The atmosphere grew tense and awkward, with only the AI voiceover from the safety exit video blaring noisily in the background.
"General Manager Su, some of the cleaners we employ are from local underprivileged families with limited education. They work diligently and efficiently. It's past noon now, which is their lunch break." The branch manager, fearing Su Chenzhu's anger, mustered the courage to explain on behalf of the cleaner watching videos in the hallway. "My apologies, this was a lapse in management."
The PR manager had already slipped into the safety exit, found the cleaner playing the video, and asked him to turn off his phone.
Among Kunlun's many subsidiaries, the Linhai branch wasn't particularly large. It had been established primarily to support local economic development, so its management style leaned toward local practices.
That General Manager Su had come to attend the anniversary celebration took everyone by surprise—they had no prior experience hosting someone of his stature.
Following the PR manager out was a middle-aged man around 50, his neck hunched, skin darkened by labor, clutching a cracked-screen phone in his hand.
"It's lunchtime—why haven’t you gone to eat?" Chao Musheng, noticing how frightened the man was, smiled warmly to ease his nerves. "Have you encountered any difficulties working here?"
The man shook his head hurriedly. "The management treats us well. They even distribute daily necessities every month. I... I..."
He looked up at the young man before him, whose friendly expression eased some of his panic. "I’m sorry. I won’t use my phone in the stairwell again."
"It’s fine. Employees are free to relax during breaks." Seeing the man’s flushed face and trembling hands, Chao Musheng softened his tone further. "But in public areas, you might want to lower the volume next time."
He glanced around. "Are you responsible for cleaning this section?"
The man nodded.
"You’ve done an excellent job." Chao Musheng extended his hand. "Thank you for your hard work."
"N-no, it’s nothing." The cleaner hadn’t expected such kindness from a high-ranking executive—let alone a handshake. He stuffed his phone into his pocket, wiped his hands hastily on his clothes, then gingerly clasped the smooth, elegant hand before him, trying to steady his trembling. "The company leaders are all very good to us. The meals at noon are great too."
He wasn’t skilled at polished speech, and his words came out jumbled, but he still wanted to praise the management in front of this important visitor.
"Thank you for your dedication to Kunlun." Chao Musheng placed his other hand over the man’s rough, sun-darkened knuckles.
The cleaner felt dazed. This executive was so warm and approachable.
"Assistant Chao is right. Without all of you, Kunlun wouldn’t be where it is today." Su Chenzhu nodded approvingly at the branch’s management. "Your approach to humane management is commendable."
Hearing both General Manager Su and Chao Musheng express their support, the branch leaders collectively exhaled in relief. Thankfully, Su Chenzhu was magnanimous enough not to make an issue of it.
The elevator doors opened. Chao Musheng stepped inside and waved at the cleaner. "Take care."
Su Chenzhu followed with a cordial nod.
Once the doors closed, the PR manager beside the cleaner slumped in relief. She glanced at the man, still grinning foolishly at the elevator, and shook her head wryly.
Thankfully, Assistant Chao had broken the ice first—otherwise, the old man might have lost his job.
"How many times have I told you all to wear headphones during breaks?" She sighed. "You got lucky today, running into someone like Assistant Chao."
"So that leader’s surname is Chao... He’s really handsome." The cleaner patted his phone in his pocket. He did look a bit like the rumored partner of the big boss online.
"Dare to pull this stunt again?"
The cleaner shook his head vigorously. Never again.
Chao Musheng’s group arrived on the third floor, now festooned with decorations and packed with employees. The moment they entered, a wave of applause erupted, and someone rushed forward to present them with flowers.
The scene felt oddly familiar—like the pomp of school inspections back in his middle and high school days.
Clearly, the general manager’s years in education had left a lasting impression.
Su Chenzhu was invited to the stage to deliver a speech, while Chao Musheng and Secretary Liu took their seats at the head table. The other guests included local dignitaries, each of whom Chao Musheng greeted with a handshake.
As Secretary Liu exchanged pleasantries with the table, Chao Musheng cradled the bouquet from the staff, his gaze lifting to Su Chenzhu onstage.
