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

In the dimly lit wetland park, autumn insects chirped softly in the grass.

A cold wind rustled the ginkgo leaves scattered on the ground.

Pei Yanyu stood on tiptoe. Her hands gripped Zhu Xun Chuan's shoulders tightly.

Their lips touched.

Pei Yanyu's lips were cold. Her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes trembled in the cold wind.

There was no fierce, forceful possession. Only cautious, tentative exploration.

Her soft tongue gently licked the corner of Zhu Xun Chuan's lips. The movement was extremely gentle. There was a hint of salty taste from her tears between his lips and teeth.

This was a kiss that completely humbled her, filled with ingratiation. The once invincible Grand Slam Best Actress was now afraid of being pushed away, placing herself in an extremely lowly position.

Zhu Xunchuan remained where he was, without refusing.

He raised his large hand, gripped the back of Pei Yanyu's head, and pressed her forward.

The two were completely touching.

Zhu Xun Chuan took the initiative and forcefully pried open her lips.

Pei Yanyu let out a soft, satisfied murmur, all her strength draining away in an instant. She collapsed into Zhu Xun Chuan's arms, only managing to stay upright thanks to the support of his arm.

for a long time.

The two separated.

Pei Yanyu was panting heavily. A blush rose on her beautiful and charming face, and her eyes were full of tears.

Zhu Xun Chuan released his grip and took off his dark gray trench coat.

He lifted his trench coat and draped it over Pei Yanyu's slender shoulders. He then put his arm around her waist and led her to sit on an old bench nearby.

The dim streetlights shone down from above, casting long shadows of the two people.

"The betting pool for Guangying Media has opened up." Zhu Xun Chuan turned to look at her, his voice steady. "Take these next couple of days to prepare and find a time to have the agency issue a takeover notice."

Pei Yanyu's body stiffened for a moment.

She kept her head down, clutching the trench coat she was wearing, which carried the warmth of a man and the scent of fir trees. Her slender fingers rubbed the hem of the coat incessantly.

"I don't want to issue a statement," Pei Yanyu shook her head, her voice low. "I don't want to go back."

Zhu Xun Chuan stared at her profile.

The two years of fleeing overseas completely shattered her pride. The glory under the spotlight couldn't compare to a peaceful night's sleep in her eyes.

"If you're not going to be a celebrity, what are you planning to do after you come back?" Zhu Xunchuan asked.

Pei Yanyu raised her head.

She took off her baseball cap and tossed it casually onto the edge of the bench. Her long, wavy, jet-black hair cascaded down, framing her strikingly beautiful face, which shone with a breathtaking allure under the streetlights.

But in those beautiful peach blossom eyes, there was only an almost pleading expectation.

"I want to stay by your side." Pei Yanyu moved closer to Zhu Xun Chuan, pressing her body tightly against his arm. "I don't want that fame anymore, and I don't want to act anymore. I swore two years ago that if I could get through this, I would never touch this industry again."

"If it weren't for getting closer to you, I wouldn't have made a comeback before. Now that I have this opportunity, I don't want to go back."

She reached out and hugged Zhu Xun Chuan's arm, looking up at him.

"How about I be your little assistant?" Pei Yanyu asked urgently. "I don't need any official title. I don't need to show my face in public. You can keep me at home, I'll do your laundry and cook for you, and I'll serve you tea and water when you go out. As long as you don't kick me out, I'm willing to live a life of secrecy."

This is the ultimate example of a national goddess being overly devoted to someone.

Having experienced the abyss and the cruelty of capitalist oppression, she gave up all her glory, only wishing to stay by this man's side, even if it meant being a subservient figure with no status.

This stark contrast is enough to satisfy any man's desire for control.

Zhu Xunchuan withdrew his arm.

A flicker of panic crossed Pei Yanyu's eyes. She thought she was being rejected.

next second.

Zhu Xun Chuan raised his hands and cupped her fair and charming face in his hands.

His palms were hot, burning Pei Yanyu's slightly cool cheeks.

"What a pathetic sight you have." Zhu Xun Chuan raised an eyebrow, his tone low and unquestionable. "I destroyed the Zhao family and shut down Guangying Media, not so that you would come back to serve me tea and water."

Pei Yanyu was stunned, her lips slightly parted.

"I, Zhu Xun Chuan's woman, don't need to hide in the shadows." Zhu Xun Chuan forced her to look him directly in the eye. "The Zhao family is gone. The entertainment industry in Kyoto is completely empty now. Others dare not take it on, but I will."

Zhu Xun Chuan's voice carried a chilling arrogance.

"You don't need to pander to capital. I'll throw money at it and build you a new empire. The best resources, top-notch scripts, all the grand slam awards. Whatever you want, I'll get it all for you."

Zhu Xun Chuan's thumb pad brushed heavily across Pei Yan Yu's cheek.

"You have to go back. And you have to be the queen of this industry. You have to make those who trampled on you back then line up and bow down before you."

Domineering and forceful.

There is absolutely no room for negotiation.

Pei Yanyu stared blankly at the man in front of her.

The air around the bench was completely still.

For the past two years, she has needed to keep the lights on to fall asleep every night, and the sound of a knock on the door makes her tremble. She feels dirty and unworthy to stand in the spotlight anymore.

But these powerful words shattered the pent-up grievances and inferiority complex in her heart.

He didn't simply turn her into a caged canary. He wanted to reclaim for her lost dignity and throne, tenfold, a hundredfold.

The sense of security he provides is top-notch.

"I've already secured resources in the domestic girl groups and variety shows. Su Mucheng is handling all the buzz with 'Heartbeat Diary.' In a couple of days, I'll go and finalize things with the biggest agency in the country for you." Zhu Xun Chuan released his grip, his tone returning to calm.

Pei Yanyu's eyes were red.

She sniffed, and tears welled up again.

She didn't argue anymore, and without any hesitation, she rushed over and nestled into Zhu Xunchuan's chest.

She clung tightly to Zhu Xun Chuan's waist, greedily inhaling his scent, willingly and completely surrendering to this man's arrangements.

Zhu Xun Chuan raised his hand and gently patted her back.

A cold wind blew, and Zhu Xun Chuan's thick coat wrapped them both up. Their warmth mingled in the wind.

A dozen minutes later.

Pei Yanyu's emotions had completely calmed down.

She lifted her head from Zhu Xun Chuan's embrace. Her hands were still wrapped around his neck. The sorrow had faded from her exquisite face, replaced by an irresistible allure.

She tilted her head back, her eyes glazed over, staring intently at Zhu Xun Chuan's lips.

The atmosphere had reached its peak.

The distance between them shortened again. Their breathing grew heavier.

Zhu Xun Chuan lowered his head, preparing to savor the actress's red lips.

Sudden.

A blindingly bright car headlight shone directly from the dark, tree-lined road on the outskirts of the wetland park.

The stark white light pierced through the tree branches and shone directly onto the bench where the two people were.

The dull roar of a car engine echoed through the quiet park. An SUV, crunching over fallen leaves, was rapidly approaching the location where Zhu Xun Chuan and his companion were.

P.S.: Congratulations to [Xiao Yiye Ying] for getting 52. A Yin is suffering from a sore throat, mouth ulcers, and tonsillitis. Any bosses willing to give A Yin a "King of Gifts" award? Hehe.