Chapter 4

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Xiong Yueyue had been in this line of work for neither too short nor too long a time. Without any powerful connections and with only average ability, even though he had been lucky a few years ago to promote one or two promising newcomers, as soon as they showed a hint of rising popularity, other agents with stronger backgrounds and more influence in the company would swoop in and snatch them away.

Currently, he managed not just Wang Chuanze but five or six artists in total—some in their rising stages, others newly signed by the company, like Wang Chuanze.

Yet he knew clearly that just judging by looks alone, the artist with the greatest potential under his wing was Wang Chuanze. So he valued Wang Chuanze far more than the others, doing all he could within his power to arrange various commercial events to increase exposure and to connect with casting teams of different projects, all in pursuit of a chance for him to appear on screen.

He harbored his own ambitions, and both his and Wang Chuanze’s career developments were intertwined. The better Wang Chuanze fared, the higher Xiong’s standing in the company would rise. Thus, he genuinely had Wang’s best interests at heart.

“Chenxing is holding a press conference in October. Their heir just joined the company and wants to make a name for himself. Next year, their investments and scale will expand. There will definitely be many good projects. It won’t hurt for us to go and meet them. Even if they don’t look our way, at least we’ll gain some experience…”

Wang Chuanze entered the lounge, with Xiong Yueyue following behind. Wang casually closed the door. He focused on Xiong, his voice growing quieter and smaller until he felt too guilty to speak further.

Sitting on the sofa, Wang looked at his watch. “I’m not going to that banquet.”

Hearing this, Xiong knew Wang had sensed some inside information and was feeling a bit uncertain.

“The Chenxing heir might indulge in all sorts, but their offers are generous. If he takes a liking to you, with Chenxing’s status, you could have anything you want, right?”

Wang lifted his eyelids slightly and glanced at him indifferently. Xiong fell silent.

“Don’t think I’m naive just because I just graduated. I won’t take that path. Either I act with dignity and accept roles as an actor, or I’ll go back to prepare for this November’s national civil service exam.”

At this, Wang’s lips curved slightly, though his eyes showed no smile. “If I pass, I won’t even have to pay a breach-of-contract fee—I can just leave.”

Xiong was speechless, thinking: Is the civil service exam really that easy? Then he recalled Wang’s educational background—top university in the country. Maybe he really could pass. So he remained quiet. After finally securing a promising talent, the thought of losing him made it hard to speak.

The relationship between artist and agent was a delicate balance and a contest of wills. On one hand, they needed to present a united front to maximize benefits; on the other, they had to be accountable to each other’s decisions. Whether the agent served the artist or directed their career depended on who was smarter and more decisive.

If possible, Wang would want to change agents, but given his current situation, the company would likely not approve a switch, so for now, he had to tolerate it.

Yet tolerating didn’t mean compromising. He had to make his boundaries clear.

Xiong sighed. “Alright, I understand. Rest for a bit. Soon we’ll return to the capital. The window won’t be open much longer. Once back, you should memorize scripts and work on your acting.”

Xiong thought, since Wang wanted to rely on his own efforts, he wouldn’t play the villain. At least that way, once Wang became famous, Xiong wouldn’t have to worry about paparazzi showing up at the company demanding money over photos.

As they talked, noise erupted outside. Xiong assumed the brand’s PR director had arrived and stepped out to check.

Opening the door, he saw fans—a group of young girls holding banners, chattering excitedly around the four members of Honor.

Outside, Meng Shengsheng watched as the person followed the agent and assistant backstage. She followed as well, but just as she approached, she saw two other girls trying to get in but being stopped.

Contemplating whether to get some kind of press pass to sneak in, she noticed a woman emerge from inside. The woman looked around, recognized a few familiar faces, and walked over to the group of girls, asking, “Are you fans of Honor?”

They nodded eagerly.

“Honor is very grateful for your support and companionship,” the woman said gently. “I’m their publicity assistant. They asked me to see if you’d like to come in and meet them?”

The girls were delighted. “Really?”

The assistant smiled warmly. “Of course. But once inside, please don’t disturb other artists. You can talk with them briefly, but they have other engagements today and will be leaving soon.”

