Chapter1

The weather in Hu City is unpredictable. In the morning, the sun is high in the sky, and by the afternoon, the wind picks up, with dark clouds spreading across the city. The entire city is shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

Just like the current mood of Cen Zhen.

"I'm sorry, the director feels that you don't quite match the image of this character. We'll work together next time."

When Cen Zhen received this call, she was waiting at the gate of Songjiang Film City for Song Wang. After calmly thanking the caller, she glanced at her phone.

It had already been a quarter of an hour past the time they had agreed upon, but he still hadn't come out.

Cen Zhen wanted to send a message to ask, but her phone immediately gave a low-battery warning—less than 10%.

The gloomy weather, the failed audition, and waiting for someone who never showed up—now even her phone was acting up.

It felt like everything frustrating had suddenly rushed in at once.

There was no charging cable in Song Wang's car, and Cen Zhen sighed helplessly, glancing out the window.

A convenience store was about 20 meters away, and outside, there was a shared power bank for rent.

Looking at it this way, her luck wasn't completely terrible.

Cen Zhen got out of the car, rented a power bank, and was walking back when a man's voice called out to her.

"Cen Zhen?"

She looked up, recognized the man, and immediately took back her earlier thought about "luck not being too bad."

After all—

Running into this person was the kind of bad luck that felt like stepping in dog poop.

Shen Zesheng, a well-known investor in the industry. Though over forty, his charm hadn't waned. With his wealth and the many film projects he invested in every year, he was the object of pursuit for countless stars who wanted to socialize with him.

Dressed in a well-tailored suit, his posture relaxed, he stood there and asked, "So, are you here for an audition?"

Cen Zhen had only met Shen Zesheng a few times.

And each time, it had ended with him saying she was "ungrateful."

Cen Zhen turned her gaze to the side, ignoring him and replying, "I'm just passing by."

Shen Zesheng didn't believe her words. This was the largest film shooting base in Hu City. A newcomer who graduated from the film academy like her just "happened" to pass by?

She was just being stubborn.

Shen Zesheng raised his lips disdainfully, scanning her from top to bottom, narrowing his eyes. "Why bother?"

He lowered his voice, "What I said before still stands. Whenever you've thought it over, come find me."

Although Cen Zhen's rejection had frustrated him, Shen Zesheng had to admit that every time he saw her, whenever she stood here, her "ingratitude" became like a thorn on a rose.

The more it hurt, the more it ignited his desire to conquer.

Cen Zhen's beauty made even a man like Shen Zesheng, who had seen countless women, pause in astonishment for a few seconds. She wasn't the typical beauty with big eyes and a high nose, but there was something unforgettable about her—a breathtaking quality that seemed gentle and unassuming at first glance. Those who got closer could feel the allure in her eyes.

Her temperament was rare in the entertainment industry, poised between aloof and alluring, distant yet close, beautiful without leaving any room for doubt.

On the professional front, Shen Zesheng knew Cen Zhen had a top-tier face for the screen, and she would make him a lot of money.

On a personal level, this was the first time Shen Zesheng had lowered himself to "chase" a woman.

He offered Cen Zhen a luxurious deal: a lead role in a drama, a hefty monthly allowance, and a large apartment in the city center.

On the business side, it was a win-win deal.

But Cen Zhen rejected him without a second thought.

Now he was bringing up the same old conversation again—

"Then I can only repeat myself to Mr. Shen." Cen Zhen gave a polite smile. "I'm not interested, now or in the future."

Shen Zesheng, however, was used to this thorny flower. Picking it required patience. He smiled, straightened his tie, and walked into the hotel, saying, "No rush, you'll come around."

Cen Zhen understood what he meant.

Shen Zesheng was someone many female stars would rush to please, but Cen Zhen repeatedly ignored him and brushed off his face.

As a result, even though she'd graduated half a year ago, having been to many film sets, no one was willing to offer her a role.

Big producers and small newcomers—they all knew what choice to make.

