Although there were quite a few incidents in the afternoon, filming was completed relatively smoothly. The crew booked several private rooms at a famous private restaurant in Shencheng for a gathering meal, celebrating the production launch banquet for “Dawn Breaking.” In attendance, besides the production team, the main cast members, investor representatives, there were also high-level officials from the Publicity and Education Bureau—all people with status and position.

This private restaurant wasn’t particularly remote, located in a famous street alley beside Lincheng Road. The architecture there was slightly old—small red Western-style buildings of varying heights. Beside the narrow road were many hidden, exquisite small bars. The key point was that there were many high-end establishments, with appropriate class, style, and atmosphere—high consumption that ordinary people couldn’t afford. Those coming and going were mostly celebrities and powerful people, so security in the surrounding area was very strict, rarely leaking customer privacy.

Tang Xin leaned close to Fu Xueli’s ear, whispering gossip in a low voice, “See that? Over there at the main table, the people Director Wu is accompanying are all government officials.”

Fu Xueli nodded, made an acknowledging sound, picking at her fruit salad to eat. In the center main seat was a somewhat bloated middle-aged man. Although a bit portly, overall he looked very capable, not appearing full of fat brains. Bureau Chief Zhao sat beside him, and further over were several high-level executives from Xingyu Entertainment in suits and leather shoes.

The dishes were delicious. Several big bosses ate with great enjoyment. The servers attending beside them were all Japanese-Taiwanese mixed race—finding some pleasure and living carefree beyond measure.

After three rounds of drinks, Tang Xin nudged Fu Xueli’s arm, pouring a glass of wine, indicating she should follow the main cast members over to offer toasts.

“I’m not going.” Fu Xueli drooped her eyelids, supporting her chin with her hand. After speaking faintly, she slowly took another sip of wine.

Tang Xin pinched her thigh, “Now is not the time for you to act like a diva.”

“Damn, lighter.” Fu Xueli winced in pain, shaking off her hand.

Her lackadaisical, unhurried appearance made Tang Xin close her eyes and take a breath, “I’m not trying to criticize you, but this is just normal courtesy activity. What temper are you throwing now?”

“Not in the mood. Wait a bit.”

“Forget it.” Tang Xin waved her phone, too lazy to deal with her anymore.

There was once a period when online criticism of Fu Xueli was overwhelmingly negative—comments about loving to act like a diva, lacking manners, terrible temper, and other negative reviews flooded everywhere. But she herself didn’t care at all, still going her own way. Later, after a long time, Tang Xin learned about Fu Xueli’s family background—it was what allowed her to be so willful.

This kind of rebelliousness to the bone, absolutely uncompromising personality, also required capital.

The atmosphere was made extremely lively. The second female lead was from Hong Kong and didn’t speak Mandarin very standardly, so she followed beside Jiang Zhixing. Starting from the head seat, taking turns, one cup after another. Because she was young, gradually her walk became a bit unsteady. Her body ultimately couldn’t withstand this assembly line-like forced drinking.

After toasting half a circle, the work formalities were pretty much done. Under Tang Xin’s suspicious gaze, Fu Xueli casually picked up a glass of wine, naturally blending into the toasting brigade, following them toward a corner in the northwest.

“We outsiders today really benefited from you insiders’ guidance. We’re very grateful.” Jiang Zhixing led the way, with presence and graceful demeanor, very naturally filling a glass of wine.

As the private room door was pushed open, Liu Jingbo and his group all stood up. His eyes quickly scanned once, pausing briefly for a few seconds on Fu Xueli, who was leaning against the carved wooden frame.

She was really thin. In person she was even smaller than she appeared on television and in photos. Small bones, pointed chin, earrings of hard cold jade, deeply rich green. Very feminine, just that her dark circles were too heavy.

The arrival of the big stars flattered this group of burly men. Those who came were all major figures long positioned in the public eye. These people’s servants never had such face. Half a small cup of white liquor—they tilted their necks back and gulped it down.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Jiang Zhixing let them sit down first. The two groups exchanged pleasantries with each other. Just as they were preparing to leave, a lazy female voice came from beside them, “—Wait.”

Fu Xueli had been quiet for a long time. Waiting until everyone’s eyes were all focused on her, she unhurriedly spoke, “Officer Xu, right?”

Others patted Xu Xingchun’s shoulder. He tilted his head slightly, hearing a whisper, “Fu Xueli is looking at you.”

Fu Xueli and Xu Xingchun made eye contact across the lively drinking table. She had drunk a bit of alcohol, her complexion slightly flushed. Under the lights her skin glowed like mutton fat jade. With swaying movements, noble and full of feminine charm, her gaze looked directly at him, one hand supporting the table, “Thank you for this afternoon’s matter. Give me face—have a drink?”

After these words, a moment of silence. Some people’s expressions froze, some were dumbfounded.

Not knowing how much he had drunk before, Xu Xingchun’s gaze was somber and reserved, just rarely revealing a bit of lazy carelessness. Watching her, although his expression was indifferent, it gave off an even more leisurely sexiness.

In outsiders’ eyes, Xu Xingchun had a gentle disposition. Although severely warm on the outside and cold inside, at least when his bottom line wasn’t touched, he was easy to get along with and talk to.

Being so unfriendly like today was quite rare indeed.

But being toasted by such a great beauty and remaining so calm and composed—truly admirable.

Seeing he had no reaction, Fu Xueli gave a cold laugh and walked over. She picked up a bottle of wine from the nearby table, lifted it, one hand holding the wine bottle, one hand holding the wine glass. Right in front of him, she tilted her head and poured the wine.

