Chapter 15: He Begs Her. (Three Updates Combined)

Sheng Zhaoming had just come out to see the drama—he didn’t expect to overhear something like that.

He instantly went rigid where he stood. His feet felt like they were anchored by lead. His mood plummeted into a pit.

He opened his mouth to speak, lips parting and closing, but the air that entered his throat felt bitter and raw. Not a single word made it out. It sounded like a joke—how could a perfectly fine person suddenly be diagnosed with a terminal illness?

Lu Hui, sensing the searing gaze behind her, turned to see the man’s face drained of all color. Her eyes were puzzled, as if asking, What are you doing out here?

Sheng Zhaoming’s throat moved as he swallowed the sour, nameless emotion. Trying to keep his breathing steady, he said, “Taking out the trash.”

When had this young master ever taken out the trash himself? Probably never in his entire life. Lu Hui didn’t bother to expose the blatant lie. She just replied with a casual “Oh.”

“You two carry on.” With that, Sheng Zhaoming forced his stiff legs to move and turned to head back inside. He needed time to digest what he’d just heard.

Xie Ran, meanwhile, saw no one but Lu Hui. He hadn’t really processed anything said between her and Sheng Zhaoming. His hands were trembling uncontrollably, eyes reddened, and he stared at the medical report in his hands as if it weighed a ton. With each page he turned, it felt like a knife slicing into his heart.

From the initial diagnosis to the chemotherapy recommendation, until it stopped on the words: “Bilateral cancer cell metastasis.”

It was like every ounce of strength had been sucked out of him—he could barely hold onto the report. His face turned a deathly pale, filled with despair and devastation.

Is the heavens playing a joke on me? Terminal illness—again?

He had used every means, endured every hardship, to find her world. He hadn’t even earned her forgiveness yet—hadn’t even gotten a chance to say a heartfelt word to her. Was he going to lose her again?

No. No, absolutely not. He refused to accept it.

Xie Ran couldn’t acknowledge the truth. He refused to believe what was written in the report. In his delusional logic, this had to be a lie Lu Hui made up to drive him away.

“You’re not sick. You’ll be fine,” he murmured, voice hoarse and strained, like a cry from the depths of pain. His eyes were bloodshot, tears hanging on the edge, clinging to the clarity in his gaze.

Lu Hui looked at the man who seemed on the verge of tears. She felt nothing. Calmly, she took the medical report back from his hand. “Black and white, written right here. I couldn’t fake it even if I wanted to,” she said. “I wish I were fine too. But the truth is—I’ve just always had bad luck.”

Xie Ran’s lips quivered slightly, teeth clattering together from the trembling.

Seeing him like this—completely crushed, like he might cough up blood—Lu Hui, oddly enough, felt a little satisfied.

Xie Ran kept his face stiff and expressionless, his jaw clenched so tightly it seemed he might draw blood. “You’re lying.”

Lu Hui was exasperated. Why won’t he listen to anything?! What a stubborn man.

Xie Ran closed his eyes. In his mind rose images of blinding white hospital walls, the stench of disinfectant, and endless consent forms. When he opened his eyes again, he grabbed her slender wrist. “Are you trying to get back at me?”

“You’re overthinking.” Lu Hui truly wasn’t. But seeing that he clearly felt guilty about her death, she decided to make use of that pathetic guilt and fool him into leaving her alone.

Who knew Xie Ran would be completely immune to logic? He just wouldn’t listen.

His expression turned frightening. His voice turned sharp. “I forced you to give up a kidney to save someone else. On that matter, I was indeed inhuman. It’s understandable that you hate me. It’s understandable if you want revenge.”

His grip was strong, and Lu Hui couldn’t pull her hand free.

Her face remained blank. “I really don’t. Stop making up stories in your head.”

Xie Ran couldn’t stand her cold indifference. “If you want revenge, fine. Just don’t joke about something like this. I’ll go insane. I wouldn’t even know what I’d do if I lost control.”