But Cen Zhen refused to believe that in this industry, Shen Zesheng could dominate everything.

After waiting a bit longer in the car, Song Wang finally sent a message: "Finished, meet me in the parking lot. Be careful, don't let anyone see you."

Song Wang was Cen Zhen's college classmate and had been her boyfriend for less than half a year.

Or rather, the latter term was more fitting for their current relationship, considering that there weren't many couples in the world who had to sneak around just to meet.

Song Wang had gained some fame earlier in the year from a web drama. Seizing the momentum, he took on a lot of jobs and seemed to jump from the edges of the industry to its center, overwhelmed with work.

During this period of his rising career, Cen Zhen understood his caution. She drove to the parking lot and waited a bit longer until Song Wang appeared from the elevator.

"Did anyone see you?" he asked, getting into the car with a cautious tone.

Cen Zhen was speechless at the first thing he said after a month of not seeing each other. "If you're so afraid of being seen, why did you ask me to come?"

"I'm not afraid," Song Wang quickly reassured. "I just want to protect you."

Cen Zhen didn't want to argue over a single sentence, so she started the car and changed the topic. "How was the audition?"

"It was okay, just waiting for the result." Song Wang took a sip of water. "By the way, Shen Zesheng showed up earlier. I just found out he's the producer for this drama. Ling Ge told me to make sure to keep a good relationship with him, no harm in that."

"...Him again."

This industry wasn't that big, and since Shen Zesheng invested in many dramas each year, it wasn't surprising that their networks overlapped.

It was just a bit unlucky.

"What about you? How did the role you auditioned for a few days ago go?" Song Wang casually asked.

Cen Zhen's tone was calm, "I got rejected."

Song Wang turned to look at her, opened his mouth to say something, but hesitated and eventually said nothing.

In truth, Song Wang also didn't understand how the girl who had been adored by everyone in school, the one everyone thought would become a huge star, had now graduated and couldn't even land an 18th-tier role.

Was this what they meant by not having the luck to be famous?

Song Wang didn't continue the topic, and instead selected an address on the navigation. "Accompany me to this place."

He was heading to a high-end Italian suit brand store known for its bespoke services, rumored to have served royal families and politicians worldwide. The prices were exorbitant, with no rentals and no need for celebrity endorsements, relying purely on its century-old craftsmanship and elite service to maintain its reputation.

"Are you attending some event?" Cen Zhen asked.

Song Wang nodded. "The second young master of the Meng family is in Hu City. There's a private dinner at Hua Mansion tomorrow night. Ling Ge worked hard to get me an invitation, and I can't let him down."

Cen Zhen was unfamiliar with the name. "Which Meng family?"

"Which other Meng family could it be besides the one in Beicheng?" Song Wang clicked his tongue. "You really have no idea about these rich families, do you?"

Cen Zhen had studied at Beicheng Film Academy for four years with Song Wang before moving to Hu City to develop her career.

After Song Wang's reminder, Cen Zhen vaguely recalled something.

There were plenty of rich people in Beicheng, with many bosses worth hundreds of millions, almost too numerous to count. Among the many circles of influence, the Meng family was the most enigmatic one.

The family was vast, with many branches, and held a mysterious position in both political and business circles.

They were true nobles and aristocrats.

Cen Zhen vaguely remembered the first time she met Shen Zesheng, when he had proudly said with a stiff fake Beijing accent, "In the Beicheng circle, there's no one I don't know. Have you met the second young master of the Meng family? He's my friend."Cen Zhen certainly hadn’t met him.

But anyone who could be friends with Shen Zesheng was probably no different.

Thinking about this, Cen Zhen frowned involuntarily. "What did Ling Ge want you to do?"

Song Wang leaned a little closer to share the gossip he'd heard. "This young master did something in Beicheng that angered his family, so they sent him to Hucheng."

"Although the Meng family's business in Hucheng isn’t that extensive, it’s still related to us."

"You probably don’t know, but Zhongshi is a media group under the Meng family."

