Transmigrated as a Scum Alpha Cannon Fodder, Sweetly Pampering the Heroine - Chapter 37

“Oh, not very big,” Xu Jinman replied, her voice tinged with amusement, though a subtle hint of pressure could be detected upon closer listening.

 

She gazed at Shen Shu’s reflection in the mirror behind her.

 

Xu Jinman turned around, leaning back leisurely against the countertop, her tailbone pressing against the edge, her palm resting half an inch on the surface.

 

As she leaned back, the tautness of her upper body intensified, her full curves straining against her clothes as if about to spill over.

 

Xu Jinman stared at Shen Shu and asked, “Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me?”

 

Shen Shu remained silent.

 

While Xu Jinman had preferences regarding body weight, she generally accepted her natural features as they were. But to be honest, the word “small” felt rather insulting.

 

Shen Shu’s gaze fixed on the space between Xu Jinman’s eyebrows. “Then take it off. We’ll return it tomorrow.”

 

She spoke quickly and turned to leave the bathroom.

 

Seeing Shen Shu about to escape, Xu Jinman suddenly felt a competitive urge ignite within her.

 

She couldn’t physically prove whether she was “fake” or not, but when it came to something as visually obvious as size, she had to set the record straight.

 

Xu Jinman took two quick steps and positioned herself squarely in the doorway.

 

Shen Shu nearly collided with her, stumbling backward to avoid the collision. Xu Jinman gently steadied her by the small of her back, bringing them into close proximity.

 

Shen Shu’s gaze drifted downward, catching sight of the overflowing softness and the deep cleavage between them.

 

Xu Jinman lowered her head and asked, “Return it, and then what?”

 

“…Exchange it for a larger size,” Shen Shu replied, her expression remaining calm. “Or if you don’t like it, you can return it.”

 

If it weren’t for the faint pink flush on Shen Shu’s earlobes, Xu Jinman might have thought they were discussing pillow sizes rather than bra sizes.

 

“I do like it,” Xu Jinman said, her gaze lingering on the rosy hue. Her heart fluttered, and the sweet pheromones, with their subtle milky scent, tugged at her like hooks.

 

A sudden prickle ran through her glands.

 

Snapping out of her reverie, Xu Jinman stepped aside and said with a smile, “Then help me exchange it.”

 

Shen Shu nodded and left the room.

 

Xu Jinman tilted her head, watching Shen Shu’s slender figure retreat. “Shu Shu, thank you,” she called out. “I really like it.”

 

“Mm…”

 

It was past ten at night.

 

Shen Shu sat on her bed, staring at the page filled with explicit English words: br3ast, panted, stroking…

 

An image flashed through her mind: a vision of soft curves bound by black fabric.

 

The hand holding the book clenched slightly. It’s… not small at all.

 

Shen Shu straightened up, astonished by her own recollection.

 

She read this book every night.

 

At first, Shen Shu had only picked up the book because the character Nightingale shared a faint resemblance to the female lead, hoping to find inspiration. Though a few scenes made her heart race, this was the first time she’d thought of Xu Jinman while reading.

 

She set the book down, exhaled slowly, and reached out to turn off the light.

 

Pulling the blanket from her waist up to her chest, Shen Shu closed her eyes.

 

The blue-gray blanket carried a scent like it had been sun-dried—not the harsh tang of ultraviolet rays, but a warm, pure fragrance.

 

Xu Jinman’s pheromones.

 

I should buy a new blanket for the house, she thought. If Cai Ying comes again, Xu Jinman can use it. That way, we won’t have to keep fighting over the same one.

 

Xu Jinman felt the world spinning around her, a cacophony of voices ringing in her ears.

 

“You worthless piece of trash!”

 

“How could I have given birth to such a thing?”

 

“It’s okay, just close your eyes. The pain will be over soon…”

 

“Manman, endure it! Endure it with me!”

 

“But Mom, they all say I’m crazy. Am I really crazy?”

 

“No, they’re the crazy ones. You’re the best, the very best in the world. Mom will always be with you…”

 

“Then… will you be with me… when I die?”

