When Chen Qingtian arrived outside the villa, she gazed at the sprawling estate nightscape with eyes full of envy.
Suddenly, a dark figure flashed by, and Chen Qingtian felt someone cover her mouth.
"Mmmph?!"
Startled, she wondered if she was being kidnapped.
But this was a private estate with 24-hour security—how could anyone dare do such a thing?
As she was dragged into a dark corner, the shadowy figure raised a finger and whispered,
"I’ll let go. Don’t make a sound."
Chen Qingtian blinked her wide eyes and nodded.
"It’s you? What do you want?" she questioned warily.
"Shh! Keep your voice down. Go back to bed and don’t tell anyone about this. While you’re on the estate, try not to go out at night, understand?"She pointed toward a distant rooftop where another shadow lurked. "I think that person is suspicious. I’m investigating, and I’ll report to Miss Luo once I figure it out. Your sudden appearance almost ruined everything."
Chen Qingtian followed her gesture.
"Isn’t that Uncle Fu?"
"Exactly. Now go rest."
Chen Qingtian nodded.
"Fine."
She might be impulsive, but she wasn’t stupid.
Uncle Fu appearing on the rooftop in the dead of night was eerie, but the estate manager’s rough handling of her didn’t seem trustworthy either.
Chen Qingtian, already an insomniac, didn’t sleep a wink all night.
By morning, dark circles hung under her eyes.
When she stepped out later, Uncle Fu stood calmly in the hall, smiling as if nothing had happened. Chen Qingtian doubted whether she’d imagined the whole thing.
Jiang Feihua also looked unperturbed.
Had she been sleepwalking? No way.
She decided to mention it to her sister-in-law later—after all, this was her estate. If someone with ill intentions was lurking, it wouldn’t be good.
Of course, she wouldn’t be reckless enough to bring it up in front of Uncle Fu and Jiang Feihua.
After breakfast, Luo Yao and Lin Ran headed straight to the work zone—an important guest was arriving soon.
The matters in Shanghai were winding down. In another day, the authorities would announce the outcome.
Now was the time to resolve pending issues, leaving the rest for others to handle gradually.
Soon, Lin Ran and Luo Yao would return to Beijing.
Chen Qingtian lounged on the villa sofa, binge-watching a drama—her own drama, in fact.
Most actors avoided watching their own work, but Chen Qingtian was the exception.
Not because she sought improvement, but because she’d gotten hooked.
Nuanyao Group’s mini-series, Rejected 99,999 Times, I Finally Fell Into Another Woman’s Arms, was nearing its grand finale after over a hundred episodes.
"Wow, my acting’s so bad, yet they still praise me. Guess I’m just heaven’s favorite actress, huh? Hahaha!"
The phone rang immediately.
"Chen Qingtian, where are you? Get here now. We’re shooting extra scenes for you today."
Hearing the assistant director’s grating voice, her good mood vanished.
"Sorry, can’t make it. I’m visiting my sister-in-law. And I won’t be back tomorrow or the day after either. This was already approved—the whole crew knows. Shoot someone else’s scenes first."
The assistant director’s furious voice crackled through the phone.
"You don’t leave without my permission. What sister-in-law? You think I’m stupid? You don’t have family in Shanghai!"
"Oh? Then let me ask my cousin and his wife if they’ll let me go home, since you’re forbidding me from staying."
Silence.
"Your cousin… is Lin Ran?"
Chen Qingtian smirked.
"Yep."
"Uh… take all the time you need. I’ll shoot around you. No need to bother Mr. Lin or CEO Luo. Consider your leave approved."
Chen Qingtian feigned confusion. "No more ‘no family in Shanghai’?"
"Please, spare me! Don’t tell CEO Luo what I said—I’d like to live a little longer…"
Chen Qingtian tossed her phone aside.
"Ugh. Spineless bully."
She fumed, feeling like an easy target.
Before name-dropping Luo Yao, the assistant director had acted like he’d blacklist her.
Now? Instant groveling.
What, was her own reputation not intimidating enough?
Or was it just about money?
"If I were even one percent as rich as my sister-in-law… no, scratch that—if I had just a fraction of her wealth, I’d hire that idiot director and chew him out daily until he learned not to pick on people."
Thoughts of money led her to Luo Yao.
She wondered what Luo Yao was up to now—and what Lin Ran was doing with her.
"Uncle Fu, where are my cousin and sister-in-law? I’d like to see them."
Uncle Fu replied politely,
"Miss Chen, the CEO is working. No disturbances allowed."
"But my cousin went with her?"
Uncle Fu gave her a chastising look.
"That’s where you’re mistaken. I said no disturbances. How could Young Master Lin be a disturbance? He’s the apple of our CEO’s eye."
"Apple of her eye? Oh, come on, Uncle Fu. At your age, you’re still dishing out dog food? I hate you."
Uncle Fu: "And?"
"And since you’re tormenting me, can’t you at least pass along a message?"
"Very well. But they’re meeting an important guest. I’ll ask."
Soon, Uncle Fu returned.
"Follow me."
Entering the work zone, Chen Qingtian’s heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t a workplace—it was a worker’s paradise.
Luxurious comfort, premium snacks, professional gym facilities, spacious workstations…
All it needed was a few handsome men.
"The CEO and Young Master Lin are in the meeting room. You’ll need to wait."
Chen Qingtian nodded, suddenly in no hurry. Exploring this place sounded fun.
"Got it. Can I snack on those treats?"
"Help yourself."
Munching away, she wandered curiously until two figures emerged from the meeting room.