Chapter 11: Is This So-Called Entertainment Industry Really This Hard to Survive In?

He had seen Xu Yunzhuo a few times.

She was beautiful, but only just that—beautiful. She resembled a lifeless porcelain doll, single-mindedly chasing after Pei Jin.

Coincidentally, what he despised most was that weak, submissive air about Xu Yunzhuo—like a doormat anyone could trample on, without a hint of temper.

So he never paid her much attention, occasionally hearing tales of her “exploits” from others—always negative remarks. She never even dared to defend herself, letting people hurl abuse at her online without uttering a word. Three years since her debut, and she had nothing to show but her looks.

And this was the kind of environment she lived in?

If Xu Yunzhuo, that spineless girl, were in this situation, would she have already agreed to marry that so-called Mr. Wang? An old man with one foot in the grave?

Pei Qiaonian reached up, half-consciously intending to tug at his tie, but his fingers brushed against a cold silver necklace instead.

How pitifully shabby.

He let out a sudden, mirthless chuckle. “To be saddled with a family like yours—truly unlucky.”

“I won’t be marrying that Mr. Wang.” He cast a glance at Xu Muning, gesturing toward her. “Isn’t there another daughter here, one who could bring you benefits? Why not let her go?”

“No! Ningning can’t go!” Madam Xu’s refusal was fierce, her protective stance shielding Xu Muning.

Pei Qiaonian looked at her. “Why not? She’s a fake heiress—do you really take her as your own daughter?”

“So the Xu family would rather sacrifice their own child to protect an imposter who took another’s place?”

Madam Xu’s face stiffened. “The company is struggling. As the elder sister, it’s your responsibility to contribute. Once the company gets back on its feet, you’ll have your share. Besides, Ningning is still young, with a bright future ahead. You haven’t achieved anything anyway, so why not marry well? Give Mr. Wang a son, and your position will be secure.”

Her words were honeyed, but Pei Qiaonian, with his years in business, could easily see through these schemes.

No doubt they’d squeeze every ounce of value from Xu Yunzhuo, then toss her aside.

And their talk of her “having a share” if she contributed—what a manipulative ploy.

“Who says I can’t make it on my own? If you want marriage, do it yourself; I won’t.” Pei Qiaonian’s words were blunt.

He had made a name for himself in the business world—a mere entertainment industry was nothing to him.

Father Xu gave him a meaningful look. “Then get out of the Xu family. I’ll also cut off your foster mother’s medical expenses. Yunzhuo, don’t blame your father for being heartless.”

Pei Qiaonian scoffed, his gaze icy as he swept the room. “Gladly.”

He stood and headed straight upstairs.

Xu Muning, unable to hold back, called after him, “Where are you going? The front door’s that way.”

“I’m packing my things. I’m leaving right now. I wouldn’t stay in this dump if you begged me.”

Pei Qiaonian went directly to Father Xu’s bedroom, found Xu Yunzhuo’s household registration booklet as she’d described, and took it. He then gathered some clothes from her room.

When he opened her wardrobe, he found the clothes pitifully sparse.

This was supposed to be the Xu family’s eldest daughter?

She looked like a refugee.

He picked up a few changes of clothes, grabbed the suitcase, and left.

“Yunmei!” Xu Yu hurried after him for a couple of steps.

Father Xu roared, “Let her leave! I want to see if she can survive without the Xu family! Don’t come crawling back later!”

Pei Qiaonian went straight to the Lanhai Villa—his own property, secure and private.

He’d set the password himself.

Returning to this familiar place, only then did he feel some relief.

Leaving the Xu family was one thing. There was also Xu Yunzhuo’s foster mother to consider.

Strictly speaking, none of this should have been his concern, but his actions had indirectly set this chain of events into motion.

He hesitated a moment before messaging Xu Yunzhuo.

[I’ve left the Xu family. Because I broke off the engagement with Pei Jin, your father wants you to marry some old man, or else he’ll stop paying your foster mother’s medical bills. Are you sure you’re really their biological daughter?]

But Xu Yunzhuo didn’t reply.

Pei Qiaonian checked the time—it was already eleven at night.

At this hour, he would normally be handling documents, working late, or overseeing projects.

Suddenly having so much free time left him unsettled.

He unlocked his phone and retrieved the previously blocked number labeled “Sister Cheng.”

Now, having taken on the identity of Xu Yunzhuo, it was only fair that he handle her affairs as well as she had handled his.

Was this so-called entertainment industry really as tough as they said?

He was determined to see for himself.

His entire body felt sticky with discomfort.

Xu Yunzhuo hadn’t replied to his message.

His face grew warm—he wanted to shower, and his physical needs demanded attention.

Taking a deep breath, cheeks flushed, he dragged himself into the bathroom as though heading for the gallows.

He kept his eyes shut as he entered.

When he emerged, he went straight to the mirror.

The girl in the reflection, bare-faced, was still strikingly beautiful—red lips and white teeth, delicate brows and almond-shaped eyes, thick, dark hair.

It was the first time Pei Qiaonian had observed Xu Yunzhuo’s face so closely.

A fine mist still clung to his skin, lending it a faint rosy glow, making her features all the more alluring.

Pei Qiaonian had always believed his taste leaned toward pure, sweet-faced girls like Ning Qinghuan, the sort that evoked a desire to protect. But looking closely at Xu Yunzhuo—

She was breathtakingly, flamboyantly beautiful.

Just as her name implied: radiant as blossoming peach flowers.

He couldn’t help but mutter, “Quite the beauty—Pei Jin must be blind.”

His phone vibrated.

He thought it might be Xu Yunzhuo finally replying.

He checked.

The pinned contact at the top was “Ning Qinghuan.”

She had sent him a message: [Yunzhuo, let’s talk tomorrow. Don’t let the broken engagement affect your work—your agent has been searching everywhere for you.]

Pei Qiaonian arched an eyebrow and simply replied: [?]

Ning Qinghuan responded: [Yunzhuo, don’t worry. I won’t get between you and A-Jin. I have someone I like. I only appeared at your engagement party because I owed A-Jin a favor. I’m really sorry. Please forgive me. I’ll help you and A-Jin get back together.]

Pei Qiaonian was speechless. He remembered Ning Qinghuan telling him that Pei Jin had dragged her to sabotage Xu Yunzhuo’s engagement, asking him to help her out.

He and Ning Qinghuan had met by chance—he’d helped her once at a party, but they weren’t close.

Later, when Ning Qinghuan, short on cash, suggested becoming his mistress, Pei Qiaonian had flatly refused. Even if he wanted a woman, he’d thoroughly investigate her background first, wouldn’t he?

A few days later came the engagement party.

Pei Qiaonian had attended out of curiosity, and to give Pei Jin some trouble.

With these thoughts in mind—

He promptly replied: [No. Leave me alone.]

Then he turned off his phone and went to bed.

Before dawn, he heard the front door open.

He instantly snapped awake.

Casually pulling on a vest from the suitcase, he slipped on his own oversized T-shirt and went downstairs.

Standing at the top of the stairs, he met the gaze of the person who had just entered.

Gao, the assistant who entered first, was so startled he took two steps back, but he quickly regained the composure befitting an assistant. Even so, beads of sweat formed at his temples—he felt as if he had just stumbled upon a major scandal involving his boss!

He turned to call behind him, “President Pei… there’s a woman in your villa.”