The next morning, Ning Ke saw that Yan Yunzhi had replied to her at seven.
“Went to bed early last night.”
“Saved the photo.”
“I’ll be back soon once I’ve finished helping my teacher.”
“Be back soon”?
Ning Ke looked at the phone screen, unable to stop the corner of her mouth from lifting. She quickly pressed her lips together and typed: “That variety show Lin Yun mentioned—do you have time?”
Yan Yunzhi replied quickly: “She called back. I agreed.”
Soon after, another message came—a photo, probably from backstage at a concert hall, where she seemed to be testing equipment.
Ning Ke noticed the corner of her coat visible in the photo. Her fingertip moved, and she saved the image.
She didn’t reply. Casually, she set her phone down on the table and started breakfast.
Sister Lu brought out a plate of cut fruit. “Miss Ning, did you sleep well last night? You seem to be in a good mood this morning.”
Ning Ke: “Do I?”
Sister Lu: “Yes, yes, yes.”
Ning Ke couldn’t help but smile. “Then I guess I am.”
As she was speaking, she suddenly turned aside and coughed twice.
“What’s wrong? Did you catch a cold?” Sister Lu leaned down with concern. “Let me make you some ginger tea.”
Ning Ke didn’t go out that morning. Under Sister Lu’s nagging, she drank a cup of ginger tea and shut herself in her room to go over the script. She read it aloud, once, twice, three times, gradually sinking into the role of Shen Guhong, practicing her expressions, her eyes, her tone of speech, and her gait in front of the mirror.
At noon, she met Lin Yun for a Japanese barbecue place nearby.
After lunch, they took a cab back to Yinchen Entertainment. The moment they got out, several people blocked their way. An Yu, waiting at the entrance, sensed trouble and shielded Ning Ke behind her. “Keke, get back in the car.”
Ning Ke patted her arm. “It’s fine.”
An Yu refused to back down. The group of people stepped forward and began cursing: “Shameless! What did you do to Brother Xian? Why won’t you leave him alone?”
The youngest woman in the back, her face red with anger, tightened her grip on her milk tea and hurled it at Ning Ke.
Ning Ke sidestepped it easily. The milk tea hit the ground, splashing her pant leg.
She was used to this kind of thing. Some of male celebrities’ delusional fans went crazy like this—it was just nonsense. A milk tea splash was mild; she should be thankful it wasn’t acid. She’d never had a habit of bringing bodyguards with her all these years anyway.
While this little scuffle was happening, the security guards had heard the commotion and came running.
Ning Ke took out a wet wipe to clean her hands and walked inside, telling An Yu, “Contact Brother Jian.”
Her prediction was exactly right.
A few days ago, Chen Xian had suffered a loss at her hands. That night, his professional fans started stirring up the fan base. A leaked set video from Without Her even surfaced—in it, Ning Ke appeared to be smiling at him, and in one shot, probably due to camera angle, she seemed to be reaching for his arm.
Even the video of their confrontation in the dark had leaked. They had clearly been arguing, but now it looked… like lovers meeting in secret.
An Yu couldn’t hold it in. “How vile.”
Ning Ke was unfazed by such tactics, still calm. “Tell Brother Jian to handle it. As soon as possible.”
She had an ad shoot this afternoon and couldn’t afford to be distracted.
Xu Jian called back quickly. “Keke, I’m on it, so I won’t go with you to the client’s place. Don’t come back to the office either—go straight there.”
Whether Chen Xian had bought too many bots, or some investor wanted to warm up the drama by fueling CP rumors, the topic stayed stuck on the hot search, refusing to fade.
Ning Ke checked the time and agreed.
The car drove off. Lin Yun cursed the whole way. “What kind of garbage is this Chen Xian? Does his mother have any idea what kind of scum he is?!”
Ning Ke looked out the window, saying flatly, “His uncle is Chen Mingsheng.”
Lin Yun immediately shut up. “How is it him…”
At the mention of that name, Lin Yun’s expression darkened.
When Ning Ke had first entered the entertainment industry, her contract wasn’t with just any company—it was with Huanyu Entertainment, the company Tang Xi and Chen Xian were with now.
Back then, her beauty and fiery temperament drew the attention of the company’s higher-ups. The vice president, Chen Mingsheng, had taken a fancy to her. He’d slipped something into her drink, but Ning Ke caught him and broke his nose. Afterward, she was shelved and blacklisted by Huanyu.
Ning Ke was blacklisted for two years, and Chen Mingsheng ate a significant loss too—he’d been thoroughly humiliated in the company for a stretch. No wonder Chen Xian always held a grudge against her.
Speaking of it, Lin Yun felt a heavy weight in her chest too.
The industry was just that realistic. Without absolute strength or sufficiently solid connections, you endured. Ning Ke’s family didn’t support her going into entertainment; hers was the same. So for all these years, they’d taken their beatings in silence.
The car came off the elevated road and pulled over.
Ning Ke: “Alright, you go home. I still have work.”
