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nTranslator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio

nNing Qing agreed. Before she departed, she looked down and grabbed her phone from her bag.

nShe found a familiar number. She had called Lu Shaoming for a few times since the morning but his phone was dead. She didn’t know what this meant. Did he decide to not bother with her?

nNing Qing puffed up her cheeks in grief. She hated to be abandoned by the people she liked the most, and she hated the silent treatment.

nWhen was the filming going to end? She really wanted to go back.

nGo back to see her mom, to see him.

n…

nNing Qing and Xiao Zhou came to a luxurious private club. The film crews of Street Walker were bowling and Ning Qing joined them for a few rounds before Director Wang brought her to play cards.

nIn the exquisitely luxurious private room, there were the big shots in the entertainment circle. About a dozen well dressed people in suits sat there, crossing their legs as they smoked. Ning Qing was familiar with them. They were some of the most powerful and influential people in T City, people whom she always heard of or saw on news.

nThey were discussing business, glancing at Ning Qing as she walked in.

nDirector Wang introduced Ning Qing to a few other famous directors and they smiled and greeted her back, though not especially passionately.

nNing Qing was self aware. No matter if it was Ning family or her own fame, she wasn’t on their radar. The private room was a real place for fame and gain. It was her first time.

n“Ning Qing, I only brought you for exposure. I have something to talk to them about, you go ahead and play cards with the wives. It is beneficial for you to know them,” Director Wang told her.

n“Alright,” Ning Qing nodded. If it wasn’t Director Wong, she might not have even been able to walk through the door.

nThere were three tables of people playing cards. There was a friendly lady watching Street Walker’s promotional video who was a fan of Ning Qing. She stood up and said, “Miss Ning, come and play with us.”

nNing Qing looked up. Besides the lady, there were two men at the table, they were famous producers in the film scene.

nDeference is no substitute for obedience. Ning Qing walked over and took a seat.

nThey were playing Ngau. There was one dealer and three players. The players compare the size of their bulls with the dealer. Ning Qing wasn’t too good at the game.

nBut, as she just took a seat, how could she just get up and leave? Plus, Xiao Zhou received Director Wang’s phone call and sent a stack of cash over. This would let her play at ease.

nNing Qing had no choice but to continue playing the game.

nJust as she got her card, she heard someone call “CEO Xu”. Enemies often cross each other’s path. Xu Junxi came.

nNing Qing didn’t find it strange. It was a place where T City’s elite gathered. Considering to Xu family’s position, Xu Junxi definitely has a proper place here.

nShe looked to the side as Xu Junxi looked at her too. He immediately frowned and glared. He seemed to be surprised at her attendance but also felt disdain.

nNing Qing was delighted. She watched as her face grew grave, as though he were at a disadvantage. Where’s Ning Yao? They’re engaged. Ning Yao must have dreamt to come to such a place where these powerful and influential people gather.

nShe only moved two chess pieces but not one single move had disappointed her.

nXu Junxi sat on the sofa and discussed business with those people. Ning Qing continued to play cards. Her great mood instantly fell to distress. She lost at every bet.

n“Haha, Miss Ning. Is it your first time playing Ngau? Don’t worry. Treat losing money as buying experience,” the producer next to her comforted her.

nNing Qing thought to herself, Heh, it’s not your money that was lost. Of course you’re not upset.

nNing Qing felt something touch her leg under the table. At first, she didn’t notice but then the producer continuously pushed her with his leg, which was rather creepy.

nNing Qing maintained a smile and moved in silence. The producer made an excuse, “Miss Ning, let me help you see your cards.” He then touched her hand openly.

nNing Qing dodged and pretended, “How can I show you my cards? Sit down!”

nThe producer didn’t manage to take petty advantage so he took his hand back.

nNing Qing played her cards calmly. Her eyes met Xu Junxi’s as she played. The position where he sat at the sofa was perfectly opposite to her and he obviously saw the scene where she was harassed. The smirk on his face reeked of schadenfreude.

nNing Qing rolled her eyes at him and got up. “Excuse me, I need to use the washroom.”

n…

nShe washed her face with some cold water before she walked out.

nWhen she returned to the corridor, the producer walked towards her.

nThe producer blocked before her and didn’t let her go.

nThere wasn’t anyone there so Ning Qing didn’t need to pretend. Her eyebrows slightly knitted and she asked, “Is there a problem?”