Zhongshi Culture is based in Hucheng and holds significant weight in the entertainment industry, with a unique approach to business.

They don’t have signed artists, but they’ve long cooperated with major stars, TV stations, and official media, producing high-quality, positive shows.

If the capital behind it is from the Meng family, everything makes sense.

"This second son of the Meng family was sent here, and it’s said he’ll be taking over the management of Zhongshi. It’s always good to build a relationship in advance." Song Wang spoke to himself, "If you’re attending such a private dinner, you need to have some proper clothes."

Cen Zhen drove without commenting.

Although she didn’t agree with judging a person based on their outward appearance, she had to admit that, in social circles, the first impression is always about the clothes. A proper outfit is essentially a person’s business card.

Half an hour later, the car stopped across from the brand store.

The exquisite display windows were framed by sample clothes, and the meticulous craftsmanship of the Italian artisans reflected the high-end suit aesthetics.

Song Wang really put in some effort to select this for the dinner.

He was still cautious. Before getting out of the car, he pulled up his mask and said, "I’ll go in first. You come in after ten minutes and say you’re my assistant."

Cen Zhen tried to get used to this mode of interaction. "Alright."

After seeing Song Wang enter the store, Cen Zhen parked the car in a nearby underground parking lot. She waited another ten minutes before walking up.

To her surprise, the shop, which had just been open, now had a "Closed" sign hanging.

Confused, Cen Zhen cautiously pushed the door open. A staff member quickly approached and politely said, "Sorry, miss, we’re temporarily clearing the store to accommodate guests. You can come back later."

Clear the store?

Cen Zhen instinctively thought this might be Song Wang’s request, since he was becoming popular. But after looking around and not finding him, she had no choice but to ask, "Where is the gentleman who just came in?"

The staff member paused, then looked her up and down. "Who are you?"

Cen Zhen responded, "...I’m his assistant."

Before the staff member could ask further, Cen Zhen added, "We arranged to meet here."

Cen Zhen's striking presence left little doubt in the staff member's mind, but they still handed her a bottle of water, saying, "Please wait a moment."

After what seemed like checking with Song Wang, the staff member returned, smiling. "He’s in the fitting room. Please follow me."

This was a high-end brand, and the way they operated was meticulous, protecting their clients' privacy while still treating her as "the assistant" with courtesy.

The staff member led Cen Zhen to the second floor and stopped at the fitting room. "If you need anything, feel free to call us."

"Thank you."

The fitting room had a sign that read "VIP ROOM," which confused Cen Zhen. She couldn’t help but wonder when Song Wang had started spending at top-tier luxury stores like this. She pushed open the door.

The room was unexpectedly large, more like a private meeting area and product showcase space.

Upon entering, there was an artistic floral section, with fruits, champagne, and desserts laid out on a glass table nearby. A row of clothes racks held suits in various colors, while the accessory section displayed watches, ties, and cufflinks in different styles. A stylist was selecting matching accessories based on the suit color.

Song Wang, standing with his back to Cen Zhen, was already wearing a black suit, surrounded by several people.

The man stood upright, his slim waist and lean body perfectly suited for the well-pressed suit.

For a moment, Cen Zhen froze.

This... was Song Wang?

Although his height seemed similar, the aura he exuded felt unfamiliar.

Surrounded by people, Song Wang slowly turned his head. His gaze raised slightly, and an invisible pressure seemed to flow through the room as he looked over Cen Zhen, who stood frozen.

In that moment, their eyes met, and Cen Zhen's heart skipped a beat. Her mind went blank.

He was dressed in a high-quality black suit with a shawl collar, paired with black pants. His figure was striking, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a model. His shirt collar was slightly undone, showing just a hint of his collarbone, looking both lazy and indifferent.

For a few seconds, the atmosphere between them grew still. His gaze didn’t shift, and Cen Zhen couldn’t bring herself to look away until her phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence and pulling her out of the strange, familiar gaze.

He wasn’t Song Wang.

...Who was he?!