The pristine white airplane trailed a line of clouds across the azure sky before gently landing on the empty runway.

This was Shanghai. Today was the annual red wine charity gala. It was said that the most influential figures from the Jinghu region—whether business elites or political bigwigs—would gather here.

Two figures walked out of the cabin one after the other, each followed by a group of people. One wore a simple shirt and casual pants, with a mask on, while the other was in a sharp suit, sporting dark gray sunglasses that obscured half his face.

To avoid the cameras of small-time reporters, they didn’t take the usual passenger tunnel but instead walked directly off the plane, leaving the airport. Outside, luxurious vehicles awaited. The man in sunglasses leaned down to say something to a young man in a black shirt beside him before elegantly getting into the car.

As the long, gentlemanly Bentley quietly drove away, a certain hot artist of the moment turned around and followed his agent into a van.

“It’s so hot! Turn up the AC!” As soon as the agent got in, he reverted to his usual chatty self, grabbing Baili Xiao’s arm. “Oh my God, Yu is just too cool! So cool, so cool! I could almost scream like a fangirl!”

Baili Xiao, who had been lost in thought during the ride, pushed his overly enthusiastic agent away in disgust and frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on! Some people sleep through everything, but Yu was watching you the whole time. That gaze—so captivating!”

Baili Xiao couldn’t help but shudder, feeling goosebumps rise on his skin. “You’ve already switched to a Shanghai accent the moment we landed. You really adapt quickly to your surroundings.”

“Stop deflecting! Be honest—how far have you and Yu progressed?”

“Progressed to what?” Baili Xiao was confused.

“Don’t play dumb! Who sent you home last time we went out to eat? Who booked our tickets for this trip to Shanghai? And who covered you with the blanket on the plane just now?”

Baili Xiao shifted away, lowering his head, his voice unexpectedly filled with a hint of annoyance. “There’s nothing going on. Don’t say random things.”

Seriously? He was a descendant of a divine lineage, having just arrived in this grassroots world a few months ago. Was it time for a romantic entanglement already?

Not a chance.

Although he could perceive the world and its myriad wonders, Baili Xiao couldn’t foresee his own romantic fate, nor did he need to. He naturally believed that the person who would truly move his heart wouldn’t appear for at least another thousand or eight hundred years. His lack of aversion to Yu Jinghao’s advances stemmed solely from the fact that Yu was a rare and esteemed figure with both talent and virtue, perfectly fitting his criteria for friendship.

Thus, Baili Xiao chose to ignore his agent’s incessant chatter once again as their group arrived at a high-end dress boutique. The designer was Yu Jinghao’s exclusive choice, reputed to only take commissions from him. This time, Yu had specifically arranged for Baili Xiao to get ready for the gala here.

In truth, Baili Xiao had little interest in attire. In his previous life, he had always worn a simple black robe, clean and sharp, without ever giving his appearance much thought. This life was no different. After allowing the tailor to measure his body meticulously, he let Mike and the stylist discuss styles while he settled on a sofa, sipping red tea and flipping through magazines.

One of the magazines was a gossip publication featuring not only celebrity news but also the latest buzz on wealthy socialites. As Baili Xiao lazily flipped through its pages, he almost closed it when a headline suddenly caught his eye.

**“Deng Zirui Awakens with a Drastic Personality Change, Fundraising to Enter the Entertainment Industry”**

Wasn’t this the rich second-generation that both Tang Shao and Yu Jinghao were wary of?

Baili Xiao couldn’t help but softly repeat the headline, “Drastic personality change…”

Such nonsense was something only mortals would believe. A person who had intended to pursue a political career suddenly decided to dive into the entertainment industry after being in a coma for six months? Baili Xiao smiled slightly, finding it hard to believe that the original personality still resided in that body. He casually flipped to that page and read through the article.