Lu Hui was exhausted. “Let go. If you don’t believe me, fine. I’m going home.”

But Xie Ran still wouldn’t release her. His jaw loosened slightly, and his expression softened a bit. He said, “I owe you. I’ll repay you.”

Lu Hui didn’t immediately understand what those eight words meant.

Xie Ran’s eyes were red. “You can take one of my kidneys too. Or any other organ in my body. If you want it, it’s yours. I’ll give it to you.”

He’s gone mad, Lu Hui thought. The medical report must’ve completely scrambled his brain! He was spouting crazy talk.

What would she even do with his kidney? Cook it and eat it? She wasn’t that twisted.

Without thinking, she said, “I don’t want your organs. If you really feel sorry, then just let me spend the rest of my days in peace. Don’t show up in front of me again.”

Xie Ran’s nose stung. After letting go of her hand, he kicked open the car door and shouted at the bodyguard, “Do you have a knife on you!?”

The bodyguard nodded and then shook his head—neither confirming nor denying.

Xie Ran, full of pent-up rage, snapped, “I asked you a question! Do you have a knife or not!?”

The bodyguard, seeing no other choice, said, “Yes.”

“Give it to me.”

The bodyguard misunderstood, thinking Mr. Xie intended to personally stab someone. “Sir, please calm down. If something needs doing, let us handle it. There’s no need for you to get blood on your hands.”

Xie Ran kicked at him with full force. “I said give it to me!”

Seeing the fury in Xie Ran’s eyes, the bodyguard didn’t dare delay and handed over the knife he was carrying.

Xie Ran strode up to Lu Hui, forcing the knife into her hand. He took off his suit jacket, pointed to his waist, and said, “Come on, stab me here. I’ll pay for it. Just stop using that terminal illness joke on me, alright?”

Lu Hui held the knife and thought: “……”

If murder weren’t illegal, she might have actually stabbed him right then.

What a lunatic!!!

She wasn’t some trash disposal system—why did she have to handle after-sales service for a mission?! No money, just endless trouble.

Seeing that Lu Hui didn’t respond, Xie Ran’s emotions pushed him to the extreme. He grabbed her hand and forced her to stab him.

Lu Hui took a step back and threw the knife on the ground. “Stabbing people is against the law.”

“Then let’s go to the hospital.”

“Do you think that will help? Didn’t I beg you back then? Now you regret it, and it doesn’t move me. It actually disgusts me.” Lu Hui didn’t think her words were too harsh, but seeing Xie Ran on the verge of collapse, her words seemed to have a big impact on him.

But she wasn’t lying.

Lu Hui didn’t mind making things clearer, hoping to wake him up and stop him from living in his self-pity.

“Do you remember what you said? You said she needed my kidney. I told you I didn’t want to, and you said I had to do it whether I wanted to or not. Xie Ran, I’ve knelt down and begged you, I’ve cried in front of you. You even admitted you forced me.” Lu Hui kept her calm. “Now, what are you trying to prove? I’m not your dog, jumping on a bone when you throw it. I’m not like I was before, so I can’t just forgive you when you say you’re sorry.”

Lu Hui wasn’t acting; her words were sincere.

She sighed, trying to move him with her honesty. “So just go back to your world. I’m already at the stage where cancer cells have spread all over my body. Just let me die in peace, okay?”

Xie Ran’s eyes became bloodshot, and his pupils slowly filled with moisture. Tiny drops of tears silently fell from his lower eyelids, leaving wet streaks down his face. He seemed utterly heartbroken.

The world around him turned pitch black, as if everything had collapsed.

Lu Hui was still in shock. This was the second time she had seen Xie Ran cry.

This cold-hearted man had actually shed tears again—he must have really been hurt.

Lu Hui wasn’t sure if she had managed to break through his obsession.

“I’m going back.”

Xie Ran didn’t stop her. He was genuinely at a loss for what to do.