 

The cold, despairing voice echoed clearly in Xu Jinman’s ears.

 

Xu Jinman jolted awake!

 

Clutching her chest and gasping for breath, Xu Jinman reached out and flicked on the light, dispelling the darkness.

 

The sudden brightness made her squint.

 

After a few seconds, she regained her senses. The water in her glass had dried up. She got out of bed and left the room.

 

At the counter, Xu Jinman poured herself a glass of cold water and gulped it down. Hearing the door open behind her, she glanced back through the glass to meet Shen Shu’s slightly weary gaze.

 

“Did I wake you?” Xu Jinman asked.

 

Shen Shu glanced at the glass in her hand and said quietly, “Drinking water.”

 

Her sleep was light; even the slightest noise could rouse her.

 

Xu Jinman poured Shen Shu a glass and set it on the counter. “Drink this and go back to sleep. You said you need to get up early tomorrow.”

 

Shen Shu paused. “Mm.”

 

After finishing their water, they prepared to return to their rooms. Shen Shu stopped her. “Sacred Heart wants to sign me. What do you think?”

 

Sacred Heart was Tong Jia’s film and television company.

 

Tong Jia had mentioned this to her a few days earlier, saying she would defer to Shen Shu’s decision.

 

Xu Jinman was slightly flattered that Shen Shu would actively seek her opinion.

 

She smiled gently. “Do you want to do it? If you like it, go for it. I’ve said it before: as long as you’re happy, I’ll support you.”

 

Shen Shu looked at Xu Jinman for a moment, and the hesitation in her heart seemed to suddenly solidify.

 

Hadn’t she chosen to return to acting precisely because she loved it?

 

Shen Shu nodded. “Sleep well.”

 

“Good night.”

 

Shen Shu paused briefly. “Good night.”

 

By the time Xu Jinman woke up, Shen Shu had already left. After sleeping in, Xu Jinman sent a message to the troublemaker Chen Bo had recommended on WeChat, then leisurely got ready to go out.

 

The car stopped outside an old alley. Soon, the light outside the car was blocked, and someone knocked on the window.

 

The window rolled down, revealing a young man with flaxen-dyed hair, a hip-hop necklace around his neck, a black oversized shirt, and a lollipop in his mouth. He looked barely out of his teens.

 

“Miss Xu?”

 

“Get in,” Xu Jinman said.

 

“Sorry to make you come all this way.”

 

“I only have his name, these two contact methods, and a few places he’s been seen. Can you find him?” Xu Jinman asked, handing over the limited information.

 

The young man finished reading and took the lollipop out of his mouth. “I can try, but this is barely anything to go on. How much are you paying?”

 

Xu Jinman handed over twenty thousand yuan in cash. “You need to do two things: first, find this person; second, this must remain between us. This is the deposit. The rest will be paid upon confirmation of the information.”

 

The young man took the money, checked its authenticity with a glance, and grinned sheepishly. “Don’t worry, I’ll find them for you.”

 

He darted into the alleyway. Xu Jinman lingered for a few more minutes before Tong Jia texted her, asking if she had time to meet later. After confirming with Zhou Pei that she had no scheduled appointments for the day, she replied to Tong Jia.

 

If not for Lu Yun’s involvement, Zhou Pei would still be useful.

 

She had long suspected that Zhou Pei was Lu Yun’s plant, placed near her original self. Now that she could no longer trust Lu Yun, even Zhou Pei’s competence couldn’t guarantee her absolute trust in the future.

 

Ironically, just as she was thinking this, Lu Yun’s phone call came through.

 

She hadn’t returned Lu Yun’s calls or messages for days, having nothing left to say.

 

Was Lu Yun pitiable? Yes.

 

But what had her original self done wrong?

 

The moment Xu Jinman recalled the images in her mind, her heart clenched as if she were instantly transported back into that child’s body—cowering and trembling in the corner of that dimly lit study.

 

She couldn’t face Lu Yun anymore.

 

After hanging up, Lu Yun sent a text message:

 

Manman, I know you’re angry with Mom, but please take care of yourself, okay?

