Chapter 8 I, Chen Ye, Remain the Same (2)
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The storm of controversy stirred by Chen Enci's confrontation with the media hung over the trending Tumblr lists for three long days before finally dying down.
In those three days, with no public appearances on the cards, Chen Enci stayed homebound in the comfort of her solitude.
On the fourth day, early in the morning, she received a call from Lu Xin: "A photo shoot for Feng Fashion Magazine's cover is scheduled for one o'clock in the afternoon. We will leave at ten. You have two hours to get ready."
A still groggy and sleep-deprived Chen Enci mumbled affirmative noises in response.
After hanging up, she planned to nap a bit longer. But Lu Xing's interruption disrupted her tranquil dream, and despite tossing and turning for a while, she couldn't fall asleep again. Helplessly, she got up to wash and freshen herself.
By the time Chen Enci was ready, Lu Xing had almost arrived. She took her usual seat in the car, leisurely removed her sunglasses, and waited for Lu Xing to start the conversation.
A minute passed and she had a glance at Lu Xing.
After another minute, she looked at Lu Xing again, "Xingxing, you seem a bit unprofessional today."
Lu Xing didn't respond, prompting Chen Enci to speak again: "Xingxing, why don't you inform me about my upcoming schedule?"
Lu Xing stated seriously: "Today at 1 PM, photo shoot for Feng Fashion Magazine's cover…"
Chen Enci glanced at Lu Xing with an "are you kidding me?" expression, confused as to why she was repeating her current schedule. "What about after that?"
"After that...well..." Lu Xing purposely paused for a minute or two, "… there is no 'after that'…"
Lu Xing's cryptic reply hit Chen Enci like a tongue twister. After a moment, she realized that Lu Xing was saying that aside from the current photo shoot for Feng Fashion Magazine, there were no more upcoming events.
How could that be possible?!
Chen Enci confidently assumed that Lu Xing was sulking over her social media conflict a few days ago. Trying to humor her, she let out a small laugh: "Xingxing, your jokes are getting better and better."
Lu Xing was despondent: "I'm not joking. I'm serious. For the next month, you have absolutely no scheduled events..."
Chen Enci still thought Lu Xing was teasing her: "Don't I just have two events?"
Lu Xing didn't respond.
Chen Enci turned to look at Lu Xing and saw a woeful expression on her face.
Five minutes later, seeing that Lu Xing's expression hadn't changed, Chen Enci realized she wasn't kidding: "... are you serious?"
"I couldn't be more serious." Lu Xing replied, handing her phone to Chen Enci: "See? These are the calls I've been getting over the past three days from partners cancelling collaborations..."
Chen Enci's face instantly hardened: "The reason?!"
Lu Xing: "The reason, Miss Chen, don't you know? If you don't, go check those three posts you published consecutively within twenty seconds, three days ago! By angering Qin Jie, you've incited public outrage. Now, who would dare to collaborate with you? Everyone just wants to steer clear of you."
Chen Enci's face turned a degree colder: "So, I lost my upcoming collaborations because of that bastard?"
Lu Xing, looking miserable, replied: "What else? Why on earth would you pick a fight with him and court such trouble for yourself..."
Chen Enci: "I regret it!"
Lu Xing: "At least you regret it now... "
"I regret that night...I should have lambasted that bastard a few more times..."