Stripped of his title, Su Chenzhu was undeniably striking—the very embodiment of a novel’s domineering CEO archetype.
Except he didn’t smirk arrogantly, demean employees, drag staff out of bed to investigate lovers, or halt meetings to coddle a "precious darling."
He lacked the absurdities of a tyrant but possessed all the allure.
"Xiao Chao, what are you staring at?" Secretary Liu turned to him, puzzled by his peculiar expression.
"At a non-ridiculous, perfectly normal CEO." Chao Musheng handed the flowers to a bodyguard and pulled out his phone to snap a photo of Su Chenzhu. "Don’t you think mature, elegant men have a certain charm?"
Secretary Liu peered at the image on Chao Musheng’s screen. The tacky stage lights somehow transformed into a soft halo around Su Chenzhu’s hair under his lens.
He glanced between Chao Musheng and the stage, then smiled without answering.
Some people were simply born leaders. In just a short speech, Su Chenzhu had the entire room electrified, even the dignitaries at the head table glowing with admiration.
By the time he stepped down, the applause was thunderous enough to shake the ceiling.
Su Chenzhu’s eyes swept over the sea of excited faces before settling on Chao Musheng, who was clapping, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
He took the empty seat beside Chao Musheng, who handed him a cup of warm water. "General Manager Su, have a drink."
Chao Musheng guided the cup into Su Chenzhu’s hands. The headquarters hadn’t come empty-handed—there were still rewards to be announced later.
"Thank you." Su Chenzhu accepted it, his fingertips brushing Chao Musheng’s knuckles. His hand trembled slightly.
Chao Musheng watched the water ripple in the cup, then raised his juice for a toast, grinning. "To Kunlun’s continued success."
Clink.
Though their glasses touched, it was his heart that quivered.
Su Chenzhu took a sip. The water tasted faintly sweet.
After Secretary Liu announced the headquarters’ rewards—bonuses, resources, honors, promotions, and training opportunities—the room erupted in exhilaration.
Every incentive struck just the right chord.
During the prize draw, an employee who won a prize boldly asked to take a photo with Assistant Chao in the lively atmosphere.
The branch company's leaders hesitated. Although Mr. Chao had recently gained popularity online, he was a top executive from headquarters—not a hired performer.
"Thank you to all my colleagues at the branch for letting me enjoy the treatment of a celebrity," Chao Musheng said with a smile as he stood up and walked onto the stage, instantly surrounded by a crowd of young men and women.
"Mr. Chao, you’re even more handsome than in the videos online!"
Someone shouted this, sparking laughter across the room.
Some people are born with leadership qualities, while others are naturally likable.
Even with the presence of Su Chenzhu, the company’s big boss, everyone still seemed more drawn to Chao Musheng.
"Xiao Chao is always so popular wherever he goes, huh?" Secretary Liu carefully observed his boss’s expression, worried he might be jealous or displeased. But to his surprise, the emotion in the boss’s eyes didn’t seem like anger—it looked more like pride.
Secretary Liu found the expression oddly familiar—like his niece, a devoted fan, watching her favorite artist receive recognition on stage, glowing with shared joy.
Happy because you’re happy, proud because you succeed, delighted because you shine.
Secretary Liu had never loved someone like this before. He couldn’t fully understand his boss’s feelings, but he could see the careful tenderness in them.
On stage, a woman in her thirties or forties was jostled by the crowd and nearly fell. Xiao Chao was the first to reach out, steadying her before tilting his head slightly so her friend could snap their photo.
It was an incredibly successful anniversary celebration. Even though it lacked the polished, high-end atmosphere of Kunlun Headquarters, it was still a triumph.
Everyone on stage was happy, and the audience was in high spirits.
The only clear-headed person in the crowd, the PR manager, felt her already thinning hair shed a few more strands.
Mr. Chao was truly a rare kind soul, willing to indulge the branch employees like this.
When she saw the branch manager grinning widely as he took a photo with Mr. Chao, she scratched her head in frustration and turned to her assistant. "The luncheon is over. Arrange a group photo."
