When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 16

Volume One: Those Years I Was a CEO

Sunrise at Her Side

Because of their sweet interactions on 《Crazy Saturday》, Wen Nuan and You Jiayi were happily given a CP¹ name.

“Jia Wen” Girls!!²

Meaning: Relationship heating up, sweetness heating up, happiness heating up!

Because of this, many people started believing in the “Cinderella” romance. After all, You Jiayi’s family background was so much like “Cinderella’s,” finally meeting her “Princess” who doted on her and loved her, the two living happily ever after in a hundred-million yuan luxury mansion.

Consequently, besides the nicknames “Leg Fairy”³ and “Third Sister Desperado,”⁴ You Jiayi gained another title: “Modern-Day Cinderella.”

Shu Changning watched You Jiayi hugging her phone, giggling foolishly. Ever since waking up this morning and grabbing her phone to scroll Weibo, the silly smile hadn’t left the girl’s face. From a distance, she looked completely spaced out.

“Still looking? Filming starts soon, have you memorized the script?” Shu Changning walked over, saying helplessly.

You Jiayi put her phone away, smugly pleased, and smiled, “I memorized the script long ago. I don’t talk much in this scene, it’s purely eye-acting and action sequences, no problem.”

“Look at you, all morning, just those same few trending topics back and forth, you’ve read them dozens of times. Is it that interesting?”

After the live broadcast of 《Crazy Saturday》, Xu Wen Nuan and You Jiayi also hit the trending lists. Everyone was envious and excited by their sweet love, creating several discussion topics overnight.

For example—

#President’s Gentle Pampering Wife#
#Your Punishment Is Definitely Losing#
#You Can Be More Proactive With Me#
#I Will Never Get Tired Of You#
#I Remember All Your Preferences#
…..

“It is interesting.” You Jiayi smiled shyly, her eyes glistening.

She pointed at several topics on Weibo, extremely excited, “Shu-ge, don’t you think Wen Nuan cares about me a lot? Otherwise, why would she remember all my preferences, treat me so well, tell me to be proactive with her, and say she’ll never get tired of me?”

“…..” This was already the third time You Jiayi had asked him that.

Shu Changning’s lips twitched; he forced a smile and said, “Right, President Xu loves you the most, dotes on you the most, will never get tired of you. She told you to be more proactive because President Xu is too shy. All the above proves President Xu loves you super much.”

You Jiayi hugged her phone, wriggling her body sweetly and excitedly, constantly sighing, “Wuwu, she really loves me so much ahhh….”

Shu Changning: “……”

He’d f%cking had enough.

As the two exploded in popularity, many past incidents were dug up by enthusiastic netizens.

One netizen released photos, saying President Xu and You Jiayi actually knew each other long ago. They were already together when You Jiayi participated in the 《Star Show Girls》 talent show, but it had always been a secret relationship, little known to the public.

Another netizen released photos of President Xu and You Jiayi traveling abroad together back then, leaning against each other sweetly on a park bench on the streets of Paris, France.

At the time, he had naively thought they just had ordinary sisterly affection, never expecting it was love.

As various photos and statements emerged, people were surprised to discover that Xu Wen Nuan and You Jiayi had already been together for five years, hiding their love from everyone for a full five years.

But some also raised doubts, saying Xu Wen Nuan didn’t love You Jiayi at all, even releasing photos of Xu Wen Nuan frequenting various nightclubs in M Country, engaging in close-contact provocative dancing with muscular men.

And during this period, You Jiayi was back home being framed, drugged, and made to lure Qi He, getting attacked by the entire internet⁵. You Jiayi’s mother also had liver cancer with no money for treatment, yet Xu Wen Nuan was abroad having a blast.

Is this what you call true love!?

For a time, online opinions split into two extremes, arguing irreconcilably⁶.

One side argued Xu Wen Nuan didn’t love You Jiayi at all; perhaps there were feelings before, but definitely not now. She was forcefully keeping You Jiayi by her side, eating from her bowl while eyeing the pot⁷, a double-standard dog.⁸

Especially since Xu Wen Nuan was carefree partying abroad during You Jiayi’s most painful and difficult time, her behavior was simply outrageous⁹ and disgusting, even scummier than a scumbag guy.

The other side argued that something must have happened between Xu Wen Nuan and You Jiayi during that time. After all, You Jiayi was framed and made to lure Qi He; Xu Wen Nuan must have been heartbroken upon finding out, running off abroad to heal her heart, drowning her sorrows in alcohol¹⁰, letting herself get lost in the debauchery¹¹ so she wouldn’t be hurt by love.

All of Xu Wen Nuan’s actions abroad were expressions of her sadness and pain. Besides, she was just hanging out in bars, drinking, and dancing with guys; she didn’t get hotel rooms with those men. It doesn’t mean anything! Are you engaging in gender discrimination when you go out to have fun?!