Transparent liquid flowed out in a stream, the glass slowly filling up. When the foam was about to overflow, she still hadn’t stopped, until a bit spilled onto his clothes and pants.

Xu Xingchun’s ice-cold hand accurately and quickly gripped her wrist. He pushed back his chair and stood up.

“Going to drink or not?” Fu Xueli shook off his hand, gazing at him intensely.

Someone beside her came to help her walk away, “Xueli drank too much and it went to her head.”

“Haha, quite fortunate with women, ah, Chun’er.” The brief farce ended lightly with someone else’s joke.

Returning to her own table, Fu Xueli was boiling with rage inside, frustrated and angry, so she forced down one glass after another.

From the next table drifted the incessant low whispers of a pair of young women.

Someone was softly sobbing.

“Don’t cry. You’re not worth it. Back then you treated him so well, he didn’t cherish it at all. In the future he’ll absolutely never meet a fool who treats him as well as you did. He should be the one crying.”

“You just wait—eventually he’ll come kneeling and begging you.”

This directly made Fu Xueli laugh. But the stifled air in her chest was suffocating.

At the table she deliberately drank too much. Before long her stomach started reacting. Forcibly enduring the nausea, she went to the bathroom to vomit once. Coming out, her feet felt like cotton, swaying unsteadily as she barely managed to walk a few more steps. Stumbling and staggering, she rushed to the lobby outside, supporting herself against a tree trunk, continuously dry heaving, her whole body shaking.

Her body was hot as if burning with fire, but there was a block of ice in her heart.

Gradually feeling powerless, unable to control her body sliding down, she was suddenly supported from behind, arms held up.

Even in her dizziness she could feel the pain brought by that force.

Gripping so tight her bones hurt.

Fu Xueli’s ears reddened in a circle. Her head dizzy and muddled, she rummaged in her belly for a long time but couldn’t produce a single word. Only one thought echoed in her mind.

—She knew Xu Xingchun couldn’t resist.

This was also her last conscious thought before blacking out.

In the sweet and sticky early summer air, the night wind swayed, rustling crisply, slowly urging the fragrance of fruit wine. Outside the long narrow corridor were laid flagstones. Dark flowing light from all around rushed toward her face.

The moon was pale and light. Not far at the street corner, an unremarkable Audi was parked.

The car engine was off. Fu Xueli’s gaze was scattered, her cheeks burning. Lying in the seat, her crepe silk slip dress had slid down, her chest line slightly exposed, her eyes unconsciously alluring. Her hair was fragrant—people would unconsciously think it was seduction.

Fingers slowly and gently caressed across her lips.

Thinking separated from her body. She closed her eyes, knowing she would fall asleep, not caring who the person beside her was.

She hadn’t slept well for several days recently. Heavy drowsiness mixed with the wine’s effects released, making her drowsy and sleepy.

Her senses had been blurred all along, not knowing how much time had passed. When consciousness gradually returned, Fu Xueli’s head was dizzy and swollen, yet she vaguely felt something was not quite right.

Both arms were unnaturally twisted, tangled, unable to break free.

A bit painful.

This awkward position was maintained for quite a while.

Only then did she suddenly wake up—

She had actually been handcuffed!

Silver cold to the touch, flashing with a stern luster. Not pleasure toys, but genuine handcuffs.

Raising her bound wrists, confirming with her eyes once, her brain buzzed and exploded.

What the hell??!!!

What is this??!!

Dark and gloomy. No one beside her either. Not knowing where Xu Xingchun had gone, leaving her alone in the passenger seat and handcuffing her too. She was simply frightened into instant sobriety. In her struggle, Fu Xueli broke out in a thin layer of sweat all over. Only then did she discover the car door wasn’t closed tightly. She kicked it open with one foot, using too much force—even her high heels flew off.

Her foot had just touched the ground. Turning her head, she made direct eye contact with Xu Xingchun. In the vast dark night, light fading, he sat on a bench not far away, half his face immersed in unfathomable darkness, nose bridge straight, lip color pale red. Expression silent.

The two looked at each other. She first breathed a sigh of relief, her body unconsciously retreating half a step. For a moment she didn’t know what to say, even anger and questioning stuck in her throat.

He kept watch over her. But his gaze never moved even half a fraction.

In the dark night fused with faint neon lights, hazy and indistinct. Xu Xingchun appeared docile, but his eyes were very morbid, like faintly, quietly burning dark fire. Ordinary people would feel oppressed seeing it, so he only revealed it to her when no one was around.

Fu Xueli gave up struggling, the feeling in her heart hard to describe.

She was too familiar with Xu Xingchun’s current gaze and expression.

So familiar that as soon as she thought of it, her heart skipped a beat and she didn’t quite dare move.

Xu Xingchun was on the edge of losing control.

Watching helplessly as he stood up.

Step by step drawing near.

Fu Xueli was obedient, not even daring to breathe heavily.

Xu Xingchun crouched down, gripping her bare lower leg. His other hand grasped her ankle very tightly, kneeling on one knee. He clearly had a cleanliness obsession, but at this moment didn’t find it dirty at all, helping her put on the high heels that had fallen to the side. His technique was gentle and meticulous, seriously excessive.

His fingertips were like they had just been immersed in crushed ice, sliding across the skin at her ankle, to the top of her foot, passing over the sequins and bright beads on the shoe surface.

This image, upon sight, actually had a somewhat violent erotic feeling. She shivered.

“Fu Xueli, just how drunk are you.” He asked in a low voice. Just one sentence, in the enduring silence, yet seemed to have been chewed over completely by lips and teeth.