Chapter 1: I Was Lying to You
“An An, rest assured, I will let everyone know how much I love you.” Zhong Haoli looked at the refined and beautiful woman in front of him with a deep expression.
Qi An stared blankly at the man in front of her.
Where am I? Who is this? And why is this man’s gaze so disgusting?
The scene was Celebrity Love, and the host looked at the audience with a smile.
“Welcome, everyone, to Celebrity Love. After so many episodes, which couple are you most looking forward to?”
“Zhong Qi CP!”
“They’re so sweet!”
“It’s clearly Su Zhong CP. Shadow Queen Su is so gentle.”
“Nonsense, Qi An and Zhong Haoli are true love.”
“Qi An is the mistress; Shadow Queen Su is clearly Zhong Haoli’s fiancée.”
“What era are we in? Fiancée, my foot!”
The audience below argued fiercely about their favorite couples.
The host was satisfied with the audience’s reaction. “Then, let’s invite the members of Celebrity Love.”
Qi An expressionlessly walked onto the stage. She already knew where she was—inside a book.
She didn’t even want to mention the book’s name; it was full of Mary Sue tropes, detailing how the female lead became strong and successful at the top of the entertainment industry, with a bunch of melodramatic plots that she found incredibly cheesy. She only read it because the heroine shared her name. If she’d known she’d end up transmigrating into it, she wouldn’t have touched it.
In her original world, she had her own company and team, living a comfortable life. She’d simply gone out drinking with her employees, got drunk, and passed out. How did she end up here? Did she drink herself to death?
The host looked at the six celebrities on stage. “After spending so many days together, you must have gotten to know each other. Now, can you tell us who you have the most positive feelings for? Who wants to go first?”
At this time, Zhong Haoli stood up and smiled, “Let me go first.”
“Haoli! Haoli!” The fans in the audience shouted excitedly.
“I’m going to confess to someone,” Zhong Haoli said.
“Who is it?” the host asked.
“It’s Qi An.” Zhong Haoli looked at Qi An.
“Ah, see? It’s Qi An!” The audience immediately erupted.
Upon hearing her name, Qi An snapped back to reality. Seeing the atmosphere, she suddenly remembered something she’d overlooked.
This was the part where the male and female leads confessed their love; this confession is what brought them together. After getting the female lead, the male lead gets bored and seeks thrills. After a period of intense, torturous love, he discovers he still loves the female lead most, repents, and helps her reach the pinnacle of the entertainment industry, eventually marrying and living happily ever after.
Thinking about the torturous relationship with a scum male lead, Qi An felt terrible.
Zhong Haoli’s eyes were full of affection as he confessed gently to Qi An: “Qi An, from the first moment I saw you, I fell in love with you. Everything about you fascinates me deeply. Can you give me a chance to take care of you?”
“Together! Together! Together!” The audience shouted.
Su Jue watched her fiancé confess to another woman, but felt nothing. Perhaps it was because she didn’t love him either.
Ji Muyulan smirked. “What a perfect pair of scumbag and schemer.”
At this moment, is Su Jue still unmoved?
“I’m sorry, I can take care of myself.”
Qi An’s words silenced the entire venue.
“What did you say?” Zhong Haoli thought he’d misheard.
Seeing Zhong Haoli’s disbelief, Qi An said again, “It means I don’t love you.”
“How is that possible? You clearly said you loved me. Are you being shy, An An?”
“That was a lie. I’ve never loved you,” Qi An said indifferently.
Qi An’s words and demeanor surprised Su Jue. She’d always been trying to find opportunities to get close to Zhong Haoli and had been quite hostile towards her.
“Is it because of my engagement?” Zhong Haoli seemed to have found an explanation.
“It was arranged by my parents. Su Jue and I have no feelings for each other. I assure you I will break off this engagement.”
“Your eyes were clearly on me. You clearly wanted to be with me all the time. You clearly knew everything about me…”
Zhong Haoli spoke emotionally, moving the audience.
“So Qi An was just worried about the engagement! Zhong Haoli doesn’t like Su Jue either. Why does Su Jue insist on this engagement? Why not let herself go?”
“Yeah, she should break off the engagement.”
“Break off the engagement!”
“Su Jue, break off the engagement!”
Seeing the scene spiraling out of control, the host quickly looked to the director, who signaled to continue.
The viewership was spiking; this needed to be exploited.
Qi An didn’t expect things to involve Su Jue.
This most pitiful female supporting character, due to the male lead’s capriciousness, had her engagement broken off and reinstated, and eventually, for the female lead’s sake, she was caught in compromising photos, her reputation ruined, her family’s company went bankrupt, and finally, she committed suicide due to depression.
Looking at the gentle and elegant Su Jue, Qi An couldn’t bear it, walked in front of Zhong Haoli, and kicked him.
