Chapter 29: Catfight

The three women, who were chatting enthusiastically, all suddenly looked up. The moment they saw Xu Dian, their faces changed.

Li Yuan’er instinctively tidied her hair and tried to stand up, while Tang Yi and Yang Rou both looked at Li Yuan’er as she fiddled with her hair. The two of them looked as if they’d just swallowed a pound of flies.

Especially Yang Rou, who had just wished Li Yuan’er success in her pursuit. Tang Yi nudged Li Yuan’er’s arm, “Is that him?”

Li Yuan’er looked at them both, confused. “Yeah, isn’t he handsome? I’m definitely going to win him over. By the way, I told you before, he’s our investor…”

Yang Rou’s hand tightly gripped the tablecloth, her face pale. “You get out…”

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Why talk like that? Do you like him too?” Li Yuan’er suddenly noticed something was off in Yang Rou and Tang Yi’s expressions.

Her face also changed slightly as she looked Yang Rou up and down. “I’m telling you, he wouldn’t be interested in you.”

Yang Rou clenched the tablecloth, and the two women exchanged a glance. She gritted her teeth. “He would be interested…”

She didn’t finish her sentence.

Tang Yi grabbed her, and all three of them turned to look. They saw Xu Dian sitting next to Meng Ying. Meng Ying was sipping from her cup, and Xu Dian had his arm casually draped on the table, asking her, “When are you going to add me back on WeChat?”

The faces of the three women changed drastically, especially Li Yuan’er. She gripped her phone tightly. She had tried to add Xu Dian multiple times, and yet here he was, asking to add Meng Ying.

As for Yang Rou, she had never seen Xu Dian so humble.

Meng Ying smiled and sat up straight, resting her chin in her hand, looking at him. “What if I don’t add you?”

She had bitten the straw in her cup flat, and Xu Dian’s gaze fell on it for a moment. He suddenly had a thought and his eyes wandered to the exposed skin on her back, partially concealed by her clothing, with a large area of her skin showing. The rose-shaped curve of her back seemed to be gazing at him. He tightened his jacket.

Then, he stood up and draped his suit jacket over her shoulders.

In the next moment, Meng Ying pulled it off and threw it back into his arms. “I’m not cold.”

Xu Dian narrowed his eyes.

At this moment, Director Lin entered from outside, saw Xu Dian, and immediately smiled, calling out, “Mr. Xu, weren’t you at Liaoshan this afternoon? Did you come here right after?”

Liaoshan and Songshan were close to each other. Xu Dian had flown to Liaoshan in a private jet that morning. He draped his jacket over the back of Meng Ying’s chair, then extinguished his cigarette and turned, smiling, “I saw I had time, so I drove over on the way.”

“When you called this morning, you said you might not come. What changed your mind?” Director Lin asked with a smile as he sat down next to Xu Dian.

Lin’s assistant handed Xu Dian a cigarette, but Xu Dian waved it off, signaling that he wasn’t going to smoke. Leaning back, his legs crossed and a smile playing on his lips, he lazily said, “I told you, I was just passing by.”

“Is that so?” Qin Jun, leaning against the liquor cabinet, deliberately inserted himself into the conversation with that question. Xu Dian glanced at him, about to speak.

Suddenly, something was thrown at his back. He turned around to see… his suit jacket.

He looked toward Meng Ying.

Meng Ying leaned back against the chair, continuing to sip her water.

She didn’t even lift her eyes or glance at him.

Jiang Yi carefully picked up the jacket and draped it over Xu Dian’s chair. Xu Dian’s gaze fell on the dangling strap of Meng Ying’s back, and he squinted slightly, then smiled and turned back, resuming his conversation with Director Lin.

These subtle details were only visible to the three women across the table: not only had he begged Meng Ying to add him on WeChat, but he had also given her his jacket to wear.

Yet, Meng Ying refused it.

She didn’t want it.

And he seemed to still wish to offer it to her.

The most affected among them was Yang Rou. She had seen how indifferent Xu Dian could be to women—since she was a teenager, there had been many women flocking around him, throwing themselves at him, and he had always just watched them, sometimes stepping back with a half-smile, shrugging, saying, “What are you doing…?”

She had seen his drawer full of love letters, spilling over, letters that he never even glanced at, just sent back to those girls.

