**Chapter 27 – Barely Acceptable**

Ever since Fu Yuan handed over the script for *Vanity*, Qin Mang began her weight-loss journey.

According to the requirement for the female lead’s frail, willow-like appearance, she had to lose another five pounds. That didn’t seem like much, but for someone like Qin Mang, who was already naturally slim, it was extremely difficult.

Dieting and exercise were non-negotiable.

So during this time, aside from studying her new role, Qin Mang focused solely on eating greens and working out.

**That day.**

Inside the gym on the first floor of the lakeside villa.

The early morning sunlight was especially pleasant, streaming through the glass windows and falling softly on the young woman doing yoga.

Qin Mang moved with grace and poise, like a beautiful, proud white swan.

She exhaled slowly.

In her ear came Meng Ting’s voice: “The official *Soul Night* account just announced the kick-off press conference for tomorrow.”

“Everyone’s wondering when you’re joining the crew.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, looks like he’s trying to force you in.”

Although she had terminated her contract with Hezhou Films, that didn’t mean Qin Mang had no connection to *Soul Night*.

Lin Chenxuan had clearly grasped that point.

Which was why he dared to publicly pressure her to join the production.

Everyone in the industry knew she had signed onto Lin Chenxuan’s new film. If news suddenly broke that she wasn’t actually taking part, people would start questioning why she had watched an explicit movie with him in the first place.

There was no way to explain that cleanly.

Qin Mang slowly stepped down from the yoga ball.

Her fitted workout dress traced the curves of her elegant figure, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. She brushed aside the strands of hair that fell over her cheek and walked out.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the topic.

**Don’t suspect those you employ. Don’t employ those you suspect.**

Since Fu Yuan said she’d take care of it, she’d leave it to her.

But little did she know—

It wasn’t Fu Yuan who would take care of it.

Qin Mang lazily leaned on the staircase railing and walked down, only to see a man sitting in the dining area.

His dazzling eyes flickered with surprise. He asked suspiciously,
“You haven’t gone to work yet?”

It was already 8 a.m.

Totally inconsistent with Mr. He’s disciplined routine of getting up at 6:30 and starting work at 7.

He Lingji replied nonchalantly, “No rush.”

Then he politely offered, “Want some breakfast?”

A lavish breakfast lay before He Lingji—both Chinese and Western dishes, exquisite and mouthwatering.

Qin Mang hesitated for a few seconds. If she ate that, her morning workout would be for nothing. She reluctantly looked away, muttering, “Fairies… aren’t hungry.”

If He Lingji invited her again, this fairy could reluctantly accompany him for a few bites.

Just a few.

However, He Lingji simply nodded without pressing further.

Qin Mang: “…”

She was just being polite!

A few minutes later.

Qin Mang sat across from him, with nothing in front of her.

Arms crossed, she coldly watched him enjoy breakfast alone. Her exquisitely beautiful features looked especially cool under the bright light, giving her a touch of cold allure.

Even with her staring, He Lingji maintained his natural poise, holding his utensils with elegance. The wedding ring on his ring finger glinted subtly under the light.

For a moment.

The dining room was tranquil.

Then, the butler and maids entered to add more dishes for He Lingji.

They paused when they saw the scene.

With some surprise, the butler respectfully asked, “Should I prepare breakfast for Madam?”

Qin Mang had just claimed she wasn’t hungry.

She couldn’t contradict herself now.

At that moment, He Lingji casually said, “No need. Get her a glass of dew.”

The butler: “Huh?”

He Lingji’s voice was calm: “Fairies don’t consume mortal food.”

Qin Mang: ?

Would this damn man die if he didn’t mock her with sarcasm for one second?

Her stunningly beautiful face twisted into a cold smile. “Why not just offer me incense while you’re at it?”

He Lingji slowly set down his knife and fork, took a sip of water from a glass, his pale lips glistening slightly, adding a seductive allure to his otherwise cool expression.

He said smoothly, “Sure.”

“With a fairy wife like Miss Qin who doesn’t eat mortal food and prefers incense, I consider myself truly blessed.”

“What blessing?”

Meng Ting had just come downstairs and only caught the last sentence. She instinctively asked.

Then she realized—she was speaking to *Mr. He*!

Holy crap!

Why was Mr. He still here?

Just as Meng Ting was about to apologize, He Lingji stood, straightening his cuffs as he walked out. He left only two words: “Save money.”

Meng Ting watched the imposing man leave, then dazedly walked over to Qin Mang, opened her mouth, and finally managed to say:

“Your Mr. He… is surprisingly down-to-earth.”

Just think—someone worth billions, and yet he has this lovely virtue of “saving money.”

