Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 76

Amusing Ourselves to Death Arc

Agent 13

Shen Yun’s expression stiffened for a moment, and she tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“That’s true. People always change, but no matter how much they change, they can’t possibly stop eating things they used to love.”

Shen Yun’s momentary lapse of composure quickly returned to her previous appearance.

“That’s not necessarily the case. After all, some things can become unappetizing after eating them too much.”

Qin Yuyan shook her head, disagreeing with this viewpoint.

She used to love eating rice cakes, but the cook served rice cakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a whole week, and she got so fed up that she couldn’t stand them anymore. She never ate rice cakes again.

As soon as she finished saying this, she noticed Shen Yun giving her a glare, with undisguised disgust in her eyes. It only lasted a moment, but she caught it.

Qin Yuyan furrowed her brow. Shen Yun shouldn’t lack grace to this extent. Just because she countered her opinion and revealed such an expression, it’s as if she has despised her for a while now.

But this was also normal; she probably saw her as a rival, even though they truly were.

If Shen Yun dislikes her, then so be it. Well, she doesn’t have a good opinion of her either.

“That might be due to everyone having different personalities. As for me, if a dish is delicious, I wouldn’t get tired of eating it no matter what.”

Shen Yun looked at Xin Lan, her eyes holding the same profound meaning.

“After all, you’re a loyal person, right?”

Xin Lan smirked, a sarcastic undertone that only they both understood in her words.

Being praised as loyal when you’re the one who strayed is truly ironic.

Cheng Zhi quietly continued eating. The dishes at this upscale private restaurant were really delicious. This meal was probably going to cost quite a bit, so he thought he should eat more. As for the undercurrents flowing between the three sisters at the table, he pretended not to notice. After all, he couldn’t really interject, so he just focused on enjoying his meal.

When everyone had eaten for about the same amount of time, Xin Lan stood up and went to the restroom. About a minute after she left, Shen Yun also got up and followed her.

Qin Yuyan had initially thought about following them, but she figured there was no need, so she just stayed seated and turned her gaze towards Cheng Zhi, who was sitting beside her.

Cheng Zhi wiped his mouth, and seeing Qin Yuyan looking at him, he immediately flashed a smile.

“You’ve all been with Ah Lan for a few years now?”

Qin Yuyan asked curiously.

“I’ve been with her for a year. I don’t know about Shen Jie, she was there before me. I didn’t pay much attention.”

Cheng Zhi scratched his head, looking somewhat foolish.

“Oh, I see. So, from now on, we’ll all be under Ah Lan’s wing. How about we exchange contact information?”

“Of course!”

Cheng Zhi immediately took out his phone, and he and Qin Yuyan exchanged WeChat IDs.

Qin Yuyan brought up a few other topics but eventually circled back to Shen Yun.

“I’m not very familiar with her. In fact, we haven’t really met much. She’s quite busy, and our paths don’t really cross.”

When Cheng Zhi joined the scene, Shen Yun had just finished filming a drama. She started as the second female lead and then moved up to the first female lead. After its broadcast, the drama became a hit, elevating her status. Cheng Zhi wasn’t sure about her current projects; he didn’t know what she had just finished filming.

At first, Cheng Zhi played minor roles, but now he’s progressed to third male lead roles. Having debuted only a year ago, he’s already quite content. Especially since Xin Lan pays attention to giving him likable or even more emotionally engaging characters. He’s not a household name yet, but he’s not obscure either.

Qin Yuyan did some mental calculations and continued to chat with Cheng Zhi with a cheerful smile.

Xin Lan stood by the sink and saw Shen Yun waiting there.

Leaning against the sink, Shen Yun watched Xin Lan emerge and toss the used paper towel into the trash.

“Do you need something?”

Xin Lan was the first to break the silence.

Shen Yun opened her mouth, with many things she wanted to discuss with Xin Lan, whether it was about relationships or career. However, almost unintentionally, she uttered a sentence that even she felt cheapened her intention.

“Why does she call you Ah Lan? Have you known her for a long time?”

“We just have a good connection.”

Xin Lan looked at Shen Yun with a half-smile, her eyes carrying a hint of indifference.

Whenever Shen Yun tossed a topic, she would seize the opportunity to climb it, but Xin Lan was lazy to let her get too close. Yet, she also didn’t want to leave Shen Yun completely disheartened; she wanted her to hold onto some hope.

“What about you and me? Was it also just a good connection back then?”

Xin Lan lifted her gaze, meeting Shen Yun’s eyes.

Why do some people not feel that they’ve done wrong?

Is it because the victim’s casual reaction makes them believe that their mistakes aren’t significant, not worth mentioning?

Injuries are always emphasized. As long as no one brings it up, it’s like one can deceive oneself.

“Shen Yun, have you ever had a moment when you felt sorry for what you did wrong to me?”

Even if it’s just a moment, did Shen Yun ever feel sorry for the original host?

Those blinded by love always appear foolish to outsiders, but within the situation, how many people can truly remain clear-headed?

A sincere heart isn’t a reason for her to deserve deception. Xin Lan doesn’t seek sympathy from others; she only wants to know if this mastermind, this person who turned the original host’s life upside down, has ever realized their wrongdoing, felt their own baseness?

Before the original host’s suicide, she had also come to many realizations. She regretted loving Shen Yun, considering herself blind to have fallen for such a repulsive individual. She regretted her own stupidity, but regrets were futile.

There are no chances for rewinding life; if one knew in advance that there was a swamp ahead, who would step into it without any precautions?

Xin Lan’s tone was too serious, leaving Shen Yun somewhat stunned and unsure how to respond.

