Forced to Pretend to Be an A and Marry the Best Actress Omega - Chapter 46

Lazy Frontline: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this afternoon’s All-Star Spring/Summer Show? The organizers revealed over 80 celebrities have been invited—half the industry is here! Rumor has it Jiang Lingyu won’t attend due to today’s incident, but we can’t confirm yet as her agent is unreachable. /Shocked/Shocked

Looks like Jiang Lingyu has been focusing less on her career and preparing to retire after marrying that Xu family alpha? I genuinely shipped the “Healing CP” back then, but I guess it’s officially over now.

This blogger will keep following the updates, so hit that follow button! ~#JiangLingyuArrogantlyRejectsOffers#

This marketing account had merely jumped on the trending hashtag #JiangLingyuArrogantlyRejectsOffers# to ride the wave.

But unexpectedly, after posting this tweet, the hashtag suddenly surged into the top three, dragging this hastily written clickbait along with it. A flood of netizens poured in, and the account gained tens of thousands of followers in an instant.

Do these marketing accounts even fact-check before spewing nonsense? What’s the real story here?

 

LMAO, today’s hot searches have really opened my eyes. Now even small accounts are trying to grow by bashing our Yuyu.

 

Followed. Let’s see how you spin this later.

 

Trashy, slanderous accounts like this should just disappear. Can’t a female celebrity have a private life? She had an emergency and already compensated for canceling—what’s there to criticize? Just trying to extort more money, huh? Bet this blogger wants a cut too!

 

Who did Yuyu offend? I watched the hashtag climb from ninth to third, now second. Feels like a targeted smear campaign.

 

But didn’t Jiang Lingyu just reject offers? Fans admitted it themselves—so the account isn’t wrong.

 

The morning offer was for a spin-off web variety radio interview and a watch shoot. That radio interview—have some shame! A derivative show from a senior citizen dating program asking Yuyu to share marriage advice? How is that reasonable? And the watch? A $60 electronic watch expecting Yuyu to endorse it? Just admit you’re trying to scam fans with a generic OEM product branded as “exclusive for Jiang Lingyu fans.”

 

Hasn’t anyone noticed how Jiang Lingyu’s haters multiplied after marrying Xu Mifei? Maybe she shouldn’t have gotten involved with someone like that.

 

Never thought I’d see the day when a dedicated actress like Jiang Lingyu gets bashed by marketing accounts. LOL, guess her fans aren’t as fierce as I thought.

Could it be sabotage from rival shows of Priority of Love? Director Jin’s program crushed all competitors—envy is inevitable.

 

Not overthinking it, but even if Jiang Lingyu is talented, snubbing smaller gigs after getting famous is risky. What if those brands grow big? She’d be burning bridges.

“Come on, don’t mess around. Let’s just wait for the Miss Rose all-star lineup press conference this afternoon. It was already announced earlier that Jiang Lingyu would be the closing act. Aren’t you afraid she won’t address this issue? Those reporters probably staked out the venue three hours early.”

The online uproar was relentless. Jiang Lingyu had always enjoyed a stellar reputation, and in past articles mentioning Xu Wanzhi’s abandonment, the tone was overwhelmingly positive. Even if there were negative remarks, they were quickly suppressed because Xu Wanzhi’s name was attached.

This was the first time since her marriage that Jiang Lingyu had been widely criticized by online gossip accounts. Riding on the hype from the recent Priority of Love show, the two media outlets leading the charge found their condemnation of Jiang Lingyu gaining unprecedented traction, as if divinely aided. The backlash skyrocketed, giving them the confidence to push further.

It was likely because Jiang Lingyu had married Xu Mifei that Xu Wanzhi was no longer using her PR resources to shield her.

Media outlets that had previously harbored resentment toward Jiang Lingyu’s status now had fresh material, many gloating over her predicament. While they couldn’t inflict major damage, forcing Jiang Lingyu to spend heavily on PR would still net them a tidy sum in fees.

The real mystery was which big shot was fueling the fire behind the scenes, propelling the topic to the top of the trending charts and escalating the controversy to new heights.

