Chapter 15 – You Are My Boyfriend

"Zehan, you believe me, don't you? I'm really not the lover of those old men. You're the only one I like." Fu Jiaojiao's emotions were on the verge of collapse; her sharp voice rose as she clung to the man's clothes, desperately seeking his protection.

Gao Tiange watched the subtle exchanges between Bai Zehan and Fu Jiaojiao with narrowed, disapproving eyes. Then, glancing at the fish in Song Xiao's hands, she announced arrogantly, "Mr. Song, here's a chance for me to taste your cooking. Be careful not to burn it."

Song Xiao wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, then looked up and offered Gao Tiange a gentle, mild smile. "Don't worry, Ms. Gao. I'm quite good at this."

Without turning her head, Gao Tiange strode quickly toward Bai Zehan, coldly snorting, "My palate is rather picky. Go easy on the chili—it isn't good for my skin."

The man holding the grilled fish paused, a look of distaste flickering in his eyes. Grilling fish for this woman was an act of kindness, not his duty.

In just one day, Song Xiao had realized this celebrated actress was not as approachable and personable as her public persona suggested.

"You act like a fussy old aunt," Song Xiao grumbled, tossing the grilled fish aside and rising to his feet, his temper flaring.

The commotion startled Gao Tiange, who had been intent on reaching Bai Zehan. She turned, astonished, to face the man approaching her.

"Ms. Gao, I'm not your family chef. I grill fish for you out of kindness, but your domineering attitude really annoys me." The usually polite and cultured man now wore a cold expression.

Gao Tiange shivered involuntarily at Song Xiao's impatient tone.

"Heh, Mr. Song, that's not what I meant. I'll eat whatever you make," she replied awkwardly, clutching her pale yellow dress as she watched him nervously.

Song Xiao spared her only a fleeting glance before walking away.

A chill seemed to linger in the air as Gao Tiange stood there, feeling both aggrieved and humiliated. She glared resentfully at Song Xiao's retreating back. All these years, she had never been subjected to such disdainful, icy eyes. Song Xiao truly didn't know what was good for him!

Not far away, Bai Zehan noticed the situation. Seeing the woman he had been carefully courting now looking so wronged, he grew anxious and quickly shook off Fu Jiaojiao's hand, preparing to comfort Gao Tiange.

Though Gao Tiange was twenty years his senior, her charm, tact, and connections could bring him many advantages.

"Zehan, do you really like that old woman Gao Tiange? I'm younger than her! I understand what you truly need more than she does!" Fu Jiaojiao persisted, growling at him and even trying to pull him aside for a proper talk.

Once again, Bai Zehan shook off her hand, his disgust now visible, a mocking smile curling his lips. "You don't understand. You don't know what I really need."

Bai Zehan was well aware that the woman before him was tainted—filthy, even. She had probably already been played with by those old men, and the thought repulsed him.

The only reason he was willing to maintain that kind of relationship with her was that she was, at heart, just like him.

To this day, the purest and kindest person in Bai Zehan's life had been Jiang Ning—she had once been his solace.

When he was with Jiang Ning, he had countless urges to drag her down to his own level. It was out of spite—he hated the Jiang family, he hated Jiang Ning, yet he still couldn't bear to let her go.

Now, however, everything had slipped out of his control. Jiang Ning had completely broken free from him, and his chance for revenge was gone.

"Zehan, what are you thinking? Are you abandoning me?" Fu Jiaojiao's voice was frantic, but Bai Zehan immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

Feigning affection, he forced a smile. "Jiaojiao, I'll be by your side when you need me, but you'd better not interfere with what I have to do."

With that, he turned away and headed toward Gao Tiange.

Fu Jiaojiao stomped her foot in frustration, swallowing her bitterness.

"Zehan, what were you saying to that Fu Jiaojiao just now? You'd better stay away from her—she's filthy. Last night she was exposed for cyberbullying Jiang Ning, and this morning she's been exposed again as an old man's mistress. She's just a rotten fish—you don't want the stink rubbing off on you." Gao Tiange gripped Bai Zehan's hand tightly, her words heavy with warning and jealousy. She continued in a low voice, "Zehan, I know about you and Jiang Ning. She must have seduced you. I don't blame you. Now even the famous gossip hound Sanmen is speaking up for her. You know you can't buy someone like Sanmen—she must have found herself a powerful backer."

