Inside a photography studio.
New rising popular male celebrity Shen Zui was shooting the October double cover triple-set fashion magazine for “Fashion O’Ni.”
“Alright, thank you, Teacher Shen.” The photographer showed a satisfied smile after taking the final shot.
Shen Zui nodded and politely thanked all the staff present.
“Thank you, Teacher Shen. Teacher Shen has worked hard.”
The staff in the studio treated Shen Zui with great respect. Shen Zui had only become popular within the past year, all because of a film—an controversial big IP, but also a so-called “toxic script.”
The film achieved a box office that made people in the industry envious, ending at 2.95 billion. Although it barely missed the 3-billion mark, it was still an impressive result.
Immediately after, Shen Zui rose from a newly popular male star to one of the top-tier male celebrities. However, it was a pity that right when he was at the peak of his popularity, he publicly announced a fiancée.
On the day of the announcement, he lost nearly one million followers. Currently, he had only a little over 41 million fans left.
Seeing how respectfully the studio staff treated Shen Zui, his manager Wang Shan felt somewhat relieved. She had been managing Shen Zui for nearly a year. On the surface, Shen Zui seemed gentle, but in reality, he was quite cold.
Thinking about how this guy had secretly posted the Weibo announcement about his fiancée without telling her, she had been so angry she could not even eat. The high-end luxury endorsement she had just secured was gone. Overnight, he lost over a million followers, and it was normal for brands to terminate contracts.
Shen Zui’s fanbase was very broad, and until now she still could not clearly determine which age group dominated. The followers lost a few days ago were mostly girlfriend fans, and most girlfriend fans could not accept their idol having a fiancée.
There was a saying circulating online: “All day long calling ‘brother, brother,’ yet you don’t know your brother is holding your sister-in-law to sleep behind your back!”
In truth, Shen Zui also had a hidden secret unknown to the public—if he failed in the entertainment industry, he would return home to inherit a conglomerate.
Outside the car, streetlights shone like daylight.
Neon lights reflected on the man’s sculpted, handsome features. A pair of narrow peach blossom eyes looked cold and distant, while his brown pupils gradually lost focus.
World-weariness—this was Wang Shan’s first impression of Shen Zui when she met him.
“After announcing your relationship, you lost over a million followers. Was it worth it?” Wang Shan opened Weibo and casually browsed the trending topics.
Shen Zui pressed his thin lips together. His deep brown eyes darkened slightly. Whether it was worth it or not, he did not know. He only knew this was what he had to do.
To him, marrying anyone was the same. As long as everyone was happy.
“Ah Zui, it’s time to post fan benefits.”
“Selfies this time?”
Seeing that Shen Zui did not respond, Wang Shan took it as agreement. Shen Zui had always been good to his fans; to him, fans were like friends who had quietly supported him all along.
The next day, City People’s Hospital.
After lunch, Jiang Wanting took out the original owner’s phone, unlocked it with facial recognition, and immediately opened WeChat Wallet.
When she saw the balance, she froze. She silently counted in her mind: one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand…
The wallet contained a seven-digit amount, with the first digit being 1. There was actually over one million! What kind of wealthy family was this?
She had only ever seen such amounts in other people’s videos. Jiang Wanting pinched her thigh hard.
“Damn…”
It was real.
Her fingers trembling, she opened the “Lingqian Tong” account. Inside were over three million. Jiang Wanting suppressed her excitement.
Damn! She had become rich overnight!
She had become a millionaire rich woman!
Lin Xinya came out of the bathroom and saw Jiang Wanting rolling on the hospital bed.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in confusion.
Jiang Wanting stiffened. “Nothing.”
“As long as you’re fine.” Lin Xinya said as she sat beside the bed, gently stroking her hair with affection. “Pack your things. We can be discharged.”
Jiang Wanting paused. Discharged already? She had thought she would need to stay a few more days.
The Jiang family residence was located a bit far from the city center. Compared to downtown, it was rather remote. It was not the modern villa she had imagined, but a classical-style courtyard.
Back in her room, Jiang Wanting looked around. A standard pink princess bed, paintings of the original owner hanging on the walls. She was now certain the original owner really was a wealthy young lady.