It turned out that Deng Zirui had a formidable background on both sides of his family, making him one of the top young masters in the capital. He had always been the number one target for socialite girls. However, despite his solid family connections, he had never been particularly outstanding or gifted. Baili Xiao recalled that Yu Jinghao had mentioned how Deng Zirui’s father had paved a path for his son’s future, only for everything to be wasted when a sudden accident left Deng in a vegetative state. Remarkably, he awoke without warning, not only losing all his memories but also undergoing a drastic personality shift—once intent on a political career, he now brazenly pursued young models and rising stars in the entertainment world. In just half a month since waking, he had gone through three girlfriends, the latest being Bai Yiting, the leading actress of Canxing Entertainment who had only debuted two years ago and had just started to gain popularity this year.

Baili Xiao felt no particular interest in the life story of this wealthy heir. However, since he was entrusted by Yu Jinghao, he decided to pay a bit more attention to Deng Zirui. After reading the article, he noted that there were numerous doubts surrounding this Deng Zirui. But after thinking it over, he deemed it inconsequential; after all, regardless of this person’s background, they would know more by the evening. Generally speaking, wealthy heirs born with a silver spoon often had good destinies. However, if this person truly was not the original host, the chances of encountering someone even more fortunate were slim, making it unlikely that he would pose a threat to Tang Shao and Yu Jinghao.

Amused by his thoughts, Baili Xiao couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. In terms of destiny, who could truly threaten Yu Jinghao? Among the myriad lives, perhaps not a single one could.

—

The night in the Magic City sparkled with stars.

The red wine charity gala was held on the executive floor of a top-tier hotel, having begun preparations three days in advance. The entire hotel had been cleared to match the red wine theme, with images of crystal goblets flashing across the LED screens on the main building, dazzling and captivating.

Baili Xiao had always thought of this event as a low-key affair among the wealthy. It wasn’t until he stepped out of the car that he realized there was a red carpet and an overwhelming number of reporters. Facing the seemingly endless flash of cameras, he suddenly felt that he had underestimated this gala; it resembled a red carpet film festival more than anything else. As he glanced around, he noticed that the women were all dressed in glamorous gowns, adorned with jewelry that sparkled dazzlingly. This was undoubtedly a high-profile event, with beautiful socialites and celebrities filling the venue, creating a stunning visual feast.

Shen Yuan and Wang Hong, as the upcoming screen couple, naturally made their grand entrance together to garner attention. Their vehicles arrived in succession, and as Shen Yuan stepped out in her flowing pink gown, she casually linked her arm with Wang Hong’s and greeted Baili Xiao before they elegantly made their way into the venue.

Just as Baili Xiao was about to follow them inside, he suddenly heard the excited shouts of reporters around him. Before he could turn to see what was happening, a dark figure caught his peripheral vision, and in the next moment, a familiar citrus scent enveloped him.

Yu Jinghao had arrived.

Today, the CEO looked exceptionally handsome. Unlike some stars who wore flamboyant tailcoats, Yu was dressed in a deep black suit paired with a dark blue shirt and a black bow tie. The colors weren’t extravagant, and his outfit didn’t seem more formal than usual, but the exquisite tailoring and the dazzling diamond cufflinks highlighted his aristocratic aura perfectly. His eyes, which seemed to hold the depth of the ocean, met Baili Xiao’s gaze, and in that instant, Baili’s heart skipped a beat, feeling both amazed and serene.

Yu Jinghao was accustomed to the praise and admiration that surrounded him. Standing in the center of the crowd, he smiled effortlessly and said, “I heard that our company’s new artist is here alone. As a representative of the management, I should show some care for my subordinate. Care to join me?”

Before Baili Xiao could respond, the reporters around them erupted in excited gasps. The flashbulbs went off in a flurry, blinding him momentarily. Feeling somewhat dizzy and parched, he had no choice but to nod and stepped closer to Yu Jinghao, saying, “Thank you, President Yu.”

—“Did he just say ‘thank you, President Yu’? How adorable!”

—“He’s so fresh, he could practically squeeze water out of him! This little fresh meat is the most alluring in the entertainment industry!”

—“So handsome! Li Xiao stands next to Yu Shao and doesn’t seem overshadowed at all; what a natural presence!”

—“I have this inexplicable feeling that I’m shipping them! Ahhh!!”

The excited murmurs from the crowd echoed in his ears, but Baili Xiao couldn’t help but feel a mix of embarrassment and confusion. While he appreciated the attention, the unexpected intensity of the moment made him acutely aware of his surroundings.

