Synopsis**”Public [Entertainment Industry]” by Chen Nian**

**Synopsis:**

Qin Mang is a well-known vase female celebrity in the entertainment industry, gaining fame for a dance video that went viral on the internet. In the vast desert, the girl, dressed in a red water-sleeve skirt as thin as cicada wings, dances gracefully on a snow-white giant lion with a mysterious and sacred aura. With expressive eyes and captivating waist movements, she is extraordinarily beautiful. Her dance, known as the “God-Sealing Leap,” earned her the title of the top enchantress in the entertainment industry.

As the leader of the prestigious He family in Deep City, He Lingji, despite standing at the pinnacle of fame and fortune, is an exception in the world of extravagance. With the appearance of a beautiful woman like Zhang Fengya, he acts decisively and aggressively, drawing countless women like moths to a flame. However, he is strangely reserved in matters of love and desire, as if born untouched by worldly emotions, resembling an otherworldly glacier that refuses to melt for anyone.

In short, these two individuals are as incompatible as can be, and even fans who love to ship unlikely couples have never paired them together.
Until one day.A certain official blog reveals that the prominent figure from the He family is going to team up with Qin Mang for a large-scale reality show about married life.The public: Who is with whom? Are they a couple???Is that so?It’s official?!!
“He is an otherworldly glacier in the eyes of others, eternal and unchanging; but to me, he is a scorching sun and blooming flowers, never fading.”

**Tags:** Devoted Love, Elite, Industry Leader, Sweet Story

**Search Keywords:** Qin Mang, He Lingji

**One-sentence Summary:** *The rigidly disciplined meets the living embodiment of temptation.*

**Theme:** Freedom, Dreams

1**Chapter 1: The Icefield Beyond**

The desert sunset burned the sky into a canvas of rich, extravagant hues, stretching endlessly into the vast sea of sand.

A young woman in a flowing red water-sleeve dress danced barefoot atop a majestic, snow-white lion, its fur pristine and sacred. The sheer fabric of her dress, delicate as cicada wings, cascaded down the lion’s back like a waterfall of silk.

From afar, she resembled a fiery lotus rooted in the desert, swaying in the breeze, her vibrant colors merging with the horizon.

An ornate gemstone belt cinched her slender waist, its jewels tinkling with every movement—a sound so intoxicating it seemed to claw at the heart, resonating deep within the soul.

It made one want to kneel before her, to offer everything.

As the camera slowly zoomed in, capturing the moment she turned her head—

*Click.*

The video playing on the tablet was abruptly paused by a slender, fair finger.

**”What are you doing?”**

Meng Ting, who had been holding his breath, jerked his head up to glare at the culprit—only to freeze when his eyes met hers.

His breath hitched.

Inside the van.

Qin Mang had woken up early to prepare for today’s audition. Exhausted, she had dozed off the moment she got back into the vehicle.

Yet when she opened her eyes, she found her manager watching her debut video on loop.

She released the screen and casually brushed aside the long hair draped over her shoulders, her voice still laced with sleep. **”That video’s a year old. Why keep watching it?”**

**”Am I not more beautiful in person?”**

Meng Ting choked.

If anyone else had said that, he’d have called them narcissistic.

But coming from Qin Mang—the woman dubbed *the top-tier siren of the entertainment industry*—he couldn’t argue.

Qin Mang’s beauty was striking, almost aggressive. Her features were exquisitely sharp, her skin a cool porcelain white. The tiny red mole at the tip of her nose was like an artist’s final brushstroke—bold, vivid, and utterly breathtaking.

And then there were her eyes.

Dark, translucent, and brimming with emotion, her lids tinged with a faint blush like ink-washed watercolors. When she gazed at someone, it was hypnotic.

After a few seconds of silence, Meng Ting surrendered and swiftly changed the subject.

**”What’s the use of just being beautiful? As netizens say, your beauty lasts… eight seconds.”**

He reopened his tablet and showed her the trending hashtag on Weibo:

**#QinMang’sTwoYearAnniversary #StillANewbie**

Qin Mang’s faint smile faded. Her lips pressed into a cold, sharp line.

Meng Ting watched her expression with satisfaction, thinking she’d finally grasped the severity of the situation.

But then—

**”Are they… implying you don’t have the resources to promote me?”**

**”Well, it’s the truth. Just endure it, Brother Meng.”**

Meng Ting nearly choked. **”Cough—!”**

The hashtag was mocking *her* for being a花瓶 (*huāpíng*—a pretty but useless vase), not him!

Every time he tried to get her to attend events for exposure, she’d laze around, doing nothing productive! And now she had the audacity to twist the narrative!

Qin Mang’s most viral work was still that debut video—the one he’d been rewatching—which had amassed over 100 million views.

Two years ago, Qin Mang had skyrocketed to fame with that single dance. As her manager, Meng Ting had been lucky to sign her, pinning high hopes on her flawless, cinematic bone structure.

But—

Her overwhelming beauty had also typecast her.

Non-actors like her were dismissed as all looks, no skill. The roles she was offered?

Gorgeous, scene-stealing beauties with barely any lines—trapping her in a vicious cycle.

And—

**”Who says I don’t have resources?!”** Meng Ting snapped, indignant. **”Who got you the audition for that film today? If you’d just put in the effort, secured the lead role, and proved your acting chops, you could shake off this ‘vase’ label! Then scripts would be lining up for you!”**

**”Vase?”**

Qin Mang took a sip of water from her assistant, A-Tong, her voice laced with amusement. **”Even if I am a vase, I’d be an imperial porcelain masterpiece—the rarest, most exquisite kind!”**

A-Tong, who had just tugged the奶茶色 (*nǎichá sè*—milky tea-colored) blanket back over Qin Mang’s lap, caught a glimpse of her ankle.

The delicate straps of her heels wrapped around her fair skin, making her ankle look like a work of art.

Hearing Qin Mang’s words, A-Tong nodded fervently. **”Yes, yes!”**

Meng Ting: **”…”**

*Was that the point?!*

He took a deep breath.

*Calm down. You chose to manage this diva. Now you have to deal with her.*

**”Qin Mang!”** he said sternly.

**”What?”** She pulled the blanket tighter and curled back into the leather seat.

Meng Ting’s expression turned grave. **”For *Dreams of Old Beijing*, aside from you, Director Zhou is also considering Shen Wanyin. She debuted a year earlier than you and already won Best New Actress. And—she’s your direct competitor. Before you came along, *she* was the internet’s top浓颜系 (*nóng yán xì*—sharp, striking beauty) actress.”**

*Dreams of Old Beijing* was a major S+ production, directed by Zhou Shuyuan after a decade-long hiatus. The female lead had to be a peerless beauty, and Meng Ting had privately recommended Qin Mang.

Director Zhou didn’t care about Qin Mang’s “vase” reputation—her looks fit the role, so he was willing to give her a chance.

But now, out of nowhere, a formidable rival had appeared.

**”The worst part?”** Meng Ting dragged out his words. **”I heard Shen Wanyin tried to steal the role by meeting the film’s investor—a big shot who happened to be at her audition. The higher-ups are already leaning toward her.”**

Qin Mang slowly straightened, her long lashes casting shadows over her eyes. Her voice was icy. **”So it’s settled?”**

She had spent three months preparing for this role—taking shooting lessons, practicing elegant smoking poses—only for it to be a waste of time?

*The young miss was not pleased.*

Meng Ting hesitated. **”Not exactly—”**

Then, as if remembering something, he added matter-of-factly, **”But since she met the investor, we should too. We need to show him you’re even more stunning than Shen Wanyin!”**

Tonight, the producer was hosting a party on a private yacht—coincidentally owned by the investor. Meng Ting had pulled strings to get an invite.

With a flourish, he waved the entry pass.

Qin Mang understood.

Her lips curled into a dangerous smile. **”What are you saying?”**

**”You want me to go entertain some man over drinks? Should I sleep with him too while I’m at it?”**

That smile wasn’t directed at him—it was a siren’s lure, meant to claim souls.

Meng Ting’s scalp prickled. **”Who said you’d get the chance?!”**

**?**

Qin Mang: *Oh? So now I’m not good enough?*

Meng Ting took a deep breath. **”Relax. The investor is famously disciplined—ascetic, even. Rumor has it he’s still… untouched. You wouldn’t even get through the door!”**

His final words rang with conviction.

His gaze seemed to say: *You’re just a little demon lusting after a god.*

**”…”**

Shenzhen’s summer weather was as capricious as ever.

One moment, the sun scorched the earth, the air shimmering with heat. The next, dark clouds loomed overhead, plunging the van into gloom.

**”It’s going to rain,”** Qin Mang murmured lazily.

Meng Ting smiled. **”Even if it rains knives, you’re going.”**

—

### **7:00 PM**

The heavy clouds hadn’t dispersed, but the private marina was brightly lit.

A luxurious yacht loomed in the distance—four stories tall, complete with a helicopter pad. It sat silently on the dark water like a slumbering beast, majestic and intimidating.

Guided by the crew, Qin Mang and her team stepped onto the main deck.

**”The party is in the semi-open area ahead,”** the crew member said. **”Due to the weather, the cruise has been canceled. Please enjoy yourselves.”**

Even from afar, the lively atmosphere was palpable.

Qin Mang lifted her skirt, ready to head in—

When Meng Ting yanked her into a corner. **”Hold on.”**

Her skirt fluttered back down. She shot him a cold look. **”Now what?”**

Meng Ting lowered his voice. **”I did some digging. Producer Jiang invited a lot of elite socialites tonight—the kind who could blacklist us with a snap of their fingers. So be humble, be polite, and *don’t* act like a spoiled princess.”**

The distant sea was serene and mystical, but it did nothing to improve her mood.

Qin Mang scoffed. **”Am I here to meet the investor or to worship saints?”**

**”Should I kowtow to each of them to show my respect?”**

Used to her sarcasm, Meng Ting handed her his phone with a grin. **”No need. Just take this.”**

The screen displayed a black background with a white wooden fish—a digital *muyu* (Buddhist wooden fish).

Tap it, and the text read: *Merit +1*

Qin Mang stared. **”What… is this?”**

**”An electronic *muyu*,”** Meng Ting said solemnly. **”If you feel your temper flaring, go to the bathroom and tap it.”**

He demonstrated:

*”Tap, tap, tap.”*

**”Calm.”**

**”Qin Mang~”**

*”Tap, tap, tap.”*

**”Qin Mang~”**

**”Calm.”**

**”…”**

Before they’d even entered the party, Qin Mang’s head was already throbbing.

Her years of practiced composure nearly shattered.

*Forget tapping the wooden fish—she wanted to tap him into silence and hire a mute manager.*

She pressed a finger to her temple and exhaled. **”Shut. Up.”**

—

### **The Party**

The venue was massive, occupying most of the yacht’s deck. Lavish and opulent, it buzzed with chatter and clinking glasses.

Qin Mang waited on the terrace while Meng Ting scouted for the investor.

Dressed in a black velvet gown, her wavy hair cascading down her bare back, she looked like a vintage poster come to life—stunning, magnetic.

Within half an hour, she’d collected a stack of business cards from admirers.

She fanned them idly, her smile polite but distant.

Then—

A gold-embossed card appeared before her.

**”Miss Qin, I’m Yu Chen from Chendu Tech. I—”**

Qin Mang glanced at it.

*The 14th one.*

*Oh. A CEO.*

Remembering Meng Ting’s warnings—*these people could ruin you*—she forced a smile and held out her palm. **”Thanks. Just add it to the pile.”**

Her tone was icy beneath the courtesy.

Yu Chen froze, staring at the thick stack in her hand.

He didn’t know whether to place his card or not.

A-Tong facepalmed and mouthed: *”Man-ners.”*

Qin Mang frowned. *She was being polite!*

She’d even said *thank you*!

After a pause, she added earnestly: **”Thank you… sir?”**

*There. Extra polite.*

*Now leave.*

But as another man approached with champagne, Qin Mang’s patience snapped.

She stood abruptly. **”Find Meng Ting. I need to *cool off*.”**

The word *”cool off”* dripped with venom.

—

### **Powder Room**

Under the ornate faucet, icy water streamed over Qin Mang’s jade-like fingers.

She washed them for a full minute before leaning against the vanity, tapping the electronic *muyu* on her phone.

*Stay calm.*

*This is adult socializing.*

*Don’t lose it.*

*”Tap, tap, tap, tap…”*

*Ugh!*

*Still furious.*

Why was she even in the entertainment industry?

Just as she’d finally gotten close to landing a lead role, someone had to interfere.

And now she had to *socialize*.

And *not* lose her temper.

Her tapping grew more erratic as she glanced around.

The yacht was absurdly luxurious—even the powder room was decked out in high-end skincare.

*This investor was clearly loaded.*

She *needed* a yacht like this to soothe her wounded pride.

Then—

Voices drifted in from the hallway.

**”I counted—14 men. She’s quite the charmer.”**

**”What do you expect from a花瓶 (*huāpíng*—pretty vase)? No acting skills, but plenty of *bed* skills. That’s how she climbs the ladder.”**

**”Who do you think she’ll sleep with tonight?”**

**”CEO Yu? CEO Zhou? Rumor has it she’s competing with Shen Wanyin for *Dreams of Old Beijing*. Maybe Producer Jiang—”**

Yao Ting’s voice cut off abruptly.

In the mirror, she saw *her*—the woman with the face that launched a thousand ships.

Silence fell.

Except for—

*”Tap… tap, tap, tap…”*

The digital *muyu* continued its irregular rhythm.

Yao Ting recovered quickly. There were five of them—what was there to fear?

She smirked. **”Why don’t we ask the lady herself?”**

**”Miss Qin, which bed are you climbing into tonight?”**

As a fellow actress who’d debuted around the same time, Yao Ting had always been overshadowed by Qin Mang’s fame. Recently, though, her web drama had blown up, and she was riding high.

Qin Mang ignored her, focused on her phone.

*”990…”*

*”991…”*

*Just 9 more taps.*

*1,000 merits.*

*Enough to lose her cool.*

When Qin Mang stayed silent, Yao Ting assumed she’d won.

She stepped closer, faux-concerned. **”Miss Qin, can’t decide? Need suggestions?”**

Her lackeys chimed in: **”Sister Ting, you’re too kind.”**

*”1,000.”*

Qin Mang straightened, set her phone down, and sauntered toward the door.

Under the dazzling lights, her devastating beauty was on full display.

She smiled.

The group faltered.

Then—

*Bang!*

Qin Mang slammed the door shut, locking out Yao Ting’s friends.

In one swift motion, she dragged Yao Ting to the open window and shoved her halfway out.

**”Since you’re so *kind*, you wouldn’t mind feeding the poor, hungry sharks, right?”**

**”You lunatic!”** Yao Ting shrieked, her legs dangling over the dark, churning sea. **”Let me go!”**

**”But liars *should* feed sharks,”** Qin Mang mused, pushing her further. **”I’m helping you accumulate merits. Repay me in your next life.”**

Her fingers, pale and delicate, dug into Yao Ting’s arm like venomous claws.

**”AHHH—!”**

Outside, the others panicked, screaming for help.

The commotion drew a crowd—including Meng Ting, whose eyelids twitched with dread.

Then he saw Qin Mang stroll out, cool as a cucumber.

His soul left his body.

*We’re doomed.*

He barreled through the crowd, shielding her. **”Misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding!”**

**”What misunderstanding?!”** Yao Ting, now rescued, trembled like a drowned rat. **”She tried to kill me! I’m calling the police!”**

The crowd gasped, staring at Qin Mang in disbelief.

**”I was just helping her shake out the *filth* in her brain,”** Qin Mang said sweetly, spreading her hands. **”And *I’m* the one who got hurt.”**

**”Your skin is so rough—my fingers are *aching*.”**

Meng Ting seized her hands dramatically. **”Her hands are insured for 100 million! This is a *serious injury*!”**

Someone snorted.

*”Pfft—”*

Under the lights, the contrast between their skin was undeniable.

Yao Ting, fuming, pointed at Qin Mang. **”You—!”**

Before she could finish, the crowd hushed.

A hush so deep it was eerie.

**”The investor… is here?”**

Qin Mang followed their gaze.

At the end of the hallway, a conference room door had opened.

Inside, bathed in cool, futuristic lighting, stood a group of sharply dressed elites.

And at their center—

A man in a black silk shirt, his posture regal, his features exquisitely cold.

He had the face of a classical painting—elegant, refined, but with eyes like frozen glaciers.

When his gaze swept over the crowd, his irises gleamed an eerie blue-gray, deep and dangerous.

No one dared speak.

Qin Mang looked once.

Then again.

While others averted their eyes, she stared openly—almost appreciatively.

*An old acquaintance.*

And—

**”So *that’s* the untouchable investor?”** she mused.

Meng Ting whispered, **”Yes! That’s He Lingji—the man even *you* aren’t worthy of sleeping with!”**

Qin Mang twirled the sapphire-encrusted ring on her finger, smirking.

**”Nonsense. No one is *more* worthy of sleeping with him than me.”**

Meng Ting: **”?!”**

**”Have you lost your mind?!”**

He glanced around—thankfully, no one had heard.

But then—

Qin Mang’s voice, clear and melodious, rang through the hallway:

**”He Lingji.”**

2**Chapter 2: The Rose in No Man’s Land**

As Qin Mang finished speaking, the entire hallway fell into deathly silence.

Everyone watched as she walked toward He Lingji.

The long hem of Qin Mang’s dress spilled across the ornate, luxurious carpet, each step exuding an innate grace that seemed woven into her bones.

As she drew closer, she could even catch a faint scent from the man—like a wisp of cold fragrance accidentally escaping from melting glaciers, only to be quickly buried again under layers of ice.

The more untouchable it was, the more it tempted her to seek it out.

Qin Mang had always acted on impulse, but after two years in the entertainment industry, she had learned a little about social niceties.

For example—

When asking for a favor, one should be polite.

So after a moment’s thought, she looked at He Lingji and sincerely complimented him:

**”You smell nice.”**

Ah, the adult world was truly full of hardships.

Qin Mang gave herself a perfect score for her progress in *The Art of Flattery*.

**”…!”**

**How bold!**

The onlookers, shocked, couldn’t help but whisper among themselves—

*”Oh my god, is she trying to get He Lingji’s attention like this?”*

*”Overestimating herself. Everyone knows He Lingji is only interested in power and ambition, not love or women. Countless talented and beautiful socialites have failed—how could a mere pretty-faced actress like her dare to dream?”*

Even Qin Mang’s manager, Meng Ting, wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

His decade-long career as a manager was about to be ruined.

But Qin Mang paid no mind, waiting calmly for He Lingji’s response.

He Lingji lowered his gaze, silently watching her like an exquisitely carved ice sculpture—a divine masterpiece looking down upon mortals, distant and untouchable.

There was no emotion in his expression.

Nor any intention to answer her.

*”Tsk tsk, she’s definitely going to be kicked out.”*

*”Oh no, I can’t stand secondhand embarrassment for beautiful women.”*

*”There’s no way He Lingji would fall for such a clumsy…”* attempt at seduction.

Before the words could fully leave their mouths—

He Lingji withdrew his gaze and turned to his secretary standing respectfully beside him. His thin lips parted slightly—

Everyone held their breath, waiting for He Lingji’s judgment on Qin Mang.

The man’s deep, cool voice rang out:

**”Clear the area.”**

Two simple words, and then he continued on his original path toward the owner’s cabin, as if he were a judge who held the power of life and death but couldn’t be bothered to wait for the verdict.

The crowd silently exhaled, their minds echoing the same thought: *As expected!*

Being kicked out was her fate.

Some were already gloating at Qin Mang—like Yao Ting and her group.

But then—

Something unexpected happened.

Secretary Cong, left behind to “clear the area,” first brought over a brand-new shawl and respectfully approached Qin Mang.

*”The deck is windy. Please take this.”*

Qin Mang draped it over herself with ease, the delicate fabric covering her porcelain-like skin.

*”How thoughtful,”* she replied lazily.

Then, Secretary Cong signaled the bodyguards to “clear the area”—while he personally escorted Qin Mang to the owner’s cabin.

**Ten minutes later.**

Outside the yacht, the crowd—now forcibly removed by bodyguards and crew—stared at each other in disbelief before turning their shocked gazes toward the massive vessel.

So, when He Lingji said “clear the area,” he meant—

**Them?!**

**……**

Meng Ting was still in a daze as A’Tong helped him out.

*”Will Sister Mang be okay in there alone?”* A’Tong asked worriedly.

Meng Ting, recalling Qin Mang’s bold declaration of *”I’m going to sleep with him,”* took a long moment before murmuring, *”The one in danger is probably He Lingji.”*

In her two years in the entertainment industry, Qin Mang—with her breathtaking beauty—had attracted no shortage of high-quality suitors. Yet she hadn’t shown interest in a single one. Meng Ting sometimes wondered if she was the reincarnation of Narcissus, so in love with herself that she had no room for men.

But now, she was suddenly taking the initiative.

It was hard not to suspect she had an ulterior motive—like securing the most powerful backer possible.

Which raised the question—

Given Qin Mang’s self-centered, defiant personality…

Would she really think that far ahead?

Before Meng Ting could ponder further, a well-known media figure approached with a cigarette, striking up a conversation:

*”So… your Qin Mang knows that man?”*

People in media were sharp.

Meng Ting understood—this was probing.

After all, He Lingji’s name carried weight in any circle.

Meng Ting didn’t actually know Qin Mang’s background, but based on her proud, unrestrained personality, ingrained aristocratic manners, and extravagant spending habits, he could guess she came from wealth.

But that was it. In her two years in the industry, she’d never shown any powerful connections—let alone any ties to a top-tier figure like He Lingji.

After weighing his options, Meng Ting decided to act.

*”Our Mang Mang is introverted and shy, completely devoted to acting. She’s very simple when it comes to relationships. As her manager, I try to give her freedom—we can’t treat artists like criminals, prying into every little thing, right?”*

The other man: *”…”*

**Are you serious?**

He had witnessed the entire scene on the yacht.

**Introverted?**

**Shy?**

**Who?!**

Just then, Meng Ting spotted Yao Ting in the distance and excused himself.

*”Sorry, I have some matters to attend to.”*

After all, he still had to clean up the mess his star left behind.

The media figure, left without any useful information, could only watch Meng Ting walk away, his curiosity burning—

**What exactly is their relationship?!**

### **Owner’s Cabin**

The owner’s cabin took up the largest area of the yacht, resembling a luxurious master suite. Through the semi-circular windows, the vast ocean stretched endlessly.

The ink-dark clouds had quietly dispersed, replaced by a silver crescent moon casting its glow over the waves, as if lining them with delicate silver edges—ethereal and serene.

Qin Mang didn’t need any electronic meditation aids. The night sea was enough to calm her restless mind.

The girl sat on the bay window, her body naturally running hotter than most. Even in the temperature-controlled cabin, she felt a faint warmth.

The silky shawl slipped halfway down her slender arm, draping lazily as moonlight bathed her jade-like skin.

The sound of running water filled the air.

Qin Mang’s thoughts wandered, her mind occupied with how to bring up *”The Dream of Old Peking”* to the investor currently showering.

Though they’d been married for a while, theirs was a business arrangement—no emotional attachment whatsoever.

**Three minutes later.**

*”Mr. He, do you need help?”*

Qin Mang stood outside the bathroom door and knocked three times.

*”Ouch.”*

Her hand stung.

**This door was too hard!**

Before she could wait for a response, she instinctively lifted her wrist to her lips, blowing on her reddened knuckles.

Then—

A soft click sounded as the door opened.

He Lingji stepped out, his gaze landing first on the girl’s pouted lips, then on her fluttering lashes—like fragile butterfly wings.

His fingers, tying the sash of his robe, paused briefly.

Hearing the sound, Qin Mang looked up.

Seeing the man’s movement, an idea struck.

Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief.

*”Let me help you with that!”*

He Lingji’s deep, cool eyes studied her for a few seconds. He had intended to refuse, but remembering her status as *Mrs. He*, he replied indifferently:

*”As you wish.”*

He released the sash.

The silk robe, though covering him fully, hinted at the perfectly defined abs beneath—all eight of them.

Qin Mang’s lips curved, a trace of slyness slipping through.

He Lingji noticed.

**Was tying a sash really that exciting?**

Occasionally, her soft fingertips brushed against his skin.

A simple robe sash took Qin Mang a full five minutes to tie—just to show her dedication.

Just as He Lingji’s patience was about to wear thin, Qin Mang patted the neatly tied bow.

She made sure to display the red marks on her fingers prominently.

*”My hands are red from tying your sash. Surely Mr. He isn’t stingy enough to refuse me compensation?”*

Recalling the scene in the hallway an hour ago, He Lingji smirked.

*”A hand insured for hundreds of millions must indeed be delicate.”**

In five more minutes, even those faint marks would disappear.

**He knew?!**

*”It is delicate,”* Qin Mang pressed her lips together, then dropped the act entirely.

*”So I’ll settle for the female lead in *The Dream of Old Peking*.”*

She said it as if it were the most natural request.

After all, she and Shen Wanyin were on equal footing in terms of acting. Given that, why not choose the more beautiful one?

**Made sense, right?**

*”The Dream of Old Peking?”*

He Lingji quickly retrieved the relevant details from his precise, machine-like memory.

**So that’s what this was about.**

After a moment, he calculated and replied calmly:

*”I’m the one losing out.”*

Qin Mang: *”?”*

He Lingji had already walked past her toward the bed, casually adding:

*”Go shower.”*

Hearing those three words, Qin Mang suddenly understood!

**Ah.**

**So this was how it worked.**

The adult world truly ran on equivalent exchange.

Tying a sash wasn’t enough.

Secretary Cong was always thorough. The bathroom was already stocked with her usual toiletries. If He Lingji weren’t so hard to poach, Qin Mang would’ve tried to recruit Cong into her studio long ago.

She meticulously showered and applied skincare, ensuring every inch of her skin was soft and fragrant before finally wrapping herself in a rose-pink silk robe.

He Lingji sat by the bed, seemingly reading a document. Hearing movement, he glanced over—

The girl stood barefoot on the black carpet, her newly painted velvet-red toenails contrasting starkly against her porcelain skin. The interplay of black, white, and red formed a mesmerizing portrait of decadent beauty.

He observed her calmly for a moment before returning to his document, his elegant fingers turning the page unhurriedly.

Qin Mang noticed his reaction and immediately switched to her most alluring smile, her voice a soft whisper:

*”Mr. He… shall we?”*

**”…”**

He Lingji reached over, wordlessly adjusting her loosely tied robe and tightening the sash properly before calmly withdrawing.

*”Miss Qin, I am a principled businessman. I don’t engage in inappropriate relationships.”*

**Huh?**

**HUH?!**

Qin Mang’s usually seductive eyes widened in disbelief. After a long pause, she managed:

*”Why?”*

**Who rejects a delicacy served right to their lips?!**

He Lingji had already finished reading. He stood, turning off all the lights.

In the pitch-black room, only the cold metallic window frames reflected the moonlight.

His voice, calm and detached, cut through the darkness:

*”The cost outweighs the benefits.”*

Qin Mang, a novice in *business negotiations*, had just suffered her first major defeat.

**Since when did capitalists consider cost-benefit analysis in affairs like this?!**

**Wait—**

So when He Lingji tied her sash earlier…

Did that mean they were even?

**Because that didn’t cost him anything!**

By the time Qin Mang realized she’d been fooled, she turned indignantly—

Only to find the man already lying still, eyes closed.

Under the faint moonlight, his features were flawlessly handsome, like a painting.

His sleeping posture was impeccable—hands folded over his waist, as if measured with a ruler.

Qin Mang swallowed her words.

She didn’t dare actually disturb him.

In the year they’d been married, He Lingji had been constantly busy, often away on business. This time, he’d been gone for over two months, so their interactions had been limited.

She didn’t know him well.

But her instincts for self-preservation warned her that, despite her boldness, she shouldn’t push his boundaries.

**If at first you don’t succeed…**

**Give up.**

Qin Mang rolled to the other side of the bed, drawing a clear line between them before sleep.

She thought she’d struggle to fall asleep in a new place, but—

She drifted off almost instantly, even dreaming.

In her dream, she wore a red dress, dancing gracefully—until flames suddenly licked up from her feet, rapidly engulfing the fabric.

Just as the heat became unbearable, a coolness seeped into her senses—like stumbling upon a glacier in the desert.

But soon, the ice melted under her touch.

Displeased, Qin Mang tried to push it away.

Then—

A hand gripped her wrist.

Her lashes fluttered as she struggled to open her eyes.

The first thing she saw was a pair of dangerously intense eyes.

In the darkness, He Lingji’s usually icy blue-gray pupils burned like molten lava breaking through glacial cracks.

Qin Mang, now fully awake, realized—

**The “ice” in her dream had been He Lingji.**

A surge of envy rose in her.

**What kind of freakish metabolism did this man have to stay cool in summer?!**

Her body ran hot, especially in warmer months. She often woke up to find her neatly tied robe mysteriously gone.

Qin Mang’s mind raced. With a sleepy yet cunning glance, she struck first:

*”Weren’t you the principled businessman who ‘doesn’t engage in inappropriate relationships’? What’s this—hugging an actress in the middle of the night? How polite.”*

He Lingji’s fingers brushed a stray lock from her face. Qin Mang shivered slightly.

His voice, usually cool, carried a rough edge as he uttered a single syllable:

*”Mn.”*

The scent of roses—wild, untamed—lingered between them, lazy yet forbidden.

So He Lingji saw no reason to deny himself.

He murmured, *”Mrs. He.”*

A clear reminder.

**Tch.**

**This bastard just wanted a free pass.**

Logically, Qin Mang wanted to refuse—otherwise, she’d lose face.

**But whatever.**

**Fine.**

Hadn’t Meng Ting said she wasn’t good enough?

Just then, He Lingji glanced at the wall clock.

**4:00 AM.**

His dark eyes returned to the breathtaking beauty in his arms—her hair fanned across the pillow, every strand exuding a devastating allure.

**Not enough time.**

As Qin Mang braced herself—

*”Then let’s—”*

Before she could finish, He Lingji suddenly pulled away, leaving only a detached remark:

*”I’ll borrow something.”*

Then, he pointed at the soft lilac gauze tied around her ankle.

In the dim light, his fingers looked like cold jade, every vein exuding aristocratic refinement.

Yet those same fingers now held a delicate, provocative fabric.

*”You—”*

He Lingji stood by the bed, adding politely:

*”Thank you.”*

3**Chapter 3: The Celestial Deity**

On the sun deck, Qin Mang lounged lazily on a sofa chair, wearing a delicate silk slip dress that draped over her slender figure. The vast, azure sea stretched before her, breathtakingly majestic.

He Lingji had left early that morning for a company meeting. Still annoyed by his antics from the previous night, Qin Mang, asserting her authority as Mrs. He, had commandeered the luxury yacht for a day out at sea. Now, the extravagant vessel was hers alone to enjoy.

She picked up a silk sleep mask beside her, ready for a nap—

**Buzz—**

Her private phone vibrated abruptly.

**[The Internet’s Biggest Celebrity]** flashed across the screen.

It was a video call from her best friend, Wu Yuxi.

Wu Yuxi, who came from one of Shencheng’s elite families, was a fashion designer by profession but had accidentally become a viral beauty influencer with millions of followers. She was also one of the few people who knew about Qin Mang and He Lingji’s marriage.

And she *loved* gossip.

Qin Mang glanced at the screen before lazily answering, her voice soft with drowsiness. “Hey—”

“Little Lion, did your husband cheat on you?”

Wu Yuxi had always been obsessed with Qin Mang and He Lingji as a couple—secretly fangirling over them, knowing she was one of the few privy to their real relationship.

But now…

Her ship was sinking.

Her OTP was about to break up.

Her expression was as devastated as if her own father had cheated.

Without missing a beat, she forwarded Qin Mang a trending gossip forum post. “Look at this.”

The word *cheating* instantly snapped Qin Mang upright. Her delicate fingers tapped the screen, but in her haste, the edge of the sleep mask grazed her fair skin, leaving a faint red mark on her ear.

Her lowered eyes turned icy.

A business marriage with no real feelings? Fine.

But infidelity was her *line*.

The post’s headline blared in bold red:

**[EXCLUSIVE: ‘The Arctic Prince’ Spends a Passionate Night on a Yacht with a Mysterious Woman]**

Everyone knew “The Arctic Prince” was He Lingji’s nickname, coined during a financial interview when he took over as head of the He Corporation.

With his deep, enigmatic gray-blue eyes and untouchable aura, netizens dubbed him “The Arctic Prince”—a glacier that would never melt.

The fandom’s mantra?

*”If the glacier melts, it’s the apocalypse.”*

Meaning: *He’ll never thaw, and the world won’t end.*

Since then, He Lingji had kept a low profile, his reputation pristine—cold, untouchable, and above earthly desires.

Which only made him more alluring.

Even though his official corporate account never posted anything personal, his fanbase rivaled that of A-list celebrities.

And now—his *first* scandal.

The original post claimed:

*”A friend in media was invited to his yacht party, but everyone got kicked out after one night because he wanted to be alone with a certain top-tier actress. No one knows who she is, but she’s supposedly the most beautiful in the industry.”*

Top comments:

1. **”Fake news. No one is worthy of the Celestial Deity!”**
2. **”The apocalypse hasn’t come. We’re safe.”**

The thread was flooded with fans denying it, but eventually, speculation began.

Every actress rumored to be “the most beautiful” was discussed—except Qin Mang. The few who mentioned her were immediately shot down:

*”Qin Mang? That flashy花瓶 (flower vase)? No way. The Arctic Prince would never go for someone like her. He’d pick a pure, natural beauty.”*

*”If they were together, it’d be like splashing garish paint on an ink-wash painting—ruining the aesthetic!”*

Qin Mang’s lips thinned.

Logically, she *should* ignore it.

But a few seconds later—

She typed coldly:

**”You’re the blind ones. He Lingji isn’t good enough for Qin Mang.”**

Then she exited before the backlash could flood in.

Tossing her tablet aside, she strode to the deck, letting the sea breeze cool her temper.

Wu Yuxi, still on the call, blinked.

Wait—shouldn’t Qin Mang be confronting her *husband* about cheating?

Why was she so calm?

Then—

She noticed the yacht in the background.

“Wait… YOU’RE on a yacht?!”

Realization struck.

“OH MY GOD, WAS IT YOU LAST NIGHT?!”

“WHERE’S HE LINGJI?”

“DID I INTERRUPT YOUR PASSIONATE NIGHT—”

Qin Mang scoffed, her dark curls tousled by the wind. “His tastes are *special*.”

“He’d rather spend time with *lace panties* than a real woman.”

She recounted the previous night’s humiliation—how He Lingji had *thanked* her before locking himself in the bathroom.

Wu Yuxi gasped. “He chose *that* over you?!”

As Qin Mang’s expression darkened, Wu Yuxi backtracked. “Maybe… he had a reason?”

“Like what?” Qin Mang arched a brow.

Wu Yuxi’s eyes darted to the vast ocean behind her. “Ah! He was worried the yacht would *capsize* from the *movement*!”

Qin Mang stared.

“…This is a *yacht*, not a raft.”

Wu Yuxi grinned. “My idol is just *that* powerful.”

Qin Mang ended the trip early.

She couldn’t look at the yacht the same way.

—

Back at her agency, her manager, Meng Ting, bombarded her with questions.

“Tell me honestly—what’s your relationship with He Lingji? Can you get him to secure you the lead in *Dreams of Old Beijing*?”

Qin Mang swirled her iced coffee, silent.

Meng Ting pressed, “Just think about it—”

Finally, she sighed. “No.”

Meng Ting nearly choked.

Then—

Wu Yuxi’s texts blew up her phone.

*”Shen Wanyin posted an insinuating photo on Instagram! That white lotus is hinting SHE’S the mystery woman!”*

Meng Ting’s face fell.

Shen Wanyin’s team was notorious for manipulative PR—already spinning the narrative that she was the chosen lead for *Dreams of Old Beijing*.

If Qin Mang countered by revealing *she* was the woman on the yacht, the backlash would label her a gold-digger.

Her career would be over before it began.

Meng Ting bowed dramatically. “Our only hope is *you*.”

“Ask He Lingji to—”

Qin Mang recoiled. “*You’re* the manager. *You* handle it.”

She wasn’t about to grovel to that *jerk*.

Not after he’d humiliated her.

Meng Ting, undeterred, read aloud the vicious comments mocking Qin Mang’s looks and talent.

Qin Mang remained unfazed—until he mentioned her dream.

“Don’t you want that Best Actress trophy?”

“If you lose this role, when will you get another chance?”

Her fingers tightened around her glass.

For the first time, her cool composure cracked.

4**Chapter 4: Drunk-Roasted Little Lion**

The He Group was located in Shencheng’s Financial Tech Center, where land was worth its weight in gold. The headquarters, designed by a world-renowned architect, took years to perfect. Its futuristic half-arc structure and the bold “H” shape cutting through the building perfectly complemented the group’s focus on smart technology.

He Lingji hadn’t returned in three months, and a mountain of work awaited him.

The CEO’s office was sleek and minimalist, dominated by silver and white tones, with fully automated designs that exuded a cold, high-end vibe.

Secretary Cong seized the moment to hand him a glass of water.

“President He…”

Under the bright office lights, the man’s skin was a cool, porcelain white. His long fingers gripped the glass like carved jade, his expression icy and detached, as if carved from ancient, unmeltable frost. He took a small sip.

The water moistened his pale, thin lips as he uttered a single word:

“Speak.”

As the chief secretary, Cong Zhen knew exactly what to report and what to ignore when his boss was busy.

But—

This involved the madam. He wasn’t sure how to handle it.

After some hesitation, he said, “President Jiang called you several times this afternoon regarding the casting for *Dreams of the Capital*.”

He Lingji glanced at the stack of documents prepared for his review. The glass landed on the table with a dull thud.

Secretary Cong braced himself. “How should I respond?”

The man lazily pressed a finger to his temple, his indifferent gaze masking exhaustion. His words were merciless:

“If he can’t even handle casting for a two-billion-yuan production, replace him as producer.”

This was the He Group’s first foray into the film industry.

Not child’s play.

Cong Zhen snapped back to reality, instantly regretting his words.

President He was still President He. The idea of him losing his cool to charm someone was pure fantasy.

—

When Jiang Yulin received Secretary Cong’s reply, he was in a private meeting with Director Zhou.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Had Qin Man failed to satisfy President He on the yacht that night?

Spread before them were two sets of data analyses—one for Qin Man, the other for Shen Wanyin.

The results were identical:

Qin Man: 95%

Shen Wanyin: 95%

Director Zhou tapped the table. “Who do we pick? We need to decide soon—training can’t wait.”

Jiang Yulin, ever the businessman, skimmed Shen Wanyin’s data, noting her high “market appeal”—her fans were the most vocal.

It wouldn’t be wise to disappoint the audience.

—

Qin Man returned to the marital home she shared with He Lingji.

In their year of marriage, she’d visited fewer than ten times.

Now, the unfamiliarity was palpable.

The lakeside estate glittered at night, its grand entrance leading through a sprawling courtyard complete with a helipad discreetly tucked behind landscaped scenery. Every step was a postcard of luxury, an ode to hedonism.

But tonight, Qin Man had other things on her mind. She declined the maid’s offer of a massage and soaked in the bath instead.

Later, draped in a long, silky nightgown, she descended the stairs to wait for him.

“Did he say when he’d be back?” she asked the butler.

The butler served her a floral tea, replying respectfully, “The master has a private dinner tonight. He may return late.”

Expecting displeasure, he prepared to smooth things over.

To his surprise, Qin Man’s eyes lit up.

A dinner? Perfect.

Imagine—deep in the night, a virtuous and beautiful wife waiting by a single lamp for her drunken husband. How touching!

Qin Man was nearly moved by her own performance.

She dismissed the staff, leaving only a dim light on.

Bored, she hugged a cushion and opened the forum link her friend Wu Yuxi had sent her.

The “Exotic Glacier” topic was still trending.

Her earlier comment had 99+ replies—mostly insults.

“Tsk. He Lingji isn’t even in the entertainment industry, yet he has more fans than me.”

Qin Man was sour.

Two years in the industry, and she couldn’t compete with one interview.

Infuriating.

Then she saw one reply:

*[If that花瓶 (pretty but useless) has any real connection to the Glacier, I’ll give every one of the 3,588 users here 200 yuan.]*

Bored, Qin Man replied:

**Little Lion Roar-Meow:** *[What if they’re married?]*

The reply was instant:

*[If they’re married, not only will I pay up, I’ll livestream myself eating shit while doing a 360° Thomas flare and mid-air twist.]*

**Little Lion Roar-Meow:** *[What a hero. *claps*]*

Qin Man was unfazed.

The netizens, however, exploded:

*[Where did this delusional lion come from?]*

*[Shipping 花瓶 and the Glacier? Is she insane? 花瓶 would shatter against that ice!]*

*[Sure, they’ll get married right after they meet.]*

*[LOL, in all my years in the CP fandom, this is the first time I’ve seen a live 花瓶-Glacier shipper.]*

*[They’ve topped the ‘Most Impossible CP’ list for years.]*

If not for her last shred of sanity, Qin Man would’ve posted their marriage certificate right then.

How was she unworthy?!

Scrolling grew tedious—the same old arguments, nothing new.

The quiet lulled her into drowsiness. Her lashes fluttered as she fought to stay awake, but her body grew heavier, her wrist slipping off the sofa.

*Thud.*

Her phone fell onto the plush carpet.

Qin Man’s sleep was restless, filled with fragments of dreams.

Endless white fog. She walked and walked until she saw a beautiful woman in an exquisite gown, reaching for a golden Best Actress trophy behind a glass case.

She tried to help, but the glass kept them apart—so close, yet untouchable.

As Qin Man stepped closer, the woman suddenly turned and grabbed her hand—

Her fingertips burned.

Qin Man jolted awake.

A dream.

The floor lamp still cast its warm glow, her racing heart echoing in the silent room.

Qin Man’s body ran hot when she slept. Thankfully, she hadn’t sleepily stripped in the living room like usual.

Damp with sweat, her fair skin was flushed a delicate pink.

The room was silent. She checked the time—11:00 p.m.

He Lingji still wasn’t back.

She gave up waiting and stepped onto the terrace, letting the summer breeze cool her overheated skin and clear her mind.

The estate’s lights stretched into the distance.

Her earlier dream resurfaced—Meng Ting’s words from that afternoon: *“Don’t you want the Best Actress trophy?”*

Of course she did.

Qin Man might seem indifferent to her career, but since entering the industry, she’d never stopped chasing one goal:

To win that trophy.

To hold it before someone and say, *“See? I fulfilled her dream. What about you?”*

Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the door open.

—

When He Lingji stepped inside, the house was dark—save for the terrace light.

The soft glow split the space into two worlds.

Qin Man stood by the railing, her loose curls cascading down, her long, blush-pink nightgown fluttering like a rose against the night.

A scene straight out of a vintage film.

Then she turned—

For a split second, He Lingji caught a glimpse of something fragile in her eyes before she brightened and threw herself into his arms.

“Husband~”

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Waiting for you, of course! Surprised?”

“Oh?”

He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder, instantly noticing her unusual body heat.

His gaze darkened as he loosened his tie with deliberate slowness.

The faint scent of glacier-cool cologne mixed with alcohol wrapped around them, dangerously alluring in the dim light.

When He Lingji didn’t play along, Qin Man—oblivious to his state—cheerfully boasted, “With a wife as perfect as me, you must be the envy of everyone.”

“And you?”

“Look at the mess you’ve made!”

She finally got to her point.

He Lingji didn’t answer. The night’s strong liquor had left him mostly sober, but her proximity was undoing that.

Unaware, Qin Man poked his chest, ranting, “No sense of responsibility as a married man. ‘No interest in women’? Please. The gossip forums have you painted as a playboy by now—”

His gaze dropped to her moving lips.

Everything blurred.

“Ah—!”

Suddenly, she was lifted onto the railing.

Her protest died in her throat as the world tilted.

They rarely stood this close.

His cool, clean scent mixed with alcohol made her head spin.

Then his palm pressed against her arm—chill against her feverish skin.

Before she knew it, she was perched precariously on the railing, the void behind her like a whirlpool.

Realizing he’d been drinking, Qin Man panicked, arms locking around his neck. “No, no, too dangerous!”

“I refuse to headline tomorrow as ‘Couple Dies Mid-Air, Faces Unrecognizable.’”

She’d rather not die socially after actual death.

As she clung to him, her silky nightgown tangled with his tailored black slacks—a dangerously beautiful sight.

“Fine.”

Amused, He Lingji indulged her, carrying her to the bedroom.

Tonight, they had time.

—

The bedroom door shut with a soft click.

Under the dazzling lights, Qin Man lounged on the bed, watching as He Lingji emerged from the shower.

Memories of their yacht night resurfaced.

As he approached, she smirked and tugged off a lace garter, tossing it at him.

“Here. Use it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Payback.

If he liked it so much, he could have it.

What a generous wife she was.

He didn’t take it. His stormy blue eyes held hers, unreadable.

For a moment, Qin Man wondered if she had thalassophobia—why else would she tremble under that gaze?

“What?” she snapped.

After a beat, his low voice came, rough with want.

“This,” his fingers brushed her hair, “would be better.”

*!*

Face burning, she yanked her hair back. “So you *are* just after my body!”

“…”

How could someone so cold-looking be so shameless?

A wolf in gentleman’s clothing!

But soon, she lost the ability to retort.

Much later—

*?*

Dazed, Qin Man blinked up at the blinding chandelier.

Then a hand covered her eyes.

Without sight, every touch was magnified—his cool scent now laced with her own sweetness, intoxicating and overwhelming.

“I’m never coming here again!” she gasped.

Sleeping with He Lingji was torture.

Wu Yuxi’s words from the yacht echoed: *“Wrecked.”*

At the time, she’d thought it an exaggeration.

Now she knew—it was an understatement.

“I have no intention of separate bedrooms.”

He Lingji’s voice was calm, as if discussing business.

“After all…”

“Hm?”

“I’m *after your body.*”

Qin Man: “?”

*Damn.* (The plant.)

What kind of grudge-holding monster *was* he?

5**Chapter 5: The Scorching Sun Steals the Light**

The next morning.

*”Ding-ling—”*

The alarm rang in the quiet bedroom.

Sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, gilding the long lashes of the girl on the bed. Qin Mang’s lashes fluttered slightly before she finally forced her eyes open.

She let out an unconscious sigh.

Her entire body felt like she had overdone yoga—sore, numb, swollen, aching. A mix of sensations tangled together.

Her delicate wrist pressed against the sheets as she slowly sat up. The satin blanket slid down, revealing her flawless, unclothed figure.

Not only was her nightgown missing, but Qin Mang also spotted the frost-colored lace-trimmed underwear she had changed into after last night’s shower, now dangling precariously from the edge of the bedpost.

Clearly, it wasn’t He Lingji who had taken it off.

Probably her “little furnace” body acting up again in her sleep, making her toss it off unconsciously.

Grumpily, she glanced at the wall clock.

8:30 AM.

If not for today’s shoot, she might have slept until noon after last night’s… *intense* workout.

So annoying.

He Lingji finished his business and just left.

With the status of a legally married couple, he slept soundly without a shred of guilt—no need to take responsibility at all.

The more Qin Mang thought about it, the angrier she got. She grabbed her phone and sent He Lingji a WeChat message—

**[Little Lion Roar-Meow: “Mrs. He in bed, Miss Qin outside of it. You’re really getting all the benefits from this marriage without lifting a finger.”]**

Unexpectedly, as soon as she went downstairs—

The well-trained housekeeper had the maids serve breakfast before politely informing her, *”Madam, Mr. He has already arranged the move. Do you have any special requests?”*

Qin Mang looked at the breakfast spread covering half the table.

Likely considering her appetite, the dishes were varied but served in delicate small portions.

Resting her chin on her hand, she lazily thought for a few seconds. *”Move the walk-in closet exactly as it is.”*

Nothing else mattered.

She then gave the housekeeper the passcode to her downtown apartment.

The housekeeper seemed relieved.

Before Qin Mang left, she was handed a black card.

*”This is your allowance. Buy whatever you like.”*

Qin Mang arched a slender brow, pinching the thin card between her fingers. *”Buy whatever I like?”*

Even her uncle wouldn’t dare say that to her.

Her red lips curled into a slow smile. *”Is there enough money?”*

The housekeeper didn’t overthink it. *”Yes. If it’s not enough, you can charge it to Mr. He’s account. I’ll send someone to pay.”*

Qin Mang: *”!”*

Damn.

Such a good deal!

If she had known, she would’ve moved in sooner.

By the time Qin Mang arrived at the ad shoot, it was almost noon.

In late May, Shencheng’s sun blazed like fire. The moment Qin Mang opened the car door, the scorching air outside nearly pushed her back in.

Under the glaring sunlight, her eyes shimmered like water. The fair skin at the corners of her eyes flushed a faint, alluring pink.

Dressed in a red satin ribbon dress, she glowed like a radiant ruby against her dark hair and snow-white skin—a breathtaking beauty stealing the sun’s brilliance for herself.

Suddenly, a familiar voice shattered the picturesque scene.

Meng Ting rushed over with A-Tong:

*”Your Majesty, you’ve finally arrived.”*

*”If the umbrella doesn’t come over soon, this Empress will perish.”*

Qin Mang’s voice was faint but dramatic.

A-Tong quickly opened the sunshade handed by the driver, shielding Qin Mang entirely. When she accidentally brushed Qin Mang’s skin—

She realized Qin Mang wasn’t exaggerating.

Her fair skin was burning hot, like a real little furnace.

A-Tong: *”Let’s hurry inside.”*

Only after entering the air-conditioned studio did Qin Mang feel alive again.

Meng Ting scanned the day’s schedule while glancing at her. *”What were you doing last night? You’re so late.”*

And looking half-dead, no less.

Noticing the professional driver earlier, he pondered silently.

Qin Mang kept her private life well-hidden. Though she often had luxury cars picking her up, he had never met any of her family.

Even A-Tong, her personal assistant, only knew about her high-end downtown apartment.

Before Qin Mang could answer—

His peripheral vision caught the faint pink mark on the back of her neck.

Clearly a—

*”Holy—!”*

Meng Ting sucked in a sharp breath, signaling A-Tong. *”Quick, cover that!”*

He nearly lunged to block it himself, scanning the area for any lurking paparazzi or crew.

*”What the hell is that hickey?!”*

*”Please tell me no one got a shot of it?”*

A-Tong adjusted Qin Mang’s loosely tied hair, letting a few extra strands fall to cover the mark. Thankfully, Qin Mang’s face could carry any look—messy or not—with effortless beauty.

She sighed in relief. *”We’ll fix it with concealer in the makeup room.”*

Only then did Qin Mang realize.

She chuckled lazily. *”Relax, no one’s getting any shots.”*

What paparazzi could get within three kilometers of the He family’s lakeside estate? They’d be caught before they could even press *publish*.

Meng Ting finally exhaled, then reminded her, *”We only landed the ‘EM’ beauty campaign because of your zero-scandal reputation. Unlike Shen Wanyin’s team, who rely on gossip and炒作—how could they ever land a big brand like this?”*

Top-tier brands had strict standards for their ambassadors—clean personal lives.

No one wanted to sign a deal only for a scandal to blow up later.

That was why, when Qin Mang had been left on He Lingji’s yacht that day, Meng Ting hadn’t milked it for publicity.

Their contract forbade any romantic scandals.

Qin Mang fiddled with the little lion-shaped fan A-Tong had bought her—adorable and perfectly to her taste.

*”Is that so,”* she replied absently.

Meng Ting clicked his tongue, continuing his rant. *”You keep complaining about my lack of resources, but would you really want the kind of trashy gigs Zhou Yuan’s team takes?”*

Qin Mang half-heartedly praised, *”Brother Meng is the noblest.”*

*”Shen Wanyin debuted earlier than you, has more followers, yet she’s stuck with lower-tier endorsements—ones that can be dropped at any time. How could she ever land a high-end campaign? Our goal is global luxury brand ambassadorships. Aim high! Gossip might get you fame for a season, but only good work lasts.”*

Meng Ting seized the moment to lecture her. The underlying message: *Get your priorities straight.*

Good work led to better opportunities.

*”I hear—”*

Before she could finish—

Meng Ting suddenly stopped, voice dropping. *”Why is she here? Ugh.”*

Qin Mang halted too, glancing into the adjacent studio.

Shen Wanyin was shooting a skincare ad there.

At first, Qin Mang thought Meng Ting was just being catty—until she overheard the cameraman handing Shen Wanyin a tissue.

*”Congrats on landing the lead in ‘Memories of Peking.’ Hope I’ll still get to work with you after this.”*

*”You’re exaggerating.”*

*”Don’t be modest. An S+ film like this, with top-tier production—it’s practically award-bait.”*

*”I heard Qin Mang’s shooting here today. Soon, she’ll be looking up to you.”*

The glamorous woman casually noticed the trio outside the door. After a pause, she smiled humbly. *”Teacher Qin is amazing too.”*

*So damn annoying.*

Qin Mang agreed.

Who needed her fake praise—*ugh*.

Shen Wanyin’s red lips curved as she glanced at her assistant.

The assistant immediately caught on, raising her voice just enough. *”Our Sister Wan sometimes envies Teacher Qin. Even after three years in the industry, Sister Wan’s had less time off than Teacher Qin’s work hours.”*

*”And now, she’s joining another set next month.”*

As if *Memories of Peking* was already hers.

Qin Mang calmly fanned her overheated palms with the little lion fan, breezing past the door without a second glance.

Not even a flicker of her lashes.

A-Tong muttered, *”Definitely Shen Wanyin’s doing.”*

*”This little white lotus is so sneaky—using her assistant to throw shade while keeping her own hands clean.”*

Meng Ting braced for Qin Mang’s infamous temper—expecting her to storm in and slap someone. But instead—

She *let it go*?

Just like that?

Since when?

He mumbled to himself, *”I thought she’d cool her hand just to deliver that slap.”*

Qin Mang looked at him like he was an idiot.

Aside from the fact that she’d just managed to cool down in this heat—

Did he really think she’d cause a scene in front of all these people?

She had a temper, not a death wish.

Meng Ting wore a proud, fatherly expression. *”You’ve grown.”*

*”So we’re just letting it slide?”*

*Let it slide?*

Qin Mang idly twisted the ring on her finger—tiny blue diamonds grazing her soft skin. Her red lips curled into a dazzling smile.

This was just a cheap provocation. The one who got angry first lost.

Besides, the worst outcome was losing the role to Shen Wanyin.

Then she’d just visit the set as the investor’s wife. That’d scare the hell out of her.

*”Let it slide.”*

Madam He waved magnanimously.

Meng Ting eyed her suspiciously.

*”What?”*

*”Checking if you’ve grown a halo.”*

*”What, is it blinding your dog eyes?”*

Meng Ting: *”…”*

Still as sharp-tongued as ever.

So why the sudden Buddha-level patience—*just* for Shen Wanyin?

*”Really letting it go? You’re not gonna sneak off and beat her up later, right?”*

*”Brother Meng, why are you so violent lately?”*

Before heading to makeup, Qin Mang opened an electronic prayer app on her phone, lecturing solemnly, *”Go earn some karma points.”*

*”No year-end bonus if you don’t hit 10,000.”*

Meng Ting stared at the digital wooden fish: *”…”*

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

—

After her shoot, Shen Wanyin left early, hopping into a car sent by Zhou Yuan herself.

As one of the industry’s top actresses, Zhou Yuan was adored wherever she went.

On the way to their destination, she coached Shen Wanyin:

*”Stay calm when we meet him later. Seize the chance—even if he’s not interested, getting noticed is a win.”*

Since they’d already name-dropped him online, they might as well go all-in.

Zhou Yuan was a master at this game.

Shen Wanyin, about to meet an untouchable elite for the first time, clenched her hands nervously. *”I will.”*

Her usually glamorous face now looked pitifully delicate.

Zhou Yuan approved.

No man could resist a beauty throwing herself at him.

*”Keep practicing that expression.”*

*”Okay…”*

6:00 PM.

The glass doors of the conference room at the end of He Corporation’s sky bridge slid open silently.

Surrounded by his elite team of secretaries, He Lingji stood at the center, his presence so commanding that it overshadowed everyone else.

At that moment, he was fastening the blue mother-of-pearl cufflinks on his suit sleeve with one hand, his movements elegant and unhurried, exuding an intimidating aura that made others afraid to meet his gaze.

As he walked out, he listened to an assistant reporting his upcoming schedule.

Only after Secretary Cong finished the report did he hand over He Lingji’s private phone, keeping his eyes down respectfully. “Your wife sent you a message this morning.”

He Lingji gave him a brief glance.

Taking the phone, his usually calm eyes flickered with the faintest trace of amusement—gone in an instant, but sharp-eyed Secretary Cong caught it.

Unconcerned with the others, He Lingji suddenly stopped. First, he typed a casual reply.

Then, his pale fingers brushed against the phone’s metal frame as he recalled last night—when his drunk wife had confronted him.

Mentioning the forum.

After a brief pause, he ordered, “Have the Legal and PR departments remove all private discussions about me from public platforms.”

“All of them?”

“All.”

His cold tone left no room for argument.

The secretary handling the task tensed. “Understood.”

He didn’t even dare to ask why.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan and Shen Wanyin approached from the other side.

Zhou Yuan whispered to Shen Wanyin, “Luckily, I’ve shot ads for He Corporation before and met Chairman He. Otherwise, someone at his level—even for someone like me—would be hard to meet.”

Shen Wanyin’s eyes flickered.

She knew Zhou Yuan was worried she’d mess this up.

Manager Xu, a fan of Zhou Yuan, had agreed to give Shen Wanyin a tour of the company after Zhou Yuan’s request.

But unexpectedly, they ran into Chairman He. Manager Xu broke into a cold sweat.

Then Zhou Yuan chuckled and said, “Didn’t you meet Chairman He before?”

“Why so shy? Go on.”

Manager Xu relaxed slightly. “Miss Shen knows Chairman He?”

Someone added, “Yeah, wasn’t it Miss Shen who stayed overnight at Chairman He’s place after the yacht party?”

Zhou Yuan smiled without confirming or denying.

Shen Wanyin took a soft breath and stepped forward alone.

The sky bridge, with its transparent design like a giant arched roof and crisscrossing silver lines, had a cold, futuristic feel. But the sunset painted the sky in fiery clouds, like a gorgeous tapestry—so vivid it seemed within reach.

Strangely romantic.

Looking at the breathtaking scene, Shen Wanyin thought: *This feels like a destined meeting between the hero and heroine.*

And there he stood—noble, aloof, impossible to miss against the icy glass floor.

Her heartbeat quickened as she remembered the whispers about the He family heir. *If… if I could get close to him…*

Secretary Cong noticed her first.

*Who dared to bring Shen Wanyin in front of Chairman He?*

Thinking of Mrs. He’s usual temperament, his eyelid twitched.

He stepped forward. “Whoever brought her here, take her away now!”

Manager Xu broke into a sweat. “Chairman He… doesn’t know Miss Shen?”

*Miss Shen?*

Finally, the man glanced at her.

Shen Wanyin swept her long, wavy hair aside, revealing her striking face. Her phoenix eyes lifted slightly as she said in a soft, charming voice, “Chairman He, I’m Shen Wanyin. We met at the *Dreams of the Capital* audition.” (Though it had only been a distant glance.)

But his gaze had lingered on her longer than others.

Her voice softened, tinged with sadness. “Have you forgotten me?”

Her palms were damp with sweat.

What met her was a pair of icy, bottomless eyes—piercing, as if seeing right through her.

She froze, unprepared.

Silence fell.

Faced with such a stunning beauty, everyone expected Chairman He to at least be polite.

But his expression remained cold, indifferent, as if no one could ever matter to him. He looked down at her like she was nothing.

A few seconds later.

His detached voice delivered the verdict:

**”I don’t know you.”**

6**Chapter 6: Wild Helicopter**

Qin Mang finished filming close to midnight.

Shencheng’s nights were always bustling and noisy. Even late at night, neon lights stretched endlessly across the city. Through the stained-glass windows of the rooftop restaurant, the atmosphere felt strangely dreamlike, as if she were in a surreal, patchwork world.

Compared to the lavish late-night snacks in front of Meng Ting and A-Tong, Qin Mang only had a glass of chilled watermelon juice. After filming all day, she had no appetite.

The atmosphere had been quiet—until—

A-Tong suddenly gasped, “Wow, the forum post got taken down.”

“What?”

The girl, who had been resting with her eyes half-closed, lifted her lashes and looked over.

A-Tong quickly typed in some keywords, then sucked in a sharp breath. “All the keywords about that big shot from the He family are gone.”

Meng Ting’s expression shifted, as if he realized something. He immediately searched other platforms.

Sure enough, everything was gone.

Instinctively, he glanced at the stunning face across from him—a face so radiant that even a dazzling red dress couldn’t overshadow it. He froze for a few seconds, a bold guess forming in his mind.

“You think CEO He took it down to protect you?”

“?”

Qin Mang’s delicate brows slowly furrowed. Meng Ting’s words successfully wiped away her drowsiness.

What the hell?

Who was protecting whom?

He Lianji?

Her?

The image of He Lianji’s cold, unfeeling face—even in bed—flashed in her mind. Her pretty face scrunched up in displeasure.

Meng Ting analyzed it logically. “Look, all the major forums are still speculating about who stayed on the yacht that night. Even though Shen Wanyin vaguely posted a yacht photo on Instagram, there’s no solid proof. The rumors are still spreading.”

“I bet CEO He was worried they’d actually dig you up, so he shut them all down!”

Qin Mang recalled the conversation she’d had with He Lianji the night before.

They *had* mentioned the forums.

And He Lianji *had* dealt with it.

On the surface, it seemed reasonable—

But it was *completely* unreasonable!

This tyrannical act of silencing everyone—who was he trying to fool?!

Meanwhile, Meng Ting had reached the end of his analysis. Staring at Qin Mang’s breathtakingly beautiful face—the kind that could unite the world’s aesthetic standards—he declared with confidence, “CEO He must admire you!”

“You should seize this chance to get on his radar.”

“We can’t let Shen Wanyin take all the benefits. Back then, she was only shortlisted because the production team misinterpreted a single glance from CEO He as approval.”

Qin Mang pressed her lips together, frustration bubbling inside her.

