Two hours before the Star Light Theater awards ceremony began, Xi Tang was called back to the company urgently while her makeup and hair were only half done.

As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw Ni Kai Lun sitting in the office with her hair in a bun, her face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

The company’s big boss, Master Thirteen, sat nearby, leisurely smoking his pipe. Seeing her enter, he smiled happily: “Xi Tang, come in and sit down.”

Xi Tang sat next to Ni Kai Lun: “You wanted to see me?”

Master Thirteen glanced at Ni Kai Lun.

Ni Kai Lun sat coldly, not moving.

Master Thirteen called with a measured tone: “Kai Lun.”

Ni Kai Lun reluctantly reached out and pushed a black square box sitting on the table toward her.

Xi Tang opened it, and a dazzling brilliance illuminated the entire room—it was the large diamond necklace from a few days ago.

Xi Tang, with her perfectly applied glamorous makeup, her small face as radiant as March peach blossoms, joked with a smile: “Is this for me?”

Master Thirteen looked at her. Back when Ni Kai Lun had brought her to him, asking him to let this girl in and give her work, he trusted Ni Kai Lun’s character and thought how much trouble could one little girl cause, so he did her this favor and let her have her way.

This girl had been with the company for several years. Her character was first-rate, though she didn’t know how to compromise, her principles were too high. Fortunately, she worked well, so he thought to keep her, perhaps to cultivate her for management or behind-the-scenes work in the future. He hadn’t expected to see through the situation only today—it seemed her value needed to be reassessed.

Master Thirteen cleared his throat and said: “Mr. Zhao sent it over, specifically for you. Xi Tang, finally it’s your turn, good days are coming.”

Xi Tang was stunned: “Which Mr. Zhao?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she came to her senses, and her face gradually changed.

She glanced at Ni Kai Lun, whose eyes were blazing with fire, yet she could only grit her teeth and endure.

Xi Tang felt coldness seeping from the crevices of her bones, her teeth suddenly beginning to chatter.

Master Thirteen tapped the ash from his pipe: “Kai Lun told me you know this young master from the Zhao and Zhou families?”

Xi Tang could only give a slight nod.

“Then I don’t need to explain his background, do I?”

“What does he want?”

“Young Master Zhao wants you.”

Ni Kai Lun suddenly stood up, suppressing her anger and shouting: “Tell him to go to hell!”

Even Master Thirteen showed some surprise; the company’s chief female warrior who charged into battle rarely lost her composure.

Ni Kai Lun looked down at her: “Xi Tang…”

Xi Tang reached out and grabbed her arm, two fingers trembling, almost digging a hole in her arm: “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Through the down jacket, Ni Kai Lun could feel her back violently shaking.

The two women, ashen-faced, looked at each other with quivering lips.

Master Thirteen waited for a while, until the two calmed down, and began talking to Ni Kai Lun again: “I know you care for Xi Tang, but you can’t indulge her, can’t keep letting her play these nameless minor roles, occasionally filling in as an extra when free. Since she’s entered this circle, she needs to rise to prominence. If she doesn’t rise, what kind of female celebrity is she?”

Ni Kai Lun still wouldn’t give up, thinking secretly: “It doesn’t have to be the Zhao family…”

Master Thirteen said: “In terms of power and influence, not just in this small area of Shanghai and Hengdian, but in the entire Beijing, isn’t the Zhao family a notable name? Xi Tang, if you still want to film with our company, then go.”

Ni Kai Lun’s face completely collapsed.

Xi Tang held her hand, shaking her head in despair. The matter was already settled.

Outside, an assistant knocked, urging them. Ni Kai Lun checked her watch and stood up, smoothing a wrinkle on her suit. She spoke to Xi Tang, her tone steady and firm: “Touch up your makeup in the car. Let’s go walk the red carpet first.”

In an instant, she had returned to being that capable female agent.

Master Thirteen called from behind: “Hey, aren’t you going to wear that big stone?”

Ni Kai Lun, holding Huang Xi Tang’s hand, turned back and replied lightly: “Keep it at the company to offset your debt. This girl owes you nearly half a year’s interest; she hasn’t even afforded to eat a steak in these past few months.”

Xi Tang returned to the company at three o’clock in the morning.

After returning from the post-award ceremony reception, having networked thoroughly, Ni Kai Lun immediately dove into the conference room to meet with the PR and publicity teams. Tonight on the red carpet at the Star Light Theater awards ceremony, Zhang Zhi Yin, who walked the red carpet behind them, suddenly had her one-shoulder evening gown slip, exposing half her bosom. Miss Zhang paled instantly, the scene filled with screams, and reporters immediately turned their cameras, causing the entire “Palace Love” crew to be completely ignored. In the age of internet media, photos were immediately posted online, causing a sensational topic. The internet was filled with comments, and attention to Zhang Zhi Yin’s new drama quickly increased.

Wu Zhen Zhen was so angry her face twisted.

Before Ni Kai Lun even entered the theater, she quickly directed company colleagues to offer red envelopes overnight. That same evening, media experts immediately wrote commentary analyses, suggesting that Zhang’s move didn’t seem unintentional but was premeditated, deliberately seeking attention, showing too much calculation and using tasteless tactics. They suggested that next time Zhang should just take off her pants on the red carpet, which would be truly laughable, and so on.

