Chapter 115: The Merciless Hammerblow from the Old Security Guard

Qiao Xianyi muttered curses under her breath as she pulled out her phone and called Di Jiale.

The phone rang for a long while before Di Jiale finally answered, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “Qiao Xianyi, where are you?”

Qiao Xianyi replied calmly, without batting an eye, “Deer and I are still on our way. It’ll probably take a while longer. The traffic in the city is just terrible.”

“...Enough with the excuses, hurry up. I can’t handle this alone.”

“We’re coming right now!”

Qiao Xianyi put down the phone. “Shall we go in a bit later?”

Bai Lu nodded. “Jiale is a professional artist. I think no matter what happens, he’ll handle it with a professional attitude.”

In other words, very ruthless.

Bai Lu teased, “Betraying your teammate, you’re quite professional yourself.”

Qiao Xianyi shot back, “So are you!”

The two couldn’t help but laugh out loud simultaneously.

“Deer, I’m sorry,” Qiao Xianyi said softly after a moment, “I didn’t mean to scheme against you and Jiale. Believe me, the reason I invited you both was because—no hitting! Let’s talk this through.”

Bai Lu raised her hand and gently tapped Qiao Xianyi’s head with a smile.

“You didn’t have any ulterior motives. You have all the resources you could want; there’s no need to betray friends for them. You’re just plain silly. You never think before you act. You wanted to have fun, so you invited us.”

Qiao Xianyi had been touched at first but grew displeased halfway through. “It’s not just about having fun. I’m not lacking in resources, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t. I also wanted to help friends. After the last party, one of the friends I brought got a brand endorsement!”

Bai Lu pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing into a slit.

Startled, Qiao Xianyi hurried to explain, “Not like Liu Nana, trading her body for resources. We just got along well, and there happened to be an endorsement available. Once the price was agreed, the contract was signed quickly.”

Bai Lu was silent.

“Trust me!” Qiao Xianyi urged.

“I do,” Bai Lu replied.

This industry works like that—connections and capital reign supreme.

Artists tear each other apart, agencies pull every trick, fans grind data to the point of exhaustion, yet in the end, none of it compares to a word from the boss’s family.

If it’s the boss himself, it’s even simpler.

That’s why she’s been filming that ice cream commercial since she was seven, for eleven years straight.

No other reason—simply because the big boss likes her and finds her charming.

She’s never even met the big boss in person.

Sometimes this world is so frighteningly simple and pure that no one outside would believe it.

But at other times, it’s incredibly complex—like palace intrigue.

Qiao Xianyi relaxed only when she saw Bai Lu hadn’t gotten angry.

She’d finally found a good friend and didn’t want to lose her over such trivial matters.

With a righteous expression, Qiao Xianyi said, “I despise people like Liu Nana the most!”

Unexpectedly, Bai Lu shook her head. “Qiao Miss, not everyone is as lucky as you. Having a family that shields you and indulges your whims is rare. Of course, I’m not saying it’s right for someone like Liu Nana to find a sugar daddy. It’s her choice.”

For every person like Liu Nana, there are those unwilling to sell themselves for resources.

They are adults; whatever choices they make, they bear the consequences.

There’s no need to sneer or look down on them.

Qiao Xianyi smirked, “Then why are you cozying up to Yu Fuqing?”

Bai Lu was speechless.

That misunderstanding was impossible to explain!

But soon, she would personally drag Yu Fuqing’s head to prove her innocence.

“Hey, I’m joking. Everyone knows you and Yu Fuqing are childhood sweethearts,” Qiao Xianyi murmured quietly. “But honestly, Yu Fuqing doesn’t deserve you. His taste is terrible; even Shen Xinluo wants him.”

Bai Lu took a deep breath, pulled out her phone again, and aggressively stabbed the screen saver.

“Look! Got it?”

That was a photo of Lu Yiting, whose face was nearly worn out from her repeated taps.

Qiao Xianyi grinned. “That’s more like it. You’re a fan of Emperor Lu, so your standards have been spoiled by his looks. How could you be interested in Yu Fuqing?”

If Yu Fuqing stood beside Emperor Lu, he’d be crushed instantly.

Even Sui Ge standing next to Emperor Lu would be a long shot.

Bai Lu felt exhausted.

No matter how much she explained, no one believed her.

They weren’t far now.

Soon, she’d personally drag Yu Fuqing’s head to prove her innocence.

“By the way, how’s the progress on Jiale’s contract termination?” Bai Lu changed the subject.

Qiao Xianyi replied, “It’s been amicably resolved.”

Bai Lu was surprised. “That fast?”

“Old Qiao handled the negotiation herself. How could there be any problems?” Qiao Xianyi sighed. “But it won’t be announced for now—probably after the New Year. Poor Jiale, he basically took two variety shows for free.”

Letting Di Jiale go was fine.

But business was business; no one could afford to lose money.

Before he left, they had to make a hefty profit off him.

Bai Lu said, “Face is mutual. They gave your dad face by letting Jiale go. In return, Jiale has to show some gratitude.”

“Jiale said the same,” Qiao Xianyi shrugged. “He said by taking two free variety shows to make money for the company, he’s repaid the favor. If he didn’t, then my dad would have to. He doesn’t want to trouble my dad again.”

Bai Lu nodded but felt a bit anxious.

Qiao was incredibly efficient—just two days, and such a big matter was settled.

She couldn’t afford to be so leisurely. Tonight, she would call Gao Fanqin and insist that he find a way to sign Jiale.

The man she had her eye on had to be hers!

After lingering a while longer in the sports car, where Di Jiale had called over a dozen times, they finally had no choice but to get out.

Qiao Xianyi wore a mask, looking at the elegantly dressed people around her. “I feel like we’re country bumpkins coming to the city.”

Bai Lu flicked her ponytail. “No way. We’re stunning beauties.”

Qiao Xianyi smiled, “I love your confidence!”

“Invitation,” an elderly security guard stopped them on the yacht’s deck.

Qiao Xianyi confidently removed her mask and smiled slightly.

The guard remained unmoved. “Invitation. No invitation, no entry.”

Qiao Xianyi pointed to her face. “Sir, don’t you recognize me? I’m a celebrity.”

The guard replied, “I do, but you still need an invitation.”

Qiao Xianyi was speechless.

This scene felt oddly familiar.

Within one day, Miss Qiao had been ruthlessly turned away twice by security uncles.

She felt like she was losing her mind.

Bai Lu took off her mask, before she could speak, the guard exclaimed, “Xiao Lu! It’s you!”

“Come on in quickly, it’s cold outside!”

The two of them were ushered inside by the guard.