Chapter 24
As Bai Yin walked out of the Lotus Pond Moonlight private room, Director Zhao Xun immediately chased after her and anxiously said, “Bai Yin, it was all just a joke, why are you taking it so seriously? Don’t go.”
“Even if it was just a joke, one shouldn’t break their word. If I can do it, the role of Yuehuan is mine.” “You think this is simple? Chen Huaixiao has an unruly personality, moody and unpredictable. He's not like these other men... who can't keep their eyes off a beautiful woman.” Zhao Xun wrung his hands and said, “You won't get anything good from him. If you're not careful, you'll end up offending him. When that time comes, don't expect to survive in the entertainment industry.”
“Director Zhao, there might still be a chance if I go. If I don't go, there's no chance at all.”
After Bai Yin finished speaking, she headed towards the Hanshan Crane Shadow private room next door.
She had planned to ride Chen Huaixiao’s coattails at the beginning, to secure the role while protecting herself.
It was a pity that running into Chen Huaixiao had ruined all her plans.
Now no matter whether Chen Huaixiao would give her this favor or not, she had to try.
Bai Yin arrived at the door of the Hanshan Crane Shadow private room. Before she could enter, she was stopped by a waiter behind the screen.
Seeing her unfamiliar face, the waiter asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Chen Huaixiao."
The waiter saw her graceful bearing and alluring figure. Mistaking her for a woman trying to curry favor, he coldly said, "No invitation, no entry. Leave quickly, don't disturb Mr. Chen's dinner."
"I'll see him without an invitation," Bai Yin paid the waiter no heed. She walked straight past the screen painted with Along the River During Qingming Festival, and entered the elegant private room.
"You can't go in!" The waiter hurried to catch up, grabbing Bai Yin's wrist. "You can't go in! Have you no manners?"
Seeing this, everyone's expressions changed.
A man in a suit immediately stood up and scolded the waiter, "What's going on here! All this noise! Get out!"
"Yes, yes!"
The waiter ignored Bai Yin's struggles, grabbing her and forcibly pulling her out of the private room. "If you keep this up, I'll call security to kick you out!"
Chen Huaixiao raised his eyes and caught a glimpse of Bai Yin by the door.
The woman was dressed in an elegant, fitted black dress. Her hair elegantly pinned at the crown of her head. As she struggled, a few loose strands fell down.
Although disheveled, her eyes still shone with determination to forge ahead.
She was always charging forward recklessly like a little tigress, not knowing how to spell the words "admit defeat".
Chen Huaixiao's gaze fell upon the man's grip on her wrist, and his eyes turned cold. "Let go."
The waiter was puzzled. "Mr. Chen, I'll take her out right away."
"I said let go."
There was anger in Chen Huaixiao's tone, frightening the waiter into immediately releasing Bai Yin.
Bai Yin rubbed her sore wrist that had been grabbed. Her expression was slightly indignant. She said to Chen Huaixiao, "Come out, I have something to say to you."
Having said that, she didn't linger and turned to walk out of the Hanshan Crane Shadow private room.
Everyone else wanted to watch the show, thinking this woman was too arrogant. What right did she have to order Chen Huaixiao to come out?
But in the next second, they were shocked to find that Chen Huaixiao had actually followed her out.
Their jaws practically hit the floor.
What the hell!
In the hotel hallway there were elegant potted plants with moss. Bai Yin stood by the potted plants, rubbing her slightly red wrist.
Chen Huaixiao followed out after her, his face dark. Without asking, he grabbed her hand and wiped her slender wrist with a wet tissue.
"What are you doing?"
Chen Huaixiao said coldly, "I don't like others touching what's mine."
Bai Yin knew Chen Huaixiao was somewhat of a clean freak. In the past, he'd rather throw away things that she had used instead of letting others use them.
"I'm not yours."
"You're my woman." Chen Huaixiao threw the wet tissue into the trash can, looking at the red marks on her wrist. The rough pads of his fingers gently rubbed them. "Next time before looking for me, call me first."
Her skin was as smooth as silk, as fair as milk. Just lightly pinching would leave sensitive red marks.
Bai Yin didn't feel Chen Huaixiao was being caring. He probably just didn't want anyone else leaving their mark on her A'Yao face.
