Zhou Yining stayed in Hengdian for over a week before returning to B City.

Qin Sen introduced her to a management agency and an agent. She arrived at Shiguang Media at the appointed time. She had no idea who her agent would be. Anyone willing to sign a newcomer who debuted halfway through via connections was probably a rookie agent themselves.

The sound of high heels clicking on the floor was sharp, and the steps sounded confident and strong.

Zhou Yining looked up at the doorway. A woman with reddish-brown short hair, around 30 years old, looked capable and sharp.

A career woman, Zhou Yining mused inwardly, offering a smile to the newcomer. “Hello.”

“I’m Wan Wei, and I’ll be your agent from now on.”

Zhou Yining was astonished. Wan Wei? The Gold Medal Agent? Signing her?

Seeing her reaction, Wan Wei smiled, pulled out a chair, and sat down. She got straight to the point. “I already understand your situation. Let me first outline a few of my requirements. First, move out of the Qin house as soon as possible. You’ll be filming and taking on various public appearances, and staying at the Qin house is inconvenient and looks bad. Second, I will arrange some courses for you; you will attend training classes regularly. Third, I heard you and Ji Dongyang don’t seem to get along. This won’t do. Even if you genuinely don’t get along, you absolutely cannot show it on the surface. That is an actor’s basic professionalism.”

Zhou Yining took a few seconds to process the long speech. She thought for a moment and said, “I was planning to move out anyway, but I need some time. And I will handle the matter with Ji Dongyang.”

Wan Wei stated, “If a reporter breaks the news that you disrespected the Movie King, millions of fans could crush you like an ant. No matter how powerful your background is, you won’t last.”

That was true. Ji Dongyang’s Eastern Palace fans were truly formidable.

Zhou Yining remembered Ji Dongyang’s reply to her that night: “Best that it is.”

Zhou Yining was a stubborn girl from childhood. The more something seemed impossible, the more she obsessed over it; the more unattainable something was, the more she desired it. Ji Dongyang’s casual remarks could directly hit her weak spot.

Actually, everything he said was right. Her attitude toward joining the crew wasn’t serious enough; she didn’t love the industry like other actors.

Her father wanted her to get engaged to Shen Yanjun, but she refused.

So, she ran away.

Her family was wealthy. Since childhood, she and Zhou JiaHui had the best of everything. Zhou JiaHui liked to compete with her. If Zhou Yining had something better, Zhou JiaHui would instantly feel slighted and immediately buy something even better. This behavior was actually a form of psychological distortion.

Over the years, not only had Zhou JiaHui become distorted, but Zhou Yining had become somewhat twisted herself.

She didn’t know when, but she started to dislike everything Zhou JiaHui liked. She had become completely different from her sister.

If Zhou JiaHui played the role of the obedient daughter, the little princess, both at home and in public, then Zhou Yining would be the rebellious little devil. She smoked. Her alcohol tolerance was good enough to floor several men. Yet she didn’t indulge herself entirely. She studied hard, and she attended the schools her mother arranged for her abroad.

Shen Yanjun was a few years older than her, handsome, from a good family, and highly capable. They were childhood sweethearts, but she didn’t love him.

The night before she ran away, she suddenly remembered the man who had rescued her from a desperate situation years ago.

The pity was that it had been too dark. He gave her a sum of money and left when the rescuers found her. She hadn’t even clearly seen his face.

After running away, she felt like she was at a crossroads in life, suddenly unsure of what she wanted to do or what she desired most.

She idly wandered around the film set and suddenly felt the urge to act.

Perhaps, if she became famous one day, she could tell that story herself and find that person.

Perhaps…

Her motives for entering the entertainment industry weren’t pure, which was why Ji Dongyang could strike her raw nerve.

…

Back at the Qin family home, Zhou Yining ate dinner with her uncle and aunt. Her uncle and aunt had doted on her since she was a child, and she enjoyed visiting them often.

Her aunt enjoyed playing mahjong. That evening, as usual, a mahjong table was set up. After her aunt had won a few rounds, Zhou Yining spoke up, “Auntie, I want to buy a house and move out.”