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“That’s fine, we just want to see them.”

Meng Shengsheng glanced at the girls and thought to blend in with them. She quietly approached and overheard two of the girls whispering.

“You just called your brother, right?”

“Of course. Otherwise, how would their assistant come out personally to greet us? I told my brother that if he helped me with this, I wouldn’t tell Dad about how he scratched Dad’s newly bought Cullinan in the garage last month.”

Hearing this, Meng silently thanked this young rich fan for the help.

Following them, Meng successfully got inside. They led her backstage, where her steps slowed as she scanned the area, searching for the figure she longed to see.

Standing apart from the crowd, watching the comings and goings, she still couldn’t spot him.

At that moment, the door of a secluded lounge opened. First out came Xiong Yueyue, followed by Wang Chuanze, who had changed out of the brand’s promotional clothes into his own simple yet refined casual wear.

Wang glanced briefly toward the less crowded area, and his gaze locked onto a girl standing there.

She was very young-looking, not the sweet type he knew, but taller and more striking. Yet the familiar aura and eyes made him unable to move forward.

He just stared at her.

Feeling the weight of that gaze, Meng looked up and saw the person she had been thinking of so deeply standing by the door.

Her hesitant steps gradually turned firm, and as she neared Wang, she even quickened to a jog.

When she reached him, her eyes never left his.

Xiong, seeing a girl approach, assumed she was a fan of Wang and hurried to stop her. “You must be a fan of Aze. Thank you for your support…”

Before the agent could finish, Wang stepped forward, grabbing Meng’s wrist with a slight force and pulling her close. As he closed the door, he said to Xiong, “My friend is here. Thanks for your hard work today. You can take the day off. I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

That was clearly a signal to wrap things up.

Xiong stood stunned at the door. Realizing what was happening, he lowered his hand, no longer intending to knock.

Friend?

Once the door shut, the noise outside faded.

Meng’s wrist was just released when Wang softly called, “Shengsheng?”

Meng nodded, tears uncontrollably streaming down.

Then her back bumped into the wall, Wang’s hand supporting her back as he leaned down.

Meng felt warmth at her lips. His kiss was firm, making her lips burn and tingle.

After some time, her lips swelled, and he finally stopped.

Wang released his grip but didn’t let go, brushing gentle kisses at the corner of her mouth, pulling her into his embrace.

Meng’s breathing was uneven, lips moist and eyes reddened. She murmured, “It really is you…”

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Wang stroked her back soothingly, his gaze tender. “It’s me. Truly me.”

He had thought it might take a long time to find her. If he failed, he might end up alone forever. Blessed by fate, he never expected to meet her so soon. At this moment, a man who never believed in gods found himself wanting to thank heaven.

The room’s lights were off. The window curtains were drawn, with only faint light filtering through.

After a while, Meng slowly calmed herself.

Before meeting, she had a hundred things to say, but now that he was here, she didn’t know how to begin.

Wang spoke first. “Are you hungry?”

It was already past five in the afternoon—time for dinner.

Meng nestled in his arms, sniffling. Her voice muffled, “Yes!”

At eighteen, her young body’s metabolism was fast. Maybe she was still growing. She was genuinely hungry.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hot pot.”

They found a nearby hot pot restaurant and ordered a divided pot. Meng picked a few dishes they often ate. Wang got up to prepare the dipping sauce.

“I didn’t add chili for you. Dig in.”

While adding ingredients to the pot, Wang asked about her situation.

Meng munched on some crispy peanuts. “Orphan, grew up in a welfare home, just finished college entrance exams, renting a place in the suburbs, working part-time during summer vacation to earn living expenses.”

She looked at Wang, smiling with eyes squinted. “How did you become a star?”

In her past life, she was already a minister. This life, she ended up in the entertainment industry.

Wang smiled. “That was his wish. I promised him, earned a lifetime for free, so I have to fulfill this kid’s dream.”

They both knew who ‘this kid’ was.

Meng picked up a slice of tender beef from the pot. It was hot, so she let it cool on the side plate.

“What dream?”

“To make his father see him in a new light, to work hard and become a top star in the entertainment industry.”