Chapter 85 – The Prowess of Chen Kai

"Don't listen to his nonsense..." Cheng Yishu smiled faintly, gazing at Lin Xiaowen's worried and solemn expression, and continued, "It's not as serious as you think. Just a few endorsements—if I want to take them, it's only a matter of minutes!"

"Oh... I hope it's truly as you say!" Chen Kai responded indifferently, adding, "It's the winter of the film industry now. Which artist isn't fighting tooth and nail for endorsements? Even those top-tier male stars are resorting to endorsing robotic vacuum cleaners..."

At last, Cheng Yishu couldn't stand it any longer and shouted at Chen Kai in the front seat, "Can't you just shut up? If there's anything, let's talk about it when we get home, alright?"

"Yishu!" Lin Xiaowen turned around and looked at Cheng Yishu, speaking softly, "Actually, I know—even if something did happen, I probably couldn't help much. But..."

Before Lin Xiaowen could finish, Chen Kai suddenly turned, his face serious, and interrupted, "You shouldn't say that! Maybe Xiaowen really can help!"

"Ah..."

"What?"

Both of them spoke in confusion, staring at Chen Kai.

He remained earnest, "I'm serious, Xiaowen... help us persuade Yishu. He shouldn't be so absorbed in romance all the time... Of course, I'm not against your relationship, but as an artist, right? You have to be responsible for your work and your team, don't you..."

Chen Kai rambled on, as if giving a speech to the air. Da Lingzi, who had been concentrating on driving, nearly popped her eyes out; if not for the safety of everyone in the car, she would have closely observed Chen Kai's expression and the look in his eyes as he said those words.

The young couple in the back seat exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly—'Is that it? Is everything alright now?'—and then both pressed their lips together, hiding their smiles, feeling as if a great weight had finally been lifted from their hearts.

"Xiaowen..."

Receiving no response, Chen Kai could only turn around with a helpless look, speaking to Lin Xiaowen,

"You really have to keep an eye on this rascal. He relies on his face that charms thousands of girls, muddling through and slacking off... that's not acceptable!"

Suddenly called upon, Lin Xiaowen was startled. Only after understanding Chen Kai's meaning did she regain her composure, nodding shyly with a small smile.

Cheng Yishu felt a great relief, his lips curving as he wrapped his arm around Lin Xiaowen's shoulder and said loudly, "Who says I'm not working hard? Xiaowen can vouch for me—I've been very diligent lately, seriously reading scripts, right?"

His eyes, bright as stars, made Lin Xiaowen's cheeks flush. She wriggled from his arm, signaling with her gaze for him to behave.

"Reading scripts and studying acting is your duty!" Chen Kai chimed in again, "But maintaining relationships with our partners is also your responsibility! They spend money to invite us to endorse their products—not just because your temperament matches their brand, but also because over the years, we've maintained excellent relations with their executives... isn't that right?"

"So what Kai means is, Yishu must have offended someone?" The more Lin Xiaowen listened, the clearer things became, yet she only felt more confused.

Another thought occurred to her: since she had gained Chen Kai's approval, calling him 'Kai' was only appropriate.

"Exactly!" Chen Kai sighed and looked back at them with regret. "I'm saying Yishu must have inadvertently offended someone. He insists otherwise, stubborn as ever."

"I really don't remember. I'm either at home, at the set, or with Xiaowen... when would I have a chance to meet others? Much less offend anyone!" Cheng Yishu protested, feeling wronged.

"See, see..."

Chen Kai sighed deeply, twisting around with a helpless look. "Then answer me this: why would the top executives of Randong Group reveal that their own heir personally ordered the cancellation and replacement of all your endorsement ads, and forbade you from acting in any of their invested films?"

Cheng Yishu's brows furrowed, and he sat up straight, realizing this was more serious than he had thought. If what Chen Kai said was true, this could be troublesome.

Though he hadn't much contact with the business world, he knew well enough that the business, fashion, and entertainment circles were tightly intertwined.

Yet, he had no idea who the heir of Randong Group was—how could he possibly have offended him?

Lost in his own musings, Cheng Yishu didn't notice the sudden pallor on Lin Xiaowen's face the moment she heard the words 'Randong Group.'

Even her cold fingertips trembled imperceptibly.

Randong Group—Sinan, the Si family!

So, all of Cheng Yishu's recent career obstacles... were because of her?

Was it that Sinan, upon discovering her relationship with Cheng Yishu, deliberately suppressed and obstructed his work?

At that thought, Lin Xiaowen collapsed, drained of strength, the confusion and helplessness in her eyes overwhelming her once more.

"Xiaowen... what's wrong? Do you feel unwell?"

Sensing her oddness, Cheng Yishu reached out to feel her forehead—no fever, just a touch of cold sweat.

Chen Kai, who had been watching Lin Xiaowen's expression through the rearview mirror, finally pieced together the last thread in his mind.

"I'm fine," Lin Xiaowen forced herself to speak, curving her lips purposefully. But the dim light inside the car only made her pallor more obvious.

"Are you really okay?"

Cheng Yishu studied her closely, worried she might conceal her discomfort from him.

"Really, just a bit carsick," Lin Xiaowen replied softly with a smile.

Only then did Cheng Yishu remember her tendency to get carsick, and breathed a sigh of relief as he glanced at the rushing streetlights and low trees outside.

"We're almost there. Just bear with it a little longer, alright? It's my fault I forgot about this. I recall a staff member once said she used to get carsick too... Next time we go out, I'll bring you some oranges; I heard they help with carsickness."

He gently pulled Lin Xiaowen's stiff body to lean against him, whispering, "Would it be better if you rested on me?"

Lin Xiaowen let herself be arranged, nestled close to him, breathing in the comforting scent unique to Cheng Yishu.

Yet, she could not suppress the thought that this man, this warm embrace, would drift farther and farther away from her.

'Yishu, if all this really began because of me, how could I ever repay your kindness...'

As Lin Xiaowen closed her eyes, she also concealed the sorrow she could no longer hide.