Zhao Pingjin held her while chatting with Gao Jiyi on the sofa.

Gao Jiyi sent Jiang Xuesong away to sing, then said to Zhao Pingjin, “I heard yesterday that Old Sun is back.”

Zhao Pingjin didn’t immediately register who he meant. “Who?”

“Sun Kehu.”

Upon hearing this name, Zhao Pingjin curled his lip mockingly and said, “He disappeared for quite a while when he couldn’t make it here anymore. Where is he coming back from?”

“He went abroad for several years. A few years back when things weren’t so strict at the top, he probably made some money. His father wanted him to emigrate to Australia.”

The children of high-ranking officials in Beijing all knew each other well. They would typically show each other some respect, though there were certainly those who didn’t get along. Zhao Pingjin had always disliked this Sun Kehu. Back when Zhao Pingjin was in high school, he dated his first girlfriend—he completely forgot her name now—Sun Kehu had also particularly liked that girl. He accused Zhao Pingjin of stealing his girlfriend, and they arranged to fight at Houhai. The fight itself wasn’t a big deal; Zhao Pingjin later became friends with several people from the other side. But with Sun Kehu specifically, he harbored resentment from then on. Although they could pretend to be polite when they met, neither of them felt good about the other. Later, when he was with Huang Xitang, Sun Kehu wanted to take revenge, but Huang Xitang publicly humiliated him. He couldn’t bully Huang Xitang; she was like a little firecracker back then, and with his backing, she could crush anyone who crossed her path. They were young then, and jealousy among the children of high officials was common. Zhao Pingjin hadn’t taken it seriously. Sun Kehu’s father held some real power in the Public Security Bureau, and Zhao Pingjin had sought his help for something a few years ago, which was particularly uncomfortable.

Gao Jiyi discussed matters with Zhao Pingjin.

Gao Jiyi was somewhat uncertain. “Director Lu’s daughter-in-law seems to be his cousin. Do you think I should try to reach out to him?”

Zhao Pingjin disagreed. “He just got back, how much influence could he have? Besides, if his father can’t make decisions on this, what use would he be?”

Gao Jiyi thought for a moment. “I’m just worried about being thorough enough, trying to find additional channels. Zhouzi, I’m mainly counting on you for this matter.”

Zhao Pingjin’s voice was steady. “I know. I’ll handle this personally for you.”

“Then I thank you in advance, brother.”

“It’s not a big deal. After all these years, you deserve a promotion.”

Zhao Pingjin suddenly raised his hand to steady her shoulder. The person in his arms was trembling slightly. “Xitang, what’s wrong? Are you cold?”

After discussing the important business, Gao Jiyi beckoned Jiang Xuesong to come over for a drink. Gao Jiyi pulled her close and sat on the other end of the sofa. After drinking for a while, they collapsed on the sofa and began fondling each other.

Zhao Pingjin wanted to take Xitang home first, so he shook her arm. “Let’s go home to sleep.”

Xitang opened her eyes and climbed out of his embrace.

Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly thrust open.

A young woman burst in, her face flushed, and screamed as if shocked: “Excuse me, is Director Gao here?”

The people playing cards in the outer room all stopped what they were doing, glanced at the girl at the door, and the men’s faces showed the familiar, ambiguous smiles as they looked toward the sofa.

Gao Jiyi and Jiang Xuesong were still rolling around on the sofa.

Xitang looked toward the voice. A young girl stood at the door, apparently having just cried, her eyes and the tip of her nose red.

Xitang’s eyes suddenly widened. It turned out to be someone familiar—the young girl Tao Ranran from their film crew.

She seemed to have been at the press conference earlier; the organizers had brought in some extras from the crew to fill the audience.

Zhao Pingjin called out, “Hey, hey, Gao, someone’s looking for you.”

Gao Jiyi raised his head and saw her. “How did you get here?”

Tao Ranran rushed to him, furiously saying, “Brother Gao, didn’t you tell me I could act in Director Feng’s next film? I just spoke with him, and it’s not true at all! The cast list is already set, and he doesn’t know me or has never even heard my name!”

Gao Jiyi unhurriedly stood up, smiling kindly to reassure her: “Little Tao, don’t be anxious. Let me ask again.”

Tao Ranran was deceived by his cultured appearance. The courage she had at the door disappeared by half. She hesitated and said, “Do you still have a way?”

Xitang coldly awakened her with a shout: “Ranran, don’t be foolish. For Director Feng’s films, all lead actors must be approved by him before signing contracts. Since he has denied it, it means it’s not happening. Gao Jiyi is just playing with you. Can’t you see that?”

Tao Ranran had already sought confirmation repeatedly tonight and found that nobody had arranged any connections for her. When she mentioned Gao Jiyi’s name, she only received contemptuous mockery from those around her. Now that Xitang had burst her last bubble of hope, she finally fell into complete despair. She lunged forward like a madwoman: “How could you do this to me? I’ve lost my innocence, you’re all beasts in human clothing! I’ll report you to the Disciplinary Committee!”

The men seated around laughed in unison: “Old Gao, that’s not right.”

Gao Jiyi grabbed her and yanked her hard: “Lower your voice!”

Seeing this, Xitang immediately stood up.

