Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Jiahe International Headquarters, 33rd floor, Design Department.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sky was gradually darkening, and the lights of Central began to illuminate this city that never sleeps. But inside the design department, there was a jubilant atmosphere, with the champagne tower shimmering with golden light under the lights.

This was a welcome party specially held for the three newly hired designers.

Besides Laura, who made a name for herself and was directly appointed chief designer by Lu Chen, Lu Chen's luck seemed to improve in subsequent interviews, and he found two more promising talents.

One of them is a graduate from the Japanese fashion college named Takeru Satoh. Although he looks dull, he has extremely solid basic skills, especially in pattern making, which is almost obsessive-compulsive. He can complement Laura's imaginative but sometimes impractical designs.

Another is a recent graduate from the Design Department of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a petite girl named Ah May. While she may not possess the same natural talent as Laura, she has an exceptional sensitivity to the local market, and with a little guidance, she could become an outstanding commercial designer.

Lu Chen stood in the center of the crowd, holding a glass of champagne, but his gaze lingered on Laura, who was chatting and laughing with her colleagues not far away.

The appearance of this woman not only meant that Garreau had gained another genius designer, but also that a new cinematic universe—the Asian Eagle series—had officially begun.

In its previous life, the Asian Eagle series consisted of three films: "Armour of God," "Project Eagle," and the sequel "Chinese Zodiac," which was released after the millennium. Laura was from "Armour of God."

Lu Chen took a sip of champagne, a slight smile playing on his lips.

In the original movie storyline, Laura, Jackie, and Alan were inseparable childhood friends, even forming a band called "Losers." It was a time brimming with youth and hormones, with both men deeply in love with Laura. However, to avoid jeopardizing their pure friendship, Jackie chose to leave, moving to Europe to become the treasure hunter—"Asian Eagle"—a figure both loved and hated by Interpol.

In retrospect, we are now at the very beginning of the story.

"Boss, what are you thinking about?"

A fragrant breeze wafted over. Laura walked over with a wine glass in her hand. She had changed into a more casual white silk shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone. Her stunningly beautiful face was flushed with a hint of intoxication, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

"I'm curious about your past experiences."

Lu Chen turned around, not hiding his curiosity, "I just heard from HR that you mentioned in your resume that you used to play in a band?"

"That was all just fooling around back then," Laura said with a smile, shaking her head, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Back then, I was young and naive, and I formed a band with two idiots I grew up with. In the end, we didn't sell many records, and we almost starved to death."

"What about those two idiots?" Lu Chen asked knowingly.

"We're breaking up."

Laura shrugged, her tone relaxed. "Jackie, that guy, said he couldn't stand this predictable life anymore, so last month he packed a big bag and ran off to Europe, saying he was going to search for some lost civilization. I think he just wants to be a grave robber digging up graves everywhere. As for Allen..."

Laura paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "He signed with a record company and is preparing to officially debut as a singer. He even came to see me a couple of days ago and said that if his first album sells well, he would... he would let me be his girlfriend."

"So, did you agree?" Lu Chen swirled his wine glass and asked casually.

"Of course not!"

Laura pouted, looking disgusted. "That idiot, he doesn't even know to give red roses to girls, he gave her a cactus! He said it represents unwavering love... Can't you believe it?"

Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh.

really.

Laura is still single, and the adventure story about "God's Armament" hasn't officially begun yet. This is excellent news for Lu Chen.

This not only signifies that Laura, the rose, is now ownerless, but also means that the enormous gold treasure left behind by the Hans Empire, buried deep in the Sahara Desert in "Project Eagle," is still lying there quietly, waiting for a destined person to discover it.

That's a full two hundred and forty tons of gold!

In this era, this wealth was enough to buy half of Central, and it would have allowed Golden Harvest to skip the stage of capital accumulation.

"It seems I need to go to North Africa as soon as possible."

Lu Chen silently made plans in his mind.

Of course, that's all in the future. The most urgent task now is to utilize Laura's talent to propel Garreau to the pinnacle of his career.

"I'm relieved to hear you're single. At least I don't have to worry about you running off for love one day and leaving the company in a mess," Lu Chen raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Laura's. "And here you'll find that designing clothes and having them worn by women all over the world is much more interesting than dating."

Laura looked at the confident and charming man before her, her large eyes sparkling with an unusual light: "Then I'll be watching!"

……

The party lasted until late at night.

After seeing off the slightly tipsy Laura and the other designers, Lu Chen got into his car to go home.

