Stealing My Ex's White Moonlight - Chapter 16

Cheng Yun had been having a rough few days. Sometimes, Jiang You’s face would flash in his mind, sneering, “Lin Wanqing is mine. Get lost.”

Other times, Lin Wanqing’s face would appear, cold and haughty, “You, Cheng Yun, aren’t even worthy to lick my shoes. Youyou is my true destined partner.”

He had thought he had Jiang You firmly in his grasp, but she had slipped out of his control, turning to kiss the White Moonlight she had long admired.

In that moment, he felt like he had been struck by lightning, his soul shattered.

Tonight, he had dressed to the nines for the banquet, one of his goals being to secure the other female lead role in Director Jiang Yu’s new film.

Liang Yu had heard rumors that Lin Wanqing would be the lead actress in Director Jiang Yu’s upcoming film. Only by getting close to her could he legitimately enter Lin Wanqing’s orbit.

He never expected Lin Wanqing to bring Jiang You to such an important event.

The sight of them holding hands was like a dagger to his eyes.

What right does she have?

What right does she have to stand beside my White Moonlight?!

Especially Jiang You’s radiant smile, her face glowing with happiness, made him want to tear her face to shreds.

Cheng Yun ground his molars until they ached, gulping down a mouthful of red wine as if only that could ease the humiliation and jealousy burning within him.

His phone suddenly rang. It was Song Wei. For once, a faint smile flickered across Cheng Yun’s face as he stepped aside to answer.

Song Wei’s tearful sobs came through the phone. Cheng Yun immediately asked, “Weiwei, what’s wrong?”

“Sister Cheng… I…”

“Don’t cry. Tell me slowly.”

Cheng Yun hadn’t been paying attention to the outside world lately and was unaware of the major incident involving Song Wei. After hearing Song Wei’s account, Cheng Yun’s anger flared instantly.

Jiang You, humiliating me is one thing! But you’re dragging Song Wei through the mud too!

Song Wei sobbed, “Sister Cheng, they’re spreading rumors online, and entertainment reporters are camped outside my apartment. I’m so scared, I can’t even leave the house.”

Cheng Yun reassured her gently, “Weiwei, don’t be afraid. I believe you. Those people will do anything for attention. Stay off the internet for now to protect your peace of mind.”

Song Wei sniffled, “Sister Yang said Zhang Xing might release a second wave of dirt.”

Cheng Yun hesitated, then hardened her heart, remembering Jiang You’s smiling face. “Don’t worry, I’ll leak those photos I have to the reporters to divert attention.”

Cheng Yun had made this promise several times before, but it had always been an empty threat. This time, Song Wei wisely refrained from questioning her, instead feigning concern. “Ah, will you be okay?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Sister Cheng, where are you? It’s so noisy there.”

Shi Mi followed Lin Wanqing around, meeting several renowned directors and investors.

After drinking a bit too much red wine, she went to the restroom. As she emerged, Cheng Yun grabbed her and dragged her into the hallway.

“Did you do this to Weiwei?” Cheng Yun demanded, his voice harsh.

What a lunatic! Dragging me here just to ask that?

Shi Mi rubbed her wrist, which Cheng Yun had bruised, and sneered. “I thought you wanted to discuss the breakup settlement. If not, I have nothing to say to you.”

Seeing Shi Mi ignore him, Cheng Yun’s anger flared. “Jiang You, are you testing my patience?”

“Make Zhang Xing delete that Weibo post immediately and apologize to Weiwei, and I’ll let this go.” Cheng Yun paused. “Otherwise, tomorrow’s headlines will be about you.”

“You still don’t understand,” Shi Mi replied coldly. “No one can threaten me.”

Her tone carried no fear, nor was it mere bravado.

Cheng Yun was trapped. He didn’t want to expose those photos; a scandal linking a Best Actress to an obscure, eighteenth-tier actor would damage her reputation.

