Hidden Marriage Chapter 3: The Little Boy In The Bar

Five years later. At Eden Wine Bar, along the corridor on the uppermost floor.

Ning Xi had spent the whole night drinking alongside the investors. A fierce headache plagued her, so she sought a tranquil spot to regain her composure. She never expected Chang Li to trail after her, leaving her no choice but to mentally gear up for the confrontation.

"Sister Chang, got something to tell me?"

"Ning Xi, tell me: did you sign up to audition for the lead role in <The World>?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"You absolutely cannot go tomorrow!" Though Chang Li managed Ning Xi, she was now urging her to skip trying out for one of the biggest parts in showbiz.

Ning Xi showed no surprise, just arched a brow. "Why?"

"For starters, you hid this from me and didn't breathe a word, yet you demand a reason from me? Plus, hasn't the company already set Ning Xueluo up to audition for it?"

"Me going for the part doesn't conflict with the company's plans." Ning Xi gave her a smile. "Did Ning Xueluo put you up to this chat? Is she worried a nobody newbie like me could snatch her spotlight?"

"You think you have what it takes to fight her for roles? You're delusional even dreaming of it! Hear me: don't bother. The Ning family poured 30 million yuan into this production, guaranteeing the role lands with Ning Xueluo!"

"Really? Then why are you so worked up?"

"You're my client! You follow my schedule!" Chang Li declared as if it were obvious.

"Oh? So Sister Chang remembers I'm one of your artistes."

"Ning Xi, I won't waste more time on you. Since you reject my good intentions and insist on the tough path, don't fault me for getting ruthless!"

With those words, a shove struck Ning Xi. Caught unprepared, she tumbled into the bar's storeroom, her phone snatched in the process.

BANG! The door crashed closed.

…

The footsteps beyond the door faded into silence as they receded.

Realizing yells wouldn't help, Ning Xi pressed against the door and sank to the floor quietly.

When Ning Xi first entered the company, Ning Xueluo still held back, tasking Chang Li with lining up nasty villain parts for her. But recently, things had escalated to dirty moves like trapping her in a storeroom.

If she failed to snag this auditioned role, she had to plot her escape from Starlight Entertainment no matter what.

While lost in these thoughts, a faint noise caught her ear.

A rat, perhaps?

Ning Xi peered toward the sound's source and froze in shock.

Behind piled boxes sat a small boy.

The child looked about four or five, with delicate features like sculpted jade, fair and fluffy like a tiny bun. He huddled in the corner, trembling, his dark eyes brimming with caution and fear.

Why on earth was a kid in this bar storeroom?

No customer would be bold enough to drag a child here, surely?

"Hey, Little Bun, who are you? How'd you end up inside?"

"Did you slip in?"

"Someone trap you here?"

"Want some candy?"

After what seemed like forever questioning, the boy stayed mute, shaking harder like a terrified animal.

Ning Xi quit speaking. This wasn't her problem anyway.

So the woman and child claimed separate corners, passing time in mutual silence.

Suddenly, the overhead light flickered then died.

In the pitch black, Ning Xi picked up a rattling noise. Listening closely, she knew it came from chattering teeth.

Ning Xi chuckled softly, turning toward the little bun. "Scared of the dark?"

The rattling paused briefly, then intensified.

How could he be such a scaredy-cat?

Ning Xi dusted off her rear as she stood and approached the child.