Ming Yu was exceptionally handsome; over the past few years, his charm had captivated all ages. Having taken on several highly appealing roles, he had become immensely famous. His stardom ensured that almost anyone who collaborated with him found their own careers ascending. Given Ming Yu's current peak of popularity, with countless fans obsessed with him, it was only natural that Lan Biao, acting on Ning Yunhuan’s behalf, would set his sights on this particular individual.

Under normal circumstances, given Lan Lingyan’s standing in Huaxia, especially with the Lin family backing him, many powerful and influential figures would not only show him deference but actively seek to curry favor. Even people of high status behaved this way, and countless A-list celebrities desperately vied for his attention. Even some of the most popular female stars in the entertainment industry felt compelled to flatter him. When the invitation for this event was sent out, others readily agreed, some even foregoing payment just to secure a spot through strenuous effort. Who would have thought that when the message finally arrived from Ming Yu's agent, it would state that Ming Yu’s schedule was completely full and he could not return to Huaxia!

Upon receiving this news, Lan Biao nearly smashed his phone. His face darkened, and he let out a couple of grim, teeth-gritted laughs, a sinister glint in his eyes. The agent on the other end of the line seemed to catch the ragged sound of Lan Biao’s breathing and felt a headache coming on, quickly softening his tone:

"Brother Lan, we would never dare refuse your invitation. But Ming Yu is currently working overseas; this was scheduled long ago. Since we cannot cover the venue for you this time, perhaps next time we..."

This was the first time Lan Lingyan had asked Lan Biao to handle a task since putting in a good word for Gu Yingxi. He absolutely required this one to be handled perfectly; there would be no "next time." This was a decisive moment. An actor dared to decline his summons and speak of a "next time"? Lan Biao laughed in extreme anger. Looking at the information on his computer confirming that Ming Yu was currently vacationing in Hawaii, he finally burst into laughter: "I'll give you one last chance. Fly back yourself today. If I don't see you both appear before midnight, you bear the consequences!"

With that, Lan Biao spat viciously and slammed down the phone! His subordinates, who had been waiting nearby, immediately crowded around upon hearing the master's intent. Lan Biao had already decided to teach this star a lesson, thinking he was untouchable now that he was famous—what a joke! Although he had given Ming Yu over ten hours on the phone, his mind had already stabbed the celebrity seventeen or eighteen times.

Lan Biao was no saint. Serving under Lan Lingyan, only the select few above him had ever seen him bow his head or suffer an insult. If he could plaster on a smile for his own master, how dare a mere star put on airs with him? A violent aura flashed in Lan Biao’s eyes. He nodded towards two young men standing nearby, both impeccably dressed in suits and ties like white-collar workers, before returning to his chair.

Meanwhile, in a hotel in Hawaii, Ming Yu, having just stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around his lower abdomen while his soaking wet hair dripped. Water droplets traced paths from his smooth, dark locks down his neck and chest. His firm, clearly defined pectoral muscles rippled with dynamic strength as he breathed. His long, straight legs carried him directly toward his agent, whose face was a mask of distress while clutching the phone. He left a trail of moisture behind him before carelessly shaking his head:

"What is it? Is the other party a big deal?"

Agent Huo Xi, whose face was grim and anxious, nodded. Seeing Ming Yu still dripping wet, he resigned himself to rising, grabbing a large towel to dry the water from his hair, all while speaking urgently:

"The person who invited you back this time is the boss of some powerful official's family. They said they need you to show face, otherwise..." Huo Xi paused here, hesitating. His hands stilled over Ming Yu’s head. Hearing this, Ming Yu coldly curled his lip. He had seen plenty of arrogant upstarts over the years. If he had to accommodate every single one of them, wouldn't he work himself to death? Thinking a little money made them mighty. But frankly, he didn't care much about money right now!

"Tell him no. I finally carved out a piece of vacation time, and I won't be working. Furthermore, even if he has money, he must queue behind my pre-arranged schedule. I believe the work you accepted is booked until the year after next, right?" He was at the height of his fame now; manufacturers and film producers were practically throwing money at him daily. If everyone tried to dictate his actions like this boss from the official's family, wouldn't he become completely manipulated? Having been in the industry for so many years, he had no intention of being controlled!

"But..." Huo Xi had been by Ming Yu's side almost since he debuted and was signed by the company. He understood Ming Yu’s temperament well enough to know that what he said was final. Ming Yu was fiercely stubborn and hated being contradicted. While his acting skills were excellent, and his looks and physique were superb, his temper was notoriously bad. Several previous agents had tried to take charge, only to find themselves subjugated by him instead. The company quickly realized Ming Yu was a cash cow and would never risk offending him over a few agents, thus only amplifying Ming Yu's imposing demeanor.

