Under the watchful gaze of those cold eyes, which carried three parts focus and seven parts teasing, Ah Da foolishly stared back. By the time she realized it, her porcelain-white face flushed crimson.
She didn't know why she felt so shy; his gaze made her want to hide, and she ducked her head into her pocket, leaving only a round, black bob of hair visible.
In fact, thinking about it, he was so handsome that it wasn't unspeakable for her to be mesmerized.
Yes, right, it wasn't her fault.
By the time Ah Da had composed herself, the car had already stopped in front of a large building. The black-clad bodyguard opened the door, and Qin Yu got out, not forgetting to touch his pocket, reminding a certain scaredy-cat.
The general manager of Wanrong Mall had been waiting at the entrance. Seeing Qin Yu approaching, he greeted him with a standard smile, respectfully saying, "Mr. Qin, we have cleared floors four and five as you directed."
Qin Yu nodded, his long legs striding towards the mall, followed by a group of black-clad bodyguards.
Wanrong Mall, with sixteen floors above ground, three below, and five podium levels, covers more than 30,000 square meters. It is rated five stars and is the largest shopping center in Capital City as well as one of the top nationwide, owned by Qin Group.
Jiufu Jewelry had a major new product promotion event today. The boss had spent a lot to reserve a space at Wanrong and set up a temporary stage for a live broadcast, aiming for high viewer engagement and publicity, even inviting a rising female celebrity from the entertainment industry as a spokesperson.
Everything was proceeding smoothly and in order.
Behind the stage, there was a simple waiting area set up with sound equipment, flowers, small raffle gifts, and some blue plastic chairs. The host was already warming up the audience, and the female celebrity had made her preliminary preparations, sitting on a plastic chair, putting on today's star of the show—the Jiufu Spring Welcoming Collection.
Wang Qingyi wore a strapless gown, draped in a military green designer coat. She held a mirror in one hand and fondled the emerald necklace around her neck with the other, her lips curling into a satisfied, slight smile. This necklace, part of the Jiufu Spring Welcoming Collection, was an exquisite model—highest quality and most expensive.
Only such items were worthy of her, Wang Qingyi thought, glancing with the corner of her eye at a colleague also wearing a necklace and scoffed scornfully. Those who had been in the industry for years without making it big were only fit to be her foil.
"Sister, you look so beautiful with this necklace. The live broadcast will definitely show you in a new light."
Wang Qingyi's assistant held a cup of hot water nearby, flattering her, and the makeup artist joined in, praising, "Miss Wang has great skin," "Your temperament complements the gems beautifully," making Wang Qingyi cover her mouth and laugh.
"No, maybe I'm just in good form today."
Su Qingtong couldn't help rolling her eyes at her pretentious laughter.
How had she never realized this woman's acting was so good? Was it simply unutilized in television dramas? Spending millions to have her act in a drama that tanked and left the director and investors criticized viciously and in deep losses.
Speaking of which, today was the first time Su Qingtong had met Wang Qingyi. She had only seen her name and photos on popular searches before. As for why they took an instant dislike to each other, the story began an hour earlier.
Su Qingtong was nagged by her agent throughout the journey about the event procedures and rules. Although she repeatedly assured that she would cooperate obediently this time due to the endorsement fee, her agent was still unrelentingly cautious.
For the sake of money, Su Qingtong had heard so much she could have grown calluses on her ears. Once at the event, she took the opportunity to sneak into the restroom, planning to stay there until the event almost began, to avoid her agent buzzing around her like an annoying fly.
Unexpectedly, she had a serendipitous encounter in the restroom, accidentally overhearing Wang Qingyi's gossip—massive in its content, from film kings to famous cheaters. Familiar names rang out, deafening Su Qingtong. Her spirit for gossip flared intensely. And as she listened, she even heard about herself.
"I really don't understand what Jiufu is thinking, nonsensically throwing some unpopular name in to share the stage with me, seriously lowering my class. That Su Qingtong is so scattered with scandals; I might get bad luck just being near her."
"I heard it was Star Creation who strongly recommended her, Su Qingtong may have many scandals, but her external conditions are good, and online forums have a good impression of her, believing she has potential to be popular."
"What did you say?"
Following that, a slap was heard from outside, where the gossiping assistant to Wang Qingyi was hit. Su Qingtong clicked her tongue, surprised that the sweet online goddess was so fierce in reality.
Indeed, humans are extremely complex creatures.
"Remember your own status, bragging about someone else in front of me, did you leave your brain at home and only bring your mouth? Do I need to turn on the tap to wash your brain for you?"
"No, sister, I was wrong, really wrong. That Su Qingtong is nowhere near as good as you, she looks like a plastic surgery freak. She's not even worthy to carry your shoes."
Su Qingtong rolled her eyes: Just when she felt pity for this assistant earlier, what a waste of empathy, only to think that you deserved to be hit.
Wang Qingyi was satisfied, "That's more like it, be more careful when you talk in front of me."
The assistant nodded repeatedly and, in an attempt to please Wang Qingyi, continued to fabricate stories about Su Qingtong, bringing up unverified online rumors like she was a man who had undergone surgery to look like a woman, or that she was some bigshot's pampered mistress.
It became more and more ridiculous.
Su Qingtong was baffled; as the person involved, how did she not know about these scandals?
It was ridiculous when the entertainment reached her, yet no sooner had one wave settled than another arose, and coincidentally, her mobile phone suddenly fell out of her pocket.
Although Su Qingtong pressed down on her phone with superhuman speed, the noise was still heard by Wang Qingyi and her assistant outside.
The moment the bathroom door opened, Su Qingtong flashed an awkward smile and waved at Wang Qingyi: "Hi, what a coincidence."
Wang Qingyi's face changed dramatically, "Why is it you, Su Qingtong! Hiding here and eavesdropping, aren't you disgusting?"
Talk about blaming the victim, slandering others and still acting all high and mighty, Su Qingtong was no pushover. She directly pushed her aside, "So what if it's me? You're the disgusting one, you ugly old witch, nothing but a gossiper."
"Who are you calling ugly!" Wang Qingyi was infuriated to death, pointing at Su Qingtong and threatening, "Believe it or not, I can make you leave the entertainment industry tomorrow. Do you know who I am to talk to me like that?"
As she washed her hands, Su Qingtong mocked: "Oh, who you are? Let me tell you, you're a tortoise, a bastard bug, a beast, a demon, a specter, basically not human."
"Satisfied now?"
Wang Qingyi stomped her feet in anger, clearly no match in a quarrel, only able to threaten: "You're dead, I remember who you are now, Su Qingtong you whore."
After washing her hands, Su Qingtong patted her chest, saying, "Ooh, threatening me? I'm so scared."
Wang Qingyi was so infuriated she nearly passed out. Su Qingtong grinned, executed a perfect turn, and walked away in her heels.
And just like that, a feud was born between the two.
A staff member came by to urge them onstage. Wang Qingyi stood up, removing her coat to reveal her barely wrapped voluptuous breasts, arrogantly flaunting them at Su Qingtong.
Little did she know, Su Qingtong didn't care at all, arching an eyebrow at her, silently mouthing four words: "Big boobs, no brains."