Chapter 48: Are You Single

Chapter 48

"Give your sister-in-law a kowtow to apologize."

When Chen Huaixiao said this, Chen Jingye's mouth fell open in shock, his jaw almost dropping.

He couldn't believe it. The woman in front of him was actually his own sister-in-law.

Yin was Chen Huaixiao's artist. Chen Jingye would never have imagined in his dreams that Chen Huaixiao would actually marry someone from under his own wing.

No, no, the order was wrong. His brother should have married her first, and then helped propel her to stardom!

So...did this mean his iron-faced brother had fallen from grace?!

Thinking back on the words he had said to her that day, Chen Jingye didn't hesitate to kneel down, dramatically lying flat on the ground. With a nose full of snot and tears in his eyes, he apologized to Yin: "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry! It was my fault, I shouldn't have been talking nonsense! I shouldn't have called the paparazzi!"

Yin hadn't actually taken Chen Jingye's rude words to heart or gotten angry about them. But upon hearing his last sentence, she immediately stood up and angrily said, "You were the one who called the paparazzi?"

Chen Jingye quickly explained, "I really didn't know you were my sister-in-law! I thought you were an easy target, so I wanted to take the opportunity to expose you having an affair with another man...to get back at my brother. This happened to align perfectly with that goal."

Yin really wanted to kick him.

She had always felt very guilty and blamed herself, thinking that the false affair scandal that happened with Qiao Yanshi was all because she had let her guard down for a moment when drunk.

Not only had it delayed her own career, but it had also affected Qiao Yanshi.

She would never have imagined that Chen Jingye had been meddling behind the scenes!

The security at Selia Club was very strict. Generally speaking, paparazzi would never be able to sneak in. Many celebrities liked to party there.

Unless someone had given them the "green light."

Chen Jingye had really angered her. She quickly hid behind Chen Huaixiao's desk and said, "Luckily everything's already been smoothed over. My brother-in-law is resourceful and resolved it quickly. Although sister-in-law, you and my brother have a sham marriage, my brother can still protect you very well. Let it go!"

Chen Huaixiao tilted his head slightly. "A sham marriage?"

"That's right."

Chen Jingye thought they just had a contractual agreement, so he spoke without restraint, saying directly: "Sister-in-law, you said it yourself! As long as he gives you what you want, you don't care about being his first love's stand-in. In the end you're just using each other anyway."

Yin: "......"

Even with a sham marriage, the two of them at least still maintained physical intimacy. Their relationship was not so transactional and blatantly spelled out.

Chen Huaixiao's expression visibly darkened. He kicked out at Chen Jingye's backside. "Get out!"

Chen Jingye didn't know what he had said to displease his cousin again. He had obediently apologized as asked. Yet his cousin was even more unhappy now.

Rubbing his bottom, Chen Jingye awkwardly left.

Inside the office, the two of them were silent for a few minutes. Yin didn't try to explain anything. She went and sat on the edge of the sofa and picked up a green grape.

Glancing at Chen Huaixiao out of the corner of her eye, the man was leaning casually in his chair looking over documents. His elbow was propped up on the desk, his fingertips holding a black enamel fountain pen, idly twirling it.

Carrying the grapes over to Chen Huaixiao's side, she held them out to him. "Here, try one."

Chen Huaixao didn't even lift his eyelids, completely ignoring her.

Yin simply fed the green grape right up to Chen Huaixiao's mouth, coquettishly pleading in her sexy voice, "Try it for me and see if it's too sour."

When Chen Huaixiao bit off the grape, he nearly nipped her fingers.

Yin quickly pulled her hand back, sullenly thinking to herself that he was biting people like a dog.

"Well, is it sour?"

Chen Huaixiao chewed the grape, coldly saying, "Try it yourself."

"Alright, I'll try it myself then."

As soon as she finished speaking, she put her arms around Chen Huaixiao's neck from behind. Bringing her face close, she bit his lips and took the initiative to attack him, rolling away all the sourness from between his warm lips and teeth.

Chen Huaixiao brought the woman around to the front, pressing her against the edge of the desk in an attempt to deepen the lingering kiss.

Yin let out a soft moan, complaining, "Too sour, I don't like it. I won't eat any more."

Having said that, she pushed Chen Huaixiao away and turned to leave on her delicate high heels.

Chen Huaixiao watched her alluring, sexy back as she walked away. His desire was immediately stirred up again. He unconditionally pulled her into the adjoining living room.

She belonged to him, within easy reach. But after satiation, Chen Huaixiao fell into even greater emptiness.

What he truly wanted, he could never obtain.

This woman didn't truly belong to him. She was prepared to withdraw completely at any time.

The one who was truly stuck in place was Chen Huaixiao.

...

During that time, Yin clearly felt that Chen Huaixiao's acts carried more of a sense of venting.

It was like he wanted to conquer her, and also wanted her dead. After they were finished, he would cling to her and refuse to let go, placating her with kisses...

He really put Yin through the wringer.

After the paparazzi peeping incident, Yin put all her energy into her career. She would not allow even a shred of emotion to show.

That day, Sun Lili rushed into the office in a huff and snatched the coffee Yin had just brewed, gulping it down in one go.

