Chapter 22

Chapter 22
Reporters bombarded her with questions, but in reality, it all boiled down to one thing: How intense was the feud between Su Jin and Liu Xin?

The last time Su Jinfan was surrounded by reporters was due to a scandal, but this time it wasn’t anything good either.

Su Jinfan stood on the steps, wearing a pair of sunglasses that partially obscured her gaze as she looked at the crowd of reporters. Though she smiled, her demeanor carried an unmistakable air of aloofness, as if warning others to keep their distance.

“Are you all stupid to ask such questions? How would an artist know about such matters? If you want answers, go find someone from Dingsheng. Miss Su knows nothing about this!” At some point, Shen Bai emerged from the car, rushed into the crowd, and took Su Jin’s hand. His cold laughter echoed through Huatong, filled with provocation and an undeniable air of dominance.

Su Jin had always been afraid of facing the media and the public, but seeing Shen Bai’s sharp attitude left her with mixed feelings.

“Sir, are you the A&R known as ‘Big Bai’?”

“What is your relationship with Miss Su?”

At this very moment, Shen Bai truly lived up to his reputation as a lawyer. While skillfully handling questions from various media outlets, he made his way out, saying, “Miss Su is a public figure, but she is also entitled to her **privacy**. Whether Miss Su is in a relationship is a matter of her personal **privacy**.”

Shen Bai’s emotions were complex at this moment. He knew how difficult it was for Su Jinfan to face the media, yet he couldn’t help but wish she belonged to him alone. Shen Bai sighed inwardly—after all, he was considered a decent catch in college, so why couldn’t Su Jinfan, the flower, see him as worthy? Perhaps it was because she still couldn’t forget Li Mochen, or maybe his persistence had been a mistake from the very beginning?

“I sincerely appreciate everyone’s attention to my acting skills and work. However, regarding this matter, I can clearly state that A&R Company and I have a collaborative relationship.”

The brief exchange between Su Jinfan and Shen Bai in front of the media left little room for further questions. Su Jinfan appeared graceful and charming, while the man beside her remained composed and assertive. Seizing an opportunity, the two quickly made their exit. Though the media didn’t obtain much information, they weren’t frustrated—instead, their curiosity grew about the man standing by Su Jinfan’s side.

Not long after, the conversation between the two at the company’s entrance was laid bare before the public. The focus of discussion wasn’t Su Jinfan, but rather the man by her side. Some speculated that the person beside her was none other than Dabai, sparking an immediate online frenzy with the hashtag “BaiFan CP.”

Rumors about the two being in a relationship spread like wildfire, yet the pair seemed to vanish into thin air, paying no heed to the swirling gossip.

Su Jinfan decided to take a break for herself. As she lay idly in bed watching an American drama, a knock came at the door. Opening it, she saw Fang Yao, who gasped out breathlessly, “Su Jinfan.”

“What’s the matter…” Su Jinfan, already accustomed to Fang Yao’s dramatic outbursts, remained sprawled on the bed.

“Confess, are you and President Shen involved in something?” Fang Yao sat beside Su JinFan, nudging her excitedly.

“Me? Fang Yao, what nonsense are you talking about?” Su JinFan abruptly sat up on the bed. “It’s all media hype.”

“Don’t deny it so quickly. I also thought A&R Company recognized your potential, but after hearing the media analysis, I found it quite convincing.”

Su JinFan listened attentively. “Let’s hear what you have to say?”

“First, during your low period, it was A&R Company that invested in you, and Bai Da spent all day interacting with you on Weibo. Second, the promotional work in cinemas after the movie’s release. Third, helping you out at the entrance of Ding Sheng Building before.”

“…But,” Su Jinfan’s lips parted and closed, “Fang Yao, what do you know!”

“Of course I don’t understand!”

Hearing that Su Jinfan didn’t refute her, Fang Yao smiled even more brightly and said, “But speaking of which, this President Shen is notoriously difficult to deal with in the industry, and he’s also a lawyer by training. How did you manage to get him?”

“Fang Yao, I already told you there’s nothing between us. Besides, we were just high school classmates.”

Fang Yao burst into laughter at this excuse: “Do you really expect me to believe such a ridiculous reason? Our esteemed Mr. Shen is one of the top-tier handsome men in the legal world. Rumor has it he acquired shares in A&R Group purely through his IQ and various capabilities. Everyone says that as a lawyer, he’s naturally smarter and harder to understand than ordinary people. Who would’ve thought you, of all people, managed to win him over so effortlessly?” Fang Yao raised an eyebrow. “And he came out of seclusion just for you. Before this, the industry only knew of his legend.”

Fang Yao made an exaggerated gesture.

“I had no idea Shen Bai was that impressive.”

“See, see, this just proves how special you are. I’ve never seen this Lawyer Shen appear on TV before, to be honest. Could it be that Shen Bai has a crush on you?”

Upon seeing Fang Yao’s gossipy expression, Su Jinfan couldn’t help but sigh: “Fang Yao, but you know in this entertainment industry, those who have connections behind them often don’t end well. And I don’t want to take advantage of him either.”

