Chapter 276: Xia Weiwei Seeks Gu Qichen

Xia Yangyang's words elicited gasps from nearly everyone present. While a rising star, her audacity in speaking to such a prominent figure was shocking. Her audience was Shen Manbing, an internationally acclaimed film queen with a decade-long reign and numerous accolades—including three consecutive Best Actress awards and two Film Queen titles. Challenging Shen Manbing was tantamount to professional suicide.

However, a faint smile played on Shen Manbing's lips. She regarded Xia Yangyang with amusement, as one might watch an insect attempting to halt a carriage.

"Xia Yangyang, are you certain you wish to challenge me?" she asked.

Even Shen Shichuan was taken aback. "Yangyang, don't be stubborn," he urged.

Ignoring him, Xia Yangyang declared, "I challenge you. If neither of us wins Film Queen, we erase the past, and you leave me alone."

Shen Manbing's laugh was cold and arrogant. "If I, Shen Manbing, don't win Film Queen, I will retire from the entertainment industry." With that, she left.

The onlookers sighed. Were they truly willing to gamble their careers? Xia Yangyang, in particular, seemed to be digging her own grave. Had recent fame inflated their egos to the point of believing they could compete with the queen?

In the CEO's office, Shen Shichuan confronted Xia Yangyang. "Why were you so impulsive? I could have resolved your issue with Manbing."

Xia Yangyang laughed. "You know I never intended to stay in the entertainment industry. Leaving in such a sensational way would be rather dramatic, so it doesn't matter."

Shen Shichuan sighed after a long silence. "I know your heart isn't in this. Forget it. You go."

After work, Xia Yangyang didn't go home. Instead, she went to Shengyuan Building. Following the incident with Lin Yuanyuan, the secretaries were polite, though their gazes held a strange quality. Attributing it to recent news, Xia Yangyang dismissed it.

Her friend, Lu Xiaoman, was surprised to see her. "Yangyang, was that really your little sister who just came in? She kept calling me 'brother-in-law'—it was so annoying!"

Xia Yangyang was startled. "What little sister?"

Lu Xiaoman exclaimed, "Don't you know? Half an hour ago, a girl named Xia Weiwei stormed into the secretary department. Claiming to be the CEO's sister-in-law, she demanded a meeting. The CEO was in a meeting, so we asked her to wait. She accused us of stalling, created a two-hour scene, and even demanded tea and water. We couldn't verify her identity, so we let her continue. Once the CEO was free, she kept calling him 'brother-in-law,' which was incredibly unnerving."

Xia Weiwei? Xia Yangyang's eyebrows furrowed. She had come to Shengyuan Building.

Xia Yangyang went directly to the CEO's office, entering without knocking. She saw Gu Qichen writing, tearing off a sheet of paper, and handing it to Xia Weiwei.

Xia Weiwei, overjoyed, exclaimed, "Brother-in-law, you're so generous! Our family is forever indebted to you. My sister is truly fortunate to have married you in a past life."

Gu Qichen's voice was indifferent. "If you have nothing else, you may leave."

Xia Weiwei's voice became softer, more coquettish. "Brother-in-law, I waited for two hours in the secretary department. Are you really so eager to be rid of me? I haven't eaten anything all day; I'm so hungry. Why don't you treat me to a meal?"