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墨書 Inktalez
The screen of Lin Yue's phone lit up and dimmed again, displaying the fifth unread message. All of them were from Jiang Rou, asking if she was ready and reminding her to be picked up at 8:30 PM sharp. After replying with a simple "Okay," she tossed her phone aside.
"President Lin, where should we put the gown and jewelry sent by manager Jiang's assistant?" the assistant in the living room asked cautiously.
"Just put them on the sofa," she replied without turning her head, her gaze still fixed outside the window.
Once the assistant left, Lin Yue walked over to the gown and jewelry that Jiang Rou had meticulously prepared. The wine-red velvet suit was perfectly tailored and felt smooth to the touch; a pair of ruby earrings sparkled alluringly under the light. Jiang Rou had always known her preferences better than she did—simple, elegant, and understated.
Yet Lin Yue, a naturally rebellious genius, had long grown accustomed to Jiang Rou's meticulous "care," even becoming somewhat… dependent on it. She took her time putting on the gown, skillfully applying a delicate yet understated makeup, and absentmindedly twirled the plain ring on her middle finger.
Eight years ago, on her eighteenth birthday, Jiang Rou had placed this custom-designed engagement ring on her finger, declaring it a token of their bond and forbidding her from ever taking it off. Eight years later, she had never removed it.
The banquet hall of JW Marriott Hotel was dazzlingly bright and extravagantly luxurious. A massive champagne tower sparkled under the crystal chandeliers, while the crowd buzzed with chatter and laughter, creating a cacophony of sounds.
"It's so noisy," Lin Yue frowned, struggling to suppress the urge to turn and leave.
Jiang Rou's arm gently linked with hers, warm and soft like an invisible shackle. Lu Chen followed closely behind, silently guarding them.
As soon as the three entered the banquet hall, they instantly became the center of attention. Lin Yue wore that wine-red velvet suit, its exquisite fabric perfectly accentuating her tall figure and making her fair skin appear even more radiant. Her deep black eyes seemed particularly profound under the lights, exuding an air of sharp elegance that made it hard for anyone to look directly at her.
Jiang Rou donned a stunning sapphire blue mermaid dress; her enchanting face outshone any star present. The fitted design highlighted her perfect curves, and every smile was filled with allure that made it difficult for anyone to tear their gaze away from her.
Lu Chen wore a well-tailored black suit; his tall stature and handsome features complemented both beauties perfectly, embodying the essence of a noble gentleman in every gesture.
Together, they radiated brilliance that dimmed everyone else around them. Guests turned their heads in curiosity, whispering among themselves. Many seized the opportunity to approach them, especially those from film and entertainment companies who brought their stars along, all wearing smiles full of flattery.
At that moment, Lin Yue's mind was already in turmoil, starkly contrasting with her composed exterior.
"Are you President Lin?" a middle-aged man eagerly approached.
Lin Yue nodded slightly, maintaining a neutral expression.
The man continued enthusiastically, "Ah! It's an honor! I heard that the tech project recently invested by Yuexing Capital is already turning a profit? Truly impressive!"
Lin Yue modestly replied, "Just lucky."
She felt her breathing becoming increasingly difficult; a tightness gripped her chest as a familiar suffocating sensation washed over her.
"I'm going to get some air." Her voice trembled slightly as she turned to Jiang Rou and Lu Chen and spoke softly.
Before they could respond, Lin Yue darted away from the bustling crowd like a startled deer, seeking refuge in a corner not far from the bar.
She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and held a glass of soda in her hand, sipping it slowly while forcing herself to take deep breaths. Cold sweat trickled down her spine, and her complexion was paler than usual.
"I shouldn't have come," she thought to herself, filled with regret.
There were too many people, the noise was overwhelming, and the scent of perfume was suffocating, as if the air were filled with lead, making it hard for her to breathe.
Twenty meters away, Jiang Rou elegantly raised her wine glass, chatting and laughing with a producer, her cobalt blue mermaid dress shimmering under the lights. Yet her gaze frequently scanned the crowd, searching for Lin Yue's figure, worry etched in her eyes.
Lu Chen stood beside Jiang Rou with a glass of whiskey in hand, engaged in conversation with a film company owner and a young actress beside him. He spoke eloquently and gracefully, his words laced with humor that made the actress laugh intermittently; however, his peripheral vision remained fixed on Lin Yue.
"Miss Lin?" A voice laced with alcohol suddenly rang out beside her.
Lin Yue tensed up, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end as she instinctively took a step back.
Turning to see the media badge on the person's chest, she tightened her shoulders in alertness.
