[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-287":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297913,4495,"Chapter 287: Birthday Aftermath","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-287",287,"\u003Cp>The night of August 25, 2005, was destined to leave many sleepless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changping, Liu Yifei’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Kang, Liu Xiaoli, and her aunt sat at the table, listening to Yang Siwei’s public relations plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The guests at the scene today may have taken photos; we cannot stop these photos from spreading, Lu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slightly plump agent had only just uttered the word \"Lu\" when she saw the expressions of Liu Yifei’s three closest relatives change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He issued a warning when it ended, and the guests present today were basically all friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the people from Hong Kong and Taiwan, Sister Mei, Zhou Jielun, and his assistant Da Ni will go communicate with them; if anyone present tonight took photos, we will try our best to have them deleted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The stance of companies like Pepsi and *Time* is consistent with ours; they won't watch as Xixi’s controversy grows too large, at least they won't add fuel to the fire, so there’s no problem there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The most troublesome ones are the domestic entertainment industry and those celebrities, big and small; they will certainly say 'yes, yes, yes' to your face, but people’s hearts are hard to read, so it’s really hard to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei handed a list of today’s guests to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle, Aunt, take a look at the list in your hands; those with checkmarks, like Zhou Xun, Sister Mei, and Zhou Jielun, are absolutely trustworthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those with circles are all business people; those with conflicts of interest won't go too far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The most important ones are those marked with triangles; I still need to handle them one by one, and I must try my best to ensure that not too many photos leak out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli frowned for a long time, but it was the aunt who first asked in confusion: \"Siwei, aren't these people like Xu Rong and Liu Shishi from your studio? This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aunt, these are the most dangerous people; people’s hearts are hard to read, so we must be on guard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei was not stupid; on the contrary, she was much smarter than Xu Rong, who wore all her shrewdness on her face. Did she think no one noticed those daily resentments?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Kang nodded and said: \"I will find a way to reach out to the people on the surface. Besides, as for Lu Kuan...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped halfway through his sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Liu Yifei was now locking herself in her room and certainly couldn't hear their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after the river of tears that had just flowed, these closest relatives of Liu Yifei were still shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this girl who had just turned eighteen, this birthday was, if anything, too cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei picked up where he left off: \"I have contacted Wenjie; their public relations department will cooperate. At least they have dealt with most of the media present today, so they will know how to behave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was not just public relations for Liu Yifei, but also for Boss Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, saying he was a womanizer and uninhibited was vaguely just talk and banter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, in the public eye, he first had an emotional entanglement with an eighteen-year-old girl, and at the same time, was suspected of having a child out of wedlock with a domestic actress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the impact was not fatal, during the Olympic bidding and director selection stages, such wind needed to be suppressed for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli sighed and braced herself: \"I’ll go check on Xixi. Siwei, you’ve worked hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei responded; she could work hard, but she could only do her best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Photos could be deleted, videos could be deleted, but could you block the mouths of the masses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for someone like Liu Yifei, who was at the top of the industry, a moment of carelessness could lead to repeating last year’s mistakes and becoming a target for the domestic entertainment industry to hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made Yang Siwei most melancholy was, after the relationship between Liu Yifei and Boss Lu turned cold, would he still shield her from the wind and rain in public opinion like he did last year?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the blog network was willing to help, other portals and forums, big and small, would almost all become recruitment centers and gathering places for haters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei, exhausted in body and mind, finished delegating tasks and, comparing the list, made calls one by one, looking for intermediaries and connections to plead, reason, and handle PR.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was strange was that she had called two people from her own studio several times, but couldn't get through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, yes, just stick to this narrative: Yifei was grateful for Director Lu Kuan’s cultivation and expressed her thanks at the birthday banquet; it has nothing to do with anything else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Siwei!