Chapter 266: Naturally Noble
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ling received a call from Sister Mai Na saying that the situation with Meteor Wings had been settled and she had to go back for a reshoot soon.
Ever since they started working together, she always trusted Sister Mai Na. Since Sister Mai Na said that the issue was settled, she must have fiercely dealt with the Gu Financial Magnate. Xia Ling could not help but become curious. “What have you done to them?”
Sister Mai Na smiled. “A revenge that required them to pay you ten times more.”
She was really very vicious.
Xia Xiao Ling was delighted to be able to receive more money and praised Sister Mai Na for her viciousness over the phone.
Sister Mai Na continued to laugh. “I can’t believe you’re so happy over such a minor thing! Let me tell you, there are even larger things to be happy about. Just wait for Gu Lin to serve you tea!”
Gu Lin was going to serve her tea?
Xia Ling was unconvinced but finally understood after arriving at the shooting scene. Sister Mai Na was really more vicious than everyone thought she was. No one knew what method she used, but she actually made Gu Lin serve Xia Ling tea. In front of everyone, Gu Lin carried a cup of tea and walked in front of her. “Ye Xingling, drink the tea.” She said stiffly.
Everyone fell over in surprise.
What was wrong with this moronic Miss Gu that she was actually willing to condescend to simple men.
Gu Lin felt very uneasy after being stared at by everyone and fiercely darkened her tone. “Quickly take the cup and drink the tea!” Did they think she wanted to serve tea to that irritating woman? Of course not!
After the Gu Financial Magnate’s Representative returned with this request after the negotiation, Gu Lin exploded in anger and insisted that Father Gu fire that betrayer of a negotiator. However, Father Gu said, “Linlin, those on Ye Xingling’s side aren’t willing to make a concession. How about you tolerate this for a while? Otherwise, if your grandfather learns about this matter, he will really send you back to Green Island Girls’ Boarding School.”
Father Gu could not bear to let Gu Lin go back there because she was his only precious daughter.
Gu Lin rebuked. “I would rather go to Green Island Girls’ Boarding School!”
“Linlin.” Father Gu desperately tried to advise her. “Originally, it would be ok if you went to the girls’ boarding school and suffered a bit for a year. However, it is not ideal for you to do that. Once you leave, won’t Li Lei be even more enchanted by that vixen? A year is enough for too many things to happen. You better think about it carefully.”
His words truly alarmed Gu Lin.
He was right. Why did she not think of that before? If she let her grandfather send her to Green Island Girls’ Boarding School now, it would be granting Ye Xingling’s wish! In fact, maybe that vixen had been planning for that to happen from the start! That was why she requested for her to serve tea! Hmph… Does she think I am going to be defeated by such a small matter? Definitely not!
If she had to serve tea, then she would serve tea. No matter what, she would continue to live in this city and be close to Brother Lei every day!
After making up her mind, she was even more motivated by her loss. Brother Lei would definitely be very touched after seeing that she had sacrificed so much for him. As such, she would have to serve that vixen tea well so that she could show what a horrible bully she was. Between the two of them, Brother Lei should know who is good and who is bad!
Gu Lin indulged in her idle thoughts. Seeing that Xia Ling did not accept the cup of tea, she urged her again. “Quickly!”
Xia Ling feigned a smile. “Is this your attitude when you are apologizing and serving someone tea?” Xia Ling was dressed in a white dress with long feathers and silver accessories in her hair like that day. As she had not entered the water to start shooting and was still waiting, her thin shoulders were covered with a soft red wool blanket which made her look elegant and gorgeous. Her composure caused her to seem noble and mysterious.
In contrast, Gu Lin was not bad looking, but her appearance was ruined by her disgruntled expression. In front of Xia Ling, she looked like a crude servant girl.
As the eldest daughter of the Gu family, she was really embarrassed.
Director Qian Yong of the Gu Financial Magnate shook his head and could not bear to continue watching as he felt that he was being completely humiliated by his company’s Gu Lin.
However, Gu Lin still did not have a clue. “Ye Xingling, don’t get too ahead of yourself. I’m already personally serving you tea, how dare you not accept it?!”
“Why should I accept it?” Xia Ling’s lips curved into a smug smile. She lightly tilted her head and shot Wei Wei a look.
