Dangshan Villa
Early in the morning, Qi Xenjin was deeply elated on how things were going well. Everything was going exactly as her plan. Although Li Yun refused to see her or talk to her, she knew that eventually, he would be hers.
Qi Xenjin picked her phone and dialed a particular number. When the other line picked up, she said,
"Hey, be sure to release the article before the start of the press conference. I want to see how well they'll refute the news." Qi Xenjin smiled wickedly.
"I got it."
Without answering, Qi Xenjin ended the call. She walked gaily towards her walk-in closet. She looked possessed as she shouted, "Nothing can stop me from destroying Xu Jia Li! Ha ha ha!"
With a wicked smile on her face, she gazed at the beautiful gown hanged in the cabinet.
"I'll make you eat dust after the press conference. I'll make sure to let you see your end!"
***
"Li-jie, everything is settled."
"Thank you, Nian-mei. This thing will only end when we deal it poison with poison."
Everything must be settled today. Xu Jia Li ended the call after a brief exchange of information. They were on their way to the press conference of Sweet Memories. Shen Linqin was driving the car while Lan Meixu sat on the passenger side.
Lan Meixu was checking news on her phone while Shen Linqin looked restless as she tried to drive faster. The Press Conference for Sweet Memories would be on the hall of Grand Riviera Hotel. It would start at 10 o'clock in the morning, so they still had 20 minutes left.
"Linqin, don't be so restless. We'll make it on time." Xu Jia Li assured her as she gave her a smile.
"I'm sorry, Li-jie. Everything is my fault." Shen Linqin answered sadly, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.
"How can it be your fault? You did your best and that's more than enough."
"Li-jie, t-thank you. You've always been so kind to me even if I always cause you trouble."
Xu Jia Li only sighed as she looked sympathetically at her. She couldn't take it to blame or be mad at Shen Linqin. She was really sure that it was yet another scheme from Qi Xenjin.
Last night, after she left Venetian Hotel, she received a call from Shen Linqin telling her that the dress she would wear for the press conference needed some adjustment so it would be delivered tomorrow morning.
However, this morning, the gown wasn't delivered. Shen Linqin was so worried that she panicked and cried while contacting Moon Sky Closet. The manager said that it was already delivered.
At that moment, Xu Jia Li knew that the gown was missing. She laughed at how petty that person for doing such a trivial thing. At the back of her mind, she only thought of one person wanting to mess with her.
Not having enough time left, Xu Jia Li walked straight to her closet. Instead of panicking, she flipped through it before a white rectangular box at the bottom caught her sight. She immediately opened it and remembered that it was a gift she received from an anonymous fan.
Xu Jia Li never had the chance to wear it because she found it too lavish and eye catching. She was about to put it back when an idea crossed her mind.
"Li-jie, I'm just so glad that you have that dress or else I don't know what to do."
***
Grand Riviera Hotel
Lots of reporters waited patiently as they lined outside the hotel. They were very excited to get an answer from the casts of Sweet Memories.
They had been waiting to get an interview with Xu Jia Li but she was very aloof and could hardly answer any call from the media. This only ignited their thirst for more.
The first ones to arrive were Director Han and Producer Zhang. After some photos were taken, they proceeded inside the hall.
A few minutes later, the next to arrive was Li Yun accompanied by Manager Ho. He was wearing an olive slim fit plaid three piece suit. He was so handsome that the fans waiting outside burst into excitement as they chanted Li Yun's name.
Li Yun wore a faint smile of his face as he waved to his fans. Everyone could still see that he had light bruises on his face and the cuts on his lips were still a bit visible. The make-up artist did a great job to somehow cover up the bruises a bit.
As the main character in the recent news, the crowd together with the reporters turned into hungry wolves as they tried to get a good scoop from him. The reporters flashed their cameras, trying to get as much photos of him. They were also very eager to ask him questions.
"Li Yun, how true is it that you were in a fight because of Xu Jia Li?"
"Is it true that she harassed you? Was she really tailing you? When did this happen? Is there something going on between the two of you? Answer us!"
"Li Yun please answer us, who caused those bruises on your face?"
"What are your plans now? How about Qi Xenjin? Did the two of break up?"
Manager Ho immediately stopped the reporters as he reminded them, "Please, refrain from asking questions not related to the movie. Thank you."
"Qi Xenjin is here!"
One of the reporters shouted which diverted the attention of the other reporters. Manager Ho took the opportunity to lead Li Yun inside.
"Xenjin! Xenjin! Xenjin!"
Fans were chanting Qi Xenjin's name while she smiled sweetly at them. She waved her hand as she walked on the red carpet. She wore a light blue off-shoulder mermaid style gown. It had blue and white precious diamonds. She looked like a princess which attracted more compliments from the crowd.
"AHHHH! Our Princess Xenjin is so beautiful! We love you, Xenjin!"
The reporters immediately gathered in front of her as they threw questions after questions at her.
"Xenjin, how true is the rumor? Why did you give up your chance of becoming Si Cosmetics ambassadress?"
"Did Xu Jia Li force you to do that?"
"What other things did Xu Jia Li did to you? Can you tell us?"
"Do you believe that it was really Xu Jia Li who purposely slandered and defamed you?"
"What about your relationship with Li Yun? Do you know what happened to him?"
Qi Xenjin didn't answer any of their questions. She only smiled innocently in front of them before she said, "I'm sorry but I can't answer those questions. I have a high respect for Senior Xu and I've always think highly of her. I can't really say anything more."
Qi Xenjin's answer might sound harmless and even kind on the surface but the reporters could easily read between the lines. They all thought that Qi Xenjin was purposely avoiding answering just to cover up for Xu Jia Li.
Their suspicions grew stronger as they gave each other a meaningful look. Some of the reporters nodded while some whispered to one another.
Since some of the reporters had their interview live, fans who were watching immediately attacked Xu Jia Li on the social media platform.
"How can a bitch like Xu Jia Li still be on the entertainment industry? She's immoral and only uses her beauty to step up the ladder. I will never support this movie or any project of her!"
"I agree, we need actresses and actors like Qi Xenjin who's not only beautiful but also kind. Why do we still talk about a trash like Xu Jia Li? Can't anyone notice how beautiful Qi Xenjin today is?"
The fans continued to praise Qi Xenjin and curse Xu Jia Li.
One of the reporters praised Qi Xenjin, purposely trying to focus the attention of everyone on her, "You are indeed beautiful inside and out. Can you tell us who designed your gown?"