—

As Lu Hui walked, she called up the system and curiously asked, “If Xie Ran listens to me and goes back to his world, dropping his obsession, do I get a reward?”

The system replied, “Based on calculations, the chance of that happening is equivalent to winning ten million in the lottery.”

Lu Hui was confused. “What chance is that?”

The system replied sarcastically, “The chance of zero.”

The obsessive tendencies of male leads in these kinds of stories were so strong they could distort reality. There was no way he would leave just because of her few words.

Lu Hui made a face, “But Xie Ran cried just now!”

“Men’s tears aren’t worth much. You’re so naive!” the system mocked.

“Alright, you’re right. I shouldn’t let myself be fooled by false appearances.” Lu Hui continued, her tone now tinged with warning. “I hope you can hurry up and resolve all these issues, okay?”

“666 is very happy to serve you, see you next time.”

Every time Lu Hui asked the system to solve something, it played dead, completely unhelpful.

Unknowingly, Lu Hui had already reached the living room. Sheng Zhaoming was standing by the dining table with a glass of water in his hand, his gaze towards her as complex as before—slightly rushed and awkward.

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Having just dealt with Xie Ran, Lu Hui was physically exhausted. She touched her empty stomach and ignored Sheng Zhaoming, walking into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator, took out the cake she bought yesterday, unwrapped it, and scooped a bite with a spoon. Before she could even bring it to her mouth, Sheng Zhaoming suddenly walked over.

“The cake is from yesterday.”

Lu Hui was confused. “?”

Sheng Zhaoming seemed to sense her doubt. “You shouldn’t eat it. It’s not fresh.”

Lu Hui didn’t understand why everyone around her was going crazy.

Oh my god, Sheng Zhaoming actually learned to speak properly?

“It’s fine, I don’t mind.”

Sheng Zhaoming’s meaningful look lingered on her, and his glass clinked against the table. He moved her cake aside, “You’re hungry, you should eat some fruit first. There are strawberries.”

The housekeeper had bought them for two hundred a piece, so they must be good.

Lu Hui was baffled, “I want dessert.”

“Don’t you know what kind of condition your body is in?” Sheng Zhaoming started to say, but then he swallowed the words. He wasn’t very good at expressing concern.

Lu Hui scooped up a few more bites of cake, finishing it in no time.

“I’m going upstairs. Don’t call me for dinner.”

She used to do this often—just eat something light for dinner and skip the main meal. Sheng Zhaoming never used to care, thinking she would be quieter upstairs. But now, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated. He frowned. “Is this how you’re going to treat your body?”

Lu Hui was confused—was he sick?

“I’m full.”

Sheng Zhaoming’s anger grew. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, even though he didn’t know why. He wasn’t the one dying, so why was he so upset? No, Lu Hui wouldn’t die that easily, she couldn’t!

His chest heaved, his anger barely contained. “Don’t treat dessert as a proper meal in the future.”

“Okay.”

She went upstairs without him asking about her illness—when did she get sick? What did the doctor say? How high was the chance of recovery? A series of questions played in his mind, making him increasingly uneasy.

Lu Hui tossed the medical records she had picked up from the hospital onto the table, not intending to organize them, just leaving them there for now.

She washed her face, changed into her pajamas, and curled up in bed for a short nap of over half an hour. Just as she had barely opened her eyes, someone knocked on her door. “Come out, dinner’s ready, let’s eat downstairs.”

It was Sheng Zhaoming’s voice, unmistakable and cold, with a natural air of superiority.

Lu Hui lay back under the blanket. “I’m not hungry, you all go ahead.”

She had never seen Sheng Zhaoming take the initiative to ask her to eat together. He always treated her as an eyesore, avoiding her whenever possible and even making snide remarks when they did meet.

It was uncharacteristic for the prince to lower himself and ask, so she assumed he would be offended and leave after being rejected.

But just as Lu Hui thought he had left, that cold, shiver-inducing voice came through the door again. “Your mom’s waiting for you.”

