Zhou Jinbai suppressed his surprise and asked in a steady voice, "The necklace your aunt is wearing is very special."
"Is it very special? If my mother were here, she'd be very happy to hear you say that. She had many necklaces, but she loved this one the most. When I was little, I asked her why she always wore it, and she told me it was a gift from my maternal grandfather for her eighteenth birthday, so she always wore it."
Lin Xingwan didn't feel much about the necklace herself, but after her mother passed away, she often held it, remembering her.
"Is this necklace still here?" Zhou Jinbai inquired.
"It is. I'll find it and show you when I get back." Lin Xingwan noticed the slight frown on the man's brow and asked, "You seem very interested in this necklace?"
"I just think the beads on it are quite beautiful," Zhou Jinbai said, though his sharp gaze deepened.
The beads on this necklace bore a striking resemblance to top-grade conch pearls. If they were indeed conch pearls, they would be far more than just beautiful; each one would be worth over a million.
Conch pearls were the Hermès of pearls, their formation entirely a work of nature, impossible to cultivate artificially.
Top-grade conch pearls were virtually priceless and unavailable on the market.
A few years ago, the old lady had collected a conch pearl bracelet, its luster and size even inferior to the one in the photo, yet it had cost five hundred million.
If the necklace Lin Xingwan's mother wore was truly made of conch pearls, then this matter seemed to have become rather complicated.
Anyone with a bit of sense could infer that a small village could not produce a talented female boss praised by the old mischievous one;
nor could a woman who seemed somewhat eccentric wear such an expensive and rare conch pearl necklace.
A long, drawn-out roar interrupted Zhou Jinbai's thoughts.
In the quiet of the night, the sound was inexplicably terrifying.
Lin Xingwan couldn't help but lean closer to Zhou Jinbai, who then put his arm around her waist and cautiously moved towards the source of the sound.
After walking about four or five meters, the roar sounded again.
This time, they saw a drunkard leaning against a tombstone, holding a wine bottle in one hand and a camera in the other. His unshaven face was filled with despair.
"It's all gone, nothing is left. Dad, Mom, I'm sorry."
"This society is so superficial. Everything is useful, except sincerity. Family, friendship, love, all the same."
"Haha... Hahaha..."
After speaking, the man smashed the wine bottle hard on the ground and then lay still with his eyes closed.
"Who comes to a cemetery to drink at this hour? And dressed so thinly, are they trying to die?" Lin Xingwan saw the man wearing thin clothes. "Should we call the police?"
"It's so cold tonight; by the time the police arrive, he'll have a serious problem from the cold. Let's give him a ride down and take him to the police station."
"Okay."
So, Zhou Jinbai helped the man into the car and drove away.
When they returned to the city, they dropped the man off at the police station.
After all this, it was already close to one in the morning when they returned to Lin Xingwan's apartment.
"You take a shower first, and I'll make some ginger soup to warm you up. Your small frame won't be able to handle this," Zhou Jinbai said, already skillfully tying on an apron.
"Wait—" Lin Xingwan quickly ran into the bedroom and returned a few seconds later with a wooden box, placing it on the table. "This box contains all my mother's things. The pink necklace is in there too."
With that, Lin Xingwan walked towards the bathroom.
Zhou Jinbai's gaze fell on the box, and he slowly opened it.
Though small, the box contained many small ornaments and a yellowed notebook.
The string of pink necklaces lay quietly inside.
Zhou Jinbai picked it up. Even though his research on conch pearls wasn't extensive, its luster, flame patterns, and shape far surpassed the old lady's bracelet.
However, the box held more surprises for Zhou Jinbai than just that.
He picked up a piece of agate and examined it in his palm, his expression growing increasingly stern.
It seemed he needed to investigate some matters.
The next few days, Lin Xingwan was busy with the collaboration with Jinlin Company.
The contract had been signed, and they were just waiting for Uncle Ye and Ranran to be discharged from the hospital.
On the day of the opening ceremony for "Immortal Path," Zhou Jinbai drove Lin Xingwan, Liu Mengqin, and Ge Xuansi to the Oriental Consortium before dawn to meet up with others.
