Accidentally Sold Myself (Rebirth) - Chapter 40
40: The Jealousy of Luo Ningshuang
Gu Xi woke up early in the morning and started writing. She was determined to finish her overbearing CEO novel and move on to her cultivation novel. As for the film set, with such an excellent team in place, there weren’t any major issues to worry about.
“Stop playing with your phone and eat first!” Wang Xiaoya said as she entered, placing a lunchbox on the table.
Gu Xi glanced at the lunchbox, feeling a bit nauseated. Eating the same boxed meals every day was getting unbearable. She put down her phone and complained, “Can we eat something else for a change?”
“Sure, I’ll head to the market and buy some ingredients to cook.” Wang Xiaoya replied, turning to leave.
Gu Xi quickly stopped her. “Forget it, forget it. The market’s too far, and I’d starve by the time you get back. I’ll just eat the lunchbox. You go eat too, don’t worry about me.”
“Alright then.”
Opening the lunchbox, Gu Xi saw the same old dishes. With little appetite, she took a couple of bites before addressing the system: “Deduct one more luck point. Not having internet is driving me crazy.”
Ding! 1 point deducted. Current luck points: 62/300.
On Weibo, things were heating up. Fans from both sides were fiercely arguing, though Gu Xi’s book fans were slightly at a disadvantage.
Gu Xi shook her head, wondering how they’d feel once the truth came out. After replacing the final chapter, she let out a sigh of relief, marked the novel as complete, and opened her email.
“Huh? I got invited to a book signing event!”
With only three days until the event, Gu Xi was thrilled, even taking a few extra bites of the unappetizing lunchbox.
“What’s got you so happy?” a voice asked.
Gu Xi looked up sharply and, seeing who it was, exclaimed with joy, “Why are you here?”
Luo Ningshuang, dressed in a women’s suit with her sleeves rolled up to reveal her slender, delicate arms, surveyed the room. Frowning, she said, “I didn’t expect the conditions here to be this bad.”
“You’ve got the nerve to say that when you’re the one who tricked me into coming here! By the way, is everything settled with the company? Who was it?” Gu Xi asked, pushing the lunchbox aside.
Luo Ningshuang, seeing no suitable place to sit, plopped down on the edge of Gu Xi’s bed. “Yes, I’ve handled the finance department issue. As for the documents, it was Jiang Wenxi’s boyfriend—or rather, not her boyfriend. He was just someone Xiao Feng sent to get close to her. His methods were quite clever. Jiang Wenxi was deceived, plain and simple. She’s resigned now. As for what happens next, it depends on whether she can pull herself together.”
“How did this happen? Will she be able to find a good job after resigning?” Gu Xi felt sorry for Jiang Wenxi, who was a decent person and had been unfairly caught up in this mess.
Luo Ningshuang paused and smiled. “I know it’s not her fault, so I recommended her to another company. Don’t worry, she’s worked with me, so I won’t let her down.”
That was reassuring, though her words sounded a bit ambiguous. Gu Xi felt a twinge of irritation. “I got an invitation to a book signing. Should I go?”
Luo Ningshuang shook her head. “You can’t go. There’s too much going on right now. If you show your face, it’ll only increase the danger. Wait until later, okay?”
“Fine.” Though a bit disappointed, Gu Xi valued her safety more.
“As for the Gu family, I found out that years ago, Gu Jize took his wife and daughter to a rival’s birthday banquet. On the way, they were ambushed for no apparent reason. Their daughter was also named Gu Xi. So, is it you?” Though phrased as a question, her tone was certain.
Gu Xi genuinely didn’t know and struggled to explain. “I… I don’t know.”
Luo Ningshuang’s eyes flickered with doubt. Gu Xi knew her hesitant demeanor might be mistaken for a lack of trust.
“It’s okay. I understand you don’t want the Gu family to know about you. If you want to confirm whether you’re connected to them, there’s one way.” Luo Ningshuang said, dispelling her doubts and playfully pinching Gu Xi’s cheek.
“What way?”
Luo Ningshuang sighed dramatically. “Little money-grubber, I’ve been working so hard for you. Don’t you think you should show some appreciation?”
Gu Xi was dumbfounded. Appreciation? She was flat broke! Confused, she asked, “Like what?”
Luo Ningshuang smirked. “Simple. Sing ‘Conquered’ for me.”
Gu Xi: “…”
Fine, she’d endure it. After all, she needed Luo Ningshuang’s help. With a lifeless expression, Gu Xi sang half-heartedly, “And so I was conquered by you, drinking the poison you hid…”
The song dragged on for a full half-hour because Luo Ningshuang kept interrupting—first saying she was off-key, then that she lacked emotion, demanding she start over. By the time Gu Xi was on the verge of losing it, Luo Ningshuang finally said, “Good enough.”
