After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

Pei Yanyu took off her sunglasses. Her captivating peach blossom eyes stared at the sick leave slip on the screen, her gaze landing on the words "heart palpitations".

The air seemed to freeze. All the boys who had been watching the commotion from their balconies held their breath.

Suddenly, Pei Yanyu smiled sweetly.

Her smile was radiant and captivating, carrying a hint of indulgence and pampering that only she understood. Far from being angry, her eyes even welled up with a moist luster.

"He's not feeling well, so we won't force him," Pei Yanyu tossed her phone back to Director Li, casually uttering a nonchalant remark.

Director Li was stunned: "Then...then what about today's press conference and script reading?"

"Cancel." Pei Yanyu turned and walked towards the Maybach, her wine-red skirt drawing a defiant arc in the wind. She stopped by the car door, glanced back at the astonished crowd, and spoke in a languid yet unquestionable tone.

"He can rest for as many days as he wants. The entire crew will take a break on the spot. The crew will resume production whenever he is willing to come back. All equipment rentals, venue fees, and personnel lost wages during the shutdown period will be paid into my personal account."

boom.

The whole place erupted.

The reporters' shutters were clicking so hard they were practically sparking. This was definitely the biggest entertainment news of the year!

In less than half an hour, major social media platforms were completely paralyzed.

#Actress Pei Takes Time Off Work for Love#

#A single leave slip brought the film crew to a standstill#

#Searching for the Mysterious Male Lead Who Made the Best Actress Bow Down#

The top five trending topics were all dominated by this mysterious male lead, whose face hadn't even been shown. Netizens across the internet were frantically digging into his past, trying to figure out what kind of god-like looks and powerful background he possessed that could make that crazy actress who treated male celebrities like dogs become so shameless and blatantly devoted to him.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xunchuan, at the very center of the media storm, was sitting in the business class of a high-speed train bound for a film and television base in the suburbs.

The carriage was quiet and comfortable, and the scenery rushing past the window contrasted sharply with the hustle and bustle of the Kyoto University campus just moments before.

Zhu Xun Chuan leaned back in the large leather seat, holding the hand-drip coffee that the flight attendant had just brought him, a casual smile on his lips.

My phone vibrated.

[Crazy woman: You can run away, but you can't hide. Arrhythmia, huh? Wash yourself clean and wait for me at the hotel tonight. I've brought a stethoscope; I'll give you a full-body checkup myself.]

Even through the screen, Zhu Xun Chuan could smell the intense, almost overflowing, possessive and obsessive aura emanating from the character. He tapped the screen lightly and replied.

[Zhu Xunchuan: Professor Pei's consultation fees are too high; I'm afraid my poor student can't afford them.]

The other party replied instantly.

[Crazy woman: You don't need to pay. Just lie down.]

Zhu Xun Chuan chuckled softly. He didn't reply, but instead switched to the chat interface.

Open another dialog box that is pinned to the top.

That was a location message sent by Su Mucheng ten minutes ago.

[Su Mucheng: Brother Chuan, the music video for the new song will be filmed at the film studio on the outskirts of the city. Sister Jinghong said that this filming is completely closed off, and no unauthorized personnel can come in. When the crew wraps up tonight, I'll be waiting for you in the van in Studio 3. (Cat peeking out.jpg)]

Two messages. One was about needing to listen to a patient's heartbeat, and the other was about visiting the set.

The fish in this pond not only bite the hook on their own, but they also line up and plan their schedule.

The high-speed train smoothly slowed down, and an announcement came over the loudspeaker that it was about to arrive at a suburban station.

Zhu Xun Chuan finished the last sip of his coffee, stood up, and zipped up his windbreaker.

Stepping out of the VIP passage of the high-speed rail station, a cool autumn breeze greeted me.

Several unlicensed taxis were parked in the station square. Among these unlicensed taxis, a Mercedes-Benz V260 minivan with completely black privacy windows stood out conspicuously.

The license plate number is very arrogant.

As soon as Zhu Xunchuan walked to the front of the car, the electric sliding door opened automatically with a "whoosh".

A strong and aggressive scent of black datura perfume wafted out of the car.

