Xi Tang was irritated at the mere mention of it. Having just arrived home, she was immediately summoned: “You all are catching up as classmates, why do you need me?”

Zhao Ping Jin glanced at her, curled his lip, and spat out two words: “For show.”

Xi Tang followed Zhao Ping Jin into the hotel lobby. At the staircase, she encountered a familiar face—someone who had previously helped with publicity at the company. She was somewhat acquainted with various media personnel in the industry. When the person saw her, they noticeably froze for a moment, so she had no choice but to politely nod.

The man immediately smiled and greeted her: “Oh, Xi Tang, eating here?”

Xi Tang didn’t think much of it and politely smiled back: “Yes.”

The man didn’t say anything more, and they passed each other.

Throughout the meal, Zhao Ping Jin indeed treated her as mere decoration.

In the spacious private room, three or four men sat around a round table. After dinner, they moved to a small adjoining room for tea. They talked about old friends and anecdotes, regional customs, future investments, and various entertainments. Xi Tang remained on the side, focused on eating. With about ten days until her next role, she decided to eat well for a few days before getting back to fitness training.

Midway through, a server led by a middle-aged man. The young men immediately stood up.

“Dad.” “Uncle Hu.” “Hello, Uncle Hu.”

The man had half-gray hair and wore a short-sleeved white shirt, exuding considerable authority and dignity. He first responded to Zhao Ping Jin: “Ah, good, good, good. Zhou’er, it’s been a long time.”

Zhao Ping Jin treated him with familiarity, though not with excessive respect: “Uncle Hu, it’s been a few years. You’re looking more vigorous than ever.”

Uncle Hu glared at him: “I see you still haven’t settled down. Hasn’t General Zhao managed to discipline you yet?”

Zhao Ping Jin smiled and said: “My dad’s busy, no time to manage me. Lei Zi mentioned you were dining here too. I should have gone over to pay my respects, but he said it wasn’t convenient, so I didn’t go to disturb you.”

Uncle Hu said: “I just saw off some officials. Little Lei mentioned you were here, so I came over to sit for a while.”

He sat down, drank a couple cups of tea, and after three rounds of conversation, he stood to leave: “You young people enjoy yourselves, but don’t drink too much. Little Lei still has a flight tomorrow. I’ll head back now. Zhou’er, come visit the house sometime.”

Everyone stood up with him.

Zhao Ping Jin responded: “Certainly, Uncle Hu. Let me introduce someone to you. This young lady is Huang Xi Tang, a graduate of the Film Academy’s Performance Department. She’s currently working with a production team in Hengdian.”

The eyes of the men around the tea table suddenly all turned toward her.

Only Hu Shao Lei remained silent with a smile.

Huang Xi Tang had been keeping her head down, maintaining a submissive and gentle demeanor, only smiling and pouring tea without speaking. She hadn’t expected Zhao Ping Jin to thrust her into the center of attention with a single sentence, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Zhao Ping Jin glanced at Huang Xi Tang, signaling her with his eyes.

Xi Tang stood up and said properly: “Hello, Uncle Hu. My name is Huang Xi Tang.”

Uncle Hu looked at Zhao Ping Jin, then at Huang Xi Tang, immediately understanding the situation. He took out his business card case and handed a card to Xi Tang: “Perhaps we can collaborate in the future.”

Huang Xi Tang accepted it with both hands: “Thank you.”

Fortunately, Xi Tang had brought her work bag today. She respectfully presented Ni Kai Lun’s business card: “Mr. Hu, I’m sorry I don’t have my card. This is the card of Ms. Ni, the talent manager at my agency.”

After seeing the elder off, the young men sat back down. Zhao Ping Jin looked at her and said disapprovingly: “How are you still so slow-witted?”

Xi Tang secretly rolled her eyes at him.

This time, the men saw it. Hu Shao Lei laughed heartily: “Zhou Zi, I’ve truly had my eyes opened today. In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen you seek out my father.”

Xi Tang had already seen the name on the business card.

She realized her ignorance—Hu Shao Lei’s father was a magnate in the industry’s monopolistic film company system.

The gathering continued until ten at night. When Zhao Ping Jin called for the bill, the restaurant manager came in and bowed: “Mr. Zhao, I’m sorry to disturb you—somehow there are reporters outside, quite a few of them.”

Zhao Ping Jin didn’t immediately understand: “What’s going on?”

The manager respectfully explained: “We sent someone to inquire. They say that—Miss Huang Xi Tang is dining here. There are also some suspected reporters in the restaurant outside. We don’t allow guests to take photos, but for now, we have no way to prohibit guests from coming in to dine…”

Zhao Ping Jin indicated he understood and waved for him to leave.

The men began to tease: “Didn’t realize Miss Huang was such a big star…”

Huang Xi Tang immediately blushed: “I’m sorry for causing trouble.”

“It’s nothing, nothing,” Hu Shao Lei cheerfully walked to the window, lifted the curtain, and peeked outside: “Wow, there are quite a few people.”

Zhao Ping Jin followed and looked out. From the fifth-floor window, they could see the restaurant entrance. The driveway was dimly lit, with several cars parked there.