Seeing what she meant, Wei Wei walked up and said warmly to Gu Lin. “Miss Gu, give me the tea instead.”
Gu Lin felt better dealing with this lady than Xia Ling. Without thinking too much, she directly gave the tea to Wei Wei. After that, she relaxed her hands and looked at Xia Ling arrogantly. “Besides, I have already served you tea. I don’t care whether you drink it or not. Anyway, your little assistant is smarter than you.”
Xia Ling shot her a mocking look. Did she not realize that she had just greatly embarrassed herself?
At the side, Qian Yong could not look at her directly.
Even the head director could not help but mutter to the cameraman beside him. “Don’t you think that the eldest daughter of the Gu family is really dumb?”
The cameraman shook his head and said, “The wealth of a family cannot last longer than three generations.” The third generation was really made of good-for-nothings.
“I need three more generations before I can be part of the aristocracy.” The head director disagreed, looked at Gu Lin, and sneered softly. “However, I don’t think the Gu family can raise any more aristocrats. This unruly daughter’s etiquette classes have probably been wasted. She’s worse than a commoner like the small star Ye Xingling.”
“Looks like the training in Skyart Entertainment is better than the one in the Gu Family.”
At once, a few people sighed.
Seeing that everyone was whispering to one another and looking at her with disdain, Gu Lin finally realized that something was wrong and loudly questioned a staff member next to her. “What are you whispering to one another?!”
The staff member was afraid that Miss Gu was finding fault with him and did not want to stir trouble for himself. He lowered his head and said, “Nothing much. Lighting engineer—” An idea occurred to him at this crucial moment as he gazed into the distance. “Wait, I have something to report to you!” After saying that, he immediately ran away.
Gu Lin had a stronger feeling that something was wrong.
She could not help but direct her anger back at Xia Ling. “Hey, I said that your little assistant is better than you. You’re really too pretentious. Since you rejected my tea, doesn’t that mean you never wanted it from the start?”
At that time, Wei Wei had already passed the cup of tea to Xia Ling.
Xia Ling used her fair-skinned hand to take the tea and drank it slowly and gracefully. Although she only had one assistant, her indifference and leisurely stance was like a noble princess who had many servants waiting on her.
Some people who were rightful of high status could cause themselves to look like nouveau riches.
Some people who were of no status were naturally noble.
After Xia Ling lightly drank the tea, she passed the cup back to Wei Wei. Wei Wei carefully took it and returned it back to Gu Lin.
“You aren’t even qualified enough to personally deliver tea to me.” Xia Ling’s voice was always very nice to listen to, and since she had the upper hand now, she was feeling great, so she spoke a little lazily to Gu Lin. “Li Lei said that you attended a girls’ school for nobles. Did your teacher not teach you during etiquette class that when you’re unable to pass something personally to someone of higher status, you have to pass the item to them via their subordinates?”
Gu Lin finally realized what was wrong…
She had never paid attention during etiquette class and had already returned all her knowledge to her teacher!
Chapter 267: One Hundred Dollars
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Gu Lin’s face was flushed, and she wished she could dig a hole to hide in.
Everyone looked at her in amusement as she became a joke.
Honestly speaking, if Miss Gu lost to someone who was of the same status as her, it would not have been that embarrassing, but the thing was, she lost to a small star. Ye Xingling was really a commoner, and regardless of her family background and upbringing, how could she compare to Gu Lin? However, Xia Ling was smarter and had a better temperament than her, and it made her angry that she was being compared to her.
Xia Ling held on to Wei Wei as she stood up and walked past Gu Lin, leaving a trace of a delicate fragrance.
“If everyone is ready, we can start shooting.” She said to the head director. “The earlier we shoot, the earlier we can leave.”
The head director nodded and instructed the staff to get into position to start the filming.
The filming was very successful. Xia Ling was so talented in dancing that she was able to perform a dance no matter how difficult it was. The pool that caused many famous female celebrities to struggle was relaxing to her like the backyard in her own home. She danced and swam with ease looking like a fairy in someone’s dream. Everyone was so engrossed in her dancing and attracted by her gracefulness that they could not look away.
