The next day, the air in Lin Shu's studio, in front of the makeup mirror, was oppressively tense.
Several termination letters, freshly delivered, were scattered messily on the table.
The one on top was for that top-tier cosmetics endorsement she had painstakingly cultivated for so long. Now, the other party had dismissed her with nothing more than a flippant line about "brand image adjustment."
Another major film production she had been eyeing for half a year, for the female lead role, had also replaced her at the last minute, giving it to the company's veteran actress.
Sister Li stood nearby, her expression equally grim, but tinged more with a sense of helplessness.
"What on earth have you done recently?" Sister Li's voice carried suppressed anger. "The orders came directly from the top brass. All high-quality resources for you are suspended! The word outside is that you've offended someone you shouldn't have!"
Lin Shu sat before the mirror, staring at the reflection of a woman whose exquisite makeup couldn't conceal her haggardness and resentment. Her fingers dug into the edge of the dressing table, knuckles white.
What had she done? She had merely cursed a little slut who climbed into bed!
But she couldn't say that.
Saying it would be admitting she had bullied Su Qianqian out of jealousy, admitting she had utterly lost to that little assistant she once couldn't be bothered to glance at.
"Who could I possibly have offended?" Lin Shu's voice was hoarse, laced with a self-mocking, defeatist tone. "It's just men craving fresh meat, finding their old flames displeasing, and wanting to pamper a new favorite!"
Sister Li took a deep breath, leaned closer, lowered her voice, and spoke gravely, "Lin Shu, Young Master Gu may not allow people to flaunt it openly, but he isn't trying to hide it either. Yesterday, he made his protective stance perfectly clear. You've touched Young Master Gu's reverse scale."
"Since you clearly know who he's doting on right now, why provoke a direct confrontation? Isn't that asking for trouble?"
Seeing Lin Shu's expression grow even uglier, she pleaded earnestly, "Listen to me. Go and apologize, lower your head. Don't say things you shouldn't, don't do things you shouldn't, and for heaven's sake, don't offend people you absolutely must not offend!"
"Otherwise, losing a few resources will be the least of your worries!"
Even her manager of so many years was now warning her, telling her to back down?
A surge of bitter, metallic taste rose in Lin Shu's throat, the humiliation was unbearable.
But looking at Sister Li's 'this-is-for-your-own-good' expression, she knew she was isolated, with no outlet for her fury.
She bit her lip hard until she tasted blood, finally just waving a hand, her voice weary and icy. "Get out."
Sister Li seemed to want to say more, but ultimately sighed and turned to leave.
The moment the door closed, Lin Shu violently swept everything off the dressing table!
The shattering of bottles and jars was piercingly loud, mirroring her own crumbling state of mind.
Why? What right did that bitch have?!
In stark contrast to Lin Shu's dire straits, Su Qianqian had been sailing smoothly lately.
As the girlfriend personally acknowledged by Gu Chengyu, Shen Que naturally arranged everything perfectly.
The best agent, the most professional team, top-tier fashion resources, advertising endorsements, and script offers came pouring in like snowflakes. Su Qianqian didn't need to worry at all; the team would filter and select the most suitable ones for her.
At this moment, in Gu Chengyu's apartment.
Su Qianqian had just finished a video conference about the shooting details for a newly-accepted high-end skincare advertisement.
Dressed in soft loungewear, she sat cross-legged on the sofa, hugging a tablet, her delicate face slightly furrowed as if troubled by something.
Gu Chengyu emerged from his study after finishing some documents and saw her like this.
He walked over, effortlessly gathered her into his arms to sit on his lap, resting his chin on the top of her head. "What's wrong? Who made my little treasure unhappy?"
Su Qianqian turned around, nestling softly into his embrace. She extended a slender, pale finger to poke his firm chest, her voice sweet and coquettish.
"There's an ad shoot next Wednesday. It's an outdoor location, and I have to go into the sea."
She grew more aggrieved as she spoke, tilting her little face up to look at him with pleading eyes. "Chengyu, the unknown always frightens me. I'm a bit scared of going into the sea, afraid something might happen."
"Could you talk to the brand? It doesn't necessarily have to be out at sea, right?"
Su Qianqian cherished her second life more than anyone. She didn't want any accidents, treasuring every moment.
If anyone else dared to be so presumptuous due to favor, wanting to cancel work or change a shoot location over some vague fear, Gu Chengyu would have lost his patience long ago.
But now, looking at the pitiful, pleading expression of the girl in his arms, he simply found it utterly adorable.
He lowered his head, rubbing his high-bridged nose against her soft, fair cheek, his tone indulgent. "Silly girl. The team will definitely have all the safety measures in place for you."
"But, if you don't want to go in the water, then you don't have to. I'll have Shen Que talk to them."
"Really?" Su Qianqian's eyes instantly lit up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and actively planted a kiss on his chin. "Chengyu, you're the best!"
Her happy, smiling expression, eyes curved like crescents, immensely satisfied Gu Chengyu's protective instincts.
He basked in her soft kisses and adoring gaze, feeling that doing such a small thing for her was nothing.
"Just an advertisement. If you don't want to shoot it, don't. It's no big deal," he said arrogantly, with full confidence. "Whatever you like, whatever you want, just tell me directly."
Su Qianqian buried her face in the crook of his neck, letting out a soft murmur. "It's not that I want to be so fussy. I'm just a little scared."
"A-Yu, with you here, I'm not afraid anymore."
That single "A-Yu" melted Gu Chengyu's heart.
He tightened his arms around the soft, delicate body in his embrace, lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair, his eyes reflecting a deepening obsession.
He was growing fonder and fonder of her delicacy, her vulnerability, her dependence.
This little thing seemed born to wrap him around her finger.
And he, willingly, savored every bit of it.
