Chapter 44

The shooting progressed smoothly, and the role of the male lead, Gu Bailing, increased significantly. According to Yu Youyi’s plan, Yan Zhao might have to stay on the set for another month to complete the shooting, but unexpectedly, Yan Zhao only added two weeks of work and caught up with the schedule.

Looking at the next door palace drama crew, the lead actors were causing trouble every day, performing modern palace intrigues reminiscent of a soap opera. The director was so worried that his hairline was receding. Yu Youyi could only sigh, “Our crew is really lucky. Actors like Zhao Zhao, who have both looks and talent and don’t act like divas, are as precious as giant pandas.”

Yu Youyi: “Zhao Zhao, about tonight’s charity event…”

Just finished shooting a scene, Yan Zhao wiped the sweat off his forehead. “I’ll come pick you up then.”

The Etoile Charity Gala is one of the entertainment industry’s grand events. In addition to celebrities, there will also be big shots from various sectors, making it an excellent place for networking and finding sponsors.

The celebrities who can attend are all top influencers in the industry. Yan Zhao doesn’t have any major representative works yet and can’t get in with his current status. He casually mentioned it to Shen Yuanting, and the next day he received an invitation…

Perhaps this is what it feels like to have someone influential supporting you.

On the phone.

Yan Zhao: [Are you really not coming? [Wang Zai sheds tears].]

Shen Yuanting: [Depends on the situation. I have a meeting tonight.]

Yan Zhao: [Okay, the new dress from Elegante just arrived, and I still want to be the first to show it to you. [Wang Zai wearing a princess dress].]

Shen Yuanting: …

The screen showed the other party typing, and Yan Zhao took a sip of lemon tea to clear his throat. When he looked back, he almost choked on his tea.

Written boldly on the screen was—

Shen Yuanting: [But I can be the first to help you take it off.]

A rush of flirtatiousness washed over him.

“Cough, cough…” Yan Zhao coughed twice, his ears turning red rapidly.

He replied: [Don’t drive in broad daylight!]

His thoughts involuntarily drifted to certain late nights, the man’s husky breath mingling with his, the strong and steady thud of his heartbeat in his chest, the rough fingertips igniting a series of flames on his body…

Yan Zhao shook his head to clear away the inappropriate thoughts, but he couldn’t help the smile that formed as he replied.

Yan Zhao: [I want to kiss you.]

Shen Yuanting: [Stop teasing. Mark it on the agenda.]

At night, Yan Zhao changed into his dress and drove the Ferrari that Mr. Shen gave him to pick up Yu Youyi—since the invitation allowed for one more person, Yan Zhao chose her.

Yu Youyi was a bit nervous. The biggest event she had ever attended was a movie’s press conference, where there were only five or six reporters in a small interview room. She had never seen anything like the scene where cameras nearly blinded the guests.

Yu Youyi: “What if I get nervous and fumble?”

Yan Zhao: “Just hold onto my arm.”

Yu Youyi: “What if the media starts making things up…”

Yan Zhao: “They wouldn’t dare.”

Anything they write would be ordered to be deleted. Yan Zhao hasn’t had even a hint of a scandal in the past six months. Any potential rumors were extinguished by jealousy before they could spread.

A group of reporters stood by the red carpet, cameras flashing as they captured every move of the celebrities.

When Yan Zhao appeared, the sound of camera shutters and the brightness of the lights intensified.

Yan Zhao naturally led Yu Youyi into the venue, as if they were not walking the red carpet but just an ordinary path, yet his presence was strikingly eye-catching.

“Those legs are really long,” a reporter examined the original photos, “no need for any touch-ups, huh?”

“This one looks good too, the camera caught it perfectly, very captivating gaze.”

…

After announcing the amount of donations, the formal part of the event ended, and the real party began.

Amidst the scent of perfume and the flickering of champagne bubbles, the music played by the band filled the air.

Yu Youyi ran into a senior from her days studying abroad and exchanged pleasantries with Yan Zhao before going to catch up. Yan Zhao had just picked up a glass of juice when he heard a voice saying, “Mu’s center, aren’t you going to dance?”

Yan Zhao looked over to see a man with a refined appearance, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding a glass of champagne, with a pricey quartz watch on his wrist.

Yan Zhao casually made up an excuse, “I’m not good at social dancing, so I won’t embarrass myself.”