"I heard Yuexing Capital is venturing into the entertainment industry; can you share any details about your investment direction?" the person asked excitedly.
The surrounding noise suddenly became sharp and piercing to Lin Yue's ears, like a tangled mess ensnaring her nerves.
"No comment," she replied coldly before turning to leave this suffocating gathering.
At that moment, she saw her.
In the crowd, a figure shone like a star suddenly illuminating the night sky, instantly capturing all of Lin Yue's attention. Time seemed to stand still.
A young woman was on tiptoe, pointing at something to the bartender at the bar. She wore a silver-gray silk gown that flowed gracefully with her movements, resembling ripples under moonlight. Her long black hair cascaded smoothly down her back, held in place by delicate diamond hairpins that revealed her fair and slender neck.
Lin Yue instinctively held her breath, awestruck by the beauty before her. Her gaze fixated on three small moles arranged in a triangle on the right side of the woman's neck—like stars in the night sky.
Lin Yue felt her heart skip a beat as an unprecedented flutter rose from within; she couldn't tear her eyes away from those three moles.
After receiving her drink, the woman tilted her head back for a sip, moving gracefully and naturally. As the liquid passed her lips, it left a vivid lip print on the rim of the glass, resembling a blooming rose.
In a daze, the woman accidentally bumped into a high table; suddenly, her crystal bracelet snapped, and beads scattered across the floor.
Lin Yue instinctively rushed forward.
She knelt down quickly to help pick up the fallen beads. When she regained her senses, she found herself holding three translucent crystals that carried a faint scent reminiscent of the woman’s fragrance.
"These are yours," she said as she looked up and extended her hand with the beads.
In that moment of eye contact, Lin Yue forgot to breathe.
The woman's face was exquisitely porcelain-like, her skin almost translucent. Her features appeared meticulously sculpted—distinct yet soft contours—while her full lips smiled gently at Lin Yue like a half-open rose.
"Thank you." Her voice was like ice cubes soaked in peach wine, sweet and refreshing. "That one is my favorite."
Lin Yue's gaze sank into the woman's eyes, her heart racing. It felt as if something deep within her soul had been gently awakened, and everything around her suddenly became blurred; only the woman before her was real and clear.
The woman's fingertips lightly brushed against Lin Yue's wrist, as soft as a feather, yet it made Lin Yue's heart pound like thunder, her cheeks involuntarily flushing with warmth.
"Su Yao!" someone called from a distance.
As the woman turned her head, her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, sliding off her shoulders and tracing a perfect arc. A few strands slipped from her hairpin, resting against her slightly flushed cheeks, adding an alluring touch of languor.
"Su Yao, Su Yao, Su Yao..." Lin Yue silently repeated the name in her mind, again and again, fearing she might forget it.
She couldn't understand why she, usually so proud and indifferent, felt such curiosity and fascination for a stranger. This feeling was special; it made her anxious yet inexplicably excited.
Jiang Rou stood not far away, her gaze locked onto Lin Yue.
She noticed the tenderness in Lin Yue's eyes as she looked at Su Yao—a warmth that had never been shown to her.
In that moment, Jiang Rou's heart trembled; a sense of crisis and jealousy surged within her like a tide.
Her brows furrowed slightly, red nails unconsciously tightening around the stem of her glass, nearly crushing it.
"That is my Lin Yue," she silently vowed. "Only mine; no one can take her away from me."
The sound of Jiang Rou's high heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, cutting through the noise of the banquet hall. Gritting her teeth, she walked toward Lin Yue with a perfect smile on her face.
Lin Yue remained in a half-kneeling position, her gaze lingering on Su Yao as if there were an irresistible attraction pulling her in.
It wasn't until a flash of royal blue fabric swirled beside her that she reluctantly stood up.
Jiang Rou bent down to gently brush away nonexistent dust from Lin Yue's knee—her movements tender yet deliberate. Straightening up, her red nails dug lightly into the crook of Lin Yue's elbow, applying just enough pressure to remind Lin Yue of her presence.
"Lin Yue, why are you hiding here?" Jiang Rou asked sweetly, smiling. "Let me introduce you; this is Director Li."
Only then did Lin Yue notice a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair standing beside Jiang Rou. His gaze flitted between Lin Yue and Su Yao.
"Perfect timing! Don't leave just yet; I've been looking for you," Director Li said to Su Yao.
"Sure, Director Li," Su Yao replied politely, respect evident in her tone.