*Truly admirable.*

Qin Mang laughed.

She pointed at He Lingji’s spread and said each word clearly, “Give me the same breakfast. Exact same specs.”

*Let’s see him save money now!*

Meng Ting panicked: “My goddess!”

“You’re in a weight-loss phase!”

Lin Chenxuan hadn’t expected Qin Mang to remain completely silent, showing no concern about the public finding out she wasn’t working with him.

Wasn’t she afraid—

An assistant cautiously asked, “Should we still hold tomorrow’s press conference?”

Lin Chenxuan thought for a long moment.

“Hold it.”

For this film, he’d force things if he had to.

Once filming began, Qin Mang wouldn’t regret it.

The next day, the grand press conference for *Soul Night* was held, with many media outlets in attendance.

“Huh? It’s time, why aren’t the leads here?”

“Is it delayed?”

“Qin Mang hasn’t appeared in public for months. I was hoping to get exclusive photos.”

“Word is the male lead, Zhou Cong, was hand-picked by Director Lin. A superb actor.”

“Such casting—truly worthy of Lin’s name.”

Just as everyone was talking—

“He’s here, Zhou Cong is here!”

“What about Qin Mang?”

“Aren’t they making a joint appearance?”

Amid the noisy crowd.

Zhou Cong hurried up to the stage with a grim expression, picked up the mic, and the first thing he did was apologize.

“Sorry, Director Lin. I want to withdraw from the film.”

“The content is too intense. I just can’t get past it.”

“I’m very sorry.”

He bowed deeply to Lin Chenxuan.

Lin Chenxuan’s elegant features darkened instantly.

He had expected the day to go poorly—perhaps Qin Mang being willful and not showing up—but he never imagined the problem would come from his most trusted actor.

This was the actor he had personally mentored from the beginning.

Zhou Cong’s first role had been chosen by him.
Over the years, they had been like mentor and student.

Now the entire venue descended into chaos.

The media paid no attention to the absent female lead. All eyes were on the falling-out between the once-close director and actor.

Resigning in public!

He hadn’t even saved Lin Chenxuan an ounce of face.

Later—

Lin Chenxuan left the venue with a dark face.

“Mentor-student fallout” became the top trending tag from the *Soul Night* conference.

Qin Mang, who should’ve been the center of attention, instead became… invisible—

Quite the clever outcome.

…

After the conference, Lin Chenxuan found his career increasingly restricted. *Soul Night* faced one blow after another: both leads had pulled out, and investors began withdrawing.

Even a film slated for international release was abruptly canceled due to an “incident.”

That looming sense of unseen danger was terrifying.

Normally aloof and private, Lin Chenxuan had no choice but to send people to investigate who he might have offended.

Those who had once called him “brother” now avoided him like the plague, as if they had been warned.

Eventually—

A friend, risking much, gave him a single surname.

Lin Chenxuan was in disbelief.

He had no grudge with that person. Why suppress him?

**One month later.**

**He Group Headquarters – Reception Room.**

The tea in front of Lin Chenxuan had been replaced five times.

He hadn’t even cared for his treasured long hair recently. Under the lights, the ends, usually sleek, were now dry and frayed.

He rested his hand over the now-cold tea, deep in thought.

His assistant glanced nervously at the closed glass doors and whispered, “We’ve been waiting for two hours.”

“Who *is* this person?”

He had followed Lin Chenxuan for years and had never seen him treated like this anywhere.

This was the first time they’d been kept waiting like this.

Lin Chenxuan didn’t answer.

He had waited a month just to get this meeting.

He could wait longer.

The rumors in the industry weren’t wrong. In the past, even a genius director like Lin wouldn’t have been able to meet someone of He Lingji’s caliber.

He still remembered his friend’s warning:

**“When you meet him, don’t justify, don’t explain—apologize first.”**

Lin Chenxuan had won a prestigious international award with his debut film and enjoyed smooth success ever since. His pride had endured—but this past month of setbacks had nearly ground it to dust.

Not long after—

Footsteps echoed from outside.

Lin Chenxuan suddenly looked up—
What entered his sight was a face so stunning, it could bring down empires.

His professional instincts kicked in. His first thought was: *He’s more suited to play the male lead in* **Soul Night**.
Mysterious. Noble.
Unfathomable.

After He Lingji sat at the main seat, his gaze was faint and his tone cold as he said, “Three minutes.”

It was as if all present were mere ants in the world, their lives and deaths under his control.

A one-month appointment—
Only three minutes to see him.
And yet, no one dared to complain.

