The boss's secret crush

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-23

Chapter 1 (1)

"The Stars Know My Heart" was a wildly popular prime-time drama series in its early days. It tells the story of a mother suffering from cancer who, before her death, seeks suitable adoptive families for her five children. The story is touching and tear-jerking, generating a huge response and discussion on the streets at the time. It can be said to be one of the representative works of Taiwanese television dramas.

These days, it is popular to remake old dramas. With safe themes and nostalgic audience support, TV stations followed suit in droves. Now, many years later, "The Stars Know My Heart" is about to be remade for the third time in television history.

The cast of this remake is strong, gathering the most popular idol stars. In addition, this remake is led and produced by "Emperor Yan". The level of attention it has received is evident from the huge number of reporters at today's press conference. It is far beyond what ordinary television programs can compare to.

Who is "Emperor Yan"?

The Yan Group started in Hong Kong real estate in its early years. Now its business scope includes finance, hotels, gaming and entertainment. Its power has long spanned across the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong. The current leader is the third generation of the Yan family.

"Yanhuang Entertainment" holds a leading position in the Chinese entertainment industry. Its artists undergo thorough transformation and packaging, coupled with unique and powerful marketing methods, creating many dazzling superstars that other agencies can only dream of.

"I said if Lu Mingjia could play the adult version of Wanwan, it would definitely be a hot topic."

Lu Mingjia is an actress, beautiful and tall, a glamorous type, comparable to current top models. Unfortunately, her career seems perpetually lackluster.

In recent years, she has not only lacked representative works but has also been relegated to supporting roles, her image often portrayed as either a mistress or a villain. Even when she receives invitations to stage plays, they are usually from small, unknown troupes. Her endorsements are few and far between, and with no scandals, a female star who doesn't generate buzz or show skin naturally receives very little media attention.

Two reporters chatted privately during the press conference for "The Stars Know My Heart." The reason they mentioned Lu Mingjia was because she was the child star who played the younger version of Wanwan in the film's second remake.

Back then, Lu Mingjia wasn't as obscure as she is now. She was a talented actress, beautiful, and had been described by a renowned director as one of the most promising child stars!

Unfortunately—

"How could that be?! This is a production by Yanhuang Entertainment, how could they possibly cast her?"

Indeed, this was the main reason for her lack of success. Lu Mingjia had a great appearance, but in the entertainment industry, where connections matter more than talent, someone treated coldly by "Yanhuang Entertainment" wouldn't attract the attention of other production companies.

Reporter A couldn't help but sigh. "Ah, what a pity. I don't know how Lu Mingjia got involved with such a big shot; she's been frozen out for so many years."

Reporter B, still young, was completely focused on the voluptuous female host on stage, her eyes sparkling. Ah, who doesn't love a beauty? "Didn't I hear she offended Young Master Yan with her rude remarks?"

Young Master Yan is Yan Ji, the current head of the "Yanhuang Group."

He officially took over at the age of twenty, and like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, in seventeen years, he doubled the business empire and profits of the Yanhuang Group, its power and wealth reaching unprecedented heights. He held an undeniable position in both the political and business worlds, as well as in the underworld.

The veteran reporter sighed; the young reporter truly lacked the curiosity to pursue the truth. "How could it be so simple? Just for being rude, he's been frozen out for so many years? Would the powerful and wealthy Young Master Yan be so short-sighted as to argue with a woman? I've always believed that thing must be true."

The young reporter thought for a moment. "Hey, you mean Lu Mingjia and Young Master Yan's brother's relationship? Didn't Yanhuang deny it? And no one dared to follow up on it!"

"Oh, it's definitely true, otherwise Young Master Yan wouldn't have wasted time suppressing that news!"

The young reporter shrugged. "It just goes to show that wealthy families are like deep seas, and forced relationships never work! But then again, if Lu Mingjia is really frozen out because of this, isn't Young Master Yan making a mountain out of a molehill?! Didn't I hear that the second young master of the Yan family was sent to study in England? It's been years, and he still hasn't returned... Sigh, childhood sweethearts aren't such a big deal. There's really no need to freeze her out for so many years. The actress's prime years have been wasted like this. Young Master Yan's methods are truly ruthless."

This industry is very realistic. Even if it wasn't Young Master Yan who ordered Lu Mingjia's blacklist, it's common for subordinates to try to guess what their superiors want, act on their own, and fawn over them. It's not surprising that Lu Mingjia's career has been bumpy and unsuccessful for the past seven years.

The veteran reporter patted the younger colleague on the shoulder. "Keep the bad things to yourself, but don't say them out loud. There are many busybodies in this industry who love to see people cause trouble. Be careful."

The young reporter immediately thanked his senior for the advice. "Yes, yes, I'll be more careful!"

The press conference was bustling with activity, and the reporters' casual conversation gradually shifted to other topics.

But where was Lu Mingjia, the perennial supporting actress mentioned in the chatter?

Hidden in a dark basement in an alley was a casino. The decor was old and the lighting dim, with only a few tables and decks of cards she couldn't understand. This wasn't Macau or Las Vegas, but it didn't need any glittering facade. Such rudimentary facilities could easily destroy a peaceful and happy family without a single arrow.

Hadn't they heard that nine out of ten gamblers lose? Even elementary school students knew this, yet those addicted to gambling preferred to hypnotize themselves into believing they knew nothing, indulging in the delusional dream that one day they would turn things around!

"Hey Miss Lu, Miss Lu, how do you plan to settle your father's million-dollar debt?"

The small room was filled with smoke. The casino boss, legs crossed, a cigarette dangling from his lips, greeted today's distinguished guest.

Lu Mingjia blinked. What a coincidence! The atmosphere was so much like the scene she'd just filmed yesterday—the same father owing gambling debts, the daughter being threatened and violently pressured by the casino to collect. Ah, whether on a film set or not, she'd seen this kind of scene countless times: being threatened by casino bosses, being dragged into small rooms for a chat, receiving endless debt collection calls every day. When there's a gambler in the family, all of this becomes normalized.

That's why she was such a good actress. "Brother," she said, picking up a handkerchief and wiping away tears with a pitiful expression, just like the character she'd played yesterday. "I'm no star. You saw it yourself, just a minor role. If I were a star, why would my father owe you money? Actors' work is unstable; I myself sometimes don't even have a meal. It's really… I have my own difficulties…"

The henchman beside her, not wanting to watch the performance, launched into a string of profanities. "Pah! You think playing the victim will work? We've read the newspapers, you know. They say even a random showgirl can get ten thousand yuan for a two-hour appearance. Do you think you're less than a showgirl? Huh? You owe money, so you have to pay it back! Haven't you heard of children paying their fathers' debts?"

Lu Mingjia put her hand down to rest her tears on her knees, her back straight. Despite being in danger, she wasn't afraid at all. She was still wearing heavy makeup from before the show ended, and she wasn't even given time to remove it before being dragged here. Sigh, now her skin is ruined, and she doesn't know who to sue for.

"Big brother thinks too highly of Mingjia. How can Mingjia compare to a young and beautiful showgirl who gets ten thousand yuan for an appearance? Big brother, if you've read the newspapers, you should know very well that I'm just a perennial supporting actress, not worth mentioning."

Disgusted by her perfunctory attitude, the casino henchman, who was impatient, didn't mince words. He slammed his wooden stick on the table and roared, "Damn it! No matter what you say, you just won't pay back the money!"

The casino henchman, intending to intimidate her with his bravado, thought it would work on the woman. Little did he know that Lu Mingjia had experienced

far more than just being hit on the table with a stick; the debt collection a year ago was even more brutal. Back then, she had injured her right leg and had to take half a month off from filming to recover! She smiled faintly. "Want to pay it back? Of course I want to! It's just that I'm not capable enough. The money I've spent paying off debts over the years could buy a luxury apartment. What ability do I have to pay back another million?"

"You deserve a beating!" The casino henchman, enraged, grabbed his stick, ready to give her a good beating. The concept of chivalry didn't exist in their vocabulary.

"Wait a minute."

The casino boss unexpectedly intervened. The henchman gritted his teeth and put away his stick. The boss stood up, staring coldly at the woman before him, speaking in perfect Taiwanese. "Look at you," he said, his

bravado "not bad." Lu Mingjia smiled bitterly. "Boss, you're exaggerating. I'm very scared."

The boss sneered, lifting Lu Mingjia's chin with his large hand, threatening her in a cold voice. "You're good-looking, very pretty. Listen, don't think that times have changed and that such despicable things as forcing people into prostitution won't happen anymore. If you can't pay back this million, I see you have the looks, so paying back the money won't be too difficult."

Lu Mingjia's chin was pinched painfully, but she didn't bother to stop it. Her gaze remained calm, without a trace of panic. "Whatever, what difference does it make? It's just my life."

The boss laughed loudly. "Have you ever heard the saying 'worse than death'? Sometimes it's not so easy to die!"

Lu Mingjia curled her lips. "'Worse than death', is that it? I often say that in movies."

