At first, Lin Xu was exposed due to Ji Zeqiuâs involvement, and almost had her personal information human-flesh searched by paparazzi and his fans.
While Ji Zeqiuâs PR team was handling the situation, Ji Tingyang was also working behind the scenes, contacting those marketing accounts to delete posts.
It wasnât long before the matter was suppressed.
Although the issue was resolved, there were still some paparazzi who refused to give up. They continued to delve deeper, investigating Lin Xuâs information.
But Ji Tingyang had already discovered those paparazzi and had his secretary pressure their company to stop investigating the matter.@@novelbin@@
âJi Zeqiu, when youâre gallivanting around the world with her, could you at least be a little more cautious! Not every incident can be resolved as smoothly as this time!â
Ji Tingyang attended his friendâs banquet and his face turned cold when he discovered that Ji Zeqiu was also invited.
When Ji Zeqiu approached, Ji Tingyang immediately shielded Lin Xu behind him, not allowing him to get close.
His gaze was sharp as he shot it toward him, coldly reprimanding him.
Ji Zeqiu looked at Lin Xu, a flash of regret in his eyes, âIâm sorryâ¦â
He clenched the hand by his side, a sour and uneasy emotion surged in his chest, making it uncomfortable to breathe.
Would Mother dislike him?
âItâs okay, look, Iâm still fine now, arenât I?â Lin Xu comforted him with a slight smile, âItâs also my fault for not noticing someone taking photos and still taking you out shopping.â
âThatâs notâ¦â Ji Zeqiu looked down, murmuring softly.
It wasnât Motherâs fault.
His chest felt as if it was being pressed by a heavy stone, making it hard for him to breathe.
He wanted to lean on Motherâs shoulder for comfort but there were too many people at the party. It was too risky to make contact with Lin Xu.
He just came over to take a brief look at Lin Xu and then reluctantly left.
He returned to his agentâs side and took a sip of drinks in silence.
âTo be honest, did you offend someone?â Even the agent was puzzled.
With that disguise of his, if it wasnât for someone familiar, it would be impossible to recognize him.
Yet he still got so many photos taken and released at the same time.
Besides this idea, he really couldnât think of any other reason.
âI donât know.â Ji Zeqiuâs voice was muffled, clearly in low spirits, âGo check the source of the photos with the new media company.â
As he said this, he glanced again in Lin Xuâs direction. Seeing her laughing and speaking with Ji Tingyang, he felt even more downhearted.
He too wanted to stand by Motherâs side.
âWeâre already on it,â the agent said.
The banquet, thrown by high society bachelors, had invited many famous artists to boost the eventâs profile.
After coming back from the restroom, Lin Xu bumped into Zhou Hongwen again, and surprise flickered in her eyes.
Zhou Hongwenâs eyes lit up suddenly, he hurried over, and greeted her with flushed cheeks, âHello! I didnât expect to see you here by such a coincidence.â
âYeah.â Lin Xu smiled.
âAre you, are you here with Ji Zeqiu today too?â Faced with her, Zhou Hongwen was so nervous he stuttered.
Previously on the set, when he saw her so close to Ji Zeqiu, he thought they were a couple.
After that, he had been disheartened for a while.
Until later, when he saw Ji Zeqiuâs trending topic.
Although the woman in the photoâs face was not clear, Zhou Hongwen still recognized at a glance that the woman was Lin Xu, after all, she was so dazzlingly beautifulâ¦
When he saw Ji Zeqiuâs clarification, he felt as though the world suddenly brightened.
Ji Zeqiu said that was his sister.
They were not a couple.
He suddenly felt his hopes rise again, and after seeing Lin Xu, he couldnât wait to come over and greet her.
âI, Iâm Zhou Hongwen.â They had parted in a rush last time, and he hadnât greeted her yet.
âI know.â Lin Xu smiled.
Zhou Hongwen was struck by her smile, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat, uncontrollably picking up its pace.
He had only recently started his career, and his sole notable work was a small web series, leaving him relatively unknown among the multitude of celebrities.
But she actually recognized him!
She actually followed him!
Realizing this, Zhou Hongwen felt his cheeks grow hot and spread to his ears, even his ears turned red.
His voice suddenly became a stutter, âI, I didnât expect, you actually recognize me.â
âI heard Zeqiu mention it. He said, you think heâs made it to the top purely based on his looks and fan traffic, and you also deeply lamented the sadness of society today,â Lin Xu recalled what Ji Zeqiu had once told her.
And he had said many bad things about Zhou Hongwen, fervently warning her not to become a fan of his.
Thinking back on it, it was somewhat amusing.
ââ¦â Zhou Hongwenâs flush rapidly faded, his complexion turning pale and unsightly.
âI, I⦠I wasnât talking about himâ¦â
Zhou Hongwen tried to explain, but Lin Xuâs eyes suddenly lit up and she left him with a âIâm going to find a friendâ before hurriedly departing.
âWaitâ¦â He frantically followed after her.
But he hadnât gone two steps before someone grabbed his arm.
He turned around to see Ji Zeqiu with a frightening, thundercloud-like grim expression, blocking his way.
âIâve warned you before, donât you dare have designs on her!â
Ji Zeqiuâs grip on his arm tightened, his eyes sharp as blades as if he wanted to slice up the man coveting his mother into a thousand pieces.
âI told you, I just want to be friends with her,â Zhou Hongwen said, eyes drifting, sounding somewhat guilty.
âShe doesnât need friends,â Ji Zeqiu said sharply.
âYouâre not her, how do you know what she needs?â Zhou Hongwen retorted.
âYou!â
Just as Ji Zeqiu was about to explode in anger, his manager called him over to chat with some producers.
He hesitated for a moment.
If he let go of Zhou Hongwen, the latter would definitely go and harass his mother again.
Ji Zeqiu was conflicted for a few seconds.
Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Ji Tingyang in his sight and blurted out, âJi Tingyang!â
Ji Tingyang turned around and saw him, his eyebrows slightly raised, showing no intention of coming over.
âCome over here and watch him, donât let him run off,â Ji Zeqiu said.
âWhy should I help you?â Ji Tingyang replied indifferently.
Ji Zeqiu clenched his teeth, whispering, âHe wants to pursue Lin Xu.â
In the presence of so many people, it wasnât appropriate for Ji Zeqiu to address his mother directly.
Ji Tingyangâs gaze suddenly turned icy cold, staring menacingly at Zhou Hongwen. The atmosphere around him carried a chilling, cutting edge, pressing down on Zhou Hongwen overwhelmingly.
The reluctant Ji Tingyang promptly walked over.
âYou like Lin Xu?â
He fixed Zhou Hongwen with a stare, his dark eyes swirling with a bleak darkness, brimming with murderous intent.
This man actually dared to like his mother?!
He wanted to take his mother away from him?!
At that thought, Ji Tingyangâs expression became even more terrifying.
Zhou Hongwen, scared stiff, felt his legs go weak, and his heart also trembled.
What was wrong with him liking Lin Xu?
Why were Ji Zeqiu and this man more frightening than the other, as if he had committed some unforgivable crime?