“The Gu family has an eldest daughter, Gu Qing, who married a mediocre director named Huai Gang. They have a son, Gu Chengbin, and a daughter, Huai Anlu.” Luo Ningshuang said, watching Gu Xi with interest.
What? Gu Xi was stunned. If she was truly connected to the Gu family, wouldn’t Huai Anlu and the others be her cousins? Uncertain, she asked, “You mean…”
“DNA. Get their hair.”
Gu Xi suddenly understood. “No wonder you made me come to this godforsaken place. You had this planned all along!”
“Let’s go check out the set.” Luo Ningshuang said, pulling her up with a smile.
Gu Xi nodded, feeling a little excited, like she was playing spy. Luo Ningshuang glanced back and suddenly teased, “Little money-grubber, still think I’m a jerk?”
Gu Xi: “…” So making her sing “Conquered” for half an hour was revenge! Pouting, she said, “I was just telling the truth.”
“Oh, really?” Luo Ningshuang’s eyes glinted dangerously.
Gu Xi sensed that saying the wrong thing might provoke this petty woman into something unpredictable. Not admitting she was intimidated, she backtracked, “No, you’re great. I was blind not to see it.”
Luo Ningshuang nodded, satisfied. “Let’s go.”
…
“Well, look who’s here! Are you inspecting us?” Huai Anlu stood up immediately upon seeing them.
Luo Ningshuang pulled a box from her bag and handed it to her casually. “Here, a gift for your girlfriend. Consider it my thanks.”
Gu Xi found the box familiar but couldn’t place it. She glanced at Luo Ningshuang, who winked playfully, giving her a bad feeling.
Sure enough, when Huai Anlu opened the box, Gu Xi caught a glimpse of the familiar little golden figurine—a gift Luo Ningshuang had once given her, now being passed on…
Huai Anlu, unlike Gu Xi, was delighted. “Nice, this is totally my style! I think we could be close friends. Let’s talk if you’ve got more good stuff.”
Gu Xi noticed Luo Ningshuang’s lip twitch slightly, confirming she’d only given the gift away because she didn’t like it.
Gu Xi stepped forward, pulling Huai Anlu to sit down and massaging her shoulders attentively. “Director Huai, you’re the most important person in our crew. Can’t let you get too tired. Hang on, I’ll make you a cup of hot tea so you can relax during your break.”
As Gu Xi diligently massaged her, focused on snagging a strand of hair, she didn’t notice Luo Ningshuang’s icy glare.
“Being so attentive for no reason? You must want something.” Huai Anlu said, not buying it. She leaned back comfortably, squinting.
“No way, I’m just stating facts. Without you, this script would turn into a total flop. You’re the hardest worker here, so it’s only right I give you a massage.” Gu Xi said earnestly.
“You know, that’s not entirely—ow!” Huai Anlu yelped mid-sentence, clutching her scalp. “What was that?”
“Oh, I saw a white hair and pulled it for you.” Gu Xi said matter-of-factly.
Huai Anlu looked skeptical. “I’m not that old, am I? Was there really a white hair? Show it to me.”
“I threw it away.”
Gu Xi grabbed the now-fuming Luo Ningshuang and said, “We’ve got stuff to do. You keep filming. We’re off.”
Huai Anlu stood up, reaching out. “Hey, what about that tea you promised?”
Without turning back, Gu Xi shouted, “You’re not disabled, make it yourself!”
Huai Anlu: “…”
After they left, Huai Anlu touched the spot where her hair was pulled, muttering, “That was a quick change of attitude. Wait, something’s off. She must’ve wanted my hair… Gu Xi, Gu Xi… Could it be…?”
Once Gu Xi and Luo Ningshuang left the set, Gu Xi proudly waved the strand of hair. “See? Got it easily. Pretty impressive, right?”
Seeing Luo Ningshuang’s silence, Gu Xi frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re awfully pleased with yourself.” Luo Ningshuang said coldly.
Gu Xi was confused. “…”
“I said we needed hair, but did I tell you to go fawning over her?”
“You’re something else. I’m running around doing all this for you, and do you ever massage my shoulders?”
“Not even a simple thank you.”
The barrage left Gu Xi speechless. But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like Luo Ningshuang was jealous. If that was true, could she dare to hope? Hope that this time, she might find true love.
Of course, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to blurt it out like last time. Suppressing her racing heart, she said nervously, “Come on, we’re close enough that we don’t need to keep score, right?”
Seeing no objection from Luo Ningshuang, Gu Xi felt a spark of joy, her heart burning with excitement. She was about to press further when Luo Ningshuang’s next words doused her hopes.
“Oh, you’re right. We’re married, so we don’t need to keep score. In that case, I guess I don’t need to pay for those film rights of yours either.”
Gu Xi: “…” She decided she’d rather stick with her money. It was far more lovable.