Jiang Yanzhou clutched the warm walnut kernel in his palm and froze completely.
The comments in the live broadcast room were already exploding with laughter:
【Hahaha! Boosting brainpower? Is Sister Jiang serious?】
【I suspect Mr. Jiang is making a dig at someone, but I have no proof.】
【So why exactly is the top star so annoyed? I honestly can’t follow this train of thought.】
Jiang Yanzhou stared down at the plump kernel in his hand, his fingertips unconsciously rolling it back and forth.
The lingering sullenness from being ignored earlier hadn’t quite faded, but his mind began to race uncontrollably—
Jiang Zhiwu gave him walnuts + told him to boost his brain = she cared about him.
Once he worked out this simple equation, all his earlier grievance vanished in an instant.
That made sense. Jiang Zhiwu had never been good at saying soft, affectionate words. The fact that she’d gone to the trouble of cracking the walnuts herself and handing them to him could only mean she was looking out for him!
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he felt, and the corners of his mouth even lifted into a faint smile. He quietly popped the kernel into his mouth and chewed it with crisp, satisfying crunches.
This tiny shift in expression was captured perfectly by the camera, leaving the audience completely baffled:
【??? Did I miss something? Wasn’t he just sulking a second ago? Wasn’t Sister Jiang supposedly mocking him with walnuts?】
【I’ve given up trying to figure out Jiang Yanzhou. This top star’s logic is on a whole other quantum-entanglement level.】
【Is it possible… he just cheered himself up?】
【Hahaha, self-soothing mode activated! That’s actually kind of funny.】
When Jiang Zhiwu finished chatting with the Li siblings and turned around, she found her younger brother grinning foolishly at the fruit platter, still clutching the last half of a walnut. His silly expression made her eyebrows twitch upward. “What are you smiling at?”
Jiang Yanzhou immediately wiped the smile off his face and shook his head with feigned seriousness. “Nothing. The walnuts taste pretty good.” He emphasized his point by chewing a few more times, looking as if he were savoring some rare delicacy.
Jiang Zhiwu thought to herself: *Well, the saying “you are what you eat” clearly has no scientific basis.*
Once the live broadcast ended, the car sent to pick them up was already waiting outside.
True to the variety show’s premise of “recording the guests’ daily routines around the clock,” Jiang Yanzhou could only put on a grumpy face and let the staff attach a small wearable camera to his clothes.
As the car pulled up to their familiar villa, Jiang Yanzhou lazily unlocked the front door with his fingerprint, slipped on his slippers, and walked inside.
Jiang Zhiwu called out from behind him: “Aunt Wang said there are mangosteens and lychees in the fridge.”
“Got it,” he replied, then took out the insulated container and the fruits from the fridge and washed them thoroughly.
When he carried the platter upstairs, the camera caught sight of the massive walk-in closet at the end of the hallway. Its door was slightly ajar, and motion-sensor lights flickered on as he passed, revealing rows upon rows of hanging garments—from high-end tailored suits to casual hoodies, plus several formal gowns covered in dust-proof bags.
Viewers watching the live stream leaned in to see more: the closet was neatly divided into sections. To the left hung women’s dresses and business suits; on the right, glass display cabinets were filled with limited-edition designer bags; and in the center, a jewelry counter was piled casually with necklaces, bracelets, and rings of all kinds.
【Good grief! That’s not a closet—it’s a mini fashion exhibition hall!】
【This is a harsh reality check. My entire apartment is less than a tenth of this size…】
【Whoa, that sapphire necklace must be worth six or seven figures, and they just leave it lying around like that.】
【Just how big is this villa? Walking from the entrance to the second floor already adds two hundred steps to my daily count!】
Jiang Yanzhou’s footsteps suddenly halted. The camera followed his gaze toward a closed solid-wood door at the end of the hall.
Hanging from the doorknob was a simple jade magnolia charm, glowing softly in the warm indoor light.
Sharp-eyed viewers immediately asked:
【What’s behind that door? Why is it locked?】
【Looks mysterious! Probably a study full of confidential business documents, right?】
Jiang Yanzhou glanced briefly at the comments scrolling by, paused for half a second in front of the door, and his fingers curled inward slightly—but he said nothing and kept walking.
Before the audience could press further, Jiang Zhiwu’s voice came from just outside the frame: “That was our parents’ master bedroom, before they passed away.”