 

You know your father hasn’t been like this in a long time. He was drunk that day and deeply regrets it now…

 

Manman, you weren’t always like this. Please don’t ignore me, okay?

 

Drunk?

 

Xu Jinman felt a surge of anger at Lu Yun’s feeble excuse.

 

She had to admit, Lu Yun understood the original Xu Jinman perfectly—or rather, she had meticulously molded her into the person she was.

 

Lu Yun treated this ridiculous and infuriating explanation as perfectly reasonable, knowing the original Xu Jinman would understand and even forgive her.

 

The original Xu Jinman would forever remain under her control.

 

This must have been the real reason for Lu Yun’s heart attack that day. Because Xu Jinman was beginning to slip from her grasp, Lu Yun panicked.

 

A throbbing pain pulsed in Xu Jinman’s forehead. She had once believed Lu Yun’s feelings for the original Xu Jinman were love, but now she saw it as a terrifying form of emotional manipulation.

 

Wasn’t Lu Yun’s treatment of the original Xu Jinman a form of psychological abuse?

 

Xu Jinman stopped thinking about it. Everything would become clear once she uncovered the Xu Family’s hidden secrets.

 

Lanjing Cafe.

 

Xu Jinman arrived first. Tong Jia had texted her halfway there, asking if she could bring her girlfriend. For a moment, Xu Jinman suspected the woman was deliberately bringing her along to flaunt their relationship.

 

Sure enough, before Xu Jinman even saw them, she heard Tong Jia’s high-pitched voice:

 

“Baby, that’s President Xu.”

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

Xu Jinman looked up. The Alpha beside Tong Jia smiled and greeted her: “Hello, President Xu.”

 

Tong Jia introduced them: “President Xu, this is my girlfriend, Qiao Rui.”

 

Xu Jinman smiled politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Qiao.”

 

After exchanging pleasantries, they chatted casually for a while. Xu Jinman learned that Qiao Rui was a dance teacher who taught adult classes. Many celebrities hired her as a private instructor. She seemed like an honest, straightforward, and well-mannered Alpha.

 

“Your phone’s been ringing a few times. Aren’t you going to answer it?” Tong Jia asked.

 

Qiao Rui glanced down at her phone and said softly, “It’s just a marketing call. We visited a real estate agency last time, and they’ve been calling repeatedly.”

 

“Ugh, these people are so annoying,” Tong Jia grumbled.

 

Qiao Rui patted Tong Jia’s hair. “Don’t worry about them. Just ignore them.”

 

Xu Jinman watched the couple across from her and suddenly understood Cai Ying’s feelings. Tsk, lovey-dovey couple.

 

After chatting for a while, Qiao Rui had to leave early for class.

 

“Your wife and I signed the contract this morning,” Tong Jia said, her tone returning to normal as soon as her girlfriend was gone. “I originally wanted to find her an experienced agent, but they’re all swamped with clients, so I decided to manage her myself. How about that? Touched?”

 

Xu Jinman scoffed. “Don’t try to play the sympathy card. Can you honestly say it’s not because Shen Shu has potential?”

 

Tong Jia pursed her lips in reluctant agreement. “Well, yeah. After clawing my way through this industry for so long, I’ve developed a decent eye for talent.”

 

In truth, Shen Shu’s current status didn’t warrant an agent, but Tong Jia had an uncanny intuition.

 

She had been considering Shen Shu ever since she first saw her act.

 

Shen Shu’s looks and aura were exceptional, even among hundreds of candidates. She was hardworking, willing to set aside her pride, and most importantly, her acting had a natural spark—a rare gift.

 

Some people are born with the ability to generate buzz and attention. Shen Shu was one of them—someone who could go viral on social media with just a single photo of her in a qipao.

 

There’s another factor, Tong Jia thought, glancing at Xu Jinman.

 

This was a purely business consideration: Shen Shu has a wealthy backer.

 

And this backer is willing to spend lavishly.

 

In conclusion,

 

Shen Shu’s commercial value is exceptionally high.

 

“After filming her scenes today, Shen Shu only has one more scene left before wrapping up… Oh, did you know she has a Super Topic now?”

