The news reported that the Lin family would host a banquet tomorrow evening to celebrate the collaboration between Peak Entertainment and the Oriental Consortium, inviting elites from all walks of life.
The report mentioned Lin Hanhai, who had dedicated himself to Peak Entertainment, and Lin Shirou, who intended to leave Huanyu and join Peak Entertainment to help the company through its difficulties. It also mentioned Gu Shaoting, who spared no expense to get Peak Entertainment back on track, and Zhong Jingjing, who protected the Lin family.
The media lavished praise on them, omitting any mention of Lin Xingwan.
Lin Xingwan felt anger upon reading the news. However, after the events of the day, she found it both unexpected and understandable. Gu Jiaojiao had just stolen the Peak Entertainment transfer agreement, and the Lin family was buying trending topics that very night. This was merely their usual modus operandi.
"Your expression is calmer than I imagined," Zhou Jinbai said, pinching Lin Xingwan's cheek. His mind drifted back to the first time he saw her. Her face showed stubbornness, yet her eyes were filled with sorrow. At that moment, Zhou Jinbai wondered why such a contradictory person existed. She had a face that evoked pity, yet her core was cold. Now, her eyes held not sorrow, but pride and disdain.
"Because they don't matter that much to me anymore," Lin Xingwan turned, hooking her arms around his neck and resting her forehead against his. "Things and people that aren't worth it should end here. Anything dispensable is truly dispensable. Cutting losses promptly is a basic principle of adulthood."
Zhou Jinbai held Lin Xingwan tighter. "Wife, no matter what happens, I will always be your strong support."
...
The Lin family's banquet invitation, after a night of fermentation, remained a trending topic the next day. Who could have imagined that the Oriental Consortium would choose an artist from Peak Entertainment for the second male lead role? Was this even a company? They had never heard of it. A quick online search revealed more. The company had only three artists, all of whom were described as old, weak, sick, or disabled. Yet, from this perpetually loss-making company, an eagle had emerged, its future destined for the skies. The Oriental Consortium's audition had saved Peak Entertainment and changed the Lin family's destiny. It was possible that within two years, the Lin family would become one of Rongcheng's top three wealthy families thanks to the Oriental Consortium. Some had already begun to curry favor with the Lin family after the Oriental Consortium announced the cast.
When Lin Xingwan arrived at the company as if nothing had happened, she saw Liu Mengqin with dark circles under her eyes and Ge Xuansi with a cold expression, standing beside her with resentful gazes.
"Xingwan, why don't you look sad at all? The Lin family is usurping our position and taking credit for your hard work! I argued with the Lin family's paid commenters last night until dawn. The Lin family is shameless, and their paid commenters are even more so. I'm going to use my savings to buy trending topics and curse this bunch of beasts in the Lin family." Liu Mengqin continued, "I know you're very sad right now, but you're pretending not to be so sad to spare us from worrying. Xingwan, it's okay. You can lean on my shoulder. Cry it out, and you'll feel better."
Lin Xingwan: ... No need to imagine so much.
"The Lin family never cared about Peak Entertainment's survival. Now that you've revived the entire company, they want to take a share. I won't be attending the banquet tonight." Ge Xuansi's dark eyes held a chill. Though his usually placid face showed little emotion, his heart was raging. In his mind, Lin Xingwan was the only boss of Peak Entertainment; no one else was worthy. The only reason he hadn't left Peak Entertainment was his obsession. Now that the goddess he yearned for but dared not touch had returned, he was willing to be her sharpest blade, clearing obstacles for her being his highest honor.
"Yes, I won't go either!" Liu Mengqin immediately chimed in.
Seeing the serious expressions of Liu Mengqin and Ge Xuansi, Lin Xingwan let out a chuckle. "Why not? We must go, and we must go conspicuously. After all, the Lin family is spending money to host a banquet for us. Why wouldn't I accept a windfall?"