As their car arrived at the entrance of the Oriental Consortium, the vast plaza was already teeming with people.
A rough estimate suggested tens of thousands.
The scale of the event made one think it was a concert for a celebrity if they didn't know better.
Fans of Jiang Wenyuan and Yan Yuxi were the most numerous, holding up signs and wearing merchandise featuring characters from the novel "Immortal Path." Even at six in the morning, their fervent enthusiasm was like surging waves.
Next were Gao Nanbin's fans. Although his status in the entertainment industry had been awkward in recent years, he had still accumulated a considerable following.
"Jiang Wenyuan, Jiang Wenyuan, gentle in prosperity, for you who are far away."
"Naixī (Xi) Naixī (Xi), number one in the world."
"Gao Nanbin, we will always be your strongest support."
...
The enthusiasm of these three groups of fans was almost apocalyptic.
Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin scanned the crowd and found only two or three fans of Ge Xuansi.
They exchanged glances, and though they said nothing, it was better than nothing.
After the four of them got out of the car, Zhou Jinbai put a pink scarf around Lin Xingwan's neck and a matching beret.
Lin Xingwan was wearing a white woolen coat, and her long straight hair made her look somewhat imposing. However, with the pink scarf and beret, the career woman transformed into a sweet girl.
She looked adorable and soft, making one want to hug her.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this is the first time I've seen Xingwan wear something so girlish, but it really suits you. Your aura has completely changed," Liu Mengqin said, then asked, "Where did you buy this scarf and beret? I want to get a set too. Women, the older they get, the more they like pink."
Ge Xuansi, standing beside Liu Mengqin and silent until now, also looked at Lin Xingwan.
The usually distant goddess seemed to have shed her aloofness, gaining a touch of radiance. The light emanating from her was so beautiful that his chest felt warm, even stirring an impulse to embrace her without hesitation.
He recalled his dream from last night, a reckless act of possession, her begging beneath him.
Such shameful, sordid thoughts, yet he couldn't help but replay them, savoring the memory.
"This is the only set in the world, because Grandma knitted it for you herself," Zhou Jinbai said gently and earnestly, adjusting the angle of the beret for Lin Xingwan. Before they left this morning, the old lady had specifically instructed him that the beret should be worn slightly tilted to look good.
"Please thank Grandma for me." Lin Xingwan's eyes curved into a smile.
Zhou Jinbai checked Lin Xingwan's bag again. "Call me before you go home, and I'll come to pick you up. And remember, don't touch any food that isn't right in front of your eyes, okay?"
"Got it, got it." Lin Xingwan complained with a smile, her lips curving upwards. "You've said it so many times, how could I possibly forget? Besides, I'm the CEO of Top Peak Entertainment, not some clueless child."
"That's good. You guys go on in. I'll go buy groceries later; we're having hot pot tonight."
Zhou Jinbai pinched Lin Xingwan's cheek. This woman was becoming more and more impatient with him.
But what could he do? He had spoiled her this way.
Only after Lin Xingwan and the others were swallowed by the crowd did the gentleness on Zhou Jinbai's face slowly turn cold.
He took out his phone and called Chen Yuchu. "They've arrived. Send more people to protect their safety."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Also, I'll be attending the opening ceremony today. Have someone prepare for me."
Chen Yuchu was surprised by Zhou Jinbai's decision. For a TV series, there was no need for the Young Master to attend.
Given his current status and position, if he were to attend the opening ceremony of "Immortal Path," the achievements of this pre-broadcast hit series would be unimaginable.
But thinking that the Young Madam was inside, Chen Yuchu could only reply, "Alright."
Lin Xingwan and the others, escorted by security, arrived beside the Oriental Consortium's luxurious bus.
"Miss Lin—" Chen Yuchu walked towards Lin Xingwan. "It's too cold outside; hurry up and get on the bus."
"Okay." Lin Xingwan glanced at Chen Yuchu out of the corner of her eye. She was still wearing a black suit dress, and her slender, fair legs were beautiful, even to a woman.
