Chapter 18: KTV Private Room (2)

Meng Yi’er was a bit taken aback. “I—”
Gao Yang smiled and nodded, his eyes sharp as he looked her up and down. “What’s wrong, Miss Meng, are you not confident in your own looks? Has no one ever told you that your face seems destined for the entertainment industry?”
Gao Yang had been in show business for quite a few years, having met countless stars, both famous and obscure.
Meng Yi’er was indeed beautiful, but the industry was never short of beauties.
Yet the delicate, untouched-by-the-world air she carried was rare, even among the many beauties of the entertainment world.
A woman with such beauty and such an aura—if she entered the industry, and with the right company promoting her, she would be tomorrow’s brightest star.
Meng Yi’er smiled softly. “You flatter me, Mr. Gao. I know my own limitations, and besides, I have no desire to enter showbiz. I only want to do what I love.”
“Yi’er, what are you two talking about?”
Yu Mingxin came over, took a seat beside Meng Yi’er, picked up her half-finished drink, and sipped it, glancing slyly at Gao Yang as she drank.
“Gao Yang, don’t tell me you’re interested in our Yi’er? She’s a great beauty, that’s true, but she’s not one of those women who are easily swept up by the likes of you in the entertainment world. If you’re thinking of making a move on her, I’ll be the first to object.”
Gao Yang seemed momentarily caught off guard, as if his intentions had been guessed, but then burst out laughing. “Come on, Mingxin, that’s not fair. We’ve known each other for years. Do you really think so little of me?”
Yu Mingxin pursed her lips. “Is that so? Am I wronging you? I hope so. After all, who in Haishi doesn’t know you, Young Master Gao, have a reputation for being a playboy?”

“I just think it’s a shame for someone as beautiful as Miss Meng not to go into the entertainment industry.”
Yu Mingxin glanced at Meng Yi’er. Meng Yi’er met her eyes, shaking her head repeatedly, her face full of resistance, clearly signaling for Yu Mingxin to turn him down for her.
Yu Mingxin, of course, knew Meng Yi’er had no interest in this. “Our Yi’er isn’t suited for that mixed-up world of showbiz. Besides, hasn’t every actress you’ve made famous ended up in a scandal with you?”
Gao Yang looked a little embarrassed and coughed lightly behind his hand, then smiled. “My dear Miss Yu, of all people, you should know better. Those are just rumors made up by the media. Surely you don’t believe everything you read?”
Yu Mingxin rolled her eyes. “Of course I don’t believe those baseless stories, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If you were truly upright, why would the media always have something to write about your love life?”
Gao Yang looked resigned. “Fine, fine—I dare not cross our Miss Yu, and I certainly wouldn’t dare cross your friends.”
Yu Mingxin laughed. “That’s more like it—”
Yu Mingxin’s father, Yu Siming, was one of the major shareholders at Yunteng Talent Agency. Gao Yang was shrewd and silver-tongued, having won over the trust of every board member.
Yu Siming was also fond of Gao Yang, often praising his cleverness and capability in managing the company, and had even once tried to pair him with his daughter.
But Yu Mingxin’s heart already belonged elsewhere, and she never developed feelings for Gao Yang. Coupled with his constant tabloid scandals, after she earnestly explained her reasons to her father several times, the matter was eventually dropped.
“Mingxin, come sing! I picked your favorite song.” A girl waved them over to join the karaoke.
Yu Mingxin grabbed Meng Yi’er and led her to the front, where they picked up the microphones and began to sing.

—

By the time the evening ended, it was already late at night. Both Meng Yi’er and Yu Mingxin were a little tipsy, so Gao Yang called a driver to take them home.
When they arrived at Huangpu Garden, Meng Yi’er said goodbye to Yu Mingxin and headed upstairs alone.
Yu Mingxin saw how unsteady her steps were—clearly she was drunk—and felt uneasy letting her go up alone, so she asked Gao Yang to accompany her.
Gao Yang hurried after her, wanting to offer his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
“Miss Meng, be careful—”
Meng Yi’er avoided his hand, waving him off without looking back. “No need, I’m fine—”
Gao Yang could tell she had been keeping her distance from him all evening. Though he felt a twinge of displeasure, he concealed it perfectly.
In every gesture and word, he was the image of an impeccable gentleman.
He no longer insisted, simply following behind her, ready to steady her should she stumble.