Even the two original media outlets were taken aback. Reporters flocked to the all-star showcase venue hours early, eager to capture the first scoop.

Since Jiang Lingyu needed to arrive early for makeup, she and Xu Mifei didn’t leave together.

“Yuyu-jie, you’ve been scheduled as the closing act. Here are the gowns you can choose from.”

Inside the car, Miss Rose’s Spring-Summer design director personally briefed Jiang Lingyu, her voice coming through Zhao Zhao’s tablet.

Images of two display racks then appeared on the screen, each gown organized by color. Zhao Zhao eagerly tapped to expand the selection, but her expression froze.

“This…”

“Miss Rose can’t be doing this on purpose, right? Going through all this pomp and ceremony, only to—” Zhao Zhao lowered her voice as she set the tablet down, addressing Jiang Lingyu, who was feigning sleep. “They’ve put you in the closing slot but didn’t offer a single Miss Rose haute couture piece. These are all from other brands. They must’ve seen today’s reports.”

Zhao Zhao pressed her lips together. “This is too much! Normally, it wouldn’t matter, but right now, with the backlash at its peak, wearing another brand’s gown as the closing act is just setting you up for disaster. Maybe… maybe we should ask Young CEO Xu for help—”

Jiang Lingyu, who had kept her eyes shut until now, opened them. “Don’t go to her. She’s busy this afternoon. And you know it’s pointless. This isn’t the brand’s decision—it’s the company’s.”

“Exactly because it’s the company’s decision, Young CEO Xu might still have a way. The company isn’t controlled by just one person—”

A single glance from Jiang Lingyu silenced Zhao Zhao, who reluctantly pushed the tablet toward her.

Jiang Lingyu randomly pointed at one gown and confirmed her selection.

Zhao Zhao sighed inwardly.

It was a stunning haute couture spring piece from a top-tier luxury brand, the kind most actresses could only dream of wearing. Yet for Jiang Lingyu, it was just another option—one that now felt like a hot potato, indirectly placing her under even harsher scrutiny.

The company’s contract with her explicitly stated the preferential allocation of resources—gowns, specifications, and promotions—all at the first-tier level, and exclusively so. Jiang Lingyu couldn’t afford to be down-to-earth even if she wanted to. It wasn’t that she personally refused, but the company deemed it beneath her status and wouldn’t allow it.

This included the criticism she faced at events for “not following the organizer’s rules” or being “arrogant”—all of which were unavoidable.

The contract itself was unreasonable, with plenty of room for manipulation, and the final say still lay with the company. Jiang Lingyu had no choice but to comply.

Miss Rose was a second-tier brand, but its recent international momentum had been fierce. Within domestic circles, it was already regarded as first-tier, and this star-studded launch event had drawn even more attention.

They had invited Jiang Lingyu as the grand finale, but the haute couture gown reserved for the closing act was reassigned by Xu Wanzhi to Yan Chang, a newly promoted third-tier artist under the company.

This happened precisely when Jiang Lingyu and Xu Mifei’s increased exposure on a variety show had put her under media scrutiny.

With all these factors combined, it was inevitable that outsiders would speculate the company was giving Jiang Lingyu a small lesson—to make her understand who truly held the power she should cling to.

The car approached the red carpet outside the venue.

Reporters who had caught wind of the news spotted the familiar license plate and swarmed instantly, their lenses trained on the car door about to open.

Jiang Lingyu stepped out, fully shielded, but even with sunglasses, the barrage of flashes made her eyes sting.

“Jiang, the award-winning actress, is here!”

“Lingyu, how do you respond to the allegations this morning about you throwing your weight around?”

“Is it true you looked down on their collaboration? Can you also address the rumors about why you refused to cooperate with promotions earlier?”

“Which gown did you choose for this event? Will you respect Miss Rose by wearing their haute couture?”

“Do you disdain domestic brands because you’re focused on international markets? Then why are you still developing your career here?”

“Please respond! Jiang, please give us a response!”

“Sorry, we need to head to makeup first. This isn’t the time for interviews—please step aside!”

