After being dumped by the diva, I was picked up by her arch-enemy.

Jiang Yichen opened his eyes and felt a slight sensation in his abdomen.

He lowered his head.

Xu Zhiyou was hiding under the covers, only her big, watery eyes were showing.

She stretched out a slender white finger and poked around on his abs.

"Does it feel good?" Jiang Yichen's voice was low and hoarse from just waking up.

Xu Zhiyou shuddered in fright and quickly pulled her hand back under the covers.

The next second, its fluffy little head was completely buried in the blanket, and it wrapped itself up even tighter.

Jiang Yichen chuckled and scooped the person, blanket and all, into his arms.

"Weren't you quite daring last night?"

"Now you know how to be shy?"

Xu Zhiyou poked her fluffy head out from under the covers, her cheeks flushed red.

She bit her lip, then suddenly tilted her head back and kissed Jiang Yichen on the chin.

"Who's shy!"

"You're my man now, what's wrong with me touching you a few times?"

Jiang Yichen pinched her cheek.

"Alright, Boss Xu is rich and powerful, whatever he says is right."

He threw back the covers and got out of bed.

Without the blankets to cover him, his perfect physique was exposed to the morning light. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, and smooth, well-defined muscle lines—every inch exuded power, yet without being overly exaggerated.

Xu Zhiyou stared wide-eyed, then quickly covered her face with a pillow, leaving only two slits to peek.

Jiang Yichen put on casual pants, walked to the French windows, and pulled back the curtains.

Sunlight instantly flooded the entire master bedroom.

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it."

Xu Zhiyou put down the pillow, her eyes sparkling.

"You cook?"

Jiang Yichen turned around and raised an eyebrow.

"Otherwise what?"

"Expecting something from a pampered young lady like you who's never lifted a finger?"

..........

Half an hour later.

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of fried eggs and bacon, mixed with the sweetness of hot milk.

Xu Zhiyou was wearing the same oversized white shirt that Jiang Yichen had worn yesterday, her two long, fair, and shapely legs bare.

She ran out in her slippers.

The hem of her shirt just covered the top of her thighs, and it was faintly visible as she moved.

Jiang Yichen came out of the kitchen carrying two plates.

Upon seeing this, he paused for a moment.

He then placed the plate on the table and shook his head helplessly.

"Xu Zhiyou, are you testing my willpower?"

Xu Zhiyou pulled out a chair and sat down, resting her chin on her hands and smiling like a little fox who had just stolen some fish.

"I'm wearing this one, so what?"

"I'm at home, can't I even dress comfortably?"

Jiang Yichen handed her the milk.

"Eat quickly. I still have to go keep an eye on the theater troupe today."

Xu Zhiyou took a bite of the fried egg and spoke indistinctly.

"I'm going too!"

"I've never seen your drama troupe perform a formal show before."

Jiang Yichen sat down opposite her.

"There are too many people and too many eyes at the theater, what are you, a rich young lady, doing there?"

Xu Zhiyou was unhappy.

What does "joining in the fun" mean?

"I'm the boss's wife, here to inspect the work!"

"Besides, with you here, who would dare mess with me?"

Looking at her smug little face, Jiang Yichen finally couldn't do anything about it and could only nod in agreement: "Okay, boss lady."

After breakfast, Xu Zhiyou changed into a light blue dress.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, making her look youthful and beautiful.

The two went out together and headed to the City God Temple.

........

10:00 AM.

At the City God Temple pedestrian street, outside the antique-style Qilin Opera Troupe's Shanghai branch, the queue had already stretched to the street corner.

Thanks to Jiang Yichen's popularity, the theater's tickets sold out immediately upon opening.

Tan Yunxiao, dressed in black training clothes, stood at the door maintaining order, his brow beaded with sweat.

"Everyone, please line up! Don't push!"

"Tickets for today are sold out. If you didn't get a ticket, please come back early tomorrow!"

A chorus of complaints erupted from the crowd.

"I started queuing at 5 a.m., how come there are no tickets left!"

Jiang Yichen, wearing a baseball cap and a mask, walked into the theater through the back door.

.........

Backstage.

The fellow apprentices were busily putting on makeup and changing their costumes.

The opera masks were painted in bold and colorful colors, and the costumes were gorgeous and elaborate.

The entire backstage area was filled with the smell of paint and rosin.

Jiang Yichen took off his hat and pulled up a chair to sit down.

Jiang Yichen stood up and looked at his fellow apprentices who were tightening their heads in front of the mirror.

"Everyone, let's all be more energetic today."

"It's not easy to establish a foothold in Shanghai, so we must make a strong start today."

Everyone responded in unison.

"Don't worry, Third Brother!"

11:00 AM.

The opera troupe officially opened for business.

Jiang Yichen personally took to the stage, wearing a general's helmet, a yellow coat, and holding a large sword.

A crisp and clean entrance drew cheers from the audience.

Xu Zhiyou sat in the best private box on the second floor, watching the man on stage with his neat figure and amazing singing voice.

The love in her eyes was impossible to hide.

After the song ended, the entire hall erupted in applause.

Jiang Yichen returned backstage to remove her makeup.

Xu Zhiyou was waiting there early, handing over warm water and a towel.

"Are you tired?"

Xu Zhiyou took a towel and carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Jiang Yichen took the water glass and took a sip.

"It's alright. These fellow apprentices have a solid foundation in basic skills, so I won't have to go on stage every day anymore."

..........

at the same time.

The top floor of a magnificent entertainment complex in Shanghai's CBD.

Bai Yanqiu sat behind a large desk.

He fiddled with the pure gold lighter in his hand, his eyes filled with a terrifyingly gloomy expression.

Qiang strode in, his face ashen.

"Second Young Master."

Qiang walked to the desk and placed his hands on the surface.

"That theater troupe surnamed Jiang opened today, and business is booming."

"Should I take a few dozen of my brothers over there and smash up his place?"

Qiang Ge gritted his teeth.

Bai Yanqiu raised her eyelids and gave him a cold look.

"To cause trouble?"

Bai Yanqiu let out a cold laugh.

"Did you grow a brain just to make up for your height?"

Qiang was stunned by the scolding and felt somewhat unconvinced.

"Second Young Master, when has our Bai family ever suffered such humiliation in Shanghai!"

"Are we just going to watch them make money?"

Bai Yanqiu put down his wine glass and stood up.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the bustling traffic below.

"What problem would it solve to cause trouble now?"

"How many tables were broken? How many signs were smashed?"

"It doesn't hurt or itch, it's completely meaningless."

Bai Yanqiu turned around, his gaze as cold and sinister as a venomous snake.

"The Xu family, the Gu family, and that kid Jiang Yichen."

"The three parties have now joined forces."

Bai Yanqiu walked to his desk, picked up a cigar cutter, and slowly cut open a cigar.

"The current situation can no longer be resolved by a few thugs fighting and killing each other."

Brother Qiang lowered his head and said.

"Then... Second Young Master, are we just going to call it quits like this?"

Bai Yanqiu struck a match and lit his cigar.

Thick smoke filled the office.

"never mind?"

"Those two words don't exist in my dictionary, Bai Yanqiu's dictionary."

He took a deep drag on his cigar and slowly exhaled.

"Dealing with them requires a long-term plan."

"Strike the snake at its vital point."

"If you're going to take action, you have to strike decisively."