A woman was sitting in a genuine leather airline seat.

She wore an extremely form-fitting black business suit, with a long leg encased in exquisite black stockings beneath the pencil skirt, crossed over each other. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, her hair was styled in a high bun, and a slender cigarette was held between her fingers.

Xie Jinghong, the big boss of Jinghong Entertainment.

"Hey, campus heartthrob, you're pretty good at skipping class." Xie Jinghong exhaled a puff of smoke, her shrewd and alluring fox-like eyes scanning Zhu Xun Chuan up and down. A meaningful smile curved her red lips. "Get in the car. My cash cow is practically begging for a ride on set."

The electric sliding door slowly closed, keeping the cool morning breeze out of the car.

With the privacy glass raised, the interior of the Mercedes-Benz V260 becomes an absolutely private space. The floor lights emit a dark purple glow, and the subtle, almost aggressive scent of black datura perfume wafts into the nostrils.

Zhu Xun Chuan took his seat. The leather seat felt soft to the touch. He casually unzipped his black windbreaker half an inch, revealing a section of his collarbone.

Xie Jinghong sat opposite him. She held a slender cigarette between her fingers and exhaled a puff of smoke. Behind her gold-rimmed glasses, her shrewd and alluring fox-like eyes sized Zhu Xunchuan up and down.

"I heard that Pei Yanyu brought dozens of bodyguards this morning and blocked the entrance to your men's dormitory." Xie Jinghong's tone was lazy, and a playful smile curved her red lips.

"The news spread pretty quickly." Zhu Xun Chuan said calmly, showing no signs of the panic of someone fleeing for their life.

"There's nothing in this industry I don't know," Xie Jinghong chuckled. She leaned closer, her long, shapely legs in black stockings beneath her pencil skirt gleaming under the low lights. She picked up a decanter from the small bar, poured a glass of red wine, and handed it to her.

"You're the first person who could make that crazy woman willingly issue a work stoppage statement, disregarding the entire production crew. Zhu Xun Chuan, the number of romantic entanglements you have is deeper than I imagined."

Zhu Xun Chuan took the wine glass. He didn't drink it, but just held it in his hand and played with it.

"Mr. Xie went to all that trouble to send a car to intercept me at the high-speed rail station; it couldn't have been just to gossip."

"Of course not." Xie Jinghong leaned forward, close to his ear. The warmth of her breath brushed against the side of his neck. "I've taken a liking to you."

She stepped back half an inch, her gaze locking onto Zhu Xun Chuan's eyes: "With your looks, your figure, and that calm and collected demeanor, you're wasting your talent in school. Sign with Jinghong Entertainment, and I'll personally mentor you. Within two years, I guarantee you'll become an absolute top star in the Chinese entertainment industry. I'll shower you with S-level resources and commercial endorsements."

She stretched out her finger, her fingertip lightly tracing the collar of Zhu Xun Chuan's shirt: "By then, what kind of fame and fortune will you want?"

Zhu Xun Chuan put down his wine glass. He turned his head and looked directly into Xie Jing Hong's eyes. The distance between them was less than ten centimeters.

"You think I only care about looks?" Xie Jinghong didn't back down and continued to press her advantage, "That executive vice principal from the Meng family, that little princess from Tianjin, and that red-plated Huo Xi you drove into the school yesterday. Zhu Xun Chuan, the resources you have, even a little bit of them, are enough for a second-tier star in this industry to live on for a lifetime. I'm signing you because I'm signing the connections behind you."

Zhu Xun Chuan's lips curled into a casual smile.

"Mr. Xie, you've investigated quite thoroughly." Zhu Xun Chuan leaned back in his chair, creating some distance between them. "But now that you know who's behind me, you should understand. The waters in this industry are too shallow; they can't drown me, nor can they support me."

He glanced at Xie Jinghong's long, black-stockinged legs: "Besides, I have a sensitive stomach, and I'm picky about who I live off. Jinghong Entertainment is too small to accommodate me."

Xie Jinghong chuckled, her body trembling with laughter. She had handled many top male stars, and all those so-called top male stars in the industry were subservient to her.

Only this little bastard exuded a calm and collected air of complete control from beginning to end.