Chapter 66: Are You Out of Your Mind?

Xu An’an paid no mind, pressing the call bell on the table for the waiter to serve the dishes. “We’re all here to eat, so let’s eat first. As for work, we’ll deal with it back at the office.”

“Isn’t the editor-in-chief always the one insisting on keeping work and personal matters separate?”

“I have a stomach condition. If I don’t eat on time and can’t come to work tomorrow, whose fault will that be?”

The waiters, already on standby, began bringing in the dishes as soon as the order was given. Even if the editor-in-chief wanted to lose her temper, she had no choice but to hold it back.

With all the dishes served, Xu An’an picked up her chopsticks and began to eat. Seeing that no one else was moving, she reached for the fattest hairy crab and said lazily, “Didn’t the editor-in-chief invite us for a meal? If you don’t eat, isn’t that a slap to her face?”

Someone, unable to withstand their hunger any longer, quickly picked up their chopsticks.

“Yes, yes, I always respect the editor-in-chief!”

“Come on, everyone, eat while it’s hot. It won’t taste as good when it gets cold!”

Gradually, others joined in, and soon the only sounds in the private room were those of people chewing.

Seeing that things could not proceed as planned, the editor-in-chief left with a darkened expression.

Xu An’an turned and called out, “Editor-in-chief, don’t forget to settle the bill!”

The editor-in-chief nearly stumbled. “Li Caixia, you cover it first! Don’t forget to get an invoice and submit it to Finance for reimbursement tomorrow!”

Being singled out, Li Caixia lost all appetite for the hairy crabs. This meal would cost at least ten thousand yuan. Even if she covered it, who knew when she’d be reimbursed? How was this any different from being invited by herself!

She glared hatefully at Xu An’an, who was eating contentedly.

“Nini, Xu An’an is just too much! What gives her the right to be so arrogant? President Xue isn’t even here.”

Fang Nini now wished she could strangle Xu An’an. Everything had been going so smoothly, but Xu An’an just refused to play by their script!

Was it really such a big deal to share a bit of the credit?

If not for her, would Xu An’an have what she does today? That ungrateful wretch!

“I’m going to the restroom,” Fang Nini said, her voice heavy with malice, and left.

Xu An’an caught her movement out of the corner of her eye, a cold smile curling at her lips. Sensing the brewing trouble, she knew she needed to leave as soon as possible—after all, tonight’s banquet was clearly a trap set for her.

She wondered where Xue Shengnan had gone.

Just as Xu An’an stood up, Li Caixia noticed her. “Xu An’an, where are you going?”

“Take a guess,” Xu An’an replied, walking off without a backward glance.

Li Caixia panicked. She didn’t know what Fang Nini was up to, but she hurried after Xu An’an, only to be stopped: “Li Caixia, the editor-in-chief told you to cover the bill. You can’t leave until you settle up.”

If you want to leave, pay first.

…

Not wanting to run into Fang Nini, Xu An’an deliberately took a roundabout route, avoiding the restroom and heading straight for the main entrance—only to unexpectedly bump into Ning Xiyue.

Ning Xiyue was chatting and laughing with several middle-aged men, apparently discussing a new film project. Among them were some well-known producers and supervisors.

Xu An’an had no intention of getting involved, but Ning Xiyue still noticed her, a chill flashing in her eyes. “An’an, what a coincidence!”

Seeing Xu An’an walk past without so much as a glance, Ning Xiyue clenched her teeth and called out again, “Xu An’an!”

This time, using her full name, Xu An’an turned back with a blank face. “Who are you?”

Ning Xiyue’s practiced smile nearly cracked. The others at the table looked at her curiously.

Forcing herself to stand, Ning Xiyue said, “Come on, An’an, don’t joke around.”

“Are you out of your mind? Claiming random acquaintances?” Xu An’an retorted impatiently, her eyes warning. “If your eyesight’s failing, maybe go get checked at a hospital.”

If not for a shred of sanity, Ning Xiyue would have lunged at her. She squeezed out a smile. “Maybe it’s just my makeup today—you didn’t recognize me. I’m Xiyue, your upstairs neighbor, and you know very well about my friendship with Ayu.”

“Boring,” Xu An’an said, tossing her words aside and walking away.

This was a harsh slap to Ning Xiyue’s face. Her cheeks burned, and her smile grew stiff. “I really do know her,” she explained to the others, “but she seems to have just had an argument with someone.”

“She’s always like that—loves to put on a show, but can’t break into the entertainment industry,” Ning Xiyue added, trying to recover.

In truth, Ning Xiyue had wanted to pull Xu An’an over and introduce her to these industry powerhouses as fresh ‘prey’ in exchange for film resources. She’d expected Xu An’an, for Jiang Yu’s sake, wouldn’t embarrass her in public. Didn’t Xu An’an fear she’d tattle to Jiang Yu?

“Heh, your friend is quite interesting,” said a well-known producer, wearing brown sunglasses and looking every bit the hippie. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, he’d been watching Xu An’an intently since she appeared, and her interaction with Ning Xiyue only made things more intriguing.

Seeing the producer’s interest, Ning Xiyue was thrilled but kept her composure. “Yes, that’s just how we interact. She’s tough on the outside but softhearted. If she finds something good to eat, she always thinks of me first. She probably saw I was busy talking business and didn’t want to interrupt.”

The producer lit a cigar, taking a slow drag, his tone amused. “You said your friend wants to act? Let her audition for the lead female role in my new film.”

“The lead role?” Ning Xiyue was dumbfounded. Wasn’t the lead supposed to be hers? And now, with one chance encounter, they wanted to give it to Xu An’an?

The producer and director both nodded, equally interested in Xu An’an. “She has great looks. There’s no one in the industry with her kind of striking beauty.”

“I can tell at a glance her face is all natural.”

“That figure is one hundred percent original, too—curves in all the right places. She was born for show business.”

Listening to their praises for Xu An’an, Ning Xiyue felt as if she’d swallowed a dead fly, overcome with regret for ever calling out to her. She should never have tried to use Xu An’an.

Though she forced herself to agree, as soon as she got home, she called Jiang Yu, sobbing, “She went too far, humiliating me like that in front of everyone…”

“Ayu, you know she’s never liked me, but she can’t treat me that way in front of the producers!”

“You know how hard I’ve worked for this role.”

“She’s ruined everything I’ve worked for!”

Jiang Yu’s face darkened instantly. He assured Ning Xiyue, “Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll bring her over to apologize to you. Then you can take her to apologize to the producers as well.”

With her goal achieved, Ning Xiyue was delighted, though she feigned concern. “But she’s been acting so different lately, not as obedient as she used to be. Could it be… she’s really seeing someone else behind your back? Maybe she plans to use you and toss you aside. Otherwise, why doesn’t she try to please you anymore?”