At the Lakeside Hotel, in a luxurious private dining room.
Sun Feiyang personally poured wine for each investor, company executive, and the renowned Director Wang seated around the table.
Given his status, he didn’t need to do such things himself, but he was counting on Director Wang and the others to give him a leg up, to help him climb higher—hence his proactive approach.
After all, every person at this table wielded considerable influence.
Take Mao Yong, the CEO of Qiyu Media, for example—a tycoon worth hundreds of millions with extensive resources in distribution.
Then there was Zhao Junjie, the young master of the East Sea Alliance in Bright Pearl City, a genuine underworld figure not to be underestimated.
Just as Sun Feiyang moved to pour wine for Zhao Junjie, the young master suddenly stood up and snatched the bottle from his hands.
"Ah, President Sun, how could we trouble you with such a trivial task? The hotel has plenty of servers for that!"
"Of course, I know Director Wang and the other executives might not be impressed by the staff here, so I’ve specially arranged for a few charming ladies to join us and liven things up."
As if on cue, the door swung open, and several alluringly dressed women entered.
They had been handpicked by Zhao Junjie from his own entertainment venues—each with a striking figure, though their demeanor carried a hint of worldliness.
Yet, the expected reaction never came.
Instead of delight, Director Wang, Mao Yong, and the others barely concealed their disdain.
Country bumpkins will always be country bumpkins!
Zhao Junjie had clearly forgotten who these men were—seasoned industry veterans who had seen it all. Ordinary nightclub women were beneath their notice.
If it were that easy to win them over with a few pretty faces, would Sun Feiyang have gone to such lengths to arrange for Xue Linna to join them?
Sun Feiyang swiftly stepped forward and smoothly reclaimed the wine bottle from Zhao Junjie. "Ah, Young Master Zhao, we’re here to discuss serious business among gentlemen. Having them stand around would be inappropriate—best send them back."
Realizing his misstep, Zhao Junjie forced an awkward smile. "Right, right, President Sun makes a fair point. My oversight! My apologies! Come, everyone, enjoy the dishes—the lake delicacies here are exceptional. Try them!"
But inwardly, he cursed, Damn these old perverts, acting all high and mighty!
Still, eager to break into this circle, he kept his demeanor humble.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere warmed slightly.
Director Wang picked up a piece of steamed perch and remarked leisurely, "Bright Pearl City is truly a remarkable place. It’s developed rapidly these past few years, and the people here are sharp. Though..."
He deliberately trailed off, leaving the implication hanging.
Sun Feiyang caught his meaning immediately. "Director Wang is absolutely right. The people nurtured by Bright Pearl City’s environment are indeed unique—especially the students from the university district. They have a natural elegance, perfect for the screen."
"Take Xue Linna from the Finance University, for example. You’ve met her before, Director Wang. She’s just been signed by Su Qing, the agent from Star Wish."
Director Wang nodded. "Su Qing has a sharp eye and moves fast. Speaking of which, President Sun, given your extensive connections in Bright Pearl City, why not invite this Xue Linna to join us? Let her get a taste of our industry’s atmosphere."
Sun Feiyang understood the old fox’s hint perfectly.
"Director Wang, what a coincidence! I just spoke with Su Qing. The moment she heard you and the other executives were in Bright Pearl City, she insisted on bringing Xue Linna to pay her respects."
"Su Qing even mentioned she’d love for you and the other investors to evaluate Xue Linna’s potential. Who knows? She might be perfect for a key role in one of your upcoming projects."
Director Wang chuckled. "Su Qing and I go way back. No problem at all—if the girl truly has what it takes, I, along with the other investors—including President Mao—will certainly give her serious consideration."
The seasoned veterans at the table all chimed in with knowing smiles.
"Naturally! Anyone Director Wang approves of is destined for greatness!"
"Exactly! With his endorsement, she’ll be a star in no time!"
"......"
Just as the conversation reached its peak, the door abruptly swung open.
Every head turned.
A young woman in a black trench coat stood at the entrance, her presence as cool and arresting as ice. Her breathtaking beauty seemed to freeze the air in the room for a heartbeat.
Director Wang’s eyes lit up instantly.
Exquisite. Truly exquisite!
In all his years as a director, he could count on one hand the number of women with such flawless bone structure and aura.
And here she was, appearing out of nowhere.
Behind her were two other women and two young men—though the latter were promptly ignored.
The men’s attention was fixed solely on the women.
Director Wang recognized the two trailing the girl in black: Su Qing, the agent, and Xue Linna.
With three stunning women now in the room, the executives dropped their pretenses, rising with eager smiles.
Only Sun Feiyang remained frozen.
What’s going on?
He had specifically sent people to teach this girl and that defiant-looking young man behind her a lesson!
Yet here they were, completely unharmed.
Had the hired thugs gone after the wrong targets?
Very likely!
Director Wang stepped forward, his gaze locked onto the girl in black as he addressed Su Qing. "Ah, Su Qing, you’ve finally arrived! Please, come in! And who might this be?"
Liu Yutong ignored him, striding straight to the vacant seat at the head of the table. Yun Cheng swiftly pulled out the chair for her.
She sat with effortless grace, a faint smile playing on her lips as she surveyed the room.
"I hope my uninvited presence isn’t an inconvenience to you all?"
As she spoke, her gaze lingered pointedly on Zhao Junjie, seated diagonally across from her.
What an unexpected bonus.
She had come here for business, but running into him was a pleasant surprise—a chance to collect some early interest.
Zhao Junjie stiffened under her stare, instinctively reaching for his phone before remembering he’d removed the battery and handed it to a server for charging. A sense of foreboding washed over him.
Director Wang’s smile tightened when he saw his seat taken, but he maintained his gentlemanly facade. "Not at all! It’s our honor to be graced by such beauty. Please, make yourselves comfortable."
He then called out to the hallway, "Server! Bring more chairs!"
When the black-clad "server" entered with additional seating, Liu Yutong—the uninvited guest—assumed command, addressing the standing men with cool authority.
"Everyone, take your seats. No need to stand on ceremony."
This time, not just Director Wang but even Mao Yong and the other executives frowned.
This girl has no sense of propriety!
Sun Feiyang had already held a grudge against Liu Yutong and her group. Seeing her act so arrogantly now and trying to show off in front of Director Wang, he couldn’t hold back any longer and snapped, "Trash from a backwater town with no manners at all!"
Liu Yutong immediately turned her gaze toward the man she was meeting for only the second time. "Are you talking about me?"
Drunk and emboldened by the presence of the executives at the table, Sun Feiyang shot to his feet and jabbed a finger at Liu Yutong’s face. "Damn right I am! Do you even know how to behave, you little brat? Who do you think you are, sitting in the seat of honor? God knows how your mother raised you!"
But before he could finish—
Yun Cheng, standing behind Liu Yutong, moved.
A blur of motion flashed before everyone’s eyes as a dark figure appeared behind Sun Feiyang in an instant.
The next second, a massive hand clamped down on the back of Sun Feiyang’s skull with crushing force, slamming his face straight into the steaming plate of braised sea bass in front of him!
CRACK!
The impact was so brutal that the plate shattered instantly, splattering broth everywhere.
Sun Feiyang howled in pain, his screams echoing like a slaughtered pig.
The sheer violence of the scene left everyone in the private room frozen in shock.
.............
