The charity banquet organized by Comet Entertainment was hosted aboard a luxury cruise ship anchored in the city center of City S.
Every prominent entrepreneur in City S had received an invitation, including, naturally, Little President Chu of Fengqian Media.
It happened to be September, and the weather was pleasantly mild.
The river’s surface shimmered under the breeze, reflecting the glowing lights of the towering skyscrapers along both banks. As the cruise ship cut through the evening wind, clinking glasses and lively chatter echoed throughout the banquet hall.
Lin Huixing, President of Comet Entertainment and host of the event, lightly clinked her wine glass against that of Fu Chengzhou, President of Chasing Dream Media.
“President Lin has a remarkable eye,” Fu Chengzhou remarked smoothly. “Shang Ting has only been in the industry for five years, yet he’s already claimed the title of Film Emperor.”
Lin Huixing curved her red lips into a subtle smile, making no attempt at false modesty. “Indeed.”
“Though he still pales in comparison to President Chu’s talent over at Fengqian,” Fu Chengzhou added. “Their artist, Ruan Qing, won Drama King despite only debuting two years ago.”
They were discussing the entertainment awards ceremony from a couple of days prior. The coveted titles of Film Emperor and Drama King had been claimed by Comet Entertainment’s Shang Ting and Fengqian Media’s Ruan Qing, respectively.
Fu Chengzhou glanced around. “Has Chenfeng arrived yet? How come I haven’t seen him?”
“He’s here,” Lin Huixing replied. “I think he’s in the lounge.”
Fu Chengzhou nodded, a soft laugh escaping his lips as a thought struck him. “If Little President Chu ever decided to debut as an actor himself, he’d probably be even more famous than Ruan Qing.”
Lin Huixing chuckled. “Isn’t his younger brother an actor? He’s certainly immensely popular.”
Fu Chengzhou froze for a second. “Little President Chu’s brother? Who?”
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, his attention was drawn toward the entrance.
Chu Chenfeng hadn’t arrived late, but wine had accidentally splashed onto his sleeve earlier, forcing him to retreat to the lounge to change into a spare jacket.
The replacement suit jacket was a runway piece that accentuated his slender waistline to perfection. His collar was casually unbuttoned, exposing a length of neck so pale it was almost dazzling. His dark hair was swept back, with a few artfully loose strands framing his brow. His narrow jawline gave him an exceedingly handsome, refined silhouette.
Following close behind him was his secretary, Xia Yue—a sharp, highly capable woman with striking, vivid features.
Chu Chenfeng accepted a glass of wine handed to him by Lin Huixing’s assistant and took a light sip.
When he lowered his gaze to drink, those opposite him couldn’t help but stare at his downturned eyes.
His eyelashes were long and straight, casting soft shadows over his skin. When he raised his eyes again, the outer corners swept up exquisitely, his dark pupils brimming with a subtle shimmer.
His features were as flawless as a perfectly rendered digital model.
Lin Huixing raised her glass toward him. “Congratulations to Fengqian on producing a Drama King.”
Everyone present knew the weight of the awards ceremony from two days ago. Ruan Qing had won his award for a drama script that Little President Chu had personally selected for him—a masterpiece holding a staggering 9.5 rating on Douban.
Chu Chenfeng curled his lips into a faint smile. “My congratulations to Comet’s Shang Ting as well.”
Lin Huixing smiled warmly. “It’s still no match for your sharp eye, Little President Chu. You took over Fengqian just two years ago, yet you’ve already groomed a Drama King.”
Ruan Qing was an artist Chu Chenfeng had signed immediately after taking over the company. Aside from him, the few other artists signed afterward had all rocketed to astronomical fame in a remarkably short span of time.
Chu Chenfeng’s lips twitched upward as he clinked his glass against Lin Huixing and Fu Chengzhou’s with a quiet laugh.
Even though Lin Huixing and Fu Chengzhou were well-acquainted with him, his breathtaking smile still caused their minds to go momentarily blank.
“If the opportunity ever arises, we should have our artists collaborate on a project,” Fu Chengzhou teased half-jokingly.
Chu Chenfeng merely smiled without making a promise.
It was his secretary, Xia Yue, who stepped in seamlessly to smooth things over. “That depends on whether our schedules line up for a suitable project.”
Shang Ting was notorious in the entertainment industry for his arrogant, imperious demeanor. Forget Little President Chu; Xia Yue personally wanted their own artists to stay as far away from him as possible. Besides, their Ruan Qing was docile and obedient—far too easy to pick on.
In Fengqian, Little President Chu was famous for being a protective, fiercely protective boss.
Fu Chengzhou chuckled, dropping the subject before turning to ask Lin Huixing beside him, “I heard an invitation was also sent to Jiang Mingshen of Jiang Chen Holdings this time. Has that distinguished gentleman shown up?”