She had quietly come up the stairs and walked over to stand beside him. Gently patting his back, she explained to the camera: “We’ve kept it exactly as it was after they left. The housekeepers clean it every day.”
With that, she turned the doorknob and pushed the door open slightly, giving the curious audience a glimpse. “There’s nothing special in there—just some old belongings.”
The room was furnished simply, almost plainly. The off-white bed linens were smoothed perfectly flat, and a celadon table lamp on the nightstand cast a warm golden glow. Hanging on the wall was a framed wedding photograph, polished spotless. In it, the groom wore a crisp suit and had strikingly handsome features; the bride, in a white wedding dress, held his arm and looked breathtakingly beautiful, as if she belonged to another world.
Both were smiling broadly, and their facial features bore a clear resemblance to Jiang Zhiwu and Jiang Yanzhou.
Jiang Yanzhou stood half a step behind his sister, head bowed so his expression was hidden. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets, but the line of his shoulders remained tense and rigid.
【Why did he go quiet all of a sudden…】
【Does he not like talking about this?】
【Totally understandable. That kind of loss isn’t easy to face.】
Perhaps sensing the sudden shift to a heavier mood, or simply wanting to lighten the atmosphere, viewers began spamming new requests:
【We want to see the top star’s room!】
【Yes, yes! What does the younger brother’s space look like?】
【Come on, show us your private sanctuary!】
Jiang Yanzhou seemed to snap back to attention. He raised his head, glanced at the camera, and the somber look on his face quickly turned into an annoyed expression, as if saying *Can’t you people just leave me alone?*
He clicked his tongue and grumbled, “Fine, fine. If you insist, have a look—but stop blowing up the comments section.”
He turned and walked to the opposite side of the hallway, pushed open another door, and stepped aside with a huff. “There. Go ahead and stare.”
As the lights flickered on—
The sight that greeted them left the entire audience speechless.
【Whoa!】
【Is this… a war zone?】
【Oh my goodness! I thought I’d walked into a recycling bin!】
The room itself was spacious, but the floor was almost entirely covered with scattered sheets of paper—musical scores filled with handwritten notes and lyrics. Guitars, basses, keyboards, and effect pedals lay strewn about like landmines amid the papers, while half-opened instrument cases were stacked in the corners. The bed was clear of clutter, but several shirts and jackets were draped over the chair, and the desk was a chaotic jumble of water glasses, empty snack wrappers, tangled headphone cords, and half-open music theory textbooks.
The whole space exuded a wild, “work in progress” energy—a stark contrast to the neat, orderly rest of the villa.
【Hahaha! I’m sorry, but I can’t stop laughing!】
【That’s more than just messy—it’s a total disaster zone!】
【How does anyone even live here? Aren’t you afraid of tripping over something?】
Jiang Yanzhou clearly saw the barrage of teasing remarks. His handsome face hardened into a scowl, and he lifted his chin in defiance. “Messy? Please. This is *organized chaos*. You people wouldn’t understand.”
【You call this pigsty “organized chaos”???】
【Just gonna sit here and watch you dig in your heels.】
【Now I’m really curious—what does Mr. Jiang Zhiwu’s room look like?】
That comment dropped like a stone into calm water, setting off a new wave of requests. More and more viewers began spamming the screen, begging for a tour of Jiang Zhiwu’s private quarters.
But Jiang Yanzhou suddenly went completely silent. He didn’t even lift his eyes. Instead, he walked over to the keyboard, played a quick chord, bent down to straighten a tilted music stand, and even peeled open a lychee and popped it into his mouth—acting as if he hadn’t read a single word.
【??? Is he ignoring us on purpose?】
【That reaction is way too obvious! Definitely pretending not to see.】
【Hahaha, someone’s acting like a spoiled child!】
As if feeling the collective silent frustration of the audience, the camera suddenly wobbled. Then Jiang Yanzhou’s face—set in its usual “do not disturb” glare—filled the entire screen, eyebrows drawn together into a deep frown as he stared back unblinkingly.
Viewers: “….”
Fine, keep your room private then. So childish!
Just as everyone wondered if they were going to be locked in a staring contest forever, there was a soft knock at the door.
Still chewing his fruit, Jiang Yanzhou mumbled, “Come in.”