 

Xu Jinman pulled out her phone. She’d been too busy lately to keep up with Weibo.

 

The Super Topic had just been created, with only 23 posts and 36 followers after she subscribed.

 

The photo album contained just a few images: one of Shen Shu in a qipao, another at the entrance of the film studio, and surprisingly, one from a jewelry store—though only her back was visible.

 

“It’s just starting out, so there aren’t many fans yet. But once the drama airs, people will notice her.”

 

Xu Jinman checked in and signed off. “I’ve entrusted her to you, so keep an eye on her.”

 

“Don’t worry, Miss,” Tong Jia said. “I’d lose myself before I’d lose your wife!”

 

Xu Jinman nodded in satisfaction. “You may leave.”

 

Tong Jia: “……”

 

“Teacher Xu.”

 

“?” Xu Jinman’s tone turned playful as soon as she heard the title, knowing exactly what was coming.

 

“I’ve taught her everything she needs to know.”

 

Tong Jia: “One more lesson! Something spicy! My darling loved the last one!”

 

Xu Jinman: “……”

 

After dismissing Tong Jia, Xu Jinman left the cafe about twenty minutes later, feeling drowsy. She found a quiet spot, reclined her seat, and closed her eyes for a nap.

 

Her phone buzzed.

 

She casually silenced it, but after a couple of seconds, fearing it might be Shen Shu, she glanced at the screen.

 

A group mention.

 

Chen Bo: “@Xu Jinman Man-jie, come chat for a bit!”

 

Han Fu: “Tsk tsk, this group is practically deserted.”

 

Chen Bo: “Back when Man-jie hadn’t yet converted to Buddhism, she was radiant, surrounded by flowers and glory…”

 

Han Fu: Get lost! Did you even graduate elementary school?

 

Xu Jinman scrolled up and saw a message from Song Ronghui: I’m leaving.

 

Below it was: Song Ronghui has left the group chat.

 

Chen Bo: Sigh, just like that, she’s gone abroad. It’s kind of sad.

 

Xu Jinman paused. After such a major scandal, Song Ronghui would struggle to hold her head high in Beicheng for a while. Going abroad was her best option.

 

The next moment, Chen Bo added two new members to the group.

 

Xu Jinman: …… So much for sad.

 

HP Han Wenfang: Hi

 

Momo: Hello everyone! I’m Chen Baimo, nice to meet you all~ Muah!

 

Xu Jinman didn’t recognize the Chen Baimo below, but she knew Han Wenfang. Chen Bo really was a smooth operator.

 

She was about to exit the chat when Chen Bo tagged her again: @Xu Jinman Man-jie, are you coming to next month’s event? We agreed everyone in the group had to participate.

 

Han Fu: Come on, come on! It won’t be any fun without you.

 

Momo: What event is it? Is it the one I know about?

 

Chen Bo: @Momo You’ll find out then, cutie. You absolutely have to come!

 

Momo: 【Okay, okay~】

 

Xu Jinman remembered Song Ronghui mentioning this event before, but she still didn’t know what it was. Judging by the group’s behavior, it couldn’t be anything good.

 

Xu Jinman ignored them. If she responded, Chen Bo would never stop.

 

He wasn’t a good person, yet his attitude toward her original self was peculiar. Even after she’d hit him, he didn’t seem to hold a grudge. In their conversations, Xu Jinman always sensed a hint of… something akin to admiration from him.

 

She hadn’t left the group because of Chen Bo. He was lively, with a wide network of contacts and a vast social circle. Many news items would be shared in the group almost immediately after they happened.

 

For example, the banquet.

 

Chen Bo was the first to post about it in the group.

 

Around 6 PM, Xu Jinman made a last-minute dinner appointment with representatives from Meilai Jewelry.

 

Before leaving, she sent a message to Shen Shu.

 

Meanwhile, Shen Shu received Xu Jinman’s WeChat message half an hour later. Her heel had been rubbed raw, making it difficult to stand steadily. She sat down on a nearby wooden step, legs pressed together, to reply.