Looking at Xia Ling dance was a form of enjoyment. It was flawless, and even the slightest interruption was blasphemous.
She went up the shore in an experienced and attractive manner with sparkling beads of water dripping from her hair.
Somebody started clapping.
“Miss Ye’s dancing is still the best.” A newcomer who did not know about Xia Ling and Gu Lin’s feud said. He smiled as he praised her. “We used so many female celebrities before you, but they were all unable to finish this dance. One Miss Ye came, we were able to finish this job smoothly.” He was happy because he could finish his job and receive his salary early. He could even visit the market to buy a fruit pancake for his children before returning home.
Xia Ling smiled. “I also ran into trouble two times.”
Seeing that such a beautiful female celebrity was speaking to him, he was overwhelmed with flattery. “You danced so well. How is it possible that you ran into trouble twice? You really didn’t deserve it… No, I’m not saying that you didn’t dance well. I mean, who would have such a bad eye for talent that he or she would make you reshoot such a perfect dance?”
Everyone’s gazes were redirected at Gu Lin.
Gu Lin only felt extremely humiliated and screamed. “Qian Yong! How could you let any random person come in here?! Are those handymen qualified to be here? Are you not clear of the situation?!”
Clear of the situation? Qian Yong wanted to vomit. Did Miss Gu even know what she was talking about? If they were clear about the situation, all those who were irrelevant and disrupting the filming were to be chased out. That worker was responsible for moving the props and was not disturbing the filming. Instead, Miss Gu would be the first one to be expelled from the scene.
On the surface, he still pretended to laugh along with her. “Yes, Miss Gu. I will chase him out now.” Turning around, he kept a straight face as he scolded the worker. “Can you quickly take your money and get lost? You’re so dirty. Don’t stand here and remain an eyesore!”
After hearing the director’s reprimand, he was confused as to what was wrong. Things were fine just a moment ago. Why did Director Qian suddenly look at him with angry eyes? Seeing that he was lost, his colleague beside him could not help but quickly pull his sleeve. “Quickly leave. Don’t remain here and make people unhappy.”
“But…” That worker stammered. “Xiao Zhao still owes me fifty dollars. I have to wait for him to come back. A few days later, he will be joining another film crew, and I don’t know when I will be seeing him again.”
“Come on! You still care about that fifty dollars? Can’t you just leave? Be careful. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to get paid for your hard work today!” That colleague was usually friendly with him, so he lowered his voice to warn him. “Do you know that you have offended someone?”
Only then did this worker realize what he did. He was frightened and quickly walked out.
“Slow down.” Gu Lin stopped him.
That worker stopped and rubbed his hands with some fear. “Miss, is there anything I can help you with?”
Gu Lin had just been publicly shamed by Xia Ling and was boiling with anger. Furthermore, this worker still dared to praise Xia Ling and come into conflict with her recklessly. Miss Gu needed somewhere to vent her anger. Turning around, she arrogantly asked someone beside her. “How much did he earn today?”
“Two hundred dollars.” Someone reported very quickly.
Two hundred dollars? Gu Lin looked at the worker with contempt. He was about thirty or forty years old and looked poor. He actually worked for a whole day for two hundred dollars? How useless was he?
“What’s the use of that small amount of money? You can’t even buy a glass of wine.” Miss Gu started to get on her high horse. “I thought you were receiving much more money than that. Look at how shameless you’re by trying to suck up to a female celebrity. You said something that you shouldn’t have, so I will deduct your pay. I think you should be given at most a hundred dollars.”
As she said, she glanced at Qian Yong.
“Yes, a hundred dollars.” Qian Yong quickly acknowledged her and shot a look at the accountant.
That worker had tolerated enough. “It was agreed that I would be paid two hundred dollars. Miss, you’re dressed in such beautiful clothes. I’m sure you’re rich. Please try to understand those who are working to make ends meet. I need the money to pay for my child’s school fees…”
Gu Lin was delighted. She loved the feeling of torturing other people. It was his fault for stupidly praising Xia Ling!
“That’s enough.” Qian Yong kept a straight face as he chided the worker. “Miss Gu is already compassionate enough to give you a hundred dollars. If you continue to be insensible, you won’t even get that much!”
The worker was frightened and shut his mouth with a gloomy face.