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei was just unifying the talking points with several media outlets she had good relations with, not expecting her own artist to walk out as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked into the living room expressionlessly, having already changed into casual home clothes, and poured herself a glass of cold water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hang up for a moment, I have something to tell you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei saw Liu Xiaoli, who was following behind her, give her a look, so she told the person on the other end of the phone to wait a moment and hung up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom, you come over too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are Dad and Aunt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli looked troubled: \"Your father went to greet some bosses of commercial companies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your aunt is looking for a friend of your grandfather’s at the *People's Daily* to handle things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei nodded and drank the water in the glass in one gulp, as if she were a flower bud watered by sweet dew; the gloom she had when she first returned home had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat opposite Yang Siwei and Liu Xiaoli and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want you to tell the reporters that, Siwei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei blurted out: \"Xixi, don't be so emotional again, you can't be willful anymore...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not being emotional; I am very clear-headed now, I have my reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Photos can be deleted, but people’s mouths can never be sealed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you remember the formula for the spread of rumors that he mentioned? Don't make this matter complicated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei’s expression became calmer as she spoke, as if there were something she could use to rack her brain, which could alleviate her grief quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just confessed to Lu Kuan, and then I failed; it’s that simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am an adult woman; I have the freedom and the right to pursue what I want; I haven't done anything wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei and Liu Xiaoli looked at each other; the latter, hearing the pain and bitterness between her daughter’s words, almost bit her own molars to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, I need to notify you of one thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei opened her phone and showed them the multimedia message sent by Zhang Chunru.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Chunru personally helped me write the application essay for the University of Chicago; I will go to school in the next two days to handle early graduation; I have already told Teacher Wang before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then she will help me find professors in the United States to write recommendation letters; domestically, I will ask Principal Zhang and Teacher Feng to find the Dean of the Art Academy to help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Siwei, help me prepare the film festival awards and nomination certifications and box office data I’ve received at home and abroad over the past two years; these are important application materials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Top North American universities have broad criteria for admission applications for actors and sports stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jodie Foster debuted at 3 and became famous at 15, with only basic academic credentials, but was admitted to Yale because of several nominations for the Oscars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Matt Damon also entered Harvard based on the reputation and honors he accumulated in films like *Good Will Hunting* and *The Bourne Identity*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stars with high industry visibility and widespread influence can bring a certain reputation and attention to the school, which is a win-win for both the school and the star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei and Liu Xiaoli watched her return to her room with indifference and both sighed inwardly; they had heard clearly just now that she said \"notify.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before today, she could already be called independent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After today, perhaps the only person who could influence her decisions was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei forced herself to say so much to the two of them and walked back to her room feeling a bit dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This day had simply exhausted all her energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a creak, she pushed open the door, and just like countless heartbroken girls in her past life, the figure of that person suddenly appeared in Liu Yifei’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year, when she was smeared, at that moment when she was most helpless, Lu Kuan was also standing here, forcefully breaking into her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the same place, he had now fiercely gripped her heart on her most important day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei leaned against the door, no longer able to maintain the strength she had in front of Yang Siwei and Liu Xiaoli, feeling only that she wanted to cry her heart out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her family was outside, and she didn't want to make them worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Knock, knock!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi, it’s Mom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei tried hard to take a deep breath to adjust her emotions, turned to open the door, and forced a smile that was not beautiful for her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were filled with sadness about to burst, and the bitter smile she squeezed out was like a withered flower swaying in the wind and rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli’s tears instantly poured down, no longer able to restrain herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hustle and bustle of the day kept countless people busy; some were debunking rumors, some were doing PR, some were sighing deeply, and some were gloating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who still remembered that today was actually just her birthday?