Her slender, delicate fingers slowly lifted the glass of ice-cold watermelon juice, taking a sip to cool down.

But hearing Meng Ting’s words only reignited her anger. “What do you mean?”

“Shen Wanyin was pre-selected because of He Lianji?”

“Yeah—”

Meng Ting hadn’t expected Qin Mang to react so strongly. He was about to explain when the young miss stopped listening. She pulled out her personal phone—untouched all day—from her bag.

She had intended to confront the culprit.

But the first thing she saw was a barrage of messages from Wu Yuxi about the same issue. Scrolling down, she finally found He Lianji’s reply to her morning text.

**[He Lianji: Miss Qin, you flatter me.]**

*Snap.*

Qin Mang expressionlessly flipped her phone face-down on the table.

Fuel to the fire.

“He Lianji, that bastard!”

“But you still have a chance—”

Meng Ting was still analyzing when Qin Mang’s outburst startled him. He rushed to cover her mouth. “Y-You—don’t you know walls have ears?!”

Qin Mang lifted her lashes, her usually soft voice now icy. “What, afraid of getting beheaded?”

She stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“Cleaning house.”

With those four words, she left the restaurant without looking back.

Only the half-finished glass of watermelon juice remained on the table, its bright red hue looking eerily secretive under the light.

—

**Lakeside Manor**

Before Qin Mang could “clean house,” the butler informed her that He Lianji had gone abroad.

She had planned to wait for him, but three days passed without a single word from him. Even the butler couldn’t reach him.

Then, the time came for her to join the set of the movie she’d been cast in—a supporting role as a stunningly beautiful fairy in a fantasy film. Her character died immediately after appearing.

Despite it being another humiliating “eight-second role,” Qin Mang took it seriously. She studied the entire script, analyzed her character’s psychology, and didn’t cut corners.

Under the scorching sun, the heat-sensitive young woman wore layer upon layer of ethereal but suffocating ancient-style costumes. Her hair was adorned with gorgeous but heavy hairpins. Yet, she tirelessly flew back and forth on wires over a sea of fire, determined to meet the assistant director’s demand for a “breathtaking death scene.”

Once the camera rolled, she wasn’t a pampered young miss but a dedicated actress striving for perfection.

By the time filming ended, Qin Mang’s forehead was dotted with sweat. Her fair skin was flushed an unnatural red, alarming A-Tong, who quickly helped her out of her costume and brought ice to cool her down.

Qin Mang gently wiped her damp lashes.

“It’s fine.”

The small fan whirred noisily.

Her hair fluttered in the breeze, and the rosy hue on her cheeks didn’t look unflattering. Instead, it resembled flames imprinted on her skin, making her face even more mysteriously enchanting.

Art-house director Lin Chenxuan, who happened to be visiting the set, paused when he saw her.

Absorbed in his own scripts over the years, he hadn’t paid attention to new actors. He had no idea who Qin Mang was.

He turned to the fantasy film’s director, Zhao.

“Is she a newcomer?”

Director Zhao hadn’t personally seen Qin Mang’s work but knew a little about her. Noticing Lin Chenxuan’s interest, he smiled knowingly. “Not exactly. Why, do you have a role for her in your new film?”

He didn’t mind making an introduction.

In the entertainment industry, fortunes rose and fell unpredictably.

Unlike Zhao’s commercial focus, Lin Chenxuan was devoted to niche, body-centric art films—often featuring explicit scenes that couldn’t be released domestically.

Yet, many actors still clamored for his roles.

Because his films had a high chance of winning international awards.

Lin Chenxuan’s gaze lingered on Qin Mang’s radiant, flame-like beauty. He nodded. “There’s an important role in my new film that hasn’t been cast yet.” He hadn’t found the right fit—until now.

It was well-known in the industry that Lin Chenxuan chose actors purely based on instinct.

Director Zhao clicked his tongue in amazement. Qin Mang was lucky.

She might have lost *Memories of Peking*, but she’d caught *this* director’s eye.

The entertainment industry had no secrets, especially when it came to *Memories of Peking*—a major S+ production that drew attention from actors, fans, and even directors.

—

When Qin Mang wrapped up her eight-second role that day, she received an ominous red envelope from Director Zhao (who hadn’t shown up until then), along with a new script and contact information.

And a meaningful comment: “If you do well in Director Lin’s film, your chances of winning an award are very high.”

—

Exhausted, Qin Mang returned home.

After a long bath, she had a masseuse work on her sore muscles and applied a cooling face mask before sinking into her bed.

Her delicate skin was still slightly red from the heat.

As she absentmindedly flipped through the script, her fingers tracing the bolded, highlighted scenes, her lips curled slowly.

If her ancestors found out she was considering a film with such explicit content, they’d probably line up at night to lecture her Zen-seeking father—no amount of Buddha could stop them.

Just as she was amusing herself with that mental image—

Her phone buzzed.

It was Meng Ting.

He’d heard about the offer from A-Tong. “Aside from the explicit scenes, Director Lin’s film *is* an incredible opportunity.”

“If you win an international award, you won’t have to worry about lack of leading roles.”

When Qin Mang stayed silent, he teased,

“If we can’t get *Memories of Peking*, we might really have to resort to art films to turn things around.”

Qin Mang snapped, “Don’t jinx it.”

“Have you even accumulated enough good karma?”

Then she promptly hung up.

Meng Ting: “…”

Damn it, he was doing this for *her*!

—

The fatigue from filming the past few days made Qin Mang’s thoughts drift. Before sleep fully claimed her, Director Zhao’s words echoed in her mind—

*Win an award.*

Could she?

Her slender frame gradually sank deeper into the soft blankets.

She didn’t even notice when the maid came to remove her face mask.

—

She slept until ten the next morning, when a knock startled her awake.

The butler’s voice came through the door: “Madam, Mr. He has arranged for someone to pick you up in an hour to return to the old mansion.”

“You’ll need to start getting ready.”

Qin Mang’s voice was soft with sleep. “Hmm?”

“He’s back?”

Bare feet touching the cold floor, the chill sharpened her drowsiness slightly.

Every month, on the 26th, they had a fixed dinner at the He family home.

Even if she was still angry with He Lianji, as the “loving couple” in their families’ eyes, this performance of marital bliss was non-negotiable.

The butler replied, “Mr. He is still at the airport. He might be late, so you should go ahead first.”

“The stylists are ready.”

Qin Mang nodded indifferently.

A team of stylists filed in, guiding her to the dressing room connected to her walk-in closet before she could fully wake up.

They began doing her hair and makeup.

Her closet in the city center had been replicated here, taking up nearly half of the second floor. To get there from the master bedroom, she had to pass through He Lianji’s closet.

Black glass cabinets displayed tailored suits, luxury watches, ties, and even cufflinks—each meticulously organized by color, all in cool, muted tones. Rarely was there a bright hue. The entire space was rigid, understated, and obsessively orderly.

Clearly, the master of the house had severe OCD.

Beyond the monochrome men’s closet was a dazzling explosion of color—Qin Mang’s walk-in closet, which seemed to contain every shade imaginable.

Luxury and opulence dripped from every corner.

An entire cabinet was dedicated to fine jewelry, not to mention the uncut gemstones Qin Mang had collected over the years, stored in a separate room.

Various shapes, various colors—it was like stepping into a forest of raw gems.

Even the well-traveled butler had been stunned when moving them in.

Now he understood why Qin Mang had insisted on an exact replica of her closet.

But he quickly adjusted to her hobby.

After all, the He family had He Lianji, who collected planes, yachts, and sports cars. In comparison, Qin Mang’s gemstone hobby was almost… *modest*.

Little did he know Qin Mang would soon teach him otherwise.

—

Before leaving, Qin Mang’s gaze lingered on the script on her nightstand.

She paused for a second, then rubbed her temples, recalling Meng Ting’s words from last night—

*How to secure* Memories of Peking.

Easier said than done.

—

The He family’s old mansion was nestled in Shencheng’s historic district, hidden beyond a lively ancient street, deep within a wisteria grove.

Qin Mang rested her chin on her hand, watching the scenery outside. The window reflected her current appearance—

A silk cheongsam, thin as cicada wings, clung to her figure. The embroidered flowers at her waist were almost too vivid, as if painted by a master artist.

The makeup artist hadn’t toned down her striking beauty but instead amplified it—red lips, dark brows, poised and graceful. The cheongsam’s elegance was on full display.

It wasn’t vanity.

She *knew* she looked better in a cheongsam than Shen Wanyin ever could.

Qin Mang’s lips curled lazily.

If He Lianji chose Shen Wanyin as the lead, he was *blind*.

—

This wasn’t her first time at the old mansion. Visiting monthly, she knew the place well.

But today, she was early.

The vast living room only had He Lianji’s younger cousin, He Xucheng, lounging on the sofa with a tablet.

Hearing the door, He Xucheng looked up—

And was instantly struck by the vision of a breathtaking beauty in a cheongsam.

The girl blinked, dazed by the radiance, before finally finding her voice. “Sis, you look *amazing* in that cheongsam.”

Qin Mang smiled.

The sheer brilliance of her beauty was mesmerizing. He Xucheng swallowed hard. “The embroidery is so detailed too.”

Qin Mang reached out and pinched the girl’s plump cheek. She’d been about to compliment her taste but remembered her “disposable persona” and switched to a sweet smile.

“Oh, this embroidery was actually done by your brother—”

Wait.

What about the embroidery?

He Xucheng’s eyes lit up. “My brother *embroidered* it?”

Qin Mang: “…”

“Yes.”

She deadpanned, fully committing to the lie. “Your brother is *very* skilled. He can cook, clean, make money, *and* embroider…”

Running out of nonsense, she quickly changed the subject. “What are you looking at so intently?”

He Xucheng assumed her sister-in-law was just shy.

She tilted the tablet toward her. “I’m looking at photos!”

Qin Mang glanced at the screen—

And saw a tall, imposing figure standing beside a massive black helicopter.

The man’s black shirt and camouflage pants emphasized his long legs and narrow waist—a perfect silhouette that would make anyone whistle.

The photo was slightly blurred, obscuring his face but amplifying the atmosphere.

Her gaze lingered on his waist, accentuated by the belt.

*Damn.*

Qin Mang: “Nice waist.”

Seeing her interest, He Xucheng grinned. “There are more of him flying the helicopter. Brother is *so* cool!”

Knowing the high schooler was obsessed with celebrities and cycled through 2D boyfriends like clothes, Qin Mang assumed this was some idol’s photoshoot.

She didn’t think much of the “brother” title—idols were all “gege” anyway.

Qin Mang swiped through more photos—silhouettes, back views, helmeted shots of him piloting the helicopter.

So he *could* actually fly one. Not just a prop.

*So wild.*

She liked it.

“Which idol is this? Has he debuted yet? Does he need… votes?”

As she spoke, she casually swiped to the next photo—and froze.

This time, the man’s face was visible.

He had just descended from the helicopter when the shot was taken. His dark hair was windswept, revealing his striking, ice-cold features. As he removed his gloves, he seemed to sense the camera. His lashes lifted, revealing piercing blue-gray eyes—sharp enough to steal one’s breath away.

The usual restraint was gone, replaced by a feral, almost *sinful* magnetism.

*It was He Lianji!*

Qin Mang’s beautiful face was a picture of shock.

Who would’ve thought the usually rigid, ascetic man had such a *wild* hobby?!

More importantly—

After all their *encounters*—

How had she never noticed *how* enticing his waist was?

He Xucheng’s voice was sly. “Sis, you didn’t recognize my brother?”

“Then whose waist were you praising just now?”

“An idol’s?”

Qin Mang: “…”

7**Chapter 7: The Soul-Snatching Blade**

The black extended Pullman sped down the airport road, its understated luxury unmistakable as it glided into the quaint, old-fashioned street.

Inside the car.

The young, strikingly handsome man in the back seat wore his tie perfectly knotted, as usual, all the way to the top. Silver-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, his thin lips and cold eyes exuding an air of restrained elegance—like an untouchable ice god towering above mortals.

He flipped casually through a file.

Secretary Cong finished reporting the headquarters’ work updates, then glanced discreetly at his boss’s private phone, which had lit up several times. He lowered his voice. “President He, your phone is ringing.”

He Lingji glanced indifferently at the silenced phone beside him.

The screen displayed:

**Ruan Qizhuo.**

Ruan Qizhuo had grown up in the same compound as He Lingji. Now, he ran a media company, riding the wave of live streaming to great success, and was well-versed in all the industry gossip.

Seeing that Ruan had sent nothing important—just a video—He Lingji initially ignored it.

Until he caught a glimpse of the familiar, beautiful face in the video thumbnail.

His cold eyes darkened slightly.

Handing the file to Secretary Cong, he tapped the video with his long fingers.

On screen.

A female actor, dressed in an elaborate ancient costume, soared effortlessly across rooftops under the blazing sun, suspended by wires, before plunging into flames.

Ethereal, as if enhanced by special effects.

Occasionally, the director’s voice could be heard: *“Again!”*

The actress showed no frustration. Each time she was hoisted back up, she reset her emotions and repeated the scene tirelessly.

She flew through the scorching heat and flames at least seven or eight times before the director finally called *“Cut!”*

The video ended abruptly.

The dim car lights plunged the space back into silence.

The noble, icy man remained expressionless, his lips pressed into a thin line, his jawline sharp and flawless.

He said nothing.

Ruan Qizhuo’s messages popped up one after another.

**[Your wife isn’t just dabbling—she’s risking her life!]**

**[I heard someone’s spending big to suppress this video on all platforms, but it’s still circulating in small circles.]**

**[Wait… was it you who buried it? To make her quit?]**

The more Ruan thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

What elite family would tolerate their lady being a so-called “pretty but talentless” actress? Especially the illustrious He family of Shencheng.

Ruan rambled on.

When they married, Qin Mang had already entered the entertainment industry. She’d mentioned her agency’s “zero-scandal” policy, which meant keeping the marriage secret.

He Lingji had no objections.

Thus, the true identity of Mrs. He remained undisclosed. Only those close to them knew.

He Lingji lowered his eyelids, his deep, ocean-like eyes unreadable.

After a moment, he typed lazily: **[No.]**

Ruan Qizhuo: “…”

Damn.

He hadn’t expected President He—who usually showed zero interest in anything beyond work, planes, and yachts—to actually respond.

Ruan quickly caught on.

From those two words, he sensed an—**opportunity!**

Suddenly excited, he sent a voice message: “A motivational, uplifting video like this deserves maximum exposure on our *patriotic, values-driven* live-streaming platform!”

“So, President He, how about investing in our *‘industry-leading, virtue-promoting, audience-educating’* platform?”

He Lingji replied succinctly: **[Contact Secretary Cong.]**

Ruan Qizhuo: “!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

He Lingji showed no reaction.

As if absentmindedly, his thumb brushed the screen.

Qin Mang’s usually flirtatious, mesmerizing eyes now shone brighter than the sun and flames, as if piercing through the screen to steal all the light in the world.

Beside him, Secretary Cong kept his eyes down, pretending not to notice his boss replaying the video three times.

Just before arriving at the old mansion, Ruan’s final voice message played:

“Heh, I just saw netizens saying your wife’s acting may be lacking, but she’s *so* beautiful it’s heartbreaking—”

He deliberately drew out his words, teasing:

“Your Majesty… is *this* why you’re heartbroken?”

—

“So, sis-in-law, why did you mistake my brother for someone else?”

In the living room.

Faced with her little sister-in-law’s protective interrogation, Qin Mang closed her eyes in frustration, pressing her delicate fingers to her forehead.

Married for a year.

And she couldn’t recognize her own husband.

What kind of loving couple was this?!

Qin Mang’s brain was overheating.

With just the two of them in the spacious living room, she dropped the act.

Relaxing, she leaned lazily against the sofa arm, her intricate cheongsam and loosely pinned hair creating a breathtakingly alluring contrast. Her slightly downturned eyes looked innocent, but her words were bold:

“A man’s waist is a soul-snatching blade.”

“Can’t I admire it?”

“Not recognizing him is your brother’s fault—”

She paused, as if struggling to say it.

He Xucheng’s eyes widened, sensing gossip:

“What’s wrong with my brother?”

Qin Mang’s red lips curled as she drawled, “He’s… *lacking* in bed—”

She even held up her little finger for emphasis.

Before she could finish.

A deep, cold chuckle sounded.

The two women froze.

They turned in unison toward the source.

The man, who had entered unnoticed, was walking toward them.

He Lingji’s handsome face showed no trace of laughter—just a wintry calm, like mist hiding an unseen threat.

Qin Mang’s heart skipped a beat, but she slowly straightened up, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her cheongsam. Her slender legs crossed elegantly, a sliver of porcelain skin peeking out.

She pretended nothing had happened.

Looking up at him with a bright smile: “Hubby, you’re here.”

“Eavesdropping isn’t nice.”

“What if we were discussing *girl talk*?”

She even flipped the script.

He Xucheng watched in awe.

*Damn, sis-in-law’s composure is next-level.*

Qin Mang subtly waved a hand. *Not that impressive.*

Noticing their silent exchange, He Lingji stepped past the antique screen and approached the sofa.

His long fingers loosened his tie.

Right in front of He Xucheng, he leaned over Qin Mang, bracing an arm on the sofa beside her. Her wide, startled eyes—glistening like water, the tiny red mole on her nose adding a touch of mischief—met his.

A far cry from the determined woman in the video.

Qin Mang’s fingers curled on her knees as his overwhelming presence closed in.

Only then did she notice his glasses today.

Behind the thin lenses, his icy blue eyes stared calmly.

Her mind screamed:

**Danger!**

**Code red!**

In comics, the most twisted killers always had this refined, *seemingly* proper vibe!

Right now, He Lingji was probably plotting a hundred ways to dismember her!

Their breaths mingled, the air growing hotter.

She stammered, “The *kid* is here… behave…”

He·18-year-old high schooler·Kid·Xucheng jumped up. “Nope, I’m gone! Carry on!”

She covered her eyes—with gaps wide enough to fit the universe.

If not for He Lingji’s usual intimidation, she’d have recorded the whole thing.

The next second.

He Lingji closed in.

His lips brushed her delicate ear, his voice frosty as ever:

“Must be fate.”

“Otherwise, how would I know my wife is so—”

“*Un-sat-is-fied.*”

Qin Mang: !

*Lies! Slander!*

*Ahhh, this bastard!*

He Xucheng: !

*Ahhh! Is this PG-13?!*

Luckily.

The timely arrival of He Lingji’s parents saved the day.

His elegant mother, in a dark green cheongsam and jade bracelet, smiled. “What are you talking about?”

“Lingji, who are you *dissatisfied* with?”

She’d caught the last word.

Behind them were other close family members, fresh from touring the newly renovated ancestral hall.

He Lingji straightened calmly.

Casual as ever: “With He Xucheng’s grades.”

Qin Mang quickly adjusted, mimicking his blame-shifting. “Focus on your college entrance exams next month, Chengcheng. No more fangirling, okay?”

He Xucheng: “…”

*So I’m the clown?*

*Are you even human?!*

*My life matters too!*

From then on, He Xucheng was lectured nonstop by the elders throughout the family dinner.

After the dinner.

Before Qin Mang could confront He Lingji, her manager Meng Ting called.

Meng sighed heavily. “I checked with the casting team for *Dreams of Old Beijing*… It’s not looking good. They’re leaning toward Shen Wanyin. The announcement might come in a few days.”

Qin Mang’s lips pressed together. Finally, she scoffed softly. “The crew has no taste.”

“*Zero* taste! When you blow up, they’ll regret it!”

Knowing her temper, Meng tread carefully. “But good news—your filming clip got leaked online. People are praising your dedication!”

(Though the comments also called her a *“stunning but mediocre actress who’s oddly pitiable.”* Meng wisely omitted that part.)

“Whatever. It’s just one role.”

Qin Mang hung up, uninterested in his rambling.

She wasn’t surprised by the热搜 (trending topic)—netizens only ever praised her looks anyway.

To the world, extreme beauty equaled empty-headedness.

Under the wisteria-covered pergola, the purple blossoms swayed in the breeze.

Qin Mang leaned against a wooden post, her lashes lowered, her fingers loosely gripping her phone as if it might drop any second.

Her slender frame looked oddly fragile amidst the flowers.

For all her willfulness, she was just a 22-year-old kid.

At the end of the pergola.

He Lingji stood tall, his presence impossible to ignore.

Already in a bad mood, seeing him made it worse.

She crossed her arms, raising a brow. “What are *you* looking at, scumbag?”

He Lingji paused mid-step, then walked over.

His gaze steady.

After a few seconds of silent standoff, Qin Mang glared.

He Lingji frowned slightly. “You’re upset.”

“Why?”

Qin Mang’s red lips twisted into a smirk. “I’m *not* upset. Even if someone rigged the game and gave the role to his little mistress, I’m *totally* fine with it…”

Her tone grew colder. “After all, this is a *business marriage*. We can always see other people.”

The last line was dripping with indifference.

He Lingji’s expression darkened, recalling her earlier excitement over *“another man.”*

Having vented, Qin Mang felt better.

She strode past him.

Behind her, He Lingji’s cool voice rang out: “Mrs. He.”

“Infidelity is a sunk cost. It doesn’t align with my principles.”

Qin Mang frowned.

What?

Was he… *explaining* himself?

This man couldn’t even bother to tell his wife when he traveled abroad for days.

Why clarify *this*?

—

The ancient alley was shaded by century-old trees, cool even in summer.

Perfect for retirement.

Past the wisteria, the street grew livelier, lined with food and game stalls.

Qin Mang spotted a balloon-shooting booth.

The top prize—a cute lion plushie—caught her eye.

Most patrons here were elderly; few young people ventured this deep.

She approached.

“Interested, miss?” The vendor didn’t recognize her.

“Yes, thanks.”

She took the toy gun, testing its weight—much lighter than the ones she’d trained with.

(She’d practiced sharpshooting for this film role.)

Here’s the translation using simple words and expressions:

—

She had even practiced shooting for a long time, until her shoulders ached every day.

Qin Mang put on disposable goggles, and when she raised the gun, her bright, beautiful eyes instantly turned sharp.

*Bang…*

Not far away, a black luxury car sat quietly.

Through the half-open window, the handsome, lazy face of a man was barely visible.

His tie was missing, and a few buttons of his shirt were undone. The usual cold arrogance was gone, replaced by a more relaxed aura.

He Lengji watched as the balloon burst.

On the ancient street’s stone pavement, a woman in a qipao holding a gun looked like a vintage beauty from an old movie.

In the dull gray tones, she stood out like a glowing gem, waiting to be discovered and shine brilliantly.

Secretary Cong coughed lightly.

He had investigated everything about *Dreams of the Capital*, including that moment when He Lengji had paused briefly upon seeing Shen Wanyin in the audition hall. The higher-ups in the crew had misunderstood it as the investor favoring her for the female lead role.

He Lengji held two reports on the actresses’ data.

Their overall scores were both: 95%.

Aside from other supporting data, their key acting scores were also the same—55%.

A tie.

No wonder she was angry.

The man’s fingers tapped lightly on the paper reports.

*Tap.*

*Tap.*

Each tap made Secretary Cong’s heart race.

Outside the car, the sound of balloons popping continued one after another.

Secretary Cong, trying to guess his boss’s thoughts, cleared his throat. *”This movie has a lot of gunfights. Since Madam is so skilled at shooting, maybe—”*

*”I’m investing in this film, not any particular person in it. If Jiang Yulin can’t do his job as a producer properly, replace him.”*

*”Reorganize the auditions. Director Zhou will oversee them.”*

Choosing a lead actress just because of one glance?

Ridiculous.

*”Replace all the higher-ups in the crew—except the director.”*

The man’s voice was icy to the bone.

Secretary Cong broke out in a cold sweat and quickly replied, *”Understood.”*

Afraid that the next one to be replaced would be him.

—

10 PM, Lakeside Manor.

Qin Mang spent two and a half hours in the bathroom before finally stepping out. She ignored the man leaning against the headboard reading a book and climbed onto the bed, shaking out her soft, fluffy hair.

With red lips and snow-white skin, even without makeup, her complexion was flawless—smooth like porcelain.

Her thin golden silk nightgown trailed almost to the floor, giving off a lazy, alluring charm. The wide sleeves were embroidered with flame-like red patterns that curled up to her shoulders.

As she moved past He Lengji, her sleeve accidentally brushed against his half-bare chest.

Qin Mang quickly pulled her sleeve back, her face scrunched in distaste.

He Lengji laughed in amusement.

*”I—”*

*”Sleep!”*

He Lengji glanced at her slender back, deliberately keeping her distance from him, and calmly agreed.

Then he put the book away and turned off the last light.

Qin Mang thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but once everything was quiet, she drifted off quickly.

At midnight, just as he expected, He Lengji found her naked and curled up against him like a little furnace.

Her body was burning hot, as if beneath her delicate skin lay a raging volcano.

*”Mmm—”*

Qin Mang woke up from the heat—but not her own.

Under her palm were firm, well-defined muscles.

The cool, icy scent of the man surrounded her, mixed with a faint, intoxicating fragrance—like a mysterious, seductive flower blooming alone on a glacier.

Hot and cold clashed, torturous yet addictive.

Realizing what was happening, Qin Mang forced her eyes open and weakly pushed at him. Her voice was hoarse. *”Get off. I’m not in the mood.”*

Just then, her phone rang sharply.

Qin Mang ignored it, but He Lengji tapped the speakerphone button for her.

*”Ms. Qin, this is Gu An, the casting director for *Dreams of the Capital*. We’d like to invite you to the final audition for the female lead at 2 PM the day after tomorrow.”*

At the mention of *Dreams of the Capital*, Qin Mang was fully awake.

She sat up abruptly, her sleepy face now filled with shock.

*”Didn’t you already pick a lead actress?”*

*”Not yet,”* the casting director said firmly. *”It’ll be decided after the audition. Please be there on time.”*

Even after hanging up, she was still dazed.

How did things suddenly turn around like this?

Was it a trap?

Maybe Shen Wanyin and the crew were setting her up for public humiliation as pre-release hype?

Unaware of her nakedness, Qin Mang sat on the black bedsheets, her fair skin glowing, her face serious as she stared at her phone, imagining countless ways the audition could turn into a fight.

Then, He Lengji wrapped an arm around her slender waist from behind. His cool, clear voice melted into her ear:

*”Now are you in the mood?”*

Hearing this, Qin Mang’s eyes sparkled like a galaxy.

A bright, alluring smile curved her red lips as she turned to him in the dark, like a living, breathing enchantress.

Suddenly, she remembered the narrow waist she had seen by the black helicopter, outlined by his belt.

Her soft fingers traced over it as she leaned close to his lips and whispered:

*”I want to be on top.”*

8**Chapter 8: Extended Pullman**

The night was as thick as ink slowly dissolving from an inkstone, dividing the world into two realms—one, a decadent, fragrant reality; the other, a digital world exploding over a few photos.

**#QinMangStreetShooting**
**#QinMangCheongsamGoddess**
**#QinMangDreamsofJinghuaFit**

These three hashtags surged to the top of the trending list late at night, nearly overtaking the top spot which was currently held by a popular male celebrity exposed for secretly being married with three kids.

It all started with a photography blogger known for capturing hidden beauty in street corners. He had originally intended to shoot the wisteria-covered alleyways and the nostalgic charm of an old street—but unintentionally captured Qin Mang playing balloon shooting at a street stall.

In the photo:

The wisteria vines spread and cascaded like waterfalls onto the stone pavement. A gentle summer breeze stirred the flower sea into delicate ripples. A woman in a cheongsam stood gracefully with a striking side profile, her fingers holding a gun. Her red lips were slightly pursed, radiating a kind of aggressive, cutting-edge beauty.

A balloon in the distance burst.

It was as though the shot pierced the viewer’s heart.

The old street and the wisteria grove, the cheongsam and the firearm—together, they painted a soul-shattering masterpiece.

Netizens were stunned—

> “She single-handedly raised the cheongsam aesthetic standard in the entertainment industry.”
> “It had to be Qin Mang!”
> “Sob sob… I knew Qin Vase would never lose in the looks department!”
> “Yesterday she was the celestial beauty in a tearjerking short video. Today she looks like a cheongsam goddess straight out of a Republican-era film. Who was it again who said Qin Mang didn’t suit cheongsams?”
> “Sis is killing me!”
> “She didn’t shoot the balloon, she shot my heart!”
> “@DreamsofJinghua official account, I take it back. Qin Mang in a cheongsam is unbeatable. Can we change the lead actress?”
> “Haha, the comment above—what do you think this is, a veggie market where you pick out napa cabbage?”

Fans of **Shen Wanyin** couldn’t stay quiet:

> “No way… no way… someone’s actually trying to steal the role with just one photo?”
> “@DreamsofJinghua, stop playing dead. Say something!”

But truthfully, they didn’t expect the official account to respond.

Because the bigger the buzz, the more it benefited them.

To their surprise—

The official account of *Dreams of Jinghua*, which had previously stayed quiet while fans fought and brought traffic, finally posted its first female lead-related update:

> **@DreamsofJinghua Movie V:** “The female lead will be officially announced at 9 PM on the 28th. Stay tuned.”

Netizens:
**What the—?!**
Why did it suddenly come back to life?

In a luxury apartment downtown—

**Shen Wanyin** was sitting on the sofa, coldly staring at the table.

There lay a draft of her contract for *Dreams of Jinghua.*

But now…

It was void.

> “Why keep trash around?”

Her manager, **Wei Qin**, picked up the voided contract, tore it in half, and tossed it into the bin.

She looked at Shen Wanyin’s makeup-free face, pale and clear like spring water. Without makeup, her features lacked the striking beauty she usually flaunted—more plain than dazzling.

When Shen Wanyin debuted, her team had initially positioned her as the innocent girl-next-door. But she remained lukewarm in popularity—until two years ago, when Wei Qin saw a viral video of Qin Mang.

Wei Qin, one of the most sharp-eyed managers in the industry who had launched many top actresses including current A-lister **Zhou Yuan**, immediately pivoted.

At that time, there were no prominent “aggressively beautiful” actresses in the industry. Wei Qin quickly revamped Shen Wanyin’s image, pouring in resources to crown her as the “bold beauty” **before** Qin Mang’s debut.

Sure enough, Qin Mang went viral soon after.

Over the next two years, Shen Wanyin’s team constantly published beauty comparison articles to suppress Qin Mang and claimed the “bold beauty” title as her own.

Now, looking at the trending photos of Qin Mang in a cheongsam, Wei Qin could only shake her head in regret.

She leaned down and patted Shen Wanyin’s shoulder meaningfully.

> “Don’t worry. Contracts can be voided. Roles can be recast even after filming starts. Even after a film is wrapped, there are plenty of cases where actresses get replaced before the release.”

> “It’s just an audition.”

Shen Wanyin wasn’t dumb.

She clearly understood the subtext and finally showed a bit of emotion. She poured a cup of hot tea for Wei Qin, her voice softening:

> “Sister Wei, I’ll do my best.”

The night deepened.

At some point, strong winds howled against the windows. Rain began to spatter against the glass, and soon a torrential downpour poured like a galaxy collapsing.

In the villa on the second floor of a lakeside estate, dazzling lights stayed on all night.

Qin Mang finally got her hands on the “Soul-Stealing Blade” she had been drooling over since seeing the photo—and this was the **exclusive** deep-cut version.

Under the bright lights, her palm touched the man’s cool-toned skin, which now radiated with strange heat—like lava rolling under crystal ice.

The black silk robe hung loosely from his shoulders, exposing broad, chiseled muscles. In the interplay of light and shadow, his slim waist and defined abs exuded a dangerous, compelling strength. Like a perfectly sculpted statue in a museum, each muscle was carved to perfection.

Qin Mang licked her dry lips and watched as a bead of sweat slid down his throat, trailing along the defined lines of his abs, forming a sinuous waterline that sparked wild imagination.

**He was dangerously hot.**

Beautiful, yes.

But Qin Mang was spoiled, hated pain and fatigue. After a few minutes of enjoyment—

She wanted to call it quits.

> “I’m done, I’m done.”
> “Such a beautiful night. Doing this is so boring—let’s just chat, okay?”

The next second—

The man pulled her back.

His usually cool voice now tinged with hoarseness.

> “Sure.”
> “Let’s talk about where I was lacking.”
> “Here?”
> “Or here?”
> “Hmm?”

…

Qin Mang fell back again, dazed, looking up into a pair of grey-blue eyes that seemed full of destructive desire. Her flushed face was so alluring, she bit her lower lip, breathless:

> “…”

**Dead conversation.**

> “Nowhere to run.”

Faced with danger, Qin Mang clutched his half-removed robe and muttered in a tiny voice.

Unexpectedly, **Mrs. He** still had the brainpower to think of something else. **He Lingji**’s eyes locked onto the little red mole on her nose, now even more seductive after contact with water. His lips brushed past it casually, then moved downward—

At the same time, gripping her waist, he let out a deep, magnetic chuckle:

> “You mean riding a tiger… or riding—”
> “Me?”

**AHHHHHHHHH!**

—

**The next morning.**

Qin Mang lay on her side, her black curls spread out messily on the pillow. She looked disheveled and tired as she stared accusingly at the man tying his tie in front of the full-length mirror.

The suit fit him perfectly, highlighting his tall frame and refined demeanor. His cold features, even down to the exposed wrist bone, screamed aloof elegance.

His smiling voice from last night still echoed in her ears—but the moment he got out of bed, he acted as if **nothing** had happened.

> “Hypocrite!”

What celibate aesthetic?

He was clearly a beast!

Qin Mang puffed her cheeks angrily.

Wrapped in a thin blanket, she sat cross-legged, her eyelids still blushed as if stained by rouge. Her glare wasn’t angry—it was more like a pout.

**He Lingji** had planned to go straight to work.

But Mrs. He’s resentful little glare was too intense. He turned slightly, considered for a moment, then said calmly:

> “Prepare well for your audition today.”

And off he went, calm as ever.

Qin Mang:
**“…”**

**Was he even human?!**

Did he forget what they did last night?

She was in this state, and he still remembered to remind her to go work!

Even capitalist overlords weren’t this exploitative!

> “That cheongsam photo of yours is still trending. Finally, netizens have cleared their eyes. If I had known, I would’ve had you shoot more cheongsam photos back then.”

> “Oh right—international top magazine *EG* is interested in inviting you for their September cover. Gold September, Silver October—you know how valuable that is!”

Now, they were just waiting for Qin Mang to land the female lead in *Dreams of Jinghua*.

Now, everyone is just waiting for Qin Mang to land the lead female role in *Dreams of Old Jinghua*.
If she gets it, both her fashion and film/TV opportunities will rise to a whole new level.

**Afternoon of the 28th, in the audition makeup room.**
Qin Mang sat with her eyes half-closed while the makeup artist carefully applied makeup to her face. She moved gently, afraid of hurting her delicate skin.
Manager Meng Ting stood beside her, talking softly.

Qin Mang didn’t let the sudden trending news and great resources make her lose focus. She knew very well—
If she failed this audition, the higher she was praised now, the harder she would fall.

So she had no choice—
She *must* succeed.

The audition would use random scenes from the script.
She didn’t know what exactly she would get.
So she practiced the parts she was weakest at.

These past two days, she spent two hours a day practicing how to smoke and blow perfect smoke rings.
Her gentle, slightly hoarse voice answered, “Got it.”

But then—
Assistant A-Tong rushed in nervously. “Mang-jie, something bad happened!”

“Shen Wanyin brought a performance coach with her!”

“Huh?”

Qin Mang was calmly playing with her long, sparkly earrings, twirling them around her fingers. She slowly lifted her eyelashes and squinted, showing a faint smile. “So what?”

A-Tong was furious. “It’s not just any coach—it’s Fu Ping! A respected old actress, and she used to teach Director Zhou at drama school!”

“She basically brought a cheat code with her!”

Meng Ting jumped up. “What?!”

Qin Mang exhaled slowly.
She was angry too.

While Meng Ting and A-Tong panicked, Qin Mang picked up her phone and sent a message to the ‘Cold-blooded Capitalist’.

**LittleLion_RoarMeow:** *Is this audition about acting or who has the better connections?* (attached: sarcastic laughing meme)

Before she could even think of what to do, someone came to call her for the audition.

She passed Shen Wanyin at the door. Just as they brushed shoulders, Shen whispered in her ear, “Looking forward to seeing your acting.”
Without waiting for a reply, she flipped her wavy hair and walked away like a drama queen.

Meng Ting heard that and gritted his teeth.
“Fu Ping is famous for being harsh and straightforward. She hates pretty-faced celebrities who rely on looks. She says whatever she wants, and no one dares to talk back because she has a high status in the industry.”

“Shen Wanyin isn’t just trying to take the role—she wants you to be humiliated in front of everyone.”

A-Tong said nervously, “Maybe we shouldn’t go in. It’s just a formality anyway.”

She couldn’t stand the thought of her Mang-jie being insulted.

Qin Mang gave a short laugh. “Let’s try.”
With a calm face, she pushed open the door.

Her slim figure looked weak, but her attitude was strong and proud like a little swan. Even if she lost, she wouldn’t run away.

The scene felt dramatic—A-Tong teared up quietly.

Right after, Meng Ting warned her:
“Just act—don’t hit anyone.”
“Also, don’t shoot anyone. Killing is illegal.”
“There are cameras. I won’t be able to cover for you.”

That instantly stopped A-Tong’s tears.

To make things fair, the whole audition was being recorded.
Meng Ting’s concern wasn’t wrong.

Qin Mang really did get the scene with a gun.
The gun was fake, like a toy from a street stall, without any bullets.

Then, Qin Mang finally met the legendary Fu Ping.
The old lady gave off the air of a classic actress, proud and elegant. But the moment she saw Qin Mang’s face, her expression turned serious.

The big room suddenly felt quiet.
An assistant director quietly introduced Qin Mang.
Fu Ping said nothing.

She had seen too many pretty girls trying to make quick money in the industry.
They didn’t deserve to be called real actors.
She already decided to make this one give up.

Director Zhou said, “Start.”

In the next second—
Qin Mang’s casual expression turned sharp and suspicious. She picked up the toy gun she’d been playing with and aimed—
Fu Ping was stunned.

This was what they called “getting into character in one second.”

Qin Mang was fully focused, forgetting everything else.

After the scene ended,
Director Zhou casually asked, “Why is your voice hoarse?”

Qin Mang blinked back to herself and explained honestly, “There’s a smoking scene in the script. I thought it might come up, so I practiced for a few days. My throat’s just a bit sore, it’ll recover soon.”

Director Zhou nodded with satisfaction.
Fu Ping didn’t say anything.

She didn’t give any praise or criticism.

Even when Director Zhou announced that Qin Mang got the lead role, Fu Ping stayed silent.

Where was the rumored sharp tongue?
What happened to “not tolerating pretty faces”?

Qin Mang was confused.
So were Meng Ting and A-Tong.

The three of them went to the restroom to calm down and make sure they weren’t dreaming.
The lead role… just like that?

Just as they turned the hallway corner,
they heard a familiar voice.

The three of them looked at each other and stopped.

“You promised to help me. Why did you back out?”
“And you always hated actresses with just a pretty face. Why did you—”

Fu Ping turned to look, her face very serious.
“Qin Mang got into character in one second. If she’s just a pretty face, then what are you?”

The words hit hard.

After a long pause:
“Next time, focus more on acting. Don’t waste your natural talent.”

That last sentence was full of sarcasm.

She walked away.

Even though it was a short conversation, it said a lot.

“…Pfft.”
A few seconds later, after Fu Ping left, Qin Mang couldn’t help clapping with a smile. “Impressive, Teacher Shen. No wonder people say you’re so talented.”

Shen Wanyin’s face, pale before, now turned dark.

“You—”

Qin Mang slowly raised her white fingers and waved.
“Careful.
I recorded it, you know.”

—

Later, the audition room was already empty.
A-Tong cheered, “That was so satisfying!”
“Mang-jie, did you really record it?”
“Great! Now we’ve got something on her. Did you see her face—”

Meng Ting knocked A-Tong’s head. “You think the young lady’s as silly as you?”

A recording won’t do much.
And it’s not even Qin Mang’s style. She just wanted to annoy Shen Wanyin.

The truth was—her phone had been in Meng Ting’s hands the whole time.

—

It was still early, only 4 p.m.
The city had many trees, and in spring and summer, flowers bloomed everywhere.

The sun shone through a big camphor tree near the entrance, leaving dappled light on the ground.

As Qin Mang walked down the steps, light landed on her fair skin.
To her sensitive skin, it felt like boiling water, and her fine brows pinched together.

She had been too caught up in the drama—
Should’ve asked A-Tong to borrow a parasol.

Just then, she lifted her eyes—and froze.
Noticed a familiar car nearby.

It was sleek and powerful, like a black wolf lazily dozing in the sun.

**LittleLion_RoarMeow:** *You’re outside?*
**Cold-blooded Capitalist:** *Oh, just passing by. Wanted to see who’s competing with Mrs. He for best connections.*

Qin Mang hesitated on the steps, wanting to share her happy moment.

She made up her mind to run over, even under the sun.

But then—
Right in front of her eyes, the long black Pullman car drove right past and left.

What? Wait—
That jerk really *was* just passing by?!

9**Chapter 09 Manjusaka (Red Spider Lily)**
The official social media account for *A Dream of Beijing* announced the female lead on the same day.
The picture they used was a candid from her audition.

The woman looked stunning—her features were beautiful and cold, with a mysterious vibe. Her simple black embroidered qipao only highlighted her perfect looks. Just looking into her eyes made people imagine an entire story.

This time, unlike last time when people only praised her looks in a qipao, there were many sincere compliments about her acting and how well she fit the role.

> “As expected, the only one who can beat Qin Mang is another Qin Mang.”
> “Say what you want, but Qin Mang’s eyes are full of spirit. She pulls you right into the story.”
> “Who doesn’t love a beautiful and hardworking actress?”

Inside a beauty salon, Qin Mang had finally relaxed a bit after auditioning for Director Zhou’s film, so she invited Wu Yuxi to get facials together.
Afterward, Qin Mang was lounging lazily in a silk robe in the lounge, while gossip-loving Wu Yuxi read fans’ comments to her with a mysterious smile.

Suddenly, her expression changed.
“Where did this idiot come from? Saying you got the role not with talent, but through connections?”

Qin Mang slowly opened her eyes, her dark pupils shining, and picked up her phone lazily:
“Oh?”
Connections?
Which one exactly? That ‘passing by’ guy?

Wu Yuxi asked, “This comment is about to hit the top of your Weibo. Want to delete it?”
“Delete what?”
Qin Mang snorted and replied with her main account:

> “Go on, tell me. Which mountain did I rely on?”

Right after posting it, she counted:
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three—”

Her phone rang loudly.
Meng Ting wailed, “Are you trying to kill our PR team?!”

Qin Mang calmly brushed him off.
“They were already useless. That’s why Shen Wanyin crushed them for two years.”

After she hung up, Wu Yuxi asked, annoyed, “Why’d you even sign with this dying company? They have no resources and weak PR.”

Qin Mang had almost forgotten why she signed with them.
Maybe it was because since the beginning, Meng Ting promised her freedom, never forced her to do what she didn’t like—and he kept that promise.

Wu Yuxi didn’t really get it, but she changed the topic:
“By the way, isn’t President He getting into the film business? Ask him to get you a top team.”

“Him?”
Thinking about He Lingji’s usual behavior, Qin Mang clicked her tongue, “He never does charity.”

Wu Yuxi glanced at the love bites visible under Qin Mang’s robe and smirked, pretending to be innocent. She poked her collarbone, “Aren’t you two close?”

Qin Mang took a sip of red wine, lips curving with amusement.
“Legally… friends with benefits?”

Wu Yuxi: speechless.

Qin Mang added casually, “President He’s stamina’s not bad. Good for fun now and then.”

Wu Yuxi: Only you would dare treat President He like a toy.

That ‘toy’ had been busier than Qin Mang lately, even though she was about to join a film crew.
They lived under the same roof but hadn’t seen each other in days.

But Qin Mang wasn’t idle either.
As the officially announced lead of a major S+ film adaptation, offers flooded into Meng Ting’s inbox.
After careful consideration, Meng Ting chose a big film festival’s opening ceremony for her first public appearance.

He stressed, “You *have* to look drop-dead gorgeous! Blind all the haters!”

Qin Mang wore a silver-white gradient fishtail dress that showed off her perfect figure. Though it looked simple, it was full of intricate details. The way the dress moved with her steps made her shine like a goddess. Unlike the vintage qipao before, she now looked like a celestial being descending from the sky.

People could criticize her acting, but no one could say she lacked presence. She confidently drew the media’s attention on the red carpet.
She absolutely stole the show.

Despite many watching her, Qin Mang calmly took a seat in the third row. She didn’t have a film nominated, and this seat was something Meng Ting had worked hard to get her—“Just to let you experience it,” he said.

So that next time, when she’s nominated for Best Actress, she’d be ready.
Qin Mang agreed completely.
She *was* going to win Best Actress one day.

While the actresses around her sat stiffly, afraid to look bad on camera, Qin Mang looked relaxed. But her natural elegance still showed through.

She enjoyed the idol group’s dance performance on stage.
They were full of energy, slim waists and long legs moving like flowing water.

She couldn’t believe she’d once mistaken He Lingji for someone else. They weren’t even on the same level.
No wonder just one interview video of him had made fans obsessed for so long.

Qin Mang’s eyes drifted.

Near the end of the show, someone suddenly sat next to her—someone with a strong presence.
She slowly turned her head and saw a man in a suit, with long black hair tied back casually. Very recognizable.

“Director Lin?”

Lin Chenxuan had a naturally handsome face, but his long hair didn’t make him look feminine at all.
After receiving the *Soul Night* script, Meng Ting had told her all about this top director—it was hard to believe he looked so young in person.

Lin Chenxuan examined her face closely.
It was the kind of face that had a story—perfect for his character.

“Have you thought about the script I gave you?”
“If the timing clashes with *A Dream of Beijing*, I can delay it. That role is very challenging.”

He didn’t like small talk and got straight to the point.

Qin Mang remembered the script and said politely, “It’s a bit… bold. I’m not experienced in that kind of role.”

People had started noticing them.
Seeing her hesitation, Lin Chenxuan, for once, showed some social awareness. He handed her his phone.
“This place isn’t great for talking. Let’s connect later.”

—

Qin Mang didn’t think much of giving Lin Chenxuan her contact info.
A top director like him wouldn’t be short on actresses, right?

Later that night, almost midnight, she was home.
She was exhausted, but couldn’t sleep.

Lying in bed, tossing and turning, she suddenly sat up and decided to get some air.

Passing the coffee table, she noticed the two scripts she left there. She paused, then bent down and stuffed *Soul Night* into a drawer.
She picked up the other one.

She was joining the crew in two weeks.
There were still skills she needed to work on—like how to smoke seductively.

The top floor of the mansion had a large rooftop terrace. The dome ceiling, a special design from He Corp, could show a changing starry sky.
It was open now.

Tonight was beautiful. The sky was full of stars, like gems.
Qin Mang suddenly remembered she hadn’t added to her gem collection lately.
She needed to ask around about any upcoming auctions.

Ten minutes later—
She sat in a large black chair, wearing a fiery red mini dress.
She crossed her legs like the character in the film would, her pale, smooth legs swinging slightly.

Meanwhile, in the living room, He Lingji came home late again.
Seeing the butler hesitating to speak, he asked calmly, “What is it?”

The butler replied, “Madam hasn’t gone to bed yet. She’s on the rooftop.”

“At this hour?”
He looked at his watch—1 a.m.
“What kind of fresh air is she enjoying?”

He was about to head to the bedroom but changed his mind and walked to the top floor, loosening his collar as he went.

He didn’t take the elevator. He walked.

When he opened the heavy door, he saw—
Beneath the starry sky,
The girl held a thin cigarette between her delicate white fingers. She stared at the glowing tip for a while before finally bringing it to her lips.

Her lips, full and bright, bit gently on the cigarette. Surrounded by smoke, she looked like a dream.
It was dangerously seductive.

She’d just taken a puff—
When a hand, like carved jade, suddenly appeared and gently took the cigarette from her lips.

“Cough, cough, cough…”
Startled, she choked hard on the smoke.

“You f***ing… trying to kill me?”
Her voice was hoarse from coughing.
She glared at the culprit.

That damn man never acts like a normal

The man casually played with a thin cigarette between his fingers. His fingertips still held the faint, wet feeling of her lips. Suddenly, he gave a playful smile and said, “Hiding here to smoke?”

He was already tall, and now he was standing against the light, looking down at Qin Mang who was sitting in a chair. The way he stood made her feel a strange kind of pressure. She raised her chin proudly and said, “I’m not hiding.”

“I’m smoking openly.”

“Give it back!”

He Lingji calmly put out the cigarette, then picked up the woman who still refused to go back to sleep. He said in a flat tone, “Smoking before bed will give you a deadly disease.”

Qin Mang: “?”

Does he think I’m a three-year-old?

If one puff could give you a deadly disease, half the world would be gone.

But men were stronger than women, and she couldn’t fight back. So she had no choice but to let He Lingji carry her back to the bedroom like she had lost all hope.

She watched as he threw her into the bathtub and turned on the shower.

Qin Mang crossed her arms and said, nearly breaking down, “I already took a shower!”

“Take another one.”

He Lingji treated her like a toy, washing away all the cigarette smell from her. Only then did the frown on his face soften.

Qin Mang was speechless the whole time: “……”

Just as she was starting to enjoy being taken care of, she looked up at her “not-so-professional” bath assistant.

His white silk shirt was wet from the shower water and stuck to his body, almost see-through, as he turned to hang up the showerhead.

As she stared at his half-bare back, her lazy expression suddenly froze.

Under the wet fabric, there were black patterns winding down his back!

She thought she was seeing things.

She raised her wet little hand and rubbed her eyes.

Hiss—

Now it was even blurrier.

He Lingji noticed her expression and let out a quiet laugh.

“Turn around. Let me see again!” Qin Mang’s brain finally started working.

She was annoyed she hadn’t noticed before—He Lingji had been hiding a big secret on his body!

He Lingji didn’t want to keep wearing the wet shirt either. He took it off without hesitation, letting his wife see everything clearly, and then reached for his belt.

The silk shirt slid down his back and fell to the wet tiles.

Under the bright lights, nothing could be hidden.

Qin Mang’s breathing became lighter.

A mysterious red spider lily bloomed on his back, its petals winding around his shoulder and down, covering half his back. The color went from light ink to a darker shade, like a flower blooming lazily in the depths of a dark abyss, or a masterpiece carefully carved by God himself. It looked natural, like it had always been there.

It looked like a tattoo—but far more mysterious.

Water drops rolled down the flower design.

Qin Mang also thought it was a tattoo. She reached out with her pale finger and touched it, then smiled, “What is this? A sign from your rebellious teen years?”

He Lingji’s low voice, made a bit rough by the water, replied, “I’ve had it since I was little.”

“Huh?”

“A birthmark?”

“Something like that.”

Qin Mang felt a little bitter. This man really was blessed—even his birthmark looked like it was drawn on by a famous artist. She couldn’t help but reach out again, her fingers itching to trace the complex, mysterious pattern.

He Lingji quickly finished his shower, clearly not wanting to stay on the topic.

Just then, feeling her touch, he changed the subject: “Wanna do it?”

Though… he had an early trip tomorrow.

Not much time.

Still, if his wife had any needs, he would do his best to meet them—as her husband.

Even in bed.

Qin Mang hadn’t planned on it.

But she couldn’t sleep now, and this mysterious flower had definitely stirred something.

Maybe she could treat He Lingji like a sleep aid—tire herself out and fall asleep after.

That might work.

…

He Lingji, aiming for speed, dried her off and carried her back to bed.

Five minutes into the main event—

On the big bed, the girl’s toes curled up like little white pearls.

Her voice let out a soft, sweet sound.

He Lingji exhaled slowly, his jaw tight. Under the warm yellow light, his cool gray-blue eyes looked cold and restrained.

The next second, before he finished, he pulled away and left.

After a moment, Qin Mang recovered and tried to hug him to change positions. She also wanted another look at that spider lily. But he confused her by moving away.

She hesitated. “You… you’re done already?”

He Lingji didn’t get mad at her words. Instead, he gave a strange reply: “You’re the one who’s done.”

Qin Mang thought about it for a few seconds, then looked at him with wide eyes: “Are you saying… I finished too fast?!”

He Lingji slowly pulled the blanket out from under her and gently covered her up. His calm voice said:

“Miss Qin, have you considered this—”

“Hm?”

“Maybe I’m just that good.”

10Chapter 10: The Adult’s Holiday

4 a.m.

Secretary Cong Zhen and the driver arrived punctually at the lakeside estate. The driver took the suitcase handed over by the butler.

Through the half-lowered rear car window, one could faintly make out He Lingji’s handsome profile, his pupils icy cold, devoid of warmth—until his gaze swept across the tightly shut terrace on the second floor.

Just before the car started, he unexpectedly asked about Qin Mang’s smoking.

The butler waiting by the door was caught off guard, pausing half a second before replying respectfully, “Madam is practicing for a role in her next film.”

He Lingji responded with a vague hum, as if it were a casual remark, and his thin lips lightly uttered three words: “To the airport.”

The car drove out of the estate gates.

The sky was still dark, the cabin dimly lit.

Secretary Cong inadvertently looked up and caught a glimpse of his boss’s elegant and refined face in the rearview mirror. At this moment, his expression was indifferent, his features cold and sharp—enough to instill fear.

It was his usual look, but now carried an inexplicable nuance.

Recalling the question He had just asked at the door, Cong composed himself, then tentatively suggested, “If it’s just for practice, perhaps we could develop a harmless type of cigarette for Madam?”

He Lingji slowly looked up.

His cold eyes were sharp, but he didn’t stop Cong from continuing.

Feeling reassured, Cong pressed on, “I’ve read the script of Old Dreams of Jinghua—there really are many smoking scenes. This specially made cigarette could also be used during filming.”

After all, He was the investor, and Madam the lead actress. Cong had made time in his busy schedule to read the entire script.

He Lingji didn’t respond. His fingers bent slightly, tapping the armrest seemingly absentmindedly.

In the quiet car, only shallow breaths could be heard.

And a faint, rhythmic tapping sound.

“…”

Cong snapped back to attention and added seriously, “Since it’s your first film investment, caring about the actor’s health is something an investor ought to do.”

Finally, a faint and mocking sound escaped the man’s throat: “Cong Zhen, do you know that trying to guess your superior’s thoughts is a grave taboo in the workplace?”

Not a question, but a statement.

Cong Zhen: “…”

Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

He had overestimated Madam’s importance in He’s eyes—forgot his place—and forgot that what He loathed most was having his thoughts guessed at, especially guessed wrong.

Thinking of He Lingji’s usual zero-tolerance and ruthless approach, Cong’s face turned ashen.

He was doomed.

But then—

The next second.

He Lingji calmly ordered, “You handle the follow-up.”

In just a few seconds, Cong felt as if he had ascended from hell to heaven.

Thank heavens, thank earth, thank Madam!

It wasn’t an overestimation—it was an underestimation!

…

As dawn approached, a streak of rich rouge color slowly appeared on the horizon, and not long after, the clouds fully dispersed.

Qin Mang was still in a deep sleep.

In her dream, mist swirled and gradually condensed into a mysterious manjusaka flower. Its petals were thin and winding, elegantly unfurling. The flower floated over a cool-toned white canvas, which slowly transformed into the sculpted back of a man. Water droplets cascaded down, soaking black tattoos until they looked alive—seductive, mysterious, and surreal.

Drip drip—

The water droplets grew more dense.

Like scattered pearls.

They trailed down perfect, sculptural lines… lower and lower, until—

Qin Mang sat bolt upright in bed, staring blankly at the wall. Without even bothering to put on slippers, she ran barefoot to the bathroom.

The mirror reflected her face flushed with color, eyes shimmering with emotion.

Qin Mang’s expression was hard to describe.

Ahhhh!

How desperate was she to be dreaming like that?!

This was all that dog He Lingji’s fault!

Clearly, she needed to get back to work. Too much free time led to nonsense like this.

So Qin Mang expressionlessly ordered Meng Ting to fill up her schedule before she joined the film crew.

Meng Ting even wondered if the heiress’s family had gone bankrupt, and she was suddenly forced to hustle for a living.

But the heiress didn’t last more than a few days before crashing.

The fairy was exhausted.

Running from one appointment to the next every day was so hard, and so she turned the tables and accused him: “Are you treating me like a cash cow? Even accepting these useless variety shows and interviews?”

Meng Ting: “…”

He silently prayed for Old Dreams of Jinghua to start filming soon and send their little ancestor into “rehabilitation.”

Originally, Qin Mang thought that since she hadn’t heard from Lin Chenxuan’s side, it was all in the past.

But—

A week later.

After a physical training class, she saw Meng Ting walk in holding his phone, eyeing her from head to toe.

Qin Mang took the soft wet towel from A-Tong and calmly wiped her sweat, glancing sideways. “What are you looking at?”

Dressed in a dark qipao, her figure now more graceful from the intense training, she looked even more enchanting—retaining her natural elegance while now exuding a mature, alluring charm.

“I’m wondering if you secretly went to a fortune master to change your luck.”

Qin Mang: “…”

Her red lips parted.

She wanted to curse him out, but had no words.

After all, none of the lessons from her youth included how to curse people out!

“Speak like a normal person.”

Meng Ting handed her a platinum-gold invitation:

“I don’t get it. You couldn’t land a single decent lead role for two years, and now someone like Director Lin Chenxuan insists it must be you. Don’t tell me you really went and lit incense in a temple?”

Qin Mang: “Stop spreading superstitions.”

Meng Ting: “…”

Qin Mang toyed with the intricately embossed invitation with her porcelain fingers, not even opening it.

Seeing her expression, Meng Ting’s heart trembled. He quickly reminded her, “If you want to make it in film, even if we don’t want to accept Lin’s project, we need to politely decline. Do you even know what ‘polite’ means?”

Especially since Director Lin had shown great humility—and it was for the script.

Qin Mang replied coolly, “Nope.”

To her, it was a foregone decision. Whether she looked or not didn’t matter—why waste time?

It was a great script, but she couldn’t take it. If she dared, her uncle would break her legs.

Meng Ting tried reasoning:
“We’re just getting started. We can’t afford to offend anyone. It’s just a movie screening—three hours tops.”

“Otherwise your Best Actress dreams will…”

“Fine.”

Qin Mang lost her patience, casually slapped the invitation back into his hand, and walked past him. “I’ll go. But I’m not taking the role.”

“Relax.”

“When have I ever forced you to accept a role?”

…

Two hours later.

Qin Mang changed out of her qipao and chose a youthful pleated skirt and school-style top, trying to look as far removed from the lead in Director Lin’s script as possible.

Inside a privately booked theater in Deep City, the lights were dim, with only a faint glow from the screen.

It was clearly an old film, not high-definition, but there was a kind of hazy beauty to it.

As Qin Mang walked down the steps, she noticed the man seated in the second-row corner. His long hair draped over his slim shoulders, and his elegant profile appeared faintly pale in the projection light.

Sensing her arrival, he didn’t turn around and simply said in a calm voice, “Sit.”

Ten minutes into the movie.

Lin Chenxuan suddenly asked, “Still not considering acting in my film?”

It was a foreign movie.

The beginning was dreamy and artistic, about a blonde girl from a small town making it into a top university. But since it was summer, the girl wore very little, and there were occasional revealing shots.

The plot was strong, and Qin Mang—who loved movies—was quickly drawn in. Caught off guard by Lin’s question, a hint of confusion flashed through her beautiful eyes.

She gradually pulled herself out of the movie.

Then she heard Lin Chenxuan calmly offer a new condition, “You have priority in choosing the male lead who plays opposite you.”

In the entire entertainment industry, this was considered a very sincere offer.

Moreover, Director Lin was notorious for being capricious and domineering in casting decisions—no one could ever change his mind once it was made.

Qin Mang stayed silent for a long time.

After about two minutes.

She finally let out a soft sigh and said slowly, “Director Lin, you’re a great director. But I’m not yet a good actress.”

“I really can’t make sacrifices for the sake of film art.”

Lin Chenxuan frowned, thinking Qin Mang wanted to keep bargaining.

Just as he was about to up the offer again, his phone lit up. After he turned it off, it lit up again.

His frown deepened.

Qin Mang, showing some tact this time, said, “If you’ve got something to handle, you can go ahead.”

Lin Chenxuan turned off his phone again and stood up. His pale jaw motioned toward the screen. “You can finish watching the movie before deciding.”

“The content isn’t as explicit as it was in the script—at most, it’s about the same as this film.”

Anything more wouldn’t pass censorship, even abroad.

With that, Lin Chenxuan didn’t wait for Qin Mang’s answer and left the theater.

Outside, his assistant had already been waiting for some time.

In his rush, he didn’t notice the plain black sedan behind the trees nearby, whose headlights flickered for a moment.

…

Qin Mang had been tense for so long that she felt a little tired. Her eyes returned to their usual clear and languid state. Leaning back against the genuine leather armchair, her whole body finally relaxed.

She liked to watch movies from start to finish—once interrupted, it was hard for her to concentrate again.

But not seeing the ending always left her unsatisfied.

Her fingers toyed with her thin phone, a bit bored.

As her eyes accidentally landed on the date—June 8th—she suddenly felt frustrated.

She’d actually missed a legitimate occasion to ask for a gift!

Qin Mang had a tradition when it came to shopping:

No matter the holiday—domestic or international—if there was one, she would buy herself a gemstone as a present.

Otherwise, how would that vibrant, multicolored gemstone collection have come to be?

After calming herself down for quite a while, she began rapidly tapping out a message to Wu Yuxi:

**[Little Watermelon, I’m really miserable. I’ve been so busy I didn’t even get to celebrate June 1st. I was planning to gift myself a ruby coral ornament for Children’s Day, but now I missed it. Gotta wait for the next holiday…]**

**[Being an actress is inhumane!]**

Wu Yuxi replied instantly.

**World’s No.1 Influencer: [What adult celebrates June 1st? Celebrate June 9th instead.]**

**[Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything.]**

**Little Lion Awoo Meow: [June 9th? What kind of holiday is that? Never heard of it.]**

**World’s No.1 Influencer: [Look it up. It’s a restricted holiday—you can only celebrate it with your husband~]**

Husband?