Shu Changning was endlessly surprised when he saw these online discussions. He never expected Xu Wen Nuan and You Jiayi had known each other for so long?

They had known each other for five long years, yet You Jiayi still ended up in such a state, muddling along lukewarmly¹² in the entertainment industry, even being cheated by that unscrupulous company Mingxin Entertainment, attacked by the entire internet, and cursed out of the entertainment circle.

So what the hell was Xu Wen Nuan doing with You Jiayi during those years?!

Shu Changning was so angry his blood pressure shot straight up. This matter was escalating online. Although Yixin Entertainment immediately issued a PR response, it still couldn’t stop the storm from growing.

Now, whether for professional or personal reasons, Shu Changning planned to have a good talk with Xu Wen Nuan.

He looked towards You Jiayi, who was still filming. The director was explaining the scene, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

You Jiayi’s happy little appearance easily influenced others, but who could imagine that such a young girl had once suffered extreme malice from this cold world? So much pain and hardship had rushed towards her, yet today her heart was still like the morning sun.

Wen Nuan naturally knew about the online situation. Kong Yushu had told her long ago, and Yixin Entertainment had also implemented related countermeasures, but to no avail.

Wen Nuan thought that since this matter started because of her, she could only resolve it herself. The female lead had taken too much blame¹³ for her.

Just as she logged into her own Weibo, Shu Changning called. Wen Nuan knew the meaning behind this call.

After connecting, Shu Changning wanted to meet her for a chat.

Wen Nuan agreed to meet, arranging to meet near the set of 《Gunsmoke Everywhere》, allowing her to visit You Jiayi on set as well.

The female lead didn’t say it, but several times she had hesitated, wanting Wen Nuan to visit her on set.

To participate in Kong Yushu’s variety show recording, Wen Nuan had to finish all her work at Xu Corporation before the recording date.

She wondered more than once, why did she have to be so responsible?

The System said with a faint smile: 【Because Host, you’re a coward, huh? Don’t dare to assert your presence¹⁴ in front of the female lead? Afraid the female lead will love you more and more, get handsy? So you work hard trying to distance yourself from the female lead, you scum woman!】

Wen Nuan: “…..”

She f%cking couldn’t even refute it.

Indeed, she was avoiding meeting each other because she still thought that if the female lead wasn’t gay anymore, if she realized her feelings for her had weakened, maybe she wouldn’t have to try anymore?

She hadn’t intentionally used feelings to deceive You Jiayi; she was also trying hard. She accepted the female lead’s closeness and touch. Although she didn’t really hate it, and even liked it somewhat, it was still a long way from reaching the ‘can’t be without you,’ ‘eternal true love’ stage.

Wen Nuan felt her current feelings for the female lead were probably “more than friends, less than lovers.”

At the very least, she was willing to give it a try with the female lead, willing to take things further, she just needed time and… courage.

This problem of hers seemed to have existed for a long time.

Faced with overly obvious and intense affection and love, her first thought wasn’t acceptance or rejection, but panic, wanting to escape. She would wonder what exactly the other person liked about her, what was there about her worth liking?

There would even be fear – fear that she wasn’t the person loved in the other’s heart at all, fear that they would be utterly disappointed in her, annoyed and disgusted.

The System had said she was always stuck in her ways¹⁵, restricting herself¹⁶ – the behavior of the weak.

But she felt being in her comfort zone was really nice. Weak then, so be it. At least she could catch her breath.

But the female lead’s sudden confession had forcefully and fiercely stepped into her comfort zone. Wen Nuan even realized the female lead wanted to integrate into her comfort zone, possibly waiting for a chance to drag her out of it.

And yet, apart from panic and a trace of fear, she had no thoughts of kicking the female lead out of her comfort zone, and had even allowed all the actions the female lead made towards her.

This was a breakthrough for her, perhaps also an… indescribable change.

That’s why she had agreed to give it a try with the female lead.

B City had a large film base¹⁷. All of You Jiayi’s scenes for 《Gunsmoke Everywhere》 this time were being shot at this film base.

Shu Changning had already arrived at the restaurant and sent Wen Nuan a location pin.

Wei Cheng, seeing Wen Nuan get out of the car, asked, “President Xu, I’ll be nearby. Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay, find a place to eat yourself too.”

“Understood.” Wei Cheng drove the car away.

Shu Changning had booked a private room on the second floor. Wen Nuan was led to the room by a staff member.

“This is 215, please come in.” The waiter opened the door for Wen Nuan.

“Thank you.” Wen Nuan walked into the private room and closed the door.

Seeing Wen Nuan arrive, Shu Changning immediately stood up and said, “President Xu, you’re here. Please sit.”