Zhao Zhao maintained her politeness, shielding the silent Jiang Lingyu as they pushed forward with difficulty, her face turning green from the jostling, let alone the relentless flashes and cameras shoved in their faces.

The fact that Lingyu-jie could stay composed under such aggressive pursuit was the utmost respect she could show. Respect?! These people were just setting traps, waiting for Jiang Lingyu to stumble into them.

Still, some shoved microphones and cameras right in Jiang Lingyu’s face, trying to capture every flicker of emotion behind her sunglasses.

“Many say your negative press only started after marrying Xu Mifei. Do you agree, Jiang?”

Jiang Lingyu’s steps faltered.

Just as she turned her head—

A team of security personnel rushed over, shoving reporters aside. The tallest among them grabbed the collar of the journalist who had asked the question and flung him several steps back, his microphone clattering to the ground.

All of them were outfitted in full riot gear, head to toe, completely covered. Jiang Lingyu only felt a gentle tug on her shoulder as the staff member who had shielded her ushered her through the doors, leaving the crowd of reporters blocked outside.

She turned to look back, but the figure had already walked away. She gently touched the back of her neck, where her pulse was racing wildly.

Before she could even recognize who it was, her body had already reacted instinctively.

“That staff member was so quick! They must be your fan!” Zhao Zhao patted her chest, still shaken. “So professional—they didn’t even ask for a photo with you.”

Jiang Lingyu lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. “She takes her work very seriously. Let’s go.”

“What kind of staff member is that?! Blind or what?!” A reporter who had been pushed out of the center circle was frantically searching for his dropped microphone, muttering, “The security today is insane—how could they just lift a grown man like me? Where’s my mic? Where the hell is it?”

A pair of leather boots kicked forward, sending the microphone rolling right to his feet.

He immediately brightened and lunged for it.

But the boots stepped on it first.

“Hey, hey, props team testing the media’s mic.” Xu Mifei cracked her wrist and waved at the stunned reporter. Before he could react, she snatched the earpiece from his ear and snapped it in half.

Then she plucked the press pass from his pocket, crumpled it, and stuffed it into her own.

“Test complete. Security, do your job properly—don’t let irrelevant people in.” Xu Mifei pulled down her black mask and flashed a smile. “Reporter friend, don’t let me catch you again.”

“Xiao Xu, back to the group. Food’s here—you want some? We’ve got heavy lifting later.”

“Coming.”

Xu Mifei headed backstage.

Not far away, Damascus, clutching her camera and staff pass, quietly followed.

She had been furious earlier when she saw those reporters harassing Jiang Lingyu.

But she couldn’t squeeze in at all—the other fans who came with her were stationed elsewhere, and she hadn’t expected the outer area to be so crowded.

Thankfully, that staff member had appeared and rescued Jiang Lingyu.

With the sharp instincts of a devoted fan, Damascus immediately recognized that this must be someone who adored Jiang Lingyu!

And not just any fan—one with incredible skills, snapping the reporter’s earpiece like it was nothing. Like some badass female alpha.

Fans stick together, so Damascus decided to confirm the staff member’s identity. Maybe she could even score a better spot for photos.

She tailed the figure all the way backstage and raised her camera, ready to snap a few shots.

Years of photographing Jiang Lingyu had honed Damascus’s skills, and she wanted to take some nice pictures of this fan as a friendly gesture.

Just then, someone handed the staff member a simple boxed meal. The person sat on a low stool, casually removing their cap and sunglasses before digging in, scrolling on their phone between bites.

When Damascus saw that face, she froze.

Who—who was this?! How could it be Xu Mifei?!

Xu Mifei had infiltrated Jiang Lingyu’s props team again? Was she really this relentless? Did she have to control everything?!

Damascus Pavilion felt disgusted with herself for even considering recruiting Xu Mifei as a fan earlier. She turned to leave but unconsciously snapped a few photos anyway.

Buzz—

“Internal Group Chat Emergency! Emergency! Sisters, come quick! Is this about our Yuyu or not?!”