How could the branch manager prioritize taking a photo with the CEO’s assistant while leaving the actual CEO waiting? Did he not want his job anymore?
Chao Musheng’s smile was starting to feel stiff. When the PR manager came to organize the group photo, he quietly sighed in relief and hurried over to Su Chenzhu and Secretary Liu for a drink of water.
"Our Xiao Chao is so popular," Secretary Liu teased, noticing his crooked bowtie. "Your online buzz these past few days rivals that of an A-list celebrity."
"After finishing my college entrance exams, I actually thought I could break into the entertainment industry," Chao Musheng said, rubbing his cheeks. "What was I thinking back then?"
"Don’t move." Su Chenzhu stood up and adjusted the accessory on his bowtie. "There."
"You actually considered joining the entertainment industry?" Secretary Liu asked curiously. "What changed your mind?"
"Later, the admissions office of Jinghua University came to my home. I became interested in their programs," Chao Musheng explained. "With the aging population crisis, I wanted to design a robotic care program. If I’d chased fame, I wouldn’t have had time for this."
This was much better.
Celebrities had to manage their expressions every second—way too exhausting.
Secretary Liu wiped his face. The gap between people was vast. He felt a little unwell, like this conversation was becoming unbearable.
Being begged by Jinghua to attend—what an obscure reason.
"Honestly, Kunlun’s entertainment division was only established two years ago. If you had pursued stardom, you might’ve ended up as one of our artists."
"Being a celebrity is too hard," Chao Musheng said, touching the bowtie Su Chenzhu had fixed. "I prefer my life now."
Even someone as popular as Luo Yixuan faced constant challenges—let alone an average performer.
"Chao Chao." Su Chenzhu gently rested a hand on his shoulder. "It’s time for the group photo."
Whether intentional or not, no one stood to Su Chenzhu’s left during the photo. Everyone pushed Chao Musheng into the empty spot.
"One, two, three—smile!"
Chao Musheng noticed the faintest upward curve of Su Chenzhu’s lips. He tilted his head slightly to look at him, and Su Chenzhu, sensing his gaze, turned toward him.
Click.
The moment was frozen in the photo.
After the group photo, Chao Musheng and the others toured the branch’s production facility before heading back.
Traffic in the city was heavy, and Chao Musheng leaned against the seat, drowsy.
"Rest for now. I’ll wake you when we arrive."
His eyelids fluttered, and he drifted into sleep. In his dream, he saw a massive glass box filled with countless tiny figures. He tried to see what was inside, but a fierce wind swept him away.
When he opened his eyes, the car was parked outside a villa.
"Mr. Su, is this your place in Linhai City?" Chao Musheng pressed against the window, admiring the beautiful little villa. "It’s gorgeous."
"I rarely stay in Linhai, so the villa isn’t very big."
Su Chenzhu stepped out and opened the car door for him. "The evening banquet starts in two hours. See if you can find suitable accessories here."
Chao Musheng wondered if Mr. Su had a skewed definition of "not very big." A sprawling villa with gardens, a pool, and a pavilion—wasn’t that huge enough?
The world of the wealthy was truly baffling.
The villa had few staff, and the interior felt almost too quiet.
Following Su Chenzhu into the walk-in closet, he spotted a photo on the wall. It showed no people or buildings—just a river, its surface eerily still, like stagnant water devoid of life.
"This suit should fit you well," Su Chenzhu said, handing him a set of clothes with tags still attached. Noticing Chao Musheng’s gaze on the photo, he paused. "Do you dislike it?"
"No," Chao Musheng shook his head. "It’s just… this river looks familiar somehow."
He took the clothes, and once Su Chenzhu left, he found they fit perfectly—as if tailored for him.
After adjusting his cuffs in the mirror, he opened the door.
"It suits you," Su Chenzhu said, waiting outside with a warm smile. "May I help you pick matching accessories?"
"Sure."
A watch, a brooch, a tie clip, cufflinks.
Each piece complemented the outfit flawlessly, as if they had been prepared long ago, waiting just for him.