 

Xu Jinman: 【How’s your day going? When are you coming back?】

 

Shen Shu: 【It’s okay. Just one more shot to go.】

 

Shen Shu glanced at her heel. The costume change had thrown off her shoe pairing, forcing her to wear a pair from the crew that rubbed uncomfortably all day.

 

Xu Jinman replied instantly: I’m dining with a business partner. Should I have Zhou Pei pick you up?

 

Shen Shu had slept poorly the night before and felt tired this morning, so she had taken a taxi to the set.

 

After a moment’s thought, she declined. Zhou Pei was Xu Jinman’s assistant, not hers, and it felt inappropriate to keep asking him for rides, especially at this late hour.

 

Xu Jinman didn’t reply again. Shen Shu stood up, intending to find a bandage backstage.

 

As she reached the backstage area, she overheard the crew’s gossip.

 

“I told you Shen Shu was trouble! Now it’s all coming out, isn’t it?”

 

“I never imagined she’d get into the crew like this. No wonder she outshone Tan Jie, a professional actress. Ugh, she’s ruining our show’s reputation!”

 

“There are only a few white Bentleys like that in Beicheng. She’s definitely latched onto some big shot. Disgusting! And she acts so aloof in front of us every day.”

 

“Exactly! She’s probably just a public bus. How revolting!”

 

Shen Shu pushed open the door, her high heels clicking sharply on the wooden floor, each step landing like a hammer blow on the hearts of those inside.

 

“Stumbling over your lines, but your tongues are sharp as ever,” Shen Shu said coldly. “Go on, say it to my face. Doesn’t that make you feel better?”

 

Shen Shu was different from them. She had once held power within the Shen Corporation, and that kind of authority couldn’t be faked.

 

Though she rarely interacted with these women, she had always been civil. Her sudden, unprovoked aggression left them speechless, instinctively afraid to retaliate.

 

Ren Xiaoqi froze for a moment before snapping back, “You did it, but you don’t want people to talk about it? Remember when I told you to stop buying trending topics? I warned you it would become your downfall… Well, look at you now! You crashed and burned so fast—from ‘Qipao Beauty’ to ‘Qipao Princess’!”

 

Someone whispered, “Shen Shu, have you checked Weibo yet? You should.”

 

Shen Shu frowned slightly. She hadn’t logged into Weibo in ages.

 

Her phone lit up with a WeChat notification from Cai Ying, but she ignored it, opening Weibo instead.

 

Entertainment Hot List

 

Qipao Beauty’s Downfall

 

Qipao Beauty Spotted Partying at Nightclub, Police Involved

 

Click.

 

Entertainment Headlines: #QipaoBeautyGetsIntoLuxuryCar #BeautyCrashesAndBurns

 

Recently, the “Qipao Beauty,” who gained fame for her stunning looks, was spotted at the Imperial Grand late at night, where she was questioned by police. Her previously elegant image has plummeted, with netizens claiming to have seen her at a “princess package” event. Notably, just days ago, she was photographed entering one of only three luxury cars of its kind in the entire city.

 

The first photo showed Shen Shu speaking to police outside the Imperial Grand.

 

The second photo captured her getting into a car at the film studio entrance—Xu Jinman’s white Bentley.

 

Shen Shu gripped her phone, her gaze fixed on the comments below. Even after witnessing the depths of human malice and the ruthless tactics of the business world, she had never encountered such venomous words.

 

She struggled to imagine the kind of people who could type such hateful messages.

 

Just two photos—neither of which were even accurate—and a few baseless claims from the blogger had been enough to incite this torrent of abuse.

 

A wave of disappointment washed over her, followed by a sense of clarity.

 

It’s nothing, she thought. I can handle this.

 

Perhaps she had grown too accustomed to the recent kindness she’d received, forgetting that most of the world was inherently like this.

 

“Places, everyone! Places!”

 

The production assistant called for everyone to prepare for filming.

 

As Shen Shu arrived on set, she could feel the disdain, disgust, and schadenfreude in the glances directed her way.

