Several fans, losing control of their emotions, broke through the barriers and charged towards Lin Xingwan and the others.
Some held banners aloft that read, "Ge Xuan Si Get Out of Xian Tu," and had even photoshopped Ge Xuan Si's picture into a memorial photo, clutching it to their chests for everyone to see.
Not only that, but someone also threw a black box in the direction of Ge Xuan Si. A skinned dead cat fell before everyone's eyes.
A foul odor instantly spread, causing Lin Xingwan and the others to retreat several steps in fright.
At the same time, these fans pulled out their prepared knives and lunged towards Lin Xingwan and the group.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
As a man with hatred-filled eyes rushed in front of Lin Xingwan, intending to stab her in the stomach, Lin Xingwan, her face pale, tried to retreat.
Unfortunately, she was surrounded by a wall of people, leaving no room to move back.
Just as the tip of the knife was about to pierce her body, a powerful force pulled her to the side, and the next moment, Lin Xingwan was shielded in someone's embrace.
A faint, sophisticated scent of sandalwood wafted into her nostrils. Lin Xingwan suddenly looked up, her eyes widening in disbelief.
She was utterly shocked because the man who saved her was the executive officer of Dongfang Group—Dongfang Junze!
Hadn't this man been walking ahead? How could he have reached her in such a short time?
Dongfang Junze kicked away the man who was attacking indiscriminately, followed by the second, and then the third...
Dongfang Junze dealt with them with ease, quickly subduing those with only rudimentary fighting skills.
Lin Xingwan watched the man's decisive and handsome moves, but Zhou Jinbai's face flashed in her mind.
The way this man fought reminded her so much of her husband.
But how could her husband possibly be Dongfang Junze? At this very moment, he was just a doting husband shopping for groceries, preparing for their hotpot dinner tonight!
Lin Xingwan felt she must be going crazy, otherwise, how could she possibly connect two people who were so poles apart?
The last person to charge forward fixed his gaze solely on Dongfang Junze, but as he got closer, he angled his knife and aimed directly for Lin Xingwan's chest.
Lin Xingwan's face was filled with terror. At such close range, even with Dongfang Junze's excellent skills, it would be difficult to subdue him immediately.
Lin Xingwan felt her vision completely blocked by the man's black suit. The sound of the knife piercing through clothes echoed in her ears, and Lin Xingwan smelled blood.
"Young Master—"
"President—"
Chen Yuchu and the other subordinates were stunned. With two sharp sounds, the man who attacked Dongfang Junze had his head and heart pierced.
Clang—
The knife in his hand clattered to the ground, and he lay there, eyes wide open.
He died with his eyes open.
Seeing this, the others dared not attack anymore.
More than thirty bodyguards rushed over, each holding a gun.
They shielded Lin Xingwan and Dongfang Junze in the center, and the crowd automatically parted, allowing them to pass first.
Lin Xingwan was still held in the man's embrace as they walked forward, but all her attention was now fixed on Dongfang Junze's injured arm.
Even though he was wearing a black suit, the darker area around his arm was stained with blood.
Lin Xingwan's hands were also stained with the man's blood.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Lin Xingwan felt extremely guilty. This man was injured because he saved her.
His status was so noble, and she had caused such a terrible disaster today.
As the bodyguards escorting Dongfang Junze and Lin Xingwan gradually moved away, Chen Yuchu finally withdrew her shocked gaze.
She never expected that the young master would be willing to get injured for this woman!
He had rare blood type, and if the elder of the family found out, they would be furious!
Didn't the young master understand that the more he loved Lin Xingwan, the more dangerous her situation would become?
Chen Yuchu felt her mind couldn't process so much information at once. She shook her head, her gaze turning cold again.
"Send all these people to the police station. Deploy another five thousand bodyguards. Anyone who dares to cause trouble at the 'Xian Tu' commencement ceremony is going against Dongfang Group. I, Chen Yuchu, will make them pay!" Chen Yuchu said with a cold face, looking like an icy beauty pushing everyone away. There was no trace of gentleness on her face now; she was like a female Asura.
After speaking, Chen Yuchu turned and followed behind Lin Xingwan and the others.
