Shen Lin and Rong Wangtian shielded Rong Ruoyao as they broke through the circle of fans.
Once inside the car, Rong Wangtian paused. "I forgot to bring Rong Yu out with us."
"No need for you to worry about that anymore," Shen Lin said, looking out the car window. "Look over there. It's the staff from Ji's Entertainment personally escorting her away. Does that mean she's going to sign with Ji's Entertainment?"
Rong Ruoyao's lips pressed into a tight line.
Domestically, the biggest talent agency was Ji's Entertainment. It had many top artists under its banner; for instance, Chi Fangfei, the award-winning actress, was entirely cultivated by Ji's.
Although she had debuted through a variety show produced by Ji's Entertainment, it didn't necessarily mean the agency intended to sign any of the contestants.
Early on, the director had stated that this program was to fulfill a dream of Old Master Ji's youth. Once the show ended, that was it. Ji's Entertainment would not provide any further follow-up.
The so-called "debut group" was just a slogan—formed only to disband immediately, with each member going their separate way.
Yet, Rong Yu had been directly signed by Ji's Entertainment.
Was it because Rong Yu had become the spokesperson for the Aerospace Institute?
Once something gets linked to the state, it suddenly seems exceptionally prestigious.
Why did Rong Yu get such an opportunity?
"Your opportunity isn't bad either," Shen Lin comforted her daughter. "You're about to join the film set with Yan Ting and Chi Fangfei. That's plenty for you to learn. After filming wraps up this year, next year you can focus entirely on preparing for the college entrance exams..."
The Rong family's car drove away.
Meanwhile, Rong Yu was escorted by staff, avoiding reporters and fans, to the backstage area.
Old Master Hai was proudly showing off the photos he had taken. "How about this one? Isn't it legendary? The profile, the jawline—absolutely stunning."
Duoduo exclaimed loudly, "I guided Great-Grandpa Hai to take that! Does Auntie think it looks good?"
Rong Yu took the camera and looked.
It captured a moment from her rap performance on stage. Fully immersed, her upper body leaned forward, colorful braids swinging to the rhythm. Though the photo was static, it still conveyed her exuberance and confidence. She seemed to have momentarily shed the meticulousness of Professor Rong; in this moment, she was just Rong Yu, the eighteen-year-old rapper.
"It's very well taken."
She offered sincere praise.
Old Master Hai couldn't help but grin smugly.
Then he froze.
Being praised by an eighteen-year-old girl... why did it give him the same feeling as being praised by an elder or teacher back in his childhood?
Never mind. The point was, it was a great shot.
He leaned in closer. "Take a look at this one too, isn't it also good? And this one, it's simply..."
Rong Yu nodded repeatedly.
Old Master Ji huffed, stroking his beard in mock annoyance. "Alright, alright, enough of that. What's so great about them? A celebration banquet is prepared at Hibiscus Manor. Uncle Tang has arrived too. Let's hurry up and go."
Besides them, there were also the classmates from Class Twenty.
The group got into cars and returned to Hibiscus Manor.
The servants had already prepared everything. The aroma of food wafted through the air, a tall champagne tower gleamed, and there was a celebratory cake.
Rong Yu first poured drinks, then cut the cake. Music started playing, and the lawn became incredibly lively.
The students, long suppressed by their studies, let their true natures loose at this moment, dancing wildly.
"Youth is wonderful, ah... cough, cough..." Tang Che covered his chest, coughing twice, then said with a smile, "A-Yu, you must have heard about the Tang family affairs, right?"
Rong Yu nodded.
Early in the morning, she had seen the news: Tang Corporation had removed Tang Youyi from the Chairman position. The implied message was that Tang Youyi would not inherit the Tang family legacy.
But, Tang Che only had this one nephew.
If not Tang Youyi, then who?
"A-Yu," Tang Che looked at her, "I want to leave everything of the Tang family to you."
Rong Yu met his gaze. "You know I won't accept it."
"Then, let's change the approach." Tang Che coughed twice and continued, "I plan to select a suitable child from among the younger generation as the heir. However, the children whose character meets the standard are all girls. The Tang family has stood for a century. Those clan elders hold very traditional views about passing things only to sons, not daughters. So, the heir I choose will inevitably not gain their recognition."
He took a sip of water. "If we form a marriage alliance with the Ji family, with the Ji family's support, a girl could smoothly become the Tang family heir."
He wanted the descendants of his line and the descendants of A-Yu's line to marry, to have a child who would become the Tang family heir in the generation after next.
This was probably the most romantic thing he could conceive.
Rong Yu was silent.
Effectively, Tang Che was giving her two choices.
Either agree to inherit the Tang family herself.
Or agree to a family marriage alliance.
From a certain perspective, she owed Tang Che.
To Tang Che, she could never bring herself to say harsh words, nor do anything cruel.
This man, for her sake, had remained unmarried and childless his whole life, lonely for most of it. Now, at the advanced age of a hundred, he had no close descendants by his side... And she was supposed to take the wealth he had built over a lifetime?
But, if it meant binding future generations, forcing them to sacrifice their right to choose in marriage, how unfair would that be to them?
"Which of the major families doesn't engage in marriage alliances?" Old Master Si leaned back on the sofa. "I know I'm not too clever, and my son is foolish. So, I specifically arranged for my son to marry into a powerful family, marrying a capable daughter-in-law. Now, most of the Si family's businesses are managed by my daughter-in-law. With my daughter-in-law holding the reins, that foolish son of mine is kept firmly in line, with no flings on the side and no scandals about illegitimate children. What's not to like about that?"
Ji Zhiyuan sat down nearby. "My father was the eldest son of the Ji family, and my mother was the eldest daughter of the Bai family. They also came together at a marriage alliance gathering. After marriage, they gradually fell in love, creating a well-known love story in Haicheng."
Ji Yanting nodded. "There's data showing that only a very small minority of people meet their true love in this lifetime. Actually, marrying anyone is pretty much the same."
Hearing this, Rong Yu seemed a bit more able to accept the idea.
At the very least, both parties in a marriage alliance would be well-matched in social status, know each other's backgrounds and roots, understand each other's character. However it turned out, it probably wouldn't be too bad.
She looked at Ji Zhiyuan and Ji Yanting. "So, are the two of you willing to enter a marriage alliance?"
"My situation is special," Ji Zhiyuan quietly retreated. "It's not a question of whether I'm willing, but that we can't have a Tang family young lady marry someone who's been divorced."
He subtly pushed Ji Yanting forward.
Ji Yanting: "..."
Damn it...
He was a god-tier superstar actor. Lowering his head, he instantly exuded an aura of sorrow. "I haven't moved on from my previous relationship yet. Let's talk about marriage alliances again in three to five years."
Ji Zhouye slowly minimized his presence, stepping back bit by bit, then took advantage of everyone's inattention and slipped away in a flash.
Thus, everyone's gaze fell upon Ji Jingchuan, who was sitting there quietly.