Oh.

She did still have a husband who had been “missing” for seven days without a word.

Thinking of the black card the housekeeper had handed her, Qin Mang gave a low laugh and slowly sent a voice message: “From now on, I’ll spend every holiday with my husband.”

Wu Yuxi: “Hehehe, that’s how it should be.”

Qin Mang took a sip of lemon juice, then opened a search app with one hand and typed: 69

She entered the two numbers and tapped search.

One second later.

She entered an entirely new world.

?

Qin Mang had just taken a sip of lemon juice and nearly choked—What the heck kind of “June 9th” is this!?

Wu Yuxi!

That little pervert!

As she picked up her phone, preparing to video call and “punish” the little pervert, the lemon juice in her hand accidentally sloshed a bit, spilling a few drops onto the screen. In the dim lighting, Qin Mang didn’t notice anything unusual.

Not until she tried to start a video call with Wu Yuxi and the phone unexpectedly switched to the WeChat page of “Cold-blooded Capitalist.”

Qin Mang was completely unprepared.

The video connected.

And revealed the elegant, handsome face of He Lingji.

At that moment, Qin Mang didn’t realize what was wrong. Lips slightly parted, she was just about to say she called the wrong person.

But the next second—

A low, magnetic voice from the other side reached her first, “Mrs. He, what kind of movie are you watching?”

The movie had already progressed to the scene where the female lead meets the young heir at her graduation ball—Qin Mang hadn’t noticed the plot had shifted.

At those words, she instinctively looked up, only to see on the big screen:

On a lavish, retro French bed, behind half-drawn golden sheer curtains, the man and woman had already rolled to the edge.

And their current position—

Was exactly the one she had just searched.

**”Oral sex—”**

**”For me.”**

Qin Mang was shocked by the line, and Lin Chenxuan’s earlier words suddenly echoed in her head—**“The content isn’t too explicit.”**

This? Not explicit?

Any more and it would be straight-up adult film territory!

Wait a minute.

Qin Mang’s slender wrist holding the phone suddenly froze.

Replaying everything in slow motion, she turned her gaze back to the screen—

Only to realize she had been using the **rear camera**, aimed directly at the movie screen!

Her wide black-and-white eyes went round.

She fumbled to switch it to the front camera, but the lemon juice had made the screen unresponsive. While pretending to be calm, she loudly declared, “This is cinematic art! Raise your level of thinking a bit—don’t just have dirty thoughts!”

Finally, she found the power button and shut the phone off.

…

**Ling City, He Corporation Second Branch Office.**

Qin Mang’s righteously indignant words had echoed through the entire large conference room via the phone.

Everyone held their breath.

The meeting had already concluded, but now that they had overheard something they shouldn’t have, and since President He hadn’t said anything, no one dared move.

He Lingji paused thoughtfully, then casually tossed the phone onto the cool silver conference table. As if offhandedly, he said:

“Everyone here was selected for being top-tier talent. I’m sure you all understood the artistic depth my wife just mentioned, right?”

The team exchanged nervous glances.

Who would dare say they didn’t?

But they didn’t dare say they *did*, either.

What if it was a trap?

He Lingji took their silence as understanding and calmly concluded, “I don’t quite get it—why don’t you all explain it to me?”

**“No one leaves until it’s fully explained.”**

**Everyone else: “!”**

11**Chapter 11: Scorching Lava**

As for Qin Mang—
Upon hearing from Cong Zhen, she learned that not only had she embarrassed herself in front of He Lingji, but also in front of a whole group of people. After that, she suddenly found herself calm, almost like a Buddhist.

As long as she wasn’t embarrassed, the embarrassing ones were others.
And, moreover, she was admiring genuine movie art.

Qin Mang tried to stay focused, but certain images kept popping into her head.
There was that position she had seen during a search the other day.
It felt like it had become embedded in her mind.
The protagonist unconsciously seemed to have switched to her and He Lingji.
She couldn’t think about it!
How could a pure, untainted fairy be filled with such dark and vulgar images?!

Fortunately, before He Lingji returned from his business trip, the *Beijing Dream* production crew had notified her that they would begin early and start reading the script.
On June 9th.

Qin Mang wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or regretful. In any case, all her thoughts about the crew dissipated when she saw Shen Wan Yin.
In Qingcheng, China’s largest film and television base.
The crew had generously rented out a nearby five-star hotel as the accommodation for the actors during this period.

The lobby of the hotel was lavish, with a chandelier glittering in the light. The girl at the front of the group, wearing a dark green satin gown, casually twirled a lock of her long, black hair with her fingers. Every movement was alluring and captivating, brighter than the lights around her.
Even the orderly staff couldn’t help but steal a glance, then another.

At that moment, A-Tong felt proud.
Their Mengmeng was the most beautiful movie star in the world!
Until they noticed a familiar figure near the elevator.
No mistake, it was her.
A-Tong blinked and quietly asked, “Huh? Why is Shen Wan Yin here?”

The assistant director, who had sharp ears, explained, “Teacher Shen is the second female lead.”

Qin Mang followed the gaze and saw Shen Wan Yin, her eyes filled with a casual, carefree charm.
Had Shen Wan Yin gone mad, or had her agent gone mad?
After all, this person had made it her goal to overshadow her at every turn. How could she willingly humiliate herself to play second fiddle?

…

At 10 PM, after finishing the script reading, Qin Mang lazily curled up on the couch. Her eyes were half-closed, and her long gown trailed over the pure white carpet. She looked relaxed yet weary, her expression conveying some fatigue.

At the crucial moment, Meng Ting worked efficiently. In just one day, she figured out that Shen Wan Yin had joined the crew as the second female lead for zero pay.
She drank some water, shaking off the irritation from the sultry summer night.

“Shen Wan Yin is appearing in the second female lead role for zero pay. She has acting skills, traffic, and humility. She claims she’s not after fame or profit, just wanting to learn from Director Zhou and gain experience, so the crew accepted her.”

Qin Mang lazily flipped the pages of the open script on her lap, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “She would be that honest?”

Of course not!

Meng Ting started talking more, “She brought her own scriptwriter!”
“I heard that Shen Wan Yin is notorious for altering scripts. No matter what role she plays, she always adds more scenes for herself. Even if she’s just a supporting role, she demands scenes that rival or even overshadow the lead female’s.”
“And she has the Zhou Yuan studio behind her, which specializes in PR marketing. Artists who have worked with her dare not speak out, afraid of the mess it would cause.”

Qin Mang, with her white fingers, casually flipped the pages of the script, looking coldly at it. “A scriptreader in auditions, a scriptwriter when joining the crew… Can’t she walk on her own?”

Suddenly, Meng Ting, as she thought more about it, had a bad feeling and gasped, “Could it be that she’s here to undermine you?”

After all, Zhou Yuan had made a name for himself by marketing through suppressing his rivals. Shen Wan Yin, as one of his star artists, was no different.
Looking at the films and shows that had already aired, it wasn’t uncommon for the second female lead to overshadow the female lead.
Perhaps Shen Wan Yin had come here with that very purpose.

After a long silence, Meng Ting suddenly asked, “Did you two have a blood feud in your past life?”
Maybe this life was just about revenge on Qin Mang.
From her debut, she was compared to Qin Mang time and time again.
It wasn’t that Meng Ting didn’t believe in Qin Mang’s father’s eyes, but the two were clearly not even in the same league when it came to beauty.

Qin Mang, after hearing her manager’s long-winded speculation, paused thoughtfully and said, “If that’s really the case, then I must admire Teacher Shen’s confidence.”
To dare to appear on the same big screen as her.
No matter how much she alters the script, she’ll always be the second lead, fading in the background.
So every time Shen Wan Yin was portrayed as overshadowing her, it was really comparing their presence in the same frame.

Qin Mang lowered her long lashes and refocused on the script in her hands, pondering how to film the first scene.
As for Shen Wan Yin, Qin Mang lightly added, “Keep an eye on her.”

After half a month of script readings, Qin Mang had grown increasingly familiar with the character and felt very confident about the first scene.

The day of filming arrived, and the weather was perfect. The sun, surrounded by a light mist, made the crew’s newest set, with its pink walls and dark-tiled roofs, look like it had a film filter, relaxed and classical.
It almost felt like it was a sign of smooth shooting ahead.

Qin Mang had perfected her vintage, elegant look. Not being able to use a small lion fan, but fearing the heat, she had brought a shell folding fan from home. It emitted a soft glow and was delicate and high-end. It seemed more suited for collection than actual use for cooling.
It was indeed an antique.
But Qin Mang leisurely waved it as she walked out of the makeup room.

She frowned slightly at the scattered set.
There wasn’t even one person in charge, let alone the director or assistant director.

“Is it not time to start filming yet?”
Could it be she had made a mistake?

She casually asked a nearby staff member, lightly tapping their shoulder.
The staff member, who had been looking down at their phone, turned and froze when they saw her.
Their voice trembled, “Qin… Qin Qin…”

Qin Mang’s eyes flashed with confusion. Did she really look that intimidating?
Looking around, she saw that the crowd was scattered in corners, gossiping in hushed voices:
“Even third-tier flowers can’t beat her. Will she just randomly hit us?”

Just then, A-Tong came rushing back, holding her phone in a panic, “Mang Mang, look at the trending news!”
Trending news?

Qin Mang, rarely seeing A-Tong like this, instinctively glanced at the screen. The trending topic was—
#Qin Mang Hits Someone#

The caption read: Qin Mang attacked and intimidated a fellow actress in front of everyone. There are concerns about her mental health.
It was accompanied by a video.

Though blurry, Qin Mang’s face was easily recognizable, her beautiful, indifferent expression showing no emotion as her delicate arm dragged a woman from the window and pushed her out. The dark, vast ocean was barely visible outside.
In the fragmented noise, the words “Feeding the sharks” and “Crazy woman” could be vaguely heard.

The heat of the topic kept rising. In just a few seconds, it had jumped from a few dozen people to the front.
Now she understood why everyone was looking at her so strangely and fearfully.
It was—

Qin Mang’s red lips slowly curled into a smile, her porcelain-like chin slightly raised, and her black, transparent eyes were filled with a cold, mocking glint.
One of the people hiding in the corner, as if acting, had been calling her “Teacher Qin” yesterday, claiming to be her fan, but today, they looked as if they wanted to stay a million miles away.

The crowd’s eyes grew even stranger.
Qin Mang didn’t seem scared at all.
With her delicate fingers holding the exquisite shell fan, she lightly covered her lower face, revealing only her watery eyes. Her smile was clearly there, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Like a glamorous beauty from a vintage oil painting, lazy and noble, her soft voice languidly asked, “What’s the matter? Are you all afraid of getting hit from this distance?”

The air seemed frozen.
No one dared speak.

At that moment, the director’s voice called for them to disperse.
The crowd quickly scattered, afraid to be caught and beaten.

When Director Zhou met Qin Mang’s cold gaze, he couldn’t help but sigh.
This film really was doomed from the start.
Finally, helpless, he said, “There are reporters outside. We won’t film for now. Your manager is waiting for you in the actor’s passage.”
Qin Mang answered coldly,
“Are we not filming for now, or never?”

The director didn’t respond.

By the time Qin Mang and the others arrived at the hotel, reporters had already surrounded the place.
A-Tong peeked through the tightly shut curtains and nearly ran into a drone.
Below, there were reporters with long cameras and short ones, ready to snap photos at any moment.
She quickly shut the curtains.

Patting her chest with lingering fear, she said, “The reporters are swarming downstairs. What do we do?”

Meng Ting was on the phone coordinating with the company’s PR department. Halfway through the call, he started arguing.

Qin Mang leaned against the armrest of the sofa, long dark lashes lowered as she calmly scrolled through her phone. Suddenly, her delicate brows furrowed, as if something didn’t sit right.

A-Tong fell silent, not daring to disturb her.

She also opened her tablet, and the first thing she saw was the latest trending topic:

**#Shen Wanyin Accidentally Liked a Post#**

She couldn’t help but curse, “That little bitch.”

Kicking someone while they’re down!

Qin Mang saw it too.

Shen Wanyin had liked a video post about her, then unliked it seconds later, and even posted a vague Weibo update—

**Shen Wanyin V:** *Sorry, slipped my hand.*

Her fans laughed it off like it was New Year’s:

* “LOL, so even insiders love drama!”
* “Wanyin is too cute, oopsie~”
* “Heard you’re joining the *Dreams of Old Beijing* cast too, got any juicy gossip?”

That last comment immediately sparked backlash.

* “What do you mean? Wanyin playing second fiddle to a violent pretty face? She’s not worthy! Has the production lost its mind?”
* “Oh my god, Qin Mang is such a bully.”
* “Look, another video of her acting like a diva surfaced. She’s a repeat offender!”

The video in question showed Qin Mang asleep in a chair on set, exhausted after filming a commercial. A staff member bent down to offer her water, but she didn’t take it for five whole minutes.

That was all it took for people to label her a diva who mistreats staff.

Any odd details in the video were ignored. They only saw what they wanted to see and smugly concluded: “See? That’s exactly the kind of person she is.”

When the public has decided someone is guilty, explaining or staying silent—either one is wrong.

The online backlash came too quickly, like a hidden hand stirring chaos behind the scenes, fueling the flames.

Of course, there were opportunists in the mix too.

Over the years, Qin Mang had become a rival to many female celebrities in the industry. Even though she hadn’t acted in many dramas yet, her face and rapid rise in popularity were enough to make them wary.

They wished they could crush her beyond recovery.

While the company was still scrambling for a PR response, a veteran actor was suddenly interviewed by reporters and asked about the trending scandal.

He said: “Before mastering your art, you must cultivate virtue.”

That ignited a firestorm online.

Soon, many A- and B-list actors joined the movement, posting on Weibo in protest of “immoral celebrities”—

**#Before Art, Comes Virtue**

The phrase shot to the top of the trending list.

And just like that, Qin Mang was nailed to the shameful pillar of “immoral artist.”

She kept scrolling through the trending topics like self-torture. The malice pouring from the screen felt like snarling beasts lunging at her.

**#Qin Mang Is Crazy**
**#Qin Mang Get Out of Showbiz**
**#Qin Mang Immoral Artist**
**#Qin Mang Has Insulted the Title of Actor**

Even the once-sweet private messages from fans were now filled with curses and hate.

It was as if Qin Mang had killed their entire families.

They wanted her dead.

Qin Mang had underestimated how cruel people could be.

She had been protected all her life. Though her parents were gone, her only uncle treated her like his own child. Aside from strongly opposing her entering the entertainment industry, he spoiled her in every other way, raising her like a cherished jewel in a gilded world.

He never let her see the dark side of life.

Under the harsh white lights, the girl’s profile was delicate. Her lips were faintly pursed, like a porcelain doll—exquisite but lacking vitality.

After finishing his call, Meng Ting saw her still scrolling like she was punishing herself. He leaned over and took her phone away. “Stop looking.”

“The company has already set the PR plan in motion.”

But that scene on the yacht…

It really happened.

There was no way to explain it away.

This was the most severe PR crisis they’d ever faced.

Meng Ting pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag, his face dark with worry.

Just that morning, they were still dreaming about Qin Mang winning Best Actress at a film festival for this project.

Who could have imagined—

In just a few hours, everything flipped upside down.

Now, even staying in showbiz was uncertain.

Qin Mang didn’t resist.

She lay back on the sofa. The overly bright lights stung her eyes. Her slender, frail wrist rose to shield them.

She didn’t speak for a long time.

Eventually, she muttered slowly, “I’m tired.”

The usually proud and unrestrained heiress had suddenly gone quiet. Even A-Tong was stunned. Meng Ting’s cigarette suddenly tasted bitter.

—

Night deepened. Outside the hotel, the crowd still hadn’t dispersed.

Inside the top-floor luxury suite, only two wall lamps were on, casting a dim glow.

A fair hand held a glass and swirled it gently. The refracted light was dazzling. Qin Mang took a sip, then another. The strong liquor slid down her throat, turning into invisible threads wrapping around her body.

Her once-clear mind was growing hazy.

She had tried to sleep but failed. She got up for a small nightcap, not expecting to drink so much. Alone, she finished nearly half a bottle of whiskey.

At first, it burned.

Then it became addictive.

*Clink.*

No one knew how long had passed. A freshly filled glass of liquor nearly slipped from her hand but she caught it in time.

Half of it spilled out.

The thick carpet soaked up the liquid, and the strong scent of alcohol quickly filled the quiet room, overwhelming the light floral fragrance that lingered before.

At the same time—

A *beep—* sounded at the door.

In the silent space, it was sharply audible.

He Lingji lowered his gaze. To the left of the heavy black leather sofa—

Qin Mang, dressed in a frost-white nightgown, sat on the floor. Her glowing skin was mostly exposed, her slender legs tangled in the carpet, forming graceful curves.

Her wine-flushed eyelids slowly lifted. In the warm dim light, she looked like a lonely yet burning rose. Even the shadows on the wall seemed to capture her beauty.

Her gaze met He Lingji’s. It wavered slightly.

The man looked like he had just come from an important event, in a sharp suit. His pants were crisp and fitted, exuding restraint. A custom light-gold tie clip glinted like fine art. Every detail screamed elegance and nobility.

Yet his strikingly handsome face was icy cold.

As they locked eyes, he casually pulled at his perfectly arranged tie. The gesture was reckless. Even a few shirt buttons popped open—he didn’t care.

*Clack-clack.*

Two buttons rolled to a stop beside Qin Mang’s knees on the carpet.

He looked nothing like his usual refined self.

For some reason, Qin Mang suddenly recalled the image of him flying a helicopter.

Probably looked the same.

She looked up at the man who had suddenly descended from above, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion. Her moist lips parted slightly before a single syllable escaped:

“You…”

Before she could finish—

He took the remaining half-glass of whiskey from her hand and downed it in one go.

The muscles in his throat moved with each swallow, forming a seductive curve that was impossible to look away from.

He Lingji looked down at her. His gray-blue eyes were mysterious and cold, like a god of ice presiding over a frozen realm.

Under Qin Mang’s blurry gaze, he leaned down, unhurried.

Like burning magma beneath a glacier, his hot breath spread slowly.

A few seconds later.

By her ear came a distant, quiet voice, like a deity speaking from the abyss:

“You were bullied.”

“Drinking to drown your sorrows won’t help.”

“What will?”

With icy precision, he said each word clearly:

“Obviously—bully them back a thousand times worse.”

12**Chapter 12 – Clouds Disperse, Rain Clears**

The light in the room was dim and hazy.

Qin Mang’s eardrums buzzed, dragging her heartbeat into chaos.
She didn’t know if it was the alcohol talking, or if it was He Lingji’s commanding and aloof words.

She wondered if she had misheard.
That wasn’t like He Lingji at all.

The girl wobbled as she leaned against the man’s long, strong legs, trying to stand up and meet him eye-to-eye.
With the movement, the strap on her delicate shoulder slipped off, revealing a large patch of fair, tender skin. She didn’t notice at all and stared at him directly.

The alcohol in her breath curled around every nerve.

“You’re really… He Lingji?”

He Lingji waited for her to finally get the words out, only to hear *that* line.
Before he could respond—

Her fingertip suddenly poked his cheek.

In the next second—
A strange flicker passed through his grey-blue eyes.

Qin Mang, already flushed from drinking, now burned like a small furnace. Her fingertips touched the man’s cool skin, and she couldn’t help but murmur contentedly:
“So cool.”

A second later—
She rubbed her own chin and looked him up and down seriously, nodding with conviction,
“You’re definitely fake.”

With that, she reached out again to touch his face, mumbling, “So realistic though…”

He Lingji glanced at the whiskey bottle on the table—only half left. His lips tugged slightly as he said plainly:
“You’re drunk.”

That hit the little lion’s sensitive nerve.

Qin Mang’s eyes widened in disbelief, her misty, affectionate gaze full of grievance.
“Who’s drunk? I can drink a thousand shots without getting tipsy!”

She let go of He Lingji and plopped back onto the couch.
Grabbing the remaining half-bottle of whiskey, she tilted it toward her mouth—

She was determined to show this ‘fake man-doll’ that she, Qin Mang, was indeed a god of alcohol!

Mere mortal liquor? It couldn’t touch her!

She moved fast.
But before she could drink, He Lingji grabbed the bottle.

*Splash—*

The liquor spilled from the bottle, soaking Qin Mang.

The always composed and restrained man showed a rare moment of emotional crack.

Her thin and sheer nightgown clung to her curvy figure, now soaked. Snowy skin, like vermilion on white, stunning and sharp.

The clear alcohol dripped down her smooth legs, leaving trails behind.

Alluring curves paired with an innocent, dazed expression—pure innocence and irresistible seduction combined into a breathtaking vision of a drenched beauty.

He Lingji instinctively gripped her slender wrist.
Qin Mang stumbled and fell into his arms.

His long, sculpted fingers—like those of an artist—were now covered in liquor.
The struggling girl rubbed her scent all over him.

The fragrance of a young woman mixed with the biting alcohol overwhelmed him.
Though fastidious by nature, his breath caught—
Logic told him to push her away.
But his grip only tightened.

His gaze fell to the little red beauty mark on her body—so enticing.

He Lingji’s thin lips parted with a heavy voice: “Qin Mang.”

Qin Mang, doubting her own senses, noticed the lights seemed to blur into rows. Her lashes blinked once, then again.

Dragging out her words, she asked innocently, “What?”

He Lingji said, “You got me wet.”

Qin Mang tilted her head and even reached down to touch the damp spot on her thigh, yawning with feigned innocence: “I’m wet too.”

She moved without a shred of restraint.

He Lingji’s gaze swept over her dewy fingertips and finally met her clear black eyes.
He suspected she was doing this on purpose.

The next second—
The young lady threw her arms around his neck like a koala and clung to him boldly, commanding,
“You got me wet, you clean me up!”

———

Outside the presidential suite, the hallway was bright, illuminating the ornate carpet.

By a colorful mural, Meng Ting stood so long his legs went numb, locked in a silent stare with Secretary Cong at the door.

Next to Secretary Cong stood a black, expensive-looking suitcase.

Meng Ting’s eyes were sore, and he finally blinked.
He couldn’t help swallowing nervously as he recalled seeing the legendary Mr. He an hour ago.

After a long pause, he cautiously asked,
“Secretary Cong, where is President He staying tonight?”

Just then—
The tightly shut door opened.

Meng Ting instinctively looked up to see a man in a casually draped white hotel robe.
His features were cool and elegant, with a noble air. He glanced at them indifferently.
“Bring it in.”

Meng Ting shivered.
Did… did he mean what he *thought* he meant?

Th-the trending topic?!

After Secretary Cong brought the suitcase in, he patted Meng Ting’s shoulder meaningfully.

“Of course—where Miss Qin is, is where President He stays.”

President He had always been disciplined, bound by rules, with everything under control.
He was supposed to be in Ling City handling important business.
Yet here he was, in Qing City’s film base.

If *he* had been the one trending, it would’ve been wiped from the net instantly, like the last time with the forums.

But this time—it concerned *his wife*.

That said it all.

By 8 PM, online discussions about Qin Mang were still red hot.

Hours had passed, yet neither her personal Weibo nor her company’s made a statement.
Netizens assumed they were playing dead.

All of Qin Mang’s endorsement and collaboration brand accounts were bombarded.
Netizens demanded contract termination.

One brand, unable to withstand the pressure, publicly announced their contract had already ended.

Online opinion was in an uproar.

As people voiced sympathy for the yacht incident’s victim, Yao Ting—
She went live.
Light makeup, a face pale from days indoors—
Her weak appearance tugged at viewers’ hearts.

Comments flooded in:
“Did Qin Mang apologize to you?”

Yao Ting looked as if she’d been stabbed, dodging the question.
“I just wanted to thank fans who messaged me. I’m okay.”

People suspected she’d been scared into silence by Qin Mang.
Gifts and comforting messages poured in.

“Don’t worry, Yao Yao, we’ll protect you!”
“Stay strong!”
“As long as you’re safe, it’s fine.”
“How is it fine? She’s clearly still traumatized!”
“Why should the victim be traumatized while the bully thrives in the spotlight?”
“She’s hogging top resources while better actresses get sidelined!”

Yao Ting pretended not to see.
A few minutes later, she ended the stream due to ‘discomfort.’

But not long after—

The hashtag **#DisgracedCelebrityQinMangMustApologize** exploded again.

“Has Qin Mang apologized to Yao Ting? No.”
“Has she apologized to the staff she bullied? No.”
“Apologize! Apologize! Apologize!”
“@‘Dreams of Jinghua’ official—are you keeping this immoral actress around for New Year?”
“Replace the female lead, or we boycott the whole show!”
“Seriously, how did someone with no talent, only looks, get cast as the lead?”
“No work, no skill, just riding on her looks, overshadowing real actresses. Get this blight out of the industry!”
“Thousands demand her permanent exit from showbiz.”
“…”

The trending page was flooded with criticism.
Even Qin Mang’s Weibo was filled with one word: **Apologize**.

It wasn’t just the trending searches that were filled with such topics—even Qin Mang’s Weibo was flooded with demands for her to “apologize.”

Qin Mang’s fans tried tirelessly to tell everyone: give Qin Mang a chance to speak. Even a murderer gets a chance to appeal.

Qin Mang isn’t that kind of person. There must be some misunderstanding.

Unfortunately, when facing the overwhelming malice of the world, her small number of fans was quickly drowned out by the tide of criticism.

“Yao Ting’s acting is actually decent at a time like this.”

Inside the makeup room of the film set, Shen Wanyin was removing her makeup after filming a scene as the second female lead. She lightly touched her pale face in the mirror.

Wei Qin chuckled. “In a few days, you’ll be the female lead.”

“We’ll give this second lead role to Yao Ting as a thank-you gift.”

As she spoke, she handed over a tablet. “With Qin Mang’s personality, forcing her to hold a press conference and apologize is probably worse than skinning her alive.”

Shen Wanyin glanced at the trending topics.

She casually scrolled through and noticed some fans were still defending Qin Mang. Frowning, she said, “Buy more bots. Push her fans’ comments down.”

“Got it.”

Their studio had a whole team of paid commenters. Wei Qin agreed easily.

Wipe them out completely—that’s the only clean way.

But—

Wei Qin felt something was off. Why wasn’t Qin Mang’s company doing anything? At the very least, they should issue a clarification.

Have they even stopped trying to fight back?

At that moment, in the outer lounge of a presidential suite at a hotel—

Cong Zhen opened the full video that had been clipped from the yacht surveillance footage that night.

The man seated on the black sofa had a noble and composed bearing. He calmly watched the computer screen—

The vibrant, dazzling girl sat quietly in the corner, already a radiant and eye-catching presence.

She drew the attention—and even pursuit—of most of the guests in the banquet hall.

Her pale fingers played with business cards, appearing casual and nonchalant, yet somehow irresistible.

He Lingji’s gaze fell on the dozen or so business cards in her hand.

Cong Zhen cleared his throat. “To ensure guest safety, the yacht has surveillance everywhere except the restroom. We also had lip-reading experts analyze the dialogue. Miss Qin was acting in self-defense and didn’t actually harm anyone. Instead, it was Miss Yao and her companions who acted out of jealousy, spreading falsehoods and possibly even committing intimidation.”

“We’ve also obtained evidence disproving other rumors about Qin Mang being a diva.”

Seeing He Lingji silent, Cong Zhen added, “Several media executives would like to apologize to you in person.”

He Lingji slowly sipped his coffee. It was bitter and cold, but he seemed unaffected. Under the light, his features looked like an ancient statue submerged in the deep sea—perfect, sharp, and untouched by time—except for his slightly moistened lips, which lent a hint of humanity.

From the master bedroom came a faint noise.

He Lingji put down his cup unhurriedly.

He stood and spoke calmly, “No need. Just send them the video.”

They know what to do.

Qin Mang had been awakened by the heat.

Groggy, she sat up clutching her blanket. The room was pitch dark.

She hadn’t slept well.

Her dreams were like black holes, trying to swallow her whole. Then those black holes turned into lines and lines of writing, forming accusations, mockery, and condemnation—

Qin Mang, why did you enter the entertainment industry?

Qin Mang, why don’t you leave the entertainment industry?

Qin Mang, no one here wants you.

Vase, lunatic, no real works, hogging all the resources!

…

Each line pierced her defenses easily, stabbing into her nerves.

For a moment, Qin Mang was dazed. Why *had* she entered showbiz?

Why give up her life as a pampered heiress just to suffer like this?

Why?

From the fog in her mind, a faint outline formed.

As if remembering something.

Qin Mang got out of bed barefoot. Her arches trembled as they touched the floor.

She walked unsteadily but with a clear goal toward her wardrobe. Beneath the pile of clothes lay a delicate little box—something she always took with her when she traveled.

More precious to her than the gems in her family’s collection.

She carefully opened the box.

Inside was a plain notebook, slightly aged.

But well-preserved.

She unfastened the leather clasp. On the first page was a small drawing of a trophy—poorly drawn, but playfully charming. On the trophy’s base, written neatly in fine script: *Best Actress – Guan Yueyan.*

When Qin Mang was seven, her mother Guan Yueyan passed away from illness. This notebook was the only thing she left behind—her father, who had since renounced worldly attachments, took everything else.

Qin Mang had stumbled upon this notebook two years ago in their old house.

It was less of a diary and more of an actor’s journal, full of reflections and a lifelong dream: to win the Best Actress award.

Back when she was about to graduate, her mentor asked her: “What’s your dream for the future?”

As a wealthy heiress who had known luxury since birth, her days were filled with scheduled skill classes. She had no dreams, not even hobbies.

Well—aside from collecting gemstones and spending money.

Her mentor smiled gently and asked a second question: “Do you want to work in finance?”

She had only picked the major because her uncle arranged it.

Qin Mang was indifferent.

She certainly didn’t want to spend her youth in finance.

Looking blankly at her mentor, she asked, “Must people have dreams?”

That question puzzled her for a long time.

Until she found this notebook—her mother’s passion for acting filled every page. As if she lived just to burn bright on stage.

Unfortunately, Guan Yueyan’s poor health never allowed her to fully commit to acting. She died without ever receiving her dream award.

Qin Mang’s decision to enter the entertainment industry had been impulsive.

She wanted to win that Best Actress trophy for her mother.

*Click—*

Qin Mang heard the door open but didn’t move.

She remembered. He Lingji had come.

“Get up.”

Seeing her sitting on the floor, staring blankly at a notebook, He Lingji’s deep voice echoed in the dark.

A few seconds later—

Qin Mang seemed to respond to his signal. Slowly standing up, her eyes—now used to the darkness—easily met his deep, all-seeing gaze.

Her red lips parted.

In a soft, slightly confused voice, she asked, “He Lingji.”

“Tell me, should I not be an actress?”

The man, tall and lean, leaned lazily against the wardrobe with a calm air. “Why?”

Qin Mang replied bitterly, “I don’t think I belong in this industry.”

It was as if her very presence disrupted some unspoken rule. That’s why the whole industry targeted her. No one welcomed her.

“So what now—quit the entertainment industry?”

“I…”

Qin Mang choked. She hadn’t expected him to be so blunt.

She didn’t know how to refute him.

Her face turned red with frustration.

He Lingji didn’t comfort her. Instead, he said coldly, “Oh, Miss Qin is here to save the world, then?”

“…?”

“When did I ever—”

Wait, why had he come again?

Just to piss her off?

Why was he being so sarcastic?

Still a bit tipsy, Qin Mang’s brain hadn’t caught up. They were close—so close that if she tiptoed, she could kiss him.

His usual deep gray-blue eyes weren’t mocking. They were calm, like the surface of a quiet sea, able to contain anything.

The light in Qin Mang’s tearful eyes slowly faded.

She understood what He Lingji meant.

Right. She didn’t enter this industry to save the world. If she left now, wouldn’t that be giving those people exactly what they wanted?

A spark of clarity lit up in her eyes.

She wasn’t as defeated as before.

In the narrow walk-in closet—

The man’s voice was soft, almost like casual chat. “Only when you stand at the top can you have the right to decide whether to stay or leave.”

Before Qin Mang could react—

He Lingji had already walked past her into the room.

“What are you doing?”

“Sleeping.”

Qin Mang stomped after him. “How can you still think about sleep when I’m being torn apart online?!”

He retorted, “Aren’t you tired?”

Qin Mang: “…”

…Yes, she was.

**#DisgracedCelebrityQinMangShouldApologize** remained trending with the “explosive” tag beside it, and its popularity refused to die down.

Under the Weibo post Qin Mang made a few days ago announcing she had joined a new project, over a million comments demanded she “apologize” and “quit the entertainment industry.”

With a wave of hired trolls fueling the fire, public opinion online was rapidly shifting against her.

Everyone assumed Qin Mang wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure, and that she would eventually apologize publicly and announce her retirement from showbiz.

But, at midnight—

Someone *did* apologize. Only, it wasn’t Qin Mang.

It was the media outlets and marketing accounts who had led the charge in labeling Qin Mang as a “disgraced celebrity.”

The outlet that first published the yacht video of Qin Mang suddenly deleted the footage, pinning a handwritten apology letter from their CEO and a video apology to the top of their feed.

Before netizens could even react, all the accounts that had previously stirred public opinion began posting pinned apology letters, admitting they were paid to spread rumors and manipulate the narrative.

They were groveling.

> “Damn, am I seeing this right?”
>
> “Shouldn’t the trending tag be: ‘Disgraced Celebrity Qin Mang Apologizes’? Why is it now ‘Disgraced Media Apologizes’?”
>
> “…”

Before people could process it all, major official media outlets began releasing the full surveillance footage of the alleged “yacht assault” incident—complete with real-time lip-reading analysis by a well-known expert.

Everything became crystal clear.

It turned out a group of D-list actresses, jealous of Qin Mang’s popularity, had cornered her in a dressing room and maliciously slandered her. She had merely defended herself.

Qin Mang wasn’t acting like some “unhinged villainess.” She was the righteous heroine enacting satisfying revenge—a true queen striking back against injustice!

Weibo, already lively, completely exploded.

Soon, Qin Mang’s fans dug up tons of posts labeling her a “disgraced celebrity,” all traceable to organized troll networks.

It was obvious: someone had tried to completely destroy her.

Meanwhile, every comment questioning the situation or defending Qin Mang had been deliberately suppressed.

Just as the full context of the incident was being pushed across the internet—

**#A Letter From Qin Mang’s Fans To Qin Mang** also climbed onto the trending list.

This letter had previously been throttled and kept out of sight.

Now, it was finally receiving the attention it deserved:

> **A Letter From All The Little Radiant Stars to Qin Mang:**
>
> In *Malice*, Higashino Keigo once wrote: “Some people hate without reason. They are mediocre, talentless, unremarkable. So your brilliance, your talent, your kindness and happiness—become your original sin.”
>
> So they don’t listen to explanations. They ignore the doubts we raised. They rush to judge you, eager to see you silenced forever. They simply want to laugh as someone noble falls into the mud, as a goddess is dragged to earth.
>
> But you—fearless and undaunted—will walk a path of light, and let them watch as you reach the peak and gaze down at their pettiness. We are your unbreakable shield, your shimmering light. Even if we are but a faint glow, we will forever protect you.
>
> When the scorching sun falls into clouds, the skies will still clear. And brilliance will return.
>
> Qin Mang, you were born to shine.

The accompanying image was a still from her debut video:

A girl in a dazzling red dress, radiant as the sun and moon, standing atop a majestic snow-white lion—like a divine goddess descending to earth, with the world bowing at her feet.

That was how her fans saw Qin Mang.

Always radiant. Always proud. Never bowing to anyone or anything.

Not once did the letter mention “belief,” but every word was filled with trust.

It was pure and devoted trust from her fans.

Overnight, public opinion completely reversed.

The shadow and label of “disgraced celebrity” disappeared as if it had never existed.

In its place stood Qin Mang—still radiant, still noble at heart.

—

The next day.

Meng Ting arrived, looking refreshed and excited, bringing good news. She couldn’t help but marvel, “Thank goodness for that joint letter your fan account posted. Without it, even with the truth cleared up, your career would’ve taken a big hit.”

After all, once the label of “disgraced celebrity” sticks, it’s hard to peel off in the eyes of the public.

But this time—

The reversal was absolute.

Qin Mang wasn’t just unharmed—she even gained a wave of sympathy and guilt from former critics.

Plenty of netizens had once jumped on the hate bandwagon.

Qin Mang curled up on the sofa, holding the phone Meng Ting had finally returned to her.

She still couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.

Just when she had been seriously considering leaving the entertainment industry and going home to inherit the family business, everything had somehow been resolved.

Truthfully, she’d never felt like she belonged in this industry—not even now.

Until—

She read that joint fan letter.

The Qin Mang who hadn’t shed a single tear throughout the entire scandal, suddenly found her eyes reddening. Her curled lashes shimmered with tears.

She read that letter over and over again.

Stared at the photo over and over again.

That… was how her fans saw her.

Back when she first debuted, she had been full of hope for acting.

Not just to fulfill her mother’s dream.

But because, through her mother’s actor journals, she’d developed dreams of her own.

A tiny seed of hope.

That eventually grew into a dream.

Meng Ting, enjoying the shift in public sentiment, suddenly thought of something. “By the way, you and President He…”

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking interrupted her.

Qin Mang’s tearful, shining eyes lit up: “I’ll get the door.”

It had to be He Lingji, who had left early that morning!

She’d misunderstood him last night—and to think, he quietly went and solved such a massive mess for her!

She had to thank him properly!

He Lingji’s business in Ling City wasn’t yet finished.

There was an important meeting today, but a video call wasn’t ideal, so they took a private jet over instead.

In the hallway—

The man in a black shirt stood immaculate and stern, nothing like the relaxed and lazy man from the night before. His eyes were cold and distant, exuding an untouchable, aloof presence.

To Qin Mang, though, he looked more like a cold, seductive temptation.

After all, she had seen what he looked like in bed.

So the moment she opened the door and saw only him in her sights, she naturally leapt into his arms, wrapped herself around that deadly waist, and kissed his thin lips with closed eyes in one smooth motion.

He Lingji’s cold expression softened slightly with the soft body in his arms. “Mrs. He, taking advantage of me?”

“That was a goddess’s kiss! How can it be called taking advantage?”

“It was a blessing!”

Qin Mang gave him another kiss—harder this time.

She just wanted to kiss him.

The weight in her heart had finally lifted, and now she was like a playful little lioness, needing to let loose.

Until she casually looked up—

And made eye contact with a group of suited-up elite professionals behind He Lingji.

A whole group.

Not just one.

He Lingji calmly said, “Allow me to introduce—this is my wife, who happens to have a passion for film.”

13
**Chapter 13: Enchanting All Beings**

By the wide open floor-to-ceiling windows, soft golden sunlight streamed in, flooding the luxurious and spacious room with brilliant splendor.

Overnight, the media reporters who had been surrounding the hotel vanished as if they had evaporated into thin air.

A young girl lounged on the sofa by the window. Her skin was as delicate as porcelain, her features exquisitely refined like a masterpiece painted by a divine hand. The wide-sleeved robe covered her graceful figure, yet somehow exuded an alluring and effortless elegance.

Though she looked lazy and relaxed, there was a fresh vibrancy about her that hadn’t been there before.

At the moment, her slender pale fingers slid across her phone screen.

In Qin Mang’s mind replayed the scene from half an hour ago—

Ugh! Her fans had just been praising her on Weibo as a radiant goddess descended to the mortal realm, and then she went and embarrassed herself!

Qin Mang sent a message to the man having a meeting in the study next door.

**Little Lion Roar Meow:** [Understand? Little Lion seals lips.jpg]

She had to make He Lingji seal everyone’s lips! This matter must stay buried forever!

He Lingji fiddled with the slim edge of his phone. Under the glaring white light, his slender and elegant fingers gave off a cold and eerie aura.

The team of elites in the room all tried their best to shrink their presence, terrified of being called on again to answer questions about film artistry.

They really had no idea—this field was like a mountain separating them!

He Lingji replied slowly:

**[Mr. He does honest business. No killing or looting. Miss Qin, please find someone else.]**

That sounded familiar.

Qin Mang bit her lower lip and muttered, “He Lingji, that bastard!”

He was teasing her again.

In the corner, Meng Ting was still replaying the word “wife” that President He had personally said.

It echoed and echoed.

He had never dared to think about the relationship between Qin Mang and He Lingji.

He never expected—

It hit him suddenly, with no warning, crashing into his brain.

Even after a long while, it felt unreal. Until Qin Mang called him a “bastard”, he gasped sharply.

He stammered, “You… you two really have that kind of… that kind of sleep-in-the-same-bed relationship?”

He couldn’t bring himself to say “married”—the word burned his tongue—so he changed it.

That was **He Lingji**!

The “glacier-melting, end-of-the-world” He Lingji!

Who could’ve imagined that he and this little seductress Qin Mang were in a proper marital relationship?

And he even admitted it himself!

If this got out, the entire internet would explode!

It would be a thousand times bigger than when Qin Mang was being blacklisted online!

Qin Mang was busy furiously complaining about someone when she suddenly heard Meng Ting’s words. She lifted her lashes and glanced at him, stretching out her tone:

“Yeah, it’s that kind of—”

“Been in bed together, but not close kind of relationship.”

Meng Ting shot to his feet, pacing and muttering, “No, no, this has to be top-level classified! Not even the company can know!”

That actually made Qin Mang give him a serious look.

She’d always thought this ambitious manager of hers aimed to launch a top-tier female star—and that exposing her relationship with He Lingji would be the perfect move.

No more worrying about resources after that.

That’s also why she had never told him her true identity.

Meeting Qin Mang’s questioning gaze, Meng Ting said seriously, “You’re just starting out. If you get labeled as ‘Mrs. He’ now, then every achievement you make, every opportunity you fight for, will always carry that label.”

Because that title was too powerful—so powerful it would overshadow her own brilliance.

So—

Meng Ting concluded firmly, “You’re meant to be a top actress, not just a trending celebrity.”

Qin Mang suddenly smiled.

For the first time, she felt she hadn’t chosen the wrong agent on a whim.

They shared the same goal.

The production team of *Dreams of Old Beijing* didn’t seem affected at all.

That afternoon, filming officially began.

Just yesterday morning, people had looked at Qin Mang like she was a violent lunatic. Today, they looked at her starry-eyed, like she was a goddess.

While waiting to shoot, Qin Mang didn’t bother pretending to be humble. She had Atong bring bodyguards to set up an enormous sunshade, complete with lounge chairs, snacks, chilled tea, and even decorative containers filled with ice to cool the air. A bodyguard even fanned her with cold wind.

She didn’t look like she came to act—more like a noble consort traveling in grand style.

And the stranger thing was—no one gossiped behind her back.

Once everything was set up, Atong handed her a fruity iced tea. The ice clinked against the fruit and chilled mist drifted up. It was so cold it made Qin Mang’s palms tremble.

She took a sip and closed her eyes in contentment.

With her warm-body constitution, she couldn’t live without ice in summer.

Her damp red lips shimmered under the light, glowing with a dreamlike hue.

But she no longer greeted everyone like her usual little sunshine self.

Her vintage red lips curved gently, elegantly fanning herself with a mother-of-pearl fan. She held herself with regal aloofness—placing no one in her eyes, and no one in her heart.

She looked unchanged.

But she wasn’t.

Eyes half-lidded, gaze cool and indifferent, she now had a sense of haughty disdain.

Atong couldn’t help taking out her phone and snapping a photo. She already knew about Qin Mang’s relationship with He Lingji, and whispered while admiring her:

“Hehehe, Mang-jie, you’re starting to look like President He.”

“Is this what they call ‘couple resemblance’?”

“They say if you kiss a lot, your internal microbiome syncs, and you start looking alike.”

Wuwuwu—was that something she should even be imagining?

Qin Mang didn’t blush—but Atong’s cheeks turned bright red.

Qin Mang picked up the little pearl fan and fanned her gently. “Don’t get heatstroke.”

“Next time, I’ll do a live demo.”

“You can use a magnifying glass to see if we’ve become the same face.”

Pfft—

Truly, Qin-laoshi never disappoints.

So bold.

Atong looked at her with newfound reverence.

Qin Mang, after having the photo sent to her, stared at herself on the screen.

A strange feeling welled up.

Maybe this version of her—was exactly what her fans, her “Little Manglights,” wanted to see.

Meng Ting kept reminding her to check in with fans. Though the studio had already reposted the surveillance footage that cleared her name, everyone was still waiting for Qin Mang herself to speak.

But Qin Mang kept thinking about the letter her fans had written her. The more she cherished it, the harder it was to reply.

Fingering the edge of her phone, her lashes fluttered. It took her a long while to calm down.

She typed her first Weibo post since the incident, the one fans had been waiting for.

She didn’t repost the studio’s official video.

Instead, she reposted the letter from her fans.

**Qin Mang V:** *“Human nature can decay to the bone, or be pure to the soul. Qin Mang will shine brightly in the entertainment industry, untainted.”* [Photo.jpg]

In the photo, the young woman reclined on a lounge chair. It looked like a candid shot—her lashes lifted, revealing a pair of languid, glistening eyes. But her gaze was tranquil as still water. Her natural beauty was on full display—more dazzling than the blazing midsummer sun, radiant and unrestrained.

Fans went wild. They hadn’t expected a response from her—and certainly not such a bold one, in such a calm tone.

In the entertainment world obsessed with humility, this was almost unheard of.

Within seconds, likes and comments skyrocketed into the tens of thousands, increasing uncontrollably.

Only then did Qin Mang realize—her followers hadn’t dropped at all. They’d actually risen to nearly 40 million.

A feast for beauty fans.

A festival for career fans.

How could she *not* gain followers?

Later, Meng Ting reflected—

He used to think Qin Mang was too arrogant. Now he felt, a bit of pride and confidence wasn’t a bad thing at all. Better than Shen Wanyin, who wore the label of a “glamorous beauty” but insisted on branding herself with humility and respect-for-elders clichés.

A glamorous beauty like Qin Mang should be this way—confident and magnificent to the bone, captivating all beings.

The first scene was shot smoothly.

During the break—

The third female lead, Qi Rong, who had just joined the crew today, saw that Qin Mang wasn’t the temperamental diva people claimed her to be—just a natural beauty with a cold face. She also saw her Weibo post, and was instantly uplifted.

In this industry, who *didn’t* want to shine?

But only Qin Mang dared to say it out loud.

She took the initiative to come over and chat, her desire to make friends written all over her face.
Qin Mang didn’t shut out people who hadn’t wronged her.
She could no longer remain an outsider in this circle—she had to begin integrating and start building her own network.

Qi Rong was naturally friendly. Seeing that Qin Mang didn’t reject her, she quickly let loose and first praised her non-stop with chirpy enthusiasm.
Then she started gossiping with her. Her bright eyes, like those of a fawn, made it hard for anyone to dislike her.

“Yao Ting’s trending too.”
“This might be her most popular day ever.”

Qi Rong had once been bullied by Yao Ting, and now her schadenfreude was obvious as she shoved the tablet right in front of Qin Mang.
In her heart, she and Qin Mang now had a shared enemy, making them allies of a sort.

Yao Ting?
Qin Mang had nearly forgotten about her. She calmly glanced at the screen. The top trending searches were still—
#QinMangIsBornToShine
#StrongFemaleLeadPersona
#QinMangIsSoCool
#QinMangPostedOnWeibo
#YaoTing

Amid the string of Qin Mang-related tags, Yao Ting’s name was mixed in. But her tag was now a chaotic mess—praised to the skies yesterday, and now brutally torn down.

Qin Mang’s red lips curled into a cool, indifferent smile. She didn’t care.
Yao Ting was merely a clown being used by others.

The real mastermind—

Qi Rong was still chatting away. “You *must* come to the launch party tonight!”
“I heard you can really hold your liquor. I love drinking too…”
“… ”

Qin Mang gave a lazy “mm.”
As for drinking…
The *Alcohol God Qin* would have to take a break for now.

—

“Yao Ting called you again?”
“Didn’t we say not to let her contact us anymore?”
“She gave the video, she implied things during the livestream, what good does it do her to come crying to us now?”

Inside the meeting room, Shen Wanyin was clearly agitated.
Who would’ve thought Qin Mang could pull a comeback even after all that.

“They won’t trace the paid trolls back to us, right?”
Wei Qin held her phone, contacting Zhou Yuan.

As the boss, Zhou Yuan naturally knew about what Shen Wanyin and the others had done. She had turned a blind eye and even helped at critical points—after all, she had also risen through crushing her competitors.

Unfortunately, Shen Wanyin wasn’t as lucky—she had hit a wall before she could even rise.

“Someone powerful is backing Qin Mang. Any media outlet involved in the ‘Qin Mang Gets Blacklisted’ incident is facing consequences. If the person in charge didn’t know, they’re being thoroughly removed from top to bottom. If they did know, the controlling shareholder has already been quietly replaced.”

At that, she snapped, “Why’d you mess with Qin Mang in the first place?”
“After twenty years in the industry, you still don’t know who can and can’t be messed with?”

Wei Qin was miserable too.
Who would’ve thought a starlet with no resources for two and a half years had this much power behind her?

“President Zhou, what do we do now?”
“What else? Lay low. Effective immediately, pull Shen Wanyin from all major brand deals. No new roles either. After she finishes *Dreams of Old Jinghua*, have her come back. As for you—start mentoring rookies!”

And with that—

*Click*—

Zhou Yuan hung up, giving no room for argument.

Wei Qin had it on speakerphone. Shen Wanyin bit her lower lip.
Was President Zhou… abandoning her?

They had worked together for over three years. Wei Qin didn’t want to give up on Shen Wanyin just like that. After a long silence, she suddenly said, “Didn’t the president of Feiyun Entertainment take a liking to you?”

“He’s one of the top figures in showbiz. If he backs you up…”

Her words trailed off as she patted Shen Wanyin’s shoulder. “Think it over.”

Shen Wanyin had always held herself in high regard. With Zhou Yuan Studio supporting her, she’d relied on hype, rumors, and drama to stay relevant, but never latched onto a sugar daddy.

President Zhou was nearly seventy.
And rumored to have certain *interests.*
The actresses who’d followed him did get resources—but they were sometimes spotted with bruises they couldn’t hide.
It was an open secret in the industry.

Strangely, another person’s face surfaced in Shen Wanyin’s mind.
From the start, she still believed that during that chance encounter at an audition, that man looked at her differently.

—

The most private members-only club in Qingcheng.

Styled like an ancient Chinese manor, from the outer walls to the interior suites, everything exuded refined elegance. Exquisite palace lanterns hung from solid wood beams.

Inside a VIP suite, the dim lighting cast an alluring mystery over He Lingji’s cool, elegant features.
His pale fingers toyed with a slim, silver-gold cigarette.

Several local tycoons sat uneasily. They had learned He Lingji was still in Qingcheng and had specially arranged this gathering.
He had deigned to show up—
But barely said a word.

Beside him was the largest shareholder of the film city, President Xu. Seeing He Lingji only toying with the cigarette but not lighting it, he leaned over and lit it for him. “President He, please.”

He Lingji raised his eyes.
Those cold, deep eyes glanced at him.

The orange glow of the cigarette tip released a faint minty fruit scent.

President Xu was stunned.
So were the others.

They hadn’t expected He Lingji to smoke… *that*.
It didn’t even count as tobacco.

The room’s atmosphere froze—
Until the door suddenly knocked.

A woman entered, wearing a fitted cheongsam, her hair in soft curls, lips painted red—sultry and stunning.
She carried an opened bottle of red wine, walking gracefully into the room.

These men had seen their share of beauties, but this one still drew every gaze.
She was a rising star, after all.

Everyone glanced meaningfully at President Xu. He sure knew how to pick the right woman.

Shen Wanyin leaned in slightly, pouring wine for the most important man in the room.
“President He~”

Her long black hair cascaded down perfectly with each graceful movement, brushing against her fair arm in a subtly seductive way.

He Lingji simply watched the cigarette burn, unmoved.

Shen Wanyin closed her eyes briefly, reminding herself to stay calm.
This was her last chance—she had worked hard to get this meeting through President Xu.

Her red lips curved back into a smile as she turned to pour wine for the other tycoons.

Secretary Cong recognized Shen Wanyin and whispered something in He Lingji’s ear.

By now, the fruit-flavored cigarette had burned down to its end.

He Lingji finally looked up, gaze settling on her dark, wavy hair—every inch and curl identical to Qin Mang’s.

Just then, Shen Wanyin turned around.

Her eyes met his deep, sea-like gray-blue gaze.

Her heart thumped.
He was looking at her again.
She had caught him this time.

Shen Wanyin gave a perfectly shy yet charming smile and slowly walked over. Her fitted cheongsam emphasized her graceful curves. She half-knelt on the floor, curls falling in elegant arcs as she looked up at the man on the single-seat sofa, elevated and commanding.

“When we first met, you looked at me with those same eyes.”

She gently played with a strand of hair. “Do you like my hair?”

He Lingji remained calm, letting her talk.
Then his gaze shifted—
And he gave a faint smile.

That smile encouraged Shen Wanyin. Her eyes lit up as she reached out to touch his casually resting hand—elegant and refined.

As she spoke, “Let me stay by your side, like a flower that needs no title, just a confidante. Please?”

“…Why don’t you ask *her*?”

Before she could touch him, He Lingji leaned his strong arm on the armrest, speaking casually.

*Her?*

Everyone turned to follow his gaze—
And gasped in unison.

A woman stood at the dim doorway, wearing a cheongsam embroidered with crimson lotus flames. The bold, rich pattern hugged her slender waist, her hair braided with red coral beads in an effortlessly elegant style.

Even in the shadows, her beauty blazed.
Her features, refined and lazy, held an imperious air as she strolled in slowly.

Her presence lit up the room.

The next second—
Qin Mang approached unhurriedly, looking down at the woman kneeling on the floor.

Her red lips curled into a sharp smile, and her voice came slowly, like silk over thorns:

**“No.”**

14**Chapter 14: Treacherous Undercurrents**

As Qin Mang uttered those brief two words, the room fell into complete silence.

Everyone present was a top-tier elite, rarely paying attention to entertainment gossip—only a few exceptions existed.
Especially given Qin Mang’s aggressive and striking beauty, which made her instantly recognizable. She effortlessly overshadowed the similarly styled Shen Wanyin.

Under the stares of the powerful attendees, Qin Mang remained composed. She calmly walked past Shen Wanyin, who was blocking her path, and glanced around the room—only to find no empty seats.

Her gaze landed on He Lingji.

Under the dim, antique-style palace lamp lighting, the man sat quietly. His posture was elegant and refined, yet he radiated an innate sense of pressure that kept others at bay.

This was exactly why Shen Wanyin had instinctively dropped to one knee—
As if afraid to defile a god.

For a brief moment, they made eye contact. Then, without hesitation, Qin Mang simply sat herself down on He Lingji’s knee.

Her slender arms wrapped around the man’s long, pale neck.

Forget about gods or propriety.

She had come to the club to have dinner with her film crew—only to catch this unfaithful dog shamelessly flirting next door.

Shen Wanyin quickly realized what was happening, her stiff knees straightening as she stared in disbelief at Qin Mang’s brazen move. “Qin Mang… what gives you the right to refuse on He’s behalf?”

Dressed in a stunning qipao, the woman sat confidently on a man as aloof and dignified as a deity. Her every movement radiated an alluring charm that others could only dream of imitating.

Qin Mang chuckled softly, as though she had just heard a joke. A laugh so light it was like a feather brushing the heart.

Her watery eyes turned sideways, casting a seductive glance at the man serving as her seat. “President He, didn’t you promise that if you ever engaged in unspoken rules, you’d consider me first?”

The crowd was dumbfounded.
She really said that out loud?!

Was she weaponizing her beauty?

Rumor had it that over the years, many beautiful actresses and even heiresses had tried to pursue or seduce He Lingji, but he’d never shown the slightest interest. It was as if he had no such desires—some even believed he had transcended worldly temptations.

And now, this same man was allowing a woman who looked like a seductive siren to sit so wantonly on his lap.

Could it be—

Everyone held their breath, waiting for President He’s response.

Unexpectedly—

A few seconds later, He Lingji replied with an emotionless “Oh,” then seemed to ponder,
“Did I promise that?”

Shen Wanyin lit up with hope. “President He never said that,” she said quickly.

Her words fell fast and sharp.

The atmosphere in the room froze like shattered glass.

The smile on Qin Mang’s pretty face faltered for a split second.

He was really going to leave her hanging?

Could it be he actually liked Shen Wanyin?

Her gaze skimmed past Shen Wanyin, then suddenly locked onto her long, fluffy, black curls—

They looked familiar.

The more she looked, the more it resembled her own favorite hairstyle, down to the exact curl pattern.

Remembering the words she overheard before entering, Qin Mang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Her loosely wrapped arms around his neck tightened. The corner of her eye, tinged with seductive red, lifted slightly. “What do you mean, you didn’t say that?”

Then she leaned in and whispered just loud enough for the two of them to hear, word by word:
“I was *personally selected* by Mrs. He.”

“The number one ‘Flower of Speech’.”

Chosen by Mrs. He herself.

So—

He Lingji leaned back slightly against his chair, his gray-blue eyes scanning the room with icy authority. His voice was calm, yet left no room for debate:
“Everyone, feel free to leave.”

The message was clear—get out.

“President He—”
Shen Wanyin wasn’t ready to give up. How was she any worse than Qin Mang? Why was she being shut out again?

She could still remember it clearly—
President He had looked at *her* first!

Secretary Cong and the bodyguards waiting outside entered with respectful but firm attitudes: “This way, please.”

Their primary concern was Shen Wanyin.

Secretary Cong had noticed something off in the way she looked at Madam He.

As she was being ‘escorted’ out, Shen Wanyin caught one last glimpse of the pair under the soft lighting—two figures that looked like a match made in heaven. Resentment boiling inside her, she suddenly asked:
“President He, if you never had feelings for me, then why did you look at me like that before?”

“You made me… *hope*.”

What was that supposed to mean?

That He Lingji had led her on?

Secretary Cong didn’t even dare look at Madam He’s expression.

If not for his commitment to gentlemanly conduct and restraint, he would’ve gagged the woman on the spot.

Nonsense.

“Miss Shen, this isn’t a place for your baseless remarks.”

Secretary Cong blocked her line of sight and had the bodyguards forcibly remove her.

Meanwhile, he remained nearby—just in case Madam He and President He ended up in a spat. He could help explain.

Unexpectedly, neither of them seemed bothered by Shen Wanyin’s parting words.

They didn’t even mention her.
As if she were completely irrelevant.

He Lingji was just about to stretch his leg when he spoke:
“Madam He—”

Just as Qin Mang, still caught up in her thoughts about Shen Wanyin’s hair, assumed he was about to pick a fight again.

She reflexively interrupted,
“Madam He is a proper businesswoman. She doesn’t engage in hidden rules—it’s not how President He operates.”

She mimicked He Lingji’s usual tone, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
“Well? Did I sound like you?”
“Was that what you were going to say?”

*Pfft.*

Secretary Cong, standing off to the side like a statue, mentally revisited every sorrowful moment in his life just to keep from laughing.

He didn’t dare laugh—
But it was spot-on!

Madam He was truly a master of mimicry.

Facing her wide-eyed, mischievous gaze, He Lingji reached up with his jade-like fingers, calmly loosening his tightly fastened tie. His typically cold, abstinent expression turned into a faint smile:
“No.”

“What I was going to say was…”

His deep, magnetic voice paused for a second before whispering something unfinished by her ear:
“I—”

Qin Mang’s mind swirled with his light yet direct words.

*Ahhhh!*

*This dog of a man has no shame!*

How could he say something like that with such a cold and indifferent face?

Next second, he added casually,
“You’ve been sitting too long.”

Qin Mang froze.

He wasn’t lying—
She really had been sitting there for quite a while, completely absorbed in her thoughts.

Then, like a gentleman, He Lingji moved her aside.
“You’ve crossed a line. Can you get off me now?”

Qin Mang’s brain short-circuited.

The more she thought about it, the more unacceptable it seemed!

That unfinished line—if he *reacted*, was it still “crossing a line”?!

“Well, sorry for offending the pure and noble President He,” she said with mock sincerity.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she crossed her arms and looked down at him, sarcasm laced in every word:
“It’s not my fault. You just don’t leave much of an impression.”

“…”

He Lingji laughed.

His relaxed expression was breathtaking, beautiful like a carnivorous flower—stunning, yet laced with deadly danger.

After a pause—

His thin lips parted slightly to say two words:
“Very good.”

Secretary Cong nearly cried.

He wished he could become blind and deaf on the spot.

Would he even make it out of this room alive?

Madam He paid the price for her sarcasm.

On her first day of filming, Qin Mang wasn’t defeated by the script—
She was defeated by He Lingji.

At first, she was stubborn:
“He Lingji, you dog!”

Later, she tried a softer approach:
“Hubby~ I *really* realize I was wrong…”

“How could Madam He be wrong? It’s *my* fault.”

“No, no, our President He could never be wrong! It’s all *my* fault!”
For the first time ever, Qin Mang rushed to take the blame, and quite sincerely at that.

“No, it’s *my* fault—for not letting Madam He understand me well enough.”

“I—I understand you deeply!”

“Oh?”
He Lingji spoke slowly and deliberately.
“In what way?”

Madam He, known for her sharp tongue, was finally at a loss for words. “…”

Should she write a whole essay explaining how “deeply” she understood him?

President He nodded.
“Sure.”

Then offered a timely suggestion,
“A standard essay is about 3,000 words. So—”

Qin Mang, deadpan:
“Keep dreaming.”

**The next morning…**

Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains into the spacious master bedroom, scattering flecks of golden light across the edge of the luxurious black velvet bed. As the temperature in the room rose, Qin Mang, as usual, was awakened by the heat from her furnace-like body constitution.

Her slender wrist instinctively reached to the side, habitually searching for the “manual air conditioner” to cool down, but she came up empty.

She struggled to open her sleepy eyes.

To her confusion, she realized that the man who had been sleeping beside her had vanished, along with the suitcase that had stood by the door.

Hmph.

He came without a word and left just the same.

It made Qin Mang feel like she’d been taken advantage of for nothing.

Especially when she accidentally found a business card under the pillow—this feeling intensified!

The black card with silver embossing was very much in line with He Lingji’s personal style.

Utterly noble and cold—it only had:

A name, and a company.

No title, as if confident that anyone who got their hands on the card would already know who he was.

