Chapter 316 - Returning The Favor (1)
Once they returned to their hotel suite, Tang Liyan decided to leave Su Xiaofei alone, as the latter obviously wanted to be left on her own for now. Even the Zhang sisters decided to make themselves scarce for a moment, to allow her to clear her thoughts and calm down from whatever that had upset her earlier.
Su Xiaofei cupped her chin as she sat with her legs crossed on the leather couch in the living area of their suite, flipping the folder that was lying on her lap open. Her gaze stopped at the familiar name of the photographer printed on the paper.
She shut her eyes and took a calming breath. She knew this photographer from her previous life. Su Xiaofei first met him when she and Ye Mingyu were forced to work together in a collaboration for a print ad. However, at that time, news about her bullying her colleagues and rumors about her being a mistress of some politician, despite her being married to Mo Yuchen already, were rampant.
Such malicious gossip and rumors could easily be put down with a husband like Mo Yuchen, but it took time before the scandal disappeared and be forgotten by the people. By the time it cleared, she had already taken a heavy blow not only on her career but also on her reputation.
At that time, Su Xiaofei had endured the criticisms and rude comments being thrown at her, but she remained professional and went on time to her scheduled obligations, except for that time she arrived late for their photoshoot due to the conflict of her schedule.
Ye Mingyu's photos had already been taken prior to her arrival and she had left before Su Xiaofei did, leaving her in the photographer's care. While her assistant was away, Liao Yang had mockingly told her that with her figure, she was more fit to become a nude model than being an actress.
"Ridiculous. I'm a married woman. Do you think you can offend me like this without offending my husband?" She said, full of disgust for the man. She wasn't about to show any weaknesses in front of him, and stopped her tears.
Liao Yang burst into laughter, further angering Su Xiaofei. She was flustered to know that people could disrespect her like this. While it was true that she didn't get along well with the other talents she previously worked with, the one she bullied was Ye Mingyu.
"If your husband is really into you, he would have stepped forward and defended you, don't you think?" He said in a mocking tone, before his eyes swept through her body shamelessly. "It must be because you have really climbed into someone's bed and forced him to wear a green hat."
Su Xiaofei could only grit her teeth and walk away, failing to do her part in the photoshoot. She didn't care what consequences she would have to face later. She would rather lose this contract and pay penalties than to work with that nefarious person.
It also hurt her to admit that what Liao Yang said about her husband was true. If Mo Yuchen really cared for her or was concerned about her, he wouldn't let any person defame her like this.
Deep in her own thoughts, Su Xiaofei was startled when her phone suddenly rang. She sighed and placed down the folder on top of the coffee table to answer the phone, which turned out to be a call from Lu Qingfeng.
Su Xiaofei cursed her luck. They were just reunited and yet now Su Xiaofei needed to endure another week of not seeing him in person again.
"Did something happen? Zhang Ling mentioned you aren't in a good mood today." Lu Qingfeng asked.
Su Xiaofei stopped questioning him about the Zhang sisters and accepted that she wouldn't be able to hide much from him.
"Just a little annoyed that I have to meet a horrible person soon." She muttered, realizing too late that Lu Qingfeng might not even know who she was talking about.
Su Xiaofei then thought that if it was Lu Qingfeng who was in Mo Yuchen's place in her previous life, she was certain that those people who wanted to defame her would meet their ends in a bad way.
"Why? Has that person said something bad about you before?" Lu Qingfeng asked. "Feifei, if people say something bad about you, judge you as if they know you, you don't need to feel bad. Just remember that dogs bark excessively at strangers. Don't let them get on your nerves."
Su Xiaofei could feel her anger diminishing as she heard Lu Qingfeng's words. She was glad that there was a person whom she knew she could rely on and be herself with, without worrying about what he would think of her.
"Don't stress yourself too much. I know you are hesitating to get through this trip of yours. If you think that you are more needed here, I can ask Zhang Lan and Zhang Ling to take you home."
"It's fine. Just like you said, I shouldn't mind their opinions that much. I just want this trip to be over soon, so I can return to you and Mama." She said with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"You aren't the only one who's worried, Feifei. Without me by your side, I'm worried that someone would dare to bully you. It seems I am right." Lu Qingfeng said with a hint of regret in his voice.
If Su Xiaofei hadn't been so worried about her mother, he would have rather accompanied her on her trip. However, seeing her distress and uneasiness at the idea of leaving her mother alone, he decided to stay and accompany Yun Qingrong instead.
"It's only been two days since I left. Since when did our Lu Qingfeng learn to say such sweet words? Didn't you say you hate sweet things?"
"Hmm? Apparently, the only sweet thing I can tolerate is you."