On the other end of the phone, Rong Dai heard Qiao Wanzhou's self-mocking, shallow laugh.
"Rong Dai, thank you," Qiao Wanzhou sighed and said, "Actually, he was the reason I entered this circle. From the first moment I saw him, I couldn't forget him."
"Although I was also rebellious and unwilling to be a sacrifice for the family, but more was because of him."
"If it wasn't for him, I think my life would have just followed the pattern set by my family or parents, living numbly."
Rong Dai quietly listened to her speak. Although it was already late, sleeping soundly tonight was impossible anyway.
She laid in bed, leaning against the headboard, turned on the speakerphone, and placed it on the quilt to listen to Qiao Wanzhou speak.
"I liked him for many years. Rong Dai, you're now President Huo's wife, so I think you'll understand the helplessness of these families."
"In Shenjing, few people can be as free and easy as President Huo. The marriages and freedoms of us children are all set by the family, with no power to choose."
"I won't talk about that anymore. I just want to get a clear answer from Zhou Jing. This dangling is really tiring me..."
Qiao Wanzhou's tone was full of melancholy and anxiety.
She had waited too long. She understood his lowliness.
But she had also given him a clear answer.
However, Zhou Jing always acted like he didn't care. Yet whenever something happened to her, he would definitely stand in front of her.
Rong Dai was very clear on the pain of loving someone but not getting a response.
Qiao Wanzhou was very frank. She could have easily done this behind her back.
To control how things developed, even if she found out afterwards, she would still cooperate with her to clarify things, resentful as she may feel.
Thinking back to when she first saw Qiao Wanzhou's versatility and popularity at the Qiao family, then looking at her current lowly state.
Rong Dai suddenly felt very distressed.
She thought for a few seconds before replying to her, "Okay, I can help you."
"Thank you, Rong Dai. I will definitely come to explain things clearly to President Huo in person afterwards."
Qiao Wanzhou was very anxious for Rong Dai's reply. Hearing her answer so clearly, she almost cried.
"Don't rush to thank me yet. I'm helping you on one condition," Rong Dai replied.
"Just say it. As long as you help me, I can do your laundry and cooking!" Qiao Wanzhou swore.
"No need for laundry and cooking. You should be very clear on the consequences of doing this. It's very likely all your previous efforts will go up in smoke," Rong Dai warned her.
She believed that for an ordinary person to reach Qiao Wanzhou's level was truly difficult.
Yet for Zhou Jing, she was willing to give it all up.
Qiao Wanzhou was silent for a few seconds on the phone before sighing deeply, "The worst outcome is me leaving this circle, obeying the family's arrangements, going on blind dates and getting married, living numbly."
Her tone was full of sadness, as if she was already living such a life.
"Whether you leave the circle or not will probably depend on what your agency thinks. But damage is certain, plus with your approach, given Zhou Jing's personality, I don't think you have great odds of success."
Rong Dai analyzed for her.
She believed in her ability to read people. If Zhou Jing couldn't get out of his own lowliness, even if Qiao Wanzhou smashed his protective shell and bled for it, only Qiao Wanzhou would be the one injured.
"I've thought it through. Without him, even if I achieve greater success, that joy wouldn't belong to me."
Qiao Wanzhou sighed heavily. Thinking of Zhou Jing, her heart felt like it was being cut by a dull knife, more and more painful each time.
"Alright then. I can do that, but my condition is you be the brand spokesperson for me," Rong Dai said.
She had just thought of it. She wanted to start her own brand and needed someone very famous to be the spokesperson.
Qiao Wanzhou had a great image and some popularity domestically and abroad.
Even if Qiao Wanzhou's career declined this time, her fame was already there.
Wasn't there an online saying?
Black or red, it's still red.
Plus she had faith in what she could create.
Time and quality would make everything clear.
"No problem at all! I agree, lifetime endorsement, not a cent charged."
Qiao Wanzhou laughed as she replied, but her tone was exceptionally firm, not joking at all.
"That won't do. Lifetime endorsement is acceptable, but not a cent charged is not."
Rong Dai also laughed in response.
"But with this made public, my reputation will suffer. Aren't you afraid it'll negatively impact your brand?"
Hearing Rong Dai say this, Qiao Wanzhou's heart softened even more.
She had struggled in this circle, developing a full suit of armor. No one understood the cruelty here better than her.
"I believe in my judgement, and I believe in my work."
Rong Dai's reply was confident.
"Rong Dai, thank you."
Qiao Wanzhou paused for a few seconds, sincerely thanking her.
She hadn't actually known Rong Dai for long. It was only because Rong Dai was President Huo's wife that she had some interest at first sight.
During filming, she saw her past self in Rong Dai.
"Don't thank me yet. Once my news breaks, you have to handle things on your end to avoid harm."
Rong Dai reminded her. After confirming the time with her, she hung up.
She softly sighed, looking at the top trending headline on Weibo. Her Weibo had already been overrun.
Whether it was people smearing her or Zhou Jing's fans, they had cursed her Weibo beyond recognition.
Rong Dai just sneered. She called Lu Nianzhi and relayed Qiao Wanzhou's request.
"This allows you to temporarily detach from the news, but afterwards, you may face more condemnation because you can't say this was at Qiao Wanzhou's request."
Lu Nianzhi's thoughts were clear. As soon as Rong Dai finished, she realized the crux of the issue.
Of course Rong Dai also knew this. Qiao Wanzhou had already told her everything.
She had weighed all of this. She wasn't some saint or overly sympathetic.
Qiao Wanzhou could bring her benefits, so she could resolve things for Qiao Wanzhou. This was a mutually beneficial matter.
After hearing Rong Dai's explanation, Lu Nianzhi also approved of her approach.
After hanging up with Lu Nianzhi, Rong Dai saved screenshots of her conversation with Qiao Wanzhou. Facing the torrent of abuse on Weibo, she said nothing, only posting the screenshots.