“Get going!” The worker’s colleague pushed him towards the exit. “Don’t cause trouble.” Although he acted this way, he was actually enraged by Gu Lin’s actions inside, but he did not dare to speak up because he was trying to protect himself. How could she disrespect someone like that?! How was she worthy of her status when she was worse than a sow!
The other workers also felt sorrowful but did not dare to say anything.
The entire place fell silent.
With the blanket that Wei Wei brought over around her, Xia Ling quietly observed the scene unfold. She was different from Gu Lin. When she was younger, she lived in an orphanage and endured poverty. Although she was of higher status now and received many jobs, in the past, she did not even dare to order extra ingredients with her rice. Seeing that the worker was being bullied like that, she was enraged.
Besides, the situation started because of her.
If that worker did not praise her for her dancing, why would Gu Lin take revenge on him?
She had no other merits besides covering her own faults.
“Wait!” She called after that worker.
The worker turned around reluctantly. What would the pretty female star instruct him to do? The faster he left, the better it was for him. He should seize the chance since it was not too late and quickly leave before he could not find any more jobs to earn money from.
Xia Ling turned around and spoke to Wei Wei. “Give him five hundred dollars.” As a celebrity, she did not need to buy things herself and entrusted Wei Wei with her wallet.
Wei Wei acknowledged her clearly and gave the worker the money.
At first, the worker was shocked. Then, he was overwhelmed by her gesture. “Miss Ye, how can I accept your money?”
“A hundred dollars are to make up for your loss, and the other four hundred dollars are a special payment from me. You did your job very well today and caused the filming to be very smooth. I should thank you.”
Before the worker could decline, Wei Wei had already stuffed the money into his hands.
Chapter 268: Idiotic Miss Gu
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The worker thanked her profusely before he left.
Gu Lin glared at Xia Ling. “Are you deliberately trying to go against me?!”
“I’m not as senseless as you.” Xia Ling replied. “Is cutting the pay of someone who needs to feed his family amusing?”
What she said was what the workers at the scene were thinking. Even the camera crew and directors could not help but praise her in their hearts. Everyone was working to support themselves. It was difficult as they were not as fortunate as Miss Gu. Thus, they understood what it felt like to only earn a little amount of money after a hard day’s work.
Who could tolerate being taken advantaged of for no reason?
Luckily, although Miss Gu was an idiot, the female celebrity called Ye Xingling was reasonable. She was a young girl and was rising in the industry. The fact that she could understand and sympathize with others was not easy.
“Ye Xingling is not bad.” A cameraman nudged the lighting engineer next to him. “She’s quite kind.”
However, the lighting engineer said, “Is she just putting up a show to win us over as a celebrity?”
The cameraman shook his head. “I’m sure that this is not a show. If Miss Gu weren’t present, I would believe you, but Miss Gu is here! If Ye Xingling were really pretending, she would not have offended someone from a rich and powerful family.”
The lighting engineer still did not believe him entirely.
“Perhaps.” He continued. After thinking about it, he added. “Actually, it doesn’t matter if she is acting. The fact that she is able to think about us subordinates is not easy. After a year of hard work, who will remember us?”
Xia Ling had really gained the favor of those at the scene.
On the other hand, Gu Lin was so furious she almost stomped her foot. She definitely was incompatible with that vixen, as every time she saw her, things would not be in her favor! Gu Lin raised her head and glared at Xia Ling ferociously. “Are you done filming? If you’re done, then get lost! Don’t be an eyesore on our Gu family’s territory!”
Originally, Xia Ling wanted to leave, but after being scolded by her, she did not want to leave immediately. She draped the soft and large blanket over her shoulders and sat on a chair beside the pool, pretending that Gu Lin was the air. “It’s quite cold,” she said to Wei Wei. “Help me pour a glass of hot tea.”
There was hot tea prepared for the shooting scene, so Wei Wei came back very quickly and handed the glass to Xia Ling with both hands.
Xia Ling lifted a hand, took the glass, and casually praised Wei Wei. “When you’re serving tea, you should act like you are serving tea. It’s good that you know you have to serve it with two hands while lowering your head. After I leave Skyart, I will ask Sister Mai Na to introduce you to a famous celebrity for you to wait on. You’re smart and sensible, so I can’t let you lose your job as an assistant.”
