Chapter 303 - Want To Win the Award? In Your Dreams! (1/2)

“Apocalypse” became a huge box office hit in the country on the third day it hit the screen. It wasn’t just big hit within the country; due to Depp’s involvement, the movie was highly praised outside the country as well. Some time during mid-September, Ah Sha was nominated as the best supporting actress for the Hundred Flowers Award. It turned out that Ah Sha wasn’t the only one who got nominated; Tang Yue was nominated as the best lead actress for the same award.

Ah Sha was sitting in an office inside the Stars Entertainment’s HQ working out her bonus share with Zhou Na when she found out about the news. “Young Master Wen’s return is so timely, don’t you think!”

Zhou Na’s eyes were practically shining at this point. Ah Sha would earn a 0.3% commission from the total box office sales of “Apocalypse.” Zhou Na herself would earn a portion from that sum as well. Based on the current box office sales, Zhou Na’s estimated her earnings to be close to be one million.

“She might act smug now, but it’s never easy to marry into a family as prominent as the Wen family,” Zhou Na said all the while entertaining thoughts about getting a bigger house this year. “Wasn’t Zhuang Yan deeply involved with the son of a government official a few years back? The relationship was pretty intense from what I can tell. She even announced that she would stop making movies. But look how that turned out?”

That event was known all over the country. Things seemed to be going well for Zhuang Yan at first, but everything changed when the guy’s fiance showed up. Just like that, Zhuang Yan’s status went from “the love of his life” to “the other woman.” Not even a teary and emotional love declaration could win the guy over. In the end, the difference in their respective statuses became a chasm that was too wide to bridge. The relationship ended.

“Ah, but you’re different!” Zhou Na said suddenly. She realized that Ah Sha and Wan Qingsi was in a similar situation as well. “I mean, President Wan’s feelings for you are genuine.”

Ah Sha waved her off. “Don’t worry. Just focus on counting your money!”

The award’s presentation just so happened to fall on Ah Sha’s birthday. Wan Qingsi had already started acting strange a week earlier. Ah Sha had no idea what he was up to.

“Sis! The girls in our class all said that you’re prettier than that Tang Yue.” Ah Sha returned to Ying’s residence today to deliver the award’s invitation card to her family. Her whole family would be present at the award ceremony that day. Ying Qingcang’s appearance in such an event was to be expected and would, therefore, not rouse any suspicion.

Ah Sha poked Chengcheng’s cheeks. “Well, looks like the girls in your class have great tastes.”

“That’s why I said she has a sugar daddy. She’d never even be nominated otherwise!” Chengcheng said boldly.

Smack! Xin Qing’s palm connected with Chengcheng’s tiny butt. “Where did you learn to say things like that?”

Ying Cheng was four years old this year. He was the most ordinary child in the Ying family; because he had never received any strange genetic-modifying injections. To Xin Qing, raising Ying Cheng was the only time she felt like a real mother.

Wangwang and Xiao Rui? Hah. Xin Qing wanted to cry whenever she thought about those two. As for Ah Sha? It was pointless to even think about it, since Ah Sha was practically raised by Xunxun…

“I heard my brother talking to his friends,” Chengcheng said, reaching out with his meaty palm to touch Xin Qing’s face. “They even said that sis isn’t as pretty as you mother!”

Ah Sha narrowed her eyes. “Wow, this kid really knows how to make a girl feel special,” Ah Sha thought. “Yeah, I wonder who he takes after…”

Beside them, Wangwang raised his head from his laptop’s screen and glanced at Chengcheng. “Sis, Chengcheng was selling your photos at school,” Wangwang said. “Ten bucks a piece.”

“Chengcheng?” Ah Sha said sternly, glaring at Ying Cheng. “Is that true?”

Xin Qing was starting to panic as well. “Oh, you brat. Where did you even get your sister’s photos?”

“He secretly took photos of her every time she comes home,” Wangwang tossed another statement at them. “There’re all exclusive, limited editions.”

Chengcheng covered his face and pretended to cry. “Boohoo… You’re a bad person, brother!”

“Mommy, are you sure you didn’t let my mother-in-law give you an injection when you’re pregnant with him?” To Ah Sha, a four-year-old child would still be drooling and begging for sweets. Her little brother, however, was clever to otherworldly levels.

Xin Qing pretended to be angry and yelled at Chengcheng. “You’re not allowed to sell your sister’s photos again, you hear?”

“What! You’re selling Ah Sha’s photo?” It just so happened that Wan Qingsi had stepped out from Ying Qingcang’s study and overheard Xin Qing’s statement. “Chengcheng, what kind of photo were you selling?” Wan Qingsi growled.

Chengcheng hid behind Ah Sha in fear. Wangwang, however, was dead set on betraying him. “Oh, a lot of different photos,” Wangwang said. “He has the ones where she was brushing her teeth, when she was in her pajamas, having dessert, when she was spacing out…”

With each example, Wan Qingsi’s face turned a shade darker.

“Ying… Cheng…” Wan Qingsi growled and yanked Chengcheng from Ah Sha’s arms. “If I find out that you’re selling your sister’s photos again, brat. I’ll put the photo of your naked butt right in front of Caesar’s front entrance!”

Chengcheng had long since been reduced to tears. He shuddered. “I… I… wouldn’t… dare…”

“Serves you right!” Xin Qing jabbed Chengcheng’s head with a finger.

After Wan Qingsi and Ah Sha left, Xin Qing noticed the sour look on Ying Qingcang’s face. His sullen expression lasted throughout the entire night. “Did you quarrel with Xunxun again?” Xin Qing asked when they were both lying in bed.

“That brat is planning to propose to Ah Sha on her birthday,” Ying Qingcang said grumpily while he massaged Xin Qing’s calve.

“Huh. Not bad, eh? He even bothered to ask for your permission first.” Xin Qing sighed. “Well, I’m guessing he would take her to have their marriage license done after he proposes.”

“No way!” Ying Qingcang growled. “Ah Sha isn’t even 18 yet!”

Xin Qing nudged Ying Qingcang with her elbow. “I was under 18 too when I married you.”

For a moment, Ying Qingcang was hit by a wave of guilt, but he quickly came up with an excuse. “Our case isn’t the same. We’re bound by fate. It’s like we’re made for each other. So age didn’t matter because we’d be together sooner or later.”

All of a sudden, it became clear to Xin Qing whom Chengcheng took after.