Chapter 92: Let You Become Truly Famous!

Out of consideration for Gu Yang’s loyalty, Xu An’an decided not to make a scene but to quietly gather evidence of Tang Ze’s infidelity. The two of them went to the surveillance room to review the footage before Tang Ze and the woman entered the room.

The pair behaved properly and did nothing inappropriate, but their glances were unmistakably flirtatious—there was no way they were innocent. They were clearly familiar with the hotel as well, suggesting this was far from their first time.

Thinking of Xue Shengnan’s blissful, trusting look whenever she faced Tang Ze, Xu An’an was so enraged she almost wanted to rush over and physically castrate him on the spot.

She fumed, “I really don’t get it. He has such a good fiancée, why can’t he cherish her?”

“Is it that anything you haven’t tasted must be delicious?”

Gu Yang couldn’t help but laugh, amused by Xu An’an’s vivid turn of phrase—so apt, so true to life.

“Perhaps it’s just human nature at its worst. People never treasure what is easily within reach; they only chase after what they can’t have. And once they’ve exhausted themselves to get it, it suddenly loses its charm.”

Xu An’an nodded in agreement.

For some reason, she suddenly recalled what Jiang Li had once said: there’s no such thing as someone you love but can’t have. Could it be that Jiang Li had never truly fallen for anyone?

Since Tang Ze and his lover remained in the room, Xu An’an and Gu Yang had no choice but to wait in the surveillance office. Fortunately, Tang Ze didn’t linger long. About an hour later, they saw him emerge with the woman, looking thoroughly satisfied. Still savoring the moment, he pulled her close for a kiss.

The woman struggled coyly, feigning resistance yet clearly enjoying herself.

Watching this nauseating scene, Xu An’an clenched her fists.

Gu Yang quickly took screenshots and sent them to Xu An’an. “These photos should be more than enough. But do you want to send them straight to your friend?”

Xu An’an thought it over. She couldn’t send the photos to Xue Shengnan from her own number; anonymity was better, for the sake of dignity—especially for someone like Xue Shengnan.

She knew even if Xue Shengnan learned her fiancé was cheating, she wouldn’t want the scandal to become too public, lest she lose face.

Xu An’an couldn’t relate. After all, she wasn’t the one at fault—why should she care about appearances? The only real justice was to teach those two a lesson and never wrong yourself.

Still, everyone has their own position, their own choices. Xu An’an wasn’t Xue Shengnan, so she couldn’t fully put herself in her friend’s shoes.

No matter what, Xu An’an would support any decision Xue Shengnan made.

After anonymously sending the photos to Xue Shengnan, Xu An’an thanked Gu Yang. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this so smoothly without you.”

It wasn’t as if anyone could just access a hotel’s surveillance footage.

Gu Yang chuckled, “If you really want to thank me, why not treat me to a meal? I’ve been working nonstop and haven’t eaten yet.”

“No problem!”

So the two went to a nearby restaurant to eat.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure lurking in the shadows was secretly snapping photos.

This person was a professional paparazzo, grinning lecherously as he muttered, “So this is the new goddess, Xu An’an. Turns out she’s pretty wild in private—after checking into a hotel with a man, she’s got the appetite for dinner too.”

“She claimed to be single on TV. What a liar!”

“Let’s make you truly famous!”

Soon, photos of Xu An’an on a date with a man were splashed all over the internet—but the man’s face was pixelated, leaving netizens’ imaginations to run wild.

Many wondered if Xu An’an was dating Jiang Li. After all, their chemistry on the show had spawned a host of fervent shippers.

But others hurled insults, saying if Xu An’an wasn’t single, she shouldn’t have pretended to be—or played up a “couple” act on TV.

For a while, public opinion about Xu An’an was sharply divided.

Xu An’an herself was oblivious to all this. When she returned to the magazine office and noticed the strange looks from her colleagues, she pressed for answers and finally learned the truth.

She was exasperated.

She had no choice but to clarify on social media: [I was just having a meal with a friend. Please stop making baseless assumptions. If anyone continues to spread rumors, I will take legal action.]

Immediately, Xu An’an’s name shot up the trending searches again.

The comments, as usual, were both positive and negative.

Many speculated Xu An’an was preparing to enter the entertainment industry.

“An’an, if you become a star, you’ll be a huge hit!”

“Aren’t you short on money? Being a celebrity is so easy now—daily wages in the millions! Just thinking about it makes my heart race!” Xiao Mei sighed with envy and longing. “If I had your face and that killer body, I’d have taken the entertainment world by storm, sweeping up every award before making my final move!”

Others nodded in agreement. “Think about it, An’an. Maybe you’re destined to be a superstar!”

Xu An’an could only smile wryly. She had no such plans.

“All right, everyone—back to work.”

“If the editor-in-chief catches you chatting, you’ll lose your bonuses.”

Mentioning the penny-pinching boss, Xiao Mei and the others scurried back to their desks.

Not far away, Fang Nini seethed with resentment. She despised how everyone always flocked around Xu An’an, singing her praises for beauty and kindness.

As long as Xu An’an was around, she would never have her day in the sun!

If only Xu An’an didn’t exist!

Sensing a malicious glare, Xu An’an looked up, but saw nothing. Still, the intensity of that gaze had been unmistakable—as if someone wished her dead.

Xu An’an lowered her eyes calmly.

In truth, no one in the magazine office disliked her more than Fang Nini.

Xu An’an’s very presence had blocked Fang Nini’s path to promotion, just as Xu An’an herself was stuck—caught between the editor-in-chief and Xue Shengnan, who each had their own opinions.

Thinking of Xue Shengnan, Xu An’an glanced at her friend’s office, the door tightly shut.

“Xiao Mei, is Director Xue in her office?”

“She hasn’t come back yet.”

Xu An’an couldn’t help but message Xue Shengnan, asking why she hadn’t shown up—was something wrong?

There was no reply, not for a long time.

Xu An’an grew worried.

After work, she decided to visit Xue Shengnan’s home to check on her. She couldn’t rest easy otherwise.

Ding dong! Ding dong!

The doorbell rang for ages before anyone answered.

Xue Shengnan looked as if she’d just woken up—her hair in disarray, her eyes puffy from crying, heavy with exhaustion.

Xu An’an sighed inwardly.

Better a short, sharp pain than one that drags on forever.

If Xue Shengnan had discovered Tang Ze’s true nature only after their wedding, the consequences would have been even worse—irreparable.

“Shengnan, are you all right?”

“Just feeling a little unwell, that’s all. Sorry to make you worry.” Xue Shengnan forced a smile. “By the way, could you do me a favor and deliver a gift to that esteemed, venerable artist?”