Huo Xi had managed to stay by Ming Yu’s side for nearly four years due to his own good temper and patience. After years of adaptation, he learned how to navigate Ming Yu's personality to maintain a manageable relationship: as long as Ming Yu made the final call—with the agent only negotiating work terms and never issuing direct orders—and the agent respected his decision on whether to take the job, acting as a sort of life-management nanny without being too intrusive, Ming Yu would usually grant him some face.

"No buts!" Before Huo Xi could finish, Ming Yu turned impatiently, his dark eyes fixing coldly on the now-nervous agent: "Go get me a can of beer. I don't need you overthinking things. If you don't want the job, tell the company you quit now, and shut up!"

Huo Xi knew Ming Yu was ruthless, but he hadn't expected that after serving him like a beast of burden for years, Ming Yu would show no sentimentality, now suggesting he was dispensable and should even prevent the company from hiring a replacement! Realizing this, he felt a mixture of shock and rage, yet Huo Xi understood Ming Yu’s influence; if he truly wanted to ruin him, Huo Xi might find himself unable to work in this industry ever again.

At this moment, boiling with suppressed fury, he clenched his fists, enduring the humiliation. After a moment, he softly replied, "Yes." Though he hadn't been a top-tier agent initially, he was considered reputable within the company. They had specifically assigned him to Ming Yu precisely because the star had cycled through several unsatisfactory agents before him. But recalling the money he had made over the years thanks to Ming Yu, contrasted with the years spent fawning and acting like a subservient grandson—no one else lived as miserably as he did. If it weren't for his long-term girlfriend, whose family was reasonably well-off, her father might look down on him for his insufficient income; he would have quit long ago!

"Good that you understand! You should know, I don't need a dog to command me; it just needs to bark and wag its tail. I don't need your opinions on anything else!" Seeing Huo Xi yield, a mocking look surfaced in Ming Yu’s eyes. Watching him retrieve the beer despite his stiff posture, Ming Yu burst into wild laughter.

Everyone in this world was just a servant, deserving only of his command. No one could ever hope to dictate his actions—not even the company, let alone this insignificant Huo Xi!

The time difference between Hawaii and the Imperial Capital of Huaxia wasn't vast. It was just past one in the afternoon in the Capital, meaning it was only early evening in Hawaii. The sunset was casting golden light across the ocean; the crowds of the day had mostly retreated to their hotels. No one was surfing anymore, save for a few scattered couples or families strolling hand-in-hand. Occasionally, seagulls skimmed the water's surface, letting out piercing cries.

Looking out from the balcony on the right side, the area was much quieter. Apart from the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore, hardly any laughter could be heard. This was the hotel’s private beach, accessible only to the wealthy and powerful who could afford the rates; therefore, it was sparsely populated. Watching the view, a sudden thought struck Ming Yu, sparking his interest: he decided he wanted to go diving after dinner.

Diving at night was extremely dangerous, but Ming Yu thrived on the thrill that others dared not seek. He impatiently brushed his hair aside, coldly ordering Huo Xi to prepare his diving gear, ignoring the agent’s ashen-faced pleas for caution. Before he could embark on his adventure, however, after dinner, he was unconscious, stuffed by several men disguised as tourists into a massive suitcase—his agent crammed into another box right alongside him.

Ning Yunhuan was unaware that Lan Biao had tried to recruit Ming Yu and had been rebuffed. She had two classes in the morning and none in the afternoon, so she first visited Lan Lingyan’s company before heading to check on her own.

Her company had been established for a while, but other than the initial brainstorming, it seemed she, the irresponsible owner, hadn't set foot inside. Lan Biao had been handling everything behind the scenes. Since Lan Lingyan was the official owner and it was nearing closing time, he simply grabbed his jacket, planning to accompany his wife to Lan Biao’s location and perhaps share dinner with her there.

As the car drove towards their destination, Ning Yunhuan let Lan Lingyan hold and toy with her hand. Thinking about how he seemed to have cleared his schedule recently to spend time with her, she grew curious:

"Not busy lately?" Lan Lingyan used to have a packed schedule, rarely spending much time by her side. Although the Lan family company in Huaxia had many people managing its affairs, Ning Yunhuan knew the Lan family's true nature: the company was merely a front for laundering money. Their real profitable ventures involved smuggling, assassinations, and various dark dealings where they preyed on others in the underworld.