Lu Hui still refused, saying she wasn’t hungry.

But today, Sheng Zhaoming seemed to have changed completely. He patiently climbed upstairs to urge her again.

Lu Hui was surprised by his persistence and, with no other choice, went downstairs.

Sheng Zhaoming looked as usual, his expression neutral. “Auntie made some nourishing soup.”

Lu Hui was puzzled. “What’s going on with you today?”

Something was clearly off! If someone suddenly became unusually kind, it was either a hidden agenda or a trick!

Sheng Zhaoming maintained his cold expression and looked down at her with an air of superiority. “Nothing special. Just thought it would be a waste if the soup went to waste.”

Though his words were sharp, they were at least bearable.

This was the normal version of Sheng Zhaoming.

Lu Hui relaxed a little, serving herself a bowl of soup. She tasted it and found it surprisingly good.

The housekeeper brought out the remaining dishes and said with a smile, “Miss Lu, this is Cordyceps soup, drink more, it’s good for your health.”

This dish wasn’t originally planned for the dinner table, but Sheng Zhaoming had specifically ordered it. The housekeeper had worked in the Sheng family for many years and thought well of both Miss Lu and the young master, though their relationship had always been strained. Now that things seemed to be easing up, it was a good sign.

Lu Hui smiled. “It’s really delicious, thank you, Auntie.”

“Don’t thank me,” the housekeeper said, but was interrupted by Sheng Zhaoming.

“Auntie Chen, your child should be finishing the tutoring session soon, right?”

“Ah, I almost forgot! I’ll head home now,” the housekeeper said.

“Okay.”

After Lu Hui finished her soup, she still hadn’t seen her mom or Sheng Zhaoming’s father.

“Where’s my mom?”

“I don’t know.”

“???”

Lu Hui blinked in confusion. “Didn’t you say my mom was waiting for me?”

Sheng Zhaoming stretched his legs out lazily and responded casually, “I lied to you.”

“Is lying to me fun?”

“It’s pretty fun.”

After finishing the soup, Lu Hui didn’t feel like talking to him anymore, but Sheng Zhaoming was unusually chatty tonight. “Did you finish your filming? How long are you resting for?”

“When did you start caring about my stuff?”

“Just asking. Whether you answer or not is up to you.” Sheng Zhaoming’s tone was like he was asking a question but also refusing to lower himself to show care, his pride still intact.

Lu Hui replied indifferently, “I don’t care to answer, so that’s that.”

Sheng Zhaoming studied her face with his gaze, noticing her rosy complexion and how much better she seemed. “Our family can afford to take care of you, you don’t have to push yourself so hard.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Hui nearly laughed.

“No way, bro. I called you before to borrow money, and you said you didn’t have a single penny.”

It seemed like whatever Sheng Zhaoming had said in the past was as unreliable as a fart!

She reminded him of this, and it seemed to jog his memory.

Of course, he wasn’t short on money. He usually tipped hotel staff with five-digit amounts. That day, when Lu Hui humbly asked him for money, he had enjoyed humiliating her and had replied, “I don’t give a penny.”

Sheng Zhaoming seemed to be like a turtle, both flexible and tough. “I don’t remember.”

“Heh.”

The man straightened up and adjusted his shirt cuffs, his tone pretending to be wise, “Have you heard the saying, ‘People of high status tend to forget things’?”

Lu Hui was quick to retort, “I think it’s ‘old people forget more.'”

Sheng Zhaoming, clearly annoyed by her remark but trying to stay calm, didn’t get angry. “Don’t take my words lightly. Stop whatever work you’re doing and focus on your health.”

“Okay,” Lu Hui responded carelessly.

“Get well soon.”

In today’s world, with the advancements in medical technology, even terminal illnesses could be treated. To be blunt, if it couldn’t be cured domestically, she could go abroad for treatment.

Sheng Zhaoming realized he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. Imagining the worst scenario made his chest feel tight.

