The night grew deep, and Lu Liang bid farewell to the three of them, staggering to Phoenix City at Sanyuan Bridge. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

His tolerance for alcohol used to be quite good; half a liter of liquor was no problem, mainly because of social interactions—no choice but to drink despite one’s reluctance.

But over the past two years, as his wallet grew fatter and his social status rose, no one dared to force him to drink if he didn’t want to, which led to his decreasing alcohol tolerance.

"Little Love, I’m here~~”

Lu Liang got the house key from under the plants at the doorway, pushed the door open, and planned to give Zhang Tian’ai a surprise.

However, when he saw the situation inside,

He was completely stunned.

There were a lot of people in Zhang Tian’ai’s home.

She was chatting on the couch with a certain actress, accompanied by five or six people like cameramen and lighting technicians.

The sound of the door opening

Also drew the attention of everyone in the room.

They all turned their heads one by one, their eyes widening in shock as if they’d seen a ghost: “Lu… Lu Liang?”

In the middle of the night, a well-known businessman visiting a famous actress’s home, it didn’t take a genius to guess the nature of their relationship.

Lu Liang’s appearance, like a top-ranking brother suddenly showing up during a live broadcast, also confirmed the rumors circulating online.

Zhang Tian’ai’s career trajectory always involved Lu Liang, and there were persistent rumors online that she was his lover.

Now it was proven beyond a doubt.

"You’re filming a show?”

Lu Liang smiled and waved a greeting, as long as he wasn’t embarrassed, it was everyone else’s problem.

Zhang Tian’ai got startled, jumped up from the sofa, and ran barefoot to Lu Liang, pulling him to the doorway with a look of distress on her face: “Liang, didn’t you see my message?”

"What message?” Lu Liang subconsciously pulled out his phone, to which Zhang Tian’ai said, “For the National Day on the 2nd and 3rd, I’m participating in a reality show, to film the life of a single actress.”

Lu Liang glanced at his phone and chuckled bemusedly: “Now I see it.”

There were so many people in his WeChat, so many messages every day, how could he have time to look at them all.

For important matters, people generally called him; messages weren’t considered important.

Zhang Tian’ai’s face displayed disappointment, her words on the tip of her tongue only to be swallowed back, eventually turning into a sigh.

Now he sees the message, but it was too late.

"Then you’re busy, I’ll be off.”

Lu Liang smiled wryly, touched Zhang Tian’ai’s cheek, and decided to find a hotel to stay in for the night.

The reason for returning to the city center was that he had to attend DiDi’s board of directors meeting tomorrow.

Staying too far away meant having to wake up early, and that could dull his mind.

"Actually, we’re almost done.”

Zhang Tian’ai suddenly held on to Lu Liang, not wanting to miss their time alone. If Lu Liang didn’t mind, he could stay in the kitchen and watch; it would be over in less than half an hour.

"That’s fine.”

Lu Liang agreed, following Zhang Tian’ai inside. The show’s director was very astute; his palm rested on top of the camera, which had already been covered.

He was all smiles: “Mr. Lu, hello, I’m Fan Yong from Mango TV, and we’re shooting the first look of ‘The Flower of Youth.'”

Out of all the satellite stations across the country, their Mango TV was the most powerful, and ‘The Flower of Youth’ had reached its third season. Thanks to the success of the first two seasons, there was no shortage of sponsors or funds.

But personally, he lacked much, as every director has dreams of becoming a director. Familiarizing Lu Liang with him early on could be important for his future career.

"Director Fan, sorry to disturb you, carry on with your work, don’t mind me.”

Lu Liang smiled and easily made his way to the kitchen, sitting at the dining table, supporting his chin with one hand, playing with his phone.

Zhang Tian’ai had mentioned in her message that she was participating in a self-travel reality TV show.

In October, shooting at home on the 2nd and 3rd to capture the first look, then traveling abroad on the 28th for a 20-day trip.