That worked for her, she could use this.
Bai Yin gracefully pulled her hand back and said to Chen Huaixiao, "Come sit with me next door for a bit."
"Sit for a bit?"
The man lifted his clear, cold black eyes towards her.
Bai Yin explained, "I want to play the female lead in The Rainbow Gown, but the investors are against it. Director Zhao is trying his best to fight for this opportunity for me. Just now, you ruined things by having Tong Ka make trouble. Now... consider this compensation."
"Weren't you quite principled before? Now you want to borrow my influence?" Chen Huaixiao's lips curved into a cold smile.
"I used to think that with hard work and ability, I could make a name for myself." Bai Yin's gaze fell upon the potted landscape of cypress trees. "But now I see clearly, in the entertainment industry... if you don't want to be bullied, you can only rely on big shots."
Having said that, she grabbed Chen Huaixiao's sleeve and lightly pulled it. "Brother, can you help me?"
Chen Huaixiao could hardly hear her calling him brother anymore.
In the past when she called him that, she truly saw him as a brother. Now this address... was purely because she wanted something from him.
Chen Huaixiao pinched her chin, gently caressing it. Although the motion was gentle, his words were cold and cruel. "Can't. Figure it out yourself."
Bai Yin pouted, "Forget it then."
She hadn't held too much hope to begin with. If Chen Huaixiao was willing to obediently go along with her, listening to her every command, then he wouldn't be Chen Huaixiao.
"Since my husband is unwilling to help, I can only rely on myself."
Bai Yin said and returned to the Lotus Pond Moonlight private room.
The few investors had cold smiles on their faces, having expected this outcome.
This little girl didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Let her go beg, and after hitting a wall she'd know the entertainment industry wasn't as easy as she imagined.
For her to get Chen Huaixiao to come, it was like waiting for the sun to rise from the west.
Bai Yin sat back down in her seat, smiling as she said, "I don't have enough face to ask Chen Huaixiao over."
"Forget it, your courage is commendable." The fat investor raised his glass. "A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers. Miss Bai, I toast you."
"Sounds good."
Bai Yin picked up the wine and downed it in one go.
Seeing her return, the other investors also loosened up. They exchanged looks with each other and took turns pouring Bai Yin drinks, wanting to get her drunk.
Bai Yin continued smiling and drank every drop they gave her.
The previously stiff atmosphere instantly became lively.
Two bosses saw the beauty's drunken state and were eager to take advantage. They promptly sat down beside her, wanting to cop a feel amidst the opportunity.
It was at this time that the Lotus Pond Moonlight private room door was pushed open.
Chen Huaixiao strode in with large steps. Expressionless, cold and proper. Flanking him left and right were two men, both big shots in the industry.
Everyone was stunned on the spot.
What... he really came?
The investors didn't even have the privilege of seeing Chen Huaixiao on a normal day. Now seeing him, they quickly stood up to respectfully greet him. "Mr. Chen... why have you come?"
Chen Huaixiao walked over to Bai Yin's side without glancing at them, and sat down. His arm draped over the back of her chair. "My friend is eating here. I came to accompany her for a bit."
The investors' shocked and reverent gazes turned towards the tipsy Bai Yin by Chen Huaixiao's side.
She was actually Chen Huaixiao's friend!
To be friends with Chen Huaixiao... what kind of esteemed status was that!
Cold sweat dripped down the bosses' backs. They hurriedly apologized to Bai Yin —
"We didn't recognize Mount Tai."
"We were rude just now, Miss Bai. Please don't take it to heart."
Bai Yin was about to pick up her wine glass when Chen Huaixiao snatched it from her hand. He coldly said, "She has low alcohol tolerance. I'll drink for her."
Tipsy, Bai Yin pushed Chen Huaixiao. "Who has low alcohol tolerance?"
Then taking the glass from his hand, she drank the wine. "I have way higher tolerance than you. You pass out after just two drinks."
Chen Huaixiao's eyes softened, carrying hints of indulgence. He gently said, "No more, be good."
Hearing Chen Huaixiao's tone soften, no longer as curt as before, Bai Yin's heart also softened. She couldn't help sitting closer, nestling against him. "Brother, I'm a little dizzy. Let me lean on you for a bit."
