“Mr. Su, if you want to make a bet with me, you have to show some sincerity.”

The middle-aged man across from him was plump and cheerful, like the Laughing Buddha, though his eyes betrayed a shrewdness.

Su Ming gritted his teeth and added a few more points, finally satisfying the man, who agreed to close the deal.

Su Ming had replaced his secretary, finance team, and all upper management with trusted people to properly run his entertainment company. On the day of the meeting, anyone who objected was promptly dismissed by Su Ming.

Such drastic cuts led to rumors that the company might be going under, but he was unfazed.

Su Ming was determined to do big things and confidently invested in Su Qin.

For him, this bet was a guaranteed profit. He believed that as long as Su Qin performed well, he would certainly reap significant rewards.

But for Su Qin, it was a disaster.

“Three dramas and two films in a year—isn’t that too much?” Her face turned pale.

“Daughter, these are all quality projects.”

As a businessman, Su Ming couldn’t understand that acting required meticulous work: “Think about it—if you work hard for a year, you can then choose whatever projects you like. Isn’t that a good deal?”

Just one year to sacrifice.

Su Qin was still young; she had time.

“I heard that some crews use doubles, so you won’t even have to do every scene yourself. The directors are thrilled to have you on board.”

He patted Su Qin’s shoulder kindly. “Dad won’t let you wear yourself out. If it’s too much, we won’t do it, okay?”

Reluctantly, Su Qin agreed.

She was frustrated but couldn’t voice it, so she quietly studied her scripts. Surprisingly, they were all high-budget projects with impressive production teams and strong investors.

Her wavering heart gradually found steadiness again.

Su Ming casually asked, “How are things between you and Li Yang lately? I was thinking, once things settle down next year, we could hold a wedding on the most exclusive private island. Just close friends and family, something low-key—whatever makes you happy.”

Su Qin’s smile froze.

No grand event? No media coverage?

She’d dreamed of this moment since childhood: her wedding broadcast on every channel, everyone talking about it, and Su Wan having no choice but to sit at home, miserably crying with that old woman.

But now, Su Ming wanted it low-key?

Recalling Li Yang’s recent cold demeanor and drunken ramblings, Su Qin bit her lip. Things seemed to be moving in the direction she wanted, but it still felt unsatisfactory.

“I’ll think about it.” Her mind was a mess, and she casually brushed it off.

…

Su Wan woke up to her phone lighting up with a string of notifications, leaving her completely stunned.

Wen Chen Yue, who had been low-key and content to be an actor, had actually turned out to be the son of the richest man in the country.

She could hardly imagine how that face could dominate the business world.

All she could recall was one vivid moment from filming.

Their almost-kiss scene—a fleeting rush of emotion in a sea of desire— it was rather beautiful.

Back then, Su Wan had thought that she could someday keep someone like Wen Chen Yue as a lover: good-looking and gentle.

Luckily, she hadn’t voiced this thought, or she might have risked a lifetime ban from the Wen Corporation.

Unexpectedly, the first thing Wen Chen Yue did after taking over the family business was message her, asking her out to dinner.

Su Wan secretly wondered if she might be able to charm him a bit, maybe convince him to invest in Qingwan Company. If nothing else, she could play the feelings card. With this in mind, she accepted the invitation.

“Do you like it?”

“Mmm, it’s pretty good.” Su Wan took a bite of shrimp.

Wen Chen Yue was just as he usually was, propping his chin up with one hand as he watched her eat with a smile growing on his face.

She glanced over at him, smiling, but he was looking at her with a serious expression, so she asked, “What is it?”

Wen Chen Yue said, “I want to ask you a question.”