Chapter 23: A Common Enemy

After filming, Wen Xiaoning had just stepped out of the studio when a black car swerved in front of her, forcing her to a halt. Just as she was about to lash out at the driver for blocking her way, the car window rolled down. Upon seeing who it was, she asked with surprise, "Chen Chu? Do you need something?"

The man flashed a warm smile and opened the car door. "Sister Xiaoning, get in. Let me give you a ride."

Wen Xiaoning gave a haughty laugh. "No thanks. Besides, we aren't heading in the same direction."

As she turned to leave, Chen Chu spoke slowly toward her back: "Aren't you curious about who leaked the story?"

Wen Xiaoning stopped in her tracks, staring at the man in the car with suspicious eyes.

"Rest assured, it wasn't me. But I do know who it was. So, let me give you a ride, Sister Xiaoning."

...

Once seated in the back of the car, Wen Xiaoning immediately demanded, "Can you tell me who it was now?"

Chen Chu pulled out his phone, opened a security surveillance video, and tossed it into her lap. Wen Xiaoning scrutinized the footage; the setting within the video became increasingly familiar. Finally, she said in astonishment, "This looks like... the hospital hallway?"

"Yes, this is Henry Hospital."

Wen Xiaoning said impatiently, "What’s the meaning of showing me an empty hallway?"

"Don't rush. Keep watching."

No sooner had Chen Chu finished speaking than a figure appeared on the screen.

"This is..." Wen Xiaoning stared at the face as it became clearer, nearly jumping out of her seat. "Xiao Yi?"

"How could it be him?"

Chen Chu took the phone back, wearing a look of amusement. "This is the hospital where Ran Xing is staying. Xiao Yi has been taking care of her. I imagine he must have feelings for her and decided to settle the score on her behalf."

Wen Xiaoning was furious. "But I haven't even provoked him! What right does he have to ruin my career?"

"I already told you, it's because of Ran Xing."

Wen Xiaoning clenched her fists, her eyes filled with malice. "Ran Xing again!"

"So, it seems we have a common enemy now."

Wen Xiaoning composed herself, casting a wary, suspicious glance at the man. She asked hesitantly, "What do you mean by that? And why tell me?"

Chen Chu leaned back lazily against the seat, his tone calm. "You only need to know that we hate the same person."

"So, you want to team up with me to take down Ran Xing?"

"Yes, you could say that." Chen Chu nodded.

"Let's get straight to the point. What do you need me to do?" Wen Xiaoning asked directly.

"Orchestrating an accident—that should be your specialty, shouldn't it, Ms. Wen?"

...

Wen Xiaoning’s eyes lit up. "You mean you want me to stage an accident during filming?"

"Why? Is that too difficult?"

"That's not it," Wen Xiaoning shook her head, countering, "But why should I do this? If I get caught, I’m the one going to prison."

"You only stick with Yang Likang for his money. I promise you, once this is done, you will be the largest shareholder of the Yang Group."

Wen Xiaoning was skeptical. "Are you serious?" After all, with shares in the Yang Group, she would be set for life.

"Of course. But why should I trust you? Just because you're some minor, unknown actor?"

"How about this? To show my sincerity, you will receive some good news tomorrow."

"Hmph," Wen Xiaoning said to the driver, "I want to get out."

The driver glanced back, and after receiving a nod from Chen Chu, he pulled the car slowly to the side of the road. Before stepping out, Wen Xiaoning paused thoughtfully and relented, "I'll wait until I actually receive this 'good news' you speak of."

"Rest assured, you won't be disappointed."

Once the door was shut, the driver asked with a worried expression, "Do you think she’s reliable?"

Chen Chu watched the woman walk away through the car window, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. He said with absolute certainty, "Don't worry. My judgment is never wrong."

...

Inside the car, Ran Xing tossed the blanket Xiao Yi had tucked around her onto the back seat with disdain. Wang Ying, who was driving, happened to catch this and couldn't help but chuckle.

Ran Xing frowned, feeling annoyed. "What are you laughing at?"

Wang Ying shook her head. "Nothing, I just thought of something funny."

Ran Xing didn't press the matter, asking instead about the surveillance footage. "By the way, is the surveillance issue almost resolved?"

In her mind, Wang Ying recalled the warning Xiao Yi had given her when she sent him the footage: "Remember, if Ran Xing asks, tell her it's not done yet."

With that in mind, Wang Ying replied without blinking, "Sorry, not yet."

Ran Xing didn't dwell on it, but she felt a nagging doubt. She simply couldn't understand why the person on the other end of the phone had referred to Xiao Yi as "President Lu." And there was no way the caller could have been mistaken. This meant that Xiao Yi’s surname was Lu. Furthermore, he was also investigating a case of arson. She just wondered which case it could be.

...

Back at the villa, after helping Ran Xing sit down, Wang Ying went to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Seeing the woman busy, Ran Xing struck up a casual conversation.

"By the way, how did you and Xiao Yi meet?"

Wang Ying stopped chopping vegetables, then replied after a moment, "I ran into him outside the studio. Mr. Xiao interviewed me and agreed to let me stay on as your assistant."

"Oh, that’s actually quite surprising."

"Surprising?"

Ran Xing said casually, "I looked over your resume. You're very qualified. Logically, you should have had many companies offering you positions."

Wang Ying swallowed nervously, sweat breaking out on her forehead. The resume had been forged too perfectly; she should have known better than to leave that task to Lu Qing. That man really was unreliable. She would settle the score with him later.

Seeing the woman remain silent, Ran Xing assumed she had her reasons and stopped asking.

Wang Ying suddenly spoke up. "Those companies probably thought I was a fresh graduate with no work experience."

"Oh, I see."

"By the way, Ms. Ran, I'll come pick you up at 8:00 tomorrow for filming."

"Alright."

...

Returning to her own villa, Wang Ying was completely exhausted. As soon as she entered, she was startled to find Xiao Yi sitting on her sofa, waiting for her.

"Big brother, where did you get the key to my place?"

"I asked Lu Qing for it," Xiao Yi replied concisely. "Did Ran Xing ask about the surveillance footage?"

"Yes, she did." Wang Ying collapsed onto the sofa and poured herself a glass of water. "Is there something wrong with that footage?"

"I've watched it several times and found nothing suspicious. But I'm still curious—what exactly is Ran Xing planning?"

Wang Ying muttered, "You were with her for so many years; if even you don't know, then I certainly don't."

Xiao Yi shot her a sharp look. Wang Ying quickly made a gesture of zipping her lips. "Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue."

"But are you really planning not to tell her?"