But why did the whole scene feel so… off?

Showtime was approaching, so Qin Mang didn’t think too deeply about it. She slipped the card into her bag and headed to the set.

—

**In the makeup room.**

Qin Mang lowered her eyelashes, absentmindedly toying with the black card with silver letters. Her soft, pale fingertips pinched the sharp edge—it looked like her delicate skin could be cut at any moment.

Due to the filming schedule, He Lingji was respectful of Mrs. He’s profession.

You could say he was careful—above the neck, she looked perfectly untouched.

But also not—because at that moment, Assistant Tong was blushing furiously while applying concealer to Qin Mang’s fair, beautiful ankle.

Next to them, Meng Ting cleared his throat and reminded, “Next time, tell President He to be a little more careful.”

If they were filming a scene and the makeup accidentally got rubbed off…

And if the media showed up during a surprise visit…

That would be a big scandal.

After all, Qin Mang had just publicly declared her ambition to shine in the entertainment industry—and then a scandal breaks out? Meng Ting didn’t even want to imagine it.

He quickly changed the subject to something more serious. “You mentioned last night that there was something off about Shen Wanyin. I actually had someone look into it.”

“What did you find?”

Qin Mang finally looked a bit interested. When the stylist asked about accessories, she casually pointed to a uniquely designed ruby brooch. Many of the vintage pieces worn by her character were ones she had brought from home.

The stylist next to her sincerely praised, “Teacher Qin, your sense of style is amazing.”

“It goes perfectly with the costume.”

Thinking of what Wei Qin and Shen Wanyin had done, Meng Ting didn’t hide his disgust. “Shen Wanyin has been deliberately copying you.”

“She’s copying me?”

Qin Mang frowned slightly, puzzled. “But didn’t she debut earlier than me?”

When Qin Mang entered the industry, Shen Wanyin was already well known as a ‘goddess with bold, dramatic features.’

“That’s exactly what’s so disgusting about their team!” Meng Ting grew more agitated.

He nearly smashed his tablet in front of her.

Taking a deep breath, he finally explained, “Wei Qin saw that video of your white lion dance. At the time, not many people had discovered it. She predicted you’d blow up in the entertainment world, so she jumped the gun and gave Shen Wanyin a makeover similar to yours—presenting her as a sultry beauty with strong features, and debuted the new look on the red carpet at a major film festival. It made a big splash.”

“Then after your debut, they played even dirtier—releasing heavily edited magazine photos of Shen Wanyin and comparing them to your unfiltered everyday shots. So when you finally appeared on-screen, the public had already been primed to think, ‘Wow, she’s already this beautiful? Then Shen Wanyin must be even more stunning!’”

Meng Ting swiped through photos on his tablet and showed her. “Look, this was her before your debut.”

A pure, innocent girl-next-door look.

“So she got a taste of success from copying me, and then took it to the extreme—even copying the exact curl of my hair?”

Qin Mang couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically.

“No wonder she’s desperate for you to fall into scandal and get kicked out of the industry. She saw that your new drama is becoming a hit, and now you’ve got a growing fanbase—those ‘Shen Wanyin outshines Qin Mang’ posts are starting to fall flat.”

“Hmph, she’s really bold.”

She looked at her flawless reflection in the mirror.

Her red lips curved into a slightly wicked smirk. “Since she cares so much about upstaging me, let’s give her the chance.”

She then slowly laid out a plan.

After hearing it, Meng Ting couldn’t help but exclaim, “Truly, the most vicious—”

He paused under Qin Mang’s sharp gaze.

“—most brilliant fairy-hearted goddess.”

Just then, a staff member knocked on the door outside. “Teacher Qin, it’s time for your scene.”

“Coming.”

Qin Mang casually tossed the business card she had been playing with for an hour into the jewelry box. But just as she was about to leave, she suddenly froze.

She finally realized what was so odd about the scene she woke up to that morning in the presidential suite.

Damn it.

Wasn’t it exactly like one of those over-the-top CEO romance clichés? The domineering CEO accidentally sleeps with the wrong woman, leaves behind a business card, hinting the heroine can come find him to claim her “payment”—but the proud heroine refuses to bow to money. Then, three years later, she returns in glory with a genius child to confront the man and reveal he’s the father!

The most important thing was—

Qin Mang suddenly clutched her lower abdomen, and her eyes—made even more alluring by makeup—flashed with a hint of panic.

He Lingji… he didn’t use—?

15**Chapter 15 – Brazenly Bold**

When He Lingji received a call from Mrs. He, his private jet had just landed.

The corridor was empty but impressively designed—no excess decorative lines, purely futuristic. This was a private hangar He Lingji had invested heavily in, built in Deep City, where every inch of land was precious.

Several of his private jets were parked here.

Some were still abroad.

Although He Lingji came from an illustrious background, he had no particular material desires—except for a love of collecting private jets, yachts, and sports cars. Most of his funds went into these hobbies and their maintenance, burning money every month without fail.

If something caught his eye, no matter the price, he’d buy it.

This lavish obsession was widely known among Deep City’s elite.

Coincidentally, a new model jet he ordered half a year ago had arrived just a few days earlier, and He Lingji had come to take a look.

The massive body of the jet, painted in deep navy and jet black, gleamed under the sunlight. Its sleek, sharp lines reflected a cold light, towering high and proud above all.

Printed boldly across the body: *This aircraft is both luxurious and noble.*

From a ten-meter-high glass platform, He Lingji looked calmly at the plane.

His side profile was sharp and cold, like a deity imprisoned in a giant glass cage.

His tall and slender figure didn’t seem dwarfed by the massive jet. Instead, his steel-blue eyes radiated a wild dominance—like someone born to conquer machines.

The accompanying secretaries and staff didn’t dare take more than a glance.

Then, his private phone rang. He Lingji glanced at the screen, and the corners of his thin lips lifted lazily.

The god had returned to the mortal world.

“HE LINGJI! AAAAH! Did you not wear a condom last night?!”

Hmm—

Now the god had not only returned to the world of humans, but also to the world of… sex.

Secretary Cong, having learned from last time, wisely signaled the others to step away once he saw Mr. He on the phone with his wife.

Better to avoid hearing anything inappropriate.

He Lingji began walking away, his tone unhurried. “The hotel didn’t have the right size.”

“Then why didn’t you go buy some?! There are 24-hour convenience stores everywhere outside!”

“Oh… my size needs custom orders. Not available domestically.”

“Shouldn’t Mrs. He be the most familiar with that size?”

Qin Mang was so furious she couldn’t speak for a moment. “…”

He Lingji picked up on her breathing. For once, he tried to reassure her: “Relax—”

“Most of it didn’t go inside.”

“That last time, it was you who…” pushed too hard.

He hadn’t even finished the sentence.

“SHUT UP!”

“He Lingji! From this moment on, you’ve lost your fair-skinned, beautiful, delicate, and sweet wife!”

Qin Mang furiously hung up.

Inside a small, quiet wooden loft at the film set—

Qin Mang fanned herself with a lion-shaped mini fan. A few strands of her black hair had fallen from her bun onto her cheeks, giving her a slightly wild beauty.

But the tiny fan did nothing to cool her down.

Beside her, A-Tong cautiously asked, “Should I go buy some morning-after pills?”

Qin Mang shot her a cold glare. “We’re a legally married couple—what pills?”

“Ah—”

“But what if you’re pregnant?”

Qin Mang sneered, swaying down the stairs in high heels. “If I’m pregnant, I’ll give birth. Then make He Lingji stay home and raise the kid.”

“?!”

A-Tong was dumbfounded.

What?

Who would raise the kid?

Mr. He?

The decisive, stoic, disciplined man who seemed untouched by worldly love and desire—He the Ice Glacier Himself?

Raising a child?

On this hot summer day, a chill ran down her spine.

She stared at Qin Mang’s elegant, slender figure in shock.

Meanwhile, Qin Mang leisurely returned to the set, fanning herself. She had only called He Lingji during a break. The peaceful surroundings had slowly calmed her mood.

She thought about it—she should be expecting her period soon.

Pregnancy was unlikely.

Still—

She was *mad*.

That dog of a man!

“Miss Qin, your next scene is a smoking shot. Here’s the prop, please practice.”

Seeing her approach, the staff quickly handed her a prop cigarette.

She accepted the slender cigarette with a blue and silver shaft, casually rubbing it. She subconsciously glanced at her flat stomach—such a tiny chance, surely not, right?

Just then—

The staff had already lit the cigarette for her.

Qin Mang was just about to frown—

But instead of the usual minty tobacco scent, a faint fruity aroma hit her nose.

Not a trace of tobacco smoke. Completely lacking the dignity of a real cigarette.

“They make props like this now?”

If she’d known, she would’ve asked Meng Ting to arrange something better!

At that moment, Director Zhou passed by and overheard her. With a meaningful look, he said, “Not before. But the investors of *Dreams of Old Beijing* care about the actors’ health, so they specially developed harmless fruit cigarettes.”

Qin Mang lived in the hotel booked by the production crew. When He Lingji had visited, Director Zhou and the producer had personally welcomed him. They were well aware that her relationship with Mr. He wasn’t simple—but dared not speculate further.

Qin Mang lifted her lashes, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She understood what Director Zhou was implying.

With slender fingers, she casually pinched the cigarette, raised it to her lips, and took a puff. Her mouth was filled with the flavor of lychee.

Amidst the faint smoke, she smiled lazily. “Oh? Then our investor daddy sure is considerate.”

The man with seductive eyes who always stayed calm under pressure…

He remembered she liked lychee flavor.

Fine.

On that merit alone, he was forgiven.

As for the baby—

Qin Mang’s period came that very night.

She lay on the bed and took the initiative to send He Lingji a message:

**[You’re lucky this time.]**

**Cold-blooded Capitalist:** [?]

**Little Lion Roar Meow:**
*[You almost had to stay home for ten months raising a baby.]*

**Cold-blooded Capitalist:** […]

Qin Mang rolled around on the bed for a while, biting her red lips. Eventually, she sent a voice message:

“I like the lychee-flavored cigarettes. Send more.”

A few seconds later—

A two-second voice reply came in.

Qin Mang played it.

There was a rustling sound, like someone flipping a page.

After a second, that familiar deep, magnetic voice:

“Mm.”

Even through the phone, his crisp, low voice made her eardrums tingle.

Qin Mang hid under the covers, listening to it over and over again.

Hmph.

Brushed her off.

Yet her pretty lips couldn’t help curling up.

She reached up and tried to flatten them.

She definitely wasn’t smiling!

Little Lion Mang rolled across the bed, onto the other pillow.

The hotel staff had already changed the sheets.

The icy, frosty scent of the man had long since faded.

After half a month of shooting—

Qin Mang finally had her first scene with Shen Wanyin.

The two were often compared—by netizens and fans alike. Even the staff were curious to see who had stronger acting chops.

To everyone’s surprise, Shen Wanyin kept flubbing her lines.

Seven or eight takes—every time, she froze as soon as Qin Mang entered.

This scene featured Shen Wanyin’s character, an undercover agent pretending to be the female lead, Yun Ling, trying to obtain classified info—only to be caught by the real Yun Ling. A battle of wits ensued.

At the start of the scene, Shen Wanyin was supposed to act shocked at Yun Ling’s sudden appearance.

By the eighth take—

Shen Wanyin lounged against the bar in a seductive cheongsam, loosely holding a wine glass. Her red nails glistened under the lights—the vibe was perfect.

But the moment her eyes swept toward the doorway—

She saw Qin Mang’s faint, amused smirk and immediately recalled the humiliation she’d suffered in front of her half a month ago. Her expression twisted—

And the next second—

Director Zhou, known for his temper, slammed down his megaphone and roared, “You’re the spy! Did *you* do something wrong, or did *she*? Why are you glaring at her? You’re the fake—shouldn’t you look guilty?!”

*Fake*, *wrongdoing*—those words echoed in Shen Wanyin’s head.

She almost choked.

“One more chance! If you can’t do it—GET OUT!”

From beginning to end, Qin Mang leaned lazily against the doorframe, relaxed and graceful. Even as the director scolded people, she simply raised her little lion fan and cooled herself down—completely at ease.

She didn’t even spare a glance for Shen Wanyin, as if she had never regarded her as important.
She wasn’t even worthy of being her opponent.
This attitude made Shen Wanyin’s heart twist in agony.
It felt as though she was mocking her.

Shen Wanyin forced herself to calm down and, in front of the entire crew, said,
“Director, um… Teacher Qin always looks at me with that mocking gaze.”
“It makes it hard for me to get into character.”

Qin Mang half-closed her eyes, letting the staff hold an ice pack to fan her with cold air.
She had been on set for half a month, and everyone knew she was more prone to heat than others.
Last time, her neck had broken out in a rash.
A dense, red layer of spots on her fair skin, it was really shocking.

Hearing Shen Wanyin’s words, Qin Mang lazily lifted her lashes and gave a perfunctory apology,
“Sorry, it seems my acting was so good that it affected Teacher Shen.”

The entire crew had already wasted several hours with Shen Wanyin.
Everyone was already getting irritated.

Assistant Director:
“Teacher Qin’s emotions are spot on.”
“During the break, Teacher Shen, why don’t you review your script again?”
“Let’s try for a take in one go.”

Shen Wanyin bit her lower lip.
“Okay.”

When filming resumed, Shen Wanyin forced herself to not overthink Qin Mang’s gaze, and it was much smoother.
In the shot—
Qin Mang’s waist-length black hair shone like ink, revealing her slender, graceful swan neck. She wore a black trench coat and matching knee-high boots. Despite the cold color scheme, her extremely beautiful face, with its bold, wild beauty, stood out strikingly.

She toyed with a small, exquisite silver handgun, its sharp gleam flashing under the lights. Her red lips curled into a lazy arc. Although her demeanor seemed indifferent, there was a hidden threat in her mesmerizing eyes:
“ The consequence of counterfeit…”
“…is death.”

Extremely beautiful, yet full of danger.
She could take whatever she desired with ease, whenever and wherever she wished.
For example—
This counterfeit’s life.

Shen Wanyin unconsciously followed her gaze, sinking into the scene, her eyes filled with panic. Though she knew the gun was fake and there were no bullets, her heart raced so wildly when the trigger pulled that it almost suffocated her.

“Cut!”
When the director called out, Shen Wanyin felt her knees go weak.
It truly felt like she had experienced life and death.

Qin Mang, calm and composed, blew on the muzzle of the gun:
“Teacher Shen, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Pfft.
A staff member helping out couldn’t hold back their laughter.

“This time was pretty good.”
Director Zhou looked at Yun Ling, who could easily steal the spotlight. As long as she was on screen, there would never be a second female lead.
This was also why Qin Mang had once been typecast as a supporting character with no significant screen time.
Any experienced director could see that.

When her face appeared on the big screen, if she had scenes with the lead, the distinction between the main and supporting roles would be blurred.
Her poor acting skills were widely known, and no production team dared to joke around with their movies by casting her as the female lead.

Looking at the flawless face in the camera,
Qin Mang resembled a phoenix lying dormant in the dead leaves of winter. Once the flowers bloomed, she would spread her wings and fly, leaving behind a brilliant and magnificent scene in the vast sky.
Director Zhou’s mood fluctuated.
Suddenly, a larger ambition arose in him.
He abruptly stood up,
“One more take!”
It had to be perfect, his gaze swept over Shen Wanyin, his warning clear,
“I won’t allow anyone to drag behind in my film.”

Shen Wanyin had been the center of attention since her debut, never having experienced such humiliation.
Thinking of having a gun pointed at her vital spot by Qin Mang again, she gritted her teeth and stood up. Given her current situation, she could only lower her eyes,
“Yes.”

The company was already about to give up on her, so she couldn’t afford to lose this role.
Today, coincidentally, there was a media visit, and someone inadvertently captured a short video of Qin Mang and Shen Wanyin’s scene together.
To their surprise, it quickly made it to the trending topics.

“Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap?”
“Is this really the so-called flower vase acting?”
“Wasn’t she supposed to be a flower vase? Why is she turning into an acting powerhouse behind our backs?”
“The actor in the scene is Shen Wanyin?”
“The makeup is so beautiful, I didn’t even notice her in this video.”
“Wait, Qin Mang’s natural look actually outshines Shen Wanyin’s heavy makeup?”
“Where did the rumor about their beauty being on the same level come from?”
“Wow, they really do look alike. Always comparing beauty, but this is the first time they’re in the same frame. Shen lost, she lost.”

Shen Wanyin’s fans were unwilling to back down:
“Lmao, Qin Mang debuted with the whole ‘little Shen Wanyin’ thing. Who doesn’t know that?”
“Big scandal coming!”

16**Chapter 16: Role Play**

In the top-floor presidential suite, Qin Mang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. From her vantage point, she overlooked nearly half of Qingcheng. Though the city wasn’t large, it housed the biggest film production base in the country.

This five-star hotel marked the dividing line: on one side stood clusters of ancient-style buildings that felt like stepping back into a traditional, timeworn era; on the other, towering skyscrapers with neon lights crisscrossing the sky, a jarring contrast especially stark at night—like a strange, fantastical dreamscape.

“Heh, without Zhou Yuan Studio’s marketing team backing her, that woman’s fans are panicking and trying to drag you down by claiming you copied her debut,” Meng Ting said, typing away on the laptop beside the coffee table.

“OK.”

“I’ve already posted a screenshot of the timestamp from your debut video.”

The reflection on the glass showed the lit-up screen displaying a post from Meng Ting’s account:

**[Breaking News… Huge Drama Alert!]**

The so-called “huge drama” was, of course, how Shen Wanyin had been leeching off Qin Mang’s debut all along—and even had the nerve to play the victim.

Qin Mang replied with a slow and lazy hum.

She didn’t need to check Weibo to know the storm was already brewing.

A faint chill flickered in her eyes.

Shen Wanyin had set her up last time. Qin Mang had long been waiting for the perfect moment to strike back.

She was not one to forgive or forget.

Only by exposing someone’s deepest fears—the secrets they worked hardest to hide—could you deliver a truly devastating blow.

The air conditioning was on low. Qin Mang picked up a shawl and draped it over her delicate shoulders, bare under a thin spaghetti-strap dress. She nestled into the sofa and tapped her phone, opening her gallery.

Then she lazily said, “You’ve got three minutes to do a good deed. Give Director Zhou a heads-up. If the script needs changing, change it. If the second female lead’s scenes need to be cut, cut them. I think promoting the third female lead sounds about right.”

Qi Rong was much easier on the eyes, after all.

Meng Ting went quiet for a few seconds: “…”

“That’s what you call a good deed?”

Qin Mang didn’t answer and switched screens.

Suddenly, the sound of wooden fish echoed in the room.

Accompanied by her cheerful voice: “Collect 1,000 merit points, and you earn one chance to be a little… irrational.”

At first, Meng Ting didn’t get what she meant.

Until three minutes later.

The company’s PR department blew up his phone. “Ahhh! You need to stop Qin Mang right now!”

Meng Ting: “!”

He knew it—nothing good ever came from her chanting and hitting those wooden fish!

Last time she did it a thousand times, she tried to feed someone to sharks in public on a yacht.

Qin Mang’s red lips curled upward. “Don’t worry. I’m good at attacking the body…”

“And even better at attacking the heart.”

So—

**Qin Mang V:** *“I don’t enjoy playing ugly.”*
*Photo.jpg ×9*

A nine-photo collage, all privately taken by Wu Yuxi during vacations over the years.

**Wu Yuxi instantly reposted:**
*”Our little lion has been beautiful since she was a child. When it comes to looks, she’s always been copied, never surpassed.”*
*Photos ×18*

Last time when Qin Mang was being viciously attacked online, Wu Yuxi had been watching the Northern Lights in Iceland and couldn’t step in. She’d been holding in her anger ever since.

Now she let it all out—and felt amazing.

Their little lion was not only beautiful, but strong. In the entertainment world, she had every reason to stand proud!

Copy her?

What a joke!

A total of 27 private photos of Qin Mang. A feast for beauty lovers.

Flawless from every angle.

Breathtakingly gorgeous.

Netizens finally came to their senses—

Right.

Since ancient times, it’s always been the unattractive ones copying the beautiful.

We’ve heard of Dongshi imitating Xishi, but never Xishi imitating Dongshi.

With Qin Mang’s natural beauty—clear in every unedited high-definition photo—and her acting talent that outshone Shen Wanyin in the same frame, how had she been overshadowed these past two years?

Soon, people began digging.

Starting from the video timestamp Meng Ting posted, they uncovered a trail of suspicious details.

Turns out Shen Wanyin drastically changed her style less than 24 hours after Qin Mang’s debut video dropped. From a sweet, innocent girl-next-door look, she suddenly shifted to a bold and glamorous “top-tier beauty” vibe. Even her early makeup and outfit styling were blatant copies of Qin Mang’s signature red gauze lion dance look.

The deeper they dug, the more shocking it got.

Even Zhou Yuan Studio, who signed Shen Wanyin, got dragged into it.

After all, from boss to artist, their entire brand relied on riding the coattails of others through heavy marketing—a tactic bound to backfire once exposed.

Meng Ting finally exhaled in relief.

“Miss Qin… could you please not make things this thrilling every time?”

“As long as it works.”

As if she’d already predicted how public opinion would turn, Qin Mang casually waved her hand. The rich royal purple jade bangles on her slender wrist clinked softly, emitting a crisp and pleasant sound.

Her gaze flicked to the top Weibo comment under her post:
**“It’s easy to copy the skin, but hard to copy the soul.”**

The sarcasm was razor sharp.

—

In the hotel suite next door, separated by just one wall—

No lights were on. The room was dim and gloomy.

On the carpet lay a cracked tablet, still displaying the Weibo page.

All the hateful words that had once pierced Qin Mang…

Now boomeranged back with greater force—stabbing right into Shen Wanyin.

She sat curled up in the corner, pale-faced, recalling what Wei Qin had said before leaving.

It felt like grasping at a lifeline.

“…Wei-jie, about what you said last time—I agree.”

Laughter came from the other end. “Wanyin, this will be the best decision you’ve ever made.”

Just in time—right before Zhou Yuan Studio planned to cut ties with her.

After hanging up, Wei Qin and Zhou Yuan exchanged a knowing smile.

Now that they had the backing of President Zhou from Feiyun Entertainment…

Zhou Yuan said meaningfully, “In this industry, without a sponsor, the path forward is almost impossible.”

—

**#RealVsFakeGlamGoddess** shot to the top of the trending list.

It was a three-way war: Qin Mang fans posting stunning pics, Shen Wanyin fans flooding retouched glam shots, and random gossip-loving bystanders joining the chaos.

Usually, in such beauty showdowns, the less attractive side gets awkward.

Compared side by side, top to bottom, left to right—Qin Mang’s looks were simply in a league of their own.

No comparison.

Ironically, this messy fan-driven confrontation ended up benefiting Qin Mang.

More and more people began to believe Shen Wanyin had stepped on a newcomer (Qin Mang) to climb her way up—leeching resources, stealing her spotlight, and leaving Qin Mang struggling in mediocrity for two years.

Qin Mang’s journey now looked like a classic underdog comeback story.

She gained a fresh wave of sympathy and support.

As for Shen Wanyin—once adored as a goddess and sweetheart—she instantly became a pariah.

Everyone began speculating how her PR team would respond.

Then, at 3 AM—

A bombshell dropped: Shen Wanyin announced an indefinite retreat from the entertainment industry due to “health reasons.”

It diverted all attention in an instant.

Netizens were stunned.

They’d barely started enjoying the gossip when the main character bowed out.

It was like punching a pillow—dissatisfying.

Meng Ting saw the post and frantically called Qin Mang dozens of times.

“Aaaaah! The more I think about it, the more confused I get. Why would she quit the industry? What if it’s a tactical retreat?”

Woken up in the middle of the night, Qin Mang opened her drowsy eyes slightly, then let them drift closed again.

Her tone was lazy and indifferent:
“Who cares if it’s real or fake? Just make the fake real.”

Real or not—what difference did it make?

From that day on, Shen Wanyin quickly finished filming a few scenes and left the production team.

Ever since she left, the overall progress sped up significantly.

Soon enough, Qin Mang’s shortcomings in acting began to show.

The director had originally hoped Qin Mang would win an award for this role, but… the further into filming they got, the more despair he felt.

It wasn’t that Qin Mang lacked acting skills.

It was just that the latter half of the drama contained many delicate scenes with emotional tension, entangled gazes, and layered interactions that all needed to be portrayed accurately.

The male lead chosen for the drama was Jiang Hengyan, a well-known, award-winning actor recognized for his skills. He had good looks, an impressive resume, and excellent chemistry with actresses of his age group. As a warlord and a qipao beauty pairing, they should’ve had instant CP (couple pairing) appeal. And yet, when he and Qin Mang stood together, it felt like a big sister and her loyal little follower.

It was strange.

The main issue was the way Qin Mang looked at him—completely lacking the bashfulness of a young girl experiencing her first love.

Their very first partner scene took several days just to get through.

At first, the director thought it might be because they weren’t familiar with each other, so he skipped the emotional scenes and had them film other parts first, hoping the chemistry would build over time.

But…

The result was obvious.

“First love, first love! Is that how you look at a lover? Or are you looking at a little sidekick?! Qin Mang, have you never been in love before?!” Director Zhou lost his temper again and shouted into the megaphone, livid.

Qin Mang’s fair and delicate face was full of innocent confusion. She actually thought about it seriously, then shook her head honestly: “…No.”

Director Zhou nearly passed out. He blurted out, “But aren’t you with He—”

The entire crew’s eyes lit up instantly, all turning to the director.

Dozens of eyes screamed: *There’s gossip! We want the tea!*

He abruptly cut himself off.

Director Zhou went silent for a few seconds, wiped his face, and gave a cold chuckle. “Heh…”

“I don’t believe it.”

Meng Ting, afraid their precious young lady would blow her cover, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Director, our Mangmang has always been focused on her career. She really hasn’t had time for romance. How about giving her some time to practice a bit more?”

Director Zhou also realized that if Qin Mang kept filming like this, it would lead to a vicious cycle. After a brief pause, he asked, “Will half a month be enough?”

“She’s a fast learner—half a month is definitely enough!”

“Just give us two weeks, and she’ll come back a whole new person.”

Meng Ting held Qin Mang’s hand and made her thank the director.

In the nanny van after leaving the set:

Qin Mang: “…”

She looked gloomily at Meng Ting. “Who told you to decide for me?”

Half a month?

Learn how to fall in love?

Learn what it’s like to have a crush?

She hadn’t figured that out in 22 years.

Meng Ting, for once, took on the posture of a true manager. “What are you looking at? You want to stay on set and keep wasting film over and over again? Wasting your husband’s money is the same as wasting your own!”

He finished earnestly, “I’m doing this for your own good.”

Of course, besides helping her improve her acting, Meng Ting also arranged for her to shoot the September magazine cover during this break.

Back when Qin Mang was getting dragged online, most brands quickly distanced themselves—except for *EG* magazine, which stayed firm.

No wonder they’re a top international brand.

While blacklisting all the backstabbing brands, Meng Ting added, “If you were single, you could explore more options. But now, you only have one.”

“Have your husband help you rehearse.”

Next to them, Ah Tong hugged the costumes they had brought back from the set and chimed in dreamily, “President He would look perfect in a warlord outfit! The aura of a mysterious, noble general—he could totally pull it off.”

She rested her chin on her hand and whispered, “And I think the reason you and Mr. Jiang have no CP chemistry is because his aura just isn’t strong enough.”

“But if President He wore that outfit, you’d definitely get into character!”

“I have CP chemistry with He Lingzhi?”

“Aren’t we the least-likely couple on that CP forum?”

Qin Mang still remembered that post and casually grumbled.

She took a sip of iced water, her long lashes drooping as she slumped in the leather seat, gazing listlessly at the willow trees rushing by outside the window.

Truthfully, she was feeling defeated.

She had clearly worked hard to improve her acting, but when it came to scenes with a partner, it was like something just didn’t click.

For other scenes, she just needed a glance at the script to know exactly how to perform, slipping into character instantly.

But with her pride, there was no way she’d tell Meng Ting and the others.

These past few nights, she’d stayed up until the early hours studying scenes, watching countless movies, and re-reading her mother’s acting notes over and over.

But no matter how rich her theoretical knowledge was, once the cameras started rolling, her mind went blank.

She never knew what expression or look she should have.

And besides…

Would He Lingzhi really help her rehearse?

Qin Mang thought of how he usually responded and said flatly, “I can’t afford President He.”

Meng Ting hesitated a moment. “How about you swallow your pride and ask him nicely?”

Qin Mang glanced over with an intense, smoldering look.

Meng Ting avoided her gaze, pretending not to notice, and cleared his throat. “Hey, everyone has their burdens. Chasing your dreams isn’t easy. Just think of this as the final boss on your path to becoming Best Actress. Once you beat it, you win!”

“Even the pilgrimage to the west required 81 tribulations. You’re barely on the second one.”

Finally, he played his trump card: “Unless you’re afraid you’ll really fall for President He and be unable to stop?”

“…Ha?”

“I’m more afraid he’ll fall for *me* and be unable to stop!”

Qin Mang really fell for the bait.

Meng Ting was overjoyed, but kept a straight face. “Then let’s wait and see.”

He added solemnly, “President He is an ascetic and disciplined glacier. If he melts for you, you’d better tell me in advance so I can stock up on supplies.”

“Because—”

Ah Tong added, “If the glacier melts, the apocalypse begins.”

Qin Mang listened to their banter and let out a soft snort of laughter.

They really had awakened her competitive spirit.

A melting glacier?

She *wanted* to see if the end of the world would come.

The young woman who had been stuck in an emotional rut due to her partner scenes now had a new goal—and renewed energy.

She was already mapping out a detailed plan in her mind.

That night, He Lingzhi returned to the lakeside estate.

And saw someone he hadn’t seen in a while.

Under the dim, dreamy lights—

A woman in a sheer silk qipao stood gracefully at the doorway, like a forest siren sent to lure men in and steal their hearts. If one succumbed to her beauty, it would be a fall from which there was no return.

He Lingzhi wore a conservative and aristocratic suit, buttoned up meticulously, a pair of fine-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He looked elegant, but distant and untouchable.

At that moment, he looked over against the light—

His gaze swept over the military-green uniform draped on Qin Mang’s pale arm, clearly a man’s outfit, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Like a volcano lurking beneath a glacier.

Hiding an unknown danger.

The next moment—

Qin Mang’s slender arm had already wrapped around his.

Her red lips parted slightly as she used her teeth to undo the top button of his tightly fastened shirt, occasionally brushing against his Adam’s apple.

Her sultry voice stretched out:

“President He~”

“Roleplay~”

“Wanna play?”

17**Chapter 17: Scar-Prone Constitution**

Ten seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Thirty seconds.

Qin Mang’s fingertips instinctively climbed onto the man’s shoulder. Her nose brushed against that tiny seductive red mole—was it unintentional, or on purpose?—grazing along the man’s sharply defined jawline.

Her already lush and beautiful lips, rubbed against the fabric, began to flush a decadent red.

The key issue was—

She’d been biting at it for ages…

But that button didn’t budge an inch.

“…”

It was just awkward.

Qin Mang lifted her lashes and snuck a glance—

Through the thin lenses of his glasses, she locked eyes with the man’s amused and deep gaze.

“Roleplay?”

The man’s long fingers brushed casually across the corner of her lips as he undid his own button, finally speaking.

His cool, crisp voice teased like a mist in the damp, quiet air, laced with amusement: “Hmm? So is Mrs. He playing… a puppy with weak teeth?”

Qin Mang, whose body was previously seductive and serpentine, almost lost her composure on the spot.

“You son of a—” Damn it.

She had finally learned a very dirty phrase and hadn’t even gotten to finish it before—

The alarm bells in her mind rang out, echoing Meng Ting’s devilish mantra, “Which office worker isn’t carrying a heavy load?” Not to mention all those failed takes during filming, her inability to get into character holding up production…

Qin Mang had always been proud. “Not being capable” was something she absolutely could not tolerate.

In short, everything was for the sake of the role. For her acting career. What was a little hardship?

She took a slow breath. The flickering emotions in her beautiful eyes gradually faded, restoring their jet-black clarity—and determination.

She could endure a little longer.

Worst case, she’d just chant a few extra Buddhist prayers later.

The button still needed to come off.

Qin Mang’s fingers brushed over the stiff, military-style costume slung over her arm.

It completely clashed with He Lingji’s proper, buttoned-up shirt.

The next second—

She suddenly reached out like a little wolf and yanked the already loosened button off with force.

Looking innocent: “The button… was a little tight.”

“Well, it’s off now.”

Caught off guard by the move, He Lingji didn’t expect it.

His neatly buttoned shirt opened slightly, revealing pale collarbones beneath—his normally cool and noble aura now tinged with an unruly edge.

That dominating wildness instantly emerged.

Yes! That was the vibe!

Remembering her goal, Qin Mang quickly draped the retro military uniform—one she’d been carrying around all night—over him. Then she removed the thin-framed glasses from his nose bridge.

Touching her chin, she nodded in satisfaction:

“Finally got the feel.”

“What feel?”

Qin Mang leaned in: “Of course—the warlord boss and his beautiful little wife.”

She declared, “That’s our roleplay theme.”

Deep City’s night was stuffy outside—

Especially with August approaching.

Wrapped in the thick costume, Qin Mang was on the verge of heatstroke, yet still stubbornly waited, refusing to miss him.

“There’s even a script,” she added.

“I’ll grab—” it for you.

Before she could finish, the coat draped over He Lingji’s shoulders softly fell onto her head.

Her vision instantly blacked out.

He Lingji relaxed, stepping past her and heading inside, leaving behind a cryptic remark: “Little wife, isn’t it hot outside?”

Of course it’s hot!

Qin Mang was practically melting.

Still trying to be a proper “longing housewife,” she didn’t even bring her little lion fan, worried she might miss him.

She pulled the costume off her head, unusually calm, and like a little tail, hugged the coat and followed He Lingji through the door.

The woman’s slender waist and delicate bones cast a long, graceful shadow, slowly blending with the man’s tall, upright figure.

“President He?”

“Wanna play or not~”

With the sound of the door closing—

And He Lingji’s voice, slightly husky with laughter, “Mrs. He has so warmly invited me…”

Word by word: “Of course, I’ll play.”

The playful tone of that final word curled around her ears, as if it could burrow into the heart.

…

The rooftop terrace—unlike their last visit—had its high-tech arched roof closed, forming a sealed space with a special starry-sky ceiling.

The illusion of dislocated space and strong visual effects made Qin Mang worry that those twinkling stars might fall at any moment when she looked up.

As if she were standing amidst the cosmos.

A faint blush deepened across Qin Mang’s thin eyelids.

Her mind was full of existential doubt—

“Was *this* the kind of playing I meant?”

In the sealed space, only the stars lit the scene.

Her delicate figure, under the cover of night and the man’s tall silhouette, appeared even more fragile and slender, as if she might shatter with a touch.

He Lingji, calm and composed, pulled her into his arms: “Oh? Wasn’t it?”

Qin Mang struggled: “I meant *roleplaying*! *Acting*!”

Acting, not playing!

He Lingji effortlessly caught her flailing wrists, nodding with mock realization: “Ah… so Mrs. He wanted to roleplay a *forcible seduction* scene?”

“I did not! I wasn’t! Don’t say nonsense!”

Qin Mang denied it three times in a row.

He looked down at her, his lashes low.

His grey-blue eyes, in the shifting light, looked like cold, luxurious sapphires—mesmerizing enough to pull one in without resistance.

Qin Mang was inexplicably drawn to those eyes.

In *Dreams of Old Beijing*, the upcoming drama, she had many intense eye-contact scenes with the male lead Jiang Hengyan. But every time, she failed to convey the intimacy the director wanted—she couldn’t feel the “drowning in his eyes” emotion.

No sense of immersion.

Yet at this moment—

A mere glance, and she was already dazed.

Feeling a breeze of cool air, her mind cleared slightly. Remembering her goal, she slowly sat up, hands resting on his shoulders, and her pale fingertips brushed up toward the corner of his eye: “Mind… rehearsing a scene?”

“Your eyes are so beautiful. It’d be a waste not to use them in an emotional scene.”

Qin Mang acted suddenly.

He Lingji’s eyes darkened, like surging waves beneath a calm sea. His breathing, for once, grew heavier.

He pulled out the thin satin ribbon she used to tie her hair.

Her long hair spilled down like a waterfall, covering her delicate back.

“You…”

Before he could finish,

His vision darkened once more.

He Lingji used the crimson ribbon to cover her bewitching eyes.

She had only complimented his eyes—

But she didn’t realize—

To him, her innocent, emotional eyes were the real aphrodisiac.

And this time, he wouldn’t let her take it off.

Their fingers intertwined, the warmth from their palms seemed to seep into each other’s hearts.

“Focus.”

Qin Mang: “…”

Defeated before she could even begin.

This dog of a man, He Lingji, even dared to accuse *her* of lacking focus. She had been *very* focused—on rehearsing!

At some point, the roof opened, and a breeze drifted in.

The long crimson ribbon tied around her eyes fluttered in midair, its end embroidered with a lifelike little white lion.

As the wind blew, the lion shifted shape—

Until time passed, and it settled again, tilting its head atop the ribbon, as if nothing had happened.

—

The next morning.

“Big Miss, did the scene go well? Did President He take the bait?”

Meng Ting called to ask for updates.

Qin Mang stood lazily at the sink, turned on speakerphone, and tossed the phone onto the nearby rack. She focused on washing up.

Droplets of water slid down her snow-white cheeks.

Dampening her already stunning features—especially those eyes. Even with a sulky expression, they shimmered like waves begging for attention.

It annoyed Qin Mang.

She rubbed her eyes with frustration.

…

Still watery!

Her crisp voice, now slightly hoarse: “Mm.”

The moment she made a sound, she realized—

Her voice was gone.

She had cried for most of the night—how could she possibly not be hoarse?

He Lingji, always composed and serious in public, seemingly aloof and abstinent, was in fact a total pervert. Every time they were in bed, he wouldn’t stop until she was crying.

And after making her cry, he’d cuddle her and make her drink water.

To make sure she could keep crying…

To prevent dehydration.

Should she be thanking him for that?

Qin Mang didn’t want to talk anymore.

“You heard that ‘mm’?”

Meng Ting was thrilled and in disbelief. “It worked?”

Just like that?

Qin Mang composed herself a little, then slowly replied with two words, “In your dreams.”

All the excitement Meng Ting was about to let out got stuck in her throat.

“Ai, I knew President He wasn’t that easy to win over. Countdown: 14 days of vacation left. You’ve got to shoot for 3 days, so that gives you 11 days. Make them count.”

Qin Mang brushed him off with a couple of vague replies and was about to hang up.

Meng Ting added one last reminder, “The shoot starts this afternoon. There aren’t any marks left on your body, right?”

“Did you go through the materials? There might be water scenes.”

If any water touches those red marks…

Meng Ting felt like dying just thinking about it.

Marks?

Qin Mang paused for two seconds. Her gaze inadvertently shifted to the full-length mirror nearby.

She was only wearing a thin white silk robe, smooth and soft in texture. The slender belt outlined her delicate figure. The collar was loose, revealing a swath of fair skin, and there weren’t any visible marks.

“Got it, got it,” she said lazily, voice relaxed. “Absolutely none.”

Last night, in her dazed state, she did vaguely remember today’s schedule.

At 6 p.m., one of the magazine cover shoots was set at Shenghe Bay, the top hotel in Shen City.

It was famous for its open-air swimming pool—a paradise of ocean views moved indoors. In midsummer, when the seaside sun scorches mercilessly, this location was a dream for water-themed shoots. The magazine had booked it exclusively for the day at a cost of over a million yuan.

Perfect for someone like Qin Mang, whose body ran hot and couldn’t stand heat.

She had initially thought they’d be going to some beach again for endless sunbathing when she saw the materials.

But the result? Exceptional.

This shoot had a “Classic of Mountains and Seas” theme. The chosen character: a mermaid.

Qin Mang arrived early because the makeup was complicated. She was nearly falling asleep before it was finally done.

When she changed into costume and stepped out—

The once-busy staff froze in awe at her transformation.

Her long snow-white hair cascaded down her body, nearly covering her upper half. As she walked, hints of her slender waist could be seen beneath the strands. Below that: a shimmering iridescent fishtail.

Her expressive eyes, framed by dramatic makeup, highlighted her stunning features.

Tiny, pearly beads decorated the area beneath her eyes. Paired with light blue glitter, and blinged-out scales at the corners of her eyes, they sparkled with a soft glow. Her lashes lifted slowly, revealing deep green pupils—

As if a true ethereal mermaid had appeared before them, her tears turned into pearls.

Qin Mang walked with difficulty. Supported by staff, she finally eased into the water.

Pearl-sized beads were scattered along the pool’s edge, and the clear blue water was dotted with them too, as if mermaid tears had fallen and gathered there.

Once she found the right pose,

Gasps erupted nearby.

“Is it really *that* stunning?”

She casually brushed the white strands from her chest. The soft waves of her hair, paired with the blue-scale shaped top beneath, didn’t even look like clothing—it looked like art draped on her body.

Her lower half was wrapped in a form-fitting mermaid tail that was so heavy, it almost dragged her off the edge.

But shimmering on the water’s surface, it was breathtaking.

The camera loved it.

After checking with the director, Qin Mang sent a selfie showing only her mermaid makeup to He Lingji.

**Little Lion Ao Wu Meow**: [photo.jpg]
**”Acting alongside a beauty like me is a gift. He Lingji, you’d better not take it for granted!”**
**”When I get home tonight, I want to see you in that warlord outfit!”**

**Cold-blooded Capitalist**: “On a business trip.”

**Little Lion Ao Wu Meow**: “!”

Qin Mang had been lazily leaning on the makeup chair, but after reading those concise words, she suddenly sat upright.

Why now? Why did he have to be on a trip at the most crucial time?! And she couldn’t even follow him—she still had three days of shooting left.

**Cold-blooded Capitalist**: “Busy. Talk later.”

*Talk later?!*
*Your wife’s matters are more important, okay?!*

Qin Mang’s beautiful face turned cold.

Her makeup wasn’t fully removed yet. The deep green in her eyes shimmered under the light, giving her a dangerously seductive look. Furious, she jabbed at her phone screen.

**”Freeloader scumbag!”**

Just as she sent that, multiple messages from Wu Yuxi popped up.

Qin Mang glanced at the screen and suddenly froze.

**#1 Influencer in the Universe**:
**”AHHHHHHHH”**
**”Your He Lingji showed up at a business forum with bite marks all over his neck! Did you know?!”**
**”It’s all over the finance world now!”**
**”Only President He could pull this off—walking around with that kind of destruction on display!”**
**”Wonder if the media will dare publish it.”**

Qin Mang went silent.

All she could think was: *bite marks*, *business forum*, *everyone’s seen them*—

It was practically public execution.

The rooftop had been dark last night.

And later, she’d been blindfolded. She really hadn’t noticed what his neck looked like. But if people were gossiping already, they had to be obvious.

Most people wouldn’t dare step within He Lingji’s social radius.

Seeing that she wasn’t replying, Wu Yuxi hesitantly asked:

**”It was you, right?”**
**”Not some random kitten?”**

**Little Lion Ao Wu Meow**: “Nope. It was a ghost.”

Just as she hit send, Qin Mang was about to message He Lingji but remembered he was probably still in the middle of the forum.

She quickly switched apps and found Assistant Cong’s WeChat.

**”Send me a photo of He Lingji right now!”**

Thirty seconds later:

**[photo.jpg]**
**”Ma’am, the president is busy.”**

The photo showed He Lingji onstage, speaking.
Assistant Cong had been close enough to get a crystal-clear shot.

Qin Mang’s eyes zeroed in on his neck—

Slender and pale, lined with pinkish red marks that twisted like cracks in ice. Eerily beautiful, incredibly conspicuous.

Her neat little teeth had a faintly sharp canine. It must’ve happened when she was clumsily unbuttoning his shirt by the doorway.

This position—there was no way to blame it on him biting himself.

Worse—

Qin Mang’s pupils dilated. Her fingers slammed the keyboard:

**”What is he, some ice-skin jade-boned princess?!”**

A full-grown man, with skin that delicate?! How?

The marks hadn’t faded *at all* since last night!

Assistant Cong understood full well what her words implied. After all, President He had walked all the way from the company to the forum with that neck, under full scrutiny.

He chose his words carefully:

**”Perhaps the president has… scar-prone skin?”**

*Scar-prone skin your ass!*

More like *princess-prone skin!*

Qin Mang took a deep breath. She wished she could dive into the phone and apply concealer for him herself.

She should’ve gotten up earlier that morning. She *heard* him getting ready—but she just didn’t open her eyes.

Regret. Pure regret.

**Little Lion Ao Wu Meow**:
**”You—go buy him a scarf. Now.”**

Assistant Cong gently reminded her:

**”Ma’am, it’s 36 degrees today.”**

Even if you wanted to murder your husband for the inheritance, there are better ways than this…

At the business forum—

In the post-event media lounge, He Lingji didn’t join the interviews. He lounged lazily on a sofa nearby, fingers holding Assistant Cong’s phone.

Assistant Cong, calm and collected, tried to defend her:
“She’s just worried about you…”

“Mm.”

“Worried you’ll get cold in 36-degree weather. So she wants you to wear a scarf.”

“Pfft—haha! You know what? That actually sounds like something she’d do.”

Nearby, Ruan Qizhuo, one of the younger business elites also attending the forum, witnessed the whole exchange and added:

“If we’re ranking the most caring wives in the circle, yours definitely takes the crown.”

As the only single guy in their married-man group chat, Ruan Qizhuo had suffered enough.

**Now he had finally found an opportunity.**

He Lengji lifted his eyes and glanced at him indifferently. “Marital fun. What, are you jealous?”

“Me? Jealous of you?”

Ruan Qizhuo seemed to suddenly realize something. “Yeah, actually, I *am* a bit jealous. After all, a man like you—being married yet living like you’re single—you’re practically our role model.”

He was on the fringe of the entertainment industry, so naturally, he had firsthand news about Qin Mang.

For instance, she was currently filming a movie.

Director Zhou’s productions were notoriously strict about not allowing long absences. It was likely in just a couple of days, this man would once again be left alone in an empty house.

Pitiful.

Truly pitiful.

Ruan Qizhuo leaned down and threw an arm over his shoulder. “So? Want to grab a drink?”

“We’re the only ones free.”

Their friend group included, besides the two of them, Rong Huaiyan—the darling of the business world in Ling City; Professor Jiang Lingci—a famed academic; and Nan Yun—a top-tier lawyer with an almost perfect record.

They’d all grown up in the same courtyard. Though now spread across different cities, their bond remained as strong as ever.

But the other three were all famously henpecked husbands.

Ruan Qizhuo sighed, “Only the two of us still have real masculinity!”

“It wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t have a drink, huh?”

He Lengji shot him a glance. “Sorry, no time.”

At that moment, the media interview was wrapping up.

He Lengji turned to leave.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Home.”

“!”

“Since when are you so into going home?”

Ruan Qizhuo was in disbelief. This guy, when not busy with work, rarely even stayed in Deep City—he usually headed straight for Ling City.

“My wife is mad. I’m going back to calm her down.”

He Lengji gave him a light, cool glance. “Oh, almost forgot—maybe you’re just missing the quality every married man should have.”

**The only single dog in the group, Ruan Qizhuo: …Fine. You all have quality. I don’t.**

—

He Lengji had just reached the exit when a gutsy reporter stepped in front of him.

“Fortune favors the bold,” as they say—every industry has those who dare to defy the odds.

Like this guy.

“President He, please wait!”

He Lengji’s grey-blue eyes swept over him. His voice was cold. “What is it?”

Meeting those vast, abyss-like eyes, the reporter nearly gave up on the spot. His hand holding the mic froze, throat tightened, but he managed to keep his facial expression under control. “President He, you didn’t attend the group interview earlier. May I ask you one or two questions?”

He Lengji looked down at the reporter’s young, inexperienced face.

He seemed new to the field.

It inexplicably reminded him of Qin Mang.

Clearly pampered and proud by nature, yet once she chose the path of acting, she never once complained about hardship or exhaustion.

He thought of how she had been blowing up in their WeChat chat just moments ago.

His lips curved into a faint smile for a split second.

Secretary Cong and the bodyguards behind him were about to intervene, but He Lengji’s deep, magnetic voice stopped them: “One question.”

The reporter froze.

What?!

President He actually agreed?

Even if it was just one question!

Many other reporters, tempted but too afraid to approach, nearly died of envy.

Wasn’t he the one who *never* accepted interviews?

Why the sudden exception?

They looked at the young man—clearly an average reporter, shorter than He Lengji by a head. He was decent-looking, but not *that* special, right?

The lucky reporter, Chu Jiang, quickly pulled himself together, brain spinning wildly—

This was his *only* question.

It had to be precise and meaningful!

A flurry of hard-hitting questions flew through his mind, but when he opened his mouth, what came out was the simplest one: “Why did you agree to be interviewed by me?”

His brain had gone off script.

And once the words were out, Chu Jiang immediately regretted it.

Crap crap crap!

What kind of useless question was that?! “President He, I-I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that you’ve never accepted interviews before, and I honestly came expecting to be rejected. So when you said yes, I just really wanted to know why…”

Well, he’d asked.

Might as well accept the consequences.

He Lengji could clearly see his panic, but there was no irritation in those deep, cold eyes. Calm and indifferent, as if no one and nothing could ever shake his emotions.

His voice was as detached as ever. “I suppose it’s empathy.”

Amid all the confused stares—

He glanced at the badge on Chu Jiang’s chest that said “Probationary Reporter.” His usually cool, grey-blue eyes rippled slightly as he added slowly:

“My wife is new to the workforce too.”

18**Chapter 18: Unafraid**

The business forum was held at a resort in Ling City, set against an ancient and elegant cluster of buildings atop a mountain, which the organizers had deliberately chosen for its location.

In this picturesque landscape, where ink wash mountains and rivers spread across the scene, He Lingji stood out in a sharply tailored suit. The afternoon air outside seemed to be shrouded in mist, and his extraordinarily handsome face was both dazzling and cold. The thin mist swirling around him gave off an aura of distant inaccessibility.

He had simply responded on a whim, speaking casually.

However, when this brief video was released, it caused an uproar.

“Explosive! The Exotic Glacier He Lingji is married!”
“My wife? My wife! Ahhh, the wife of the Exotic Glacier!”
“Wait a minute, weren’t we told he was indifferent, devoid of worldly love and desire? How did he suddenly have a wife?”
“Although… I can sense a bit of sweetness?”
“It’s just a business marriage.”
“I can’t believe, even someone like He Lingji has to resort to a marriage of convenience to secure his position.”
“No, I just want to know, which young lady could make the Exotic Glacier lower himself to marry?”
“Whoever it is, as long as it’s not some influencer or celebrity, she’s unworthy of our Exotic Glacier.”

The key point was that someone had revealed it was a business marriage.
Everyone started guessing it must be some noble lady, a refined young lady, elegant, knowledgeable, and talented, someone that fans could just about accept.

“If I put myself in her shoes, my wife is a newcomer in the workplace. Based on this, she wouldn’t also be a reporter, right?”
“Damn, that’s impressive!”
“@Secretary Xiao, find out which young lady entered the reporter circle!”

Then someone, with a sharp eye, noticed a detail in the blurry video. They zoomed in on it, and immediately the public opinion shifted to—

“Damn, is that He Lingji’s neck, is it what I think it is?”
“!”
“!”
“Which young lady can bite a neck like that?”

Qin Mang had an assistant working on the front lines of the internet, so she naturally learned about this first.

In the Iris Pavilion of the lakeside estate, outside, vast fields of irises were in full bloom, nearing the end of their season, giving off a kind of melancholy beauty.

After finishing a magazine shoot, Qin Mang thought that she might not get to see such a grand sight again the next time she came back. Her steps paused for a moment as she turned toward the pavilion.

The He family’s servants were always well-trained, and in a short amount of time, they brought Qin Mang the scripts she needed, along with her favorite fruits and snacks.

Qin Mang was about to settle in, ready to enjoy the sunset, the irises, and read the script while relaxing in peace.

But then—

She received a message attack from Ah Tong.

“My CP is real: [Video x1]
[Screenshots x9]
“Aahhh, I’m in love with this CP, the sweetest in the universe!”
“Mang Mang, how did you make He Lingji, the noble and cold Ice Glacier, openly declare his love?”
“Wuwuwu, please, Boss, let us have a little sugar, do the first CP fanheads not even get this treatment?”
“Dinner time, so hungry.jpg”

Qin Mang was momentarily stunned by the phrase ‘openly declaring love,’ her dark, clear eyes slowly widening.

Little Lion Woof Meow: [What publicly declaring love, what I did was public execution!]
He Lingji exposed all her misdeeds to the world!

Her mind kept replaying the video, He Lingji’s neck without a scarf. It was even more impactful than the photos Secretary Cong had sent during the day.

The photos, she was the only one who could see them. But the video!

And those screenshots of the posts.

Ah Tong could forward them to her, which meant—everyone in the world knew!

Qin Mang reminded herself to stay calm.

A few seconds later.

She couldn’t stay calm anymore!

With a cold expression, she called He Lingji—

“Aahhh He Lingji, you exposed yourself without a scarf, not keeping up with male decency! Are you deliberately letting the whole world judge me?”

“As a *noble lady* and *beautiful and intelligent* Mrs. He, I absolutely cannot bear this stain!”

“Delete it right now!”

Wuwuwu, meow meow!

Though they weren’t publicly open, it didn’t mean they would remain secretly married forever.

This ‘noble lady Mrs. He, who bit He Lingji’s neck into patterns,’ would sooner or later come crashing down on Qin Mang’s head!

This can’t happen!

She wasn’t the ‘bad-bite-neck’ puppy character!

Even if she had an animal character, she could only be a beautiful and majestic white lion! One that bites necks clean off, not in a flowery way.

……

At 4 PM, He Lingji’s car had not yet left the Ling City limits.

Secretary Cong sat next to him, and He Lingji’s personal phone rang with his wife’s voice, causing him to secretly gasp.

It was one thing to expose his chest and back, but showing his neck and face—

Cough cough, the way Mrs. He demanded things from Mr. He seemed a bit strict.

He Lingji, however, was completely unbothered, leisurely rubbing the phone’s edge.

He replied casually, “Okay.”

“Get it done in ten minutes, or else…!”

“I’ll make you act with me every day!”

After saying that with a fierce tone, Little Lion angrily hung up.

A few seconds later.

Secretary Cong carefully asked, “Should we handle the video?”

He Lingji glanced out the window, his side profile as delicate as a painting. The contours were distinct under the dim light, exuding a sense of “don’t approach.” Yet, his words carried a different meaning: “Listen to her.”

Otherwise, Mrs. He would cause a scene.

Thinking of Qin Mang, He Lingji’s cold, frosty expression seemed to soften just a little.

Secretary Cong worked quickly.

As the related news began to spread online, all platforms took down the video and related posts, and they were nowhere to be found.

A fleeting moment.

Netizens kept searching, and eventually, billions of faces went blank: “?”

So… did over a hundred million people just… dream?

Dreaming that the big shot of the He family was married?

Until He Group’s official Weibo released a statement: [The head of He Group, He Lingji, is indeed married. Mrs. He is beautiful, intelligent, and a noble lady. Please do not spread rumors or speculate; He Group’s elite legal team is on standby.]

Netizens: ?

Who would dare to guess anymore?

So—Mrs. He is beautiful, intelligent, and a noble lady?

Anyone who says otherwise will get a lawyer’s letter?

Qin Mang was very satisfied with the outcome.

As for others claiming they were just pretending—hmph, they had no evidence!

Mrs. He was the most beautiful, intelligent noble lady in the world! No one could disagree!

The video of He Lingji had collapsed across the internet.

She had to ask Secretary Cong for the original high-definition version. Hearing his calm, almost indifferent tone, Qin Mang couldn’t help but curl the corner of her lips into a smile.

This time, she wanted to smooth things over, but her lips kept curving upward.

Whether sincerely or not, this time, he… knew what to say.

I’m magnanimous; I won’t fuss about him publicly revealing “evidence.”

As for their marriage being exposed—Qin Mang didn’t care. Anyway, no one knew Mrs. He was her.

As for He Lingji, it was better to reveal his marriage sooner and maintain the qualities a married man should have, so he wouldn’t be targeted by a bunch of women.

Only a few people knew about their marriage, and even in the wealthy circles, it hadn’t spread.

Partly because when they got married, Qin Mang had just graduated from university and was only twenty years old.

They originally planned to wait until she graduated to announce it, but then… she impulsively joined the entertainment industry, aiming to become a top actress.

So, Mrs. He’s identity became a secret.

Once the online rumors about Mrs. He settled down, she could focus on her acting career again.

The “role-playing” of the warlord boss and his cheongsam-clad little wife still had to be pushed forward!

After hearing that He Lingji was done with work, she proactively video-called him, her voice soft and charming, “Hubby~”

*Pfft.*

Secretary Cong couldn’t help but chuckle.

Half an hour ago, the wife looked like she was about to strangle Mr. He, and now she’s calling him “husband” so intimately.

Truly, she’s the wife.

No wonder Mr. He is willing to take a step back for her.

He Lingji glanced at Secretary Cong lightly.

Secretary Cong immediately stiffened, “Damn, I almost lost my composure again.”

Looking at Qin Mang’s stunningly beautiful face, He Lingji casually asked, “What’s wrong?”

He was clearly not affected by Mrs. He’s sweet words.

Qin Mang stretched out her soft, melodious voice, filling the entire car again, “Are you coming home tonight?”

“Your intelligent and beautiful wife misses you!”

When Mrs. He needs someone, she’s always good with sweet words.

He Lingji gave a faint smile and replied casually, “Yes.”

Qin Mang’s eyes brightened instantly, and she quickly hung up the phone, “Then I’ll see you tonight, hubby, bye.”

There was no hesitation at all.

It was as if all she needed was just this answer.

Miss him?

He Lingji didn’t notice anything at all.

Meanwhile, Qin Mang was also busy. As the night deepened, she returned to the villa, holding a thick script.

She still remembered their wedding rings, which seemed to be kept by He Lingji.

So she went straight to the wardrobe.

Since moving in, her life had been like that of a drama crew, but the wardrobe was still neatly arranged as it had been at the beginning, especially He Lingji’s side.

He had been staying there a lot lately, but the wardrobe remained unchanged.

Even the arrangement of the watches hadn’t changed; the Patek Philippe with the blue and gold dial was still placed first in the display, not his most expensive watch, but the one he had owned the longest.

When Qin Mang barged in, it was like a ball of blazing sunlight, instantly making the cold and indifferent decor stand out with its dazzling, attention-grabbing aura.

He Lingji didn’t like wearing rings or other accessories, so there were very few ornaments.

Soon, Qin Mang found their wedding rings in the bottom drawer.

Compared to the fish-tail diamond ring she usually wore, the wedding ring was much more understated, probably for everyday wear. Its uniqueness lay in the engraved names of the two of them on the inner band.

There were no signs of wear.

It was brand new.

“Good thing it wasn’t lost.”

Otherwise, she’d have to buy a new one.

Lately, Qin Mang had been so busy that she hadn’t had time to shop.

She had come this far.

She pinched the ring box and wandered around her gem collection room, secretly swearing that once “The Old Dreams of Jinghua” was finished, she would go on a shopping spree to treat her little heart that had been distressed and troubled lately!

The weather in Shencheng was always mysterious and unpredictable. Heavy rain tore through the dark sky like ink, relentlessly whipping the glass windows, splashing water everywhere.

Qin Mang listened to the rain pattering on the sofa and unintentionally fell asleep.

Before falling asleep, she was still wondering whether He Lingji would come back tonight.

When He Lingji returned home and saw the lights in the living room turned off, he didn’t think much of it and calmly opened the door.

Just as he was about to turn on the light, he happened to see the girl lying on the sofa, asleep. Unknowingly, a subtle wave stirred in his deep eyes.

It was faint.

Almost imperceptible.

He slowly withdrew his finger from the light switch, casually hung up his wet suit that had some rainwater on it, and then started untying his tie as he walked over.

Mrs. He was unusually patient.

She had waited for him twice.

The fresh, rain-drenched air outside was instantly replaced by the indoor, rich, and seductive orange blossom fragrance as he stepped inside. The closer he got to the sofa, the stronger the orange blossom scent seemed to intertwine with his breath.

Qin Mang, who had the habit of tossing her blanket aside while sleeping, had already lost the blanket she had covered herself with. Her thin satin nightgown hung loosely, and her hands rested on her flat stomach.

Although the room temperature had been lowered, Qin Mang still felt the heat rising in her body due to her special physique, which made her prone to feeling hot.

The next moment, her slender, beautiful legs curled up suddenly, and the light blue soft fabric almost slid off as she stretched her hand.

[Editor: There is no explicit scene here, the female lead is simply hot while sleeping and almost undressed (though she didn’t actually take off her clothes). The male lead politely disinfects his hands and then helps her adjust her clothing.]

Hmm.

Although this was a common habit of hers when asleep, it was He Lingji’s first time seeing it.

Normally, this would resemble a tempting gesture in a girl’s dream, but He Lingji’s furrowed brows showed no fluctuation in emotion.

He keenly noticed something was off with her.

Then, he unbuttoned the blue mother-of-pearl cufflinks on his shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and pulled out a disinfecting wet wipe from the coffee table. After cleaning his hands, he slowly bent down, intending to adjust the light blue fabric that was about to slip off her.

However.

As his fingers touched the edge—

“He Lingji?”

A soft, confused voice broke the silence, still a little drowsy and unclear.

Qin Mang sensed something was wrong and instinctively looked over.

In that instant, a flash of silver lightning suddenly crossed the sky.

The light revealed everything in the room.

The first thing that caught her eye was the man’s fingers resting at her ankle, though it seemed like they hadn’t actually touched it. After a few seconds of hesitation, she realized.

He was covering her with—

The delicate soft fabric, almost clinging to his cold, white, slender fingers, seemed like a divine and seductive picture.

For a moment, Qin Mang wondered if she was still dreaming.

Until He Lingji moved his fingertips.

The cool touch contrasted sharply with the near-molten temperature of her body.

Wait?

Qin Mang suddenly woke up, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at his clear, noble hand. “You actually…”

The next moment.