But if he didn’t expose them, what about Weiwei’s situation?

The best solution was for Zhang Xing to delete the Weibo post voluntarily, but Jiang You was clearly refusing to cooperate.

Cheng Yun softened his tone. “Jiang You, what good does this do you?”

Shi Mi felt nauseated just speaking to him. Suddenly, a playful expression crossed her face. “We’ve already broken up. Why are you still clinging to me? Could it be you still have feelings for me?”

“Look, your little lover is here.”

“You…”

Cheng Yun followed her gaze and saw Song Wei standing nearby. Alarm bells immediately went off in his head. When did Weiwei get here?

“Sister Cheng…”

After hearing Jiang Youyou was at the party, Song Wei had felt uneasy. She had dressed carefully and slipped in through the back door, risking being spotted by paparazzi.

But what she overheard…

Cheng Yun still has feelings for Jiang Youyou?

Song Wei’s face darkened, making her look even more haggard and frail.

Why isn’t Cheng Yun denying it?

Does she really still love Jiang Youyou?

No.

Jiang Youyou’s recent change in behavior—constantly defying Cheng Yun and triggering her possessiveness—was all this was.

As Song Wei understood this, tears welled up in her eyes. “Sister Cheng…”

Those two words conveyed everything.

Overwhelmed with guilt, Cheng Yun pulled Song Wei into his arms, stroking her soft hair. “Weiwei, don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.”

Song Wei relaxed slightly, leaning weakly against him, her eyes glistening with tears.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Yun’s heart stirred, and he couldn’t resist kissing her.

Song Wei clutched his shirt, turning her head away slightly. “Don’t… there are cameras here,” she whispered.

Cheng Yun released her. “Then I’ll find you after this is over.”

“There’s a small room by the hotel’s back entrance…”

The System’s tone was grave. “Host, Cheng Yun has already submitted the photos to major media outlets. They’re expected to break around 10 AM today.”

Shi Mi: “Is this some kind of blessing?”

The System: “…? Have you figured out how to handle this?”

“Mm-hmm, I have.”

In the corridor, a woman approached. Her medium-length hair framed an oval face with rosy lips and pearly white teeth, her eyes shimmering with a peach-blossom glow, radiating both gentleness and innate nobility.

Shi Mi brushed past her.

Lin Wanqing, while politely fending off small talk from famous directors and actors, wondered why Youyou hadn’t returned from the restroom. Could she be in trouble?

Just as she was thinking this, she saw Jiang Youyou walking toward her.

Shi Mi pulled Jiang Youyou into a secluded corner and said bluntly, “Have Feng Zhimei contact her media friends—preferably those who can write compelling stories and know how to grab attention. Tell them to bring cameras and reporters and stake out the hotel entrance by 9 AM.”

The System was dumbfounded. This is the Host’s solution?! To escalate the situation?!

Lin Wanqing contacted Feng Zhimei first, then asked, “What’s going on?”

“Just watch the show,” Feng Zhimei replied.

Lin Wanqing perked up her ears. “What show?”

Shi Mi explained the situation in a low voice.

Lin Wanqing vaguely heard the words “Cheng Yun’s photos” and her eyes widened. “…I didn’t quite catch that.”

Her red lips glistened with wine, her eyes wide and round, and her voice soft and sweet, making her look utterly innocent and adorable.

Shi Mi crossed her arms and leaned closer. Lin Wanqing’s lips brushed against the glistening drop of wine, the intoxicating aroma of alcohol mingling with the faint scent of her lipstick—an unexpectedly heart-fluttering combination.

Lin Wanqing stared at Shi Mi’s looming face, her heart pounding. She instinctively took two steps back until her back pressed against the wall.

“Do you want to hear it?” Under the moonlight, Shi Mi’s voice was as clear as the bright moon.

Lin Wanqing’s curiosity was completely piqued. “Yes.”

“How can you hear clearly from so far away?”