Had she ever seen him take the initiative?

She had thought to herself that if Xu Dian had ever been the one to take the lead, perhaps she would have had another choice back then.

Soon, everyone had arrived.

Director Lin and Xu Dian were still talking, with Lin bringing up photography—Lin had a strong artistic sense and had worked as a photographer before becoming a director. They were deep into a discussion about photography.

Liu Qin, who was sitting to Meng Ying’s left, tugged at her sleeve a few times, reassured when she appeared calm. The revolving table in the center began to turn.

Liu Qin reached out and scooped a spoonful of steamed egg onto Meng Ying’s plate. Xu Dian’s gaze flickered briefly, and he extended his arm with a natural gesture, adding a pair of beef to an empty bowl beside Meng Ying. His actions were smooth and casual. At the table, except for the three women across from them and Qin Jun, everyone else missed it—even Director Lin didn’t notice.

Meng Ying lowered her head and ate the steamed egg, not even looking at the bowl of beef.

Xu Dian drank half a glass of wine, unbuttoning his collar, when he noticed the untouched bowl of beef, his eyes slightly narrowing. Just then, Qin Jun stood up, picked some chicken cutlet from a nearby dish, and offered it to Meng Ying, smiling, “It’s too far, thought you might not reach.”

He stood up, extended his hand, and Meng Ying paused, offering a smile, finally reaching out to take the dish. Her delicate, fair arm stretched past Xu Dian.

Xu Dian’s fingers, which had been resting on the side where he usually held his cigarette, tightened.

The cigarette he hadn’t even lit snapped into two.

He smiled quietly, watching her sit back down and take a bite of the chicken cutlet.

After that, the other male actors at the table seized the opportunity and started offering Meng Ying food, one by one. Meng Ying was bewildered; she rested her forehead in her hand and waved it away. “Really, don’t, you guys… I don’t want any more food.”

The few of them smiled shyly and quickly found excuses: “I was worried you couldn’t reach it…”

Meng Ying’s dress tonight was stunning, and most importantly, the rose shape that faintly showed, almost carrying a fragrance, captivated the men, making it hard for them to take their eyes off her.

Before long, the table in front of her was filled with dishes they had served using serving chopsticks, so she didn’t even need to reach for anything herself.

“Senior Meng, you’re really popular,” Xu Dian said, leaning back in his chair, turning his head with a smile.

Meng Ying took a sip of juice without looking at him, nodding slightly. “It’s because they are so kind.”

“Is that so?”

“Mr. Xu, do you have any objections?” Meng Ying wiped her lips with a napkin and turned to look at him. Xu Dian fell silent, and the playful glint in his peach blossom eyes faded, replaced by a cold gleam.

Director Lin laughed heartily from the side, saying, “You two are arguing like enemies. What’s going on? Is the big boss from Huaying secretly in love with Meng Ying?”

At these words, Director Lin froze for a moment and subconsciously glanced at Yang Rou across the table. When Tang Yi had mentioned bringing an additional screenwriter, he hadn’t paid much attention. But now, looking at Yang Rou, he suddenly remembered that she and Meng Ying seemed to have some history. Yang Rou was drinking, her cheeks flushed, and she glanced over.

Director Lin let out an “oh” and said, “Tang Yi, don’t let Yang Rou drink too much. What’s going on here?”

Tang Yi patted Yang Rou and responded to Director Lin, “She just had a little too much to drink. It’s fine. I’ll take her home later.”

Director Lin nodded.

Li Yuan’er propped her chin, her eyes sweeping between Tang Yi and Yang Rou, then looking at Meng Ying, and finally at Xu Dian. Xu Dian had his head lowered, smoking, but his eyes were entirely focused on Meng Ying.

A few hours passed over the meal, the dishes being replaced one after another. There were quite a few people drinking, but Meng Ying had only been drinking juice the entire time.

By the time the meal ended, she still seemed energetic.

Liu Qin took out a shawl and draped it over her shoulders. The three women prepared to leave. Just then, Yang Rou stood up as well. Tang Yi helped her a bit, but Yang Rou leaned on the table, almost stumbling. Director Lin quickly called for Li Yuan’er to help, but Li Yuan’er made a face and, though unwilling, still stood up and reached out to assist.

