After briefly informing Qin Xian, she boarded the van prepared by the studio.
The manager Brother Gao, new assistant Xiao Tao, and the styling team - a large group of people arrived at Yunmu Hotel in the neighboring city.
Brother Gao had arranged such a grand entourage for her, a relatively unknown celebrity. People who didn't know better might think the Qin Dynasty had arrived.
Some acquaintances came over to greet them, and upon seeing a beautiful, radiant woman emerge, they were immediately stunned.
Those with keen ears in the industry knew that Qin Zhao had broken up with Chu Xueqi, but they didn't expect him to have his team escort another woman so soon. This was big news.
Those with sharp eyes found Ji Fei somewhat familiar, after all, she had been on various magazines and most billboards related to Qin Corporation. This made her relationship with Qin Zhao even more intriguing.
"Brother Gao is here. What's keeping Mr. Qin busy? We haven't seen him around lately. And this is...?"
"This is our studio's newly signed artist, Ji Fei. Please take care of her in the future, everyone."
"Brother Gao, give us a hint. Is she and Mr. Qin...?"
"She's not a lover or girlfriend or anything like that. Her identity is not simple, she's from their upper circles, coming in to dabble in the industry."
To avoid trouble, Gao Hao naturally clarified, and those with the means would certainly discover her identity.
At the appreciation event, all the social niceties were handled by Gao Hao. Ji Fei only needed to follow behind, raise her glass politely, smile, and remember people's faces and names.
This kind of protection naturally made people view Ji Fei's status much higher.
So the whole event was Gao Hao skillfully navigating social interactions, while Ji Fei happily observed from the sidelines, enjoying herself immensely.
However, at such occasions, there were more behind-the-scenes people than artists, so the gossip was limited.
As time went on, Ji Fei didn't have much left to see.
Just as she was getting bored, she turned her head and was so startled she almost dropped her wine glass.
She saw Chu Xueqi suddenly appear, walking quickly in their direction.
She could somewhat understand why Chu Xinyue had wanted to destroy her own face before. Because when that face appeared, it really made people momentarily confused about who was who. Even this brief moment of confusion must have made Chu Xinyue feel sick.
But why was she here?
Chu Xueqi was heading towards Gao Hao. She had seen him from afar and thought Qin Zhao might be there too, but she didn't expect to see Ji Fei by Gao Hao's side instead.
She paused for a moment, but didn't dare to offend Ji Fei. Instead, she anxiously asked Gao Hao, "Brother Gao, is Brother Zhao here?"
Gao Hao was impatient but still maintained a professional smile: "No, he's not."
But Chu Xueqi didn't believe it. "Is he here but refusing to see me?"
Although Chu Xueqi wasn't speaking very loudly, this commotion still caused many people around to look on with interest.
This annoyed Gao Hao greatly. If the media caught wind of this, it would surely become a trending topic. The previous rumors about the two had already given him enough of a headache.
As a manager, he couldn't allow his artist to face such trouble.
Knowing that Chu Xueqi wouldn't listen to reason, Gao Hao could only use delaying tactics. "Miss Chu, why don't we step outside to talk?"
"Alright, you take me to see Brother Zhao."
Gao Hao's face stiffened. He turned to look at Ji Fei.
Ji Fei was also at a loss. Chu Xinyue's luck was really bad. If the two sisters met, she was afraid Chu Xueqi might go crazy and cause trouble.
Seeing Gao Hao look over, Ji Fei said, "I'm tired. I'm planning to go out for a walk. Xiao Tao can come with me."
Gao Hao nodded, and they quickly left the venue, leaving behind a group of people eager for gossip but unable to satisfy their curiosity.
Yunmu Hotel was divided into three buildings: one for dining and entertainment, one for accommodation, and one for meetings and other activities.
As soon as Ji Fei parted ways with Gao Hao and the others, she first returned to her hotel room to change clothes, while simultaneously sending a message to contact Xinyue.