Lin Xingwan's words and expression made Liu Mengqin and Ge Xuansi believe she had suffered too much and had lost her mind. How could she laugh in such a life-or-death situation? Moreover, going to the Lin family tonight would be seeking humiliation.
Lin Xingwan looked at Liu Mengqin and Ge Xuansi, knowing her actions were too abnormal for them. She cleared her throat and said seriously, "Let's handle today's matters first. I'll have the dresses sent over this afternoon. Sister Qin, please inform Ye Zong and Ranran; they need to attend the banquet with me tonight."
"But..." Liu Mengqin started to say more, but Lin Xingwan interrupted her. "There's no 'but.' Sister Qin, don't you trust me?"
Her words left Sister Qin speechless. "Fine, fine. Nothing can be worse than this." Sister Qin left, but Ge Xuansi remained, unwilling to go. Lin Xingwan looked up, her gaze questioning Ge Xuansi. "Is there anything else?"
Ge Xuansi's dark eyes stared directly at her. "I will announce my withdrawal from the 'Immortal Path' crew."
Lin Xingwan almost choked on her own saliva. She quickly soothed the handsome youth, "No, no, don't be impulsive. You need to play the role of Wangyuan well. Nothing will happen tonight, trust me, okay?" Lin Xingwan even patted Ge Xuansi's shoulder. Why were young people so headstrong? Did they know how many people were vying for the role of Wangyuan?
The youth obediently lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes like raven feathers, his fair earlobes slightly flushed. He replied hoarsely, "Okay."
Only after Ge Xuansi left did the smile on Lin Xingwan's face turn cold. Lin family, Lin family, you want to step on my corpse to rise, but you forgot the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind! Tonight, I will give you a big gift.
---
As afternoon approached, Zhou Jinbai appeared at the villa, followed by Marcus, a designer from DT, and a professional styling team.
"When we go in, do you know what to do?" Zhou Jinbai exuded an aura of authority that made people want to submit to him. His handsome features were cold.
"Young Master, please rest assured. I have deeply engraved your instructions in my mind. You and I are good friends. If any problems arise, it will be your wealthy friend who helped, and I approached Peak Entertainment proactively." Marcus bowed obsequiously, afraid of saying the wrong word and ruining the entire DT brand.
Zhou Jinbai nodded with satisfaction and walked further inside. As Lin Xingwan closed her laptop, she saw Zhou Jinbai. Her tired face lit up with joy, and she walked straight towards him.
"You're earlier than I expected," Lin Xingwan affectionately linked her arm with Zhou Jinbai's. At this moment, she was just a娇小 woman seeing her husband. Even Liu Mengqin, who was drinking water nearby, felt that Lin Xingwan's transformation was too great. Was this still the straightforward woman she remembered?
"I'm always very attentive to my wife's matters," Zhou Jinbai raised an eyebrow, looking rather proud.
"Hello, Mrs. Zhou, do you remember me?" Marcus asked politely. Lin Xingwan immediately nodded. "Of course, I remember you, Mr. Marcus. If it weren't for you at the last wedding banquet, I wouldn't have known what to do."
Lin Xingwan was puzzled by Marcus's arrival. "I just don't know why Mr. Marcus is here today."
Mr. Marcus smiled and patiently explained, "Of course, it's to sign a contract with Peak Entertainment. We are very optimistic about Ge Xuansi as an artist and want him to endorse DT menswear. I was just informed that you are attending the banquet tonight. If Mrs. Zhou doesn't mind, we are willing to sponsor all the evening gowns tonight for free, hoping that you can help promote the DT brand in front of the cameras."
"Heavens, is this true? DT is willing to give us evening gowns for free? I must be dreaming!" Liu Mengqin, who had walked over, looked incredulous.
"Madam, you are not dreaming; this is all true. Professionally, we at DT unanimously believe that Ge Xuansi will be a huge hit, so we are acting swiftly before his endorsement fees skyrocket. Personally, Jinbai and I are friends, so we're keeping it within the family." Marcus's reasoning was sound, and both Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin found it impeccable, even thinking Marcus had great foresight.