He Lingji calmly put the light blue fabric back on her, his face serene and composed. “No need to thank me.”

Qin Mang: “?”

Tonight, the temperature inside and outside was relatively balanced, and Qin Mang hadn’t expected to have undressed.

Moreover, every time she fell asleep in the living room, though she was asleep, her subconscious always reminded her not to undress, so she had never made a mistake when sleeping in the living room.

After saying that, He Lingji turned and casually threw his dark-patterned tie onto the armrest of the sofa, then walked upstairs.

The tie swayed a few times.

Qin Mang felt as if he was mocking her.

As he stepped onto the stairs, the lights at the bottom flickered on in segments.

She hadn’t expected him to be so calm after being caught.

He was completely fearless.

Qin Mang calmed down for a few seconds and said, “Mr. He, do you know?”

He Lingji replied nonchalantly, “Hm?”

Qin Mang tightened the satin belt of her nightgown, appearing like a pure and immaculate little fairy. “What you did is marital indecency.”

“I can sue you!”

He Lingji laughed at her innocent, aggrieved look.

On the grand spiral staircase, he suddenly stopped, standing a step higher than her, which gave off a threatening, dominating feeling, but Qin Mang wasn’t afraid.

She was wearing flat slippers, so she didn’t have the advantage in height. However, she strutted past He Lingji and stepped onto a higher step, looking down at him.

He Lingji remained indifferent.

Qin Mang’s actions were always unexpected, but they truly reflected her usual style.

“You beg me, and I might not sue you,” Qin Mang said, placing her hands on her waist, her figure leaning lazily against the banister, like a beautiful, relaxed scene in a satin nightgown.

He Lingji’s lips curled into a shallow arc as he stepped closer to her. His voice, low and magnetic, was especially captivating in the dim light, “Mrs. He, do you know?”

“There are no laws against marital indecency in my country.”

Qin Mang snorted, “No wonder you’re so fearless!”

He Lingji looked at her with a calm expression, speaking slowly and clearly, word by word:

“It’s you who is indecent with me.”

“However, I, He Lingji, am magnanimous and won’t pursue it.”

Qin Mang: “…”

How could there be someone like He Lingji, who twists the truth and has malicious intentions!

“It must be because you saw the fairy’s beauty and developed an improper desire!”

After saying that, she turned and walked confidently toward the master bedroom.

She was completely justified.

19**Chapter 19: Furnace Physique**

The lights in the master bedroom were bright.

He Lingji grabbed his bathrobe and was about to head to the bathroom.

Thinking of what had just happened in the living room, he glanced sideways at Qin Mang, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa reading a script. “Don’t fall asleep in public places again.”

Qin Mang was still annoyed. Hearing that, she lifted her long lashes and looked at him coolly, “You want to control everything? Even where people sleep now?”

“I *want* to sleep!”

Her beautiful face practically shouted *rebellious teen*.

He Lingji pushed open the frosted glass door, his thin lips letting out a single syllable, “Okay.”

Okay?

Qin Mang blinked, stunned. He gave in that easily?

He wasn’t going to say more?

That didn’t fit his usual uptight personality.

Sure enough, the next second, He Lingji added in a breezy tone, “If Mrs. He wants to make it into the tabloid oddities section, I won’t stop her.”

Tabloid *oddities*?

Qin Mang instantly understood what he meant. “Can’t you just talk like a normal person?!”

Before He Lingji entered the bathroom, she quietly asked, “Was it really me who did it?”

“You helped me put it on?”

His loosely rolled-up shirt sleeves gave him a lazy, homey look, lacking his usual aloofness.

He rarely rolled up his sleeves—he was always proper and serious.

Qin Mang recalled the used disinfectant wipes on the coffee table and the faint scent of alcohol on his fingertips. She figured he probably rolled up his sleeves to help her put on that tiny piece of sheer fabric.

Tsk.

At least he’s hygienic.

That’s… progress.

She leaned back on the sofa, looking up at his silhouette outlined by the light—more imposing than usual.

He Lingji’s lips curled slightly.

“I did it,” he said with a faint smile.

“I couldn’t resist Miss Qin’s beauty.”

Qin Mang: “…”

She grabbed the throw pillow beside her and hurled it at him.

*Petty jerk!*

*Thud.*

The pillow slid down the glass door.

She’d originally planned to ask him about that video from the business forum, but now she figured she’d just embarrass herself.

There’s no way He Lingji did that for *her*.

Probably just a convenient excuse.

Taking it seriously would be a mistake!

Qin Mang tapped the script with her delicate fingers.

Tap, tap.

The scenes marked in red pen were all interaction scenes.

From subtle eye contact, to ambiguous tension, to intense breakup scenes—the difficulty level only increased.

She sighed lightly: Forget it, stop overthinking. She had limited time, a tough task, and He Lingji was busy—who knows when he’d fly off on another business trip?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had to act fast.

Her gaze fell on the neatly folded warlord costume that the housekeeper had set aside. Qin Mang rested her chin on her hand and let out a long sigh.

When He Lingji came out of the bathroom, what he saw was a little head sighing dramatically.

His blow-dried hair was left natural, slightly tousled over his forehead. The contrast between his jet-black hair and pale skin was sharp. His tall, lean frame was wrapped in a blue robe, very similar in color to Qin Mang’s light blue lace one.

But the effect was completely different.

Qin Mang looked playful and innocent in that color.

He Lingji, with no pattern on his robe, gave off a cold, ascetic vibe.

As he moved, the lines of his muscles became faintly visible—eight perfectly sculpted abs, drops of water still sliding down his neck.

A wild, dangerous body.

Completely contrasting with his cool, handsome face.

Qin Mang felt like his personality was the same—like he had split identities.

But if he treated her the way he treated everyone else, she probably wouldn’t dare be this casual around him.

She’d have kept her distance long ago.

He Lingji didn’t leave right away. Instead, he stood there generously, letting Qin Mang take her fill of the view. “Like what you see?”

Qin Mang didn’t even blink. “Not bad. What, gonna charge me?”

“No. I’m shy.”

He Lingji said calmly, “You’ve made me blush.”

Under the bright lights, his skin looked like a porcelain sculpture—no trace of blushing.

Liar.

Qin Mang suddenly remembered that scene in the club that day.

Her fingers pinched his chin as she smirked, eyes trailing down his abs, drawing out her voice: “Oh?”

“Sure it’s not just you getting ha―”

“Human physiological reaction.”

He Lingji, despite the teasing, didn’t seem the least bit shy. In fact, he was completely unbothered.

“Shameless.”

Qin Mang choked a little and muttered.

…

So He Lingji, shameless as ever, lay on the bed fully relaxed, clearly planning to sleep.

No wonder he was so successful. Look at that self-discipline. It made Qin Mang start to doubt her own charm.

“It’s only 11 PM. Why are you sleeping already, you some kind of senior citizen?”

“An adult male should get no less than 6.49 hours of sleep. Mrs. He, I’m waking up at 6 a.m.”

Down to the minute.

His self-control was terrifying.

Qin Mang might have a temper, but she wasn’t unreasonable. Given he had a valid reason, and considering she usually slept till 11 for her beauty rest, she felt too embarrassed to keep him up.

As she moved about with soft rustling noises, He Lingji rubbed his brow and suddenly said:

“Come to bed.”

“If I have time tomorrow, I’ll rehearse with you.”

Qin Mang had just started tiptoeing toward the study for an all-nighter when she heard his deep, slightly raspy voice.

She turned around in delight.

Three quick steps and she jumped into bed, leaning close to his calm, seemingly sleeping face, asking again and again, “Really? Really? *Really*?”

He Lingji was getting a headache from her noise. “Quiet.”

Qin Mang, not sure if he could see, made a zipping-lips gesture. “Sleeping now!”

Before sleeping, she pressed her hands to her cheeks, curled on her side, eyes adjusting to the dark as she admired the man’s sculpted profile.

She whispered sincerely, “Hubby, you’re insanely hot tonight.”

He Lingji: “…”

The always composed and gentlemanly man finally cracked, covering her babbling mouth with his hand. “Sleep.”

Nestled in his cool embrace, Qin Mang let out a long breath.

Wow.

His body was heaven for someone who overheated easily.

But for He Lingji, Qin Mang’s little furnace-like body was nothing new—it was her habit of stripping in her sleep that was the real hell.

Woken again by the body-heat furnace in his arms.

He Lingji managed to stay composed.

With a practiced hand, he reached for the robe hanging by the bed and wrapped it around her, tying a double knot.

After all the effort, he was wide awake.

The clock on the wall read 1 a.m.

After a cold shower, he came out to see Qin Mang half-asleep, sitting up and tugging helplessly at the tight knot.

When she saw him, she held the tied sash toward him pitifully. “I can’t undo it.”

He Lingji, finally calm again, couldn’t help but laugh softly:

“You’re messing with me on purpose tonight, aren’t you?”

Something about that laugh made Qin Mang feel danger.

By the time she fully woke up—

It was half an hour later. She was still dazed.

“Why did you agree to that reporter interview?”

Still fuzzy, Qin Mang asked the same question the reporter had asked earlier—one she hadn’t dared bring up during the day.

He Lingji closed his eyes. Why did his wife always want to have heart-to-hearts at *these* times?

If not for how she melted into a puddle in five minutes, he’d seriously question his sanity.

His gray-blue eyes scanned her lovely face. His reply was vague: “I like doing good deeds.”

*You? A cold-blooded capitalist? Doing good deeds?*

Qin Mang almost said something snarky, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. Her eyes sparkled.

“Since Mr. He loves good deeds so much, and we’re the closest people in the world, let me give you a chance to earn some instant karma.”

Seeing her excitedly reach for the script again, He Lingji knew—if this kept up, she’d kill him eventually.

He yanked her back and sighed, “Tonight… I don’t feel like doing good deeds.”

“What do you *feel* like doing then?”

Qin Mang tilted her head up—and found herself staring into those deep, familiar eyes.

Suddenly, her slender hands cupped his face, forcing eye contact.

Eye contact scene. Eye contact scene. Eye contact scene!

That still counts as rehearsing, right?

**She really is a little clever fox.**

Qin Mang’s palms were always warmer than the average person’s—this time was no different.

He Lingji’s long fingers pressed against the center of her forehead.

Qin Mang was forced to fall back onto the sofa. The leather cushions bounced her up slightly, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded.

Just as she was about to get upset—

The next second.

She heard He Lingji’s concise words by her ear: “I want to—”

The sentence paused for a beat.

The last word, “sleep,” sounded out slowly and clearly next to her ear.

The night was ink-dark. Even the sound of the heavy rain outside seemed to come to a halt.

The next day was bright and sunny again, as if the thunderstorm from the night before had never happened. The sky was clean and fresh, as if it had been washed.

—

**He Group CEO’s Office.**

9 a.m. He Lingji had just finished a meeting. He leaned back in his leather office chair, his aloof and noble features tinged with a cold fatigue.

For once during work hours, he was thinking about personal matters.

If he accidentally fell asleep, he would lose control and start radiating heat.

It was fine at home, but if it happened outside…

Qin Mang was often outside.

His long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk—tap, tap—each sound tense and ominous.

He Lingji raised his intense eyes calmly and looked at the only female secretary in the team, Tao Qin. “Find the top sleep specialist, doesn’t matter if they’re domestic or international.”

Tao Qin’s position was below Cong Zhen’s, but her professional ability was on par—just in different areas.

However, He Lingji usually preferred using Cong Zhen.

So it was rare for him to assign her such an important task.

Tao Qin soon understood why.

It was for Mrs. He.

As it happened, there was currently a very skilled sleep specialist in Shen City—someone who had once worked with retired military officers and was highly regarded in the field.

She had retired in Shen City and lived in the old wealthy district on Wisteria Lane, not far from the He family’s old mansion. She had recently been rehired by the Shen City First Hospital’s psychiatric department.

—

Qin Mang slept all the way until noon. It wasn’t until the butler knocked on the door that she lazily opened it. “I don’t want to…”

Eat lunch.

Before she could finish, she saw Tao Qin, hair neatly combed, dressed in formal workwear.

Qin Mang recognized her.

She was He Lingji’s secretary.

“Secretary Tao? What’s the matter?”

Tao Qin respectfully greeted, “Good afternoon, Madam.”

“Mr. He asked me to take you somewhere.”

Qin Mang initially thought He Lingji finally had time to act with her. Her eyes lit up, and she changed into a beautiful, elegant qipao. She also grabbed the paper bag with the warlord outfit in it, and after some thought, added the wedding ring she forgot last night into her purse.

“No time to waste, let’s go!”

Tao Qin was momentarily stunned.

Didn’t Secretary Cong say Madam hated going to hospitals?

Why did she seem so eager?

That was until the private car from Lakeside Manor stopped at the entrance of Shen City First Hospital.

Qin Mang’s excited, beautiful face instantly stiffened. “He’s sick?”

“Or injured?”

“A car accident?”

A flurry of questions.

Tao Qin was caught off guard, but as a professional secretary, she quickly realized Madam was asking about Mr. He, and respectfully replied, “You’re here to see the doctor.”

…?

…!

Qin Mang immediately called He Lingji, not caring where he was. She raised her voice: “He Lingji!”

**“You’re the one who’s sick!”**

The man replied simply, “Don’t avoid treatment. See the doctor, then I’ll act with you.”

Qin Mang, full of pride, snapped back:

**“My foot!”**

**“I’m perfectly healthy!”**

**“I’ll live long enough to inherit all your assets one day!”**

**“If you won’t act with me, I’ll go find some fresh-faced, handsome little boy instead—bet he’ll be way more into character than your stiff, old-fashioned self!”**

20**Chapter 20: A Wildfire in the Heart**

“Under the Night Sky” was the grandest pleasure venue in Deep City—and also the most mysterious. Opulent and dazzling on the outside, the massive building stood at the end of the city’s most bustling night district, evoking memories of indulgence and decadence akin to the ten-mile foreign settlements of old.

It only opened two nights a week, otherwise completely deserted.

Every Thursday and Saturday, at precisely ten minutes past midnight, the place would open its doors. Guests had to undergo strict screening before entry.

Ironically, this exclusivity only increased people’s eagerness to get in and see for themselves.

Qin Mang had been well-protected since childhood and strictly managed by her uncle. She rarely came to places like this.

Inside the sprawling venue, everything was soaked in a glamorous haze of alcohol and temptation. Shadows flickered through the space, filled with the lure of spirits, smoke, and indulgence.

“This bar’s so ridiculously flashy—no wonder your brother’s making a killing.”

That was the first thing Qin Mang said as she entered behind Wu Yuxi.

This place belonged to Wu Yuxi’s older brother, Wu Yuan, which was the only reason she could sneak Qin Mang in through the back.

“Hehehe, the theme tonight is a masquerade! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to bring you. Quick, put on a mask. Even though photos aren’t allowed here, people gossip. You’re a red-hot celebrity now!” Wu Yuxi personally helped her put on a black peacock-feather mask.

In a richly colored qipao that hugged her graceful figure, Qin Mang stepped into the main venue.

She looked like a blinding ray of sunlight falling into a kaleidoscopic cocktail.

Only her porcelain chin was visible beneath the mask. Her red lips curled in a subtle, poised smile—composed and natural, like a seasoned visitor to such nightlife.

Wu Yuxi was stunned.

Qin Mang glanced around lazily. “Where are those fresh-faced pretty boys you promised?”

“Didn’t you say there’d be a new model performance tonight?”

By “models,” she wasn’t referring to the usual kind—these were male models, newly recruited.

Compared to Qin Mang’s calm demeanor, Wu Yuxi’s earlier excitement began to fade, her rational side kicking in—especially after hearing her friend talk so casually about looking for pretty boys.

Her mind involuntarily conjured an image of Qin Mang’s husband’s cold, striking face. She shivered. It felt like she was aiding and abetting a married woman in hiring… escorts. The guilt was real.

“Aren’t you afraid of Master He…?”

“There are rumors… that his temper isn’t exactly mild…”

Wu Yuxi had only met He Lingji up close once, as a bridesmaid at Qin Mang’s wedding.

She had been too intimidated to say a word to him.

Her knowledge of him came solely from rumors—and from Qin Mang’s stories.

“Afraid of him?” Qin Mang casually leaned on the bar and ordered a drink, a cold chuckle curling at the edge of her red lips. Her eyes, seductive and dazzling beneath the mask, lifted slowly.

“He won’t act with me, so I have to find someone else.”

Otherwise, how would she win Best Actress?

As for seeing a doctor?

She wasn’t sick! Why should she see one?

Thinking of Tao Qin’s explanation earlier that day, Qin Mang’s cold smile deepened.

He Lingji may look elegant and aloof, but at his core, he was domineering and controlling. He never asked her what she wanted—he just assumed she did.

No wonder he agreed so quickly last night.

It was just another transaction.

“Maybe he’s just worried about your health?” Wu Yuxi offered weakly.

Qin Mang reached out and touched her forehead. “Xigua, are you okay? Talking nonsense now?”

“Our dear President He insists on exactly 6.49 hours of sleep every day. If I wake him up in the middle of the night for two hours of ‘business,’ his sleep gets seriously disrupted.”

Worried about her?

Absolutely not.

He was just afraid of her messing with his sleep schedule.

That “business” was loaded with implication.

Wu Yuxi, the queen of risqué humor, instantly understood.

“Whoa! Gotta hand it to Master He—two hours each time?”

Qin Mang had just taken a big swig of her cocktail and nearly choked.

“…Compared to my five minutes, his two hours…”

It *was* a bit excessive.

No—*way* too excessive!

He overshadowed her in every way.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

And there weren’t even any fresh-faced pretty boys to make up for it!

Wu Yuxi cleared her throat. “Just wait a bit longer.”

Meanwhile, on the fifth floor, inside a semi-private lounge.

From here, you could overlook the entire ground floor, yet from below, only the elegant railings were visible. The lounge itself remained completely hidden, like a space separated from reality—debauchery below, serenity above.

This was where the owner resided.

Two very different men sat face-to-face, a chessboard between them.

Compared to the calculated strategy of Go, where all pieces clash directly, Western chess was more about conquest.

It was Wu Yuan’s favorite pastime.

Just then, someone came upstairs and whispered into Wu Yuan’s ear.

He didn’t linger. A quick word and he left.

The room returned to silence.

A few seconds later—

“What did you do to anger that little lioness again? She’s specifically asking for fresh, handsome male models. You two immortals clashing like this—can’t you leave my humble little venue out of it?” Wu Yuan raised a glass of wine, teasing.

That “humble little venue” was false modesty.

After all, Wu Yuan was considered the king of Deep City’s underground world, second only to He Lingji in the business realm.

This venue had been eyed by countless factions for years and still stood tall in the city’s most coveted district.

He had invited He Lingji over personally.

Unlike Wu Yuxi, he couldn’t just stand by while Qin Mang stirred up trouble here.

She wasn’t the same as before.

She now belonged under the protective wing of the man sitting across from him. If something happened to her here, the Wu family couldn’t afford the consequences.

So while he’d promised his sister to help find a male model for Qin Mang, he immediately called over the man who made male models irrelevant.

Behind the bead curtain, pale light outlined He Lingji’s cool, refined features. He twirled a king chess piece between his long, elegant fingers, seemingly nonchalant.

“Little lioness with a temper,” Wu Yuan said.

He imagined her puffed-up, fuming expression.

The nickname fit.

“Male models?” He Lingji’s thin lips parted, the two words echoing with layered meaning.

Wu Yuan fiddled with his lighter, failing to light it twice before tossing it aside. “We welcome all kinds here—male and female entertainers alike.”

“Time’s about right, too,” he added, opening the soundproof glass door.

Suddenly, the once-quiet lounge filled with the roar of excitement from below.

He placed a half-face white peacock-feather mask on the chessboard.

Ignoring the scattered pieces, he pushed the mask toward He Lingji. “There’s no problem between husband and wife that a little game can’t solve.”

“Especially with our little lioness Qin Mang.”

“She *loves* stimulation.”

*Clatter—*

The chess pieces toppled over with the sound.

The way Wu Yuan spoke about Qin Mang—

He Lingji finally looked up, cold and indifferent. “Your little lioness?”

“Yours, yours,” Wu Yuan rolled his eyes.

So much for the mysterious atmosphere he was going for.

No wonder Qin Mang wanted to find some fresh-faced boy toys.

Young women liked their thrills. He Lingji, always so aloof and detached, clearly wasn’t the type to indulge her whims.

No wonder Wu Yuan didn’t have high hopes for their arranged marriage.

Given Qin Mang’s personality and youth, it wouldn’t be surprising if she regretted the impulsive decision once she met someone she truly liked.

But—

Wu Yuan swirled his wine and noticed He Lingji pick up the mask.

If this high-and-mighty man really had feelings for the little lioness, then perhaps…

He Lingji held the mask, veins faintly visible on the back of his hand, every inch of him exuding privilege and restrained detachment. Even the extravagant peacock feathers seemed touched with an otherworldly grace.

…

Qin Mang had already downed three drinks.

Though she could hold her liquor, her black eyes were starting to glaze over.

“Where are the people?” she mumbled.

Wu Yuxi turned to the assistant her brother had sent and urged him, “Where are they?”

Assistant Yang, just having received the message, replied immediately, “Waiting on the fifth floor.”

**Fifth floor?**
Wu Yuxi was a bit confused. Wasn’t that her brother’s territory?

Assistant Yang explained, “Didn’t Miss Qin say she wanted to rehearse a scene with someone? It’s too noisy down here, so President Wu specifically cleared out the fifth floor.”

Some people were already having the time of their lives.
They were dancing intimately in the center of the stage.

Especially since this was a masquerade ball—no one could recognize anyone—everyone was enjoying themselves even more.

They had been here for an hour. Given her usual popularity, she’d normally have a stack of contact info by now.

But this time, not a single one.

The two of them were sitting at the bar, and even three meters away, no one approached—not even anyone passing by.

Qin Mang thoughtfully took a sip of the cocktail specially made by the bartender. The mix of apple brandy and herbs exploded in her mouth, clearing her mind a bit.

At that moment, Assistant Yang stretched out his arm gracefully. “The ‘male model’ is already waiting on the fifth floor.”

“Miss Qin, this way, please.”

When mentioning the “male model,” Assistant Yang, known for his perfect expression control, twitched for half a second.

Qin Mang didn’t pay attention to him. She lowered her gaze to the cocktail she had just sipped, unwilling to waste it.

After a brief moment of thought,
She decisively carried the drink into the elevator. The amber liquid shimmered under the light, with a round, glossy black cherry floating inside, casting a magical glow.

The elevator took her straight to the fifth floor.

Qin Mang stepped out in her high heels, gracefully pushed open the half-closed glass door, and her slender silhouette stretched under the lighting.

Wu Yuxi was about to follow.
But the next second, someone grabbed her arm.

*Bang.*
She watched helplessly as the door closed right in front of her.

“Brother?”
“What are you doing here?”

Wu Yuxi stumbled a little,
Turning her head to see the tall, familiar figure standing there. His fox-like eyes scanned her up and down, and suddenly she got alarmed: “Don’t tell me… the male model is you?”

No wonder something felt off about this place today.
None of the usual club vibes!

Wu Yuan recalled the cocktail Qin Mang had held earlier.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly.

This business marriage couple… really was something.

Then his silly sister spoke again, “Who’s her husband?”
“He Lingshi,” he replied.
“Who’s He Lingshi?”

Wu Yuxi was stunned. “He Lingshi is Qin Mang’s husband.”

Wu Yuan: Forget it. Dumb or not, she’s still my sister.

“He Lingshi is a top figure in Deep City. If he wanted, he could control everyone’s future.”
“Qin Mang is his legally wedded wife, the future matriarch of the He family. And you brought her here to meet a male model for fun? Are you out of your mind?”

Good thing he showed up today.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known what ridiculous thing his dumb sister had done.

He Lingshi probably wouldn’t do anything to Qin Mang,
But their Wu family might not be so lucky.

Wu Yuxi quickly looked at the tightly closed glass door.

Special material—it was soundproof and one-way. You could see out from the inside, but not the other way around.

“Hiss hiss hiss hiss…”
“Are you cosplaying a snake demon today?”
“So that means—”
“The ‘male model’ inside is Mr. He?!”
“Ahhhh! That’s so romantic!”
“Oh my god, oh my god, He Lingshi is totally in love!”
“I want to watch the male model and female client play out a scene!”

Wu Yuan thought maybe he was just getting old—he had no idea what these young people were thinking.
He recognized every word, but couldn’t understand a thing they were saying when put together.

Finally, he dragged his silly sister—who was about to try peeking through the door—away.

With that special glass,
Even if she removed her ears, she still wouldn’t hear anything from inside.

—

When the door suddenly closed, Qin Mang was slightly surprised, but quickly turned around with calm ease.

Through the lavish bead curtain, her gaze landed on the tall figure sitting on a black sofa not far away, wearing a half-face mask adorned with peacock feathers.

The military-style uniform exuded an overwhelming aura.
The white feathers looked especially cold and pure, setting off his unique gray-blue eyes—calm and detached, like a cold deity on a high pedestal, untouched by the mortal world.

He Lingshi’s gaze swept lightly over her black feathered mask.

Her red lips, beneath the decadent mask, appeared even more striking and luscious.

“Male model?”
Qin Mang walked over with her drink, her voice slow and slightly hoarse from the alcohol. Two words spilled out with ambiguous meaning.

“Or… cosplay?”
“Hm, Wu Yuan really knows me.”

The same military outfit—
Worn on Jiang Hengyan, it did nothing for her.
But on this man, even with a mask, it made her heart—
Flutter.

She hated that lack of control.
Especially when she was losing control, and the other person remained above it all, unshaken.

She wanted to melt glaciers, freeze fire, and bring down gods from their pedestals.

So, Qin Mang brushed aside the bead curtain.
The glimmering strings swayed with a crisp, chaotic sound like light gauze wrapping the space.

As she leaned in, one hand braced on the man’s knee to steady herself, the other raised the amber drink to his lips, tilting it slightly.

When his lips were stained with the liquor,
Qin Mang leaned close to his ear and whispered: “Do you know what this cocktail is called?”

The next second, her red lips slowly curled as she enunciated in elegant English:
**“Widow’s Kiss.”**

Then her bright, beautiful face broke into a mischievous smile, like a child who just pulled a successful prank.

He Lingshi leaned back slightly, his icy gaze unmoved. Instead, he calmly held her delicate wrist so she wouldn’t spill the nearly full drink.

“Cooled off?”
His voice was low and cold, like he wasn’t the least bit ruffled by her little trick.

Which made Qin Mang even more frustrated.

She sneered, then slammed the glass down onto the table with a *bang*.

Ripples formed on the surface, a bit of the liquid splashing out.

She picked up the cherry that had been soaking in the drink and bit into it as if she were biting someone’s flesh.

Expressionless: “No.”

“Why won’t you see a doctor?”
He Lingshi still hadn’t removed his white feather mask, asking a question that had nothing to do with the flirtatious atmosphere.

“Your constitution is different.”

Qin Mang frowned, released his wrist, and lazily collapsed into the opposite sofa with no hint of warmth in her tone:
“Seeing a doctor won’t help. I was born this way.”

As a child, because her body temperature was higher than normal, her uncle took her to countless top hospitals, both domestic and abroad.
Every diagnosis said the same: she was born this way, but it wouldn’t affect her health.

Most of her childhood memories were of hospitals with different styles.
So now, even just seeing one made her instinctively reject it.

The man’s fingers rested on the edge of his mask, his expression unreadable.

He asked a few more questions.
Qin Mang wanted to rebel a little.
But under his gaze, she gave up.

Forget it.
It was more important to make him give up the idea of dragging her to a hospital.

So she insisted she was really fine.

A few minutes later.
He Lingshi was too boring.
So boring that Qin Mang felt even her mask had become meaningless. She raised her hand to take it off—

“Put it back on.”

Unexpectedly, He Lingshi slowly looked up and said flatly, completely unrelated to their previous topic.

Qin Mang’s hand froze mid-air.
She felt like she couldn’t keep up with this man’s rhythm.

This mask was supposed to be part of a flirty game.
But he sat there like a stoic doctor doing a clinical check-up—completely restrained and proper. Now he wouldn’t even let her take the mask off. What was that supposed to mean?

Only then did Qin Mang realize—he hadn’t taken his off either.
The white peacock feather mask still hung by his face, as indifferent as always.

“Aren’t we rehearsing a scene?”
He Lingshi picked up the drink resting on the script and asked slowly, “Changed your mind?”

So sudden?

Qin Mang followed his motion and saw the script.
The one she’d accidentally left in his car earlier.

He’d brought the whole thing.

And “changed your mind” made it sound like she was some coward who backed down at the first sign of trouble.

“Right is right. Who’s afraid of whom!”

“Right!”

In the dim lighting, the girl’s red lips and snowy-white skin echoed his concise, forceful style.

She had specially worn a delicate, sheer silk qipao that afternoon and hadn’t changed out of it.

Perfect.

They were both already in costume.

He Lingji casually flipped through the script. His well-proportioned fingers, clean and defined, were so striking that they made the otherwise ordinary script seem refined and aloof.

He lit a cigarette. His long, jade-like fingers toyed lazily with a metal lighter, his movements unhurried yet exuding authority.

His slightly open coat revealed a shirt with several buttons undone underneath, exuding a wild, masculine allure. Yet the ornate feathered mask on his face brought an air of cold elegance—a stark contrast.

In that moment, Qin Mang was completely pulled into the world of *Dreams of Old Beijing*.

“So what if it hides behind the law? The crime etched into its very bones will never be erased.”

Qin Mang had already memorized the script by heart and instantly recognized that line—it was from the play.

The male and female leads were discussing how to expose the crimes of an utterly evil villain.

That line was a classic quote from the script.

She hadn’t expected him to dive in so directly.

Then, he tossed the lighter to her.

According to the script, the female lead should catch the lighter tossed by the male lead, light her cigarette, and continue the scene while smoking.

But—

The metal lighter had a peculiar mechanism. Qin Mang fumbled with it for a while and still couldn’t figure it out.

She looked up. “Why won’t it light?”

He Lingji’s gaze swept across her fingertips, his expression subtly darkening for a brief moment. “Maybe it’s broken.”

“Broken?”

But she had clearly seen him light it earlier.

Qin Mang quickly realized—He Lingji wasn’t improvising by accident. He was *freestyling*!

As a professional actress, she couldn’t lose.

Even if the scene had now completely veered off course, Qin Mang held the cigarette with her slender fingers, turned her gaze toward him, and flicked the tip. “Then how am I supposed to light it?”

She threw the challenge back at him.

Let’s see how He Lingji would respond.

The man, still masked in lavish feathers, revealed the sharp and smooth contours of the lower half of his face. His lips curled ever so slightly.

Suddenly, He Lingji reached out and pulled the unlit cigarette from her fingertips.

Qin Mang instinctively opened her mouth, just about to say, “What are you—”

Before she could finish, He Lingji had already slipped the cigarette between her lips, cutting her off.

Surprise flashed in her limpid eyes. Her teeth reflexively bit down on the unlit cigarette, her lips now dewy—like a cherry soaked in amber-colored cocktail—glossy, tempting, and seductive, as if begging to be kissed.

The next moment—

He Lingji brought his own lit cigarette to hers. The burning tip touched the unlit one. In the instant they met, sparks flared up and smoke curled, as though igniting a wildfire at the tip of one’s heart.

His voice was low and indistinct, like a god murmuring softly, but his words were intoxicatingly seductive:

“Like this.”

21**Chapter 21: Resource Sharing**

“Very good, that’s the look—add a bit more seduction, yes, yes, just like that!”

“Remember, he’s the man you admire and love, not your little errand boy.”

“Beautiful!”

“Let’s do another take.”

The set of *Dreams of Old Jinghua* had never been so harmonious before. Director Zhou, known for his hot temper, seemed like a completely changed man—every word out of his mouth was praise.

On the set at the film studio.

Qin Mang and Jiang Hengyan were filming the same scene that had previously gone awry with He Lingzhi. Back then, He had only said one line before the rest of the scene fell apart.

Perhaps it was thanks to Teacher He’s excellent teaching skills, but ever since Qin Mang had been called back early to the set after that “lesson,” it was as though her meridians had been cleared and her acting had reached a new level.

She especially excelled in eye contact and emotional expression—becoming more and more skilled.

Looking at Jiang Hengyan, dressed in a warlord uniform yet still radiating a refined handsomeness, Qin Mang’s mind involuntarily conjured another face—that of an aloof, divine being from beyond the heavens.

That face had an even stronger commanding presence.

He could completely dominate her.

If she were to act alongside He Lingzhi, Qin Mang believed he could carry her to an international Best Actress award.

But even if the world collapsed and the apocalypse came, He Lingzhi would never become an actor.

And he wasn’t suited for it either.

He would easily outshine every scene partner—like the world existed solely for him.

More importantly—

Qin Mang didn’t want to rely on anyone. This was her career. Her dream.

Her thick lashes lowered, veiling a fleeting emotion.

Only when the director called “Good!” did the clarity return to her eyes.

Besides Director Zhou, Jiang Hengyan—her scene partner—felt Qin Mang’s progress the most.

Though he was her peer and had already won Best Actor earlier, Jiang hadn’t thought much of Director Zhou’s praise of Qin Mang’s “natural talent” before.

He’d been praised for his own talent since childhood, after all.

But this time, her rapid transformation surprised even him.

As they watched the playback of the scene together, Jiang Hengyan quietly said, “You really are suited for the big screen.”

“Thank you,” Qin Mang replied, returning the compliment politely. “Your acting is excellent too, Teacher Jiang.”

He truly brought the character’s soul to life—a performance worthy of a Best Actor.

As for He Lingzhi, well, he was just a tool to help her get into character. When it came to actual performance, it was best left to professionals.

After all, Best Actor and Best Actress weren’t just handed out on the street.

Especially ones with real value—those were one in a million.

“Alright, enough mutual flattery,” Director Zhou clapped them both on the shoulder. “Keep building the chemistry. Let’s try to knock out all the emotional scenes while you’re still in the zone.”

He was nervous, afraid Qin Mang’s momentum would suddenly vanish.

After all, she was a naturally gifted actress, not yet a technical one. Feeling mattered.

During the break before her next scene with the third female lead, Qi Rong—

Wait, ever since Shen Wanyin announced her indefinite retirement from showbiz amidst scandal, the director had wisely had the screenwriter revise the script overnight, cutting her scenes down to nearly nothing.

And so, Qi Rong was promoted to the second female lead.

Qi Rong credited all this good fortune to Qin Mang. Every time they met, she would bow to her with devout gratitude.

Sometimes she’d even chant about her rival enemies in the entertainment industry, praying to the “Goddess of Luck Qin” to make those bitches withdraw in disgrace too.

At first, Qin Mang was speechless. Later… she got used to it.

So now, when Qi Rong clasped her hands and bowed again, Qin Mang calmly fanned herself with her little lion-shaped fan while listening to a whole string of names.

It had to be said—the fastest way to bond was to know each other’s secrets.

So after being “forced” to learn Qi Rong’s long list of nemeses, they became much closer.

Due to her doll-like, youthful face, Qi Rong had always been cast in sweet, innocent roles in idol dramas—she was sick of them.

She desperately wanted to try a two-faced, bitchy villainess to hone her acting, which was why she auditioned for the small role of the third female lead in *Dreams of Old Jinghua*. To her fans, this seemed like a step down.

After bowing, Qi Rong squatted beside Qin Mang, sharing her fan.

“Tell me you took time off to fall in love.”

“You’re like a different person.”

“How many boyfriends did it take to make progress this fast?”

She was practically green with envy.

Qin Mang, who didn’t even have words like “social niceties” or “networking” in her vocabulary, had already used up her day’s quota of politeness chatting with the director and Jiang Hengyan. Now, hearing the praise, her radiant face carried a lazy look. “You flatter me.”

Qi Rong didn’t mind, smiling as she pulled out her phone and opened a memo filled with contacts. At the top, it was labeled: “Fish Pond.”

She held it under Qin Mang’s nose. “Come on—let’s share resources.”

Qin Mang gave it a lazy glance—then froze.

“…This is…”

Some of the names looked familiar.

A few were second-generation heirs from wealthy families. While not quite on the level of the Qin and He families, they were definitely top-tier in the eyes of female celebrities.

She hadn’t expected Qi Rong to have their contact info.

“These are the ones I think are decent.”

“Low maintenance, good in bed, and discreet.”

The more she listened, the more Qin Mang felt something was off. “Wait… what kind of resources are we talking about?”

“Men, of course!”

“I remember you have quite a few quality men’s contacts too. If there are any types you’re not into, send them my way!” Qi Rong was referring to the yacht incident footage—where Qin Mang had received a flurry of business cards from outstanding men.

“As long as my net is wide, I’ll eventually catch a rich fish willing to marry me.”

Qin Mang finally understood.

So this was *that* kind of resource sharing. She thought it was acting roles.

Hearing her goal was to marry rich, Qin Mang—herself born into a wealthy family—knew exactly how hard that was. She subtly reminded, “It’s not easy to marry into wealth.”

Qi Rong casually waved her hand. “No big deal. If I can’t marry one, I’ll just sleep with a few. All my fish are hot and skilled. Worth it either way.”

She enjoyed it, after all.

Qin Mang looked at her innocent, doll-like face and paused mid-fan.

Her gaze turned respectful.

So she’s a wild little Lolita with big ambitions.

Wishing her… all the best.

As for “resources,” she really had nothing to share. So far, she’d only slept with He Lingzhi…

“How about it?”

“Wanna trade a few?”

Qin Mang casually picked up a mother-of-pearl fan bone to cover her mouth, then whispered in Qi Rong’s ear, “My guy’s super possessive. He only lets me keep his card, so I gave the rest to my agent.”

She was hinting she already had someone.

So—no resources to share.

However—

Qi Rong suddenly realized, “So you have a steady partner?”

Steady partner?

Qin Mang’s brows twitched. That sounded a bit… weird.

But technically not wrong.

*Dreams of Old Jinghua*’s later filming schedule moved quickly. Qin Mang was increasingly in the zone, completely immersed in the role. Every day she was either reading the script or rehearsing with Jiang Hengyan.

Both were acting junkies—once they got into character, everything else faded away.

For promotion, the official account often released highlight reels.

Of course, they didn’t follow the usual path. While most productions hyped up romance rumors between leads, *Dreams of Old Jinghua*’s teasers were all just Director Zhou yelling:

“Qin Mang, that’s the man you’re in love with—not your little minion!”

“Qin Mang, please act like you love him!”

“Jiang Hengyan, stop grinning! You’re a mighty warlord being treated like a flunky. Have some pride!”

Fans were dying laughing.

They thought this kind of promo was way better than forced romance rumors.

And now they were even more excited for the actual release.

“LOL, what even is *Dreams of Old Jinghua*? These clips make it impossible to ship the leads seriously!”

“When this airs, I *have* to see how you turn a ‘boss lady and her minion’ into a sexy warlord and sultry cheongsam queen pairing!”

“But honestly, this promo is a total fan magnet.”

“My grin is touching my ears watching this.”

“OMG, Qin Mang is such a badass—her bullets shoot Cupid’s arrows instead!”

“Did you catch that fleeting glance on the monitor just now? Ahhh, Qin Mang’s acting is insane—so cool, so gorgeous!”

“Ladies, check out EG’s official account! Ahhh, Qin Mang’s first magazine cover—she’s a mermaid goddess and I’m deceased!”

“OMG, is this a literal fairy descending to earth? *photo.jpg*”

“Qin Mang’s resources are insane lately, huh?”

“Feels like she blew up overnight—in every area.”

“Isn’t EG only for top-tier domestic actresses? And she got the September issue?”

“Last time, she was blacklisted across the internet, and then overnight the narrative flipped. I thought it was strange, like someone powerful was behind her…”

But these suspicions were quickly drowned out by her fans.

Everyone was mesmerized by Qin Mang’s breathtaking beauty.

Until—

10 p.m.

A passerby account posted a thread with photos on the most popular gossip forum in the country.

**#Saw people talking about Qin Mang’s background on the trending topics, suddenly remembered some photos I accidentally took a few months ago#**

**Photos.jpg**

**Original poster:**
“I wanted to watch a movie with my boyfriend, but the private cinema nearby was booked. Just as we were about to leave, we saw a certain director known for his daring art films rush out of the theater. Pic 1.
Almost an hour later, a girl who looked a lot like Qin Mang also walked out. Pics 2 and 3.
My boyfriend’s uncle is the assistant manager of the theater. He said the whole screening was for an old, explicit foreign movie. Pic 4.
I just snapped the photos casually. The girl was young and pretty, the sailor-style top and pleated skirt really stood out and gave off a youthful vibe. I even thought she might be a future ‘Xuan Girl’. I didn’t recognize her as Qin Mang.
And I’m not a hater. If I were, I would’ve posted this back when the whole internet was dragging her.
You guys can judge if it’s her or not. She’s a bit far away—I’m not 100% sure.”

Pic 1: Lin Chenxuan getting into a car.
Pics 2 & 3: Qin Mang speaking with her manager, Meng Ting. Most of her profile is blocked by Meng Ting, but the long, beautiful legs under the pleated skirt look like they came straight out of a manga.
Pic 4: The title of the only movie shown that day.

It was solid evidence.

The passerby wasn’t sure if it was Qin Mang, but the internet’s tiny Sherlocks, armed with their digital magnifying glasses, uncovered everything.

Even the small red mole on Qin Mang’s nose tip—blurred and almost blending with her skin tone—was clearly matched.

The thread was quickly reposted to Weibo and other platforms.

The buzz exploded.

**In the makeup room on set—**

Qin Mang had just wrapped a late-night shoot and looked exhausted as she walked in to see Meng Ting’s grim expression.

“You and Director Lin are trending.”

Without Shen Wanyin, the marketing queen who constantly competed with her for trending topics, Qin Mang herself had now become a regular on hot searches.

Earlier in the day, it was about Jiang Hengyan.
Now at night, it was famous director Lin Chenxuan.

Director Lin?

The incident was months ago—Qin Mang almost forgot who that even was.

Two main speculations trended:

1. **Qin Mang’s backing is top-tier director Lin Chenxuan.**
Lin’s films are niche but popular among cinephiles, and he’s considered the most handsome director in the industry. Once this news broke, rumors exploded.

2. **Some rational fans suggested it might be a collaboration.**
It’s known that Director Lin is obsessed with art films and has had zero scandals for years. Qin Mang, despite having countless elite bachelors in and outside the industry try to pursue her, has maintained a clean record.

**But here’s the catch—**
A young actress watching an explicit movie alone with a director?

It’s either collaboration or something romantic.

Even trying to spin it as “just friends” sounds like a weak PR attempt. The situation was tough to handle, and they needed Lin’s cooperation for any crisis management.

Just as Meng Ting was urgently contacting Lin Chenxuan’s team to draft a PR plan—

Qin Mang received a WeChat message from Director Lin.

The last time they spoke was months ago when she declined the lead role in *Soul Night*.

**Lin Chenxuan:** “Want to reconsider joining my project? I don’t mind waiting for you to finish *Dreams of Old Jinghua*.”

Clearly trying to take advantage of the situation.

Qin Mang stared at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, lips curling coldly, and typed back three words:

**“I mind.”**

**Lin Chenxuan (implied tone):** “This is the entertainment industry, not a child’s game.”

**Qin Mang:** “I’d rather quit and inherit my family business than act in sexually explicit films.”

Originally, she rejected the role due to the script.

Now—
She didn’t want to work with Director Lin at all.

But then—

The CEO of her company, Hezhou Entertainment, posted in his social circle:

**“Working with Director Lin is Qin Mang’s honor.”**

Flat-out denied the scandal and announced the collaboration.

The internet went into a frenzy.

Especially with the news that Qin Mang would star in a risqué film directed by Lin Chenxuan—

**Meanwhile, in a private club in Deep City—**

He Lingji stepped off the boxing ring.

Under the scorching lights, the man was shirtless—his chiseled abs radiating sensual aggression, sweat tracing the lines of his muscles. His face, however, was handsome and aloof, exuding a cold allure like a beast hiding in an icy wilderness.

His companion Wu Yuan had already given up and was slumped on a chair, scrolling through his phone.

When He Lingji finally finished, Wu Yuan looked up as he unwrapped his hand wraps and muttered, “You’re surprisingly chill about this.”

“In plain language?”

He Lingji’s expression remained neutral. Aside from the fierce energy in his muscles and a few bruises on his back and shoulders, he looked unfazed.

Judging by his face, you’d think the intense workout was just a warm-up.

“See for yourself. Your wife is trending for watching an explicit movie alone with another man.” Wu Yuan handed him the phone.

He Lingji didn’t take it, just glanced at the screen. His hand, which had just finished unwrapping the wraps, suddenly paused—then slowly began rewrapping them.

Layer by layer.

Then, without a word, he stepped back into the ring, hands gripping the ropes with ease.

Looking down at Wu Yuan, he raised his gloved fists, motioning.

With a calm, commanding tone: “Get up. One more round.”

An exhausted Wu Yuan: “…”

Does this man not get tired?

**Two hours later—**

He Lingji had showered and changed into a sleek, custom-made black silk shirt. As he buttoned up and walked out, he had completely returned to his refined, ascetic demeanor, showing no sign of emotion.

As if a beast had disguised itself as a man to walk among mortals.

Wu Yuan lay sprawled on the boxing ring, barely alive. He turned his head and asked, “Where are you going?”

**He Lingji:** “To watch a movie.”

22**Chapter 22: A Beauty Hidden in a Golden House**

“Ahhh! Director Lin’s films are always so intense, and Qin the Flower Vase has amazing potential in every aspect—I can’t wait to see the sparks fly between them!”

“Haha, the director and actress watching racy movies together for ‘research’—classic Lin. Only he would pull this off.”

“Am I the only one dying to know the name of the movie?”

“Qin Mang hasn’t really done anything too bold on screen yet, right? Not even her first onscreen kiss. Tsk tsk… wonder which lucky guy’s gonna get that.”

“Is the collaboration for real?”

“It’s on Qin Mang’s boss’s social media—tons of industry insiders have seen it. How could it be fake?!”

“Can’t wait!”

The online buzz was overwhelmingly one-sided.

“New leadership always makes a splash, but this first fire is burning right under your feet!”

The PR department of Hezhou Film completely ignored the directives from Meng Ting. Instead, they aggressively promoted the new CEO’s post about Qin Mang’s upcoming bold film role, pushing it everywhere.

As if they were afraid there was still someone out there who didn’t know she was about to star in a racy movie.

Meng Ting usually kept his cool. Even when Qin Mang was getting hate from the whole internet, he hadn’t been this mad.

That time, it was outsiders causing trouble.

This time, it was betrayal from their own people.

Completely disregarding status or decorum, he lashed out at the new boss: “They really do see you as a cash cow—terrified that a scandal might dent your market value.”

Given Hezhou Film’s current decline, even with new leadership, the rot ran too deep to fix. Corruption and narrow-mindedness were in its bones.

“No surprise really. As an old company stuck between generations, they’ve been coasting on past glory. Now that your popularity brings hope, of course they want to milk every cent of commercial value from you.”

They didn’t care what the artist actually wanted.

“They want me to be their cash cow? Do they even deserve it?”

Qin Mang’s gaze was icy. After a pause, a chilling remark slipped out.

With her bold, glamorous makeup and precision high heels clicking against the floor, she strode out of the set.

People fell silent as she passed.

Everyone felt like, if she had a real gun in hand, she’d probably mow them all down.

She made no effort to hide how furious she was.

“Everyone online’s saying that after wrapping *Dreams of the Capital*, you’ll head straight into filming *Night of Souls*. Director Lin hasn’t commented yet.”

But as everyone knows:

No comment means tacit agreement.

Angry or not, the problem had to be solved.

After a long silence, Meng Ting spoke up: “The thing is…”

“The fans seem pretty excited.”

Indeed, Qin Mang’s fans were more thrilled than anything.

Collaborating on a film was way better than being tied to some sleazy romance rumors or accused of using Lin Chenxuan to climb up.

And everyone in the entertainment industry knew: every film Lin Chenxuan directed was full of iconic scenes used as textbook examples in acting classes.

Especially since the lead role in *Night of Souls* had just been revealed.

This was Lin Chenxuan’s female lead. He didn’t make many films, but every single one was award-winning overseas. The prestige was obvious.

So naturally, no one would expect Qin Mang to turn it down.

If they really were going to work together, watching intense foreign films as prep made sense.

Who knows, maybe it was a private one-on-one coaching session for the next leading lady.

Career-focused fans of course wanted the best resources for their actress. Qin Mang had just announced a fashion endorsement with EG, and now a new movie with Lin Chenxuan? Her fans were over the moon.

Meng Ting tested the waters: “What if we go back to Director Lin and see if there’s any room for adjustment?”

“Maybe revise the script a bit?”

“Cut out all the heavy stuff, or use a body double?”

Once inside the nanny van, Qin Mang propped her elbow on the cream leather armrest, her elegant fingers resting against her chin.

Hearing this, her previously cold voice finally wavered slightly. “Do you believe it?”

“Believe what?”

“That if I agree to shoot this film…”

“…I’ll have to quit showbiz the very next day.”

Qin Mang was clearly in a bad mood. Her dark eyes shimmered with frustration that was hard to detect at first glance.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t willing to make sacrifices for her career, or that she was overly conservative—it’s just—

Because of who she truly was, there were some roles she simply couldn’t take. That was her bottom line.

Meng Ting thought she was overreacting.

What actor doesn’t sacrifice for the role—especially when it’s such a great opportunity?

Just then, Qin Mang’s personal phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, the usually laid-back and stylish girl immediately straightened her posture.

She answered the video call.

Both of her fair hands folded neatly on her knees—demure and proper.

The contrast was so stark that Meng Ting, acting as the phone holder, was stunned.

This little ancestor—

Not even facing He Lingji made her act like this.

“Little uncle,” she greeted sweetly.

A youthful, gentle male voice came from the other side—not icy like He Lingji’s, but warm and calm.

No one knew why Qin Mang wasn’t afraid of He Lingji but was clearly terrified of *this* one.

He said, “Little lion, are you done playing around yet?”

That “playing” had layers of meaning.

“…Not yet,” Qin Mang mumbled.

She hadn’t won Best Actress yet. Besides, she had genuinely fallen in love with acting. She wanted to do it for the rest of her life. “I want to act forever.”

A second later, a soft, raspy cough came through.

Qin Mang froze.

She feared her little uncle’s sudden coughs more than anything.

She looked at the man in the video.

His features were elegant and refined, but his skin was deathly pale. Only the red mole between his brows stood out—like blood, adding a sickly beauty.

Qin Yan’s voice was gentle.

But his tone left no room for argument. “I don’t approve.”

“You wanted to join the entertainment industry before and I let it slide. But now you want to shoot *that* kind of movie?”

“Qin Mang, am I being too lenient lately?”

Lenient?

With his name, everyone knew he was notoriously short-tempered.

Yet he looked like a noble gentleman, delicate and refined. Later, due to a chronic illness, he had to cultivate calmness and restraint. He fooled many people with that appearance.

Qin Mang’s parents had loved each other deeply.

Guan Yueyan died at the height of their love, and Qin Han couldn’t take it—falling into depression, attempting suicide multiple times. Eventually, he let go and became a monk, handing over both young Qin Mang and the entire Qin family business to his still-in-college younger brother, Qin Yan.

He never returned home for over a decade.

In many ways, Qin Mang was raised solely by Qin Yan. She lived in luxury and was naturally proud and confident.

To Qin Yan, aside from her extravagant spending that forced him to earn a fortune to keep up, she was generally obedient.

He told her what to study, where to apply, even who to marry for business purposes.

Then came her rebellious phase after graduation.

She insisted on becoming an actress and winning Best Actress.

Since she was technically “married off,” as long as she didn’t cause too big a scandal, Qin Yan could pretend not to notice. But a racy film? Absolutely not.

The moment she heard that, Qin Mang raised three fingers in an oath: “I swear I’m not doing any racy movies!”

“Our new CEO set me up!”

“I never agreed to it!”

“Waaaah, little uncle, you have to avenge me!”

And of course, she made sure to tattle.

“You really didn’t agree?”

“Absolutely not! Ask my agent if you don’t believe me!”

She flipped the camera.

Right onto Meng Ting’s big face.

Meng Ting: “!”

Damn.

This little demon threw me under the bus!

Luckily, he was quick on his feet. Though cursing inside, his face was all smiles: “Hello, I’m her agent, Meng Ting.”

Qin Yan replied, “Hello, I’m her guardian.”

Guardian?!

Is she a preschooler?!

Qin Mang dared not speak.

Meng Ting had heard their whole exchange. Under Qin Mang’s pleading gaze, he promised, “Don’t worry. We’ll handle this properly.”

“We won’t go against the artist’s wishes.”

Before the call ended, Qin Mang gave him one last look, her beautiful eyes brimming with pitiful grievance. “Little uncle, the CEO bullied me… you…”

Qin Yan didn’t flinch: “Then come home.”

Qin Mang: “…”

“You don’t love me anymore!”

…

**Qin Corporation, Beicheng**

It was late, but the office lights still burned bright.

Assistant Chen pushed Qin Yan’s wheelchair into the executive elevator leading to the underground parking lot.

“Miss Qin was raised by you. She’s practically your own daughter. You’re really okay letting her go like this?”

The man in the wheelchair looked young and handsome, but strands of white threaded through his black hair like deliberate highlights. The red mole on his brow stood out against his porcelain-perfect face.

He looked like a serene Buddha, but his actions were anything but merciful—ruthless and sharper than any demon.

At just 18, he had single-handedly wiped out the entrenched factions of the He Group and claimed total control.

Here is the translated text with clear spacing between paragraphs:

—

No one would ever underestimate his abilities.

His features bore a strong resemblance to Qin Mang’s.

Especially that small red mole.

However, the uncle and nephew pair had their marks in different places—one at the center of the brows, solemn and godlike; the other at the tip of the nose, brimming with charm.

Not father and daughter, but closer than father and daughter.

When Chen, the assistant, spoke, Qin Yan’s pale lips curved faintly.

Only when Qin Mang was mentioned did he show a hint of warmth.

He sighed lightly, “When you fail to give up what you should, chaos follows.”

“She was young—before, it was just novelty. The more adults forbade her, the more determined she was to try, even if she got hurt. And now? She’s taking it seriously.”

“So you’re not interfering with her anymore.”

“It’s a painstaking strategy.”

Qin Yan didn’t respond. His long, pale, slender fingers rested between his brows, his voice cooled slightly:

“Unless she suffers and bleeds, how else will she obediently quit the industry?”

The entertainment world was not something she should be involved in.

Qin Yan knew Qin Mang—and Qin Mang knew him just as well.

As soon as the video call ended, the expression on her beautiful face turned more solemn.

“Little Uncle must be thinking that if I’m forced to act in this film, he’ll have the perfect excuse to make me quit the industry.”

“And obediently go home to inherit the family business.”

Little Uncle, young as he was, refused to marry and have children to inherit the family fortune, insisting on enslaving her instead.

Qin Mang only wanted to spend money, not make it.

So, there was absolutely no way she’d back down!

Meng Ting had finally recovered from the shock of “meeting the family.”

He knew who Qin Yan was.

A top business mogul frequently featured in financial magazines—the supreme power of the Qin Group—Qin Yan!
Oh my god.

No wonder Qin Mang could be engaged to He Lingji!

At first, Meng Ting had thought He Lingji chose Qin Mang from a sea of socialites because of her extraordinary beauty. Now, having learned her true identity—

He was stunned.

Turns out she was a real heiress from a super-rich family, just experiencing life in the mortal world.

And one who could actually inherit the family fortune?

What the—?!

If Qin Mang ended up inheriting the He family too—

*Hiss!*

Meng Ting’s imagination started going off track. His face showed pure reverence: “Young Miss Qin!”

“If you rise to riches, don’t forget your humble friends!”

Young Miss Qin gave him a cold glance: “…”

Meng Ting shivered and slapped the armrest hard, his expression serious and solemn:

“We’ve just gotten our footing in the acting world. If we quit now, that’s too weak—it’s not our Miss Mang’s style. Our goal is to become a radiant top actress!”

Beside them, Ah Tong was dumbfounded:

Brother Meng is truly wasted as a manager. With acting skills like that, slap on a new face and he’d crush top-tier actors.

Meng Ting continued:

“I’ll think of something. As long as you don’t publicly respond, there’s still a chance.”

“Let’s do this—you focus on filming, and I’ll go back to the company to talk to the boss.”

There was still time before *Soul Night* started production.

After all, Qin Mang hadn’t wrapped *Dreams of the Capital* yet.

So they still had a window.

Qin Mang knew how to prioritize and focused on finishing *Dreams of the Capital*.

Otherwise—

If she was forced to quit, she wouldn’t even have a single representative work.

No!

She would never quit!

Qin Mang gathered herself, ignored all the chatter on Weibo, and fully immersed herself in filming.

Her performance improved, and her chemistry with Jiang Hengyan grew stronger.

Toward the end, almost every scene was done in one take, rarely more than three.

After twenty days of intensive filming, she finally wrapped her scenes.

She didn’t even stay for the wrap party and headed straight back to Shen City the same day.

She arrived at Hezhou Film late in the evening, just as office hours ended.

Dressed in a flowing pale gold gown, she was dazzling. The clouds at dusk seemed aflame, blending with the hem of her dress like a painting—an ethereal beauty straight out of a masterpiece.

Her red lips pressed into a line, her face expressionless—only adding to her breathtaking, icy allure.

The pressure she exuded was overwhelming.

There weren’t many celebrities in the company building, but plenty of livestream influencers.

Some even turned their cameras on her.

Gasps and whispers followed:

“Why is Qin Mang here? Has she wrapped already?”

“Oh my god, she’s so beautiful in person, and so powerful!”

“That face looks like it was modeled—it’s flawless!”

“No wonder they call her the top siren of the entertainment world. That beauty is god-tier…”

“I want a selfie… Can I?”

“I need a link to her dress, her earrings, her lipstick shade, *crying sounds*!”

“Go ask her!”

“But she doesn’t look very approachable… I’m scared…”

“She’s leaving…”

Qin Mang ignored everything and headed straight for the CEO’s office.

Meng Ting followed behind, muttering, “Calm down. We’re here to talk about terminating the contract. It’s best if we part on good terms.”

“If it gets messy, it won’t be good for your image, even if we manage to cancel the contract.”

Exactly.

Qin Mang was here to terminate her contract.

According to the original agreement, the agency had no right to make decisions for her—including choosing projects.

Clearly, the new CEO hadn’t even read her contract properly and was already trying to treat her like a cash cow. What a joke.

Her face alone was the best pass she could have.

And yet, no one tried to stop her.

When President Yu saw Qin Mang, he was in a good mood, eyeing his “gold mine” with interest.

“Congrats on wrapping. You’re just in time—the *Soul Night* contract is ready for you to sign.”

The new CEO, Mr. Yu, was around his mid-40s or 50s. His hair was slicked back neatly, and unlike others his age who had let themselves go, he still carried a faint air of sophistication.

But Qin Mang had grown up among truly noble elites—those whose elegance was steeped in their very bones and only grew more distinguished with age.

To her, this man’s pretentious demeanor didn’t even register.

…No one spoke. The atmosphere turned awkward.

Meng Ting cleared his throat and subtly signaled with his eyes: “This is President Yu.”

Qin Mang managed to remain calm. She didn’t slap anyone, just nodded perfunctorily, “Oh.”

Meng Ting: “…”

Alright then.

Qin Mang casually flipped through the contract. Her gaze paused for a moment—

The contract stated that if she joined the crew, she’d be required to bring along two rookies from the company as supporting characters with favorable roles.

No wonder President Yu had hurried to announce it on social media.

He must have received hefty benefits from Lin Chenxuan.

Her eyes gleamed with sarcasm.

She was naturally beautiful, and now, with a faint smile on her lips and her head bowed over the contract, her slender, pale neck exposed—she looked like someone easily controllable.

Yu Qing rarely showed tenderness, but he generously offered:

“I’ll talk to Director Lin and see if we can postpone your entry to next month. You should have time to rest.”

He sounded sincere, like he cared for her health—but in truth, it was sheer arrogance.

So, his plan was to have her move from one set straight into another? Squeeze her dry?

Looking at his smug face, Qin Mang couldn’t help but laugh.

Her eyes curved, tinged with a seductive red hue, dazzling and bold.

The more Yu Qing looked at her face, the more satisfied he became. He was already calculating how much value this face could bring.

This time, he could send two newcomers with her.

What about next time?

And the time after that?

The more famous Qin Mang became, the more money he would make.

Under his leadership, Hezhou Film would surely return to its former glory.

Yu Qing then lowered his hand from his back, showing a friendly and approachable demeanor, resembling a good superior who treats others with respect. “Once you bring more benefits to the company, Hezhou Film and Television won’t treat you unfairly.”

“In the future, when you become a shareholder, the company will have a share for you too.”

“Mr. Yu is truly generous.”

Qin Mang’s voice was soft and gentle, as she slowly twirled the delicate fish-tail diamond ring on her finger. Under the lights, it reflected a faint, cold glow. Those who knew her, however, understood that her patience had already reached its limit.

Having finished reading the contract, Meng Ting quietly took a few steps back. He didn’t remind Qin Mang to stay calm.

At this moment, Yu Qing personally handed her the pen, with a patronizing gesture. “Sign this, and in the future, you’ll have the opportunity to become a new shareholder of Hezhou.”

Qin Mang leisurely opened the contract to the signature page, and as she reached for the pen under Yu Qing’s expectant gaze, she suddenly changed direction.

She picked up the coffee that the secretary had just handed her and splashed it onto the hypocritical face across from her.

“Whoosh.”

“Thud!”

Yu Qing instinctively tried to dodge, but to his surprise, he bumped into the corner of the table. His face and the pristine suit he wore were both splashed.

The brown liquid poured down, splashing onto the pile of contracts on the table.

In an instant, everything was in chaos.

There was a gasp from the side. The secretary frantically tried to wipe the coffee off Yu Qing.

Yu Qing was in disbelief, and his anger made him lose his composure. Since taking his position, everyone had always treated him with utmost respect, and he had never been humiliated like this. His eyes nearly bulged with rage. “Qin Mang, how dare you—”

“Do you believe I’ll blacklist you?”

Qin Mang sneered, clacking her high heels as she walked away, “Exactly, with a fool like you as a boss, I don’t even want to stay!”