Zhao Pingjin pressed down on her shoulder and said in a low voice: “Enough, this isn’t your business.”

Jiang Xuesong stood by the whole time, watching and covering her mouth as she laughed: “Listen, classmate, you believe whatever a man tells you? Aren’t you a bit too naive?”

Tears welled up in Tao Ranran’s eyes: “He lied to me!”

Jiang Xuesong laughed meaningfully: “That’s because you’re stupid.”

Tao Ranran immediately covered her face and broke down crying: “I’m a good girl. If my mother finds out, she’ll surely kill me…”

Xitang walked over, held her shoulders, and comforted her quietly for a few moments. Then she looked up, staring at Gao Jiyi, and said: “In this world, there are indeed people who break their promises, people who are beasts in human clothing. Ranran, remember to see clearly in the future.”

Jiang Xuesong blew on her nails: “My, my, someone’s got backup. Nowadays, female celebrities don’t mince their words.”

Meanwhile, Tao Ranran was crying and clutching at Gao Jiyi. A moment later, a waiter came in and dragged her away.

Gao Jiyi, seeing her being pulled out, sighed with relief and brushed off his sleeves: “Bad luck.”

Xitang stood by the sofa and coldly added: “Director Gao, why didn’t you think about today when you were sleeping with that girl?”

Gao Jiyi was already in a foul mood, and hearing this only poured oil on the fire. He didn’t dare do anything to her but said to Zhao Pingjin: “Zhouzi, control her mouth! If you can’t control her, don’t blame me for being impolite!”

Zhao Pingjin, accustomed to being indulged, heard this and deliberately stood aside, a slight, cynical smile at the corner of his mouth: “I really can’t control her.”

The hatred Xitang had suppressed for many years now churned in her chest. She looked at Gao Jiyi and smiled sarcastically: “Be careful the girl doesn’t jump from your building roof tonight. That would be one more life lost at your hands.”

Gao Jiyi reacted as if scalded, shouting madly: “Huang Xitang, watch what you say!”

Zhao Pingjin silenced Xitang in a low voice: “Enough, don’t go too far.”

Jiang Xuesong’s eyes widened instantly.

The private room had fallen completely silent.

Fang Langzhi came over to escort Jiang Xuesong out: “Miss Jiang, I’m sorry, the family needs to handle something. Director Gao will call you later.”

Zhao Pingjin looked back; with Shen Min here, things would naturally be handled properly. The clients and manager at the card table had somehow already disappeared completely.

Shen Min walked to the door, dismissed the waiting servers, closed the door, and approached Zhao Pingjin, saying quietly: “You should take Xitang home.”

Zhao Pingjin nodded and said to Xitang: “Let’s go.”

Gao Jiyi stood behind her and said threateningly: “Huang Xitang, let me tell you, Zhong Qiao’s death had nothing to do with me.”

Xitang immediately turned around, staring at him without fear: “Is that so? Then why did you transfer five million to her account? After taking so much money, why would she jump to her death the very next day?”

Even Zhao Pingjin was somewhat surprised at this.

Gao Jiyi’s face instantly contorted: “Huang Xitang, you’re investigating me? Have you lost your mind?”

Xitang said through gritted teeth: “If you haven’t done anything wrong, what are you afraid of?”

Xitang and Gao Jiyi had directly turned hostile and started quarreling.

Zhao Pingjin slowly began to understand. The day before Zhong Qiao’s death, Gao Jiyi had transferred five million to her account. Five million back then was enough to buy two three-bedroom apartments inside the Third Ring Road. With that money, Zhong Qiao would have been set for half her life.

So many years had passed. Since seeing her again in Hengdian, Zhao Pingjin thought she had learned to adapt to society’s rules of survival. He didn’t expect her fiery spirit to remain, still with that unyielding temperament, still that loyal and naive girl at heart.

Gao Jiyi said through clenched teeth: “I’m telling you, she deserved to die. That money all went to her parents. I already showed her the utmost benevolence.”

Xitang was furious and grief-stricken; her eyes instantly reddened: “If you couldn’t be with her, why did you deceive her feelings? And use her to do so many dirty things?”

Gao Jiyi looked at Huang Xitang grimly, as if seeing a monster possessed by Zhong Qiao’s spirit: “She touched things she shouldn’t have, then used them to threaten people. This wasn’t just about me; it involved people far up the chain. Do you think it was easy for me to get that much money? You know what kind of person Zhong Qiao was—why are you standing up for her? Do you think she was innocent?”

Xitang raised her head: “In the eyes of people like you, a human life is worth just five million?”

Gao Jiyi gave a cold laugh: “What? Was that too low?”

Xitang wanted nothing more than to take a knife and kill him.

Gao Jiyi said contemptuously: “What injustice are you crying about? Aren’t you walking the same path now? When Zhouzhu discards you someday, do you have the guts to jump too?”

Zhao Pingjin’s face suddenly changed color. Frowning, he snapped: “Gao Jiyi, stop talking nonsense!”

Xitang said viciously: “Zhong Qiao’s death—you’ll get your retribution eventually!”

Fang Langzhi quickly stopped her: “Xitang, calm down!”

The situation was chaotic.

Gao Jiyi kicked over a chair and stormed out, slamming the door.