Just now when there was a conflict, Gu Lin’s voice was very loud and attracted the attention of many people.
After seeing Ye Xingling sit down beside the pool, their eyes sparkled because they knew there was going to be more drama.
Everyone was focused on what was happening there. After hearing what she said to her assistant, they almost could not hold in their laughter. Wasn’t she abusing a person by ostensibly pointing to someone else? Wei Wei was a sensible, smart, and capable assistant, but what about Gu Lin? Was she stupid, insensible, and not even capable of being an assistant?
Gu Lin understood what she implied and was furious. “Ye Xingling, what do you mean?!”
“Exactly what I said.” When it came to arguments, Xia Ling was not afraid of anyone.
At the side, Sister Mai Na rubbed her forehead, feeling a slight headache coming. Xiao Ling really had a temper. Once she got angry, she would never make a concession. Luckily, she was naturally able to fight with others and would not be at a loss easily, so she did not need any help when it came to bullying others… Otherwise, Sister Mai Na would really be annoyed arguing with people all day.
She wholeheartedly felt that she argued with others for her job, but Xiao Ling…
Xiao Ling seemed to enjoy getting involved in fights naturally!
She guessed correctly. Xia Ling was the type who became more invigorated with every fight. Now, she was brimming with energy as she looked at the Gu family’s idiotic eldest daughter. “If you are unhappy, then bite me!”
As the cameras were closed, she exposed her naturally argumentative personality.
Blood rushed up to her small face, and the way she slanted her head with her sparkling eyes caused others not to be able to look away. Saying such shameless words, she actually seemed cute.
“Ye Xingling, you bitch!” Gu Lin screeched.
No, this is not being bitchy—
At the side, a group of onlooking men was silently cheering inside. At first glance, the girl called Ye Xingling was nothing surprising, and she was just nice to look at after a long time but… Once she revealed that sparkling expression and showed her natural personality, she was really… breathtaking!
Unfortunately, Big Boss Pei Ziheng was not there, and they did not know her status.
Otherwise, Big Boss Pei would definitely say, “Do you know why I still have no regrets spoiling Xiao Ling for her whole life although she was so arrogant and stubborn…”
Some girls were that cute even when they were being unreasonable.
Unfortunately, Gu Lin did not think that Xia Ling was cute at all.
“Bite me! Bite me! Bite me!” Xia Ling provoked endlessly.
“Do you think I wouldn’t dare?!” Gu Lin was boiling with anger and could not help but rebuke her. Of course, she did not really bite her, but Miss Gu was planning to kick her into the water to vent her anger!
“I’ll let you— Ah!”
A loud “splash” was heard. Miss Gu had fallen into the pool.
“Help! Help!” She screamed as she flopped about in the water.
Xia Ling slowly tilted her body back and continued to drink tea. “If you’re so unstable, don’t try to sabotage others.” She said as she criticized Gu Lin. “Your aim isn’t even good, Miss Gu. Please don’t tell me that you have never attended any self-defense classes.”
Many wealthy people would have learned some self-defense under their personal trainers to cope with accidents such as kidnapping. In the past, when Xia Ling was adopted by Pei Ziheng, she also learned a few techniques. She easily saw that Miss Gu did not have any self-defense skills at all. The Gu family was quite prominent, so how could that be?
However, she did not know that Gu Lin was someone who hated work and liked indulging in comfort. She was too lazy to learn about etiquette, so of course, she did not bother to learn self-defense skills.
Gu Lin struggled in the water and screamed for help.
Many people could not bear to look at her. Could Miss Gu be any more embarrassing? At the place where she was standing, the pool of water only reached her waist. Director Qian Yong could not look directly at her. She was really brain-dead.
Although he did not want to, he still had to care about this brain-dead lady.
If CEO Gu learned that his precious daughter received such a scare in public and embarrassed herself, they would definitely not blame Gu Lin but the other people who were present at the scene. Qian Yong regretted his decision. Why did he want to curry favor with Miss Gu? This idiotic woman was a hot potato. Once he got involved with her, he could not get rid of her.
He sighed as he took off his overcoat and tightly supported Gu Lin.
