Knowing that Chen Liangke might be the one blackmailing her, Bai Wenxi didn't want to talk to him at all. This could very well be another trap.
But her feet still involuntarily carried her towards him. Bai Wenxi sat down, seething with anger, her eyes ablaze. "What do you mean by that?"
Chen Liangke shrugged nonchalantly, his tone extremely annoying. "I thought someone as noble as you wouldn't want to talk to me."
Bai Wenxi slammed the bag on the table. "You'd better explain clearly. What exactly do you mean?"
Chen Liangke leisurely crossed his legs and took a sip of coffee. "It's nothing. I just heard some things about the night your father had that car accident."
Bai Wenxi said hatefully, "Were you there that night?"
Chen Liangke quickly distanced himself, waving his hand and feigning innocence. "How can you make unfounded accusations?"
"I just heard some interesting things from your stepmother. I wonder if Miss Bai is interested in having a chat with me?" he said arrogantly.
Bai Wenxi really wanted to catch him off guard and see if he was the mysterious caller.
But she knew that Chen Liangke was a very cunning guy. If she didn't catch him red - handed or have solid evidence, he would surely turn the tables on her.
So Bai Wenxi forced herself to hold back her anger. "Of course I want to know."
Her hand tightly grasped the food bag as she tried to calm her agitated emotions. "If you know any inside information, I hope you'll tell me."
Chen Liangke pressed his advantage. "What's in it for me if I tell you?"
Bai Wenxi saw his lewd expression and the undisguised ambition in his eyes. She knew he was about to say something inappropriate, so she quickly offered a deal.
"I know you want to win the director's award at an international film festival," she said sincerely. "My family has always been in charge of the domestic creative exhibitions of many foreign artists. They have cooperation with top - level film festivals, and some of them are even judges of art awards."
Bai Wenxi subtly observed his facial expressions, trying to find his weakness. "If you're interested, I can help you get introduced."
"Director Chen, before the documentary about my father, I investigated your resume. I think you're a very talented and ambitious director. You surely don't want to be just an ordinary, second - rate director."
This really hit Chen Liangke's weak spot. He originally wanted to use the truth to take verbal advantage of Bai Wenxi, and if he could make her panic, it would be even better for him.
But the deal she offered was more tempting than beauty. Beautiful women were easy to find. Even if he couldn't have her, he could just find another girl.
But if he missed the chance to get in touch with famous artists, it would be very difficult for him to win an international documentary award in the future.
After a brief weighing, he quickly gave his answer. "Miss Bai, I hope you'll keep your promise."
Bai Wenxi felt relieved, knowing that she had found his weakness: he valued his identity as a director!
Although this guy was a complete scoundrel who had changed his status through a sex - for - power deal with Yao Chunmei.
But he was smart enough to know how to adapt to the situation.
Bai Wenxi sweetened the deal. "Of course! I'll not only keep my promise, but if the information you provide is very interesting or useful, in the future, whenever you need to recruit art practitioners, I can recommend very excellent painters."
Chen Liangke immediately betrayed Yao Chunmei without a shred of guilt. "Not long after your father's death, Yao Chunmei got drunk and revealed some really shocking news to me."
"Your father's death was entirely her doing," he said, a barely perceptible curve forming on his lips.
Actually, Chen Liangke secretly hoped that this explosive information would make Bai Wenxi lose her mind and suffer a heavy blow.
To his surprise, Bai Wenxi remained very calm. "Are you joking with me? My stepmother and I may have had some disagreements, but her care for my father was obvious to all."
She even used a bit of reverse psychology. "Before my father went out for a business dinner, he was still painting a portrait of my stepmother. My stepmother also always supported my father both in life and financially."
"If you're trying to sow discord between us, you're completely wrong."
Chen Liangke was actually very cautious. He had been getting financial support from Yao Chunmei continuously. He had finished college and continued his further studies all because he was calculating and scheming.
Bai Wenxi's attempt to sow discord didn't have much effect, but Chen Liangke was indeed a bit annoyed.
However, he still held back and didn't spread all the things Yao Chunmei had told him.
Seeing that it wasn't enough, Bai Wenxi decided to add fuel to the fire to get more information. "If this is all your so - called scoop, then I'm leaving."
"Actually, I'm going to my stepmother's house as a guest. Recently, a wealthy businessman wants to arrange a marriage alliance with our family. This gentleman has a very high social status and a huge fortune," she played the role of a willful and spoiled young lady very well, her words full of sarcasm.
"Our Bai family is still a very harmonious and prestigious family. It can't be broken up by your random rumors."
She picked up the bag and walked towards the door, silently counting down in her heart.
[Five, four...]
"Wait!" Chen Liangke called out to her. Bai Wenxi immediately showed a victorious smile and turned around gracefully. "What else do you want?"
"Heh, Miss Bai, I think you've been living in luxury for too long and are too naive," Chen Liangke said disdainfully, curling his lips. "The paintings you mentioned, Yao Chunmei told me about them. Your father painted them under duress. It was also his last chance to touch art."
As soon as he said this, he felt he had revealed too much and quickly shut up.
Suddenly, he sneered lightly. "Anyway, believe it or not. I can only tell you that Yao Chunmei is more ruthless than you rich young ladies can imagine."
"If you're really your father's good daughter, you should investigate what I've said."
Bai Wenxi actually believed him completely in her heart, but on the surface, she remained unmoved. She even took out her lipstick to touch up her makeup.
"Director Chen, you're saying my father's death was because of Yao Chunmei?" She evened out the color on her lips, which were now a bright red. "I won't believe such a ridiculous story."
She deliberately brought it up. "Actually, I also know from some sources that my stepmother has a promiscuous private life."
"I have my own way of dealing with this. I also know that when she got together with my father, they were both immoral. So it's not surprising that she's having an affair now."
Bai Wenxi curled her lips. Chen Liangke, I'm showing my indifference. Can you still stay calm?