I'm Rich - 39
Chapter 39
After getting home, Guan Zhiyi took a shower and burrowed into bed. But she didn't sleep well that night. A little past three in the morning, a dream jolted her awake. When she opened her eyes, her head was full of unspeakable images of herself and Qi Chengyan.
And they were even more outrageous than yesterday's dream...
What was she even thinking about?!!
Guan Zhiyi yanked the blanket over her head. She was really something else. Back when she'd secretly liked him, it hadn't been like this. Now that she was determined to keep her distance, her head was suddenly full of nothing but dirty thoughts!
...
She tossed and turned for most of the night. By the time she woke again, it was already ten in the morning.
Guan Zhiyi dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen for water. After drinking, she crawled back under the covers and reached for her phone on the nightstand.
She unlocked it and found a string of missed calls.
From experience, this was never a good sign. Guan Zhiyi immediately climbed back out of bed and opened WeChat—
Liu Yun: [You up? Call me back. You and Xiao Ran got photographed.]
Xiao Ran: [Didn't expect anyone to be following us yesterday with how discreet we were. Don't panic, don't panic. It was a group gathering, easy to clear up.]
Zhao Mingming: [Weren't you going home by yourself last night? Why did Xiao Ran drive you? Hm???]
Mao Mao: [Jie, are you up? Should I come to your apartment?]
Song Qiaofei: [Girl, I've been on set for a while and I'm behind on your gossip. Tell me everything, what's going on!]
Guan Zhiyi: "..."
Meanwhile, a luxury business car was moving through traffic.
After a red light, the assistant in the passenger seat turned and handed an iPad back to the person in the back seat. "President Qi, this news dropped an hour ago. It's the number one trending topic right now. Take a look."
Qi Chengyan took it with a cold expression and looked at the topic marked with "explosive" tag.
#Xiao Ran Guan Zhiyi#
He tapped in. A nine-grid photo set taken by an entertainment reporter appeared, accompanied by vivid, dramatic captions.
"Last night, Xiao Ran was photographed going out for hot pot with Guan Zhiyi. After dinner, the two headed to the underground garage together, chatting and laughing, behaving intimately. In the end, Xiao Ran personally drove Guan Zhiyi home. Some netizens say that judging purely by looks, the two are actually a great match! But some fans say they'd rather see Xiao Ran focus on his career. Either way, let's wait for an official announcement~"
Qi Chengyan's face was cold as he tapped into the comments:
[Didn't they say no CP-building outside the drama? Where's your shame, Guan Zhiyi?]
[Are they holding hands?!]
[Xiao Ran reached for Guan Zhiyi's arm ahhhh]
[Our gege is not interested, okay? He was just being a gentleman and giving her a ride home. You marketing accounts really love to make drama out of nothing]
[I'm still stuck in The Imperial Court and can't get out. Zhaoyang and Shen Sibo! Just get together already!!]
[BE on screen, HE off screen. Nice!]
[Shut up, all of you. Our Ran-ge would never like her.]
[Ladies, don't talk like my baby girl is throwing herself at him, will you? Who do you think you are?]
[Ahhhhh my ship is finally sailing~]
[Can CP fans just stay in your own corner?]
[The Imperial Court filmed for almost four months. Four months of acting in love daily, 12 hours a day. Of course feelings would develop]
...
The comments were a battlefield. Qi Chengyan stared at "Four months of acting in love daily, 12 hours a day. Of course feelings would develop" and went silent for a long time.
Could something acted out long enough become real?
"President Qi, Liu Yun already called me. She said both sides will release clarification statements with Xiao Ran's team." The assistant watched his boss in the rearview mirror.
Qi Chengyan's voice was cold. "Did Liu Yun say why Xiao Ran drove her home yesterday?"
The assistant: "That... she said Mao Mao's car broke down, and Xiao Ran had driven himself, so he gave her a ride."
"Mm."
Qi Chengyan put the iPad aside and said nothing more. Just then, Guan Yuanbai called.
Qi Chengyan picked up. "Hello."
"Xiao Wu's phone still isn't going through. What's this news online about?"
