Chapter 561: Chapter 561

Upon saying this, He Jinxia grew even more suspicious of Sheng Yan’s "ulterior motives."

Thinking of Sheng Yan, He Jinxia couldn’t help but curl her lips upward beneath the mask, feeling a warmth in her heart.

Without answering any questions, and under the escort of security, He Jinxia and Mrs. He finally squeezed into the car.

The driver quickly started the vehicle and took them to the airport.

The paparazzi waiting there, naturally unwilling to leave it at that, got in their cars and followed He Jinxia.

Half an hour later, after the reporters in front of the hotel had left, a man also dressed in black and wearing a mask and sunglasses walked out of the hotel.

Sheng Yan calmly got into a private car, which was headed towards the airport as well.

At the airport, He Jinxia and Mrs. He were still in the waiting area, attracting all the paparazzi’s fire, while under everyone’s noses, Sheng Yan boarded a private plane without any hindrance and left Qingdu.

Having disembarked and quickly left through the VIP channel, Sheng Yan was as adept as ever and didn’t catch any of the paparazzi’s attention.

After all, the trails of private jets are unfollowable by paparazzi. If they could track down private jets, there would be no need for them to continue being paparazzi—they should change careers and benefit the masses sooner rather than later.

Sheng Yan drove smoothly all the way back to Dongting Lake Garden.

No sooner had he arrived home than Zhang Ming called on the dot. Before Zhang Ming could start speaking, Sheng Yan spoke with a hint of teasing in his voice,

"I thought you would immediately call me, unable to resist, saying you’re already carrying a big broadsword of 30 meters to come after me once I make a comment."

Zhang Ming: "..." Damn, does Sheng Yan have the Mind Reading Technique or something? How did he steal his next line?

Zhang Ming choked on his words and coughed lightly, said annoyedly, "You know it! You had just promised me you wouldn’t make any comments, and then you immediately slapped me in the face. I’ve been busting my ass off, for nothing this year, cleaning up after you!"

Sheng Yan said indifferently, "I didn’t make any comments."

Zhang Ming: "Yes, you did, you posted three ellipses."

Sheng Yan: "That was just a reply to a comment, and moreover, ellipses are not speech, I said nothing."

Zhang Ming: "Pshaw, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You said nothing but acted; replying to a comment is an act!"

"Do you realize how much effort it took to steer public opinion and prevent netizens from overthinking because of those three ellipses? And because it’s the New Year, the human, material, and financial resources invested have all increased exponentially compared to the past. Fresh chapters posted on novel fire.net

The extra PR fees must be reimbursed by you, as well as my emotional distress compensation, the sorrow fee for being deceived by you, and the increasing number of times you caused my headaches from the trouble you’ve stirred up—all of these have to be taken into account..."

Sheng Yan interrupted calmly, "I buy you tens of millions in work injury insurance every year. If anything happens to you, just go to those insurance companies for reimbursement."

The implication was, for reimbursements, seek insurance.

Zhang Ming’s voice caught in his throat—what use was insurance to him?

That’s exactly why he sought out Sheng Yan, because the insurance wouldn’t cover any of it!

Zhang Ming played the scoundrel: "I don’t care, you must compensate me for emotional distress. Ever since you started dating, I’ve grown several white hairs dealing with your scandals—that’s premature aging!"

"How precious a person’s youth is, and yet, before I could even enjoy mine, I had already started aging. I’ve given so much for you, and you don’t give me a cent. Is that fair, is it?"

Sheng Yan was speechless, stunned by Zhang Ming’s shamelessness.

He reached up to rub his temples, "During the New Year, I will double your salary."

Zhang Ming’s eyes lit up, but he was still somewhat dissatisfied, and continued his emotive performance, "I..."

Sheng Yan said distantly, "The way you handled the Jinxia situation left me very unsatisfied. Perhaps I should try a new agent to manage my affairs in the entertainment circle."

Zhang Ming immediately shut his mouth, saying nothing more.

Having reaped enough benefits, he knew when to quit. Getting any greedier might indeed cost him his job.

Just as the call was about to end, Sheng Yan added seemingly with regret, "Actually, if you hadn’t handled it, letting things take their course might have been better."

Zhang Ming couldn’t be bothered to listen and hung up the call.

Pah, not handle it, let things take their course?

If that were really to happen, Sheng Yan’s smug tail would be in the air, and his romance with He Jinxia couldn’t be kept secret!

Zhang Ming, hurt by Sheng Yan’s treatment, turned to seek comfort in the sweet nothings with his dear wife.

Elsewhere, in Qingdu, He Jinxia and Mrs. He had just boarded the plane. Half an hour later, they arrived at Imperial City Airport.

At Imperial City Airport, they were met with several times more paparazzi than in Qingdu.

He Jinxia sometimes couldn’t understand, considering every year the media industry complains about a shortage of personnel and unemployment, why the number of paparazzi seemed to be increasing every year, with no signs of decreasing.

That was something He Jinxia failed to grasp since, with her fame growing each year, the paparazzi following her naturally increased as well.

Cheng Xiaohua had spent the New Year in Imperial City. When Jinxia returned, Cheng volunteered to stake out the airport. As soon as Jinxia got off the plane, Cheng took some photos of the paparazzi and sent them to her.

Upon seeing the massive throng, He Jinxia decisively chose to exit through the airport’s VIP channel.

It so happened that airport staff approached her, hoping she would use another exit. He Jinxia and her party were willing, and the two sides quickly agreed, allowing them to leave the airport shortly after.

But the paparazzi were no fools. When they couldn’t find He Jinxia after waiting for over ten minutes, how could they not guess her intentions?

So, they also left the airport and headed straight for Dongting Lake Garden, knowing that He Jinxia had a residence there, which was common knowledge among those in the paparazzi business of the entertainment circle.

The security measures at Dongting Lake Garden were excellent. After being questioned by the guards, He Jinxia and Mrs. He entered and both let out a sigh of relief.

Mrs. He felt like she had a new lease on life and expressed, "Now I finally understand why celebrities hate paparazzi so much. If I were followed all day, and not just by a few but by a whole crowd, who disregard your safety in their zeal to get a story, I would hate it too."

Mrs. He patted her chest, "It was terrifying. When we left the Qingdu Hotel, I felt like I was going to be crushed. If we had tried to leave Imperial City Airport through the normal exit, what courage that would have required!"

The number of paparazzi at Imperial City Airport was several times greater than at Qingdu Hotel!