When showered with flowers and praise, most people don’t regret their choices.
Xu Mei was no exception.
Breaking up with Qin Yi had indeed hurt her, but she released an album, starred in a TV drama, had a packed schedule, and was courted by the decent suitor Cao Shao. Xu Mei had no time for regrets.
Until today, when her career hit a snag and Cao Shao’s reaction fell short of her expectations, regret began to creep in.
Xu Mei had a tendency to overthink, and with Pan Li’s prodding, she failed to control her emotions and spoke her true feelings in front of Pan Li.
The world is full of coincidences.
Cao Shao, chasing after Xu Mei, ran into a TV station acquaintance and chatted briefly. When he finally caught up, he overheard Xu Mei’s words.
“Pretty regretful?”
Cao Shao’s face darkened instantly.
Stealing someone else’s girlfriend gave him a sense of triumph.
But though he coveted Xu Mei, he hadn’t resorted to underhanded tactics like drugging her. He pursued her openly, she agreed, and everything followed naturally. Hearing her express regret now irritated him.
He knew he was a playboy.
But he hadn’t forced Xu Mei!
The resources and money he spent on her were real. Her losing the endorsement today had nothing to do with him—it was the sponsor’s decision not to choose her.
As for flirting with Li Mengjiao, Cao Shao didn’t think he was wrong.
If Li Mengjiao signed the endorsement deal, she’d have plenty of dealings with Hunan TV. They’d cross paths often, and as public figures, there was no need to act like enemies.
Besides, Li Mengjiao’s singing was genuinely good, a different style from Xu Mei’s.
Until today, Cao Shao hadn’t realised he could also be drawn to that cute style.
Liang Dan saw through him—Cao Shao was indeed a hypocrite. He could chase cute girls, but wouldn’t tolerate his girlfriend thinking about her ex. Xu Mei’s words hit his sore spot, and without caring that Pan Li was present, he lashed out, “If you’re still hung up on your ex, I’ll buy you a plane ticket back to Shanghai. Go apologise to him properly, and maybe you two can rekindle things! If he’s still mad, for the sake of these past few months, I can make a call to explain.”
Xu Mei was stunned.
“That’s not what I meant—”
Cao Shao didn’t care what she meant. She’d upset him, and he wasn’t going to suffer to make her happy.
Pan Li was inwardly delighted. Cao Shao stormed off, but Xu Mei stood there, still holding her pride.
“Should I go explain to Cao Shao for you?”
Pan Li’s mouth asked for Xu Mei’s opinion, but her feet were more honest, already chasing after him.
Xu Mei stood frozen, still processing.
Pan Li caught up with Cao Shao, spouting ambiguous words that seemed like mediation but were actually fanning the flames.
Cao Shao listened until her lips were dry, then coldly spat, “Get lost.”
“I’m not interested in wearing someone else’s cast-off shoes, nor do I like sharing them. I’m afraid of catching athlete’s foot!”
He was furious with Xu Mei, and Pan Li thought she could swoop in?
Cao Shao’s sharp tongue spoke the truth.
Xu Mei had risen through a talent show, had fame and talent, and was still a pure girl when she got with him—far more valuable than Pan Li, who’d stoop to old men.
The shady relationship between Pan Li and Station Chief Duan was obvious to a seasoned player like Cao Shao.
Not just Cao Shao—others could see it too. Only a blind man like Professor Fang couldn’t.
Cao Shao had no time for other people’s messes, but since Pan Li dared to provoke him, he wouldn’t hold back.
Cao Shao left, leaving Pan Li speechless.
Xu Mei had dated two boyfriends: the first, Qin Yi, a clueless college student, and now Cao Shao, a seasoned playboy, who still looked down on her?
Feeling humiliated, Pan Li later complained to Liang Dan, who appreciated her report but also gave her a mild rebuke.
Frustrated at every turn, Pan Li couldn’t make sense of it and blamed Wen Ying—even though she hadn’t even spoken to Wen Ying today, meeting her just meant bad luck!
Cao Shao didn’t take the bait, Liang Dan wasn’t easily fooled, leaving only Professor Fang as an easy target.
Station Chief Duan had figured out the dairy group’s preferences, yet they still couldn’t secure the endorsement. Professor Fang was exasperated.
Hearing from Pan Li that Li Mengjiao was recording the ad song that afternoon, Professor Fang decided to take Pan Li to the studio to see.
Upon arriving at the recording studio, they saw Wen Ying fawning over Yuan Fenghui, bustling about like a little lackey.
Professor Fang’s heart sank.
Wen Ying had always been sharp-tongued in front of him, causing a scene at the music academy without giving him face. Later meetings were just polite on the surface.
“I’m a professor at the music academy, a cultured educator. Am I not better than Yuan Fenghui, a disreputable woman from Taiwan?”
Professor Fang looked down on Yuan Fenghui, yet Wen Ying was willing to be her lackey, a slap in his face.
Pan Li, noting Professor Fang’s expression, whispered, “What’s she after…”
“No matter what she’s after, it’s putting the cart before the horse, forgetting her duty as a student!”
Young girls, dazzled by the entertainment industry’s fame and fortune, dive in headfirst, even as lackeys. If he were Wen Ying’s parent, he’d discipline her harshly.
Outside the bustling recording studio, the tough sponsor, Mr. Liu, was finally won over, drawing several TV station leaders to check it out.
Fan, the director of Hunan TV’s programme centre, also came.
While others were there for Li Mengjiao or Mr. Liu, Fan found Wen Ying familiar.
With Professor Fang nearby, Fan asked, “What’s this girl’s name? I think it’s Wen. I’ve seen her before!”
Where had he seen her?
Oh, he remembered.
It was at the victory banquet for the Chengdu regional finals last year.
Li Mengjiao had only placed second in Chengdu, and everyone thought she’d miss the national finals. But this Wen girl said Hunanplanning a comeback on Hunan TV.
Fan had thought she was insightful. Yan, a Chengdu producer, also praised her. Fan wanted to talk to her.
But why hadn’t they spoken?
He recalled—Professor Fang had said she was deliberately stirring controversy to attract attention, so he’d dropped the idea.
Now, seeing her again, Fan’s gaze at Professor Fang turned odd.
Badmouthing a young girl behind her back? Professor Fang’s heart seemed narrow.
What’s this about forgetting her duty as a student?
Everyone’s in this industry. If Professor Fang accused others of forgetting their roles, hadn’t he forgotten his own as a professor?
Ignoring Professor Fang this time, Fan, feeling a sense of fate, walked toward Wen Ying and Yuan Fenghui.