The boss was somewhat annoyed. "You're really not afraid of death? I'm not threatening you, you know?"

Lu Mingjia met the eyes of the casino boss. It turned out that this nearly fifty-year-old gangster looked exactly like the casino bosses on TV when he was angry. Indeed, drama reflected life.

“I believe you, but that’s the truth. I have no money, I’m all alone, my only asset is a car, and I even have to borrow a place to live. Isn’t that pathetic enough?”

Her frankness met the older man’s scrutiny, their gazes locked in a silent battle.

Suddenly, the casino boss lowered his hand and smiled. “My daughter is the same age as you. If she had half your backbone, I wouldn’t have to worry about her being cheated on by her boyfriend every day.”

The older man poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her. “Drink some tea. You must be thirsty after all this talking.”

Lu Mingjia didn’t stand on ceremony. “Thank you, brother. I’ve been working since 3 a.m. today,” she glanced at her watch. “It’s 7 p.m. now, this is my first sip of tea.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll drug you or something?”

Lu Mingjia downed the tea in one gulp and put down the cup. “Whatever.”

Life is full of helplessness, and she despised suicidal thoughts, so she could only face every “catastrophe” with an open mind.

The older brother laughed. Perhaps it was because the woman before him was about the same age as his daughter, or perhaps it was because he had seen too many desperate pleas for mercy, but her calmness and fearless courage unexpectedly stirred a rare pang of compassion in him. Looking at Lu Haoqiang, who was tied up in the corner, compared to his daughter's strength, Lu Haoqiang was just a cowardly dog in the water!

"Lu Haoqiang, you're dragging your daughter down like this, have you no shame?!"

Shame didn't matter; his daughter's obvious indifference had already driven Lu Haoqiang crazy. Although his sternum was injured, he still coughed and shouted, "Jiajia, you can't abandon your father! It's only a million, you can't not come up with it, you can't not save your father! You are my daughter, you will be my daughter, Lu Haoqiang's daughter, until death, you can't abandon your father's life or death!"

Although she wasn't surprised by her father's attitude of only caring about his own life, she was still hurt... She was a child star, having acted in movies, TV series, and commercials since she was a child; her childhood was spent rolling around in the studio. The wealth that accumulated too easily was the main reason her father didn't cherish it and developed distorted values. Even though she was no longer famous, her father was still as generous as ever.

Lu Mingjia lowered her eyes, not letting anyone see the sadness in them.

Even if she had savings, she would leave them for her younger sister, Minghui, as a fund for her to study abroad. Minghui was studying 3D animation. She had that talent, and when there was no better development in Taiwan, she had to send her abroad to study, just like in the movies. Because of work, she could only choose night school at university, so she absolutely didn't want her sister to suffer like her. After all, Minghui was good at her studies and cheerful and innocent. Minghui deserved a better life, and she absolutely didn't want her sister to suffer like her.

"I'm not abandoning you, this is a bottomless pit, okay..." Lu Mingjia felt helpless.

"Jiajia, you have to save your father! Are you really so heartless as to watch your father be beaten to death by these bad people?"

The casino boss was amused and laughed heartily. "Am I a bad guy? A bad guy would lend you money to gamble? Lu Haoqiang, didn't your daughter say that if it weren't for helping you pay off your gambling debts, she would have been living in the Imperial Palace long ago! What kind of father are you, Miss Lu? Shouldn't I, the 'bad guy,' punish him on behalf of heaven?"

Of course, running a casino is definitely not a charity, and it's impossible to avoid paying back the money just because you have a little compassion. The henchman was very clever and completely understood the boss's instructions. The sticks rained down on Lu Haoqiang, who cried out in pain. The boss was even clapping and cheering happily!

"You have a younger sister, don't you? She'll be a showgirl. She should be paid 10,000 yuan for two hours, right?"

Lu Mingjia's gaze shifted from her father's painfully screaming face, calmly meeting the boss's arrogance. She wouldn't engage in the pointless banter of "If you dare do anything to my sister, she'll do the same." She simply stated her capabilities and methods clearly: "I'll sell the car, without dragging the kids who're still in school into it."

"Tch, your car's worth a million?"

"No."

"Then, Miss Lu, what makes you think I'd kindly offer you a discount?"

Lu Mingjia clenched her fists. "This is all I can give. Even if my brother beats my dad, me, and even my sister to death, I can only sell the car to pay off my debts first."

The casino boss laughed. Business is a long-term game; driving someone to their death won't get you a single penny!

“I am a civilized person who has been educated, I would not be so bloody. Xiao Cai, you accompany Miss Lu to sell the car and keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t suffer losses at the car dealership. As for you, this useless father, just stay here for now. We will help you fulfill your filial duty. You have three days to pay the balance, and I will release her. Otherwise, I will consider you a good person and help your family get rid of this pest!”

Although she was not released, the boss had already shown goodwill. As for having his subordinates accompany him to sell the car, it was definitely not because he was afraid she would be cheated, but because they wanted to get hot cash immediately.

Lu Mingjia understood that this was their bottom line. Although the only way to get the money from selling the car immediately was to sell it at a low price, it was also a helpless situation.

Chapter 1 (2)

Standing in front of the car dealership, the Taiwan goldenrain trees on the sidewalk were welcoming their annual bloom. She faced the cool autumn wind, and her mood was more desolate than the withered leaves falling with the wind.

Her car was brand new, manufactured at the beginning of the year. She went to a chain used car dealership, negotiated the price, and settled on a balance, but had to pay the remaining 500,000 yuan in three days.

Lu Mingjia sighed and took out her phone to turn it on. The casino boss, fearing she would record the conversation, insisted the phone be switched off the entire time. Actually, the boss was overthinking it; she was just a nobody, how could she possibly report her? Would she become a police informant and instantly rise to become an enemy of the underworld?

There were nearly a hundred unread messages and over twenty missed calls, all from the same person. Life was so exciting, Lu Mingjia could only sigh again. She dialed back, and before she could even greet them, she was met with a barrage of questions—"Oh, you little rascal, where have you been hiding off to cool off?! There's still a scene to film, and you dared to go out for a stroll without even removing your makeup? Your skin getting damaged is your own problem, but did you even consider my feelings? Do you know how our producer will deal with me? Oh my god, why am I so unlucky! I'm only thirty years old, no..." "You're seventy years old, how could you become such a nagging old woman? I have to take care of your food and drink, and I'm even worried you'll catch a cold, constantly fussing over you. Oh my god, how have I treated you? And you heartless little thing, you've disappeared? And you won't even answer my calls! How could you bear to watch me almost get killed by the producer?! Tell me, where are you?"

Lu Mingjia looked at the starless and moonless night sky. It was rush hour, the streets were bustling with cars, everyone was rushing home for dinner. After years of irregular meals, her stomach had long forgotten what hunger and fullness meant.

Ha, so she was actually so fragile. How could her eyes sting and she feel the urge to cry after being scolded like that by Big Fatty? She smiled bitterly, looked up, and took deep breaths of the dry air, forcing back all those useless tears.

"Big Fatty..." she called softly, her voice still unable to hide the sobs in her eyes.

After all, they'd been working together for six years. As his closest agent, even if Zhang Dapang didn't understand what was going on, he could sense six or seven tenths of it.

In the industry, while he wasn't a top agent, he'd been around for years and had a certain reputation, having single-handedly made several stars famous. But the one who worried him the most was Xiao Lu, this woman who had no output. He genuinely treated her like his own sister. Sigh, he could only say he must have owed her something in his past life!

"Hey, I'd rather you call me 'Big Fatty.' Every time you call me 'Big Fatty Brother,' it's never good news. Tell me, you heartless little thing, where are you?"

"Minzu East Road."

"What are you doing there?" "

...Selling cars."

Big Fatty sighed. "Have you been helping your gambling-addicted dad pay off his debts again?"

"Yeah."

Big Fatty was annoyed and yelled, "Just have someone chop him up!"

Lu Mingjia smiled bitterly.

"Stay there and wait for me to pick you up. We'll go eat first, then come back to work! You really don't understand the situation. Who do you think you are? Wang Xuehong? Or an ATM? Don't you realize your only asset is that car? If you sell it, how are you going to get to your gigs? Take the subway? You're supposed to be a female celebrity, don't you understand the importance of maintaining an air of mystery? Taking the subway like ordinary people is ridiculous!"

The fat man muttered, then ended the call.

Lu Mingjia smiled bitterly. She felt like she was smiling bitterly more than usual today; it seemed like she had no other emotions besides bitter smiles. But a bitter smile was better than wailing and crying.

As the old saying goes, "If it's going to rain, it'll rain; if it's going to rain, it'll rain." Bad luck can't be stopped, so there was no need to overthink it. Being in a daze was a kind of peace.

She stared ahead, her thoughts truly empty, so she didn't realize she was being observed—the icy gaze came from a tall, aloof man sitting in a black Bentley across the street.

Those deep black eyes were as unfathomable as a pool of black water.