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever’s flesh falls off, that person hurts; Liu Xiaoli wiped away her bitter tears: \"Xixi, wait for me a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei stared blankly as her mother went and returned, holding a box of cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I specifically had your aunt bring it back from Wuhan; that Star Wish Cake Shop you loved to eat at when you were little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven't eaten it since you went to the United States at ten; you’ve been thinking about it for a long time, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli looked at her daughter with anticipation; it was originally a surprise for Xixi, but she didn't expect the surprise to appear after the shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only hoped that this trace of sweetness in her mouth could slightly offset the bitterness in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom! Mom! Wuwuwuwu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly reporting the pity for the daughter in the world, tears flew and turned into a downpour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl, who was already much taller than Liu Xiaoli, instantly lost control of her emotions; all her patience, reason, and restraint were thrown to the back of her mind; she just wanted to cry her heart out now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei wished she could rub her whole body into her mother’s embrace, lingering in this warm harbor, ignoring the evil waves elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is usually a special emotional bond between children and parents; when they are hurt, they can climb up by themselves and continue walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as long as there is a greeting, a look, or a word of concern from their parents, the child will instantly break the self-suppression mechanism in psychology and release their emotions unscrupulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold tears fell on Liu Xiaoli’s neck; she patted her daughter’s back lightly with her hand, not saying a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eighteen years ago today, she saw this little angel for the first time; she didn't expect that eighteen years later today...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made her even more heartbroken was that Xixi had actually decided to go to the United States to study and live, and it seemed to be an unchangeable decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if falling into a cycle of pain, she thought of herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same injury, the same avoidance, and she went to the United States.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli was afraid her daughter would repeat her own mistakes; that would be the inner demon of her entire life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After crying for a while, she saw her daughter’s emotions stabilize slightly and couldn't help but ask: \"Xixi, you going to America...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei let go of her and tried hard to dispel her mother's concerns: \"Other girls don't start university until they're eighteen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll go find Zhang Chunru to prepare for a film role, and study to improve myself while I'm at it. It'll be fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli knew she couldn't persuade her daughter at all, so she could only helplessly squeeze her hand: \"Then I'll contact Zhang Chunru and find a place to stay over there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeming to notice her mother's worry, Liu Yifei put down the cake in her hand and sat down beside her solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She revealed the first genuine smile since returning home today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mom, do you remember? When I was little, every time you went to perform, I would sit on the back of your bicycle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were afraid my bottom would get sore, so you had my aunt sew a seat cushion with a cartoon character on it. I followed you to every theater like that every day, watching you dance and bloom on stage time after time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I was fourteen, you asked me what I wanted to do in the future. I said I wanted to be an actress. Actually, that was all because of your influence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know being an actor is bitter and tiring, and you have to endure so much criticism and slander, just like when you were rushing around with me back then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For my sake, you gave up being a dancer, gave up your 'Spring River Flower Moon Night', gave up your 'Death of the Swan'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaoli pressed her lips together tightly, her right hand stroking her daughter's cheek; she feared she would shed the rest of her life's tears today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei wiped the tears from her face and promised her mother—and even more so, herself: \"Don't worry, Mom. I am stronger now than I have ever been.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dead of night, the loving mother, unable to bear the burden of the day's emotional turmoil, returned to her room to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After showering, Liu Yifei knocked on the door of Yang Siwei, who was staying over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slightly plump agent scanned her with an expressionless face and continued nodding and bowing on the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, Sister Li, we have a long-standing relationship; you have to help me with this favor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right! Next time Yifei does an event with Blog Network, we can bring your artists along, it's all negotiable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh, eh, okay, then I won't disturb your rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, Yang Siwei acted as if she hadn't seen Liu Yifei enter the room, remaining silent and continuing to sketch on a long list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei walked to her side, biting her lower lip with a pitiful look: \"Siwei, I'm sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Acting cute doesn't work on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei reached out to tickle her: \"How about this, haha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! Stop it, I really give up on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei pushed her hand away, looking speechlessly at the young girl who seemed to have come back to life, knowing she was just putting on a brave front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard the crying from just now clearly from next door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be in such pain and still think about coming to care for her as she worked late into the night made Yang Siwei feel truly \"both love and hate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? There are over twenty calls left. It's too late to make them now, only tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've arranged for studio staff to send flowers and coffee to all the guests tomorrow morning as a thank you for their cooperation, and also as a reminder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slightly plump agent sighed deeply: \"I hope these people can show mercy and be kind with their words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei smiled calmly: \"Siwei, are you very tired being my agent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're lazy, don't want to do marketing, and don't know how to post pretty photos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're casual in interviews, and if you don't like a topic, you give people the cold shoulder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And your clothes are so tacky! You don't listen no matter what I say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei had a total outburst, counting off the shortcomings of the \"mudslide\" of the domestic entertainment industry, almost coming up with seven deadly sins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Liu Yifei's pouting mouth, Yang Siwei burst into laughter and held her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I'm willing to!