"Xinyue, I'm at Yunmu Hotel for an event. I think I just saw you, are you here too?"
There was no response.
Ji Fei didn't know if the other party hadn't seen the message or didn't want to respond. After all, she was Qin Zhao's sister-in-law, and perhaps Xinyue wanted to cut off all connections.
But Ji Fei still kindly reminded her, "By the way, I also saw Chu Xueqi at the event just now. I hope you two don't run into each other."
Still no response. Ji Fei could only do this much.
She dragged Xiao Tao along to the dining and entertainment area.
However, as soon as they reached the lobby on the first floor, they saw many people stopping to watch some commotion.
How could they miss this?
Ji Fei and Xiao Tao immediately hit the brakes and crowded forward to look inside.
Good heavens! They saw a man kneeling and hugging a woman's legs. Both looked to be in their twenties.
The man shouted, "Xiao Ya, I love you, I can't live without you. If you leave me, I'll die!"
The woman, with reddened eyes, said, "Ah Zhi, there are so many people watching, don't do this!"
"Xiao Ya, I was wrong, I really know I was wrong. It's all because I love you too much, care about you too much. I only lashed out in a moment of impulse. How could you be so close to that man!"
"Don't talk nonsense, you know very well that was my professor! You always jump to conclusions without distinguishing... forget it, I don't want to say anymore. We've already broken up, I..."
"I don't want to break up. Give me a chance to change, I'm begging you." The man's tone rose excitedly.
The woman could only say with frustration, "This isn't the first time you've gotten jealous and hit the men around me. You've made me owe apologies to so many people. My friend says you have a psychological problem that can't be fixed. She advised me to break up with you before, but I gave you chances. Yet you raised your hand again this time. I'm thoroughly disappointed in you."
"Those people must have ulterior motives. You're not a man, you don't know what they're thinking. I know, I'm protecting you!"
"You're impossible to reason with! I should have listened to her advice and never seen you again."
"I was wrong, I was wrong. I'll do whatever you say if you can forgive me. I hit the wrong person, I'll punish myself!" With that, the man started slapping his own face.
The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves.
The woman endured for a while, but couldn't bear it anymore. She quickly grabbed his hands, still looking concerned.
"Stop hitting yourself. Our problem isn't that simple!"
"I know, you're still hung up on that accident. I've told you, there's nothing between me and her! I've completely cut off contact with her."
"But my friend said she saw you together again. She said you lied to me and told me not to go back to you."
The man's face twisted. "Nonsense! Tell her to show proof! Didn't you say your friend's love life isn't going well? She's clearly jealous of our relationship."
"She wouldn't do that. She's a good person, and very accomplished. You shouldn't talk about her like that. She's just looking out for me! Many times when we fought, she took me in and comforted me!"
"Looking out for you? Is sowing discord looking out for you? I may be a bit impulsive, but everything I do is out of jealousy and love for you. Can you deny that? Did she even deny my feelings for you? She just can't stand to see you happy!"
"No... that's not it!" Although she said no, her eyes clearly wavered.
"We've been together for so many years. Would you rather believe an outsider than me? Even if I have some small flaws, I truly love you! We used to be fine before. Ever since you started hanging out with her, you've changed. You used to be so obedient, but now you pick at everything I do. It must be her whispering in your ear, brainwashing you."
"No... what she says makes sense. You control me too much. I have no freedom. I can't even decide what to wear. Other people have advised me too. I was just too close to the situation to see clearly." The woman said with a conflicted expression.
"Those are all small things. I just want to take care of you! And there's something you don't know. Actually, your friend has feelings for me!"
The woman was shocked. "What? Impossible, she clearly..."
"Every time I come to see you, she stares at me. She's always trying to persuade you to break up with me. If that's not a secret crush, what is it? She just wants to break us up. But I'm not interested in her, and I won't give her the chance!"
The woman was completely stunned, seemingly struck by this possibility.
"She... she's so beautiful, like a big celebrity. Why wouldn't you be interested..."
