Chapter 72 Chapter 72

Gu Xing Shi had a fruitful harvest at this banquet.

Not only did he build relationships with several bigwigs in the financial world, but he also came into contact with several promising projects. He was particularly interested in the film project Lan Yongyu mentioned.

Recently, Sheng Yueqing's acting skills have improved significantly after honing his skills through various roles. Gu Xing Shi didn't want him to be pigeonholed into one type of role and planned to choose a more challenging role for him.

He had reviewed the scripts that came his way, but none satisfied him.

He had originally planned to spend time looking for a suitable one, but Lan Yongyu's film project immediately caught his attention.

Lan Yongyu was also agreeable, promising Sheng Yueqing an audition opportunity, but whether he gets the role depends on him.

This was already more than enough.

One of the two major problems was solved, leaving only Qin Wen.

But Gu Xing Shi wasn't greedy. Although Qin Wen hadn't acted in many dramas, his acting skills and box office appeal had already been recognized by the market.

For him now, the most important thing was a prestigious award.

However, such scripts are rare and can only be found slowly.

On the other hand, Zhan Demin, still feeling unsatisfied, volunteered to introduce Gu Xing Shi to a few of his old friends at their next fishing trip.

As soon as he said this, the eyes of those around him instantly shifted to Gu Xing Shi, filled with both envy and jealousy.

Even Wen Yue looked at him in surprise.

Seeing Gu Xing Shi's puzzled expression, Wen Yue lowered his voice and said, "Manager Zhan's friends are all big names in the literary world, and they have a lot of influence in the film and television industry…"

He stopped there.

But Gu Xing Shi understood. These were all award winners, so Qin Wen's next film wouldn't be a problem.

No wonder everyone in the film and television industry strives to climb to the top. The resources at the top are truly unimaginable for those at the bottom.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Wen Yue.

Wen Yue meticulously organized this banquet, but he spent the entire time introducing Gu Xing Shi, behaving in an accommodating manner.

Gu Xing Shi recalled Wen Yue's persistence in taking care of him that night, even when he was completely drunk, and his heart softened.

Wen Yue saw him looking at him, but misunderstood, and whispered, "If you're worried, I can go with you."

Gu Xing Shi was stunned, then smiled, "Okay."

His eyes curved into crescent moons, his trust evident, making Wen Yue's heart tremble again.

Lan Yongyu suddenly remembered something, "Manager Gu, I have a ball coming up in a few days. Would you grace me with your presence?"

Wen Yue's eyebrows immediately furrowed.

He knew that balls in this circle were almost a disguised matchmaking event. Especially Lan Yongyu, who loved to play matchmaker, what was she up to!

Lan Yongyu didn't notice his expression and said to Gu Xing Shi, "My younger generation greatly admires you. Just give me face and meet those little brats?"

The matchmaking intentions were becoming increasingly obvious!!

Wen Yue's face turned cold.

However, given his current relationship with Gu Xing Shi, how could he refuse on his behalf!

And he had a crucial negotiation that day, so he couldn't go with him.

Gu Xing Shi thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "[System, I remember you told me before that there's a very powerful music producer whose surname is Lan?]"

The system immediately understood, "[Yes, he's a cousin of the Lan family, and he should be attending this ball.]"

Gu Xing Shi nodded.

Meng Yuan Sheng was preparing his first solo album, and Gu Xing Shi had been selecting a suitable music producer for him.

However, good music producers in the industry were in high demand, with their schedules booked until the year after next, so Gu Xing Shi had to find another way.

Wen Yue, noticing this, his gaze darkened slightly, and he said to Gu Xing Shi, "Do you like balls? Then…"

Gu Xing Shi was puzzled, "No, I don't."

Wen Yue: "…"

Lan Yongyu finally realized what was happening, almost laughing, she deliberately said, "Manager Wen, did you misunderstand something? I asked Manager Gu to be my escort, I won't let any busybodies get near him."

Wen Yue didn't show any embarrassment and calmly said, "Since you call them busybodies, there are always some who are inconsiderate."

This jealousy!!

Lan Yongyu couldn't help but be surprised, but she took it seriously. It seemed that she had to warn the people attending the ball that day to be cautious and not offend the wrong person.

-

On the day of the ball, Gu Xing Shi changed into a suit more suitable for the occasion. While choosing accessories, he suddenly saw a box.

It was a gift from Wen Yue the day he moved the company.

—An orange diamond brooch.

After some thought, he pinned the brooch to his clothes.

Then, he drove his second-hand car towards the venue.

Lan Yongyu's ball invited high-profile guests, attracting many who wanted to attend, making it very lively.

The luxury cars at the entrance were dazzling.

And Gu Xing Shi, unsurprisingly, got stuck in traffic.

The ball was still some time away, so Gu Xing Shi wasn't in a hurry. He lowered the car window to get some fresh air.

He happened to make eye contact with a man in a sports car next to him.

The man glanced at his car, then at his face.

He knew that at such balls, there were always some from fallen families who wanted to use this opportunity to change their fate through marriage.

Girls were better off; marrying into a wealthy family was a step up, but for boys like this, it was either relying on rich women or big shots, essentially high-class escorts.

He immediately crumpled a tissue, threw it at Gu Xing Shi's car window, and said frivolously, "Hey, whose family are you from?"

He stared intently at Gu Xing Shi, his gaze unpleasant.

