CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 43 - 41 Revealing One’s Thoughts

"Yuwei, I’m sorry you had to go through this. I didn’t expect this group of people to be so excessive."

"Teacher Wu, what... what is going on here?"

Yuwei vaguely had an inkling but didn’t dare to confirm it.

Wu Jingxiang smiled faintly and handed over a glass of red wine.

"Yuwei, the Wu family has many enterprises. We’ve also invested in the film industry." Wu Jingxiang took a light sip and continued, "When I found out you were an aspiring idol, I thought I’d lend you a hand in achieving your dream of stardom."

"So, the reason I was able to join this production was thanks to you."

"Not completely. I felt you were very suitable for this role, so I recommended you."

Wu Jingxiang’s words moved Yuwei even more; she knew he was being gracious in giving her credit.

"Thank you, Teacher Wu..."

"No need to thank me; it was just a small effort on my part. It’s my fault for arriving late today and letting Zhou Xue bully you like that."

"How could it be your fault? It’s all because of that malicious woman, Zhou Xue."

The mere thought of Zhou Xue sent chills down Yuwei’s spine.

"It’s over now. From now on, no one will dare bully you, and you can focus on filming in peace."

"Mm! Teacher Wu, without you, I might not have been able to keep going."

Yuwei’s crystal-clear eyes radiated indescribable gratitude.

For an instant, Wu Jingxiang seemed lost, as if he were bewitched by the gaze in her eyes.

"Yuwei, you’re like a pure, untouched flower that needs someone to protect you." Wu Jingxiang placed her hand in his palm.

Facing Wu Jingxiang’s profound gaze, Yuwei instinctively felt a tinge of unease.

"Yuwei, sign with my company! I’ll turn you into a superstar."

"Teacher Wu, I already have a contract with Galaxy."

"Haha! Don’t worry; I can help you resolve that."

As Wu Jingxiang spoke, his fingers gently rubbed against hers, like caressing a precious gem.

The tactile sensation from the contact made Yuwei feel as though a caterpillar had crawled across her skin.

"Teacher Wu, I need some time to think about it." Yuwei forced herself to remain composed.

"Alright, Yuwei. I believe you’ll eventually accept your teacher’s goodwill."

Wu Jingxiang released her hand and gave her a warm smile.

"I’m a bit tired now, Teacher Wu. I’d like to go back and rest."

"Okay, let’s have dinner together tonight."

After Yuwei left, Mr. Wu knocked and stepped in.

"Is everything settled?" Wu Jingxiang asked coldly.

"It’s done. I’ve kicked Zhou Xue out and warned Director Fan as well." Mr. Wu paused before continuing, "Should we deal with Xia Jin too?"

"There’s no need; let’s avoid unnecessary complications. She thinks she’s one-upping Ye Yuwei, but in reality, I’ve just used her as a pawn." Wu Jingxiang’s lips curled into a cold smile.

"This time, Yuwei should understand the difficulty of surviving in the entertainment industry, right? Without a powerful backer, relying solely on one’s own efforts is laughable." Mr. Wu chuckled.

"That little girl has always understood, but she still holds onto a shred of fantasy in her heart. I think today’s events will make her wake up." Wu Jingxiang replied.

"What a pity that Xia Jin got a cover shoot out of this." Mr. Wu expressed his regret.

"Wouldn’t it have been simpler to use this lead role as leverage to make the girl sign with us?"

Wu Jingxiang shot Mr. Wu a glance and said coldly, "If she could be tempted by such things, I wouldn’t even need to bother with this production. I’d just throw money at her."

"Ye Yuwei is the most unique girl I’ve ever encountered—pure, but not naive; kind, but not foolish; calculating, but not malicious. Someone like that is worth putting thought into."

Wu Jingxiang gazed out of the window, his eyes distant, as Yuwei’s face repeatedly appeared in his mind.

Coffee Shop

Lan Yening stirred the "kopi luwak" in front of him nervously.

