ROSGT Chapter 128: We're So Familiar, Let's Not Pretend
**Volume 1, Chapter 128: We're So Familiar, Let's Not Pretend**
“You fans are crazy, finding your way here. Being a celebrity is really exhausting,” the actress said, clearly displeased. By the end of her speech, she sounded somewhat self-pitying.
A drop of sweat slid down Ye Chui's face. He had seen narcissistic people before, but never anyone this extreme. She had only played a mistress role in a well-received TV series. Judging by her attitude, she must have been playing herself.
Zhou Ming, unaware of what had transpired between Ye Chui and the actress, found her remarks confusing. However, he didn't dwell on it and politely addressed her, "Miss Zhao Ling, we need to use this reception room for a meeting. Could you please leave?"
"Oh—" Fang Nan, Fang Xi, and Ye Ling simultaneously wore expressions of sudden realization: so her name was Zhao Ling.
Ye Chui had no impression of the name. He had no interest in this world's TV dramas and therefore didn’t remember any celebrities' names.
Upon hearing Zhou Ming, Zhao Ling's makeup touch-up momentarily halted. She glared at Zhou Ming and the others with annoyance, "You want me to leave? How dare you speak to me like that? Why should I leave? What do you mean by that?"
Zhou Ming hurriedly explained, "I already spoke with the manager. We reserved this room for a signing. I'm here with friends who are signing with the company, and the company lawyer will bring the contract shortly."
It was evident Zhou Ming's status in Jinyun Records wasn't very high. Though he had signed as a singer, he had been sidelined, often doing odd jobs around the company. Hence, he had to be respectful even to second or third-tier actors like Zhao Ling.
"A signing at the company?" Zhao Ling suddenly understood that Ye Chui and the others weren't her fans and were there for another reason. She felt a peculiar sense of loss—she didn't like being surrounded by fans, but discovering they weren't her fans made her even more upset.
Zhao Ling, embarrassed and angry, coldly said, "Sorry, I have an important guest to meet here today. If you need to sign, go somewhere else and don't waste my time."
Zhao Ling's tone was very rude, completely disregarding Ye Chui and the others—worse than in the elevator.
Hearing her, Ye Chui's face showed a trace of anger. He rarely got angry, but facing such unreasonable behavior at an important moment made him furious. Fang Nan and Fang Xi were also annoyed.
However, Ye Ling, being gentle and not wanting any conflicts, quickly tugged at Ye Chui's arm and softly urged, "Brother, let's just go somewhere else. It's just a signing."
She wanted to avoid trouble.
Ye Chui sighed inwardly. Ye Ling's gentle nature was worrisome for entering the ruthless entertainment industry. He, as her brother, had to protect her and not let anyone bully her.
Just as Ye Chui was about to firmly tell Zhao Ling they wouldn't leave the reception room, Zhou Ming spoke up, "Miss Zhao Ling, please be reasonable. I reserved this room. I hope you can let us use it."
Zhou Ming sounded irritated—showing some backbone. The reception room was elegantly decorated and used for receiving important guests, signing artists with advertisers, or company management discussing important matters with artists. It wasn’t available for anyone to use without a reservation. Zhou Ming, wanting to make a good impression for Ye Ling's signing, had reserved it early, but didn't expect Zhao Ling to take it over while he fetched Ye Ling.
Zhao Ling snorted, sitting back on the sofa and crossing her legs, looking at Zhou Ming with disdain. "Who are you? Just a singer who got lucky to sign with the company. What right do you have to talk to me like that? Do you know who the marketing manager at Jinyun Records is to me?"
Zhou Ming was slightly taken aback. Zhao Ling had no real potential for stardom, but had been doing well at Jinyun Records recently. Many saw her with marketing manager Zhao Degui and speculated about their relationship. Now it seemed the rumors were true.
Ye Chui also understood that Zhao Ling's arrogance was due to her backing. From her tone, it seemed she was related to the marketing manager. Ye Chui wasn't afraid of this but decided to see how Zhou Ming would handle it—if he wanted to pursue Ye Ling, he had to pass Ye Chui's test first.
"So you and Zhao Degui are relatives..." Zhou Ming said in surprise.
