Superstar's Development Diary
Chapter 383 - 384: Sorry, We’re Not Acquainted

Chapter 383: Chapter 384: Sorry, We’re Not Acquainted

Xie Jiahui’s fists tightened slightly by her side as she said, "I grew up in the States since I was little and rarely returned to Huaxia, but I’ve met Brother Sheng’s family, and I’ve never seen you before."

Truth be told, Xie Jiahui had never known that Sheng Yan had a ’childhood sweetheart.’ Even she herself didn’t dare to claim that title, only that they had grown up together since childhood.

Today, she had finally managed to invite Brother Sheng to accompany her to the dinner. Xie Jiahui didn’t want to appear too eager, always maintaining proper decorum. The appearance of He Jinxia was an exception which made her uncontrollably declare her claim over Sheng Yan.

He Jinxia’s expression remained unchanged, still all smiles, but inside she cursed Sheng Yan silently. Even abroad, he still ran into a friend he grew up with; how many women exactly did he know under the label ’grew up together since childhood’?

With a smile, she said, "What a coincidence, I’ve never seen you either."

As soon as she finished speaking, both women inevitably focused their gazes on Sheng Yan.

Sheng Yan glanced at them, his tone indifferent, "Coincidentally, I don’t have any memories of growing up with you two either."

Xie Jiahui: "..."

He Jinxia: "..."

In one sentence, he struck them both down right there.

What is the most tragic thing in the world? It’s when you fight tooth and nail over a man out of jealousy, and that man turns around and tells you: sorry, we’re not close.

Heartbroken.

He Jinxia gave Sheng Yan a subtle glare, and Sheng Yan glanced back at her, his gaze deep, seemingly pondering something; he paid no attention to the two women and turned to leave.

Xie Jiahui paused, then called out, "Brother Sheng!"

Sheng Yan ignored her and continued walking forward.

Xie Jiahui stamped her foot in frustration, reluctantly turning to glance at He Jinxia.

He Jinxia gave her a slight smile and shrugged, her unexpected words coming out: "Don’t you want to hit him? I often really want to stuff him in a sack and beat him up thoroughly."

Xie Jiahui was stunned again, and for some reason, her hostility toward He Jinxia suddenly lessened a bit.

Perhaps because... shared enemies? Deep empathy?

Curious about He Jinxia, Xie Jiahui decided to stay and struck up a conversation with her, hoping to dig some information out of He Jinxia.

Little did she know, He Jinxia also deliberately engaged her in conversation, trying to probe her background.

As the saying goes, knowing your friends and foes leads to a hundred battles without danger; this holds true for love rivals as well.

Xie Jiahui sized He Jinxia up and down, then asked with a smile, "So, have you really known Brother Sheng since childhood?"

He Jinxia nodded, without a hint of guilt, "Yes."

Since their mothers knew each other very well, she had ’met’ Sheng Yan while still in her mother’s womb, a bond formed right from the prenatal stage, even grander than ’since childhood.’

Xie Jiahui asked further, "I used to go back to Huaxia every year for two months as a kid; how come I never met you?"

He Jinxia replied, "It’s quite normal not to have seen me. You knew Sheng Yan, and I knew Sheng Yan, but that doesn’t mean everyone who knows Sheng Yan has to live close to him. Was your family’s home in Huaxia close to Sheng Yan’s?"

Xie Jiahui’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly, "Yes, we used to live in the same government compound when I was little. Every summer and winter holiday when I returned, I could see Brother Sheng. It’s just that he moved out of the compound when he was fifteen, which made our meetings less frequent."

Xie Jiahui’s tone became increasingly regretful, while He Jinxia’s smile only brightened further.

She mentally scored another point for Sheng Yan. Judging from Xie Jiahui’s tone, her interest in Sheng Yan had probably not just started a year or two ago.

He Jinxia, "Although I don’t live in the compound, my family elders know Brother Sheng, so we visit during festivals and holidays. It’s quite normal that we don’t meet when you only come back during summer and winter vacations."

Xie Jiahui reluctantly accepted this explanation. What could she do if He Jinxia didn’t tell the truth?

Moreover, from Sheng Yan’s reaction earlier, he was indeed acquainted with He Jinxia, treating her nearly the same as he treated her.

Xie Jiahui thought for a moment, then asked sweetly, "So, what was Brother Sheng talking about earlier when he said he collaborated with you on a film?"

He Jinxia smiled, "I’m an actress, and I performed in his latest movie."

Xie Jiahui’s gaze hardened slightly, "Were you the lead actress?"

He Jinxia shook her head, "That movie has a prominent male lead; there is no female lead. I played a character who dies within a few minutes of appearing."

Xie Jiahui felt relieved, "Ah, then you’re quite unfortunate."

He Jinxia nodded and said cheerfully, "Yes, I also think it’s quite pitiful."

The two chatted for a while, and Xie Jiahui couldn’t grasp the true intentions of He Jinxia. Meanwhile, Xie Jiahui, in her attempt to boast about how close she and Sheng Yan were since childhood and even after growing up, revealed many details about her own background.

From Xie Jiahui’s limited conversation, He Jinxia understood a few things.

First, Sheng Yan and Xie Jiahui had known each other since childhood, and their families were indeed close.

Second, Sheng Yan was truly not very close to Xie Jiahui. Perhaps even Xie Jiahui herself hadn’t realized that her fond memories were mostly from their childhood.

After Sheng Yan moved out of the compound, the two must have lost touch, only seeing each other when their elders met occasionally.

Third, Sheng Yan had always been popular with admirers; from Xie Jiahui’s words, he had many! However, Xie Jiahui claimed that she had the best relationship with Sheng Yan, something He Jinxia doubted.

Oh, and another thing, Xie Jiahui was quite naive. This naïveté stemmed from her lack of scheming, otherwise, she wouldn’t have spilled so many secrets to a "rival" upon their first meeting.

This behavior was akin to a child boastfully showing off a new toy.

You should know, the unknown is always more frightening than the known.

He Jinxia lowered her gaze, having tallied many points for Sheng Yan in her heart, waiting to settle the score with him after the banquet.

She lightly lifted her glass and drank the fruit juice in one go, laughing, "I enjoyed chatting with you, I haven’t been able to talk so comfortably and relaxedly with anyone in a long time."

Her words were true; the stars in the entertainment circle are all cunning. Don’t be deceived by their kindness today, they might stab you in the back tomorrow.

Therefore, whether chatting privately with industry colleagues or appearing on shows, He Jinxia was always very careful about what she said, considering each response carefully—except with real friends.

Last month, when she was filming a reality show, she was constantly tense, careful not to let the cameras capture her unflattering side. The only times she could relax were when chatting with Sister Xiao Hua.

Today, she met Xie Jiahui, who spilled all her secrets upon arriving, and even though Jinxia considered her a "rival," she felt at ease inside.

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