Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
She couldnât smile anymore. Lu Mingjue started the car. The wipers creaked mechanically as they scraped against the slowly falling raindrops.
She whispered, âHow did you know⦠that I was coming here?â
Lu Mingjue snorted and said after a long time, âYouâve been using me for so long. Am I not worthy of knowing your schedule?â
Her cover was blown. She lowered her head and said, âIâm sorry. I⦠I have nothing to explain. I know youâre angry. If you want me to take any responsibility, I can accept it.â
Lu Mingjue did not say anything else and sped up.
Obviously, he wanted to make it back in time.
The GPS screen in the car showed the journey back and the time it would take. They didnât have much time left.
Jin Lan pursed her lips. She did not dare to probe if he cared about her at all, nor did she dare to probe too much into his thoughts about her.
He was obviously angry, but it was also obvious that⦠he still cared about her interests.
This made her even more uneasy and guilty for using him. So much so that she couldnât say anything else as it might affect his driving.
She lowered her head. When she looked up, she saw that the car was about to leave the city. She said, âWhy donât you find a place to rest? Iâll hail a taxi back. It should already be too late.â
âJin Lan, do you think Iâm a person whoâd go back on my word?â Lu Mingjue looked straight ahead and asked.
His voice was calm, but there was unconcealable anger in it, making people not dare to probe too much.
Jin Lan stopped talking. Since everything she said was wrong, she could only shut up in silence.
She felt very guilty, but she did not know how to resolve the problem now.
At this moment, the car left the city and drove onto the highway, gradually speeding up.
The rain continued to fall, making a monotonous sound on the car windows.
There were not many cars on the road. A long time passed before they saw the headlights of another car. After a flash, the road returned to silence and darkness.
Jin Lan did not sleep again. Even though everything was very hypnotic, she still forced herself to stay awake.
When the car arrived at the set, it was not even six oâclock yet. There was enough time for Jin Lan to put on makeup and change her clothes.
The production team began to get busy under the morning sun. A bustling crowd could be seen everywhere.
âThank you, Mr. Lu.â Jin Lan thanked him sincerely.
âSo what now? Youâll leave after using me?â he asked.
âI⦠Iâll repeat what I said before. If you want me to take responsibility, Iâll agree to anything.â Her tone was firm as if she had already made up her mind.
âIs it because you think that Iâm easier to talk to than others and that I wonât let you take responsibility, which is why you dare to say anything?â Lu Mingjueâs tone was unfriendly. It was clear he was suppressing his anger.
Jin Lan bit her lip slightly. âNo, I donât think like that at all. Iâm really sorry for what happened during this period of time. Since you already know, I have nothing to say. I donât know what to do to make up for your loss and anger, which is why I suggested such a thing. Iâm sorry.â
She looked at the dressing room. The makeup artist was already waiting for her. She bowed slightly to express her apology again, then opened the car door and ran out.
When the makeup artist saw her, she quickly came forward. âJin Lan, hurry up.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Or Iâm afraid itâll be too late.â
âIâm sorry, Iâm sorry. Iâll be right there.â Jin Lan followed her in.
She arrived at the event location before seven oâclock.
Xiao Bao had also arrived. His assistant followed beside him, helping to carry things and settling his breakfast.
It was rare for Jin Lanâs assistant to arrive early. She quickly walked to Jin Lanâs side and said, âSister Jin Lan, Iâm here to help. Iâve brought you everything and water. Is there anything else you need to prepare?â
âIâve already transferred your last monthâs salary to you. You can leave now!â Jin Lan said. âYou donât have to âdoâ anything for me in the future.â
âSister Jin Lan, Iâ¦â The assistant looked a little aggrieved as if she did not understand what she had done wrong.
Jin Lan looked at her indifferently and said, âDo I need an assistant like you? Itâs fine if youâre lazy and donât work hard at all, but youâve always ignored my needs. Should I keep an assistant like you around so that I can serve you instead?â
âJin Lan, Iâm the person the company arranged for you! Although Iâm paid by you, youâre part of the company. Did you ask the company for their opinion before chasing me away?â Seeing that Jin Lan was not polite, the assistant lost her temper.
Jin Lan suddenly smiled happily at her and said, âThen do you know that Iâve already obtained the companyâs termination agreement? Now, I have nothing to do with the company. I donât even have to care about the companyâs thoughts before I act now. Do you think Iâll care about you?â
The assistant was surprised and a little angry. âYou actually succeeded in terminating your contract? You relied on Lu Mingjue to terminate your contract?â
âAre you very surprised? Are you unhappy? Youâve been watching me under your nose every day. Youâve been helping the tiger and trying to send me to the vice presidentâs bed. Youâve been cooking up schemes for me every single day. Do you feel like your efforts have gone down the drain and that youâll have to return empty-handed now?â
Seeing the assistantâs expression turn ugly bit by bit, Jin Lan only felt happy.
It had been three years since she signed a contract with this company.
As she refused to go along with the vice presidentâs whims, she could only take some supporting roles that did not have many scenes. Sometimes, even if she had already successfully auditioned for the role of the second female lead or the female lead, the vice president would get her replaced with just one sentence.
She endured it until the contract was about to expire, but the vice president refused to terminate it for her.
If she couldnât terminate her contract, she would be forced to renew it for another three years.
Moreover, the vice president was coveting her more and more. He also limited her personal freedom.
The assistant was the spy the vice president had placed by her side. She paid attention to Jin Lanâs every move. She said that she was here to assist her, but she was only here to monitor Jin Lan.
If Jin Lan wanted to jump ship, she would have to settle the dispute with her original company. It was not that the new company could not help her resolve the original conflict, but they did not have a strong role to play. The new company was unwilling to bear this cost.
She had no choice, nor did she come from a strong background. She had no way to solve this problem.
That night, her assistant tricked her into having supper with the vice president. She had nowhere to hide. When she was desperate, she deliberately took the opportunity to toast Lu Mingjue and make the vice president think that Lu Mingjue had taken a fancy to her.
After that, she spent the night in the dressing room. She went to return his coat and put it on when she left. She hung the coat on the hanger in the dressing room for her assistant to see..