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know? Today when Sister Mei was leaving, she told me that you did something she never dared to do in her whole life. She admires you so much!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Zhou Xun, she was teary-eyed because of you and even said you should be called Young Master Qian; you're too brave!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Hu Ge, Zhu Yawen, your group of classmates, and even Tang Yan from Emperor Entertainment came over and asked me to convey their comfort to you. Really, so many people love you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, I really didn't support you doing what you did today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But since you've done it, I will definitely support you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei couldn't help but shed a few tears again, looking at the long list of names with a pained heart: \"Thank you for your hard work, Siwei...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hard work? Not hard at all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook the list in her hand, looking indifferent: \"It's just making phone calls, it's very simple!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I was pulling sponsorships for the Student Union External Relations Department at the Communication University of China, I had to make hundreds of calls for a single event. Simple!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, I'm writing down everyone who doesn't give us face, and later I'll find a chance to ruthlessly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei's hug cut her harsh words short, and in her ear, there was only the promise from the number one young actress in domestic entertainment: \"Siwei, I will make you the best agent in China.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei was stunned for a moment and patted her back gently: \"I believe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had one thing she didn't say out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because you are different from all other female stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Liu Yifei's graceful figure leave while wiping her tears, Yang Siwei collapsed onto the bed, exhausted, her mind filled with the scene of when she first persuaded her to play Huang Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don't want to be Guo Xiang, then be Huang Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can't be Huang Rong, you wouldn't end up being Zhao Min, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, now it's great; she didn't even get to be Zhao Min, but ended up being Zhou Zhiruo, who got her wedding snatched away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Siwei felt so heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desk lamp sat dimly on Liu Yifei's desk; she opened a blue-covered notebook and held her pen for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding darkness surged like a tide, seemingly about to swallow this glimmer of light along with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pen tip brushed lightly across the page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>August 25, 2005, weather, sunny turning to cloudy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sad day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I put a period to three and a half years of my youth. Although this stroke was written so arduously, I have no regrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three words \"I love you\"—the emphasis is on \"I.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only need to do what I believe is right, to be true to myself, and not hurt others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five hours have passed, and I finally have the courage to look back at the farce that just ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that photo someone's conspiracy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it to smear him and stop him from participating in the Olympic bid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Su Chang knows what I'm going to do; it shouldn't be aimed at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of that matters anymore. Even if that was fake, the fact that he isn't willing to completely cut off those romantic entanglements is always true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that today was the first time I saw this chess player so flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he have such a strong reaction to the name Huang Yimei?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he call out a character from his own movie while in a coma? And this Huang Yimei?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he hug me like a madman after I said that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat was so fast, it was as if he were...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really don't know how to face him in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enemy? Colleague? Stranger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it, it's twelve o'clock, I'll write this much for now, time to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goodbye, Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hello, eighteen-year-old and one-day-old Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Liu Yifei returned to the Changping villa with her family, Lu Kuan was meeting with Dong Shuangqiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a summons, not a detention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, go back first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Shuangqiang received a definitive answer from a friend, and only then did Boss Lu feel slightly at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A summons is one thing; even a custodial summons is just to force a suspect or defendant to appear for questioning, and the duration cannot exceed twelve hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the case is particularly major or complex and requires further detention or arrest measures, the time cannot exceed twenty-four hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Zhuang Xu's current status as a district representative, if the authorities want to impose measures that restrict his personal freedom, such as detention or residential surveillance, they must first report it in writing to the District People's Congress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for Boss Lu and Zhuang Xu, this ordeal was a predicted disaster, the purpose of which was to lead the Zhou Army into a dead end step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Army's current strategy is nothing more than starting from China International Capital Corporation, using trumped-up charges to force Zhuang Xu to reveal the actual controller of Blog Network, or even more evidence unfavorable to Lu Kuan, and then sabotaging the Olympic opening ceremony bid submission and subsequent presentations on August 31st.