A few minutes later, Xiao Rufeng found herself boarding the private elevator with her manager's bodyguards.
"Miss Xiao, don't worry. Just act normal. Please don't give your sister the satisfaction she's dying to have at this moment." Zhang Lan broke the silence between them, her eyes boring to the numbers above the floor buttons.
"I agree with my sister." Zhang Ling nudged Xiao Rufeng's shoulder. "President Su and the rest of us were worried sick when we couldn't find you. Thank goodness you are safe."
Between the two sisters, Xiao Rufeng was closer to the younger one, as she occasionally had a chat with Zhang Ling whenever she paid Su Xiaofei a visit.
"I'm really sorry. I should have known that Ye Mingyu was up to no good when she spoke to me last night."
Zhang Ling shook her head.
"It's nothing. As long as we know that you were safe, nothing else matters. But we aren't quite done yet here yet. Your sister sent paparazzis and reporters to pry on you this morning. They are probably waiting to see you leave this place distraught by what could have happened last night. I swear your sister is trying to test our mistress's patience."
"We are almost there. Prepare yourselves just in case." Zhang Lan's cold stoic voice reminded her.
Zhang Ling straightened her back at once and passed her sunglasses for Xiao Rufeng to use. The actress gladly accepted it and covered her eyes with it.
Xiao Rufeng kept her expression neutral. She couldn't help but play Zhang Lan's earlier words to her mind. 'Don't give your sister the satisfaction she's waiting for.'
Thank goodness she wasn't leaving this place on her own, Xiao Rufeng thought. If she was defiled last night and had tried to leave the vicinity in secret, those hyenas would surely crowd around her the first chance they get. With the Zhang sisters here with her, they would think twice before they dared to question her.
The elevator doors opened and they walked through the main lobby with Xiao Rufeng walking behind the two sisters. They went to the reception area and gave Xiao Rufeng's name to check out, according to Yan Xiuchen's instructions to them earlier.
Those people Xiao Yunyao hired were startled and confused at the same time seeing Xiao Rufeng appearing in public, looking good and safe. Xiao Yunyao told them that her younger sister was going to sneak out of the hotel after spending a long night with her lover.
Some of them were wondering if Xiao Yunyao was lying to them or if Xiao Rufeng was having an affair with a prominent person. One of them couldn't stay still in his seat and approached Xiao Rufeng to question her.
"Miss Xiao, is that you? What are you doing here?" He asked with an obvious wide smile on his face.
Xiao Rufeng turned her head to look at his face, then from head to toe as if she was looking down on him. She didn't even bother to remove the sunglasses on her face and instead her lips were drawn into a thin line, as if she was annoyed that she was being disturbed by the man.
"Uhm… do I know you?" She asked in return, disregarding his question towards her.
"Ah, you can't remember me? I was one of the reporters who covered the presscon of 'Demonville' last month. I thought Miss Xiao would recognize me at least."
"I see." She nodded and said no more.
Xiao Rufeng had seen him, yes, but she didn't think they were close enough or even slightly acquainted with each other for him to question her like this.
The man felt his whole face flush upon Xiao Rufeng's blatant disregard to anything he said, but since he was already there, he couldn't possibly miss his chance to get the information he needed.
"So… are you here to meet someone?" He asked again.
This time, it was Zhang Lan who snapped her head and looked at him.
"Why is a mere reporter like you poking your nose into someone else's business?"
"I-I'm merely curious as to why she's here! She's a celebrity. Of course we are curious!" He blurted out, gaining a few looks from those around them. If he hadn't said it out loud, others wouldn't have recognized Xiao Rufeng in the middle of these arguments.
Zhang Lan laughed dryly, while Xiao Rufeng sighed and adjusted her sunglasses.
"Miss Xiao checked into this hotel under her name. She came here to unwind and rest. As to whether she's seeing someone or not, what is it to you? She's a celebrity, yes, but her private affairs are none of your business. I don't see you scampering over other popular celebrities asking such nonsense questions. What are you trying to imply by asking Miss Xiao such an ambiguous question?"
The man felt embarrassed being scolded by Zhang Lan in public. Everyone's attention should be on Xiao Rufeng, but why was this woman trying to get between him and Xiao Rufeng?
The murmurs among the crowd continued, agreeing with Zhang Lan's words.
"These shameless reporters are the lowest of the lows. Even a normal person would want to relax after a long day of work. What makes celebrities any different? Aren't they human beings too?"
"He's probably making an issue out of it. Just look at the logo of the company he works for. Isn't that gossip magazine known for invading other stars' privacy? They were even sued multiple times."
Someone scoffed. "No wonder he's interrogating Miss Xiao like this. He probably wants to write something about her."
"Please leave. Miss Xiao has no words for someone like you." Zhang Lan dismissed him.
The reporter gritted his teeth and pointed his forefinger at Zhang Lan.
"A not so big entertainment company like yours has no right to bully reporters like me!"
Zhang Lan scowled, snatched his id from his jacket and waved it at his face.
"Then let's see how this not so big company makes you miserable for the rest of your life!"
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