Both men were usually busy, but even their occasional chats could last a good while. Lu Xiao said, “Lately, my family’s been pushing marriage hard. My mom’s almost at the point of threatening suicide to get her way. But this whole marriage thing… You can’t just get married because someone says so. I’ve had my eye on Zhou Yining for a few years now. I just want to give it a shot this time.”

Ji Dongyang replied evenly, “Oh? I remember you had a girlfriend last year.”

Lu Xiao laughed. “We broke up ages ago. The point is, remembering a girl after several years… that’s not easy.”

Ji Dongyang was silent for a few seconds. “What if she doesn’t like you?”

Lu Xiao was surprisingly philosophical about that. “Feelings are complicated. You can’t force them.” He paused, sensing something off. “Wait, that’s not right. Usually, you’re pretty dismissive when I talk about this stuff. How come you’re in the mood to chat today? Something going on?”

Ji Dongyang’s voice was flat. “No. I’m hanging up.”

After ending the call, Ji Dongyang tossed his phone aside. He didn’t hear any noise from outside, so he guessed the girl had gone home.

Pulling the door open, he found the living room empty. The sofa was deserted, cushions scattered messily across the floor. His clothes were also gone. He found it suddenly amusing, wondering what peculiar habit of hers involved absconding with his clothes whenever she was upset.

He walked over, rummaged through a cabinet for a pack of cigarettes, and spent a long time looking for a lighter before finally tossing the cigarettes back inside. He rarely smoked, only taking a few puffs when particularly agitated. A single pack could sometimes last him months.

He leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, but found sleep utterly elusive.

He’d started acting at 15, thrown into the Hengdian world to play minor roles, even corpses. He endured wind and sun every day, but he became obsessed with acting. He loved it. In those first few years, before he was an adult, he still had to attend school and refused to comply with some crew schedules, which meant many projects couldn’t use him if the timing didn’t align. The money he made then wasn’t much, and it was all taken and squandered by his parents. If he refused, they wouldn’t sign the necessary permits for him.

Before he turned 23, his life was chaos. Later, he gradually became famous, the artist who earned the most for his agency. The company did everything possible to cover up the scandals from his family—wasn’t it just a matter of money? They deducted it from his pay. If he didn’t cooperate, they threatened him with scripts and contracts. He spent those years preparing to terminate his contract, even readying himself for lawsuits and penalty fees. But before he could make his move, Yang Xun found him. Time Media spent nine figures to poach him.

The lows and highs of his life, the myriad human experiences—he’d tasted them all. There had been another climax, too.

No one could know what the future held.

Zhou Yining was different. Though her family situation was complex, she lived well now—passionate, bright, and beautiful. She had immense talent for acting and could go far, reach great heights. Who knew if one day, being with him would push them both into the eye of a storm, to the edge of a cliff.

The entertainment world was a fickle, heartless place.

The fingers resting over his eyes slowly slid down, coming to rest on the spot she had lightly licked.

Suddenly, he felt his heart grow warm.

……

Zhou Yining had been genuinely angry that night. Every time she took the initiative, she was pushed away. Even with her thick skin, she felt utterly humiliated. For days, she had no heart to try and engage with him. *The Peaceful Dynasty* was filming its final scenes and would wrap up in the next few days. Ji Dongyang was busy shooting, and she didn’t try to ambush him. The two of them returned to parallel lines, not even crossing paths.

Zhou Yining desperately held her ground until *The Peaceful Dynasty’s* official Weibo account posted wrap-up photos. Ji Dongyang was still in costume, looking ruggedly handsome and impossibly dashing. Ji Dongyang even, rarely, reposted the Weibo. Fans were ecstatic over this rare interaction.

His words were brief: *Thank you, everyone.*

A standard, aloof Ji Dongyang comment.

