**Chapter 27 \u2013 Barely Acceptable**
Ever since Fu Yuan handed over the script for *Vanity*, Qin Mang began her weight-loss journey.
According to the requirement for the female lead\u2019s frail, willow-like appearance, she had to lose another five pounds. That didn’t seem like much, but for someone like Qin Mang, who was already naturally slim, it was extremely difficult.
Dieting and exercise were non-negotiable.
So during this time, aside from studying her new role, Qin Mang focused solely on eating greens and working out.
**That day.**
Inside the gym on the first floor of the lakeside villa.
The early morning sunlight was especially pleasant, streaming through the glass windows and falling softly on the young woman doing yoga.
Qin Mang moved with grace and poise, like a beautiful, proud white swan.
She exhaled slowly.
In her ear came Meng Ting\u2019s voice: \u201cThe official *Soul Night* account just announced the kick-off press conference for tomorrow.\u201d
\u201cEveryone\u2019s wondering when you\u2019re joining the crew.\u201d
\u201cTsk tsk tsk, looks like he\u2019s trying to force you in.\u201d
Although she had terminated her contract with Hezhou Films, that didn\u2019t mean Qin Mang had no connection to *Soul Night*.
Lin Chenxuan had clearly grasped that point.
Which was why he dared to publicly pressure her to join the production.
Everyone in the industry knew she had signed onto Lin Chenxuan\u2019s new film. If news suddenly broke that she wasn\u2019t actually taking part, people would start questioning why she had watched an explicit movie with him in the first place.
There was no way to explain that cleanly.
Qin Mang slowly stepped down from the yoga ball.
Her fitted workout dress traced the curves of her elegant figure, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. She brushed aside the strands of hair that fell over her cheek and walked out.
She wasn\u2019t particularly interested in the topic.
**Don\u2019t suspect those you employ. Don\u2019t employ those you suspect.**
Since Fu Yuan said she\u2019d take care of it, she\u2019d leave it to her.
But little did she know\u2014
It wasn\u2019t Fu Yuan who would take care of it.
Qin Mang lazily leaned on the staircase railing and walked down, only to see a man sitting in the dining area.
His dazzling eyes flickered with surprise. He asked suspiciously,
\u201cYou haven\u2019t gone to work yet?\u201d
It was already 8 a.m.
Totally inconsistent with Mr. He\u2019s disciplined routine of getting up at 6:30 and starting work at 7.
He Lingji replied nonchalantly, \u201cNo rush.\u201d
Then he politely offered, \u201cWant some breakfast?\u201d
A lavish breakfast lay before He Lingji\u2014both Chinese and Western dishes, exquisite and mouthwatering.
Qin Mang hesitated for a few seconds. If she ate that, her morning workout would be for nothing. She reluctantly looked away, muttering, \u201cFairies\u2026 aren\u2019t hungry.\u201d
If He Lingji invited her again, this fairy could reluctantly accompany him for a few bites.
Just a few.
However, He Lingji simply nodded without pressing further.
Qin Mang: \u201c\u2026\u201d
She was just being polite!
A few minutes later.
Qin Mang sat across from him, with nothing in front of her.
Arms crossed, she coldly watched him enjoy breakfast alone. Her exquisitely beautiful features looked especially cool under the bright light, giving her a touch of cold allure.
Even with her staring, He Lingji maintained his natural poise, holding his utensils with elegance. The wedding ring on his ring finger glinted subtly under the light.
For a moment.
The dining room was tranquil.
Then, the butler and maids entered to add more dishes for He Lingji.
They paused when they saw the scene.
With some surprise, the butler respectfully asked, \u201cShould I prepare breakfast for Madam?\u201d
Qin Mang had just claimed she wasn\u2019t hungry.
She couldn\u2019t contradict herself now.
At that moment, He Lingji casually said, \u201cNo need. Get her a glass of dew.\u201d
The butler: \u201cHuh?\u201d
He Lingji\u2019s voice was calm: \u201cFairies don\u2019t consume mortal food.\u201d
Qin Mang: ?