The man smiled and handed him a business card, “My apologies, I’m Yu Jianpei, CEO of Jiangshan Real Estate.”

Jiangshan Real Estate is one of the giants in the domestic real estate industry. Considering the man’s age and achievements, his methods must be extraordinary.

Yu Jianpei continued, “To be honest, I’m also your fan.”

Yan Zhao: “??? Oh, thank you.”

Whispers surrounded them, and several curious gazes were fixed on him.

Those looks were not friendly, so Yan Zhao simply returned their gaze, causing the guilty ones to immediately avert their eyes.

Yu Jianpei said, “I heard… your production team was looking for investors recently. Did you find any?”

Yan Zhao replied, “We’ve already found some.”

“That’s good. It would be a shame if ‘Tian Yuan’ had to stop filming,” Yu Jianpei smiled, assessing the young man in front of him through his glasses. Indeed, coming from an idol background, his physique was excellent, slender yet muscular, especially evident in the narrow waist pinched by his trousers.

Yu Jianpei took a step closer, “I wonder if Teacher Yan would honor me with a drink?”

Yan Zhao responded, “I’ve taken cephalosporin^[1]Antibiotic, so I can only have juice.”

Yu Jianpei grinned, “No problem, it’s the thought that counts.”

As the tangy-sweet freshly squeezed orange juice flowed down his throat, Yan Zhao felt the person beside him inching closer, surpassing normal social boundaries.

Yan Zhao subtly shifted away, but the man’s hand rested on his shoulder.

In a low voice, Yu Jianpei said, “If you encounter any difficulties, you can contact me.”

Yan Zhao pushed aside his hand and said coldly, “I’m fine now, you don’t need to bother.”

The more indifferent Yan Zhao acted, the more interested Yu Jianpei became. “I’ve heard that you’ve offended Han Yuxuan… The Han family has significant investments in the entertainment industry. It will be tough for you to continue if you’ve crossed him.”

Yan Zhao lifted his eyelids, “I don’t think so.”

Yu Jianpei insisted, “You may not feel it now because he’s preoccupied with other matters, but once he’s free, you’ll be in trouble.”

Yan Zhao scoffed, “When he’s free, he’ll be bankrupt.”

Confused by Yan Zhao’s statement, Yu Jianpei thought he was joking and continued, “Who are you currently working with? He’s keeping you in Xingren, a small company with average resources, focusing on web dramas and low-budget films… Isn’t it a waste of your talent?”

Yan Zhao’s expression darkened, “…”

—Damn it, I chose the script myself. What does this outsider know!

Seeing Yan Zhao’s silence, Yu Jianpei thought he had convinced him and smiled, “Have you made up your mind? If you need more time to think, I can wait… Here’s my phone number on the business card—”

Yan Zhao mentally noted him down, planning to report him when he got home, but suddenly heard two familiar voices—

“Yan Zhao, what are you doing here—”

“Oh, come on, Zhao zhao, you didn’t even tell me when Xiao Yu was coming!”

The subsequent volume drowned out the conversation in front. Ling Xiao squeezed in between the two, while Yu Youyi returned to Yan Zhao’s side, looking worriedly at him. Meanwhile, interrupted by the commotion, Sheng Xin put down his hand after greeting.

Sheng Xin said impatiently, “Yan Zhao, why are you talking to him? He’s into shady real estate dealings, and his company is on the verge of collapse. There’s no need to associate with him.”

He said it bluntly, and Yu Jianpei’s eyelid twitched, and he asked, “And you are?”

Sheng Xin replied, “Yan Zhao’s acquaintance… well, not really a friend, just an acquaintance. By the way, Sheng Lufei is my father.”

Yu Jianpei exclaimed, “!!!” Sheng Lufei, the boss of Feimei Coal, started from scratch, but due to his keen business sense, he is now one of the domestic financial giants. However, it is said that his biggest worry now is his own useless son…

Yu Jianpei quickly extended his hand, “I apologize, I didn’t realize you’re Mr. Sheng’s son.”

Sheng Xin looked at him with a look of arrogance, like a second-generation ancestor who was overbearing and domineering. After all, this person is not ashamed to use his father’s influence to oppress others…

Yu Jianpei awkwardly withdrew his hand, only to have Ling Xiao grasp it warmly, “Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. It’s great to finally meet you in person. So, you’re Mr. Yu, huh?”

Yu Jianpei asked, “And who are you…?”

