CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 380: I’LL JUST SMILE AND SAY NOTHING

Bao Ye bent over, supporting himself with his palm on the bed, and gently kissed her soft red lips.

Jiang Ruan was sleeping soundly, her breathing light and even.

The shadows under her eyes were heavy, clearly exhausted from the past few days.

At such a close distance, Bao Ye stared at her for a while.

This time, he didn’t dare to act recklessly; she wasn’t drunk, better not let her find out he returned.

Thinking that, Bao Ye stayed quietly for a bit and then turned to leave.

In the living room, he encountered the servant who kept watch last night, who had no idea when he had returned.

In the middle of the night, the sudden sight of Bao Ye made the servant’s heart tremble: "Mr. Bao, you’re back."

Bao Ye detected the fear, glanced at her indifferently, and said in a calm tone: "Am I that scary?"

"Like seeing a ghost."

It’s the middle of the night, like seeing a ghost indeed if she just came out for a drink and encountered Bao Ye.

But the servant definitely didn’t dare to be sarcastic: "No, no, it’s my fault, sorry Mr. Bao."

Bao Ye ignored her, just about to leave, when he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.

He spoke: "Don’t tell her I’m back."

The servant replied: "Yes."

Then watched as the man walked away.

Only then did the servant breathe a sigh of relief.

Hand on her heart, scared to death.

This Mr. Bao, seriously, since he’s back, why not just tell Miss Jiang?

Yet he pretends to be away on a trip.

In the middle of the night, sneaking back, like a ghost.

This was already the second night.

The servant thought, will Mr. Bao return again tomorrow night?

But fortunately, she wouldn’t be on duty tomorrow night.

Thinking of this, the servant sighed in relief, shook her head in confusion, and went to get a drink of water.

-

Bazaar Era’s new magazine was released quickly.

After Jiang Ruan’s cover shoot was finished, Bazaar Era promptly began printing and aggressively promoting it across all new media channels.

When the celebrities and fans in the entertainment world saw that this year’s Bazaar Era cover wasn’t an international film queen, nor was it a film emperor, but Jiang Ruan,

it caused an immediate uproar.

Various opinions flooded in.

The entertainment circle has always been fond of competition and jealousy, especially when such a major opportunity fell into the hands of Jiang Ruan, a newcomer with only a few years in the industry, how could the veteran actors tolerate it.

So, a few short-tempered ones, stirred by those around them, directly commented on Weibo.

Someone reposted the Bazaar Era cover of Jiang Ruan and commented: [I’m just laughing, nothing more.]

Another also reposted the link, commenting: [Bazaar Era’s vision isn’t what it used to be.]

Another included a picture: [What good is talent, can’t compare to those with connections and backing...]

...

The remarks were sarcastic and unpleasant, all targeted at mocking Jiang Ruan.

Initially, Jiang Ruan’s appearance on Bazaar Era’s cover already hit the trending searches.

Now, with their contributions, she was directly sent to the top of the trending list.

As for this matter, some were happy, others worried.

In the office, Jiang Ruan curled up on the sofa, flipping through Weibo on her tablet, a smile constantly playing at her lips.

She found something interesting and said to Sister Qin, "Who is this Nan Bing? Why does she look a bit familiar to me?"

Sister Qin: "She’s an old actress, has been in the industry for decades, but seems you haven’t worked together. Probably met at some gatherings."

Jiang Ruan: "Oh, oh."

"Her Weibo is quite amusing, let me read it to you."

Sister Qin sighed, "Go ahead."

Jiang Ruan cleared her throat, her sweet voice reading: "In the entertainment industry for thirty years, with no regrets to others or oneself, 360 out of 365 days spent on set, yet just averagely talented, being on the second page of Bazaar Era during a glorious time was already fortunate, never dared to think of the cover, now a little girl can easily get on it, it’s indeed interesting, don’t know if the entertainment industry has progressed or regressed..."

Sister Qin was interested at first, but unexpectedly, it veered back to Jiang Ruan, and she couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

Sister Qin was speechless: "That’s the typical sour grapes."

"After all, spending thirty years in the entertainment circle, can’t even have this bit of magnanimity, many have worked hard, what goes around comes around, some don’t even go home for a year while filming, the path is self-chosen, she earned her share of money, what’s there to pity."

"And to come subtly attack you, you’re just on a cover, not committing murder or arson, it’s simply about whether the industry progresses or regresses, utter nonsense, classic case of pulling rank."

"Using one’s age to draw attention."

Hearing Sister Qin getting worked up, Jiang Ruan, still smiling, helplessly said, "This cover shoot, probably half of the entertainment circle hates me now."

Sister Qin glanced at her, "What, scared?"

Jiang Ruan without hesitation: "What’s there to be scared of."

"Besides, stli chose me, they paid and I did the ad, it’s legitimate, what’s it got to do with them, nosy busybodies."

Only then did Sister Qin smile with satisfaction, "That’s my artist."

"You don’t worry about this, I’ll send a message to stli in a moment, since it involves you, and now they’ve brought trouble your way, they’ve got to help issue a statement."

"Otherwise, I’m not that easygoing."

Sister Qin huffed coldly.

Jiang Ruan’s dark eyes smiled, "Alright, then I’ll leave it to you."

Sister Qin asked another question: "May I ask you something, stli suddenly approached me, doesn’t have anything to do with your Mr. Bao, does it?"

Jiang Ruan paused, then said, "I don’t know."

"Should I call him and ask?" Jiang Ruan said, "Doesn’t really seem likely, he’s been on a business trip overseas, quite busy every day, wouldn’t have time to pull strings for me."

Sister Qin: "So it might not be related."

"Alright, whether it is or isn’t, if it is, you must thank him well, this is a huge deal, I looked at the Bazaar Era covers over the years, none below thirty."

"You’re quite unprecedented, no wonder they’re envious, anyone would be."

Jiang Ruan blinked, perhaps since entering the entertainment circle, with Bao Ye’s support, her path had been too smooth.

She hadn’t even been aware of the significance of these resources.

"Still, you should be cautious recently." Sister Qin said: "Most paparazzi and gossip columnists in Beijing are probably tracking you now, trying to catch anything personal to expose."

Sister Qin snorted disdainfully: "This old trick, typical in the entertainment world."

"You’ve got to be on guard, especially regarding Mr. Bao’s schedule, but you said he’s on a business trip, right?"

"Yes, he probably won’t be back for another month."

"Good, anyway the most crucial thing is to protect yourself, you know?"

Jiang Ruan: "I know."