"Nothing much. I can carve out a few days if needed." Even as he said this, his hand was busy navigating a screen linked to a satellite display, showing dense strings of Italian characters. Ning Yunhuan glanced at it once and quickly looked away, feeling dizzy.

Lan Lingyan wasn't actually dealing with company matters. Those were handled by specialists dispatched by the Lan family. He was busy with his own affairs. The Lan family’s power was immense, mostly controlled by Lan Father, so they didn't require Lan Lingyan’s daily attention until the handover. But Lan Lingyan had fought his way to the top and had his own dedicated team.

Ning Yunhuan smiled, watching the focused look on his face as he stared at the screen, and considering his insistence on accompanying her just now, she seemed to grasp something. Lan Lingyan wasn't truly free; he was making time for her, but he hadn't voiced it. Because she was so afraid of him, whenever he spent time with her, she felt an instinctive resistance, never considering what his feelings were when he chose to be with her. He had his own methods. Yet, she hadn't appreciated that gesture. It was no wonder he had been angry when she refused his suggestion for a wedding last time.

Reflecting on the incident from a different perspective after all this time brought a rush of complicated emotions.

"What is it?" As if sensing her gaze, Lan Lingyan turned his head. His chiseled face wore a slight smile—a countenance that wasn't approachable, possessing a cool elegance that kept people at a distance. When his clear, handsome eyes met hers now, even though Ning Yunhuan knew he meant nothing in particular, she still felt a wave of pressure and quickly averted her gaze, shaking her head: "Nothing."

Lan Lingyan gave a slight nod and returned his attention to the screen. Ning Yunhuan sighed in relief, yet felt something was slightly off; he didn't speak again.

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the company. The Fu family was just an ordinary, unremarkable wealthy family in the Capital. Despite Fu Father's lifelong efforts, he only occupied one floor of this office building, and that was only after Lan Lingyan purchased the company and then bought an additional floor to save face for his wife.

Due to incomplete staffing, the two elaborately decorated floors looked somewhat deserted. Even when people were in their offices, there was an air of vacancy. Ning Yunhuan had expected Lan Biao to be gone by this hour, but to her surprise, the couple found him still in his office when they came upstairs. He was sitting behind his desk, legs crossed, busy with paperwork while holding a pipe. Sitting on the office sofa, reading a stack of documents, was a young man with a gentle and refined appearance.

Neither of them had expected the boss to visit so late. Lan Biao looked up when he heard the movement, and a smile immediately spread across his face upon seeing the couple. He hurried to the doorway. Since it was nearly quitting time, he hadn't even closed his office door. Not only did he see Ning Yunhuan and her husband, but those outside could clearly see the scene within the office.

"It’s already so late, Mr. Lan is still here." Ning Yunhuan linked arms with Lan Lingyan, genuinely surprised to see Lan Biao present. The young man inside had the good sense to fetch two bottles of juice from the small office refrigerator. Although the environment appeared sparse, essential security was maintained; thus, the two burly guards following Lan Lingyan stood outside the office and did not enter.

"A few matters were delayed. Since the Master is here, if Madam needs anything, just call and instruct me to handle it," Lan Biao replied. He was still in the office because the men he dispatched had successfully captured the pair, and they were currently aboard an aircraft belonging to the Lan family, en route to the Capital. They had been flying for several hours and were estimated to reach the Capital in under five more hours.

"What matter?" Ning Yunhuan assumed it was Lan Biao’s private business and didn't intend to pry, but Lan Lingyan showed no restraint. After pulling her down onto the sofa beside him, he asked directly, "What is it?"

Lan Biao quickly stood up and signaled to the young man beside him. The young man respectfully explained, "Master, it concerns some minor personnel issues for a program Madam originally planned to produce. One celebrity had a long journey and Brother Biao feared he wouldn't arrive in time, so he specially sent men to 'invite' him."

These men appeared outwardly like elites in major corporations, but many had indeed emerged from the shadows. When the young man used the polite term "invite," everyone understood the true meaning. Lan Lingyan nodded, saying no more. He himself had risen from the underworld and didn't consider kidnapping or coercion a major issue. However, this was Ning Yunhuan’s first time witnessing such heavy-handed, bandit-like methods. Her expression flickered between pale and ashen, and her mouth twitched involuntarily.