Seeing how calm she was, Lin Yun couldn’t help sighing. “Keke, if you’re upset…”
“Alright, alright, don’t dawdle.” Ning Ke refused to say more. She patted Lin Yun’s hand and laughed. “Come on, don’t be so sentimental.”
After pushing Lin Yun out of the car, she dropped the smile and rubbed her face, repeating to herself like a mantra, “Fine, that’s enough. I have to be on camera later.”
An Yu was in the front seat talking to the driver and turned back when she heard her muttering. “Sis, what did you say?”
“Nothing.” Ning Ke put on her earphones and fell silent.
At the shoot location, Xu Jian was waiting at the door. “Don’t worry about the online mess for now. I fought hard for this commercial deal. Let’s get today’s shoot done first.”
Ning Ke nodded. “I know. Don’t worry.”
Today’s shoot was for a mid-range skincare and cosmetics brand—not a high-end line, but the brand had mass, a wide product range, and spent generously on advertising in major cities nationwide. In other words, Xu Jian had taken this deal not just for the money, but to get Ning Ke’s face out there.
Ning Ke knew how important this commercial was. She’d gone to bed early last night; aside from the earlier hiccup, she was in decent shape.
After her hair and makeup were done, the brand director and product manager came over to greet her. “Teacher Ning Ke, good to see you again.”
Ning Ke smiled. “President Zhao, long time no see.”
President Zhao was an acquaintance she’d worked with a few times before. The only reason this deal had come through was that Zhao had jumped ship to this company and made the introduction. She was a straightforward person; Ning Ke got along well with her, and they chatted on WeChat from time to time. Just a few days ago, she’d seen a post from her announcing she was coming out.
When the others stepped away, President Zhao asked, “So, when are you filming the third episode of that variety show?”
“Not confirmed yet,” Ning Ke said, unable to resist a laugh. “I still have a drama to finish. Teacher Qin Pei also has a movie in production. Don’t tell me you’re watching the show too.”
“I am watching it,” President Zhao said with a wink. “So. Are you and Yan Yunzhi actually dating?”
“Cough…” Ning Ke had just taken a sip of water and nearly choked. “President Zhao, what are you joking about!”
President Zhao stared at her, red lips curving as her fox-like eyes narrowed in a smile. “Tsk, tsk. You know my situation—I was deep in the closet, so I’ve got a hawk’s eye for this. Look at the way you and Yan Yunzhi make eye contact on the show, practically dripping with it. Don’t tell me you’re just a PR couple. I don’t believe it.”
Ning Ke blushed inexplicably. “We’re really not dating.”
President Zhao laughed loudly, a knowing look on her face, and clapped Ning Ke on the shoulder. “We’ll see about that. I’m heading over there now.”
Ning Ke: “Alright. See you.”
Being teased by an acquaintance left Ning Ke exasperated, but the distraction briefly pushed aside the earlier unpleasantness, and she threw herself into the day’s shoot.
The products this time were sunscreen and a whitening serum. The brand planned to launch them in summer, so they were preparing months in advance. For the sunscreen shoot, Ning Ke wore a simple t-shirt and jeans; for the serum, a silver mermaid-tail gown.
Promotional photos and videos, a magazine cover to come later, plus little material videos for fans—the whole set finished at nine in the evening. There was still a portion scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
Because she’d worn too little clothing, Ning Ke’s hands and feet were stiff with cold after the shoot. On top of that, she’d skipped dinner to keep on schedule, so she was feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
An Yu ran over and draped a coat over her shoulders, hesitating.
Ning Ke asked, “What’s wrong?”
An Yu: “It’s…”
An Yu was still stammering when Ning Ke’s phone rang. She looked—it was Ning Hui. She didn’t answer. “My uncle has called a bunch of times?”
“Yes…” An Yu lowered her head and handed her own phone over. “The public opinion escalated again tonight.”
This time, it wasn’t just the photos of Chen Xian and Ning Ke talking. There were many photos of Ning Ke from two or three years ago—at different business dinners, middle-aged men smiling as they spoke to her, and so-called “rumor photos” of her with various male celebrities. There was even one of Chen Xian smoking by the roadside, his arm around a glamorous woman’s silhouette. Her profile was clear enough that the sharp-eyed compared it to Ning Ke’s photos and found it close enough.
The most recent was from the day Yan Yunzhi and Jing Luoluo visited the set. She’d walked them out, and the post implied she was into both men and women, indiscriminate.
She skimmed Weibo—it was an absolute battlefield.
A flood of people @’d her with insults: male celebrities’ fans, passerby antis, professional antis… and even some of Yan Yunzhi’s fans, asking why she had to drag Yan Yunzhi into this cesspool.
Yeah… why did she drag her into this mess.
Ning Ke opened WeChat and sure enough, saw many messages.
There were plenty in her pinned work group chats. She scrolled down—the person pinned at the top had no new messages, sunk down at the bottom.
Just then, a new message popped up.
Ming Shu: “Keke, are you being bullied?”
Ning Ke frowned.
So even the Yan elders had taken notice of this? No wonder her uncle had called her over a dozen times in a fury.