He looked at her, ruthlessly taking in her disheveled and lonely state.

Disheveled.

His hand slowly clenched, his knuckles turning white, the veins on the back of his hand standing out, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Drive."

The driver, receiving the order, dared not delay for a moment and immediately pulled the car into the lane.

Enveloped in this eerie, low-pressure atmosphere, Assistant Lin, sitting in the passenger seat, carefully noticed the suppressed emotion in his boss's voice. He cautiously glanced at the tall, slender figure outside the window, then immediately looked away, not daring to linger.

As an assistant, he dared not ask for anything, only hoping that his boss's mood wouldn't be affected by tonight's social engagement. Of course, he wasn't worried about his boss, but rather didn't want his boss to take his anger out on others and wrongly kill the innocent... Since this place wasn't far from the film set in Neihu, not long after the black Bentley left, Fatty arrived. Lu Mingjia lowered her head and automatically got into the car.

Now that they'd met, Big Fatty, the manager, finally breathed a sigh of relief after a whole day of worry. But he couldn't help but grumble a bit first. The old saying was true: "I'm so disappointed in you!

" "You, your movie's currently airing, you're a household name, do you really have to make yourself look like this? Look at you, your makeup's all ruined, what a mess! You should at least wear sunglasses to cover it up—"

"Big Fatty, I agree to have dinner with Chairman Huang."

Lu Mingjia's sudden remark really startled Big Fatty.

Rumors in the business world say every celebrity has a set dinner fee, and this isn't unfounded. Powerful people always want a high-profile female companion at social events, even if it's paid per appearance. Just being accompanied by a female celebrity is fashionable and a testament to status.

While Lu Mingjia isn't a dazzling superstar, she's beautiful and has a hot figure. Although she's aloof, she's earned the nickname "Ice Queen," so whether she's famous or not is no longer a certainty.

Honestly, he'd received quite a few invitations like this, some even with producers or directors openly asking for "benefits" with scripts in hand. But his Xiao Lu didn't fall for it. She neither socialized nor dined with Da Tou (a nickname for a wealthy businessman), keeping to herself and diligently working as a second-tier actress. Over the years, her acting skills had already been recognized by industry insiders. If it weren't for some inexplicable obstacle, he knew Xiao Lu's career would be tens of thousands of times better than it is now!

Da Pang frowned. "Hey, are you really sure you want to do this? You're not just saying this out of anger? After one Chairman Huang, there will be more than one Chairman Huang, right? I think you're actually trying to drive me crazy by coming up with this idea!"

"...I need money."

"My God, selling the car isn't enough?"

"I'm still short 500,000."

Da Pang sighed, gritting his teeth. If he didn't want Xiao Lu to step into a fire pit, he had to break his own rules. He always strictly adhered to not having any financial dealings with his artists. "Fine, I give up. I'll give you 500,000! It'll be deducted from your commission each month. Just focus on filming! Eating with those old men is so boring, those rich guys are all perverts!"

Lu Mingjia looked at the chubby guy's indignant face. It would be a lie to say she wasn't moved. The chubby guy had always been very biased towards her. She even lived in his house. It was inevitable that others would be envious of his treatment of her. This was a kind of loyalty and support. The chubby guy was her good sister.

Because of this, she had to abide by the chubby guy's rules and not have any financial dealings.

"Chubby guy, youth is fleeting. Those old men will still come knocking on my door with piles of cash. I should be grateful. And it's not just about the 500,000. Xiao Hui will graduate from university next year, and I want her to study in America." The chubby guy

was so angry that he almost turned the steering wheel, his fat finger pointing at her. He almost had a stroke. "You, you, if you were to treat yourself with the same care you have for Xiao Hui, even just a tiny bit, I would be so happy!"

Despite his reluctance, Zhang Da Pang, under Lu Mingjia's persistent pleas, finally arranged her debut dinner at a private, upscale club.

Sigh, he really didn't understand what possessed Chairman Huang; he insisted that Xiao Lu accompany him to dinner, even at the cost of his life. Chairman Huang also runs his own talent agency; doesn't he have any female stars in his company?! Zhang Da Pang really wanted to swear.

A week later, Lu Mingjia arrived at the appointment on time.

In this lavish and private setting, all attendees were male, each accompanied by a glamorous and sexy female companion. The air was thick with a chaotic ambiguity; this night was destined for revelry and debauchery.

Lu Mingjia wore a simple, fitted black dress. The sheen of the silk made her skin appear even whiter. The wide neckline accentuated her graceful neck, subtly revealing her cleavage, yet drawing everyone's attention. The dress reached her knees, the tight skirt hugging her shapely hips, revealing her perfect curves.

She wore silver stiletto heels, which complemented her silver earrings. Her long, beautiful legs were incredibly alluring with every step.

Her long hair was styled in an updo, with two strands casually falling beside her ears. A slight smile played on her lips, and every glance was captivating.

Her alluring beauty certainly gave her patron the honor he deserved that night.

Lu Mingjia, her nerves taut, clung to Chairman Huang's arm as he awkwardly introduced her to the VIP guests in the VIP room. A quick glance revealed they were all celebrities she'd seen in financial magazines. But she never expected the first person introduced would be someone she never wanted to see again—"Mingjia, this is the top dog in the entertainment industry, you should know him well, right? Our Young Master Yan!"

Yan Ji.

How could she not know him?

A wave of overwhelming helplessness washed over her!

The most unbearable memories of the past flooded into Lu Mingjia's mind.

She remembered his mockery, his disdain, and the ruthlessness in his eyes.

How could she afford to offend a man like that? Hadn't the lesson from years ago been enough? Stepping into his territory would mean certain doom, wouldn't it?

"Mingjia, greet him!"

Chairman Huang urged, his tone laced with a smug, almost mocking, anticipation.

To put it bluntly, Chairman Huang was clearly doing this on purpose. He went to great lengths to bring out his rival's thorn in the side at this dinner party. One wonders how unhappy Young Master Yan must be. This young man, who always seems to wantonly control everything, probably never expected a seasoned veteran in the business world to resort to such tactics!

Back then, when the second young master of the Yan family caused such a stir, outsiders might think it was nothing more than young people dating, but in Young Master Yan's eyes, it was a serious matter. That's why he blocked the news back then and has kept her out of the spotlight for years. Otherwise, with Lu Mingjia's talent, how could she not be famous?

Since they can't openly compete with Emperor Yan, these underhanded tricks, if they can anger this ruthless man, are still worthwhile!

Yan Ji held his wine glass, smiling, his eyes narrowed, a deep smile playing on his lips, a smile that sent chills down everyone's spine.

Some immediately took sides. “Chairman Huang, that’s not fair of you. How could you bring Miss Lu here? How could you do something so mood-ruining?”

Whether it was the stiff Lu Mingjia or the frightening Yan Ji, their attention was clearly not on each other. It was as if they were in two separate spaces, yet they strangely created an invisible and terrifying sense of oppression in everyone’s hearts, until—Lu Mingjia disregarded the consequences and turned to run away.

Chapter 2 (1)

Xinyi Road is lined with mansions, each one more magnificent than the last. The private club is hidden among them, but it becomes deserted after nightfall.

The originally good weather suddenly changed, and a storm broke out. Lu Mingjia stood on the sidewalk outside the mansion. The cold rain mercilessly beat against her body. Her carefully applied makeup was ruined, and her soaked black dress clung tightly to her already cold skin, but it was nothing compared to the bone-chilling cold in her heart.

Tears of frustration and helplessness streamed down her face, mingling with the pouring rain. She pressed her lips together, her face pale and lifeless.

Seven years had passed; when would this nightmare finally end?

Mr. Huang's introduction was superfluous; how could she not know the big boss in this industry? She had suffered under his influence every single moment, more acutely than anyone else, but precisely because she knew so well, she had to hide from him, to avoid him, wishing she could become invisible, hoping he wouldn't remember her existence as a tiny, insignificant figure in the Taiwanese entertainment industry. She was afraid of getting in his way, afraid of having to endure even more inexplicable hardships.

Was she spineless? What was the value of backbone? Could backbone feed her?

Of course she had backbone, but all that backbone had been buried in the seven years of her life, not a trace remained. As long as her current life was enough to provide for her basic needs, to allow her younger sister to attend school, and for her father to stop causing trouble, she was already content.

She was so humble, but perhaps fate felt she wasn't humble enough—a black Bentley Mulsanne screeched to a halt in front of her, splashing water onto her wet legs. Before

Lu Mingjia could even react, a tall, thin man stood respectfully before her.

"Miss Lu, please get in the car."

She recognized him; living in this circle, how could she not recognize the spokesperson for Yanhuang Entertainment?

Lu Mingjia looked up blankly, raindrops clinging to her long eyelashes, her tearful eyes filled with helpless panic.

"I won't—"

she struggled, but seeing the man's cold gaze, all her refusal was swallowed back.

