The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie

Chapter 17: 017: Did Jiang Mei Ren get slapped in the face today?

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Jiang Zhi slowly opened his eyes.

Ah Wan continued, “Miss Zhou was photographed entering your lounge. The internet is abuzz about your relationship.”

Those photos were not very clear, but those sharp-eyed could recognize Jiang Zhi.

Xue Baoyi asked, “Which media company is behind this?” So inconsiderate.

Ah Wan replied, “The Lu family.”

No wonder. Most media companies wouldn’t dare provoke the Jiang family’s young master but the Lu family is different. Both are among the Four Great Families, and the Lu family isn’t far behind the Jiang family. The two families have always been at odds.

In this Imperial City, only the Lu family dared to annoy Jiang Zhi.

Qiao Nanchu glanced at Jiang Zhi, unsure of what he was pondering, with his delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed. Qiao Nanchu tossed him the tablet: “Those paparazzi act fast. They’ve already found the protagonist.”

On the screen was an enlarged face, which was Zhou Xufang.

Jiang Zhi took a quick glance.

A group of reporters surrounded Zhou Xufang at the entrance of the film city. She wore a baseball cap, shielding her face with her hand, eyes full of wariness.

“Who are you?”

Her tone was exceptionally cold, almost chilling.

“We are reporters from Huayu Daily.” @@novelbin@@

She continued covering her face, with tightly knitted brows indicating her vigilance and hostility, “Why are you following me?”

A reporter said, “We aren’t following you.”

She repeated, “Why are you following me?”

“We want to interview you. What’s your relationship with Director Jiang?”

She remained silent for a long time before realizing who Director Jiang was. She pushed away the camera: “I’m not very familiar with him.”

The reporter persisted, “Then why did you come from his–”

She pulled down her hat further, covering her face, only showing a pair of sharp eyes: “Don’t follow me anymore.”

The reporter tried to approach again. She snatched the camera and smashed it, walking away swiftly, leaving everyone stunned.

The video ended there.

Jiang Zhi’s peach blossom eyes were half-open, making it hard to discern their color.

He seemed angry. After all, the rumors were false. Ah Wan asked for instructions: “Mr. Jiang, should we issue a statement to clarify the rumor?”

He tossed the tablet onto the coffee table, his expression indifferent and slightly annoyed: “Clarify what?” He sat up from the sofa, supporting his chin, his gaze shifting slightly, “The girl said it herself, not familiar.”

What nonsense about being attracted to his looks.

He licked his lips, his throat slightly itchy: “I want chicken soup tomorrow.”

Ah Wan was stunned, “Huh?”

How did he suddenly bring up chicken soup?

Jiang Zhi’s long lashes lifted, casting a shadow under the light: “That chicken, slaughter it.”

Not familiar?

Why didn’t she say that when she gave him the chicken?

“Oh.” Ah Wan understood, the employer was angry at Miss Zhou for her remarks, so he was taking it out on an innocent rooster.

Jiang Zhi sat up again, flipping the tablet on the coffee table, his eyes misty, joy and anger hidden within: “Slaughter it today.”

Not familiar?

Why didn’t she say that when she complimented his looks?

Only serves to annoy people!

Ah Wan: “…” He didn’t know what to say, “Alright.”

Jiang Zhi lay back on the sofa, closing his eyes, resembling a delicate beauty from ancient times, lazy and sickly. But soon, he started coughing, and the cough grew more severe, reddening his face.

Xue Baoyi, having known him for over twenty years, couldn’t fail to see the suppressed anger in him. Quickly, he soothed him, giving a playful smile, “Something’s off, Brother Zhi. Your reaction seems a bit overboard.” Rare to see, this reaction, Xue Baoyi gave a mischievous smile, “What, did you fancy that girl?”

Jiang Zhi slightly furrowed his brows.

He detested women.

All these years, he never doubted his sexual orientation, but Zhou Xufang was that peculiar existence, so peculiar that she evoked a curiosity towards the opposite sex, even a desire to win, that he had never felt in over twenty years.

This realization made him incredibly irritated, extremely irritated. He thought, could it be because her eyes resembled that boy’s, making his heart so unsettled… the more he thought, the more annoyed he became.

Jiang Zhi lifted his eyes, “I prefer men.”

After saying that, he looked at Xue Baoyi, exuding a mildly intoxicated charm without having drunk any alcohol.

There it was again, those captivating peach blossom eyes!

“Don’t look at me like that.” Xue Baoyi leaned back, “I’m straight.” Don’t even think about turning him; he has a will of steel, he’d never yield!

Jiang Zhi narrowed his eyes: “I’m not desperate.”

Xue Baoyi: “…”

If it weren’t for the fact that he’s a beauty, he’d have punched him long ago.

This interruption completely killed Jiang Zhi’s mood. He grabbed his coat and got up to leave. Just as he exited the private room, he stopped again.

Ah Wan quickly stepped forward, unsure of what the capricious employer would do next.

“Don’t slaughter it.” He said.

“Huh?” Ah Wan really couldn’t keep up with his employer’s mercurial thoughts.

“That chicken.”

With that, he quickened his pace, and his coughing grew louder.

The employer was so fickle. Ah Wan followed, “So, should I keep raising it?”

It was just a chicken; what exactly was he fussing about? Jiang Zhi lowered his eyes, furrowing his brows, what was wrong with him? Why did that person ignite a fire in his heart, burning with an increasing sense of dissatisfaction?

