Chapter Fifty-Five: It’s Just Not Her

Huangpu Deep Affection put away his phone and headed for private room eight on the second floor.

As the three of them walked through the lobby on the first floor, they immediately drew all eyes. One was cool and rebellious, one warm as a spring breeze, and the last strikingly handsome with a hint of boyishness.

Among the onlookers was Bai Xi, who happened to be dining downstairs with her assistant. They had just arrived as well.

She knew that Huangpu Deep Affection and her own aunt’s family were sworn enemies. When they were young, Huangpu Qing’an and Huangpu Qingyin would constantly bully him.

She could still remember that battered little boy, covered in wounds, with a face full of unwillingness and stubborn resolve.

She had wanted him to notice her, to see some other emotion on his face—be it sadness or a smile—so she joined in with the others in bullying him.

Thinking back now, she wondered if she had shown him even a little kindness back then, would she have a place in his heart today?

Under the gaze of the crowd, the three heading for the stairs to the second floor paused.

Bai Xi stepped in front of Huangpu Deep Affection. “Huangpu Deep Affection, why did you make such a statement?”

The Jun and Bai families were both rapidly declining.

In fact, in the film crew, not everyone shunned her because of Xia Wanqing. Some did so because word was out that the Bai family had offended Huangpu Deep Affection, now the powerful head of Lianran Group.

So everyone took their turn kicking them while they were down.

“What does it have to do with you? Get out of the way.” Huangpu Deep Affection’s voice was frosty, and a chill seemed to radiate from him.

What he meant was, “Does what I do have anything to do with you?” But Bai Xi misunderstood it as, “Does the Bai family have anything to do with you?”

“I’m a member of the Bai family. Of course it concerns me,” she retorted, looking him in the eye.

“Miss, you’re blocking the way. If you’re with the Bai family, then go ask them.” Ouyang Mufeng rolled his eyes.

“My father says he never offended any of you. Huangpu Deep Affection, care to explain why?” Bai Xi pressed on, trying to reason with him.

But Huangpu Deep Affection had no interest in wasting words on someone irrelevant.

He sidestepped her and strode away.

He hadn’t expected Bai Xi to grab him, catching his arm.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Shangguan Renran was coming down to greet him, wanting to go over their lines in advance. She was surprised to see Bai Xi clutching Huangpu Deep Affection’s arm on the stairs.

Huangpu Deep Affection saw her too. He forcefully pulled his hand free, nearly causing Bai Xi to stumble.

Then he did something no one expected—he unbuttoned his jacket, shrugged it off, and tossed it to the floor. “Filthy,” he declared. “Renran, come help me disinfect.”

Shangguan Renran was momentarily stunned by this dramatic scene, but quickly realized that Bai Xi was trying to seduce her Mr. Huangpu.

She darted down the stairs and asked blankly, “How should I disinfect you?”

“A hug will do,” Huangpu Deep Affection said, opening his arms.

Shangguan Renran immediately embraced him—it was a matter of defending her territory.

Ouyang Mufeng stared, dumbfounded. “Third Brother, this…”

Gong Yi quipped, “Jealous yet, brother?”

Everyone else…

Even though the first floor was filled with couples, none of them expected to be force-fed such a public display of affection.

Bai Xi’s lips were almost bitten through in frustration when she realized it was Shangguan Renran.

Huangpu Deep Affection led Shangguan Renran upstairs by the hand, completely forgetting his two companions.

Gong Yi hurried after them.

Ouyang Mufeng gave Bai Xi a rakish glance, then deliberately bumped her shoulder hard as he brushed past. “You’re in the way.”

Hiss—

Bai Xi rubbed her shoulder, furious but unable to say a word.

Upstairs, Xia Wanqing was stunned to see the four of them enter—not because there were three unexpected guests for dinner, but because her cousin Renran was holding hands with Young Master Huangpu! What in the world?

Ouyang Muya was equally shocked.

Zhen Mi was also surprised.

Shang Mingcheng, however, simply smiled. So he wasn’t immune to women after all—just not interested in her.

Noticing everyone staring at her in the private room, Shangguan Renran hurriedly let go of his hand, giving herself away even more.

“Well, Renran, you’re dating and didn’t tell us?” Xia Wanqing was the first to scold her.

“I… I just hadn’t had the chance… to tell you,” Shangguan Renran stammered, nervously clasping her hands behind her back—a telltale sign she was lying or anxious.

“Sorry, that’s my fault. I should have invited you all to dinner,” Huangpu Deep Affection said, drawing her to his side, his voice cool and distant.

“All right, let’s sit and eat. We can chat while we dine. We’ve already ordered some dishes—feel free to add more,” Ouyang Muya said to ease the tension, handing over the menu.

Gong Yi took it and ordered a few more dishes and some fruit wine.

Huangpu Deep Affection sat next to Shangguan Renran; to her right was Xia Wanqing, then Ouyang Muya, Shang Mingcheng, Zhen Mi, Ouyang Mufeng, and Gong Yi.

Ouyang Mufeng was determined to sit next to Zhen Mi, and fortunately, there was a seat available. But the man beside her was one of her co-stars—annoying.

As Shang Mingcheng ate, he could feel a scorching gaze on him—hard to ignore, even if he wanted to.

Huangpu Deep Affection kept using the serving chopsticks to pick food Renran liked, poured her soup, peeled her shrimp—all of which made Xia Wanqing green with envy.

“Muya, how about we go on blind dates during the New Year?” Xia Wanqing broke the silence.

“What are you talking about?” Ouyang Muya replied, giving her some of her favorite food. “Who even goes on blind dates these days?”

Then she joked, “Is that enough for you?”

“Not yet, I want some shrimp too,” Xia Wanqing continued.

Just then, Shangguan Renran choked on her shrimp. Huangpu Deep Affection immediately handed her some juice and glanced coldly across the table.

Xia Wanqing instantly stopped acting up—this guy was scary.

Ouyang Muya peeled a few shrimp for her. “Eat up, drama queen.”

Xia Wanqing quietly ate her shrimp.

“Miss Xia’s acting is renowned in our crew,” Shang Mingcheng said with a teasing smile.