CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol-Chapter 444 - 436: True Colors Begin to Show

Hotel, elevator

Su Xiaoya looked enviously at the middle-aged woman standing in front of her.

She wondered whether she would possess such an air of elegance when she reached that age.

Young girls always envy glamorous older women and refined middle-aged beauties, even though they dread growing up.

Zhang Shuya chose to ignore the girl’s gaze.

She knew this girl was a big fan of Lan Yening.

The collagen-filled face and vibrant aura, like blooming flowers, made her detest the girl.

Room

Lan Yening stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass window, from which he could overlook the entire city.

Outside, it had started drizzling, and the intricate web of streets was quietly shrouded in the misty rain.

The sound of the electronic lock clicked, and Zhang Shuya, dressed in a black cashmere coat, walked in from outside.

She hung her Chanel bag and folded umbrella in the closet.

"Sister Shuya, it must be cold outside. Let me make you some coffee!"

Lan Yening walked over, gently grasped her hand, and massaged it lightly, his eyes full of affection.

"Not too bad. The weather up north is really different from the south."

Zhang Shuya noticed that his complexion seemed a bit pale—perhaps he had been too busy lately.

This fragile appearance made her feel all the more protective; she adored Lan Yening’s timid and puppy-like demeanor.

"Sister Shuya, please sit inside."

"Alright!"

Lan Yening began grinding the coffee beans he had prepared earlier. His focused demeanor resembled a dynamic movie scene.

"I really didn’t want to disturb you, but they insisted I come take a look here."

"I don’t sleep at this hour anyway. I’m glad you came; this place can feel lonely."

"Haha, Xiao Ning, you always know how to talk."

Zhang Shuya chuckled, a hint of flirtation growing in her gaze as she boldly examined the young man.

When they were alone together, she always struggled to control her physical urges.

"Sister Shuya!"

Lan Yening handed her the cup of coffee, his youthful, moonlit smile blending seamlessly with its rich aroma.

"Very good. Your skills are improving."

"One day, I could open a café—with live piano performances."

"Why? Do you want to go into business?"

"Haha, I’m just saying. I wouldn’t really."

Zhang Shuya took a sip, placed the cup aside, and beckoned him closer with her hand.

Lan Yening smiled lightly and, like a gluttonous cat, sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning lazily against her legs.

Outside, the icy rain and cold wind raged; indoors, it was as warm as spring.

Here, the two could act freely, unrestrained by anything.

Flowers bloom and wither; spring breezes come and go.

After showering together in the bathroom, they returned to the bedroom.

"Xiao Ning, I’ve finalized the deal for your drama." Zhang Shuya lit a slender cigarette.

"Settled so quickly?" Lan Yening was delighted; he knew the significance of this drama for him.

"I promised to invest in a project here, partly as a show of goodwill."

Zhang Shuya exhaled a puff of smoke, the mist carrying a distinct undertone.

"The lead production rights are still with Flower City Film Factory, but the company has taken a stake. As for the female lead, you might know her."

"Who?"

"Xia Jin."

"Galaxy’s Xia Jin? I heard Li Jiaqi mention her a few times. Why was she chosen?"

Lan Yening’s words surprised Zhang Shuya. She raised her eyelids slightly and teased, "Why?"

"Sister Shuya, you know how important this drama is to me. Xia Jin is just a traffic idol."

"...The company considered this carefully; they plan to use seasoned actors for the other supporting roles." Zhang Shuya leaned closer, gazing into Lan Yening’s eyes. "Xia Jin is famous for her beauty, you know!"

"The industry is never short of ’pretty faces.’" Lan Yening reached out and pinched her cheek.

"Xiao Ning, I’ve done my best on this, but Flower City Film Factory insists on Xia Jin."

As she spoke, Zhang Shuya nestled herself into his embrace.

To Lan Yening, the makeup-free Zhang Shuya looked unbearably aged and disgusting.

"What about positioning? I’m the leading actor."

"That’s still under negotiation. Galaxy doesn’t want to let it go." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Xia Jin may be a senior, but her career is already declining. The box office for this film will rely on me."

Zhang Shuya noticed that her little puppy seemed like a different person.

He had never cared for competition before; he was resolute this time.

Lan Yening seemed to sense her confusion and said seriously, "Sister Shuya, I didn’t have fame before, so I didn’t care. I wouldn’t even bother competing for films like this then. But you know how vital this drama is for me and the company."

Lan Yening’s words made her ponder, extinguishing her earlier passion. She stood up and lit another cigarette.

Lately, Lan Yening had been growing important. He was becoming indispensable for her entertainment company’s survival and profitability.

"Xiao Ning, the company will do its best to secure top billing for you. I want your career to soar as well."

Having made up her mind, Zhang Shuya resolved to fight for his priority as the lead.

"Thank you, Sister Shuya. Galaxy is really nothing special—just a small company!"

Zhang Shuya chuckled. "Galaxy isn’t a small company. Its shareholder structure is quite complex. While it seems mediocre in the film industry, it has some clout in investment circles."

Zhang Shuya’s words startled Lan Yening, reminding him to curb his arrogance.

Downstairs

Su Xiaoya stared in surprise at Xiao Li, who was focused intently while holding a device akin to a stethoscope.

"Damn it! I couldn’t hear anything!" Xiao Li slumped to the ground in frustration.

"Xiao Li, where did you get that thing?"

"I bought it online. It claims you can hear targeted sounds within five meters—it’s used by USA spies."

"Haha! Haha! You’re too funny. You actually believe in that stuff!"

"I just wanted to hear what my brother is doing!"

Xiao Li pretended to look innocent and pitiful, though inside she longed to scream and lash out in rage.

"Xiao Ya, let’s bribe the room staff tomorrow to check things out."

"No, we can’t act like obsessive fans."

"Just to look—we won’t post any pictures."

"Xiao Li, your brother is kind to us. If he ever found out we did something like that, do you think he’d still talk to us?"

Su Xiaoya’s expression grew solemn as the air became heavy with suppressed tension.

Xiao Li lowered her head and thought for a moment. "Xiao Ya, you’re right. We should just support him properly."

Time passed.

Suddenly, Xiao Li’s eyes snapped open as she lay on the ground.

Her gaze turned vicious—cruel and terrifying.

Quietly, she crept to Su Xiaoya’s bedside. The girl was fast asleep, peaceful as a resting rose.

With a feral look, Xiao Li glared at her throat like a bloodthirsty beast.

She held a small glass vial in her hand and carefully opened its rubber stopper, wafting it near Su Xiaoya’s nose.

"Xiao Ya, Xiao Ya! Hmph!"

Seeing no reaction, Xiao Li let out a cold snort and returned to lie on the carpet.