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

11:00 AM. Tianxing Film and Television Base.

Two yellow police tapes were set up around the film set. Thirty security personnel from Dinghe Group stood in two rows, blocking all entrances and exits of the studio.

After the Chen family's downfall, Guangying Media underwent a complete reshuffle. This was Pei Yanyu's first inspection project after her return to the company.

The crew had just experienced a major upheaval with the purging of Producer Huang, and everyone from the newly appointed director to the production assistants was on edge.

Pei Yanyu was wearing a well-tailored black trench coat, sunglasses, and ten-centimeter high heels.

She walked at the front, exuding an aura of authority. The former Grand Slam Best Actress had reclaimed her power, and her eyes now held an unyielding and authoritative presence.

The director followed behind, constantly wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, and reported the crew's progress on the rectification one by one.

Zhu Xun Chuan walked beside Pei Yan Yu. Today he was wearing a simple casual suit, with a blue name tag around his neck that read: Intern Assistant.

During a break in the director's report, he caught a glimpse of Zhu Xunchuan out of the corner of his eye. He immediately put on a big smile, took out some specially supplied cigarettes from his pocket, and handed them to him.

"Thank you for your hard work, Assistant Zhu."

Zhu Xun Chuan didn't take the cigarette. He reached out and tapped his employee badge on his chest, saying calmly, "No smoking during work hours."

The director froze, quickly putting the cigarette back in his pocket. He dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction. The entire industry was buzzing with rumors that the film industry had undergone a dramatic transformation, and this young man with the intern badge was the only one who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Pei. Offending him was worse than offending President Pei.

The inspection concluded. Pei Yanyu returned to her private van.

Zhu Xunchuan opened the car door. Pei Yanyu bent down and got in, with Zhu Xunchuan following closely behind. The car door slammed shut, completely cutting off the outside world's sight and noise.

The car windows were tinted with the highest-grade one-way privacy film. The interior was heated and spacious, exuding luxury.

Pei Yanyu took off her sunglasses and threw them on the center console. The cold, arrogant queen-like aura she had just exuded vanished without a trace.

She kicked off those ten-centimeter red-soled high heels. Her ten rounded toes were painted with deep red nail polish. She turned around abruptly and slumped limply onto the leather back seat, her head resting on Zhu Xun Chuan's lap.

"I'm exhausted." Pei Yanyu closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Zhu Xunchuan's waist, and rubbed her cheek against his trousers. "These people are all hypocritical. Without you here to keep things in check, they won't listen to a word."

Zhu Xun Chuan placed one hand on her shoulder. He picked up a bunch of Shine Muscat grapes from the fruit plate next to him, plucked one, and peeled it.

"The place is all cleaned up now. Anyone who doesn't listen can be fired." Zhu Xun Chuan held a peeled grape to her lips.

Pei Yanyu opened her mouth and bit into a grape, then took Zhu Xun Chuan's fingertip into her mouth. She gently sucked on it, then released it, her peach blossom eyes filled with unyielding spring water.

"So sweet." Pei Yanyu looked up at him. "How long do you plan to do this assistant job?"

"Let's see if you, the boss, pay wages or not." Zhu Xun Chuan wiped his hands with a tissue.

Pei Yanyu sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She breathed into his ear, her red lips close to his: "Your salary is all with me. You can come and collect it anytime."

She was about to kiss him.

"Knock knock knock." The window of the nanny van was knocked on forcefully.

Pei Yanyu paused, her brows furrowing. She turned to look out the window, displeased.

A girl was standing outside the car window. She was wearing a Japanese JK uniform that exuded youthful energy, with two straight legs encased in white stockings beneath the pleated skirt. She had her hair in pigtails, was holding a cup of milk tea, and was pouting cutely at the car window with its privacy film applied.

Su Mucheng, a top-tier celebrity.

Zhu Xunchuan pressed the car door switch. The car door slid open.

Su Mucheng climbed directly into the car, bringing with her a sweet, fruity scent. Ignoring Pei Yanyu's murderous glare, she plopped down on Zhu Xunchuan's other side and clung tightly to his arm.

"Brother Chuan." Su Mucheng's voice was soft and sweet as she leaned her head on Zhu Xun Chuan's shoulder. "I just finished taking my costume photos, I'm so tired. You haven't come to see me these past few days, so I had to come to you by myself."

As she spoke, she held the milk tea in her hand to Zhu Xun Chuan's lips: "Brother Chuan, have a sip. I specially added double the pearls for you."

Pei Yanyu sneered, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms. "Turn off the tea smell. This is Guangying's van; Miss Su, you've come to the wrong place."

Su Mucheng blinked her innocent big eyes and snuggled closer to Zhu Xun Chuan. "Sister is so fierce. Brother Chuan, did I disturb you?"

"You know you're disturbing us, why don't you get lost?" Pei Yanyu showed no mercy.

Su Mucheng's eyes instantly reddened. She shook Zhu Xun Chuan's arm: "Brother Chuan, look, my sister is bullying me."

The van instantly transformed into a tense and dangerous battleground. Two of the most beautiful women in the entertainment industry, one mature and alluring, the other youthful and innocent, sat on either side, a tension simmering beneath the surface.

Zhu Xun Chuan didn't push either of them away. He took a sip of the milk tea that Su Mu Cheng handed him, and then reached out to tuck Pei Yan Yu's loose hair behind her ear.

"Alright." Zhu Xun Chuan's voice was low, but he took control of the situation. "Dinghe Group will transfer 200 million yuan into Guangying's account this afternoon. I want you two to work together to shoot an S-level dual-female-lead drama. You can decide on the script yourselves."

The argument came to an abrupt end.

A cash investment of 200 million. In this industry downturn, this is a top-tier resource that can directly propel them onto the international stage.

Pei Yanyu looked at Zhu Xunchuan, her eyes flashing with undisguised infatuation. Su Mucheng cheered and leaned in to give Zhu Xunchuan a big kiss on the cheek.

"Brother Chuan is the best!"

Pei Yanyu was not to be outdone. She reached out and pressed her hand against the back of Zhu Xunchuan's head, leaving an even deeper red lip print on his handsome profile.

Zhu Xun Chuan straightened up. He pulled out a wet wipe to wipe the lipstick stain from his face and opened the car door. "You guys discuss the film crew's affairs yourselves. I have to go back to school this afternoon."

……

2:30 PM. Kyoto University Library.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the quiet reading area. The air was filled with the fresh scent of ink and the play of light and shadow on the dust motes.

Zhu Xun Chuan sat by the window. A book lay open in front of him.

Gu Qinghan sat opposite him. Today she wore a white silk blouse, buttons fastened all the way to her collarbone. A black pencil skirt accentuated her impeccable waistline. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and held a red pen in her hand, reviewing Zhu Xunchuan's final course report.

There were many students studying around. No one dared to speak loudly. The aloof tutor's presence naturally carried an absolute sense of authority in this academic sanctuary.

Gu Qinghan turned to the last page of the report and put down the red pen.

"The viewpoint is barely acceptable." Gu Qinghan's tone was serious, his voice low, with the standard tone of a teacher, "but the handwriting is too messy. Rewrite it next time."