After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

Above the marble sink is a large vanity mirror.

The two figures were clearly reflected in the mirror.

Xie Jinghong's meticulously styled wavy hair was now a mess.

The deep V-neck of her black haute couture tuxedo was completely exposed, revealing large swaths of her snow-white skin to the cold light. The black "川" (river) character tattoo on her collarbone throbbed with the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Her eyes were tightly closed, with an extremely alluring crimson glow at the corners.

The once unapproachable queen of the entertainment industry seems to have fallen from the top.

Zhu Xunchuan had absolute control over the rhythm.

Zhu Xunchuan stepped back half a step.

His expression was calm, and even his breathing was perfectly steady.

He raised his hand and, extremely slowly and with great pressure, pinched Xie Jinghong's chin, forcing her to look at herself in the mirror.

"Your heart is beating so fast." Zhu Xun Chuan stroked her burning cheeks with his fingers, his tone full of teasing. "Looks like Director Xie has been living a rather frugal life these past three years."

Xie Jinghong looked at herself in the mirror. Her red lips were slightly swollen, and her eyes were unfocused; there was no trace of the boss's authority.

A feeling of shame and a secret excitement welled up inside me at the same time.

She turned her head sharply, biting her lip and forcing herself to hold her breath.

"Zhu Xun Chuan, you've really grown bold." Xie Jinghong forced a cold demeanor, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her. "You dare to mess with Mu Cheng's boss right under her nose? She's sitting in the private room outside. Aren't you afraid she'll push the door open and see your hypocritical face?"

They brought in Su Mucheng as a savior.

Zhu Xun Chuan chuckled softly.

He did not back down, but instead moved closer again.

His slender fingers brushed aside a strand of Xie Jinghong's loose curly hair beside her cheek, his fingertips brushing against her burning earlobe with remarkable ease.

Xie Jinghong instinctively flinched.

"You weren't like this just now. Now you're trying to use Mu Cheng as a shield?" Zhu Xun Chuan said in a low voice, his words hitting the eardrums directly.

Xie Jinghong's face flushed red instantly, and she couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Zhu Xun Chuan's fingers traced down her neck and stopped at her open, deep V-neckline.

He casually and naturally buttoned her clothes back up, one button at a time. Though his movements were gentle, his eyes held a domineering gaze, as if he were scrutinizing his prey.

"Remember this." Zhu Xun Chuan buttoned up the last button, patted her shoulder, and said, "You have the rules in the entertainment industry. But here, who's older or younger between you and Mu Cheng is up to me. Don't try to use her to pressure me; it won't work."

Xie Jinghong stared intently at him.

She wanted to say something harsh, to use her billions in capital to crush this arrogant man. But when she looked into Zhu Xun Chuan's unfathomable black eyes, she swallowed the words back.

She found herself actually enjoying the feeling of being completely suppressed by him.

This is really bad.

Suddenly, the crisp sound of high heels clicking on the wooden floor came from outside the door. A waiter seemed to be moving around nearby.

Xie Jinghong woke up instantly.

She quickly turned around, took two deep breaths in front of the mirror, took out her lipstick from her small black bag, and quickly touched up her makeup. She then tidied her slightly messy curls with her fingers.

Less than five seconds.

The aloof, arrogant, and ruthless director from Beijing's elite circle returned to her body.

She gave Zhu Xun Chuan a cold look, turned around, opened the bathroom door, and strode out.

Just as she took her first step, her left leg, encased in extremely thin black stockings, trembled slightly uncontrollably.

Zhu Xun Chuan saw this, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips, and then followed him out.

Inside the private room.

Su Mucheng remained obediently seated in her chair. She had already peeled a small bowl full of crab roe and was now drizzling vinegar over it with a spoon.

Hearing the door open, Su Mucheng looked up.

"Director Xie, Xun Chuan, you're back." Su Mucheng immediately stood up.

Xie Jinghong walked straight to the head seat and sat down.

"Director Xie, why is your face so red?" Su Mucheng keenly noticed her boss's unusual expression. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Xie Jinghong picked up her wine glass and took a sip of the chilled Romanée-Conti.

"The bathroom ventilation system is broken, it's a bit stuffy," Xie Jinghong lied without batting an eye.

Zhu Xunchuan pulled out a chair and sat down next to Su Mucheng.

"Xun Chuan, try this, I just made it." Su Mucheng pushed the bowl of crab roe in front of Zhu Xun Chuan, her eyes full of expectation and love.

Zhu Xun Chuan picked up the spoon and took a bite.

"It tastes good."

Su Mucheng smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. She naturally took a napkin and wiped the sauce that had accidentally gotten on Zhu Xunchuan's lips.

Xie Jinghong sat opposite, coldly watching this scene.

The nation's first love, whom she personally nurtured, and the top goddess whom countless wealthy young men coveted, became as obedient as a maid in front of this man.

Just three minutes earlier, this man had pinned his boss against the wall and forcibly kissed her in the bathroom.

An extremely strange sense of immorality spread through Xie Jinghong's mind. Her hand, which was under the table, unconsciously clenched the hem of her suit trousers.

The dinner continued.

Xie Jinghong stopped mentioning her online romance and began to show her true abilities.

"Star Shine Entertainment withdrew its investment, leaving Mu Cheng's new album with a funding gap." Xie Jinghong cut the steak on her plate. "Although Young Master Zhu is rich and generous, he added ten million, but the publicity and distribution channels in the entertainment industry can't be controlled just by money. Tianmang Entertainment suffered a loss this time, and they will definitely not let it go."

Su Mucheng's expression tightened.

Xie Jinghong put down her knife and fork and looked directly at Zhu Xunchuan.

"Jinghong Entertainment has decided to invest an additional 30 million to restart the new album. At next month's Asian Music Awards, I will use all my resources to ensure that Mu Cheng wins the Best Female Singer of the Year award." Xie Jinghong said confidently, "Young Master Zhu, this is my way of making amends for my previous lax discipline."

Thirty million. Best Female Singer of the Year.

This is top-tier resource in the industry, enough to drive any artist crazy. Xie Jinghong casually tossed it out, clearly flexing his muscles and trying to regain his position in this game.

"Thank you for your generosity, Director." Zhu Xun Chuan picked up his teacup. "Mu Cheng, you should thank your boss."

Su Mucheng quickly picked up her wine glass and respectfully toasted Xie Jinghong.

"If you have any trouble in the future, just come to me. Jinghong Entertainment is not for outsiders to interfere with." Xie Jinghong stared at Zhu Xunchuan, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Zhu Xun Chuan sipped his tea, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Thank you for your trouble, Director Xie." Zhu Xun Chuan put down his teacup. "However, I'm the kind of person who protects his own. From now on, I'll see Mu Cheng's affairs through to the end. If you encounter any trouble, Director Xie, you can also come to me. After all, we're all 'old acquaintances'."

Xie Jinghong's fingers tightened, almost crushing the wine glass in her hand.

He's treating her as a woman under his wing as well.

It's 10 PM. The dinner party is over.

The group walked out of the gate of the private banquet in Chang'an.

The early autumn night breeze carried a hint of coolness.

Xie Jinghong's driver had already driven the black Rolls-Royce Phantom down the steps.

"Mu Cheng, you're going in my car." Xie Jinghong turned around, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I have a schedule early tomorrow morning, so I'm going back to the company dormitory tonight."

Su Mucheng glanced at Zhu Xunchuan with some reluctance. But she dared not disobey her boss's orders.

"Xun Chuan, I'll be going now. Drive carefully." Su Mucheng tiptoed and whispered in Zhu Xun Chuan's ear.