"I love you! Even if a heavenly beauty stripped naked in front of me, I wouldn't be interested!"
"I... I'll go ask her. If it's true, I'll forgive you and give you another chance. If it's false... let's just end this. I don't want to be hurt by you anymore!" After struggling for a moment, the woman pushed the man away and ran off.
The man, having knelt for too long, found his legs numb and couldn't chase after her.
"What are you looking at? Get lost, all of you!" The man, seemingly just realizing how many people had witnessed his embarrassing scene, shouted angrily.
Ji Fei and Xiao Tao dispersed along with the crowd of onlookers. As they walked, they gossiped about what they had just seen.
"Sister Fei, do you think they'll make up?" Xiao Tao asked curiously.
"They will," Ji Fei guessed. Since she didn't know their names, she couldn't use her system to verify the truth, so she just enjoyed the drama casually.
"Huh? So you think what that man said was true?" Xiao Tao asked, puzzled. "But I feel like that man isn't a good person."
"Whether it's true or false, I don't know. But judging by that woman's attitude just now, reconciliation is only a matter of time," Ji Fei said. "If what the man said is true, then there's nothing more to say. But if he's lying, I can only feel sorry for this woman's friend."
Xiao Tao chimed in, "That's right. She was just trying to help, but the man imagined her as some evil woman who had a secret crush on him and was trying to sabotage their relationship."
"That's not even the worst part," Ji Fei said.
Xiao Tao looked at her questioningly while munching on a crepe.
Ji Fei, with a candied haw stick in her mouth, mumbled, "The scariest thing is that the woman redirected all the blame onto her friend. This will cause the man to hate only the friend for meddling. If they make up later, the friend will be in an impossible situation! This is what we call a 'scapegoat friend.' Xiao Tao, in the future when making friends, stay away from people like this."
Xiao Tao nodded quickly, indicating that she would definitely be more careful in choosing friends.
But the next second, Xiao Tao exclaimed, "That woman!"
Ji Fei turned her head and saw the woman who had been called Xiao Ya earlier entering a nearby café.
The café had large glass windows facing the pedestrian walkway outside.
However, Ji Fei didn't pay attention to that woman. Instead, her eyes widened like saucers as she stared at the two rows of elegant seats inside.
...
In the café located in the entertainment district, four scholarly-looking individuals were sitting together, drinking coffee and discussing business.
"Our project is too advanced. Domestic investors are quite conservative. It'll be difficult to succeed this time. We might have to try foreign venture capital after we go abroad."
"Although we need to collaborate with foreign research institutions, the professor still hopes to keep the leadership in our own hands. That's why we're trying so hard to find investors domestically."
"Should we think of another way?"
"Xinyue, aren't you from the Chu family..."
Someone was about to say something but was suddenly interrupted.
The other three at the table looked awkwardly at Chu Xinyue.
"I'm sorry, I spoke too hastily," the person who had spoken quickly apologized.
Chu Xinyue, sitting on the other side, just smiled faintly and said, "It's nothing. Let's think of other options."
At this moment, Chu Xinyue had a neat, short haircut, as short as a boy's sporty style. She wore decorative black-framed glasses and a simple white shirt. Even sitting in such a crowded place, no one would associate her with the rising starlet Chu Xueqi.
As they were talking, suddenly a pleasant male voice came from the booth behind them.
"May I join your discussion? I'm very interested in your research project and have the intention to invest."
Chu Xinyue's body stiffened, while the others looked up in confusion.
They saw a tall man wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a black mask. He had one hand on the back of the booth's sofa and the other hooked under his mask, revealing attractive lips as he slowly spoke, "May I sit down?"
Everyone reacted, their eyes widening, glancing repeatedly at Chu Xinyue.
They, as Chu Xinyue's classmates for many years, knew a bit about her engagement to the big star Qin Zhao. They had even seen him from afar several times.
Occasionally, they would be curious about the hot search topics, which seemed to suggest that this fiancé was closer to Chu Xinyue's twin sister.