Baili Xiao felt a headache coming on. In public, he couldn’t show his irritation, nor could he look too much at Yu Jinghao beside him. He could only force a signature polite smile as they walked side by side down the seemingly endless red carpet. However, with each step, he noticed his heartbeat quickening, increasingly frantic…

For no apparent reason.

It was uncontrollable.

Suddenly, he heard Yu Jinghao’s low chuckle beside him. “You seem a bit nervous.”

Baili Xiao licked his lips; despite his dry mouth, he maintained his usual calm tone. “I’m not.”

He paused for a moment before adding, in an even cooler voice, “I just don’t like all these flashbulbs.”

“Oh?” Yu Jinghao’s tone rose slightly at the end, before he added with deeper meaning, “You’ll get used to it eventually.”

Baili Xiao didn’t delve into the deeper implications of that statement. They finally reached the end of the red carpet and stepped into the foyer. The service staff surrounding them immediately extended a marker, asking the two esteemed guests to sign the wall. Cameras inside and outside were focused intently on the pair. Just as Baili Xiao reached for the pen, Yu Jinghao swiftly intercepted it.

With a gentle flick of the cap, he offered the pen first to Baili Xiao.

Baili Xiao looked up in confusion. “?”

Yu Jinghao smiled, exuding a gentlemanly charm. “You go first.”

Gasps of awe erupted around them. Amidst the chorus of adoring remarks, Baili Xiao shot Yu Jinghao an exasperated glance. “I just realized you have a flair for theatrics.”

Yu Jinghao leaned closer, speaking softly in a tone only Baili could hear. “Only for you.”

“???”

With a head full of confusion, Baili Xiao signed his name, “Li Xiao,” on the banner. As he finished his stroke, the surrounding chatter quieted down a bit. He turned to pass the pen to Yu Jinghao, only to see a look of surprise on Yu’s face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Yu Jinghao shook his head, taking the marker and steadily inscribing his name next to “Li Xiao.” Then he turned and led Baili into the banquet hall.

As they entered, Yu Jinghao couldn’t help but sincerely exclaim, “I didn’t expect you to have such skills in calligraphy. Your strokes are vigorous, your style ethereal—truly a fine hand!”

“Uh…” Baili Xiao pondered briefly before explaining, “Those who lead must naturally master good handwriting.”

Yu Jinghao looked at him intently and lowered his voice further. “I find your somewhat pretentious demeanor incredibly attractive. Am I hopeless?”

Baili Xiao replied dryly, “…Absolutely. There’s no cure for being foolish. Just accept it.”

Yu Jinghao: “…”

Baili Xiao was unsure if it was deliberate, but during this banquet, he found himself seated next to Yu Jinghao. Although they claimed it was a random arrangement, it was evident that artists were grouped with other artists, entrepreneurs with their peers, and politicians didn’t get separated. The pairing of him and Yu Jinghao was rather odd. Thankfully, the charity event’s media coverage was limited to the space outside the banquet hall. Once they stepped through that threshold, everything was highly private.

Unlike typical cocktail parties, the evening began directly with a charity auction. The items for auction were diverse, including paintings, jewelry, fine wines, and luxury cars. Baili Xiao glanced at the various items but felt little interest. After Yu Jinghao successfully purchased the first landscape painting to resounding applause, he didn’t raise his paddle again.

The two of them casually sipped red wine while Baili Xiao munched on cream puffs. The scene was surprisingly harmonious.

As the auction progressed, Yu Jinghao quickly covered Baili Xiao’s glass, saying, “You should stop. Based on last time’s experience, you can only handle three glasses of red wine. After two, you need to cut back.”

Baili Xiao hadn’t planned on drinking much anyway. He glanced around the room and replied softly, “Mike advised that everyone attending should contribute in some way. Even though I just debuted, I need to make my presence known.”

“True,” Yu Jinghao pondered for a moment. “I’ve seen the auction item list, and there’s nothing suitable for you coming up… Oh, there’s a diamond cufflink that’s quite nice, the last piece from Mr. Steedmon’s master series. There are only two in the world.”