"A close call. Let's go too. After all, it will take a long time to get ready."
Standing in front of Yan Yuxi, Jiang Wenyuan lowered his gaze to the subdued thugs, his gentle and refined expression replaced by a chilling sternness.
Even though his clothes and hairstyle remained unchanged, the shift in his eyes and expression transformed him from a scholarly, elegant young master into a cold, arrogant overlord.
After speaking, Jiang Wenyuan walked forward.
The others followed closely, only Gao Nanbin wore a look of fear.
In the hotel at the film city.
Lin Xingwan, sitting on the sofa, twisted her hands unconsciously. She looked at Dongfang Junze, who was lying on the bed with his upper body bare, her gaze fixed on his injured arm.
The wound was at least five centimeters long and was still bleeding profusely.
Four or five doctors were carefully tending to his wound. Even without seeing the man's expression, Lin Xingwan could imagine that he must be regretting saving her right now.
"Young Master, it has been investigated. Those people just now were obsessive fans of 'Xian Tu.' They were so engrossed in the novel that they believed Ge Xuan Si playing Wang Yuan was ruining the original work, which is why they came to cause trouble."
Chen Yuchu reported the investigation results to Dongfang Junze. The man, who had been silent, finally spoke, "Secretary Chen, if I hadn't saved Miss Lin, she would have been the one in danger."
A flicker of confusion crossed Chen Yuchu's pretty face.
A few seconds later, Chen Yuchu appeared to have a sudden realization, "I'm sorry, Young Master. I will investigate thoroughly."
How dare they play tricks under her nose? Did they think she, Chen Yuchu, was a fool?
"Young Master, your wound should not come into contact with water for a week. Take these anti-inflammatory pills three times a day, two pills each time."
The doctor's tone was as gentle as possible, fearing they might anger the powerful figure before them.
"You may leave," Dongfang Junze said, his voice devoid of any emotion. The doctors then departed.
In the spacious hotel room, only Lin Xingwan and Dongfang Junze remained.
The man got off the bed. Apart from the bandage wrapped around his arm, his physique was perfect.
Muscular chest muscles, followed by hard abs, and a V-line hidden beneath his trousers. Veins like giant pythons crawled out from his trousers.
It was as if unbuckling his belt would unleash all the pent-up danger.
This was a body possessing infinite temptation and explosive power!
As Dongfang Junze walked towards Lin Xingwan, Lin Xingwan suddenly stood up from the sofa, her voice trembling with fear and nervousness as she sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dongfang Junze. I didn't mean to get you injured. I... I am truly sorry. If you want to blame anyone, it's entirely my fault, and it has nothing to do with Top Entertainment. You can punish me however you wish."
Dongfang Junze looked at the frightened and helpless woman before him, further convinced that if he ever told her the truth, she would definitely leave him.
Her feelings towards his true identity seemed to be nothing but fear!
Damn it, was he that scary?
"Miss Lin, you seem to be very afraid of me? Am I a fierce beast, or a man-eating monster, hmm?" Dongfang Junze slowly approached Lin Xingwan. Even though he wore a mask and sunglasses, obscuring his face, the oppressive aura emanating from him made Lin Xingwan's heart clench.
She clutched the cuffs of her sleeves and quickly shook her head, "How could I... be afraid of Mr. Dongfang Junze."
"If you're not afraid of me, does that mean you like me?" Dongfang Junze asked again.
He leaned in, their distance only a few centimeters, as if he were about to kiss her.
Lin Xingwan instinctively leaned back. She seemed to understand the saying, "To be with a ruler is like being with a tiger," as a wrong answer could cost her her head!
"Mr. Dong... Mr. Dongfang Junze is an outstanding figure among his peers and a role model for me to learn from. Who doesn't like their idol?"
Lin Xingwan admitted that this was the first time in her life she had ever flattered someone so shamelessly.
Wuwuwu...
She was clearly terrified to death!
She really wanted to bury her face in Zhou Jinbai's chest and cry. Besides her own husband, all other men were bad.
"So, you do like me." The man's deep voice seemed to gain a hint of pleasure.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling from his throat and landing on Lin Xingwan's heart.
