24: Confession

"Master Feng, you've arrived."

The authoritative director bowed slightly upon seeing Feng Jinyan.

Feng Jinyan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. "I have an interview with Lu Yuyao later; try to finish the filming as quickly as possible."

"Certainly, certainly, Master Feng. Please, have a seat and wait a moment. I will wrap this up as soon as I can."

Lu Yuyao, standing nearby, glanced at the director and then at Feng Jinyan as he sat down. Since she wasn't the first to film, she seized the opportunity to pull a chair over and sit beside him, brazenly shifting closer.

Lu Yuyao was wearing a short skirt. As she crossed her legs, she brushed against Feng Jinyan’s knee—whether intentionally or not. Feng Jinyan frowned, uncrossed his legs, and shifted his chair away.

Just as Lu Yuyao attempted to move closer again, Ma Hongkai called out to her, "Lu Yuyao, you have an interview with Master Feng later. We are moving your scenes up; go prepare now."

Lu Yuyao paused, looked at Feng Jinyan, who was not looking at her, and rose reluctantly to begin filming.

The cinematographer, having organized the equipment, signaled to the director, and the filming of the short documentary began.

In the drama, the male lead is a nobody struggling in an obscure town. Initially, he is as humble and wretched as an ant, and the female lead, Lu Yuyao, becomes the light he encounters when he sets out to make his way in the world. They support and encourage each other; despite nearly parting ways midway, they eventually end up together due to a bond that is impossible to sever.

Male Lead: "I beg you, please don't go, okay? Why? Just tell me why!"

The male lead’s eyes were filled with sorrow and incredulous fury, the script in his hand crumpled under his grip.

Female Lead (Lu Yuyao): "I'm sorry, you should take care of yourself from now on. I have to go."

"No, don't go."

Watching the scene unfold, Feng Jinyan felt his emotions inexplicably stirred. Six years ago, he had said the exact same thing to Ye Xiangwan, and back then, she had agreed to stay.

He had thought they would always be together, never imagining that she had only stayed with him for money.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking his train of thought. He pulled it out and looked down at the screen; it was a message from his subordinate.

"Master Feng, we went to the place where Ms. Ye is currently staying. The house is rented, and she had already paid for the next six months, but the landlord said Ms. Ye just contacted her to say she wouldn't be staying there anymore and asked if half the rent could be refunded. The security guard at the complex also said he saw her leaving with a suitcase. She didn't say where she was going, and we are still investigating."

The moment he finished reading the text, Feng Jinyan stood up abruptly. The chair screeched against the floor, and to the astonishment of everyone present, he turned and rushed out of the room before anyone could react.

"Master Feng! Where are you going?! The reporters for the interview are almost here!"

Ling Zhanyi had just finished a call with the reporters who were on their way, only to turn around and see Feng Jinyan storming out with a dark, gloomy expression.

Feng Jinyan did not answer him. Ling Zhanyi quickly blocked his path. "Master Feng, has something happened? Is it… is it Ms. Ye?"

"Get out of my way!"

As he walked, Feng Jinyan lifted his phone to make a call.

"Master Feng, listen to me. Every major media outlet knows you are in Nancheng. This place isn't like other cities; it's a hub for film crews, which means the paparazzi are stationed here as well. If you storm out like this, tomorrow’s headline might be about you. You know how the media loves to stir up trouble; there's no telling what they'll write. You might not care, but it will inevitably affect you and the company."

Ling Zhanyi paused, then added the most critical point: "Master Feng, even if you fly back now, you might not find Ms. Ye. If she is intentionally hiding from you, I don't think it will be that easy to track her down."

Ling Zhanyi was right. Flying back to Ye Xiangwan would be useless; if he couldn't find her, he would only be wasting time and delaying his work here.

He gripped his phone for a long moment, then raised it to dial another number.

"Find out the address of Ye Xiangwan's parents. A daughter wouldn't leave without informing her parents. Get me the results as soon as possible."

Feng Jinyan hung up, his eyes dark and clouded.

"Brother Jinyan."

As soon as the scene ended, Lu Yuyao could no longer hold back. She turned and stretched a slender leg across the path Feng Jinyan was about to take. "What's wrong today? Are you in a bad mood? Why don't I take you out for a meal? I know a place nearby that serves excellent seafood..."

"No need," Feng Jinyan interrupted, turning to walk out through another aisle. "You know perfectly well why I am here. Don't think about using me to stir up scandals for your own publicity. You know I have no romantic interest in you."

Lu Yuyao felt aggrieved at these words. As the daughter of a prominent family, she had been pampered her whole life and had never been rejected so mercilessly. She bit her lip. "But… we were at least betrothed as children. How can you…"

"Betrothed?"

Feng Jinyan paused and let out a scoff. "What era do you think this is? Do you really take a childhood betrothal seriously?"

Lu Yuyao frowned, stood up, and grabbed his arm. "Brother Jinyan, times have changed, certainly, but in our social circle, isn't marriage for alliance a common practice? Besides, our families are such a good match, and our parents get along well."

Lu Yuyao glanced around and leaned closer to Feng Jinyan, lowering her voice. "You know I like you. Even if it is a marriage of alliance, I want it to be with someone I actually like. That’s why I don’t want to give up on you."

Feng Jinyan looked down and chuckled, pulling his arm away. He looked at her directly, his gaze cold and detached. "You’re so young, why are you in such a rush to get married? I appreciate your affection, but I don't need a marriage of alliance, nor do I want one. Just focus on your acting; the company will treat you well. From now on, you would do best to keep your distance."

The smile on Lu Yuyao’s face collapsed instantly. She didn't think there was anything shameful about confessing her feelings—after all, she had spent her school years in America and was open-minded—but being rejected so bluntly right after her confession really hurt her pride.

She frowned and huffed, "Keep my distance? Then what about last month, when you kept calling me to your house? And why did you make me stay in your room?"

Feng Jinyan, who had just stepped past her, stopped. He turned his head, his eyes turning cold. "You don't know why? The condition you set was for me to provide you with resources, including coming here and getting this interview. My condition was for you to come to my house and sit for a while. I didn't even touch a hair on your head while you were in my room. What is wrong with that transaction?"

He knew Lu Yuyao was the one behind the media knowing he was here. He hadn't pursued it only because he wanted to see how Ye Xiangwan would react.