“Ding dong…”
Her phone suddenly vibrated. She unlocked it with her fingerprint and opened WeChat. There were two pinned chats.
The first was a man named “Lin Zhongye.” Jiang Wanting frowned. Was this the original owner’s boyfriend?
The second was a group chat called “Jiang Family.”
This should be the family group.
The third chat was also a group, named “Female College Students Passionate Video Chat.”
Jiang Wanting: “……”
Lin Zhongye had sent her over a hundred unread messages. The most recent ones were from yesterday afternoon. Most were voice messages and video calls.
[Lin Zhongye: Wanwan, why aren’t you replying? Baby, where did you go?]
[Lin Zhongye: Baby, if it really doesn’t work, let’s elope! I’ll take you somewhere they can’t find us. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give you a home.]
Suddenly, she thought of a saying—“You just want to give every girl a home, don’t you?”
[Lin Zhongye: Wanwan, my grandfather restricted my finances. It’s okay, we can suffer a bit. We truly love each other. No one can stop us from being together.]
Jiang Wanting: “……”
[Lin Zhongye: Baby, if you still don’t reply, I’m coming to your house!]
After reading, Jiang Wanting felt a wave of embarrassment.
It was obvious this was a lovesick man. It seemed the original owner wanted to be with him, but her family disapproved, so Lin Zhongye suggested eloping.
With restricted finances and still wanting to elope? Were they planning to starve? Living off the original owner’s private savings after running away?
“Knock, knock…”
“Miss, the master asked you to go downstairs for lunch.”
A maid’s voice came from outside. Jiang Wanting put away her phone and responded.
In the dining room.
A round antique mahogany rotating dining table stood in the center. Grandfather Jiang sat at the head seat. On his left were Aunt Ye Lan and an unfamiliar woman.
On his right was her mother, Lin Xinya.
Jiang Wanting arrived last and sat beside Lin Xinya. She looked slightly confused—why was her cousin and father not present?
Ye Lan noticed her confusion and explained: ”Oh, your father and your uncle are at the company. They’re not coming back for lunch.”
She then added: ”This is your cousin-in-law, Wei Luoqin.”
Jiang Wanting nodded politely at the woman sitting opposite her. “Hello, sister-in-law.”
Wei Luoqin was slightly uncomfortable with this version of Jiang Wanting. She had been married into the Jiang family for five years and knew very well what Jiang Wanting used to be like—arrogant, willful, spoiled, and constantly causing trouble outside due to her family’s indulgence.
“Wanwan, have some of this.” Ye Lan said as she placed a piece of braised pork ribs into Jiang Wanting’s bowl.
Looking at the meat in her bowl, Jiang Wanting felt a warmth in her heart. She smiled slightly. “Thank you, Aunt.”
Ye Lan pretended to scold her fondly. “This child! Why are you being so polite with me?”
Lin Xinya smiled with relief. The amnesiac Jiang Wanting was indeed different from before. Perhaps losing her memory was not a bad thing.
“Master, a man is outside saying he is here to look for Miss.” Nanny Wang hurried in from outside.
Grandfather Jiang frowned. A man? Could it be that Lin family boy again? Still not giving up?
Jiang Wanting was stuffing her cheeks with food, momentarily frozen. A man? Could it be Lin Zhongye from her chat?
“Not meeting him.” Grandfather Jiang said coldly without even lifting his eyelids. “Tell him Jiang Wanting has been engaged since childhood. Tell him to give up.”
“Yes, Master.” Nanny Wang replied respectfully and left.
Engaged since childhood? Jiang Wanting was stunned. She had never even been in a relationship before.
She had just been thinking about meeting Lin Zhongye, but the old man had crushed that idea instantly.
“Wanwan, you’ve already taken leave for a few days. Return to school tomorrow. Remember, you are already engaged. Do not contact that Lin boy again.”
Grandfather Jiang wiped his mouth with a napkin and left after speaking.
Jiang Wanting looked at his departing figure. “Yes, Grandfather.”
Lin Xinya placed a piece of boiled fish into her bowl and said gently: ”Wanwan, although your grandfather’s words are harsh, he is doing this for your own good. You should focus on your studies.”
“I understand, Mom.”