Lin Chenxuan forced himself to stay calm, remembering what his friend had advised him:
“President He, I’d like to first apologize. If I’ve offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

As he spoke, he pushed over a transfer contract he had long prepared.
“I heard you like helicopters.”
“Please, accept my apology.”

He Lingji absentmindedly rubbed his teacup, his cool voice flowing like a clear spring:
“The one you offended isn’t me.”

Lin Chenxuan’s expression tightened slightly. “Then…”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Just then, He Lingji glanced at the watch clasped on his wrist.
The dial was exquisite yet understated—it was a specially customized piece from the world’s oldest watchmaker.

The apology gift Lin Chenxuan brought—ten helicopters—couldn’t even buy that watch.

At this moment, Assistant Cong respectfully reminded,
“Time’s up, President He. You have another meeting.”

As He Lingji stood up, Lin Chenxuan blurted out,
“President He, was there something in the film I made that offended you?”

He Lingji slowly buttoned his suit, graceful and poised,
Leaving a cryptic remark:
“Director Lin’s movie isn’t of interest to me.”

“But the female lead you chose—”

**Bang.**
The soft sound of the door closing cut off the rest.

Snapping Lin Chenxuan out of his thoughts.

He couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. *So it was her.*

That night, the usually proud Lin Chenxuan
Posted his first Weibo update since the *Soul Night* incident:

**Lin Chenxuan V**: “Due to personal reasons, *Soul Night* is being postponed indefinitely. I apologize to Qin Mang and all the cast and crew for wasting your time. – Lin Chenxuan”

It stirred up heated discussion.
After all, this was the genius director Lin Chenxuan, who never put anyone in the industry in his eyes.

But the buzz quickly faded.

Originally, Qin Mang’s fans were disappointed—she had lost a golden opportunity.

Unexpectedly—

Soon after, Qin Mang’s new studio made an official announcement:
She had signed on to another S+ level movie, **Vanity**.

Since switching to a more professional team, Qin Mang’s career finally took off.
Every opportunity she received was top-tier.

Even the global ambassador position for an international high-end jewelry brand—something Meng Ting had once dreamed of for Qin Mang to break into A-list stardom—was now within reach.

Lately,
The brand had been sending over new jewelry designs,
Requesting that Qin Mang wear them to events, and inviting her to the brand’s VIP gala, *Night of Surprises*.

All girls love jewelry—especially Qin Mang, who had adored collecting gemstones since childhood.

Qin Mang hadn’t appeared in public for a long time.
She had originally entered the spotlight because of her top-tier looks, so even between filming, she had to maintain her beauty business.

Exceptional beauty might sometimes be overlooked,
But combine that with premium resources, and it becomes the perfect ticket into the luxury fashion elite.

The banquet was extravagant.
Many A-list celebrities were invited.

Qin Mang made a stunning appearance in a strapless gown themed after the shimmering silk tree flower.
While waiting backstage for the red carpet, she ran into Qi Rong. At least she had someone familiar to chat with.

Suddenly, Qi Rong tugged on Qin Mang’s sleeve and whispered excitedly,
“Look, look—it’s Tan Guannan!”

Qin Mang raised her lashes—
And saw a tall, dashing man in a tailored suit.

Surrounded by cameras, he shone with star power. He smiled and greeted the crowd on the red carpet,
Drawing cheers from all around.

Clearly, he was the most prominent figure at the event.

Qi Rong leaned in and muttered,
“If I could sleep with him, I’d die with no regrets.”

“What do you think?”

Just then—
A black, extended Pullman limousine pulled up behind Tan Guannan.
The license plate looked very familiar.

It was the same one parked in her residential garage.

Qin Mang casually flipped her hair, her curled lashes lifting as she looked over lazily.

At that moment, the gala’s organizer personally opened the car door.
A long, lean leg in black dress pants stepped out—perfectly proportioned and elegant without needing any accessories.

His presence was naturally noble and refined. His gray-blue eyes were deep and mysterious, his entire aura cold yet enticing.

He Lingji had been speaking to someone nearby,
But perhaps sensing her gaze, he slowly looked up—

And his eyes met Qin Mang’s watery, radiant ones.

Even though they had seen each other just the night before,
Qin Mang still felt a flutter from this man’s gaze.

They held eye contact for half a second.

Then she suddenly asked,
“Did you see that?”

Qi Rong: “See what?”

Qin Mang pointed from Tan Guannan—
To the VIP entrance on his right.

There stood the mysterious, handsome man who had just stepped out of the Pullman, now surrounded by bodyguards.

Qin Mang’s eyes lifted as she lazily said,
“A face like that… I *might* barely consider sleeping with him.”