Chapter 12 Don’t Just Stand There

In order to complete the interview smoothly, Xu Anan swallowed her pride again and went to buy coffee, only to be criticized that it wasn’t sweet enough.

Xu Anan almost burst out laughing in disbelief.

She’d met difficult people before, but never anyone quite this impossible.

“Miss Yun’er, just a little sugar—this is the sweetness you wanted.”

“What? Are you questioning me?” Yun’er sprang to her feet and flung the coffee in her hand toward Xu Anan, but Xu Anan dodged just in time.

Yet a few drops still landed on her white jacket.

Hearing the commotion, Xu Anan’s department head hurried over and asked what was happening.

The actress, arrogant as ever, snapped, “All I did was ask her to get me a cup of coffee, but she’s acting like it’s costing her her life! If she doesn’t want to do it, she could just say so—do I look like the type to force people? And the coffee she brought back is so bitter, she’s obviously trying to make things hard for me!”

“If she doesn’t apologize, I’m not doing this interview!”

At that, the department head shot Xu Anan a fierce glare. “Think you’re something special now? Apologize to Miss Yun’er, and quickly!”

Under such authority, no matter how indignant Xu Anan felt, she didn’t have the power to resist—unless she wanted to lose her job, unless she had money to treat her mother’s illness.

She drew a deep breath.

“How lively.”

A cold, clear voice cut through the air.

Jiang Li approached, backlit by the sun, his features sharp and distant, like a finely honed blade radiating a chilling aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Everyone parted to make way for him.

The actress, arrogant a moment before, instantly transformed into a sycophant, almost desperate to cling to Jiang Li—only to be stopped by his bodyguard before she could get close.

She batted her eyelashes madly, sending flirtatious glances his way. “Mr. Jiang, I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Meeting you today, you truly are extraordinary!”

To Jiang Li, she was just noise. His gaze was cold and dangerous, an innate ruthlessness seeping from his eyes as he stared Yun’er down, his presence overwhelming.

Meeting his icy, shadowed eyes, Yun’er was so terrified she didn’t dare act coy.

She signaled for her agent to speak for her.

The agent, nervous and trembling, recounted what had happened, making it sound as if Xu Anan was entirely in the wrong, while Yun’er was blameless.

“She’s your assistant?” Jiang Li asked.

Yun’er was stunned but forced herself to answer, “She’s not my assistant, but she wanted to interview me. Getting me a cup of coffee isn’t a big deal, is it?”

Even as she spoke, she realized how unreasonable she sounded.

But her chance to back down was gone. Jiang Li mused, “You like coffee that much? Then you go buy some. However many people are here, buy that many cups.”

“And remember, you have to go by yourself.”

There were at least fifty people present!

Yun’er looked utterly miserable, but she had no choice but to comply. She made trip after trip under the blazing sun, fetching coffee for everyone, running back and forth more than ten times.

In just a short while, Yun’er’s face was flushed and sweaty, her makeup melting away.

When she reappeared, some people thought they’d seen a ghost in broad daylight!

Cameras clicked in a flurry as reporters snapped photo after photo.

“Ah! Don’t take pictures!” Yun’er screamed, covering her face.

Jiang Li twisted the knife further, instructing his secretary to buy trending spots online, filling them with unflattering photos and damaging gossip about Yun’er.

A star on the rise plummeted overnight.

Standing beside Jiang Li, Xu Anan felt a mix of emotions—was this infuriating man actually standing up for her, deliberately destroying Yun’er?

Though, to be fair, Yun’er had brought it on herself.

Without even basic decency, how could she expect to be the nation’s idol? What a joke!

Xu Anan’s voice was barely a whisper, “Thank you.”

After all, so many people were watching.

Jiang Li let out a low, amused laugh. His narrow, fox-like eyes lifted at the corners, a seductive yet unruly air about him. His thin lips parted, “Don’t stand idle. Fan me.”

He pressed a fan into her hand as he spoke.

Xu Anan’s mouth twitched, but she had no choice but to obey, all the while wondering—if he hated the heat so much, why not stay in an air-conditioned room?

Not far off, the department head was struck by inspiration at the sight.

Jiang Li never agreed to interviews, but if he allowed Xu Anan to stand by his side, it meant she had caught his attention.

If they could interview Jiang Li, their magazine would immediately become the industry’s leader!

Envisioning a bright future of promotions and raises, the department head kept winking at Xu Anan, signaling her to seize the opportunity and seduce Jiang Li.

The department head was a greasy, balding man.

Xu Anan found him utterly repulsive, and quickly turned away, pretending not to understand.

But Jiang Li noticed and felt a wave of irritation.

How dare someone try to flirt right in front of him!

“Come see me tonight,” Jiang Li said curtly, his face dark as he turned to leave.

Xu Anan rolled her eyes inwardly. What did he take her for? Someone to summon and dismiss at will? She simply wouldn’t go!

Besides, she had plenty left to do that evening.

After all, the interview had fallen apart—they needed a replacement. Luckily, they had a backup: a young, newly debuted idol.

Xu Anan briefly explained things to her department head, then set off to find the idol.

A simple phone call later, the interview was arranged.

Xu Anan sighed softly.

From the idol, she saw a reflection of herself—someone without status, easily manipulated and ordered around.

When Xu Anan arrived at the dance studio, she found it empty. Thinking she’d been stood up, she was about to leave when she heard shouts and insults coming from the restroom area.

A thought occurred to her, and she quietly approached.

“You little slut, you must be pleased with yourself—getting an interview!”

“It’s just because you slept with the boss.”

The bullied girl shook her head, sobbing, “No, I really don’t know why they want to interview me. Please, just leave me alone…”

Smack! Smack!

Two resounding slaps.

The girl’s face swelled instantly.

Three other girls surrounded her, their faces filled with contempt, but also envy. “Ha! You didn’t? Stop playing innocent with us!”

“You must have had surgery. Stop pretending you’re a natural beauty!”

“And don’t blame us. Last time you stole our top girl’s spotlight, and she wasn’t happy. Do you know who supports our top girl?”

Xu Anan suddenly remembered.

Wasn’t the star at Huanyu Entertainment none other than Ning Xiyue?

Click, click!

Xu Anan deliberately left her camera shutter on, drawing attention from inside the restroom. She calmly slipped her camera into her bag.

The girls panicked and rushed out.

“You were taking pictures of us!”

“Oh? So you’re scared now?” Xu Anan rolled her shoulders. When she’d desperately needed money, she’d taken on many part-time jobs, including a stint at a boxing gym.

The gym owner had taken a liking to her and taught her a few self-defense moves.

So facing a few young girls, Xu Anan felt no pressure at all. Her eyes glinted with mockery as she arched a brow. “Come on—let’s see what you’ve got.”