Chapter 34 Comeback

By the time Bai Zhexuan arrived, he had received a big shock. From the car park to the lobby, he realized that he was amongst giants, and no one was interested in him — the president of a small entertainment company.

Holding back his humiliation, he found his seat which was just across the aisle from Yan Wen.

He cleared his throat, worried that if he spoke to Yan Wen, someone would overhear and affect his future. Deep down, he was furious that Yan Wen would be so indiscreet!

She had dressed up to the nines just for a concert, and how many tens of thousands did that necklace even cost!

He had to admit that Yan Wen's beauty was second to none. If Jiang Lingyun was not his first love and she was not so flirty and clingy, he would not have abandoned Yan Wen.

With one look, Yan Wen knew what he was thinking. 「Don't worry, no one here is interested in your gossip.」

Bai Zhexuan frowned at her tone. 「You're still an artiste under Grand. Suddenly showing up in this sort of place... People will talk!」

「Talk?」Yan Wen pursed her lips and smiled guilelessly. 「After leaving you, my life has been so much better. It's not wrong.」

Her words made Bai Zhexuan sputter wordlessly.

How could Yan Wen not even show any sadness after leaving him?

「I wanted to see you about business. The company arranged an advertisement for your own good. For 'Time', you can continue filming. But you must maintain good relations with Lingyun both with or without others present. You must accommodate her no matter what she says. I will also be making an announcement that we have not been together in a while, so Lingyun will not be labeled as the other woman.」

「Also, you must take on Director James's film and get a role for Lingyun. You should know how rare this opportunity is. You wouldn't be silly enough to decline it just to retaliate against me right? 」Yan Wen scoffed.

She was thankful that Director James had recognized her ability, but if the condition was to force the other party to agree to have Jiang Lingyun act with her... Well, she was not sacrificing her own opportunity, but preventing herself from being used again.

「I'm afraid I can't, I've already turned them down directly.」

「Who gave you the right to do that! Your schedule is arranged by the company. When you kept Xia as your employee, I gave you a face. Don't think that I'll let you get away with everything just because we have history! If you insist on continuing this way, I'll follow the terms of the contract and take you to court.」

Yan Wen's calmness and unconcerned attitude made it difficult for Bai Zhexuan to coerce her.

He wanted to use Yan Wen's opportunity to push Jiang Lingyun into the spotlight. Now that Yan Wen refused to, it worried him.

「Yan Wen, you need to think carefully about this. If you keep on doing this, it won't be good for you.」

Yan Wen pressed her hand to her forehead as if intimidated by his tone. With a worried expression on her face, she said, 「I've already declined, what can I do? But I'm not planning on turning down the advertisement the company arranged for me. I'll be shooting that next week. You can arrange for reporters to interview me then. I'll answer as you wish and not sully Jiang Lingyun's name.」

「Will you really help Lingyun?」 Bai Zhexuan's eyes were filled with hope.

Yan Wen hummed in agreement. 「My contract isn't up yet so I'm still part of the company. Isn't this an internal matter?」

「It's great that you think that way. It's a load off my shoulders!」

Bai Zhexuan was initially worried that Yan Wen would take a tough stance, but it seemed that she was still as easy to convince as before.

He was about to say more, but the concert was starting and Yan Wen had turned away to watch it. When Bai Zhexuan looked around him, everyone was an industry giant. He knew who everyone was, but none of them paid any attention to a bit player like himself.

He stayed for five minutes before he got up and left.

Yan Wen laughed to herself. She had thought Bai Zhexuan still had a conscience, but it seemed like he had lost it to the dogs. He still felt justified to let her be Jiang Lingyun's stepping-stone under these circumstances. They would see if Jiang Lingyun had any such luck.

Once Bai Zhexuan got Yan Wen's agreement, he immediately returned to the office to arrange the breakup announcement. The same day, to prevent Yan Wen from declining, the company officially announced that Yan Wen had accepted the lingerie advertisement.

In the blink of an eye, people started calling Yan Wen shameless.

「I thought she was pure and innocent. Turns out she's just a washed-up actress who got there using her body. I even like her the past few days!」

「She's cut from the same cloth as Jiang Lingyun. She's the third-party, and you're third-rate.」

「How shameless! How much is she getting paid for this ad!」

Jiang Lingyun gleefully read the news on the Internet,「Yan Wen. You want to tussle with me? Maybe in your next life!」

She did not need to worry about Yan Wen affecting her position; the best actress award was hers for the faking. And once the company put pressure on Yan Wen, she would never be able to think about making a comeback.

After she had won and married Bai Zhexuan, Yan Wen would not even be qualified to be a thorn in her side.

By this time, Yan Wen received the breakup letter that Bai Zhexuan was going to publicize. 「Remember these details in advance. Don't make any mistakes in front of the reporters.」

Holding the paper in her hand, Yan Wen found it funny that Bai Zhexuan could be so shameless. He probably did not know how to spell 'shameful!'

He was willing to lie about everything for his mistress.

What they did not know was that Yan Wen had enough evidence to overturn every single one of their lies. With Xia and Chen Yu behind her, there was nothing to be afraid of.

In the car, Chen Yu spoke up. 「The evidence can be released at any time. There's an audio recording of Jiang Lingyun and Bai Zhexuan that proves that they've been plotting against you.」

「Good, I understand. Prepare everything. We'll give them a lovely surprise.」 Yan Wen's reply was calm as usual.

Next to her, Xia clenched her fist. 「I can't wait to see them fall off their high horse!」

Yan Wen looked into the distance and said firmly, 「I was too lenient. The real game starts now.」

Chen Yu and Xia glanced at each other, firm in their belief that they were on Yan Wen's side and would help her rise to the top again.

Anyone familiar with Yan Wen knew how hard she had worked to get to where she was. Most anyone close would have long given up.

Yan Wen's retaliation would not only hit them hard but smoothen her path for a comeback. This was the best type of revenge!

Jiang Sui-an had also prepared a small surprise for her.

「How was the concert?」 Wearing a black bathrobe, his hair still wet, Jiang Sui-an came up behind Yan Wen, who was reading, and wrapped his arms around her.

「Wonderful. I rarely get to go to a concert and relax. I liked the program too.」 Yan Wen had enjoyed a feast of music especially after Bai Zhexuan left.

「If you like it, I'll bring you to a special concert.」