Chapter 12

If Jiang Xuan still had a cute and somewhat straightforward personality, then compared to her, Guanxin Rui, who had completely different personalities in public and private, was simply detestable.

Zuo Mingran couldn't understand why Guanxin Rui would still approach her as if nothing had happened. According to reason, after what happened yesterday, Guanxin Rui should have kept her distance. But now, she eagerly approached on her own. Could it be that she thought Zuo Mingran was beautiful and kind-hearted? Was she assuming that Zuo Mingran had a good heart?

They were standing in a somewhat concealed area, with a potted plant blocking the view from the front, so no one noticed them for the time being. Zuo Mingran couldn't be bothered to play any mind games with Guanxin Rui. In this situation, not immediately attacking the person was already showing mercy. It would be too difficult to force a smile and greet her.

As Zuo Mingran was about to return the wine glass to Guanxin Rui and leave, she was suddenly grabbed by the arm.

"Why rush off? Let's have a chat," Guanxin Rui said.

Zuo Mingran had never seen someone so eager to make herself uncomfortable before.

Shaking off Guanxin Rui's grip, Zuo Mingran crossed her arms and looked up and down at her dress before scoffing, "Sure, let's talk about something we're all interested in. Is that dress you're wearing from last year's collection? By the way, maybe you didn't know, but that brand approached me for a collaboration before, and I declined. How about you? Wait, that doesn't make sense. Why would they dress their spokesperson in old designs? What do you think?"

Zuo Mingran smiled politely, "While other people's things may be good, it's also important to know what they are. If you mistake someone's unwanted item as a treasure and show it off, aren't you just embarrassing yourself?"

Guanxin Rui's face momentarily twisted, but quickly returned to a gentle and harmless expression.

"Ran Jie, what are you talking about?" Guanxin Rui brushed her hair and said meaningfully, "Anger harms the body. It's better for Ran Jie to control your emotions and avoid doing anything regrettable."

Zuo Mingran squinted her eyes. Abnormal behavior usually had a reason. Yesterday, she and Guanxin Rui had a falling out, and a normal person wouldn't act as if nothing happened the next day and chat and laugh with their enemy. Even though Guanxin Rui was unique and had a strong mental fortitude, she wouldn't dare to dance in front of her without something up her sleeve.

After thinking for a moment, Zuo Mingran smiled and said, "There's a locksmith outside, charging three yuan for a key. Do you want one?"

Guanxin Rui was puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

Zuo Mingran smiled slyly, "I'm telling you to face reality. Not everyone can make me angry."

Guanxin Rui realized and her face changed. She coldly said, "Zuo Mingran!"

"Why are you raising your voice? Anger harms the body," Zuo Mingran patted her dress and said, "Being just an actress is a waste of your talent. You should consider becoming a face-changer. Not everyone has that kind of gift."

Guanxin Rui understood and her face turned cold. She stopped Zuo Mingran, who was about to leave, and said, "Zuo Mingran, I advise you not to be too arrogant. You know what you've done, don't you?"

Zuo Mingran's expression didn't change as she glanced at her. "Oh?"

Guanxin Rui triumphantly said, "Zuo Mingran, I know you want to deal with me, but I'm not easy to mess with."

Zuo Mingran replied, "The locksmith outside said it's three keys for ten yuan. How many do you want?"

This time, Guan Xinrui immediately understood. She didn't expect Zuo Mingran to be so stubborn. Suppressing her anger, Guan Xinrui threw out her killer move and went straight to the point, saying, "Tang Wenbin."

Zuo Mingran, not expecting to hear this name from her, furrowed her brows subconsciously, "What?"

However, Guan Xinrui thought that Zuo Mingran was scared by her, so she raised her phone and waved it in front of Zuo Mingran, showing her triumph. "What? The important person forgets things easily, even what they said and did. But it's okay, it doesn't matter if you forget. As long as someone remembers."

Seeing her triumphant expression, Zuo Mingran couldn't help but chuckle. Guan Xinrui felt uneasy from her laughter and said harshly, "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at how cute you are being silly." Zuo Mingran took a step forward, leaning closer to her, and lowered her voice. "If this thing is real, how do you think he would have reached that position? If there was anything worthwhile in it, would it be your turn to stand in front of me now?"

Guan Xinrui felt like a heavy blow had struck her head. Zuo Mingran patted her skirt confidently and said, "The brain is a good thing. Use it more often when you have nothing to do, so it doesn't rust."

"You deliberately said this." Guan Xinrui pretended to be calm and said, "You just want me to give up. But I won't believe what you say."

Zuo Mingran shrugged indifferently, "Suit yourself. Step aside, don't block the way."

Zuo Mingran hadn't expected that Guan Xinrui would know Tang Wenbin. But after knowing this, combined with Guan Xinrui's behavior the day before, Zuo Mingran understood the reason behind it.

As for the things Guan Xinrui mentioned, Zuo Mingran wasn't worried at all.

After Tang Wenbin left that day, she had someone follow him specifically to see where he went. In the end, it was confirmed that he just went to a bar to get drunk, so Zuo Mingran was completely relieved. In the original plot, Tang Wenbin was a very ambitious person who would do anything to become famous.

