Being the Diva’s Rumored Girlfriend [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 16

When Fu Yilan stood up from her wheelchair, Manman felt like her breath was about to stop.

Especially when Fu Yilan said, “Did I ever say I was disabled?” Mu Yunshu, who had been standing beside Manman, quickly pulled her behind herself.

Mu Yunshu said nonchalantly, “If you came to pick us up, why scare Manman like that?”

A perfectly normal “disabled person” suddenly standing up—of course, that would scare anyone!

Hiding behind Mu Yunshu, Manman stared at her long black hair in surprise and muttered, “Y-you knew??”

Fu Yilan showed no trace of embarrassment from standing up from the wheelchair. She simply straightened her skirt and said to the two of them, “Let’s get in the car.”

Mu Yunshu didn’t refuse either. She turned around, took Manman’s hand, and got into the car.

Inside the car, Mu Yunshu explained their relationship to Manman.

About ten years ago, Fu Yilan had also been part of the entertainment industry. Back then, the two had gotten along well and became friends. Later, due to poor health, Fu Yilan stopped acting, but she never truly left the industry.

She started her own company, signing artists and producing films, which turned out to be even more successful than her acting career.

However, Fu Yilan genuinely had a weak constitution. She had to take various medications almost daily, and working for too long would leave her dizzy and unable to sleep. To prolong her life, she began living in a wheelchair.

“I don’t sit in the wheelchair every day,” Fu Yilan said calmly from the passenger seat to the two in the back. “Occasionally, I go to the gym. The doctor says my health has improved a lot.”

Indeed, Manman remembered how pale Fu Yilan had looked when she first saw her—like someone who had been bedridden for a long time. She just hadn’t expected Fu Yilan’s condition to be better than she’d imagined.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Manman finally let out a slow sigh of relief.

Mu Yunshu seemed tickled by Manman’s little reactions. She gazed at her with a smile for a long time, until Manman grew uneasy under the scrutiny. Then she said, “During this time, I’ll try to arrange for us to appear in public together often.”

Manman nodded meekly. “Thank you.”

Mu Yunshu didn’t seem to like how polite Manman was being. She had been so relaxed during the show—why was she acting so distant now?

She reached out and intertwined their fingers, leaning slightly closer.

Her long black hair brushed faintly against Manman’s nose, making her feel like she wanted to sneeze, yet the sensation stayed trapped in her nostrils.

“I think we’ll be seeing each other again soon,” Mu Yunshu said, her dark eyes glimmering with starlight as she pressed her lips together. “If it’s my call, you have to answer.”

Manman was dazed. Even if Fu Yilan didn’t know the secret between them, they both did…

It was all supposed to be fake, so why did Manman suddenly feel an overwhelming reluctance to part?

She lowered her head and tightened her grip, feeling Mu Yunshu’s warmth—so comforting it made her feel safe.

“Okay,” Manman murmured, her gaze drifting as her cheeks flushed slightly. “I’ll answer your calls.”

Watching the two lovebirds in the backseat getting all cozy, Fu Yilan couldn’t help but tap the car roof with her finger, reminding them there were two outsiders present and they should tone it down.

The assistant first dropped Mu Yunshu back at her studio. Mi Man waved as she watched her get out of the car. Only after the vehicle slowly drove away from the white building did Fu Yilan finally speak.

“Take a couple days to rest after you return. The company has arranged several endorsement deals for you to audition for.”

Though Fu Yilan and Mu Yunshu were friends, to Mi Man she was first and foremost the boss.

Mi Man quickly adjusted to this dynamic and nodded. “What kind of endorsements?”

She had done commercials before, but back then it was always with the whole team, with Mi Man positioned in the far right corner, nearly obscured by props.

But Fu Yilan said, “This time, it’s solo shoots. No team involvement.”

Mi Man looked at her in surprise. “Just me alone?”

Fu Yilan glanced back at her coolly. “Is it that shocking? You’ve already finished filming a variety show. Coming back for a couple commercials shouldn’t be difficult, should it?”

Mi Man shook her head. It wasn’t about difficulty—after all, entering this industry meant being in the spotlight. But…

“Do the others know about this?”

“They’ll find out eventually.”

Fu Yilan rested her elbow on the window frame, idly tracing her cheek with a finger as she said calmly, “You’ll leave the group eventually. Going solo is just a matter of time.”

Mi Man understood. Many idols had gone solo for various reasons, and breaking away meant future success would depend solely on one’s own efforts.

Both paths had their pros and cons. In their obscure girl group, whenever one member gained prominence, the unit never lasted long.

