Chapter 01 I want him to be the brightest star

Sheng Zhao really disliked the smell of cigarettes. She hated the smog and the noise here, but this was one of the few places left after she had searched for a long time.

But no matter who it is, they are all a little bit short.

She lowered her eyes slightly in disappointment and continued searching.

Pretty, handsome, good-looking...but no matter who it was, they were all lacking and seemed far from meeting Sheng Zhao's expectations.

Good talents have been discovered by scouts early on. In this era of entertainment to death, they are scrambling for those who will be able to perform on the stage in the future like vicious dogs pouncing on their prey.

It seemed that there was no trace of residue left for Sheng Zhao.

Sheng Zhao frowned slightly, coughed a few times, waved away the annoying smoke, and walked in.

This is a small catwalk show, with no professional security or venue, which is a bit... weird.

She seemed to have strayed into some forbidden area, wandering around aimlessly amidst the vibrating and fiery music and dazzling lights.

Perhaps it was because her expression and attire did not suit the place, and many people looked at her sideways.

The men on the stage were walking around in sexy postures and wearing revealing clothes. Of course, Sheng Zhao didn't care much. She had seen it many times and thought it was natural - the sexy posture of the models walking on the catwalk and the beauty of their figures only served to set off the clothes. What was strange was the greedy eyes of the women in the audience.

They smoked cigarettes and looked at the men on the stage with a frivolous and greedy look.

It seemed as if they were too enthusiastic, winking and twisting their waists unscrupulously.

Even Sheng Zhao, who was observing the surroundings obediently from the side, was cast a coquettish glance from afar. She suddenly paused, slightly covered her face with the documents in her hand, and shrank back.

As the cheers and noise intensified, and as others laughed and slapped the waiters' buttocks, she realized belatedly that this didn't seem to be a proper catwalk.

——It is a stage for erotic transactions under the guise of a fashion show.

This discovery made her suddenly feel lost, and she even felt that she would return empty-handed again this time.

Are there stars here? What kind of stars? How could there be any...?

She concealed the slightly gloomy and disappointed look in her eyes, and when she turned around to leave, the noisy music began to change, as if another person appeared.

Sheng Zhao didn't care much. Her face showed no expression. Her fair fingertips were sorting out the contracts and documents in her bag, and she was trying to squeeze out with the bustling crowd that was trying to move forward.

But at this time, their cheers became louder, making Sheng Zhao feel dizzy. Then she casually glanced at the stage and inadvertently looked up and saw him——

The handsomeness and coldness between his eyebrows appear wanton and aggressive under the shining and dim lights. There is a faint smile at the corner of his lips, sharp and beautiful.

The men just now had their hair dyed in colorful and eye-catching colors, which were sexy and eye-catching, but the hair of the man in front of him was as black as the abyss, and his eyes were so deep that it made people's heart palpitate.

That was the first time Sheng Zhao saw someone who could blend the handsomeness and arrogance of an eagle with the charming beauty without any sense of incongruity.

She was slightly stunned and seemed to be stunned.

His waist and abdomen were strong and sturdy, and the leather belt outlined his slender waist. He had broad shoulders and long legs, and looked as arrogant as a lazy cat, but his aura was sharp and cold.

He was only wearing a black shirt with a few buttons casually fastened, revealing his strong and well-proportioned abdominal muscles and chest. His muscles were well-proportioned, and the belt around his waist wrapped around his slender waist. He had a collar around his neck, which was extremely sexy.

He lowered his eyes slightly and looked at Sheng Zhao who was stunned in the audience, seeming surprised.

It seemed like a woman with such a clean and elegant temperament like Sheng Zhao shouldn't appear here.

——She was so pale that she looked unlike anyone else here. There was no greed, no possessiveness, no fanaticism on her face… there was only a stunned trance, as if she was gazing deeply at him.

This surprise lasted only a moment, and then he calmed down again. The curve of his lips deepened slightly, and then he closed one eye and winked at Sheng Zhao frivolously.

