Haicheng.
In the suburbs, inside a room of a sprawling, luxurious villa.
Sunlight streamed through the windows. Wen Ting, lying on the European-style bed, rubbed her eyes and stirred awake from her slumber. She stretched lazily, glanced at the time—it was already noon.
This was Wen Ting’s fifth day back in the country. Due to jet lag, she had slept until now. Though, of course, it might not have been entirely because of the jet lag…
Her phone was flooded with missed calls and messages.
[Wen Ting! Where are you?!]
[God, did you forget about today’s audition?!]
[I give up, I give up!]
…
The barrage of messages made Wen Ting furrow her brows. This was her newly signed agent, Xu Li.
Audition?
Just as Wen Ting was puzzled, Xu Li’s call came through.
“Wen Ting, when you signed with me, what did you tell me? That you’d take acting seriously. And now you just skip the audition outright?! You’re trying to drive me crazy!”
On the other end of the line, Xu Li’s shrill, agitated voice rang out.
Wen Ting frowned slightly, silently moving the phone a bit farther from her ear. She pursed her lips. “Wasn’t the audition the day after tomorrow?”
“I sent you a message the day before yesterday—the audition was moved to today! Don’t tell me you forgot?”
“…I forgot.”
Wen Ting thought back. When Xu Li had messaged her the day before yesterday, Wen Ting had been at a bar drinking with her best friend and had completely let it slip her mind.
“You—”
“It’s just an audition. Aren’t you on good terms with Director Li? Just reschedule. Anyway, gotta go, bye.”
Not wanting to listen to any more nagging, Wen Ting hung up and padded slowly across the carpet to the bathroom.
In front of the mirror stood a stunningly beautiful woman. Her delicate face carried an air of allure, her fox-like eyes seemed capable of ensnaring anyone—beauty laced with a hint of danger.
Wen Ting was a natural-born enchantress.
The kind any man would take a second glance at.
After admiring her own beauty, Wen Ting casually tied up her hair to wash up, then headed to the walk-in closet. Following a meticulous skincare routine, she slipped into her newest Chanel dress before leisurely making her way downstairs.
Wen Ting entered the dining room, where her eldest brother Gu Ye and second brother Gu Nanshen were both present.
Both were dressed in suits. The Gu family had excellent genes—both men were impeccably handsome.
Wen Ting could tell at a glance that the two weren’t in the best of moods. She took the congee Sister Zhang handed her, said a quick thanks, pulled out a chair, and sat down before asking, “What’s up with you two?”
Gu Ye looked at Gu Nanshen, a faint hint of amusement in his expression.
“Today’s Qixi Festival. Your second brother was planning to make a romantic confession to the eldest Miss of the Mu family, right? But Mu Congya somehow got wind of it and found Nanshen last night, telling him she already has someone she likes.”
Wen Ting and Gu Nanshen were twins, and the two had never gotten along since childhood. Hearing this, a glint of amusement flashed in her eyes. Looking at Gu Nanshen’s dejected expression, she taunted, “Tsk tsk, look who’s finally getting a taste of his own medicine!”
“Wen Ting! Don’t you dare gloat!” Gu Nanshen’s voice was laced with displeasure.
It was rather ridiculous, really. He had known Mu Congya for a few months, and the two had a great relationship—only for her to tell him plainly yesterday that she had always seen him as just a brother!
Though she was reluctant to admit that Gu Nanshen did have some looks going for him, Wen Ting couldn’t help but ask, “So who does Mu Congya like? Someone who managed to outshine even you, Gu Nanshen?”
The one who answered Wen Ting was Gu Ye.
“President of the Li Corporation, Li Jin.”
Gu Nanshen: “You have the nerve to talk about me, big brother? Who knows how many projects of yours have been snatched away by Li Jin already.”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Gu Nanshen slammed his chopsticks down on the table with a crack.
“This Li Jin is practically the natural enemy of the Gu family!”
Wen Ting had been studying abroad for three years and had no idea who this Li Jin was. She took a sip of her porridge and smiled calmly. “He’s the natural enemy of you two. Don’t drag the whole Gu family into it.”
Just as she finished speaking, Wen Ting’s phone rang. It was Xu Li calling. She hesitated for two seconds before slowly picking up. “Sister Li.”
“Wen Ting, you’re finished!”
“I just got in touch with Director Li. He told me that the roles for this production are all decided by the investor. Director Li looked at your photo and thought you were great, so he specially contacted the investor. But the investor doesn’t have time to arrange another audition for you, and said that anyone who can be late to an audition is not someone they’d ever hire.”
Wen Ting narrowed her eyes slightly and asked casually, “Who’s the investor?”
“Li Jin.”
“…”
Well, well!
“I see.” She replied flatly and hung up the phone.
Gu Ye and Gu Nanshen both noticed that Wen Ting’s expression had turned displeased.
“Ooh, what’s wrong with our young miss?” Gu Nanshen crossed his arms, his tone turning gleeful.
Wen Ting shot him a glare, then looked at Gu Ye. “Big brother, tell me about this Li Jin. What kind of person is he?”
And so, Wen Ting learned the gist of Li Jin from Gu Ye.
Heir to the Li family. President of the Li Corporation.
Three years ago, at just twenty years old, Li Jin took over the Li family’s vast business empire.
After taking control of the Li Corporation, Li Jin swiftly eliminated all obstacles. In just three short years, he secured countless projects, and the Li Corporation’s business now spans the globe.
This man was decisive and swift, meticulous in his thinking, and ruthless in his methods.
Wen Ting narrowed her eyes slightly. “Big brother, do you have a photo of him?”
Gu Ye didn’t have one. He asked curiously, “Tingting? Why are you so interested?”
Wen Ting rested her chin on her hand and answered dejectedly, “Wasn’t I supposed to audition for the female lead in Feng Ning? Turns out I got the time wrong. Li Jin is the investor for this production, and now he won’t give me another chance to audition.”
Hearing this, Gu Nanshen burst out laughing. “What did I say! Being late is a blessing in disguise. You just entered the industry and you want to play the female lead? Even if you went, you wouldn’t have gotten the role. Just stay home and be a spoiled young miss. Don’t go out there and embarrass yourself—if something goes wrong, we’ll be the ones cleaning up your mess!”
“Shut up.” Wen Ting shot him a fierce glare, then set down her spoon, her voice cold and clear. “It’s just a Li Jin, is it? Just wait, big brother—I’ll snatch that project back for you!”
She turned her displeased gaze to Gu Nanshen. “And you—I’ll take care of your love rival for you too!”
Her role!
She was going to get it no matter what!
Gu Ye and Gu Nanshen looked at each other in bewilderment.
What kind of trouble was this young miss about to stir up now?