Qi Chengyan felt a vague irritation in his chest. "They had hot pot together yesterday."
"Hot pot is hot pot. After eating, can't they just go their separate ways?" Guan Yuanbai said, displeased. "Doesn't Xiao Ran know there are reporters following him everywhere? He still dares driving her home. Just asking for trouble. And Guan Zhiyi, why get in the car—"
"Xiao Wu's assistant's car broke down."
"It broke down, so wait a bit. Did she have to let him drive her?" Guan Yuanbai paused, then suddenly said, "Wait. They're this close. Are they actually dating?"
Qi Chengyan froze. Guan Yuanbai continued, "They've been stuck together the entire filming. Didn't Xiao Ran say before that he was interested in her? Was he actually testing me back then?"
Qi Chengyan stared out the car window, his gaze darkening. "Xiao Wu has sense. Filming is filming, reality is reality. She can tell the difference. And she should understand how much dating Xiao Ran would affect her career..."
"That's what you say." Guan Yuanbai cut in. "But this is Xiao Ran. Do you have any idea how many female fans are obsessed with him? Young girls can't resist that type."
"..."
"No, I'm going to keep calling Xiao Wu. I have to ask her myself."
Guan Yuanbai hung up.
Qi Chengyan listened to the dial tone, not lowering his phone for a moment.
"Four months of acting in love daily, 12 hours a day. Of course feelings would develop."
"I just think she's adorable. My type."
"But this is Xiao Ran. Do you have any idea how many female fans are obsessed with him? Young girls can't resist that type."
These voices suddenly tangled together in his head. Qi Chengyan thought for a long time, but couldn't sort any of it out.
On one hand, he knew Guan Zhiyi was rational about her acting career. On the other hand, he remembered how familiar those two were with each other day to day...
Did that girl actually have feelings for Xiao Ran?
Qi Chengyan put down his phone, his irritation growing more obvious. He didn't even know how to describe what he was feeling. Just the thought that she might like someone, that in the future she'd talk to that person, act cute with that person... and so on. It was like a heavy stone pressed against his chest, so stifling he couldn't speak.
The assistant up front, seeing no real reaction from him, moved on to the next item. "President Qi, these are the documents for the upcoming meeting. Please take a look."
When he finished, he realized his boss wasn't paying attention.
"President Qi?"
Qi Chengyan glanced at him. "The key points."
"Huh?"
"Meeting in an hour, and you bring me this whole stack?" Qi Chengyan leaned back, radiating cold. "Have I been too lenient with you? You can't even summarize the key points now?"
The assistant's breath caught. He hurriedly gathered the documents back. "N-no, I'll list them out right away!"
Qi Chengyan's brow pressed down as he looked out the window.
Uncomfortable. He felt uncomfortable all over.
**
Both sides' clarification statements came out quickly. They explained that it had been a group dinner with several cast members that day, and afterward, because of a car issue, Xiao Ran had given Guan Zhiyi a ride. They were just good friends, nothing more.
Once the statements dropped, the solo fans of both sides naturally cheered and drew clear lines. But the massive CP fandom and the onlookers didn't buy it. Both were rising stars. Even if they were dating, they'd never go public. A clarification like this, even if true, would be called fake.
Either way, they were happy to entertain the gossip about Xiao Ran and Guan Zhiyi.
So a few days later, when the Starlight Gala announced its guest list including Xiao Ran and Guan Zhiyi, netizens were buzzing with anticipation. The Starlight Gala was co-hosted by several video platforms and invited a long list of celebrities. There'd be awards, performances, but the main draw was seeing the two of them in the same frame!
The Starlight Gala arrived quickly. That day, Guan Zhiyi and her team got to the backstage early, doing final preparations in the dressing room.
"How's Zhiyi doing? Ready to go out?" A staff member came in to ask.
Liu Yun: "She's ready. We're heading out now?"
"Yes. Xiao Ran is already at the entrance. You two will walk in together."
Liu Yun glanced at the staff member and understood immediately. Xiao Ran and Guan Zhiyi had been trending for days. Walking in together would undoubtedly be another highlight of the gala. And for managers who valued their actors' buzz, this was naturally welcome.
