Xia Weiliang knew her situation with Xi En would be questioned. If it wasn't Chu Qiao, Director Wang was already waiting with a pen and notebook.
"Teacher Xi is teaching me acting. We were having an outdoor lesson in the botanical garden." She winked at the group. "Has my acting improved?"
"Teaching there? Really?" Chu Qiao clearly didn't believe her.
"Is there anything false about it?" Xia Weiliang glared. "With my current enthusiasm for learning, I think I could take the college entrance exam again!"
"I'll just laugh then." Chu Qiao was even more skeptical.
"Ah! Right, that... has Qichi arrived yet?"
Xia Weiliang scanned the crowd. Chu Qiao sipped her champagne. "He's busy these past couple of days. I gave him time off."
Shang Rongrong glanced at her, then intentionally shifted her gaze elsewhere.
"Are you looking for him?" Shang Rongrong was quite curious. Xia Weiliang quickly shook her head. "I was just asking. After all, your assistant is handsome, lovable, and also very talented..."
"Stop right there!" Chu Qiao looked suspicious. "You haven't fallen for him, have you!"
Shang Rongrong chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "If Weiliang really dared to fall for him, then someone would definitely go mad."
Wang Qiancheng nodded vigorously. "Yes, and in a rather terrifying way~ Empress, we can't take that risk! It will lead to innocent people being blamed!"
Chu Qiao said dismissively, "Does your God Yi know you're so fickle?"
"Go, go, what are you all talking about?" Xia Weiliang patted her chest. "I don't know how much more loyal I am!"
Shang Rongrong nodded in agreement. "Weiliang appears cheerful and gets along with everyone on the surface, but she's actually one of the few principled actresses I've met. She knows how to maintain boundaries in relationships without making people uncomfortable. In short, being friends with her is a happy thing."
"Listen! Everyone listen! Is this still talking about me?" Xia Weiliang herself was a little unsure.
Wang Qiancheng also chimed in, "The evaluation of our Empress in the industry now is also commendable. Although there are criticisms, it's no match for the power of her fans! Good heavens, they curse along with her, blocking your path so completely that you have nothing to curse about!"
Chu Qiao said sincerely, "I truly envy you having such a group of fans!"
"That's right!" Xia Weiliang was never reserved when it came to fans. Excellent fans represented her excellence. Only good judgment could achieve mutual success!
At this moment, excited voices of a group of young girls came from the entrance. "Brother Nan! It's Brother Nan!"
Shang Rongrong's body stiffened slightly. She tilted her head, her back precisely facing the entrance.
"Heh, sorry I'm late."
Lin Zhuonan and his manager Sister Shu walked in. He looked up and saw them, smiling and greeting Chu Qiao and Xia Weiliang, then went to talk to his manager nearby.
Xia Weiliang withdrew her gaze and commented, "Brother Nan is becoming more and more charming."
Hearing her words, Chu Qiao said incredulously, "What kind of look is that?"
Xia Weiliang also knew that she and Lin Zhuonan were childhood friends. "It's your preconception. Actually, from our perspective as outsiders, Brother Nan is still super charming! And he's polite, never puts on airs. I met him backstage before, and he was really nice!"
Not many people could be praised by Xia Weiliang like this, which showed how high her evaluation of Lin Zhuonan was.
Shang Rongrong, with her back to them, just listened silently without speaking.
She was a cold and elegant beauty who never participated in industry gossip, so Xia Weiliang didn't pay much attention. But Chu Qiao, knowing the inside story, subtly glanced in that direction and said slowly, "Actually, Lin Zhuonan is indeed good. He appears a bit carefree and roguish on the surface, but the more such people are, the less easily they can fall in love. Because once they do fall in love, there's no room for diversion! How to put it, being loved by him is also a very difficult thing."
Shang Rongrong picked up a glass of red wine and slowly drank it.
Xia Weiliang's eyes lit up. "His persona is that distinct? Come on, tell me more, let me broaden my horizons."
Wang Qiancheng was all ears. His notebook was already filled with notes. He was now turning the page, looking at her expectantly, ready to write.
"Ahem... Since you're so interested, I'll reluctantly say a few more words."
Chu Qiao put on a serious demeanor and said, "Lin Zhuonan he..."
Shang Rongrong suddenly turned around and smiled. "You all chat. I'm going to the restroom."
She turned and left. Chu Qiao sighed in her heart, it's over.
When Lin Zhuonan was drunk before, he unintentionally mentioned his and Shang Rongrong's situation, and she was greatly surprised. Her first reaction was that he wasn't good enough for Sister Rong. But after all, he was a friend, and no matter how much she looked down on him, she had to help him!
But as it turned out, Sister Rong clearly wanted to cut ties.
Serves him right for messing around and divorcing her!
Although in Chu Qiao's eyes, the two were quite well-matched, but what woman could tolerate being restricted, becoming a mere decoration after marriage, and eventually revolting?
"Chu Qiao? Chu Qiao?"
Xia Weiliang leaned closer, her voice amplified. Only then did Chu Qiao snap back to reality.
"Ah?"
Xia Weiliang suddenly asked out of the blue, "Does Sister Rong owe you money?"
"No..."
"Then why are you staring at her with such a bitter expression?"
"I'm not, don't talk nonsense. You saw wrong."
As expected of an actress, Chu Qiao immediately shook her head.
Shang Rongrong briefly left the banquet hall and went into the corridor.
The entire floor was booked for the "Reunion" cast party tonight, so everyone passing by was from the crew. Even service staff were rarely encountered, ensuring complete privacy.
Shang Rongrong stood by the corridor window. Although the air conditioning was strong, she still felt gusts of cold wind. She couldn't help but rub her arms and stare out the window.
Just as Chu Qiao had said, Lin Zhuonan was indeed a good marriage prospect. But even so, her family...
She shook her head and gave a self-deprecating smile. A transaction was a transaction. She had truly gotten too immersed, even projecting so much into domestic trivialities.
Hearing applause from inside, she knew Director Zhou must have arrived.
Patting her cheeks, she rallied herself to go back. Just as she turned, she saw the person walking towards her.
Shang Rongrong froze, instinctively wanting to avoid him, but her pride wouldn't allow it.
So, she remained in her spot, a faint smile on her face. "Long time no see."
Lin Zhuonan heard her greeting and let out a snort. "It's always 'Long time no see'... Shang Rongrong, can you say something new every time you see me? As husband and wife, how long has it been since we last saw each other?"
The smile on Shang Rongrong's face slowly disappeared. She had tried her best to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, but he was only there to ruin it.
As expected, he truly hadn't changed at all!
Since that was the case, she didn't need to warm up to a cold shoulder.
"Oh, then it's better not to see each other at all."
She walked past him directly. Suddenly remembering something, she turned her head to correct him. "We are former spouses."