"Alright."
Chen Huaixiao allowed the little girl to lean against his arm. He looked up at the investors, "My friend is drunk. I'm taking her back."
"Of course, of course, Mr. Chen. Please go slowly."
The investors immediately stood up to send Chen Huaixiao off.
Chen Huaixiao supported Bai Yin's slender waist as they left the Lotus Pond Moonlight private room. As they left, he said to the investors, "I'm also very interested in The Rainbow Gown project. I'll have my people discuss with you all, I'm willing to invest more if you need it."
The investors were dripping sweat, both thrilled and apprehensive.
Chen Huaixiao was infamously cold-hearted in the industry. Countless women came onto him without success.
They never expected a newbie to climb up the biggest backer in the entertainment industry!
They looked towards Zhao Xun in shock.
Zhao Xun was also completely dumbfounded.
If Bai Yin had said earlier that she knew Chen Huaixiao, they wouldn't have had today's spectacle.
...
In the car, Shen Bin was reading How to Be an Office Lackey on his phone with great interest. Seeing Chen Huaixiao bring Bai Yin into the car, he quickly started the engine.
The earlier dinner drank white wine. Bai Yin didn't have many drinks but was thoroughly drunk. She clung onto Chen Huaixiao's neck languidly like a cat, wrapped around him like a vine.
Chen Huaixiao felt rather stifled by the girl. He opened the window for some cold air.
"Cold," the little girl mumbled hazily in a coquettish voice.
He immediately closed the window.
The backseat was a fiery scene, nothing a singleton like Shen Bin should watch.
He kept his vision straight ahead, driving seriously, even controlling his breathing to be quieter.
"Why did you come again?" Bai Yin asked Chen Huaixiao fuzzily.
"With your ends justify means attitude, who knows what you'd get up to if I didn't come."
"Oh, you were afraid I'd get together with other men huh."
Bai Yin hugged his waist, smiling at him.
This was an unprecedented gentleness and charm. It nearly made Chen Huaixiao believe the little girl truly liked him from the bottom of her heart.
But drunk words were sober thoughts.
Chen Huaixiao indifferently pushed her away, "Don't forget, you're a married woman."
"I'm not a married woman."
"Then what are you?"
"I'm Chen Huaixiao's little darling."
"Pfft." Shen Bin nearly laughed out loud, forcefully holding it in... as his facial muscles twitched.
Chen Huaixiao looked at the girl's misty almond eyes, smiling faintly. "My... little darling?"
Bai Yin's delicate pink fingernails hooked Chen Huaixiao's handsome, aloof face. Coquettishly she asked, "Admit it or not?"
Chen Huaixiao suddenly became very accommodating. "Admit it."
"Give me your wallet."
"Get it yourself." He indulgently spread his hands, allowing her to grope around as she wished.
Bai Yin accurately fished out his black wallet from Chen Huaixiao's bag. The corners of her lips quirked up in a sly, naughty smile. She flipped open the wallet and pulled out all the credit cards, stuffing them into her own purse. She also took the stack of red bills.
Shen Bin glanced at the rearview mirror, thinking to himself: "Damn."
Taking advantage of drunkenness to strip Chen Huaixiao's wallet clean.
Rare for Chen Huaixiao to be so even-tempered, indulging her. It was unprecedented.
After emptying his wallet, Bai Yin seemed to recall something. She took out a spare 2-inch ID photo from her own purse and put it in the clear sleeve of his wallet.
"What are you doing?"
"A reminder at all times." Bai Yin said seriously, "You have a goddess wife."
Chen Huaixiao took back the wallet and glanced at the ID photo.
This was the photo taken when she graduated from university. In the photo, the girl's hair was tied in a ponytail, without any makeup on, exuding an astonishing and breathtaking beauty and cold charm. She really looked like a little fairy who had fallen from the heavens.
Bai Yin's disobedient fingertips undid his tightly buttoned collar, tracing along his rugged neck all the way up, coquettishly whispering in his ear, "Chen Huaixiao, the fairy commands you to attend to her in bed tonight."
Chen Huaixiao grasped her disobedient hand, methodically rebuttoning his collar, his voice low as he said, "Shen Bin, go to a nearby hotel."