Chao Musheng looked down at the man who knelt slightly to adjust his cufflinks, never once refusing.
"All done." Su Chenzhu stepped back. "They suit you perfectly."
Chao Musheng stared at his reflection in the mirror for a few seconds before turning to Su Chenzhu with a smile. "Mr. Su, your taste is impeccable."
The soft lighting in the walk-in closet made it seem as though Chao Musheng could hear Su Chenzhu's heartbeat.
"I should get going," Chao Musheng said, lifting his wrist to glance at the expensive watch adorning it. He tilted his head slightly, meeting Su Chenzhu's gaze. "Mr. Su, will you take me there?"
"I'll take you."
The red carpet was always the most anticipated moment for fans—who walked first, who closed the show, who got interviewed by the host, whose outfit was a current-season haute couture piece, whose ensemble was more striking—every detail could spark heated debates among fans.
The red carpet was being livestreamed on Pumpkin Video, which had been promoting the event for days to maximize viewership.
"Mr. Chao hasn't arrived yet? What did his assistant say?"
Hearing that Chao Musheng hadn't returned, some of the high-profile guests grew restless. Many of them had come specifically to meet the representative from Kunlun Corporation.
If Mr. Chao didn't attend the banquet, what was the point of them sitting around?
One of the VIPs, knowing Xiaojuan was close to Chao Musheng, called her over to confirm. Only after she assured them that Mr. Chao would attend did they relax.
A security guard stood in the corner, watching Xiaojuan surrounded by the VIPs, barely concealing the murderous intent in his eyes.
Xiaojuan suddenly turned and locked eyes with him.
Their gazes clashed, an unmistakable chill hanging in the air.
Xiaojuan strode through the crowd straight to the security guard. "Guess what? If I tell the security captain right now that Mr. Chao dislikes you, do you think you’ll be fired?"
"You—?!" The guard stared at her in disbelief. She had changed.
Before, she would never harm a fellow player, let alone side with NPCs and use their influence to push others around. Now, she mentioned the NPCs in this game so casually, so naturally.
"Scared?" Seeing the flicker of fear in his eyes, Xiaojuan scoffed. "If you're scared, then keep your eyes and hands in check. Don’t even think about causing trouble in this game—unless you want to die here."
The guard stayed silent, swallowing his anger. He just had to endure until Song Xu met his accidental demise. Then he wouldn’t have to put up with this woman’s threats anymore.
"If it weren’t for your sister, you wouldn’t have survived the first time you crossed me." Xiaojuan could tell he was still resentful. "I’ve said my piece. If you still want to throw your life away, I won’t stop you."
The guard watched Xiaojuan walk away, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
So what if she had an NPC backing her? Could that NPC really help her kill a celebrity and create a scandal?
The fall of a star—now that was a show he loved.
Nothing pleased him more than watching the lofty moon and stars crash into the mud, tarnished beyond recognition.
As the car neared the banquet venue, Chao Musheng received a call from Chao Yin.
"Musheng, do you still have time to make it tonight?" Chao Yin’s voice was nearly drowned out by the noise around her—she must already be at the venue. "Your assistant is here, so don’t rush. Be careful on the road."
"Mom, I’m already at the entrance." Chao Musheng glanced out the window at the fans lining the streets, waving their support banners. The driver navigated carefully through the crowd.
Spotting the luxury car, the fans craned their necks, trying to guess which celebrity or VIP was inside. The model and license plate suggested someone far beyond the usual star’s paygrade—perhaps a high-profile brand representative?
The car bypassed the main crowd, entering the underground parking lot from the back. Chao Musheng immediately spotted Chao Yin and a few event staff waiting for him.
"Mr. Su, I’ll head out now." Chao Musheng turned to Su Chenzhu. "See you tomorrow morning."
"Alright." Su Chenzhu adjusted his bowtie. "Have a wonderful evening. I’ll be watching the livestream."
"I’m representing the company, so I won’t be walking the red carpet." Chao Musheng unbuckled his seatbelt. "You probably won’t see me in the livestream."