When Damascus saw the link shared in the group chat, she was so shocked she nearly dropped her equipment.

The link claimed that an internet celebrity lawyer named Qi Kaiyu had shared a case that morning about suing one’s spouse during marriage. Netizens quickly speculated the defendant was likely Xu Mifei.

To be precise, the lawsuit targeted a company under Xu Mifei’s name.

Xu Mifei’s name combined with “marital lawsuit” could only mean one thing—Jiang Lingyu was suing him!

During his morning livestream, Qi Kaiyu even posted a censored image, sighing dramatically: “The plaintiff had an employment contract with the defendant’s company. For years, they worked tirelessly—look at this workload density!”

“Outrageous? What’s more outrageous is… I’m representing the defendant! “With a baffled expression, Qi continued, ‘The defendant recently took over the company and discovered their wife’s contract was a hidden unfair clause, now damaging their reputation.’ The plaintiff has been exploited for years with no way out…”While celebrities enjoyed the glamorous fashion show, phones left behind, waiting for their own trending searches, little did they know the outside world had erupted—Xu Mifei’s name now dominated the trending topics.”

“Xiao Ge, the censored blocks in this comparison chart look way too familiar! Isn’t this the recent schedule spreadsheet made by that enthusiastic fan sister you know?!” Lawyer Qi also said if the defendant violated the unfair clause, they’d have to keep working for the company indefinitely. If this really is Yuyu’s contract, she’d be trapped under the Xu family’s company forever!”

Damascus immediately opened her chat with that passionate fan sister to cross-check.

No mistake—the color blocks matched perfectly, some even corrected by her own hand with annotated shades.

Jiang Lingyu’s achievements these years were undeniable, earning two Best Actress trophies independently. Yet long-time fans knew how constrained she was by her company.

Though Jiang always maintained grace in public, defending the company, everyone suspected the contract was to blame.

With only one year left on her contract, fans desperately hoped she’d break free.

After Qi Kaiyu’s censored image caught their attention, fans scrambled for verification. They flooded Qi’s backend until it crashed, but he went radio silent after ending the livestream, leaving only the recording to spread like wildfire.

The longer the silence, the wilder the theories. Soon, someone uncovered Xu Mifei had indeed been sued—filed just that noon.

Damascus remembered how urgently that fan sister had insisted on verifying schedules.

She’d stayed online all night, even sending follow-ups that morning.

At the time, Damascus assumed it was just another overzealous new fan pulling an all-nighter for edits.

But if it was to gather evidence for expedited legal proceedings—everything made sense.

When Xu Mifei noticed her photography earlier, he’d been remarkably gentle—nothing like his rumored irritable temper.

She had even whispered in her ear that she was just an enthusiastic fan.

Wasn’t she the one who had exploited Yuyu? Didn’t she know how much she would have to pay after losing the lawsuit against herself? Wasn’t she the unscrupulous businesswoman who stood on the same side as the Xu family?

Countless questions swirled in her mind, making her want to find the person in question and demand answers.

Damascus Pavilion suddenly looked up, only to find that Xu Mifei’s figure had already disappeared in the distance.

The fashion show was more than halfway through. Backstage, Hu Huaimeng rushed into Jiang Lingyu’s dressing room with her phone in hand.

“Smack!”

Hu Huaimeng had vanished after leaving with Xu Mifei that evening and only reappeared now. Seeing her glowing with excitement, Jiang Lingyu was puzzled.

“Sister Meng! You’re finally back! You didn’t stay in the underground building until now, did you? What were you doing?” Zhao Zhao exclaimed, curiously eyeing the phone Hu Huaimeng had placed on the table. “Hey, since when did you start watching Lawyer Qi’s livestreams? Are you planning to sue someone?”

“It’s almost over,” Hu Huaimeng replied, her voice brimming with joy. “Take a closer look at what this Lawyer Qi is saying. This is a recording from this morning.”

“?” Zhao Zhao leaned in to look. “…What’s he saying?”