"Relatives!?" The effeminate stylist next to Zhao Ling interrupted, "Manager Zhao is Miss Zhao Ling's boyfriend!"
"What!?" Zhou Ming was even more surprised. "But Manager Zhao is over fifty, old enough to be her father!"
Zhao Ling's face turned red with embarrassment, glaring at Zhou Ming, "Watch your mouth! Get out now, or I'll have Degui terminate your contract. As a singer without a chance to release an album, you should know how precious your contract is!"
Zhou Ming's face flushed with anger. He was a passionate young man who had hoped to impress Ye Ling and treat Ye Chui well today, but now he was being treated so unfairly!
Ignoring the consequences, he said, "So what if you terminate my contract? You're the one being unreasonable!"
"Zhao Ling, why waste time talking to him?" the effeminate stylist said to Zhao Ling. "I think the music prodigy will be here soon. We can't let them ruin our plans. Let's have Dali throw them out. They can't cause any trouble."
"What? The music prodigy?" Zhou Ming was surprised, not because of the stylist's suggestion, but because they mentioned the music prodigy.
He looked at Ye Chui, confused. Wasn't the music prodigy right here?
"You..." Zhou Ming was about to say something.
"Shh!" Ye Chui gestured for Zhou Ming to stay quiet, not to reveal his identity.
Ye Chui wanted to see the show unfold.
Zhou Ming didn't understand Ye Chui's intention but obeyed.
"Dali, throw them all out!" Zhao Ling ordered.
"Got it." Dali responded.
As Zhou Ming turned around, Dali had already pushed him in the chest. Zhou Ming, a slender and sunny-looking young man, staggered back. Angry, he said, "What are you doing?"
"Didn't you hear Miss Zhao Ling? Get out!" Dali said, pushing and shoving.
Zhou Ming's face turned red with anger. He was being humiliated in front of the girl he liked. As he prepared to fight back, a hand patted his shoulder.
Turning, he saw Fang Nan's beautiful face. She smiled and said, "Let me handle this."
"What?" Zhou Ming was confused.
Fang Nan stepped up to Dali. Dali, a burly man, was at least a head taller than her. Seeing the petite woman facing him, Dali sneered, "What are you doing, pretty girl?"
Fang Nan didn't reply, simply cracking her knuckles.
Ye Ling, worried, hugged Ye Chui's arm, "Brother, stop them. Sister Fang Nan is strong, but she can't beat that big guy."
Ye Chui felt a bit concerned but strangely reassured. Somehow, with Fang Nan around, there was always a sense of security.
Fang Xi laughed, "Don't worry, Little Ling. My sister can handle small fries like him. She once sparred with a karate champion."
—Hearing this was very reassuring.
"Dali, stop hesitating. Teach her a lesson. I'll take responsibility," Zhao Ling urged.
"Heh, it's my first time hitting such a pretty girl," Dali leered.
Clearly, he had no qualms about hitting women.
Just as they were about to fight, Ye Chui spoke up, "Hey, let's not fight."
"What, you scared?" Dali sneered at Ye Chui.
"Yeah, I'm a bit scared," Ye Chui replied seriously. "If you get beaten up, it could get messy."
Dali was furious.
He yelled and swung his hand towards Fang Nan's face with no restraint.
Ye Chui, Fang Xi, Ye Ling, and Zhou Ming all gasped.
But the next moment, their tension eased.
Fang Nan quickly dodged Dali's hand, grabbed his thick wrist, twisted his arm, and kicked the back of his knee. Dali fell to his knees, screaming as Fang Nan twisted his arm.
Sweat poured from Dali's forehead as he cried, "It hurts! It hurts!"
Zhao Ling and her entourage were shocked.
Dali was a bodyguard hired by Zhao Degui, known for his fighting skills. What they saw seemed impossible.
"Just so you know, I wanted to beat you up in the elevator earlier. I knew something like this would happen today, so I didn't wear a skirt," Fang Nan said confidently.
Then, she turned to Ye Chui with a gentle smile, "Oh dear, I think I got a bit violent again. Hammer, what should we do with this guy?"
"Uh..." Ye Chui was speechless.
We're so familiar, let's not pretend anymore, okay?