 

After Ren Xiaoqi took her position, she said reluctantly, “Director, are you still going to film with her? Aren’t you going to replace her? What if the show can’t air because of her?”

 

Someone nearby chimed in, “Yeah, people are already cursing the crew and the director.”

 

“Didn’t the casting director leave? I wonder how much money he pocketed?”

 

The voices were low, but Shen Shu could still hear them.

 

Shen Shu turned to the director and said sincerely, “I’m sorry for causing trouble, Director. But those accusations are false. I promise they won’t affect the production.”

 

The director remained silent. Tong Jia had warned him early on that Shen Shu had powerful backers, and the show’s continued production was thanks to this patron’s timely intervention.

 

Though he had initially been skeptical of such connections, Shen Shu had genuinely earned her role through auditions, proving her talent.

 

The director waved his hand. “Let’s get ready.”

 

The scene was a simple dialogue shot: Nightingale, the assassin, discussing her plan to kill the female supporting character, V, with her partner.

 

They filmed two takes and wrapped up in twenty minutes.

 

As Shen Shu left the set, she could feel the whispers around her and the forced inquiries and feigned concern. They were just trying to confirm through her demeanor and answers whether she was the kind of person the internet claimed she was.

 

Shen Shu refused to dwell on it.

 

Though not many crews were filming at this hour, it was rush hour, making it difficult to hail a taxi.

 

As she stepped out of the film studio, Shen Shu paused. Xu Jinman, arms crossed, leaned against the white Bentley’s door. Seeing her, she tilted her head and offered a faint smile.

 

Xu Jinman glanced at Shen Shu’s gait and stepped forward. “What happened to your foot?”

 

“Just a scratch,” Shen Shu replied. “It’s nothing.”

 

Once inside the car, Shen Shu asked, “Didn’t you say you had dinner with a business partner?”

 

“Yes, President Qin of Meilai Jewelry.” He’s also the founder of that jewelry store we visited last time.

 

Shen Shu nodded, guessing, “You saw the trending topic online?”

 

Xu Jinman glanced at her. “I did.”

 

“Will it affect you?” Shen Shu asked. “My manager said she’ll come over later to discuss how to clarify things.”

 

“Don’t worry about me. It won’t affect me at all—no, wait, there is one way…”

 

Shen Shu paused and looked at her. “Tell me.”

 

Xu Jinman said, “If you’re in a bad mood, I might be too. That’s the only way it will affect me. So, don’t overthink it.”

 

Shen Shu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her usual cold demeanor softened under Xu Jinman’s earnest gaze. Apart from her grandmother, no one had ever been so kind to her.

 

“Thank you,” she said sincerely.

 

Xu Jinman started the car and asked, “What do you want for dinner?”

 

“What do you want?”

 

“Shrimp?”

 

“I asked what you want.”

 

“Shrimp.”

 

“…Fine.”

 

At eight o’clock that evening, Tong Jia went upstairs.

 

Shen Shu opened the door, handed her a pair of disposable slippers, and sat down on the sofa. Xu Jinman emerged from the bathroom.

 

The two women exchanged glances. Just as Shen Shu was about to introduce them, Tong Jia cut in, “Let’s keep this brief so I can make arrangements quickly. First, tell me about the situation at Imperial Grand.”

 

Shen Shu gave a rough account of that night, omitting details and simply stating she had gone there to scout talent.

 

“The photo was photoshopped,” Shen Shu added. “There were security lines around the area at the time.”

 

Tong Jia nodded. “Then all we need is a second photo to debunk this. Imperial Grand should have surveillance cameras outside. President Xu, you’re the best at ‘persuading’ people to hand over security footage, right?”

 

Xu Jinman, who had just handed over her iced tea, paused, her expression questioning.

 

Shen Shu, hearing Tong Jia’s familiar tone, was slightly taken aback.

 

Especially the iced tea. This morning’s contract signing had been her first meeting with Tong Jia, and she had noticed the same iced tea in Tong Jia’s office.

 

Do they know each other?

 

Xu Jinman said, “This is easy enough, but releasing it like this would barely make a splash.” Not ruthless enough.

