"Gong Ni, you should try comedy shows too. You are too funny. You bark at others but you don't see yourself first." Jingyi gave her a contemptuous smile at the same time, caught a glimpse of someone behind them.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you sleep around to get the role you wanted? Aren't you Director Bai's mistress? You even have a four-year-old son with him."
A flush crept across Gong Ni's face as her eyes widened. This is a secret that she's keeping in her closet. How did Jingyi know this? No matter what, this mustn't be known. She absolutely can't let other people know about this especially Song Huan. She needed her support for her new movie.
"What are you talking about? That's not true. Don't utter nonsense" She tried to hide her stutters. The next second, she felt pain because someone grabbed her hair from behind.
"So it was you!" Director Bai's wife extended her hand and slapped Gong Ni. She was seething in anger.
Luo Jingyi purposedly mentioned it in front of Director Bai's wife. Not to let Gong Ni be physically harmed but the wife had the right to know of her husband's affair. After all, it's her money that he was spending with other women. At the same time, teach Gong Ni a lesson. Not to mess up with her.
A minute later, Gong Ni was on the floor, looking disheveled and pathetic. Her dress were torn. When the woman was about to step on Gong Ni's head, Jingyi pulled the woman away.
"That's enough!" She placed herself in between. She also can't let the woman continue harming Gong Ni. There are other ways to vent anger.
The woman angrily snapped at Jingyi, "Let me go! I have to teach this woman a lesson."
Jingyi leaned closer and murmured. "Let her go. It's not worth embarrassing yourself. You are simply stooping to her level."
The woman eyed her and realized that what Jingyi said was true. There are many people around them. Then she rested a hand on her hip. Perhaps to calm herself.
Wang Biyu stood beside Song Huan and didn't dare to help Gong Ni. She was afraid Director Bai's wife would turn on her too.
"Baby!" Someone yelled from above that everyone's attention suddenly was on her. She was coming down the steps in haste. Jingyi rolled her eyes in Nicolette's exaggeration. Everyone thought that it was Song Huan that Nicolette Lacroix called Baby. Especially that they belong to one social circle. But to their shock, Nicollete hooked her arm on Jingyi.
"Why aren't you coming in?"
"You should ask them?" Jingyi directed her head at the two hostesses. Nicolette eyed the two even noticing the guards on the side.
"Miss Lacroix, we—"
Nicolette didn't give them a chance to explain. "I can't believe Eunice hired such a low-class wedding organizer. How could they be rude and wouldn't let my baby in? You even called the guards?" Nicolette chattered loudly and thumped her forehead exaggeratedly.
The people around looked at Jingyi wondering who she was. Why does the elusive socialite call her baby?
Gong Ni who was listening to this clenched her fist and unresolved that Jingyi befriended the famous woman. On the other hand, Song Huan wanted to take this opportunity to get close to Nicolette Lacroix with a purpose. So she stepped forward.
"Miss Lacroix, I think there was a misunderstanding. They were only doing their jobs. After all, they have to protect your family from unknown people who wanted to suck up." Song Huan explained on behalf of the two. The two women gave her a delighted expression.
"Excuse me, who are you?!"
Song Huan felt her chest hitched. She pressed her lips tightly and hid her embarrassment with a smile.
"I'm Song Huan." She is proud of her origins. Her family is not only well-known in the political arena, but also in the business circle. The family business, Song Corporation dominates the pharmaceutical industry. On top of that, she's a famous fashion designer.
"Song Huan? I don't know you. Please go away." Nicolette pushed aside the woman's hand on her arm as if she has an incurable disease.
Song Huan's cheeks burned with heat. She felt humiliated that she couldn't wait for the ground to crack open and swallow her. At the same time, she shot daggers to Jingyi. Inadvertently blaming the other woman.
Nicolette ordered the guards, "Send them away. Why are you letting flies in?"
She pointed to the two uniformed hostesses and commanded to replace them.