nThe producer’s eyes measured Ning Qing’s hourglass body up and down then he rubbed his hands together and said, “Ning Qing, Street Walker, in which you starred, has already achieved fame. With this in mind, choosing a good follow up role is extremely important. I happen to have a great movie on hand, I can let you be the female lead.”

nNing Qing smiled, “It’s pie in the sky. What do you want?”

nThe producer saw that Ning Qing was so straightforward, he took a step forward and looked at Ning Qing’s beautiful face when he said, “Can’t you tell what I want? I want you. Tsk tsk. Although your engagement with CEO Xu was called off, he must have had a lot of fun with you. Women who are trained by CEO Xu should be great. As long as you’re willing to serve me in bed, I can satisfy you in every other way.”

nThere was a hint of indifference across her face. She chuckled and said, “You’re almost fifty. Half of your body is already in the soil and you’re still thinking like a beast. Aren’t you afraid that you would die early? I suggest for you to pee a pool of urine and find yourself in the reflection. You want me to serve you? You really think you qualify?”

n“You!” Ning Qing’s scornful look and disdain remark embarrassed the producer. His face grew grave as he shouted, “You don’t know the evil and the good!”

nThe producer left, puffed up with anger.

nNing Qing didn’t bother with him. Her mental disposition was strong enough.

n…

nShe walked forward but she suddenly paused when she reached the corner as a certain someone was leaning against the wall: Xu Junxi.

nNing Qing raised her eyebrows and flashed a smile. “Why, Didn’t CEO Xu peep at me enough in the private room? Now you are eavesdropping outside?”

nXu Junxi stood straight and looked at Ning Qing’s signature fake smile. The smile was the same she used to deal with the producer earlier.

nHe was distressed and his tightly shut lips suddenly smirk contemptuously, “Even if you ruined my proposal, so what? You were smiling at the card table but you’re dealing with sexual harassment underneath the table. You have to call me CEO Xu when you see me. You thought you won but you’ll always be just below me.”

nNing Qing thought this guy was a little touched in the head and needed treatment. “As CEO Xu thinks that I’m a rank lower, why do you lower your prestigious self to my level to block my path? The person who drinks it knows best whether the water is hot or cold. I do not have a good life like yours but as long as I have a clear conscience, as long as I’m happy, that will do.”

nXu Junxi smiled coldly, “Happy? Are you happy? Actually, you’re only an actress in the men’s eyes, a play toy that could be traded off anytime.”

nActress? Play toy?

nXu Junxi’s choice of words severely humiliated her, but Ning Qing couldn’t feel pain anymore. She wasn’t even in a trance. She wouldn’t suspect this person before her was the same Xu Junxi whom she grew up with for eighteen years. She felt hopeless, a feeling she’s accustomed to.

nHer eyes were crystal-clear and cold. “Oh? Actress? Is CEO Xu sure that you’re not reprimanding your mother-in-law and fiancee?”

n“Yaoyao is different, she has me.”

n“So? CEO Xu is standing here to tell me that I should find a powerful and influential man to rely on? Okay, thank you for CEO Xu’s advice. I took note. If there’s nothing else, I shall leave.”

nNing Qing left.

n“Ning Qing, don’t you refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Let’s see,” the man behind her roared.

n…

nNing Qing returned to the private room and she immediately received Xu Junxi’s “forfeit”.

nXu Junxi somehow went crazy and came to play cards at her table. He sat opposite her. Every time that it was her turn to be the dealer, he would increase his bets for a few folds or play extra hands. And he’d win each time.

nWithin half an hour, Ning Qing lost half a stack of her cash. Looking at the less than ten bundles of bills left, Ning Qing looked bitter.

nThe disgusting producer stirred up more trouble, “Miss Ning, why? Are you out of money? How about this? If you were to lose again, we don’t want your money. You take off your clothes. Every piece of clothing would compensate for five bundles of notes. Haha.”

nNing Qing let out a sigh and said with a faux smile on her face, “You look like you’re quite experienced. I reckon you often visit the karaoke hall and watch the singers take off their clothes. Five hundred for a piece of clothing. Tsk tsk, it’s not that high class.”

nThe producer was suddenly at loss for words.

nXu Junxi suddenly lifted his head, “Miss Ning, have you decided if you’d like to continue the game?”

nNing Qing had to think about it. Because Xu Junxi and the producer intentionally made it difficult for her, she lost about fifty to sixty thousand. She could tell that the two of them were trying to attack her with money. However, she shook her head frankly and spat, “I admit defeat.”

