C22 Intentionally Finding Trouble

"Do you realize that public opinion can devour a person just like a mouth?"

Lin Anna nodded in agreement. She was well-versed in the ways of the entertainment industry, having been a part of it for quite some time. She was particularly familiar with the paparazzi, who had exaggerated her temper to the extreme. As a result, she had embraced the persona they had created for her, turning it into a defining characteristic of Lin Anna.

Once their misunderstanding was cleared up, Lin Anna felt much less animosity toward Ye Tian. She had always liked Ye Tian; it was just the sudden revelation that the person she was fond of seemed to have a complicated relationship with Ye Tian that had thrown her.

"The first time I met Lu Jingyue was in Paris, during a very important show of mine. Unfortunately, someone envious of my success sabotaged my high heels. As a result, I had a stage accident and fell. The heels were so high, I couldn't stand up on my own. But when I was at my most desperate, he came to me, picked me up, and walked me back."

As Ye Tian listened, she couldn't help but daydream about Lu Jingyue. She recalled how, after breakfast one morning, he had stopped at a pharmacy to buy her medicine and had gently reminded her to take it. There was no denying that he was a genuinely caring man.

However, this was an experience Ye Tian would never share with Lin Anna.

"After that incident, not only did I avoid any negative fallout, but I actually turned the situation to my advantage. Far from being sidelined by my company, I found myself in the spotlight once more."

"I've seen him a few times since at other shows, but never had the opportunity to say hello."

Lin Anna shared her story of meeting Lu Jingyue with Ye Tian, expressing her disappointment that Lu Jingyue was still unaware of his secret admirer.

Ye Tian offered a comforting gesture, placing a cup of coffee beside Lin Anna. "You've got this. You've already caught his attention, and he's seen you again, even if you weren't aware of it."

"Seen me again?" Lin Anna exclaimed, surprised.

"Without his approval, you wouldn't have been able to just walk into any magazine office for a photoshoot, no matter how influential you are," Ye Tian thought to herself, silently scorning Gu Qinian before mentally replacing the decision-maker.

With a smile, Lin Anna responded, "Thank you, Ye Tian."

By the time they returned, there was a sense of tranquility in the air. They didn't chat or laugh along the way, but anyone could tell the atmosphere had shifted.

Had Lin Anna undergone a transformation after just a coffee break?

The morning's filming wrapped up amidst a buzz of speculation.

What truly astonished everyone was Lin Anna's question to Ye Tian after the shoot, "Do you want to have dinner together?"

Ye Tian caught the surprised look in Lin Anna's manager's eyes and responded with a smile and a shake of her head. She gestured for silence with a finger to her lips. They both understood the unspoken message.

Ye Tian kept the secret of Lin Anna's fondness for Lu Jingyue to herself.

Lin Anna kept the news of Ye Tian's marriage under wraps.

They were in tacit agreement.

On the 30th floor of the Liyang Group.

"Director Lu, Lin Anna was signed by Director Gu, who specifically requested Ye Tian for the photo shoot."

Lu Jingyue nodded, his gaze fixed on the photos of Ye Tian and Lin Anna at the café, his fingers idly brushing against one another, his expression unreadable.

Back then, he had only needed a moderately significant international media story to lay the groundwork for New World domestically, and Lin Anna had coincidentally been there to help.

Ye Tian...

As dusk fell over A City, the neon lights flickered in a kaleidoscope of colors, and the nightlife began to stir.

Ye Tian barely made it to the last subway train, but as she was about to board, a sense of alarm went off in her head, echoing Gu Qinian's words from that morning.

This is a disaster!

Swearing under her breath, Ye Tian stepped out of the subway station, ready to reluctantly hail a taxi, when a Mercedes-Benz pulled up beside her. It was Lu Jingyue.

"Going home? Let me give you a lift."

Grateful to save on fare, Ye Tian got in and provided her address, only to immediately regret it—she was headed to Jinghao.

Sure enough, Lu Jingyue paused, "Moved to a new place?"

Ye Tian let out an awkward chuckle, trying to cover her slip, "No, I'm just staying at a friend's place for a bit."

Lu Jingyue's eyes dimmed momentarily before he composed himself.

If his memory served him right, Gu Qinian also resided in Jinghao.

Lu Jingyue glanced at the rearview mirror; the car had been trailing him since he had spotted Ye Tian at the subway station. And Gu Qinian was in it.

Ye Tian was becoming increasingly curious.

After waving goodbye to Lu Jingyue, Ye Tian returned to her apartment. With Gu Qinian absent, she hummed contentedly, enjoying the solitude.

But work was another story.

Outside Jinghao.

"Director Gu, are we going inside?" Han Cheng inquired cautiously. He recognized Lu Jingyue's car all too well, yet he hadn't expected to see Ye Tian alighting from it twice in a row.

"No, let's head back to the office," Gu Qinian replied icily.

It appeared his warnings were taken lightly. Was she trying to make a fool of him?

Gu Qinian closed his eyes, concealing the fierce anger within.