“I’m not interested in that kind of stuff—too expensive and useless.” Baili Xiao dismissed it outright. Then he suddenly remembered something and asked, “The invitation mentioned a final segment called ‘Fate Charity.’ What’s that about?”

“Oh, the Fate Charity usually appears as the grand finale, presenting auction items without a starting bid. Buyers guess the price, and it’s not about who bids the highest, but rather who gets closest to the item’s actual value.”

“That sounds interesting. What’s the auction item?”

“Hmm…” Yu Jinghao recalled, “It seems to be a black pearl from the Arctic Ocean, very rare.”

“A black pearl?” Baili Xiao’s eyes lit up.

Yu Jinghao remarked in surprise, “I suppose girls would be interested. You could make a unique piece of jewelry out of it. I didn’t expect you to like it.”

Baili Xiao paused before explaining, “Among the stones in the world, when discussing auspiciousness and fortune, a millennium jade ranks second, but a top-quality deep-sea black pearl ranks first. I’ve had the pleasure of encountering several pieces of millennium jade, but I’ve only experienced a deep-sea black pearl once. Its luster is rich and elegant, not inferior to yours.”

Yu Jinghao hadn’t expected such an explanation and looked bewildered. “What do you mean? Are you saying I’m not as good as a big black ball?”

Baili Xiao looked at him, exasperated. “You should learn to be content.”

“…”

Despite his usual skepticism towards Baili Xiao’s beliefs in fortune and luck, Yu Jinghao still downed another glass of red wine in frustration.

The auction progressed quickly. The second item Yu Jinghao won was the diamond cufflink he had previously mentioned to Baili Xiao. After that, he decided to refrain from further bidding. Baili Xiao waited with growing boredom until they finally reached the last segment.

“Now we come to today’s surprise segment! The item up for auction is the deep-sea black pearl in the crystal box behind me, sourced from the Arctic Ocean. Although it’s not large, its luster is perfect, making it one of a kind in the world and extremely precious. For those interested in participating in the Fate Charity bidding, please write down your price on the paper provided.” As the host finished speaking, the assistant pulled back the sheer veil covering the crystal box.

Inside, the black pearl was no bigger than a marble, but its round, plump form gleamed beautifully. Baili Xiao froze upon seeing it, feeling an overwhelming aura emanating from the pearl even from several meters away. He had never been one for material desires, yet in this moment, he leaned forward, his eyes filled with longing.

Yu Jinghao felt a pang of concern. He hadn’t expected Baili Xiao to desire an auction item so fervently. If it were an ordinary item, it wouldn’t matter, but this was a luck-based endeavor, making its outcome uncertain. He regretted not showing Baili Xiao the item list sooner; had the pearl not been brought to the stage, he could have privately arranged to buy it. Now, in front of everyone, it was all left to fate.

While Baili Xiao silently calculated how much fortune this pearl could bring, he felt Yu Jinghao nudge his elbow, looking at him inquiringly. “Let’s bid together?”

Baili Xiao shook his head. “No need. Just tell me, what’s the market value of a pearl this size?”

Yu Jinghao pondered for a moment. “Based on its size, it would be worth around five figures. But since its luster is excellent and it’s difficult to recover, it could reach six figures.”

Baili Xiao nodded, then turned to a server and requested a piece of white paper and a pen. He tore the paper into ten equal-sized pieces, writing the numbers 0 to 9 on them with a ballpoint pen.

“What are you doing?” Yu Jinghao asked.

“Playing a game of luck—perfect for me.” Baili Xiao smiled faintly, his dark eyes sparkling with determination. “I’m set on getting this pearl.”

Yu Jinghao was even more surprised, but he had long grown accustomed to the strange ways of Baili Xiao. He simply watched silently as Baili Xiao shuffled the ten pieces of paper and placed them in Yu Jinghao’s palm. Closing his eyes to meditate for a moment, he raised his hand and casually drew one.

4.

Baili Xiao placed the piece back and drew again.

6.

Yu Jinghao seemed to grasp his intent and couldn’t help but question, “Is this really allowed? It sounds like a joke.”

Baili Xiao couldn’t be bothered to glare at him and put the 6 back, drawing four more times.

What happened next was astonishing: every time, he drew a 6.

