Honest Beta gets scammed

Qu Qingzhe's pupils trembled, a hint of dejection flashed across his face, but it was quickly covered up by a smile.

He adjusted his posture and, as if having a casual conversation, posed the question that had been bothering him for several days to Li Qing.

"Speaking of which, how did you meet He Xiangchen?"

When suddenly asked this question, Li Qing blinked, her illegitimate child radar beeping, and she instinctively became alert.

"Why do you ask that?"

Qu Qingzhe smiled and, without hesitation, revealed He Xiangchen's status and position in the capital.

"Because he's not ordinary."

"Although not many people in the entertainment industry know him, he is actually very powerful. Do you know the He Group? Let me put it this way, this group's industries are all over the world. It belongs to the Federation, no, it is one of the world's top capitals. His family is a true old-established wealthy family in the capital."

After thinking for a moment, Qu Qingzhe added another example that Li Qing could understand.

"Have you ever watched a TV series? It's the kind where one person can make it impossible for someone to survive in the country with a single order, and even if they escape abroad, they will be restricted at every turn. He Xiangchen can do that."

That's clear enough now.

Li Qing was stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. He had always known that He Xiangchen's family might be quite powerful, but he had never really grasped the extent of their influence. This was the first time he had heard from someone else what level the He family actually was.

However, despite his shock, he also had his own ulterior motives regarding Qu Qingzhe's words.

He was a little smug.

Although it was the first time he had heard of these things, he felt that he actually knew a little more than Qu Qingzhe!

For example, he knew that He Xiangchen was actually not doing well. He appeared respectable in public, but at home he was oppressed by his illegitimate child, his parents were biased, and there was a fierce internal power struggle going on...

Of course, he couldn't tell Qu Qingzhe any of this.

He simply cleared his throat and said, feigning composure, "I've heard a little about it, I've heard a little about it."

Qu Qingzhe was a man who could tell at a glance that Li Qing was lying, or rather, hiding something.

But he wasn't angry; in fact, his tone became more relaxed.

"It's good that you know. I thought you didn't know anything, which is why you've gotten so close to him."

As he spoke, he leaned closer, feigning gossip, and asked in a low voice.

"Speaking of which, this young master's romantic history could fill a book, but there hasn't been much news about him lately. Since you're so close to him, do you know which little bird he's been keeping lately?"

Little Sparrow?

The two words struck Li Qing's heart like a hammer blow, creating ripples that spread outwards.

He was stunned for a moment, his mind buzzing, never expecting Qu Qingzhe to suddenly say this to him.

Although Li Qing had known for a long time that He Xiangchen frequented places like Shengxin Club before he met him, he never thought that He Xiangchen was "keeping a canary".

But now, after Qu Qingzhe pointed it out, Li Qing suddenly realized that apart from the bitter history of family infighting that He Xiangchen had personally told him, he knew nothing about his friend.

How did He Xiangchen live during the time he didn't know him? Was he really constantly being oppressed by his illegitimate son?

That's probably impossible.

He Xiangchen's mental state doesn't seem like it.

An indescribable feeling of unease welled up from the bottom of my heart, as if something was blocking my way, making me feel suffocated.

He pursed his lips, his expression softened, and his voice lowered.

"...I don't know, I haven't met his other friends...I haven't met that canary you mentioned either."

"I see."

Upon hearing this answer, Qu Qingzhe appeared to understand, but in reality, this was entirely within his expectations. How could He Xiangchen possibly introduce his real social circle to a plaything?

But after Li Qing said those words, he was visibly dejected.

Perhaps not long ago, Li Qing wouldn't have cared so much. After all, it was He Xiangchen's private life, and he was just making friends with He Xiangchen, so it was none of his business.

but now……

Li Qing found herself wanting to know more.

He was particularly eager to know about He Xiangchen's keeping of a kept woman.

Li Qing looked up at Qu Qingzhe again, hesitatingly asking, "Um... why did you ask that?"

Qu Qingzhe saw Li Qing's changing expression clearly, and he smiled slightly.

Playing in low-level matches is easy.

"I was just curious."

"Because He Xiangchen is a well-known playboy in the elite circles of the capital. Although many people in the entertainment industry do not know him, many company executives will arrange some private parties and bring some beautiful newcomers to meet him."

"He has high standards, but he's also very casual. He'll pick someone from time to time, and once he gets tired of them, he'll just throw them away. Well, I wouldn't say throw them away, but he'll just cut off all contact with them. However, he's very generous and will give a very considerable sum of money in small change, so quite a few people are willing to take the gamble."

"In our company, although we are backed by the Fang family and wouldn't do such a thing, some senior executives occasionally leak information to the lower levels. Some people are well-informed and will actively stake out the place if they want to find out something."

Qu Qingzhe was talking eloquently, while Li Qing was already numb.

In a sense, Qu Qingzhe's description of He Xiangchen's image almost perfectly matched his initial impression of He Xiangchen.

But that was only the beginning.

He had only recently realized that his feelings for He Xiangchen seemed unusual, and then he heard about this, feeling like he'd been hit by a bomb.

Everyone wants the people they like to have a positive image, and Li Qing is no exception.

He remained silent for a moment.

Just then, a small commotion came from the set, and someone suddenly called Li Qing's name.

"Li Qing!"

Li Qing's eyes were glazed over. He subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound and saw a stagehand waving at him. Following the direction the stagehand was pointing, Li Qing's gaze fixed on the spot.

Not far away, the playboy He Xiangchen himself was walking over, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Seeing this, Qu Qingzhe stood up and whispered something to Li Qing.

"You guys chat, I'll go get ready when it's my turn to film."

"……Um."

Li Qing nodded, her eyes fixed on He Xiangchen, her expression incredibly complex.

He Xiangchen walked towards Li Qing. He saw Qu Qingzhe leaving from afar. He narrowed his eyes and stopped in front of Li Qing, glancing casually in the direction Qu Qingzhe had left.

Just now, when Li Qing wasn't looking at him, he saw Li Qing and Qu Qingzhe sitting together talking. The two were very close, and he didn't know what they were talking about.