Hmm.

Plop... plop... plop...

The noisy noise seemed to disappear all of a sudden. Nothing could be heard, their cheers, their laughter, the deafening music... only the pounding of their hearts remained.

——This is the person she wants to find.

Sheng Zhao looked at him and thought so, and then the moment he turned around, his face broke out into unprecedented enthusiasm and joy, even more than the people cheering next to him.

Both the appearance and the figure seem to have been carefully carved, like a meticulously crafted work.

If he had the resources, he would definitely, definitely, definitely... become the brightest star among the stars.

As the man left the stage, Sheng Zhao came to her senses. She immediately rushed into action, quickly crossing the crowd and rushing backstage with her bag.

No doubt, he was stopped.

“Hmm—”

She wasn't paying attention and was hit hard on the head, causing her to groan slightly.

The middle-aged man blocking the way ahead was blocking the backstage door and said with a frivolous smile, "Little girl, you can't come in here."

He was obviously a bit older but still had a mature charm. He seemed to be unfamiliar with Sheng Zhao because she was fair and beautiful, so he raised his eyebrows slightly and then explained.

"Our Li Ji doesn't accompany you for drinks or anything else. He just sings and walks on stage occasionally. If you have other ideas, miss, please don't bother."

Sheng Zhao paused, then hurriedly pulled out a business card from his pocket and explained hastily, "That's my business card. I'm a... talent scout. I'm not asking him to accompany me, or anything like that. Ah, I just hope he becomes a star—"

The lingering fear in her chest had not yet subsided, and instead it was urging her words and actions to become more flustered and confused.

Her voice was clear and pleasant, like spring water. She had calmed down at this moment, and there was a sparkling hope in her eyes as she stared at Brother Hong.

Brother Hong paused, took the business card and took a look at it, then paused after just one glance, his expression looking a little thoughtful.

Before he could think of anything, the door suddenly opened, and a bony hand stretched out. Slender fingers took the business card, and a slightly hoarse, low voice with a smile said, "...Scout?"

Sheng Zhao raised his eyes and met his face.

His nose was high, his eyes were lazy and beautiful, his facial features seemed to be carefully carved out, but the corners of his lips did not have the frivolous and vulgar smile that he had just shown on the stage.

...It looks even better up close.

After being dazed for a moment by his face, Sheng Zhao's eyes became brighter.

He had a faint fragrance on him, different from the sweet smell on the men who had just passed by. It was quiet and light, completely different from the noisy erotic smell here.

Perhaps it was the lively lights and noise that made her dazed, and Sheng Zhao couldn't help but move closer and sniff.

The man seemed to notice her carefully sniffing the fragrance. He paused, then suddenly tapped her head with the business card in his hand. He said in a clear and light voice, "Ah, pervert."

Sheng Zhao was stunned, raised his eyes and met his frivolous and smiling eyes.

She just leaned in to sniff, not noticing that she was so close to his bare chest that the tip of her nose was almost touching his naked chest.

Sheng Zhao's expression froze for a moment.

The man seemed amused, his laughter muffled, and he opened the door and said, "Come in."

He sat on the sofa in the lounge, crossed his legs, picked up a slender men's cigarette, lit it, lowered his head and took a puff before looking up at Sheng Zhao standing opposite him.

Surrounded by smoke, he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. The rising smoke clouded his eyebrows, inexplicably carrying a bright and erotic air.

Seeing Sheng Zhao's slightly furrowed brows again, he paused for a moment, stroking the cigarette in his hand with his fingertips.

"My name is Sheng Zhao, and I'm a talent scout for Huayun Entertainment. Yes, a talent scout. I'd like to sign a contract with you, is that okay?"

Her words were polite yet tinged with a touch of recklessness, as if she was looking at the man expectantly, waiting for his response.

Li Ji casually put out the cigarette between his fingers, listened to her stammering words, seemed to think about it, and then sneered.