She felt cold standing outside for just a few minutes in her coat, yet Chen Yuchu, dressed so lightly, had likely been standing there for a long time.
It was no wonder such a woman became a favored subordinate of the Oriental Consortium's executive.
As they boarded the luxurious bus, a voice filled with anger came from inside.
"I told you, the eyeliner should be drawn downwards to look innocent. Why are you making me look like a fox spirit?"
The makeup artist beside her turned pale and could only explain nervously, "Miss Yan, the character you play, Su Lili, is the empress of the Nine-tailed Fox Clan from Qingqiu. If the makeup is innocent and cute, it won't match the role."
"It's just an opening ceremony, not filming. If you don't do as I say, then get out."
Yan Yuxi crossed her arms, looking arrogant and overbearing.
The makeup artist could only wipe away the eyeliner she had just drawn with red eyes.
Lin Xingwan glanced at Yan Yuxi. This woman was very beautiful, with exquisite and charming features, living up to the netizens' nickname for her as 'the number one fox-like beauty.'
Especially those fox-like eyes, they were stunning! Any eye makeup on her face would be redundant.
Of course, it had to be admitted that Yan Yuxi had a bad temper and a strong air of arrogance.
After getting on the bus, Liu Mengqin was responsible for overseeing Ge Xuansi's styling. Lin Xingwan sat in the back row.
Her neck and head were warm, and she couldn't help but take a few selfies with her phone and post them on her Moments.
【Lin Xingwan: Today I'm a cute girl.】
Selfies weren't enough, so she also posted a photo of her and Zhou Jinbai watching the sunrise.
Although their faces weren't clear, Lin Xingwan felt sweet and moved every time she saw herself leaning her head on Zhou Jinbai's shoulder.
After posting, many people liked and commented.
Lin Xingwan politely and courteously replied to each one:
Yes, I'm taken.
He's very good, and I'm very happy with him.
When we get married, we'll definitely invite you.
...
After Lin Xingwan finished replying, she noticed that her friend Cheng Yanzhe had also posted a Moment above hers:
【Cheng Yanzhe: Just accidentally agreed // For the sleeping wheat // Guard the moon all night // From now on, night after night to the wilderness // Night after night longing for cloudless skies // No one knows the filth in my heart // Mistaking me for loving the stars】
Below this sentence was a video.
Cheng Yanzhe stood in an endless maple forest, playing the violin. Maple leaves fell all around, and he passionately played the incredibly beautiful melody of Jay Chou's "Maple."
Lin Xingwan liked his post and commented, "Not bad, didn't expect you to be doing so well now."
Jay Chou's songs were classics that Lin Xingwan couldn't get enough of during her school days. And her favorite was this one, "Maple," which she could loop countless times.
As for Cheng Yanzhe, Lin Xingwan could talk for three days and three nights about him if she started.
When they were children, the Lin and Cheng families were neighbors. Cheng Yanzhe always bullied her, making her cry several times a day.
Lin Xingwan always thought he was a big bad guy; he only bullied her when he wasn't bullying Lin Shirou. Later, after her mother passed away, Cheng Yanzhe held her hand and stayed with her until her mother was buried.
He said, "Don't cry anymore. I'll bully you less from now on, and I won't let others bully you, okay?"
Later, the Lin family gradually declined, while the Cheng family's business flourished. They moved to a better villa area, and Lin Xingwan didn't see Cheng Yanzhe for many years.
It wasn't until Lin Xingwan was in junior high that Cheng Yanzhe transferred to her class. He was the rich second-generation heir that all the girls secretly admired and the model student in the teachers' eyes, excelling in all aspects and representing the school in various competitions. However, his inherent naughtiness still existed. He changed girlfriends every few days and was rebellious!
He would also bully her, constantly mocking her, saying her short skirts looked bad, her long hair looked bad, her makeup looked bad. Whatever Lin Xingwan did, Cheng Yanzhe would contradict her.
This led to no boys daring to talk to Lin Xingwan, lest they incur Cheng Yanzhe's wrath.
Even more malicious was that he played a game of dares and went to confess to her.