However, Yang Rou forcefully shook off Li Yuan’er’s hand, saying, “Don’t touch me. Are you chasing after him? Hah, you won’t get him! Dream on!”

Drunk, but still bold, her words were slurred. Li Yuan’er’s expression changed, and she gritted her teeth as she pushed Yang Rou. Tang Yi tightly supported Yang Rou and covered her mouth, shooting Li Yuan’er a furious glare. “Move away.”

Just after he said that, Yang Rou muttered another word under her breath—”bitch.”

Li Yuan’er was instantly enraged. She grabbed a fistful of Yang Rou’s hair and yanked it. “You’re the fucking bitch…”

Immediately, the whole private room fell silent.

What was going on with these three? Director Lin hurriedly shouted, “Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on? Yuan’er, let go of Yang Rou’s hair!”

Moments later, Director Lin’s assistant stepped forward to pull them apart, and Jiang Yi also helped. Meanwhile, Xu Dian, the cause of the entire conflict, leaned back in his chair, smoking, playing with his phone, seemingly indifferent to the commotion.

There was no reaction at all.

Jiang Yi helped Yang Rou up and asked Xu Dian, “Mr. Xu?”

Xu Dian, with a blank expression, simply said, “See them off.”

Jiang Yi nodded.

He roughly pulled at Yang Rou, realizing for the first time that the young lady from the Yang family could be this disgraceful, losing control in such a manner. Tang Yi, holding a small bag, quickly followed behind.

Li Yuan’er, her hands tangled in her hair, yanked it free and shot a furious glare at Meng Ying before turning to leave. Meng Ying also stood up, feeling the heat on her back once more.

A suit jacket was draped over her shoulders. She turned to glance behind, linking arms with Liu Qin, giving the jacket a small shake, causing it to fall again. Xu Dian’s eyes locked onto the jacket.

A few seconds later, he kicked it away forcefully, turning to Director Lin and saying, “Director Lin, we’re leaving.”

Director Lin, who had been whispering to Qin Jun, was momentarily confused. He looked up, not immediately understanding who “we” referred to.

He vaguely saw the door closing behind a cream-colored skirt disappearing out of sight. Xu Dian tugged at his shirt and, his tall figure following closely, walked towards the car parked outside.

There were many cars, all arranged by the production team.

Since Meng Ying hadn’t drunk any alcohol, she wasn’t dizzy. Liu Qin went to arrange for the car, while Chen Jie, holding Meng Ying’s arm, chatted with her. Meng Ying smiled and said, “The night here still isn’t too…”

Before she could finish, a hand suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind, forcefully pulling her toward a nearby Mercedes-Benz. The car door was already open. Jiang Yi stood beside it, and Xu Dian, with a firm grip on Meng Ying’s head, pushed her into the car. Meng Ying was momentarily stunned, but after a few seconds, she composed herself and sat steadily. Soon, Xu Dian entered the car, and Liu Qin took the passenger seat as well.

Chen Jie, trembling, sat in the driver’s seat and started the car.

As for Xu Dian’s assistant, Jiang Yi, he had no choice but to ride in the director’s car on the way back. Chen Jie hadn’t driven in a long time, so her hands were slightly shaking. Liu Qin raised her head and glanced toward the back seat.

Xu Dian pinched Meng Ying’s chin, turning her face towards him.

Meng Ying furrowed her brow and looked at him. “Isn’t this kidnapping, Mr. Xu?”

Xu Dian rested one hand on his knee, the collar of his shirt slightly open. “Yeah, go ahead, call the police.”

“Like last time…”

Before she could finish, Meng Ying leaned in, her soft lips gently touching his cheek. Xu Dian’s eyes darkened, and he immediately turned his head to kiss her lips.

They shared a quiet, lingering kiss.

When they arrived at the hotel, Meng Ying tapped his face. “Goodbye.”

With that, she opened the car door and stepped out. Xu Dian snapped back to reality, quickly exiting the car and chasing after her. He grabbed her arm, just as she was stepping onto the stairs. She turned around and looked down at him from her elevated position.

Meng Ying smiled, “No need for a confession. I don’t care whether you’ve fallen for me or not.”

The moonlight was cold, and the woman’s eyes, sparkling with a smile, were stunningly beautiful but carried a subtle chill.

That chill felt familiar.

Xu Dian pressed his lips together tightly and remained silent for a long time.

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