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he wants to have this sweet dream, then I will present him with this \"dream-inducing pillow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that the original catalyst arranged was Sun Wenwen, but now... I'm afraid there will be one more person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bentley Arnage sped along the elevated road, and Boss Lu leaned back in the rear seat, closing his eyes to rest and thinking about everything that happened today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The possibility of Huayi and the Zhou Army using the photo to make an issue out of it to target him exists, but it's not high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man is unmarried and a woman is unwed; so what if there is an illegitimate child? At most, it just creates a bit of noise, which is completely meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if it were targeted at Liu Yifei?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of public interest, companies like Cheng Tian, Huayi, and all those cultivating similar young starlets are suspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Cheng Tian, which has repeatedly crossed the line in its actions in later generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of private interest, it could only be Fan Bingbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although her ambition has not yet been overly displayed in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Kuan, who has known her for two lifetimes, knows that she is among the most daring and aggressive of the actresses in the domestic entertainment industry, a fierce top-tier actress who emerged from the head-to-head battles of those years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet what is even more bizarre is that her suspicion was basically cleared by the capture of the photographer that night and the results of the investigation by A Fei over the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most critical point is, how did she know that Little Liu was going to stage such a big scene today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those around Liu Yifei, the only one with an old friendship with Fan Bingbing is Yang Siwei, who once followed Wang Jinhua, but given her current position, it is absolutely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless someone confesses, this farce of the night will likely end up as an unsolved case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, for him, suspicion is enough to form a subjective judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, we're here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Fei looked through the rearview mirror and saw him suddenly open his eyes; his pupils were like bottomless cold pools, looking so chilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It has been three years, and this cold-faced bodyguard is seeing his expression this stern for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He does not know if it is because of Zhuang Xu or because of Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Fei could not help but sigh secretly in his heart for Fan Bingbing, who was waiting in the Sihe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two entered the door, and A Fei turned to lock it, then stood guard at the entrance of the main room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing had already been waiting in the room for nearly two hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not turn on the lights, and after sitting in the pitch-black room for half an hour, she finally emerged from the trembling fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The events of the night spread throughout Jingcheng, the entire domestic entertainment industry, and the whole country in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the failure of the top young starlet of the domestic entertainment industry to confess her love, there were rumors of an affair between the fashion queen and the genius director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also the explosive news just released that the president of Blog Network had been summoned by the relevant departments, suspected to be related to business irregularities at his former company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point in time, Lu Kuan called her here to wait in advance; surely he wouldn't want her to serve him in bed, would he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No amount of worry was useful; she had already done everything she could to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she had already cast \"life and death\" aside, Bingbing simply relaxed her whole body and mind to cope with the upcoming interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat in that man's study, greedily looking around and touching things here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One moment she was flipping through his handwritten scripts, reading those vigorous and powerful strokes word by word;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment she turned on the desk lamp, lit an incense stick with a match, and lay on the table watching the white smoke curl, imagining what he looked like when he usually worked at the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing suddenly flipped to a volume of storyboard drafts; opening it, she saw everything from \"Drummer\" and \"Thief\" to \"Foreign Land\" and \"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carefully wiped her hands clean and flipped through them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon she flipped to his hand-drawn portrait of Liu Yifei, a pretty cafe waitress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was Zhou Xun, that mother with a complex personality and full of warmth in \"Thief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha, and herself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the flamboyant eyebrows and eyes and the curvaceous figure in this drawing, it really was a vivid image of a schoolgirl mingling in a red-light district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly had the urge to secretly take this drawing away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully organizing the storyboard drafts and stuffing them back into the file, she looked at the dense collection of reference books and manuscripts