Would this damn man die if he didn\u2019t mock her with sarcasm for one second?
Her stunningly beautiful face twisted into a cold smile. \u201cWhy not just offer me incense while you\u2019re at it?\u201d
He Lingji slowly set down his knife and fork, took a sip of water from a glass, his pale lips glistening slightly, adding a seductive allure to his otherwise cool expression.
He said smoothly, \u201cSure.\u201d
\u201cWith a fairy wife like Miss Qin who doesn\u2019t eat mortal food and prefers incense, I consider myself truly blessed.\u201d
\u201cWhat blessing?\u201d
Meng Ting had just come downstairs and only caught the last sentence. She instinctively asked.
Then she realized\u2014she was speaking to *Mr. He*!
Holy crap!
Why was Mr. He still here?
Just as Meng Ting was about to apologize, He Lingji stood, straightening his cuffs as he walked out. He left only two words: \u201cSave money.\u201d
Meng Ting watched the imposing man leave, then dazedly walked over to Qin Mang, opened her mouth, and finally managed to say:
\u201cYour Mr. He\u2026 is surprisingly down-to-earth.\u201d
Just think\u2014someone worth billions, and yet he has this lovely virtue of \u201csaving money.\u201d
*Truly admirable.*
Qin Mang laughed.
She pointed at He Lingji\u2019s spread and said each word clearly, \u201cGive me the same breakfast. Exact same specs.\u201d
*Let\u2019s see him save money now!*
Meng Ting panicked: \u201cMy goddess!\u201d
\u201cYou\u2019re in a weight-loss phase!\u201d
Lin Chenxuan hadn\u2019t expected Qin Mang to remain completely silent, showing no concern about the public finding out she wasn\u2019t working with him.
Wasn\u2019t she afraid\u2014
An assistant cautiously asked, \u201cShould we still hold tomorrow\u2019s press conference?\u201d
Lin Chenxuan thought for a long moment.
\u201cHold it.\u201d
For this film, he\u2019d force things if he had to.
Once filming began, Qin Mang wouldn\u2019t regret it.
The next day, the grand press conference for *Soul Night* was held, with many media outlets in attendance.
\u201cHuh? It\u2019s time, why aren\u2019t the leads here?\u201d
\u201cIs it delayed?\u201d
\u201cQin Mang hasn\u2019t appeared in public for months. I was hoping to get exclusive photos.\u201d
\u201cWord is the male lead, Zhou Cong, was hand-picked by Director Lin. A superb actor.\u201d
\u201cSuch casting\u2014truly worthy of Lin\u2019s name.\u201d
Just as everyone was talking\u2014
\u201cHe\u2019s here, Zhou Cong is here!\u201d
\u201cWhat about Qin Mang?\u201d
\u201cAren\u2019t they making a joint appearance?\u201d
Amid the noisy crowd.
Zhou Cong hurried up to the stage with a grim expression, picked up the mic, and the first thing he did was apologize.
\u201cSorry, Director Lin. I want to withdraw from the film.\u201d
\u201cThe content is too intense. I just can\u2019t get past it.\u201d
\u201cI\u2019m very sorry.\u201d
He bowed deeply to Lin Chenxuan.
Lin Chenxuan\u2019s elegant features darkened instantly.
He had expected the day to go poorly\u2014perhaps Qin Mang being willful and not showing up\u2014but he never imagined the problem would come from his most trusted actor.
This was the actor he had personally mentored from the beginning.
Zhou Cong\u2019s first role had been chosen by him.
Over the years, they had been like mentor and student.
Now the entire venue descended into chaos.
The media paid no attention to the absent female lead. All eyes were on the falling-out between the once-close director and actor.
Resigning in public!
He hadn\u2019t even saved Lin Chenxuan an ounce of face.
Later\u2014
Lin Chenxuan left the venue with a dark face.
