Ji Dongyang followed his gaze. Lu Xiao continued, “That’s Shen Yanjun. The Shen family from S City—you know the one? Twenty-seven years old, accomplished young guy. Grew up with Zhou Yining since they were kids. Their engagement cancellation was a huge, dramatic mess. That’s why I can’t figure this girl out. Shen Yanjun is handsome, comes from a great family, and even *he* wasn’t good enough for her. I really don’t know what kind of man she’s into.”

He grinned at Ji Dongyang. “Hey, you think I’ve got a shot?”

Ji Dongyang glanced at him. Lu Xiao had sharp, regular features. Years of navigating the business world had polished him smooth, a shrewd keenness evident at a glance.

Dropping his gaze, Ji Dongyang replied tonelessly, “No.”

Lu Xiao frowned. “How do you know?”

Ji Dongyang didn’t answer. After a long moment, he drained his glass in one tilt, stood up, and left with a final remark: “I need to go over there.”

Wei Zhong, Wan Wei, and Zhou Yining were still chatting. Spotting Ji Dongyang approaching, Wei Zhong immediately waved him over. “Hey, Dongyang! Where’d you disappear to? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Zhou Yining’s heart gave a little jump. Her eyes tracked his movement, confirming it was indeed Ji Dongyang walking their way. He took a glass of red wine from a passing server’s tray and was already upon them.

Ji Dongyang smiled. “Ran into an old friend. Caught up for a bit.”

Wei Zhong joked, “It wasn’t some director trying to pitch you a new project, was it?”

Ji Dongyang laughed lightly. “No. The only director I’m talking shop with today is you, Director Wei.”

Wan Wei read the situation and smiled at the director. “Director Wei, why don’t you chat with our award-winning actor here? Yining and I should go mingle elsewhere.”

Ji Dongyang turned his head, his eyes meeting Zhou Yining’s directly. They held the gaze for a few brief seconds. His gaze was deep, unreadable. Zhou Yning looked away first, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Wei Zhong, and left with Wan Wei.

Watching them walk away, Wei Zhong finally said, “Today’s my first time meeting Zhou Yining. The more I look, the more I think she fits the female lead. If she passes the audition, she’ll be your counterpart. You’ve worked with her before. I heard Director Xu was pretty harsh with his criticisms. I’d like to hear your opinion.”

Ji Dongyang thought for a moment, then said slowly, “She has significant potential.”

Wei Zhong raised an eyebrow. “That’s high praise.”

Ji Dongyang smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Wan Wei introduced Zhou Yining to a few other directors. Zhou Yining’s family background had long since been dug up by the public. Everyone knew this girl wasn’t some small-time starlet climbing the ladder via under-the-table deals. If someone really wanted to promote her, she’d definitely blow up. Some complimented Wan Wei on her sharp eye, which Wan Wei accepted with a smile.

After making the rounds, she looked at Zhou Yining. “What? Feeling scornful of these kinds of events?”

Zhou Yining was somewhat distracted. “No. It’s just these shoes are a bit uncomfortable. Hard to walk in.”

Wan Wei glanced down at her slender high heels. “Then find a place to rest for a while. It should be wrapping up soon. I’ll call you when it’s time to leave.”

Zhou Yining felt as if she’d been granted a pardon and nodded quickly. “Okay.”

Zhou Yining had just found a seat when someone sat down opposite her. She looked up. It was that man from earlier. Lu Xiao smiled at her. “Miss Zhou, you haven’t forgotten me again, have you?”

Zhou Yning stared at him for a few seconds, more or less able to guess his intentions. She said flatly, “Lu Xiao. I remember.”

Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Good.”

Finding an entry point was crucial when a man chatted up a woman. Lu Xiao knew about her family situation—they were business partners, after all—but he wouldn’t bring that up. Her show hadn’t aired yet, so they couldn’t discuss that either. After thinking it over, the only mutually familiar person was Ji Dongyang. He said, “The drama you just wrapped with Dongyang, *The Peaceful Dynasty*, is highly anticipated. I heard it’s airing in February, right?”

*Dongyang?* Zhou Yining latched onto the key point. “You know him?”

Lu Xiao smiled and nodded. “Yeah. We’ve known each other since junior high.”

Zhou Yining’s eyes lit up slightly. Was he the old friend Ji Dongyang mentioned? She asked nonchalantly, “Really?”

Lu Xiao leaned back into the sofa, smiling. “Mhm. But his temper isn’t great. You didn’t get any grief from him while you were in the same crew, did you?”

*No grief?* As if. She’d gotten plenty of it lately.

Since this person was an old friend of Ji Dongyang’s, Zhou Yining told the truth, her tone laced with a hint of disdain. “His temper is truly awful!”

Lu Xiao laughed heartily, finding this girl amusing.

The conversation revolved entirely around Ji Dongyang, which piqued Zhou Yining’s interest. The two chatted animatedly. Shen Yanjun had walked up behind them at some point without them noticing. Lu Xiao looked up at him. “President Shen, can I help you?”

Zhou Yining looked up upon hearing this. Shen Yanjun smiled slightly and looked down at her. “It’s about time. I’ll take you home.”

Zhou Yining refused. “I came with my agent. She’ll take me back later.”

Shen Yanjun: “I already spoke with her. She’s left.”

Zhou Yining: “…”

She’d been sold out by her agent just like that.