He hadn’t imagined he’d run into Zhang Shuya, the woman who had accidentally bumped into him that day. She had insisted on treating him to coffee as an apology.

"How old are you this year?"

"...I’m 20."

Looking at the bashful young man in front of her, Zhang Shuya grew increasingly fond of him, feeling a sense of renewal akin to springtime.

"Such a coincidence! Are you working around here?"

"It is quite the coincidence." Lan Yening replied, omitting any mention of his job.

"At first, I’d thought you were a student at some arts academy!"

"You flatter me. I’m just a part-timer." Lan Yening felt even more self-conscious.

"Actually, with your looks, you could thrive in the entertainment industry." Zhang Shuya picked up her dainty coffee cup and sipped elegantly.

"Me? I didn’t even make it to college, and I can’t sing or dance."

"In showbiz, looks are what truly matter. Your face is a scarce resource."

Lan Yening glanced at Sister Zhang’s glittering eyes and grew uneasy. "Sister Zhang, thank you for the coffee. I need to get going; my mom’s waiting for me to make dinner."

"...Alright, I’ll see you off!"

"No need to trouble yourself; I’ll head back on my own."

"Haha! Let’s meet again sometime." Zhang Shuya didn’t press further.

Once Lan Yening had left, she picked up the cup he had drunk from and sniffed it indulgently, her face breaking into a cat-and-mouse grin.

Feeling unsettled, Lan Yening took the bus back to his tenement flat. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

As soon as he reached downstairs, someone suddenly emerged from the dark stairwell.

"...Zhaozhao? Why—why is it you?"

"Xiao Ning, why haven’t you answered my calls? You even blocked me on WeChat."

"...Zhaozhao, don’t you think it’s clear enough already?" Recovering from his shock, Lan Yening spoke coldly.

"Xiao Ning, I don’t understand what you mean. Was it so wrong for me to introduce you to a way to make money?" Lv Zhao said with an aggrieved look on his face.

"Zhaozhao, if you didn’t have ulterior motives, you wouldn’t be waiting at my doorstep today."

Lan Yening’s remark made Lv Zhao’s expression darken.

"Zhaozhao, why can’t we part on good terms and keep some dignity?"

"...Xiao Ning, since the cards are all on the table, I’ll stop pretending." Lv Zhao’s expression twisted as he gritted his teeth. "A big shot has taken a liking to you. If you spend a month with him, you’ll get 300,000 yuan, and if you’re attentive, there’ll also be lavish gifts."

"Hmph!" Lan Yening let out a cold snort, not sparing Lv Zhao a glance as he turned to walk away.

"Xiao Ning, I’m begging you! Please go!" Lv Zhao suddenly dropped to his knees, grabbing Lan Yening’s clothes and crying.

"I might be broke, but I still have my dignity."

Seeing Lan Yening insist on leaving, a vicious gleam appeared in Lv Zhao’s eyes. "Xiao Ning, do you think you can avoid it if you don’t go? Those people already have their eyes on you."

Lv Zhao’s words sent a chill down Lan Yening’s spine.

"If you cooperate, everything will go smoothly; if not, those people have all kinds of ways to deal with you."

"This is criminal!"

"Criminal? Haha! The blame lies with your family being too poor, yourself being incapable, and yet you’re blessed with such good looks. You think you won’t end up selling yourself? Impossible!"

Lan Yening wanted nothing more than to slap his former friend; this was pure robber logic.

Being attractive and impoverished didn’t mean he should let people exploit him!

"Xiao Ning, let’s make big money together! This world despises poverty, not debauchery. Once we have money, who’d dare mock us? Actually, from the moment I first saw you..."

"Get lost, Lv Zhao! You’re disgusting. I may need money, but I’ll never sell myself."

Seeing Lan Yening’s fiery gaze with furrowed brows and a storm raging in his eyes, Lv Zhao rose slowly with a cold grin.

"Fine. Lan Yening, you’ll regret this..."