Lin Xingwan remembered how nervous yet secretly delighted she felt at the time. In school, who didn't like a handsome, good-at-studies, and rebellious male classmate?
She hesitated about becoming his girlfriend, only for him to say the next second that he was joking and had lost a bet with someone...
Cheng Yanzhe's mother visited her once in her third year of high school.
The conversation was melodramatic, warning her not to have any ideas about Cheng Yanzhe. Her son was destined for overseas studies and a brilliant future; she wasn't worthy of him.
Of course, this ended with Lin Xingwan splashing coffee on Cheng Yanzhe's mother's face.
Later, Cheng Yanzhe went abroad, and their contact became less frequent.
A clear, warm voice fell from above. "Is anyone here?"
Lin Xingwan quickly snapped back to attention and saw Jiang Wenyuan standing in front of her.
He was wearing a gray turtleneck sweater and looked very casual, but his model-like face was truly stunning!
On a Western bone structure, he had perfectly East Asian features. Such divine looks could embody any role.
The last time Lin Xingwan saw Jiang Wenyuan on the big screen, he was playing a cunning and cold-blooded villain. Unexpectedly, the man before her looked like a gentle noble son from a scholarly family.
"No one."
Lin Xingwan realized her lapse in composure and quickly averted her gaze.
Jiang Wenyuan then sat beside her.
Immediately after, Gao Nanbin also boarded the bus.
He was wearing a white suit and had a K-pop idol hairstyle. Unlike the other stars who looked like they had just woken up, he seemed to have come from a lavish banquet.
However, Lin Xingwan could no longer look at Gao Nanbin directly. The first second she saw him, her mind conjured the thought: Did this man just serve Jin Shunci?
Gao Nanbin's gaze shifted away immediately after meeting Lin Xingwan's eyes. He found a seat as far away from Lin Xingwan as possible and then took out his phone, keeping his head down and playing with it.
Once everyone was present, the luxurious bus began its journey to the film city for the opening ceremony.
After about an hour's drive, Lin Xingwan felt drowsy, her head nodding until she finally succumbed to sleep.
What she didn't know was that a gaze that seemed capable of devouring people had been sweeping over her countless times.
Jiang Wenyuan also noticed the owner of this gaze and, with a slight curl of his lips, closed his eyes to rest as well.
The bus arrived at the film city, and Lin Xingwan woke up.
When she realized she had slept with her head on Jiang Wenyuan's shoulder the entire way, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly sat up straight.
He looked as if he were asleep, so he probably didn't know she had leaned on his shoulder, right?
Everyone disembarked one after another, and the entrance to the film city was crowded.
Countless reporters and media personnel were eagerly waiting at the front line, camera flashes flickering incessantly, cameras snapping madly, and even live broadcasting.
Drones flew overhead, and thousands of bodyguards maintained order.
Chen Yuchu announced to everyone, "The Oriental Consortium attaches great importance to this opening ceremony, so our Executive Director will also be attending."
As soon as Chen Yuchu finished speaking, a convoy of luxury cars slowly approached from a distance.
Dozens of luxury cars surrounded one vehicle and parked beside Lin Xingwan and the others.
The first to alight were burly bodyguards with stern eyes. They were so tall that they blocked Lin Xingwan and the others' view, making it impossible to see the Executive Director's appearance.
"Even an emperor's visit wouldn't be like this, would it?" Liu Mengqin exclaimed.
She and Lin Xingwan stood on tiptoe but could only see a man wearing a mask and sunglasses walking into the film city amidst a throng of admirers.
"Dongfang Junze, why does he always cover himself so thoroughly whenever he appears?" Lin Xingwan wondered. His tall and imposing figure suggested his appearance couldn't be that bad.
Chen Yuchu, who was standing nearby, overheard this and explained, "The Executive Director's status is noble, so it's natural he wouldn't let so many people see his true face, as it would pose a danger."
Lin Xingwan nodded repeatedly, "That's true."
The super big shot walked ahead, followed by Lin Xingwan and her group.
In their ears were the screams and cheers of countless fans.
Just as they had walked halfway down the red carpet, an unexpected and terrifying accident occurred.