—466666. If this was a randomly drawn number, it felt a bit too coincidental. But if it were the price for a luxury item, it seemed oddly fitting.

Yu Jinghao was momentarily stunned. He had seen how Baili Xiao drew each number, each time grabbing without warning, some close together and others spaced far apart. The fact that he drew this number was mind-boggling. This staunch atheist started to wonder if the price of the black pearl truly was 466,666.

Baili Xiao was unfazed by Yu Jinghao’s shock; he confidently wrote the number on a card along with his name and handed it to the assistant.

Ten minutes later, the host gathered the statistics and took the microphone again. This time, his expression was incredibly excited as he announced, “It turns out that tonight, not only do we have a top-tier person destined for this pearl, but we have more than one! Our item received bids from two customers with prices that match perfectly—both at 466,666 RMB!”

Baili Xiao was taken aback, exchanging a bewildered glance with Yu Jinghao. Both of them looked equally puzzled. Yu Jinghao was surprised that Baili Xiao had actually succeeded in such an unusual manner, while Baili Xiao was shocked to learn that there was a second lucky winner.

Hitting the price of an auction item might seem like a small stroke of luck. Yet, only Baili Xiao understood the true rarity of that black pearl. Even with his immense fortune, he hadn’t dared to act carelessly, taking his time to draw each number with a calm mind, unwilling to rely on first instincts for betting. Yet, someone in the crowd had managed to guess the price outright?

As Baili Xiao pondered, the host announced the results.

—“The two esteemed guests who successfully guessed the price of the item are—Mr. Baili Xiao, sitting directly in front of me, and Mr. Deng Zirui, to my left.”

The crowd erupted in a stir, and Yu Jinghao’s expression grew serious. Following his gaze, Baili Xiao spotted a man not far away.

Objectively speaking, that man could indeed be described as a handsome young gentleman. He wore a deep blue suit, holding a glass of red wine. His amber eyes appeared frivolous and playful, yet they concealed a depth not found in others of his age.

However, the moment their eyes met, Baili Xiao froze.

**The Lone Wolf Seven Stars.**

According to ancient texts, all things in the world exist in a cycle of mutual generation and restraint. This applies not only to tangible objects but also to the invisible currents of fate and destiny. The most brilliant and powerful constellations in the sky are the Northern Dipper, which bless those born under its influence with exceptional fortune—something that may only occur once in several generations. In contrast, the mysterious and profound Lone Wolf Seven Stars are said to grant immense fortune akin to the Northern Dipper, yet they also carry deep-seated dangers. The greater the fortune, the more terrifying the peril, embodying both great luck and great misfortune.

Though the Baili clan excelled at observing celestial phenomena, knowledge of the stars existed beyond their understanding. The name of the Lone Wolf Seven Stars had never appeared in any earthly research; its depth and obscurity made it imperceptible to ordinary mortals. Only the descendants of divine beings could sense its presence. Baili Xiao had always known about the existence of the Lone Wolf Seven Stars, but in this lifetime and the last, he had never encountered someone born under their influence until now.

Those under the Northern Dipper are calm and steady, their destinies stable and blessed throughout their lives. In contrast, those of the Lone Wolf Seven Stars are impulsive and reckless, experiencing tumultuous ups and downs, making their fates unpredictable. It was no wonder that Baili Xiao had needed to deliberate carefully to calculate the price of the black pearl while Deng Zirui had effortlessly written down his bid.

Baili Xiao was unsure what expression he wore, as the shock of encountering someone from the Lone Wolf Seven Stars had eclipsed all his other emotions. Meanwhile, Deng Zirui, upon noticing Baili Xiao, fixed his gaze on him, the expression in his eyes shifting and elusive. Baili Xiao was certain of one thing: that gaze held no goodwill whatsoever.

**Rivals.**

In that moment, those two words echoed through Baili Xiao’s mind.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been lost in thought before he finally regained his senses, realizing Yu Jinghao was worriedly poking him. Slowly, he pulled his gaze away, suppressing the unease in his heart, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yu Jinghao looked at him oddly. “Why were you dazed for so long? That pearl is yours now. I’ll accompany you to register for it later.”

“Ah?” Baili Xiao was taken aback.