He stretched out his five fingers in front of her and spoke in a low voice, emphasizing each word, "5 million a year."

It seemed as if he had just taken a puff of cigarette, his voice was particularly hoarse, he looked up at Sheng Zhao who was standing, his deep dark eyes seemed to make people fall into them, and were particularly tempting.

Although he said such vulgar words, there was no greed in his eyes. He just looked at Sheng Zhao with amusement.

Sheng Zhao opened his mouth and looked at his palm in front of him with a confused expression. He paused and said, "W-what?"

He didn't care and seemed to be teasing her. He stared into her eyes, narrowed his eyes slightly with a smile, and added, "The cost of supporting me."

She was stunned for a moment, as if she didn't understand why the conversation turned to support. "But I don't want to support you..."

But looking at Li Jiyun's calm expression, this seemed to be just an ordinary thing.

It's better to say that he had already seen through these women's tricks. No matter how high-sounding their words were, they were just trying to get him to sleep with them under the guise of redemption, and the 5 million was just to make her give up.

He seemed to have lost the desire to tease, and lazily lit another cigarette, pretending to see the guest off.

"Forget it if you don't have any. Goodbye."

"No, no, no." She suddenly grabbed his hand and looked at him with sparkling eyes, which scared the man and almost dropped the cigarette he had just held in his mouth.

"How about an IOU? Or I have a house in the city center, can I mortgage it to you first?"

"Please, be my star!"

Her voice was clear and bright, and her fair face was slightly flushed because of her hurried words. Her eyes, in particular, were clear to begin with, and now they flashed with dazzling light like stars.

My star or something...

"I will make you famous and the brightest star in the night sky."

Li Ji's hand was held tightly by her, and his expression was not as frivolous and nonchalant as before. He seemed to be frightened by her recklessness.

He found it funny and finally chuckled. His voice was low and the tail tone seemed to tremble with his Adam's apple and breathing. He tilted his head and took a lazily sip of the choking cigarette, then leaned on the sofa, and as if teasing, hooked his toes on Sheng Zhao.

"...You're not just looking for a reason to support me, are you?"

He laughed in silence, arrogant and condescending.

Sheng Zhao was a little anxious. He grabbed his ankle in a hurry and said softly.

"It's true. I will let you stand on the highest stage."

It shouldn't be this smoky and foul-smelling platform.

It was rare for him to look directly at other people. This time, he looked into the girl's eyes, then raised the corners of his lips, picked up another cigarette, lit it, and murmured softly.

"...It's not impossible for me to trust you once."

Li Ji looked at her beautiful eyes in a trance for a moment, then paused, as if he was puzzled by his vague agreement. He stabilized his expression and was about to say something, "It's just a joke——"

But she suddenly said, "Then come with me."

Sheng Zhao's eyes looked like a clear spring at first glance, but upon closer inspection they were like a deep ocean. They were shallow and light, yet filled with turbulent emotions, which made even he, who was used to the world of romance, dazed for a moment.

He was speechless and a little dazed. The usual sarcasm and ridicule he prepared for those women were of no use. In his opinion, this girl really didn't play by the rules.

She clearly looked like a college student who had just entered society, clear-headed and full of vigor. I originally just... wanted to tease her.

Li Ji didn't know why, but when he looked into her eyes, he felt compelled to agree to her.

He paused and said, "Okay."

He just glanced at it deliberately as if it didn't matter - just take a look first, it doesn't matter, at worst it won't be sold.

I thought this as if to find an excuse for myself.

————

Why did you leave like this?

Li Ji, who was sitting in the taxi, was slightly stunned.

Just treat it as a holiday... Yes, a holiday. After playing house with her, go and have a rest.

Anyway, Brother Hong won’t be stingy with this little vacation time.

Li Ji thought casually, looking at the scenery outside the window.