Now that she had torn her face with Tang Wenbin, it was like cutting off a shortcut for his fame. However, Tang Wenbin hadn't done anything. On one hand, he knew he couldn't afford to provoke Zuo Mingran, and on the other hand, he didn't have any evidence that could threaten Zuo Mingran. He could only suffer in silence.

Thinking of this, Zuo Mingran was confident that Guan Xinrui didn't have any evidence. Even if she did, it was probably something Tang Wenbin had used to deceive her.

Sighing, Zuo Mingran quietly took a piece of chocolate cake from the table and found a corner to satisfy her hunger.

Shi Shuangxia always acted swiftly and decisively. Just two days after Zuo Mingran mentioned the need to change her assistant, she had already resolved the matter.

Apart from Mao Mao, her personal assistant, there were at least three people who accompanied Zuo Mingran during work hours. Shi Shuangxia chose one of the two other individuals - a young girl who had been hired a year ago. Though young, she was reliable and acted with maturity in her work.

Switching assistants was not an easy task. On one hand, there was a need to hand over ongoing work, and on the other hand, the new assistant had to familiarize themselves with the workflow. Fortunately, Zuo Mingran was about to start filming a new drama soon, and the initial production would take place in this city. Mao Mao could guide the new assistant in a hands-on manner while accompanying Zuo Mingran.

Aside from this, another important matter was the return of Yan Yunyang's mother.

Just two days after the promotional ceremony, news of Yan's mother returning to the country was officially confirmed. Zuo Mingran was at home, wearing pajamas and going through the script when she received a call from Yan Yunyang, who notified her of leaving in half an hour.

"What's going on?" Zuo Mingran sat on the floor, surrounded by scripts filled with marks. "I'm going through the script right now."

Yan Yunyang's voice sounded calm, as if he was making the call while walking. Zuo Mingran could even hear the sound of the door opening. "We're going to the airport. My mother is coming back."

Zuo Mingran was taken aback, quickly getting up from the floor. "So soon? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Speaking of which, Yan Yunyang also seemed quite helpless. "I found out just three minutes ago. My mother called me after landing."

Zuo Mingran rushed into the changing room, intending to find a decent outfit. While doing so, she exclaimed, "Mother is really romantic!"

After ending the call, Zuo Mingran found a cream-colored long dress from the wardrobe, paired it with low-heeled shoes, and tied up her originally loose hair, revealing her smooth forehead. Time was limited, and there wasn't much time for makeup. Luckily, her skin was in good condition. Zuo Mingran quickly freshened up and left the house, precisely half an hour later.

Yan Yunyang's car was parked downstairs. Zuo Mingran took the elevator down and saw Yan Yunyang sitting in the car, with the window rolled down halfway.

Walking around to the other side of the car, Zuo Mingran opened the passenger seat door and adjusted her appearance using the rearview mirror. "What do I need to do? Oh, how should I address your mother?"

Yan Yunyang started the car and replied helplessly, "We are a couple, so you should naturally call her 'mom' along with me."

Living for over twenty years, Zuo Mingran never imagined that she would gain a mother just like that. She wiped off half of her lipstick, making the color appear more natural, and hurriedly asked, "So, what does your mom like? What does she dislike? Where are we going later?"

Yan Yunyang was amused by her sudden change of topic. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'm not very clear either. She went abroad when I was still young, and by the time I saw her again, I was already an adult. It has been very difficult to establish contact again, so we don't know much about each other. The questions you mentioned, I don't know much about them either."

Zuo Mingran paused for a moment and awkwardly said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Yan Yunyang smiled and replied, "It's okay, it's just the truth. I'm not a child, so I can accept these things. You don't need to apologize."

Even so, Zuo Mingran naturally became quieter. When they stopped at a red light, Yan Yunyang glanced at her and took out a piece of paper from the storage compartment, saying, "You can take a look at this."

"What is it?" Zuo Mingran took a glance and exclaimed, "Are you showing me this?"

Yan Yunyang nodded, and Zuo Mingran quickly scanned the information sheet. It contained Yan's mother's name and some basic background. Thinking that Yan's mother had returned without saying a word, Zuo Mingran sincerely commented, "You and your mother really share a lot in common."

Yan's mother's name was Liu Qinghe, a successful career-oriented woman. Her marriage with Yan Yunyang's father lasted less than ten years, and after the divorce she went abroad to start her own company. Currently, she has considerable wealth but is still unmarried, with Yan Yunyang being her only child.

It was not even noon yet, and the roads were not congested. Half an hour later, they arrived at the airport.

Zuo Mingran, rarely feeling nervous, although she and Yan Yunyang were fake husband and wife, others didn't know that. Liu Qinghe, even if she was her mother-in-law, would eventually meet her daughter-in-law. Zuo Mingran was not ugly, but she still felt a sense of nervousness.

Due to time constraints, Liu Qinghe had already come out of the airport and was waiting for them in a nearby coffee shop. After getting off the car, Yan Yunyang received a phone call. Zuo Mingran noticed his furrowed brow and asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen at the company?"

Yan Yunyang shook his head, about to say something when they heard a sweet cry from ahead, "Yunyang Gege, over here."

Zuo Mingran followed the voice and exclaimed, "Our mom...did she prepare a sister for you?"