Gu Lin only felt that someone was tightly grabbing hold of her. She was so scared that she did not see who the person was and immediately hugged him. “Save me. Quickly save me!”
Chapter 269: The Battle Between Two Ladies
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Looking at the girl in his arms, holding tightly onto him like an octopus onto its prey, Qian Yong was in an awkward position.
She was drenched from head to toe, and her soaked dress emphasized her figure. Her full and busty fronts were pressing against him, but she barely felt a thing.
Qian Yong felt like he was burning on the inside and frantically pushed her away, but Gu Lin was too afraid and refused to let go. “Big Miss, please don’t be like this.” Qian Yong realized how inappropriate their positions were, especially in broad daylight. If this got to Chairman Gu, he was definitely going to be skinned alive!
The people around were pointing and whispering.
Xia Ling watched on as she sipped her tea.
Only after a while did Qian Yong manage to get her off. Gu Lin finally realized that the water was only waist-deep and that she looked utterly embarrassing in front of everyone.
“Get out of here! All of you!” Red in the face, she covered her front with both arms and screamed.
The men slowly made their way out.
Gu Lin stood alone in the pool and was about to make her way out when she slipped and fell, causing many of them to turn their heads and try to conceal their gloating.
To be fair, Miss Gu had a good figure. It was only natural for men to steal a few more glances at her.
Moreover, the situation was vastly different from when Xia Ling danced in the pool. Xia Ling’s costume was specially designed with the circumstances in consideration, ensuring that not too much was revealed when she rose above the water. There was a beautiful, mysterious air around Xia Ling, nothing like Gu Lin’s embarrassing scene. All everyone had for Xia Ling when she emerged was admiration and envy.
But Gu Lin had on an ordinary dress, the sort that stuck to her skin when it got drenched. There was nothing beautiful about it. The drenched dress highlighted her curves, but only Qian Yong saw it. Together with all that she had done before, most of them barely had any respect for her. They would not dare offend her in any way, but feasting their eyes on her was not a bad idea.
When in her life had Gu Lin ever suffered such humiliation? She was close to tears.
“All of you, out of here!” She regained her footing with much effort and shouted out.
“What’s going on here?” A low and lazy voice was heard.
“I’m sorry, Sir, we’re about to clean up this place. Could you…” Qian Yong hurriedly said as he bumped into a handsome, well-built man entering as he was on his way out.
Even if he did not like Gu Lin, he had a duty to protect the Gu Financial Magnate’s image. A Big Miss showing herself this way was not for any man to see.
Who knew, he had yet to finish his sentence when Gu Lin called out. “Brother Lei!” She then struggled and crawled out of the pool and ran toward the man who just came in.
At this point, she could not care less about what she was revealing as she threw herself at him. “Brother Lei! They’re bullying me!”
The man who arrived was none other than Li Lei.
When Xia Ling was shooting for Meteor Wings the previous time, Li Lei was not around when something happened at the scene. This time, Li Lei had heard that Gu Lin would be around too and made sure to come, just in case she caused Xia Ling any trouble. He was delayed by other matters and arrived late, but it seemed like they were done with their shooting already.
He looked away from Gu Lin and saw that Xiao Ling was sitting a short distance away from the pool with a red-knitted blanket draped around her. The soft textile against her fair skin made her look incredibly beautiful. She held a cup of tea in her hands and looked amused as she watched Gu Lin in his arms.
Li Lei instinctively pushed Gu Lin aside. No way was he going to offend Xiao Ling like this.
It took so much effort for them to be on good terms again.
Gu Lin glared at Li Lei in disbelief. “Brother Lei, you pushed me?!”
Li Lei said, ” I’m sorry, I’m here for someone.” He walked towards Xia Ling and spoke gently, “Xiao Ling, are you done with the shooting?”
Gu Lin was fuming. How could this be? Hadn’t Brother Lei already broken up with this woman? Why was he here to look for her? No, she was not about to let them continue talking to each other.
Gu Lin stomped toward them and raised her voice. “Brother Lei! She bullied me! She kicked me into the pool! Look at how drenched I am now!” She went to stand beside Li Lei as she said this.
Li Lei evaded her swiftly.
