Tang Wei was the performing star invited for the opening of this cultural tourism project.
Her agent, through connections, learned that a group of highly distinguished figures would be enjoying the beach here tonight. So, the agent had Tang Wei set off early, arriving a few days ahead under the pretext of familiarizing herself with the venue, hoping to seize any opportunities that might arise.
Tang Wei never expected to run into Ling Jue.
She had spent some time by Ling Jue’s side once. Thanks to his influence, her life had ascended to a whole new level, propelling her to become a top-tier star overnight.
A man so lofty and seemingly omnipotent, whose very appearance seemed to cast a spell—it would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved. Yet, she never allowed herself to harbor any extra thoughts.
Why? Because Ling Jue was terrifying.
Once, a former woman of his—perhaps unwilling to let go, perhaps believing she was special because Ling Jue had spent lavishly on her—actually tried to cling to him again.
That incident even dragged in a certain Miss Tao, who was also of noble status and had briefly returned to the country to recuperate.
Miss Tao, having mistakenly consumed the drug that woman had prepared for Ling Jue, found her already frail body teetering on the brink of death once more.
Ling Jue calmly handled the chaotic scene, then had the woman force-fed ten times the dose of the drug.
He didn’t order anyone to humiliate or assault her. He simply watched as the drug took effect, reducing her to a grotesque, writhing mess at everyone’s feet, her face twisted in agony.
Only after she had endured the full force of the drug did he casually have her sent to prison, as if swatting away a bothersome fly.
A promising actress, a future star—in just one night, she vanished from the public eye without a trace. Years of hard work were utterly destroyed, with not even a whisper of questioning or investigation from the outside world.
The man’s cold, utterly emotionless gaze from that day still sent shivers down Tang Wei’s spine whenever she recalled it.
She warned herself: don’t think that having been with him once meant there was any lingering affection.
Jue Ye had plucked many flowers, but those he truly brought into his own garden were exceedingly rare.
She would not be the exception.
Seeing it was him, Tang Wei actually felt more at ease.
She would just come over to say hello, go through the motions. Outsiders seeing them acquainted, able to exchange a few words, would then think twice about how to treat her in the future. That was enough.
Thinking this, the smile on her face grew more genuine.
"Well, this settles it. No need to pick anyone else. Jue Ye, you can just carry Tang Wei."
A man with blue-tipped hair spoke up in a low, suggestive tone, his gaze sweeping seemingly casually over Qin Shuyi beside Ling Jue.
"Even a fleeting romance is still a romance. Better than breaking up a young couple on the spot."
The other single girls, who had been nervously and secretly hoping to be chosen: ???
Are we invisible?
Yet Zhong Mingzhou deliberately ignored them, his gaze toward Qin Shuyi even carrying a hint of veiled provocation as he continued to fan the flames.
"Is that necklace Tang Wei is wearing the 'Fanyue' that was the finale piece at the Starlight Auction two years ago? Truly, Jue Ye has impeccable taste. It really is beautiful."
Tang Wei instinctively covered her chest.
"Fanyue" had fetched a staggering sixty million at auction back then.
And Jue Ye had given it away just like that.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Ex and current meeting on a narrow path—a true scene of intense rivalry.
Although Tang Wei couldn’t really be considered a proper ex, the fact that she could approach so openly and greet him suggested that at least her time with Jue Ye had been amicable, without any unpleasantness.
Between men and women, when the mood is right, old flames rekindling for a night of passion isn’t entirely out of the question.
But then Qin Shuyi, as the girlfriend, would be in an awkward position.
The gossip inexplicably perked up everyone who had been lazily lounging due to the alcohol and sea breeze, with subtle glances sweeping toward the main characters.
Tang Wei, who had been put on the spot, felt her heart sink.
Oh no, she had walked right into a trap!
"Haha," she forced a laugh, "You must be mistaken. This isn't Fanyue."
She wasn't lying—what she was wearing today really was a counterfeit.
Sixty million! If she wore the real one and it got scratched or damaged, she'd be heartbroken.
Anyway, everyone knew the genuine piece was in her possession. Even if she wore a fake, no one would know unless it was a particularly grand occasion—she usually didn't let it make an appearance.
Today, she had casually brought one along to make an impression while meeting with mid-level executives from a partner company.
Now she finally understood the situation: Jue Ye had to hug someone for a minute, but his rumored true love—the one who had supposedly inspired his prodigal son's return—was sitting right beside him.
Someone had deliberately egged her on to be the one stirring the pot.
Her eyes darted around. "Ahem, well…" She clutched her stomach as if embarrassed. "I've had diarrhea today, ahem, spent the whole day in the bathroom. I don't smell too good, so I'd better pass."
Surely no one would be so insane as to dare force Jue Ye to hug a smelly woman!
Xia Zhiyue, sitting among the crowd, widened her eyes in disbelief.
Damn! This woman is ruthless!
A top-tier celebrity like her, tarnishing her own image without a second thought.
Tang Wei, who was being admired, was inwardly panicking, wishing she could sprout wheels and make a quick escape.
Whether the true love was real or not, the bloody lessons from her predecessors told her: whoever wanted to wade into this muddy water could go ahead—she wasn't touching it.
"Then I'll just…" leave?
Before she could finish her sentence, Zhong Mingzhou sneered, "It's just a hug. What are you afraid of?"
He glanced at Qin Shuyi. "Don't worry, Miss Qin. Surely you wouldn't be so jealous over something this trivial."
"Given Jue Ye's status, how could she possibly mind him hugging another woman?"
Back then, hadn't she climbed her way up with a passionate kiss during a drinking game? He wanted her to know that the tricks she had used could be used by others too.
There was no difference between her, Tang Wei, Xu Yan, or any of those other women.
"Miss Qin, everyone is waiting. Aren't you going to say something?" he joked with a smile, but in reality, he was forcing Qin Shuyi to take a stance.
Qin Shuyi, leisurely draped in a shawl and sitting on a lounge chair with her chin propped in her hands, watched Zhong Mingzhou's antics with an amused smile. "Huh? Was I supposed to say something?"
"I wasn't the one who drew the punishment card, nor did I choose the partner for Ling Jue. So I actually have a say in this?"
She tilted her head toward Ling Jue. "What do you think, boyfriend?"
She wasn't targeting the man or the woman—she simply pushed the problem back to its source: Ling Jue.
Why should she take a stance? If anyone had a problem, they should take it up with the person actually involved.
The man who had been called upon to draw the fire finally set down the soft, pretty hand he had been toying with. He glanced at the stunned Zhong Mingzhou and placed the punishment card unhurriedly on the table, a faint, mocking smile on his lips.
"Who said I was going to accept the punishment?"