Jiang Zhiwu leaned against the doorframe, her gaze sweeping over the sea of sheet music and instruments. “It’s still early. Would you like to watch a movie together?”
“Aren’t you swamped with work?” Jiang Yanzhou turned around, looking genuinely surprised. “I saw you replying to your assistant’s messages just a little while ago.”
“I wrapped everything up early today, so I have some free time,” she replied, stepping inside. Her eyes fell on his fingers, sticky with fruit juice, and she raised an eyebrow. “Go wash your hands first. Don’t go touching things all over the place when you’re sticky.”
“Got it,” he said, but he was already jumping to his feet, dumping the fruit platter onto the desk, and hurrying toward the bathroom. As he passed her, he couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of movie? Mystery or sci-fi? I heard a new space-themed film came out last week…”
When he came back from washing up, he looked noticeably brighter and more energetic. His steps were light, and he hummed a little tune—an impromptu melody he’d composed himself—as he walked past her.
On his way through the living room, he detoured into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stuffed mangosteens and lychees into a large container, then grabbed two handfuls of nuts and tossed them into a snack bag. He looked just like an excited elementary schooler packing for a field trip.
Jiang Zhiwu: “….”
She leaned against the staircase railing and watched him, then suddenly smiled.
All this fuss just to watch a movie together? Why was he acting like he’d been given a special treat?
Come to think of it, since their parents passed away, she’d been so busy fighting for control of the family business from her uncles and cousins, taking over the company, and sorting through endless problems, there really hadn’t been many quiet moments like this.
Even though they lived under the same roof, it often happened that she would come home late at night only to find his lights already turned off; and by the time she left early in the morning, he was already being whisked away by his manager to filming schedules.
Even when they did have meals together, she would rarely finish a whole conversation before being called away for urgent business. Simply sitting down to watch a movie side by side had become something of a rare luxury.
And Jiang Yanzhou’s pure, uncomplicated, almost childlike joy was a quiet reminder to her.
Had she been putting too much of her energy into work lately, and neglecting the only close family member she had left?
“Got any particular movie you want to watch?” Jiang Yanzhou suddenly asked, turning back.
“Anything is fine,” she replied.
“Great, then I’ll just pick one at random.” Still humming his tune, he ducked into the private theater room.
Soon the lights dimmed, and the opening credits began to roll across the large screen.
Jiang Yanzhou sat with his arms wrapped around the fruit container, shoving lychees into his mouth one after another, tapping his foot lightly to the background music, completely relaxed.
That is, until the camera zoomed in for a close-up of the lead actor. A sharply defined face with deep-set eyes filled the entire screen—Ji Ningshen, dressed in a black trench coat, looking up through the rain. Every ray of light and shadow seemed deliberately arranged to highlight his striking features.
*Pfft—*
Jiang Yanzhou nearly choked on his fruit. His bright smile vanished instantly. “Ugh! Why does it have to be him?”
He scrambled for the remote and hit the exit button so hard he almost broke the device. Jiang Zhiwu, seated in a separate armchair and quietly peeling a mangosteen, glanced up. “Who?”
“Who else? Ji Ningshen, obviously.” Jiang Yanzhou frowned, navigating back to the menu with obvious disgust. “Talk about bad luck. Pick a movie at random and there he is.”
He scrolled quickly through the library, making sure to avoid any title that listed Ji Ningshen’s name.
But barely three minutes into his next selection, the same familiar face appeared again—this time in ancient robes, standing on the palace steps and speaking eloquently, his profile illuminated by candlelight, looking unusually handsome and refined.
“….”
Jiang Yanzhou fell silent for two seconds, then hit the pause button with a sharp *click*. His expression twisted as if he’d just swallowed a whole lemon. “Is he contracted to the entire film library? How does he pop up everywhere I look?”
【Hahaha! The top star’s frustration is priceless!】
【Ji Ningshen: Thank you for the compliment. My reputation precedes me across the industry.】
【This is too funny—what kind of cursed fate is this? Two random picks, both starring his rival. What are the odds?】
Jiang Yanzhou caught the teasing comments and scowled even deeper. Finally, just to be safe, he selected a big-budget animated film.
But whenever Ji Ningshen’s name appeared on screen, the audience’s reactions always grew more lively.
