NOVPUBChapter 52: 52, Gossip’s Khan_1
Chapter 52: 52, Gossip’s Khan_1
“I won’t accept it…” Yang Xiang tried to plead once more with unstinting determination because she knew losing this opportunity not only meant that she would seldom see him in the future, but it also meant she would lose a golden chance to enhance her fame.
“Xiangxiang.” Before she could finish, Yang Lin grabbed her with a warning shout.
She shared An Yu’s thoughts. Now that Quan Jingwu had declared to terminate their contracts, it would certainly not end well for them if they dared to make a scene in his presence.
‘We will see.’ thought Jian Qing. ‘Where there is life, there is hope.’
“Sister, I—” Yang Xiang challenged, but the sight of anger in Yang Lin’s eyes subdued her unwillingness, and she turned her head away, refusing to look at Jian Qing.
After getting hold of Yang Xiang and instructing the agent and assistant beside her to pack up everything, Yang Lin left the building regally. As they moved along the corridor, the sound of their high heels clicking against the floor gradually faded into the distance.
Not far away, Chu Ruohan watched the Yang sisters leave reluctantly, then turning back to look at Quan Jingwu, a bitter smile pulling at her lips.
Did he care that much about her?
Just because of a single sentence from Jian Qing, was it worth it to go to such lengths?
With the departure of Yang Xiang and the others, the atmosphere in the photo studio had become noticeably lighter. Quan Yifei waved his hand towards people, indicating them to return back to work.
“Alright, everyone carry on with their work, don’t just stand around.”
“Miss Jian, you just dismissed three models. What will you do about the rest of the shoot?” Khan jested.
Jian Qing gave him a sidelong glance, her voice composed, “I believe that you must have more than just these five exclusive models.”
Khan, “…” The boat of their friendship capsized just like that.
Quan Jingwu looked at Khan, his narrow purple eyes half-closed yet deepening, a chilling look flashing in their corners, as though he was about to attack Khan the next second.
Khan and Jian Qing might be able to fool Quan Yifei by pretending to be strangers, but it surely wouldn’t be as easy to deceive Quan Jingwu.
“Yifei, let’s call it a day for the shoot. Send the photos to me, I’ll handle them. We can continue after Khan finds more models,” Jian Qing suggested.
Quan Yifei nodded, revealing a hint of worry in his eyes, “Jian Qing, given what happened today, An Yu and the others surely won’t let it go. Will you run into any trouble when you return to the An Family residence?”
Considering that An Yu and co. never saw eye to eye with Jian Qing, plus the fact they’d just been publicly humiliated by her, they would definitely retaliate.
Jian Qing’s dark eyes warmed a bit, and she reassured him with a mild smile, “Don’t worry, I won’t be going back to the An Family residence today.”
Going back to the An family residence would only bring her untold headaches and irritation. She decided to stay at Shijin Haoting for the time being. Besides, it had been several days since she’d last had a video call with her grandpa. It was time to surprise him.
“If you’re not going back to the An Family residence, then you—” Quan Yifei paused momentarily, then a spark of joy flashed in his eyes, and he secretly stole a glance at Quan Jingwu, “Are you going back to Shijin Haoting?”
“Yes.” Jian Qing nodded.
Quan Yifei cheekily made faces at Quan Jingwu, looking quite pleased with himself. It seemed his third brother wouldn’t be returning to the historic mansion tonight.
“I’ll be leaving first then.” Jian Qing passed the camera to Khan, gave him a few instructions, and then turned to Quan Jingwu.
She needed to catch up on some sleep after an early start to the day.
“Mm.” Quan Jingwu nodded, his lips curling into a slight smile. Some things couldn’t be rushed, especially her. Luckily, he had all the time in the world and plenty of patience.
Khan watched Quan Jingwu, a frown creeping onto his face. The disquiet that had been nagging at him suddenly became clearer. A bold idea began to take shape in his mind, but there was still a missing piece of the puzzle. Battling down his questions, he resolved to clarify things with Jian Qing later.
With Jian Qing gone, Quan Jingwu had no reason to stick around either. He went straight back to his office. Only once he was gone did the others at the photo studio finally breathe a sigh of relief.
As Khan was about to send a message on his phone, he saw Quan Yifei coming over. He put his phone away and stepped forward, “Manager Quan, since the shoot is postponed, I’ll leave too. See you tomorrow.”
Quan Yifei nodded, watching Khan depart. He scratched his head in confusion, a question still lingering in his mind.
Was Khan expressing romantic interests towards Jian Qing?
…
Across the road from JK International at a cafe, Jian Qing, who initially planned to go home and catch up on sleep, was now sitting by a window-side dining table. She’d ordered a green tea mousse and an iced coffee but seemed more interested in gazing out of the window.
When Khan arrived, he instantly spotted Jian Qing by the window and headed straight towards her.
“Sir, may I ask what you’d like to drink?” As Khan sat down across from Jian Qing, a waitress approached him. Her eyes sparkled as she took in Khan’s handsome face.
“Latte,” ordered Khan.
The waitress left reluctantly. After her coffee was served, Khan broke the silence, “Jian, I have a question for you. You must answer honestly.”
Jian Qing withdrew her gaze from the window, her eyebrows raising slightly. She thought he was going to ask about Xiya’s whereabouts and replied, “If you’re asking about where Xiya is, I’m afraid I can’t tell you.”
“This isn’t about Xiya,” Khan shook his head.
“Huh?” Jian Qing looked puzzled.
Clearing his throat, Khan gazed mysteriously at Jian Qing, “Are you in a relationship?”
“Cough—” Jian Qing almost choked on the cake she was eating as she absorbed Khan’s words. Her clear eyes tearing up from the coughing fit.
Khan kept his eyes on her face, not missing any of her reactions. Knowing how sly this old fox could be, he wouldn’t put it past her to feign ignorance.
After she’d recovered from her coughing fit, Jian Qing downed several gulps of her iced coffee. Her gaze finally found Khan, her tone carrying a thread of dangerous warning, “Khan, were you trying to kill me just now? I guess you don’t want to see Xiya anymore.”
“No, no…I was just worried about you,” Khan pleaded in panic. Considering his fiancee was already on the brink of leaving him, he didn’t need this sly fox messing things up further. How much worse could things get?
Jian Qing let out a cold humming sound and cast a ‘are you crazy?’ look at him. “Where did you get this information from? Or didn’t you forget to bring your mind along while leaving your house?”
Unfazed by Jian Qing’s rhetoric, Khan looked at her serenely. “Don’t be quick to deny it. Between you and JK International’s CEO, the two of you…
“Quan Jingwu? What does he have to do with it?” Jian Qing was puzzled.
“Jian, the way he looked at you, it was anything but ordinary. Haven’t you noticed that?” Khan gave her a suspicious look. Could he really be wrong?
“You might need glasses if your eyesight is deteriorating this badly,” replied Jian Qing, her cold gaze flickering as she issued a venomous retort.
Khan choked. It wasn’t possible. Based on his many years of experience as a seduction expert, there was definitely something between them.
If there was nothing between Jian Qing and Quan Jingwu, he would chop off his head and use it as a stool.
Upon hearing this, Jian Qing suddenly burst out laughing, sending a shudder through Khan, “Khan, I’ll be sure to pass your message to Xiya. I believe, with your many years of experience as the love scene expert, you can definitely win her over quickly.”
“Hey, hey… that’s not fair. Have mercy on me, please.” Khan scratched his head, feeling at the end of his tether. 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
