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Chapter 3: Heaven’s Favored Son
In her next life, she wanted to live this freely too…

Zhong Yang became even more alert. She silently sat down next to Yin Qi, discreetly shifting her chair a little farther away.

Yin Qi, aside from glancing at her a couple of times when he had nothing better to do, spent most of the time chatting about work with Zhang Yue, and didn’t do anything inappropriate.

Before long, the rest of the guests gradually arrived, exchanging pleasantries and compliments like they were competing to see who could be more fake.

Only the seat at the center of the table remained empty.

Zhong Yang joked with Xu Youyou on WeChat, saying that this big shot must be an old man who walks slowly and is running terribly late.

After another full forty minutes, Yin Qi hesitated, then picked up his phone. “Alright, I’ll give him a call.”

A moment later, Yin Qi pushed open the private room door and put on his signature smile, eyes practically disappearing, “Mr. Pei, please come in.”

The room instantly fell silent. Everyone stood up to greet the guest — including Zhong Yang.

But it wasn’t as she imagined. The person who entered wasn’t an old man, but a strikingly handsome and outstanding young man.

His expression was indifferent, his features deep-set with a sharp edge to them. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a slim waist wrapped in a crisp white shirt. His sleeves were casually rolled up, revealing fair arms, and a suit jacket was draped over the crook of his right elbow.

Zhong Yang felt he looked oddly familiar, yet she was certain they’d never met.

— After all, who could forget someone better-looking than a celebrity?

The man ignored everyone else. His gaze lingered on Zhong Yang for a second longer than necessary, then he walked to his seat with an air of quiet nobility.

He said nothing, but his powerful presence — the kind unique to people in authority — made everyone feel pressured, or perhaps it was just everyone’s subconscious submission to wealth.

Once he was seated, Zhong Yang followed the others and sat down.

While listening to the CEOs at the table flatter him, she studied the man to her left out of the corner of her eye and thought of one phrase: Heaven’s Favored Son.

So young, so rich, so powerful — and ridiculously handsome.
Who wouldn’t envy that?

In her next life, she wanted to live this freely too.

“Mr. Pei, let me introduce you. This is President Wang of Ruoyi Tech, in charge of our film and TV special effects — one of the top talents in the country. And this is President Jiang from Huatai Films…”

Yin Qi introduced everyone in turn. When he got to Zhong Yang, he deliberately paused and added with a meaningful smile, “And the beautiful lady beside you — a young actress, Zhong Yang.”

This time, Pei Yunzhe finally reacted. He glanced at the woman beside him, and a faint trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.

Yin Qi noticed the change and took a sip of wine, suppressing the smug satisfaction in his heart.

These high-society types all liked to act refined and noble on the surface, like proper gentlemen. But behind the scenes? No one was dirtier or more depraved than them.

Two months ago, Yin Qi had heard that the Pei family intended to enter the entertainment industry. They had unlimited funds but lacked experience — and didn’t know who to invest in.

So he pulled some strings to try and pitch himself.

If he could successfully tie himself to the Pei Group, then no matter how big the director or famous the actor, they’d all have to show him respect.

Tonight’s dinner was important. If it weren’t to impress Pei Yunzhe, he wouldn’t even be willing to “share” a stunner like Zhong Yang…

The dishes arrived one by one, but Zhong Yang had no appetite. Yin Qi’s sleazy introduction made her feel as if a thick layer of grease coated her skin — unbearably uncomfortable.

The suspicion she had harbored was confirmed.

Yin Qi wanted to “offer” her to Mr. Pei — as a favor.

What a joke.

After four years, did they still not know what kind of person she was? Did they really think that after being shelved for a year, she’d lose her bottom line and start accepting what she once refused?

Yes, she had grown a lot over the past year. Her temper had mellowed. She no longer lashed out at producers or scolded them to their faces.

She had come to understand that social hierarchies were brutal. The outbursts of the powerless only accelerated their own destruction. Adults should achieve their goals with calm and strategic detours.

Zhong Yang put down her chopsticks and smiled politely. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Yes, she was in a lower position. Yes, she wanted to seize every opportunity. But that didn’t mean she would grovel, laugh flatteringly at the table, or sell her body.

She stepped out of the private room and into the courtyard. Looking up through the shadows of the trees at a faint glow in the darkness, she felt stifled.

The evening breeze blew past. Cicadas chirped from between the leaves, their song blending with the rustling branches and the gurgling sound of running water.

It was a poetic setting — shame it wasn’t filled with poetic people.

Zhong Yang could, at most, make a graceful exit — and quietly slip away.

There was no way she was going back in to finish the meal.

If she heard another “joke” from one of those bosses, she might just flip the table again.

Yes, she had a better temper now — but that didn’t mean she had no temper.

She messaged Xu Youyou to come pick her up, then waited in the courtyard corridor.

After a while, she blinked, wiping the warmth off her cheek, muttering to herself:
“Is there a difference between a rich man’s dignity and mine?”

“Heh.”

A slightly mocking voice came from behind. Zhong Yang turned.

It was that Mr. Pei.

She frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”

The man’s voice carried a trace of disdain. “You’ve already thrown away your dignity — so why talk about any difference?”

Zhong Yang’s eyes turned red. She snapped back, “Is this how all of you people are? Always thinking you see through everything, looking down on others from your high horses, preaching like the stink of arrogance could be smelled ten miles away.”

She took a step closer, lifting her head to meet his cold, arrogant gaze.

“Please list out clearly, point by point, exactly how I ‘voluntarily’ threw away my dignity. If you can’t, then I expect an apology — word for word.”

Her voice was trembling. A single tear, long restrained, rolled down her cheek, glinting under the moonlight.

Zhong Yang glared at him, wiping the hot streak away.

Pei Yunzhe raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, and stepped closer. “Last night, you were the third woman to bump into me. And tonight?”

Zhong Yang opened her mouth to reply but suddenly caught a familiar woodsy scent. She froze.

She realized — this guy was that crazy weirdo from yesterday.

She grew even angrier. “I let it go yesterday, but today you’re spouting nonsense again? Seriously — why don’t you spend your time getting treatment instead of spewing crap? You’re an arrogant narcissist and a lunatic. Medication doesn’t even cost that much, Mr. Pei.”

“…!” The man clearly didn’t expect that outburst. His previously calm and detached expression cracked slightly. “You—”

“You what?” Zhong Yang jabbed a finger into his chest. “You think you’re something special because you’re good-looking and have a bit of money?”

Surprisingly, the man wasn’t offended. He just frowned, eyes filled with scrutiny. “You’re not one of Pei Yongcheng’s people?”

Pei Yongcheng — his uncle — ran three subsidiaries of the Pei Group. They’d always been at odds.

Until recently, Pei Yongcheng had stayed quiet. But now, out of nowhere, he’d started sending women into Pei Yunzhe’s life — switching them out constantly.

Whether at business dinners, events, during work hours, or even on commutes, random women would approach him, say strange things, or do weird things. It was seriously hurting his productivity.

Just last night at a bar, while talking business with a friend, two different women ran into him within twenty minutes. One kept asking for his WeChat; the other spilled wine on his brand-new custom suit and walked off like nothing happened.

It was intolerable.

His friend said: “Maybe it wasn’t your uncle. You’re so good-looking — it’s not strange girls are into you.”

Pei Yunzhe, face cold, removed his soiled jacket. “There better not be another clueless idiot. I don’t believe in that many coincidences.”

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