Part 68：Sister Yun, I'm back

Zheng Xiaojie returned with an iced latte and a rolled-up blanket in her arms.

"Sister Yun, I'm back," she said.

Zoe put down her phone and took the latte from her.

"Hard work," she commented.

Zheng Xiaojie grinned foolishly and replied, "Not hard at all."

Zoe looked at Zheng Xiaojie's face and suddenly asked, "Xiaojie, where are you from?"

Zheng Xiaojie answered, "Henan."

Zoe smiled, "I thought you were from Hubei like Lan."

"Huh? Lan is from Hubei? I didn't know that," Zheng Xiaojie said, puzzled. "Do I have a Hubei accent?"

"No, I just thought you were very close with Lan, and you two seem to share some traits, so I assumed you were from the same place," Zoe explained.

Zheng Xiaojie laughed, "Really? That's great, I really admire Lan, so I always try to imitate her."

"Hmm? Admire? Why?" Zoe inquired.

"Because I also want to be an agent. When the company was recruiting, they said if you do well as an assistant, you might get a chance to become an agent. I want to be like Lan," Zheng Xiaojie said with the vigor and determination of youth.

"You're only eighteen, right?" Zoe asked.

"Yeah," Zheng Xiaojie nodded.

"So young."

"But Sister Yun, you look even younger, and they told me you've already graduated from university," Zheng Xiaojie's face suddenly flushed with embarrassment, "And, Sister Yun, you're so beautiful."

Zoe studied Zheng Xiaojie for a moment and said, "You're quite pretty too, but you have some acne and uneven skin tone. Here, I'll give you some skincare products, and if you take good care of your skin, you'll be even prettier."

Zheng Xiaojie looked flattered, "Really? Thank you, Sister Yun!"

Zoe smiled, "Don't always be so formal."

She pushed the door open and saw Zheng Xiaojie's grateful and excited smile, which made her pause.

Hearing the door, Zheng Xiaojie turned around and exclaimed with joy, "Lan!"

Lan smiled and asked, "What were you guys talking about? You look so happy."

Before Zheng Xiaojie could answer, Zoe spoke up, "Lan, what did the company decide?"

Lan walked in and said, "We've coordinated with Song's side, we'll issue a unified statement later, saying that last night was just a regular friends' gathering."

"Okay," Zoe nodded.

"But with those photos Xiaomiao took, most people probably won't believe the statement," Lan said, "Of course, this could benefit you too. If people don't believe the statement, you'll continue to be seen as Song's rumored girlfriend, and the attention won't be small."

Zoe didn't respond.

"Lan."

"Hmm?"

"About the photos Xiaomiao took, isn't the company planning to explain?" Zoe asked.

"We had considered it, but in the end, we decided not to explain," Lan said, "Those photos are ambiguous anyway, and interpretations vary. If we force an explanation, people might not accept it. So, Director Hong decided to simply issue a statement about last night's event, regardless of what the fans say, we'll make our stance clear."

"And Song's side? Do they agree?"

"The final decision was made after discussions between both sides," Lan said, "I think we should trust the judgment of the professionals."

"Can I go back now?" Zoe asked.

Lan nodded, "Be careful on your way back, there are definitely reporters waiting for you."

"I will."

"Also, the producer and director of 'The Eighth Heartbeat' want to meet with you. I'm thinking of setting it for this Friday noon, how does that sound?" Lan asked.

"Fine," Zoe nodded.

Zheng Xiaojie accompanied Zoe back.

"Sister Yun, I need to return the blanket first," she said.

"Okay, I'll go to the restroom. Let's meet at the elevator door," Zoe replied.

She crossed the corridor, encountering many employees of Chengqian Entertainment, but she didn't visit the company often, so she rarely saw them. Along the way, their looks were full of curiosity and some strangeness. Just then, her phone rang.

"You're slow to pick up," Song started with a complaint.

Zoe was used to Song's manner of speaking.

"What's up? If there's nothing important, I'll call you back when I get home."

"Listen to you, you're acting like you're a bigger star than me," Song continued to complain.

Zoe smiled helplessly, "Can we get to the point? I'm in a fire escape talking to you."

"Alright, no more nonsense, let's get to business. Your company must have told you, right? Our companies will issue a joint statement soon to clarify our relationship," Song said.

"Yeah," Zoe replied, "Thanks to you, I'll be chased by your fans again."

Song gave a slight grunt, not arguing.

"Just don't take the online comments to heart."

"I'm not," Zoe said.

"Your attitude is so good?" Song seemed skeptical.

"Isn't it, Song? Whether my attitude is good or not has nothing to do with you. What exactly did you want to tell me with this call?"

"How does it have nothing to do with me? After all, most of the people cursing at you are my fans," Song's voice trailed off, "Forget it, hearing you sound so vigorous, you must be fine. I was worried for nothing. I'll hang up."

Song actually hung up.

Zoe was baffled.

It was Yuhu.

Song's face changed instantly, becoming expressionless and cold.

Yuhu, indignant, said, "Song, what's the deal with you and this Zoe? How could you go out with her last night? This woman isn't simple, she's not content with just riding your coattails once, she's trying again. She's like a leech, trying to get as much out of you as she can."

Song: "This has nothing to do with her, if you want to blame someone, blame Xiaomiao."

Yuhu scoffed, "I swear, this Zoe is just trying to climb the ladder through you. I've seen women like her before, all innocent in front of men, but black-hearted inside. Song, don't tell me you've been dazzled by her looks?" His gaze was filled with suspicion.

4o mini