“I know I was wrong…”

She said these words.

“You know, what I want from you isn’t your perfunctory words, nor your apology,” Xin Lan turned off the tap and shook off the water droplets from her hand. “Not everyone’s way of showing concern needs to be spoken aloud.”

She bypassed Shen Yun, her high heels tapping rhythmically on the floor.

Zero Nine: Host, will this scum realize their mistakes this way?

To suddenly realize that they’re scum and then honestly stop misbehaving.

Xin Lan: Are you thinking too highly of this scum?

If it were so simple to reflect and realize, then they wouldn’t be scum.

In the restroom, Shen Yun pondered whether she had been wrong. In truth, at that moment, when she saw Xin Lan sitting on the couch, she did feel a fleeting sense of guilt.

Was she in the wrong?

If Xin Lan hadn’t exposed the truth back then, she would have never confessed. Those people were irrelevant, and she could barely recall the face of that actress now. She only remembered the thrill of the encounters.

Even though she knew it was betrayal, the person who wouldn’t let cracks appear in her relationship with Xin Lan, her heart was still with Xin Lan. Yet, Xin Lan was often absent, and that person was proactive, which complicated things.

Shen Yun only stayed in the restroom briefly before leaving. When she returned to the private room, she found everyone gone. A waiter informed her that the bill had already been settled.

Shen Yun carried her bag and put on sunglasses,

“Was it hot in there, sister?”

It was only when Zhou Qinqin’s voice sounded in her ear that Shen Yun realized she had broken into a cold sweat when facing Xin Lan.

“No, it wasn’t. Let’s go back.”

She sat in the car and lit a cigarette.

Amidst the mist, she let out a wry laugh.

Since Xin Lan had already signed with Qin Yuyan, she didn’t see the point in fussing over these trivial matters.

Cheng Zhi had come by taxi, so he hitched a ride with Xin Lan to return.

Xin Lan drove, Qin Yuyan sat in the passenger seat, and Cheng Zhi took a seat in the back, mindful of his presence.

Xin Lan’s phone rang, and after glancing at the road conditions, she picked up the call and switched to speakerphone.

“Sister Lan, the director you had me contact for that drama last time said it’s no problem. They said you can go for the audition tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Is it that rushed? And we don’t even have the script for the male lead on our end.”

“The director mentioned they were originally considering a newcomer, but after you inquired, they reviewed it and found that Cheng-ge’s image fits quite well. They said to give it a try without script preparation; if it works out, they’ll provide the script later to save time.”

Xin Lan chuckled lightly and shook her head; this person was quite shrewd.

“Alright, I got it. Just let them know you’re on board.”

After the call ended, Cheng Zhi immediately leaned forward in excitement.

“Sis, do I have a job to do?”

“There’s an audition for the male lead in a web series. Give it your best shot. Originally, I was trying to secure a third male lead role for you, but someone got in ahead and there’s no space left.”

Xin Lan had originally spotted a suitable role, but it got snatched by someone who had connections. It was an unavoidable situation.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Male lead, hehe, I’ve never played a male lead role before.”

Cheng Zhi didn’t mind whether it was a web series or a TV series; he got excited as soon as he heard about the male lead opportunity.

While Xin Lan talked to Cheng Zhi, Qin Yuyan listened from the side.

She hadn’t laid out a clear plan for her career yet, but she leaned more toward films rather than TV dramas.

Movies had more potential to showcase an actor’s skills, and Qin Yuyan wanted to take on projects that would help her improve.

After Xin Lan finished talking with Cheng Zhi, she noticed Qin Yuyan looking at her.

“I already have an idea for yours. I’ll let you know when I’m confident about it.”

Xin Lan glanced at Qin Yuyan, then focused on the road ahead as she spoke.

“Alright, I’m not in a hurry.”

Xin Lan nodded. It was good that the young one wasn’t anxious.

The original host had observed and trained Shen Yun and Cheng Zhi’s acting skills before, but Xin Lan hadn’t done the same for Qin Yuyan.

It wasn’t that she wanted to avoid the trouble; Xin Lan simply believed in Qin Yuyan’s acting abilities, or rather, she trusted the information.

In the plot, Qin Yuyan was a well-known actress, and Xin Lan had watched a few dramas that Qin Yuyan had acted in before. Her acting skills and appearance were up to par.

When they arrived at Cheng Zhi’s place, he put on a baseball cap, waved to Xin Lan, and got out of the car.

“Are you heading home? Should I drop you off?”

“No, I’m not going home. I don’t have anything to do. Where are you going? If it’s inconvenient, I won’t follow you.”

“In the afternoon, I’ll be at the company. In the evening, I have a dinner with some investors and producers. It might be boring if you come along. Give me your address, and I’ll drop you off at home. By the way, the company can provide accommodation for you. Do you need it?”

“No, I have a private residence under my name. I’ll stay there. Do you want to come with me and take a look?”

Qin Yuyan extended an invitation to Xin Lan, who agreed without hesitation. As a manager, it was only natural for Xin Lan to know where to find her artist.

Qin Yuyan gave an address, and Xin Lan happened to hit a red light, so she hit the brakes.

Xin Lan was very familiar with where Qin Yuyan lived. It was a high-end, well-secured residential area where paparazzi reporters could hardly enter.

As Qin Yuyan watched Xin Lan expertly drive into the complex and was about to hand over her access card, she saw Xin Lan directly taking out her card to register.

“I didn’t mention it earlier, but I also live here.”

Xin Lan smirked at Qin Yuyan, a wisp of hair framing her face, a beautiful color illuminated by the sunlight.

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