She wasn't stupid; she understood that Lan Biao must have invited some celebrity who then refused to cooperate. In a fit of rage, Lan Biao had people seize the man and bring him back. This simple, direct, and brutal approach made Ning Yunhuan feel a pang of sympathy for the unlucky captive. Yet, in her past life, she had witnessed Lan Biao’s near-absolute control in the Capital; many powerful figures courted his favor, and many celebrities couldn't even find a way to flatter him. Logically, given the extent to which people fawned over Lan Biao, those celebrities should have been eager to ingratiate themselves when they learned he needed a favor. She wondered who possessed such backbone to outright refuse him.

Thinking of this, Ning Yunhuan asked with curiosity, "Who was it that refused to participate in the program?"

The young man had used polite language, but Ning Yunhuan cut straight to the chase, causing Lan Biao to blush slightly. This was the first time he was handling something directly for Ning Yunhuan, and he naturally wanted every detail handled perfectly. Lan Jiu's newly purchased television station had zero popularity, and Ning Yunhuan’s new company had no reputation. Yet, Lan Biao had sought out the most famous celebrity in Huaxia—not necessarily world-class, but universally known. He hadn't anticipated any resistance, but one person turned out to be unexpectedly tough. Questioned by Ning Yunhuan, Lan Biao secretly cursed Ming Yu for his audacity in refusing him while feeling somewhat embarrassed:

"Madam, it’s just some ungrateful wretch who thinks he's too great because he's gained some fame." At this, the young man beside him, noticing Lan Biao’s growing vexation, quickly interjected smoothly: "His name is Ming Yu. Brother Biao already has him on a plane; he won't dare refuse now." The Lan family had disciplined countless individuals; if Ming Yu proved truly obstinate, Lan Biao had already planned his consequences.

"Ming Yu? It’s actually Ming Yu?" Ning Yunhuan was surprised. She hadn't expected Lan Biao to recruit such a scorching-hot figure for her little shop opening. Recalling the great star she had seen in her previous life, Ning Yunhuan’s pupils contracted, and a strange expression crossed her face.

Now, not only Lan Biao but also Lan Lingyan noticed something amiss, his expression turning colder: "Just a celebrity. What, do you like him?"

Ning Yunhuan pursed her lips, trembling slightly, an image of an arrogant yet cold man flashing in her mind. Compared to the image the general public held of him, she had actually encountered this idol up close, and it was quite comical. She had run into Tang Xiuyuan, who shouldn't have been at Imperial Capital University just a few days ago, and now she was about to meet one of his close brothers, Bai Mingyu.

This man, who should have been one of Gu Yingxi's entourage—the one she would have a one-night encounter with after entering the entertainment industry, leading to her becoming pregnant—was now being forcibly brought back by Lan Biao through a twist of fate. Ning Yunhuan didn't know what to say. Of the Bai twin male leads, the one who arrived first wasn't Bai Mingchun, who was supposed to meet Gu Yingxi earlier, but Bai Mingyu, the child who was meant to be in Gu Yingxi's arms two years later, whom she had unintentionally felt a kinship with and who then officially entered Ning Yunhuan's vision.

In her past life, Ning Yunhuan had also experienced the excitement of meeting a celebrity. Back then, Bai Mingyu was the white horse prince for all the young women in Huaxia, their dream lover. When Ning Yunhuan learned he knew Gu Yingxi, she had been thrilled to have such a major star in her circle, but after truly getting to know him, he disgusted her entirely.

Among Gu Yingxi’s entourage, compared to Mu Jinyan’s ruthlessness, Dongfang Aoshi’s cold madness, Xie Zhuoyin’s gloominess, and Ning Yuncheng’s deep affection, Bai Mingyu and his older brother Bai Mingchun were neither good men. Bai Mingchun had a twisted personality; his childhood experiences made him seem like a rat hiding in the shadows, ready to bite, causing a chill down one's spine. But Bai Mingyu was completely different from his brother; his cynical outlook suggested a profound resentment towards the entire world.

He carried himself as if the entire world owed him a favor, his arrogant nature immediately grating on anyone who crossed his path. His status as a superstar seemed to have utterly spoiled him, allowing him to treat others' dignity as a plaything, trampling ruthlessly on their self-respect. In his previous life, Ning Yunhuan had been tormented by this man—a torment distinct from the physical injury inflicted by Tang Xiuyuan. It felt more like his very sense of self was being arbitrarily insulted in this man's presence. Any moderately positive impression Ning Yunhuan might have once held of him evaporated entirely; recalling Bai Mingyu, that insufferably self-righteous individual, was now as nauseating as swallowing a fly.