Once this article was published, naturally some applauded it, media outlets reprinted it widely, and fans started an online battle of words.

Ni Kai Lun rushed back to the company overnight for meetings. The rival company was desperate to rise in prominence, leaving large openings that must be seized for a devastating blow. Colleagues in the publicity department were busy all night. Early the next morning, Zhang Zhi Yin’s company issued a press release, and everyone immediately arose to monitor public opinion.

Xi Tang slept for a while on the office sofa. In the morning, she bought breakfast for colleagues who had worked overnight. In the afternoon, Wu Zhen Zhen’s publicity team came to take over, and Ni Kai Lun pushed aside her work, gave her a look, and said calmly: “Let’s go.”

Xi Tang drove toward the Huangpu District, and Ni Kai Lun dozed off a bit in the car. The car stopped at the Peace Hotel at 20 Nanjing East Road.

The two got out of the car, passed through the luxurious and elegant hotel lobby, and entered the elevator one after another. In the ascending elevator, there were only the two of them. Through the golden metal mirror surface, Xi Tang saw her face and Ni Kai Lun’s—having worked for a day and night, both had drooping eyes, tired and weary.

Upon reaching the seventh floor, Ni Kai Lun straightened her shoulders, then raised her hand and gave Xi Tang a hard slap on the back.

Xi Tang took a deep breath, bit her lip hard, and habitually raised her head and chest under her strict gaze, maintaining a pretty and elegant demeanor.

The two followed the concierge through the deep and magnificent suite corridor. The entire building was silent, like a cool tomb.

Xi Tang didn’t feel many emotions, she just felt tired.

Zhao Ping Jin was a man she had once deeply loved.

Now, facing him again, only numbness remained. The pounding heart, uneasiness, sleepless nights, tossing and turning with tears—she had experienced enough of these in her youth.

Back then, she was young and spirited, relying on his doting love to act however she pleased. Later, she discovered she was nothing special—Zhao Ping Jin had so many women more beautiful than her, waiting in line to get into his bed. What was she?

She just hadn’t parted ways amicably during the breakup and offended him. For someone like him, who couldn’t tolerate the slightest humiliation, he probably wanted her to suffer for life.

Shen Min opened the door for them.

Facing his trusted aide, Xi Tang was no longer willing to smile. Her forced smile disappeared, and she only said softly: “Miss Ni from my company’s economic department came with me.”

Shen Min shook hands with Ni Kai Lun: “Mr. Zhao has returned to Beijing. I’m truly sorry, he’s entrusted me to talk with your company. Whatever conditions you have, discuss them with me.”

Xi Tang’s legs weakened, and she sat in the hotel entryway.

She heard Ni Kai Lun walk directly into the living room, refusing water or tea, immediately making bold demands: thirty thousand a month, what kind of housing, what car to provide, what films to shoot for her, how many advertisements to take, film restrictions, and so on—a whole list of items.

Shen Min responded impassively.

Ni Kai Lun continued: “Mr. Zhao cannot interfere with Miss Huang’s work schedule at our company.”

Shen Min just politely said: “I need to make a phone call.”

He went into the room to make the call.

After a while, Shen Min came out: “Mr. Zhao would like to say a few words to Miss Huang.”

Xi Tang had no choice but to follow him in.

Shen Min led her to the study, handed her the phone, and then closed the door.

“Huang Xi Tang?”

“Mm.”

Zhao Ping Jin was on the other end, his voice a bit low with a deep nasal tone. Xi Tang guessed he had probably just woken from a nap. He didn’t mention anything about what they were discussing, only saying casually: “Shen Min says you refused to play the second female lead in your company’s new drama?”

The new drama’s female lead was still Wu Zhen Zhen. New and old flames gathering together—it would be quite a show before filming even began. At the time, Ni Kai Lun had rejected it outright without even listening. Xi Tang respectfully replied: “Yes, there was a schedule conflict.”

Shen Min went out to the living room and pushed a bank card toward Ni Kai Lun: “When Mr. Zhao is in Shanghai if Mr. Zhao needs her, Miss Huang must accompany him. She needs to adjust her work schedule herself. Mr. Zhao agrees to all other conditions.”

Ni Kai Lun took the card and looked at it—a platinum card issued by Shanghai CITIC Bank. She nodded, picked up her bag from the sofa, and said goodbye.

After taking two steps, she turned back and glared. Xi Tang was still on the phone in the room. She wanted to rush in and pull that foolish girl out. Enough was enough—what old feelings could there be to reminisce about with such a heartless man who didn’t honor past relationships?

Zhao Ping Jin spoke businesslike on the phone: “When I want to come, my secretary will call to inform you in advance.”

Xi Tang answered: “Okay.”

Zhao Ping Jin added: “Go out and let Shen Min come in.”

Xi Tang followed Ni Kai Lun, slowly walking down the stairs to the parking garage.

The two reached the car, and Ni Kai Lun looked back to see the person behind her. Her face was calm, but her beautiful large eyes were completely unfocused.

She had to sit in the driver’s seat herself.

“Xi Tang—” Ni Kai Lun glanced at the person silently fastening her seat belt beside her and spoke softly: “Tell me, do you still love Zhao Ping Jin?”