Chapter 2
At three-thirty in the afternoon, the plane touched down right on schedule.
Half an hour later, Lin Zhi appeared at the end of the VIP corridor, where a low-key yet undeniably luxurious black Maybach was waiting.
Standing beside the Maybach was a man in a sharp suit. Handsome and exuding an air of elite sophistication with every gesture, he looked every bit the person of refined breeding.
Yet, the moment Lin Zhi came into view, a hint of humility and reverence softened his features.
Lin Zhi wore amber-tinted sunglasses. Her knee-length trench coat swayed gently with her stride. Standing one meter seventy tall even without shoes, the additional five centimeters from her high heels completed a figure that embodied the golden ratio of the modeling world.
The woman radiated an aura so commanding that it instinctively compelled others to submit.
Before Lin Zhi could even approach, Chen Rui, standing by the car, swiftly opened the rear door for her. Bowing slightly with lowered eyes, he murmured, “President Lin.”
Lin Zhi offered no reply. Once seated, she removed the sunglasses perched on the bridge of her nose, a flicker of exhaustion passing through her eyes.
Chen Rui settled into the front passenger seat and instructed the driver to depart immediately. Silence promptly enveloped the cabin.
“President Lin, there was really no need for you to rush so much.” Chen Rui caught the exhaustion on Lin Zhi’s face in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
Half a month ago, following discussions by the board of directors of the Z·L Group, Lin Zhi was officially appointed as the CEO of Shengjia Entertainment. After many years, she had finally regained control of what once belonged to her, and Chen Rui had witnessed every hardship and bitter struggle along the way.
Ten days ago, at Lin Zhi’s instruction, Chen Rui returned to China to investigate Shengjia’s current operations. Just yesterday, Lin Zhi completed the handover procedures in the United States, and today she flew straight here without delay.
Seven years later, Lin Zhi returned to this place that felt both strange and familiar, only to cross paths midway with the one person who had always left her utterly helpless.
“Go to the company first, assemble all departments, and convene a meeting in one hour.”
Lin Zhi spoke in an icy tone; this time, her expression had reverted to its usual coldness, devoid of any trace of the despondency she had shown earlier.
.
Three days later, on the day of the music awards ceremony, stars gathered from far and wide.
At the entrance of the venue, both sides of the dozens-of-meters-long red carpet were lined with reporters and photographers from various media outlets, all wielding their “long lenses and short cannons,” creating a scene of bustling excitement.
Around seven o’clock, Gu Yi sat in the chauffeur-driven car, an impenetrable coldness and detachment lingering between his brows.
The deep blue suit jacket tempered some of his youthful air; the hair that once fell across his forehead was now firmly swept back with styling gel, revealing a clean, unobstructed brow.
The man possessed a face blessed by God himself—his features and bone structure adhering to universally recognized aesthetic standards, yet distinguished by a unique beauty in the subtlest details. His almond-shaped eyes, paired with a teardrop mole at the corner of his left eye, suggested a romantic soul, yet not a single ripple stirred within those dark pupils. A mere glance from him felt like a biting winter wind sweeping through.
And who could have imagined that this very man, so icy and aloof, had once conquered the nation with a smile as warm as spring?
“It’s almost time. Remember to say a few more words during the award presentation later; you need to last at least a minute or two. Don’t wrap it up in under thirty seconds and leave the host in an awkward position.”
Shen Caowen, seated in the front passenger seat, glanced down at his watch, his tone carrying a distinct flavor of earnest admonition.
Although the awards ceremony hadn’t officially begun, given Gu Yi’s achievements, winning was beyond question; the only variable was how many awards he would take home.
Shen Caowen had once witnessed Gu Yi deliver an acceptance speech in merely ten seconds. The scene had been utterly cringe-worthy; everyone in the audience wore expressions of sheer bewilderment, leaving even the host unable to salvage the situation.
Since then, whenever Gu Yi attended an awards ceremony, Shen Caowen would always make a point of offering a few words of caution, fearing a recurrence of the previous incident.
The man’s gaze rested on the scenery outside the car window, his eyes far deeper and more contemplative than usual, as if harboring some hidden concern.
“Did you get any results from what I asked you to look into last time?”
Shen Caowen paused slightly, glancing at Gu Yi through the rearview mirror before replying, “We couldn’t find anything. The other party’s identity must be significant; even invoking the Gu family name failed to pry any information out of the airline.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi’s jawline tightened slightly, a wave of irritation rising within him.
Shen Caowen noticed Gu Yi’s mood. Although he didn’t understand why Gu Yi was so fixated on the identity of a stranger, considering the awards ceremony was imminent, he offered some comfort: “Gu Yi, don’t overthink it. It might really just be one of your fans.”
The awards ceremony was scheduled to begin promptly at 7:30 PM, with guests required to arrive fifteen minutes early.
The order of entry was carefully orchestrated; given Gu Yi’s current status, he was naturally arranged to enter among the final few as a headliner.
The shuttle van glided slowly toward the venue entrance, and photographers stationed around the red carpet sprang into action at the first hint of its approach, swiftly training their lenses on the vehicle.
Several seasoned veterans who had seen the world recognized the car model and began muttering the name “Gu Yi.” Instantly, the scene grew even more lively; camera flashes and shutter clicks alternated incessantly, stirring the atmosphere into a frenzy far beyond what it had been before.
