Chapter 41: This Man, She Was Determined to Have

From the moment she stepped out of the elevator and all the way to the grand banquet hall, the corridors on both sides were lined with flower baskets sent to Bai Lu. As Bai Lu walked along, her big, sparkling eyes darted back and forth.

"Ah! Found it!" Bai Lu was beside herself with excitement, coming to a halt next to a flower basket inscribed, "A gift from Lu Yiting." "This is from Best Actor Lu! Quick, take a photo for me! I want to show off on Weibo!"

She was already the main character of the day, the center of attention. Given Lu Yiting’s prominent status, his flower basket was naturally placed at the very front. Bai Lu’s exclamation echoed through the hall, reaching many ears.

No one was surprised. After all, which celebrity here wasn’t a fan of Best Actor Lu?

His fans called themselves “Snow in the Courtyard,” a name inspired by a line from a Song dynasty poem: “After sobering up in the cold night, alone facing a courtyard of fragrant snow.”

Their greatest pride was: "My idol is your idol’s idol."

After taking her photo, Bai Lu lifted the hem of her gown, her twinkling eyes scanning the room. Yu Fuqing approached and informed her, "Best Actor Lu didn’t come; he only sent the flower basket."

Bai Lu’s disappointment was plain for all to see.

"I really wanted to take a photo with him..."

Feng Kuizhong, who had played her father twice in previous projects and had a good relationship with her—as well as being an artist at Yuxing Entertainment—joked, "Little Bai, even if Best Actor Lu isn’t here, how about a photo with this Best Actor instead?"

Bai Lu beamed sweetly. "No, I only want Best Actor Lu!"

Feng Kuizhong feigned indignation. "Well then, Little Bai, are you looking down on me?"

Bai Lu turned her head and deliberately announced in a loud voice, "Quick, spread the word, Best Actor Feng is challenging Best Actor Lu!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Feng Kuizhong laughed along. "Little Bai, you’re really something! How could I possibly compare to Best Actor Lu?"

Though both bore the title of Best Actor, there was a vast gulf between them. Many had won the award, but there was only one Lu Yiting.

Yu Fuqing stood by her side, watching as she greeted each and every senior and peer in the industry. The young woman knew nothing of social maneuvering, but her charm and sincerity won everyone over. After making her rounds, those who knew her liked her even more; those who didn’t—well, in her eleven years since debut, there was hardly an artist who didn’t know Little Bai.

Nearly everyone present was an old acquaintance, or at least had worked with her once. The affection the artists felt for her came from the heart—Yu Fuqing saw this clearly.

For a reason he couldn’t name, Yu Fuqing suddenly sensed that if the young woman didn’t like him, he truly had nothing to offer that could make her stay.

How fortunate, truly fortunate! He and Bai Lu had grown up together, their bond was extraordinary. Even after he had slept with Shen Xinluo, Bai Lu still liked him.

A surge of emotion stirred in Yu Fuqing. He took Bai Lu’s hand. "Bai Lu, I will always be good to you. I will love you for a lifetime."

Bai Lu’s face darkened. She pulled her hand away and looked back at Gao Fanqin. "Director Gao, I’d like to sign with you today. Is that alright? Just give me half the signing bonus."

Gao Fanqin, the ace manager of Royal Eagle Entertainment—one of the three industry giants—held half the best actors and actresses in the business in his hands. In her past life, at the height of her fame, Gao Fanqin had warned her to be wary of the Shen family and advised her not to be reckless in her youth, but to keep her feet on the ground. Unfortunately, by then she was ready to leave the industry and hadn’t heeded his advice.

To offer her such honest words at her peak—Gao Fanqin was someone worth befriending.

In her past life, things ended badly for Gao Fanqin. After building up his network and resources, he struck out on his own, but suffered a crushing blow at the hands of Yuxing Entertainment and Royal Eagle Entertainment working together. After going bankrupt, he had to return to Yuxing Entertainment and work for Yu Fuqing just to pay off his debts.

For her entertainment empire, Gao Fanqin was indispensable.

That’s why, after her rebirth, his name was the very first she wrote in her little notebook.

Gao Fanqin was always impeccably dressed in a three-piece suit, exuding elite sophistication. He smiled. "Bai Lu, you’re worth ten times that amount."

Bai Lu was startled. "That’s too much, way too much—I could never spend it all. Better not."

Gao Fanqin raised his glass to her. "Whenever you think you can, just come find me."

Bai Lu returned a sweet smile.

Gao Fanqin meant what he said. And she took it to heart.

This man—she was determined to have him on her side.

The crowd laughed indulgently. Everyone knew Bai Lu was only saying this to avoid engaging with Yu Fuqing.

Yu Fuqing’s affair with Shen Xinluo was an open secret. Bai Lu’s way of handling things showed real emotional intelligence. She neatly put a stop to Yu Fuqing’s sickly-sweet declarations without embarrassing him in public.

A shrewd little fox, indeed.

Yu Fuqing laughed awkwardly. He realized he’d overstepped—confessing in public while the young woman was still angry with him. If she didn’t still have feelings for him, he would have been humiliated on the spot.

He warned himself inwardly to take things slowly and coax her gently, and then stopped hovering around her.

Yu Xingsheng shot his son a glare, then smiled warmly. "Director Gao, do be generous and don’t covet our Bai Lu. Yuxing Entertainment intends to fully support her and give her the best resources."

Gao Fanqin merely raised his glass in a polite smile.

Bai Lu greeted him sweetly. "Hello, Uncle Yu!"

Yu Xingsheng looked at the well-mannered, lovely, and dazzling Bai Lu, and felt nothing but affection. "Hello, Bai Lu, hello."

Bai Lu pointed at the wine glass in his hand. "Uncle Yu, you shouldn’t drink. It’s not good for your health!"

Yu Xingsheng’s fondness for her only grew. "Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you—I won’t drink anymore."

How on earth had he produced such a son, who would ignore a clever, sweet, and considerate girl like Bai Lu to get involved with someone like Shen Xinluo?

What a fool!

A perceptive young assistant quickly brought Yu Xingsheng a glass of juice instead.

"Bai Lu," Yu Xingsheng said, "how about letting your brother Fuqing help you cut the cake?"

Though he was annoyed, he still had to help his son.

Bai Lu refused without hesitation. "No, thank you."

Yu Xingsheng nodded. "Alright, if Bai Lu says no, then no it is."

He shot his son a fierce look.

Yu Fuqing, feeling guilty, could only accept it.

Yu Xingsheng smiled. "Come, Bai Lu, it’s time for the ribbon-cutting. Ready?"

Bai Lu nodded. "Yes!"

At the very back of the crowd, Shen Xinluo watched Bai Lu, surrounded by a constellation of stars, so furious that tears welled up in her eyes.

When would she ever stand in that place, encircled by the most esteemed artists of the entertainment world?

Suddenly, her phone vibrated—it was Wu Liping. Her eyes lit up.

[Mom: Everything is arranged. To avoid suspicion, stay in the banquet hall all night and don’t leave. Best to find someone who can vouch for you.]

[Your dearest Xinluo: Understood!]

Even on WeChat, Shen Xinluo mimicked Bai Lu’s style.

But no matter how she copied her, she would never be Bai Lu.

Staring at Bai Lu beneath the flashbulbs, Shen Xinluo’s gaze turned twisted and venomous.

Bai Lu, after tonight, you’ll never stand above me again!

You’ll spend your life as a cheap woman, warming the beds of old men!