Chapter 471: Compet.i.tor
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Xiao Luo shuddered, and the phone fell from his grasp. He was momentarily shocked but he quickly and picked up the phone again. His brows were furrowed as he watched the live stream of the press conference, with waves of confusion swirling within himself.
What was this woman up to?
Was she actually aware of what she was saying, or not?
Like Chai Zhiying, he could not understand why Su Li chose to say what she did. It was clear that all she needed to do was deny everything, and this scandal would have resolved itself. Instead, she insisted on confirming everything, but to what end? Was she planning on retiring from the entertainment industry?
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…
The press conference fell into a dead silence, and after about four or five seconds, there was a rumble of droning murmurs. The reporters were all whispering to one another, for it was difficult for them to keep calm—this was just too big a scoop. They were regular people before they became reporters, so, like their readers, it wasn’t unusual that they were deeply invested in the private lives of mega-celebrities like Su Li. They had initially thought that it was impossible to extract any sort of firm statement from Su Li. But as it turned out, as they actually discussed that most critical issue—the scandal, and Su Li’s response were quickly seen as scandalous.
It was completely unexpected, and it was as if they were in a game of “Landlord War,” where someone had thrown out a King Bomb just as the game had begun. Everyone’s heads were ringing!
The male reporter was still in a daze. In a tone thick with disbelief, he asked, “Miss Su, did you just say that you’re already married?”
“You heard right,” Su Li acknowledged.
“Miss Su, do you mind telling us more about your husband?”
“Is he from a rich family from Xiahai?”
“He must be really outstanding to have caught your eye, no?”
The entire crowd suddenly got out of control—it was pandemonium! The reporters did not care if they had already asked their questions, and everybody stood up at the same time, screaming for answers. They threw a relentless barrage of questions at Su Li, question after question.
Although she did not know why Su Li would confirm the news, Chai Zhiying quickly returned to her senses and quietened the place. Many of the reporters backed down and cooperated with her, and some order was restored.
Su Li still held on to the microphone as she stood on the red-carpeted stage, facing the crowd with a relaxed smile on her face. “He’s just a regular person, but then, he’s not all that regular, either. I apologize, but I can’t reveal too much about him.”
“Miss Su, I hear that there was a young girl about four or five years of age with the both of you while you were ice-skating at Huijin Building. Was that your daughter?” The male reporter who had already asked a question earlier posed another—one that got everyone’s undivided attention.
“I wasn’t the one who gave birth to her, but she’s my daughter!” Su Li responded.
Everybody present in this s.p.a.ce had brilliant minds, so how could they not understand the hidden meaning of her response? There was a great scoop here to be had, and it was putting them all on edge.
But Su Li’s next words had quashed any hope that had begun to grow within them. “I apologize, but I’m unable to reveal anything about her either!”
That was it!
Chai Zhiying’s face was pale as a sheet. She had called for this press conference to quell the public uproar, but not only had Su Li confirmed that she was already married, but she had also acknowledged the existence of Su Xiaobei. All the rehearsal they had done yesterday had all been for naught.
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The press conference finally came to an end, but Xiao Luo could not calm his heart. Su Li’s words and actions had far exceeded his expectations, and the internet was thrown into chaos yet again. Many netizens expressed their dissatisfaction and no longer had any love for her; the Internet was rife with posts and comments by people swearing to leave the fandom.
“Daddy, I’m thirsty,” Su Xiaobei said. She was lying with her head on his lap and pulled him back from his thoughts with her endearing voice.
Xiao Luo stroked her tiny face, helping her sit up gently before he went to get her a gla.s.s of water.
The little girl was transfixed by the animated cartoon on the television. She glugged the water, emptying the gla.s.s in a few gulps.
When Xiao Luo sat down on the sofa, she lay down once more using his lap as her pillow.
Not long after, Su Li returned. Seeing Su Xiaobei watch the television as she lay on her side, irritated her. She scooped Su Xiaobei up in her arms and said to Xiao Luo, “Lying on her side and watching TV isn’t good for her eyes, don’t you know something as simple as this? Are you going to be responsible if she grows up to become short-sighted?”
“She only does this once in a while; it’s not such a big problem,” Xiao Luo replied, unperturbed in the face of her criticism.
“What would you know? Bad habits always start with ‘once-in-a-whiles,’ and then it’ll be difficult to fix them once the habit is formed,” Su Li huffed. She then turned to Su Xiaobei and chided her, “Su Xiaobei, who said you could lie on your side and watch TV? Haven’t I told you before that you have to sit with your back straight when you watch TV? You can’t sit too closely, and you have to take regular breaks so your eyes won’t dry up or become tired. Did you forget everything I’ve said?”
“I won’t do it again. Don’t be angry, Mommy, and don’t blame Daddy anymore,” the little girl responded. She spoke in a soft voice and kept a stiff upper lip.
Su Li could not bring herself to be angry anymore, not at the sight of such a well-behaved and sensible child. “You’re not allowed to lie on your side and watch the TV anymore in the future, do you hear me?”
“Hm,” Su Xiaobei responded and nodded obediently.
Su Li said no more as she embraced the child tightly in her arms before making their way back to her own residence.
Suddenly, Xiao Luo asked, “Why did you confirm your marriage?”
Su Li froze, stopping in her steps, then she turned and rebuked, “What’s it to you?!”
Then, she walked away without turning back, with Su Xiaobei in tow.
Xiao Luo sat on the sofa with his brows raised. She had a point; why should he have to know, anyway?
Suddenly, his phone rang—it was Zhang Dashan calling him.
“D*mn it man, I have crazy news, really unbelievable news. Dude, have you seen it? G.o.ddess Su is married!”
The instant the call connected, Zhang Dashan’s loud voice rang out. He sounded excited, agitated, and in disbelief—he was crowing like a rooster.
“Ah,” Xiao Luo said, “You called just to tell me this?”
Zhang Dashan was somewhat taken aback, but he quickly got back to the matter. “Hey, did you hear what I just said? This country’s G.o.ddess Su Li is married, she’s married! Big boss, this is the scoop of the year,” he cried.
“Celebrities are human too, getting married is a normal thing. What’s there to be surprised about?” Xiao Luo responded, sounding a little harsh and stern.
“F*ck, man, what’s going on with you? I leave you for a bit and already we’re not on the same page anymore, you c*nt!” Zhang Dashan shot back, running his mouth carelessly.
“That’s enough. Stop beating around the bush and get right to it.”
Xiao Luo changed the topic. He couldn’t tell Zhang Dashan that he was the one that Su Li was married to, knowing that both of them would part ways in the future. So, informing Zhang Dashan would just be a waste of time. Instead, Xiao Luo changed the subject. “Manager Lee reported to me about the situation of the factory’s construction. It’s half-built and the equipment has already been purchased as well. Each store’s renovation can be completed within a month, which means to say that Luo’s Workshop will be able to officially set up shop in Xiahai City,” he said, “There are no funding issues with Jiangcheng, are there?”
“Don’t worry, things are stable on my side. I might as well just go wh.o.r.e myself out if I can’t even get something like this done,” Zhang Dashan replied, patting his chest as if to a.s.sure Xiao Luo on the other end of the line.
“That settles it then!”
Xiao Lu heaved a sigh of relief, but then frowned again at the thought of Su Li being his compet.i.tor in Xiahai City.