Wen Nuan sat opposite him, looking at the food already ordered. “Eat first talk later, or talk first eat later?”

“Let’s talk while we eat.” Shu Changning guessed Wen Nuan knew what he wanted to talk about.

The phone on the table vibrated. Wen Nuan opened it to see a lunch picture sent by the female lead.

You Jiayi: Logging today’s lunch check-in. There’s stir-fried beef and hot and sour shredded potatoes, which I love. The soup is pumpkin soup, which I don’t really like. Can I not drink it? [Pitiful]

Wen Nuan let out a laugh, amused and exasperated by her pitiful expression.

Wen Nuan: Pumpkin soup is very nutritious.

You Jiayi: Okay then, I’ll drink it [Aggrieved]

Wen Nuan: Forget it. A melon forced off the vine isn’t sweet¹⁸, and soup forced down isn’t fragrant. Don’t drink it this time.

You Jiayi: Yay! [Grinning] [Hug]

After sending this message, You Jiayi’s eyes darted slyly, and she sent another one.

You Jiayi: Wen Nuan is the best to me, love you to death! [Kiss Kiss]

Wen Nuan’s hand paused. She replied with an emoji.

Wen Nuan: [Grinning]

Shu Changning saw Wen Nuan constantly looking at her phone. At this time, You Jiayi was probably doing her lunch check-in.

“President Xu seems to really like Jiayi, huh?” Shu Changning asked with a smile.

Wen Nuan put her phone aside and raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“No reason, just feel a bit…” Shu Changning pushed his phone over. Strikingly displayed on it were the photos of Xu Wen Nuan drinking and dancing abroad – scenes of debauchery and indulgence¹⁹, surrounded by handsome men, carefree and unrestrained.

He tapped the phone screen, “…feel like President Xu doesn’t like Jiayi that much?”

Wen Nuan’s eyes slightly narrowed. “On what basis?” She glanced at the phone. “Just because of these few photos?”

“President Xu and Jiayi knew each other very early on, right?” Shu Changning asked.

Wen Nuan nodded. “Mm.”

“When you were with Jiayi back then, I understand not making it public. After all, your statuses were disparate; if it were public, it would undoubtedly be a kind of harm to Jiayi.” Shu Changning pointed at Xu Wen Nuan in the picture. “But what I really don’t understand is, when Jiayi was in the most pain, most helpless, and needed help the most, you were abroad living it up?”²⁰

Wen Nuan: “…..”

“If you had already broken up, then why did you contact Jiayi again after returning to the country? Why arrange for me to manage Jiayi? Why get back together with Jiayi?” Shu Changning sighed. “I don’t mean to question you, President Xu. I’m just very confused, and I feel sorry for and sympathize with Jiayi.”

“She’s only 24, yet she’s already experienced hardships and torments many people never have. She’s a good girl. I hope she has a good future and a good place to belong.”

“Okay, I’ll give you an answer.” Wen Nuan understood Shu Changning’s words and was also happy that someone cared so much for You Jiayi, speaking up for her.

She took out her phone and dialed You Jiayi.

Shu Changning watched her actions, nervously saying, “President Xu, what are you doing?”

He hadn’t told You Jiayi about meeting Xu Wen Nuan at all. If You Jiayi found out, she would definitely be angry with him.

Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow. “Some things, I don’t like discussing behind people’s backs. Since we’re talking about Jiayi, let’s chat together.”

The call connected quickly.

You Jiayi said in surprise, “Wen Nuan, what’s up?”

“Are you resting?” Wen Nuan asked. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“Mhm, go ahead, I’m resting, I have time.”

“Jiayi?” Wen Nuan took a deep breath. “You know I don’t actually love you, right?”

Shu Changning’s eyes widened. He looked at Wen Nuan in disbelief, screaming silently: President Xu, what do you mean by this?!

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. The next second, You Jiayi’s voice came through, sounding somewhat cheerful, but if you listened closely, you could feel she was trembling slightly.

“I know.”

You Jiayi naturally knew Xu Wen Nuan’s true feelings for her. No matter how tolerant or considerate Xu Wen Nuan was to her, no matter how sweet or wonderful things were said online, she knew those were just superficial, just illusory.

A bubble that pops with a single poke.

The “give it a try” Xu Wen Nuan mentioned was the olive branch handed to her. All she could do was hold onto this olive branch tightly.

Although it was humbling, although it was tiring, even if she had to force it, she wanted to stay by Xu Wen Nuan’s side.

Perhaps from the very beginning, she couldn’t leave Xu Wen Nuan.

Many people said she was like the morning sun, bright and brilliant, strong and unyielding. But they didn’t know.

Xu Wen Nuan was her sunrise.

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