Lu Hui shrugged off his concern, saying casually, “I still love my job.”

Sheng Zhaoming got a bit angry. “Does your job matter more than your health?”

His tone was serious and low, and suddenly, his anger flared.

Perhaps realizing he shouldn’t say something so harsh to a patient, Sheng Zhaoming softened slightly, “I’m doing this for your own good.”

Lu Hui simply said, “Oh.”

Sheng Zhaoming couldn’t sleep the entire night. When he was awake, all he could hear was her saying that she had only a few days left to live. When he closed his eyes, the same words echoed in his mind.

There were things Sheng Zhaoming remembered clearly, like the day Lu Hui had choked up while asking him for money.

Ever since Lu Hui had moved out, she had grown more arrogant and hadn’t contacted him much. The only reason she would swallow her pride to call him for money was to treat her illness. Sheng Zhaoming couldn’t think of another reason.

He felt like a terrible person. He tossed and turned all night, and by the time dawn broke, he was still awake, his head pounding, his eyes sore, and his brain feeling like it was going to explode.

The first thing he did upon waking was to call his people and ask them to investigate Lu Hui’s schedule over the past six months.

---

On Saturday, the recording for the variety show “Celebrity 1V1” officially began.

This competition-based show used “live broadcast” and “realness” as gimmicks to attract viewers. Before it aired, they had already hyped up the drama and “catfight” teasers from the guest lineup to stir up excitement.

In the first episode, there are six pairs of contestants, each performing individually. Afterward, both the mentor judges and audience members vote to choose the winner.

The winner moves on to the next episode, while the loser is automatically placed on hold.

On the recording day, Lu Hui finishes lunch and heads to the set, where she has to familiarize herself with the process and the venue, with the most important task being rehearsal.

Time is limited, and there is only one stage, so the production team prioritizes more popular contestants, giving them the space to rehearse first.

After looking at the list in front of her, Lu Hui felt like her turn was far off.

Indeed, she didn’t even get a chance to rehearse. The bigger names who arrived later cut in line, some practicing their singing and others their dancing.

Lu Hui said nothing, silently grabbed her prepared “Peach Blossom Sword,” and stayed in the shared lounge, eating peaches.

Everything was ready, with less than an hour before the show began, and the four mentors arrived one by one.

The director led Lu Hui to greet the mentors in their lounge.

The mentor’s lounge was lavish, thirty square meters, fully equipped.

As soon as Lu Hui entered, her attention was immediately drawn to the man’s long legs, crossed casually. Her gaze traveled upwards, and his face hit her eyes.

Without thinking, Lu Hui muttered, “Oh no.”

Wasn’t this that guy from before?

Her exclamation caught the attention of the others, and several pairs of eyes stared at her.

Embarrassed, Lu Hui quickly explained, “He’s just too handsome.”

It was clear that Cen Yueze also recognized her, and he raised an eyebrow with a provocative look. He stood with his hands in his pockets, legs lazily stretched, exuding an aura of arrogance.

He tilted his chin, acting as if he had just realized something, and said, “This is Xie…”

Lu Hui quickly reacted, “No need to thank me! Mr. Cen, you’re too polite!”

Please, don’t make it sound like she’s Xie Ran’s lapdog. She feared that if the word got out, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name no matter what.

She also found it puzzling that a young master from a rich family was now working as a mentor in the entertainment industry.

What the hell, what gives him the right? Just because he had that cold, indifferent face that made others feel like they owed him money?

The director asked, “Do you two know each other?”

At the same time, both replied:

Cen Yueze: “We’ve met once.”

Lu Hui: “I don’t know him.”

Cen Yueze’s features were especially handsome, cold when not smiling, but when he smiled, he seemed to intentionally flirt. He spoke meaningfully, “I really have a strong impression of Miss Lu.”

In this life, he couldn’t recall anyone else being so interested in him.

Lu Hui: “…”

The director said, “What a coincidence.”

