Chapter 73: The Arrival of the Monthly Visitor

“Shen, we’re here. Should I take the back way into the underground garage, or go in through the main entrance?” Xiao Zhang’s voice broke the awkward silence.

“Go to the underground garage.”

“Understood.” The car turned, heading down another narrow alley.

Mo Qi asked, “Do you have an event?”

“The Golden Tree Awards selection.” Shen Yijue nodded. “It’s going to be quite dull. You and Xiao Zhang can wait for me in the lounge.”

He paused, then added, “It won’t take long.”

“You’re attending the Golden Tree Awards selection—wouldn’t it look bad if you brought me along?” Mo Qi hesitated.

“Don’t worry, there won’t be any paparazzi here.”

As they spoke, the car was already parked in the underground garage of the Da Xia building. Shen Yijue got out first, opening the door, and Mo Qi followed.

“Actually, I’ve always had a question.” The elevator hadn’t arrived yet. Shen Yijue turned his head to look at her as Mo Qi grinned. “When I first saw you, you had a lot of bodyguards. How come I haven’t seen them again since then?”

Shen Yijue looked puzzled, so Mo Qi explained, “It was at the preliminary audition, in the underground parking lot. I just happened to see you by coincidence.”

“I had just finished some business at the time.”

“Huh?” Mo Qi had only asked casually, not expecting him to answer seriously.

Just then, the elevator arrived and the conversation stopped.

Someone stepped out of the elevator and, upon seeing Shen Yijue, greeted him with a smile.

“King Shen.” Tang Bin offered his hand, the smile on his lips not reaching his eyes, and his gaze swept over Mo Qi.

Shen Yijue ignored Tang Bin’s outstretched hand, simply nodding, and said to Mo Qi, “Tang Bin, executive director of ‘Marine Corps’.”

Mo Qi stepped forward with a polite smile and shook Tang Bin’s hand. “Director Tang, nice to meet you. My name is Mo Qi.”

“So you’re Mo Qi.” Tang Bin’s smile took on a deeper meaning. “It’s true what they say—seeing is believing. You’re far prettier in person than in photos. I hope we get a chance to work together in the future.”

“It would be my honor.” Mo Qi’s smile grew even more sincere. She could sense there was tension between Tang Bin and Shen Yijue—perhaps she could use that to her advantage someday.

Shen Yijue, expressionless, grabbed Mo Qi by the wrist and tossed out a perfunctory remark, “We have things to do.” He didn’t even finish his sentence before pulling Mo Qi into the elevator.

Xiao Zhang nodded at Tang Bin and hurried in after them.

Shen Yijue pressed the door-close button, and the elevator doors slid shut. Standing beside him, Mo Qi glanced out and caught a glint of coldness in Tang Bin’s eyes. So there really was bad blood between the two men.

The elevator stopped on the sixth floor. Mo Qi and Xiao Zhang headed to the lounge to wait for Shen Yijue.

Only then did Mo Qi whisper, “Brother Zhang, is there some kind of feud between Director Tang and King Shen?”

Xiao Zhang thought for a moment and shook his head. “I’m not really sure, but Shen never takes roles in Tang’s films.”

“Never takes roles in his films?”

“Yeah. I heard Brother Guan say once that Shen and Director Tang don’t get along, something to do with the family, I think.” He handed Mo Qi a glass of cold water. “You know Shen doesn’t like to talk about family matters—we wouldn’t dare pry.”

Mo Qi nodded thoughtfully. Not quite reassured, Xiao Zhang added, “Director Tang said earlier he wanted to work with you, but I think it’s better if you turn him down. His films are good, sure, but you’re with Shen…”

Even if he didn’t finish, Mo Qi knew what he meant. Outwardly, she was Shen Yijue’s protégé. In private, she was the little newcomer he’d taken under his wing, rumored to have gotten a leg up through special favors. To anyone else, she was firmly in Shen’s camp, and Tang Bin would likely resent her.

“I understand, Brother Zhang,” Mo Qi said with a smile. “Those are just pleasantries—no one takes them seriously.”

“I knew you were smart.” Xiao Zhang smiled as well.

They chatted idly for a while about home and family, and when they grew tired, Xiao Zhang started handling some work on his own. Mo Qi took out her phone, set it to silent, and watched acrobatic performance videos.

It was nearly noon when Shen Yijue finally opened the lounge door. “They’ve arranged a lunch together, and I can’t get out of it. Mo Qi, come with me—I’ll introduce you to a few people.”

Everyone on the film jury was a big name in the industry. Getting to know them could only benefit her.

“But they’re all important people. If I, a nobody, show up, won’t it be awkward?” Mo Qi still hesitated. She was just a newcomer—those people might be polite to her for Shen Yijue’s sake, but deep down, they’d surely look down on her.

She wouldn’t be foolish enough to turn down a good opportunity, but she didn’t want to be branded as someone who got ahead through underhanded means, either.

“No one considers anyone connected to me a nobody. Come on.”

With the great King Shen saying that, what more could she say? Mo Qi shrugged, put her phone in her pocket, and bent down to grab her bag from the sofa.

“Let’s go,” she said, turning around with her bag in hand.

Shen Yijue frowned slightly, took off his suit jacket, and draped it around Mo Qi’s waist.

Mo Qi looked at his impassive profile and asked in confusion, “What…? Ah!” Suddenly, she realized what was happening, and her face fell.

She glanced mechanically at the beige leather sofa. Sure enough, there was a tiny, suspicious red stain.

Heavens, she didn’t need the ground to open up and swallow her—she’d rather just be struck by lightning and be done with it! She’d lost count of how many times she’d embarrassed herself in front of Shen Yijue.

Seeing her mortified look, Shen Yijue actually found it a little amusing. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t need to shed blood to prove your resolve. No need to be so dramatic.”

Mo Qi was speechless. She gnashed her teeth and glared at him. “A creature that bleeds for seven days a month and doesn’t die is a force to be reckoned with. You’d better not mess with me!”

Shen Yijue raised an eyebrow, while Mo Qi wished she could die of embarrassment.

She had no idea when this body’s cycle was, so she hadn’t prepared at all. Now, with her period arriving out of nowhere, she was caught completely off guard.

Shen Yijue dropped the teasing and asked, “Did you bring anything?”

“What?” Mo Qi was stunned for a moment, then her ears drooped as she admitted pitifully, “No.”

“Xiao Zhang, go tell them I can’t make it to lunch because something’s come up. I’ll host next time to make up for it.”

“Okay.” Xiao Zhang, who’d been feeling awkward staying in the lounge, immediately stood up to gather his things.

“Once you’re done, just head home—I’ll take the car.”

“All right, Shen.” Xiao Zhang left to take care of it.

Mo Qi looked at Shen Yijue, embarrassed.

He looked back at her, a hint of helplessness surfacing in his deep, dark eyes. Mo Qi puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment, her face round like a chubby hamster.

Shen Yijue sighed. “Come on, let’s go buy what you need.”

“What?” Mo Qi blinked, then hurriedly waved her hands. “No, no, I’ll go buy it myself. I mean, it’d be so awkward for a man to buy that stuff.”

“I don’t mind.” With that, Shen Yijue took her by the wrist and began to lead her out.

He was going to accompany her to buy sanitary pads? No, please!