Zhu Xiaotian and Yang Qianqian returned to their residence.
Yang Qianqian took a deep breath. She had already planned tonight's program on the car ride back, knowing exactly what to do to please Zhu Xiaotian.
Once Zhu Xiaotian was happy, her future would be infinitely bright.
Her ultimate goal was to become Mrs. Zhu.
"Mr. Zhu, I'll go adjust the water temperature for you..." Yang Qianqian said with eyes full of allure, igniting Zhu Xiaotian's desires.
Zhu Xiaotian caressed Yang Qianqian's body and then said, "You go wait for me in the bathroom. I need to make a call first, or I won't be able to deal with those two."
Yang Qianqian obediently left.
Zhu Xiaotian went to the balcony, took a deep breath, and found Han Shangwen's contact information in his address book before calling him.
Han Shangwen was a scion of the Han family in Donghai, possessing extraordinary status.
Over the years, Zhu Xiaotian's ascent in his career had been thanks to Han Shangwen's support. In return, Zhu Xiaotian often provided Han Shangwen with resources for female celebrities, which Han Shangwen greatly appreciated.
Han Shangwen was surprised by Zhu Xiaotian's call. "My Mr. Zhu, what brings you to call me?"
"Young Master Han is teasing me again," Zhu Xiaotian said with a wry smile.
"I'm calling you because I've run into some trouble and wanted to ask for your help in resolving it."
Han Shangwen lost interest instantly but still replied, "That's truly strange, someone dares to provoke our Mr. Zhu? Tell me about it, and I'll offer some advice."
"The situation is like this..."
Zhu Xiaotian recounted the day's events in detail.
He concluded, "That bastard is too arrogant, he didn't even put Young Master Han in his eyes. If we don't teach him a lesson, what about our dignity?"
Han Shangwen chuckled. "Interesting, Ninghai actually has such a person."
"You are my man, so it's only natural for me to stand up for you. However, it's not possible these few days. That person surnamed Qin is holding a meeting in Jiangning, and I need to attend to show my support."
"Many influential figures from our circles will be descending upon Jiangnan these days. Stay low-key for the next few days."
"I'll listen to Young Master Han's arrangements," Zhu Xiaotian said without any objection.
"But is that person surnamed Qin really that influential? If everyone in the circle supports him, there will be no suspense in the future. Young Master Han, aren't you planning to contend for it?"
"In my opinion, if the Han family hadn't left the capital back then and had remained rooted there, they might have been among the top three families."
Han Shangwen's tone suddenly turned cold. "Just say these things to me in private, and absolutely do not spread them around. Compared to that person surnamed Qin, I am worlds apart. I am no match for him in any way. I only wish to safeguard the Han family's foundation and continue to cultivate our presence in Donghai. This meeting he's holding is clearly targeted, aiming to keep the forces in the Yangtze River Delta in check."
First, a threat, then a reward.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiaotian felt that the intricacies of this world were far deeper than the entertainment industry, and it was not something he could meddle in. He said, "Young Master Han, then I wish you success in obtaining what you desire at the meeting."
Just as he was about to hang up, Han Shangwen suddenly said, "Wait."
"I have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Zhu Xiaotian asked instinctively.
Han Shangwen grinned. "That Yang Qianqian is your woman, isn't she? There's an old gentleman in Donghai who wishes to discuss life with her. If she can serve the old gentleman well, it would greatly benefit our Han family in consolidating our position in Donghai. You know what to do, right?"
Zhu Xiaotian's pupils contracted.
He wasn't just physically attracted to Yang Qianqian; he had genuinely considered marrying her.
Compared to others in the entertainment industry, Yang Qianqian was relatively clean.
From beginning to end, she had only been involved with him.
Now, Han Shangwen was asking him to hand Yang Qianqian over. Honestly, he was reluctant. Moreover, he knew that some old gentlemen, while appearing respectable, were quite depraved. Over the years, several young actresses had met their demise because of this.
"Taoyuan Mountain Villa is a den of iniquity," Zhu Xiaotian thought to himself.
Han Shangwen, not receiving Zhu Xiaotian's response, added a hint of displeasure to his tone. "Mr. Zhu, are you unwilling?"
Zhu Xiaotian was startled.
Although Han Shangwen was speaking in a tone of discussion, he had already decided on the matter and was merely going through the motions of informing him. Facing Han Shangwen, Zhu Xiaotian didn't even have the right to refuse.
"I... I'm not unwilling."
