Six weeks later.
Xiao Rufeng sat in front of the mirror and started to remove the makeup from her face. She looked upset after being reprimanded by the director for the umpteenth time since they resumed their filming.
She had no problems with her scenes taken with her fellow actresses, but whenever she had to act with the male lead, Xiao Rufeng couldn't stand being so close to him that she would start trembling without a reason.
"Should we inform President Su about this?" Her assistant asked curiously.
Xiao Rufeng clenched her jaws and shook her head. She would rather Su Xiaofei hear it from her than from other people.
"No. I will tell her myself." She replied.
Perhaps she really needed professional intervention. There must be underlying feelings that need to be dealt with. This was the reason she never paid her father a visit. She had no idea how to face her younger sister after what Xiao Yunyao did to her.
Once the filming was done for the day, she waited until most of the staff and her fellow actors left before bidding goodbye to her assistant. Since she was now living with Yan Xiuchen, he would pick her up after work, which she found to be really sweet of him.
Xiao Rufeng knew that he only found peace and safety in his home, and he was willing to get out and see the world just for her. She supposed that he was trying his best to change for her sake, and she appreciated the effort he was putting in.
However, as she strode towards the deserted parking lot, Xiao Rufeng didn't expect to see a person she hadn't seen or talked to for years. Jin Qiu was there, leaning against the door of his car, busy with his phone. He had this smile on his face, and she didn't need to guess who he was talking to.
When he heard her footsteps, he turned to face her and straightened up. He ended the call and greeted her.
"Xiao Rufeng, can you give me a moment and talk to me, please?"
She stopped in her tracks and looked at him with a frown.
"What is there to talk about?"
She hadn't bothered to go home to confront her dear little sister as she chose her peace over another conflict with Xiao Yunyao, but it seemed like the latter still wasn't giving up on making her life miserable.
"Uncle said that neither he and Yunyao could reach you, and they are worried about you. I checked the apartment where you are staying, but someone said that you haven't returned for weeks. Rufeng, what's going on? Is there a problem?"
'Yes. There's a big problem and that's my sister.'
That's what Xiao Rufeng wanted to tell him, but she held her tongue from saying it. She didn't want him to get an impression that she was still bitter for him choosing her younger sister instead of her.
"I'm busy with work, and I'm staying with someone. If there's any pressing matters within the company, I believe Yunyao is responsible enough to fix it herself." She said and tried to walk past him, but he blocked her.
She shot him a fierce glare.
"Rufeng, your family is facing a serious problem. How can you pretend not to care about them?"
How can she not know that Xiao Yunyao was facing an issue in their company? The scandal about her misdeeds remained all over the news and more people were coming forward to sue her ass.
"What does it have to do with me? Am I the one who messed up her responsibilities and tried to cover up her mistakes by bribing the affected customers? Also, could you please stop referring to me by my given name? We aren't that close, Mr. Jin." She retorted with annoyance.
Jin Qiu's expression hardened, but didn't comment on it.
"I just came here to tell you that Uncle wants to invite you for his birthday party in two weeks. I know you two aren't on good terms right now, but Uncle wants you to be there." He paused, a conflicted glint flashing in his eyes, before continuing.
"Yunyao and I are also going to announce our engagement, and we would very much appreciate it if you would come and celebrate with us."
Xiao Rufeng chuckled. Now she understood why her sister sent Jin Qiu to her. Wasn't this like Xiao Yunyao telling her that she had lost to her yet again?
"Well, I guess congratulations are in order. However, I cannot confirm anything. I need to check with my assistant if I have prior engagement on that day." She said and turned to leave.
Her steps faltered when she saw the familiar black limousine that had been picking her up lately. Without looking back at Jin Qiu, she strode towards it and thanked Yan Xiuchen's driver for opening the door for her.
She was about to greet him when she noticed his stiff posture and how Yan Xiuchen couldn't look straight at her. Xiao Rufeng knew right then and there that he'd seen her talking to Jin Qiu, but wouldn't ask her anything. She dearly hoped that he would ask her something, so she can explain to him to avoid any misunderstandings between them.
"Have you been waiting for long?" She asked, breaking the silence between them as the car started to drive away.
"Your boyfriend?" Yan Xiuchen asked, his tone almost a growl.
Xiao Rufeng blinked, before shaking her head.
"No. That's Jin Qiu. Apparently, he and my sister are about to get married. He just invited me to attend my father's birthday party, as they are planning to announce it on that day." She said.
Yan Xiuchen faced her this time, taking a moment to stare at her.
"You are in love with him."
Her eyes widened in shock, but she easily recovered.
"I was in love with him." She corrected him. "That's different."
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