Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Chapter 345

After the assistant finished her explanation, Chenyang chimed in with a laugh. "That’s right. It’s not like your bodyguards would take a job protecting Lin Jiji and then fail to recognize their own boss, would they?"

Faced with their teasing, an embarrassed look appeared on Yan Rongrong’s face.

She had been so focused on the assistant’s potential schemes and plots that she’d completely forgotten the bodyguards here to protect Lin Jiji were her own people.

Worrying about her safety with her own bodyguards on site seemed rather unnecessary—and frankly, a little ridiculous.

However, Yan Rongrong was a proud woman.

A little teasing from Chenyang was one thing, but she couldn’t stand being subtly mocked by someone of the assistant’s station.

She looked up and glared at the assistant. "Since you know my bodyguards are here, I suggest you watch your attitude and speak to me properly from now on.

If I can protect you, I certainly have the power to make your lives miserable! Your safety and Lin Jiji’s depend entirely on my whim.

If I want you to have a bad time, all it would take is a single look from me."

The assistant smiled and nodded. "I understand all that, and I have no intention of going against you. Right now, I genuinely just want to cooperate."

Yan Rongrong shot her a glance, then said to Chenyang, "Let’s go. With my people here, there’s not much a mere assistant can do to stir up trouble."

Chenyang nodded, and they followed the assistant toward the room.

As they neared the door, An Xiaoqing asked in a low voice, "If they hired bodyguards, shouldn’t they be posted somewhere nearby? We’ve been here for a while, but I haven’t seen any sign of them."

At her words, Yan Rongrong also looked confused.

The assistant explained, "There are two bodyguards downstairs and two upstairs. According to the contract, the two upstairs were supposed to stay in the room outside Lin Jiji’s suite, but he complained they were in the way and sent them all downstairs."

"They’re here to protect him, and he finds them intrusive? What could they possibly be getting in the way of?"

Chenyang said with a sly grin, "What could they possibly get in the way of this late at night?"

Yan Rongrong froze for a second, then shot the assistant a peculiar look.

"It’s exactly what you’re thinking."

The assistant didn’t deny that she and Lin Jiji were sleeping together. With a bitter smile, she opened the door and led them inside.

Yan Rongrong asked warily, "If you’re already sleeping with him, why do you want to work with us?"

"It’s precisely *because* I’ve slept with him that I want revenge!"

As she spoke, the assistant pulled a pack of women’s cigarettes from under a pillow on the bed. After lighting one for herself, she tossed the pack to Chenyang.

Then, taking practiced drags, she briefly recounted her story with Lin Jiji.

It started with her crush on Lin Jiji, leading her to use her own resources or beg Sister Rose for help to advance his career. Then came the part where Lin Jiji finally started to notice her, coaxed her into bed, and made empty promises.

She told them of the repeated deceptions, of seeing through his lies time and again, only to be won back by more sweet talk. He treated her like a tool to be used, all smiles when he needed her, only to be kicked to the curb when he was done.

The story wasn’t long, but it cost a lot of cigarettes to tell.

By the time she finished, the assistant had already chain-smoked three cigarettes.

Her tears of sorrow eventually gave way to boundless rage.

When she was done, her fists were clenched. She asked furiously, "Tell me, a scumbag like that... don’t you think he deserves my revenge?"

An Xiaoqing was an empathetic person. Seeing the assistant looking so emotionally battered and pained, she had handed her tissues during the story and now gently patted her shoulder in comfort.

Yan Rongrong, however, simply remarked with a sigh after hearing the story, "I’d heard the entertainment industry was messy, but I never thought it was *this* messy.

In front of the camera, they’re all so glamorous, practically gods among men. But who knew they were so filthy and disgusting behind the scenes."

Chenyang smiled. "The halo of stardom grants them special treatment, so naturally, they’re bound to lose themselves amidst countless temptations.

Those who manage to find their way back can continue to survive in the industry. But as for those who only get worse... well, the higher they climb, the harder they fall. Lin Jiji will definitely be one of the latter."

The assistant nodded vigorously. "Exactly. I know him, and I know this industry. Even if I don’t get my revenge, his time in the spotlight is limited!"

Chenyang said sarcastically, "If you know the industry and the people in it so well, how did you let yourself end up in such a sorry state?"

The assistant could tell Chenyang was mocking her, implying she had brought this on herself.

She didn’t get angry or try to argue. She just gave another bitter smile and said, "It’s true, I deserve what happened to me. But you live and learn. I... will never make the same mistake again."

Chenyang had no time for her sentimental talk. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, he asked, "So, how do you propose we cooperate?"