Chapter 17: With That Series of Moves, You Blocked Over Twenty Cabs!

Xu Yunzhu’s engagement with the Pei family was, by any measure, an ambitious leap upward.

At first, Yu Momo couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy.

Xu Yunzhu truly seemed to be living out the heroine’s script: the real heiress, returned from the countryside, immediately finds herself with a wealthy fiancé from a powerful family. Marrying into such a household, she’d become a rich man’s wife—no wonder she’d quit the entertainment industry to tie the knot.

If it were her, she’d have broken her contract with the company right away, eager to step into a world of luxury.

But in the end, she was the one who got dumped.

If it wasn’t the Pei patriarch, Pei Qiaonian, who called off the engagement, then it had to be Pei Jin—the entertainment industry’s newly crowned movie king, surging in popularity, with a massive fan base, a true sensation of the screen.

It made sense. Why would the Pei family look upon her favorably? And so, she’d demeaned herself, seeking out a wealthy CEO for support, who lavished her with a black card for her expenses.

Now that the truth was laid bare, a flash of malice crossed Yu Momo’s eyes.

She would see to it that Xu Yunzhu was utterly ruined, never able to set foot in show business again!

Pei Qiaonian, for his part, was oblivious to the schemes brewing behind him.

Where once a single glance from him would have silenced any opposition, now he had to take action to quiet the swarm of bothersome women.

He raised a hand, massaging his brow.

Coming toward him was a woman in business attire, her hair pulled back immaculately, black-rimmed glasses perched on a stern face.

She hurried over. “Xu Yunzhu! Where have you been all these days? Your sudden absence forced your team’s activity to be canceled, which cost the company a lot of money. What do you propose we do about it?”

From her tone, expression, and demeanor, Pei Qiaonian deduced who she was.

She must be Cheng Jie, Xu Yunzhu’s agent.

He wasn’t the one who missed the event—what was the point in asking him?

He shrugged, voice even. “I don’t know. Maybe you should ask the company.”

Cheng Jie was momentarily speechless, unable to voice the curse that rose to her lips. “You really are my ancestor. With looks and physique like yours, top-tier in every way, yet you’re still not famous. Do you have a grudge against the entertainment world or something?”

Exasperated, she pressed a hand to her forehead. “I had to plead your case so the company wouldn’t demand compensation for the loss, just postponed the event by a few days. By the way, I’ve signed you up for a reality dating show this time. You must participate and show your face. No more running away.”

A reality dating show?

For Pei Qiaonian, it was an obscure term.

He asked, “What’s that?”

Cheng Jie was incredulous. “Are you pretending to be clueless with me now? If you back out again, you’ll owe millions in penalty fees. Can you afford that?”

Seeing him lost in thought, Cheng Jie quickly shifted her tone. “But don’t worry. You’re just there as background this time. The show invited three pairs of couples to form CPs, and your role is to be a dating show observer—recording their sweet moments, and if you successfully match one pair, your task is done and you can leave the show. It’s a positive role to help clean up your image. Be sharp this time, and try to win over the viewers. Don’t offend everyone with your bluntness again.”

Pei Qiaonian seemed to understand, more or less.

“Right now, the ‘Love Monsoon’ production team is keeping the identities of the six guests tightly under wraps, but I know one of them is Ning Qinghuan. She’s from your company, and she’s your friend. You should join her team and get a bit of her spotlight—it can only help you.”

Pei Qiaonian simply replied, “Oh.”

Cheng Jie was taken aback.

Had he changed? Why so aloof?

Seeing him turn to leave, she quickly blocked his way.

“Where are you going? The team activity has only been delayed. You need to hurry up and practice your dance moves. Don’t be the one dragging your teammates down on stage.”

Pei Qiaonian’s usually indifferent expression almost cracked.

What?

He had to practice dancing, too?

Dance in front of a crowd?

What kind of ridiculous profession was this that Xu Yunzhu had chosen, with so many hassles for a washed-up star barely clinging to relevance?

To be this forgotten, and still have an agent fighting for her—call it true dedication.

He’d wanted to refuse, feeling that participating in a reality dating show was already the limit of what he’d tolerate.

But suddenly, an image flashed in his mind: Xu Yunzhu, palms pressed together, looking at him with pleading, pitiful eyes, begging him to work hard and earn money.

His expression darkened.

He really owed her.

With no enthusiasm, he relented. “Fine, I got it.”

Then turned and walked off.

Cheng Jie called after him, “Where are you going?”

“Lunch.”

She didn’t stop him, only reminding him loudly, “When you’re done, come straight up to the third floor. My assistant will meet you at the elevator.”

Pei Qiaonian considered for a moment. The vast commercial empire under his management ran like clockwork—how hard could a bit of dancing be? With renewed confidence, he went to eat.

But when he actually began practice, he nearly threw up his lunch. The entire afternoon, under Cheng Jie’s watchful eye, he danced without pause.

Fortunately, Xu Yunzhu’s body was rather flexible, but his own movements were far too stiff. When he finally felt he’d gotten the hang of it, he looked to Cheng Jie, who was staring at him in disbelief, and asked, “How was my dancing?”

He was inexplicably nervous, like a schoolboy waiting for his homework to be graded.

Cheng Jie was at a loss for words.

“So what, you disappear for a few days and forget everything you learned?” she groaned. “My dear ancestor, my winter pants, my padded jacket—are you sent from above to torment me? That entire routine of yours could have hailed down twenty cabs!”

Pei Qiaonian was silent.

“I’ll send you a video—practice on your own at home. The event’s in just two days. Maybe find a dance teacher for a crash course. As for the variety show, there’s a week left, so there’s plenty of time. I’m so angry it hurts my chest.” Clutching her chest, she left, looking pale.

Pei Qiaonian wiped his sweat, sat on the nearby bench, and pulled out his phone to message Xu Yunzhu: “All the files for this afternoon are organized. I’ll bring them to Lanhai Villa later. I’ll wait for you there.”

Xu Yunzhu replied, “Then you’ll have to wait a while for me.”

Pei Qiaonian: “What are you doing?”

Xu Yunzhu sent a photo of their marriage certificate, replying, “Going to your family’s home to make our union official.”

Pei Qiaonian was speechless.

At that moment, Xu Yunzhu was already on her way back to the old family residence.

Special Assistant Gao parked the car at the main gate and turned to ask Xu Yunzhu, seated in the back, “President Pei... do you really have to tell them about the marriage today? The old master and the lady of the house will never agree. You should consider Miss Xu’s position as well.”

The wrath of the Pei family was not something the Xu family could bear.

Especially after Pei Jin had just broken off the engagement, and now, so soon after, Pei Qiaonian was married—news that would shock everyone.

Xu Yunzhu, however, seemed unconcerned.

She chuckled to herself. In the end, it wasn’t her job to win the Pei family’s approval.

She was in high spirits. “It’s fine. I trust he can handle it.”

Assistant Gao was speechless.

Unbelievable. This was the first time he’d heard of the bride handling the groom’s family herself.

“He’s good at confrontation, so I’m not worried.” Xu Yunzhu straightened her suit, lifted her gaze to the stately old house, and smiled at Assistant Gao. “When he finally faces all their fury, he’ll have no choice but to behave.”

Assistant Gao had no words.

And, as expected, things played out as Xu Yunzhu predicted.

When she flung the marriage certificate down in front of everyone, Old Master Pei was so furious he nearly dropped his cane.

Madam Pei was on the verge of collapse.

“You must get a divorce! Go tomorrow, at once!”