Chapter 45- The National Goddess Raised by the Best Actor(24)

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Chapter 45

Xu Ruier’s career had recently taken off. The film Drug Bust continued to break box office records, reaching 4.1 billion yuan, making it the highest-grossing movie of the year, with numbers still steadily climbing.

The movie, hailed as a masterpiece of domestic cinema, earned praise for its patriotic themes and positive energy. It also highlighted societal issues that invited reflection and discussion, earning widespread respect.

Ji Yang, already a household name, simply added another feather to his cap with this film. But for Xu Ruier, it was entirely different—she had started from zero. Her career’s meteoric rise made her the biggest beneficiary.

Now seen as a valuable asset, Xu Ruier returned home to a noticeably warmer reception. The past seemed to have been wiped clean, with the Xu family doting on her and showing her unexpected care and attention.

The Xu matriarch’s birthday banquet was a grand affair. The Xu family invited everyone they possibly could, reflecting their excitement over Xu Ping’s pregnancy.

Xu Ping basked in the attention, holding Xu Ruier’s hand as she introduced her to the guests, proudly declaring her as her daughter—a behavior Xu Ruier had never experienced before.

What had previously been Ji Yang’s abstract warnings about familial dynamics was now unfolding in front of her. The Xu family’s indulgence and affection were not unconditional. It was simple: as long as she proved more valuable than Xu Wan, she had leverage.

“Madam Xu is expecting? Your belly is so big already!”

“It looks like a boy, doesn’t it?”

“Boys are always more active in the womb, aren’t they? Looks like you’ll have a lively little troublemaker!”

…

The wealthy ladies surrounding Xu Ping chatted with smiles and congratulations.

Xu Ping, glowing with pride, rubbed her belly with a loving smile, basking in their flattery.

Xu Ruier stood quietly beside her, satisfying Xu Ping’s need for vanity.

This, it seemed, was what happiness looked like to her.

The banquet began, and guests arrived in a steady stream. Xu Ruier kept up a polite smile until her face grew stiff, holding a glass of fruit wine and sipping it occasionally. Finally, she excused herself to use the restroom and slipped out to the backyard for some fresh air.

The moon hung large and bright in the sky, bathing the garden in silvery light.

Suddenly, she felt an intense longing for Ji Yang. Taking out her phone, she dialed his number. He picked up almost instantly.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just… wanted to hear your voice.” Xu Ruier’s voice was soft and slightly muffled as she strolled along a garden path. “I probably won’t be able to leave for a while. If I leave too early, people will talk, comparing me to Xu Wan and calling me inconsiderate. I have to keep up appearances.”

The Xu family hadn’t openly fallen out with her, so she played along with their charade. If everyone was pretending, she wouldn’t let herself be the one to lose face.

“Take care of yourself,” Ji Yang said gently.

“I’m so hungry.” Xu Ruier pouted, dragging out her words. “Gege, can you take me out to eat later?”

She had no appetite at home. Since returning, she hadn’t eaten a bite, not that anyone noticed or cared.

“Mm, what do you want to eat?” Ji Yang asked.

“Anything’s fine, as long as you’re paying,” she teased, her voice sweet. Hearing him chuckle on the other end, she couldn’t help but giggle too.

“All right. Wait for me.”

After chatting a little longer, they hung up.

Returning to the hall, Xu Ruier saw Xu Wan entertaining guests. Xu Wan wore a silver lace-backless dress with ten-centimeter stilettos. Her flawless makeup and polished demeanor allowed her to move smoothly among the crowd of men.

Suddenly, a stir erupted near the entrance.

Xu Dong hurried forward with a fawning expression. “Young Master Zhuo! What brings you here?”

Xu Wan also approached with a polite smile.

Li Zhuo arrogantly removed his sunglasses, scanning the room before his gaze landed on Xu Ruier. He smirked, his eyes flashing with determination, and casually exchanged a few words with Xu Dong.

“My apologies for the poor reception, Young Master Zhuo,” Xu Dong said obsequiously, his excitement bubbling over. He felt his unborn son was truly a blessing—good fortune seemed to pour in, even attracting someone from the prestigious Li family.

Li Zhuo waved him off impatiently, handed over a gift, and after chatting briefly with Xu Wan, headed straight toward his target.

“Miss Xu.”

Blocking her path, Li Zhuo extended a glass of wine toward Xu Ruier, flashing a self-assured smirk. “Would you do me the honor of a drink?”

“No, thank you.” Xu Ruier’s face was expressionless, her disgust toward him barely concealed. If it weren’t for him, Ji Yang would still be starring in Operation Sea Turtle. Everything that had happened was because this man deliberately sought trouble.

Her loyalty to Ji Yang made her fiercely protective. Anyone targeting Ji Yang became her enemy, and with Li Zhuo’s clear hostility toward him, she bristled like a defensive porcupine.

“What’s wrong?” Li Zhuo asked, unfazed. Instead, he smiled even wider, his tone suddenly gentler. “Having trouble at work? Facing any challenges? You can always talk to me. Gege can take care of everything for you.”

Xu Ruier’s eyes flickered momentarily before she forced a polite smile and retorted, “Young Master Zhuo, how are things going with my sister? Are you two doing well?”

