Chapter 19

Chapter 19: 019: Angry?

“I heard Xu Shu Jing has connections with the Capital Xu family,” Agent Brother Yang said, still scrolling. “It’s normal for Ju Hui’s executives to favor her.”

He paused, then added more quietly, “It’s just pitiful for Qiao Qing Yan. She became the sacrifice.”

“But quitting now might be good for her.”

In the shadows, the man’s expression shifted—so slight it was almost nothing. The corner of his lips rose unconsciously, then disappeared as if it had never existed.

Agent Brother Yang didn’t notice.

The woman in the passenger seat did.

She turned, voice sharp with contempt. “Brother Yang, did you forget what happened this morning?”

Agent Brother Yang frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Maybe the reason she could win tonight is because the Wang family pushed from behind,” the woman said bluntly. “You pity her, but she’s quitting now. After this, she’ll marry into a rich family and live comfortably.”

Her sarcasm hit hard because it wasn’t baseless.

That morning, outside the private room at the dim sum restaurant, their group had overheard the conversation.

Madam Wang had promised Qiao Qing Yan that as long as she married into the Wang family, the Wang family would clear every obstacle for her—turn public opinion, smooth the road, even hand her an award if that was what she wanted.

The condition was simple: marry in, leave the entertainment industry.

And tonight, everything had unfolded exactly as Madam Wang had promised.

The hotel “truth” cleared Qiao Qing Yan’s name.

Qiao Qing Yan received the Jin Ying Best Actress trophy.

Then she announced she quit showbiz.

Agent Brother Yang opened his mouth, ready to argue—then found nothing he could say.

A low voice cut through the van, cold enough to make skin tighten.

“Why is she still here.”

The air changed.

Agent Brother Yang froze and stared at the man beside him.

“A Shi… you…”

The woman in the passenger seat went stiff, panic flashing across her face.

“Brother Shi, I—”

“Quiet.”

The man lifted his eyelids slightly, gaze sliding past her and pinning Agent Brother Yang instead.

“Don’t make me say it a second time.”

The first command had been for silence.

The second was a warning: handle it. Now.

Agent Brother Yang’s scalp prickled. He genuinely didn’t know what had set Yan Di off this time. He’d thought the morning incident was already over.

In the past, Emperor Yan never cared about things like this.

But this time, it was obvious—he meant it.

The woman in the passenger seat bit her lip, fingers tightening into a fist, resentment burning behind her eyes.

For some reason, she was certain.

Yan Di’s sudden outburst had something to do with Qiao Qing Yan.

Maybe it was a woman’s sixth sense.

Otherwise, after meeting Qiao Qing Yan, why would he suddenly become like this?

In the past, even if she crossed a line, Yan Di never cared.

Qiao Qing Yan.

It was Qiao Qing Yan.

Yan Di, just wait. I will tear off her mask. I’ll make you see exactly how filthy her heart is beneath that beauty.

—

At the same time, the woman who’d set the entire entertainment industry on fire—Qiao Qing Yan—was being dragged into a high-end bar by a best friend who had appeared out of nowhere.

Officially, it was a welcome-back celebration.

In reality, her best friend just wanted to get her drunk.

“Back then, you fought like crazy just to enter showbiz,” her best friend said, hauling her along as if Qiao Qing Yan weighed nothing at all. “How can you quit now just because you hit a little setback?”