“Meng Ting, Meng Ting, you don’t want to stay either, do you?”

Meng Ting ignored him and searched frantically for disinfectant wipes. He happened to see the secretary still wiping Yu Qing off. He stepped forward, snatched a pack of unopened wet wipes, and ran after Qin Mang, “Young lady, wait a second, wipe your hands.”

“Looks like we can’t resolve this peacefully now.”

Meng Ting sighed. He could tell now.

Yu Qing’s mind was filled with how to exploit Qin Mang to make money for him; there was no way he would easily let her go.

Qin Mang slowly wiped her clean fingers, from the knuckles to the palms, bit by bit, without missing a spot. Her thick, dark eyelashes covered all the emotions in her eyes.

Meng Ting said, “The thin camel is bigger than the horse. Hezhou Film and Television’s legal team is well-known in the industry. It’s not going to be easy for us to win the contract termination case.”

And from Yu Qing’s current behavior, it was clear he was not a magnanimous person.

Based on experience, when an artist falls out with their agency, it damages the artist’s reputation.

“By the way, Qin Mang, if you want to quit the entertainment industry, what about Mr. He?”

“What does he think?”

“If He’s legal team steps in, the possibility of us walking away from this contract termination case unscathed will skyrocket.”

At this point, things had developed to a point where they couldn’t be solved.

Qin Mang finally remembered.

She had a particularly powerful husband.

Hearing Meng Ting’s last sentence, Qin Mang’s mind flashed to that night in the hotel closet.

He Lingji whispered in her ear, his calm yet determined voice, “Only when you’re at the top, do you have the right to decide whether to stay or leave.”

He was—supportive, right?

Otherwise, why didn’t he take the opportunity to have her quit the entertainment industry?

The sadness in the girl’s eyes gradually faded, and they began to shine, like a blazing sun cutting through the night sky, reflecting dazzling light.

“To Huihuan Lake Manor!”

Qin Mang decisively made up her mind.

Even more terrifying than asking He Lingji for help… was quitting the entertainment industry!

Qin Mang had already planned a series of words to persuade He Lingji. Excited, she rushed home, only to find it empty.

Butler: “Sir went to Lingcheng.”

“He hasn’t returned for 19 days.”

“?”

“To Lingcheng again?”

Hearing this, Qin Mang carefully observed the change in the butler’s expression, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Why does he go to Lingcheng so often? Could it be that he’s keeping a mistress there?”

23**Chapter 23: No One But You**

In a private villa in Ling City, within the home theater room, the light is dim. An old English movie is playing continuously.

He Lingtian, dressed in a lazy, casual black bathrobe, sits on the sofa, almost blending into the darkness. He is much more mysterious and quiet than the night itself, with an underlying sharpness. His pale, slender fingers, illuminated by the dim environment, give off a sense of coldness as he absentmindedly plays with a thin phone.

Then, the door is pushed open, and a beam of light pours in, accompanied by a man’s half-smiling voice: “Old He, have you had enough yet?”

(“Nineteen days.”)

“You’ve watched it every day, you must have memorized the lines by now?”

Rong Huaiyan leans against the doorframe. Through the light from the screen, one can vaguely see his cold, graceful profile. His demeanor is poised like a noble figure from a Chinese ink painting, standing like a mountain with an elegant yet indifferent expression.

This man is Rong Huaiyan, known as the noble son of Ling City.

He Lingtian and he grew up together, their relationship the closest. When He Lingtian visits Ling City, he often meets with Rong Huaiyan.

Rong Huaiyan continues, smiling: “The home theater room must be sour with your jealousy.”

He Lingtian, who normally shows no emotion, finally lazily lifts his eyelids to look at him when hearing these words, his gray-blue eyes as deep as a pool of water. “We are in a business marriage,” he says indifferently.

The meaning is clear. There’s no jealousy.

A business marriage demands the dignity of a business marriage—no emotions, no love.

Rong Huaiyan switches on the lights. The whole room becomes brightly lit. The movie playing on the screen is almost unrecognizable now, only the style of foreign films and their bluntness and eroticism still echo.

Rong Huaiyan, well-versed in such things, decides to try a few of these gestures himself when he returns home to his wife.

He leisurely walks to the sofa, sits down confidently, and pours He Lingtian a cup of tea as a guest.

He Lingtian watches him perform his elaborate tea-making, barely lifting his eyelids. With the time he’s wasting on this, he’d rather drink alcohol.

When Rong Huaiyan pushes the porcelain tea cup toward him, He Lingtian, calm as ever, remarks, “A business marriage has its own charm.”

He too is in a business marriage, and now he shares a good relationship with his wife.

“For example?” Rong Huaiyan slowly sips his tea, meaningfully suggesting, “In a business marriage, you don’t need to care about each other’s image.”

“So?” He Lingtian asks.

“So, if your wife hasn’t contacted you in 19 days, you can shamelessly contact her.” Rong Huaiyan’s eyes glance at the phone He Lingtian is casually playing with.

He Lingtian’s fingers pause briefly on the cool phone, then he nonchalantly looks down. His eyes, like broken frost, slowly solidify into ice and finally melt into a subtle pleasure.

With a smile that is neither a smile nor a frown, he responds, “Oh?”

“Unfortunately, Rong Huaiyan, your advice is something I’m afraid I can’t use.”

He clicks a five-second voice message.

He leisurely shakes the phone: “My wife contacted me.”

He opens the voice message, and a sweet, soft voice from a girl suddenly plays: “Hubby~ I miss you!”

“Where are you?”

Rong Huaiyan, who had been showing off, is left speechless.

He Lingtian: “Sorry, my wife is very straightforward.”

Rong Huaiyan calmly finishes his cup of tea: “Alright, I’ll be straightforward too.”

“May your business marriage last forever.”

It’s He Lingtian’s turn to remain silent.

Rong Huaiyan, you malicious dog.

…

When Rong Huaiyan leaves, he casually turns off the lights, ever so ‘thoughtful.’

The large, dark room returns to the stillness it had before.

But…

He Lingtian’s phone keeps buzzing.

Gone is the emptiness and solitude, replaced by a lively bustle.

“Why aren’t you replying in the middle of the night?”

“Am I disturbing you and your little beauty?”

“Do you know how sad I was when I came home and didn’t see you?”

He Lingtian doesn’t rush to reply.

His fingers lightly tap the edge of the phone.

Sure enough, three minutes later, Qin Mang’s patience runs out, and she directly video calls him.

Missed call.

Missed call.

Missed call.

In the master bedroom of the Lakeview Manor, Qin Mang, having filmed for twenty days, feels like her bones are falling apart and immediately thinks of taking a bath to relax.

She lazily lies in the massage bathtub, her delicate, graceful figure surrounded by soft rose-colored bubbles. The air smells faintly of rose essential oil, with mist rising, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

To check her phone, Qin Mang exposes her slim, snow-white wrists, and under the light, they shine with a faint silvery glow. At this moment, her brows furrow slightly, showing signs of impatience.

She’s completely unconcerned about the bath and directly video calls.

But it doesn’t connect.

On the fourth video call—

Just as it was about to automatically hang up, it finally connects.

Qin Mang’s eyes light up, but when she sees only darkness, alarm bells go off. “Why won’t you let me see you? What are you doing?”

Could it be that he’s raising some little mistress in Ling City?

It’s only been a little over half a month since he’s been away!

“Watching a movie.”

The man’s voice is gravelly and magnetic, making her ears tingle with pleasure.

Before Qin Mang can speak, he turns the camera to the screen—

The exposure is a bit too much, and Qin Mang almost couldn’t recognize what movie it was.

Until the next second.

The classic line in the movie “…For me” rings out, and Qin Mang’s dark eyes widen in disbelief. “You, you, you… why are you watching this?”

He Lingtian’s voice, as if coming from a distant place, floats through, slightly ethereal.

“I’m just getting to know my wife’s preferences. Is there a problem?”

Qin Mang almost throws her phone out of frustration.

What preferences!

She frowns, suspicious that He Lingtian is being sarcastic.

It’s getting worse.

“Is this the posture?” He Lingtian gestures for her to look. “I remember the last time we were in the cinema, you shared this scene with me.”

Who the hell—

Qin Mang’s words are caught in her throat, and the embarrassing image from that day flashes in her mind.

Ah, ah, ah!

He Lingtian!

If it weren’t for needing something from him, she would’ve hung up immediately!

Qin Mang, with her shallow thoughts, can’t hide her feelings—love, hate, and everything else is written on her face.

He Lingtian sees it all clearly, his expression tired as he leans on the sofa. “Do you need something from me?”

Qin Mang is startled for a moment.

Then she quickly reacts, “Your Majesty is wise.”

And then she rattles on about her contract issues, ending with a pitiful tone, “My uncle won’t help me, he practically wants me to quit the industry.”

“Honey, only you can help me.”

He Lingtian laughs in anger.

So it’s because Qin Yan wouldn’t help her that she thought of him.

He takes the untouched white porcelain tea cup in his long fingers, sipping the now cold tea. His Adam’s apple subtly reveals a charm and aggression unique to men in the dark.

A few seconds later.

“Why should I help you?”

“You’re my husband.”

“Aren’t I the cold-blooded capitalist?”

“Mrs. He, I’m all for equal exchange. I do business with clarity.”

Qin Mang is stumped.

This damn man really holds grudges.

Equal exchange? Clear business?

Does she have anything He Lingtian might be interested in?

Money? Jewels?

Qin Mang thinks carefully for a while, and then catches sight of the rose-colored bath bubbles.

Oh, right.

She’s the most precious thing!

With a sudden realization, Qin Mang splashes water and stands up from the bathtub. “You wait.”

“I’ll make you willingly help me!”

He Lingtian lazily responds, “Alright.”

An hour later.

The little lion meows: 【There’s no one on your side, right?】

The cold-blooded capitalist: 【In the long night, Mr. He can’t multitask.】

What a sharp-tongued guy.

Since no one’s around, she can’t help but be a little mysterious, cutting straight to the point: “Then turn on the master bedroom’s surveillance.”

Surveillance in the master bedroom?

There’s surveillance in the master bedroom, but He Lingtian dislikes it and keeps it off most of the time.

Originally, Qin Mang thought that Mrs. He was just brushing her off, but the man, who had been uninterested, finally showed some interest.

The surveillance footage began.

The first thing in view was a young woman standing in the center of the master bedroom on the black wooden floor. She wore a red gauze long dress, as thin as a cicada’s wings, almost entirely woven from delicate ribbons of transparent gauze. Several loops of the ribbons were wrapped around her slender, snow-white arms, with the excess trailing down to her delicate ankles, fluttering as she twirled on the dark floor.

This dress was definitely not something she could wear outside. It seemed more like something meant for intimacy and fun between a couple.

Qin Mang’s gaze, full of affection, lifted as she looked at the surveillance camera. Her red lips parted slightly, and she said, “I’m starting now.”

He, familiar with lip reading, watched clearly.

The next moment, the young woman danced gracefully, each movement, each smile, exuding seductive charm that seemed to overflow from the screen. The satin-like red gauze ribbons flew up and fell back down. Eventually, they unraveled like ribbons from a gift, the red gauze completely falling to the floor. At her pure white ankles, it created a vivid, mesmerizing picture, the world losing its color, except for the touch of the red gauze that resembled cold, delicate snow.

If Qin Mang truly intended to seduce a man, no one could resist her allure. Not even he—

Cold and indifferent.

Self-disciplined and reserved.

He, He Lingji, gazed at the screen, captivated by her dazzling smile, brighter than the radiant red dress, like a burning sun crashing into his eyes.

Qin Mang’s finger hooked the red gauze ribbon wrapped around her arm, leaving only the last twist of it. Seemingly unaware, she tilted her head and innocently gazed at the camera. “Do I look good?”

He Lingji did not respond.

The movie was nearing its end, and the final line echoed—
“No one but you.”

No one but you.

…

The surveillance footage disappeared.

By the time Qin Mang had finished tidying up and returned to bed, she felt both exhausted and sleepy. After all, she had really stayed up for a long time. She had also danced again today.

Lying in the silk sheets, it felt as if she could fall asleep in the next second. But she fought off her drowsiness and sent He Lingji a voice message:
“Did you enjoy the performance of the female streamer? Not tipping a million isn’t right, right?”

Before going to sleep, she needed to get He Lingji’s promise.

…

…

Qin Mang waited a long time.

So long that her eyelids could no longer stay open.

Finally, her phone gave off a WeChat notification sound.

Half-closing her eyes, still blurry with sleep, she opened the message. Her jade-like ear pressed against the phone screen.

Perhaps it had been a while since He Lingji had spoken. His cold, hoarse voice came through, “Hmm… I’ve tipped several hundred million.”

Qin Mang, drowsy, checked her balance, thinking the large amount of money had caused a delay in the transfer.

She muttered softly, “Don’t need the money.”

She just needed He Lingji’s legal team.

With the sound of rain in the background, the man’s voice, even more hoarse, replied, “What a coincidence.”

It wasn’t about money.

24**Chapter 24: How Dare You**

The next day.

In the afternoon, the sun filtered through the loosely drawn curtains, spilling across the garden’s flower trees and landing on the edge of the bed. The fading light stretched along the floor—

Last night, Qin Mang had gone to bed in a hurry, and the red silk ribbons that had fallen on the black wooden floor had not been tidied up. From a distance, it looked like rose petals wilting in the midnight darkness, lacking a touch of seduction and adding a more vibrant, dripping mood of decadence.

At that moment, a delicate, beautiful white wrist emerged from under the blue silk blanket. The pale fingers shimmered with a soft, lustrous light, as if surrounded by an ethereal aura, so beautiful that it was hard to look away.

Qin Mang had slept for over ten hours.

Only now did she feel somewhat refreshed.

She had never worked continuously on a film set before, and these past few months had probably been the hardest period of her life.

Strangely, though, the usually delicate Qin Mang didn’t feel the urge to escape. On the contrary, the more she understood the profession, the more her acting skills improved. The sense of inner fulfillment was overwhelming, like she was a real, living person.

For a brief moment, she resonated with the journey her mother had recorded in her diary from over a decade ago.

After a while, the girl in bed, with curled eyelashes, struggled to open her eyes.

Last night, she…

Had she forgotten something?

Her peripheral vision inadvertently swept past the red silk ribbons at the foot of the bed. Her foggy mind slowly cleared—

Right!

She had given He Lingji a special dance livestream just for him.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, this lucky bastard. Others would never get to see such a livestream in their entire lives!

Remembering his words about tipping a few billion, Qin Mang’s lips curled slightly. Now that was more like it. She had completely forgotten He Lingji’s final remark: “It’s not about the money.”

While checking her balance on her phone, she muttered to herself, “I was so tired last night, I forgot about needing the lawyer team.”

“Well, well, money is better than no money.”

But when she checked the latest billing information—

Nothing.

Qin Mang, who had been lazily resting against her soft pillow, suddenly sat up straight, fully awake.

Where’s the money?

Where’s the “selling herself” money?!

She quickly typed a message and clicked to send it to the “big brother” who had falsely tipped her last night.

Little Lion Roar Meow: [Where’s the billions?]

Cold-Blooded Capitalist: [Was washed away by water.]

Little Lion Roar Meow: [? Am I a three-year-old child?]

Cold-Blooded Capitalist: [I’ll top you up when I get home.]

Little Lion Roar Meow: [Top me up now!]

Cold-Blooded Capitalist: [Not convenient.]

Little Lion Roar Meow: Are you bankrupt?

Before Qin Mang could send those four words, she suddenly realized something—

Her fingers froze, and she became like a statue, motionless on the bed.

A few seconds later.

Finally, she understood the implication of his words. Qin Mang’s pale face suddenly flushed with embarrassment.

Ahhhhhh!

He Lingji!

She really couldn’t imagine He Lingji, with his emotionless face, saying such… dirty things to her.

Little Lion Roar Meow: [Dirty]

Cold-Blooded Capitalist: [……]

Little Lion Roar Meow: [Petty]

The more Qin Mang thought about it, the more she felt she couldn’t just let this go.

Otherwise, what was the point of giving He Lingji the special thin-scarf dance livestream last night?

To not even receive a single tip was an insult to the most beautiful livestreamer!

The key point was—

Her original goal hadn’t been achieved either.

As Qin Mang was pondering, her phone rang abruptly.

It was Meng Ting.

“You finally woke up.”

“Mr. Yu just called and said that if you don’t go sign the contract for ‘Soul Night’ tomorrow, he’ll expose your bad behavior to the fans.”

Qin Mang, already feeling frustrated, sneered when she heard that.

“My bad behavior?”

Does he really think she’s a clay statue to be squeezed?

Meng Ting also found it ridiculous, but he knew Yu Qing all too well. This guy was ruthless and wouldn’t hesitate to destroy you if you couldn’t bring him benefits.

Compared to the former president of Hezhou Films, Yu Qing was even more aggressive. After being the vice president for years, he had always wanted to take over, and now that he had finally risen to the top, he was ready to take drastic action.

Yu Qing had been in the industry for decades. So many artists had fallen victim to his ruthless ways, but no one dared to speak out.

No matter how famous an artist was, when facing the company, they were always at a disadvantage.

When she signed the contract, Yu Qing had given Qin Mang a lot of freedom. If this scandal went public, people would only criticize her for trying to kick the company aside after becoming famous, questioning her character.

Yu Qing had picked the perfect timing. Whether Qin Mang took the ‘Soul Night’ role or not, from the company’s perspective, it was the perfect leverage to control her.

Qin Mang’s dark, clear eyes were almost bottomless. She got up and pulled open the curtains.

The scorching sunlight hit her face.

But it couldn’t extinguish the coldness in her eyes.

With her phone on speaker, Meng Ting continued speaking, “Mr. Yu’s idea is for you to publicly apologize in front of all the artists in the company. Once you do that, this will be over.”

“And then you can continue serving the company.”

Meng Ting’s voice grew softer, clearly worried that she might lash out and get him into trouble.

Stuck between the boss and the artist, he was actually in the most difficult position. But after following Qin Mang without hesitation yesterday, his position was set.

Meng Ting dared to do this not only because of Qin Mang’s abilities, but also because of her identity.

He wasn’t stupid; he knew who had more future prospects.

With someone like Yu Qing, whose ambitions outstrip his capacity, Hezhou Films would never go far.

As for asking Qin Mang to apologize?

Could Yu Qing handle that?

Since learning about Qin Mang’s identity, Meng Ting’s feelings had been complicated. A good family background should, in theory, make things easier in the entertainment industry. But unfortunately… Qin Mang’s biggest obstacle was her family.

After all, her family wanted her to face setbacks and leave the industry immediately.

Now, Qin Mang was truly angry.

What is this?

Asking her to apologize?

“Fine, I’ve remembered him,” she said, preparing to hang up the phone.

“I’m not done yet,” Meng Ting said quickly, worried she would hang up on him. “‘Old Dreams of Jinghua’ has finished filming. I’ve got a few scripts here. See if you’re interested.”

“Although there are no leading roles, there are some substantial supporting roles.”

The resources definitely weren’t on the same level as ‘Soul Night.’ Meng Ting was worried Qin Mang would look down on these supporting roles…

Before he finished speaking, Qin Mang casually replied, “Have A-Tong bring them to me.”

Meng Ting immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

She was still reachable when it mattered.

The business talk was over, and Meng Ting casually asked, “By the way, why were you in such a hurry to hang up?”

Qin Mang’s stunning, delicate features glowed even more under the sunlight.

She calmly replied, “Oh, I was in a rush to contact the ‘assassin.’”

“Fuck!”

“Calm down, ah, ancestor!”

*Click!*

Qin Mang decisively hung up the phone.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened her phone app and tapped the electronic wooden fish for five minutes.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

She had to accumulate 1000 points of merit to exchange for one moment of calmness.

Currently, she only had 555 points.

At 888 points—

She suddenly shut the app.

The urge to “slice” Yu Qing into a thousand pieces grew stronger.

Calm down,

Calm down!

She couldn’t let Yu Qing ruin her acting career because of this.

It wasn’t worth it.

He was just a stumbling block on her way to becoming the queen of acting. One good kick and he’d be gone.

Only a fool would bash their head against a rock.

Rather than losing face in front of outsiders, Qin Mang thought asking He Lingji for help wouldn’t be embarrassing at all.

Why use someone else when her husband was right there?

The more she thought about it, the more justified she felt.

But to deal with He Lingji, it had to be done with intelligence—

Last time, she had been too direct. This time, she would retreat to advance.

Little Lion Roar Meow: [I’ve been bullied by the leader at work, and you just watch? Fine, even though my husband’s unreliable, I’ll have to sever ties with my family and shoot a big-budget movie to support our kid.]

When He Lingji replied.
Outside, the butler knocked on the bedroom door. “Madam, are you awake?”
“It’s already 3 p.m. Why don’t you eat something before going back to rest?”
“Also, the new season’s designs from major brands have been delivered in advance.”
“Mm.”

She glanced at the clock. As expected, He Lingji was probably busy.
Qin Mang responded lazily, then tossed her phone onto the bed.

Her fair fingers picked up the bathrobe hanging loosely off the bed and draped it over herself. Moving gracefully, she walked into the bathroom.

—

**8 p.m.**
A private estate in Shen City was hosting a business banquet. The host was a new business partner about to enter into a deep collaboration with the He Group.

Coincidentally, He Lingji had returned from Ling City that afternoon. Since the host personally invited him, he gave them the honor of attending.

The terrace was quiet.
No one dared disturb He Lingji.

Under the dim light, the man’s profile looked like a painting—handsome features, but with a cold detachment that seemed to run deep in his bones. Even just leaning silently against the railing, he exuded a dangerous and intimidating aura.

Captivating, but unapproachable.

Since arriving, He Lingji had been surrounded by people greeting and networking with him. He finally had a moment of peace.

Secretary Cong cautiously handed him his personal phone. “Madam sent you a WeChat message this afternoon.”

He Lingji calmly took the phone, lowering his eyelashes. Under the light, a faint shadow flickered.

He slowly typed a reply:
**[It’s remarkable how Mrs. He manages to conceive without any effort. A pity she’s not contributing to our country’s medical research.]**

Yu Qing arrived a bit late.

Upon learning that the He family’s patriarch was also present, he spent some time locating him.

“Hello, Mr. He. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Yu Qing.”

He bowed respectfully and offered a business card.

He Lingji, still leaning lazily against the railing, toyed with his phone. He didn’t even spare Yu Qing a glance, let alone accept his card.

He continued reading the flurry of messages from his “little lion”:

**Little Lion Awoo Meow:**
**[Can you focus on the important part?!]**
**[The point is someone bullied me!]**
**[They bullied your smart, beautiful, innocent, and fragile wife!]**

He Lingji replied unhurriedly:
**[Oh?]**
**[How did they bully you?]**

**[He forced me to film an erotic movie!]**
**[He even demanded I sign the contract tomorrow and publicly apologize to him—or he’ll expose me!]**
**[You should’ve seen his arrogant face! As if I’m not human, just his money-making machine!]**
**[Wuwuwu, I’m so pitiful.]**
**[I just want to act in peace… *Little Lion pulls at the hem of her clothes pitifully.jpg*]**

The sticker showed a chibi lion with big teary eyes, seemingly transmitting its grievance through the screen.

Even knowing she was probably pretending, He Lingji’s eyes darkened slightly.

Just then, Secretary Cong whispered, “Mr. He, this man is the new CEO of Hezhou Film—and Madam’s… top superior.”

He Lingji finally glanced at him, coldly.

Those gray-blue eyes were emotionless, yet Yu Qing felt a chill run down his spine.

In front of He Lingji, he had none of the arrogance Qin Mang mentioned. Though he tried to stay calm, nervousness was visible in his eyes.

Just as Yu Qing thought it was hopeless—

He saw He Lingji take his business card between two cold, pale fingers. His lips released a neutral syllable:
**“Oh?”**

Secretary Cong gave a polite cough.
Prompting, “President Yu, is there something you wanted to discuss?”

Thrilled at being acknowledged, Yu Qing quickly said:
“I’ve heard the He Group plans to enter the film industry. Why not choose Hezhou Film? We’re an established entertainment company with top-tier standing. Recently, we even launched a famous actress.”
“Coincidentally, your first investment in film is also her debut.”
“Surely, this indicates fate between you and Hezhou…”

Yu Qing was very good at building connections.
He was determined to restore Hezhou Film’s former glory and was more than willing to lower himself to do so.

Since Hezhou Film had “relatives” like Madam He, Secretary Cong thought his boss might help out.

But he noticed—
The more Yu Qing mentioned Madam He, the colder He Lingji’s eyes became.

Secretary Cong mentally added a question mark.
Did Yu Qing just offend the boss?

Yu Qing kept talking nervously to fill the silence, eventually hoarse:
“Would you consider working with our company?”

Finally, the man at the railing looked at him directly.

Yu Qing’s spirits soared.
He held his breath, waiting for the response.

Everyone nearby was watching.
Any company at the banquet dreamed of partnering with the He Group.

They all thought that if He Lingji listened patiently to Yu Qing, then Hezhou might really be on the rise.

Until—

The terrace fell silent.
And He Lingji’s voice rang out, cold and harsh:
**“You? Worthy?”**

The next second—
**Riiip—**

The business card he had been toying with was slowly torn in half.

He casually tossed it on the table beside him.

Even that small movement exuded an innate sense of arrogance and nobility.

No one thought he was wrong.
Everyone thought Yu Qing had lost his mind to offend this man.

Yu Qing’s face turned ghostly pale.

It wasn’t just a card that was torn—but his dignity.
He was publicly stepped on.

It felt like a massive pie from heaven had fallen, and just when he reached for it in joy, he realized it was a rock—
And it smashed him in the face.

He had no idea how he had offended this person.

“He—”

Before he could speak further,
He Lingji stood up and walked away, calm and indifferent.

Secretary Cong respectfully handed him a handkerchief,
As if even holding Yu Qing’s card had dirtied his noble hands.

Watching their retreating figures—aloof, powerful, able to decide others’ fate at will—
Yu Qing felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

—

He Lingji returned to the lakeside villa close to 10 p.m.

The usual temperature setting had been adjusted down by two degrees since Qin Mang moved in—more suitable for her.

Even when she was filming, the household stayed used to that temperature.

Compared to usual, the home felt warmer, more alive.

It wasn’t just a luxurious, empty house anymore.
It felt like home.

The faint scent of roses lingered in the air—
Probably the fragrance she carried after bathing.

Just as He Lingji was about to enter, he received an impatient call from Madam He:
**“Do I really have to cry for you to avenge me?”**

He looked at the girl sprawled on the European-style chaise lounge, lazy and boneless, flipping through a script as she chatted.

She wore a smoky-pink slip nightdress, its long hem trailing past her ankles onto the white carpet.
Her feet were beautifully delicate, her nails a pearly pink—irresistibly attractive.

A giant moon hung outside the glass window,
Bathing her in soft light.

He casually loosened his tie and approached with slow, steady steps. His voice, usually cool, now carried a hint of magnetic depth:
**“Madam He, instead of crying here, I prefer when you cry somewhere else.”**

**“Somewhere else?”**
**“Where exactly?”**

Qin Mang sat up, looking at the moon in the sky.

Her slender fingers pinched her chin as she pondered seriously.

After a few seconds, she realized something was wrong—the voice in the receiver seemed to overlap with another.

Suddenly sensing something, she turned around—

And saw the man she hadn’t seen in a long time, standing quietly behind her, gazing at her with calm intensity.

Backlit, his eyes were dark and deep like a cold pool.
For a moment, a thin layer of ice seemed to shatter as their eyes met.

The shock hit her like a wave.

Qin Mang’s eyes widened in an instant, her little heart pounding wildly: “Why are you back…”

Was he trying to scare her to death?!

Popping up out of nowhere.

Like a ghost!

He Lingjing tossed his phone onto the foot of the chaise lounge, then unhurriedly picked her up just like that, carrying her effortlessly toward the master bedroom as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Naturally, I’ve returned in response to Mrs. He’s request—”

“To repay a debt.”

The man enunciated the two words clearly.

Being carried like this was a bit tiring for Qin Mang, so she wrapped her arms around his neck, freeing her slender legs—

She instinctively asked, “What debt?”

He Lingjing: “The few hundred million I owe Mrs. He.”

Qin Mang: “!”

It suddenly dawned on her.

What nonsense about repaying a debt—

He was clearly just after his own pleasure!

“You won’t help me get revenge, yet you still want to sleep with me? Dream on!”

As she spoke, she struggled to break free.

He Lingjing easily restrained her. “I already helped you get revenge.”

“Liar.”

He hadn’t even come back—how could he have helped her get revenge?

“When have I ever lied to you?”

“…You haven’t.”

Qin Mang thought long and hard, but even as they entered the master bedroom, she couldn’t recall a single time he’d deceived her. Pouting, she denied it in a tiny voice.

“Mr. He keeps his word. So, Mrs. He, will you do the same?”

“What did I say?”

“Cry for me.”

……

The curtains in the master bedroom were also fully drawn.

The enormous moon seemed to have fallen from the sky, its edges wreathed in a misty glow, as if veiled in a thin layer of gauze. The usually cool moonlight was filtered into something tender and lingering, devoid of any chill—instead, it stirred an irresistible flutter of emotions.

Qin Mang’s lashes trembled with teardrops, her eyelids tinged with a seductive rouge, as if steeped in enchanting allure.

When she lowered her gaze, she could see the man’s back, suffused with raw masculinity, where mysterious black patterns sprawled wildly, tracing the contours of his bones. They looked as though they had grown naturally into his skin—or perhaps like flowers that had broken through layers of ice on a vast, pristine glacier, their ink-black hues breathtakingly beautiful yet hinting at something darkly sinister.

It was terrifying.

Yet impossible to resist.

Suddenly, He Lingjing whispered in her ear:

“Where’s the female streamer’s prop?”

25**Chapter 25 – Above the Scenery**
Under the moonlight.
Above the scenery.
The livestreamer’s prop.

He Lingji’s cold, pale fingers slowly lifted one end.
It was the dance dress previously wrapped and put away with sheer fabric—now, circle by circle, it was being meticulously put back onto Qin Mang’s body.

The vivid colors of the gauze
formed a decadent scene hidden in the night, like an enchanting, lingering dream.

In that dream, crimson fabric fluttered in all directions, slowly blanketing a landscape of glaciers and frost. Eventually, the red silk transformed into blazing fire—melting the dangerous and icy terrain bit by bit.

Through the screen and in reality, each held a different kind of beauty.
Naturally, to He Lingji, reality was far superior.
At the very least, he didn’t have to deal with billions worth of assets in a bathroom.

…

Just as He Lingji was about to put her down,
Qin Mang’s gaze shifted and her tone drew out: “Don’t move.”
He Lingji’s eyes narrowed in thought. “You like it?”

Qin Mang lowered her gaze, eyes falling on the man’s perfectly contoured waistline, his abs sculpted and powerful—dangerously alluring.

Each time she saw him, that photo He Xucheng had shown her back at the old house popped into her mind—the one taken beside a helicopter.
His camo pants had accentuated his long legs and narrow waist, cool and wild.

So she answered honestly, “I like it.”
That seductive waist—who wouldn’t like it?

He Lingji’s lips, seemingly soaked in color, curved into a rare faint smile.
He’d never hidden anything. With a teasing smirk, he nodded slightly. “I see.”
“Mr. He understands now.”

Other than the mysterious, enchanting red spider lily tattoo on his back, Qin Mang liked his waist the most.

Still, she felt He Lingji’s idea of “understanding” was slightly different from hers.
Unfortunately,
He Lingji didn’t give her any time to think.

Seeing that Qin Mang had finished speaking and started spacing out again, He Lingji’s gaze darkened:
“Mrs. He, when are you going to fix this habit of burning bridges after crossing them?”

“Hm?”
Qin Mang blinked her long lashes innocently.
Had she?

That entire night, Yu Qing couldn’t eat or sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he remembered He Lingji’s bone-chilling words at the banquet and the mixed expressions of everyone as they left—mockery, amusement, pity.

No matter what expression it was,
he couldn’t accept any of them.

Worse,
he didn’t even know how he had offended such a powerful figure.

It was like a blade hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment.
That kind of dread was tormenting.

The living room was filled with the smell of cigarette smoke.
Thick and swirling—it showed just how foul his mood was.

By the next morning,
Yu Qing was summoned to the company by his assistant. He arrived to see a sharp-dressed professional:
Cong Zhen.

Yu Qing had just seen him yesterday.
He was the chief secretary to the man in charge of the He Group—He Lingji himself.

But this time, standing behind Cong Zhen was the famous legal team of the He Group.

“Secretary Cong?”
“Did President He send you with instructions?”

Yu Qing paused for a long time, steadying his erratic heartbeat. He couldn’t panic in front of his subordinates.
If the leader lost his composure, how could he command others?

Cong Zhen smiled slightly, calm and composed. “Good morning, President Yu.”
“I’m here on behalf of Miss Qin Mang to discuss contract termination with your company.”

Qin Mang?
Termination?

Yu Qing’s just-settled expression cracked instantly.
He wasn’t a fool. He immediately realized why He Lingji had suddenly turned cold yesterday.
So that was it.

He muttered, “Qin Mang really has some skills… managed to latch onto…”

Cong Zhen’s smile vanished. “President Yu, mind your words.”
“Miss Qin is not someone you can insult.”

He placed a folder on Yu Qing’s desk, reversing the roles. “Once you’ve calmed down, we’ll talk about the termination.”
“I’ve got all day.”

…
Two hours later,
after sending off the He Group team, Yu Qing collapsed into his office chair, drained.
He finally understood the weight of the person he had offended in his moment of greed.

His secretary handed him a cup of tea.
Ever since Qin Mang had poured coffee on him, Yu Qing couldn’t stand the smell of it—
It felt like it had seeped into his bones.

He muttered to himself, “No wonder she acted so arrogantly.”
So she had such a powerful backer.

The secretary hesitated. “Are you really going to give Teacher Qin…”

Now, in front of the entire company, he had lost both face and dignity.
Yu Qing let out a bitter laugh. “Being able to keep Hezhou Entertainment now is thanks only to the former chairman.”

If the former chairman hadn’t had the foresight to offer Qin Mang a contract with freedoms akin to top-tier stars, there would’ve been no escape this time.
But if Cong Zhen knew what Yu Qing was thinking, he’d definitely laugh at how naive he was.

The reason they didn’t make a move against Hezhou was simple:
It was already a dying company—He Group didn’t need to bother.
Besides, if they acted the moment “Mrs. He” terminated her contract and the company collapsed the next day, the public would be full of conspiracy theories.
Who knew what rumors would start?

The next morning, when Qin Mang woke up, her eyelids were swollen.
He Lingji, in this regard, was domineering, intense, and had a destructive streak. He liked seeing her cry. The more she cried, the fiercer he got. The fiercer he got, the more she cried. A vicious cycle.

As usual,
President He—who hadn’t been to the office in 20 days—finally left early for work.

Qin Mang punched her bed in frustration.
Who’s the one burning bridges now?!

She looked at the time.
10:30 AM.

Qin Mang didn’t have time to stay mad. She rushed to the bathroom.
The ever-elegant and perfectly presented heiress, for the first time, went out with no makeup. After a quick wash-up, she stepped out in slippers.
She was ready to storm the He Group and bring back the legal team.

Qin Mang had it all figured out:
She and He Lingji were married, so the He Group was their shared asset.
As Mrs. He, using the legal team was perfectly reasonable, right?

But as she descended the stairs,
she suddenly saw Meng Ting sitting in the living room.
She froze mid-step.

Standing on the glowing staircase, she looked down at him suspiciously. “Why are you here?”
More importantly, how did he get in?

This was Meng Ting’s first time at the lakeside estate.
Fortunately, Secretary Cong had brought him over personally, and security had led the way. Otherwise, he’d definitely have gotten lost.
Or maybe not even made it in.

No wonder Qin Mang once said that no paparazzi could get near her new home.

Beyond the main villa, there were additional luxury buildings, each several stories high. Not far away was a helipad, and different types of flowers even had their own private gardens—this was just the tip of the iceberg.

What he saw along the way
was only a fraction of what there was.

Meng Ting got goosebumps just thinking about it—Qin Mang had really suffered when she entered showbiz.
No wonder President He forced her to quit.

“You really were a noble lady who came down to suffer.”

That sentence gave Qin Mang goosebumps too.
“You sick?”
Meng Ting: “…A little.”
Eye infection.

**“Why is he so bad at choosing his reincarnation!”**
Qin Mang was in a hurry to get to He’s Group and didn’t have time to chat, so she quickly went downstairs. “What are you here for? To take me to apologize to Yu Qing?”

Meng Ting immediately laughed.
He guessed Qin Mang hadn’t checked her phone.
He handed her the tablet directly. “No. Look at the trending topics.”

**Trending topics?**
Qin Mang’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She lowered her eyes to look at the screen, and her gaze froze for a second.

* #QinMangPeacefullyTerminatedContractWithHerFormerAgency
* #FormerAgencyWishesQinMangAGlitteringFuture
* #ModelExampleOfAnAmicableSeparationInTheEntertainmentIndustry

Meng Ting had the password to Qin Mang’s Weibo. After getting the news from Cong Zhen, he was the first to share it.
He even set up an official account for Qin Mang’s studio.

Although—
So far, the entire team only had three people including the artist.
Aside from Meng Ting, A Tong also left Hezhou Entertainment.

Fans were thrilled.
After all, Qin Mang had been signed with Hezhou for two years and made no progress—terrible resources, worse PR.
With her incredible potential, she’d been overshadowed by Shen Wanyin, who managed to rise to fame with both acting skills and popularity, despite being a bloodsucker. Meanwhile, the actual star, Qin Mang, didn’t even have a single notable work.

So once the termination was announced,
Fans went wild with joy.

* “Congrats, congrats! You’ve got your own studio now. You’re finally free!”
* “Aaaah! I’ve been waiting for this day forever!”
* “Of course Qin Mang will shine bright! No more being held back by a trashy agency!”
* “Hahaha, give the company some credit, at least?”
* “I want to, but seriously, think about it—how many times did they do anything right when Qin Goddess got into trouble?”
* “Not once!”
* “Thankfully our Mang-mang got through it herself. Bitterness over, sweetness begins.”
* “…”

But some raised questions: Was Hezhou Entertainment crazy? Just letting go of a cash cow like that? Aren’t they notorious for squeezing their artists dry? What if they expose dirt on Qin Mang later to get revenge?

Can’t deny it—
When it comes to knowing how entertainment companies work, fans really get it.

Qin Mang no longer felt the urge to rush out.
She sat down leisurely, her jade-like fingers scrolling through the comments.

Public opinion was calm.
Everything was going in her favor—totally unlike Hezhou’s usual behavior.

Qin Mang still remembered how arrogant and confident Yu Qing had been, certain that she’d come crawling back.
**“Why did Yu Qing suddenly become so well-behaved?”**

Meng Ting had been holding back all morning. Finally hearing her ask, he eagerly recounted in vivid detail what happened that morning at Hezhou HQ with Cong Zhen.

As a literature major, Meng Ting turned a simple story into a rollercoaster narrative.
He finished with a sigh of admiration, “It had to be President He stepping in.”

Then he grinned mysteriously. “By the way, when are you going to the company? President Yu still has to apologize to you in front of everyone.”

Qin Mang finally smiled for the first time that day.
Under the dazzling white lights, her beauty shone like a goddess. Even barefaced, her radiant features were undeniable.

Now she understood what He Lingji meant by “getting revenge” for her.
He really did the right thing.
Didn’t lie.

Just as she was wondering how to thank him—
The butler brought over a fruit platter.
He pointed to the navel oranges placed separately on a crystal plate and said,
“Sir said you’ve been fond of navel oranges lately, so he had these specially prepared for you…”

The flesh was delicate and juicy. The moment the plate was set down, a sweet citrus scent wafted over.
Although her favorite fruit was actually lychee, the oranges looked delicious, so she didn’t mind that He Lingji hadn’t gotten her preferences quite right.

Wait a second—**oranges?**
Qin Mang picked up a slice with a small fork and was just about to eat it when her hand suddenly trembled.

A particular position from last night flashed in her mind.

Now she understood what He Lingji meant by “got it.”
**He didn’t get anything!**
Who said she liked oranges?
**What she liked was *his waist*!**

Any gratitude she felt toward He Lingji evaporated into that plate of juicy oranges.

Qin Mang’s pretty little face turned cold.
If not for a shred of rationality—

Forget it.
He was her benefactor.
Can’t attack him… yet.
Hold it in.

A few minutes later,
Under the puzzled gazes of Meng Ting and the others, Qin Mang suddenly turned and went upstairs.

She took time to apply flawless makeup and changed into an elegant, flowing emerald green gown. When she stood on the staircase, she looked like the finest jade in the world. Her long curly hair was casually pinned up with a green satin ribbon that hung gently over her pale, delicate shoulders, accentuating her luminous skin.

As she moved, the ribbon swayed.
At the end, faintly embroidered, was a cute little white lion.

It was her personal emblem.
Since childhood, nearly every custom-made item she owned had that mark.

Meng Ting was dumbfounded.
**“What are you doing?”**
All this makeup just to go see Yu Qing?
Does he deserve that?

Qin Mang stood by the coffee table, her fair fingers gesturing for the servants to pack up the fruit plate she had only eaten one orange from. She smiled at Meng Ting with a hint of cool elegance.

Her soft, airy voice said,
**“Of course—I’m off to reward my dear husband, who worked all night and still got up early for work~”**

Meng Ting: “…”
Why did that sound like she was about to commit husband-murder?

26Chapter 26: Difficult to Speak

On the way to the He Corporation.

Qin Mang leisurely opened the electronic wooden fish that had already accumulated 888 merit points earlier and finished the remaining 112.

As usual, 1000 merit points can be exchanged for a moment of calmness.

This was Qin Mang’s first time visiting the headquarters of the building.

Wearing delicate high heels, she swayed gracefully toward the CEO’s exclusive elevator.

The underground parking lot was vast, but it couldn’t hide the girl’s extraordinary elegance. The gray cement floor seemed to turn into a runway, with each step a scene from a human magazine, high-end and distinct.

The bodyguard behind her, carrying a delicate food box, seemed as though he were carrying a meticulously prepared feast.

Meng Ting, seeing her determined and forceful appearance, worried that his young mistress might be up to some mischief and stubbornly followed her.

Even Secretary Cong, seeing this scene of Madam, was taken aback on behalf of his boss.

“Where is my hard-working husband?”

“How come my fair and beautiful wife, the fairy, comes to visit, but he didn’t come to greet her personally?”

Qin Mang, looking at Secretary Cong who had come alone, crossed her arms and coldly asked.

Secretary Cong coughed lightly, fearing he might answer incorrectly, “Mr. He… is in a meeting.”

“So he couldn’t personally greet you.”

“Really?”

Qin Mang stretched the tone of her voice, sneering, “Are you sure it’s not because he’s too lazy to come?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Mr. He cares deeply about all matters concerning you!” Secretary Cong tried his best to speak up for his boss. Regardless of whether Mr. He was involved or not, it had to be pinned on him!

It was his job to protect the harmony of his boss’s family!

After entering the elevator, Secretary Cong suddenly remembered something, “By the way, your new team is here. Would you like to meet them?”

New team?

Qin Mang slowly fluttered her eyelashes, her eyes flashing with suspicion. “What new team?”

In the next moment.

The elevator doors opened.

It wasn’t the top floor where the CEO’s office was.

Instead, it was a private meeting room.

Secretary Cong respectfully extended his arm, “Please, Madam.”

As he responded, “After your contract with Hezhou Entertainment ended, you only have one agent and one assistant, which is inconvenient.”

“Mr. He specially—”

He emphasized the last four words, then continued, “Set up a new studio for you, including a PR team, a legal team, and so on. The styling team from the He family has also been incorporated into your studio.”

“Manager Meng will continue to be your executive agent for daily work, but for the studio’s operations, we’ve invited the top domestic agent, Ms. Fu Yuan.”

As he spoke, they had already entered the half-open meeting room.

Qin Mang lifted her gaze, and her eyes first landed on the person sitting at the main seat.

Fu Yuan stood up, dressed in a professional suit, her face delicate but expressionless. The silver Bluetooth earphones gave her a mechanical, robotic feel, with an air of grandeur and restraint.

She exuded an aura that made people instinctively trust her.

The key point was, she was Fu Yuan!

Qin Mang hadn’t even spoken yet when she heard a sharp breath from beside her.

Qin Mang didn’t understand what “Fu Yuan” represented, but Meng Ting knew, and he understood the weight of this name.

It was practically a major bug in the agent world.

It was said that the first talent she brought out, within two years, went from an ordinary newcomer to a top-tier male singer, now at the level of a “god of singing.” Later, she continued to bring out movie kings and queens, and three of the top eight stars in the industry were all under her guidance.

In total, in just ten years, she had mentored six talents, each with an unshakable position in the industry.

Meng Ting, afraid of embarrassing Qin Mang, calmed himself down and whispered a few words to her.

Qin Mang’s eyes were beautiful and clear. After learning about Fu Yuan’s identity, she wasn’t as excited as Meng Ting had imagined. Instead, she remained calm and composed, walking to the seat across from Fu Yuan, raising her delicate chin slightly. “Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Meng Ting:?

As expected of a young lady.

Look at that mentality.

If anyone else in the industry knew Fu Yuan was becoming their agent, they would treat her like a treasure. Only Qin Mang would ask her to introduce herself…

It was like an interview.

And indeed, Qin Mang treated it like an interview.

She had casually selected an agent before, signed with an agency, and almost got scammed.

Meng Ting, though competent, wasn’t able to protect her from all the pitfalls.

Meng Ting quietly reminded her to mind her manners.

“Of course.”

Unexpectedly, Fu Yuan agreed first.

It truly felt like an interview. Fu Yuan introduced herself, including her achievements over the years. She didn’t exaggerate or be modest, but laid it out clearly, logically, and at the end, had a plan for Qin Mang’s future.

Qin Mang’s red lips slowly curled into a smile.

She was very satisfied with the new agent that He Lingji had chosen for her.

Anyone who could enter this meeting room was essentially the backbone of Qin Mang’s future work team. Seeing that Fu Yuan had been “interviewed,” they naturally didn’t dare to act overly confident and obediently introduced themselves.

An hour later.

Qin Mang, who had been leaning in her chair the entire time, appeared indifferent, but she had listened attentively to everyone’s speech.

Finally, she extended her hand:

“Fu Yuan, I look forward to working with you.”

“Qin Mang, I look forward to working with you.”

Despite knowing Qin Mang’s identity, Fu Yuan didn’t address her as Mrs. He but instead used her name.

A hint of pleasure flickered in Qin Mang’s eyes.

Under the bright white light, the two slender hands shook.

At that moment, no one knew what kind of storm they would stir up in the entertainment industry.

Before leaving, Fu Yuan said, “The movie *Soul Night*, we’ll handle it.”

“I have a script for a similar-level movie in hand. *Fading Glory* is a big male-lead film, with less screen time for the female lead, so it’s easy for the male lead to overshadow her. But considering your current status, it’s still a good opportunity.”

It was more than just a good opportunity.

Meng Ting felt guilty, thinking that the scripts he had given Qin Mang last time were completely outclassed.

As expected of Fu Yuan, her first offer was an S+.

She didn’t even need an audition!

It was him who had delayed Qin Mang’s career.

“Are you taking it?”

“I’ll take it.”

She was just starting out, so having a movie to shoot was already a good thing.

Qin Mang glanced at the time. Lunch break was almost over.

She directly left Meng Ting to handle the handover with Fu Yuan and casually went to the CEO’s office.

The emerald green dress swirled in the air, creating a beautiful curve.

No stage.

No spotlight.

But it felt like she was everywhere.

She was a natural-born star.

She was also a natural-born actress.

Fu Yuan withdrew her gaze and casually said, “Let’s continue the meeting.”

…

In the CEO’s office.

He Lingji had finished his meeting and was reviewing documents when suddenly, a door creaked open.

It was very faint, like it was being opened secretly.

Secretary Cong would knock on the door.

It was clearly not him.

He wouldn’t dare.

He Lingji casually looked up, and the first thing he saw was a little head peeking out from the large door crack. The lively green ribbon hanging down, and at the end, he saw the little white lion embroidered on it.

He couldn’t help but think of the lion emoji stickers his wife loved to send.

It looked like a picture of someone peeking out.

He smiled faintly, his voice calm and clear: “Miss Qin, are you trying to peek at the He Corporation’s commercial secrets?”

“I knew you wouldn’t have anything good to say!”

“Do I need to peek at the He Corporation’s secrets?”

“I already know the biggest secret!”

Originally, Qin Mang had planned to scare him a little, but since she was caught, she stopped pretending and pushed the door open with both hands, curiously looking around.

The office was spacious and futuristic in design—even the ceiling was made of cold metallic lines, creating a strong sense of technology.

However, Qin Mang thought the place quite matched He Lingji’s temperament.

Luxurious and cold.

He Lingji toyed with a silver pen, his hand veins slightly bulging, exuding a chilling sense of danger.

The next moment—

The man curled his knuckles and tapped the desk. “Come here.”

“For what?”

“Interrogation.”

“?”

Qin Mang held a delicate lunchbox. Her rising gratitude immediately withered as she muttered under her breath, “What’s there to interrogate? The biggest secret of the He Group isn’t anything about noble elegance or untouchable aloofness. It’s that their President He is nothing more than a shameless beast. Hmph.”

“Mrs. He, that’s slander—”

Before He Lingji could finish, Qin Mang snapped open the lunchbox.

The originally juicy and fresh navel oranges had turned a little limp after a few hours of being carried around.

“Navel oranges?”

“President He, you really do know a lot.”

The girl’s slightly flushed eyes lifted, her already soft and seductive voice deliberately drawn out, sounding even sweeter than the oranges themselves.

He Lingji met those tender eyes, burning with tiny flames, and finally realized why she was angry.

Completely unfazed by the setting.

He parted his thin lips slightly. “What, don’t you like it?”

“Of course not!”

She was a refined and elegant lady—how could she possibly like that…!

Ahhhh!

How did he manage to twist things like this?

She only ever sat that way to get closer to his waist.

But—liking his waist and liking that position—

Either reason was impossible to explain out loud!

Qin Mang placed a hand on the desk, her 12cm heels making her appear every bit the commanding queen. She kept a stern face.

Out of respect for the amazing team he built for her, Qin Mang resisted the urge to throw the box of oranges straight at his head.

Wash his brain with oranges.

Fight poison with poison.

From her angle, she could clearly see the man’s sharp nose bridge, flawless side profile, his slicked-back hair with a few strands falling loosely against his forehead—softening his otherwise distant look into something a bit more relaxed and roguish.

Undeniably—

He was very handsome and charming.

She couldn’t quite bring herself to throw the oranges.

Facing Mrs. He’s sharp gaze, He Lingji calmly sat in his office chair. He even took the time to finish reading and signing a document.

In an idle tone: “Oh, but every time you’re in that position—”

He set down the pen, poured her a glass of warm water himself, and slid it across the desk with his long fingers. “…It’s always a lot.”

Qin Mang stared at the glass of nearly overflowing warm water.

Her dark pupils dilated.

Even her delicate swan neck flushed red.

!

Who was doing it a lot!

Every time she started thinking slightly better of him, He Lingji would always find a way to say something that utterly destroyed his image.

What kind of decent man says something like that?

Her calm cracked once again!

Qin Mang was the kind of person who got calmer the angrier she became. Her red lips curved into a smile.

Lifting her skirt, she walked around the cold, wide desk and sat directly on his lap.

Her recently manicured fingers—ice-blue gradient blush nails, elegant and cool—picked up a piece of orange, now laced with a touch of dangerous allure.

Those hours-old oranges obviously weren’t edible anymore.

Poison him!

She slowly lifted the piece of fruit to his lips and said sweetly:

“My lord, have an orange.”

Outside the door, Secretary Cong was just about to knock when he almost burst into laughter. His raised hand froze on the door. On closer look, veins popped out on his restrained hand.

Cong Zhen recalled every sad memory of his life a hundred times over.

Just as he calmed down and hesitated whether to go in—

He Lingji’s cold voice came from inside: “Come in.”

Cong Zhen composed himself, face wooden, and handed over the next set of documents solemnly. “Senior executive meeting in ten minutes.”

It was a small meeting.

So it would be held right in He Lingji’s office.

He looked at the ceiling and floor, daring not to glance at the pair in front of him.

Afraid of seeing what he shouldn’t.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a nearly overflowing glass of water on the desk. He whispered, “Shall I bring the Madam some coffee instead?”

Unexpectedly—

His usually aloof boss actually picked up the glass of water and said with a low chuckle:

“Mrs. He just loves drinking…”

Qin Mang could no longer hear the word *water*.

She had planned to save face—for both herself and He Lingji—in front of others.

But this dog of a man—

Ignoring that Cong Zhen was still present, she reached out and tried to cover his mouth with her hand.

“Shut up!”

“Don’t you dare!”

But his long fingers easily caught her wrist.

And due to the force—

Qin Mang fell right into He Lingji’s arms.

The next second—

“Ow—!”

All he could smell was her rich fragrance.

Cong Zhen’s face was expressionless.

His mental system had already crashed.

Why did he always walk in at *these* moments?

…

In the CEO’s lounge, inside the restroom—

Qin Mang pulled down her delicate shoulder strap slightly.

Staring at the mirror—

A patch of skin just below her collarbone was flushed a deep red, as if smeared thick with rouge.

She rubbed the sorest spot.

It hurt like hell.

Didn’t he know how sensitive this area was on girls?!

All his fault for having such a sharp, hard nose!

Ten minutes later—

The executives all sat quietly, pretending not to notice President He’s rumpled collar or the elegant green ribbon—clearly from a woman—draped over the armrest.

He Lingji, calm as ever, casually picked up the ribbon Qin Mang had left, his fingers gently brushing over the embroidered white lion at the end.

With a half-smile, he glanced around and said in the same steady voice, “My wife brought me lunch—”

“That’s all.”

“Understand?”

“Yes, yes, we understand.”

Who would dare *not* to understand?

And so—

The He Group’s big news that day became:

Mrs. He brought President He lunch. The couple is deeply in love.

Previously, the idea that President He even had a wife didn’t feel real.

Ever since the marriage announcement, she’d neither been seen nor heard from. Now that she suddenly appeared—it was explosive.

He Group’s chat:

【Kinda jealous. I want my wife to bring me lunch too. But mine’s busier than I am.】
【Did Mrs. He really cook that lunch herself?】
【Ahhh she’s so talented and gentle, the perfect noble lady.】
【Anyone still saying their marriage is purely business can shut up.】
【President He said it himself—his wife brought him lunch today!】
【They’re totally showing off their love!】
【Come on, savor the details.】

And just like that—

By afternoon, rumors spread across the entire company that Mrs. He had personally cooked a table full of delicious food to help nourish President He’s body.

Very vivid and specific.

In reality—

After the short meeting, the secretary brought in the president’s exclusive lunch.

It had *nothing* to do with Qin Mang.

The only connection?

She ate it.

While He Lingji sat in front of an elegant crystal plate—

Covered in fresh, juicy navel oranges.

Not the ones Qin Mang brought.

Those had been delivered by the butler.

Qin Mang bit into a piece of sweet and sour spare rib, eyes narrowing in delight as she smiled.

“Finish that plate, and I’ll forgive you for accidentally crashing into my little bear. Plus, I’ll even give you a gift.”

He Lingji didn’t like sweet things.

Thinking of how she had almost cried from the pain just now, he couldn’t help but rub his brow. For the sake of family harmony, he slowly and deliberately took a bite.

“Mm, no wonder Mrs. He likes it. It really is fresh and juicy…”

*Plop.*

The small rib fell into the plate.

Qin Mang: “…”

She had underestimated him again.

It felt like he wasn’t eating the orange, but rather—
No! She couldn’t think about it any further!

Qin Mang had almost finished eating. She suddenly stood up and headed toward the door.

She was afraid if she stayed any longer, she’d actually consider murdering her husband.

He Lingji calmly called out to her, “Where’s the gift?”

Damn it.
This bastard really never lets himself suffer even a little loss.

To prevent him from saying anything outrageous again, Qin Mang—who hadn’t prepared a gift—paused in her steps. She rummaged through the small bag she carried with her, digging for a long while, until she suddenly found two rings in the corner.

Their wedding rings?

Her slender index finger hooked one of the silver men’s rings.

A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She finally remembered.

Last time, she’d originally planned to coax him a bit after seeing that he had publicly acknowledged being married—but hadn’t revealed her identity. She wanted to return the favor. But then she got caught up in acting and forgot all about it.

It had been in her bag all along, unnoticed.

She had intended to give it to He Lingji back then, but forgot.

Now was the perfect time.

Qin Mang turned around, took He Lingji’s left hand, measured the size, and finally chose his ring finger to slide the ring onto.

A slender, fair woman’s hand—clearly feminine—was now resting on a clean and well-proportioned male hand.

Qin Mang: “I’m giving this to you.”

He Lingji glanced at it for a few seconds.

Then suddenly smiled. “If I remember correctly, I was the one who bought this wedding ring.”

“Isn’t it inappropriate to present Buddha with borrowed flowers?”

Qin Mang toyed with his knuckles and suddenly smiled, her red lips curving: “President He, you’ve got it wrong.”

“What I’m giving you isn’t a ring, it’s—”

She leaned in slightly and whispered in his ear, enunciating clearly: “A chastity lock.”

“You’d better keep it locked tight.”

More importantly—

“Be a decent man.”

With that, the slender and graceful girl turned and strode off.

Arrogant and dazzling.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Today’s agenda not only landed her a top-tier team, but she’d also won a round against He Lingji. Qin Mang was in an extremely good mood.

Meng Ting felt a bit like he was dreaming.

He had just finished the handover with Fu Yuan.

Actually, there wasn’t much for Qin Mang to hand over—most of it was follow-up work.

“I’m letting you work under Fu Yuan. You’re not unhappy about that, are you?”

Qin Mang was always blunt. It was rare for her to care about her agent’s mental health.

Meng Ting nearly jumped out of the car. “What are you talking about!”

“That’s Fu Yuan we’re talking about!”

How could he possibly be dissatisfied?

“What, is she your goddess?”

Meng Ting actually blushed and smiled, “Idol.”

“Alright then. I’m still your agent, Fu Yuan’s in charge of overall management.”

He masked his delight and showed Qin Mang the new script. “Look!”

“*Illusions of Splendor* script!”

“But the female lead is a sickly beauty who’s so thin she could be blown over by the wind. You’ll need to lose weight before joining the crew.”

Qin Mang was already slim.

But hers wasn’t an unhealthy thinness—it was a perfectly proportioned, elegant slimness. Every inch of her was exquisite and flawless, not a bit more or less.

Qin Mang curled her lips. She was in a good mood today.

Even hearing this troubling news didn’t faze her.

…

As the last wisp of the girl’s teasing scent faded away,
the spacious CEO’s office returned to its usual calm and cold atmosphere.

The man sitting behind the desk didn’t rush to get back to work.

Instead, he slowly rotated the low-key wedding ring on his ring finger—
turning it over and over,
with a deliberate grace that carried an air of untouchable mystery and nobility.

27**Chapter 27 – Barely Acceptable**

Ever since Fu Yuan handed over the script for *Vanity*, Qin Mang began her weight-loss journey.

According to the requirement for the female lead’s frail, willow-like appearance, she had to lose another five pounds. That didn’t seem like much, but for someone like Qin Mang, who was already naturally slim, it was extremely difficult.

Dieting and exercise were non-negotiable.

So during this time, aside from studying her new role, Qin Mang focused solely on eating greens and working out.

**That day.**

Inside the gym on the first floor of the lakeside villa.

The early morning sunlight was especially pleasant, streaming through the glass windows and falling softly on the young woman doing yoga.

Qin Mang moved with grace and poise, like a beautiful, proud white swan.

She exhaled slowly.

In her ear came Meng Ting’s voice: “The official *Soul Night* account just announced the kick-off press conference for tomorrow.”

“Everyone’s wondering when you’re joining the crew.”

“Tsk tsk tsk, looks like he’s trying to force you in.”

Although she had terminated her contract with Hezhou Films, that didn’t mean Qin Mang had no connection to *Soul Night*.

Lin Chenxuan had clearly grasped that point.

Which was why he dared to publicly pressure her to join the production.

Everyone in the industry knew she had signed onto Lin Chenxuan’s new film. If news suddenly broke that she wasn’t actually taking part, people would start questioning why she had watched an explicit movie with him in the first place.

There was no way to explain that cleanly.

Qin Mang slowly stepped down from the yoga ball.

Her fitted workout dress traced the curves of her elegant figure, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. She brushed aside the strands of hair that fell over her cheek and walked out.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the topic.

**Don’t suspect those you employ. Don’t employ those you suspect.**

Since Fu Yuan said she’d take care of it, she’d leave it to her.

But little did she know—

It wasn’t Fu Yuan who would take care of it.

Qin Mang lazily leaned on the staircase railing and walked down, only to see a man sitting in the dining area.

His dazzling eyes flickered with surprise. He asked suspiciously,
“You haven’t gone to work yet?”

It was already 8 a.m.

Totally inconsistent with Mr. He’s disciplined routine of getting up at 6:30 and starting work at 7.

He Lingji replied nonchalantly, “No rush.”

Then he politely offered, “Want some breakfast?”

A lavish breakfast lay before He Lingji—both Chinese and Western dishes, exquisite and mouthwatering.

Qin Mang hesitated for a few seconds. If she ate that, her morning workout would be for nothing. She reluctantly looked away, muttering, “Fairies… aren’t hungry.”

If He Lingji invited her again, this fairy could reluctantly accompany him for a few bites.

Just a few.

However, He Lingji simply nodded without pressing further.

Qin Mang: “…”

She was just being polite!

A few minutes later.

Qin Mang sat across from him, with nothing in front of her.

Arms crossed, she coldly watched him enjoy breakfast alone. Her exquisitely beautiful features looked especially cool under the bright light, giving her a touch of cold allure.

Even with her staring, He Lingji maintained his natural poise, holding his utensils with elegance. The wedding ring on his ring finger glinted subtly under the light.

For a moment.

The dining room was tranquil.

Then, the butler and maids entered to add more dishes for He Lingji.

They paused when they saw the scene.