“‘One of the most bizarre cases I’ve recently taken on involves a defendant and plaintiff who are married. Yet, the defendant hired me to sue their own spouse on behalf of the plaintiff.'”

“…”

“‘I’m not here to complain, but to share that even such unusual cases and relationships are legally viable. All shared images have been anonymized and approved by the client.'”

“Wow, Qi Kaiyu really is a celebrity lawyer. Just sharing an example gets him over a hundred thousand comments? That’s almost as much buzz as a top star,” Zhao Zhao remarked, oblivious to the implications. “Sister Meng, what’s the meaning of this? Are you planning to hire him?”

Jiang Lingyu seemed to realize something and looked up at Hu Huaimeng. “You—”

“It’s not me who hired him.” Hu Huaimeng nodded, knowing Jiang Lingyu had likely guessed half the truth. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a prodigal son go to such lengths.”

When pushed to the brink, he was willing to sever all his own interests just to free Jiang Lingyu from the contract.

Jiang Lingyu shot to her feet, the diamond fringe on her dress shimmering brilliantly.

“What are you talking about? Explain clearly.” Her voice carried a barely perceptible tremor.

“That dress is beautiful and suits you, but no matter how well it suits you, it’s not the most fitting—at least not for today’s Miss Rose showcase.” Hu Huaimeng smiled warmly. “Young Master Xu said today would be the last time you wear an ill-fitting dress.”

Everything clicked in Jiang Lingyu’s mind.

It was her!

Xu Mifei was really doing it—what she had said herself… that marriage would be the beginning of her freedom. This was what she meant.

Zhao Zhao was completely lost, unable to decipher the cryptic exchange between Jiang Lingyu and Hu Huaimeng. Anxiously, she interjected, “Wait, Sister Meng, don’t you know how chaotic it is outside? We were swarmed by reporters on our way in!”

“Lingyu still has to close the show later. Do you think those reporters in the venue will let her off easy? They’re just waiting to criticize her! Those heartless media outlets are itching for our Lingyu to walk out in a non-MR dress so they can tear into her!”

“Difficult? Not necessarily. Since they can’t see the truth, we’ll help them see it.”

Jiang Lingyu said, “You mean… I should answer truthfully.”

“It’s what Young Master Xu said. The more tricky their questions are, the more it works in your favor. Just answer them directly without worrying about any consequences.” Hu Huaimeng’s grin was practically unstoppable. “She’s got your back! Just do as you wish. Honestly, you didn’t even have to wear this dress today—it was entirely your choice… Young Master Xu really doesn’t want you suffering the slightest discomfort. Did the design director send you rows of photos? That never happens normally. These dresses were personally selected by her last night!”

Ensuring that no domestic actress had worn any of these pieces before, it was a display of utmost prestige.

Today, she still followed the company’s original request to wear another brand’s gown—precisely to give those reporters the opportunity to ask their questions.

What media outlet dared to set a trap for Jiang Lingyu? Xu Mifei had already dug the pit herself, waiting for any bold enough to step into it.

Zhao Zhao finally realized what was happening, her lips parting in shock, unable to utter a single word. She couldn’t believe that the young CEO Xu would go this far for Jiang Lingyu.

Jiang Lingyu’s heart suddenly felt as if it had been swept up by a high-altitude current, spiraling dizzyingly high. Her head spun, her heart fluttered, and even the stale backstage air tasted faintly sweet.

She asked, “Where is she?”

Hu Huaimeng opened the dressing room door. “Go. She’s waiting for you on the stage.”

——

On the runway, Yan Chang walked with an uneasy stride under the dazzling lights, half-envious gazes following her.

But she knew—no matter how proudly she carried herself, she couldn’t hide the guilt in her heart. She couldn’t pull off this closing gown—a piece designed from head to toe for a star with commanding presence. She wasn’t worthy.

When she was abruptly told to wear this dress for the finale, Yan Chang had felt nothing but dread.

Behind her was Jiang Lingyu, the true closing act.

Backstage, Jiang Lingyu had even greeted her without a trace of resentment. Yan Chang noticed Jiang Lingyu wasn’t wearing MR’s haute couture.