He suddenly felt dizzy.

He backed away from the window.

Xi Tang recalled the weekly magazine reporter who had greeted her on the stairs. She realized that after coming and going in this circle for so many years, starting today, she would need to learn to be wary of people.

Zhao Ping Jin smiled: “Senior, it seems I can’t drink with you tonight. This girl has caused trouble.”

The guests said their goodbyes and left.

Xi Tang hid in the corner of the sofa and called Ni Kai Lun.

As soon as Ni Kai Lun heard her voice, she exclaimed: “Weren’t you back in your hometown? When did you return?”

Xi Tang said quietly: “Wasn’t it Zhao Ping Jin who called me here?”

Ni Kai Lun, who had been busy these past few days with Zheng You Tong’s rumored affair, immediately became angry: “Right, whenever he’s involved, you’re in for big trouble.”

Xi Tang didn’t care about anything else and just said: “Come rescue me quickly!”

Ni Kai Lun, with her general-like demeanor, began directing operations on the other end.

“I’ll have A Kai come pick you up, along with someone from publicity.”

“What are you wearing? Is your makeup done? You need to look camera-ready.”

“You must exit through the main entrance later. Which outlets have arrived? I’ll call and notify more media contacts.”

“Come out after half an hour.”

Xi Tang hung up and said to Zhao Ping Jin: “You should go first. I’ll wait for my colleagues to pick me up.”

But Zhao Ping Jin simply picked up his jacket and said to her: “Let’s go.”

Xi Tang asked: “Where to?”

Zhao Ping Jin replied matter-of-factly: “Out. Home.”

Xi Tang remained seated: “There are so many people outside.”

Zhao Ping Jin stood over her, displeased: “You’d rather be photographed cozying up with that oily-faced male star than be seen with me?”

Xi Tang, dealing with such a situation for the first time, had no desire to argue with him at this critical moment: “Don’t make things worse. It’s chaotic enough.”

Zhao Ping Jin commanded her with his eyes: “Come.”

Xi Tang shook her head: “You go out first. Be careful.”

Zhao Ping Jin was on the verge of exploding: “Walk with me.”

As a favored son of heaven, Zhao Ping Jin was accustomed to having his way. When his temper flared, he became willful. Perhaps in all these years, there hadn’t been anything he didn’t dare do. Xi Tang couldn’t stand this about him. Her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile: “You want to be on the front page of entertainment news? Are you sure? Have you considered your background?”

Zhao Ping Jin paused, but continued stubbornly: “My own business has nothing to do with my background.”

Xi Tang smiled contemptuously: “Is that so?”

She always could use such a smile to crush his dignity into the dust.

Xi Tang’s words were merciless: “I still saw your esteemed father on the news last night, and your mother too. Are you sure you want your name to be forever tied to a third-rate female celebrity?”

Zhao Ping Jin trembled with anger but had to admit she was right.

He took a deep breath, reached for his cigarette case, and clicked his lighter several times before it finally lit: “Huang Xi Tang, you always have a way of not leaving a man even a shred of dignity.”

Xi Tang still wore that sarcastic smile: “Mr. Zhao’s dignity hardly depends on me, Huang Xi Tang.”

Zhao Ping Jin was so angry he couldn’t speak, and could only smoke anxiously.

Despite his anger, it hadn’t occurred to him to leave first.

The two sat in silence until the private room door was suddenly pushed open. Ni Kai Lun burst in like a whirlwind. She didn’t even glance at Zhao Ping Jin, instead walking directly to Huang Xi Tang and examining her up and down: “Touch up your makeup, change your shoes.”

The company’s stylist came up and took out a pair of high heels from the large bag they brought. An assistant immediately came forward to help her put them on, while the makeup artist pulled out a powder compact.

Xi Tang allowed them to arrange her.

Ni Kai Lun said from the side: “If reporters ask anything about Zheng You Tong later, remember not to say anything. Don’t frown, smile a little, and be coy. Everything outside has been taken care of.”

The makeup artist complimented her gently: “Your skin is so good, just a bit of lipstick will do.”

Ni Kai Lun said gleefully: “The media will release old photos of you two as former classmates. Tomorrow’s headlines are guaranteed.”

Xi Tang was shocked: “Where did you get the photos?”

Ni Kai Lun gave her a sideways glance: “From your school, with a bit of money.”

Xi Tang couldn’t get a word in: “I…”

Ni Kai Lun stood to the side, beaming: “Event invitations have doubled, plus several TV variety shows. The investors for both ‘Palace Romance’ and ‘Sword Break’ have specifically requested you to participate in all upcoming promotional activities. Xi Tang, you should thank Zheng for this dinner.”

Zhao Ping Jin couldn’t bear to listen anymore. His face turned ashen as he grabbed his coat and headed straight for the door.

Two people were standing outside the door, presumably assistants and publicists that Ni Kai Lun had brought. They seemed awkward when they suddenly saw him coming out.

Behind him, Ni Kai Lun had already linked arms with Huang Xi Tang and walked out. The two young people immediately stood at attention, turned around, and respectfully greeted loudly to the person behind him: “Sister Xi Tang!”