002 Encountering the Former Fiancé Again

A year ago, Chuwan was rejected in marriage by the Gu family, instantly becoming the laughingstock of her high-society circle. The so-called friends around her wasted no time in kicking her while she was down, and Chuwan endured ridicule for a long while. At that time, Jiang Zeyu had just won his third Best Actor award, his career at its peak, recently named the most valuable male actor—a future brimming with promise.

Who would have thought that Jiang Zeyu would take the initiative to propose marriage to her? With such good fortune falling into her lap, how could Chuwan possibly let it slip by? Firmly believing that one would be a fool not to seize an easy gain, she agreed to marry him. Besides, she hardly lost out; Jiang Zeyu’s looks alone were enough for her to admire endlessly for three days and nights.

Soon after, Jiang Zeyu publicly announced their relationship with a single social media post. “My wife @Chuwan.” That post has garnered over five million likes to date and remains pinned to the top. Of course, it has yet to receive any response from Chuwan herself. After all, she had no desire to be drowned in a flood of public scrutiny.

Jiang Zeyu lost nearly a million followers overnight and remained a trending topic for over a week. Even the once-unknown Chuwan suddenly gained tens of millions of new followers overnight. For a whole month, Chuwan endured relentless online abuse, her misery peaking and ebbing with every new piece of news about Jiang Zeyu—each time, she would be dragged into the trending topics and cursed anew.

Still, the one who suffered most was Jiang Zeyu. He lost endorsements, and rumor had it, a film role as well. And so, for the past year, Chuwan did her best to keep a low profile, not wishing to hold Jiang Zeyu back.

Lying bored on the bed, she pulled out her phone to scroll.

“This woman must be out of her mind—please get your head checked and stop causing trouble.”
“Chuwan wore a custom spring-summer couture gown tonight, but does she have the status to pull it off?”
“Let’s be real—Jiang Zeyu is the global ambassador for that brand. She’s only wearing it thanks to his influence.”
“It’s been a year—when will Best Actor Jiang divorce her? Chuwan’s been leeching off him all this time, doesn’t she know when enough is enough?”
“She really knows how to play her cards right—riding all of Jiang Zeyu’s fame, isn’t she?”
“Even non-fans have to admit, Jiang Zeyu is truly suffering.”

“Who’s backing Chuwan anyway? How did she manage to latch onto Jiang Zeyu? Must be some powerful connections.”
“She’s shameless, always clinging to my idol for attention.”

Chuwan rolled over, humming with annoyance as she read the comments. “Yes, I’m clinging, so what? Not only am I riding your idol’s fame, I’m also sharing his bed—doesn’t that make you mad?”

The bathroom door opened. Jiang Zeyu stepped out, clothed in silk pajamas, his figure wreathed in steam.

“It’s late. Aren’t you going to sleep?” he asked.

Chuwan, still focused on her phone, replied, “Your fans’ insults are getting repetitive. It’s been a year and they haven’t come up with anything new. I could recite these comments in my sleep.”

Jiang Zeyu frowned, displeased, and gently took her phone away. “Go to bed. Don’t read these things.”

“But I’m not sleepy.”

He gazed at her. “Shall we continue, then?” He moved closer.

Chuwan swallowed nervously, diving quickly under the covers. As handsome as Jiang Zeyu was, and as skilled as he might be, sometimes she simply couldn’t keep up.

“I’m going to sleep. You should rest too. I have a meeting at the company tomorrow,” she said, peeking out from the blanket.

Jiang Zeyu lifted the covers and got in beside her. Chuwan, never one to be shy, nestled into his arms, wrapping her own around his waist with perfect ease—they had already shared a bed, so why pretend otherwise?

“Good night,” she yawned, finally feeling sleepy.

“Good night,” Jiang Zeyu replied in his low, gentle voice, gaze fixed on the ceiling, clearly wide awake.

About half an hour later, when her breathing had grown steady and slow, Jiang Zeyu carefully pried her arm from around his waist, rose from the bed, and slipped quietly down the corridor to the study.

/

Early the next morning, Chuwan was woken by her agent’s call. With barely a moment to tidy herself, she was whisked away.

On the way, Chuwan touched up her makeup in a small mirror from her bag.

“What’s the rush, heading to the office so early?” she muttered, absentmindedly massaging her still-aching waist.

“The company was just acquired—our boss has changed. Aren’t you at least curious about such big news?”

“My career’s already at rock bottom. All my buzz comes from haters. Whether the company changes hands or collapses, it wouldn’t affect me,” Chuwan replied with a yawn, utterly unconcerned.

“Just behave yourself when the new owner arrives. Try to be sweet, make a good impression,” Ye Fang, her agent, sighed.

“That’s not my style. I’m not one for flattery,” Chuwan retorted bluntly.

The meeting room was already full when they arrived. Chuwan found a corner on a sofa, pulled out her phone, and started playing games to pass the time.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Chuwan. You were trending all night again—something most celebrities can only dream of,” someone sneered.

Chuwan replied drowsily, “Of course. Some people spend a fortune to barely break into the top ten, only to drop off in no time.”

Zhao Jingyi snorted. “See? Hard work means nothing. If you’re pretty and marry well, you get everything. Isn’t that right, Chuwan?”

She’d heard this line countless times over the past year. With a bright smile, Chuwan answered, “That’s right. When you’re good-looking, fate chases you down to feed you. I’m deeply grateful to my parents for giving me such a beautiful face.”

Zhao Jingyi’s lips twitched. Was this woman really that dense, or had she been insulted so much she’d lost her mind?

Before she could respond, the office door swung open.

Chuwan glanced over and froze at the sight of the newcomers. At the forefront was a woman dressed crisply, her hair tied back in a low ponytail.

The company representative announced, “Everyone, please welcome Gu Shihuan, the new CEO of New Horizon Entertainment.”

As the others offered their greetings, Chuwan’s gaze shifted to the tall man walking behind the new CEO.

He seemed to notice her as well, raising an eyebrow and winking. Chuwan couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

She thought of the events of the previous night—her collarbone still ached faintly. Jiang Zeyu would never have imagined that a trip to the office would lead her straight into another encounter with Gu Siyuan.