Was it because she had taken the dress, leaving Jiang Lingyu with nothing? Just like the rumors said—after getting involved with Xu Mifei, she had angered the company—

The young CEO Xu had helped Yan Chang before, and she had personally witnessed Xu Mifei firing Li Xiuni. She knew it had been for Jiang Lingyu’s sake, so she didn’t want to provoke her.

But she also couldn’t afford to cross Xu Wanzhi. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and comply.

As the cameras panned, the celebrities below wore perfectly polite smiles, though their eyes betrayed varied emotions.

The finale and curtain call were approaching. Yan Chang took her final step and exhaled deeply in relief.

High above the stage, hidden in the darkness, a lighting rig ascended, accompanied by stagehands.

This must have been the organizer’s creative touch—planning to scatter something during the curtain call.

As Yan Chang descended the stairs, the rising platform wobbled slightly under the weight of a massive, heavy spotlight. The nearby stagehand failed to steady it.

Someone brushed past Yan Chang, effortlessly stabilizing the light and replacing the flustered worker.

The glow from the spotlight illuminated the person’s eyes and silhouette. Yan Chang looked up and saw who was holding it.

It was… Xu Mifei.

She outshone even the spotlight in her hands. Yan Chang was so stunned she forgot to step offstage. But the light wasn’t directed at her—just like that polite encounter in the office, it had merely been incidental.

This time, steadying the light was only to illuminate the person at the end of her gaze.

On the empty runway, Jiang Lingyu appeared, walking steadily under the gaze of the entire audience.

Beside her, the lift carried Xu Mifei into the darkened heights.

Yan Chang averted her eyes and nervously returned to Xu Wanzhi’s side in the front row.

Xu Wanzhi smiled. “You’re back. That dress suits you—you look stunning.”

“Th-thank you, Sister Wanzhi…” Yan Chang forced a smile.

Xu Wanzhi nodded, withdrawing her gaze from the person beside her and turning her attention back to the stage.

Yan Chang finally let out a sigh of relief. She had once thought Xu Wanzhi was gentle, but through her interactions with Xu Mifei, she had vaguely realized that behind Xu Wanzhi’s gentleness lay dominance and indifference.

In contrast, Xu Mifei—the one everyone dismissed as unreliable, a playboy, and frivolous—had actually done good deeds beneath that carefree facade, hiding genuine kindness and thoughtfulness.

A sharp-looking woman dressed in black approached Xu Wanzhi and whispered, “Miss, the internet is in an uproar, demanding the company release the contract. There’s still time for damage control—let’s disperse the reporters!”

“What’s there to fear?” Xu Wanzhi smirked. “How much worse can it get? Mifei really thinks she’s something, but if that contract is terminated, it’s her shares that will take the hit. Would she really dare? She’s just trying to humiliate me by riding the wave. Today, I’ll make sure she understands—without my permission, she can’t protect anyone.”

The venue was packed with media, each armed with sharp, venomous questions aimed directly at Jiang Lingyu.

Would Jiang Lingyu dare to speak? She wouldn’t.

At that moment, Jiang Lingyu stepped to the center of the stage. The moment she took the microphone, countless camera flashes erupted around her.

She didn’t even have time to utter a word of thanks before the reporters surged forward, rising from their seats to fire their questions.

A massive spotlight illuminated the entire stage, reducing the camera flashes to mere background noise. Jiang Lingyu stood bathed in the glow like a goddess under divine light.

The angle and brightness of the light were enough to dispel the discomfort of the flashes without stinging her eyes.

Jiang Lingyu lifted her gaze toward a familiar direction. Though the person was hidden in the shadows, she could still make out the gentle outline and the curve of smiling eyes.

Silence fell.

Jiang Lingyu read Xu Mifei’s lips. Despite the height difference between them, Xu Mifei’s voice seemed to whisper right in her ear: “Don’t be afraid. Trust me.”

Gripping the microphone tightly, she said, “Ask whatever you want.”

