She slowly shook her head. "That's not it..."
"Then how do you know? I think Little Jiang is perfectly fine. Look how politely he saw you off—so refined. The real problem is that look on your face. Tell me, what exactly are you dissatisfied with?"
Qiu Zheng didn't give Qiu Yihe a chance to explain and began rattling off all her faults.
Qiu Yihe answered helplessly, "Yes, yes, yes, I'm not happy. I just don't like guys who're always on the phone. Whoever ends up with him will spend life walking from one call to the next."
"Child, don't be unreasonable. Look at your Uncle Jiang and Grandpa Jiang—weren't they always on the phone? A man must keep busy," her father continued.
"Dad, it's not the same..."
Rear Sea area, Courtyard House.
Right now, Big Secret was strolling through the Courtyard House with Baba, taking in its style.
Exquisite décor and distinctive design showcased the owner's taste at every turn.
Big Secret's gaze swept each corner, drawn to the luxury that revealed itself in quiet understatement.
"You're one lucky dog; how did you land a place like this?"
Baba smiled. "Sister Mi, you have no idea—I was a wreck my first visit. Those guards at the gate looked like they were carrying real guns."
Big Secret laughed. "I told you last time: these un-numbered Courtyard Houses aren't your everyday Beijing hutong compounds.
Although the house didn't belong to Baba,
seeing her boss so envious
still gave her a secret thrill.
Before meeting Jiang Cheng, Baba was already modestly famous,
yet her company treated her poorly.
Especially in front of Big Secret, she'd had to tread carefully,
face fixed in an obliging smile.
Baba beamed and teased,
"Sister Mi, you're the one I admire. You bought a big villa in Beijing with your own money. Who knows how long I'd have to work to afford one."
Big Secret rolled her eyes theatrically.
True, 2018 had been the year her career peaked,
and also the year her beliefs about love and family crashed.
In interviews she always professed faith in her partner,
but in the hush of night
she alone knew how tears soaked her pillow.
She'd rushed into marriage at the height of her fame
chiefly because she'd unexpectedly become pregnant,
though a small part of her had simply longed for love.
Going public was meant to shield her from unspoken rules.
Yet even as a top star she couldn't stop her husband cheating.
Big Secret said bluntly, "I don't have to fake it with you. All that talk of an independent successful woman—nonsense! I chained myself with marriage, gambled everything on work, and for what?"
"Now I see it's pointless. Better to snag the big... OK you've landed. Look, only a few dramas and you're shortlisted for Golden Eagle Goddess. Without him, would you even be in the running?"
Baba's mind reeled; the words left her temporarily blank.
After a moment she blinked. "What big OK?"
Yang Mi raised her right hand without hesitation
and formed a huge circle with thumb and middle finger.
"Didn't I ask you last time?"
Baba looked, face flushing. "That's not an OK."
"No, no, it's not OK—it's a one-finger flick!"
The vivid gesture finally told Baba exactly what Big Secret meant.
"Sister Mi~~, but people are saying if I win I'll be the Water Queen. I'd rather not take it." Baba pouted.
Big Secret smirked,
jabbed Baba's forehead with a finger,
and chided, "Ungrateful girl! You know how many fight tooth-and-nail for this? They slip clothes on and off for years and still leave empty-handed. You shed yours twice and you're nominated, yet you don't want it?"
Baba lowered her head. "But... but it feels unearned."
Big Secret cut in,
"Unearned so what? In this industry chances vanish in a blink. Yesterday's A-listers aren't even invited to ceremonies now.
They're forgotten by capital and the market. Grab the buzz while you can; such shots only shrink."
Back in the lounge, a clatter of heavy steps suddenly rang out.
A dozen brawny Bodyguards in black suits filed in,
each carrying several bulging bags of gifts.
They stacked everything neatly in a corner.
Baba asked curiously,
"Big brother, is Young Master Jiang back?"
The lead Bodyguard, tall and fierce,
blushed faintly when Baba spoke to him.
The blush vanished in an instant;
he looked away,
avoiding their eyes,
and answered, "Miss Baba, Young Master Jiang is still on the way. CMB sent these gifts."
"Got it, thanks."
Big Secret stared wide-eyed at the dozens of CMB bags and boxes piled in the corner.