Zhu Xiaotian forced an awkward smile. "Since it benefits the Han family, then it's settled. However, not these few days. Yang Qianqian's relatives are visiting, so we'll have to arrange another time."
"Alright, contact me again then. The location will still be Taoyuan Mountain Villa," Han Shangwen said with a smile.
After hanging up the phone, Zhu Xiaotian smoked a cigarette on the balcony, his face filled with melancholy.
To outsiders, Zhu Xiaotian appeared successful and glorious. Who knew that he was merely a dog to a young master of the Han family? His leash was firmly held by Han Shangwen, just like his pathetic life.
He stood there for an unknown duration.
A pair of arms, as soft as if boneless, embraced Zhu Xiaotian from behind. Yang Qianqian's alluring voice whispered in his ear, "Mr. Zhu, what are you thinking about? The water is getting cold."
Zhu Xiaotian snapped back to reality. He suppressed the annoyance in his eyes and said to Yang Qianqian, "It's nothing, just some minor matters. Qianqian, you've been in the entertainment industry for seven or eight years now, how have you found it?"
Yang Qianqian was taken aback. She hadn't expected Zhu Xiaotian to ask such a question, but she replied truthfully, "Actually, I don't think the entertainment industry is as glamorous as people imagine. Sometimes, the pressure is too great. To be honest, I've been to a psychiatrist many times. The doctor said I might have severe depression."
Zhu Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. "Such a serious matter, why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to trouble you, Mr. Zhu," Yang Qianqian said.
Zhu Xiaotian turned to look at Yang Qianqian's slender figure and suddenly felt that she had also endured a lot. Yang Qianqian smiled. "Actually, I'm much better off compared to others in the entertainment industry. Mr. Zhu should remember Wu Rui, right? When she was popular, she was even more successful than I am now. I heard she offended a powerful figure later and was played to death."
"Many people have had designs on me over the years. Thanks to Mr. Zhu's protection, I am truly grateful."
This statement came from the bottom of her heart.
Zhu Xiaotian felt a pang of discomfort. He was about to witness Yang Qianqian fall into a den of iniquity, and he could do nothing about it.
"Qianqian, is there anything you particularly desire?" he asked again.
Zhu Xiaotian wanted to make amends to Yang Qianqian.
Yang Qianqian looked at Zhu Xiaotian in surprise. Her intuition told her that Zhu Xiaotian was acting strangely today, and it made her realize that something bad might be happening.
That's right.
The reason for Zhu Xiaotian's change seemed to be a phone call.
The problem lay with that phone call.
Yang Qianqian didn't know the content of the call, but she could deduce that it was likely related to her. She pursed her lips and said, "I used to wish to become Mrs. Zhu, but now it seems like a mere fantasy. So, I only wish to stay by Mr. Zhu's side as much as possible and help you with whatever I can."
Fame and fortune could corrupt a person.
When Yang Qianqian first stepped out of campus, wasn't she a kind girl? But after staying in this circle for too long, she had lost herself, with only fame and fortune in her eyes.
Zhu Xiaotian said again, "I think I can help you do some things too."
Yang Qianqian naturally wanted to become Mrs. Zhu and a leading lady in the entertainment industry. However, she knew these two demands would be difficult for Zhu Xiaotian. So, she leaned against his chest and said, "Mr. Zhu, right now, I just want that madman from this afternoon to pay the price and beg for my forgiveness on his knees!"
Zhu Xiaotian sneered. "That's easy. I just spoke with Young Master Han. After that meeting in a couple of days, he'll take action. Whether he disappears without a trace or becomes crippled will be up to you."
"I knew Mr. Zhu treated me the best," Yang Qianqian said with a radiant smile.
"That's enough."
Zhu Xiaotian held Yang Qianqian, his mind racing with jumbled thoughts. At that moment, a flash of light appeared in his mind.
That's it.
Yang Qianqian wasn't without a way out.
Zhu Xiaotian suddenly smiled because he had thought of a way to help Yang Qianqian escape the abyss of suffering. Smiling, he said to Yang Qianqian, "Do you remember the meeting I told you about earlier? Many top young masters will be attending that meeting. I'll take you to see the grand occasion and let you meet some of the young masters from that circle."
That was the most elite circle of China's younger generation!
Yang Qianqian seemed to have guessed something and said sincerely, "Meeting Mr. Zhu has used up all the luck in my life."
"But the water is getting cold. Shall we take a bath first? For now, I won't think about the future. My heart is entirely with you, Mr. Zhu."