spring bite mark

Chapter 49 The Truth About Love and Romance

"Who goes there, bringing bodyguards in?" Chen Jinzhou sneered. "I remember the company's policy clearly states that bodyguards are not allowed in Shengshi Entertainment's workplaces?"

The accompanying executive was somewhat flustered: "It's my fault for not doing my job properly. I'll go and make them leave right away."

"No need, I'll go myself." Chen Jinzhou strode forward. "I want to see who doesn't respect my territory."

Inside the dressing room, Zhou Momo and Sena were both asking about Chen Shao's inspection route on their phones when suddenly a large number of footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by Chen Jinzhou's face, which had been frequently appearing on the company website recently.

Zhou Momo and Sena were stunned for a moment, then nervously greeted him: "Hello, President Chen!"

Chen Jinzhou didn't even glance at the two women. Having been in the entertainment industry for many years, even celestial beauties couldn't move him. But the third person in the dressing room...

Chen Jinzhou exclaimed "Holy crap!" in surprise, his tone tinged with affection, "Manman, what brings you to your brother's place?"

Jiang Manman glanced at him briefly: "Change a dress, we'll be leaving soon."

"Why are you leaving? I'll take you to eat later." Ignoring the surprised and uncertain looks around them, Chen Jinzhou moved a stool and sat down next to her. Then, without any regard for appearances, he reached out and handed her scissors and needle and thread. "Be careful, don't prick your hand."

"Go about your own business and don't get in my way." Jiang Manman glanced at him, her hands moving swiftly as she sewed.

"I'm not busy with anything, I'm just bored and came to the company for a look around." Chen Jinzhou waved to the others around him, "Everyone, go home, I need to have a private chat with my younger sister."

The executive hesitated, glancing at the two bodyguards at the door.

“These are my sister’s bodyguards, you don’t need to worry about them,” Chen Jinzhou said, then looked at Jiang Manman with disapproval, “Manman, you only bring two bodyguards when you go out? Yan Gou doesn’t seem to value you enough! Should I, as your brother, teach him a lesson?”

“There are still a dozen or so people at the entrance of Shengshi Entertainment,” Jiang Manman said casually.

Chen Jinzhou revealed a satisfied expression, then coldly glanced at the people who were still lingering and hadn't left: "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

The executives dispersed one after another. Zhou Momo glanced at Jiang Manman with trepidation, then left with Sena, who also had a complicated expression.

With no outsiders present, Chen Jinzhou spoke without restraint: "It's been years since we last met. Shall we have dinner together tonight?"

"Aren't we going on the cruise ship tomorrow?" Jiang Manman said softly. "We can get together for three days then, so one more meal tonight won't make a difference."

Chen Jinzhou sighed, "Speaking of cruise ships, your Yan Gou is really ruthless. He charged me a huge amount of rent, and I'm still feeling the pinch! I haven't been in the capital for the past few years, so how have you been? He hasn't used his dirty tricks on you, has he?"

Dark tactics...

There was only one thing Jiang Manman could think of—that intimate video that would be used as evidence in a lawsuit should she dare to mention divorce.

Apart from that, Yan Changye treated her with utmost sincerity.

Jiang Manman said softly, "Yan Changye is very good to me."

Chen Jinzhou lowered his voice: "On the cruise ship, I'll have someone arrange a themed room for you?"

Jiang Manman cut off the last loose thread. "Let's get a suite with a bit of a childish vibe. I might bring a child to live with us."

"You're taking care of the child?" Chen Jinzhou asked, somewhat surprised. "Whose child is it? Yan Gou is so clingy with you, how could he not have a problem with that?"

“Xie Yunxi’s son, Xie Jian.” Jiang Manman paused, “The one who got a spanking from Yan Changye a while ago.” Chen Jinzhou’s face darkened: “It’s one thing for that bastard Xie Yunxi to come, but he even brought his son? Manman, Xie Yunxi stole two big orders from Yan Changye. With Yan Changye’s vengeful nature, he must hate Xie Jian to death. You’d better not bring the child.”

"Stop using that dog-like language all the time, it sounds awful." Jiang Manman shoved the dress into his hands. "Also, thank you for the post, it was posted by Yan Changye himself—have someone pass the dress on to me. I have a ton of things to do at my studio. See you on the cruise ship tomorrow."

Chen Jinzhou casually tossed his suit into the dressing room and stood up: "No way, I've only been chatting with you for a few minutes. Let's go to my office for some tea."

Jiang Manman sighed and checked the time: "Then I'll sit with you for half an hour."

Chen Jinzhou had a large quantity of Beijing-style snacks delivered, almost filling his office.

The tea was also fruit tea brewed by Chen Jinzhou himself. The amber-colored tea was served in an exquisite cup. Chen Jinzhou gently placed it in front of her and said with emotion, "During those years abroad, I drank either cola or alcohol every day. I haven't had tea in a long time, and I've been craving it."

"You didn't adapt well to life abroad, why didn't you come back sooner?" Jiang Manman chatted casually.

“I just wasn’t used to the food abroad. What’s really creepy about coming back is the social niceties.” Chen Jinzhou sneered. “You know, my dad has a bunch of illegitimate children and three or four mistresses, all of whom have come to live with us. The whole Chen family is a mess; you can’t stand being there for even a moment.”

Chen Mohan's first wife passed away early, leaving behind only his son, Chen Jinzhou. In Chen Jinzhou's eyes, the entire Chen family was a source of great annoyance. Jiang Manman also knew about his family's troubles and changed the subject: "Are you planning to go abroad again this time?"

"We'll see," Chen Jinzhou smiled noncommittally. "Anyway, as long as my dad doesn't cut off my allowance, I can thrive anywhere, unlike that Ning Xinyue—"

Realizing he had misspoke, he quickly stopped himself, saying, "Come and try this glass cup, the taste is absolutely amazing!"

Jiang Manman held her teacup, her almond-shaped eyes slightly raised, and asked in a low voice, "What were you about to say about Ning Xinyue?"

Chen Jinzhou sighed, "This is Yan Changye's private matter. It's not appropriate for me to talk about it here!"

Jiang Manman didn't speak, but simply put down her cup lightly, her expression somewhat languid.

Chen Jinzhou panicked a little when he saw her expression: "It's not a big deal. Didn't Yan Changye send her abroad back then? To the slums of India, where she's being watched and her spending and movement are restricted. Anyway, she's having a pretty miserable time..."

Jiang Manman was stunned.

Back then, she was kidnapped by a wealthy family and forced to curry favor with Xie Yuheng, and Ning Xinyue played a crucial role in that. But she only knew that Yan Changye immediately took her abroad, unaware that even overseas, Yan Changye did not let her go.

Thinking of Yan Changye's doting manner in front of her, and then thinking of the slums in India...

Jiang Manman finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering in her heart for many years:

"Wasn't Ning Xinyue Yan Changye's white moonlight back then?"

"Of course not. Ning Xinyue is far too good for her!" Chen Jinzhou scoffed. "With Yan Changye's womanizing nature, if she were truly his ideal woman, he would have devoured her long ago. How could he possibly let her not even get a touch of his clothes?"

Jiang Manman hesitated for a moment, then asked with a hint of curiosity, "Do you know who his real white moonlight is?"

This time, Chen Jinzhou didn't speak, but silently fixed his gaze on her.

Jiang Manman's eyelashes trembled slightly, her heart felt as if it had been brushed by a feather, somewhat surprised, yet not entirely unexpected.

"It's me, isn't it?"

(End of this chapter)