Not long after Lou Yuming left, Song Xi received a call from Jin Ying.
Jin Ying was calling to report the results of Wang Jie's daughter, Wang Wen, who had interviewed for Jin Ying's assistant position.
"She's good; we kept her."
Song Xi breathed a sigh of relief. While she didn't entirely agree with Wang Jie's approach, she was excellent at taking care of people, and Wang Wen, though seemingly laid-back, was quite sharp.
Jin Ying asked, "When are you going to join a crew? You're not actually planning to become a variety show personality, are you, like some are saying online?"
"Of course not!" Song Xi was also reluctant. After all, acting was what she loved. "Brother Dai said my reputation isn't great right now and I need to use variety shows to boost it."
"That's true."
Song Xi was constantly trending these days, her presence often stirring up controversy.
"Any news from 'Mirror's Lingering'? I thought Director Pang was quite pleased with you when you met at the golf course last time."
Jin Ying had always been curious if Director Pang had contacted Song Xi privately after that meeting. Even if the lead role was already decided, Jin Ying still wanted to try for it, or at least for a supporting role.
"No."
Song Xi's answer was surprisingly firm, without a hint of hesitation.
Jin Ying was bewildered. Lou Yuming had personally intervened; could there still be other variables?
"How are things with Lou… your boyfriend lately?" Jin Ying asked.
Song Xi initially wanted to deny he was her boyfriend, but she remembered Jin Ying's earlier remark about wanting to snatch Lou Yuming away. Although she knew Jin Ying had said it to provoke her, Song Xi had indeed started to care.
So, the words at the tip of her tongue were directly acknowledged, "Still the same as before."
Jin Ying knew Song Xi wouldn't easily let go of such a powerful benefactor. It seemed she had taken all her advice to heart.
Jin Ying felt relieved, but then she whispered, "I heard from people in the industry recently that a female artist was abandoned by her sugar daddy. Her resources and popularity have plummeted, and she's having a really hard time. If you don't want to end up like that, you'd better stop throwing little tantrums. For someone at Lou Yuming's level, so many actresses are eager to fawn over him. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Song Xi couldn't help but be curious, "Who is it?"
"I don't know. They said it's a two-character female celebrity, surname M."
There were many female celebrities with the surname M.
Jin Ying continued to nag on the phone, "Did you hear me? Hold onto everything you have tightly, or you'll regret it when it's too late."
"Got it, got it."
Song Xi impatiently hung up the phone.
A week later, Song Xi finally found out who this M-surname female celebrity was.
Their plane landed at B City airport at nine o'clock in the evening.
Xiao Mo received last-minute information that many of Song Xi's fans had gathered outside the airport. She didn't know who had leaked the news, so she quickly escorted Song Xi out through the VIP channel.
Once in the car, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Mo panted, "The official announcement hasn't even been made yet. Where did these fans get the information?"
Song Xi took off her mask, her brows furrowed. "Never mind, let's just head to the hotel first."
The hotel was arranged by the production team for the artists and was quite decent, with two beds, allowing artists and assistants to stay together.
Song Xi didn't mind; she wasn't that pampered. Besides, she had some things she wanted to ask Xiao Mo.
After Xiao Mo finished unpacking, Song Xi sat on the sofa and stared at her silently.
Xiao Mo felt a chill down her spine and turned around, startled.
"Sister Song Xi… what's wrong?"
Song Xi's expression was serious. "You told Lou Yuming my apartment address and password, didn't you?"
Xiao Mo's heart skipped a beat.
Actually, it wasn't her fault. Yao Yifan had told him.
But since the apartment belonged to Yao Yifan, if Song Xi found out that the entire matter had been under CEO Lou's control from the beginning, she might get even angrier. So, Xiao Mo ended up taking the blame for Yao Yifan.
"Sister Song Xi, I'm sorry…"
She lowered her head, feeling extremely guilty.
Song Xi, who always responded better to gentleness than force, waved her hand, understanding. "Alright, I know. If he pressured you, you wouldn't dare refuse. He's just bullying with his influence. Whether you told him or not, he would have found his way to me sooner or later."
That was true. With Lou Yuming's capabilities, there was no one in City A he couldn't find out about.
"Sister Song Xi…" Xiao Mo also felt ashamed to face Song Xi. She didn't know if what she had done was right or wrong, but she would do anything as long as it made Song Xi happy.
"You actually expect to stay with me? Get out!"
An argument suddenly erupted outside the door, a woman's sharp and disdainful voice.