I was exposed for adding my female boss to my group of female friends.

Most of the people present were from Lu's circle of friends, mostly business people with little interaction with academia. But despite how much money businessmen make, if they were to associate with scholars, the academic community would look down on them.

In the information age, knowledge is power. Especially for scholars like Yang Changshuo, who have already achieved great success, they have long transcended the level of simply equating power with money.

He can make a lot of money if he wants to. And his energy can reach many places that money can't.

This is why the Lu family rarely interacts with academics. Old Mrs. Yu wasn't lying; the presence of a top academic figure like Yang Changshuo at the birthday banquet was a source of great pride for the Lu family.

"The Lu family's birthday banquet was able to invite Principal Yang Changshuo. It seems that Old Master Lu's influence is even greater than we imagined..."

"No, I heard from them that Old Yang came uninvited."

"Doesn't that mean Old Master Lu's influence is even more terrifying?"

"No matter what, this proves one thing: even a starved camel is bigger than a horse! The saying that the four major families are the same will probably not change for the time being."

People around began to whisper among themselves. Some members of the Lu family couldn't help but subtly puff out their chests.

Yang Changshuo's sudden visit caught Old Mrs. Yu off guard, and they hadn't reserved many seats in the main hall.

She turned to find Lu Qingxuan to make arrangements, but found she wasn't there. She remembered that she had arranged for Lu Qingxuan to go with Gu Yuqing. In this urgent situation, she had no choice but to have Yang Changshuo sit next to Miao Aoxue and Li Jiayi.

This table is the closest to the front, except for the table of aristocratic families. It is usually used to seat those with the closest business connections and some members of the Lu family. Now, we have to make do with the Lu family members and adjust their seating.

Yang Changshuo sat down next to Miao Aoxue, and the girl quickly and shyly greeted him, "Principal Yang, it's been a long time!"

Miao Aoxue had been eavesdropping on the people at the next table talking about Chen Ya, but because their voices weren't loud, she could only hear bits and pieces. Now that Yang Changshuo was sitting next to her, she straightened up with a start.

Yang Changshuo turned to look at her: "Who are you?"

"My name is Miao Aoxue. I used to be your student, do you remember me?"

Upon hearing that it was one of his students, Yang Changshuo's expression softened slightly, and he asked, "Are you also a student at Peking University? Oh, you're a graduate of Peking University, which year?"

Upon hearing Yang Changshuo's reply, Miao Aoxue excitedly answered, "I was a student in the class of 15. I enrolled in 15, when you were still a professor at Peking University. However, you may not remember me, because I was in the Chinese Department and never attended your classes."

Yang Changshuo thought for a moment and said, "That's really a bit early. Hmm, thinking about it, I kind of miss that time."

A figure riding an electric scooter and wearing a gray trench coat flashed through his mind, and he smiled faintly.

Miao Aoxue was so nervous about being able to chat with Yang Changshuo that her heart was in her throat, and she frantically tried to find things to talk about:

"You're also here for Old Master Lu's birthday banquet. Are you familiar with him? Do you have a past together?"

Yang Changshuo was brief, saying, "To be honest, we're not that familiar."

Faced with this overly blunt statement, Miao Aoxue smiled insincerely and remained silent for a long while, unsure of how to respond.

Yang Changshuo kept looking around as he spoke, paying little attention to Miao Aoxue, and casually asked:

"I came here mainly because of an invitation from an old friend... By the way, where is Chen Ya?"

"Chen...Ya?" Miao Aoxue was caught off guard by the sudden mention of Chen Ya and her back hurt. At the next table, Wang Shao and Wu Zun, who were having a lively discussion, turned around when they heard Chen Ya mentioned again.

Yang Changshuo was taken aback, then said, "Oh, sorry, you don't know Chen Ya, do you? I thought... Oh, never mind, it's nothing."

Miao Aoxue's voice was pale as she said, "Uh, actually I know Chen Ya, but he hasn't arrived yet."

Yang Changshuo crossed his arms, sighed helplessly, then smiled and said:

"This guy is really something. He called me over, but he didn't come himself."

Miao Aoxue was so shocked that she was speechless.

Liu Ruying stepped down from her seat and stood next to Yang Changshuo, saying earnestly, "Principal Yang, do you also know Chen Ya?"

Yang Changshuo looked her up and down, feeling that she looked strangely familiar, and said, "Of course I know him. What's wrong? Do you know where he is?"

Liu Ruying felt her heart race, and behind her, the Witch Lord and Young Master Wang were exchanging glances.

It was as if a jigsaw puzzle was gradually coming together. She seemed to have found a clue to piece together the broken picture of Chen Ya and uncover the truth about him at Peking University.