"Ahhh! Hot, hot! Burning me to death!"

"That's what you get for drinking it so quickly." Yin walked over and gently took the coffee cup. "Here, let me see if you burned yourself."

Sun Lili pushed her away, exclaiming angrily, "So annoying!"

"Who are you mad at?"

He wore a fashionable ripped hoodie with cargo pants. The 3D cut of the cargo pants complemented his leg shape even more.

The young man waved his racket arrogantly, "I was here first, go wait on the side."

Seeing his stylish outfit, Yin thought he was also an actor or agent who came with the same idea to get Li Chunfeng to write songs.

She asked curiously, "You want to learn from him?"

"Of course. Everyone knows Teacher Li's tennis skills are legendary. I'm here to learn from him."

"Just to learn tennis?"

"What else is there?" The earring guy rubbed his nose, "I've been waiting here for days just to catch Teacher Li when he's free. Don't even think about cutting in line."

Yin breathed a sigh of relief. Not a competitor, that's good.

Just then, the old man on court called out, "Young man, go pick up balls for me. I'll practice with you in a bit."

"Coming, Teacher Li!"

He scurried to pick up balls for Teacher Li, with great enthusiasm. He stood outside the line waving his racket, imitating Teacher Li's serve and moves.

To get closer to Teacher Li, Yin also took out her racket to pick up balls and practice with him.

Even such menial work faced competition.

The earring guy's mouth was slick as honey. Even when tired as a dog, he could still spew a barrage of flattering words, quite eloquently:

"Teacher Li, you are in such great shape as you age, strong in spirit and body, sharp in eyes and mind, and insightful in every way! Us youngsters can't compare to you at all! Look at this girl, as weak as a chick, not fit to be your opponent. I'll pick up balls for you! I'll practice with you!"

Yin rolled her eyes, utterly speechless.

Not one to give up easily, she wasn't as diligent as her competitor in fetching balls, but her tennis skills were better. She could volley several rounds with Teacher Li, much to his satisfaction.

In the next few days, Yin went to Maple Joy Tennis Club every day to practice with Teacher Li.

Annoyingly, the earring guy also came every day.

Sitting on the sideline for a break, Yin couldn't help asking the young man, "Are you really here just to learn tennis from Teacher Li?"

"Yeah." The earring guy looked at her disdainfully, "Aren't you too? You come even earlier than me, what's your intention?"

Yin tilted her head towards the old man rallying with the robot, "Do you know his other identity?"

The earring guy looked blank, "What other identity?"

"Nevermind if you don't know."

"Tell me, come on."

"Li Chunfeng! The top lyricist and composer in Chinese pop music. I'm here to get songs from him."

Upon hearing this, the earring guy coughed violently.

"What's wrong?"

"Choked on spit." The earring guy coughed with a red face, "You...want to get songs from him? Which agency are you from?"

"I'm not an agent, I'm a celebrity! Don't you recognize me?"

"I...don't know many celebrities."

"I'm Yin." She said unhappily, "You don't even know me? I'm quite popular! Have you seen The Crane-feather Dress?"

"No, I mostly watch anime, don't follow domestic series."

"Forget it." Yin didn't want to chit chat meaninglessly with him, "As long as you're not sent by my competitors, we're good."

The earring guy put on his cap and pried gossipily, "Who's your competitor?"

"None of your business."

"We've been serving Teacher Li together for days, that makes us comrades in adversity. Tell me, come on."

Since it wasn't a secret in the industry anyway, Yin simply said, "Su Anning. My manager booked Teacher Li's songs half a year in advance, but Su Anning somehow cut in line. So here I am, forced to take matters into my own hands."

The earring guy's mouth twitched, "Have you considered...maybe your competitor simply offered...too much, so Teacher Li couldn't refuse? Even with all your efforts here, what's the use?"

"I know." Yin looked unresigned, "But I have to at least try to understand Teacher Li's personality first. If it's about money, my company has a limited budget, but I can pay out of my own pocket if needed. But if he thinks Su Anning is the better singer, then I have nothing to say and won't force it."

The earring guy's joker expression vanished. He gazed at Yin meaningfully, "So...that's why you want his songs so badly?"

"I don't want to lose." Yin's eyes were firm, "Absolutely refuse to lose."

The earring guy was silent for a while, then said, "Why don't you sing a few lines for me to hear?"

"Why should I sing for you? You're just a lousy tennis bootlicker."

"Hey! Don't look down on people. My tennis may be crap, but I'm..." He stopped himself short.

Yin casually hummed a few lines, "The shy rose opens quietly, slowly blooming the feelings she left for me. The hand of spring flips through her waiting, as I ponder in my heart if I should gently pluck her."

Yin's voice had a unique husky quality. Singing such a winding melody imbued an ambiguous charm. Just a casual sing-song, yet it made the young man's expression go blank.

She knew her voice was very pleasant. Smiling confidently, she said, "Well? Convinced?"

He was still immersed in the lingering after tones, unresponsive.

"Hey bootlicker, what do you think?"

The earring guy looked at her deeply. A few seconds later, the corners of his lips lifted in meaningful smile. "Hey Miss, mind if I ask you something out of line?"

"Ask away."

"Are you single?"