Chapter 25: Luring Her into the Trap

After listening to the news, Su Mian made a call to her agent.

She stayed silent, listening.

"After you came back from the concert the other day, didn't you ask me to contact Director Liang? I finalized the project with his team, and you’ve been cast as the female lead for his next suspense film. Today, you hit the trending searches—malicious trending searches slandering you for having an improper relationship with Director Liang. I thought it was some rival playing dirty, but it’s a bit strange."

Su Mian crossed her arms with one hand.

"Although the trending topic is steering public opinion and driving traffic, keeping the heat high, none of the photos released show any physical contact between you and Director Liang. There’s no trick photography, no shadows or angles used to manufacture an ambiguous atmosphere to smear you. In the pictures, you two are not only separated, but your expressions are also open and candid. That’s why many rational netizens are speaking up for you... But here’s the point!"

Her agent’s voice trembled with excitement.

"Our new movie was just confirmed, and before we even started filming, we got a wave of free publicity. We've become familiar faces to gossip-seekers everywhere, which is a huge advantage for future promotion. I contacted Director Liang, and we issued a joint official announcement about your casting. Your fans are circulating highlights from the original novel everywhere, and the posts guessing the male lead have reached a fever pitch. Which rival of yours would be this good to you?"

Su Mian pressed her throbbing temples.

Having just pulled an all-nighter, her mind was unnervingly clear. "Perhaps it’s a great benefactor."

The agent caught the sarcasm in her voice. "Look, Director Liang clarifying things for you this time is a genuine favor. He’ll be on this variety show too; maybe he saw your acting talent and wants to bring you onto the program. The company has decided that even if just to save face regarding Director Liang’s help, you must participate in this variety show."

How neatly arranged.

If her muscles weren't aching from lack of exercise since her last fight, Su Mian would have wanted to applaud.

"Director Liang went through all this trouble, investing a massive sum into a variety show, just to promote me?" Su Mian scoffed lightly. "Wang Yu, do you want to switch careers and become a screenwriter?"

Wang Yu, the agent, also felt it didn't quite add up, but the situation was so murky that it was hard to see clearly anyway.

"Just cross the river by feeling the stones and take it one step at a time. Since Director Liang is on the show, you don't have to worry about scheduling conflicts with the new movie. I’ve looked at the proposal; the filming period is tentatively set for over three months!"

After hanging up, Su Mian walked out of the master bedroom. Zhao Ruolan had just woken up and smiled to say good morning. Feeling guilty for keeping Su Mian up all night, Zhao Ruolan asked what she wanted for breakfast.

Su Mian briefly introduced the instant food in the fridge, all purchased by Qin Lingling. "Sister Ruolan, could you please cook enough for four people? I need to head downstairs for a moment."

"Four people?"

Su Mian recalled how she had misunderstood Zhao Ruolan bringing snacks home for a boyfriend; it seemed now that she must have been bringing them for Shang Bao.

"Yes, my assistant stays in the other guest room. She’ll be up around eight. You and Shang Bao don't need to wait for her to eat."

"Right, I thought your big brother would be coming up to eat as well." Having returned together last night, Zhao Ruolan knew Shang Jiuxu lived downstairs.

She had called him "Big Brother" because Su Mian did. Su Mian had guessed as much, but she had assumed the address was based on Shang Biehan’s seniority.

"He doesn't need to." Su Mian chuckled, though her eyes were cold as shards of ice. She walked straight toward the entrance.

He had already reached into her company; why would he need to scrounge for breakfast?

When she went to the concert, she had been bundled up tightly, only taking off her mask briefly while discussing the collaboration with Director Liang. She had carefully observed the backstage area—there were no unauthorized personnel. Silvanor had no interest in the domestic entertainment industry, and Director Liang had been happily married for years; he wouldn't invite scandal upon himself.

That made it interesting. Who leaked the news? Who had the reach to bypass the police and pull surveillance footage from the Great Hall’s backstage?

Who had the financial power to parachute into a major variety show? Who had a background so deep that Longtou Media couldn't uncover their identity? Who had painstakingly laid out such a grand scheme that even a prestigious director in the industry was willing to be drawn into it?

Who seemed to be trying to harm her, but in reality, aside from a few harmless slanders, had actually indirectly cleared her name of long-standing rumors and even used the opportunity to promote her new movie?

Meticulous, rigorous, and flawless—it left her with no choice but to follow his design even if she saw through it.

Other than Shang Jiuxu, she couldn't think of anyone else with such heaven-defying ability who also knew her like the back of his hand.

Using her fingerprint to enter, Su Mian scanned the room, her gaze locking onto the terrace. Shang Jiuxu was wearing a polo shirt and sweatpants, standing there in a long, languid posture, holding a glass of red wine while on a call.

On the small tea table sat a bottle with a third of its contents gone. Su Mian recognized the label—it was top-tier. Drinking so leisurely in the early morning.

Su Mian picked up the bottle and walked to the terrace. With a "bang," she shattered the bottom of the bottle. Crimson wine spilled out, and she pointed the jagged glass at Shang Jiuxu. The liquid dripped onto his light gray sweatpants, blooming into red stains.

Shang Jiuxu turned to look at her, said something to the person on the other end, and calmly hung up. He looked down at his stained pants, his deep, dark eyes reflecting her silhouette with composure.

"You figured it out?" His tone was unruffled, which made it harder for Su Mian to speak.

But the broken bottle gave her momentum. Su Mian gestured toward the floor with the neck of the bottle, and Shang Jiuxu stepped forward, following her lead.

How cooperative.

Her anger subsided significantly because of that step and that ambiguous answer.

Su Mian: "You admit it?"

Did he know what she meant? Did he know he had set a trap to lure her in?

"Did you want me to lie to you?" he replied with a calm question.

Shang Jiuxu reached for her wrist, but Su Mian dodged, even threatening him with the sharp edge of the bottle to warn him not to move carelessly.

"What do I gain from participating in this variety show? Or do you just want to control my plans?"

The words were very blunt.

But Su Mian was already burning with anger.

Ever since she was a child, Shang Jiuxu’s forbearance had given her this sense of entitlement.

An instinctive habit.

Like a child who is certain that if they throw a tantrum, they will get a candy.

Like someone facing a person who would never betray them.

"I’ll accompany you on this show, how about that?" Shang Jiuxu placed his wine glass on the glass table, his tone one of negotiation.

He knew very well that if he didn't find a way to create a connection with Su Mian, she would be like a frog sensing the rising water temperature, ready to jump out of this domain at any moment.

And then, there would truly be no possibility for them at all.

Su Mian felt a bit frustrated.

This man anticipated her thoughts and her actions, holding her firmly in his grasp every time, leaving her unable to distinguish whether things were her own choices or his arrangements.

After a moment of silence, she calmed herself down.

"Let’s have a fight."

Su Mian used the hair tie on her wrist to tie up her hair. Shang Jiuxu watched her calmly as she looked up at him.

"Fight properly. No holding back."

"Mhm."

"Don't you want to ask why?"

Shang Jiuxu didn't speak, his deep, dark eyes gazing back at her.

He would always agree.

Su Mian sighed softly. When she looked up again, her expression was serious. "If I win, I’ll forgive you."

She had been lax in her training during her acting life in recent years. She was decent enough to handle others, but against her master, she had absolutely no chance of winning.

She had proposed a requirement that was very easy to fulfill.

To forgive him.

And to forgive herself.

Shang Jiuxu observed the surroundings, unbuttoned his cuffs, and nodded. "Alright."