THE CEO's LOVE 121 Faceoff

"The director didn't give orders on dressing you," the makeup artist said. Fangxi turned to smile at her.

"The President gave orders." The makeup artist eyes popped as she immediately got into action. No one would want to be in the bad book of the president.

As the makeup artists got into work, Mei Han came back carrying a tray, two plates of desserts in it. A special treat, since the president was around. 

Upon sighting her, Yin Anhao sprang up from her chair interrupting the artist. She went straight to Mei Han and s.n.a.t.c.hed the tray.

"Hey, that's for me and Xue." Mei Han tried to s.n.a.t.c.h the tray back but Anhao let it go and it dropped to the floor. The dessert quickly mixed with sand and dust.

There was silence. Mei Han tears was almost dropping as she stared down at the desserts.

Anhao dusted her hands. "Oh, I'm sorry." An insincere apology, she folded her hands and went to sit back down.

Mei Han was flaggerbasted. "You're sorry? After s.n.a.t.c.hing the tray and then leaving it to fall? Are you crazy‽" Mei Han was finally loosing it. What did this girl think of herself?

Xueyan just sat there, what is wrong with these three ladies? "Mei, it's okay. She apologized already. Let it slide." She tried to comfort her dear secretary. "Just come with me." After saying that, Xueyan dragged Mei Han away.

As soon as they left, Fangxi and Anhao started laughing.

"You did a great job," Fangxi complimented. 

"All thanks to your teaching." Anhao beamed.

"You see? She couldn't defend that secretary. With the secretary we'll be able to get her walls crumbling." Deng Yue watched the two figures disappear. In the past, Xueyan had been weak but had Jiuwen and Young Master Xing at her side. Now here there were again. With her by herself, no defence but she built one herself, so if she will continue putting up the act, they would use her weak point. Mei Han, the orphaned girl.

"You were so correct! I won't regret listening to you." Fangxi was really happy. If they couldn't get Xueyan directly, they could get Mei Han.

The makeup artists had seen and heard everything. But they would never dare to say it out aloud. They would easily lose their jobs. 

Half an hour later, Fangxi came out fully dressed in her custume, her hair fixed with ornaments dangling from it and her make-up done with utmost patience and into perfection.

She smiled brightly at a stunned Director Ye. The director wasn't the only shocked person, everyone else was surprised. Who told her to dress up? 

"Miss... Miss Ru, what are you doing?" Producer Fang asked in-between stutters.

She smiled as her eyes formed crescent Moon. "I'll like to shoot two or more of my scenes to keep the president entertained." 

Director Ye looked in-between Fangxi and President Yuchi. "And your meaning is?"

"Oh! Really? That would be fantastic!" President Yuchi said. And from the corner of his eyes he saw Xueyan. "Wait, why don't you two do a face off? I mean you and Miss Bai. There's a scene like that, right?" He then turned to the director.

The bright smile Fangxi wore immediately dampened. "No, I mean yes. But President sir, I wanted you to see me act, "alone"." She hoped the president will not push the idea of a face off with Xueyan.

"Okay. But there must be a face off." President Yuchi said. He wanted to compare their talents.

Xueyan wondered what that man had in his head. Who was he by the way? She didn't understand his importance. She watched as the bright sun s.h.i.+ning upon Fangxi suddenly dulled with great impact. She had said earlier to the artists that president Yuchi asked for her to get dressed. Now she says she wants to entertain the president. The two statements didn't match but she could careless.

"President Yuchi..."

"Please, just this once." President Yuchi cut through the director's statement. It was like he knew the man wouldn't agree.

The director could only sigh and turned to plead with his eyes for Xueyan to accept. She made a light bow, which meant she agreed.

"How would you want them to act?" Director Ye asked the man sitting beside him.

"A n.o.ble lady and her servant," 

Producer Fang whom was busy gathering the scripts dropped them when he heard the president. Ruqin might be in some difficulties now, but she would come through it all. And she was a n.o.ble too, though lower in rank.

"What? Did I say anything wrong?" President Yuchi asked.

Director Ye swallowed. 

"It's not part of the scene or the drama... It's just for entertainment." President Yuchi shrugged.