“Gu Yi, it’s time to get out.”
In the next moment, the man’s tightly closed peach-blossom eyes suddenly opened. The chill in his gaze dissipated slightly, as if tenderness were swirling within his pupils.
Sometimes, he was not just a singer; he was also an actor.
……
The award ceremony venue was packed to capacity, with not a single empty seat in the audience.
As the most representative music awards ceremony in the country, it has always served as a stage where singers compete through brilliance and talent. Of course, this competition relies on no underhanded tactics whatsoever; everything is decided solely by the quality of their work.
At 7:30 PM, the ceremony officially commenced, simultaneously broadcast live online. Fans from all sides waited eagerly behind their screens, anticipating the final results.
After a series of official and lengthy speeches, followed by guest performances, the host finally began announcing the award winners.
Lin Zhi, as Shengjia’s newly appointed CEO, received an invitation from the organizers on her very first night back in the country.
Under her usual approach while in America, Lin Zhi would never have attended such an event. But this time, her return to China was not about lying low; there was no need to sheathe her sharp edge.
Moreover, in the entertainment industry, nothing matters more than resources and connections. Shengjia, once the undisputed top entertainment company, had seen its fortunes gradually decline in recent years.
As if recalling something, Lin Zhi sat in her chair, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her gaze suddenly turned sharp, and the atmosphere around her grew tense.
…Some despicable villains use underhanded tricks to steal what belongs to others, only to prove themselves utterly incapable of wielding it—true waste!
Just then, the host suddenly called out a familiar name. Thunderous applause erupted. Lin Zhi snapped back to reality, her视线 following the crowd’s as they all focused on the man in the distance.
Lin Zhi’s eyes flickered slightly. Watching the man, draped in glory, slowly rise from his seat, her own gaze deepened considerably.
He wore a gentle smile, appearing approachable yet subtly distant, as he walked toward the stage with unhurried steps. His calm and composed demeanor radiated absolute confidence.
As dazzling and striking as the midday sun.
Zhao Yu, seated beside Lin Zhi, noticed his boss’s unusual reaction and couldn’t help but ask softly, “President Lin, do you know Gu Yi?”
Zhao Yu had only been informed by his agent yesterday that he would be attending today’s awards ceremony alongside the company’s newly appointed president.
When Zhao Yu first learned about this, he was completely bewildered. After all, he had joined the company less than two years ago. Although his recently released single had been well-received and luckily earned him a nomination for the ‘Best New Artist Award,’ he knew full well that with his current level and status, attending this awards ceremony was merely a formality; what right did he have to walk alongside President Lin?
Three days ago, Shengjia’s new president assumed office, swiftly dismissing several senior executives and terminating contracts with multiple minor stars known for climbing the ladder through personal favors. One could tell immediately that she was no ordinary figure.
At first, Zhao Yu felt somewhat apprehensive. Chaotic thoughts had indeed crossed his mind; his looks were fairly striking, after all. If President Lin wanted…
However, the moment he laid eyes on Lin Zhi, all such notions vanished without a trace. Given her breathtaking beauty and commanding presence, she surely had no interest in a small fry like him.
When Zhao Yu first met Lin Zhi, he immediately sensed an aloofness that seemed to emanate from her very bones. Having navigated the entertainment industry for two years, he had never encountered a woman with a presence more commanding than President Lin’s; she appeared born wearing a crown, exuding the aura of a queen simply by standing there.
And in truth, she was indeed a cold and detached person.
At the venue of the nation’s largest music awards ceremony, Lin Zhi maintained an attitude of utter disinterest from start to finish, barely lifting her eyes. It was only when Gu Yi’s name was announced that a ripple of emotion finally stirred in those previously dormant depths.
At that moment, Lin Zhi cast a sidelong glance his way. Adorned in exquisite makeup, her beauty was strikingly aggressive; even that single look, devoid of any emotion, caused Zhao Yu’s breath to catch in his throat.
“Mind your own business,” Lin Zhi said coldly.
Zhao Yu’s face paled; he quickly lowered his gaze. “My apologies, President Lin.”
Lin Zhi would not tolerate such pointless probing. How could a mere word like ‘like’ ever encapsulate her feelings for that man?
Her attention shifted back to the stage. The man now stood at the podium delivering his acceptance speech. His cool voice echoed through the hall via the microphone, yet it carried a distinct trace of tenderness.
It was an illusion created by his unique vocal tone.
Lin Zhi’s lips curved slightly, and her gaze toward Gu Yi grew increasingly tender.
Seven years apart, the boy from back then had transformed into a mature man, his voice now carrying a faint, magnetic resonance.
Although the man on stage wore a smile, Lin Zhi could sense his impatience.
As expected, it didn’t take long for Gu Yi to conclude his acceptance speech; from start to finish, it lasted barely a minute.
The tenderness in the woman’s eyes deepened, while Zhao Yu, seated beside her, caught a glimpse of Lin Zhi’s expression. Secretly startled, he simultaneously began to quietly speculate about the relationship between Gu Yi and this President Lin…
That gaze surely carried more fervor than even the pride of a mother seeing her son succeed.