 

“Of course,” Tong Jia said. “The sudden surge of negative headlines about Shen Shu feels suspiciously like a malicious smear campaign. My advice is to hold back for now, let her stir up trouble for a couple of days, see what tricks she has up her sleeve, and then we’ll deal with her together. It’s still early in her career, and even negative attention is still attention. For a newcomer, any buzz is valuable.”

 

Though it sounded unsavory, this was the reality of the industry.

 

Acting well was essential, but it wasn’t enough. Marketing was unavoidable.

 

Shen Shu considered the proposal. If it only affected her, she would agree.

 

Xu Jinman spoke up, “I agree.”

 

“What about your parents?” Shen Shu asked. “How will you handle them?”

 

With these negative headlines circulating, those who knew about their marriage would inevitably be affected, especially the Xu Family.

 

“Don’t worry about them,” Xu Jinman replied. “I can handle it.”

 

“Then it’s settled. Just stay off Weibo for the next few days. You’ll have to endure some criticism,” Tong Jia said. “After that—no, after two months—I’ll make you a star!”

 

A faint smile curved Shen Shu’s lips. “I just want to focus on acting. I haven’t thought about all that.”

 

“If you don’t want to think about it, someone else will. Alright, I’m leaving now.”

 

As she spoke, Tong Jia subtly raised an eyebrow at Xu Jinman.

 

Xu Jinman sipped her water, too lazy to react.

 

Shen Shu stood up to see Tong Jia off, but Xu Jinman said, “I’ll take her. I need to grab something downstairs anyway.”

 

Shen Shu paused briefly, then nodded silently.

 

As Xu Jinman escorted Tong Jia to the elevator, she said, “Take it easy.”

 

“How can I control this? Just keep her off her phone at home. There’s nothing I can do on set. She has another scene tomorrow, so she’s bound to hear some harsh words.”

 

Tong Jia retorted, “Why don’t you come to the set and keep an eye on her yourself?”

 

The elevator remained stuck on the second floor.

 

“There’s something I need to praise you for,” Tong Jia said, leaning closer to Xu Jinman. “Teacher Xu, your teaching is phenomenal. My daugh—”

 

Before she could finish, footsteps approached from behind. Shen Shu walked over, holding a trash bag. “Could you take this out for me?”

 

“Oh, sure,” Xu Jinman replied, taking the bag and watching Shen Shu turn away with a neutral expression.

 

Upstairs, while Shen Shu showered, Xu Jinman sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

 

A dozen minutes later, Shen Shu emerged wearing satin pajamas buttoned up to her collarbone. Xu Jinman suddenly remembered the X-shaped tattoo just below Shen Shu’s collarbone.

 

Shen Shu rarely wore clothes that revealed her collarbone, as if to conceal the tattoo.

 

“What are you looking at?” Shen Shu asked.

 

Xu Jinman snapped out of her reverie. “Your hair’s still wet.”

 

Shen Shu touched the back of her head, finding it slightly damp. “Do you know Tong Jia?”

 

Xu Jinman paused. “Didn’t she tell you?”

 

Xu Jinman had anticipated this when they signed the contract. Shen Shu would inevitably learn of their acquaintance, and there was no need to hide it, as long as Shen Shu remained unaware of Xu Jinman’s behind-the-scenes investment.

 

“No,” Shen Shu replied.

 

Xu Jinman explained, “We’ve known each other for a while. After you signed the contract, she mentioned you to me too. She said you’re very capable.”

 

“Mm-hmm.” Shen Shu took a bottle of soda from the refrigerator, opened it, and took a sip. “Teacher Xu, I’m a little curious.”

 

“About what?”

 

Xu Jinman reacted, Teacher Xu?

 

Shen Shu looked at her, her expression calm and earnest. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I happened to overhear her praising you. I’m just curious about what you teach.”

 

Xu Jinman slowly raised an eyebrow, momentarily at a loss for words.

 

She replied casually, “Just taught her a few things.”

 

Fortunately, Shen Shu wasn’t the type to press for details.

 

“What kind of things?” Shen Shu asked.

 

“…Knowledge.”