nShe had no money. Even if she had money, she wouldn’t do anything stupid. Go ahead and laugh. It was just a card game.

nShe knew when to keep a low profile and when to keep her head held high.

nAs expected, the producer didn’t let go of the opportunity, but instead made a sarcastic remark. “Didn’t Miss Ning earn a lot from Street Walker? Why would you feel heartache after losing ten thousand? Would it be that Miss Ning was only glorious on the outside but in fact, is actually in a terrible situation?”

nThe producer spoke loud enough for the nearby rich wives to hear, then measured Ning Qing up and down with a strange gaze. The few bosses noticed and looked at Ning Qing in disdain.

nIt’d be a lie if Ning Qing said she didn’t feel award. It was awkward enough as it was her first time coming to such a place. Then, she became the focus of people’s ridicule.

nHowever, she stood up elegantly and maintained her beautiful smile, “Judging people’s qualities using money, isn’t that too shallow? Plus, there are so many rich people in this private room. Frankly, I am the only one who is poor. The two men here, trying to compare with a girl… Isn’t it an easy win?”

nNing Qing really aced that comeback. She flattered all the bosses whilst simultaneously degrading Xu Junxi and the producer. She successfully solved her difficult situation.

nThose rich wives saw her elegance, she was neither haughty nor humble. Hence, they nodded in approval. Although she was poorer, her ability to stay calm in the hour of peril lived up to the what would be expected of the no.1 socialite in T City.

nThe bosses reined back their scorn and couldn’t help but took a few looks at Ning Qing. This girl was only twenty-one years old.

nNing Qing bid goodbye to the rich wives that she was familiar with and turned around to grab her bag from the sofa.

nHowever, the door of the private room was pushed open and there was a breeze.

nNing Qing turned and looked. The door was opened by the club manager that she saw once, and there were two bodyguards standing by the door.

nThere were three to five men, each in a white shirt and black suit, which was a formal outfit. There weren’t many of them but their solemnity gave out an imposing elite aura.

nNing Qing couldn’t help but sigh. Now who really could be called powerful and influential? Surely not just anyone who lied against the sofa at ease and crossed their legs. The men by the door then were truly powerful and influential people!

nNing Qing also noticed that it she was the only one who stood up in the private room, but then, the dozens of bosses stood up too. Just how great of a person could he be for every boss who controlled T City to stand up to greet him?

nNing Qing was curious.

nThe club president came out. He bowed slightly as he extended his right arm and made a gesture of “please”. Then, a well-tailored black suit came into sight, a pair of handmade leather shoes stepped on the shimmering marble floor. A pair of long legs took every step and let out an aggressive aura.

nNing Qing’s pupils contracted. She couldn’t believe that it was the man who she didn’t bother with her for the entire day.

nAnd he’s the big shot?!

nShe had not seen him for half a month and he became even more handsome. His blade-like eyebrows, sculpted jawline, pointed nose, and his thin lips were extremely sexy.

nLu Shaoming took off his outer layer and passed it to his secretary, Zhu Rui. He wore a grey vest on top of his light blue shirt. It was Ning Qing’s first time seeing him in a vest. His body was already brawny, and with the vest, his V-line abs were outlined perfectly. There’s a brooch on his vest, it was a simple platinum design.

nNing Qing’s heart suddenly started racing. The man who was shining under the retro light in the corridor was elegant and each movement was filled with a mature man’s manly charm.

n“CEO Lu…” Ning Qing didn’t know who was greeting Lu Shaoming. Those bosses went to the door and she subconsciously retreated.

nShe didn’t want him to see her. She was in a fix here while he was high up on the tip of the pyramid. She felt… inferior.

nShe never felt inferior, not even when everyone looked at her in disdain earlier. But ever since she met him, she wasn’t unfamiliar with the feeling of inferiority.

nJust as Ning Qing was deep thought, Xu Junxi couldn’t remain calm anymore.

nHe saw Zhu Rui, the man who once appeared in the hospital where Ning Qing’s mother was!

nHe looked sideways at Ning Qing and she had already retreated to a hidden place. She lowered her gaze and her delicate face sported a pair of rosy cheeks while her hands were rubbing against each other bashfully.

nXu Junxi always suspected that his eyesight was going bad. The person who was well-spoken earlier revealed such an innocent expression.

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