She quickly looked away, lowered her head, and pursed her lips, not daring to move. This was the first time in seven years that they had looked at each other. She clearly remembered seven years ago, when she had fought tooth and nail for her first love, the coldness in his eyes was just like now, suffocating. This man remained the same, equally terrifying, equally frightening.

There was absolutely no conversation inside the car. The car continued its smooth journey along the road, while outside, the wind and rain raged. Where were they? She dared not ask.

Only when they arrived at a luxury mansion in Neihu and the car pulled into the underground parking lot did it come to a steady stop. The man opened the door and stepped out, while Lu Mingjia remained inside, restless and anxious.

Where was she?

Why had he brought her here?

What was the man's purpose?

She received no answers to any of her questions; she could only helplessly let fear torment her.

Assistant Lin, of course, got out of the car immediately. He opened the back door, looking at the female celebrity who didn't know how to please her boss, with a sense of exasperation. "Miss Lu, the young master is waiting for you."

Lu Mingjia looked up in a panic, only to see a tall figure standing in front of Hua Tou.

She clutched her rain-soaked skirt, gave a self-deprecating laugh, and suddenly felt a pang of gratitude for having a gambling father. It seemed that being constantly dragged into a small room by the casino boss for a chat was a rare form of courage training. Although she was initially terrified, after several frights, she gradually learned to calmly face the current situation.

So, she straightened her back and slowly stepped out of the car.

The man strode forward.

She followed stiffly, keeping a two-step distance.

The elevator arrived, and she stepped inside, only to find that Assistant Lin outside hadn't come in. He politely nodded goodbye, and as the elevator doors closed, she felt an urge to scream.

So many whys lingered, yet she couldn't utter a single one.

In this confined space, she cautiously shrank to the farthest corner. The man to her right was tall and imposing, his well-fitting shirt revealing a sexy waistline, his broad back muscles taut. The soft light in the elevator cast a faint shadow on his face, his high nose swaying slightly. His thin, ruthless lips were pressed into a line, and the icy aura he exuded made him appear even more alluring and cold.

Compared to seven years ago, this man was more mature, more ruthless, and more dangerous.

Because this luxury apartment building was designed with one unit per floor, each floor had its own independent space. When the elevator reached the eighth floor, the man stepped out, but Lu Mingjia's legs stiffened, her feet seemingly rooted to the ground. She even wondered what would happen if she immediately closed the elevator doors and went back to the first floor… The man stopped at the elevator entrance without turning around, as if guessing her thoughts. He waved the magnetic card in his hand and coldly said, “Without my card, the elevator won’t go down.”

Lu Mingjia gritted her teeth, her fists clenched at her sides. Fine, whatever. Seven years had passed; it was time to make things clear!

Unfortunately, while she possessed such resolute courage, her enemy lacked the same resolve. He led her to his home, a stylishly designed, masculine yet undeniably cold lair. He tossed a large bath towel and bathrobe into her hands, coldly commanding, "Go take a shower."

Even with her extensive experience, Lu Mingjia was terrified. She had considered all sorts of battles, but never… She suddenly paled, crossed her arms, and took two large steps back—stupid and pathetic.

But unexpectedly, this action amused the perpetually icy and unsmiling man. He scrutinized her figure critically.

"I have no interest in women whose development has stalled at eighteen."

Lu Mingjia's face flushed instantly. Death was preferable to humiliation. She was, after all, a recognized glamorous female celebrity; how could she tolerate having her figure criticized? Besides, even without a voluptuous figure, judging by her curves and proportions, she was certainly within the top ten in the industry, if not the top three!

Saying her development had stopped at eighteen would be an exaggeration…

but the man was quite pleased with her blushing and angry reaction. Compared to her panicked fear, she did look much cuter now. He turned away from her, but couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

Perhaps because of her anger, Lu Mingjia's unease vanished. She didn't know his intentions, nor did she understand why he had brought her here. But even if he had ill intentions, she had nothing to lose.

Besides… wet clothes were indeed uncomfortable to wear, so she had no choice but to take her towel and bathrobe into the bathroom.

As soon as she entered, she couldn't help but widen her eyes. His bathroom was twice the size of her room? A separate wet and dry area was the basic feature; the key was that there was also a jacuzzi and a sauna!

Alas, the poor artists under Yanhuang Entertainment were practically working for vampires. Such top-notch enjoyment came entirely from the artists' hard-earned money!

Of course, Lu Mingjia wouldn't use those luxurious amenities. She hurriedly washed her hair and showered, frowning as she endured the smell of the man's shower gel lingering on her skin. She quickly washed her dress and underwear, then wrung them out forcefully with a large towel. Luckily, they were all thin fabrics; even if they weren't completely dry, it was much better than being soaked in the rain. She looked disdainfully at the bathrobe hanging on the wall; its length clearly belonged to him. Just imagining herself wearing his bathrobe gave her a chilling feeling. She'd rather wear her own wrinkled and damp dress!

While drying her hair with a hairdryer, Lu Mingjia also dried her underwear. By the time she was all ready and stepped out of the bathroom, an hour had passed.

The man sat in the living room, his loungewear and wet hair indicating he had also just showered. A few strands of hair framing his forehead obscured his brows, his dark eyes gleaming, and a slightly mocking smile played on his lips.

Chapter 2 (2)

Lu Mingjia wasn't oblivious; she felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze, but the man's eyes were too deep, just like him—completely unfathomable.

No one expected that such a miraculous encounter would have such a deadly aftermath—it was still the female artist's sleeping time at ten in the morning, and the fat man, as if his butt was on fire, kicked open the door with a newspaper and rushed into Lu Mingjia's "boudoir." "

You brat, get up!"

The loud noise startled Lu Mingjia. She had been repeatedly guessing the bad guy's intentions last night, and only fell asleep close to dawn. She muttered complaints, pulled the thin blanket over her head, and continued to catch up on sleep.

The fat man was practically bursting with anger. He forcefully ripped off the small blanket Lu Mingjia was tightly clutching. Although he was a man, he had the heart of a woman, completely oblivious to the current spring scenery and her fair, beautiful legs.

He threw the newspaper onto the bed. "Get up and look at this! This kind of nonsense is enough to make me furious, but don't you realize you're in deep trouble?!"

Lu Mingjia grabbed her hair and sat up in annoyance. "Big Fatty, I didn't go to sleep until almost dawn. Didn't you say sleep is very important for women…"

Big Fatty was so angry he started spinning around and stomping his feet. "I'm so angry! I'm really so angry! I've repeatedly warned artists not to have scandals, and you, if you don't have one, fine, but you're the biggest one! You brat, look what you've done!"

Lu Mingjia blinked. Scandals? She was known as a scandal-free person; no man in the entertainment industry wanted to be associated with her. How could there be scandals?

She frowned and picked up the newspaper from the bed. And what she saw shocked her. Her eyes widened, and she couldn't even close her mouth—the newspaper contained two incredibly clear photos, crystal clear!

Yesterday, when she left, the rain had stopped. Yan Ji drove her home in his flashy Bugsive Yron, an expensive and stylish car, practically a mansion on the road. Its streamlined body and luxurious design resembled a leopard lurking in the jungle, poised to pounce. As she got into the car, she couldn't help but lament that capitalists were vampires who exploited artists.

She remembered that the rain had just stopped, the car window was half-rolled down, and the cool evening breeze was refreshing and pleasant. But who would have expected that paparazzi would capture her profile at that moment?

Another photo was taken when she first got into the Bentley.

The newspaper headline read in bold—

"Is Young Master Yan's relationship a private grudge or an ambiguous affair? A love affair in the pouring rain, a secret rendezvous at a mansion for two hours."

As for the content, there was no need to read it anymore. Lu Mingjia put down the newspaper, tears welling up in her eyes, and looked sadly at the raging, chubby man. "Big Fat Man, I'm innocent..."

Big Fat Man pounded on the newspaper, practically on the verge of a stroke. "A Bugatti Veyron! It's a Bugatti Veyron! You know this car is Boss Yan's prized possession. There are only a handful in all of Taiwan. Everyone in the industry knows that Boss Yan keeps his prized possessions as collectibles, never using them to pick up women. You're the first! The first! You call this an injustice? Nobody will believe you if you tell them this!"

Hearing such rumors, Lu Mingjia was terrified. Heaven knows how she could possibly allow Sha Wenzhu to have some kind of romantic relationship with her! She shouted angrily. "Big Fatty, how could I possibly have a scandal with him? You know how I've been these past few years! I hate the Yan family! How could I possibly have an affair with Yan Ji!"

Big Fatty sat down on the bed angrily, trembling as he held the newspaper, shaking his head frantically. "How are we going to wrap this up now? Weren't you going to have dinner with Chairman Huang? I already took the money, how did it turn into a two-hour secret rendezvous at Boss Yan's house?"

When she got home yesterday, Big Fatty was on a date with his boyfriend, Little Ming, and she hadn't had time to explain his whereabouts afterwards.

"Uh... just like it was written in the newspaper. Yan Shao was also at yesterday's party. After I left, he suddenly appeared to pick me up. I have no idea what his intentions are..." She sighed, feeling utterly helpless.

