Chapter Fourteen: Knowing One’s Place

All night long, the storm outside raged without pause, thunder and lightning clamoring incessantly. Wrapped in her quilt, Qiao Jiu was kept awake by the noise, her mind in turmoil, with flashes of images invading her thoughts from time to time.

The gossip magazines introduced that young actress, who, though newly entered into show business, had risen swiftly thanks to Lu Fengzhou’s lavish support. She traveled in luxury cars, surrounded by assistants and bodyguards, her status elevated. Accompanying the article were photos of her at events, always in the center position, commanding attention.

Those two spent other people’s money and lived a life truly enviable.

When dawn finally arrived, the thunder and lightning retreated, the rain eased up, and Qiao Jiu sat up, groggy. The air in the room was stuffy, so she squinted her eyes and got out of bed to open the window.

Cool, damp air rushed in, making her shiver and clearing her mind a little. Her house was on the second floor, facing the street, and Qiao Jiu took a deep breath, glancing outside.

Across the street was a parked car, a model she recognized. Qiao Jiu let out a small laugh—Cloud City was full of wealthy people. When she bought that car, if not to surprise Lu Fengzhou, she would have hesitated herself. She had money, but she wasn’t reckless with it.

But Lu Fengzhou was finicky. If he knew someone else’s car matched his, he probably wouldn’t touch it again. Such a waste of something so expensive.

She turned back to bed, the air now fresh, finally able to settle in for some restful sleep.

…

When she woke again, it was already midday. Qiao Jiu washed up, and as she came out of the bathroom, she saw her phone ringing. She hurried over, her expression freezing.

It was Lu Fengzhou calling.

Qiao Jiu’s face darkened; she flung the phone aside, unwilling to answer. He was strange indeed—his new lover had arrived, yet he still found time to bother her, the former flame.

She changed clothes. Starving, she had no patience to cook and headed downstairs directly to find a restaurant.

Once seated, her phone rang again. It was Lu Fengzhou.

Qiao Jiu weighed the phone in her palm and answered this time. “What is it? Speak.”

Lu Fengzhou paused for a few seconds before replying, “The memorial ceremony is on the fifteenth, starting in the morning. Don’t forget.”

Naturally, Qiao Jiu remembered. “Alright, I know.”

Lu Fengzhou fell silent. Qiao Jiu waited. “Is there anything else? If not, I’m hanging up.”

She set her phone down, only to hear Lu Fengzhou’s voice, “You moved house.”

Qiao Jiu laughed, bringing the phone back to her ear. “What did you expect, for me to move when you demolish the building?”

She scoffed, “You tracked me down, and I’m being considerate—shouldn’t that be right?”

“Yes.” Lu Fengzhou said, “I wanted to praise you. If only you’d been this sensible before.”

No sooner had he spoken than a woman’s voice echoed through the phone, “Ah Zhou, it’s done, we can go.”

Her expression chilled. “Mr. Lu, is there anything else this time?”

Without waiting for his response, Qiao Jiu hung up.

She slammed the phone on the table, muttering curses under her breath, “That bastard, retribution will come sooner or later.”

At the next table sat two young women, both not yet served, leaning close to gossip.

One held up her phone to show the other, “Look, Song Wan really does have a sponsor. I told you, her acting is so stiff, how could she possibly act opposite my idol?”

“She definitely has a sponsor,” the other replied. “She’s been thoroughly exposed. Without money or connections, how could she have risen so quickly? Look at Director Zhang, praising her to reporters—I was embarrassed just listening. Forced praise, clearly for her sponsor’s sake.”

Qiao Jiu, sharp-eared, heard it all. After some thought, she quickly picked up her phone again and scrolled through the gossip news.