"Zehan, you're a smart man. You know what you want. It's time to clear away the obstacles in your path," Gao Tiange advised, her words hitting Bai Zehan where it hurt.

Following her gaze, Bai Zehan saw Jiang Ning and Gu Beicheng together by the shore, exchanging tender words. His brow furrowed, his breathing quickened, and a wave of revulsion washed over him.

Thinking of Gu Beicheng's status and Gao Tiange's words, Bai Zehan made up his mind: he would destroy that faithless woman who had betrayed him.

"Tiange, thank you. All these years, you've always been there for me. I love you, and I always will," Bai Zehan murmured, dropping his head in a display of deep affection.

Gao Tiange glanced around, noticing the cameras were focused on Jiang Ning and Yun Fu—the two "couples." She relaxed slightly and leaned gently against Bai Zehan. "Zehan, I have some news about your Chengxing Group. I heard your President Shen is about to cut your resources."

A cold glint flashed in Bai Zehan's eyes, and a chill emanated from him. "How do you know?"

Gao Tiange shuddered, patting his chest. "Shen Mubai mentioned it while drinking with our boss. When this show ends, come join our company. I'll talk to my boss."

"Thank you, Tiange." Chaoyang Pictures was just as powerful as Chengxing Pictures, and Bai Zehan was close to achieving his goal with Gao Tiange.

"Contestants, the tide gathering is over. Please return to the team. The director's group will now weigh your seafood. The group with the heaviest haul will receive two deluxe breakfasts," Gao Mingliang announced through a megaphone.

"Jiang Ning and Cheng Beigu's group: ten kilograms. Yun Fu and Qi Jun's group: five kilograms. Gao Tiange and Bai Zehan's group: five kilograms. Fu Jiaojiao and Song Xiao's group: three kilograms."

Jiang Ning eagerly went to claim breakfast. After a morning's work, she was already starving.

She handed the other breakfast to Gu Beicheng, raising her brows to suggest it tasted good.

But Gu Beicheng didn't take it. Instead, he smiled faintly, his magnetic voice teasing her, "Be more careful next time, little kitten."

Before Jiang Ning could react, his palm was already cupping her cheek, the warmth of his hand making her heart flutter.

Gu Beicheng wiped a smudge of mud from her face and flashed her a beaming smile, one of pure delight.

For a moment, Jiang Ning was lost in his gaze, unaware that they had become the center of everyone's attention.

"Oh, developed feelings in just one day? Your romance sure came out of nowhere!" Qi Jun teased sourly. "Ning, have you forgotten our life-and-death friendship? You can't just throw me over for this handsome teacher!"

Jiang Ning ignored Qi Jun's banter, turning her cool, elegant face toward him and mouthing three silent words: "Five million."

Qi Jun was instantly silenced and slunk away to eat his own bread and milk.

"With all this food, you're just having a little porridge?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but comment as she watched Gu Beicheng take only a few sips of his century egg and pork congee, quietly mocking his idol image.

Gu Beicheng replied in a calm tone, "Eat as much as you like if you enjoy it."

Jiang Ning pursed her lips and chuckled. He made her sound like such a glutton!

Meanwhile, Bai Zehan, who had been watching them, seized the chance while the cameraman was away to approach. "Jiang Ning, I have something to say to you."

Jiang Ning set down her meat bun, frowned, her face cold as she glanced at Bai Zehan, then rolled her eyes without restraint. "I'm busy."

"Jiang Ning, I think we should talk about what happened between us," Bai Zehan insisted, blocking their table.

Jiang Ning's gaze grew sharp and chilling, like a blade aimed at Bai Zehan. "I'm not talking."

"Jiang Ning!" Bai Zehan reached out to grab her hand, only to have his wrist seized by another.

"She said she isn't talking. Did you not hear her, Mr. Bai?" The words were icy.

Bai Zehan's face twisted in pain—he felt as if his bones would snap. "Mr. Gu—"

"Hmm? What did you just call me?" Gu Beicheng's frigid tone made Bai Zehan shiver with dread.

"Mr. Cheng, you really shouldn't interfere in our business—ow!" Bai Zehan's whole body trembled. He knew Gu Beicheng was dangerous, but at this moment, he seemed like a devil wearing human skin.

Gu Beicheng looked at Jiang Ning with a half-smile, his voice indifferent and languid. "Jiang Ning, who am I to you?"

Jiang Ning replied without missing a beat, "You're my date—my boyfriend."