Just reading about it, he felt somewhat envious; taking home a few million in pay and having fun, enjoying exotic cultures.

The executive director clapped his hands to grab everyone’s attention: “Get ready, we’re starting to shoot again.”

Zhang Tian’ai took a deep breath, got back into character, and resumed chatting up the actress next to her about her concerns for the trip.

The actress, with or without intent, glanced at Lu Liang, and returned to the scripted situation, comforting Zhang Tian’ai.

"Reality shows, in the end, are all about the show.”

Lu Liang watched them stop and start filming, checking the script, even the touchy-feely part was all acted out.

It was well known that Mango TV was the most successful in terms of commercialization, truly a station worthy of birthing transformational shows like ‘Dad! Where Are We Going?’.

From the investor’s perspective, he agreed with this approach because improvisation involved too many uncertainties.

Time ticked by, and before long, it was the early hours of the morning.

With a snap, the shoot finally came to an end.

Fan Yong beamed: “Thank you for your hard work, teachers. There’s some narration and dubbing left, which we’ll do next Saturday when we gather in Star City.”

He also smiled politely at Lu Liang and then led the crew out, leaving only Lu Liang, Zhang Tian’ai, and the other actress in the room.

Zhang Tian’ai glanced at Lu Liang with a smile and then murmured quietly, “Mi, why aren’t you leaving yet?”

"Ai Bao, that’s not nice, just now you said you’d treat me to a late-night meal, and now you’re rushing me out?”

The actress came up to Lu Liang with a beaming smile, introducing herself: “Mr. Lu, hello, my name is Yang Mi.”

"Hello Miss Yang, I’ve seen ‘The Three Fairies’ that you were in.”

Lu Liang nodded with a smile and served the pot of congee that had been heated on the stove onto the dining table: “How about we all have a little to eat then?”

It seemed to be the takeout that Zhang Tian’ai had ordered in advance, prepared to dine with Yang Mi after the shooting ended.

"Sure, thanks, Mr. Lu.” Yang Mi said with a smile, not considering herself an outsider as she eagerly started to clear the dishes.

Zhang Tian’ai puffed up her cheeks in a huff, hurriedly offering her help, “How about I stir-fry a couple more dishes?”

"Sure.”

Lu Liang nodded and sat down at the table with Yang Mi.

Yang Mi didn’t refuse, kindly serving Lu Liang a bowl and cautioning, “Mr. Lu, careful, it’s hot.”

Watching this scene, Zhang Tian’ai felt her head nearly explode with frustration, getting an uncomfortable sense of being reduced to a maid.

She was supposed to simply pick out the vegetables without needing a knife, but she unconsciously grabbed the kitchen knife and furiously started chopping on the cutting board.

"Little Love, do you have a problem with me staying?” Yang Mi couldn’t help but chuckle.

Although her marriage was in name only at this point, she still maintained some semblance of propriety on the surface.

Starting as a child star, she’d struggled through the years, always looking for a way to reach out to capitalists and striving to become one herself.

Lu Liang was one of the rare few at the pinnacle of that realm, and bumping into him tonight was an opportunity she couldn’t bear to miss.

After all, if it were any other occasion, even if she were lucky enough to meet Lu Liang, he probably wouldn’t give her the time of day.

The higher she climbed, the deeper her insights became; despite the adulation of being a star, in the end, an actor is still looked down upon.

"I’m not upset~~”

Zhang Tian’ai replied in a muffled, grumpy voice, her accent slipping out.

Lu Liang said with a smile, “Little Love is young; it’s normal for her to be jealous.”

Yang Mi complimented, “That just goes to show how charming Mr. Lu is.”

"Miss Yang, just speak your mind.”

Lu Liang drank his clay pot porridge, which had been stewing for too long and had become a bit mushy.

There are many ruthless people in the domestic entertainment industry, and Yang Mi was definitely one of them.

