Chapter 271: Chapter 182: Even a Small Move From Him Is an Unattainable Height

He Ya had no idea Li Suwan was in the office. She took out her phone, opened Li Suwan’s WeChat, and sent a voice message: "Sweetie, congratulations! Once you dance for Chen Jincheng, you’re definitely going to be a star. I’m so happy for you."

After that, she put down her phone, grabbed her purse from her desk, and left the office.

Only then did Li Suwan come out. Listening to the voice message, she felt a wave of nausea. This kind of backstabbing truly left her speechless.

But Director He had already agreed to He Ya’s request to talk to Chen Jincheng about replacing her.

She felt utterly helpless.

She forced herself to calm down.

’After all, I know Chen Jincheng hand-picked me from the start. But I’ve never met him and don’t know him at all. From what he said, though, it’s clear he’s been paying attention to me.’

’Especially that vibrant red water-sleeve Hanfu, paired with those dance steps—it was as if it had all been tailor-made for me.’

’So, I have to believe that Chen Jincheng still admires me. How else could any of this make sense?’

’Most importantly, this Chen Jincheng is the number one scumbag on the internet, and he admires *me*.’

’That means I have a chance. I’m not guaranteed to lose.’

She had been betrayed and divorced, but she was still very confident in her looks.

’It’s just that this sort of thing obviously goes against moral and social conventions. But then again, I’m already divorced. I wouldn’t be wronging anyone...’

Meanwhile, He Fang had also hung up the phone, her brow furrowed slightly.

She had promised her niece, but she wasn’t sure if she should actually help her.

’I could mention it to that Chen Jincheng fellow, and maybe he’d do me a favor and switch the dancer. But it’s also possible he won’t give me any face, and that would be awkward.’

’More importantly, I know where all this buzz is coming from. If something goes wrong, all this positive attention could turn negative, and then I’d be in trouble.’

’As things stand now, I’ll definitely get credit for this. A promotion down the line won’t be a problem.’

’As for my niece... she’s not my own daughter, after all.’

’So, it’s better not to get involved.’

She put her phone down, deciding she would just give her niece a half-hearted excuse later.

...

Li Suwan, obviously unaware of He Fang’s decision, left the office. She bit her lip, took out her phone, and replied to He Ya, feigning happiness: "Thanks, sweetie!"

"No need to thank me! We’re besties, aren’t we?" He Ya replied quickly.

Seeing this, Li Suwan felt truly disgusted.

It only made her more desperate.

’I will not give up this opportunity.’

’I *have* to make it big and let this so-called bestie go eat shit.’

After that, she immediately went home and took a nice, long shower.

But as the water cascaded over her, and even after she got out, her face was a mask of conflict. Even though she had an idea, she found it hard to make a final decision.

’After all, this kind of thing...’

She remained in a daze all through dinner. Many things flashed through her mind, especially the words ’shame’ and ’self-respect,’ which had begun to torment her again.

But the moment she thought about how Director He might already be contacting Chen Jincheng for He Ya, she gritted her teeth, sat down at her vanity, and started putting on her makeup.

「Time passed.」

Chen Jincheng took Xiaoju to a lavish dinner at the hotel before they got into the elevator to go back to their rooms.

Neither of them spoke in the elevator.

Xiaoju, however, couldn’t help but secretly glance up at him, her heart starting to race for some unknown reason. ’Some things are understood without being said. But when the moment is about to arrive, even real couples can feel lost and nervous.’

’Let alone the two of them, in their situation...’

’Most importantly, he won’t even offer a single sweet nothing right now. It’s as if he sees me as a freebie delivered to his door, expecting me to make the first move.’

This made her a little unhappy.

’Can’t he at least whisper some sweet talk, give me a little emotional value?’

’Doesn’t he understand the simple principle that he can only have a good time if *I’m* having a good time?’

Chen Jincheng, however, had a faint smile playing on his lips the whole time.

’I can pretty much guess what she’s thinking. But outside, someone might overhear us. This elevator might even have a camera with audio recording. As a cautious scumbag, I won’t leave behind that kind of evidence.’

’Without evidence, I can openly claim to be a perfect gentleman who never preys on the girls around him.’

’But if I leave evidence, it’s a hassle. I’d have to argue it was a voice deepfake or something. So, when I’m out in public, I’m very good at holding my tongue.’

"It’s been a long day. Go take a nice, long shower first," Chen Jincheng said with a double meaning as he entered his room, speaking to Xiaoju who was entering the other one.

"Oh," Xiaoju replied with a pout, not realizing how alluring she looked.

Chen Jincheng quite enjoyed the sight. After entering his room, he started thinking about what kind of games he could play with the girl tonight. ’A widow, perhaps? Should I have her roleplay one? There are plenty of instructional films for that sort of thing.’

Then he shook his head. ’Damn, I’ve been corrupted by Yinyin and Ximeng. A perfect gentleman like me has actually started to enjoy these kinds of games.’

He went into his room, took a long shower, and came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Just as he was wondering whether he should go over to Xiaoju’s room or have her come to him, he suddenly received a WeChat message from that young teacher, Li Suwan: "Chen Jincheng, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I’d like to buy you a drink to show my gratitude. Is that okay?"

When Chen Jincheng saw the invitation, he would have accepted if he didn’t have plans to "take care of" Xiaoju tonight.

’After all, drinking with a beautiful woman is always a pleasant pastime. Besides, I really do admire this pretty teacher. If possible, I’d actually like to sign her. Second-Life Star doesn’t have an artist of her type.’

"Teacher Li, I’m very sorry, but I might have something on tonight," Chen Jincheng could only politely decline.

Just then, he got a call from Sister Hong.

He quickly answered.

Sister Hong was mainly calling to ask him about Xiaoju. After all, she hadn’t signed a contract yet. In Sister Hong’s opinion, it was always risky to shoot a video for her before she was signed, and the company’s other artists might have complaints.

"You’re a scumbag, sure, but don’t let someone play *you* and ruin your brilliant reputation," Sister Hong added as a final reminder.

"Sister Hong, don’t worry," Chen Jincheng said with an awkward laugh. He knew Sister Hong was just concerned, but she didn’t know about the trump cards he held. He didn’t care at all about this one video with Xiaoju.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

This made him smile. ’Looks like this Xiaoju girl knows the score, coming over on her own.’

Full of eager anticipation, he walked to the door and opened it.

But when he saw the person standing outside the door, he was clearly stunned.