Cen Yueze stared at the necklace around her neck for a while, recognizing it as the same one he was wearing today.

He casually asked, “Did you buy that necklace yourself?”

Lu Hui: “Hmm, yeah.”

Cen Yueze asked again, “How much did it cost?”

With his hands in his pockets and an air of arrogance, his gaze seemed to look down on everyone around him. He was clearly someone used to giving orders.

Lu Hui thought, Who can’t show off a little? She responded, “Not expensive, just a few hundred thousand.”

Cen Yueze paused for a second, lazily nodding, “Hmm, not expensive. It’s about the same as my breakfast money.”

Lu Hui: “…”

What a master.

This guy was truly the king of arrogance.

The director didn’t know when the tension between the two had started to escalate. Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, the director made some small talk before being called away by the head director.

The door to the lounge closed again.

Cen Yueze kept Lu Hui there, and as a mentor, she had no choice but to stay.

Lu Hui stood still, her eyes vacant, staring off into space with an oddly distant gaze.

Cen Yueze remained calm and suddenly asked, “What are you staring at down there?”

Lu Hui snapped out of her daydream. Originally about to say “I wasn’t looking,” she changed her mind and shrugged, “Because it’s big.”

Cen Yueze: “?”

Tch, what a pervert.

So last time, she was clearly eyeing his body. Asking about the restroom was just an excuse to strike up a conversation.

Cen Yueze gazed at her face, his eyes slowly scanning her features. Her eyes were exactly his type, and her nose was too. To put it simply, her face was perfectly aligned with his aesthetic.

The little girl seemed angry, her lips slightly pouting as she unconsciously chewed on her jelly-like lips.

Cen Yueze felt a tickling sensation in his throat and a strange itch all over his body.

He asked, “What performance did you prepare today? Would you like me to give you some pointers, Miss Lu?”

Cen Yueze was really a shameless guy. He had become a mentor purely to save his sister’s show, and he couldn’t sing or dance to save his life.

Lu Hui lifted her head and clearly enunciated, “A talent performance of ‘Staring at Crotches’—please, Teacher Cen, feel free to guide me.”

Cen Yueze burst into laughter.

“Get lost.”

“Go ahead, get lost.”

“Get, get, get lost.”

Cen Yueze thought he was losing his mind by continuing the conversation with her.

When the formal recording started, Lu Hui saw Cen Yueze again on stage.

Though he wasn’t a professional entertainer, his popularity on set was high.

Truth be told, his face could certainly bring disaster to the nation.

On stage, Cen Yueze was also full of himself, barely speaking two words when one would do.

A perfect example of showing off.

He was acting like he owned the world.

Lu Hui turned to Lin Tong, asking seriously, “Look at Cen Yueze acting all high and mighty, don’t you want to hit him?”

Lin Tong shook his head, “No way!”

Humans, sigh, no saving them.

Lu Hui was in the fourth group to perform. The first three groups had all performed energetic pop songs and dances, which were both exciting and warmed up the atmosphere.

Lu Hui was drooling.

On the mentor’s seat, Cen Yueze sat with half-closed eyes, looking lazy. When it was time for him to judge, he offered a succinct, “It’s okay.”

The first episode features six teams, each consisting of two contestants who will perform. Afterward, the mentors and audience will vote to select the winner.

The winner moves on to the next episode, while the loser is automatically put on standby.

On the day of the recording, Lu Hui finished lunch and headed to the venue. She needed to familiarize herself with the process and the stage, but most importantly, she had to rehearse.

With limited time and only one stage available, the program crew prioritized the more famous contestants, giving them the stage first.

After seeing the list ahead of her, Lu Hui felt that her turn was far off.

And that’s how it turned out—she didn’t even get a chance to rehearse. The big-name contestants, who arrived later, cut into her time, with some practicing their songs and others rehearsing their dances.

Lu Hui didn’t say anything. She silently grabbed her prepared peach blossom sword and stayed in the shared rest area, eating peaches.

