After Becoming a Film Queen, She Dumped Her Financial Sponsor - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: “Let’s Take Miss Qiao Home First”

Hurriedly putting on her hat, Qiao Sijin was just about to grab her mask when Fu Qingyun suddenly reached out and took it. With long, slender fingers, he untangled the twisted mask straps.

His gaze lowered, and his expression was serious as he carefully adjusted the mask. Leaning in closer, he gently helped her put it on.

“All set. Are you always this flustered around me?”

In her eyes, Fu Qingyun could see his own reflection.

Behind the mask, Qiao Sijin bit her lip, suddenly feeling something was off. Damn it… why was her heart fluttering at the sight of his face again?

Stay calm. Be serious.

“I’m not flustered at all.”

“I’m just giving you a chance to serve me.”

Anyone can talk tough. As long as she didn’t admit it, it didn’t count as real.

Fu Qingyun chuckled, “I’m honored to serve Miss Qiao.”

Just then, the elevator doors opened. Ye Ke was already waiting outside, fully prepared. She put a finger to her lips and gave a playful wink.

“Boss, are you heading home?”

Ye Ke maintained her most professional demeanor, pretending not to notice the famous actress standing beside her boss.

“Mhm. Let’s take Miss Qiao home first.”

In public, Fu Qingyun returned to his usual cold and distant self, showing no special emotion.

“Understood. I’ve contacted security. There’s plenty of personnel, so you won’t need to worry about getting swarmed.”

“Leave it to me.”

Clearly, this had been planned in advance.

Of course people around Fu Qingyun would be informed of such a high-profile situation. Qiao Sijin, seeing this, finally relaxed. In the past, when Fu Qingyun couldn’t come to see her, Ye Ke often came in his place.

Their relationship seemed fairly amicable—at least more functional than her current strained one with Fu Qingyun.

Once inside the car, they confirmed the company’s main entrance was still secured, and the reporters could only wait outside.

The tinted windows made it impossible to see outside. Qiao Sijin leaned back in her seat, exhausted.

She hadn’t rested well on that stiff office couch. Her whole body felt sore.

“Wake up! Get up, quick, there’s a car pulling out!”

A heavy slap landed on the drowsy paparazzo’s head. Jolting awake, he quickly scrambled up from the flowerbed and brushed off the dirt.

“That’s Fu Qingyun’s car, right?”

“It is! Get the camera ready!”

Countless lenses immediately turned toward the exiting black luxury car. But flanking it on both sides were rows of suited, sunglass-wearing bodyguards—trained professionals.

“This is insane… They’re treating us like we’re thieves.”

Some paparazzi hesitated, clearly intimidated. These pros could hit without leaving marks—but it would still hurt.

Still, a few brave (or foolish) ones rushed forward, trying to get close to the car. But they were instantly blocked by the wall of bodyguards.

“President Fu! President Fu!”

Shouts echoed all around. Qiao Sijin plugged her ears with her fingers.

Since when was Fu Qingyun so popular? The noise was unbearable.

Luckily, the chaos didn’t last long. With enough bodyguards on site, the paparazzi couldn’t get near the vehicle.

The car slowly rolled forward. Once it was a safe distance away, it picked up speed. The bodyguards followed Ye Ke’s orders, forming a tight wall and successfully blocking the reporters behind.

“Impressive.”

Watching the little drama unfold, Qiao Sijin couldn’t help but admire Ye Ke. No wonder she worked under the infamous Fu Qingyun—she was thorough and sharp.

“Thank you, Miss Qiao. Just doing my job.”

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Ye Ke had sharp ears and heard Qiao Sijin’s praise loud and clear.

As a low-key fan who followed Qiao Sijin’s updates closely, Ye Ke’s heart swelled with joy. But with her boss nearby, she had to keep it cool.

Sometimes, being too good at your job was a curse—it attracted jealousy.

“It’s nothing. Consider it recognition for your excellent work. Without you, I might not have gotten out of the company tonight.”

A bit of mutual flattery didn’t hurt—especially when she was determined not to compliment Fu Qingyun.

The car drove on smoothly. Ye Ke turned around and asked a routine question.

“President Fu, where to first tonight?”

Fu Qingyun was still looking out the window. The quiet night passed by, lit only by streetlights. No pedestrians in sight.

“We’ll take Miss Qiao home first.”

As expected.

Ye Ke quickly pulled up Qiao Sijin’s old address in the GPS. The AI voice began to announce directions:

“Now navigating to…”

“Wait. I don’t live there anymore.”

Qiao Sijin interrupted.

She had sold the old place right after her contract with Fu Qingyun ended, wanting to sever all ties and avoid any further entanglement. She’d moved somewhere new.

“Oh—sorry! That’s my oversight.”

“I should’ve asked Miss Qiao directly earlier.”

Ye Ke slapped her forehead. She realized she’d made an assumption, which she really needed to stop doing.

“It’s fine. The new place isn’t far anyway.”

Qiao Sijin wasn’t bothered about Fu Qingyun learning her new address. If he really wanted to know, he could find out—heck, he could probably figure out how many cockroaches lived in her apartment if he cared enough.

Ye Ke updated the address. As Qiao Sijin said, it wasn’t far—just about ten minutes away.

Unfortunately, the scene outside her new place wasn’t looking great either.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. They found my new home already?!”

Tonight was shaping up to be a sleepless one. Did she even deserve a bed at this point?

At the gate of her apartment complex, a crowd had gathered—paparazzi mixed with a few chatty old men munching on sunflower seeds and gossiping away.

“Sir, here—try this! I just ordered it!”

One paparazzo was even sharing takeout with the elderly residents, trying to get information.

“Hey, I just wanted to ask if any of your neighbors is named—”

Before he could finish, someone shoved him aside. Another paparazzo, holding a box of watermelon and wearing a camera on his chest, rushed in.

“Sir! I got this one, okay? I’ve got great rewards for info!”

He pulled out a wad of cash with a sycophantic smile.

This was too much. They were basically doing business in front of her building now?

Was there no law? No justice left in the world?