Chapter 127: Isn't Focusing on One's Career More Fulfilling?

He Kaici chased after her, but Wang Ling had already vanished, so he drove along the road, searching. Soon, he spotted Wang Ling walking down the street, looking utterly devastated. He Kaici didn't approach her, opting instead to follow slowly in his car.

After a short while, Wang Ling suddenly stopped, glanced back, and sat down on the ground, weeping bitterly.

He Kaici stepped out of the car, sat down beside her, and asked, "You walked away so decisively—was it just to come here and cry?"

Wang Ling didn't even lift her head, muttering, "What business is that of yours?"

"How could it not be my business? Anything involving a beautiful woman is my business."

Only then did Wang Ling look up at him. "Mr. He?"

He Kaici smiled. "I’m such a handsome man, yet it seems I’m not as attractive as the words 'beautiful woman'."

Wang Ling was in no mood for his jokes. "Mr. He, why are you here?"

"Naturally, because I’m concerned about you."

Had this been any other young woman, she would have been over the moon. But Wang Ling was completely unmoved; she even shifted slightly away from him.

"Mr. He, I don't think we’re that well-acquainted, are we?" Unsolicited kindness usually masks ulterior motives.

"How are we not? We’ve already run into each other twice."

Wang Ling retorted coolly, "You’re certainly quick to get familiar with people."

Considering she was in a bad mood, He Kaici decided not to take offense. He stood up and said, "Come on, let me drive you home."

Wang Ling looked at him with full suspicion. This actually made He Kaici laugh in exasperation; since when did he have to beg someone to get in his car?

"If you don't take my car, are you planning to wait here for the bus? Or do you intend to walk home?"

Wang Ling glanced at the endless stretch of road and decided to stand up and follow him. As she climbed into the car, she glanced back once more, but the headlights of a car parked nearby blinded her, and she couldn't see a thing.

Wang Ling had never heard anyone mention that the young master of the He Group was such a chatterbox. From the moment she got in, He Kaici hadn't stopped talking.

"Why did you help me? I want the truth." Wang Ling didn't want to hear a single lie right now.

He Kaici thought for a moment before saying, "Because you are a friend of my brother’s girlfriend."

The explanation was a bit convoluted, but Wang Ling understood. "Who is your brother’s girlfriend?" She couldn't recall anyone she knew whose boyfriend was acquainted with He Kaici.

"That, I cannot say." He’d heard that this manager wasn't even aware of Brother Chu’s intentions yet! He couldn't go and ruin things himself.

Seeing he wasn't willing to disclose it, Wang Ling didn't press him. She would find out eventually. Patience was the one thing she never lacked; otherwise, she wouldn't have harbored a secret crush for so many years.

Thinking of that absurd unrequited love, she found it laughable. She had imagined countless endings. Maybe she would never speak of it, staying by his side in the guise of a friend forever. Maybe she would eventually grow tired of loving him and move on to someone else. Maybe he would finally reciprocate her feelings, and they would be together. Or perhaps he would find out and distance himself from her. Life truly always gives you surprises; after imagining so many "maybes," the final result was still unexpected.

"We're here." He Kaici’s voice brought Wang Ling back to reality. Seeing she had arrived at her apartment complex, she said, "Thank you."

She unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to get out, but He Kaici suddenly grabbed her arm. "Go home, get a good night's sleep, and don't overthink things."

Feeling the genuine concern in his words, Wang Ling replied sincerely, "Thank you."

Back home, Wang Ling did exactly as He Kaici suggested—she didn't dwell on anything and slept soundly. Perhaps, deep down, her subconscious had always known it was a hopeless crush. Now that the secret of many years was out, she felt strangely relieved.

However, someone else spent the night sleepless. When Zhang Kai received a call from Chu Muyun, he reeked of cigarette smoke, his beard had grown out, and he looked entirely drained.

"Brother Kai, what’s going on with the news online?"

Zhang Kai asked, "What is it? Was I caught?" As a top-tier manager, his professional instincts were sharp; as he spoke, he was already checking his phone.

"It’s not me, it’s you!"

Zhang Kai replied calmly, "I see it."

"Are you alright?" Chu Muyun felt worried by Zhang Kai’s composure; if he had been shouting in anger, he would have been less concerned.

"I’ll handle this. Focus on your work." With that, Zhang Kai hung up.

The argument they had at the party the night before had been filmed and posted online. If it were anyone else, it would be dismissed as a mere romantic squabble. But fans had recognized them as the managers of Chu Muyun and Bai Chenxi. Since there were already rumors surrounding the two stars, the fact that their managers were entangled in a romantic drama made netizens even more curious.

Soon, the hashtag #ChuMuyunManagerBaiChenxiManager became a trending topic. After watching the video, netizens branded Zhang Kai a "scumbag" and stood up for Wang Ling, while Chu Muyun was also dragged into the mud, intentionally or not.

[What a total scumbag!]
[How is he a scumbag? Didn't you hear her say it was an unrequited love? Brother Kai didn't even know.]
[The point isn't whether it was unrequited. The point is that Zhang Kai knew Wang Ling liked him and played dumb. He used her to break up with someone else. If that’s not a scumbag, what is?]
[Honestly, if the person you have a crush on treats you like that, it’s truly disgusting.]
[One thing to say: the lady is really cool. That slap was satisfying.]
[Exactly, I’m almost a fan now.]
[She’s beautiful, kind, fierce, and domineering—definitely the top-tier manager. I’m going to support her.]

Wang Ling read these comments and felt quite ridiculous. After so many years of secret longing, it had reached the point where everyone knew.

Just then, Bai Chenxi called. As soon as the call connected, she began her meticulous worrying.

"Sister Wang, how are you? Don't be too sad, and don't overthink it. You still have me! Why don't you come over, or I’ll come find you? Let’s eat together and go shopping. There's nothing you can't get over, Sister Wang. You’re so outstanding; there are plenty of men chasing you. We don't care about people like him. I’ll definitely help you find someone better..."

Seeing Bai Chenxi getting more and more carried away, Wang Ling quickly interrupted, "Alright, I'm fine. Just focus on your filming, you hear me?"

Bai Chenxi said listlessly, "I hear you."

"By the way, do you know He Kaici?" Wang Ling recalled the conversation from the night before and felt uneasy.

"He Kaici? Never heard of him. Sounds like a man's name. Sister Wang, you wouldn't happen to..."

Wang Ling didn't want to discuss such nonsense and threw out another question, "Do you know Jiang Jize?"

"How would I know if I know Jiang Jize or not?" *Why is Sister Wang acting so strange today? Is the heartbreak really hitting her that hard?*

"Never mind, then. Hanging up!" Since Bai Chenxi didn't know him either, was she lying, or was He Kaici making things up? Neither seemed likely!

Wang Ling’s phone suddenly pinged. She opened it:

Bai Chenxi: No matter what, you still have your little cutie by your side. I’ll never leave you!

Wang Ling smiled contentedly. *To hell with love, isn't focusing on my career much better?*