“Did you really zone out? Didn’t Deng Zirui just say he had heard of your fortune and didn’t dare to compete with you for the pearl, letting it go to you?”

“He said that?” The discomfort in Baili Xiao’s heart only grew. That man’s gaze had been so venomous; how could he turn around and say something so gracious?

Yu Jinghao scoffed. “The playboy persona is a trademark of the Deng family’s eldest son. Didn’t they say he’s changed a lot since waking up? I don’t see much difference in essence.” He suddenly seemed to remember something. “By the way, you and he were locked in a gaze for quite a while. Did you get a sense of his fortune?”

Baili Xiao hesitated. He instinctively didn’t want to explain this matter to Yu Jinghao. It was too complex; he hadn’t even come to terms with it himself, let alone drag a regular person into it.

Could Deng Zirui also be a divine body? Could he manipulate fortune? Why did his gaze carry such a profound meaning?

All these questions needed to be unraveled one by one. Until everything was clear, he didn’t want to involve Yu Jinghao.

After contemplating for a moment, Baili Xiao regained his usual expression, shaking his head lightly. “Sorry, the lights outside were too dazzling. I felt a bit unsettled and might not be able to give you an accurate response right away.”

Yu Jinghao believed him completely and nodded. “I’m not in a hurry at all. You should rest well tonight. There’s a cocktail party later, mainly a social gathering. Since you’re here, I’ll introduce you to a few worthwhile contacts. Afterward, I’ll take you back to your room to rest.”

Baili Xiao knew the banquet had booked the entire hotel. If the guests needed accommodations, they would provide a night’s stay. He had originally intended to leave early to catch a flight back to Beijing and resume work on the set. However, encountering Deng Zirui had suddenly made him decide to stay.

“Will that young master of the Deng family be around?” He absentmindedly picked up his wine glass, asking casually.

Yu Jinghao didn’t hide his disdain. “He definitely will. I see the socialites around him can hardly wait. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to have them arrange a suite for you as far away from him as possible.”

Baili Xiao nodded, lowering his head to drink silently.

…

After the item registration was completed, Yu Jinghao really did take Baili Xiao to meet a few people. Perhaps it was because people in high society were familiar with each other, or maybe Yu Jinghao simply had a wide circle of friends, but Baili Xiao noticed that everyone in the room seemed to have some connection to Yu Jinghao. He introduced him to two young political figures with real power in Shanghai, a renowned director, an international photographer, and even a committee member from an international consortium who only appeared in news channels.

As the evening unfolded, Baili Xiao engaged in polite conversation, nodding along to the discussions, but his mind was elsewhere, still lingering on the unsettling encounter with Deng Zirui. Every interaction felt overshadowed by the undercurrent of fate that seemed to swirl around him, a tension he couldn’t quite shake.

Baili Xiao was just an entertainer, and a newly debuted one at that. In such a setting, artists with capital and business connections might barely meet the threshold, while those with only wealth and popularity would be reduced to mere ornaments. As for someone like Baili Xiao, who had just entered the industry and lacked both wealth and significant fame, he felt like a little shrimp that had accidentally wandered into a vast ocean. However, what brought him comfort was that Yu Jinghao didn’t introduce him as “my company’s artist, Li Xiao,” but rather as, “This is my good friend.”

The simple phrase “good friend” was something everyone tossed around daily, but when it came from Yu Jinghao’s lips, it carried an unquantifiable weight. The influential guests couldn’t help but take a second look at Baili Xiao, sizing up this unfamiliar face that had suddenly appeared in their circle.

True to his word, Yu Jinghao didn’t linger with Baili Xiao for long. He simply introduced him to a few key figures and exchanged business cards before leading him out of the banquet hall. In the lobby, the staff had already been waiting with two room keys—2914 and 2915, the two presidential suites closest to each other on the top floor.

Baili Xiao didn’t say much to Yu Jinghao. Even though he could sense Yu Jinghao’s concern, he found it impossible to explain and merely offered a few perfunctory remarks before returning to his room alone. He took a long shower, turned off all the lights in the bedroom, and drew the curtains. Setting up the hotel’s essential oil candles in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, he sat cross-legged on the carpet in the center, barefoot, facing the bright city lights and deep blue night sky outside, closing his eyes to meditate quietly.