The reporters, now accustomed to the brightness, eagerly shouted:

“Jiang, can you explain why you didn’t wear the brand’s gown? Is it true, as the internet claims, that you look down on Miss Rose? Was wearing another luxury brand for MR’s finale a deliberate slap in the face?”

Jiang Lingyu could only shake her head helplessly, hesitating with the microphone in hand. Her gaze flickered past Xu Wanzhi before quickly darting away.

With high-definition cameras everywhere, not a single movement of hers went unnoticed—even the whitened tips of her fingers from gripping too tightly were captured clearly.

Just as the reporter was about to press further, a strong impact jolted him, and his microphone was snatched away. A young woman, no older than twenty-five or twenty-six and holding a camera, shouted loudly, “Then explain this! Is it true what’s being said online about issues with your company contract?!”

Jiang Lingyu’s expression froze instantly.

She reflexively smoothed her already perfectly styled hair, then lightly touched her ear, forcing a stiff smile. “Which media outlet is this? Please refrain from asking such questions.”

She didn’t say the company was at fault.

She was just evading.

The scene erupted in an uproar, with the cameras even capturing Xu Wanzhi’s face before she could adjust her expression—her features twisted with livid fury.

Xu Mifei almost clapped her hands in delight at the sight.

Every expression and pause from Jiang Lingyu were perfectly timed, and the sudden appearance of Damascus Pavilion was the stroke of genius.

People might call Jiang Lingyu arrogant, but no one could deny her acting skills—those two little golden statues weren’t for nothing!

Knowing the high-definition cameras were rolling, she played the role of the wronged and coerced to perfection, coincidentally demonstrating what it meant to “read the room.”

Every frame, when examined closely, revealed something amiss—wasn’t this clearly a case of being forced and exploited?

The media, naturally drawn to gossip, were already preparing to swarm Xu Wanzhi’s direction.

Xu Wanzhi was right there in the audience, making it all the more convenient.

“Thank you, MR, for having me as the closing guest. The dresses are all stunning, and I appreciate the efforts of the designers and the entire team,” Jiang Lingyu’s cool, composed voice echoed through the venue via the microphone. “After today, we’ll meet again in a brand-new form.”

The firecrackers were ready, everything set—all that was missing was the spark to light the fuse—

Boom!

As her closing remarks concluded, a dazzling shower of iridescent butterflies rained down from above, like a layer of intoxicating luxury, opulent and enchanting.

Some screamed, some cheered, while others puzzled over Jiang Lingyu’s words.

Qin Lu rushed to Xu Wanzhi’s side: “Let’s go! The trending list is exploding! Miss, I told you—I told you—”

Qin Lu was so furious she could barely speak, her voice trembling.

Just one minute—one minute earlier, the moment Jiang Lingyu finished her closing speech, her new manager had exposed all of Jiang Lingyu’s schedules and the company’s cancellations over the past five years.

Reporters who had caught wind of the news were already turning their attention to Xu Wanzhi.

Amid the chaos, Jiang Lingyu gazed through the flurry of butterflies toward Xu Mifei, standing behind the lights.

That person gave her a goofy thumbs-up, then a peace sign, and—perhaps worried the gestures were too small to see—ended by forming half a heart with one arm.

The surrounding turmoil meant nothing to her. When Jiang Lingyu looked at Xu Mifei, the world fell silent.

Silent, save for the thunderous beating of her own heart.

Here was a childish yet magnificent knight—magnificent enough to accomplish what she couldn’t, yet childish enough to only have eyes for her.

She deciphered Xu Mifei’s silent lips once more.

“Jiang Lingyu, Jiang Lingyu!” Excitedly calling her name twice, Xu Mifei then mouthed, “A wedding gift—your freedom.”

With each heartbeat, waves of emotion surged through her body.

She watched intently as Xu Mifei formed that half-heart, the missing half—

Only when filled by another would it become whole.

She was free.

Yet her heart crumbled, tears bitter and astringent flooding her eyes. As she looked at Xu Mifei, Jiang Lingyu realized one thing with absolute clarity—she would never be free again.

Because her heart no longer belonged to herself.