"You and he are..."

Just then, Old Mrs. Yu, who was standing nearby, led another person over with difficulty, leaning on a cane, and kept muttering:

"Director Cao, I didn't expect you to come. This is truly an honor for our humble abode. But, like Elder Yang, why didn't you even give us a greeting?"

The man walking in front of Old Mrs. Yu had a dark complexion and a robust physique, but showed signs of middle-aged weight gain. Nine out of ten people present were familiar with his appearance.

This is Cao Kunguan, a nationally renowned director.

If Yang Changshuo's sudden visit was a pleasant surprise for the Lu family, then Cao Kunguan's arrival was a shock.

Cao Kunguan is considered a leading figure in the arts and culture circle. His rise to fame is quite legendary, and his reputation is controversial. However, there is no doubt that he holds a pivotal position in the entertainment industry.

Before Aihua was in charge, even the Lu family couldn't control this director. Aihua had to grovel to get popular young actors into his films.

The Lu family and Cao Kunguan had dealt with each other before, but it was all business dealings. They didn't have any real relationship and didn't expect him to come, so they didn't even invite him.

Unexpectedly, Cao Kunguan came by himself.

“Grandma, you’re using the wrong idiom. The phrase ‘蓬荜生辉’ is used to describe one’s own home. This is someone else’s restaurant. If you call it ‘蓬荜’, won’t they be angry?” Cao Kunguan said loudly.

Grandma Yu smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, your arrival has made this old woman so flustered that I don't even know how to use idioms anymore."

Cao Kunguan suddenly woke up and asked, "Hey, you just mentioned Elder Yang, which Elder Yang?"

Grandma Yu didn't answer, but led him to Miao Aoxue's table and said, "I wonder if you have any objections to arranging you next to Grandpa Yang?"

Cao Kunguan and Yang Changshuo exchanged a glance, startled. Yang Changshuo, however, calmly held his cup, glanced at him sideways, and slowly said:

"You're here to see Chen Ya too?"

Chapter 288 Things Begin to Change

"You've come to see Chen Ya too?"

"Hahahaha!..."

After listening to Yang Changshuo's words, Cao Kunguan laughed loudly and said, "Professor Yang, your use of the word 'also' is truly exquisite. It seems that we have come for the same goal."

He pulled out a chair and sat down next to Yang Changshuo. Yang Changshuo smiled, shook his head, and said:

"You think I'm like you? I was invited by him."

Cao Kunguan placed his hands on the table; his broad face exuded a menacing aura.

“That’s definitely different from mine. I went through a lot of connections to find out that his relative is having a wedding here today, so he might show up. You said he invited you, does that mean he’s really going to show up today?”

"Of course, he just doesn't like to complicate things, and he doesn't necessarily have to hide like a ninja. You, on the other hand, are the one who is most likely to complicate things, so it's understandable that he doesn't want to see you."

After listening, Cao Kunguan suddenly felt a little sad and sighed:

"I just wanted to meet him, nothing more. I just wanted to chat. What made him misunderstand?"

Yang Changshuo smiled without saying a word, his expression seeming to say, "You know the answer yourself."

“Indeed, I do want to hear his views on the entertainment industry,” Cao Kunguan said with a wry smile. “The market lately is a bit confusing; it seems like everything I do is wrong. I want to hear his opinion.”

Yang Changshuo said leisurely, "I suggest we don't waste his time. His time should be reserved for the forefront of academia."

Cao Kunguan's face turned red: "Cultural export is an essential path to cultural rise, how can it be called a waste of time? It is your extreme thinking that prioritizes science over literature that is problematic."

Yang Changshuo raised his face: "When did I say that I was going to prioritize science over literature? What I said was that talking to you is a waste of time. You've already made two bad films, and you can't make any good films anymore."

"...Hey, this isn't something you can decide on your own. My last two films both won awards."

"Come on, the awards in your industry are just handed out from one hand to the other, what's so special about that? Try being like Chen Ya, who doesn't play with the domestic scene at all, and goes and shoves foreigners in his face."

"I just don't have the ability, that's why I wanted to have a chat with him. Principal Yang, aren't you being a bit domineering?"

"..."

Two people were arguing here, and everyone else sat nearby, not daring to utter a sound.

When the bigwigs are speaking, who dares to interrupt?

They dared not even peek out, for making a sound would mean being discovered, and being discovered meant destruction. In a fight between two people, a single gust of sword wind could slice off three or five heads.

They were only shocked by what the two had just said.

It's like throwing firecrackers into a well; all that comes out is a muffled bang.

Cao Kunguan and Yang Changshuo are a leading figure in the entertainment industry and an academic community, respectively.