The elevator doors opened. He paused for a moment, stepped inside, leaned against the side, eyelashes drooping, shadowed by the light, concealing his emotions. Listening closely, there was a hint of annoyance in his voice: “Let it starve for a few meals first.”

“…”

How infuriating.

Jiang Zhi’s scandal stayed on the trending list for two days, then the buzz was overtaken by a shocking news story in the entertainment industry—a famous actress attempted suicide, leaving a note exposing a major entertainment company’s sex scandal.

Tianxing Entertainment was also a top-tier entertainment company in the country and a bitter rival of Xue Baoyi’s Baoguang.

Hearing the news, Xue Baoyi was gleeful: “Looks like Tianxing is in for a rough time this time.”

At the dining table, it was just a few old friends, speaking without any reservations.

Qiao Nanchu followed up, “Not necessarily.” He had some involvement with the Criminal Investigation Team’s affairs, “The victim had gone to the police just days before to file a case but withdrew it soon after. Someone must have intervened.”

How could a minor celebrity possibly stand up to a major company? Being stonewalled at every turn without any recourse was the harsh reality.

Xue Baoyi poured a small glass of red wine, swirling it: “These bastards, driving someone to suicide.”

The entertainment circle was like this, using human lives to force out some morality, no one cares unless somebody dies.

Just then, Xue Baoyi’s secretary came in, handed him a tablet, explained a few things, and left. There had been new developments in the matter.

“Tianxing has moved quickly. Their PR strategy to shift the blame is already out.” Xue Baoyi handed the tablet to Jiang Zhi.

Cheng Feiran’s suicide attempt had failed. Tianxing Entertainment immediately shifted all the blame back, claiming a certain actress fabricated the story for publicity and announced they would pursue the matter to the end.

Jiang Zhi asked for a bowl of soup, sipping leisurely: “Who’s managing Tianxing?”

“The Luo family is the largest shareholder, so it should be Luo Qinghe managing it.” Qiao Nanchu leaned lazily against the back of the chair, “You want to get involved too?”

He neither confirmed nor denied, “Lack substantial evidence.” He only drank half the soup before getting tired of it, “Ah Wan, go check on the actress who attempted suicide at the hospital.”

“Got it.”

Since she had no work during the day, Zhou Xufang was at home sleeping, from morning until dusk. Not having eaten all day, she got hungry, went to the fridge to find something to eat, and had just finished a can of milk when Shuangjiang found her.

“Xu Fang, Cheng Feiran is in trouble.”

On the computer screen, a webpage automatically opened, showing the entire Cheng Feiran incident.

Zhou Xufang finished watching, tossed the milk can into the trash: “Did they save her?”

Online information about Cheng Feiran was scarce, summarizing her situation in eight words: “Attempted suicide with unclear intent.” She was probably at the end of her rope with no support. Though she didn’t die, public opinion wasn’t on her side.

With the webpages filling the screen, Shuangjiang couldn’t type conveniently and used special speech synthesis software to send a synthesized voice over: “She is out of danger but still in the hospital.”

Zhou Xufang sat in front of the computer, took out her phone, and ordered takeout, “Today is the seventh day.” The client had said to hand over the items after seven days, “Send me the recipient’s detailed information.”

After some rustling noises, a few A4 papers dropped from the printer connected to the computer. Zhou Xufang picked them up.

The synthesized voice sounded very mechanical, reading aloud: “Zhou Qingrang, male, News Broadcast host, 37 years old.”

This person was Cheng Feiran’s last lifeline.

Zhou Xufang looked at the information on the paper, flipping through page by page: “Is he reliable?”

Shuangjiang didn’t answer, instead asked, “Xu Fang, are you planning something?”

Aside from matters within the scope of their commission, they never interfered with other related matters. She had a feeling that Zhou Xufang would make an exception this time.

“Cheng Feiran didn’t lie. Those people are bad.” Zhou Xufang only fought, never cursed, but she had to curse this time, “They’re beasts!”

Beasts…

Shuangjiang let her be: “Okay, I understand. I’ll help you.” She added, “I’ve already sent all the information on Zhou Qingrang to you. He should be reliable. He has a grudge against the Luo family behind Tianxing Entertainment. He will definitely make Cheng Feiran’s evidence public.”

The commission Cheng Feiran gave them was a video of forced sexual entertainment, substantial evidence of the incident. She probably knew she would have no way to seek justice and anticipated that Tianxing Entertainment would not let her go, so she transferred the evidence in advance.

Zhou Xufang looked at the photo on the A4 paper: “He looks very young.”

At thirty-seven, nearing the age of not being easily swayed by desires, perhaps because of his pale complexion, he looked extremely young, with handsome and elegant features, but his eyes were indifferent, lacking in warmth.

“Zhou Qingrang had been in a coma for fifteen years. He was hospitalized at fourteen due to a car accident, losing one leg and nearly disabling the other. Doctors diagnosed him as a vegetative state, and he woke up at twenty-nine.” The synthesized voice sighed, “What karma did the Luo family bring upon themselves?”

Should have been a graceful young man, but he was crippled. Fifteen years, from youth to adulthood, the best years of a boy were all buried in the hospital.

Zhou Xufang touched the brows and eyes on the photo: “He also has the surname Zhou.”

Yes, also a Zhou.

Zhou Qingrang, a name that sounded elegant and pure.