Su Chenzhu chuckled. "Musheng, you’re too striking. Even if you skip the red carpet, the cameras inside will linger on you."
"Go on." Su Chenzhu leaned over to open the car door. "Don’t keep your mother waiting."
Secretary Liu, sitting in the passenger seat, stayed silent but stepped out to open the door for Chao Musheng.
"Thanks, Liu."
Secretary Liu teased quietly, "No need to thank me. Tonight’s your show—we’ve got to make sure you make an entrance."
"Next time it’s your turn, I’ll open the door for you," Chao Musheng shot back with a grin. "And hold an umbrella for you, too."
With that, he quickened his pace toward Chao Yin.
Secretary Liu shook his head in amusement. He wondered if Musheng had noticed—when the boss mentioned watching the livestream, his first reaction was to clarify that he wouldn’t be on the red carpet, as if worried Su Chenzhu would be disappointed not to see him.
Closing the rear door, Secretary Liu glanced back at the boss before settling into the passenger seat. Su Chenzhu’s gaze was still fixed on Musheng’s retreating figure.
Maybe… just maybe, the boss’s dreams would come true.
"Mr. Chao!" The event staff couldn’t contain their excitement when they saw him, rushing forward to greet him.
"Sorry for the delay—traffic was terrible." Chao Musheng glanced at Chao Yin behind them, not wanting to hold her up. "Shall we go?"
The staff, familiar with high fashion, were stunned by Mr. Chao’s outfit. As expected of Kunlun Corporation’s representative—every piece he wore was beyond what even A-list celebrities could borrow.
Chao Yin’s eyes flickered toward the car that had brought Chao Musheng. It hadn’t left yet. A globally limited-edition luxury vehicle, but even rarer was its license plate.
She turned her attention back to her son, walking ahead with him and murmuring, "Where did all this jewelry come from?"
"A friend prepared it for me." Chao Musheng pressed the elevator button, the brooch on his chest gleaming. "Do you like it?"
"It’s beautiful." Chao Yin felt an odd twinge. "Almost as if it was custom-made for you."
Every piece—the jewelry, the watch, the suit—seemed tailored to Musheng’s aura.
"Mhm." Chao Musheng’s smile softened, warmth flickering in his eyes. "I think so too. He must have put a lot of thought into it."
The staff trailing behind them couldn’t help but shower Chao Musheng with compliments.
It wasn’t flattery—Mr. Chao simply carried the pieces so well.
If only he were in the industry, his fashion endorsements would be through the roof. Wealthy admirers would probably be clamoring to buy replicas of his entire ensemble.
Chao Yin’s eye twitched when she noticed the watch on his wrist.
A globally limited-edition, handcrafted gemstone watch—the kind people usually kept in safes—and her son was wearing it like it was nothing?
Just what kind of friend would casually let Musheng walk around with such a priceless treasure?
What surprised her even more was that, knowing her son as she did, he would never accept such expensive jewelry even from a close friend—this was completely out of character for Sheng Sheng.
It was very strange.
With so many people around, she couldn’t ask about it right then. Besides, she still had to attend to the artists. After escorting Chao Musheng into the venue and arranging for an assistant to accompany him, she hurried off.
Chao Musheng walked straight into the event. When the assistant guided him to his seat in the front row, he glanced at the rows behind and asked, "Where are the seats for Kunlun Entertainment’s artists?"
As Kunlun’s representative, it was only natural for him to show some concern for his company’s artists at an entertainment industry event like this.
The assistant replied, "Mr. Chao, Teacher Song Xu’s seat is in Zone B of the second row. The other two artists are seated in the third and fourth rows."
Given Song Xu’s status, he normally wouldn’t have been placed in the second row. However, with Mr. Chao present and Pumpkin Video being one of the main organizers, Kunlun Entertainment was given due respect.
Zone B was the center section of the second row, directly behind Chao Musheng’s seating area.
"Hmm?" Chao Musheng noticed something odd—a faint red light flickering twice beneath the seat labeled with Song Xu’s name. He stepped across the aisle and approached Song Xu’s seat.