"Go inform Miss Bai," director Ye said to one of the employee close by.

He left immediately to get the message delivered.

Soon he was back.

A mini studio was immediately set up like a garden. A royal like chair and table.

Fangxi sat with her eyes closed. A maid fanning her and another ma.s.saging her feet. Xueyan wasn't bothered one bit. Since the president planned this, she wouldn't reject it.

"Do you think the president and Fangxi are in cahoots?" Mei Han whispered.

"Doesn't matter. He wants to be impressed and that's what I'll do."

"Come over," director Ye said. One of the employee pa.s.sed Xueyan a tray filled with different herbs, a kettle and a tea cup.

Director Ye retrieved another spare camera from his bag, and motioned for the employee controlling the microphone to move forward.

"Where's she?" Fangxi asked, stirring in her chair.

"Here," a light voice said coming from an open door.

Fangxi opened her eyes. "What took you so long?" There was anger in her tone.

Xueyan who had her head slightly bowed suddenly looked up. "The herbs you demanded for are very rare..."

"Rare, you say? Or your incompetence?"

"My lady, you're forgetting something. I'm not your servant. I'm to serve the king." She said without raising her voice. Then dropped the tray on the wooden table.

"So you mean you can't run an errand or two for me? Even if you're not under my command., You're still a servant don't forget that!"

Xueyan looked down on Fangxi's stomach. She is pregnant, and she was using it to do as she pleased. She was using the baby as an excuse to make stupid requests. Asking her to leave the king's side to serve her. Making unnecessary requests in the middle of the night... "Don't talk too loud, my lady. You don't want to hurt your baby."

Fangxi touched her stomach. "You don't tell me what to do!" She didn't like this girl. She was way ahead of herself. That was the main reason she wanted her. One of the king's royal guard. But she was way too stunning to be near the king. That was why she told the king she wanted her as a gift. "Now, come over here and watch my feet."

"My lady, I'm not one of your servants. I'm only here to guard you."

"Do as I say or I'll make you regret it!" Fangxi sprang up from her chair. "Guards, get her!"

Xueyan's ears twitched as the footsteps matched towards them. Since she started serving the king's woman, she wasn't allowed to use her sword. So now she was only left with her hands and legs to do the magic. Two guards quickly grabbed her, but before their hands could tighten around her arms, she dodged and they grabbed the air. She struck the first one with her elbow and the second guard with her leg. Her long leg went straight to his neck and curled around it before dragging him forward. He hit his head on the wooden table and it broke into pieces.

She made swift moves as all the ten guards dropped to the grounds with groans escaping their mouth. She pulled one of the guards sword and directed it to Fangxi's neck. As the cold metal touched her skin, her heart skipped a beat, sweats trickled down her face and her eyes darted forth and back.

"You were saying?" Xueyan asked.

"You're here to guard me and not to run errands." Fear consumed her whole world.

"Great!" President Yuchi started clapping. "Just great! Very good! Fantastic!"

Xueyan rolled her eyes at Fangxi, "You look like a clown." She mumbled and it made Fangxi forget all the happiness she was feeling from the president's compliment.

"Bai Xueyan!" Her hands balled into fists.

Everyone turned to look at the two. Director Ye's movement paused. 

 Except President Yuchi who wasn't surprised by the sudden outburst.

Xueyan stood with an unreadable expression as she turned to face the director.

It was then that Fangxi realized that they were still in front of the camera, and everyone including the president was still there watching. She dropped her head. "I'm sorry,"

"Miss Ru, I wonder why you scream out my name. Are you alright?" Xueyan used her palm to feel Fangxi's forehead. "You don't have a fever, but... You suddenly look pale."

What was Xueyan playing at. "I'm sorry for screaming out your name."

Xueyan nodded like a meek little lamb.

She's pretending! Pretending as if she had said nothing. Fangxi prayed silently that the president will overlook that mistake.

President Yuchi had been watching the two all along. He had even read Xueyan's lips. After insulting Fangxi she pretended like she was the one who was offended... No wonder Xiujun got tired of Fangxi. She wasn't smart enough. Xueyan was cool and calculted, meanwhile Fangxi was just the exact opposite.