Surely, if he was here, he already knew about her and Xu Wan’s relationship. She had also heard rumors that he and Xu Wan had gone into hiding after being scolded by the Li family. Clearly, though, some people never change.

At the mention of Xu Wan, Li Zhuo’s expression shifted briefly before he recovered, smiling slyly. “Ruier, are you jealous? Don’t worry, there’s nothing between your sister and me. It’s all just a misunderstanding.”

Li Zhuo’s tone dripped with flirtation, and Xu Ruier felt a wave of nausea rise in her stomach.

“Your sister and I are on good terms, so I thought the female lead role in Operation Sea Turtle suited her. That’s why I gave it to her,” Li Zhuo said with a feigned regret. “But now, seeing that your acting skills surpass hers, I wish I had chosen you instead. What a missed opportunity!” He sighed dramatically, then continued, “No matter, though. The Li family invests in plenty of productions. With someone as talented as you, Ruier, you’ll have no trouble making it big.”

Xu Wan was like a fiery, glamorous rose, captivating but ostentatious. Xu Ruier, on the other hand, was more like a delicate lily among green leaves—pure, serene, and refreshingly beautiful.

To men like Li Zhuo, this sort of quiet beauty stirred a primal protectiveness, an overwhelming urge to possess her, to pull her into his arms and make her entirely his.

Xu Ruier simply smiled without responding.

“What’s with that expression?” Li Zhuo pressed, attempting to slide an arm around her waist. “You’re far more capable than your sister. With the right backing, you’d dominate the industry. Don’t you want that?”

He deliberately softened his tone, making it more coaxing. “You’ve been overshadowed by her for so long—don’t you want to rise above it? Just think, Ruier: your talent deserves the spotlight. The Li family is always looking for new stars, and I’ve already found the perfect candidate.”

Li Zhuo’s experience as a playboy showed in how skillfully he tried to manipulate her thoughts. He was used to reading women’s emotions and playing on their desires.

But Xu Ruier stepped back to avoid his hand, her expression turning cold. “We’re in a public setting, Zhuo Shao. Please conduct yourself appropriately.”

Li Zhuo withdrew his hand awkwardly, his expression a mix of frustration and amusement. “Come now, Ruier. Surely, we can at least be friends? A little courtesy wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

The more she resisted, the stronger his desire to conquer her became.

He grabbed a glass of wine from a nearby table and held it out to her, his demeanor subtly aggressive. “A drink, just to break the ice. As friends.”

Xu Ruier’s instincts screamed at her to be wary. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Xu Wan watching them from a distance, her expression unreadable. For some reason, a sense of foreboding crept up on her.

“Come on, just one drink to loosen up,” Li Zhuo insisted, feigning exasperation. “I’m just trying to be friendly, Ruier. Surely, you wouldn’t refuse me after I came all this way?”

Before she could reply, Xu Ping appeared beside her, frowning slightly. “Zhuo Shao is just being polite. Why not have a sip, Ruier?”

Turning to Li Zhuo, she apologized with an ingratiating smile. “Please don’t take it personally. Our Ruier is a bit shy and reserved.”

Xu Ruier shot her a sharp look, silently urging her to drop it, but Xu Ping ignored her. Facing Li Zhuo, Xu Ping was all eager smiles, practically pushing her daughter into the spotlight.

At that moment, Xu Wan sauntered over, holding her own wine glass. Flashing a graceful smile, she clinked glasses with Li Zhuo. “Zhuo Shao, my little sister doesn’t drink, so let me take her place.”

With a practiced air of elegance, Xu Wan downed the glass in one go.

“Is it that she doesn’t drink, or she doesn’t want to drink with me?” Li Zhuo’s expression darkened slightly. His gaze flicked from Xu Ping to Xu Ruier, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Ruier, I made the effort to come here. Would it kill you to show a little hospitality?”

“Of course she will,” Xu Ping interjected hastily, clearly uncomfortable with Li Zhuo’s displeasure.

“Naturally, Zhuo Shao’s generosity should be reciprocated,” Xu Ruier said with a calm smile. She raised her glass and clinked it lightly against his, though her mind was elsewhere.

In the reflection of her glass, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her hand faltering slightly.

The man wore a tailored gray plaid suit, his posture straight and composed. He exuded a quiet elegance, his every step purposeful as he spoke briefly with someone beside him before heading in her direction.

Li Zhuo and Xu Wan also noticed the approaching figure. As he drew closer, Li Zhuo’s face darkened, his expression twisting into one of hostility.

“Ruier,” Ji Yang said softly as he stopped beside her.

“Br…Senior Ji?” Xu Ruier stammered, still in shock. His sudden appearance felt surreal, like a dream.

“Mm.” Ji Yang nodded gently, his gaze steady and reassuring.

“This is the Xu family matriarch’s birthday banquet. I don’t recall inviting any ‘actors,’” Li Zhuo sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. His gaze turned disdainful as he added, “Shouldn’t you be busy filming instead of crashing parties?”

Xu Ruier felt her temper rising at the insult, but Ji Yang remained unfazed. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he retorted, “And what about Zhuo Shao? What brings you here? If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was some nightclub you’d wandered into by mistake.”