The comments soon shifted direction:
【You have to admit, Ji Ningshen’s face is truly something else. Even in extreme close-ups, he looks flawless. I was blown away when he first appeared.】
【And don’t forget his acting is his real superpower! If he weren’t so young, he’d be sweeping every Best Actor award within a few years.】
【Right! I heard he’s being considered for one of the lead roles in *Mist Over Foggy Mountain*!】
【Wait, really? That’s a huge opportunity!】
【Industry insiders say it’s almost confirmed—just waiting for the official announcement.】
【If Ji Ningshen lands that role, he’ll solidify his status as an A-list star and climb straight to the very top tier.】
【Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who could satisfy the original novel’s fans more than him.】
…
As the viewers chatted enthusiastically—
*SLAM!*
Without warning, the entire theater plunged into total darkness. The big screen went black, and the live broadcast feed cut out abruptly, leaving only faint, indistinct shapes visible.
【??? What just happened? Did my internet die?】
【No way! My screen went dark too!】
【That scared me! Why is everything blacked out? Did the server crash again?】
The audience’s hearts raced at the sudden change. But from the darkness came Jiang Zhiwu’s calm voice: “Don’t worry. It’s probably just a tripped circuit breaker or a power outage.”
Her steady tone soothed most of the panic in the comments.
Then, from the shadows, came a soft *clatter*—like something being knocked over, followed by the sound of fruit rolling across the floor.
“Yanzhou?” Jiang Zhiwu called out immediately. “Are you alright?”
No answer.
All that could be heard was quickened breathing and the growing concern from the viewers.
Jiang Zhiwu fumbled between the cushions of the sofa for her phone, turned on the flashlight, and a narrow beam cut through the darkness. The fruit container that had been sitting on the coffee table was now tipped over, with lychees and mangosteens scattered all over the carpet. Several mangosteen rinds had been stepped on and split open, spilling deep purple juice across the fabric.
And Jiang Yanzhou, who had been sitting comfortably just moments before, was now crouched halfway to the floor, his back rigid and tense.
“Yanzhou?” She stepped forward, reaching out to touch his shoulder—when the villa’s backup generator suddenly hummed to life. Emergency lights flickered on, casting warm golden light back into the room.
As soon as the lights came on, Jiang Zhiwu saw his face clearly. He was deathly pale, his lips pressed into a tight, thin line. His fingers, resting on his knees, trembled uncontrollably, turning white at the tips.
The cheerful, lively boy from just minutes before was gone. All energy seemed drained from him, and his gaze drifted blankly toward the mess on the floor.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhiwu frowned, stepping closer and reaching out to help him up. “Did you trip or bump into something when the lights went out?”
Jiang Yanzhou jolted as if waking from a nightmare, and flinched backward, pulling away from her hand. He stood up quickly, brushing the wrinkles from his trousers in a hurried motion, his voice slightly hoarse. “Nothing.”
He didn’t even glance at the mess on the floor, turning straight toward the door. “I’m a little tired. Going back to my room to rest.”
“Wait.” Jiang Zhiwu saw how off he was and softened her tone. “Do you want me to bring you a cup of hot water? You look pale.”
But Jiang Yanzhou acted as if he hadn’t heard a word. He didn’t slow down—if anything, he walked faster.
He pulled open the theater door, leaving the camera behind him focused only on his stiff, cold back, and hurried up the stairs. Even the sound of his slippers hitting the steps carried a sharp, restless edge.
The door clicked shut, leaving Jiang Zhiwu alone with the scattered fruit—and an audience utterly confused.
【……??????】
【Huh??? That’s it? He just left?】
【Wait… his sister was asking if he was okay! Why did he act so cold?】
【Oh my god, that tone just now sent chills down my spine. It was freezing!】
【Sister Jiang was left standing there all alone! How dare he treat her like that?】
Jiang Zhiwu looked at the mess on the floor, then raised her eyes to the closed door at the end of the second-floor hallway, her brow furrowing slightly.
She suddenly remembered a time not long ago, when she’d been called away last minute to the office but had returned to the villa unexpectedly. The lights in the living room and hallways had all been off. When she pushed open Jiang Yanzhou’s bedroom door, he’d been huddled under the blankets, completely still, his breathing shallow and rapid.