“Who says that? It’s not like you’re relying on him to climb the ladder. He’s just helping out.”

The doorbell rang again outside. Fang Yao ran to open the door and saw Liu Xin standing at the entrance, hands on her hips, heavily made up, and with an angry expression on her face.

Since that incident, Liu Xin had been trying to contact Elsa, but Elsa refused to meet her, citing recent travels as the reason. Many of Liu Xin’s schedules were also canceled, and with the recent surge of rumors about her, even Li Mochen advised her to lay low for a while.

“Miss Liu, you’ve come to the wrong place,” Fang Yao said, looking at Liu Xin.

“That shameless woman is right there!” Liu Xin pointed at Fang Yao and launched into a torrent of insults. “How dare you block my way? Do you have a death wish? I want to see that bitch!”

“Miss Liu, why all the cursing as soon as you walk in?” Su Jin watched as Liu Xin stormed toward her recklessly.

Liu Xin pushed Fang Yao away with force, “Get lost! Who do you think you are? I knew you two were in cahoots, still scheming how to deal with me, weren’t you?”

Fang Yao wasn’t about to give up and shoved Fang Yao to the ground. Fortunately, the ground was cushioned, so Fang Yao wasn’t hurt.

“Fang Yao, go outside and rest. I need to have a serious talk with Liu Xin.” Su Jin’s brows furrowed slightly, her eyes flashing with intense disgust. “Fang Yao, while you’re at it, buy me a cup of coffee.”

“This woman has gone mad…” Fang Yao objected to the suggestion. If she weren’t there, who knows what Liu Xin might do.

“It’s fine, you can go out.”

Su Jinfan said with a smile. Seeing Su Jinfan so determined, Fang Yao didn’t say anything more and just picked up her bag to go buy coffee. However, she walked quickly, just in case something happened.

“Su Jinfan, you’ve got guts. You’d even resort to such tricks.” Now that only the two of them were left in the room, Liu Xin couldn’t hold back her foul language.

“Miss Liu, please think carefully about who started this whole thing.” Su Jinfan sat on the sofa, the mockery in her eyes growing deeper. “Miss Liu hasn’t forgotten how she pushed me into the abyss, has she?”

Liu Xin still wore the condescending air of a big sister, laughing at Su Jin Fan a few times: “Don’t think just because someone’s got your back now, you can do whatever you want.”

“You don’t have the right to say that anymore—I’m the one who can say that now.” Su Jin Fan laughed three times at her self-righteous attitude.

“Besides, you’re just a discarded pawn in the company now. The company has made it clear recently that they’re going to heavily promote me, Liu Xin. Your career is over.”

“Impossible! Elsa would never abandon me.” Liu Xin still wore an expression of disbelief.

Su Jinfan shook her head while saying, “Liu Xin, to be honest, you understand better than anyone the relationship between Ding Sheng and you—or perhaps it could be called ‘utility value.'”

“No, this is absolutely impossible! I refuse to believe it!”

That once A-list actress had dreamed of a life that would only rise higher from then on. But what came after? Was it her foolishness, or had her vision been clouded by greed?

Liu Xin stared at Su Jinfan’s expression and froze slightly. “Bitch!”

“In short, I’ll tell you one thing, Su Jin Fan. You can keep climbing up, and so can I. The top spot at Dingsheng is mine. If you dare to compete with me, I’ll fight you to the death.” With that, she stood up and coldly tossed her hair.

Click. Fang Yao hadn’t returned yet, and the loosely closed door was slowly pushed open.

Liu Xin was shocked to see that the man walking in was Li Mo Chen. Her earlier fierceness instantly vanished. “Li Mo Chen, what brings you here?”

Then, Li Mo Chen fixed his gaze on Su Jin Fan, and the scene froze into an awkward silence.

Li Mochen was definitely invited by Fang Yao to take Liu Xin away. It’s also her fault for not explaining clearly to Fang Yao about her past relationship with Li Mochen. Now, Fang Yao has turned into a total liability!

“What a lively gathering. Is there a party at my place today?”

“Liu Xin, come back with me. Stop fooling around.” Before Liu Xin could speak, Li Mochen’s expression darkened.

“Your girlfriend is being bullied, and instead of helping, you’re just standing there making sarcastic remarks?” This statement completely stunned Liu Xin.

Li Mochen turned his face away and growled, “Do you think the trouble you’ve caused isn’t big enough already?”

“I… I was just passing by,” she stammered to Li Mochen. “Just here to see Su Jin, that’s all.”

“Since that’s the case, go wait in the car now. I need to have a private talk with Miss Su.”

The man glanced expressionlessly at Liu Xin. Seeing that Li Mochen had given her a way out, she could only snort coldly and stride out in her high heels, slamming the door heavily behind her.

“Fang Yao called and asked you to come, didn’t she?”

She seriously doubted that Li Mochen could even smile—why else would he always look so gloomy? Moreover, this was the first time they had faced each other like this since getting out of his car.

“What do you still want to do now that Liu Xin is in this state?”