With some surprise, the butler respectfully asked, “Should I prepare breakfast for Madam?”

Qin Mang had just claimed she wasn’t hungry.

She couldn’t contradict herself now.

At that moment, He Lingji casually said, “No need. Get her a glass of dew.”

The butler: “Huh?”

He Lingji’s voice was calm: “Fairies don’t consume mortal food.”

Qin Mang: ?

Would this damn man die if he didn’t mock her with sarcasm for one second?

Her stunningly beautiful face twisted into a cold smile. “Why not just offer me incense while you’re at it?”

He Lingji slowly set down his knife and fork, took a sip of water from a glass, his pale lips glistening slightly, adding a seductive allure to his otherwise cool expression.

He said smoothly, “Sure.”

“With a fairy wife like Miss Qin who doesn’t eat mortal food and prefers incense, I consider myself truly blessed.”

“What blessing?”

Meng Ting had just come downstairs and only caught the last sentence. She instinctively asked.

Then she realized—she was speaking to *Mr. He*!

Holy crap!

Why was Mr. He still here?

Just as Meng Ting was about to apologize, He Lingji stood, straightening his cuffs as he walked out. He left only two words: “Save money.”

Meng Ting watched the imposing man leave, then dazedly walked over to Qin Mang, opened her mouth, and finally managed to say:

“Your Mr. He… is surprisingly down-to-earth.”

Just think—someone worth billions, and yet he has this lovely virtue of “saving money.”

*Truly admirable.*

Qin Mang laughed.

She pointed at He Lingji’s spread and said each word clearly, “Give me the same breakfast. Exact same specs.”

*Let’s see him save money now!*

Meng Ting panicked: “My goddess!”

“You’re in a weight-loss phase!”

Lin Chenxuan hadn’t expected Qin Mang to remain completely silent, showing no concern about the public finding out she wasn’t working with him.

Wasn’t she afraid—

An assistant cautiously asked, “Should we still hold tomorrow’s press conference?”

Lin Chenxuan thought for a long moment.

“Hold it.”

For this film, he’d force things if he had to.

Once filming began, Qin Mang wouldn’t regret it.

The next day, the grand press conference for *Soul Night* was held, with many media outlets in attendance.

“Huh? It’s time, why aren’t the leads here?”

“Is it delayed?”

“Qin Mang hasn’t appeared in public for months. I was hoping to get exclusive photos.”

“Word is the male lead, Zhou Cong, was hand-picked by Director Lin. A superb actor.”

“Such casting—truly worthy of Lin’s name.”

Just as everyone was talking—

“He’s here, Zhou Cong is here!”

“What about Qin Mang?”

“Aren’t they making a joint appearance?”

Amid the noisy crowd.

Zhou Cong hurried up to the stage with a grim expression, picked up the mic, and the first thing he did was apologize.

“Sorry, Director Lin. I want to withdraw from the film.”

“The content is too intense. I just can’t get past it.”

“I’m very sorry.”

He bowed deeply to Lin Chenxuan.

Lin Chenxuan’s elegant features darkened instantly.

He had expected the day to go poorly—perhaps Qin Mang being willful and not showing up—but he never imagined the problem would come from his most trusted actor.

This was the actor he had personally mentored from the beginning.

Zhou Cong’s first role had been chosen by him.
Over the years, they had been like mentor and student.

Now the entire venue descended into chaos.

The media paid no attention to the absent female lead. All eyes were on the falling-out between the once-close director and actor.

Resigning in public!

He hadn’t even saved Lin Chenxuan an ounce of face.

Later—

Lin Chenxuan left the venue with a dark face.

“Mentor-student fallout” became the top trending tag from the *Soul Night* conference.

Qin Mang, who should’ve been the center of attention, instead became… invisible—

Quite the clever outcome.

…

After the conference, Lin Chenxuan found his career increasingly restricted. *Soul Night* faced one blow after another: both leads had pulled out, and investors began withdrawing.

Even a film slated for international release was abruptly canceled due to an “incident.”

That looming sense of unseen danger was terrifying.

Normally aloof and private, Lin Chenxuan had no choice but to send people to investigate who he might have offended.

Those who had once called him “brother” now avoided him like the plague, as if they had been warned.

Eventually—

A friend, risking much, gave him a single surname.

Lin Chenxuan was in disbelief.

He had no grudge with that person. Why suppress him?

**One month later.**

**He Group Headquarters – Reception Room.**

The tea in front of Lin Chenxuan had been replaced five times.

He hadn’t even cared for his treasured long hair recently. Under the lights, the ends, usually sleek, were now dry and frayed.

He rested his hand over the now-cold tea, deep in thought.

His assistant glanced nervously at the closed glass doors and whispered, “We’ve been waiting for two hours.”

“Who *is* this person?”

He had followed Lin Chenxuan for years and had never seen him treated like this anywhere.

This was the first time they’d been kept waiting like this.

Lin Chenxuan didn’t answer.

He had waited a month just to get this meeting.

He could wait longer.

The rumors in the industry weren’t wrong. In the past, even a genius director like Lin wouldn’t have been able to meet someone of He Lingji’s caliber.

He still remembered his friend’s warning:

**“When you meet him, don’t justify, don’t explain—apologize first.”**

Lin Chenxuan had won a prestigious international award with his debut film and enjoyed smooth success ever since. His pride had endured—but this past month of setbacks had nearly ground it to dust.

Not long after—

Footsteps echoed from outside.

Lin Chenxuan suddenly looked up—
What entered his sight was a face so stunning, it could bring down empires.

His professional instincts kicked in. His first thought was: *He’s more suited to play the male lead in* **Soul Night**.
Mysterious. Noble.
Unfathomable.

After He Lingji sat at the main seat, his gaze was faint and his tone cold as he said, “Three minutes.”

It was as if all present were mere ants in the world, their lives and deaths under his control.

A one-month appointment—
Only three minutes to see him.
And yet, no one dared to complain.

Lin Chenxuan forced himself to stay calm, remembering what his friend had advised him:
“President He, I’d like to first apologize. If I’ve offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

As he spoke, he pushed over a transfer contract he had long prepared.
“I heard you like helicopters.”
“Please, accept my apology.”

He Lingji absentmindedly rubbed his teacup, his cool voice flowing like a clear spring:
“The one you offended isn’t me.”

Lin Chenxuan’s expression tightened slightly. “Then…”

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Just then, He Lingji glanced at the watch clasped on his wrist.
The dial was exquisite yet understated—it was a specially customized piece from the world’s oldest watchmaker.

The apology gift Lin Chenxuan brought—ten helicopters—couldn’t even buy that watch.

At this moment, Assistant Cong respectfully reminded,
“Time’s up, President He. You have another meeting.”

As He Lingji stood up, Lin Chenxuan blurted out,
“President He, was there something in the film I made that offended you?”

He Lingji slowly buttoned his suit, graceful and poised,
Leaving a cryptic remark:
“Director Lin’s movie isn’t of interest to me.”

“But the female lead you chose—”

**Bang.**
The soft sound of the door closing cut off the rest.

Snapping Lin Chenxuan out of his thoughts.

He couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. *So it was her.*

That night, the usually proud Lin Chenxuan
Posted his first Weibo update since the *Soul Night* incident:

**Lin Chenxuan V**: “Due to personal reasons, *Soul Night* is being postponed indefinitely. I apologize to Qin Mang and all the cast and crew for wasting your time. – Lin Chenxuan”

It stirred up heated discussion.
After all, this was the genius director Lin Chenxuan, who never put anyone in the industry in his eyes.

But the buzz quickly faded.

Originally, Qin Mang’s fans were disappointed—she had lost a golden opportunity.

Unexpectedly—

Soon after, Qin Mang’s new studio made an official announcement:
She had signed on to another S+ level movie, **Vanity**.

Since switching to a more professional team, Qin Mang’s career finally took off.
Every opportunity she received was top-tier.

Even the global ambassador position for an international high-end jewelry brand—something Meng Ting had once dreamed of for Qin Mang to break into A-list stardom—was now within reach.

Lately,
The brand had been sending over new jewelry designs,
Requesting that Qin Mang wear them to events, and inviting her to the brand’s VIP gala, *Night of Surprises*.

All girls love jewelry—especially Qin Mang, who had adored collecting gemstones since childhood.

Qin Mang hadn’t appeared in public for a long time.
She had originally entered the spotlight because of her top-tier looks, so even between filming, she had to maintain her beauty business.

Exceptional beauty might sometimes be overlooked,
But combine that with premium resources, and it becomes the perfect ticket into the luxury fashion elite.

The banquet was extravagant.
Many A-list celebrities were invited.

Qin Mang made a stunning appearance in a strapless gown themed after the shimmering silk tree flower.
While waiting backstage for the red carpet, she ran into Qi Rong. At least she had someone familiar to chat with.

Suddenly, Qi Rong tugged on Qin Mang’s sleeve and whispered excitedly,
“Look, look—it’s Tan Guannan!”

Qin Mang raised her lashes—
And saw a tall, dashing man in a tailored suit.

Surrounded by cameras, he shone with star power. He smiled and greeted the crowd on the red carpet,
Drawing cheers from all around.

Clearly, he was the most prominent figure at the event.

Qi Rong leaned in and muttered,
“If I could sleep with him, I’d die with no regrets.”

“What do you think?”

Just then—
A black, extended Pullman limousine pulled up behind Tan Guannan.
The license plate looked very familiar.

It was the same one parked in her residential garage.

Qin Mang casually flipped her hair, her curled lashes lifting as she looked over lazily.

At that moment, the gala’s organizer personally opened the car door.
A long, lean leg in black dress pants stepped out—perfectly proportioned and elegant without needing any accessories.

His presence was naturally noble and refined. His gray-blue eyes were deep and mysterious, his entire aura cold yet enticing.

He Lingji had been speaking to someone nearby,
But perhaps sensing her gaze, he slowly looked up—

And his eyes met Qin Mang’s watery, radiant ones.

Even though they had seen each other just the night before,
Qin Mang still felt a flutter from this man’s gaze.

They held eye contact for half a second.

Then she suddenly asked,
“Did you see that?”

Qi Rong: “See what?”

Qin Mang pointed from Tan Guannan—
To the VIP entrance on his right.

There stood the mysterious, handsome man who had just stepped out of the Pullman, now surrounded by bodyguards.

Qin Mang’s eyes lifted as she lazily said,
“A face like that… I *might* barely consider sleeping with him.”

28**Chapter 28: Letting Others Pick the Flower**

The inner banquet hall was extravagant and lavish. People coming and going were all notable figures from the entertainment industry, dressed in splendid outfits, adorned with dazzling jewelry—an opulent scene of indulgence and vanity fair, showcasing the grandeur of the event.

Someone of Qin Mang’s status?

Almost none.

Qin Mang sat in her seat, her slender, fair fingertips toying with a champagne flute. Under the lights, her eyes sparkled with a soft, affectionate glow. Even without speaking, she easily drew attention.

Qi Rong looked at her side profile—palm-sized face, exquisitely beautiful, her eyes glimmering with a unique, enchanting charm that belonged to her alone.

The person Qin Mang had just gestured at flashed through Qi Rong’s mind.

She couldn’t help but gulp.

She couldn’t believe her bestie was aiming that high: “Do you even know who that is? And you dare to say something like that?”

“Someone could’ve overheard!”

“I was seriously scared to death just now!”

Qin Mang took a casual sip of champagne, her voice lazy and indifferent, “Didn’t you ask?”

Qi Rong choked for a second.

“But someone like President He—his entire being screams untouchable holiness. Touch him and you’d disappear without a trace.”

“Hiss—”

Just thinking about it was terrifying. She summed it up:

“Admire from afar, don’t dare to toy with.”

Qin Mang let out a light laugh, her soft and pleasant voice tinged with meaning: “Isn’t playing with a holy and untouchable man more thrilling?”

“Pfft—”

Qi Rong nearly spat out her champagne. After a few seconds, a new door opened in her mind.

“You’re right.”

The fall of the ascetic to lust.

Sounds kind of exciting.

Suddenly, the young male college student she recently started seeing didn’t seem as appealing.

Sure, he was good in bed.

And had stamina.

But he was like a horny puppy—always thinking about sex, with no restraint.

She was getting bored.

They were whispering to each other when they realized many people were looking in their direction.

Tan Guannan, fashionably late, was walking toward them.

Qi Rong, who had been lounging comfortably, quickly straightened up.

She instinctively wanted to warn Qin Mang, but—

Qin Mang, sitting beside her, spoke in a lazy and casual tone, but her posture was flawless. No matter the angle, she was stunning—like a noble lady from an ancient painting. Every gesture, every smile carried innate elegance.

Qi Rong: I’m the only clown here.

Qin Mang looked at her in confusion after Qi Rong nudged her: “What is it?”

“Tan God is here!”

Qi Rong finally came to her senses.

Tan Guannan stopped in front of them with gentlemanly politeness. His finely sculpted features were even more captivating under the dim lights. With a smile on his lips before he even spoke, he said, “Miss Qin, nice to meet you.”

“I know it’s a bit forward, but Teacher Fu Yuan asked me to keep an eye on you—not to touch any high-calorie stuff.”

The lotus-shaped dessert Qin Mang was holding in her hand—

Plopped right back onto the plate.

Ahhh!

For a split second, her pretty face cracked.

What the hell, Fu Yuan.

She even needed a chaperone for a high-end banquet now?

It used to be Meng Ting keeping an eye on her. Then when her weight wouldn’t drop, Fu Yuan started supervising her personally.

She had to report even a sip of water.

Did she not deserve any dignity?

After a few seconds of composure, Qin Mang gave a small smile, “Thank you, Mr. Tan. I was just admiring the lotus shape.”

Had no intention of eating it.

Yeah, right.

Her expression betrayed everything—she didn’t even try to pretend.

In the entertainment industry, girls this honest were rare. Tan Guannan had only come over because of Fu Yuan’s request, but now his interest was genuinely piqued. He smiled faintly: “May I sit here?”

“I’ll be joining the *Ephemeral Splendor* crew in a few days.”

Qi Rong, ever perceptive, knew they had a movie project together and promptly got up to give him her seat.

“Introduce him to me later.”

As she stood, she leaned close to Qin Mang and whispered in her ear, even showing her phone’s blank memo screen for emphasis: “I want to sleep with him.”

Dressed in a pale pink princess-like gown, she looked sweet as sugar—but her words were pure audacity.

She then lifted her skirt gracefully and walked away.

They had chosen this corner for whispering in private—

Now only Qin Mang and Tan Guannan remained.

They became the center of attention.

Qin Mang had always done as she pleased, unfazed by any situation—especially one she was well-accustomed to since childhood.

Fu Yuan had mentioned she used to mentor Tan Guannan, and this movie was also thanks to his recommendation.

Professionally and personally, Qin Mang owed him and couldn’t afford to be cold.

Her pretty little head thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with any polite small talk.

In the end, she quietly pushed an untouched dessert in front of him.

Her gaze was reluctant.

Tan Guannan felt like he’d just stolen candy from a child.

He pointed at a camellia-shaped yam cake: “This one’s lower in calories.”

He wore a perfectly tailored, high-end suit that accentuated his physique. Handsome, composed, and elegant—he truly lived up to his reputation as one of the most dashing and refined male celebrities in the industry.

She wore a strapless mermaid gown with heavy embroidery. Hand-stitched silk mimosa flowers stretched from her waist to her chest. Around her elegant swan neck hung a necklace themed with the same flower, encrusted with diamonds that cascaded against her snowy skin, adding an ethereal glow.

The outfit was grand, yet her radiant face still outshone all the gemstones. Her eyes shimmered, and the tiny diamonds stuck beneath their outer corners sparkled.

The He family’s styling team had used real diamonds—picked straight from Qin Mang’s gem drawer. Their value rivaled even the high-end jewelry she wore that night.

It wasn’t the jewelry that enhanced her.

It was she who made the jewelry look more luxurious.

Even seated beside the top male celebrity in the industry, she wasn’t overshadowed.

Instead, they created a harmonious aura of aristocratic elegance and aloofness.

The media immediately captured the moment.

The event was already under full public scrutiny—especially with Qin Mang and Tan Guannan both trending lately.

Before the banquet even ended, a candid photo of them hit the trending charts.

> “Thank you, Goddess Qin and God Tan. Now I can finally visualize what it looks like when a wealthy power couple attends a luxury banquet!”

> “Please, just act in a glamorous drama together already. I swear I’ll buy every ticket.”

> “Ahhh, the vibes are immaculate.”

> “Even if it’s not a film, I’ll take a drama. Even a photoshoot. Just *something*, please…”

> “Power couple for life!”

> “Am I the only one who thinks Qin the Vase is drop-dead gorgeous tonight? Even overshadowed Tan Guannan.”

> “Are you blind?”

> “You really think there’s someone at that venue more handsome than Tan Guannan? If he’s being overshadowed, does your female star’s life matter more than ours?”

…

This luxury banquet wasn’t just for stars—there were major power players from every industry.

Behind a carved screen, the inner lounge was much quieter than the glitzy outer hall. Even conversations were held in hushed tones, lest someone disturb a VIP’s peace.

He Lingji’s slender fingers idly fiddled with a gilded incense burner, expression indifferent and bored.

Next to him, Ruan Qizhu was being overly dramatic: “That so-called power couple shot? Please. The real god-tier photo is this one!”

Wu Yuan glanced at Ruan’s lit-up phone and let out a snort, turning to He Lingji: “Your little lioness is quite the butterfly magnet.”

He Lingji’s features were cold and refined, his gaze calm and piercing—like the first snowfall on a bare branch, making people shiver.

Seeing his dangerous look, Ruan Qizhu quickly handed over the phone: “Come on, it’s just a candid photo. Fans are the ones dreaming up the ‘power couple’ narrative. If you want the real thing, it’s you and our sister-in-law.”

As someone who had He Lingji’s investment, Ruan Qizhu prayed this couple would stay strong forever.

So he could keep milking the cash cow.

He Lingji’s thin lips curled into a faint, icy smile.

He barely glanced at the photo—

But his gaze paused on the girl’s eyes, shimmering like autumn waters.

Wu Yuan added fuel to the fire: “What’s the big deal? Just a movie with the director, a meal with a future co-star. Our Mr. He is clearly the most open-minded husband in the world.”

“Honestly, a laid-back husband like you is a blessing for a female celebrity.”

“Otherwise, all the bickering would ruin both your careers.”

Open-minded?

Ruan Qizhu had a gut feeling Wu Yuan was throwing shade—

But he had no proof.

“Say less.”

As He Ge’s thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket, Ruan Qizhuo thought for a moment, switched to another photo, and showed it to He Lingji first: “Let them witness the true atmosphere of a wealthy couple’s fateful relationship.”

“I knew you’d be shipping a fake couple!”

The photo in Ruan Qizhuo’s hand was taken accidentally by his company’s photographer. It captured the moment when He Lingji and Qin Mang exchanged glances as they entered.

In the photo, the young woman in a luxurious gown and the mysterious, noble man locked eyes through the crowd. Figures were blurred in the background, separated by mountains and seas, as if they could only see each other, with everyone else becoming mere fleeting illusions.

To Ruan Qizhuo’s surprise, the netizens didn’t go wild shipping the couple like he had imagined.

“What the heck, who is this? Is this for real?”

“This is… that unspeakable big shot from the He family, ahhh! Someone just said those celebrities are all part of the fame game, but look closely—this one represents the pinnacle of the fame game!”

“Wait, is that Qin Mang?”

“A finely crafted porcelain vase from the royal kiln and the ice-cold glacier statue that overlooks the mortal world—why did you capture them like this?”

“It’s a great shot, but don’t take any more.”

“You managed to capture this fateful vibe with people who have no connection to each other, you’re… ridiculous.”

“First of all, the glacier statue should be high up, no one’s allowed to touch it!”

“Secondly, with Qin Mang’s looks, no matter where she’s placed in a story, she’d be the kind of villain who tries to seduce the gods and gets stabbed to death by the hero in the first episode. Stop shipping her with him, okay?”

“The bright oil paints dripping into the ink painting—my OCD can’t handle this, I can’t stand it!”

“These two are daring to ship? Are you crazy?”

“Your account’s going to be deleted.”

“Lighting a candle for your account, may it rest in peace.”

“CP fans these days really ship anything…”

“Although the visual is stunning, considering their identities, I can’t ship them…”

Seeing things escalate out of control, Ruan Qizhuo dared not make a sound.

He Lingji glanced over calmly, his long fingers tracing the glass of his wine glass. Under the warm, elegant lights, his eyes, calm and indifferent, reflected in the glass as his fingers lightly tapped the table.

Secretary Cong immediately leaned in.

In a clear voice, devoid of emotion, He Lingji said, “Remove all topics about wealthy couples.”

“Tell Fu Yuan that this kind of topic is not allowed on public platforms from now on.”

As the banquet neared its end,

“Not happy?” Wu Yuan saw He Lingji about to leave and couldn’t help but ask seriously, “Jealous?”

He Lingji’s thin lips curled into a cold sneer: “She is Mrs. He.”

“Not a female celebrity who can recklessly stir up scandals in the entertainment industry.”

Wu Yuan: “Is that all?”

He Lingji’s expression remained calm: “That’s all.”

…

At 9 PM, He Lingji left early after staying for less than two hours. In the VIP passage, his footsteps were regular, as if nothing in the situation had affected his emotions.

A moment later, Secretary Cong handed him his phone, speaking quietly: “It’s a call from Ms. Fu Yuan.”

Fu Yuan: “Mr. He, I’ll take care of the wealthy couple topic, I’m not planning to go the scandal route, but… do you think it’s okay to stir up a wealthy siblings topic?”

“Working with Tan Guannan would benefit Qin Mang’s career, and moreover—”

“They are soon to collaborate on ‘Fabulous.'”

“Compared to someone like Jiang Hengyan, a newly crowned Best Actor with an unstable position, Tan Guannan holds a very high status in the industry. Many newcomers try to follow his path but fail.”

He Lingji’s voice was cold and somewhat impatient: “Did I hire you to stir up news for the actors?”

“If you’re not capable, change the person.”

He immediately hung up.

Fu Yuan: “…”

She was the only one in the world who dared to question her abilities.

Qin Mang had no idea about any of this. She hadn’t even seen the photo of her and Tan Guannan as a ‘wealthy couple,’ only the one with He Lingji. And the comments from the netizens.

She was fuming. She opened WeChat and typed rapidly:

Little Lion Roar Meow: [Listen, netizens are saying you’ll kill me off in the first episode!]

[You’re willing to stab me, someone so uniquely beautiful, after I favor you?]

Cold-blooded Capitalist: [Willing.]

Qin Mang was about to send a video to scold him. But suddenly, she had an idea, and a faint blush appeared on her pale cheeks. She bit her lip and typed a few words:

Little Lion Roar Meow: [What’s Mr. He planning to use to stab?]

After sending it, Qin Mang quickly shoved the phone into her bag, covering her face. Ah, ah, ah! She had gone too far! She actually dared to send such a suggestive message to He Lingji!

When she calmed down, she tried to retract it— But realized it had been more than two minutes.

Qin Mang: “…”

She prayed he hadn’t seen it.

Little did she know, the stretched Pullman that had left ten minutes ago suddenly turned around and headed back to the banquet location. Qin Mang had also left early through the back door.

Even at midnight, the main entrance of the banquet hall was still lit up and bustling. The back door led to a small alley, dim and quiet, with only a few wall lamps on the weathered walls, casting faint light.

The young woman in a luxurious dress appeared suddenly, instantly lighting up the surroundings. Qin Mang, wearing a black-and-white retro shawl, still couldn’t hide her graceful figure, stretching her shadow through the alley—

With red lips and black hair, she looked like a strikingly beautiful, dangerous ghost walking in the dark, both enchanting and perilous.

She stopped suddenly.

She saw the familiar, custom luxury car at the end of the alley. A smile appeared in her eyes. He still had some conscience, waiting for her.

Her slender ankles in high heels quickened, and she briskly lifted her skirt and ran out.

A-Tong followed behind, unprepared and chasing: “Hey… sis, why are you running?”

When she saw the cold, handsome face of the man through the half-open car window, her words abruptly stopped. A few seconds later, she grinned. Ahhh! The people online are really blind!

Who said oil paint won’t blend with ink painting? It blends perfectly!

She looked around, worried about being spotted by paparazzi or passersby like last time. After confirming the coast was clear, she relaxed. She then called the driver, telling him to pick her up.

Unbeknownst to her, there were He family’s bodyguards nearby. Not even paparazzi could get through, let alone a kitten.

Contrary to A-Tong’s imagined sweet moment, Qin Mang didn’t rush into He Lingji’s arms, all lovey-dovey. Instead, she started searching through his hands. “Where’s your phone?”

He Lingji held her delicate wrist, his gaze fixed on her, as if looking at the scorching sun in the dark. The young woman was like fire, capable of dispelling all the darkness.

He remembered her WeChat message.

He played with her slender fingers, his lips curving into a faint smile: “What do you need the phone for?”

Qin Mang, confidently: “As Mrs. He, what’s wrong with checking your phone?”

“Do you have any little secrets you’re afraid I’ll find?”

“Did you add any female celebrities on WeChat today?”

Secretary Cong handed He Lingji’s private phone to Qin Mang:

“Mr. He is absolutely innocent!”

“He didn’t add any male celebrities either!”

“Really?”

Qin Mang quickly took the phone, opened WeChat, and immediately deleted the last message she sent him, regardless of whether He Lingji saw it. She was determined to destroy the evidence. Even if he saw it, there was no proof. She was the smartest little fairy in the world!

Then she pretended to check the contacts.

When she put the phone down, she noticed that He Lingji was still holding her other hand loosely. She took his wrist in her other hand, lifted it up, and changed the subject: “Let me see if your love line is forked.”

“If it’s forked, that means you’ll secretly keep other little foxes behind my back!”

She absolutely couldn’t let him bring up that WeChat message.

He Lingji, a bit tired, lounged back in the leather chair, his tall figure relaxed. He closed his eyes slightly, letting her do as she pleased.

Qin Mang, who had never really studied his hands, now noticed how his hands exuded a noble, refined elegance. There was a thin callus on his fingertips and the base of his thumb.

She touched them several times, muttering under her breath:

“Did you secretly carry bricks in the middle of the night?”

His hands, which always held pens, actually had calluses.

Originally, Qin Mang planned to find a way to provoke him. But— She looked closely at his clean, white palms, where three clear lines were visible. Especially the love line—there was no fork, just a straight line cutting through his palm.

She flipped his hands over and over, checking both of them.

She didn’t find any sign of a fork in the love line.

Qin Mang lifted her eyes and looked at his stunningly beautiful face. No matter how she looked at it, he didn’t seem like the pure, one-man kind of guy!

At this moment, Secretary Cong suddenly presented an exquisite box. “By the way, Madam, this is a midnight snack prepared for you by Mr. He.”

The next second, Qin Mang’s expression changed.

She gazed at He Lingji, her eyes filled with frustration. “You really are the biggest obstacle in my weight loss journey…”

Not long ago, when they were at odds, she had chosen the same lavish meals as him every day.

Today, he sent her desserts again.

He Lingji seemed tired, pinching the space between his brows, his voice carrying a calm, detached coolness. “I see, you’re eating food from some random man outside, feeling full now?”

Qin Mang: “?”

What was with this sudden sarcastic tone?

Secretary Cong looked at her with a bitter face. “Why don’t you try a bite? Mr. He specially prepared this lychee flavor for you.”

He emphasized it twice, that it was specially prepared by Mr. He.

Qin Mang was always someone who responded well to gentle persuasion, and most importantly—

The icy, transparent lychee mousse.

She couldn’t resist the temptation.

“…”

She sighed. “I’ll just run twenty more laps tomorrow and burn off today’s calories.”

Qin Mang picked up a piece.

Her eyes, like shimmering water, involuntarily curved with happiness.

He Lingji glanced at her, then closed his eyes again.

By the time they returned to the lakeside villa, it was already close to midnight.

Having not seen each other for a long time, Qin Mang was originally worried that He Lingji would be the same as usual, demanding endlessly.

But to her surprise.

After a bath and skincare, she wrapped herself in a long robe, her fluffy, curly hair cascading down, walking into the master bedroom with a mesmerizing and captivating aura.

The room was dimly lit by a single wall lamp.

The atmosphere was hazy and enchanting.

However—

On the large bed, the handsome, aloof man was already lying down, his hands folded on his abdomen, his sleeping posture as disciplined as usual. Even when Qin Mang climbed into bed, he didn’t move.

It was rare for him to fall asleep before her.

Qin Mang, with a hint of jealousy, tugged at the stray hair on his forehead before he furrowed his brows.

Only then did she retreat back into the covers as if nothing had happened.

In the middle of the night.

Qin Mang couldn’t sleep well. She kept feeling the warmth from He Lingji’s body, like a small heater, making her wake up.

Groggily, she reached out to find a cooler spot.

Following the warmth, she touched his arm from his loose sleeve and was about to continue when—

Her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

He Lingji furrowed his brows slightly.

In the stillness, he recalled the ambiguous teasing message Qin Mang had sent earlier, as well as her sneaky behavior in the middle of the night.

The man, his eyes half-lidded, lazy and indifferent, reached out and pulled the fidgeting girl into his arms.

“Come up.”

Qin Mang was suddenly lifted off the bed, and for a moment, she was confused and dazed.

She lowered her eyes innocently and asked softly, “What are you doing?”

He Lingji’s expression softened with a touch of sleepiness, his fingers rubbing his aching forehead. His voice was rough like sandpaper: “Move yourself.”

“Huh? Move what?”

Qin Mang took a few seconds to understand what he meant.

No way?!

She was fully awake now.

Qin Mang braced her palm on the bed, trying to stay calm and force herself to be gentle, but her teeth were still clenched in frustration. “He Lingji, do I really look that desperate?”

He Lingji lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced at her. “Yes.”

Saying that, he pulled up the robe that Qin Mang had half-covered.

In the darkness, Qin Mang could clearly see his figure.

The next second, He Lingji closed his eyes again, looking like he was ready to be taken advantage of.

“You can do it.”

29**Chapter 29: Justified and Proper**

The night was thick and quiet in the early hours, with no stars or moon—so silent it felt cold and desolate.

Yet the lakeside villa was brightly lit.

Qin Mang, wrapped in a thin robe, sat on the carpet. Her soft, slender arms rested on the edge of the bed as she gazed at the man lying on it receiving a fever-reducing injection. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed.

He Lingji raised a hand to cover his forehead, shielding himself from the harsh overhead light.

Even while sick, the man’s skin remained cold-toned and snow-white. Though his body burned with fever, every inch of visible skin was starkly pale, the veins on the back of his hand faintly protruding like trails of ink, flowing toward his wrist bone.

He looked like a priceless, cold porcelain statue.

If Qin Mang hadn’t touched his fingers herself, she wouldn’t have known they were burning hot.

There was no way to tell he had such a severe fever just by looking.

The family doctor beside them removed the needle from He Lingji’s hand but didn’t find anything particularly wrong. “President He is young and healthy. He just needs to get through tonight. Once the fever breaks, he’ll be fine.”

He Lingji rarely fell ill, but when he did, it was always serious. And the fever-reducing shots worked slowly—he usually had to endure it on his own.

The doctor gave a final reminder, “Any part of the body heating up due to the fever is normal. No need to worry.”

He Lingji was used to this.

His voice was hoarse as he gave a soft reply and ordered everyone to leave.

The warm, faintly fragrant air now carried a lingering smell of disinfectant.

It wasn’t unpleasant.

Just a little odd.

A few minutes later—

Silence returned to the room.

“Your fever’s almost at 40°C. You didn’t even notice?” Qin Mang scolded. “If you hadn’t burned me awake in the middle of the night, I’d probably be inheriting your estate tomorrow.”

Hmph.

He was this sick and still found time to think nonsense.

She glanced at *that* place.

That damned man had once blamed her for being too *rough*.

But who’s the heavy one now?

Probably feeling overheated, He Lingji threw off the blanket and slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard, his features weary. His fever-reddened lips stood out brightly.

He said, “Go print out a will.”

“What for?” she asked.

“So Mrs. He can inherit the estate justifiably and properly.”

Qin Mang stared into his deep, shadowed eyes: “…”

His skin was even paler than usual—icy white. His gray-blue eyes, fogged by fever, had turned a mysterious dark blue, lacking focus as he looked at her.

Everything about him was cold-toned, yet combined, it gave off an enchanting, soul-sucking aura—cold yet irresistible.

Tch—

Sick and still flirting.

Fine.

Since he’s sick, she’d let it go… for now.

Qin Mang climbed into bed and tripped over his bent leg.

Her palm, pressing against his silk robe—

Burning hot.

She gasped, her eyes—usually sultry and expressive—now round like a startled cat’s, filled with disbelief.

Instinctively, she peeled back the robe and reached out.

“Hiss—”

So hot!

Qin Mang puffed out her cheeks, blowing on her palm.

Her skin was turning red from the heat.

“Are you even human?”

This was not normal!

He Lingji was dizzy from her flustered movements. Pressing his fingers to his temples, he muttered, “It’s 2 AM.”

The message was clear.

Time to sleep.

The ever-dignified man—unshaken even in the face of catastrophe—was finally down with a fever and needed care.

And now he was showing signs of *inhuman* symptoms.

Qin Mang suddenly remembered her role as a beautiful, virtuous little wife. If she didn’t show off now, when would she?

Seize the moment and move him to tears!

Then he’d never say no to her again!

In her eyes, He Lingji now looked like a defanged tiger—ready to be toyed with.

This little wife wasn’t going down without a fight.

She ran out and came back with ice packs still fogging with chill.

He Lingji, calm as ever, showed a flicker of emotion.

Then watched in alarm as she reached out toward him with icy hands.

“Quick, while it’s still cold. Let’s cool you down.”

The cold soothed her previously burned hand.

He Lingji pulled his long leg up to block her. “If you must use the ice, put it on—”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

Qin Mang was very matter-of-fact. “This temperature is not normal. Fever treatment always includes cold compresses.”

He Lingji, for once, was speechless.

Finally, he murmured, “I’m afraid of cold.”

Qin Mang considered this seriously.

She was feeling warm too.

She popped a couple of ice cubes into her mouth.

Then noticed He Lingji’s gaze land on her lips.

Qin *Considerate Little Wife* Mang blinked and asked, “Want me to melt it for you…”

“Shut up.”

“Sleep.”

He Lingji tossed the ice tray to the bedside, pulled her down beside him, and covered them both from head to toe with the blanket.

Qin Mang was stunned for a second.

Recalling the heat from his earlier embrace—

Several minutes passed.

She carefully peeked out from the blanket, looking at his profile and asked quietly, “Are you really going to sleep like this?”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

Even with a 40°C fever, He Lingji didn’t lose his sharp tongue.

Especially after being tormented by her for so long.

“What, scared I’ll poke you?”

Qin Mang stared at him for a few seconds.

To hell with being a virtuous wife.

To hell with being a little sweetheart.

This bastard deserved to die alone!

Bringing up the thing she wanted to forget most, just to jab her with it.

Before falling asleep, Qin Mang told herself not to care about this ungrateful jerk. But once asleep, she instinctively kept reaching out to touch his forehead, checking if the fever had gone down.

He Lingji didn’t sleep much, his fever too high.

He naturally noticed all of Qin Mang’s quiet concern. At some point, his dark blue eyes regained their usual calm and clarity.

Silently, habitually, he caught her little hand and held it still.

It wasn’t until dawn broke that He Lingji finally felt a little sleepy.

The curtains were only half drawn.

As the first strand of golden morning light streamed into the room, Qin Mang groggily sat up, pressing her palm against his forehead.

Cool again.

She finally relaxed a little.

Then, her hand wandered down.

And—

Just like the night before.

Qin Mang sat cross-legged, frowning beautifully as if she were studying a strange creature.

The next second—

Just as she finished a phone call and looked up, her eyes met his familiar gray-blue ones.

Cool, noble.

Still the same man from before—aloof and untouchable.

Qin Mang’s long lashes fluttered.

She’d just acted a *little* bit perverted, hadn’t she?

He Lingji calmly tied his robe, which she had pulled open earlier, and walked toward the bathroom.

His lips curved faintly. “Mrs. He, I’ll schedule a biology class for you someday.”

Qin Mang had just woken up and her brain hadn’t fully kicked in.

It took her a few seconds.

Then she finally got the meaning behind his words.

She was not pleased.

She heard no water running in the bathroom and stomped over, barefoot, and knocked on the door, mimicking his usual snarky tone, “President He better be careful not to burn his *own* hand.”

“Need some burn ointment?”

She said her piece and ran.

Didn’t care what kind of expression He Lingji had.

She just needed to vent.

After caring for him all night—

Hmph.

She still got mocked in the end.

…

The new studio was located right across from the He Group headquarters, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. It was only one floor and less than 1,000 square meters, but more than enough.

After all, there weren’t many of them.

Only Qin Mang as an artist.

From the large floor-to-ceiling window in her lounge, she could see directly across to the CEO’s office.

Unfortunately—

The glass across the way was a special type. All she could see was a blurry, foggy blur.

Qin Mang lazily leaned back on the sofa, listening to Qi Rong excitedly share the details of last night’s escapade.

“I slept with a super hot guy last night!”
“He’s the best I’ve ever had—technically speaking!”
“And his stamina? Unreal. Wild and passionate. You know that feeling, right?”
“For the first time, I actually didn’t get enough of a man.”
“But hey, you probably wouldn’t be interested. After all, someone like President He—such a premium guy—you only barely agreed to sleep with him.”

She went on and on.

Qin Mang summed it up in her head:
Qi Rong had a steamy hookup at a high-end banquet last night.

“So what about your college boy toy? Dumped him?”
Qin Mang took a sip of the black coffee brewed by Fu Yuan herself. Every sip felt like a test of endurance.

Black coffee gave her a sense of fullness.
It helped suppress her appetite.

Qi Rong waved it off casually. “He’s not really my boyfriend. No need to be responsible.”
“So you don’t need to get hung up on that He guy either. No one even knows how he performs in that department.”

“Men—once the lights are off, they’re pretty much the same. It’s all about technique and physique.”
“Of course, there’s also… hehe—”
“Equipment.”

Hearing the suggestive laugh, Qin Mang recalled that scene from this morning.
She had never seen another man’s before.
So she had no idea whether He Lingji was normal or not.

“How do you define good equipment?”
“First of all, it’s gotta be at least 20 cm. That’s the baseline.”
“Second, it needs a certain… you know what, I’ll send you a hand-drawn diagram later.”
“It was burning hot—is that normal?”
“What the hell?!”
“There’s a guy that perfect?”
“Introduce him to me—now!”

Qi Rong was thrilled. She had been playing the field for years, but had never run into such a top-tier specimen. The thought alone was exhilarating.

Qin Mang got the message:
“Don’t even think about it.”
“He’s mine.”

Qi Rong clicked her tongue. “So unfair—all the good ones end up with you.”

Oh well, forget it.
She wasn’t done playing with her latest fling anyway.

…

Originally, Qin Mang had been worried about getting revenge from that petty dog He Lingji, and was considering moving back to her pre-marriage luxury apartment downtown for a few days.
It was nearby anyway.
Also more convenient for her weight loss efforts.

Who knew that the very afternoon He Lingji recovered from his fever, he’d go abroad?

His secretary Cong reported it to her.
She didn’t hear a word from the man himself.

Even after Qin Mang joined the filming of *“Vanity”*, she still hadn’t seen He Lingji again.

Qin Mang felt enlightened:
They were just a commercial marriage between two elites.
Living separate lives and staying out of each other’s work was the correct path.

Career focus was the real sweet spot!

As for men—they were just seasoning in life.

Though Qin Mang was the female lead in *“Vanity”*, her role wasn’t that heavy.
She first appeared in flashbacks as the male lead’s tragically deceased first love.
Midway through the film, she returned as a substitute the male lead rescued, only for it to be revealed she was the reincarnation of his first love’s soul.
In the end, after being pierced by the male lead’s sword, her true identity was finally revealed.
The male lead’s spiritual core collapsed, and he nearly fell into darkness.
Fueled by the hope of resurrecting her, he set off once more on his journey.

Qin Mang had to portray two roles in one—an intense test of acting skill.

The shoot wasn’t in a film studio, but deep in a remote mountain forest.
Signal was extremely weak.
Qin Mang rarely contacted the outside world.
And no one could easily reach her either.

Little did she know, something major was happening outside.

30**Chapter 30**

**”Breaking: Popular traffic-actress has been secretly married for nearly two years.”**
**”Fan count exceeds fifty million.”**
*“Illusion” wrapped filming at the end of October.*

After finishing the wrap party BBQ hosted by the director, Fu Yuan came over personally, and the next morning took Qin Mang away.

Now, finally out of the remote mountainous area with no signal, a flood of news came crashing in.

Popular actress, secret marriage, two years, fan base over fifty million.

Qin Mang’s Weibo followers had just surpassed fifty million.

A Tong read the trending topic headline aloud.

She couldn’t help muttering, “Who’s this capable?”

Maybe netizens didn’t know, but for those who were aware of Qin Mang’s marital status, the implication was obvious.

The car cabin was dimly lit. Qin Mang had grown noticeably thinner, lazily curled up in the wide leather seat. Her velvet black dress flowed elegantly down; her long hair was tied up casually in a low bun, revealing her slender and delicate neckline and shoulders. Her porcelain skin glowed. When she turned to glance out the window, her beautiful shoulder blades were strikingly visible.

They were currently descending the mountain.

The car wasn’t going fast.

Qin Mang admired the rolling mountains outside. Mist and clouds intertwined with dense forests, stretching all the way to the horizon like a majestic, expansive painting.

It made one’s mood naturally relax.

“Jie, look!”

“You’ve been nominated by netizens too.”

Suddenly hearing A Tong’s words, Qin Mang lifted her lashes and glanced at her, an elegant charm in her gaze.

Her good mood instantly vanished.

She accepted the tablet A Tong handed over.

What met her eyes was a glaring red “Breaking” character.

Her slender, delicate fingers slowly swiped across the screen.

It was a report by veteran paparazzi Wu Yanquan.

Wu Yanquan claimed he didn’t have solid evidence yet, so wouldn’t reveal too much for now.

This comment almost got him cursed to death by fans of various actresses.

But even if cursed, the buzz was up.

In the entertainment industry, what you fear isn’t being scolded—it’s being ignored.

The key point was, Wu Yanquan had been in the game for years. Every scoop he ever broke had been spot on. Every time, he stirred the industry.

If he said it was a top-tier star, it absolutely was.
If he said it was a popular actress, it definitely was!

So this time, when he hyped up that it was a current top-tier actress, the internet exploded.

Netizens cursed with their mouths but had already begun digging deep—curiosity always wins.

“There are only a few who count as truly top-tier. Eliminate the married ones, eliminate the not-popular ones—”
“Currently, including Qin Mang, there are three names on the list.”
“Damn, how did Qin Mang end up on the list too?”
“Oh my god, can’t imagine it. If Qin Mang really secretly married a regular guy, I might become an anti on the spot.”
“If I had that face of hers, I’d never get married! No man in this world is worthy!”
“Qin Mang, get a grip. With that seductive face of yours, you’re meant to make the best men on earth fall at your feet—then play with all of them without taking responsibility!”
“Hahaha dying at the comment above, but I completely agree!”
“Don’t you dare get married—marriage is the graveyard of all seductive spirits!”
“Historically, how many stunning beauties had a good ending after marrying ordinary men? Either they got their hearts ripped out or were skinned and soaked in wine!”
“…”

The reason Qin Mang made the list was due to her secretive whereabouts over the past two years. A staff member from Hezhou Film anonymously revealed that she often traveled alone and never allowed any staff to accompany her.

Clearly suspicious.

After reading it all, Qin Mang’s expression was slightly complex—was this praise or a curse?

Her red lips curled lazily: “The ones who end up with their hearts gouged out and skinned alive are late-stage love-brained seductresses. This miss… is smart.”

“They’re worrying for nothing.”

Next to her, Fu Yuan had been on the phone since they got signal again—contacting media friends, hoping to keep Qin Mang’s name out of it, or suppress the topic with other news.

But they underestimated both the netizens and fanbases’ battle power.

Especially the three names on the list—all had fierce fans, tons of die-hard followers.

Naturally, no one wanted the suspicion on their own idol, and soon fans were digging up rivals’ entire schedules from two years ago.

“Is that really the focus?”

Fu Yuan couldn’t help asking after hearing Qin Mang’s comment.

It was his first time experiencing how Qin Mang zeroed in on the oddest key point—no wonder Meng Ting had warned him.

Qin Mang felt a bit cold. Calmly pulling the blanket tighter, she unwrapped her sleep mask and said lazily, “Even if it’s me, so what? They said it themselves—no evidence.”

Fu Yuan hung up the phone and looked at her. “True, but it’s not about whether it *is* you—it’s that everyone *thinks* it is. The media thinks it is.”

“Over a dozen domestic outlets are waiting for you to return after wrapping.”

“At the slightest movement now, you’ll be watched.”

Qin Mang thought back to being swarmed by the media at a hotel last time. Her brows twitched slightly as she rubbed the now-warm sleep mask.

“So don’t go back to the Lakeside Manor for now.”
“Wait till the storm passes.”
“You’ve shot two dramas back to back. It’s the perfect time to rest and recharge. Until year-end, stick to variety shows and commercial endorsements. You don’t have a representative work yet, so you can’t disappear from the public eye for too long.”

Fu Yuan moved on to her upcoming schedule.

Qin Mang gave a noncommittal response.

Since she chose to be in this industry, she had to deal with it.

Though she lacked patience, once she decided to do something, she had to succeed.

But—

Even Fu Yuan, usually calm, was getting frustrated. “Do you have any idea who leaked this?”

Qin Mang was on the rise. She didn’t have a single official work out yet—if her secret marriage got exposed, it would be disastrous.

By the time her film released, people would focus on her relationship, not her performance.

Qin Mang’s gaze darkened. “Maybe someone who knows about the Qin-He family alliance.”

That person couldn’t say it outright due to the families involved, so they dropped vague hints to get the media digging.

After all, not many knew about the marriage.

Since returning to Deep City, Qin Mang had moved back into her pre-marriage residence.

As a top celebrity, her rest time was scarce and her schedule was packed.

After filming five commercials, three magazines, and two interviews, Qin Mang finally hit her limit backstage at a variety show.

Sleeping later than a dog, waking earlier than a rooster—even office workers weren’t suffering as much.

If the entertainment industry was this hard to survive in, she might as well go home and inherit the family business. Become a lazy heiress—or wait, a wealthy wife now.

She almost forgot she was a *married* young lady.

He Lingji’s name flashed through her mind—only to be suppressed by her brain almost instantly.

So—
Forget dreams.
Forget fame.
Forget works.

She needed beauty sleep!

Meng Ting quickly tried to coax her, “Aiya, little ancestor, after this variety shoot, you’ll finally get a break! Happy?”

He was blatantly lying.

He directly scratched out the unimportant items after this show.

As Qin Mang’s agent for over two years, he knew her temperament best—and this was clearly the breaking point.

Meng Ting showered her with praise, “We’re not treating you like a cash cow—it’s just to mislead those stalker paparazzi.”

“Look at the recent headlines.”
“The ones tailing you even praised you as the cleanest celebrity they’ve ever seen in private life.”
“Every day, it’s either working or going home—straight-line lifestyle.”
“A role model among modern actresses.”

Qin Mang shot him a cold look. “Swear it?”

“I swear!”

Meng Ting raised his hand solemnly, while signaling the styling team, “Come, come, glam up our most beautiful and hardworking actress in the universe—make her the brightest star tonight!”

Qin Mang’s eyelids drooped slightly. Under the stark white lights, her delicate, pale face looked even more flawless. She opened the show’s schedule and gave a soft hum.

“You better keep your word.”

Once this was over, she was *definitely, absolutely* going on a long vacation!

No more work. After catching up on sleep, she would play, shop, and eat to her heart’s content!

Suddenly, the phone placed upside down on the makeup table buzzed.

And then buzzed again.

Normally, this kind of frenzied WeChat messaging came from Wu Yuxi, but she’d recently flown to Antarctica to see penguins.

Who knew—

Qin Mang casually unlocked her phone, but her gaze froze the next second.

It was her childhood friend, Gu Qiyang.

**Cherish Every Delicate Flower**: [Heard the young lady wrapped filming, huh? What a coincidence! Perfect timing to join my bachelor party. Tonight at midnight, Yunlan Clubhouse. You *must* come.]

**Bachelor party?**

Qin Mang thought for a few seconds and replied: [If I’m not mistaken, didn’t I just attend your *fourth* wedding last winter? Already single again?]

**Gu Qiyang replied instantly**: [NONONO, this is the bachelor party for my *fifth* marriage. I’m getting married tomorrow. I didn’t tell you since I thought you were still filming. Figured I’d just invite you to the *next* wedding.]

[What a coincidence—]

Gu Qiyang, known in their circle as a famous playboy, used to date rising celebrities. Most people assumed he was just having fun, but unlike those careless rich kids, he treated every girlfriend equally—with marriage. Never a scumbag. This would be his fifth marriage as an adult—and this time, not with a celebrity, but an outsider.

He’s only been of marriageable age for four years.

Averaging one wedding per year.

*Next wedding*, my ass.

Qin Mang was speechless.

Marriage wasn’t a game.

But for *this guy*, it was basically his annual performance.

**Cherish Every Delicate Flower**: [You *have* to come! I’m serious this time!]

**Little Lion Roar Meow**: […We’ll see.]

A staff member knocked on the door, reminding, “Ms. Qin, it’s your turn.”

Qin Mang tossed her phone to Meng Ting without a care.

No interest in dealing with Gu Qiyang.

He claimed to be “serious” for all four previous weddings, too.

—

Qin Mang was appearing on a very popular variety show called **“True or False”**.

It had become a hit in recent years for its live, unedited, and 100% real format, featuring the most advanced lie detectors—no guest could lie! Extremely thrilling.

Celebrities who dared to come on this show generally had a great public image.

Of course, *only* if they didn’t get exposed during the lie detector segment.

Originally, Fu Yuan didn’t want Qin Mang to take this show, no matter how popular it was.

But this time, the entire cast of *“Dreams of Old Beijing”* would appear together—it was the movie’s first public promotion.

Meng Ting thought this show would absolutely win fans for Qin Mang.

A cool and direct ice beauty—who wouldn’t love that? So he strongly urged her to take it.

Recording began.

Qin Mang had slimmed down a little recently, making her seem less intimidating. Today, she wore a milky-white retro hollow-knit sweater, soft and cozy, with a matching butterfly headband. She radiated a cool, transparent beauty. Yet with her dark hair and charming eyes, she remained dazzlingly stunning.

Most of the live audience was seeing her in person for the first time.

The visual impact was overwhelming.

Some were even stunned into silence, thinking she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a manga.

The guest lineup was full of old friends. Though it was Qin Mang’s first time on a variety show, she wasn’t stiff. She even handled the host’s teasing jokes with ease.

She wasn’t just a beautiful face, nor did she act aloof. She was surprisingly witty.

Just as Meng Ting had predicted:

Qin Mang would win fans on a show like this.

The show was live.

When it reached the most anticipated **“lie detector truth segment,”** excitement soared again.

The host had staff bring out the lie detector.

With a smile, he explained, “This is the latest model. They say its accuracy is nearly 100%. Dare to try it?”

“Sure!”

“Let’s do it!”

“Ahhh!”

The audience was even more excited than the guests.

Qi Rong, a bit nervous, tugged Qin Mang’s sleeve and whispered with her mic off, “It won’t expose how many hookups I’ve had, right…?”

Qin Mang laughed. Her already striking features lit up under the stage lights.

She said, “That’s probably a bluff.”

No lie detector could really be 100% accurate.

Except—

Qin Mang hadn’t turned off her mic.

The host heard her. “Mangmang doesn’t believe it?”

“Then you *have* to try it yourself!”

“Our lie detector is made *especially* for skeptics.”

Qin Mang looked at the sleek silver device with growing interest and stepped up. “Sure, let’s test it.”

If they were using a lie detector, might as well go big.

Audience members got to submit questions.

Someone asked: “I want to know if Goddess Qin currently likes anyone.”

Host: “You have three seconds. Three, two, one.”

Qin Mang calmly replied, “No.”

BEEEEEP—

A long tone.

Test passed.

No lie.

—

**He Group’s Scientific Instruments Division.**

**Technical Department Meeting Room.**

The lie detector, as He Group’s latest research project, was making its debut on the show—essentially still in testing.

All relevant personnel were watching the live segment.

The room was silent.

Cool-toned lights reflected off walls lined with cold metal strips.

At the head of the table sat a refined, striking man. His shirt buttoned to the collar, neat to the extreme. A pair of slim-framed glasses rested on his high nose bridge, giving him an air of restrained elegance.

His expression was unreadable.

His long fingers brushed slowly over a lie detector identical to the one on TV.

A low, cold chuckle slipped from his pale lips.

Secretary Cong had broken into a cold sweat the moment Qin Mang said “No.”

When the machine confirmed *truth*—

He was drenched.

Upon hearing that laugh, he didn’t even dare look at his boss’s face.

Cong Zhen stammered, “Maybe… the machine malfunctioned? Should we recalibrate it?”

The project lead exploded: “Secretary Cong, you’re not a tech guy—what do you know?”

“The detector is flawless!”

“It’s *way* more accurate than anything else on the market!”

“Even President He was smiling!”

Cong Zhen’s eyelid twitched, wildly signaling the tech guy.

I’m trying to *save* you here!

Smiling? That was a cold laugh, you idiot!

The tech guy asked sincerely, “Are you having a facial spasm?”

Cong Zhen: “…”

Can’t you use your dog eyes to see He-ge’s face right now?!

An assistant noticed Cong Zhen looked faint and asked, “Are you okay, Secretary Cong?”

He lifted his heavy eyelids and looked at everyone.

Wiped his forehead.

Sometimes, he really envied these clueless fools.

*Sigh—*

Bearing this secret alone was *exhausting*.

“Meeting’s over.”

The man’s cool-toned voice made the air freeze.

He Lingji got up and left the room.

The tech lead, finally sensing something was off, grabbed Cong Zhen. “President He’s not satisfied?”

Cong Zhen smiled faintly. “No—he’s *too* satisfied.”

Could you *not* be so overachieving?

A lie detector with *near-perfect* accuracy?

What place would the world have left for white lies?!

—

**Inside a private room at Yunlan Clubhouse.**

He Lingji didn’t join the card game. Instead, he sat idly on the sofa in the corner, untouched strong liquor on the table before him.

He hadn’t had a sip yet.

His black silk shirt had two buttons undone, revealing his flawless collarbones. His refined face had taken on a lazy, untamed edge.

His long fingers stroked the cold frame of his phone, his weary eyes gaining clarity.

He picked up the full glass, sipped slowly.

Ruan Qizhu, holding playing cards, looked around helplessly. Everyone here was a close friend, but he sucked at cards.

He couldn’t help but call out, “Brother He, come save your precious little cotton-padded jacket!”

He Lingji passed by without much expression,
uttering two monosyllabic words: “I refuse to save him.”

Someone asked, “What’s up with Brother He today?”
“In a bad mood?”
“Why aren’t you playing cards?”

As the number one internet surfer and Brother He’s little loyal sidekick, Ruan Qizhuo quickly pieced together a full set of logical conclusions in his head, then tossed the cards aside and came over:

“Hehe, is our Brother He feeling lonely in his empty room?”
“Missing your little wife who’s busy working?”

He had previously heard from Brother Rong about those nineteen days in Ling City.
Ruan Qizhuo noticed that He Lingji was idly fiddling with his phone.

Bravely, he snatched it away.
“Brother He, you’re too shy to call your wife, so I’ll do it for you!”
After grabbing it, he quickly took two steps back.
“This is when your little cotton-padded jacket charges into battle!”

He Lingji’s private phone was taken from his fingertips.
But the man, known for never tolerating challenges to his authority, merely glanced at him lightly.

He flexed his knuckles, and calmly picked up a bottle of liquor.
The transparent liquid, under the dim lighting, refracted into dazzling shards of brilliance.

*“Doo doo doo—”*
*“The number you dialed is currently on another call. Please try again later.”*

The sound of the rejection tone suddenly rang out.
He called three times in a row.

Ruan Qizhuo muttered under his breath, “Who’s sister-in-law talking to in the middle of the night?”
The flow of liquor abruptly stopped…

—

After finishing her recording, Qin Mang was being harassed by nonstop calls from Gu Qiyang.

She was just arriving at Yunlan Clubhouse, and snapped, “Why the hell are you rushing me? Get your ass down here and pick me up.”

“You’ve finally arrived, Princess!”
“I’m on my way down right now!”

Gu Qiyang was in high spirits.

Just as they entered the lobby,
Meng Ting, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, suddenly changed his expression.

**“Crap, paparazzi.”**

“Don’t take it off.”
Seeing Qin Mang about to remove her mask, Meng Ting quickly lowered his voice to warn her.
“Six o’clock—paparazzi.”

Qin Mang’s fingers, which were near her ear, suddenly paused.

What the hell?
Paparazzi ambushing a place like this in the middle of the night?

“Your friend won’t be in trouble if he gets photographed at a party, right?” Meng Ting hadn’t expected this either.
The paparazzi had been trailing Qin Mang for a while with no results, and there hadn’t been any movement recently.

Who knew they’d launch a sneak attack this late?

Qin Mang was about to say it was fine,
but suddenly remembered her childhood friend’s reputation in the entertainment circle.

She cursed quietly, “Shit. No way.”

Gu Qiyang’s well-known record of “marrying every little celebrity once” was basically public knowledge.
If she got photographed attending his bachelor party, the media would definitely twist it into “his fifth bride is her!”

31**Chapter 31: Legal Rights**

Qin Mang pressed her fisherman hat down, turned around, and was about to leave. “Let’s go back.”

Meng Ting looked upset and showed her his phone screen. “It’s too late.”

A Tong had gone to park the car, nearly running into the paparazzi head-on.

He had also spotted a portion of them lying in wait at the entrance, waiting for Qin Mang to walk straight into their trap.

Who had leaked her schedule?

It seemed far too coincidental for her to be blocked here so clearly.

But there was no time to dwell on this now.

With the paparazzi indoors starting to notice her, Qin Mang prepared to head upstairs, hoping to slip out through the back door.

They stood by the wooden columns, mostly hidden from view, but once they passed that position, the paparazzi would spot them.

After all, she was wearing a mask and a hat.

At night, in a clubhouse, wasn’t it obvious she didn’t want to be seen?

Qin Mang exhaled lightly and scanned the private area on the third floor.

That area was for VIPs, and regular people couldn’t enter.

She took off her duckbill cap and tossed it to Meng Ting, letting her long hair fall freely. She whispered a few words in his ear.

Meng Ting nodded in agreement.

A few seconds later, the two paparazzi saw a tall, graceful woman walking from the side of the decorative columns outside, naturally and confidently heading towards the stairs to the third floor.

They exchanged glances.

But something felt off.

Typically, female celebrities appearing in public are heavily guarded.

“Miss… Miss!”

Suddenly, Gu Qiyang appeared out of nowhere, leaning over the railing and lazily calling out.

Qin Mang cursed in her mind, fearing he would shout her name.

While quickly typing on her phone, she moved faster up the stairs.

She was already on the wooden steps when she quickened her pace, and the reporters noticed something was wrong.

They exchanged looks, as if they sensed something.

They rushed up. “Is it Qin Mang?”

At that moment, the paparazzi outside rushed in, and even the doorman was caught off guard. The security guards followed behind, chasing after them.

Gu Qiyang, a tall figure, stood at the stairway entrance. Qin Mang didn’t even glance at him and brushed past him.

It was as if she didn’t know him.

Gu Qiyang wasn’t dumb.

Seeing the group of people behind her, he realized what was happening.

He pretended not to know her, casually stopping the reporters. “Who are you guys chasing?”

“Don’t you know where this is?”

The paparazzi had been following Qin Mang for a long time. They’d finally found a breakthrough. A popular young star secretly married? This was huge news.

They were willing to be kicked out if it meant securing this scoop.

Qin Mang had come here planning to hide in an empty room, and Meng Ting would get the club manager to clear out the paparazzi.

But as the saying goes, plans can’t keep up with changes.

A door to a private room suddenly opened at the end of the hall.

Qin Mang looked up, and directly locked eyes with familiar gray-blue pupils.

Her eyes lit up.

She rushed toward him.

“Husband~!”

“Help me!”

Hearing the footsteps behind her, she quickly tugged at his suit, burying her face in it.

Her long, soft hair, which she had casually tied up, swayed in the air, covering her slender waist.

Because she had come to attend a party, Qin Mang was used to wearing a formal dress. The design of the dress was tight around the waist, and the whole upper body was enveloped by the suit.

Her delicate wrist encircled his neck, and she tiptoed, whispering in his ear, “Wrap me up in your suit.”

He Lengji’s thoughts flashed back to all those unanswered phone calls.

His cold, ink-dark eyes lowered to her weak, delicate neck, whiter than the first snow on a fragile branch.

Qin Mang didn’t notice He Lengji’s emotions. After giving her orders, she quietly shrank back into his chest, hiding herself again.

Her mind was full of thoughts.

She couldn’t be discovered.

Even if she was, it couldn’t be by Gu Qiyang, her fifth husband!

She might get so mad that she would openly reveal her marriage to He Lengji.

At that moment, the reporters behind her shouted, “She’s here!”

“Quick, is it Qin Mang?”

“Is it?!”

“I saw her assistant outside earlier. It should be her!”

Gu Qiyang lazily followed behind them, “What are you guys chasing a female celebrity for? Interview me instead. I’m getting married tomorrow.”

“You don’t want the first-hand news?”

A reporter said, “Mr. Gu, you’ve already been married four times. The netizens are no longer interested in your fifth marriage.”

Gu Qiyang: “…”

Was he being scolded?

What?

Was getting married five times not newsworthy anymore?

Was he no longer the most popular playboy in the entertainment industry?

…

The next second.

Everyone suddenly stopped.

They all stared at the man standing at the end of the hallway, surrounded by people, and at the woman in a red ink wash dress they had just been chasing.

Ruan Qizhuo and the others were also confused.

They all looked at the man standing in the front, calm and indifferent.

“He… He… He… President He?!”

He Lengji’s cold, merciless gaze swept over them, his voice flat. “My person.”

“Want to take pictures?”