Mi Man just never imagined she’d be the one.

“You’ll still be under our management after going solo, but your benefits and visibility will far exceed what you get in the group,” Fu Yilan continued. “Originally, this opportunity was meant for Cheng Jing. But now, you seem more likely to break out first.”

After a pause, Mi Man said, “You promised that after I finished the show, I wouldn’t have to be the group’s lead dancer anymore…”

“I did promise that,” Fu Yilan acknowledged. “But I never said I wouldn’t promote you.”

The air suddenly felt thin to Mi Man. She didn’t crave fame—just wanted decent earnings for a stable, comfortable life.

Becoming a superstar was beyond her wildest dreams.

As familiar scenery passed by, Mi Man recognized they were nearing her dorm apartment.

True enough, within two minutes the black car pulled up outside her building.

“You’re home,” Fu Yilan said, tilting her head.

Mi Man sat in silence for a long moment before finally opening the door to leave.

Just as she stepped out, Fu Yilan’s voice followed: “Mi Man, you know some facts can’t be changed no matter what. This is a good thing.”

Mi Man nodded. “Thank you, President Fu.”

With a final glance at Mi Man’s retreating figure, Fu Yilan added, “Remember to answer my calls.”

Mi Man nodded in agreement, grabbed her things, closed the car door, and turned to enter the apartment building.

Fu Yilan watched through the tinted car window until Mi Man disappeared inside before turning back to her assistant. “Let’s go to Mu Yunshu’s studio. I have something to discuss with her.”

——————

After three months apart, standing in front of her dormitory door again filled Mi Man with a warm sense of familiarity.

She hadn’t told her teammates she was returning today—she wanted to surprise them.

After all, since forming the group, Mi Man had never been separated from her little companions for so long.

She pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the door, expecting to be greeted by excited cheers from her friends. But to her surprise, the living room on the first floor was completely empty.

Where was everyone???

Mi Man set down her bag, changed her shoes, and headed upstairs. If no one was on the first floor, maybe they were resting on the second?

But after searching every room, she still couldn’t find anyone.

Strange. She hadn’t heard about any recent performances—where had they all gone???

Just as she was about to call Xiaoxiao in confusion, she heard the sound of the door opening downstairs.

Along with the creak of the door came the voices of two people—though it sounded more like an argument than a conversation.

“Cheng Jing, aren’t you going to comfort Yao Xuan?”

“There’s no need. She’s not a child—she can manage her own emotions.”

“But she’s your girlfriend. Shouldn’t you at least try to talk to her?”

“If I had to comfort everyone who got emotional, I might as well switch careers and become a nanny.”

“Cheng Jing…”

The voices belonged to Cheng Jing and the red-haired girl from the group—the one who had performed with Mi Man at a banquet before. She was Yao Xuan’s roommate.

Their conversation was hard to follow, but from the fragments, Mi Man gathered that Cheng Jing was fighting with her girlfriend—and it seemed pretty serious.

As Cheng Jing pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, she noticed Mi Man’s bag on the couch and paused. “Is Mi Man back?”

Hearing her name, Mi Man quickly responded and hurried downstairs.

The red-haired girl’s mood instantly brightened when she saw Mi Man. She rushed over, pulling her this way and that, examining her closely. “You’ve gotten tanned! A few shades darker!”

Mi Man laughed. “Well, running around outside in all kinds of weather will do that.”

Not that it mattered—a few days indoors, and her fair complexion would return.

Watching their cheerful reunion, Cheng Jing remained composed. She smiled faintly at Mi Man. “Just got back?”

Mi Man nodded.

Cheng Jing grinned. “Then I’ll call Xiaoxiao and the others. They can wrap up rehearsal early—we’ll book a table at the restaurant across the street to welcome you back.”

When Xiaoxiao and the others heard Mi Man had returned, they dropped everything and rushed back. The moment they saw her, they smothered her with hugs and playful touches, teasing her endlessly.

That evening, they all gathered at the restaurant for dinner, chatting nonstop. It was only then that Mi Man learned the group was preparing to record an album soon—meaning she’d have to jump straight into rehearsals.

Amid the noisy return to the dormitory, Mu Xiaoxiao finally managed to pull Mi Man aside to the balcony when no one was paying attention.

“What’s wrong?” Mi Man looked at her with confusion. Since dinner, Xiaoxiao had seemed like she wanted to say something but kept hesitating.

Mu Xiaoxiao glanced inside to make sure no one would disturb them, then took Mi Man’s hand and said, “I heard Cheng Jing might be breaking up with Yao Xuan.”