At the set, the men who were watching a good show on their way out had stopped in their tracks. Listening to Gu Lin spin falsities about Xia Ling pissed them off — it was Gu Lin who wanted to push Xia Ling into the pool, but had fallen in on her own when Xia Ling evaded her. How could she be so mean as to accuse someone else?
But…
“Who’s that man over there?” The lighting crew member tugged at the person beside him. “Big Miss Gu seems to like him a lot?”
“Didn’t you hear her call him Brother Lei? He must be Li Lei, the Big Boss of Skyart Entertainment, the one on the rumors involving Ye Xingling. I heard Gu Lin and he were close childhood friends, which is why Gu Lin detests Ye Xingling so much.”
“Wow, what a gossip-worthy male lead.”
It was getting increasingly thrilling to watch this drama.
Qian Yong tried to get the rest of them to leave the scene, but everyone was reluctant. This was the advertising agency’s set location, and they were merely collaborating with Qian Yong. It would not be nice of him to get too aggressive, and hence he decided to stay with them instead.
Xia Ling was satisfied with Li Lei’s performance.
She was a lady, after all, and who he chose to stand by in the presence of a love rival said a lot. Although she had not agreed to get back together with him, and Gu Lin not exactly being her love rival, seeing how he thumbed her down on her behalf made Xia Ling feel a little warm inside.
Xia Ling was in better spirits now and greeted Li Lei with a cheery smile. “Come and have some tea.”
She handed him the cup of tea that she had sipped from.
Li Lei did not mind it — no, he was thrilled that she would do that, and intentionally drank from her cup. Xiao Ling was willing to let him drink from her cup, did that mean that she no longer saw him as an outsider?
Gu Lin was shocked. She remembered that Brother Lei had been very fussy since he was young. Unless he was forced to survive under harsh conditions, he would not settle for anything but the best… Drinking somebody’s half-drunk cup? How could it be?! How could this wretched Ye Xingling treat Brother Lei this way?!
Chapter 270: Gossip-worthy Male Lead
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Gu Lin was unhappy. “I have the best Longjing tea leaves at home, Brother Lei. If you want some, I can get Father to give it to you. It’s way better than drinking some random tea from random people outside!”
Gu Lin said as she gave Xia Ling the evil eye.
Xia Ling smiled and gestured towards the tea in Li Lei’s hand. “Is this good?”
It was the tea that Xia Ling handed him, how could he say no? He nodded his head like an obedient cat.
Gu Lin could not take it. “Brother Lei!”
“Longjing tea?” Li Lei turned to look at her only now. “Grandpa Gu gave me quite a bit the last time I went to visit. That should be some of the best tea leaves in recent years.” Li Lei was very particular when it came to food and beverages, and the tea leaves from the Gu family were indeed good stuff.
Gu Lin’s eyes lit up. “Isn’t that right? My dad was there personally to watch them pick their leaves; he has the money and the judgment. Haha… Unlike some others who drink the tea provided at a location set! Brother Lei, if you like the tea from my family, come home with me and I’ll get you some more.”
She was acting coquettish again.
Xia Ling quietly said, “There’s no need for so much trouble, ordinary tea is pretty good.” She was never taught about the fine details of tea appreciation and was not afraid to say it. “I can’t taste the difference.”
“Of course, you can’t.” Big Miss Gu finally found something that she could thumb Xia Ling down on and felt superior. “How could someone of your low status afford to drink good tea? Meanwhile, my family, and also Brother Lei, of course, have been drinking the best teas since we were young. You can drink your tea all by yourself!”
In fact, Gu Lin herself could not taste the subtle differences too, but she would not admit to it in front of others.
“So, there’s no need to waste it.” Xia Ling said.
“I’m giving Brother Lei the tea leaves, who says you’ll get to drink it?” Gu Lin side-eyed her.
“Actually,” Li Lei said. “The tea leaves that Grandpa Gu gave me the previous time, I gave them all to Xiao Ling.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“Did I hear right?”
All the commotion was not from Big Miss Gu alone, it included the exclamations from the surrounding people as well. What was going on, Big Miss Gu had spent so much effort recommending those tea leaves, and he actually gave them all to a girl to make her happy?
Tsk, that was too much.
But it was done right!