"Got it."
"Please hurry."
"Mm."
Today's Starlight Gala was Guan Zhiyi's first major event since becoming famous, so naturally Liu Yun was paying close attention. The gown borrowed from the brand had been chosen after endless deliberation.
When Guan Zhiyi stood before everyone with hair and makeup complete, even the staff accustomed to celebrities were struck.
Guan Zhiyi’s skin was exceptionally fair, a rare, cool-toned paleness that the pale blue, pearlized gown set off to perfection. Tonight’s dress was a departure from her usual sweet, girlish style. A high slit at the side revealed glimpses of her long legs as she moved, showcasing her figure to its fullest.
Softly curled hair fell past her shoulders, framing a face touched with sheer, barely-there makeup. Her entire ensemble struck the perfect balance between sweetness and sultry allure—flawless in every way, not a touch too much or too little.
"Zhiyi, you look beautiful today." When she reached the entrance, she ran into Xiao Ran, who was already waiting.
Guan Zhiyi smiled at him. "Teacher Xiao looks handsome today too."
Xiao Ran clicked his tongue. "That sounded so insincere."
"Then you used the same line as always too."
Xiao Ran shook his head. "No, I mean it. You're especially beautiful today."
Guan Zhiyi shot him a look. "I'm not chatting with you. Let's go, let's go."
Then, guided by staff, the two headed together to their seats. Fans had been waiting eagerly for them to appear. Seeing them come out together, a wave of screams erupted.
Guan Zhiyi waved toward her fans, walking carefully while watching the ground. Her heels today were a bit too high.
The front two rows of the gala were set up as round tables, each with celebrities and VIP guests. Guan Zhiyi knew there were livestream cameras on them, so even though the heels were uncomfortable, she kept her expression perfectly controlled.
Until, as she walked toward the chair with her name on it, she saw Qi Chengyan sitting at the same table.
The moment she saw him, she lost focus. Her heel caught on a small ridge, and she nearly twisted her ankle. Thankfully, Xiao Ran beside her caught her in time. "You okay?"
Three steps away, Qi Chengyan had also reached out a hand. Guan Zhiyi glanced at him, then shook her head at Xiao Ran. "I'm fine."
"Here, sit." Xiao Ran pulled out her chair.
Guan Zhiyi thanked him and sat down obediently.
The Imperial Court had been wildly popular lately, making a fortune for several video platforms. At their table, besides the four leads, several executives from the gala's organizers were seated. As for why Qi Chengyan was here, if he wanted to attend, he'd naturally get the best seat, sitting at this table was nothing unusual.
Guan Zhiyi stopped letting her thoughts wander and composed herself for the cameras.
Today's gala was livestreamed, with the big screen on stage showing the live feed. After Xiao Ran and Guan Zhiyi sat down, the camera naturally swung to them. The fans in the venue screamed, and the livestream chat exploded.
[Holy shit!! My Ran-ge is so handsome!!]
[Guan Zhiyi won today with this look. She's gorgeous]
[That color suits her so well, she's glowing]
[The eye-candy duo, please just get together]
[Xiao Ran caught her just now! Eeeek! Something's going on!]
[Huh? Did Qi Chengyan just flash by... my President Qi ahhhh]
[Yes!! I'm not the only one who saw it! My husband was on screen for two seconds! So handsome!]
[Damn? Is Guan Zhiyi sitting between her two rumored boyfriends?]
...
The livestream cameras only followed the celebrities. For executives like Qi Chengyan, they were careful not to film them. Those two seconds earlier were just an accidental catch while filming Guan Zhiyi from the wrong angle.
So after that, even though many in the chat begged for him to appear, the camera didn't go his way again.
"Did you twist your ankle just now?" Guan Zhiyi was sitting up straight when Qi Chengyan's voice reached her ear.
She glanced at the livestream screen. It was showing someone else now, she turned her head. "No."
"Your heels are too high. Be careful." Qi Chengyan said.
Guan Zhiyi nodded. "What a coincidence... you're attending this event too."
Qi Chengyan looked straight ahead at the stage, his tone mild. "Not a coincidence. I came to see you.”
---
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