The smile on Chu Chenfeng’s face slowly faded. He lowered his eyelashes, staring blankly at the amber liquid swirling in his glass.
Lin Huixing failed to notice his subtle change in demeanor. “That man almost never attends events like this. He probably won’t come.” She hadn’t actually expected a reply when sending out the invitation, merely trying her luck.
“Jiang Chen Holdings has a vast empire of businesses, and the entertainment industry is merely an insignificant fraction of it. He likely looks down on a small charity gala like ours.”
Fu Chengzhou mused, “Jiang Chen used to have zero interest in entertainment. It was only after Jiang Mingshen took over recently that they invested in a few film and television projects. Every single one he touches turns into an absolute blockbuster.”
“Exactly,” Lin Huixing agreed. “So why would President Jiang bother with us? Many major events sent him invitations in the past, and he turned down every single one.”
Fu Chengzhou nodded in agreement. “True.”
He then turned his gaze back to Chu Chenfeng. “Does Little President Chu know President Jiang? I heard he used to study at A University as well.”
Chu Chenfeng swirled the wine in his glass with effortless elegance, his expression cool, detached, and utterly indifferent. “I don’t know him.”
Lin Huixing remarked, “A few years ago, who even knew the name Jiang Mingshen? It was as if he popped out of nowhere, founded a tech company, and rapidly built a fortune. In just two short years, he became a rising titan in the business world, and not long after, he directly acquired the massive Jiang Chen Group. Now, who in the business world doesn’t know Jiang Mingshen of Jiang Chen Holdings?”
Realizing her boss wasn’t chiming in, Xia Yue pointed toward a spot nearby. “Isn’t that President Zhao from Star Pulse Records?”
Only then did Chu Chenfeng lift his eyes to look. It really was him.
A rookie artist under his company was planning to release a single, and he happened to be looking for an opportunity to discuss a partnership.
The corners of Chu Chenfeng’s lips curled into a polite smile. He clinked his glass against the two before him and walked off in the direction of Star Pulse Records.
The rookie artist possessed undeniable talent, and Chu Chenfeng had an impeccable eye for potential. It didn’t take long for him and President Zhao to reach a tentative agreement, setting a time to test out music styles.
Swapping his glass for a flute of champagne, President Zhao’s eyes suddenly lit up as he looked toward the entrance. “Jiang Mingshen?”
“He actually came?”
“How rare.”
Except for Chu Chenfeng, everyone nearby turned their heads to look.
“Little President Chu, shall we go greet President Jiang together?” President Zhao suggested eagerly.
Even if entertainment was merely a small branch of Jiang Chen Holdings’ business, its presence carried immense weight in the entertainment circle.
Every company president in the industry was eager for a chance to make his acquaintance, hoping to secure a lucrative partnership.
Chu Chenfeng raised his glass with a noncommittal air. “You go ahead, President Zhao. Don’t let me hold you back.”
Recognizing it as a polite refusal, President Zhao didn’t press the matter and hurriedly headed toward the entrance of the main hall.
Little President Chu casually made his way to a waiter in the corner to sign for the auction items he wished to bid on. Holding the pen loosely between his fair fingers, he finished writing and pushed at his wristwatch with a trace of quiet irritation.
Xia Yue asked softly, “Are you feeling unwell, Boss? Do you want to leave early?”
Chu Chenfeng knitted his brows slightly. “I’m fine. I just saw someone I’d rather not see. Let’s head out.”
Xia Yue was baffled. “Who could be so annoying? You don’t usually hold grudges against anyone, do you?”
She gasped playfully, “Don’t tell me it’s an ex?!”
Little President Chu lowered his eyes and picked up another glass of champagne, remaining dead silent.
Xia Yue’s eyes widened dramatically.
“It really is an ex?! Did you dump her, or did she dump you?”
Chu Chenfeng remained quiet for two seconds before murmuring, “I dumped him.”
The brief silence gave Xia Yue all the answers she needed. If this isn’t bumping into an ex, what is? And if this isn’t a stubborn lie from someone who actually got dumped, what is?
Her boss was so handsome, so sweet, and so wonderful—who could possibly be so blind as to dump him?
Sure, Little President Chu could be a bit delicate, a bit of a neat freak, a picky eater, and kept an irregular sleep schedule… but overall, he was utterly adorable, okay?!
A partner should pamper him, spoil him, and coax him—wasn’t that just common sense?!
How dare they dump him…
A surge of protective loyalty welled up inside Xia Yue. “Don’t leave!”
Chu Chenfeng paused. “Huh?”
“At least make your ex jealous before we go!”
Chu Chenfeng was stunned. “Ah?”
Xia Yue pressed, “Where’s your ex? Which direction?”
Chu Chenfeng subconsciously glanced back toward a certain direction. Xia Yue immediately adjusted her hair, put on an intensely affectionate, radiant smile, and intimately fed him a piece of chocolate tart from the dessert table.