“Shut your mouth! I’ve had enough of you!”
“I told you it was all a lie! Why won’t you believe me?”
“I like your fiancée. To get close to her, to make her remember me, to find out what kind of person her fiancé is, I approached you. Do you know how tired I was pretending? I’m so tired of playing the pure girl! You’re a scumbag, flirting with actresses all day. How could Su Jue have a fiancé like you?”
“So, you wouldn’t let me get close to you, not because you were shy, but because you didn’t like me.”
“Yes.” Good, she was still pure.
“No wonder you wanted to be in the same drama as Su Jue. You wanted to be with her.”
“Yes.” The original owner just wanted to provoke Su Jue.
“You… you actually deceived me!” Zhong Haoli said angrily.
“So what if I did? Didn’t you say you loved me? Then go to hotels with other women!” Qi An retorted.
“You… you’re lying!” Zhong Haoli said in anger and shame.
“Wow, what a scoop!”
The audience went wild. Nobody expected this ending!
The director had fainted from excitement.
Qi An pushed Zhong Haoli away and went to Su Jue.
“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble these days. I know you won’t like me, but I still have to say I like you, always.”
“And Zhong Haoli is a scumbag. Don’t believe him. Find someone more reliable.”
Su Jue was stunned by Qi An’s confession, looking bewildered.
“If this bothers you, I apologize. Goodbye.”
After saying this, Qi An immediately fled the stage; now was the time to go.
The host looked at the fleeing Qi An, the fainted director, and the stunned crowd, and despaired. What should he do?!
Ji Muyulan nudged Su Jue, teasing, “Su Jue, you’re quite popular!”
“I’m quite surprised too,” Su Jue softly replied.
Qi An covered her face, hailed a taxi, and returned to her rented apartment.
Qi An turned off her phone, unplugged the landline, poured herself a cup of tea, and gulped it down.
“Ah, that’s better.”
Qi An knew today’s actions would cause a huge explosion. She did this to get rid of her pure image and to get away from the narcissistic male lead; without a little shock, he wouldn’t believe her.
Qi An was only 22, recently graduated from school. Three years ago, because of a drama, she got involved with the male lead, gaining resources and a lot of money; otherwise, she wouldn’t be living in such a nice place.
Fortunately, the original owner was quite shrewd, securing significant benefits from the male lead; her five-year contract was about to expire, and she had the right to choose, able to refuse intimate scenes. As long as she got through these two years, she would be free.
It was strange; the original owner looked exactly like her.
Qi An’s mind raced with thoughts, and she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Zhong Haoli felt humiliated; his fiancée’s feelings were with his fiancée.
Zhong Haoli’s father and mother also watched their son’s show.
Seeing Zhong Haoli confess to a small-time actress, they were displeased.
“Haoli is so inconsiderate of Jue’s feelings! How am I supposed to explain this to Old Su?” Zhong’s father angrily said.
“Don’t be angry, maybe it was just for the show’s effect. She’s just a small actress,” Zhong’s mother said.
But then they saw the small actress confess to Su Jue.
Zhong’s father was shocked. “This was also for the show’s effect?”
Zhong’s mother, however, was furious. “She actually dared to deceive my son’s feelings!”
The same scene played out at Su’s family. Su’s mother was initially furious seeing Zhong Haoli confess to a small-time actress, but then, seeing the plot twist, became worried.
“Is that little actress plotting against Jue?”
“Probably not,” Su’s father said uncertainly.
Zhong Haoli saw Su Jue walk out, his face filled with anger, and he questioned her: “Were you laughing at me this whole time?”
“Hasn’t it always been me who’s been the laughingstock?” Su Jue said coldly.
“Mr. Romantic, are you experiencing the feeling of being deceived now? It must feel terrible,” Ji Muyulan mocked.
“Muyulan, let’s go.”
Watching Su Jue and Ji Muyulan ignore him, Zhong Haoli kicked a car tire in anger.
After getting into the car, Su Jue remained silent, her thoughts wandering.
“What? Are you thinking about Qi An?” Ji Muyulan looked at Su Jue with a knowing smile.
“No.” Su Jue looked at her reflection in the car window.
She lied. Her mind was full of Qi An’s confession.
“Really?”
“Even if what you said is true, you should break off that engagement.”
“Let me think about it.” Su Jue paused, then relaxed.
“It seems Qi An has quite an impact on you. Usually, when I mention breaking off the engagement, you refuse to answer,” Ji Muyulan smiled.
“I misunderstood her before. I didn’t expect her to be so fiery. What do you plan to do about her now?” Ji Muyulan curiously asked.
“The same as before?” Su Jue wasn’t sure.
“Oh, I think it’ll be exciting from now on!” Ji Muyulan smiled mysteriously.