Chapter 11: A Turbulent World Is the Stage

“So, what about you?” Ling Ziheng asked with genuine curiosity.

“Me?” Lin Zhiwei pointed at herself, shook her tousled hair, and replied earnestly, “A world in chaos is my stage.”

Then, realizing that sounded rather pretentious and not quite in line with her character, she added, “Honestly, the entertainment industry is filled with handsome men—that happens to match my life’s pursuits.”

...

Ling Ziheng was once again left speechless.

Such a pursuit… direct, and quite specific…

“And besides handsome men?” Ling Ziheng pressed on, arms folded, unwilling to give up.

“Besides that,” Lin Zhiwei actually wanted most to regain her looks, but unfortunately, she had already forgotten her own appearance—whether she was truly beautiful, or if, at her age, she had lost her charm. So she answered perfunctorily, “There are many other things, I’ll see about them in the future.”

She thought it was a good question—one she hadn’t truly considered before. What did she want for the future? If not a lord, then perhaps tasting every delicacy under the sun? That seemed a bit foolish. Or becoming a wandering hero? Her skills weren’t nearly good enough for that… She squeezed her own face in distress; this question was too difficult for her.

Ling Ziheng couldn’t help it; he chuckled softly and shook his head with a hint of resignation. In all his years, this was probably the first time he’d met someone as transparent yet ambitionless as Lin Zhiwei.

Whether in the entertainment industry or the nameless realm, everyone was eager to climb up. He had seen too much scheming, too many devious hearts, too many cunning tricks. But this person before him—he couldn’t quite figure her out. She seemed simple yet complicated, appeared directionless yet entirely unique. Which was the real her?

“Perhaps I’m thinking too far ahead. For now, once we get to Huaguo, what would you have me do first?”

At the mention of a mission, Lin Zhiwei’s eyes lit up, her excitement palpable as she rubbed her hands together. “Go back, practice singing, and get on some variety shows.”

“Variety shows?” Ling Ziheng’s lip curled in distaste.

Lin Zhiwei shook her head. “Come on, those shows aren’t all about dating, fake couples, playing house, or stripping down.” Seeing his puzzled expression, she elaborated, “The next batch of variety shows coming in are all high-quality crossover performances—real competitions, no one’s there to mess around. You’d better prepare yourself. You’re too aloof, not approachable enough. That way, your market value will never be realized.”

Ling Ziheng blinked and nodded obediently.

Lin Zhiwei breathed a sigh of relief—the child was easy to manage, promising indeed.

“Actually, what I hope for most is to open up the current situation first. Later, when you have your own artists under your banner, then naturally, no matter what film or TV project you take on, you can maintain your individuality,” Lin Zhiwei said, her eyes shining as if she could already see the near future.

Ling Ziheng folded his arms, staring at her intently, pondering why all his thoughts seemed to resonate so closely with hers—something he had never expected.

Lin Zhiwei noticed his gaze and spread her hands. “Don’t doubt my motives. Honestly, I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment industry—at least since I was a child.”

Ling Ziheng nodded, not surprised.

“But since I’m not cut out for the spotlight, working behind the scenes suits me just fine,” Lin Zhiwei said with composure, though inwardly thinking that if not for that wretched Lin Qiongjiu, she might already be basking in stardom.

“Thank you for your hospitality. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be preparing for my own ‘Century Revelation Conference.’ We’ll talk later. As for my place in Huaguo, I’ll leave it to you, Boss. Here’s to our cooperation.” Lin Zhiwei stood up and extended her hand.

Ling Ziheng took her hand in his. “To our cooperation.”

Lin Zhiwei left without another word. Watching her retreating figure, Ling Ziheng felt an unexpected sense of loss, though he couldn’t say what exactly he was losing. The impact this woman—whom he’d known for less than two hours—had on him was wholly unforeseen.

He actually found himself looking forward to working with her in Huaguo. Maybe this would be a good beginning.

“Young Master, I think this woman is not simple,” said a shadowy figure who had been lurking nearby, stepping forward slowly.

“She’s definitely not simple,” Ling Ziheng replied, swirling the wine in his glass, the light in his eyes flickering faintly.

“She seems… I can’t quite put my finger on it,” the man hesitated.

“Pei Xi, what does your intuition say?” asked Ling Ziheng, turning to him.

Pei Xi considered carefully before answering, “She’s been poisoned. No—not exactly poison. Maybe it’s a curse, or some kind of mysterious ancient elixir…”

Ling Ziheng’s expression turned cold, his sharply carved features tense and alert. Closing his eyes, he said, “Interesting. All the better.”

“Young Master, could this affect our plans…” Qiu Xi asked tentatively.

“I doubt it will, at least for now. Let’s wait and see.” Ling Ziheng’s voice sounded ethereal, and under the blood-red moon, his face blazed with an almost scorching radiance.

Lin Zhiwei, it seems our paths will cross many more times in the future…

As Lin Zhiwei walked away, she mulled things over. During their conversation, she’d sensed someone watching them—she could feel their presence, calm and measured, clearly someone skilled in martial arts.

She had no intention of exposing them. With someone of Ling Ziheng’s standing, it was normal to have a bodyguard or two in the shadows. Such close protection was a common means of survival in the nameless realm.

Speaking of Ling Ziheng, even with the simplest disguise, he was handsome enough to make hearts flutter.

The young master of the Ling family, choosing not to inherit his family’s legacy but to carve out a name in Huaguo’s entertainment industry—if his only goal was to leave the nameless realm, there were countless ways to do so. Yet he chose the most ostentatious path, which was rather odd.

But why bother about others’ games? She had always minded her own business. For now, there was still a performance ahead—time to beat the drum herself!