Her body felt a little tingly. That laugh was too seductive!
Lin Xingwan no longer knew how to describe her current feelings. Forget it, forget it. As long as Top Entertainment was still around, it was fine to be misunderstood.
"You don't need to worry about what happened today. I would have saved anyone else too. I wouldn't hold you or Top Entertainment responsible for my injury."
Dongfang Junze soothed Lin Xingwan's emotions. Although his voice lacked strong emotion, Lin Xingwan secretly gave him a thumbs-up.
A powerful patron was indeed reasonable.
"Alright, you must have other things to attend to, you can leave now." These words were exactly what Lin Xingwan wanted to hear.
"In that case, I won't disturb Mr. Dongfang." Lin Xingwan said respectfully, but inwardly she was overjoyed.
As if afraid Dongfang Junze would change his mind, she immediately walked towards the exit.
As she reached the door, the man's voice echoed from the room, "Miss Lin, I also really like my fans."
Lin Xingwan almost tripped.
"And then? Did he really say that?" In the lounge, Liu Mengqin looked at Lin Xingwan with a gossipy expression, her face full of adoration. "Dongfang Junze is too good at flirting! Xingwan, does he have feelings for you?"
Liu Mengqin felt her girlish heart pounding with every word Lin Xingwan recounted.
"This is only our second meeting, and I don't even know what Mr. Dongfang looks like. A man like him, how many women don't he have around him? Even if he just snaps his fingers, women would flock to him from here to abroad. I think he was just joking with me."
Lin Xingwan had one virtue: she never daydreamed.
If you're not Snow White, don't expect a prince.
Besides, her current husband was excellent!
"But out of so many people, he chose to save you." Liu Mengqin still couldn't figure it out, feeling something was off.
Lin Xingwan tilted her head, her expression showing a hint of relief after escaping danger, "Sister Qin, Mr. Dongfang told me that he would have saved anyone else too. I thought he would blame me for his injury, but he didn't. This shows that he is truly a person with a strong sense of justice."
"As the saying goes, a life-saving debt is impossible to repay, so how about offering yourself in marriage?" Liu Mengqin was still teasing Lin Xingwan.
Lin Xingwan said seriously, "Sister Qin, don't joke about such things. I'm married now. If Jinbai hears this, he'll be unhappy. Mr. Dongfang is excellent, but my husband is not bad either."
Liu Mengqin looked sheepish and stopped teasing her.
The commencement ceremony was scheduled for one o'clock in the afternoon.
The actors in the drama were all dressed in ancient costumes, preparing for the upcoming incense-burning ceremony.
Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin were taking countless photos of Ge Xuan Si with their phones.
Look at him, dressed in white but with a sickly, wicked demeanor, truly bringing the character of 'Wang Yuan' to life.
Even the author of 'Xian Tu' had posted on social media specifically praising Ge Xuan Si, stating he was exactly as imagined for Wang Yuan!
The author's post quickly trended on hot searches among the book's fans.
Unexpectedly, Ge Xuan Si, whose popularity had been low, managed to outperform Jiang Wenyuan and Yan Yuxi, emerging as a dark horse.
A single still image had already garnered Ge Xuan Si a massive fan base.
Yet, he remained humble and allowed Liu Mengqin and Lin Xingwan to dote on him endlessly.
"He's perfect from every angle. Our Top Entertainment is going to be incredibly successful."
Liu Mengqin was so excited she was on the verge of tears. She even logged into Ge Xuan Si's account and posted a few photos, thanking Dongfang Group, the production crew, and the fans...
As soon as the post went live, countless fans below called him "husband."
Even the audience at the scene had shifted from being hostile towards Ge Xuan Si to neutral, and then to fans. He had received several bouquets of flowers.
"We looked for an actor for the crew, but we ended up inviting an immortal." Jiang Wenyuan, dressed in a black tight-fitting outfit, with a silver crown on his head, looked spirited and dashing.
Compared to his modern attire in the morning, wearing ancient costume, his sharp eyes and handsome features made him the protagonist without a doubt.