The chubby guy thought for a moment, then rubbed his forehead. "Could it be that Boss Yan deliberately created this scandal?"

Lu Mingjia stared at him speechlessly, suddenly realizing that the chubby guy was truly furious and starting to talk nonsense.

The chubby guy shrugged. "That's right, you're not with Yanhuang Entertainment, so a scandal with you wouldn't have any promotional value."

"Then what should I do..." Lu Mingjia looked at the newspaper spread on the bed. The photo was clear; although she was staring straight ahead, her face expressionless, Yan Ji in the shadows had his gaze clearly fixed on her, a slight, pleased smile even playing on his lips.

A smile?

Ugh, she really didn't know that devils could smile?

Hmph, she stabbed the newspaper hard, wishing she could pierce his heart with a thousand arrows!

Chapter 3 (1)

Along her journey in the entertainment industry, Lu Mingjia had often wondered what it would be like to become famous. She dreamed of the audience's affirmation, the fans' adoring gazes, and the invincible sense of accomplishment when receiving an award on stage. Unfortunately, these were all far from her reach.

But no matter what, becoming famous would never be in this embarrassing situation!

She couldn't accept the current chaos. She was just a low-key actress, without even a Facebook fan page. But the act of sending her home and the expensive sports car made her seem so important, like she was about to marry into the Yan family and become a phoenix... Damn it!

"Don't swear out loud."

A senior colleague kindly reminded her, with a teasing smile on her face. Apart from the first and second male and female leads who had their own private rooms and personal makeup artists, everyone else in the crew of this drama was crammed into a shared dressing room. Of course, the hair and makeup aunties were also shared.

The senior colleague next to her played her mother-in-law in the drama, and they had many heated arguments in their scenes together.

In this drama, she plays a wicked daughter-in-law who only wants to seize the family fortune. The mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflict is a secondary plot point; the main focus is, of course, how the angelic heroine revives the family business.

"Thanks for the reminder," Lu Mingjia said helplessly. She was currently seething with anger, and there was a high chance she might unintentionally utter a foul word!

"Have you been enjoying the taste of fame lately?"

the senior asked with a smile, teasing her from a friend's perspective. Having been in the industry for a while, the seniors had observed the personalities of these younger actors. Mingjia was self-disciplined, unpretentious, and not one to chase after fleeting fame; she wasn't the type to create scandals. Of course, given the powerful and

influential male lead in this scandal, it was no wonder the news was so sensational. Lu Mingjia neatly put her hair up. She always did her own hair and makeup. In the drama, she played a strong, controlling woman, so the costume department provided all suits. Today, she was dressed entirely in black, perfectly matching her foul mood.

"Does a rat crossing the street think it's famous?"

Her helpless tone made the senior laugh heartily, patting the junior's hand as a form of comfort.

This harmonious atmosphere, however, made the other minor characters unhappy. Indeed, they were all second-tier actors, so why did Lu Mingjia have such good fortune falling from the sky?

"Oh, I have to say, the producer is really something. She's the rumored young mistress of the Yan family, why didn't he find her a comfortable private room to entertain her? It's so unfair for her to be squeezed in with us!"

Character A spoke sourly, and Character B naturally had to add at the right time—"Exactly! If this gets back to Young Master Yan's ears, I wonder how heartbroken he'll be! Our producer, Brother Jiang, is really too upright and too lacking in tact!"

With Character A and Character B already involved, Character C was bound to chime in; this is what they mean by "three men make a tiger."

"Oh dear, you all talk like it's the truth. Our Brother Jiang doesn't need to fawn over her. It's not hard to understand. What's the point of all the gossip? It depends on whether that person has the good fortune!"

Lu Mingjia lowered her head. Even if she didn't want to take these words to heart, it was hard; she just couldn't help it.

If reporters were like bloodthirsty flies, then her "colleagues" were all sharp-tongued knives, each one mercilessly stabbing at her heart.

Could she fight back? And how could she fight back?

All she could do was retreat from the battlefield and try to smooth things over.

After saying goodbye to her senior, she packed her makeup case, took her script, and left the dressing room.

Her senior glared at her. Although Mingjia wouldn't fight back, she had to stand up for this poor girl!

"Shut up! Wouldn't it kill you to shut your mouths? Instead of attacking others, why don't you memorize your scripts properly? We professional actors don't have time to wait for your endless retakes!"

With the senior actor speaking up, the gossipy nobody could only shrug and quickly leave to find another place to continue their gossip. As soon

as Lu Mingjia stepped out of the dressing room, she saw Big Fatty waiting for her outside, a cigarette between his fingers, looking worried.

Since the scandal, Big Fatty hadn't been having an easy time either, with endless reporters and repeated clarifications every day.

Lu Mingjia put her things down, walked over, and gently hooked her arm around Big Fatty's, saying softly, "Little Ming doesn't like you smoking."

Big Fatty looked at the cigarette and sighed. "I used to hear people say smoking could temporarily relax you, and I thought it was bullshit. But these past few days, I've started to see it differently. This stuff is really good; when you smoke, your mind goes blank, and you don't have to think about any worries,"

Lu Mingjia teased. "Is smoking better than Xiaoming's passionate kiss?"

Big Fatty glanced at her. "You dare say that? I don't know who's causing me so much trouble?"

Lu Mingjia pouted, utterly helpless. "Big Fatty, I don't want to either..."

Big Fatty, always easygoing, couldn't bear to see her so sad. He raised his chubby hand, patted Lu Mingjia's back, and comforted her, "Forget it, forget it. One bad thing after another, but good things always happen. The screenwriter just told me that the higher-ups want to add more scenes for you, quite a few episodes. That's a good thing, right?"

Lu Mingjia was surprised. "At this time?"

Could it be because of the scandal that such an extra "benefit" suddenly arose?

The TV station's mentality is easy to understand. Although the truth of the scandal has not yet been clarified, Yanhuang Entertainment's lack of a clear stance is quite ambiguous (which is also the main reason why the scandal continues to spread!). Based on the principle of "better to kill a hundred innocent people than let one guilty person go free," the TV station will naturally try to appease her first.

The chubby guy shrugged. Although he also thought it was related to the rumors, he didn't want to say too much and cause Xiao Lu unnecessary trouble, so he comforted her, "This timing is indeed very sensitive, but you don't need to think too much about it. Audiences love watching mother-in-law and daughter-in-law battles. If the reaction is good, adding more scenes is normal."

But how could she not overthink such a coincidental timing?

At this moment, a group of people walked into the studio entrance. The appearance of this group made the whole rumor scandal explode!

Surrounded by producer Jiang Shaohua and director Li Yikuan, the big boss of Yanhuang Group walked into the studio with great momentum, immediately becoming the only focus of attention. The staff and actors all stopped what they were doing and looked at this rare guest with curiosity... This big boss hadn't been to the studio for several years. After all, he was a general who issued orders from his office. Why would he come to the filming location so easily?

However, since Yan Ji was the focus, his rumored girlfriend Lu Mingjia was naturally another "darling"!

Big Fatty scratched his head. As the agent of the rumored female lead, he knew things were going badly; there would be plenty of news to vent about tomorrow! "Oh dear, I don't recall anyone from Yanhuang Entertainment being in this crew. What is Boss Yan doing here to visit

the set?" Lu Mingjia hadn't even considered the possibility of this happening to her, but out of a sense of unease, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. "Big Fatty, I'd better hide in the dressing room..."

Big Fatty, however, had a different opinion. What was the point of hiding? Everyone had seen them in public; it would only help avoid any ambiguity. "What are you afraid of? Hiding won't help. If something happens, it will happen. With me here, who dares to touch you?"

Lu Mingjia suddenly became full of admiration, her eyes sparkling. "Big Fatty, I only realized how handsome you are today!"

Big Fatty smiled smugly. "You think Xiao Ming's love for me is fake?"

Despite saying this, Big Fatty still pulled Lu Mingjia to a corner. You couldn't call them cowards; discretion is the better part of valor!

However, their actions didn't escape the attention of busybodies. Gazes shot in from all directions—curiosity, envy, and of course, a lot of contempt… There was no way around it; women in this industry are just jealous. Even though Young Master Yan didn't even glance at Mingjia, everyone automatically imagined all sorts of ambiguous scenarios. After all, there wasn't a single artist from Yanhuang Entertainment in the entire crew, yet the big boss of Yanhuang Entertainment came to visit the set. Whose set was he visiting? Everyone knew the answer.

Director Li Yikuan gripped the sugar daddy's hand tightly, almost bursting into tears.

"Young Master Yan's kindness is something I, Li, would gladly accept even unto death, and I will certainly do my best!"

Jian Ji smiled faintly, seemingly focused on the "business" conversation, but his deep gaze had already locked onto the person hiding in the corner. She was dressed in black, with exaggeratedly bright red lips, and her long hair was tied up—this was her makeup for the play. She kept her head down, not looking at anyone, and whispered to her agent beside her. His gaze fell on her intertwined arms, a deep, sharp glint flashing across his eyes. He curled his lips and looked away—"Director Li, you're too kind. It's an honor for Emperor Yan to entrust the new play to you."

