Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The advantages of being rich and powerful were fully demonstrated at this moment. Zuo Mingran raised his hand, and the bodyguards behind him immediately understood and approached, grabbing Tang Wenbin and pressing him into the chair.

"What are you doing, Ruran?" Tang Wenbin couldn't understand why Zuo Mingran, who used to obey his every command, had suddenly turned against him. Suppressing his anxiety, Tang Wenbin slowed his voice and asked, "Did Shi Shuangxia tell you to do this? Does she know about us?"

Zuo Mingran raised an eyebrow with interest, crossing his arms under his chin and leisurely asking, "Oh? Do we have something that others can't know?"

Tang Wenbin was taken aback by this counter-question and instinctively avoided Zuo Mingran's scrutinizing gaze. "Of course not, we are just good friends."

Emphasizing the phrase "good friends," Tang Wenbin increased his tone.

As the biggest villain in the whole book, Tang Wenbin did have some brains. For example, he understood very well why he could manipulate Zuo Mingran, and why it wouldn't necessarily work with others, especially Zuo Mingran's manager, Shi Shuangxia.

As a professional manager, Shi Shuangxia had been in the entertainment industry for over a decade and had seen all sorts of tricks. She had no sentimental bond with Tang Wenbin, and if she found out about this, not only would she not allow Tang Wenbin to use Zuo Mingran for personal gain, but she might also see him as a threat and suppress him.

Therefore, from the first day of their contact, Tang Wenbin repeatedly brainwashed Zuo Mingran, telling her not to tell her manager about their affair, even meeting in secret every time.

"Having the guts to do it, but lacking the guts to admit it." Zuo Mingran sneered. "Tang Wenbin, you're really pathetic."

Tang Wenbin's face changed drastically, and he sternly said, "Zuo Mingran, you!"

His voice abruptly stopped because Zuo Mingran, sitting across from him, without hesitation, poured a glass of ice water over his head. Several unmelted ice cubes hit his face and rolled down, wetting his carefully styled hair, which hung limply on his forehead.

Looking at the disheveled Tang Wenbin in front of her, Zuo Mingran smiled lightly and said, "What's wrong? Just a few good days and you've already forgotten who you are?"

Tang Wenbin's expression changed several times in the short span of a few seconds. Zuo Mingran raised her chin and said to the bodyguard by her side, "Bring me his phone."

Upon hearing this, Tang Wenbin couldn't sit still anymore. He knew exactly what was on his phone, and if Zuo Mingran discovered it, he might never have a chance to turn things around in his lifetime.

As Tang Wenbin saw the opportunity that he had finally caught slipping away, he quickly came up with an idea, "It has a password, I can help you unlock it."

Zuo Mingran paused for a moment when she received the phone. Seeing the chance, Tang Wenbin hurriedly added, "Ruran, I'll let you see whatever you want. I swear I have never deceived you. Someone must be deliberately slandering me to make you misunderstand!"

Tang Wenbin had a beautiful plan in mind - once he had the phone, he would purposely enter the wrong password multiple times until it locked automatically. Zuo Mingran couldn't possibly find someone to forcibly unlock it.

Zuo Mingran shrugged, neither confirming nor denying, but she indeed handed the phone back to him. Tang Wenbin felt a glimmer of hope, about to reach out and take it when he saw Zuo Mingran wave the phone in front of his face.

The advantages and disadvantages of facial recognition were fully demonstrated at this moment.

Tang Wenbin: "..."

He had never hated technological progress as much as he did now.

Tang Wenbin's phone was practically an open book. Zuo Mingran first found their chat history, confirmed it, and then deleted it. With caution, Zuo Mingran casually scrolled down and was startled by what she saw. Tang Wenbin had used his acquaintance with Zuo Mingran as an excuse to add several minor celebrities.

Looking at the time, it was during the period when Zuo Mingran had used her connections to get Tang Wenbin a role as the third male lead in a small production, all within less than a month. And yet, Tang Wenbin had silently done so many things. What made it even more disgusting was that while doing these things, he maintained an ambiguous relationship with Zuo Mingran and even had a girlfriend at the same time.

In two lifetimes, Zuo Mingran had never seen such a shameless person. She shook her phone and sneered, "Impressive, Tang Wenbin. It seems I underestimated you."

With ironclad evidence, Tang Wenbin played his last card, saying defiantly, "That's right! But Zuo Mingran, you better think it through. I have your handle. If someone finds out about your fake marriage, heh."

The face of a small-minded person showed its ugliest side. Zuo Mingran coldly glanced at Tang Wenbin and handed the phone to the bodyguard beside her, saying, "Delete all chat records and format it."

Tang Wenbin jerked in his chair, but was immediately pressed back down. Taking a deep breath, he pretended to remain calm and said, "Even if you delete it, it won't matter. I have taken precautions. I've already made backups."

Zuo Mingran had anticipated he would say that. However, she had her own confidence for doing what she did. Zuo Mingran and Tang Wenbin had recently reconnected, to put it inappropriately, they were currently in their "honeymoon phase." Moreover, during this period, Zuo Mingran had almost unquestionably followed Tang Wenbin's lead and even done things for him. Tang Wenbin was floating on cloud nine, so how could he possibly think of leaving behind evidence?