She didn’t reply to Ming Shu’s message. She sat down and said, “I want to eat.”
An Yu handed her a boxed lunch. “It’s only lukewarm. Let me order something fresh.”
Ning Ke said no need. Her face expressionless, she opened the lunchbox and started eating. The rice and dishes were warm, not quite cold.
After two bites, her phone rang again.
An Yu reached for it. “Should I say you’re busy?”
“No,” Ning Ke answered. “Uncle.”
On the other end, Ning Hui was about to blow a fuse. “Where are you? What are you doing?”
Ning Ke’s tone was calm. “Just finished work. Eating.”
“At a time like this, you’re in the mood to eat?!” Before Ning Ke could respond, the words came pouring down on her. “Ning Ke! Look at what news you’ve made this time! More gossip—people saying you, a girl, don’t keep yourself pure, always throwing yourself at men! Isn’t that ugly?!”
Ning Ke listened through his opening barrage, then said quietly, “I didn’t.”
Ning Hui’s voice rose even higher. “You didn’t! Then why do you keep ending up in news like this? You being single before was one thing—but now you’re married to Azhi, she’s back in the country! If she sees this news, how do you think she’ll feel, how will she look at you?!”
Ning Ke said nothing.
“Go look at how badly they’re tearing you apart online! How did the Ning family raise such an indecent girl?!”
“And you’ve dragged Azhi into it! Do you know—your mother-in-law just called me! She knows! If the Yan elders know, what face do I have to explain this?! Do I even have a face left?!”
“Hello?! Are you still there?!”
Ning Ke quirked her lips in a soundless smile.
The rice that had lost its warmth had hardened in her mouth. She chewed twice and swallowed hard before saying, “I’ll handle it.”
And before Ning Hui could say anything else, she hung up.
By now, the food had gone completely cold. She’d lost her appetite anyway. She stood up. “Back to the office.”
An Yu made an acknowledging sound and helped her carry her bag out.
The whole ride back, her phone rang nonstop.
Ning Hui called again. She rejected it. He called again. She rejected it.
Finally, she turned the phone off.
Back at the office, Xu Jian was in a meeting with the PR team. Seeing her dark expression, he had her rest in the adjacent lounge. The lounge was assigned to Ning Ke specifically—it had a bed, a sofa, even a shower. Though it wasn’t as nice as a hotel, it was perfectly fine for a night’s rest.
Ning Ke was tired.
What suffocated her wasn’t the endless rumors of the entertainment world—it was her family’s repeated interrogations, leaving her unable to breathe. Her family had never once believed her.
Outside the door, An Yu knocked softly. “Mr. Ning called.”
“Don’t pick up!” Ning Ke suddenly shouted, hurling a throw pillow at the door. “Don’t pick up for anyone!”
Too many emotions tangled together, yet she didn’t want to cry. Hadn’t these past few years been exactly like this? What was there to cry about?
She was caught in the storm of rumors because her background, connections, and strength were all lacking. She couldn’t count on any supposed backing or support. She could only blame herself for not standing high enough yet.
Ning Ke splashed cold water on her face, took out the script, and forced herself to focus.
Before long, An Yu knocked again.
Ning Ke’s voice was taut. “Another phone call?”
An Yu stood outside the door. “Teacher Yan called. She said your phone was off.”
The lounge fell silent. Just as An Yu assumed she wouldn’t take the call, the door suddenly opened.
Ning Ke: “Phone.”
An Yu sighed in relief. “Take the work phone. Talk as long as you need.”
Ning Ke held the phone to her ear, her voice cold, projecting a don’t-bother-me air. “Is something wrong?”
There was a whistling wind on the other end, like she was standing by the roadside. Yan Yunzhi said quietly, “I saw the news online.”
Ning Ke smiled silently. “What, do you think I…”
Shamed you?
But before the words could finish, Yan Yunzhi interrupted. “Are you feeling alright?”
Ning Ke stopped short. For two seconds, she didn’t speak. She pressed her fingers against her eyes, steadied herself, and said, “Mm. I’m fine.”
“Sister Lu said you’re not at home. Are you at the office?”
“I’m resting here. Not going home. About to sleep. I’ll handle this quickly. Sorry for dragging you into it.”
“Don’t say sorry. Let’s talk about the trouble you’re facing.”
“It’s late, I don’t want to talk. I’m tired.”
“Ning Ke,” Yan Yunzhi called her name before she could hang up. “Right now, we should focus on solving the problem.”
“My business has nothing to do with you,” Ning Ke paused, then went on. “It won’t affect you.”
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end. Yan Yunzhi, mild-tempered as she was, let a hint of hurt seep through the phone line. “Must you always draw such a clear line between us?”
It was her usual gentle tone—not an accusation… more like a heart wounded by her coldness and distance.
Ning Ke pressed her lips together and said nothing.
The silence stretched between them on the phone line.
Their breaths, carried through the wires, joined into a single thread. Ning Ke’s lips moved several times, but nothing came out.
Finally, Yan Yunzhi spoke.
She said, “Ning Ke. I am your wife.”