Not long ago, when Chu Xinyue returned and decided to go abroad with the team for research, the professor asked about her personal affairs, and she said everything had been settled.
That's when they learned that Chu Xinyue had broken off her engagement and cut ties with her family.
They guessed that it must be because her fiancé had gotten involved with her sister. After all, they were busy researchers who rarely saw each other, while those in the entertainment industry could meet every day.
They felt sorry for Chu Xinyue. After knowing her for so many years, even if they weren't sensitive, they knew she had someone in her heart, which was why she rejected all other pursuits.
But Chu Xinyue didn't seem to need their consolation, so they could only try not to mention it.
However, how could this ex-fiancé, a top-tier celebrity, appear here in disguise?
What did he just say? He wanted to invest in their project?
Obviously, he came for Chu Xinyue, right?
Could it be... he wants to reconcile?
Even these usually calm scientific researchers couldn't help but feel a spark of gossip ignite within them at this moment.
The female researcher sitting next to Chu Xinyue simply stood up and moved to the opposite seat. The three of them held their coffee cups, not daring to make a sound.
When Qin Zhao saw Chu Xinyue's new look, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. It wasn't his preferred style, but Qin Zhao had never been so certain before.
He realized how much he missed her.
He realized how much his heart fluttered for her.
"Xinyue, I..." Qin Zhao began nervously.
"Mr. Qin may be a celebrity, but the investment we need is substantial. It seems Mr. Qin doesn't have that capability," Chu Xinyue suddenly spoke, without even looking at him.
Chu Xinyue wouldn't impulsively reject him out of spite, after all, this concerned their entire team. Regardless of Qin Zhao's intentions, they needed investment. If Qin Zhao wanted to invest, it was a business matter.
Qin Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Don't worry, your research is so meaningful, my second brother would be interested too. I'm not here to invest as a celebrity, but to negotiate on behalf of Qin Corporation."
Upon hearing this, everyone became excited. They hadn't considered Qin Corporation because it seemed unrelated to their research.
"If Mr. Qin is truly interested in investing, please go directly to our professor. There's no need to discuss it with us," Chu Xinyue said expressionlessly, then turned to the person opposite her, "Senior, please take Mr. Qin to find the professor."
Qin Zhao immediately became anxious, "No, I want to talk to you."
Chu Xinyue's face darkened, and she finally looked at Qin Zhao, her eyes clearly showing impatience that pained Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao's eyes involuntarily reddened; he couldn't bear Chu Xinyue looking at him like this.
"Can't I talk to you? I have so much to say to you."
"Using money and power to force me? I see you've learned this trick too."
Qin Zhao's face immediately fell. After a few seconds, unable to withstand Chu Xinyue's gaze and not wanting to anger her further, he thought that as long as he could invest, he would have chances to know her whereabouts in the future.
"Alright, I understand. I'll go see your professor," Qin Zhao said dejectedly, standing up straight. "Don't worry, I'll take care of the investment!"
Chu Xinyue was momentarily surprised. Given Qin Zhao's temperament towards her over the years, it was unexpected for him to yield to this extent. For a moment, she felt disoriented, as if seeing the Qin Zhao from their childhood who, after angering her, would hang his head and say he'd do whatever she wanted.
Chu Xinyue came back to her senses, noticed the fluctuation in her heart, and quickly lowered her head to drink her coffee.
Qin Zhao looked at Chu Xinyue reluctantly, but finally had no choice but to lift his head and leave.
However, the moment he looked up, he let out a short, startled cry, staring in shock at something beyond the glass wall.
Everyone was startled by his reaction and also turned their attention outside, equally surprised by what they saw.
Two girls carrying shopping bags were standing by the glass wall, the prettier one staring intently at them.
Her eyes were full of curiosity, wide open.
"Is that... Mr. Qin's fan?" someone asked.
Chu Xinyue looked at Ji Fei, who was staring back at her, in astonishment.
"...That's his second sister-in-law."