The paparazzi, who hadn’t even lowered their cameras in front of Gu Qiyang, silently lowered them now.

Who dared take pictures of him?

They wouldn’t even dare.

The media still spread legends about him.

The paparazzi quickly shook their heads.

Then, they saw him leisurely unbutton his cufflinks. In front of everyone, he directly picked up the woman buried in his chest and carried her horizontally.

He let her hold onto his suit without letting go, walking towards the fourth floor.

It was as if he didn’t see them.

The woman’s slender, beautiful legs swayed in the air.

The curve of her legs seemed to dance gracefully.

They didn’t dare take pictures.

They didn’t even dare to look.

Someone behind Ruan Qizhuo broke the silence, “Is that… his wife?”

“Otherwise?”

Someone else rolled their eyes.

His wife?

Anyone who could be called “wife” by such important people must be the legendary Mrs. He.

The paparazzi exchanged glances.

But what about Qin Mang?

Wasn’t it confirmed she was coming here tonight?

They were all from the same circle and had seen Gu Qiyang, so naturally, they knew each other.

Gu Qiyang’s eyes swept across them, and he smiled, inviting, “I’m having my pre-wedding party today. Interested in joining?”

“Wow.”

“Mr. Gu is lucky. Which big star did he marry this time?”

As everyone knew, Gu Qiyang loved giving small celebrities a home.

His four previous wives were all actresses.

Naturally, they assumed the fifth one was as well.

The paparazzi suddenly realized something.

The woman He Lengji just carried away couldn’t possibly be Qin Mang. She was already said to be Mrs. He, well-protected by him.

So…

Had Qin Mang already arrived?

Was she actually Gu Qiyang’s fifth wife?

But Gu Qiyang waved his hand. “This time, she’s an outsider. You guys want to come to the wedding tomorrow?”

His words carried a hint of mockery.

He was asking the paparazzi.

Before they could answer, the manager arrived with the security guards.

“Sorry, sorry for disturbing your enjoyment—”

The manager hadn’t expected that his few minutes outside would cause such a big mess.

They had disturbed President He!

Ruan Qizhuo, who had just been smiling, immediately turned serious when the security arrived. “Take them to the police station. Let the police teach them a lesson on morality.”

The paparazzi, who had planned to leave, were left confused.

What?

How did their faces change so suddenly?

As He Lengji’s “little cotton-padded jacket,” Ruan Qizhuo was also the “little cotton-padded jacket” of his wife, so of course, he was going to get revenge!

He wasn’t planning to take credit tomorrow with He Lengji or try to get any investment!

The fourth floor had He Lengji’s private lounge.

Qin Mang emerged from He Lingji’s arms, revealing a pair of beautiful, glistening eyes. “That scared me to death.”

“Luckily, I ran into you.”

“Mm.”

“If I hadn’t, Mrs. He might have forgotten she still has a… husband.”

He Lingji casually tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa.

He approached Qin Mang step by step.

The room lights weren’t on.

Even so, Qin Mang could vaguely make out the man’s grey-blue eyes, chilling and cold as if steeped in frost.

No matter what, they had been “bedmates” for some time now. She could tell something was definitely off with He Lingji tonight.

Danger alert.

Her mental CPU was about to crash from overdrive, and she still couldn’t figure out how she had offended him.

Cornered to the edge of the sofa, her knees gave out and she sat down.

Which made things easier for He Lingji.

His thin lips slowly parted: “Important people tend to forget things. I understand.”

Qin Mang: “…”

You don’t look like you understand.

She opened her mouth and couldn’t help but ask innocently, “What did I do to offend you?”

“Why are you being so fierce?”

Fierce?

He Lingji let out a cold laugh.

This little liar was always good at flipping the blame.

His gaze fell on the vermillion mole at the tip of her pale nose.

It made her pretty, annoying face look all the more innocent—and all the better at deceiving.

“This is fierce?”

“Then how about this?”

“!”

Qin Mang lay back on the sofa. Her sparkling eyes immediately welled up with tears of pain.

“Why are you crying?”

Under the brilliant light, the girl’s curled lashes were beaded with tears, glinting with reflected light.

The man’s callused fingertip slowly traced the corner of her thin, tender eye—

“All because of you—”

Just as Qin Mang thought he was going to wipe her tears,

The next second—

He suddenly leaned in.

His cool lips lightly touched her trembling lashes. A soft gesture, yet it carried a hint of reverent weight.

In an instant, a wildfire seemed to spread from that point of contact, scorching straight to her heart.

Qin Mang’s unfinished sentence was cut off, her clear black eyes clouded with a watery confusion.

She didn’t quite understand this feeling.

Instinctively, she reached out to touch her chest.

But before she could figure it out—

He Lingji gave her no time to react.

Pain—
Sharp pain.

Qin Mang’s long fingernails dug in.

“He Lingji!”

“Are you crazy?”

Soon after, Qin Mang couldn’t say another word.

In the VIP lounge of the club, there were only a few leather sofas.

He Lingji didn’t want her to get dirty.

So he specifically used his suit jacket as a cushion behind her slender waist.

The stark contrast of black and white, and that vivid red, created a scene of striking beauty in the darkness.

Qin Mang cried terribly.

It really did hurt.

Only today did she realize how much He Lingji had held back in the past.

Three hours later, the neon lights outside the floor-to-ceiling window had mostly gone out.

Only a few dim ones flickered faintly.

Qin Mang felt like a dried-up mermaid.

One that had been sun-dried with chili powder—
Spicy and painful.

She heard He Lingji’s low, cool voice: “Qin Mang.”

Qin Mang grumbled, “What?”

“We’re married.”

“If we weren’t, I’d have called the cops by now!” Qin Mang had never suffered such grievance before. Her tone was fierce, but her voice unconsciously dragged out, sounding more like a whine.

“We’re not fake spouses.”

“…”

“What are you trying to say?”

His post-intimacy voice was low and magnetic, his thin lips calmly uttering: “No separate bedrooms.”

Qin Mang’s tear-damp lashes fluttered. “When did I… say I wanted to live apart?”

He Lingji stood tall in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, the abyss-like night behind him threatening to devour everything.

But with him standing in front of her—

Qin Mang felt no fear.

He lowered his eyes calmly.

Though he was looking down from above,

Qin Mang didn’t feel the slightest pressure of being looked down on. Instead, her red lips couldn’t help but curl up.

This time, she deliberately drew out her words.

Like honey dripping in threads, her slender jade-like wrist reached out from under the thin blanket to hook his dangling fingers. She teasingly said, “What, winter’s here and now you want your little wife to warm your bed?”

He Lingji avoided her fingers.

Instead, he lightly pinched her chin.

His movement, as always, was calm—like a god bestowing grace. He leaned down and placed a restrained kiss by her lips. “Mrs. He.”

“I’m exercising my legal rights.”

Before exercising the legal right to warm the bed—

The couple left the Yunlan Club. They didn’t even go back to their lakeside villa.

Because Qin Mang kept saying she was in pain.

Not whining.

But *really* in pain.

At 4 a.m., the night in Deep City was pitch black and bitterly cold.

A stretch Pullman rolled over scattered fallen leaves by the roadside, heading straight to a private hospital under the He family.

The wound had torn.

Any more severe and she might have needed stitches.

The attending doctor was a specialist in female health. She had seen countless cases like this, but most were due to severe tearing during natural childbirth—rarely like this one.

Still, it wasn’t serious.

She nonchalantly prescribed medicine. “Young people should be more careful with marital matters.”

“If the size isn’t compatible, proper preparation is key.”

“All right, apply this three times a day.”

Facing the female doctor’s calm expression, Qin Mang buried herself completely in He Lingji’s arms, utterly defeated.

He Lingji: “Qin—”

“Don’t talk. I’m dead.”

The doctor gave a final reminder: “Until the wound heals, avoid all sexual activity—”

He Lingji calmly asked, “How long until normal marital relations can resume?”

The doctor, apparently unused to such straightforward men, replied, “At least a week.”

“Thank you.”

Qin Mang: “…”

She wanted to curse.

But didn’t know where to start.

This shameless dog!

32**Chapter 32: Spending Money Like Water**

When they returned to the Lakeside Estate, it was nearly five in the morning. The sky was still dark.

Qin Mang kept her face hidden beneath a small blanket in the car the entire way back.

No particular reason.

She just couldn’t bear to show her face.

In the master bedroom, He Lingji had already showered. When he came out, he saw Qin Mang lying bonelessly on the sofa, her face covered by the thin blanket, motionless.

The man casually threw on a bathrobe. His short, damp hair still dripped with water.

Drop by drop.

Sliding along his Adam’s apple, trailing down in winding lines.

In the darkness of the night—

It felt like danger was lurking beneath the surface.

Yet he didn’t seem to care, taking a few strides forward and lifting the thin blanket.
“Mrs. He, are you trying to suffocate yourself out of shame and anger?”

Qin Mang covered her face with her delicate fingers.

She turned her back to him.

Probably because she’d had her head under the blanket too long—

Her usually fair cheeks were now flushed with a rather unnatural rouge, even her ears matched.

Her dainty, curvy figure curled up, making her appear vulnerable and pitiful.

He Lingji reached out and touched her neck.

The long-trapped warmth and dampness spread up his cool fingertips.

A rare trace of pity appeared in his eyes.

“Still hurting?”

“It hurts! It hurts like hell!”

Qin Mang finally couldn’t hold it in.

She smacked his hand with a loud *slap*, her watery eyes now lit with twin flames.
“Who told you to skip all the proper prep work?”

“How about I stab you with a red-hot iron rod for two hours and let you feel what I feel?”

That metaphor—

Instead of angering him, made He Lingji chuckle. He bent down and picked her up effortlessly, his tone mild.
“Held it in for months. Couldn’t anymore.”

“Sorry.”

The sudden apology made all the curses Qin Mang had lined up get stuck in her throat.

And just like that, she was already being carried into the bathroom.

Wait a second?

Qin Mang suddenly processed what he said.
Held it in for months? Couldn’t anymore?

So… this was somehow her fault?

Before she could come up with a sharp yet elegant comeback—

Suddenly.

The shower turned on. Warm mist poured down, soaking Qin Mang and making her close her eyes.

“For the next few days, no baths. It’ll help avoid infection.”

His cool voice came through the sound of the water, laced with a strange gentleness.

After a whole day of chaos—

Qin Mang was exhausted.

She almost fell asleep in his arms while showering.

Luckily, He Lingji could steady her with one hand, and it didn’t stop him from helping her wash up.

Qin Mang felt perfectly justified.

If he hadn’t tortured her so much last night, she would’ve been fast asleep by now.

She was so tired she wanted to pass out the moment she laid down—but who would’ve thought—

He Lingji hadn’t forgotten to apply medicine for her.

The faint herbal scent filled the air, tinged with a cooling sensation.

Qin Mang ran hot by nature—every inch of her was like that.

So the moment the cold ointment touched her skin—

She snapped wide awake and reflexively kicked out.

Only for He Lingji to easily catch her slender ankle.

His long, cool fingers looked elegant, but carried a quiet threat as they gripped her foot and pressed her back down.

Deadly beautiful.

And dangerously commanding.

“Don’t move.”

“Almost done.”

Under the dim amber lighting—

Qin Mang buried her face into the pillow, muffling her voice.
“Can’t you hurry up?”

The slowness was driving her crazy—

He Lingji remained calm.
“Relax.”

Qin Mang bit her lower lip, resisting the urge to kick him in the face.
“…You damn jerk! So annoying!”

If she had to go through this twice a day, she might—

Before she could finish the thought, He Lingji stood up unhurriedly.
“Twice a day. I’ll apply it again tomorrow morning.”

Qin Mang: *Ahhh!* This torture happens **twice** a day!?

After he finished applying the medicine—

He Lingji pulled off the mint-green lace nightie she had wrapped in her robe, his voice calm and firm.
“Don’t wear this tonight.”

“It’ll irritate your skin.”

He even tossed her silk robe onto a rack just out of her reach.

“You’d throw it off in the middle of the night anyway.”

Qin Mang stared at the dangling mint green lace.

After all that—

He Lingji was tired, too.

He sent a quick message to Secretary Cong to delay the morning meeting, then lifted the quilt and climbed into bed.

His handsome face was brushed with subtle fatigue.

The aftereffects of several strong drinks were also kicking in.

He rubbed his brow with long fingers, turning off the last light.

The huge room fell into silence and darkness.

Heavy curtains blocked the faint morning light outside.

This was the drowsiest time of day.

Qin Mang tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
“…This is weird.”

She lay there wide awake for over ten minutes—

He Lingji was almost in deep sleep.

Qin Mang turned and looked at his sleeping profile, then pressed her lips flat and reached out to poke his eyelashes.

Why did a grown man have such long lashes?

“Stop it.”

He Lingji’s voice was husky, his hand closing over her wrist.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Go get my panties.”

Qin Mang didn’t want to get up, so she poked him again.
“I’m not used to this.”

“I don’t feel secure.”

When he didn’t move—

She poked him again and again.

“Go get them.”

“Honey~”

He Lingji, annoyed beyond belief, kept his eyes closed, pulled off the robe he’d just changed into after his shower, and slipped it onto her.

The movements were smooth and practiced.

Then he wrapped his long arms around her, holding her firmly in place to stop any more nonsense.

“Can you sleep now?”

The robe still carried his body heat.

It now hung loosely on her slim waist, empty and oversized.

Qin Mang was stunned.

…Huh?

**You can do that??**

More importantly!

Qin Mang clutched at the silky robe, too afraid to look down.

This damned man!

So shameless!

“He Lingji, you—”

“Not sleeping?”

In the pitch dark, he suddenly opened his eyes. His gray-blue pupils were deep and still, like whirlpools—overflowing with dominance.

Qin Mang, who was about to make more trouble, froze.

Obediently shut her eyes.

“I’m sleeping.”

Sometimes you just had to back down.

Otherwise, she’d only suffer more.

He Lingji, that damn dog, was capable of **anything** when pissed off.

—

The next morning, Qin Mang was jolted awake by a series of calls from Fu Yuan.

“Where were you last night?”

“Did you get photographed?”

“Where are you now?”

Three questions in a row left Qin Mang dazed for a solid three seconds.

She looked around.

The familiar and luxurious décor—it was the master bedroom of the Lakeside Estate’s wedding suite.

She sat up in a panic, then gasped from the painful pull.

Crap.

The paparazzi staking out her building probably knew she hadn’t come home last night!

She’d been too embarrassed to think of it yesterday.

Before she could respond—

A veined, masculine hand reached from behind and took her phone.
“She’s with me.”

Fu Yuan went silent.

After a pause, she tried to be polite.
“President He… it’s not a good time for Qin Mang to be living with you.”

He Lingji stood beside the bed, dressed sharply in a suit, as if he was heading straight into a boardroom.

Elegant and refined, cold and abstinent.

But the words he said were: “Last night, she—”

Qin Mang realized what he was about to say.

Regardless of her current situation, she suddenly lunged forward to snatch the phone.

At the same time, she raised her voice to interrupt him, “Sister Fu, I’ll head back this afternoon!”

*Click.*

The call ended.

She knelt by the bed, looking up angrily at He Lingji. “Who let you spout nonsense…”

Suddenly, she noticed something sliding down from her waist.

Qin Mang’s slender body flinched.

As if in slow motion, she lowered her head, her pupils gradually widening—

Only to see her fair knees covered by a layer of pitch-black fabric.

Ahhhhhh!

Qin Mang immediately grabbed the edge of it.

Above her, the man let out a low, pleasant chuckle, laced with implication: “Didn’t expect Mrs. He to be so fond of He’s—”

The last two words.

Echoed in Qin Mang’s ears.

Having been led by the nose all night, Qin Mang finally calmed down. She curved her red lips into a smile, stood up slowly, and loosely tied the black fabric around her waist.

Standing on the bed, she looked down at He Lingji’s cold and noble face.

Her porcelain-like fingertips lifted the man’s chin.

Leaning in slightly.

A soft, seductive voice slowly spilled out, “I *do* like it—”

Since she was injured anyway, she might as well tease this dog man to death!

Her eyes glimmered with a smile. She glanced to the side and, seeing his reaction, smirked even more. “Oh my, seems like President He likes it too.”

Thinking of her weak and wilted state last night.

And now this dazzling, bold demeanor.

He Lingji’s eyes darkened; his pale gray-blue pupils were devoid of emotion.

In the end, he simply picked up the ointment they used last night from the bedside, scooped out a bit with his finger, and slowly said, “He prefers applying medicine to Mrs. He.”

Qin Mang: “!”

What a refined scoundrel!

…

Right after He Lingji went to the company, Qin Mang returned to their pre-marital residence in the city center.

Separate living!

They must live apart!

Floor-to-ceiling windows covered an entire wall. The ultra-luxurious flat offered a sweeping view of the city’s most prosperous district—every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.

It was also known as the most traffic-congested area.

At the moment, she was lazily leaning on a lounge chair by the window.

In the natural light.

Fu Yuan clearly saw the marks imprinted on the girl’s snow-white neck.

Even the little red mole on her nose seemed over-saturated with decadent allure.

Fu Yuan couldn’t help but get a headache.

“Can’t you ask President He to restrain himself a bit?”

If President Ruan hadn’t sent all the paparazzi to the police for a verbal warning last night…

They would’ve been caught!

Qin Mang fluttered her lashes and let out a cold laugh. “Who knows what kind of fit he was throwing yesterday.”

Like he took some kind of potion or something.

Didn’t he know they weren’t well-matched in size?

Suddenly, Qin Mang seemed to realize something.

They hadn’t been this mismatched before.

What happened yesterday?

Could it be that he had never gone all the way before?

Frowning, Qin Mang couldn’t figure it out.

Fu Yuan, exasperated, could only think: only Mrs. He would dare talk about President He this way.

She didn’t dare chime in.

So she changed the topic: “I’ve cleared all your schedules for the next half month. As long as you’re not caught alone with another man, do whatever you like.”

Consider it a vacation.

Just in case this little ancestor decided to quit without warning again.

Hearing this, Qin Mang’s lips slowly curled upward.

“Now that’s more like it.”

She picked up a high-end gemstone exhibition brochure from the nearby rack, occasionally circling items with a red marker.

Planning to check them out in person.

Meng Ting glanced over casually.

Then gasped.

“Holy crap—”

It was the first time he truly felt the financial power of a wealthy heiress.

Looking at her wildly marked-up brochure, he cautiously asked, “The ones you circled… are those what you’re planning to buy?”

Qin Mang lifted her lashes and glanced at him.

“What kind of taste is that?”

Meng Ting: “…”

What did she mean?

Qin Mang pointed her fair finger at the centerpiece sapphire shaped like a planet. “The ones I didn’t circle—those are the ones I actually want.”

Meng Ting’s eyes widened.

Just that one sapphire…

Would cost over a hundred million!

These filthy rich people!

Initially, Qin Mang was worried He Lingji would follow her to the city center.

After all, he had strongly refused to live separately.

Who knew he’d leave on a business trip the very same day.

He only sent the housekeeper to deliver ointment.

And—

His daily necessities.

Qin Mang leaned against the doorframe, eyeing the servants behind the housekeeper who looked like they were moving in. “What’s this now?”

The housekeeper respectfully said, “President He was worried you wouldn’t take care of yourself.”

“He sent us over on purpose.”

“And his things?”

The housekeeper’s expression was perfectly composed. “President He will also move in once his business trip ends.”

Qin Mang: ?

Before she could voice her refusal—

The housekeeper added, “President He said this is shared marital property. He’s entitled to live here.”

What the hell?!

That dog man actually covets her pre-marital assets!

She moved here to avoid the paparazzi.

After all, this mysterious location would make them lower their guard.

Now He Lingji was making a high-profile move to follow her here too?

Was he afraid no one would link them together?

The housekeeper presented a card with both hands.

“This is your pocket money from during the filming period.”

The He family had deep roots and had preserved many traditions.

For example, a fixed monthly allowance.

This fixed amount could be spent however one liked.

To prevent surprises, extra discretionary funds would be prepared, and the rest would go into various investments.

Qin Mang lowered her curled lashes. She recalled how, ever since she entered the entertainment industry, her uncle had cut off her allowance, claiming it was time for her to show filial piety.

But it was really just to force her to quit the industry.

So currently, most of the money she had at her disposal came from what she earned as an actress!

Money was *really* hard to earn.

She’d worked her butt off for two years and still didn’t make as much as one month’s allowance used to give her!

On one hand, the gemstone brochure she wanted to buy from.

On the other, letting He Lingji move in.

Three seconds later.

Qin Mang decisively stepped aside, card pinched between her fingers, eyes curving with a smile: “Hurry and bring in my dear husband’s luggage.”

“How can a married couple live apart!”

Once the housekeeper came inside—

Qin Mang changed the tone, “I can spend the money however I want, right?”

The housekeeper smiled slightly. “Of course.”

But what she never expected—

Was that someone could actually max out an eight-figure limit.

In just a few days.

Qin Mang was thrilled.

She kissed her gemstone exhibition booklet.

Her precious babies!

You’re all coming home with me.

Lately, Qin Mang had been busy filming, studying, and taking on various jobs. It had been a *long, long* time since she lived in such a lavish, luxurious way.

There just wasn’t time before.

Now that she was on break—

She called up her bestie who had just returned from Antarctica and flew abroad.

After a wild shopping spree—

They attended a gemstone exhibition.

This one was beautiful.

That one was gorgeous.

Sapphire—elegant.

Ruby—vibrant.

Yellow diamond—graceful.

Emerald—mysterious—

She wanted them *all*!

As expected of the world’s largest gemstone exhibition.

Even the rarest of gems could be found here.

Some were display-only and not for sale. Qin Mang simply threw money at them.

She had grown up in luxury. As long as she liked something, she *had* to get it—no matter the price!

Even Yu Yuxi, who was standing beside her like a little assistant carrying her bag, was stunned.

She had made such a fuss before, saying she didn’t want a business marriage and wanted to pursue love.

She was wrong.

Looking at how extravagantly Qin Mang was spending money, who the hell would still want love?

Even when the little lioness was at her maiden home, she never spent money so freely!

After smoothly signing another order, Qin Mang, still feeling unsatisfied, sent a message to her little uncle:

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** [Little Uncle, your niece sincerely thanks you.]

**Qin Yan:** [?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** [For picking such an excellent and generous husband for me!]

**Qin Yan:** [?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** [Love you to death!]

Qin Yan finally caught on:
**Qin Yan:** [How much of his money did you spend?]

**Little Lioness Awoo Meow:** [What do you mean by “his” money? We’re all one family!]

**Qin Yan:** [……]

When Qin Yan found out how much Qin Mang had spent at this gem exhibition, he fell silent for a few seconds.

Suddenly, he felt relieved.

Good thing he married this money-wasting creature off.

Otherwise, she’d be squandering the Qin family’s ancestral fortune.

Qin Yan looked out the window and chuckled lightly.

Let her waste the He family’s money instead.

He was getting old.

No match for He Lingji, who was young and good at making money.

After thinking for a few seconds, Qin Yan sent a kind message to his niece’s husband:
**Qin Yan:** [A married daughter is like water thrown out—don’t pour her back in.]

Far away in Shencheng, the butler looked at the series of bills coming in. At first, he was gratified that Madam was finally willing to spend the He family’s money—she was truly integrating into the family.

Then came shock. Wasn’t she treating it *too* much like her own home?

In the end, his face went blank from numbness.

Did Madam go abroad to buy an entire country?

When Qin Mang learned she had maxed out the card, she stared at the final gem, the crowning piece—a blue planet sapphire.

It was so blue, transparent, and mysterious.

When she saw it in the exhibition booklet, it had reminded her of He Lingji’s blue eyes in the dark.

Mysterious like the deep sea, pure and elegant.

If she missed it this time, who knew when she’d get another chance?

Thinking of what the butler had said—spend as much as she wanted—Qin Mang naturally told him to transfer the money.

The butler: “…Yes.”

He was already contacting the bank to transfer funds.

Since it was an eight-figure transaction, He Lingji would be notified when the reserve funds were mobilized.

33**Chapter 33 – Birthday Present**

Far away in Yuncheng, He Lingji was attending a science and technology symposium.

Dressed in a black formal suit with only a silver wisteria-shaped collar pin for decoration, he sat listening to the speaker on stage. His expression was indifferent, his gaze calm and distant. With an air of natural elegance and nobility, he became an unintentional focal point for many in the audience.

But He Lingji himself seemed completely unaware.

That is, until he glanced down at his vibrating phone. For a brief moment, an unusual emotion flickered in his usually tranquil eyes—clear gray-blue irises glowing faintly under the dim lights.

It was a message from the butler:
A bill.
And a transaction notification.

Finally, he understood the meaning behind Qin Yan’s cryptic message.

The man absentmindedly fiddled with the wedding ring on his ring finger, twisting it around and around. His movements were casual and unhurried.

Then, the screen lit up with a call—
It was his wife.

Qin Mang held a newly acquired gemstone in her hand, admiring its clarity and brilliance even under ordinary light.

Whether buying once or for a lifetime, Qin Mang knew the difference.
Naturally, she needed to please her financial backer.

The moment the call connected, her sweet voice came through, soft and extra coquettish today:
“Darling hubby, I may have spent a *tiny* bit more today, but—”

“They were *all* essentials.”

She couldn’t live without them.

Thinking of the bill from the butler, He Lingji chuckled faintly, “So?”

Qin Mang giggled sweetly, “I saw a sapphire I really liked. The collector doesn’t want to sell, but can I spend just a *little* more to buy it?”

A *little* more, or a *billion* more?

Wu Yuxi glanced at her, quietly judging her shameless “money-grubbing.”

“Might need another hundred million,” Qin Mang added.

“I really wasn’t planning to spend more, I swear. I know making money is hard for you, honey, but the sapphire is *just like your eyes*! I can’t let someone else own your eyes. Absolutely not!”

Qin Mang could stretch or bend however she needed. When it came to her beloved gems, sweet talk came naturally.

“A hundred million?”
“Alright.”
“If it’s not enough, tell the butler.”

He Lingji had no issue parting with money—not this amount.

As for her sweet words? Ninety-nine percent nonsense.

Qin Mang didn’t care whether he believed her or not. She just needed that *one line of permission*.

“Kisses, hubby! You’re seriously the one and only, matchless, invincible, perfect husband in the whole wide world!”

It was hard to believe she’d cursed him as a “refined scumbag” just last time.

She hung up immediately after saying that—
Without hesitation.

She had a planet-blue sapphire to secure—
No one was taking it from her.

Recently, several new projects from the He Group R&D team had reached completion.

One of them: a lie detector.

Due to prior issues with the device, and with the overseas project lead Lou Tingdai having returned to China, she was sent to the symposium alongside He Lingji.

Sitting to his left and right were her and Cong Zhen.

Lou Tingdai wasn’t the aggressive beauty type—more like a gentle stream in a hot spring, warm and harmless.
Dressed in a tailored skirt suit, she exuded intelligence and grace—clearly a trusted assistant.

When she heard He Lingji’s absurdly indulgent phone call, she remarked softly, as though casually chatting:
“What did your wife buy that cost *a hundred million*?”

“That amount could fund a new lie detector project.”

He Lingji toyed with the edge of his phone, not even glancing at her as he responded lazily,
“She bought a sapphire.”

His lips curled faintly.
“A sapphire the color of my eyes.”

Lou Tingdai didn’t quite get it, but Secretary Cong understood perfectly.

Mr. He was—
**Showing off.**

As for the lie detector…

He Lingji’s voice turned cold:
“A mere lie detector—how much money has already gone into it?”

“If there’s still no result, cancel the project.”

Lou Tingdai hadn’t expected that.

Suppressing her reaction, she quickly said, “Don’t worry. Now that I’m back in the country, I’ll personally oversee it.”

“You’d better.”

His tone was icy and detached—
Gone was the warmth and amusement he’d shown on the phone.

—

Qin Mang knew none of this.

After successfully securing the sapphire, she was down to less than 100,000 yuan.

In the presidential suite of the hotel, neon lights painted a stunning cityscape outside, calming both body and soul.

Especially—

She had laid out the exquisite little boxes she’d brought back.

Under the lights, the gemstones sparkled, each vying for attention.
Every one of them could be the centerpiece of a luxury brand’s collection.

Now, they were all *hers*.

If the venue hadn’t been ultra-private, she would’ve already made headlines.

Still, word had leaked:
Some woman from China had spent billions over two days, buying more than 50% of the best gems at the top-tier jewelry exhibition.

As for the remaining 50%, rumor had it—
She just didn’t like them.

Seeing Qin Mang lost in her gemstone paradise, Wu Yuxi casually scrolled through Weibo and suddenly said,
“Not buying a gift for your sugar daddy?”

“Mr. He’s birthday is next week.”

“Who’s birthday?” Qin Mang finally looked up from her treasures.
“He Lingji?”

Wu Yuxi recalled the dramatic phone call she’d witnessed earlier and said teasingly,
“Isn’t he your one-and-only, matchless, invincible perfect hubby?”

“And you don’t even remember his birthday?”

Qin Mang hesitated for a second—then answered boldly,
“I’ve just been really busy lately!”

“Totally normal to forget!”

Then she asked more seriously,
“What day next week?”

Wu Yuxi: “…”

“November 18th. Wednesday.”

Under Mr. He’s latest Weibo post, his fans had all changed their profile pictures to celebrate—and as his *wife*, she knew *nothing*?

Well, maybe that aloof, icy, mysterious man liked clueless little lionesses.

Feeling the guilt of spending his money, Qin Mang eyed her remaining 100,000 yuan.
What kind of birthday gift could she get him?

She thought for days without finding a good idea.

Cufflinks, shirts, ties—
All too perfunctory.

Eventually, Wu Yuxi couldn’t take it anymore and offered a *very* practical suggestion:
“Why don’t you just give *yourself* to him?”

“100K can buy a *lot* of sexy lingerie. Mr. He would *love* that gift.”

“No no no no no—!”

Just moments ago Qin Mang had been lazing around admiring her gems, now she reacted with a string of “no”s like she was traumatized.

Wu Yuxi’s eyes lit up.
Her gossip senses tingled.

“What happened?”

“…”

“No gossip. Just trauma.”

Qin Mang had finally managed to forget *that night’s incident*, but Wu Yuxi, who had grown up with her, was a master at coaxing out secrets.

In the end, Qin Mang spilled the truth.

Wu Yuxi’s face turned bright red:
“Ahhh! Should I even be hearing this?!”

Qin Mang reached out to pinch her cheek.
“Stop pretending to be innocent, you little perv!”

The two friends ended up wrestling on the bed in a giggling heap.

Eventually, Wu Yuxi grinned and said, “You got hurt that night, right? What if—hear me out—what if Mr. He is, like, *naturally gifted*?”

Qin Mang raised an eyebrow.
She sensed no good could come of this.

Sure enough, Wu Yuxi whispered sneakily in her ear:
“Maybe he’s been holding back all this time.”

“A man like that? Scary.”

Qin Mang clicked her tongue.
True—
**Terrifying.**

His self-control was insane.

Despite having a gorgeous, delicate, fair-skinned wife in his arms, He Lingji *always* stopped before going too far, ending things quickly only after making sure *she* was comfortable.

Sometimes, he didn’t even finish—just quietly headed to the bathroom to deal with it himself.

Qin Mang finally understood—

Why He Lingji had chosen to use her little lace back then…

“Your situation, hmm…”

“You’ll need to…”

Wu Yuxi, who had no practical experience but loads of theoretical knowledge, leaned in close and whispered a barrage of information into Qin Mang’s ear.

He Lingji had been on a business trip for a full week.

He arrived at the airport a little after 9 p.m.

Shencheng was already deep into the night. The wind was biting cold, and a thin layer of frost had even begun to form in some places.

Luo Tingdai looked out at the dark night through the airport window and hesitated. “President He, would it be too much trouble to ask the driver to drop me off?”

Compared to his elegant and refined demeanor at the seminar, He Lingji—just off the plane—now wore a colder, more impatient expression.

Secretary Cong, who was skilled at reading the room, immediately stepped forward. “Director Luo, the driver needs to take President He. He doesn’t have time. I’ll take you instead.”

Luo Tingdai smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you, Secretary Cong.”

She pursed her lips and didn’t say more. Throughout, she had maintained a proper distance from He Lingji—never once crossing the line.

…

Penthouse in the city center.

Qin Mang wasn’t asleep yet.

Over the break, her schedule had flipped—sleeping by day, gaming all night with Gu Qiyang and Wu Yuxi.

The moment He Lingji walked in—

He saw Mrs. He sitting energetically on the living room carpet.

Both hands clutching her phone.

Completely focused.

“Little lion, quick, lick—the loot bag!”

A young man’s voice came from the phone.

In the dim light.

The girl parted her red lips slightly. “Licked it.”

“Licked what?”

A low, cold voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

*Plop—*

Her phone slipped from her fingers and fell onto the carpet.

Qin Mang spun around and grabbed onto He Lingji’s sleeve to pull herself up:

“Ahhh!”

“You scared me to death!”

Not only her—her gaming buddies also heard He Lingji’s cold, emotionless voice.

Knowing his usual temperament, they were afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and quickly logged off without a trace of camaraderie.

As for winning the game?

Who cares.

Continuing would be suicide!

He Lingji wore a well-tailored black coat that highlighted his outstanding physique—tall, long-legged, with a sexy waistline.

Still carrying the chill of the winter air.

He scooped up the girl in her soft, fragrant nightdress.

Qin Mang, with her warm-body constitution, loved the icy sensation.

Her panicked heart slowly settled down.

He Lingji looked down, his gaze falling on the enticing little red mole on her nose. His voice was as calm and steady as ever.

His cool-white fingertips brushed over her moist lips, his voice trailing off at the end, “Hm?”

“What?”

The proper gaming term—

Sounded strangely improper from his mouth.

Qin Mang clutched his sleeve.

She inhaled lightly, just about to respond—

When her face suddenly stiffened.

Inhaling his scent, she picked up on a faint trace of women’s perfume mingled with his usual icy, elegant fragrance.

She had showered.

It definitely wasn’t her scent.

Besides collecting gemstones, Qin Mang was quite the perfume connoisseur.

She was absolutely certain—that scent came from another woman.

Her playful mood instantly vanished.

She shoved He Lingji away.

“You reek of some woman.”

“Gross!”

He Lingji, tugging at his tie, was caught off guard by her sudden outburst. He barely managed to grab her wrist in time. “Trying to flip the blame again?”

What woman? He hadn’t touched anyone else.

“Oh?”

“Then where did the perfume come from?”

Qin Mang had always been hot-tempered and never bottled things up. She wore her emotions on her face. Only recently, mingling in the entertainment industry, had she started learning a bit about restraint.

But if her bottom line was crossed, it didn’t matter who you were—she’d confront you head-on.

“He Lingji, don’t think—”

Just because he spent a little money on her, he had the right to test her limits however he pleased.

Cheating was absolutely not okay!

Seeing her icy little face, He Lingji suddenly chuckled. He grabbed her lips and kissed her.

“He—”

“Stop it.”

“I can barely afford you.”

“And that perfume… smells awful.”

He Lingji picked her up bridal-style. It was his first time here, but he went straight to the master bedroom and entered the bathroom. “Then wash it off for me.”

“You wish.”

Go flirt outside and come back expecting the main wife to clean him up?

Is that something a human being would say?

“There were no flings. Everything is reserved for you.”

Qin Mang: “…”

That’s *not* what she meant!

Soon, Qin Mang forgot all about the perfume.

Temporarily, at least.

Thanks to her messed-up sleep schedule, she still couldn’t fall asleep. Her phone was left in the living room, and she didn’t feel like getting it.

Her bright eyes were wide open in the dark, totally alert.

That unfamiliar perfume scent kept swirling in her mind.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust He Lingji—

But—

Anything that belonged to her should *only* have her scent.

She had been hesitating about giving He Lingji his birthday present.

But now—

All hesitation vanished!

Qin Mang quietly opened the bedside drawer.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a dim light on her hand holding the gift.

A finely crafted stainless steel cage—an artistic piece in form, but with unmistakably suggestive implications.

Seeing that He Lingji was asleep—

Qin Mang’s lips curved up slowly. She sat upright and studied the mechanism, determined to get it right the first time. If he woke up, things would get complicated!

This was a custom-made birthday gift just for He Lingji—

A **chastity lock**.

A proper man *must* wear one of these.

Once she got familiar with how it worked—

Qin Mang carefully pried it open.

Then locked it on perfectly.

He Lingji felt a chill.

His brows furrowed as he slowly opened his deep, dark eyes. “Mrs. He…”

“What are you doing?”

The faint clicking of the lock echoed, followed by Qin Mang’s soft, sweet voice, “Giving you your birthday gift~”

“Ta-da, hubby.”

“Happy birthday!”

“Surprised? Unexpected?”

He Lingji looked down—and even in the dark, he clearly saw the metal cage nestled in her robe, glinting silver.

His light-colored lips slowly curved into a dangerous smile.

“Well then—”

“This is definitely the biggest surprise I’ve ever received in my life.”

34**Chapter 34 – Dazzling and Bewitching**

Aside from the cold, clear moonlight, the vast room had no other source of illumination.

Qin Mang wore a frost-colored robe. Moonlight spilled across her slender, graceful figure, the faintly shimmering silver patterns on her back looking like flowing moonlight itself. From behind, she was the epitome of ethereal beauty, like a fairy untouched by the mortal world — a moonlit goddess descending from the heavens.

However—

From the front…

Her porcelain-like fingertips were pressed against a small, intricately designed metal cage.

The cage swayed gently, its sleek lines reflecting dazzling flashes of light.

Qin Mang squinted playfully. “Didn’t you almost suffocate last time?”

“I’m going to guest star in a drama soon. We can’t have our dear President He suffering while I’m away, right? This thing here—your sweet little wife can keep you company remotely.”

“How about it? Isn’t this the perfect birthday gift?”

Pleased, she withdrew her wolf-like claws and pulled a small, sleek remote control from beneath the pillow.

Facing the dangerously attractive man in front of her, she smiled brightly. “There’s more to this surprise.”

Not afraid of him at all.

Because she had a secret weapon!

Once it was activated—

What the surprise was, well, that would become crystal clear.

In the quiet room, a soft mechanical hum sounded.

Qin Mang’s red lips curled upward. Her pretty face donned an innocent look. “Wow~”

He Lingji leaned against the headboard. His gray-blue eyes looked still and fathomless, like the calm of a deep ocean, a stark contrast to her mischief.

His self-control was formidable.

It was as though his mind and body could be separated—his spirit could escape, but his body was trapped, caged, unable to be soothed or saved.

The tiny remote had a lot of buttons and was quite complex.

It could even connect to a phone!

That made things even more interesting.

Qin Mang was having the time of her life, pressing each button to see what it did.

Her vibrant red lips emitted surprised little gasps like someone witnessing the wonders of the world for the first time.

“Wow, it does that too?”

“Ooh! This must be for privacy… Quite ergonomically designed, actually—”

He Lingji’s deep eyes flared with a dark glint, like a still sea suddenly stirred by massive waves.

Qin Mang froze when she met his gaze.

She realized his eyes were even more bewitching than the planet-blue sapphires she’d spent a fortune on.

“Mrs. He, this is—”

“…Abuse.”

His low, raspy voice wrapped around the words like burning lava.

Seizing the moment when she was distracted, He Lingji snatched the silver remote from her hands.

Only then did Qin Mang realize what he was trying to do.

Like a slippery fish, she slipped from under his arm and darted away—

Leaving only her silky frost-colored robe caught in his fingers.

In the chaos—

She must’ve pressed something by accident.

The cold, silver cage suddenly sprouted **soft spikes**.

What the hell!?

Qin Mang was genuinely stunned!

He Lingji: “…”

He suddenly gave up resisting and collapsed against the headboard.

Qin Mang: “…”

“Hubby, you… okay?”

“Done already?”

Moonlight bathed his form, adding a delicate sheen to his cold, handsome face.

From a distant, divine god…

He’d turned into a seductive demon.

Every inch of him oozed temptation.

After a pause, the man murmured, “Unlock it.”

Qin Mang, though momentarily swayed, refused firmly. “No.”

“It’s dirty.”

“How am I supposed to wash it if you won’t unlock it?”

“You’re gonna make me—”

That word he always tried to slip in while she gamed almost escaped his lips again.

Qin Mang interrupted quickly, “Wash, wash! I’ll wash it, okay!?”

No way was she letting him say that dirty word!

He Lingji closed his eyes, looking like a man drained after the deed. “You did this. You deal with it.”

?

When Qin Mang picked up the towel, something felt… off.

What was she doing again?

Wasn’t she supposed to be **punishing** this man?

How did it turn into **him enjoying it**?

She threw the warm towel down.

Strike!

Standing beside the bed, she glared down at him:

“This is something every proper married man should wear.”

“If you refuse to put it on, it must mean you’re sneaking around behind my back…”

“I knew it. You lied to me. I mean, you even dared come home smelling like perfume—what else wouldn’t you dare do…?”

He Lingji smirked faintly. “All proper men wear this?”

“Exactly.”

Qin Mang nodded seriously and spouted nonsense with a straight face. “Any married man who refuses to wear it isn’t proper. You shouldn’t hang out with such men—they’ll corrupt you!”

Very good.

Following the principle that good things must be shared—

He Lingji immediately ordered a custom set for his close friend, the famously henpecked “Number One Whipped Husband in Business” — **Rong Huaiyan**.

Rong Huaiyan: [What is this?]

He Lingji: [Something good.]

Rong Huaiyan opened the box: [You actually used it?]

He Lingji replied with a question: [What, you won’t?]

Rong Huaiyan: [Let me ask you something first.]

He Lingji: [Oh, my wife says men who won’t wear it are improper and lack morals. She doesn’t let me associate with such men — she says I’ll be led astray.]

Maybe others couldn’t fully appreciate the benefits of this device.

But Rong Huaiyan—an aristocratic heir educated in astronomy, geography, poetry, and literature—was no ordinary man.

His family’s century-old collection of books naturally included knowledge of couple’s games from across cultures and eras. He understood **perfectly** the marvel of this invention.

Rong Huaiyan: [Good brother. Thank you.]

Who would’ve thought this seemingly uptight and prim He Lingji had such treasures up his sleeve?

As thanks for his friend’s generous sharing, Rong Huaiyan compressed his personally curated “knowledge” into a file and sent it to He Lingji.

File note:

**“For private viewing when wife’s not home”**

It looked just like a spammy adult ad.

But it included every kind of couple’s play from ancient times to the modern world.

Very thorough.

It wasn’t in vain that he had read the “Classics of the Sages” for over twenty years.

He really did know a lot.

Originally,Qin Mang had intended to just mess with him a little, making He Lingji beg her to unlock it.
Who would’ve thought this man wouldn’t play by the rules—he really went to work like that the very same day.

This device was specially designed—very thin and light. When worn with suit pants, nothing seemed unusual from the outside.

But—
Qin Mang watched He Lingji acting so calm and composed and felt even more baffled than him.

What if someone noticed?
Wasn’t he afraid at all?
Did this dog of a man have no sense of shame?

Soon, Qin Mang learned that shame truly wasn’t part of his vocabulary.
Every time he had a physical need, he’d directly ask her to unlock it remotely.

Qin Mang: “…”

After a few days of this,
Receiving the occasional call from He Lingji during the day to unlock it, Qin Mang finally couldn’t take it anymore.
She decided to make a surprise inspection.

Was this damn man really not just playing with her?

Recently, the paparazzi had grown tired of following her.
Qin Mang easily shook them off and headed to the He Corporation.

She had a password given to her by Secretary Cong earlier, allowing her to take the CEO’s private elevator from the parking garage straight to the top floor.
This floor only had the CEO’s office and the secretarial office. Regular employees wouldn’t come up easily.

But Qin Mang didn’t expect to encounter a refined and pretty-looking woman there.
And the woman even knew her.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. He.”
The elegant and intellectual woman greeted her warmly.
She gave off a very pleasant aura.

Everyone who knew her identity was one of He Lingji’s secretaries, so Qin Mang naturally assumed she was the new one.
She asked directly, “Where’s He Lingji?”

“President He has a banquet tonight.”
“He’s already gone out.”

Lou Tingdai responded calmly and gracefully. Her voice was pleasant.

At first, Qin Mang didn’t think much of her. But as they brushed past each other, she caught a faint whiff of the woman’s perfume and glanced at her lazily, then said casually, “You… take me there.”

Lou Tingdai showed a hint of surprise,
But still responded, “Yes.”

It was a private banquet.
Those who could have in-depth collaborations with the He Corporation were all prominent figures in the industry.
Naturally, they were all familiar faces.
Qin Mang wasn’t afraid of meeting them.

When they arrived at the Shenghe Bay Hotel, it was already close to afternoon.
Qin Mang didn’t expect to come up empty again.
Her patience was wearing thin. Annoyed and feeling warm, she took off her coat and draped it over her arm, revealing a luxurious and refined velvet gown beneath. Her slender waist and delicate bones stood out under the dazzling crystal chandelier—just standing there, she was a sight to behold.

The hotel manager quickly came over to greet her.
Just as Qin Mang was about to cancel the surprise inspection and call directly, Secretary Cong rushed out of the elevator.

“Secretary Cong?”
Cong Zhen’s eyes lit up when he saw her:
“Ma’am.
You’re just in time.”

Ma’am?
The hotel manager glanced in surprise at the sharp-featured, stunning female celebrity, clearly not expecting that identity.
He had been the one to receive her the last time she came for a magazine shoot.
He never imagined she had such a status.

Having lived over forty years, he naturally knew what to say and what not to, what to hear and what to ignore.

Secretary Cong handed her a keycard. “Go take a look at President He.
I’m off to buy some medicine.”

Qin Mang held the card between her fingers, frowning, “What’s wrong with him?”
Wasn’t he perfectly fine this morning?

Secretary Cong hesitated, glancing at the hotel manager and Lou Tingdai who had followed Qin Mang, then said, “He drank a bit.”

As for what kind of drink—
Better let the madam ask herself.

“You’ll understand once you see him!”
With that, he hurried off.

Qin Mang was left hanging.
She curled her fingers and narrowed her pretty eyes suspiciously—what was He Lingji up to now, this scheming dog?

Surely he wasn’t just drunk?
But Secretary Cong’s expression didn’t suggest drunkenness.

Lou Tingdai thought for a moment.
Watching Qin Mang’s worried and graceful silhouette, she silently followed.

…

*Beep—*
The door opened.
Inside the presidential suite, the curtains were tightly drawn.
When Qin Mang entered, she nearly thought she’d fallen into a pitch-black alternate dimension.

She ignored Lou Tingdai who followed her, shut the door behind her, and was just about to turn on the lights when—

A hoarse voice, barely restrained, came from the darkness: “Where’s the medicine?”

Familiar, yet foreign.
He Lingji’s voice was usually cold and detached—never had it sounded this suppressed, each word seeming to spark with fire.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Following the sound, Qin Mang finally saw him leaning on a black armchair by the floor-to-ceiling window.
His back was to her.
His shirt lay damp on the floor, and his wet black hair looked messy and languid, like he’d been soaked in cold water.
But the intricate tattoos on his cold, pale skin glowed eerily in this dark setting—an indescribably wicked beauty.

When he heard her voice, he slowly turned around.
And what met her eyes were a pair of deep, abyss-like blue pupils.

When he fully turned—
Qin Mang sucked in a breath.
Holy crap!
This—this—this—this—
She finally understood why He Lingji had left the banquet early.

“Come here.”
He Lingji swept his cold, pale fingers through his damp fringe.
His cold, handsome face was fully revealed.
His features were deep and flawless.
Water dripped from his hair, soaking his face.

Qin Mang’s first instinct was to run.
But that felt wrong—
After all—

The silver metal device on him was as cold and intense as his blue eyes in the dark.

“Wait.”
“I’ll unlock it right now.”

Something wasn’t right.
Qin Mang stepped closer, breathing in the sharp scent of wine.

“You were drugged?”
“Or seduced by some little vixen?”

If it was the former, she could unlock it.
If it was the latter—
He could suffer.
Serves him right!

He Lingji pulled her into his arms, his lips brushing her ear: “If you don’t unlock it, I’ll just…”

A blatant threat.

Before Qin Mang could protest,
He Lingji rested his jaw on her shoulder, as if drained: “There’s no vixen.
Only a little devil.”

Qin *“Little Devil”* Mang: …

He whispered by her ear.
Turned out, he had been served some deer blood wine by a business partner and drank it by accident.
Normally, that amount wouldn’t be a problem for someone with He Lingji’s self-control, but—
He was wearing Qin Mang’s “birthday gift.”

Any slight arousal would trigger it and set off a punishment.
To avoid losing control in public, he had immediately booked a room once he realized something was wrong.

Qin Mang felt a bit guilty.
She opened her small handbag.
Sure enough, the phone linked to the cage’s app was flashing red alerts.

And of course, her phone was on silent.
She hadn’t looked at it once.

While unlocking it, she muttered under her breath:
“This isn’t my fault.”
“It’s the boy-who-cried-wolf situation.”

He Lingji had triggered the device for fun so many times before that she had muted the app.
Who knew this time—
It was real.

The cold silver cage clattered onto the carpet with a soft thud,
Like a beast set free.

But—
Was deer blood wine really that effective?

The moment she unlocked it,
Qin Mang immediately felt the effects of the wine.

Her slim back pressed against the window, she sensed danger.

“No, no, no!”
“We’re not compatible—I don’t want to end up in the hospital again!”

From the way He Lingji was looking at her, she knew if she gave in, she’d be making a return trip to the ER tonight.

Ahhhhh!
The memory of that hospital visit—she would rather die than go through it again!

He Lingji held on to a shred of reason,
Pinching her chin:
“Then relax a little.”

A few minutes later, Qin Mang looked miserable:
“I can’t. I’m nervous.”

She had trauma now.
Worried he might go crazy from all the built-up restraint and the effects of the wine,
She quickly softened her voice and hugged his waist,
“Let’s go buy some lube, okay?”

He Lingji’s thin lips curled into a cold smile:

“You’re asking me to go buy this?”

Originally, Qin Mang said she would go buy it.
But He Lingji might misunderstand and think she was trying to run away.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, the girl’s seductive eyes narrowed.
“Your secretary is right outside. Let the secretary go buy it.”
Her long hair cascaded down, nearly enveloping her entire figure.
Charming and graceful.

The closed door suddenly opened.
Lou Tingdai instinctively looked up.
She saw a tall and slender figure and was about to speak when, from behind him, a soft and lazy voice of a woman came:
“You should buy a few extra bottles of lubricant.”

Lubricant?
Lou Tingdai’s pupils involuntarily widened.
In her mind, He Lingji was like a god on a pedestal, cold and emotionless, as bright as the moon, untouched by worldly desires. Even though he was married, Lou Tingdai never dared to imagine that he could share a bed with a woman or engage in intimate actions.
She couldn’t possibly associate lubricant with him.
How could that be?

He Lingji didn’t notice Lou Tingdai’s gaze. His indifferent eyes glanced over her and shifted to the secretary, Cong, who was running toward him with a medicine bag.
He had heard Qin Mang’s last words.
He Lingji’s voice, cold and distant, was calm:
“You go buy it.”

Cong immediately nodded:
“Anything else?”
Such as contraceptive products?
They were all adults, so they understood the hidden implication of his words.
He Lingji’s voice dropped at the end:
“Mm.”

“Bang――”
The door closed.

At this moment, Qin Mang was lazily lying on the sofa where He Lingji had leaned earlier, her slender figure graceful, red lips against pale skin, under the dim light, looking like a stunning beauty straight out of a vintage oil painting.
But her words were dripping with sarcasm,
“Our CEO He really pampers women.”
“Can’t even let the female secretary run errands.”
“Poor Secretary Cong――”

He Lingji saw that she was still thinking about such things.
While bending down, he said softly:
“She is not a life secretary.”
So, his personal needs were not her responsibility.
He Lingji was always very clear about boundaries, especially when it came to employees’ duties.
Do your own job well.

After spending an entire day and night in that hotel suite, Qin Mang no longer dared to act out.
Especially in this area.
Though it had been fun to tease He Lingji during the process, in the end, she was the one who suffered.
Fortunately, her short vacation ended.
A director of a suspense film invited her to play a supporting role in the movie.
This time, it wasn’t an 8-second role, but a fully fleshed-out female victim character.
The filming would take a week.
The old director was well-connected in the industry and had a great reputation.
Even a guest role was a great opportunity for Qin Mang.
Qin Mang cherished every acting opportunity and arrived early on set to prepare for the shoot, even though this film was going to be a real test for her.

“Do you have claustrophobia?”
Meng Ting, who came with her to the set, looked startled.
“The scene tomorrow involves you being locked in a small dark room. Is that okay?”

Qin Mang flipped through the script:
“It’s from when I was a child. I should be able to handle it now.”

Since her childhood experience with claustrophobia, Qin Mang had never stayed in a closed space alone.
She always had to leave a light on or open the curtains.
“And there’s the camera, so it should be fine.”
Meng Ting had already checked out the filming location.
Because Qin Mang was playing a victim who gets tortured to death by her own sister in a small dark room, the set was designed to resemble a horror movie.
Qin Mang claimed it would be fine, but deep down, she was also nervous.
However, she was proud and didn’t want to show any vulnerability in front of others.
Her gaze drifted to her quiet phone.
Her eyes lowered, and her delicate neck, bathed in the soft light, looked fragile and pale.
It should be fine.
Qin Mang fluttered her long lashes and reassured herself—
No, it would definitely be fine!
…

“Again.”
“Wrap your arms around your knees, crouch, express fear.”
“Face the darkness, face the unknown terror.”
“Yes, that’s great!”

The old director was never stingy with praise. He was kind, patient, and well-loved in the industry; no one had ever said anything bad about him.
Especially since Qin Mang’s performance was outstanding.
It seemed as if she was truly scared.
It was winter, and the room temperature was low. The director wanted to create a trembling, frightened atmosphere, so there was no heating equipment on set.
Qin Mang wore a thin, torn costume and curled up in a dark corner.
Her once stunning face was marked with two scratches, giving her a tragic beauty that was even more striking than her usual perfect makeup.
This scene truly tested her acting skills.
The director had prepared for multiple takes, but to his surprise, Qin Mang passed the scene in one go.

When the call of ‘cut’ came,
Qin Mang remained sitting on the cold floor, unable to snap out of it.
In that pitch-black, claustrophobic room,
A pair of hidden eyes seemed to be watching her,
And she was transported back to when she was seven, after her mother passed away and her father entered a monastery. Her home fell into chaos, and the friends who had once followed her suddenly turned against her, locking her in the school supply room.
It was dusty, narrow, and suffocating.
The triangular ruler, straightedge, and other objects on the wall seemed to stare at her.
Qin Mang spent an entire night there.
After that, she developed a fear of darkness.
From then on, she liked everything that sparkled—gems, lights, anything that shone.
Her uncle, who had been surrounded by enemies in the Qin family, became her protector from that day onward.
He supported her and created a safe space for her.
As she grew up, she was able to sleep in the dark, and she thought she had almost forgotten that painful memory.
But this time,
The dim memory became clear again.
Whenever she closed her eyes, the pairs of eyes in the dark would appear, shouting and threatening her.

Qin Mang suddenly opened her eyes, the yellow wall light flickering—
And she spent another sleepless night.

After shooting that claustrophobic scene, Qin Mang’s face grew increasingly pale and worn out, her once-beautiful face losing much of its fullness.
Everyone thought she was just wearing makeup to match her character.
Only A Tong knew the truth.
Qin Mang hadn’t slept for three days.
Even the strongest person couldn’t hold up forever.
The problem was, her medication wasn’t working at all.
A Tong hesitated, quietly took out her phone, and planned to inform CEO He.
She had Secretary Tao’s contact information.

Qin Mang, half-closing her eyes, was sitting in the break room, glancing at her, but didn’t stop her.
As the year drew to a close, He Lingji was becoming busier and had almost no time to rest.
Since Qin Mang joined the set, he had been sleeping in the company’s lounge.
There were endless meetings every day, and occasionally, he had to travel for business.
He had long been used to such a high-intensity workload, and so were his secretaries.
Tao Tan, as the only female secretary, was no exception. She went on business trips and worked overtime like the other male secretaries.

When A Tong called, Tao Tan was getting ready for a business trip.
Her flight was at 4:00 PM, and it was already 2:30 PM.
He Lingji was in a meeting.
Tao Tan held her phone, looking troubled but still agreed,
“Alright, I’ll tell CEO He.”

Lou Tingdai was standing at the secretary office door, holding some files.
She smiled when she saw Tao Tan hurriedly packing up.
“What’s wrong? You look so pale.”
Lately, Lou Tingdai had been coming to the secretary office frequently, and her relationship with Tao Tan was fairly good.
They occasionally ate together in the employee cafeteria.
Seeing her ask, Tao Tan felt it wasn’t something to hide, especially since Lou Tingdai knew about her identity as the wife.
So, she said:
“Recently, the madam has been having insomnia while on set.”
“Her assistant is a bit worried and wants to ask CEO He if he can spare some time to check on her.”
The image of Qin Mang’s bright and delicate face appeared in Lou Tingdai’s mind.
Her eyes flickered slightly as she smiled and said:
“I was just about to head to the meeting room too.”
She knew Tao Tan’s flight was at 4:00 PM.

35**Chapter 35: Kneel If You Must**

Qin Mang finally finished filming this suspense movie.

Just a week had passed, yet it felt like she’d lived through several lifetimes.

The girl’s beautiful features looked even more haggard than the sickly beauty she portrayed in *Vanity*, evoking a sense of heartbreak.

Coincidentally, there was a charity auction dinner being held in Beicheng as well.

So Qin Mang and her team didn’t rush back to Shencheng.

**Inside the styling studio.**

Qin Mang had changed into a long backless gown.

The design was themed around the quiet elegance of an orchid in a secluded valley, made with traditional embroidery techniques. Each swaying leaf and branch was hand-stitched with painstaking detail. It had taken nearly eight months to complete this haute couture strapless dress imbued with oriental charm.

Though the color was refined and ethereal, the heavy embellishments of sequins and silver thread made it dazzling and eye-catching.

Her delicate back looked like a work of art.

Beautiful indeed—

But Atong couldn’t help feeling distressed.

Mangmang had lost another two pounds!

The weight she’d finally regained during the holiday was gone again.

Especially since—

Atong thought back to when she’d called Secretary Tao, and yet Mr. He hadn’t shown up once.

Let alone visited the set.

The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt on Qin Mang’s behalf.

She knew better than anyone how Qin Mang had been suffering from insomnia night after night, only improving slightly after leaving the set.

But Qin Mang acted like nothing had happened, lazily lifting her lashes. “What are you spacing out for?”

“Bring me the jewelry.”

“I want the yellow diamond tassel set, not the blue one.”

She didn’t want to see anything blue lately.

While luxury brands often loaned her top-tier jewelry, Qin Mang preferred to wear pieces from her own collection.

“Coming, coming.”

Atong hesitated, wanting to say that Mr. He was probably just busy at year-end. But when she saw Qin Mang’s calm, indifferent side profile, she swallowed her words.

Forget it.

Mangmang doesn’t care!

Focus on the career—tonight, she must outshine everyone.

Protect the dignity of being the top-tier beauty in the entertainment world!

Though Qin Mang had lost weight, her foundation was too good. With the makeup artist’s skilled touch, her already exquisite features were accentuated to a radiant allure. Wearing heels over ten centimeters high, she resembled a stunning beauty from ancient mythology, her overwhelming beauty instantly dominating the scene.

**Year-end season.**

Awards shows and grand galas popped up one after another.

It was also the battlefield where celebrities competed in beauty.

Qin Mang’s labor-intensive dress shimmered under the lights.

It practically blinded everyone present.

“Qin Mang is so beautiful in person.”

“I heard about this dress—it’s a hidden design by top designer VV. Many actresses tried to borrow it for red carpets but were rejected. The reason? Their body proportions didn’t meet VV’s perfect golden ratio.”

“Seriously?”

“So Qin Mang has what VV considers the perfect figure!”

“Honestly, that face is breathtaking.”

Qin Mang’s face was universally admired. As for her body—

Opinions varied.

Just then, He Lingji, who arrived fashionably late, was immediately surrounded by people trying to flatter him.

Yet his gaze effortlessly found another focal point in the banquet hall.

Across the crowd.

Qin Mang glanced over briefly, lips curving into a cold smirk, not even bothering to look directly at him.

But He Lingji’s eyes lingered on the lines of her shoulder and neck. Her skin was still flawless and glowing, but clearly thinner and more fragile than before she started filming.

The man’s refined brow furrowed slightly.

Seemingly absentmindedly, he began walking through the crowd.

Lou Tingdai, holding his coat, followed quietly at a respectful distance.

Not too close, not too far.

And she didn’t let the passing waiters take the coat either.

Qin Mang, in her heels, casually chatted with Qi Rong.

That’s when she found out—

The wild, skilled, and dominant man Qi Rong had randomly hooked up with turned out to be Wu Yuan.

And they hadn’t stopped seeing each other since.

They met up frequently.

Qi Rong clutched Qin Mang’s arm, looking a little troubled. “What do I do? I think I’m getting spoiled by him. I can’t even look at other men anymore.”

That was terrifying for a playgirl like her.

How could she give up the whole ocean for one fish?

But Wu Yuan’s skills were just too good.

She still hadn’t gotten tired of him.

Other men felt boring in comparison.

Qin Mang didn’t quite understand that kind of relationship, but she *did* understand the Wu family—and Wu Yuan.

The Wu family was the most elite branch of the upper class. They strongly opposed Wu Yuxi becoming an influencer, let alone the future heir marrying a celebrity.

Qi Rong came from a modest background.

Her family and career were both beneath the Wu family’s standards.

Wu Yuan’s cold nature ran deep. He didn’t believe in love—only in himself.

So—

Qin Mang offered a practical suggestion: “Even the richest meals get nauseating after ten days straight.”

“How about you sleep with him for ten days straight? Get so sick of it that you’re over it.”

That idea lit up Qi Rong’s eyes.

“You really are my soul sister!”

As it happened, Wu Yuan was present tonight as well. Qi Rong grinned sweetly and whispered in Qin Mang’s ear, “I’m off to bed, then.”

“Good night.”

Qin Mang glanced at the time.

7 p.m.

“The charity auction hasn’t even started and you’re already going to ‘bed’?”