She had joined Fengqian right after graduation and worked alongside Chu Chenfeng for two whole years. Their personal friendship was excellent, and their unspoken synergy was beyond question. Even when Little President Chu turned his face away, refusing to eat it, she knew exactly which way he’d turn and popped it accurately into his mouth.
Chu Chenfeng choked out, “Mmh?!”
Xia Yue gazed at him with an intensely devoted, deeply affectionate look. “Did they see? Did they see it?”
Goosebumps broke out across Chu Chenfeng’s skin. He swallowed the bite of chocolate tart, his voice muffled as he muttered, “Yeah… glanced over.”
Xia Yue immediately craned her neck to scan the room. “Who is it?” She scanned the women looking in their direction. There were plenty of admiring, mesmerized glances, but none carried the subtle, bitter sting of seeing an ex with someone new.
While searching the crowd, Secretary Xia seized the opportunity to feed Little President Chu another piece of dessert.
Chu Chenfeng dodged slightly. “I don’t like this one.”
Xia Yue suddenly blinked. “Wait… isn’t that Jiang Mingshen of Jiang Chen Holdings? A crowd was blocking him earlier so I couldn’t see clearly, but he’s walking right over to us! Damn, he’s seriously handsome.”
Xia Yue babbled on, “Where’s your ex-girlfriend anyway? I’ve fed you two desserts already, and I still haven’t spotted her.”
“What do you want to eat instead? Osmanthus cake?” Secretary Xia murmured, searching the table for desserts her boss actually liked.
“Seriously though, President Jiang is gorgeous. He’s so tall, his nose bridge is so sharp, his jawline is insane… he looks ridiculously dominant. Why does he keep staring at us?”
“Do you know him?”
Chu Chenfeng took a light bite of the osmanthus cake Secretary Xia offered. His eyes unexpectedly collided with his ex’s once again, causing his long eyelashes to flutter violently. He subconsciously licked his lips.
A tiny crumb of pastry clung to the corner of his mouth, just out of reach of his tongue.
“Long time no see.” Jiang Mingshen walked over, his towering figure standing out even more up close—a full half-head taller than Little President Chu. Standing near, his shadow under the chandelier almost completely engulfed the younger man.
His eyes were deep and dark. His gaze drifted upward from the pastry crumb on Little President Chu’s lip, sweeping over the straight bridge of his nose, before settling on an eye-level gaze.
Chu Chenfeng raised his eyes, staring at the ex-boyfriend who looked vastly different from his memories. He pulled his lips into a cool, lukewarm smile. “Is that so? I seem to have forgotten.”
In his memory, Jiang Mingshen back then always wore clothes washed until they faded to white. Now, he stood immaculately dressed in high fashion, carrying an effortless, commanding grace.
Jiang Mingshen looked at him, a fleeting smile touching his lips.
Xia Yue suddenly realized something, her gaze darting rapidly between the two of them.
Chu Chenfeng’s tone remained aloof. “Is there something else, President Jiang?”
“What, did President Jiang come over specifically because he wants to discuss a business deal with our Fengqian?”
Jiang Mingshen’s voice was smooth. “If you want to…”
Chu Chenfeng cut him off coldly. “I don’t.”
“Excuse me, I have somewhere to be. Pardon us, President Jiang.”
Little President Chu led Xia Yue around Jiang Mingshen, walking straight toward the parking lot outside.
Secretary Xia pulled open the car door, pausing for two seconds as she recalled the less-than-friendly look Jiang Mingshen had given her just moments ago. She slowly turned her head around. “Boss… your ex… is a guy?!”
Chu Chenfeng pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Xia Yue: “…Impressive.”
No wonder Jiang Mingshen had looked at her like that. Honestly, if she hadn’t possessed extraordinary psychological fortitude, she wouldn’t have survived that glare.
Her stellar professional etiquette allowed Xia Yue to maintain a calm exterior despite the wild storm raging in her heart. A moment later, her professional smile returned. “Um, Boss, there’s a little something on the corner of your mouth.”
The neat-freak Little President Chu: “?”
He knitted his brows, using the handkerchief Xia Yue handed him to wipe away the pastry crumb.
After the two of them got into the car, Chu Chenfeng stared out the window for a while before letting out a soft cough, asking with feigned indifference, “Was the crumb on my mouth… really obvious earlier?”
Secretary Xia carefully pondered her response to reassure her boss, who was both a neat freak and fiercely obsessed with maintaining a cool, aloof image. “Don’t worry, Boss. It wasn’t obvious at all. Unless some pervert was staring intently at your lips, nobody would have noticed.”
Chu Chenfeng: “…”
He yanked at his collar in frustration. “Head to the company first. Where’s Ruan Qing? A dating reality show reached out to him—tell him to come see me tomorrow.”