Tin Yeung Yee was in charge of driving, and the car drove smoothly through the night, leaving the hustle and bustle of Central behind.

Lu Chen leaned back in the seat, rubbing his throbbing temples. He had drunk quite a bit tonight, and although he had a strong physique, the alcohol was making him feel a bit hot and bothered.

However, I was in a very good mood.

Not only did they acquire three design talents and resolve Garreau's minor hidden dangers, but more importantly, they unexpectedly triggered the highly valuable side storyline of "Asian Eagle".

It's like discovering a hidden treasure map while playing a game.

"Boss, we've arrived."

The car slowly drove into the villa courtyard of Youyicun.

"You've worked hard, Ayi. You should go back and get some rest too."

Lu Chen opened the car door, and the night breeze carried away a slight whiff of alcohol.

The villa was quiet. A dim floor lamp was left on in the living room on the first floor. It was a lamp that Ruan Mei had specially left on for him.

Lu Chen quietly changed his shoes and was about to go upstairs when he saw the kitchen door open.

Wearing a pink silk nightgown, Ruan Mei came out carrying a small bowl.

"You're back?"

When Ruan Mei saw Lu Chen, a gentle smile immediately appeared on her face. She walked to Lu Chen's side, naturally took his coat and hung it up, then handed him the bowl she was holding.

"I knew you could drink. This is a hangover soup I just made, with kudzu root and honey. It's warm, just right to drink."

Lu Chen took the bowl and looked at the clear soup inside, feeling a warmth in his heart.

This is home.

No matter how successful you are outside, no matter how many expensive glasses of champagne you drink in the world of fame and fortune, there will always be a bowl of the simplest hangover soup waiting for you when you get home.

Lu Chen tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. The sweet and sour soup slid down his throat, instantly relieving the burning sensation in his stomach.

"It tastes good."

Lu Chen put down his bowl and looked at the gentle and refined woman in front of him, his eyes gradually becoming somewhat profound.

Ruan Mei felt a little embarrassed by his gaze and reached out to take the empty bowl: "As long as it tastes good... Um, go take a shower, you reek of alcohol, you stink."

As she spoke, she pushed Lu Chen upstairs.

In the master bathroom on the second floor, the bathtub was already filled with water, and a few rose petals floated on the surface. The steam rising from the water caused a thin layer of mist to form on the mirror.

Lu Chen lay in the warm water, chatting with Ruan Mei about the day's events while closing his eyes to enjoy the comfort of her soft, boneless hands massaging his shoulders.

"Ah Chen, so that Laura... is she pretty?"

Behind him, Ruan Mei, who was rubbing his back, suddenly asked a question out of the blue.

Lu Chen's heart tightened; this was a potentially fatal question.

"She's pretty, but she's too individualistic, like a wild horse," Lu Chen said with a strong survival instinct. "Our Mei is much better, gentle and virtuous, that's the kind of person we should settle down with."

"Hmph, you know how to talk." Ruan Mei snorted lightly, but the pressure on her hands became even gentler.

After a while, feeling that she was almost done washing, Ruan Mei withdrew her hand: "You continue soaking, I'll go get you your pajamas..."

Just as Ruan Mei was about to turn and leave, Lu Chen grabbed her wrist.

"Amei".

Lu Chen's voice was a little hoarse, with a hint of languor and magnetism from being drunk.

"Hmm?" Ruan Mei turned around and bumped right into those unfathomable eyes.

"The hangover soup from earlier doesn't seem to be working." Lu Chen stepped forward, forcing her to the sink.

"Then...what should we do? Shall I make you some tea?" Ruan Mei was a little flustered, her heart racing instantly.

"No need for that."

Lu Chen lowered his head, his hot breath brushing against her ear. "I think it's faster to sweat it out and sober up."

"Sweating?"

Before Ruan Mei could react, she was already airborne.

"ah!"

A gasp was swallowed by the steam in the bathroom.

The next second, Lu Chen had already carried her into the large bathtub. Warm water instantly washed over her entire body, and her soaked silk pajamas clung tightly to her skin, outlining her graceful curves.

"You bastard...you've gotten your clothes all wet..."

Ruan Mei blushed deeply and tried to stand up while holding onto the bathtub, but Lu Chen casually ripped open the tie at her collar.

"It's just right that it's wet."

Lu Chen stepped into the bathtub, holding the frightened little rabbit in his arms, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Perfect, we can bathe together."

Amidst the swirling mist, the petals drifted with the current.

The moon outside the window seemed shy, and quietly hid behind the clouds.

The hangover soup that night was indeed very thirst-quenching.