in the study and sighed in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those good movies all came from this, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it carefully, she really had very few opportunities to come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was lost in thought, Boss Lu pushed open the door of the main room, and the dense walnut door hit the back of the door with a \"thud,\" startling Bingbing out of her fantasies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing took a deep breath, her throat moving, trying her best to relax her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life and death are fated, and wealth lies with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She came out of the study, and A Fei opened the door, signaling for the top actress to enter the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, A Fei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always calm in the face of major events, even at such a critical juncture, Bingbing did not forget these casual gestures to win people over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, Boss Lu was brewing tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here? Sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the casualness in his words, the anxiety in Bingbing's heart dissipated a little, and she reached out to take the tea set: \"Shall I do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu refused with a calm expression, holding a tea knife in his hand, gently prying off some tea cake, and proceeded with the tea-brewing process on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After preparing the tea leaves and tea set, he began to scald and warm the utensils with boiling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he used a tea scoop to move the tea leaves from the tea holder into the teapot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing just watched his unhurried movements, and the tea art video that Liu Yifei had recently become popular for suddenly popped into her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that the man in front of her was much more skilled than her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu, focused on brewing tea, suddenly spoke: \"Bingbing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah?\" The top actress was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled and gestured to the tea leaves in his hand: \"This step is called 'throwing the tea.' Except for granular tea like Oolong, it is generally divided into three types.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For delicate green tea with complete buds and leaves and lots of fuzz, like Biluochun or Xinyang Maojian, you must pour the water first and then add the tea; this is called the 'top-throwing method'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For most tender leaf teas, like Xihu Longjing, where the tea leaves are relatively tight, you can pour one-third of the water first, add the tea, and then pour the rest of the water; this is called 'middle-throwing'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For tea leaves like Lu'an Guapian, where the leaves are mature and the tea shape is loose, they are more resistant to brewing, so you must add the tea first and then pour the water; this is called 'bottom-throwing'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing listened with a beaming smile and was just about to chime in when she suddenly heard Boss Lu change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually... people are the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People are tea leaves, and the order of adding tea and pouring water is the life they have walked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you are Biluochun, don't think about adding tea first and then pouring water like Guapian or Longjing, otherwise you will be scalded to death or burned due to high water temperature or the impact of the water flow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled and picked up the transparent tea cup to show her: \"See that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is called 'Snowflakes Dancing'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing looked panicked, watching the emerald green tea leaves slowly sink and unfold in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process allows one to clearly observe the morphological changes of the tea leaves; they first float on the water surface, then gradually absorb water and sink, the buds and leaves slowly unfold, releasing a clear fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is what is called \"Snowflakes Dancing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan poured her a cup: \"Brewed correctly, it is 'Snowflakes Dancing'; brewed incorrectly, it is scalding to death or burning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Biluochun is Biluochun and cannot become Longjing; Longjing is Longjing and is not Guapian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only a tea master who accurately knows the characteristics and brewing methods of every type of tea can show their tenderness, fragrance, and emerald color to the extreme.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unless you are a tea master like me, if you are just a tea leaf, never try to be clever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A moment of carelessness, and it is total destruction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair, sipping tea silently, his eyes drifting, making it impossible for Bingbing to capture his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also sipped the tea lightly, but the aftertaste was bitter, and she was hesitating whether to bring up the big news of the night first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Zhou Army contact you with Huayi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who do you think took the photos and who released them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top actress was categorical: \"Zhou Army and Li Xue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Bingbing has latched onto him, and the two are very close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the actress who generates the most revenue for Huayi; wouldn't Zhou Army be going against his own shares by making a move on you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is having trouble with the big and small dogs; his current goal should be to topple you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few questions and answers, Bingbing had no flaws, and it seemed she did not consider whether thinking so clearly herself counted as a flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top actress did not think too much about it, because she knew that when talking to Lu Kuan, she should try not to use her brain and just say whatever was asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, there were traps everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"click,\" Lu Kuan took a small object out of his pocket and threw it on the tea table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing looked and recognized it as the electronic product that had become popular in the last two years: a USB flash drive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just bought one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The USB flash drive in 2005 had already reached 256MB, and the one Boss Lu took out was a custom-made 1GB capacity version.