CEO's Sweetheart is a Super Idol
Chapter 47 - 45: Sowing Discord

Chapter 47: Chapter 45: Sowing Discord

"Jiaqi, I’m begging you, please agree to truly be my girlfriend!"

Zhang Yuzhe exclaimed as he suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Go to hell!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Li Jiaqi picked up the coffee cup on the table and smashed it at him.

Crack!

Ceramic shards mixed with splashes of coffee rained down on Zhang Yuzhe’s face and head.

A streak of red blood began to drip from the wound on his forehead.

Huff! Huff!

Zhang Yuzhe’s bloated face now looked like a frostbitten eggplant, dark purple and bruised.

His eyes, resembling a wounded animal’s, glimmered pitifully, while his lips quivered as if preparing to let out a desperate howl before death.

Luckily, the two were in a private room, or they would have already caused a commotion.

Li Jiaqi was stunned. She had never imagined herself capable of such violence.

"I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

"It’s okay. I understand you’re stressed out because of Yezi’s rise to prominence."

"Stop making wild guesses. There’s no conflict between Yezi and me."

Zhang Yuzhe laughed sinisterly, then slowly picked up a napkin from the table to wipe away the blood and coffee stains.

"In Hanoi, the 287 idols all aim for that election crown, all dream of a three-time sweep to become the next queen. Friends? CPs? They’re just tools of mutual exploitation."

Li Jiaqi frowned. Although she didn’t agree with Zhang Yuzhe’s comments, she chose not to argue.

Zhang Yuzhe threw the crumpled napkin onto the table and said, "Jiaqi, quit the group! Do you really think you can stand out there? You’re wasting your best youth in that place."

"Zhang Yuzhe, are you crazy? Being an idol is my dream."

"Dream? That’s just a fleeting fantasy. A girl like you, not even 20, should be enjoying life!"

Zhang Yuzhe’s tone softened as he spoke again.

"Jiaqi, you should be shopping with friends, sipping afternoon tea at fancy restaurants, occasionally traveling to Europe, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia. That’s the life you deserve."

Listening to his words, Li Jiaqi laughed coldly to herself. Even if that’s the life she wanted, this repulsive fatty didn’t have the finances to provide it.

Thinking he had touched her heart, Zhang Yuzhe continued, "Jiaqi, aren’t you tired of living in that center every day? And listening to those fans screaming like banshees in the small theater?"

"The center is my home, and their cheers are the driving force of my work. Zhang Yuzhe, if you ever cross the line with me again, we won’t have to see each other anymore."

"Jiaqi, I won’t do it again," Zhang Yuzhe said, seemingly calm this time. "I was in a hurry to find you because I got promoted."

"Promoted?"

"Yes, I’ve been promoted to deputy project manager, with an annual salary of a million. For this election, I’m going to get you into the top sixteen."

Li Jiaqi was shaken. She never expected this disgustingly plump man to have such financial clout.

"Yuzhe, thank you. I knew you’d support my career wholeheartedly."

As she said this, Li Jiaqi suddenly remembered something and pulled out a potted plant from her shopping bag.

"Yuzhe, this is a little tomato plant I grew myself. Look how nice it looks, red and adorned with green leaves."

"...This is for me?"

"Yes! Last time I noticed you’ve gotten even fatter, so I thought you should eat more vegetables to lose weight."

Li Jiaqi’s lips curved into a beautifully radiant smile, resembling a clear crescent moon.

"I-I will lose weight, for you."

Li Jiaqi’s smile grew sweeter. "Do you know the other name for little tomatoes?"

"Cherry tomatoes."

"That’s right. Whenever you see them, you’ll think of me."

"Jiaqi!" Overwhelmed with desire and almost in tears, Zhang Yuzhe nearly reached out again.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Yuzhe left first for secrecy’s sake.

Li Jiaqi slumped onto the chair as though all strength had drained out of her, then bolted to the restroom to vomit incessantly, tears streaming unchecked from her eyes.

Ring! Ring!

Her phone rang. Leaning against the door, Li Jiaqi managed to pick it up.