"I brought ten evening gowns today. You can choose whichever you like." After Marcus spoke, people placed ten suitcases on the table one by one. When opened, each suitcase contained a matching evening gown. Liu Mengqin's jaw almost dropped in astonishment.
"I've seen this evening gown on the DT official website; it costs five million. And that one... sob sob, over eight million. How am I worthy of seeing these sky-high luxury items with my own eyes?" Liu Mengqin felt like shedding tears of joy.
"Not only can you see them, but you can also wear them. This is also the sincerity of DT's cooperation with Peak Entertainment." Marcus's smile was almost frozen. He stole a glance at the big shot beside him, whose expression hadn't changed much. It seemed his performance was passable.
Lin Xingwan also walked over to select an evening gown, but Zhou Jinbai spoke, "Wife, yours is here." Zhou Jinbai then noticed a larger, more expensive suitcase at his feet.
"Your evening gown is very complicated. I'll help you change," Zhou Jinbai said, carrying the suitcase in one hand and holding Lin Xingwan's hand in the other, heading towards her dressing room in front of everyone.
Inside the room.
Lin Xingwan looked at the huge suitcase before her, very curious. "How big is this evening gown? Did you pick it for me? Let me see how good Mr. Zhou's taste is."
"I will absolutely not disappoint my wife." Zhou Jinbai opened the suitcase and took out the evening gown inside. Instantly, Lin Xingwan was stunned by the gown. The incredibly large skirt was inlaid with thousands of tiny diamonds, and under the light, the dress seemed to hold the entire starry sky. The waist, however, was cinched very tightly. Above it were a pair of butterfly wings, inlaid with diamonds slightly larger than those on the skirt. The butterfly's body was adorned with a large diamond, from which countless pearl chains extended outwards, yet were bound by the shoulder straps. Noble, elegant, and incredibly luxurious. Lin Xingwan had never seen such a magnificent evening gown in her life.
"What a beautiful evening gown, it's unrealistically gorgeous." The fragmented light of the diamonds reflected in the woman's eyes, making them sparkle. She radiated joy from the inside out. Zhou Jinbai's gaze on Lin Xingwan was full of tenderness, his heart melting like water. He casually tossed the evening gown aside and pressed Lin Xingwan against the wall.
"Even the most beautiful evening gown is meant to accentuate my wife's beauty." The man's fingertips traced Lin Xingwan's lips. His gaze was lustful, his expression even more so. He deliberately lowered his voice, intending to charm her. As he spoke, he looked as if he was about to kiss Lin Xingwan, but when she slightly pouted, waiting for a kiss, he withheld it. After a few attempts, Lin Xingwan became impatient. Was he going to kiss her or not?
"You want me to kiss you, hmm?" Zhou Jinbai chuckled, seeing the expectant yet disappointed look in her eyes.
"I just... mmm..."
The man's kisses rained down on Lin Xingwan's lips, pressing her against the wall and kissing her fiercely. He was like a fish on the verge of death, only able to survive by her nourishment. Lin Xingwan's legs felt weak from the kiss, but the man didn't stop. One hand had already slipped from her waist. Lin Xingwan used to think he was just playing around. But now, she knew very well what he was about to do. He knew all her weaknesses, and even knew how to send her to heaven.
Lin Xingwan let out a few hums, but the man buried his head in her neck and said in a muffled voice, "Little vixen, you know how to torture me. What will you do if you torture me to death, hmm?"
"I need to change my dress. We still have to attend the banquet... and Sister Qin and the others are waiting outside." Lin Xingwan's voice was pleading, her hand tightly gripping the man's large palm, preventing it from continuing its transgression.
"It takes them some time to do their makeup and get dressed," Zhou Jinbai kissed her nose. "You have a big battle to fight tonight. Before we leave, I need to feed my wife first so she has the strength to fight."
*Rip*
Another pair of stockings met its demise. Zhou Jinbai carried Lin Xingwan towards the bed.