Gong Ni was stupefied with the turn of events. She has an expression that didn't need to be elaborated upon.
"Let's go, baby." Nicolette hooked her arms on Luo Jingyi. Jingyi tilted her head up high and strutted proudly. There was an enchanting arc on her lips.
.....
When they reached the top deck, Nicolette's phone rang so she told her to go in first. Luo Jingyi then sauntered on the carpeted aisle leading to a hall full of dignitaries and the upper-class people, skipping the part where she will have to pause to have her pictures taken by professional photographers in front of the well-decorated backdrop.
Luo Jingyi walked into the grand hall with her billowing skirt following her every move. People are drawn to her as she waltzed with an effortless saunter with straight back and head held up high. Her light brown eyes scanned the hall in search for the bride and when her eyes finally landed on Eunice, a dazzling smile appeared on her lips.
However, the bride who was standing with the groom next to the cake glowered at her. Ignoring the sullen look, she congratulated the two. As always, the groom spoke to her politely before he moved away to give them space to talk.
Luo Jingyi put an arm on the beautiful bride and explained, "I'm sorry. I was on my way when an accident happened."
"Yeah right." Eunice put on that I-don't-believe-you-at-all expression. She was like a child pouting because she couldn't the toy that she wanted.
"It's true. There was a woman who was about to give birth. I had to deliver her baby in a veterinary clinic. Then brought her to the hospital."
Eunice pretended to be putting food on her plate and ignored her. But Luo Jingyi knew, this woman's heart was moved. If she has a soft spot, it's about a woman giving birth.
Luo Jingyi quietly took a plate and put food on it. The quietness went for a minute before she heard Eunice mumble, "It doesn't mean you are forgiven. You are a part of my family. You should have been there."
"I know. I am sorry for missing it out." She whispered trying to placate the woman. Luo Jingyi felt grateful for finding a friend in this strange world. After being betrayed by her best friend in the past, she was skeptical of getting along with her. But she proved to be different. Eventually, she opened up to her. They got along well and so as the other member in Eunice's family. Aunt Alice who was Eunice's mom saved her 8 years ago and treated her like her own daughter. The whole Lacroix clan became her second family.
"Was the woman alright?"
"Yeah." But omitted the fact that the husband cheated on the wife. Mentioning it will just lead to endless discussions about marriage. Perhaps it comes with Eunice's job. She's a marriage counselor. On top of that, Eunice believed in beds of roses and happy ever after. Unfortunately, Luo Jingyi doesn't.
"How was the wedding march?" Luo Jingyi changed the topic.
A very contented smile rose on Eunice. "Oh My god! It was perfect. I was so nervous. My hands and knees were shaking. Dad complained his arm hurts a lot after the march. When we exchanged I do's, my knees were literally shaking in happiness. It felt surreal and magical. I am finally marrying the man of my dreams."
Looking at her teary eyes as she narrated, Jingyi was reminded how the bride and groom's relationship has weathered the storm. Their story was the typical rich woman-poor man storyline. The Lacroix family belonged to a military dynasty. Meanwhile, her maternal family is on politics. Hence, Eunice Lacroix was expected to marry a man of status. But she defied the status quo and fell for a poor man. It was similar in ancient times, where status dictates marriage.
Eunice's maternal grandfather disapproved of their young love so they broke up. Eunice was sent overseas to study while the groom was challenged and he paved his way to become a very successful lawyer. At present, he has his own law firm. When he and Eunice met 2 years ago and found out they were still both single, they renewed the flame.
"I am so happy for you." Jingyi chimed with her rarely seen smile and hugged Eunice. She doesn't believe in marriage but it doesn't mean she's not rooting for Eunice's happiness. She was genuinely happy for her.
Although Eunice found her actions strange, she took her embrace.
"Thank you. You'll meet yours too." Eunice winked meaningfully before she pulled her to where her parents where.
Shrek! Jingyi cursed in her head.
….