The girl next to him was obviously in a good mood, her eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed to remember the person next to him, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said his name after a pause, as if giving alms, "I am..."

Before he could finish, Sheng Zhao interrupted him, "You are Li Ji, right? I know that uncle just called your name."

She was smiling as she sat in the taxi. I didn't look closely at her in the dim light just now, but she looked pretty and fair, with clear eyes and soft hair that emitted the sunlight.

She had an extremely clean and beautiful appearance, and she stood out even in a crowd - so when Li Ji came on stage, he noticed that she was indeed dazed for a moment.

"Uncle?" Li Ji seemed amused, raised his eyebrows slightly, and muttered to himself, "...Luckily he didn't hear it."

He finally smiled, reached out to fasten the frivolous buttons on his chest, pulled off the collar around his neck for work, twisted his neck slightly, seemed a little uncomfortable, and his voice was hoarse and low.

"Next time you see him, remember to call him brother, unless you want to be thrown out."

Li Ji extended his hand and introduced himself, "My name is Li Ji, a—" He paused, glanced, and continued to add, "a model, or a bar singer."

It sounds bright, but in the eyes of others, he is just a dissolute man who works and sells his body in a nightclub.

Even if he was a mistress and wanted to pretend to be a good person, it was not certain that the woman in front of him would expose his identity. Li Ji was too lazy to care about other people's opinions.

Sheng Zhao also shook his hand. "My name is Sheng Zhao, a, uh... scout."

She also glanced slightly.

But then she smiled faintly again and looked at Li Ji with her eyes curved.

——She seemed exceptionally beautiful and bright, Li Ji lowered his eyes slightly.

————

"Is this your home?"

He was stunned for a long time, looking at the villa in the city center in front of him. She smiled and nodded and shook her head, "It's five million."

Li Ji paused for a moment.

She continued to babble on.

"Are you moving in today? Oh, right—"

After a pause, as if thinking of something, he didn't know how to start, and discussed for a while, "This house is for you. I only have one key at the moment, and I don't know where to go... Can I live here?"

Her eyes were just looking at Li Ji, but they seemed to naturally contain a kind of trust that was taken for granted.

But this is your house...

He didn't know whether to complain about her absurdity or what, and it took him a long time to respond.

He took a deep breath, glanced away from the girl's sparkling eyes that sighed that he was a good man, and said softly, "Where's the contract? I'll sign it."

She hurriedly took out the contract and handed it to him. After signing the contract, Sheng Zhao stood on tiptoe and happily turned around with the contract in his arms, as if he was holding a contract to sell his body.

Then he briskly handed him the property deed and said, "We'll go transfer the ownership tomorrow."

The man looked around, put down the contract, and seemed to have returned to his nonchalant demeanor. His fingertips tapped the table lightly, and he asked, "Are you really not considering doing something else?"

"……What?"

"Selling oneself, keeping a mistress, drinking with others——"

Li Ji counted carefully. Although he said such words, there was not much emotion on his face. Instead, he had a leisurely amusement, as if he was observing Sheng Zhao's expression.

Sheng Zhao suppressed his cheerful expression, leaned closer to Li Ji, stared into his slightly stunned eyes, and said in a clear voice, "I'm not that kind of vulgar person. I have higher artistic goals, so the kind of thing you're worried about will never happen."

Li Ji wanted to light a cigarette, but he felt his pocket and found that he didn't bring anything with him. He paused, leaned on the sofa, and seemed that he couldn't help it. His voice was hoarse, and he stared into Sheng Zhao's eyes.

"You're really weird. I thought you were going to do something else. I just looked at the contract carefully. At first I thought there might be some unfair clauses or hidden traps - but there aren't any."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he seemed a little confused. He said in a hoarse voice, "Is it really just what you said...?"

Sheng Zhao looked at him, chuckled, then lowered his eyes slightly with a hint of intoxication, with a smile at the end of his voice, emphasizing each word.

"Yes, like I said."

"I want you to be the brightest star."