Chapter 15 A Lifetime Punching Bag
Nan Xiao turned her head.
Walking toward her was Xie Chengyu.
He wore a tailored black shirt and slacks, his broad shoulders tapering to a slim waist, long legs carrying him with ease. His figure could put the world’s top male models to shame.
Not to mention his face—handsome enough to crush any leading man in the entertainment industry.
The moment he stepped onto the set, countless young women lit up with starry eyes, squealing with excitement.
Even the actors, who normally stood above ordinary people, seemed dim and ordinary by comparison with him present.
Nan Xiao couldn’t help thinking: back in her final year of high school, the very first time she saw Xie Chengyu, wasn’t it this appearance that bewitched her?
But recalling his words just now, her heart felt like it was being pierced by needles.
“Miss Xu isn’t suitable.” She spoke directly to him. “She doesn’t match Qinran’s image.”
“An image can be reshaped.” Xie Chengyu’s tone left no room for discussion. “Besides, the entire production team’s leadership has already approved this.”
The entire leadership has approved it—the hidden meaning was that, as a mere screenwriter, her words held no weight.
Nan Xiao bit her lip hard, her heart twisting into a painful knot.
Look at how far he would go for Xu Ruoxin. Just because she wanted the role, he, who had never dabbled in film investments, had poured money into the project. He was willing to give her everything.
“This matter is settled,” Xie Chengyu declared. “It won’t change again.”
At that, Xu Ruoxin’s smile deepened.
Behind her mask, Nan Xiao’s face couldn’t be seen. But her clenched fists and the faint fire in her eyes made her anger obvious.
Xu Ruoxin stepped forward, her voice soft and coquettish.
“Chengyu, don’t argue with Miss Nan because of me.
“I really like the role of Qinran, but Miss Nan is the screenwriter of this drama. It’s natural she might be dissatisfied with me.”
Turning to Nan Xiao, she added earnestly, “Miss Nan, I truly want to act in this drama. I’ll do my best. Please don’t be upset.”
Zhou Ruicheng stood bewildered, staring between the three of them. The atmosphere felt entirely wrong. Had he missed something?
He didn’t even know Nan Xiao and Xie Chengyu were married—he didn’t even know they knew each other. He only assumed Nan Xiao was protesting the corruption of investors forcing roles into the crew.
Trying to smooth things over, he said, “Let’s just leave it at that. Ruoxin’s a seasoned actress. She’ll do fine…”
Nan Xiao closed her eyes, unable to speak further.
The investor, the director, everyone sided with Xu Ruoxin. It seemed she had no power to change anything.
“You, come with me.”
Xie Chengyu gave her a look and walked out. Nan Xiao followed.
In the corridor, he said evenly, “Ruoxin will do well in this drama. You don’t need to worry.”
Would Xu Ruoxin really do well?
Perhaps. She had enough acting skill not to ruin the project.
But even if she didn’t, Xie Chengyu wouldn’t care.
Because the essence of it was simple: Xu Ruoxin wanted the role, and so he would move heaven and earth to give it to her. Nothing more.
Nan Xiao understood that perfectly. But still, her lips turned pale as chalk.
She stood silently, gazing out the window. After a long moment, she turned back and said softly, “Alright.”
So be it. If he insisted on giving the role to Xu Ruoxin, what use was her objection? The weak could never win against the strong.
She walked away after speaking, and Xie Chengyu’s eyes darkened as he watched her back.
Something about her didn’t seem right. Was it just his imagination?
Her retreating figure looked especially lonely. His chest gave a strange little sting. What was that feeling?
Back on set, Nan Xiao was still weighed down with gloom. But work was work—she lowered her head, busying herself with the script.
Suddenly, a mocking voice sounded above her:
“You wouldn’t listen back then, insisted on marrying him. Afterward, you bent over backward, swallowing your pride to treat him so well. And now he defends his mistress right in front of you. Is this the life you wanted?”
“……”
Nan Xiao looked up, speechless at the man before her.
He stood well over six feet, dressed in a limited-edition casual set, black short hair neat, his air a mix of mature steadiness and lazy charm—enough to send countless girls swooning.
Leaning against the doorway, he gave her a challenging look.
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
“No.” Nan Xiao answered evenly. “Xiao Zekai, can you stop being so childish?”
“How am I childish?” The suave air fell away, irritation flashing across Xiao Zekai’s face. “Did I say anything wrong?”
“Right or wrong, what does it matter? It has nothing to do with you anyway.”
“You—has nothing to do with me?”
“Yes, yes. Nothing to do with you!”
“Keep this up then. You’ll spend your whole life like this—just a punching bag!”