“AHHHHHH! It’s a wrap! Now we can focus on waiting for the drama to air! My Brother Dong’s ancient costume look is literally unmatched!”
“When will Brother Dong ever post an original Weibo?!”
“Waiting obediently for the next Weibo post. It shouldn’t be too long, right? We’ll probably get one when *The Peaceful Dynasty* promotions start!”
……

Zhou Yining scrolled through the comments on his Weibo. His fans were crazy. Ji Dongyang had reached a point where he didn’t need scandals, didn’t need Weibo interactions. Just appearing in public again could stir up a whirlwind. Was this what it felt like to stand at the top?

After browsing Weibo for a while, she grew restless. She sent a WeChat to A’Ming: *When is Ji Dongyang coming back?*

A’Ming replied quickly: *Brother Dong has a banquet to attend tonight. It’ll be late.*

Zhou Yining rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. What banquet? As she wondered, her phone suddenly rang.

It was Wan Wei.

Zhou Yining quickly answered. “Sister Wei! Any instructions?”

Wan Wei was amused. “Looks like you’ve been waiting for my call.”

Zhou Yining laughed, not denying it. “Yeah, I’ve been waiting for you to tell me about the audition. I was always worried I’d been stood up.”

Wan Wei said, exasperated, “Overthinker. Get ready. I’m almost at your place.”

She didn’t specify why. Zhou Yining could only go change clothes and do her makeup, waiting for her to arrive.

Half an hour later, Zhou Yining got into Wan Wei’s car. Wan Wei glanced at her. “We’ll get your styling done first. You’re attending a banquet tonight.”

A banquet? Zhou Yining’s heart jumped. “What banquet?”

“What else? Many big and small bosses in the film and TV industry will be there. Directors and producers, too. I know your background isn’t simple; you don’t need to rely on those underhanded methods to get ahead. Frankly, it saves me worry. But Director Wei will be there tonight. So will the investor for *Heart Knot*. Go make an appearance.”

Zhou Yining gave an “oh” and fell silent, wondering if it was the same banquet Ji Dongyang was attending.

Ji Dongyang walked into the banquet hall in a tailored black suit, his posture ramrod straight, his handsomeness rugged, his mature, steady aura on full display. Just standing there, he attracted the guests’ attention. After exchanging pleasantries with a few familiar directors, he took his glass and walked to the side. He turned his back to the dance floor, leaning against a pillar as he slowly took a sip of his drink.

Before long, Lu Xiao approached with his own glass.

He clinked his glass against Ji Dongyang’s, smiling. “It’s so hard to get a moment of your time until you wrap up. Truly not easy.”

Ji Dongyang smiled faintly. “No helping it.”

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you even curious how I ended up here?”

Ji Dongyang said tonelessly, “Haven’t you been eyeing the film and TV sector for a while now? Not hard to guess.”

It was true. Film and TV were lucrative; everyone wanted a piece. Lu Xiao was a businessman; he naturally wouldn’t pass up such a money-making opportunity. He smiled. “You didn’t help make connections before. Some small scripts came my way, but I didn’t fancy them. Can’t compete with the big film and TV giants for major productions. Finally got a chance this time.”

Ji Dongyang shifted his posture, still leaning. “Oh? Which project?”

Something about Lu Xiao’s tone felt downright punchable.

“*Heart Knot*. Director Wei’s film.”

Sure enough, Lu Xiao looked exceedingly pleased with himself.

Ji Dongyang was only surprised for a few seconds before schooling his expression. “Then congratulations. Director Wei’s films never gross less than a billion.”

Lu Xiao laughed heartily, clapping him hard on the shoulder. “Still playing dumb. I know Director Wei asked you to play the male lead.”

Ji Dongyang also smiled, raising his glass to take a sip.

As they chatted, Zhou Yining walked in through the entrance. Lu Xiao, who had a view of the door, suddenly grinned. “She’s here.”

Noticing his suddenly excited expression, Ji Dongyang slowly turned his head and saw Zhou Yining in a black off-the-shoulder short dress that showed off her beautiful collarbones and long legs. Her dark hair was loosely swept up, lending her pure look a touch of alluring charm. Instantly, she drew the gazes of most male guests present; many were eager to make a move.