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take this to Zhou Army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing could not help but touch the USB drive to observe it: \"This is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu spat out a few words: \"The Olympic opening and closing ceremony bidding proposal of the Wenjie team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bingbing was like being bitten by a poisonous snake; she screamed and put the USB drive back on the tea table, stood up in panic, and knocked over the chair behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director in front of her still had a light and breezy appearance: \"Li Xue and Li Bingbing slandered you; it is not enough for you to just take a 'Vogue' out for a deal, especially with what happened tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take the proposal to find Zhou Army and the big and small dogs; he dreams of sabotaging my bid, so let it be as he wishes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is your pledge of allegiance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plans for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games are top secret until they are made public; in later generations, rehearsals for the Beiping Olympics were all conducted in the early hours of the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once this plan leaks out, Lu Kuan’s team will have no hope for this bid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he could rely on his own strength to join the final creative group, as long as the final Olympic plan is not based on his presentation, he is not qualified to compete for the positions of chief or deputy director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zhou Jun takes this sweet, poisonous bait, the Wenjie bidding team will immediately report it to the police as the situation warrants, while simultaneously \"rushing to produce\" another bidding plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing instinctively wanted to refuse: \"Will Zhou Jun believe it? After all, this photo tonight...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will have Sun Wenwen hand the items to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Isn't she your assistant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s been fired; otherwise, how can I make Zhou Jun believe you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu nonchalantly changed the life of a meritorious general who had followed him for three years, and then leisurely poured a cup of tea for Fan Bingbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you give it to Zhou Jun, remember to record it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing trembled all over, as if struck by lightning, and collapsed into the expensive yellow rosewood chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't know the inside story of how he treated Sun Wenwen, nor could she control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to have herself secretly hand the Olympic opening and closing ceremony plan to Zhou Jun was a criminal act in itself! And he even wanted her to record it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaking the plan would, at the very least, violate the crime of infringing on trade secrets and damaging commercial reputation or product reputation; at worst, it would violate the crime of intentionally leaking state secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, if the recipient of the leak is an overseas organization, institution, or individual, it could constitute the crime of stealing, spying on, buying, or illegally providing state secrets or intelligence for overseas entities, punishable by ten years or more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This recording was clearly material he intended to use to strike at Zhou Jun, at most with her own voice edited out. (Note 1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as long as the recording existed, it was a handle that could destroy her at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't overthink it; I'm asking you to deliver it so you can ask Zhou Jun for more shares.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This round of share allocation won't even give you two percent; who is that enough for? In the three rounds before the listing, you must try your best to acquire enough shares.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled nonchalantly, telling others not to overthink it, as if this were truly a trivial matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Sun Wenwen officially announced as dismissed, I will set Zhou Jun’s backyard on fire. Once he can no longer rely on the Yue family to continue pressing Zhuang Xu, stopping me from bidding will become his top priority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When that time comes, find an opportunity to deliver the big gift and talk to him about the share transfer in your hands; someone will wire the money to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director leisurely tapped his knuckles against the armrest of the yellow rosewood chair; the *dong-dong-dong* rhythm made Fan Bingbing’s scalp tingle and filled her with inexplicable horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great actress felt her throat go dry; the two cups of Biluochun tea she had just drunk seemed to have struck her dumb, and now she was tongue-tied, without a shred of courage to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to argue a few points for herself, but when she looked up, she saw that man sipping tea while observing her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just a light glance, the cold, sharp frost-blades seemingly lurking in his eyes slid silently across her heart like cold snake tongues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing suddenly felt a chill surge up her spine, as if her soul had been pierced by an invisible arrow, and she couldn't help but shrink back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew very well that Lu Kuan did not have solid evidence regarding the accident at Liu Yifei’s birthday party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he wouldn't be using the tea-tossing to hint at and warn her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just because of a suspicion, could he bear to push her into an endless abyss like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on the cliff’s edge of mutual destruction with Zhou Jun, the thick lifeline tied to her body was held at the other end by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she didn't obey, he only needed to loosen his grip ever so slightly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great actress felt her entire body riddled with holes by his indifferent gaze, and her heart couldn't help but bleed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Call it worship, call it fear, and of course, there was also genuine admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he needed it, she could do anything for him; why did he have to be so cruel and resolute...