As netizens engaged in heated discussions about Shangguan Wan'er's actual age, Lin Jingxing and his companions arrived at the charity auction.
Ye Xiangchen, a business magnate with a transcendent status, was directly escorted to the main seat. As his female companion, Shangguan Wan'er had no choice but to follow.
Lin Jingxing, on the other hand, merely intended to find an inconspicuous corner and quietly observe, but was dragged over by a certain film emperor, who was bent on flaunting his affection and asserting his claim. He was seated to Ye Xiangchen's left.
Not long after, the female lead, who retained her girlish charm despite her middle age, approached with a smile.
"Long time no see, Senior Ye!
Is this your female companion, Senior Ye?
She's so young and beautiful, unlike me who is constantly busy with my career and household chores, I'm practically becoming a faded woman~"
The excessively sweet, childlike voice sent a shiver down Lin Jingxing's spine.
Furthermore, whether it was her illusion or not, she felt that as the female lead's eyes swept past Shangguan Wan'er beside Ye Xiangchen, a fleeting look of shock and panic crossed her face.
It wasn't surprising that the female lead knew Shangguan Wan'er; they had met before when filming the variety show "Hello Eighteen."
But why did the female lead appear so flustered upon seeing Shangguan Wan'er just now?
Or was her surprise not at Shangguan Wan'er herself, but at Shangguan Wan'er standing beside Ye Xiangchen?
Lin Jingxing, whose thoughts suddenly became clear, hadn't even finished shaking off the goosebumps when the female lead softly spoke:
"Senior Ye, I know you're still angry with me about that incident back then.
But you know Lin Yue, once he decides on something, even ten oxen can't pull him back. So I truly couldn't stop him. I could only tip you off before he made a move against you.
All these years, Senior Ye, you've always been the one who understood me the most.
How could I bear to let Senior Ye get hurt because of me?"
By the end, tears seemed to glisten in the female lead's eyes.
Lin Jingxing replayed the words in his mind, which at first hearing seemed to hint at some illicit affair. He then realized the female lead was likely referring to the time when the male lead, Lin Yue, nearly took Ye Xiangchen's life.
But he had to admit, the female lead's tearful, pitiable appearance easily evoked a protective instinct in men.
However, Ye Xiangchen, who was supposed to be the devoted second male lead, didn't seem to fall for the female lead's act.
He ignored her large, watery eyes filled with a lingering gaze and said with an unfriendly tone:
"Go back and tell Lin Yue that the matter of that year is not over. I will definitely make him pay double, even tenfold!
As for you, I won't let you off either!"
Perhaps due to a different way of processing things.
Ye Xiangchen's harsh words instead caused the female lead's mood to shift from gloomy to bright. She replied in a tone that was one part understanding, two parts surprise, three parts shyness, and four parts distress:
"I knew it, Senior Ye, you've always had me in your heart.
But I am already married, destined to be unsuited for you, Senior Ye."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiangchen's expression turned as unsightly as if he had just publicly consumed a mouthful of excrement.
If not for his years of good upbringing and the presence of the lady beside him, he might have kicked her away.
Fortunately, a staff member approached, stating there was a minor issue with the video about to be played and asking the female lead to come and look at it, thus diffusing what could have been a crisis.
After sitting down again, Ye Xiangchen, feeling disgusted, did not forget to quietly explain to Shangguan Wan'er beside him:
"Miss Shangguan, please do not believe that crazy woman's nonsense.
While I was indeed her senior, and I did provide her with assistance, it was entirely a misunderstanding, or perhaps I was deceived and exploited by her.
I truly have absolutely no connection with her!"
Seeing Ye Xiangchen's overwhelming desire to save himself, Gu Qing, who had already hit several home runs and was on the verge of victory, couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"For you to be called the undefeated God of War in the business world, Mr. Ye, yet you can't even see through a woman's lies. It's no wonder you're still single."
Facing Gu Qing's ridicule, Ye Xiangchen merely let out a displeased snort from his nose.
And from beginning to end, Shangguan Wan'er had not uttered a single word.
Lin Jingxing was curious why Shangguan Wan'er had become Ye Xiangchen's companion. Just as he was about to lean over, he was firmly pressed back into his chair by the film emperor beside him.
"Ye Xiangchen helped Shangguan Wan'er terminate her contract, and Shangguan Wan'er is his female companion tonight."
Lin Jingxing looked at the film emperor beside him, who was as knowledgeable about his thoughts as his own belly button, and rubbed his ear vigorously, which felt a bit itchy from the warm breath the former had blown on it.
At this moment, the charity fundraising gala officially commenced.
After the host rambled on for a while, the female lead, dressed in a long gown adorned with scattered diamonds, walked onto the stage.
Perhaps it was because she had been playing the role of a white lotus for too long, and her "tea flavor" was too strong, but the expensive haute couture evening gown, instead of highlighting her nobility, made her appear somewhat out of place.
After all, the female lead was no longer young. Although she was dressed luxuriously at this moment, paired with her overly clear large eyes and the occasional pouting lips, it was inexplicably odd.
However, the female lead herself didn't seem to think so. She began by speaking about how difficult life was for children in the mountains, and then her thoughts turned to her own daughter.
On the big screen, various photos of Lin Yuyan were playing.
The girl in the photos was sweet and lovely, proficient in ballet, violin, and calligraphy.
The female lead became tearful while looking at the photos, weeping as she described the injustices her daughter was suffering.
Under the influence of the protagonist's halo, the guests present were forcibly empathizing with the female lead.
However, just as the female lead was preparing to unleash her killer move.
The images on the big screen suddenly turned into a video!
In the video, a man was galloping on horseback, revealing his strong upper body.
Although the lighting was dim, those familiar with him recognized the man's identity from his chiseled profile:
— Lin Yue, President of the Lin Group.
However, the woman in the video was not Madam Lin on stage.
Then, the scene shifted to a clip of a family of three on a heartwarming outing.
In the clip, the man held the woman's hand with one hand, and in the other, he held a little boy who bore a strong resemblance to him.
Although there was no sound, everyone could tell from their lip movements that the little boy was calling out "Dad."
The heartwarming scene continued to play, but no one present dared to make a sound.
Just then, the male protagonist in the video, President Lin Yue of the Lin Group, finally arrived, albeit fashionably late.