Ye Tian's streak of good fortune lasted less than three days. No sooner had she seen off Lin Anna than Ren Yuanhua, a well-known socialite, arrived at New World, specifically requesting Ye Tian to photograph her.

Ye Tian's brow furrowed as she considered asking Lu Jingyue if someone else could take her place.

Ren Yuanhua was a different challenge compared to Lin Anna. While Lin Anna's notorious temper was well-known in the industry, often amplified by the paparazzi, Ren Yuanhua was a personal acquaintance. Ye Tian had grown up with her and knew her temperament all too well. With the Ye family's downfall, Ren Yuanhua would surely not miss an opportunity to taunt and ridicule her.

What's more, Ren Yuanhua was best friends with Ye Ziyan.

Before Ye Tian could reach out to Lu Jingyue, her secretary informed her that the assignment was handpicked by Director Gu.

Gu Qinian again!

Had she wronged him in a past life?

When Ye Tian called, before she could even speak, Gu Qinian cut her off with a response, "If you don't want the job, resign."

Fuming with nowhere to direct her anger, Ye Tian cursed Gu Qinian's ancestors under her breath, sparing only his grandmother.

Was he intentionally provoking her?

With a scowl, Ye Tian greeted Ren Yuanhua.

"Well, if it isn't Miss Ye? Couldn't find a decent job, so you've stooped to menial work at New World?" The words were harsh, and although they were aimed at Ye Tian, the New World staff present felt the sting too. The insult wasn't just directed at Ye Tian; it disparaged them all, suggesting they were reduced to menial work due to a lack of better opportunities.

Ye Tian had always been aware that Ren Yuanhua couldn't stand to see others succeed. When she heard such comments, she remained unfazed. Growing up, she had seen how Ren Yuanhua would eagerly congratulate any family that fell from grace.

It's often said that good people don't live long, while troublemakers last for ages. Yet, the Ren family showed no signs of faltering.

Ye Tian wasn't one to generalize unfairly, but the Ren family truly were opportunists, swaying with the prevailing winds. Her acquaintance with Ren Yuanhua began when the Ren family shifted their allegiances to align with Old Master Ye's influence. Ye Tian found Ren Yuanhua's character distasteful, unlike Ye Ziyan, who got along well with her.

It's true what they say: like attracts like.

Ye Tian let out a derisive snort. "You look down on it? If you think New World isn't up to your standards, then why not grace Vogue with your presence?"

Vogue, the leading global fashion magazine, revered as the "Fashion Bible," clearly illustrates its esteemed position.

At this, many people stifled their laughter, siding with Ye Tian. If Ren Yuanhua thought she was too good for New World, she should prove her worth by appearing in Vogue.

Ye Tian felt this was a deliberate attempt to rile her up.

Predictably, Ren Yuanhua's face turned ashen, her already sour expression twisting into something more grotesque.

"I want a different photographer!" Ren Yuanhua demanded. Ye Tian wasn't about to let her have her way. "I'm sorry, but unless you breach the contract and renegotiate, or convince the boss to replace me, I'm the only photographer you've got."

Ren Yuanhua was in no position to do either, particularly not to approach Gu Qinian. After all, it had been a struggle to get her father to sign the contract in the first place. She had intended to intimidate Ye Tian, but instead of catching her prey, she ended up losing out and getting pecked in the process.

Appearing in New World was her chance to gain more clout within the Lady Circle; she had no desire to be perpetually trailing behind others.

"No wonder you're only fit to photograph me," Ren Yuanhua sneered, abruptly changing the subject to deliver a cutting jibe.

"Oh? Are you suggesting that you're only worthy of being photographed by me?"

It seems that even if Ye Tian isn't up to par, Ren Yuanhua is only fit to have her picture taken by Ye Tian.

Ren Yuanhua was left speechless for quite some time.

Ye Tian laughed, "Chinese culture is rich and profound. Sister, you really should learn more!"

She was never one to shy away from a battle of wits!

Since she couldn't avoid the situation, she decided to embrace it. Ren Yuanhua was no match for her if she wanted to pick a fight.

"You're nothing but a homewrecker who seduces other people's men!" Ren Yuanhua scoffed.

Her words set the entire photography team abuzz.

Ye Tian furrowed her brow.

Seeing that Ye Tian remained silent, Ren Yuanhua grew even bolder, "What's the matter? Struck a nerve and now you can't defend yourself?"

Ye Tian let out a chuckle, "You seem pretty sure of yourself. Did I steal your man?"

Ren Yuanhua's face darkened, and she retorted, "You have the audacity to work here after stealing your own sister's man? Flirting with Lu Jingyue while also not letting go of Gu Qinian. You're quite the strategist."

The room erupted into chaos once more.

The rumors of Ye Tian's ambiguous relationship with Director Lu were already the hottest gossip in the company, but this new twist was explosive.

"She seems so honest on any regular day."

"There's a saying, isn't there? You can't measure the ocean's water, and you can't judge a person by their appearance."

"That seems a bit unfair, doesn't it? We don't know the whole story. Just by looking at Ren Yuanhua, you can tell she's no saint."

"Exactly, she was just throwing shade a moment ago!"

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