"Yuwei, I’ll be home a little later. The little tomato I got for you broke. I’ll get you another one."

"Thank you, Jiaqi. The company just informed me I’ll be attending a variety show soon."

"A variety show? What kind of show?"

"It’s a cultural program exploring ancient Jiangnan towns. I have to leave right away."

Li Jiaqi felt a pang of disappointment, an emotion she couldn’t quite articulate.

"Jiaqi, be good and wait for me to come back. Next week is your birthday performance."

"Alright! Yuwei, take care on the road and look after yourself once you’re there."

"Understood, Jiaqi-Mom."

After hanging up, Ye Yuwei began packing her things.

At that moment, Manting walked in with a beaming smile. "Yuwei, I saw your door wasn’t fully closed, so I came straight in."

"What’s up?" Ye Yuwei paused her packing and smiled graciously.

Having been covered for by Manting several times in crucial moments, Ye Yuwei wasn’t one to be ungrateful.

If it weren’t for considering Jiaqi’s feelings, Ye Yuwei would have been more than willing to be friends with Manting.

"Yuwei, I heard you’re going to attend a variety show?"

"What? News spreads fast!" Ye Yuwei’s eyes widened in surprise.

Manting chuckled at her cute reaction. "I’m going with you."

"What?" Ye Yuwei’s shock was palpable.

"But I’m not going for the variety show; I’m shooting a drama."

"A drama?"

"It’s the project Mr. Shen promised you last time. I’m taking your place as the fourth female lead."

As Manting spoke, she carefully observed Ye Yuwei’s expression.

Ye Yuwei’s eyes widened further, disbelief written all over her face. She couldn’t imagine Manting managing to snag the project meant for Yu Qingjia.

"Manting, wasn’t that drama supposed to feature Yu Qingjia?"

"I fought for it myself, and the company has already publicized your trip. We’re both going to the airport together."

At Manting’s words, Ye Yuwei instantly sensed something amiss.

Clearly, Manting had employed other methods, and the company’s stance towards them was... troubling.

"Let’s go together! The company has arranged a car already."

Manting didn’t elaborate, and though Ye Yuwei was curious, she chose not to ask further.

After packing up, the two left the center together.

As they approached the glass doors, a crowd of fans swarmed around but refrained from getting too close.

The Hanoi fans were still quite well-behaved in public.

"Ye Yuwei, you’re so beautiful!"

"Ye Yuwei, your hair looks silky smooth today."

"Ye Yuwei, your shoes are so clean. Can I get a glance from you?"

For the first time, there were this many fans tailing her. Although Ye Yuwei felt thrilled inside, she maintained calm composure on the surface, gracefully waving her hand now and then.

Seeing a young girl dressed in branded clothing, she signaled her to come over for a photo.

Immediately, envious murmurs filled the air among the fans.

"Yuwei, the car’s almost here." Following behind Ye Yuwei, Manting naturally looped her arm around Ye Yuwei’s.

This caused the crowd to erupt with excitement, with faces full of gossip-worthy curiosity.

Since Ye Yuwei advanced in the rankings, her fans began to think Li Jiaqi wasn’t worthy of their "idol," but Ye Yuwei, out of old friendship, couldn’t abandon her.

Now that Hanoi’s "Noble Prince," Yu Manting, took the initiative to link arms with Ye Yuwei, fans immediately felt as if they’d discovered her "true love."

"Ye Yuwei, why are you coming out with Yu Manting? Are your birthday events going to be held together this year?"

Ye Yuwei and Manting didn’t respond. Being sharp, Ye Yuwei deduced this was likely orchestrated by the company. Worried she might refuse, they deliberately made it public.

"Today was totally worth it. That bloodsucker should have been ditched ages ago."

"Manting, you’re so cool! You’re the only one in Hanoi who truly matches Ye Yuwei."

The center of this commotion, Ye Yuwei, felt utterly awkward. She knew what had just happened would inevitably be uploaded online.

Soon, Jiaqi would likely cause a scene, and she’d have to expend considerable effort to console her.

But for now, she couldn’t fully push Manting away either—doing so would fuel even more fan "fantasies" and lead to countless spun narratives online.