Ling Xiao introduced himself, “I’m Yan Zhao’s buddy, Ling Xiao. My mom just snagged a piece of land from you. Well, sorry about that.”

Yu Jianpei exclaimed, “!!! You’re from Aurora Real Estate?!”

Ling Xiao replied, “Not yet, at least not officially. If I can’t sell any more records, I’ll have to go home and inherit the family business. Sucks…”

Yu Jianpei’s face alternated between pale and flushed. Normally, getting acquainted with these people would be difficult, but today they all showed up… Isn’t Yan Zhao just a minor celebrity? How does he know them?

Yu Jianpei looked nervously at Yu Youyi, wondering if she’s also some wealthy heiress from a prominent family?!

Yu Youyi remained silent, thinking to herself, ‘As a broke person, I often feel out of place with you guys.’

Ling Xiao threw an arm around Yu Jianpei’s shoulder, chuckling, “Mr. Yu seems particularly eager to be friends with Yan Zhao… I don’t think you’re up to par, what do you think?”

Yu Jianpei gritted his teeth, “You youngsters shouldn’t be too arrogant… Business dynamics change swiftly, you never know who the winner will be.”

“Heh…” Ling Xiao retorted, “We’ll see if you can weather the storm.”

Sheng Xin rolled his eyes, “Losers always love to rage in incompetence.”

After Yu Jianpei left with a dark expression, Sheng Xin remarked, “What’s wrong with you? Why were you talking to him? He’s not a good person.”

Yan Zhao defended himself, “I didn’t know before chatting with him… He even pretended to be my fan, shameless.”

Yu Youyi covered her chest, “After I finished talking with my senior brother, I saw you with him, and I got really scared. Luckily, Brother Ling  and Brother Sheng were there.”

Ling Xiao: “It’s okay, if anyone dares to harass you in the future, just drop our names!”

Yan Zhao smiled, “Hmm.”

Yu Jianpei slipped through the crowd, feeling embarrassed, his pace quickening.

At a corner, he accidentally bumped into a sturdy figure, nearly falling down.

The other person helped him up, saying, “Sorry.”

Yu Jianpei seethed with anger, saying, “Youngsters should watch where they’re going when walking, or they might not know how they’ll end up.”

A cold, stern voice came from the side, “Yu Jianpei?”

Yu Jianpei looked over, seeing a handsome, imposing man looking down at him with icy eyes, sending shivers down his spine.

Ignoring the bodyguard Yu Jianpei bumped into, he asked in suspicion, “You… are…”

The man didn’t answer his question, simply walking past him, leaving behind a light remark, “Xiao Dou, handle it as you see fit.”

Xiao Dou grunted in agreement, lifting Yu Jianpei up like a chicken, “Could you come with me for a moment?”

In a place where Yan Zhao couldn’t hear, a group of celebrities gathered to gossip.

“Yan Zhao has such good connections, both Director Sheng and Big Ling are protecting him?”

“And isn’t Actor Ying also very close to him? Don’t forget their matching amulets.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect that. I thought it was all just publicity.”

“I worked with him in a drama once, and everyone had nothing but praise for him… It’s amazing how good his reputation is.”

“I’ve met him briefly before, and he seemed pretty ordinary to me.”

“Who knows, people can always grow, you know? Last time I…”

Jiang Xiaohua was about to continue gossiping, but suddenly fell silent.

Seeing her lost in thought, her best friend waved her hand in front of her, but Jiang Xiaohua grabbed her hand, saying, “Oh my god, hottie alert! Is he from our circle?! No, if he’s a celebrity, how come I don’t know about him!”

There are plenty of handsome guys in the entertainment industry, and everyone is quite used to it. Her friend asked curiously, “Who is it that’s making you react like this?”

As soon as she saw the newcomer clearly, she also widened her eyes and blurted out, “So handsome.”

Ignoring the awe-struck reactions, Shen Yuanting casually walked up to Yan Zhao and adjusted his collar.

Shen Yuanting said, “Teacher Yan, you haven’t finished your work yet. Is it really a good idea to be drinking here?”

Yu Youyi looked at Yan Zhao with confusion, “What work do you have?”

Yan Zhao’s heart raced, but he remained composed, saying, “Photo shoot.”

He still remembered his statement from this afternoon, “I want to kiss you,” and Shen Yuanting hadn’t forgotten about it either…