Qin’s mother was displeased when she heard this. “Why move out? This house is perfectly good! Someone cooks for you every day, you don’t have to clean, and you can play mahjong with me in the evenings. What’s not to like?”

Zhou Yining raised an eyebrow. “The main point is having someone to play mahjong with, right?”

Qin’s mother glared at her. “What are you talking about? Has your auntie ever treated you badly?”

Zhou Yining quickly smiled. “Of course, you’re the best! Better than my own mother! But I’m serious. I’ve grown up now, and I’m an artist. This place is far away, so commuting back and forth isn’t convenient. I also want a place of my own.”

Zhou Yining promised repeatedly that she would come back often to visit her. Only then did her aunt agree. “Don’t worry about the house and car. Have Qin Sen and Qin Kai arrange those for you.”

A few days later, the car and house were sorted out.

Zhou Yining chose a Land Rover from Qin Sen’s garage. The house was found by Qin Kai. She had already seen it, a large, renovated penthouse. Other than lacking furniture, everything was satisfactory.

She finally felt the excitement of having broken free from S City and establishing roots in B City.

She jumped up and down in the house with excitement.

Half an hour later, she shouldered her backpack and left to find a designer to select her furniture. She was usually too lazy for such tedious tasks.

When paying the deposit, the designer pushed the POS machine toward her. Zhou Yining didn’t even look at it. “I’ll pay cash.”

The designer’s eyes widened. “Over 80,000 yuan? Are you sure, Miss Zhou?”

The next second, she watched Zhou Yining open her backpack, and her eyes widened even further.

Zhou Yining was composed. She stacked bundles of pink cash onto the table. The designer glanced at the remaining bundles of cash in her bag and finally closed her gaping mouth, exclaiming, “Almost everyone uses cards now. I’ve never seen a young woman carry this much cash out shopping…”

Zhou Yining smiled without explaining, nodding her chin. “Count it.”

Half an hour later, Zhou Yining left with her backpack.

The design studio was buzzing with discussion. One male designer commented, “That girl is definitely a Bai Fumei! I should pursue her. How about being her boy toy?”

“With you? She wouldn’t look twice! The way she just threw down that money was so cool…”

“I just want to know if she carries that much money every day. Isn’t she afraid of being targeted by thieves?”

“She’s rich. So what if she likes to show off?”

…

Ten-odd days later, all the furniture was moved into the new home. That evening, Zhou Yining went to inspect everything. She jumped up and down on the sofa, feeling it wasn’t quite comfortable enough.

She walked around and was generally satisfied with the house. However, a wine cabinet hadn’t been included in the initial design, and she was missing a liquor cabinet. She rubbed the linen-colored fabric sofa, realizing she had forgotten to tell the designer she preferred leather sofas.

She locked the door and left.

The elevator stopped in the underground parking garage. Zhou Yining looked down and walked out.

The person waiting for the elevator outside paused and asked in confusion, “Miss Zhou?”

Zhou Yining looked up and saw A Ming, Ji Dongyang’s assistant, carrying a large bag of items. A bad feeling immediately rose in her heart. She asked, “You live here?”

A Ming gave a wry smile. “Miss Zhou, don’t joke. How could I afford a place this nice?”

Zhou Yining was silent for a few seconds. “Does Ji Dongyang live here?”

The answer was already obvious, but she wanted confirmation.

Surely she wasn’t that unlucky to live in the same building as him.

A Ming nodded. “Yes, but Dong-ge doesn’t live here permanently. He has several residences. He changes places to avoid the paparazzi sometimes.”

A Ming thought for a moment and also asked curiously, “Do you live here?”

Zhou Yining nodded. “I have something to do. I’ll get going. You carry on.”

The filming in Hengdian for Peaceful Dynasty was almost finished. They would be returning to B City in the next two days to shoot the indoor palace scenes.

Judging by the daily necessities in A Ming’s hands, Ji Dongyang would likely be staying here for a while.

What terrible luck.

NOTES

Bai Fumei: A popular Chinese term for women who are “White (Fair-skinned), Rich, and Beautiful.