Chapter 111: Getting Bold
In the livestream, Director Feng had no objections to the off-topic conversation unrelated to the drama. In fact, he and Zhong Wei even clapped and laughed, making the atmosphere feel extra relaxed.
Zhong Wei felt that since Shen Xi was only in her early twenties and had such great looks, maintaining a "single" image would help her career and open up better opportunities. It was rare for a young woman to openly and bravely admit her relationship. He found that quite admirable.
As for Director Feng, he had a sense of superiority, feeling like the only one in the room who knew the real inside story. Her husband is Boss Gu. Does she really need the so-called "single" image to gain better resources?
In contrast, Zheng Shuangshuang didn’t look too happy. She thought Shen Xi was doing this on purpose, using the drama’s popularity to stir up buzz and show off her relationship.
If this were Shen Xi’s solo livestream, she would have patiently answered all the gossiping viewers’ questions. But since this was a group livestream for the drama’s promotion, she didn’t want to waste everyone’s time.
"Alright, let’s get back to talking about the drama."
She tried to steer the topic back on track, but the audience wasn’t having it.
The host, understanding the situation perfectly, didn’t stop Shen Xi from answering the viewers’ questions. The planned schedule was disrupted, but the engagement and viewership kept climbing, which, in a way, was still good publicity.
[Show your face! We want to see your husband!]
[Shen Xi’s husband seems really tall! And his voice is sooo attractive! Is he a celebrity?]
…………………………………
Seeing the endless flood of comments, Shen Xi let out a helpless smile and glanced at Gu Hanling, who was still standing beside her.
The troublemaker responsible for all this had no intention of leaving. Instead, he watched her with amusement, clearly enjoying how she handled the "crisis."
"My husband isn’t a celebrity, he’s from outside the industry. But he’s really handsome."
Shen Xi blinked playfully and added in a teasing tone,
"So, don’t pay too much attention to him, okay? If you all discover his godly looks, I might get jealous."
As the comments flooded with "Hahaha, Shen Xi is so cute!", the viewers finally let go of the topic, and the promotional livestream smoothly returned to its original focus.
After the livestream ended, Shen Xi let out a long breath, turned off her equipment, and looked to the side. Only to realize that at some point, the man had already left without a word.
She pouted when she saw it.
So he caused trouble, watched the show, and then just disappeared?
After packing up her equipment, she opened the door, ready to go find Gu Hanling and "settle the score."
But as soon as she stepped out, she found Alice waiting at the door. Seeing Shen Xi come out, Alice gave a respectful nod.
"Madam, sir asked me to take you to him."
Shen Xi raised an eyebrow but wasn’t surprised at Alice’s change in address.
After all, she had spent the night with Gu Hanling. As the head maid of the estate, Alice would naturally be aware.
Following Alice to the entrance of a room, Shen Xi watched as she bowed slightly and left.
She carefully pushed the door open and peeked inside, only to discover a massive walk-in closet.
"Are you coming in or not?"
Gu Hanling, already dressed in a custom-tailored black suit, stood inside, adjusting his cufflinks. Seeing her peeking around suspiciously, he frowned slightly.
"Hehe..."
Shen Xi gave a dry laugh, stepping into the room. Remembering the little "incident" from the livestream, she hesitated before testing the waters.
"Big brother, did you do that on purpose just now?"
"Hmm?"
Gu Hanling finished adjusting his cufflinks and glanced up at her, his expression calm. Shen Xi crossed her arms and pretended to be angry as she glared at him.
"During the livestream, Mr. Gu, were you trying to embarrass me?"
"I only came to remind you about the banquet. As for everything else..."
Gu Hanling’s lips curved slightly as he stepped closer, looking down at her from his towering height.
"You were the one who called me 'husband.' I never forced you."
Shen Xi stared into his deep, unreadable eyes, momentarily at a loss for words. Gu Hanling reached out, his long fingers gently lifting her chin. His voice was low and magnetic.