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow, smiling. “I’ll go over first.”

Ji Dongyang watched Lu Xiao head toward Zhou Yining, only to be beaten to it by someone else.

Zhou Yining looked at the man and smiled.

Ji Dongyang also remembered that man, the elite-looking guy who had patted her head outside the car.

Lu Xiao hadn’t expected to be preempted either. He paused mid-step before walking over with his glass. Shen Yanjun saw him and smiled slightly. “President Lu.”

Lu Xiao’s expression didn’t change. He smiled. “Saw you two and came to say hello.” He looked at Zhou Yining. “Miss Zhou, long time no see.”

Zhou Yining was momentarily stunned, clearly not remembering who he was.

Shen Yanjun smiled and introduced him. “Lu Xiao. He has collaborations with the Zhou Corporation.”

Zhou Yining understood now and smiled at him. “Hello.”

Lu Xiao felt a twinge of defeat. She didn’t even remember who he was. The next moment, he composed himself and looked between the two. Their engagement earlier in the year had been quite the sensation in S City. Zhou Yining’s runaway bride act had damaged the face of both the Zhou and Shen families; it had been a close shave for their reputations.

It seemed now that Shen Yanjun didn’t plan to give up.

Lu Xiao chatted with them for a few moments before Zhou Yining left with Wan Wei. Zhou Yining looked around, trying to find Ji Dongyang. After a full circle, she didn’t see him and felt somewhat disappointed.

Wan Wei: “What are you looking for?”

Zhou Yining shook her head. “Nothing, just looking around. Seeing if there’s anyone else I recognize.”

She was telling the truth. Someone like Zhou Lihui might show up at such an event.

Suddenly remembering something, she looked at Wan Wei seriously. “Sister Wei, me getting to audition for *Heart Knot*… it wasn’t through backdoor connections, was it?”

Wan Wei raised an eyebrow. “What if it was?”

Zhou Yining didn’t answer. That would depend on who opened that backdoor for her.

Wan Wei patted her shoulder, her tone mild. “Having backing isn’t something to be ashamed of. Look around this hall. How many newcomers are wide-eyed, hoping to snag a sugar daddy? Don’t worry, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Besides, the other party merely mentioned your name. What kind of person is Director Wei? He firmly refused to change the male lead even when Star Universe withdrew funding. If he really didn’t think you were up to it, you wouldn’t have gotten the chance.”

Wan Wei had told her about Star Universe’s withdrawal of funds on the way over.

Zhou Yining was silent for a few seconds. Wan Wei looked ahead. “Director Wei is over there. Let’s go say hello.”

Zhou Yining collected herself and followed Wan Wei over. Wan Wei smiled. “Director Wei, this is Zhou Yining.”

Zhou Yining smiled and extended her hand. “Director Wei, hello. I’ve long heard of your great name.”

Her manner was neither obsequious nor arrogant, the attitude just right. Wei Zhong smiled. “Hello. I’ve seen the materials Manager Wan sent over. You performed well in *The Peaceful Dynasty*.”

Zhou Yining was pleasantly surprised. “Thank you, Director Wei.”

She added, “I also like your film work. *Black & White* is my favorite.”

Wei Zhong laughed heartily. “That’s thanks to our male lead’s excellent performance!”

Zhou Yining also smiled. That was undoubtedly true.

Lu Xiao exchanged a few words with Shen Yanjun before returning to Ji Dongyang.

Ji Dongyang had already found a seat. His glass-holding hand rested on his knee, one leg bent inward. He propped his head up, his gaze indifferent, though it was unclear what he was looking at. Lu Xiao followed his line of sight, but Ji Dongyang calmly retracted his gaze before he could see.

Lu Xiao sat down beside him, chin slightly lifted as he pointed into the middle distance. “Well, there’s Zhou Yining’s ex-fiancé.”