"You're too kind, too kind. It's truly my blessing, my blessing, that you came in person!"

The current situation is this—"The Stars Know My Heart" is about to start filming, and there is one spot left in the director's team. Li Yikuan won the spot, but why did the big boss come to deliver the good news in person?

Ha, everyone knows what's going on.

After expressing his gratitude, Li Yikuan immediately left, leaving the big boss's valuable time to Producer Jiang. In the entertainment industry, to climb to the top, one must be adept at navigating social situations.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, smiling broadly, looking at his old classmate with a completely new perspective. "Oh dear, is Young Master Yan trying to scare Brother Kuan to death? This kind of thing could have been reported by someone below; why bother the big boss personally? I think… his real intentions might not be what they seem?"

Jiang Shaohua was Young Master Yan's junior high school classmate. After graduation, Young Master Yan was sent abroad by his family to study, preparing for his succession. But because they were best friends in junior high, even after many years, their friendship remained strong, and there was less restraint between old classmates, allowing for a more in-depth conversation.

Yan Ji glanced at his old classmate. "What do you think my purpose is?"

Jiang Shaohua shrugged, stroked his chin, and added, seemingly unafraid of the consequences. "Isn't it your ill-fated sister-in-law—"

Sure enough, a cold gaze immediately swept over, completely disregarding the friendship between old classmates. It's been years, and this knot still hasn't been untied?

True friends are those who understand each other's true personalities. In youth, friendships are based on genuine feelings, without the ulterior motives of adults. Jiang knew very well that although Yan had a face that could give children nightmares, his heart was soft and devoted.

But since his old classmate didn't want to talk, he shouldn't force him. Jiang Shaohua joked, "You wouldn't be so kind as to visit your old classmate on set, would you?"

"I'm here to visit." Yan Ji's deep, mellow voice carried a distinct arrogance, and a hint of haughty, unapproachable behavior. He pointed to the paper bag in his assistant's hand. "I heard this place's honey toast is Jiang's favorite? You have to offer this as a sacrifice when you want to discuss a collaboration?"

Jiang Shaohua's heart leaped with joy at the sight of the familiar paper bag. "Oh, it's good that you're here, so polite! Tell me, is there anything I, Jiang Shaohua, can help you with? I'll do whatever it takes, following Boss Yan's lead!"

As he spoke, he leaned closer to his old classmate and whispered a reminder. "...You mean, the beautiful Lu is afraid of gaining weight and doesn't eat sweets."

"She's too thin."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at his old classmate ambiguously. His old classmate's expression was serious, his eyes darting around and lingering on a certain spot, but he didn't want anyone to notice, afraid that his attention would bother the beautiful Lu. Classmate Yan really does have a gentle heart that's not easily noticed, a heart only his old classmate knows! "Tch, you make it sound like our crew has mistreated her."

"We prepared something savory."

"Savory honey toast?"

Yan Ji looked at his old classmate with pity, as if he were crazy.

"Oh, I see, I was just making a fuss. Coffee can be specially made, so of course honey toast can be specially made too. Don't worry, don't worry, leave this to me. I'll get it for her, I'll get it for her."

The usually quiet and reserved Producer Jiang, when interacting with the knownly deep and stern Young Master Yan, their playful interaction almost made everyone's jaws drop. This...this is just too much!

Big Fatty, watching for a while, pointed with his index finger, concluding from an experienced perspective. "Ah, there's definitely something going on."

Lu Mingjia instinctively slapped Big Fatty's arm. "Big Fatty!"

Big Fatty cried innocently, clutching his arm. "Is it wrong to have something going on? Matthew Bomer has been out for years. Boss Yan is just as tall, handsome, and stylish as him, so it's not surprising he's out too, okay? Or is it that you, his rumored girlfriend, can't let go?"

Big Fatty, feeling extremely wronged, even used his idol as evidence.

While listening to the chubby guy's ramblings, Lu Mingjia also had to endure the hostile scorn of the other actresses around her. She sighed, how could anyone live a comfortable and happy life like this?

"Chubby guy, what would happen if I talked to Young Master Yan now?" She was genuinely considering this idea, after all, running away wasn't her style.

"You'd be in big trouble." "

How bad? Aren't I already at rock bottom?"

The chubby guy rolled his eyes and answered sheepishly. "Hmph, have you forgotten you still have this role? Jiang Shaohua is very likely Young Master Yan's boyfriend, how bad do you think you'd be? So bad that you won't get any roles?"

Lu Mingjia didn't hold back and slapped the chubby guy's arm again!

"Ouch!"

Don't ask her why, she completely supports diverse families, but even though she and Yan Ji didn't get along, and she didn't know this man at all, she couldn't imagine him having homosexual tendencies. A woman's intuition is always very accurate.

Chapter 3 (2)

Seven years ago, he gave his younger brother Yan Qi a choice—to study abroad to prepare for taking over the overseas business, or to hold on to that love that was not commensurate with his status?

He knew very well that no matter how innocent and sweet the young love was, it could not compare to the warlike nature in the Yan family’s blood. Career was absolutely the only thing. As he expected, Yan Qi left Taiwan without looking back.

He did not forget Ming Jia’s sadness and what she had said. Ming Jia hated the Yan family, let alone him, the instigator.

"Young Master Yan, we hate each other, don't we?"

We hate each other—

he repeated the words over and over, asking himself each one. If he truly felt this way, let alone hatred, if he could even harbor a trace of malice towards Mingjia, everything would be much simpler. After their conversation on the balcony that day, he didn't need to flee Taipei in such a disheveled manner, simply because he feared he couldn't bear such humiliation and had to confront her directly to clarify things—yes, it was indeed humiliation. She not only challenged his rationality but also made even a strong man like him feel wronged.

He didn't need to demand all her information from his subordinates, nor did he need to make today's abrupt decision due to their negligence, changing his avoidance attitude of the past seven years.

Yan Ji stood with his hands behind his back in front of the French windows, looking at the street scene outside. His deep eyes revealed a chilling coldness that was impossible to look directly at, and his face was icy and indifferent, as if the words "Keep Out" were written on it.

Besides its stylish and meticulously designed decor, "Ice Palace Twenty-Two" is always spotless and gleaming. Being the boss's territory, the atmosphere is usually quiet—well, but the palpable tension today is truly rare… Special Assistant Lin, trembling with fear, waited patiently to the side.

As for today's guest—Zhang Dapang—he stood motionless in front of the desk like a high school student being punished by his drill sergeant. Even with his nickname "Zhang the Fearless," he was drenched in cold sweat by the oppressive atmosphere.

He and Xiao Ming were baffled by Boss Yan's urgent summons, but since the boss was someone of a different level, they couldn't afford to be negligent. They had to pause their work and rush to Boss Yan's headquarters.

Recalling their brief conversation in the car—

"What could it be?" Xiao Ming, driving, frowned. Something was definitely not simple.

Dapang sighed. "It's obvious, it's probably related to Xiao Lu."

Given Xiao Lu's past grievances with the Yan family, the strange scandal that has ended, and the fact that "Zhang Dapang's Agency" has no business dealings with Yanhuang Entertainment, this is the only plausible explanation.

Xiao Ming thought for a moment. "What if Yanhuang wants Xiao Lu?"

Dapang frowned. "Does Yanhuang need actresses to play cannon fodder or mistresses?"

He wasn't saying this to belittle Xiao Lu, but because Yanhuang Entertainment produces top-tier actresses and singers, all leading ladies. He couldn't fathom why Yanhuang would want Xiao Lu. But from another perspective, if Yanhuang really wanted Xiao Lu, she could escape the perennial cannon fodder/mistress role, wouldn't that be a good thing?

Full of questions, what was Boss Yan so eager to see him about?

In this serious atmosphere, Zhang Dapang waited anxiously, mentally calculating how he should respond if Boss Yan really wanted to discuss Xiao Lu's contract. Should he let go?

Yan Ji turned around, facing his opponent directly. The immense pressure he exuded was enough to send chills down his spine.

He gave his opponent no breathing room whatsoever.

"I hope Mr. Zhang can relinquish Lu Mingjia's management contract."

The answer was revealed, and Yan Ji used a decisive statement, his tone devoid of any "request" or "negotiation."

Yan Ji stated his decision calmly.

Seven years had passed. Since ignoring, not caring, and not thinking about it didn't mean forgetting, and since the pain was so profound, he would bring her under Yan Huang's wing. He believed that as long as a proper distance was maintained, she would simply be a female artist under Yan Huang Group. She wouldn't pose a threat, wouldn't make him lose his temper, so he had no need to hesitate. Yan

Ji's arrogant and intrusive attitude should have been infuriating, but inexplicably, Zhang Dapang suddenly felt a sense of "harvesting rice." Good heavens, just as he had guessed, Yan Huang Entertainment came because of Xiao Lu. This was a good thing, a good thing... While Zhang Dapang remained silent, Assistant Lin immediately presented him with a compensation contract.