Back then, she’d assumed it was just teenage moodiness and hadn’t thought much of it. But now, recalling how pale and shaken he’d looked then, it matched exactly the way he’d reacted the moment the lights went out just now.
It wasn’t ordinary anger or discomfort. It looked more like… a stress response.
The realization unsettled her. She turned off the theater equipment, then spoke to the camera: “That’s all for today’s broadcast. There’s nothing much left to see.”
Silence finally settled over the villa. Jiang Zhiwu stood at the foot of the stairs, staring up at the closed door for a long moment, but decided not to disturb him. She quietly turned and went back to her own room.
The next morning, Jiang Yanzhou’s door didn’t open until well past noon. Dark circles ringed his eyes, his hair was messy from tossing and turning, and all the energy seemed to have drained out of him as he shuffled into the dining room.
Aunt Wang placed a warm breakfast on the table. “You look tired today, Young Master. Did you not sleep well?”
“Hmm,” he mumbled vaguely, picking up a slice of toast and nibbling at it slowly. He didn’t even touch the glass of milk he usually loved.
Jiang Zhiwu walked in from the kitchen carrying her coffee. Seeing his state, she pushed a glass of warm honey water across the table toward him. “Drink this.”
Jiang Yanzhou lifted his eyelids slightly, said nothing, but obediently picked up the glass and took a few sips.
On the drive to the filming location, the atmosphere in the car stayed quiet. But once they arrived, Jiang Yanzhou stepped forward to take Jiang Zhiwu’s luggage from her hands.
The Li siblings waved enthusiastically from a distance. Li Lele was clutching several beautifully wrapped boxes.
“Sister Jiang! Yanzhou!” She pressed the boxes into Jiang Zhiwu’s arms. “These are souvenirs from our shoot at the beach! This brand of dried mangoes is amazing—we bought extra for you!”
Li Bo followed, handing over another box. “This one has freshly grilled squid strips. They don’t last long, so be sure to eat them soon.”
Jiang Zhiwu thanked them warmly, her fingers brushing the fine embroidery on the packaging—clearly chosen with care.
“Thank you so much for bringing these all the way back,” she said with a smile. “I’ll have someone send over some of our premium tea leaves later. A friend brought them back from the high mountains in the southwest; they have a wonderful aroma.”
“Wow! Thank you, Sister Jiang!” Li Lele’s eyes lit up, and she immediately began chattering about their adventures by the sea.
Standing a short distance away, Huang Zhihe held the gift box in her hands and suddenly felt it turn heavy and awkward.
She’d also received a small souvenir from the Li siblings earlier—but compared to the generous, thoughtfully chosen gifts in Jiang Zhiwu’s arms, hers felt completely insignificant.
Ever since Jiang Zhiwu’s identity as CEO had been revealed, even straightforward people like the Li siblings had started treating her with such obvious respect.
The thought of Jiang Zhiwu suddenly becoming a viral sensation and stealing all the spotlight made Huang Zhihe’s blood boil.
The night before, she’d spent a fortune hiring online trolls to push Jiang Zhiwu’s trending topics down the list, replacing them with posts showing herself and Jiang Ting dining at exclusive restaurants and shopping at luxury boutiques. The amount of money she’d poured into the campaign was enough to cover a down payment on an apartment in a major city.
Because of the large charges, Jiang Mingqi had even called her for the first time in ages, scolding her for “spending money recklessly.”
But Huang Zhihe felt it was worth every penny.
Before going to sleep, she’d checked Weibo and seen that #HuangZhiheDiningInStyle was still firmly at the top of the trending list, flooded with marketing accounts praising her as “elegant, poised, and living the life of luxury.” The comments in the live broadcast had been steered in her favor too, and her follower count had jumped by tens of thousands.
Now, watching Jiang Zhiwu laughing and chatting while surrounded by the Li siblings, Huang Zhihe forced herself to look away and opened her Weibo app.
*At least my name is still trending number one,* she told herself. *The live viewership is still strong. No need to get upset over something as trivial as gifts.*
But as soon as she refreshed the page, her eyes froze.
At the very top of the trending list was a new headline: #MistOverFoggyMountainConceptArtistAnnounced#, marked with a bold red “BREAKING” tag.
And the post about her had already slipped down to number ten.
Huang Zhihe gritted her teeth, staring at the unknown title that had suddenly taken the spotlight.
Who is this person?!