Looking at Tang Wenbin's fierce appearance, Zuo Mingran raised an eyebrow and asked, "So what?"

With that, she stood up and walked to Tang Wenbin's side, reaching out and pressing her hand on his shoulder. She leaned down slightly and whispered in his ear, "Even if I'm not Lady Yan, I am still Zuo Mingran."

Zuo Mingran's hand was slender and delicate, appearing weak and boneless. However, when she pressed it on his shoulder, it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Tang Wenbin raised his head in disbelief, meeting Zuo Mingran's mocking eyes. "Whether you are Lady Yan or not, it has nothing to do with me. Zuo Mingran is Zuo Mingran, understand?"

Tang Wenbin's previously confused mind suddenly cleared up. He looked at Zuo Mingran's exquisite face and remembered the events of the past few days. A chill rose from the depths of his heart.

The bodyguard brought over the cleaned phone, and Zuo Mingran straightened up, patting his shoulder. She casually took the phone and threw it into his arms, whispering, "Don't be too naive, people."

Putting on her sunglasses, Zuo Mingran turned around and walked away. Tang Wenbin slumped back into his chair, watching her figure. Suddenly, he spoke up, "I was wrong."

Zuo Mingran's steps paused, and the regretful voice of Tang Wenbin rang in her ears. "Ranran... no, Sister Ran, I shouldn't have lied to you. I... I apologize, I didn't back up any of our chat records, and I haven't mentioned this to anyone else, really, I..."

Raising her hand to stop Tang Wenbin's words, Zuo Mingran spoke, "You're not apologizing for your mistake, but because you were careless and got caught."

Stunned by the probing words, Tang Wenbin stood still. Zuo Mingran waved her hand without turning back and said, "Make sure to never appear in my sight again, okay?"

After leaving, Zuo Mingran breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless of anything, she had resolved the big problem of Tang Wenbin. From now on, she could live her life in peace, without getting entangled in any more plots. After a few years, when her contract expires and she fades out of the public's sight, she would be a fresh new rich woman with millions of dollars in savings. Life couldn't be happier.

After daydreaming about the future, Zuo Mingran glanced at the time and realized it was lunchtime. Dismissing her bodyguard and taking the staff corridor, Zuo Mingran went straight to the third floor.

This Western restaurant was actually a joint venture between Zuo Mingran and Shi Shuangxia two years ago. Being in the entertainment industry, they understood the fickleness of fate and the concept of "The river runs fast for thirty years and the river runs fast for thirty years." In order to prevent themselves from being washed away on the beach one day, they opened this restaurant as a backup plan. However, the business became unexpectedly good due to the talented chef they hired.

This time, they chose to meet here for the same reason. After all, it was safer to do such things on their own territory.

After reaching the third floor, Zuo Mingran just stepped out of the staircase and saw the store manager walking towards her. "Ran Jie," he greeted. 

Apologizing, the store manager said, "Xia Jie just called, asking you to give her a call when you have time." 

Not many people knew that one of the behind-the-scenes bosses of the restaurant was the female star, Zuo Mingran. Only a few management staff were aware of it. Zuo Mingran, who usually didn't intervene in the restaurant's affairs, not only suddenly visited but also borrowed a few security guards. Seeing this situation, the store manager was afraid that something might happen and he wouldn't be able to handle it. So, he called Shi Shuangxia. 

Anticipating this, Zuo Mingran nodded. "I understand. Also, have lunch sent up later." 

Shi Shuangxia was not only her manager but also went above and beyond for Zuo Mingran. This matter was not only her personal issue but also potentially involved work-related matters. It made sense to inform Shi Shuangxia as the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. This was also one of the reasons why Zuo Mingran chose to resolve Tang Wenbin here. 

The call was quickly connected. Just before Shi Shuangxia could inquire, Zuo Mingran immediately gave the rehearsed explanation. She omitted the little ambiguity between her and Tang Wenbin and directly stated that they were former friends who coincidentally crossed paths. He had gotten caught up but it had been resolved perfectly. 

Shi Shuangxia, frustrated, said, "Can't you just stay out of trouble for a while!" 

Zuo Mingran cheerfully interrupted, "But I've already resolved it, haven't I? By the way, Xia Jie, what are my recent work arrangements?" 

As a top agent, Shi Shuangxia didn't solely represent Zuo Mingran. Recently, Zuo Mingran had just finished filming a TV drama, so Shi Shuangxia gave her half a month off and focused on promoting a promising newcomer. 

"There will be a promotional ceremony the day after tomorrow, and I need you to accompany the female supporting role," Shi Shuangxia said, becoming serious when it came to work. "I know you have some issues with the female supporting role, but she's not someone to mess with either. Last time's incident was already embarrassing enough, so this time, keep yourself in check." 

Zuo Mingran replied, "...I didn't. I don't. Don't make things up."