Some time ago, Little Wang sent him a video.

As a gossip enthusiast, Little Wang had thoroughly dug into this story, and all Lu Liang needed to do was swallow it down.

The person was indeed who she claimed to be, delivered into someone else’s hands by her own husband, but restricted by her reputation and the anti–gambling agreement she’d signed.

All she could do was grind her molars and swallow the bitter pill, letting public opinion ferment, playing the game of the Crown Prince Swap.

The authenticity of the video didn’t really matter; as long as it wasn’t proven, it was considered fake—just like Daqiangzi.

For a mere actress to achieve this was truly remarkable, surpassing most males.

"Mr. Lu, the thing is, last year I established my own media company, which has since produced several famous works.”

Yang Mi talked about how she wanted to register her Jiaxing World Media on the New Third Board, but had been rejected by the Securities and Futures Commission.

Though her company had produced stars like Reba, who became a top-tier actress, it was all but name without actual capital, unlike the success of corporations like Huayi and the Wang family’s ascendancy.

Lu Liang laughed, “I remember a while ago, Mr. Zhang from Mahua also asked me this question; they wanted to list on the Growth Enterprise Market. At that time, I had a friend inquire about it.”

Yang Mi’s eyes lit up with hope.

Lu Liang shook his head slightly, “The entertainment industry needs rectification. Give it a few more years.”

Last year’s ban on Korean entertainment, this year’s salary cap—these were just the prelude. With something bigger on the horizon, the Securities and Futures Commission was unlikely to approve.

If approved enterprises got embroiled in issues, it would simply be inviting trouble. It was better to wait for the tide to recede and tackle it later.

Yang Mi fell silent; although she had heard some rumors, hearing it directly from Lu Liang was as good as confirmation.

"Mr. Lu, thank you for enlightening me.” She bowed deeply to Lu Liang, her face earnest.

Lu Liang smiled nonchalantly, “Miss Yang, please sit down and eat. If it gets cold, it won’t taste good.”

At that moment, Zhang Tian’ai came out of the kitchen with two dishes, looking bewildered, “Mi, what are you doing?”

"Nothing.” Yang Mi’s gaze towards Zhang Tian’ai couldn’t hide her envy; having connections was indeed an advantage.

As the night deepened, Yang Mi had only eaten half a bowl of the clay pot porridge and seeing it was getting late, she prepared to leave.

Before leaving, she plucked up the courage to ask, “Mr. Lu, could I have your contact information?”

"Do you want to scan mine or shall I scan yours?”

"I’ll scan yours.”

After Yang Mi left, Zhang Tian’ai wore a look of quiet resentment, “Liang, do you like Mi?”

"The beauty of a juicy peach is indeed very attractive.”

Lu Liang rarely used the term ‘feminine charm’ to describe a woman, since every woman has it to some extent.

But Yang Mi was different; she truly deserved the title of the earthly juicy peach. At 31, she was ripe to perfection.

Zhang Tian’ai protested with dissatisfaction, “I’ve got peachy buttocks too, and even abs that Mi doesn’t have.”

"But you, you lack a filter,” Lu Liang said with a laugh. He had not only watched ‘Xian San’ but also ‘Alone on a Desert Island.’

In his eyes, Yang Mi, like Anne Hathaway and Megan Fox, had a light filter on her.

Different from them, whose filters would shatter the moment you meet them offline, Yang Mi seemed even prettier than when she was younger.

Some flowers, through trials and tribulations, not only don’t fade but become even more dazzling.

That was why Lu Liang was willing to talk a little more.

Liking her was secondary; admiration was the primary reason.

"After this variety show ends, I’m going to take on some acting roles too. I’ll definitely leave you with a thick filter.”

"You were speaking so well, why are you crawling under the table?”

"Without a filter, I need to put in more effort, right?”

Zhang Tian’ai remained under the table, her frustration poorly concealed.