Chapter 28: Provocation

"You!" Qin Zi Mo fell to the ground, incensed.

"Is that all you can take?" Song Huan Yan said lightly, mocking, "Qin Yingdi's sincerity is really cheap."

After speaking, she reached to take off her shoe, lifted it over a nearby trash can, eyes cold as she looked at Qin Zi Mo, then let go; the shoe clanged into the trash can.

Qin Zi Mo widened his eyes—does she… think he's dirty?

She stepped in his shoe and just threw it away; if not because it's dirty, then what?

But the sole was already dirty; does she mean he's dirtier than the sole?

"Yan Yan!"

"Call President Song!" Song Huan Yan's face turned cold.

Qin Zi Mo instantly had to lower his flag and cease fire; it turned out he despised her lofty attitude, which is why Qiao An lured him.

He didn't expect that now… she's even more aloof.

And he can only hold it in, feeling an indescribable embarrassment…

"President Song." Qin Zi Mo suppressed his anger, "Since you won't reconcile with me, why are you increasing your investment in me? You also want to pamper Jiao Jiao. You clearly love me! So… can you stop messing with me?"

Song Huan Yan finds his pretentiousness disgusting, clearly she loves him?

What a big face.

Song Huan Yan said, "Public matters stay public, private matters stay private. Do you expect me to blur the line and target you? Fine, then I'll immediately dismiss Li Zihang and Qin Jiao Jiao, and then you…"

"No, no, no, stop, stop, stop." Qin Zi Mo was frightened.

If Song Huan Yan targets him, does he have any way out?

Not at all!

His contract hasn't expired; he's completely bound to the company.

He can't afford the termination fee.

Even if Qiao An covers the termination fee, with the Song Family's power, if Song Huan Yan blacklists him, he still has no future.

The Qiao Family also can't match the Song Family.

He has only one way: death!

He now feels grateful, grateful that Song Huan Yan broke up with him only because he didn't say "Happy Birthday," the temperamental part being greater.

Also grateful that Song Huan Yan separates public and private matters.

If Song Huan Yan were to know him…

Qin Zi Mo doesn't dare to imagine.

"Afraid?" Song Huan Yan's cold lips curled in a smile, mocking, "Hasn't Qin Yingdi always thought himself outstanding? He won't play a non‑lead, looks down on small investments, refuses to play a newcomer background role! He complains about this and that; for a tougher role he must use a body double! Qin Zi Mo, without me you're nothing in the industry! Still an Emperor, do you really have no sense?"

This is the first time Song Huan Yan says such words to Qin Zi Mo, no longer needing to hide consideration for his feelings.

"You…" Qin Zi Mo looked at her in disbelief.

"Isn't what I'm saying the truth?" Song Huan Yan cut her off, "Without me, you think your self‑importance alone would make anyone in the industry use you? Let you be the lead? You didn't really think Sang Wan valued your talent, did you?"

Qin Zi Mo's face reddened, his pride and dignity trampled mercilessly.

Even though his hands clenched into fists, he lacked the strength to rebut.

Previously, Song Huan Yan, to protect his ego, falsely claimed Sang Wan had a keen eye for talent and valued his abilities, thus heavily investing in him.

Song Huan Yan and Sang Wan are friends, but they only pulled a string; because he was outstanding, he was promoted, and Song Huan Yan also benefited…

Now the truth is exposed; the naked reality is all disgraceful.

It turns out that without Song Huan Yan, he is nothing at all.

Qin Zi Mo collapsed, speaking softly, "Then why are you still increasing investment in me?"

Song Huan Yan raised a cold eyebrow, "What? Don't want it?"

"No, it's not that!" Qin Zi Mo said, "Since you broke up with me and look down on me, why still spend money on me?"

Song Huan Yan pursed her lips, "Are you questioning my strategic decisions for the company?"

Qin Zi Mo was now speechless.

She is only thinking of the company's development?

Seeing him like that, Song Huan Yan felt annoyed, saying, "Aren't you leaving yet?"

Qin Zi Mo had to stand, "Yan Yan, I won't give up!"

Just as Li Peilan said, seeking reconciliation isn't that easy.

Song Huan Yan didn't even give him a glance, "Leave."

Qin Zi Mo hurried out, but at the doorway said suddenly, "Yan Yan, I'll go buy you a pair of shoes."

Song Huan Yan initially found it disgusting, but after a thought, said nothing.

Qin Zi Mo, seeing her tacit approval, felt instantly pleased, thinking, she really is just sulking.

When sulking, one's words naturally aren't pleasant.

Qin Zi Mo was delighted, saying, "I'll go right now!"

He opened the door but stopped abruptly, realizing he didn't know Song Huan Yan's shoe size…

He seemed to understand why Song Huan Yan remained silent.

But now, he mustered courage and asked, "Yan Yan, what size shoes do you wear?"

Song Huan Yan looked at him mockingly; her gaze made him feel utterly uncomfortable and ashamed.

Qin Zi Mo said, "I'll buy several pairs; you can try them all."

He said that and was about to leave, but Qiao An suddenly appeared at the doorway.

Qin Zi Mo startled, blurting, "What are you doing here?"

Qiao An said, "I have something to discuss with President Song."

After saying that, Qin Zi Mo gave her a tug, lowering his voice, "Don't cause trouble! Otherwise don't even think about your future."

Qiao An shifted her body toward his side and said, "Don't worry, I'm not as stupid as she is."

Qin Zi Mo thought that Qiao An probably wouldn't ruin her own future, so he said nothing, but deliberately added, "Miss Qiao, please have some self‑respect! Yan Yan is my true love; I could never like you!"

He said that and left.

Qiao An called out, "Qin Yingdi, Qin Yingdi!"

Song Huan Yan lifted the milk tea, huh, truly able to act.

Qiao An entered the office, closed the door, and said, "President Song, I'd like to talk with you."

Song Huan Yan had been sitting in the lounge; hearing that, she stood up, barefoot, and walked toward the office chair.

Qiao An followed.

After sitting down, Song Huan Yan looked at her and said, "Speak."

She hadn't even let Qiao An sit; Qiao An was startled for a moment, then sat down herself.

Before she could speak, Song Huan Yan said, "Did I let you sit?"

Qiao An's face was bruised, her complexion flushed, and she hesitantly stood, saying, "You really want to promote me as a film queen and also push me onto the international stage?"

In fact, Qiao An was just making conversation to draw attention.

Before, she and Qin Zi Mo could only be secret, so she didn't dare to appear frequently in front of Song Huan Yan.

No one had previously discovered that Qiao An and Qin Zi Mo had a secret affair, showing they kept it well hidden in the company.

Now Qiao An can "openly pursue" Qin Zi Mo, and she can't wait to "provoke" Song Huan Yan.

For Qiao An, it feels like the thrill of a victor.

Song Huan Yan looked at her and said, "Don't want to? Fine, I can replace you at any time."

"No, no, it's not that," Qiao An hurriedly denied, feigning innocence and surprised flattery, "I just… find it a bit unbelievable. I like Qin Yingdi; are you really… not angry? Not only not angry, but also eager to champion me…"

Song Huan Yan knew she was just making conversation; she couldn't imagine how disgusting the real motive behind it was.

Song Huan Yan said, "Does who you like have anything to do with me? My decisions are only for the company's benefit; if you feel you cannot be competent…"

"I can handle it," Qiao An replied immediately, "I just want to ask… President Song, do you really no longer like Qin Yingdi? Aren't you afraid that my pursuit of success and being with Qin Yingdi…"