"Husband—" Lin Xingwan's soft voice fell into Zhou Jinbai's ears like an endless spell. At this moment, Zhou Jinbai finally understood why King Zhou of Shang was so infatuated with Daji.
His mind was now filled with how to devour the fiery little fox in front of him.
Zhou Jinbai reached out, intending to pull Lin Xingwan into his embrace.
But Lin Xingwan deliberately thwarted Zhou Jinbai's attempt, gently pushing his hand away. "Don't rush, we have a whole night to spend together."
Lin Xingwan slowly moved towards the foot of the bed, then knelt there, drawing closer to Zhou Jinbai.
The man reached out again to touch Lin Xingwan, but she pressed his hands against the sides of his head.
Lin Xingwan's strength was so gentle that Zhou Jinbai could have easily subdued her with a slight resistance.
However, Zhou Jinbai did not. In fact, he was filled with anticipation and excitement, eager to see how far his shy wife could go.
Even though the lights in the bedroom were not bright, Lin Xingwan's flushed cheeks looked as succulent as ripe peaches.
"Wife, you want me to die, huh?"
This feeling of being able to see but not touch was torturing Zhou Jinbai. He felt as if he would drop dead at any moment!
"I don't understand what you're saying." After speaking, Lin Xingwan kissed Zhou Jinbai's brow, then his nose. Just as the man thought she would kiss his lips, Lin Xingwan stopped and looked at him playfully.
The man's eyes, burning with a small flame, were now filled with annoyance.
He had always been the one to lead in these matters.
But why had he become the submissive one tonight?
What's more, he didn't even seem to mind this feeling.
Zhou Jinbai's sexy thin lips parted slightly, then closed.
At this moment, he desperately wanted to do something, but it was better to savor the moment.
Lin Xingwan bent over, and the strap of her inner wear slipped off her shoulder.
This scene was a complete visual shock to Zhou Jinbai.
If Zhou Jinbai had still possessed a shred of rationality at that moment, his rationality now exploded and turned to ashes.
His patience vanished. Without regard for whether he might hurt Lin Xingwan, he directly pulled her into his arms.
The night deepened slowly.
The lights stretched their figures long and slender, but their beautiful night had only just begun.
Meanwhile, at Duan Muxing's residence, it had begun to snow lightly due to the late hour.
This was the advantage of living on the mountaintop. Even if the bustling city at the foot of the mountain was in full bloom, those living on the summit could still witness the falling snowflakes.
Qu Nanzhi stood behind Duan Muxing, watching his lonely figure. She couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, it's so late. What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about Lin Xingwan," Duan Muxing replied without hesitation. Hearing Duan Muxing's words, a look of anger appeared on Qu Nanzhi's usually calm and placid face.
"Why do you think of her, Young Master?" Qu Nanzhi suppressed her anger and jealousy, then asked Duan Muxing.
"Because she's like a moth, destined to die in flames. If the end is a tragedy, why create so much happiness? The more she gives Zhou Jinbai now, the more painful it will be for Zhou Jinbai to recall later."
Duan Muxing knew about Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai's affairs last night. In fact, he was aware of every word, every action, and every move Lin Xingwan made.
The more he understood this woman, the more he felt that everything she did was meaningless.
"But as a pawn, she helps you with those things. Divorce isn't necessary," Qu Nanzhi finally asked the question she wanted to ask. "Young Master, is it because you like Lin Xingwan?"
"Like? Heh." Duan Muxing suddenly pushed his wheelchair, turning from his back to Qu Nanzhi to face her. "I don't know what it feels like to like someone, and I could never like Lin Xingwan. It's just that after her divorce, the agreement between us can help me avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble. Zhou Jinbai's existence will only disrupt my plans."
After speaking, a strange smile appeared on Duan Muxing's sickly face. "And I also want to verify if love truly exists in this world."
He wanted to see the final outcome of Zhou Jinbai and Lin Xingwan. Their current happiness was an eyesore.
—
The next day, Lin Xingwan arrived at Top Peak Entertainment.
The entire company was discussing last night's events.
Even Liu Mengqin, who had just gotten married, came to the company despite being on her honeymoon.
When Liu Mengqin saw Lin Xingwan, her face was full of admiration.
"Xingwan, you're my idol! I can't believe you actually managed to clear Top Peak Entertainment's name!"
"What's going on?" Lin Xingwan was utterly bewildered. Last night, she had been utterly exhausted by that scoundrel Zhou Jinbai.
In fact, Lin Xingwan hadn't slept at all since last night.
Zhou Jinbai loved her initiative so much. His combat power was already strong on normal days, and with her divine assist last night, his combat power had gone through the roof!
If she hadn't been so dedicated to her work, Lin Xingwan was sure that this man would have wanted to challenge her to a seven-day, seven-night marathon.
Lin Xingwan felt a pang of heartache just thinking about the ancient costume she had worn last night. It had cost over seven thousand yuan, and now it was ruined by that madman after only one night.
"Haven't you seen the news? Qiao Ruosheng confessed everything to the police and then committed suicide. While it's a pity that Qiao Ruosheng is dead, she did so many bad things over the years that she deserved it."
After Liu Mengqin finished speaking, Lin Xingwan's eyebrows twitched. "What? Qiao Ruosheng is dead?"
"Mmm," Liu Mengqin nodded affirmatively.
Lin Xingwan couldn't help but sigh.
She had originally thought that Qiao Ruosheng would be filled with pain and self-reproach upon learning the truth, but she never expected Qiao Ruosheng to choose the most drastic way out and commit suicide.
But then again, perhaps this was the best ending for Qiao Ruosheng.
What she had experienced in the past had twisted her heart with hatred. Without that hatred, Qiao Ruosheng would not have become this way.