Everything was ready, and with less than an hour before the show started, the four mentors gradually arrived.

The director took Lu Hui to greet the mentors in their rest room.

The room used by the mentors was quite luxurious, about thirty square meters, with all the necessary equipment.

When Lu Hui walked in, her eyes were immediately drawn to the long legs crossed over each other. As her gaze moved upward, the man’s face fully caught her attention.

Lu Hui couldn’t help but mutter, “Oh, no.”

Wasn’t that the guy from earlier?

Her exclamation caught the attention of others, and several pairs of eyes turned to her.

Lu Hui awkwardly explained, “He’s so handsome.”

It was clear that Cen Yueze recognized her as well. His eyebrows lifted in a teasing way, and he stood with his hands in his pockets, his leg casually crossed over the other. He looked extremely confident and arrogant.

He tilted his chin and gave her a knowing smile, saying, “This is…”

Lu Hui reacted quickly, “No need to thank me! Mr. Cen, you’re too kind!”

Please, don’t let anyone think she was a fan of Xie Ran. She was terrified that if this spread, the label would stick, and she wouldn’t be able to clear her name.

Lu Hui was also puzzled. Why was a wealthy young master from a prestigious family now entering the entertainment industry as a mentor?

What the hell? Just because he had a face that looked like everyone owed him money?

The assistant director asked, “Do you two know each other?”

They both answered at the same time.

Cen Yueze: “We’ve met once.”

Lu Hui: “We don’t know each other.”

Cen Yueze had those strikingly handsome features—cold when he didn’t smile, but when he did, it seemed like he was deliberately enticing people. He said with deep meaning, “Miss Lu, I must say, I’m really impressed by you.”

He’d never found anyone as intriguing as her.

Lu Hui: “…”

The assistant director said, “What a coincidence.”

Cen Yueze stared at the necklace around her neck for a while, recognizing it as the same one he was wearing today.

He casually asked, “Did you buy the necklace yourself?”

Lu Hui: “Yeah.”

Cen Yueze asked again, “How much was it?”

The man stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at everyone with a gaze that seemed to command authority. His attitude was cold, as though he was used to giving orders.

The aura of arrogance was overwhelming.

Lu Hui thought to herself, “Who doesn’t know how to act cool?” She replied, “It wasn’t expensive, just a few hundred thousand.”

Cen Yueze paused for a second, then lazily nodded, “Yeah, not expensive. It’s just my breakfast money.”

Lu Hui: “…”

This man was a pro.

He was truly the king of arrogance.

The assistant director wasn’t sure when their banter had turned so intense. Trying to defuse the tension, he said a few polite words before being called away by the chief director.

The door to the rest room closed.

Cen Yueze kept Lu Hui behind. When the mentor speaks, the contestant has no choice but to obey.

So, Lu Hui stood still, staring off into space, her gaze drifting aimlessly.

Cen Yueze, calm and composed, suddenly asked, “Why are you staring at my crotch?”

Lu Hui snapped out of her daze. She originally planned to deny it but changed her mind and gave a snarky reply, “Because it’s big.”

Cen Yueze: “?”

Tsk, old perv.

So, it turns out that last time she was eyeing his body. Her question about the bathroom was just an excuse to strike up a conversation.

Cen Yueze looked at her face, his gaze thoroughly studying her features. He liked her eyes and her nose. To put it simply, her face perfectly matched his taste.

The young girl seemed upset, pouting slightly and unconsciously nibbling on her lips.

Cen Yueze felt a sudden itch, his throat dry, and his teeth aching. Everything about her made him itch for more.

He asked, “What performance have you prepared for today? Do you want me to give you some advice, Miss Lu?”

Cen Yueze, too, was shameless. Becoming a mentor was merely to help his sister’s show. He couldn’t sing or dance.

Lu Hui looked up at him and said, “A talent performance: ‘Staring at the crotch like a cat.’ Please give me some pointers, Mr. Cen.”

