1085 Perplexed and Smitten 145

“You must forget him even if you can’t. Listen to me, you two live in different worlds. He’ll never be yours.”

Bu Xianxian remained silent, ignoring her mother’s words.

Mrs. Bu asked, “Why don’t you sign up for a matchmaking session on a dating site?”

“Matchmaking session? What’s the difference between that and a business transaction? It’s as good as baring my attributes for the scrutiny of others and allowing them to take their pick.”

“That’s what matchmaking is all about. Perhaps you might meet a man who’ll dote on you. You can put your mind at ease once you get married and have children. You’re the only daughter we have. Think about your father and me even if you don’t wish to spare a thought for yourself. Our greatest wish now is for you to settle down with a man and build a blissful family of your own.”

“Those who have failed in romance are the only ones who’ll sign up for blind dates on a dating website. It’s not like I can’t find a man anymore.”

“Why are you such an obstinate and disobedient child?”

“Okay, Mother, I know what to do. Just stay out of it.”

Mrs. Bu was infuriated.

After waiting for a long while, it was finally Bu Xianxian’s turn.

“Bu Xianxian, it’s your turn,” said a nurse.

Bu Xianxian immediately stood up and entered the operating theater with her reference slip.

“Remove your skirt and lie down.”

She did as she was told and removed her bottoms completely before lying down on the operating table. “Doctor, I want a full-body anesthetic. It won’t hurt at all, right?”

“It won’t hurt during the surgery, but the pain will kick in after the surgery.”

“That’s fine,” said Bu Xianxian, who thought to herself that it would be alright as long as she doesn’t experience any excruciating pain during the surgery.

Seeing how nonchalant she was, the doctor did not say anything else.

The surgery ended about ten minutes later. The fetus was successfully aborted. However, Bu Xianxian was still unconscious since the effects of the anesthesia had yet to wear off.

“Doctor, Doctor, when will my daughter come to?”

“In another few minutes.”

“Alright. Doctor, may I ask if the abortion will have any adverse effects on her health?”

“Of course it will. You’re a mother yourself, you should be aware. There will be harmful effects on one’s body, be it half or full-body anesthesia. The severity varies, though. She must recuperate and nourish her body properly after an abortion, lest she develops some persisting ailments. As with post-pregnancy confinement, if she doesn’t take care of herself after an abortion, there would be several problems with her health that no amount of supplements would be able to eradicate.”

“I understand. Thank you, Doctor.”

—

After breakfast, Jin Qingyan and the other three left the hotel and headed to another city that was full of scenic attractions.

When Fang Erlan was at the buffet restaurant, she received a call from the direction of “The Man from the Ancient Times.”

“h.e.l.lo, Sister Gao.”

“Erlan, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it about?”

“I haven’t contacted your studio yet, but I shall talk to you about it first because it’s a tricky situation.”

Not knowing what she was referring to, Fang Erlan asked, “Just what’s the matter?”

“I’m sure you know who Yu Caiwei is, don’t you?”

“We’ve met a few times in private. What’s wrong?”

“The investor thinks that she would be a better option for the female lead…”

Fang Erlan snapped the moment she heard this piece of news, “Sis Gao, what do you mean? You mean you’re going to breach the contract that we had already signed? So you’ve decided to replace me when I’ve already familiarized myself with the character and her background?”

“I wasn’t the one who decided this. The investor was the one who requested that we change the actress.”

Fang Erlan gripped her mobile phone tightly, filled with exasperation. “When I was approached by the producers for another teenage romance drama, Yu Caiwei used the same excuse to s.n.a.t.c.h the role away from me. The investor wants to have me replaced? I’m really curious and intrigued, then. Why did the investor agree to cast me as the female lead back then and yet go back on their word right before filming is about to begin? I’ve heard that you’re closely related to Yu Caiwei, Sister Gao. Don’t tell me that you’re trying to replace me with your close friend under the pretext of it being the investor’s intentions. Are you?”

“Erlan, look what you’re saying. If it wasn’t a request by the investor, how could I possibly change the actress for the female lead after signing the contract with you? Since you’ve already spent so much time researching on the character, we’ll pay you the full sum of the compensation as stated in the contract. Will that do?”

“I think you’d better communicate with my studio and my boss, Sister Gao. However, you guys were the ones who breached the contract first and my studio will definitely press charges against you. If news about you guys breaching the contract gets leaked before the television series even goes on air, what do you think is going to happen?”

Sister Gao did not expect that Fang Erlan would say something like that. She had met Fang Erlan in private before and found her to be a quiet, reserved, and polite actress. It turned out she was no pushover.

“Alright, I’ll talk to your studio about this.”

Fang Erlan ended the call, boiling with anger. She had turned as pale as a sheet. Did that woman s.n.a.t.c.h my roles away for two drama series in a row?

Yu Caiwei…

Fang Erlan was filled with disgruntlement at the thought of her name.

When Xiao Chenyang entered the restaurant, he was greeted with the sight of Fang Erlan sipping on her gla.s.s of juice with a straw, seemingly deep in thought and in low spirits.

“Why do you seem out of sorts so early in the morning?”

Fang Erlan looked up at him and placed the gla.s.s onto the table after taking two sips.

“My role was s.n.a.t.c.hed away from me.”

“Who did that? I’ll s.n.a.t.c.h it back for you.”

Seeing that she was not answering him, Xiao Chenyang raised his brows and added, “You don’t believe me?”

“I do believe you, but this doesn’t concern you. Let the studio talk to them.”

“Your problems are mine too. How does it not concern me?”

Fang Erlan did not look at him and instead continued drinking her juice.

Noticing how upset she seemed, he ate a little and told her to pack her belongings, after which they left the hotel.

Xiao Chenyang took out the keys of the motorbike and hopped onto the seat. The motorbike was given to him by Jin Qingyan, who no longer needed it since they were going to another nation.

Fang Erlan put on the helmet and sat behind him.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll know when we get there. Sit tight.” As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Erlan felt her body jerking toward the side, giving her a great shock. She instinctively hugged his waist to stop herself from falling, which was to the joy of Xiao Chenyang.

The wind was blowing strongly against her face, causing her hair to fly all over the place. “Slow down!” she exclaimed.

He glanced at her and smirked. He obviously wouldn’t slow down, for if he did, she would definitely let go of him.

Fang Erlan dared not loosen her grip on him at all throughout the terrifying ride.

They finally arrived at their destination.

When she alighted from the motorbike, she patted herself on the chest and glowered at Xiao Chenyang. “Why were you speeding? I almost got a heart attack!” she chastised.