“Big Fatty,” in this industry, calling someone “Brother” is a sign of respect. “Yanhuang Entertainment is willing to pay five times the breach of contract penalty to buy Miss Lu’s management contract. We hope Big Fatty can see Yanhuang Entertainment’s sincerity and look forward to Miss Lu’s future development with us.”

Assistant Lin presented this contract, which he privately described as “the boss’s obsession.”

Zhang Da Pang thought that if it were just a management contract, there would be no need for the group’s big boss to personally negotiate; the relevant departments could handle it… Zhang Da Pang looked at the man in front of him. This man was like an ice wall, untouchable, unapproachable, and unfathomable. He wondered about Boss Yan’s true intentions towards Xiao Lu, about Xiao Lu’s thoughts, and whether Yanhuang Entertainment was the mentor Xiao Lu had been searching for.

“Does Boss Yan want to cultivate Lu Mingjia?” Zhang Da Pang asked.

This was a sore spot. Yan Ji’s eyes narrowed, his mountain-like shoulders seemed to tense even more, and he sternly scrutinized his opponent. His lips curled slightly, but it was more terrifying than killing someone with a knife. "Does Mr. Zhang think that arranging a dinner party counts as cultivation?"

Assistant Lin gasped, secretly thinking, "This is bad! The Charizard is about to go berserk!"

Boss Yan's words were truly irresponsible, weren't they? If it weren't for Emperor Yan's influence, Xiao Lu wouldn't be struggling to get cases. However, he's a magnanimous man and wouldn't care about such emotional terms as "big boss." At least, he could rest assured. Even if Boss Yan's anger could scare the people around him into gasping for breath, he'd actually be happy, wishing he could open a bottle of XO to celebrate!

Hehehe, perhaps Boss Yan's emotions could be interpreted as him having other feelings for Xiao Lu? Is it ambiguity, or simply that he thinks Xiao Lu is a talent and therefore feels it's a pity? Ah, whatever the case, it's great!

Pointing to the contract, Zhang Dapang said happily and boldly, "No need, I won't accept any breach of contract fees. I treat this transfer contract like marrying off my daughter, as a dowry for my little Lu! As long as Boss Yan and Yanhuang Entertainment treat my little Lu well, 'Zhang Dapang's Agency, as her maternal family, will also be happy for this good thing!"

Upon hearing this, Assistant Lin immediately beamed. He thought that given Zhang Dapang's relationship with Miss Lu (a rare genuine friendship in the entertainment industry!), getting Miss Lu's agency contract would definitely be a long and arduous process, after all, Zhang Dapang's stubbornness was well-known in the industry. But he didn't expect him to give up so easily; it was too smooth!

"Mr. Zhang has no other conditions?" Yan Ji's expression was indifferent, his cold tone revealing obvious distrust, after all, this industry is all about profit.

Zhang Dapang smiled slightly, his eyes full of provocation. "Hey, my Xiao Lu is a real talent. If I had any other choice, why would I let her dine with rich people? Although Boss Yan didn't officially order her to be sidelined, it's actually because of Yanhuang Entertainment that Mingjia's development has been hindered. Seven years is long enough. Boss Yan should give Mingjia back everything she deserves!"

Zhang Dapang bluntly stated, not afraid of angering the boss. Since he was already going to give her the person, he was determined to get revenge for Xiao Lu!

Assistant Lin lowered his head, not daring to even look at his boss's reaction. How could he say such aggressive things? Zhang Dapang was truly not just "Zhang the Fearless," but also "Zhang the Cannon"!

Yan Ji didn't refute, nor did he use his cold gaze to torture his enemy. His dark eyes were exceptionally bright, but—if it weren't for Big Fatty's overly smug words, he wouldn't have easily noticed the faint self-reproach on the arrogant and calm face of Boss Yan… Yanhuang Entertainment had a rigorous and strict training system that could refine an inconspicuous but valuable rough stone into a dazzling gem. Artists selected from among the elite and valued by Yanhuang had to live in Yanhuang Entertainment's training center before their debut, under unified management. They would then undergo comprehensive and unique training tailored to their individual characteristics. Those who could endure a year or even two of grueling training would ultimately be transformed, shining with the most brilliant light.

And all of this was beyond what "Big Fatty Zhang's Agency" could provide. This industry was all about opportunity; without opportunity, even with the best qualities, Lu Mingjia could only play cannon fodder or mistress roles.

Zhang Dapang understood the situation perfectly, so he agreed to transfer the contract without hesitation. Although he agreed readily, when he actually helped Xiao Lu pack her luggage, Dapang was still in tears, and more importantly, he couldn't cry out loud because he had to play the role of a manager who sold artists for personal gain!

Waaah, what kind of act is this? But if he didn't do this, how could Xiao Lu bear to leave? They were all good sisters who had gone through thick and thin together, and he only hoped that Xiao Lu would understand his good intentions in the future.

Dapang rubbed his chest. "Waaah, Brother Xiaoming, my heart is aching so much..."

Brother Xiaoming sighed. One in the room was crying nonstop, and the other in the living room was crying even more heartbrokenly. They had only met for less than half an hour, and he hadn't expected Dapang to transfer Xiao Lu's management contract to Yanhuang Entertainment so easily. But after thinking about it carefully, this was indeed the only thing he could do and that would help Xiao Lu's future. It's just... "The starting point is good, but isn't it a bit too heartless?"

"Would she leave if he didn't do this?" Dapang wiped away his tears, raised his chin, and shouted towards the door. "Heartless? What the hell? People outside say I'm a madam, and my artists can't get any roles, so they can only dine with rich people! What can I do? I'm helpless. I finally managed to get her through some good karma in my past life, and Yanhuang Entertainment is willing to take her. Why didn't I get rid of her sooner?"

Big Fatty was shouting to Little Lu in the living room. Lu Mingjia rushed into the room with red eyes, her long hair disheveled, her face pale, tears streaming down her face, and her lips trembling helplessly. She was terrified when she heard the news. How could Big Fatty transfer her contract to Yanhuang?

"Dine with rich people was my idea, it has nothing to do with Big Fatty. Big Fatty can't transfer the contract to Yanhuang. I didn't do anything wrong..."

Lu Mingjia collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in her hands and sobbing uncontrollably. Besides fear and disbelief, she was overwhelmed by the pain of betrayal. “Big Fatty knows perfectly well about my relationship with the Yan family, and he's seen how I've endured these past seven years. How could he still sell my management contract to them? How could he do this…”

Seeing Xiao Lu so heartbroken, Big Fatty’s heart ached. He wiped away his tears and said angrily, “That’s how it is! You have to go to Yanhuang Entertainment. I’ve already signed the contract, and I’ve taken the five times the penalty for breach of contract. I need that money. Just bear with it this once, for the sake of all the years I’ve taken care of you!”

Lu Mingjia’s tears didn’t stop. She grabbed Big Fatty’s arm, choking back sobs. “Big Fatty, I don’t want to go to Yanhuang. I can take on more dinner parties. I can pay you back. When this industry couldn’t accept me before, Big Fatty didn’t give up on me. Don’t give up on me now…”

Big Fatty held back his tears, his face contorted with emotion. He was more heartbroken than anyone else to have to send Xiao Lu away, but he had no choice. Only by transferring to Yanhuang Entertainment could Xiao Lu’s acting career have a future!

So he forcefully shook off Xiao Lu’s hand and shouted angrily. "Do you think this place is a hotel? Or do you really think you're some kind of high-class beauty? First you're here for dinner, then you're going to sleep with me, right? Brother Xiaoming, kick her out! From today onwards," Zhang Da Pang's agency "has no more female artists like this who don't know how to improve!"

"Brother Da Pang! I don't want to... I don't want to..."

Brother Xiaoming sighed. As her lover, he could only cooperate. He helped Xiao Lu up, only to see that she had already cried until she was completely exhausted. She grabbed his arm and begged him tearfully. "Brother Xiaoming, I don't want to go to hell. I want to stay here. I'll work hard at acting. I'm willing to take any role. Please tell Brother Da Pang not to kick me out, please don't kick me out..."

Brother Xiaoming patted Xiao Lu's back. "Big Fatty is 　　doing this for your own good. You'll have a future if you go to Yanhuang."