\u201cMentor-student fallout\u201d became the top trending tag from the *Soul Night* conference.
Qin Mang, who should\u2019ve been the center of attention, instead became\u2026 invisible\u2014
Quite the clever outcome.
\u2026
After the conference, Lin Chenxuan found his career increasingly restricted. *Soul Night* faced one blow after another: both leads had pulled out, and investors began withdrawing.
Even a film slated for international release was abruptly canceled due to an \u201cincident.\u201d
That looming sense of unseen danger was terrifying.
Normally aloof and private, Lin Chenxuan had no choice but to send people to investigate who he might have offended.
Those who had once called him \u201cbrother\u201d now avoided him like the plague, as if they had been warned.
Eventually\u2014
A friend, risking much, gave him a single surname.
Lin Chenxuan was in disbelief.
He had no grudge with that person. Why suppress him?
**One month later.**
**He Group Headquarters \u2013 Reception Room.**
The tea in front of Lin Chenxuan had been replaced five times.
He hadn\u2019t even cared for his treasured long hair recently. Under the lights, the ends, usually sleek, were now dry and frayed.
He rested his hand over the now-cold tea, deep in thought.
His assistant glanced nervously at the closed glass doors and whispered, \u201cWe\u2019ve been waiting for two hours.\u201d
\u201cWho *is* this person?\u201d
He had followed Lin Chenxuan for years and had never seen him treated like this anywhere.
This was the first time they\u2019d been kept waiting like this.
Lin Chenxuan didn\u2019t answer.
He had waited a month just to get this meeting.
He could wait longer.
The rumors in the industry weren\u2019t wrong. In the past, even a genius director like Lin wouldn\u2019t have been able to meet someone of He Lingji\u2019s caliber.
He still remembered his friend\u2019s warning:
**\u201cWhen you meet him, don\u2019t justify, don\u2019t explain\u2014apologize first.\u201d**
Lin Chenxuan had won a prestigious international award with his debut film and enjoyed smooth success ever since. His pride had endured\u2014but this past month of setbacks had nearly ground it to dust.
Not long after\u2014
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Lin Chenxuan suddenly looked up\u2014
What entered his sight was a face so stunning, it could bring down empires.
His professional instincts kicked in. His first thought was: *He\u2019s more suited to play the male lead in* **Soul Night**.
Mysterious. Noble.
Unfathomable.
After He Lingji sat at the main seat, his gaze was faint and his tone cold as he said, \u201cThree minutes.\u201d
It was as if all present were mere ants in the world, their lives and deaths under his control.
A one-month appointment\u2014
Only three minutes to see him.
And yet, no one dared to complain.
Lin Chenxuan forced himself to stay calm, remembering what his friend had advised him:
\u201cPresident He, I\u2019d like to first apologize. If I\u2019ve offended you in any way, please forgive me.\u201d
As he spoke, he pushed over a transfer contract he had long prepared.
\u201cI heard you like helicopters.\u201d
\u201cPlease, accept my apology.\u201d
He Lingji absentmindedly rubbed his teacup, his cool voice flowing like a clear spring:
\u201cThe one you offended isn\u2019t me.\u201d
Lin Chenxuan\u2019s expression tightened slightly. \u201cThen\u2026\u201d
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Just then, He Lingji glanced at the watch clasped on his wrist.
The dial was exquisite yet understated\u2014it was a specially customized piece from the world\u2019s oldest watchmaker.
The apology gift Lin Chenxuan brought\u2014ten helicopters\u2014couldn\u2019t even buy that watch.
At this moment, Assistant Cong respectfully reminded,
\u201cTime\u2019s up, President He. You have another meeting.\u201d
As He Lingji stood up, Lin Chenxuan blurted out,
\u201cPresident He, was there something in the film I made that offended you?\u201d
He Lingji slowly buttoned his suit, graceful and poised,
Leaving a cryptic remark:
\u201cDirector Lin\u2019s movie isn\u2019t of interest to me.\u201d
\u201cBut the female lead you chose\u2014\u201d
**Bang.**
The soft sound of the door closing cut off the rest.
