Manipulative Harem God

Hu Ning, "You lost your purity?"

Zhou Jiajia, still avoiding eye contact, mumbled softly, "It was... unexpected."

Hu Ning's voice rose, a mix of concern and frustration. "Unexpected? Zara, you're a public figure! You can't just have unexpected things like this happen."

Zhou Jiajia's gaze remained fixed on her hands, fingers fidgeting nervously. "I know, I know. It just... happened."

The manager let out an exasperated sigh. "We need damage control. This can't be all over the news tomorrow. What were you thinking?"

Zhou Jiajia finally looked up, her eyes filled with remorse. "I wasn't thinking. I just... I needed a break."

Hu Ning's frustration deepened. "A break? Zara, you can't escape reality like this. We need to manage the fallout from this immediately."

Zhou Jiajia couldn't suppress a flicker of annoyance at Hu Ning's stern words and shot back defiantly, "What fallout? I didn't tell anyone but you."

The air inside the limousine seemed to thicken with tension as Hu Ning frowned, her expression etched with a stern resolve. "It doesn't matter. You have a public image to maintain. What happens to your fans if they discover their goddess entangled with someone? Do you want to watch your popularity plummet? The agency invests in you, Zara. You can't continue to behave recklessly and run away without informing anyone!"

Zhou Jiajia, hearing the unexpected scolding, couldn't help but pout. "I don't care about your agency."

Taken aback by her defiant response, Hu Ning's eyes narrowed as she squared her shoulders. "Then should I call your father and inform him about this...?"

Zhou Jiajia's face turned pale, panic instantly setting in. "No, please don't!"

Hu Ning, maintaining a firm gaze, nodded resolutely. "I won't for now, but you can't evade responsibility like this. The flight to the tour is thankfully delayed, allowing us to arrive on time. Regarding your boyfriend, whoever he is, break all ties until the agency gives the green light."

Zhou Jiajia, biting her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, the weight of the situation sinking in. "Fine," she relented, her voice tinged with reluctant acceptance. The limousine continued its journey through the city, carrying within it the echoes of a scandalous moment in the life of the country's idol.

Seeing Zhou Jiajia sulking with her head down, Hu Ning's gaze softened, and she called out, "Zara."

Zhou Jiajia lifted her head, her eyes slightly red. "What?" she responded, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

Witnessing her in that fragile state, Hu Ning hesitated, then asked with genuine concern, "... are you crying?"

"Hm?" Zhou Jiajia, realizing her tears, placed her fingers on her eyes to check, quickly using her hands to wipe them away.

"Take this," Hu Ning handed over a tissue to her, sighing as Zhou Jiajia took it, wiping her eyes.

Finally, Hu Ning spoke gently, "Zara, tell me what happened?"

Zhou Jiajia flinched, her mind still heavy from the day's events. From the unsettling incident in the dressing room to the heart-pounding encounter with Zhang Wei, her legs still numb, and now the scolding from Hu Ning—she didn't know where to begin.

The weight of the day pressed upon her, and for a moment, she simply sat in silence, grappling with the chaotic emotions swirling within her.

Hu Ning, sensing her continued silence, probed further. "Is this about your new boyfriend...?" Her question carried a hint of suspicion, eyes narrowing.

"No..." Zhou Jiajia shook her head, tears resurfacing. "Hu Ning, do you think vampires are real...?" Her words held a mix of confusion and vulnerability, a vivid image of the trial room scene replaying in her mind.

Hu Ning squinted, dismissing the notion. "No, they aren't. It's just a fairytale," she stated matter-of-factly.

"I see..." Zhou Jiajia whispered, her features darkening.

Was she the victim of a cruel prank?

As the realization settled in, Zhou Jiajia couldn't shake the nagging thoughts about the photos and videos residing on Zhang Wei's phone. Moisture gathered in her eyes, creating a blurred layer over her vision.

Hu Ning, sensing the distress, observed keenly. "Zara, tell me what happened," she urged again, her tone now stern, with a subtle warning.

!!

Zhou Jiajia flinched, her eyes reflecting the weight of the unsettling events. Taking a deep breath, she began recounting, "It started in the dressing room..." Her voice quivered with the memory.

Hu Ning's features tightened as she patiently absorbed each word, the gravity of the situation etching lines on her face.

Hu Ning's eyes widened in alarm. "What? You were assaulted? Why didn't you inform me earlier?"

Zhou Jiajia shrugged, her gaze drifting away, the uncertainty evident in her eyes. "I was scared... and then Zhang Wei happened."

"Zhang Wei?" Hu Ning's voice carried a sharper edge. "What did he do?"

"He... he trapped me in the trial room, and I-I thought he was going to kill me. I-It was terrifying," Zhou Jiajia admitted, her hands fidgeting with the tissue, the tension palpable.

Hu Ning's expression hardened, a mixture of concern and determination. "We need to report this to the authorities, Zara."

Zhou Jiajia hesitated, her eyes flickering with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "No, please. I just want to forget this day. Can we just focus on the tour?"

Hu Ning sighed, realizing the toll the day had taken on Zhou Jiajia. "Fine, but we need to address this. You can't keep these things hidden, especially if there's someone targeting you. We'll figure this out together, Zara."

Hu Ning, sensing Zhou Jiajia's fear and constantly tapping legs, instinctively pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Come here..."

The limousine's interior became a sanctuary for the unfolding emotional storm.

As Zhou Jiajia felt the warmth of the hug, the dam holding back her emotions crumbled.

She started to sob, the weight of the day releasing in each tear.

Between sobs, she admitted, "My legs are hurting so much."

Concern etched across Hu Ning's face, she gently pulled back to look into Zhou Jiajia's eyes. "Do you want to cancel the concert?"

Zhou Jiajia, despite the pain and emotional turmoil, shook her head. "No, we can't cancel. The fans are waiting. I need to do this."

Hu Ning, understanding the determination in Zhou Jiajia's eyes, nodded in silent support.

If there was one thing that never ceased to astonish her about Zhou Jiajia, it was her unwavering determination, a quality that shone brightly despite her young age.