"What’s wrong? Regretting it now that your little childhood sweetheart might have heard?"
Shen Xi instinctively averted her gaze, muttering a soft tsk under her breath.
The man let go of her chin and turned to the other side of the room.
It was only then that Shen Xi noticed a row of brand-new, high-end evening gowns neatly arranged.
"Pick one."
Her eyes wandered over the dresses, surprised. He usually just throws one at me, but now I get to choose?
"This one."
She pointed at a black gown, then turned to Gu Hanling with a smile.
"It matches your outfit."
The man let out a light chuckle.
"Good taste."
Shen Xi took the dress and walked into the fitting room to try it on.
She slipped off her clothes and underwear, carefully examining the dress to figure out how to put it on. Then, she pulled it over her body from top to bottom.
The gown was designed to fit her figure perfectly, but the zipper at the back was impossible to reach on her own.
She tried twisting her arm back a few times but failed to zip it up. Letting out a small sigh, she hesitated before calling out softly.
"Hanling... are you still there?"
After a pause, her voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of uncertainty and shyness.
"Can you... help me zip it up? I can’t reach..."
Before she could finish, the fitting room door was gently pushed open, and Gu Hanling’s tall figure appeared at the entrance.
She was facing away from him, and under the warm lighting of the room, her bare arms and back looked even more fair and delicate. The zipper was only halfway up, and her long, slightly curled hair draped over her back, covering most of her smooth skin.
The man slowly stepped forward, reaching out to lift her hair to one side, exposing her slender neck and shoulders.
She shivered slightly at the sudden coolness on her back, only to feel the warmth of his fingers lightly brush against her skin. Whether intentional or not, she wasn’t sure.
Instinctively, she covered her chest with her hands, making sure she didn’t expose anything.
"I-Is it done?"
Feeling his warm breath so close to her ear, Shen Xi couldn’t help but think—
Isn’t he standing a little too close...?!
Slightly turning her head, she caught a glimpse of the man's stern face in her peripheral vision. It was just inches away.
Gu Hanling’s fingers grasped the zipper and slowly pulled it up. But even after securing it, he didn’t step away immediately.
His large hand lingered on her back, fingers grazing her skin in a way that felt almost... teasing?
"You’ve gained weight."
Shen Xi never cared much about her figure, but hearing him say that made her strangely nervous. She turned around too quickly and almost brushed her lips against his cheek.
Startled, she took a small step back, putting some distance between them.
Lowering her head, she glanced down at her body, then touched her stomach, thinking, 'Flat, no trace of fat.' Looking up again, she pouted defiantly.
"Where?"
Gu Hanling smiled lightly and lifted his chin, subtly pointing toward her chest.
Shen Xi immediately crossed her arms over her chest and shot him a glare, silently complaining.
Why is this man getting more and more... bold lately?
On the way to the banquet, Shen Xi received a file from her younger brother, Zekai.
Her delicate brows furrowed. She hadn’t expected to have any involvement in this matter.
Susie's international award has generated significant buzz in international media. Coupled with her Chinese nationality, this has led to a surge of optimism in China's jewelry industry, creating a market opportunity.
Against this backdrop, the once-declining Shen family, no longer able to leech off her, had unexpectedly recruited Wang Lei, a key member of the protagonist’s group, as their son-in-law. They handed over full control of the family business to him and shifted entirely to the jewelry industry.
This was a complete deviation from the original plot. Technically, with their new connections, the Shen family had a real chance at making a comeback.
However, both the Shen family and Shen Xi had been positioned as the "villains" in this story. If they sided with Wang Lei, things would likely fall apart in the end.
Shen Xi could have ignored the Shen family’s fate, but Zekai was still their biological son. She had no choice but to step in.
After thinking for a while, she sent a message to Shen Zekai.
[Do whatever it takes to get 10% of the Shen family's shares. Leave the rest to your sister.]
Hmph. A mere side character? Time to put him in his place.