Shen Yanjun looked down at her, somewhat helpless. “Let’s go. I have something I want to talk to you about anyway.”

Zhou Yining thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

Lu Xiao could only watch as Shen Yanjun whisked Zhou Yining away with just a few words. He clicked his tongue, stood up to get a drink, and saw Ji Dongyang walking towards him from the opposite direction.

Zhou Yining walked side-by-side with Shen Yanjun. She looked up and saw Ji Dongyang. She glanced at him a few extra times, but Ji Dongyang acted as if he didn’t see her, walking straight past her. Annoyed, she stomped her high heels loudly against the floor. Shen Yanjun, watching her suddenly quicken her pace, followed with some confusion. “Why the sudden hurry?”

“I want to get home faster.”

He chuckled. “Tired?”

…

Ji Dongyang walked up to Lu Xiao, his voice indifferent. “It’s about time. I should head out, too.”

Lu Xiao knew he’d just finished filming and was exhausted. “Alright. I’ll be in town for two more days. Let’s meet up if you have time.”

Ji Dongyang nodded, turned, and left.

Aming received the call and waited by the entrance for a while. First, he saw Zhou Yining get into a Cayenne up ahead with some handsome guy. He stared curiously. Soon, the Cayenne drove off. He muttered, “I thought she liked Dong-ge? How come she left with another man?”

After two minutes, Ji Dongyang walked over, pulled the car door open, and got in. “Drive.”

Aming hurriedly replied, “Oh, right away.”

Ji Dongyang leaned against the seatback, looking out the window with an unreadable expression. Aming silently observed him through the rearview mirror for a while before asking, “Dong-ge, I just saw Miss Zhou leave with a guy.”

Ji Dongyang said faintly, “Mhm.”

The next second, he found his sleep mask and put it on, leaning his head against the headrest, clearly not wanting to talk.

Aming swallowed the rest of his words, almost giving himself internal injuries from keeping them in.

Shen Yanjun and Zhou Yining sat together in the back seat, with his assistant driving. Zhou Yining asked, “What did you want to talk to me about?”

Shen Yanjun glanced at her. “Uncle Zhou took on the *Heart Knot* project, but it’s awkward for him to be directly involved, so he asked me to handle it.”

Zhou Lihui had divested part of this project; Shen Yanjun and Lu Xiao had also become investors. To avoid complications, Zhou Lihui only invested a portion. Currently, the largest investor was Shen Yanjun, but he didn’t tell Zhou Yining this. He had always wanted to improve the relationship between Zhou Yining and Zhou Lihui. Only if their father-daughter relationship improved would he have a chance with her.

Zhou Yining said faintly, “Oh.” The reason Zhou Lihui couldn’t get involved openly was only Zhou Jiahui. If her dear sister found out their dear father was investing in a movie for her hated half-sister, promoting her as the female lead, she’d probably raise hell.

“Was it he who suggested me to Director Wei?”

“No. I did.”

Zhou Yining turned to look at him, frowning slightly. Shen Yanjun quickly explained, “I only mentioned your name. Your agent happened to send your portfolio over. You know Director Wei isn’t the type to cast leads based on investors’ whims. If he thought you weren’t suitable, there would be nothing I could do.”

Wan Wei had said the same thing. Zhou Yining wasn’t sure if it was true or not.

Shen Yanjun had known her for so many years; he could easily tell what she was thinking. “Don’t worry. I’m telling the truth.”

Zhou Yining felt somewhat reassured and leaned back again. “I see. Even if you did open a back door for me, I don’t plan on skipping the audition.”

Shen Yanjun looked at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “That’s more like it.”

Arriving downstairs, Zhou Yining pulled the car door open and got out. Shen Yanjun circled around from the other side to stand before her. He looked down at her and ruffled her hair like he did when they were kids. “Shall I come up? See where you live.”

Zhou Yining was about to swat his hand away when a familiar black Mercedes drove past her, honking its horn—a sharp sound, especially piercing on the deep winter night.

*Is Aming insane? The road’s so wide, why honk in the middle of the night?!*

Ji Dongyang had taken his sleep mask off as soon as they entered the residential complex. The scene outside fell squarely into his view.

Aming, worried Dong-ge would scold him for honking unnecessarily, offered a white lie: “Just saw a cat run past.”

Ji Dongyang’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Mhm,” he replied flatly.

Zhou Yining refused Shen Yanjun’s request to see her apartment and turned to leave quickly, wondering if she could still catch Ji Dongyang.

Fortunately, Ji Dongyang had come up from the underground garage. She waited for the elevator in the hallway.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Ji Dongyang standing straight and tall inside. Her heart leapt with joy. She quickly stepped in, pretending nonchalance on the surface, standing quietly beside him without saying a word.

Soon, the elevator arrived on the twelfth floor. Neither moved.

Zhou Yining glanced at him, then stepped out first.

Ji Dongyang, hands in his suit pants pockets, walked slowly behind her.

Now, it was a contest of who could hold out longer.

Zhou Yining glanced back at Ji Dongyang, who was inputting his passcode, while fumbling for her keys. Ultimately, she was ten years his junior and lacked patience. Stomping over in her high heels, she planted herself angrily in front of him. “Hey! You’ve been ignoring me for days! What’s your problem? Every time you get some advantage taken, you give me the silent treatment! If you feel short-changed, just kiss me back!”