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had known it would be like this, she might as well have let Lu Kuan know that she was the one who did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was only afraid that he would truly agree to Liu Yifei and cast her aside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was wrong with that!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Kuan knew she had plotted everything, she wouldn't be this heartbroken just to take a flash drive to trade with Zhou Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, a mere suspicion was enough for him to pass a death sentence on her in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was merely a suspended sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she was still useful to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing silently agreed, reached out, and stuffed the double-edged sword that hurt both others and herself into her bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the same feeling that Liu Yifei had once had surfaced in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart is truly ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can I ask you for one thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great actress had a top-tier heart; she suddenly looked up, her pretty face still beautiful, only a bit too pale, without a hint of color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her two thin lips were also very pale in color, as if the Biluochun tea had tasted away their spring hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just flipped through your sketches; I want to take that drawing of me from *Shoplifters*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu stared at her for a few seconds before his brow relaxed; he let out a long, generous sigh and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why bother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll get it for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked back to the study and pulled out the sketch with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, he pulled a book by Zweig from the bookshelf and tucked the sketch inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the Ice Cellar Mansion, Fan Bingbing held the book and the sketch in her arms, along with the double-edged sword in her bag that hurt both friend and foe, lamenting that this trip was truly \"fruitful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked out with a heart like dead ashes, stepping heavily into the late summer moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing’s stride was short and her pace slow; she didn't know when she would come again, and she felt a sense of reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the entrance of the alley, she suddenly heard the sound of a car engine, and then that familiar vehicle pulled up beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A-Fei pushed the door open and helped her open the car door: \"Sister Bingbing, Boss told me to take you home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great actress’s tears flowed like a downpour, dripping onto her bloodless lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So salty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing did not return to the Zhonglangxia alley to live with her mother and brother; she returned to the Huabin Golf club alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Liu Yifei, there was only one desk lamp on in the bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But while Liu Yifei opened her diary, she took out the book Lu Kuan had given her before she left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zweig, *Marie Antoinette*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The book tells of an Austrian princess who, after marrying into France, became the Crown Princess and then Queen, her ambition constantly swelling until she was finally sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing turned to the page where the sketch was tucked and cherished it immensely as she put it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down again, she suddenly discovered a line of handwriting by Boss Lu on that page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All the gifts bestowed by fate have already been marked with a price in the dark.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a portrait of the life of the ambitious, doomed Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he writing this to warn her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crystal-clear teardrop slid down her cheek and landed on the word \"fate,\" blurring a small, dark mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing’s tear ducts collapsed instantly; she covered her mouth tightly, trembling as she sobbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to calm herself down, but she could not shake off the bouts of cramping pain in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, how Fan Bingbing envied Liu Yifei for having the courage and freedom to pour out her heart tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bought my soul; how much did you pay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will return it to you...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This night in Beiping on August 25th was destined to be sleepless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the same man, 18-year-old Liu Yifei and 23-year-old Fan Bingbing were both sitting under the lights, weeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just that one wanted to redeem her soul from the devil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the other had already jumped out of the picture frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the devil, it seemed, did not intend to let her go just like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note 1: If Fan’s voice is removed, it becomes a forged or altered recording, which has no legal validity and would be excluded as illegal evidence in court. It has another use here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7257,"2026-06-20T06:05:19.268Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","4e85b82ae1b405fe56744ebafd8d91a0f41827237e0cd050d13c1efd9112b195","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-288","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-286",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]