Director Li quickly extended his hand toward Lin Yue but accidentally jostled his glass, spilling a few drops of whiskey onto the carpet. Noticing that Lin Yue had no intention of shaking hands, he awkwardly withdrew his hand and cleared his throat. "I've long admired your name, Ms. Lin; it's great to finally meet you in person. I was just discussing with Manager Jiang and Manager Lu about a fantastic script I've recently acquired."
"Yes, Lin Yue, I think this script is quite good," Jiang Rou interjected eagerly, wanting to divert Lin Yue's attention while scanning between Lin Yue and Su Yao with vigilance.
Lin Yue smiled slightly and finally shifted her gaze from Su Yao. "Oh? Then please tell us about it, Director Li."
Her voice carried genuine curiosity while her eyes occasionally darted back to Su Yao.
Director Li perked up immediately, setting down his glass as he began gesturing animatedly with both hands. "Dark River is a story about marginalized urban communities; it tells how a girl seeks light in darkness and finds hope amidst despair..."
Lin Yue listened intently, her sharp business acumen quickly analyzing the potential and risks of this project. Her fingertips rhythmically tapped against the glass; on one hand, her commercial instincts told her that this script indeed held investment value; on the other hand, there was an uncanny resonance between this story and her own experiences.
After listening to Director Li's introduction, Lin Yue couldn't help but feel intrigued by "Dark River."
"Managers Jiang and Lu, this is the female lead of 'Dark River' that I mentioned earlier, Su Yao," Director Li said, looking at Su Yao with admiration. "It seems that Lin has already met her. I believe she is perfect for this role; her acting skills are superb, and her image and temperament align perfectly with the character. Having her play the lead will undoubtedly bring this role to life."
Su Yao lowered her head slightly when introduced, her long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes, exuding a hint of shyness. When she looked up, her gaze became clear and resolute, radiating confidence and composure.
"Su Yao, these three are titans in the investment world. If 'Dark River' can secure their investment, this show is sure to win awards!" Director Li said with a smile directed at Su Yao.
Su Yao politely smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She raised her glass to the three of them and said, "Esteemed investors, 'Dark River' truly has great potential as a script. I hope to have the honor of your support."
She drank elegantly yet with a touch of nonchalance.
Lin Yue was captivated by the aura that surrounded her; in every gesture, there was a blend of youthful innocence and the poise and charm of a mature woman, coupled with a hint of heroism. This only strengthened her resolve to invest in "Dark River."
Unconsciously, she finished her soda water in one gulp, her gaze fixed intently on Su Yao's every move as if she were the only person worth watching in the room.
Jiang Rou noticed that Lin Yue's attention had not strayed from Su Yao and felt an overwhelming sense of gloom wash over her. She had seen Su Yao at fashion events before and knew she was a rising star from a prominent family, gaining considerable recognition in the industry.
The thought that the female lead was Su Yao, combined with Lin Yue's fascination with her, ignited a fire of jealousy within Jiang Rou. She gripped her glass tightly, her nails scraping against the glass with a faint yet piercing sound while maintaining a perfect smile on the surface, her eyes coldly fixed on Su Yao.
Lu Chen sensed the tense atmosphere between the two girls. He glanced at Lin Yue's rare sparkle and then at the shadow in Jiang Rou's eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.
Lin Yue had always looked down on the entertainment industry, unable to name even the hottest stars. Yet here she was, showing unprecedented interest in someone who seemed blissfully unaware of it.
Meanwhile, Jiang Rou clearly recognized the looming threat.
"Miss Su, I really enjoyed your performance in 'Twilight Galaxy,'" Lu Chen interjected at an opportune moment. "Especially that scene in the rain; your emotional control was spot on—one look conveyed more than a thousand words."
Su Yao looked at Lu Chen in surprise. "Manager Lu has actually seen my work?" Her tone carried an unmistakable joy, her expression both humble and proud.
"Not only have I seen it, but I also admire it," Lu Chen replied with a smile. "I remember you mentioned in your interview for 'Timescape' that an actor's greatest challenge is finding truth within fiction. This is also what we value most when investing in film projects."
"You have a great memory," Su Yao laughed. "That interview was six months ago."
"Good works and sincere thoughts always leave a lasting impression," Lu Chen responded while noticing that Lin Yue was attentively listening to their conversation, her interest growing deeper.
Lin Yue remained oblivious to Jiang Rou's displeasure; her gaze was still fixed on Su Yao, and a slight smile played at the corners of her mouth—a casual expression that momentarily stunned both Jiang Rou and Lu Chen.
Seeing Lin Yue’s faint smile made Jiang Rou’s heart sink further.
She understood that after tonight, nothing would be the same again.
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