Standing next to him, Ge Xuan Si's more effeminate appearance destined him to be the second male lead.
This was the aura of a seasoned actor; his every move exuded an overwhelming presence.
The aura surrounding them, even when not filming, made them stand out in a crowd, radiating a protagonist's halo.
"Xiao Si is like a newborn calf. His future path is still long, how can he be called an 'immortal'? I hope you, as a senior, will guide him more during the filming process."
Liu Mengqin was overjoyed to hear Jiang Wenyuan praise Ge Xuan Si.
However, on the surface, she had to remain humble.
"I'm afraid I won't need to guide him in 'Xian Tu.' While others are trying to interpret and understand their characters, Ge Xuan Si's role as 'Wang Yuan' seems tailor-made for him. He is exactly as Wang Yuan should be, requiring no deliberate effort to understand."
Jiang Wenyuan was a highly acclaimed film emperor, but he never put on airs. When speaking to others, he always made them feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
After speaking, he asked Lin Xingwan, "Were you frightened by what happened today?"
Lin Xingwan shook her head, "No."
"How is Mr. Dongfang's injury?"
"His arm was cut. The doctor has already bandaged his wound."
Lin Xingwan replied.
Jiang Wenyuan nodded, "That's good."
Then, Jiang Wenyuan chatted with Lin Xingwan for a while longer.
While their side was lively, Gao Nanbin and Yan Yuxi's side appeared somewhat desolate.
"This is the first time I've seen Wenyuan actively chat with another woman. The boss of Top Entertainment is indeed very good-looking." Gao Nanbin walked to Yan Yuxi's side, his tone laced with mockery.
"Am I not as beautiful as her?" Yan Yuxi was indignant. Her beauty was universally acknowledged.
"Beauty comes in many forms. Can you say that the other actresses in 'Xian Tu' are not beautiful? But there is only one protagonist. When she appears, everyone else becomes a supporting character."
"You can shut up now." Yan Yuxi looked at Lin Xingwan with eyes full of jealousy and hatred. This damned woman, running a shabby company, actually thought of herself so highly?
Gao Nanbin curled his lips into a cold smile and said no more.
Soon, it was time for the incense-burning ceremony.
The entire crew burned money for blessings, praying for smooth filming and high ratings.
The production crew did not bully or suppress Ge Xuan Si because he was a newcomer. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Yan Yuxi behind Jiang Wenyuan, indicating that his status was equal to Yan Yuxi's.
Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin enthusiastically praised the crew's arrangements, even clapping with excitement.
This scene was naturally observed by Zhou Jinbai from his hotel room.
He stood by the window, watching his little wife, who was dancing with joy. A faint smile appeared on his usually indifferent, icy face.
Chen Yuchu stood behind Zhou Jinbai, having just reported the truth she had investigated.
"Young Master, they actually targeted the Young Madam. They're simply courting death! I'll send people to deal with them immediately." Anger flashed across Chen Yuchu's beautiful face. She was almost deceived by these scoundrels' diversionary tactics.
"If they want to play, let's all play. Have someone deliver this to her." Zhou Jinbai put on the clothes he had placed aside. Even with his back to Chen Yuchu, he looked elegant and handsome.
After putting on his clothes, he spoke again, "I'll leave this to you to manage. I need to go grocery shopping; Xingwan wants to eat hotpot."
Chen Yuchu's forehead creased. Young Master, Young Master, couldn't he make such a drastic topic jump?
Why did it feel like the Young Master was more enthusiastic about grocery shopping than going to work? Was this what men in love were like?
After the commencement ceremony ended, Zhou Jinbai came to pick them up.
Lin Xingwan recounted the day's events to Zhou Jinbai. The man's tone was surprised, and he comforted Lin Xingwan.
The couple chatted back and forth, completely forgetting the two single people in the back seat, Liu Mengqin and Ge Xuan Si, who could only play with their phones.
As the four of them arrived at the apartment entrance, they saw a man peeking furtively through the peephole, constantly looking inside.
Instantly, all four of their expressions turned cold.
Zhou Jinbai strode forward and, catching the man off guard, subdued him. "Who are you?"