After coming to this world, the fortune of the masses had no relation to him anymore. It had been a long time since he had focused his mind and divined in this way. He envisioned the intertwined fates and fortunes of countless beings, saw the North Dipper shining brightly, representing himself and Yu Jinghao, noticed the Red Luan star around Yu Jinghao stirring intensely, caught a glimpse of Dai Jue’s misfortunes, and glimpsed his own future star path. Yet he couldn’t capture the trace of the Lonely Wolf Seven Stars.

Baili Xiao tried several times, and only when he was utterly exhausted, his consciousness hazy, did he reluctantly open his eyes. In a daze, he loosened his bathrobe, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the lights of the tall buildings outside, trying to clear his mind.

Could it be that his feeling during that gaze today was just an illusion?

That was impossible… Observing the heavens was his instinct, and his instinct had never been wrong.

Then what could this mean… Could it be that people of the North Dipper couldn’t discern the exact fate of those belonging to the Lonely Wolf Seven Stars?

Ancient texts recorded that the North Dipper and the Lonely Wolf were born to counter each other; although the North Dipper shone brilliantly, the Lonely Wolf remained deep and shadowy. The line between great fortune and great calamity was sometimes just a thought away.

Baili Xiao felt his temples throbbing faster and faster. Suddenly, he recalled the magazine he had seen in the clothing store today, the article about Deng Zirui. A name suddenly surged into his mind.

Bai Yiting.

The gossip columns claimed that Bai Yiting was Deng Zirui’s new girlfriend. However, while Deng Zirui had only bought jewelry for his previous girlfriends, he seemed to be treating Bai Yiting more seriously. After just two days of dating, he bought her an apartment in a prime area of the city center, and paparazzi had caught them returning to his luxury home together.

It seemed that if he wanted to understand Deng Zirui’s background better, Bai Yiting would be a good lead. However, even though Baili Xiao typically didn’t pay much attention to A-list and B-list celebrities, he felt like he had seen this name somewhere before.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly remembered something. He opened a stored electronic contract on his phone, quickly scrolled down, and found the finalized cast list for *Chang’an*. Towards the bottom, he finally spotted the name.

— Bai Yiting, guest-starring as “Xue Niang”

That was a minor supporting role with little screen time, a flower of good fortune sown by Shen Ziting’s chance act of kindness. She only had a few scenes together with Shen Ziting, so there was no need for the actress to join the set early. As a result, Baili Xiao had no impression of Bai Yiting prior to this.

It seemed that he was destined to have some connection with Deng Zirui. Baili Xiao knew very well that he couldn’t avoid such connections. Since there were so many mysteries ahead, the only way to uncover the truth was to confront them head-on.

…

At midnight, Baili Xiao sent the daily divination as scheduled.

@Baili Celestial Master: The Taiwei Constellation’s retrograde has ended and is basically back in place; the North Dipper star array is tightening. Exercise caution in all matters. Tomorrow is suitable for weddings, betrothals, alliances, and ceremonies; avoid relocation, moving in, building houses, and horse-racing. The changing fortunes of the stars are unpredictable; the small shop will be closed indefinitely.

Baili Xiao read the message with a mix of intrigue and apprehension. The warning to be cautious echoed in his mind. With the North Dipper’s influence shifting and tightening, it signaled that any actions taken in the coming days could lead to significant consequences. The mention of weddings and alliances also piqued his curiosity—could it be related to Bai Yiting and Deng Zirui’s connection?

His thoughts turned back to the evening’s events. He needed to gather more information about Bai Yiting, not just to understand Deng Zirui better but to see how their paths intertwined with his own.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Baili Xiao decided to approach this matter strategically. He would make discreet inquiries about Bai Yiting, perhaps reaching out to some contacts in the industry who might know her better. Understanding her circumstances could provide him with insights into Deng Zirui and his motives, as well as the potential impact on his own future.

As he settled down for the night, the stars twinkling outside his window seemed to whisper secrets he was determined to uncover. The connection between fate and choice weighed heavily on his mind, and he knew he had to tread carefully in the days to come.