One could say that what sustained Qiao Ruosheng's life was the shame, betrayal, and hatred she had experienced.
But suddenly, those things were gone. She had no reason to live, and suicide was a form of歸宿 (guīsù -歸宿 means a place to return to, a final resting place, or a sense of belonging).
Just as Lin Xingwan's emotions hadn't fully settled, a knock came from the office door.
Both Liu Mengqin and Lin Xingwan turned their gazes to the door and saw a timid figure standing there, casting cautious glances at them.
"Excuse me... may I come in?"
It was Yun Qingqing!
Why was this woman here?
Although Lin Xingwan was puzzled, she still said, "Come in."
Yun Qingqing quickly entered the office.
Her attire today was very youthful and energetic. She carried a backpack and a file folder.
Yun Qingqing stopped about a meter away from Lin Xingwan and bowed respectfully. "Hello, Miss Lin. I'm very sorry to take up your valuable time, but... but..."
Before Yun Qingqing could finish speaking, her fair face turned crimson.
"Just say what you need to say," Lin Xingwan said.
Yun Qingqing nodded and continued what she had left unsaid.
"I want to become an artist at Top Peak Entertainment, so... so I've come to apply. I know that with my qualifications, it will probably take several months to pass the screening process, and I'll even have to learn various skills. I want to become an artist at Top Peak Entertainment in advance. I'm not afraid of hardship. You can give me a few small roles, or even no roles at all. I don't want to waste months waiting. I hope to experience the feeling of being on set as soon as possible."
After she finished speaking, Yun Qingqing, afraid that Lin Xingwan would refuse, added, "I truly love acting, and I'm studying related subjects. However, in school, we only learn theoretical knowledge. In reality, it's very difficult for students like us to get involved in film crews. Moreover, some crews are very unsafe. But I believe in Top Peak Entertainment, I believe in Miss Lin, and I truly believe that if I join the Top Peak Entertainment family, I will definitely grow more. I don't want any salary, I just want an opportunity to grow faster."
Lin Xingwan listened to Yun Qingqing's words and looked into her sincere eyes. She then asked Liu Mengqin, "Sister Qin, what do you think?"
Lin Xingwan did this for a reason, as Top Peak Entertainment would be fully managed by Liu Mengqin in the near future.
Liu Mengqin stood up and walked around Yun Qingqing. "Although her appearance is a bit delicate, it has good potential. For example, she'd be great for playing 'green tea bitches' or 'white lotus' characters. We happen to have a movie that needs to be filmed, and I think this girl would be perfect for the role of the mistress."
Liu Mengqin's words made Yun Qingqing very unhappy.
Mistress? Green tea bitch?
She was clearly a pure beauty! So many men at school liked her, and many men in real life wanted to support her, but Yun Qingqing refused them all. She wouldn't be interested in those men.
"If Sister Qin thinks it's okay, then it's fine," Lin Xingwan replied indifferently. Whether the company had one more artist or one less artist didn't make much difference to her.
"Alright, then come with me to complete the onboarding procedures."
Liu Mengqin said, and walked out, with Yun Qingqing following behind her.
However, neither Lin Xingwan nor Liu Mengqin knew the great disaster that this decision would bring to Top Peak Entertainment and themselves in the future.
After Liu Mengqin and Yun Qingqing left, Lin Xingwan began to handle company matters.
In fact, Lin Xingwan wanted to say something to the employees, because after last night, she had no regrets.
Her only thought now was to find an opportune moment to leave.
But if she suddenly said something like that, it would easily arouse their suspicion.
Therefore, the best approach was to treat every day as an ordinary day.
The next afternoon, Lin Xingwan began preparing to attend Shi Zhesheng's banquet.
Although Lin Xingwan didn't know what would happen at tonight's banquet, as time ticked by, she felt a sense of unease.
"What's wrong? You've seemed distracted all day," Zhou Jinbai asked, dressed in a black suit, looking at Lin Xingwan's solemn and furrowed brow.
"It's nothing. I just have a feeling that tonight's banquet at Shi Zhesheng's place won't go smoothly. After all, he's collaborating with Hong Wenyao. Those people are not to be trifled with. It's either you eat me or I eat you."
After Lin Xingwan spoke, Zhou Jinbai comforted her, "Then don't go. We don't have to attend this banquet anyway."
"I feel that Shi Zhesheng is a very mysterious man, with a very similar aura to that masked man from that night. So, no matter what, I have to go. Perhaps we can connect the broken threads of clues."
Shi Zhesheng was a crucial figure in whether she could investigate her mother's past.
"I can help you investigate Shi Zhesheng's matters," Zhou Jinbai offered.
Lin Xingwan shook her head. "If I rely on you for everything, what is my purpose? I don't know what happened back then regarding my mother's affairs, but the truth must be very dangerous. I won't stand by and watch you face danger while I can do nothing."
After speaking, Lin Xingwan seemed to remember something and said to Zhou Jinbai, "Right, last time when Xue Manting and I were captured, the masked man told me that there was a movable floorboard in your uncle's room. Inside, there were his diaries, some past events, and it seemed there was some misunderstanding."
Lin Xingwan actually wanted to reveal everything the man had told her, but she had also met Zhou Bingwen. This man was very good to Zhou Jinbai and had a benevolent appearance. Lin Xingwan didn't believe the man's words.
But, was the truth really as it appeared to the eyes?
Lin Xingwan began to feel lost.
Zhou Jinbai simply responded with a faint "Mm," neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Lin Xingwan didn't say anything further.
Soon, the two drove towards Shi Zhesheng's residence.
At the same time, within Shi Zhesheng's villa, a scene was unfolding.