Cen Yueze couldn’t help but laugh.

“Get lost.”

“Go ahead.”

“Go, go, go.”

Cen Yueze thought to himself, he must be out of his mind for talking to her.

When the actual recording began, Lu Hui finally saw Cen Yueze on stage.

Although Cen Yueze wasn’t a performer in the entertainment industry, his presence on stage was still quite powerful.

One couldn’t deny it, his face certainly had the power to make heads turn.

On stage, Cen Yueze was the epitome of cool, never wasting words and delivering just a few.

The perfect role model for arrogance.

He oozed confidence.

Lu Hui turned to Lin Tong, seriously asking, “Don’t you want to punch him? The way Cen Yueze acts, doesn’t anyone feel like hitting him?”

Lin Tong shook his head, “No way!”

Humans. Ugh.

Lu Hui was up fourth, and the first three groups performed popular songs and energetic dances, warming up the crowd.

Lu Hui felt envious.

On the mentor’s seat, Cen Yueze squinted lazily, not speaking much, only offering the rare compliment, “It’s okay.”

The entire crowd was waiting for that famous “It’s okay.”

When it came time for Cen Yueze, however, his response changed. “You’re actually quite impressive.”

Lu Hui remained calm.

During the voting, Cen Yueze didn’t abstain; he gave all ten of his votes to Lu Hui.

The girl group contestant looked at the screen as the gap between the votes widened, and she was furious. But with everyone watching, she couldn’t change her expression. She just quietly cried with red eyes. Her fans in the audience were particularly sympathetic.

In the end, Lu Hui won the PK with a 130-vote lead, and the other contestant automatically moved to standby.

Backstage, Lu Hui casually asked, “How does it feel to be eliminated after the first round?”

Killing someone means they die.

The girl was furious, her eyes turning black as she coldly walked away.

And just like that, the first recording came to an end.

Cen Yueze didn’t join the director team for dinner; instead, he waited outside the makeup room for Lu Hui.

When he saw her, he spoke with a smirk, “I didn’t expect you to go this far to get my attention.”

Taking the shame and using a niche performance like martial arts to impress him.

Lu Hui looked up at him and said, “You didn’t not expect it, you’re just thinking too much.”

“…”

After that, Lu Hui left work, tossing the last comment over her shoulder as she grabbed her bag and left in style.

Cen Yueze leaned against the door, watching her leave. He thought of four words—short man, happy smile.

Outside the venue, there were many fans of the girl group. Lu Hui had dominated her performance today, and in order to avoid being swarmed by the fans, she chose to take the back door to leave.

It turned out that her choice was the right one.

The girl’s fans had prepared a slew of sarcastic remarks for her and had waited for hours in the cold winter. They guarded every entrance, but still…

“Is Lu Hui a dog?”

“She’s not a dog, dogs can’t run as fast as she can.”

“I can’t stand this woman. She bullies my baby until she cries, and after showing off, she just runs away. No backbone.”

“It pisses me off, ugh, I’m freezing to death.”

“We waited for four or five hours for nothing, I’m bleeding from the mouth.”

After hearing this, Lu Hui was extremely glad she made the wise decision.

But on her way home, she ran into some trouble.

She walked through the stone-paved alley, nearing its end. The weathered walls, dormant greenery, and quiet solitude surrounded her.

The winter wind blew, and a white willow leaf seemed to leap into her line of sight.

A man stood at the exit of the deep alley, his long hair and modern clothes out of place.

A Kunpeng perched on his shoulder, impossibly obedient.

The man lifted his deep, tranquil eyes. He looked like the cold, untouchable beauty from his sect.

Lu Hui stopped, thinking about what she should do next. Yan Zhao had arrived much quicker than she had expected.

This tricky fish had played a big role.

With no defense at all, Yan Zhao’s head full of white hair entered her vision.

Lu Hui snorted inwardly.

She was really curious—what could have caused Yan Zhao, this emotionless expert, to turn his hair white overnight!?

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