"I don't want a future. I don't want to go to Yanhuang! I don't care..." "Get out! Get this hopeless idiot out of here!" 　　"Big Fatty..." 　　Chapter 4 (2) 　　All the pleas were in vain. Big Fatty's mind was made up. It was a fact that Lu Mingjia's agency contract had been transferred to Yanhuang Entertainment. 　　Xiao Ming sighed and could only pull Lu out of the room. 　　Lu Mingjia sobbed and couldn't say anything. She believed that Big Fatty's harsh words were not intentional. Maybe Big Fatty really needed money. After all, she was a female artist with no output value and couldn't get any gigs. Staying here would only drag everyone down. But her heart ached. This was her safe haven. What would she do if she left? Xiao Ming helped Lu downstairs. According to Big Fatty, people from Yanhuang Entertainment would send a car to pick up Lu. The scene was so chaotic. It seemed that the luggage could only be sent later. It was more important to settle Lu down first. 　　A car was waiting at the main entrance downstairs, but Xiao Ming was busy comforting Xiao Lu, who was clinging to him like a lifeline. She herself was preoccupied with her own tears. No one expected that the car picking them up wouldn't be an ordinary van, but a black, luxurious Bentley. The Bentley's owner stood beside the car, his face dark as he stared at the two entangled figures, one of them crying as if the sky were about to fall. 　　Yan Ji glanced at them and calmly got into the car. 　　Assistant Lin watched all this nervously. This morning, the boss had informed them that there was no need to send another car; he would personally pick them up and even wait for them—a courtesy even superstars didn't receive. And yet, he witnessed his beloved embracing another man. This…this…is this acceptable? Although the boss hadn't said anything, this was far more terrifying than any outburst of anger! 　　Assistant Lin quickly stepped forward, urging, "Miss Lu, please get in the car. Young Master Yan is waiting!" 　　Lu Mingjia was stunned, momentarily speechless. "Young Master Yan? Waiting?" 　　Xiao Ming frowned. "Boss Yan came to pick you up personally? Wasn't he supposed to send a nanny van?" 　　Lu Mingjia finally realized what was happening and shouted. "Yan Ji is in the car?" 　　Assistant Lin broke out in a cold sweat. How could a Bentley be a nanny van? There aren't many Bentleys of this caliber in Taiwan. Who else could be in the car but Young Master Yan? 　　"Yes, Young Master Yan is waiting for you. Please get in the car quickly, Miss Lu." 　　Lu Mingjia grabbed Xiao Ming's arm. How could it be him picking her up? How could it be him picking her up?! Her eyes welled up with tears, and she burst into sobs. "Xiao Ming, I don't want to go to Yanhuang! I really don't want to go to Yanhuang!" 　　The scene was actually a little funny. Lu Mingjia was like a little child clinging to her father on her first day of kindergarten, and Assistant Lin was like a loving teacher dragging the little child into the car. 　　"Please get in the car." 　　"Brother Xiaoming, save me!" 　　"Little Lu, be good, Da Pang and I will come see you again~" 　　Lu Mingjia was no match for the two grown men. With a pull and a push, she had no chance to struggle and was safely placed in the Bentley, sitting next to the big boss. 　　Assistant Lin hurriedly got into the car, and the driver immediately locked the central locking system and drove the car out of the alley, as if afraid someone would jump out.

Lu Mingjia felt utterly wronged. The morning had felt like a nightmare. She'd just jogged home, still breathless, when Big Fatty suddenly announced that her management contract had been transferred to Yanhuang, and she needed to pack her bags quickly while Yanhuang sent a car to pick her up. She sat in the living room, crying and unwilling to accept it. Unexpectedly, Big Fatty rushed into her room and offered to help her pack. Thinking about Big Fatty's scolding and Little Ming's helplessness, she wondered why things had turned out this way… She lowered her head, her nose twitching as she sobbed, instinctively shrinking into the car door, tears streaming down her face like a lonely, abandoned puppy, making someone's heart ache.

The big boss sighed inwardly and asked casually, "Is coming to Yanhuang that scary? So scary that your eyes are swollen from crying?"

Lu Mingjia ignored him, her head hanging even lower, focused only on her tears, her pitiful appearance particularly endearing.

The man's hands slowly clasped together, his burning gaze never leaving the woman beside him. She was clean and beautiful, without a trace of heavy makeup, just like she looked at eighteen. Time had clearly been kind to her; even her delicate fragrance remained unchanged. If he had known the satisfaction of taking her in would be so joyful, he should have brought her under his wing years ago.

The man took out a clean handkerchief and handed it to her. "You won't look prettier crying like a little kitten."

His doting tone didn't bother the male and female protagonists in the back seat, but it sent chills down the spines of the driver and assistant in the front! So, so, so, so, icebergs aren't invincible after all. When they meet someone they care about, they can melt into a puddle of snow, even speaking lines straight out of an idol drama.

Lu Mingjia hesitated, looking at the handkerchief before her, unsure whether to take it, even though she really needed it.

"I don't mind if you want to see people with a tear-streaked face," Yan Ji added, his eyes sparkling, his thin lips curving into a smile.

This was indeed unsightly. Big Fatty had said that she was, after all, a well-known second-tier actress, and needed to pay extra attention to her image… Lu Mingjia pouted as she took the handkerchief, wiping away her tears and tear stains. His handkerchief had a refreshing scent, like the smell of men's shaving lotion, and also like his own scent… She inexplicably felt a heat rising on her cheeks, and awkwardly clutched the handkerchief in her hand, afraid to use it again.

“I…I…I’ll wash it and return it to you…”

She stopped crying.

A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks.

“Hmm.”

Yan Ji withdrew his gaze, leaned back comfortably in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

Assistant Lin finally found a moment of respite and immediately announced important matters. Although receiving “newcomers” wasn’t his job, Miss Lu’s “status” was different.

"Ms. Lu, welcome to the Yanhuang Group. First, I'd like to inform you that the company has arranged a series of training courses for you. Once you move into the Yanhuang training center, the training will begin according to the schedule. After you arrive at the training center, I will introduce you to the relevant personnel and your personal instructor."

Assistant Lin spoke politely, causing Lu Mingjia to quickly sit up straight and respond politely. "Thank you, everyone..."

Sigh, the contract with Big Fatty was already signed, and going to Yanhuang was a fait accompli; she could only be at their mercy.

"It's my duty, Ms. Lu, please don't mention it," Assistant Lin said with a smile.

Lu Mingjia stole a glance at the big boss beside her. The man was as composed and aloof as ever. He wore a dark gray shirt and trousers, tall and slender, exuding elegance and composure. Although the car was dimly lit, his powerful aura was undeniable. "Hmph, add a pair of black wings, and he could play the devil Lucifer..." Thinking about their future interactions, she suppressed her tears, gazing blankly at the fleeting street scenes outside the window.

She wanted to mourn her future for three minutes, but the big boss suddenly spoke, his tone casual yet his words critical, his eyes still closed—"Also, you must remember this well: Yanhuang's artists cannot have scandals."

Lu Mingjia was startled, turning to look at him. This rule wasn't unique to Yanhuang; she had suffered from it herself.

"I know very well the trouble scandals bring," she replied indifferently, turning her face away expressionlessly, continuing to stare out the window.

"Including You Liming, no hugging allowed." The big boss added, though in a good mood, the image of climbing the driftwood was indeed jarring, even now it made his teeth ache.

Lu Mingjia turned and glared at him. Seriously, how could her family be misunderstood? "Young Master Yan, Xiao Ming is Big Fatty's boyfriend, everyone in the industry knows that. Or are you just too busy to notice?" Assistant

Lin broke out in a cold sweat.

The crybaby had stepped onto the front lines, baring her teeth and claws, officially declaring war on him.

This was the real her; Mingjia shouldn't be cowering in a corner shedding tears.

"It's all the same," he said, in a good mood.

"What do you mean?"

he said slowly, "He's a man."

Lu Mingjia clenched her fists. To deal with this kind of controlling, arrogant man, you had to be clear.

"If even Xiao Ming has to avoid it, then shouldn't Young Master Yan avoid it even more? You're the one in the scandal!"

"I don't need to," the man said casually.

“How could I not need it? Young Master Yan shouldn’t have forgotten the uproar that happened recently, right?”

He opened his eyes, staring at her, his face indifferent, his gaze deep and piercing, his dark eyes like two bottomless pools of black water.

She felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze, puffed out her cheeks, and raised her chin. “…Isn’t that right?”

They stared at each other, she felt a little weak, but still forced herself to meet his gaze bravely.

After a moment, he slowly curled his lips into a smile, and a clear, gentle voice escaped his lips. “Without my permission, do you think the reporters would dare to write it?”

…The implication was that he had also allowed the previous false scandal? Why would he deliberately allow those unfounded, ambiguous rumors?

“For—” She stopped, her intuition warning her that there was no need to delve any further into this matter.

“What do you want to ask?”

“Nothing…”

She wouldn’t ask, keeping all her guesses to herself, treating it as preparation and publicity for this agency contract transfer… although she didn’t believe she had the ability to make the big boss personally sacrifice himself to become the male lead in a scandal.

As for her social life, there was no need to argue with him. Although rules were rules, who could Boss Yan do anything about whom she wanted to contact? Ha.

Encountering such a rare gem, ugh! She stared out the window, not wanting to utter another word.

The man remained silent. It seemed that this unusually docile demeanor of this pouty, ruffled kitten was not out of obedience, but rather a consideration of how to rebel.

He slightly curved his lips into a indulgent smile.

[The End] [This post was edited by emma2015 on 2017-06-22 21:38]

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