Son, have you gotten cheap recently? Is she easy for you to bully?” Then he swept his eyes over the others and said, “I’ll settle the score with you when I get back.” Only then did he wave at the dazed me and say, “Alright, Xiao’ai, let’s go.”
And just as we left, an explosive sound came from behind, “Damn! She’s that Xiao’ai!” Hearing this, it was clearly the voice of that blue plaid shirt.
- Fuerdai, or “rich second generation”, having inherited their wealth (vs creating them), are stereotyped as being wealthy, privileged, spoilt and entitled. ↩︎
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