“Oh.” Lin Wanqing obediently walked back.

Shi Mi reached out and pulled her into her arms. “Come closer. You’ll hear better this way.”

Two soft bodies collided, the unfamiliar yet wondrous sensation making Lin Wanqing’s cheeks flush. Her curled eyelashes fluttered gently as she urged, “Tell me already.”

Shi Mi leaned close to her ear, a smile playing on her lips. “You look so cute when you blush, my sugar daddy sister.”

Her tone was neither too light nor too heavy, making Lin Wanqing feel like she was walking on cotton, her whole body floating weightlessly. Her face burned as she playfully punched Shi Mi’s shoulder. “Get serious!”

Her face flushed even deeper, like a dew-kissed peach hanging from a branch at dawn, the droplets trembling gently in the breeze, its delicate allure nearly overflowing.

Shi Mi tightened her embrace. “This is serious.”

Now, that strange, unfamiliar softness pressed even more clearly against her. Lin Wanqing’s heart pounded, her hands fidgeting awkwardly. She couldn’t muster even a hint of coquettishness, her voice softening involuntarily. “I’m ignoring you now…”

Shi Mi wore a teasing expression.

Lin Wanqing stomped her foot playfully. “Tell me already!”

“I want to hear!”

It was past nine o’clock in the evening, and the banquet hall buzzed with lively chatter as guests gathered in small groups. Actresses in dazzling evening gowns flitted through the crowd like butterflies amidst the lively conversation.

Behind the hotel, faint gasps drifted from the back entrance.

The suggestive sounds were abruptly interrupted by a phone ringing.

After a moment, Song Wei emerged, her face flushed unnaturally and her dress disheveled.

About ten minutes later, Cheng Yun followed, smoothing his slightly rumpled evening gown before striding toward the banquet hall.

The crowd had thinned considerably. Cheng Yun’s eyes lit up when he spotted Director Jiang Yu.

He had originally planned to approach Director Jiang Yu immediately upon entering the banquet, but Jiang You’s interruption had derailed his plans.

Despite being a Best Actress winner, Cheng Yun’s limited experience meant he lacked influence in the industry. Composing himself, he plastered on a smile and approached the director. “Director Jiang, it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Cheng Yun.”

“Ah—” Jiang Yu paused, then his eyes widened in recognition. “The Best Actress winner!”

Cheng Yun adopted a humble tone, his smile unwavering. “Director Jiang, you flatter me.”

“Has the female lead for your new film been cast yet?”

Jiang Yu chuckled. “Yes, it’s been decided. Lin Wanqing.”

Cheng Yun seized the opportunity, pressing further, “I heard it’s a dual-lead film. Has the other female lead been cast yet?”

Just as Jiang Yu was about to answer, a crowd of people surged into the reception hall. Flashes from magnesium lamps popped incessantly, and cameras and microphones swarmed around Cheng Yun.

Instinctively shielding her eyes from the glare, Cheng Yun was bombarded with questions:

“Cheng Yun, how did it feel to be slapped?”

“Given Jiang You’s erratic behavior, are you planning to sue her?”

“Rumors suggest you have other connections to Jiang You. Can you comment on that?”

“…”

Up on the second floor, Shi Mi pulled Lin Wanqing close, smiling as they watched the spectacle unfold. She tucked a strand of Lin Wanqing’s hair behind her ear, revealing her profile. “Enjoying the show?”

Lin Wanqing’s eyes sparkled. “Absolutely!”

Cheng Yun was stunned. Where had all these reporters come from? Where was security?

And it was barely ten o’clock. How had they gotten wind of this and staked her out so early?

As if sensing her thoughts, she glanced up at the second floor.

The reporters, their attention fixed on Cheng Yun, followed her gaze upward.

One of them exclaimed, “Isn’t that Jiang Youyou?!”

Seeing this, Shi Mi grabbed Lin Wanqing’s hand.

“Run!”