Although Cao has not produced many critically acclaimed and commercially successful films in recent years, his works still carry weight. There is only one director in China who can surpass him: Su Nuan.

Yang Changshuo was even more remarkable. The numerous scientific research achievements at Peking University over the years were inseparable from his strong and effective leadership.

Nobody knew these two knew each other. If these two from different fields could have something to talk about in a conversation, many industry professionals and enthusiasts would probably get out of bed to watch.

If these two get together, set up a camera, and it'll be an in-depth interview, probably even topping the daily ratings.

Is this a breakthrough against the odds for the domestic film industry, or a way to overcome the predicament caused by technological blockade? Is it about seizing the initiative in public opinion to counterattack the Anglo-Saxon discourse system, or first strengthening internal capabilities and enhancing hard power? ...

The two chatted for a long time, and it felt like they were just vying for Chen Ya's favor.

Liu Ruying, Wu Zun, Wang Shao, and Miao Aoxue sat to the side, listening to their conversation, which became increasingly bizarre.

If they didn't know that the Chen Ya they were talking about was the same Chen Ya they knew, they would almost believe that there was another Chen Ya in this world.

It seems that in the worldviews of these two big shots, their understanding of Chen Ya is completely different from what they thought.

Isn't Chen Ya the owner of a jewelry company? How come Cao Kunguan, one of the top directors in China, would seek his advice?

Furthermore, why did Yang Changshuo say that Chen Ya was now connected to the forefront of academia? Wasn't Yang Changshuo a physicist? What connection does Chen Ya have with physics?

A series of questions almost filled Liu Ruying's mind.

She gripped her skirt tightly with both hands and sat up straight.

Chen Ya, what other identity do you have?

……

……

"It suddenly feels deserted."

In the dressing room, there were only the makeup artist and Chen Chi. While the makeup artist was shaping Chen Chi's eyebrows, she suddenly spoke.

The makeup artist has worked on at least 800,000 weddings, from the most luxurious villa districts in Shanghai to the most rustic rural meals cooked over an earthen stove.

Regardless of which side it was on, Chen Chi's wedding was the quietest.

Once the dressing room door closed, the noise outside was shut out. Apart from Lu Qingxuan who came in for a quick look, no one else had been there.

The makeup artist quickly realized why it was so quiet; Chen Chi had no bridesmaids, nor any children who had suddenly barged in to see the bride.

Her wedding seemed to go unnoticed, as if it were merely an add-on to the grand feast outside, a flower that adorns the brocade, and even if it were removed, it would only be a regrettable loss.

The makeup artist found the source of her strange feeling—in all the weddings she had attended, no matter how unblessed they were, the bride was always the star on the day.

But Chen Chi is not.

“It’s good to be quiet. I don’t like it too noisy,” Chen Chi smiled, holding up her fluffy gauze skirt and moving it around. “Besides, those people outside are very important. I’d rather they ignore me.”

"Hey, didn't you invite any of your friends? I don't see you even have bridesmaids."

Chen Chi smiled wryly: "Among our group of friends, I was the last to get married. Besides, there was a shortage of seats this time, and they were all guests from that side. It was difficult to invite my friends over."

The makeup artist frowned and said, "Sigh, you've had a tough time too."

She increasingly felt that while the scale of this wedding was among the highest in her makeup career, its tragic nature was unparalleled.

What kind of bride can't even invite her own friends?

Even the makeup artist couldn't help but feel indignant on her behalf. However, since it was the wedding day, and considering the bride's feelings, she couldn't say it outright.

In the midst of their conversation, there was a knock on the door of the dressing room. Chen Chi said, "Come in," and Lu Qingxuan appeared at the door with Qin Yunchu and Gu Yuqing.

Chen Chi and the makeup artist both stared blankly at the doorway. Just a moment ago it was quiet, and now suddenly people have arrived.

Gu Yuqing squeezed through the two of them first, grabbed Chen Chi's hand, and shook it up and down. Chen Chi was startled for a moment, looked her up and down, and felt that she looked somewhat familiar.

"Are you Chen Ya's aunt? It's a pleasure to meet you."

When Gu Yuqing's mature and sophisticated face is filled with smiles, she doesn't look so aggressive anymore; instead, she appears somewhat adorable.

Chen Chi stared at her, puzzled, thinking she was a guest from Old Master Lu's side. He nodded blankly and replied, "Nice to meet you... And you are?"

Qin Yun Chu also stepped in, her hands behind her back, and said, "We're here to offer you our wedding wishes. Happy wedding!"

Chen Chi, confused, turned to look at Lu Qingxuan. Lu Qingxuan brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead with her fingertips and said:

“…Aunt, they are friends invited by Chen Ya, who want to come and see the bride.”