The cameramen, directors, and the other people present wished they had popcorn on hand to enhance this dramatic experience. Qian Yong was barely holding it together. Big Miss, can you get even more embarrassing than this?
“Which is why I’m saying there’s no need to waste it.” Xia Ling’s voice was clear as usual. “Before I even finished the tea leaves Li Lei gave me the first time, he handed me more other varieties. It’s just tea, after all, how much different can it get?” In her previous life, Pei Ziheng had loved Pi Lo Chun green tea, and hence, Xia Ling drank that exclusively. But Xia Ling herself had a sweet tooth and was not a fan of tea, so she did not have particular preferences and just accepted whatever she was given.
Gu Lin felt the fury rise inside her. This wretched woman! How dare she drink the Gu family’s tea! Those were Longjing tea leaves that her father had personally brought back from Jiangnan! Despite the way Gu Lin bragged about having an excess of such leaves at home, they were, in fact, precious even to the Gu family. If not for socializing and entertaining honored guests, her father would not even bear to drink them!
What a wretched woman!
Gu Lin flared up at Xia Ling. “You’re not fit!” She then turned to face Li Lei. “Brother Lei, I will not allow you to give our tea leaves to an outsider!”
Li Lei frowned, feeling that this little girl was getting more insensible. But he did not want to stoop to her level, and instead, he spoke to Xia Ling gently. “Are you tired? Go get changed, I’ll take you to have a good dinner.”
“Sure.” Xia Ling smiled and placed her hand on his outstretched palm as he supported her up.
“You!” Gu Lin was bitter with jealousy. “You can’t do this! That is too intimate for a man and a lady!”
Nobody could accept her statement. What sort of reason was that? This was the modern times, Ye Xingling had only placed her hand in his, that was nothing compared to how Gu Lin herself had leaned against Boss!
The onlookers side-eyed her with despise.
Xia Ling smiled at her. “Miss Gu, please excuse us. You’re in the way.” She always had a way of getting back at people without embarrassing herself. This time, she was showing off to Gu Lin how intimate they were as she inched closer to Li Lei.
This “male prop” was incredibly cooperative as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
A beauty and a hunk together made a splendid pair, as witnessed by everybody at the set.
Gu Lin was desperate for his attention. “I… I was in the water too! I want to get changed as well! No, don’t leave, Brother Lei… I’m so cold!”
Gu Lin was getting incoherent as she saw that they were about to leave hand-in-hand.
Cold? Li Lei looked at the thermostat and realized that the temperature was indeed rather low. Moreover, Gu Lin had just come out of the water, there was no doubt about her feeling cold. Considering that she was like a “sister” to him, he did not want to take things too far.
He stopped in his tracks.
Seeing that she had a chance now, she hurriedly put on her most pitiful face and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m so cold… Brother Lei, can you get Ye Xingling to hand me her blanket? She’s had it for a while and should be warm enough by now. You can’t expect me to continue shivering here, right?”
The blanket draped on Xia Ling was something she bought with Li Lei in Paris. Li Lei had picked the color for her as it suited her skin tone. At this point, Li Lei looked at Gu Lin, and then at Xia Ling and her blanket.
Gu Lin was right, Xia Ling had had it on for a long while and was dry by then. Blood had returned to her cheeks, and she looked well and comfortable.
Meanwhile, Gu Lin was still dripping with water, her lips were almost purple, and her teeth were chattering.
What would Li Lei do?
Everybody widened their eyes, ready to see how this Big Boss would react. Would he side with the annoying woman or the passive and adorable celebrity?
“This is a tough one…” A crew member cracked open a melon seed as he said.
The rest of the crew members began chewing on the snack as well. “If I were to choose, I’d definitely choose the rich one; it’ll help me with my career. I’ll win at life!”
“Pfft.” The director came over and joined them. “Can you even compare yourself to Boss Li? He has won at life long ago! Ye Xingling is definitely the better choice. Marrying somebody like that Miss Gu… she would wreak havoc in the family.”
“They should be of equal social status though.” Qian Yong rebuked at the side. “And Boss Li definitely has no interest in Ye Xingling. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have broken up.”
They thought about it for a while and found it hard to counter that point.
All that was left to do was for everyone to watch on. Just how would Big Boss react to this situation?