Snapping Lin Chenxuan out of his thoughts.
He couldn\u2019t help but let out a bitter laugh. *So it was her.*
That night, the usually proud Lin Chenxuan
Posted his first Weibo update since the *Soul Night* incident:
**Lin Chenxuan V**: \u201cDue to personal reasons, *Soul Night* is being postponed indefinitely. I apologize to Qin Mang and all the cast and crew for wasting your time. \u2013 Lin Chenxuan\u201d
It stirred up heated discussion.
After all, this was the genius director Lin Chenxuan, who never put anyone in the industry in his eyes.
But the buzz quickly faded.
Originally, Qin Mang\u2019s fans were disappointed\u2014she had lost a golden opportunity.
Unexpectedly\u2014
Soon after, Qin Mang\u2019s new studio made an official announcement:
She had signed on to another S+ level movie, **Vanity**.
Since switching to a more professional team, Qin Mang\u2019s career finally took off.
Every opportunity she received was top-tier.
Even the global ambassador position for an international high-end jewelry brand\u2014something Meng Ting had once dreamed of for Qin Mang to break into A-list stardom\u2014was now within reach.
Lately,
The brand had been sending over new jewelry designs,
Requesting that Qin Mang wear them to events, and inviting her to the brand\u2019s VIP gala, *Night of Surprises*.
All girls love jewelry\u2014especially Qin Mang, who had adored collecting gemstones since childhood.
Qin Mang hadn\u2019t appeared in public for a long time.
She had originally entered the spotlight because of her top-tier looks, so even between filming, she had to maintain her beauty business.
Exceptional beauty might sometimes be overlooked,
But combine that with premium resources, and it becomes the perfect ticket into the luxury fashion elite.
The banquet was extravagant.
Many A-list celebrities were invited.
Qin Mang made a stunning appearance in a strapless gown themed after the shimmering silk tree flower.
While waiting backstage for the red carpet, she ran into Qi Rong. At least she had someone familiar to chat with.
Suddenly, Qi Rong tugged on Qin Mang\u2019s sleeve and whispered excitedly,
\u201cLook, look\u2014it\u2019s Tan Guannan!\u201d
Qin Mang raised her lashes\u2014
And saw a tall, dashing man in a tailored suit.
Surrounded by cameras, he shone with star power. He smiled and greeted the crowd on the red carpet,
Drawing cheers from all around.
Clearly, he was the most prominent figure at the event.
Qi Rong leaned in and muttered,
\u201cIf I could sleep with him, I\u2019d die with no regrets.\u201d
\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d
Just then\u2014
A black, extended Pullman limousine pulled up behind Tan Guannan.
The license plate looked very familiar.
It was the same one parked in her residential garage.
Qin Mang casually flipped her hair, her curled lashes lifting as she looked over lazily.
At that moment, the gala\u2019s organizer personally opened the car door.
A long, lean leg in black dress pants stepped out\u2014perfectly proportioned and elegant without needing any accessories.
His presence was naturally noble and refined. His gray-blue eyes were deep and mysterious, his entire aura cold yet enticing.
He Lingji had been speaking to someone nearby,
But perhaps sensing her gaze, he slowly looked up\u2014
And his eyes met Qin Mang\u2019s watery, radiant ones.
Even though they had seen each other just the night before,
Qin Mang still felt a flutter from this man\u2019s gaze.
They held eye contact for half a second.
Then she suddenly asked,
\u201cDid you see that?\u201d
Qi Rong: \u201cSee what?\u201d
Qin Mang pointed from Tan Guannan\u2014
To the VIP entrance on his right.
There stood the mysterious, handsome man who had just stepped out of the Pullman, now surrounded by bodyguards.
Qin Mang\u2019s eyes lifted as she lazily said,
\u201cA face like that\u2026 I *might* barely consider sleeping with him.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n