Gu Xing Shi unceremoniously retorted, "And whose family are you from?"

The man was a little unhappy, but quickly said with a hint of pride, "My name is Zhen Yunfei, my father is Zhen Zong of Qi Hua Group."

Gu Xing Shi didn't even need to think, the system immediately popped up: [Host, this is that Zhen family who had many illegitimate children! But this Zhen Yunfei is lucky, benefiting from his mother's status, he was just legitimized!]

Gu Xing Shi suddenly understood, "Oh, an illegitimate child!"

Hitting a sore spot, Zhen Yunfei's face darkened, "What nonsense are you talking about! You, a nobody, believe it or not, my dad will bankrupt your family!"

After hearing the system's gossip, Gu Xing Shi clicked his tongue, "Does your dad know you're out here making enemies for him? Such filial piety! As for bankruptcy, don't worry about it, I'll consider it."

"But it's fine, your dad doesn't have much, just lots of illegitimate children, he deserves it."

Zhen Yunfei was enraged and was about to get out of the car to settle the score with Gu Xing Shi.

At this time, the car in front of Gu Xing Shi moved, and Gu Xing Shi drove straight in, leaving Zhen Yunfei only with a trail of exhaust fumes.

And Zhen Yunfei's sports car, being too large, took some effort to park.

By the time he entered the ballroom, the ball was about to begin.

His mother was chatting with some wealthy women, and seeing him arrive in a disheveled state, her expression changed, pulling him aside, "What happened to you? You're so late! Your dad was asking about you!"

Zhen Yunfei grumbled, "I had a fight with some nobody when I was coming in, it wasted some time."

Mrs. Zhen frowned, warning him, "The people attending Lan's ball are either rich or powerful, don't cause trouble."

"I know, I'm not stupid," Zhen Yunfei scoffed, "Driving a broken Buick, I don't know which fallen young master it is."

Mrs. Zhen, hearing this, felt relieved and didn't take it seriously, continuing, "Lan also invited the CEO of Le Shi, Gu, to this ball, and repeatedly instructed us not to offend him…"

Before he could finish, he saw Zhen Yunfei suddenly widen his eyes, pointing at the young man who was chatting happily with Lan Yongyu and Lan Yue at the main table, stammering, "He, he, who is he?!"

Mrs. Zhen: "Didn't I just tell you? The CEO of Le Shi! Don't underestimate him because he's young, his status is extraordinary…"

Zhen Yunfei: "!!!"

Even without his mother saying it, he could see it.

Their younger generation were all there to find a partner.

But Gu Xing Shi was already sitting at the main table with his father, and his position was even higher than his father's.

Zhen Yunfei thought about what he had done and his face turned pale, wishing he could faint.

But Mrs. Zhen continued, "I heard he is also Manager Wen's lover, and the previous bankruptcy of Huan Yang Capital was said to be to avenge him…"

Zhen Yunfei: "!!!"

His body slowly softened.

Mrs. Zhen: "Yunfei!! Son!! What's wrong with you!!"

The commotion below was quickly quelled, and except for Mr. Zhen who went out with a serious expression, it didn't attract the attention of others at the main table.

Gu Xing Shi finished his message and put away his phone.

Lan Yue curiously asked, "Manager Gu is busy with work?"

Gu Xing Shi calmly said, "No, I met a very filial son, and I think his father's work is too tiring, so I'm helping to ease his burden."

Lan Yue: "?"

But he didn't think much of it and announced the start of the ball.

The first dance was always opened by the hosts.

But for the Lan family's opening dance, it was always Lan Yongyu and Lan Yue who danced together.

But this time, it was Gu Xing Shi who invited Lan Yongyu to dance.

Those around them were astonished.

Although Lan Yongyu had previously hinted to everyone, many only thought it was because of Wen Yue, as the love story between Gu Xing Shi and Wen Yue was known to many.

However, now, Gu Xing Shi had replaced Lan Yue, inviting Lan Yongyu to the opening dance, and Lan Yue seemed to be happy about it.

This meant that the Lan siblings had shown their attitude, classifying him as one of their own.

Regardless of whether they did this because of Gu Xing Shi's abilities or Wen Yue's attitude.

But at this moment, Gu Xing Shi's position was already completely different from theirs.

Ruan Yi watched in astonishment.

He was especially grateful that he hadn't completely offended Gu Xing Shi back then.

Thinking of this, he quickly pulled his two daughters aside and gave them detailed instructions.

Especially Ruan Xi Yin.

After all, he had once thought of pushing Ruan Wen Rou to Wen Yue, so he was somewhat worried that Gu Xing Shi would hold a grudge.

Ruan Wen Rou's eyes flickered, but she responded gently.

-

After Gu Xing Shi finished the opening dance with Lan Yongyu, he had time to find Lan's cousin.

His name was Lan Le Dao.

As a Lan family member, although he was from a distant branch, he lived comfortably, so he made music purely for enjoyment, and his attitude was quite arrogant.

However, facing his cousin's honored guest, Lan Le Dao also restrained his arrogance.

Originally, he thought it was just giving face to his cousin, but the more they chatted, the more they hit it off. Although Gu Xing Shi didn't have much professional knowledge, his intuition for art was terrifying.

As they were chatting, Gu Xing Shi suddenly heard the system say, "[Host! The fake daughter is bullying the real daughter again!]"

Gu Xing Shi frowned slightly, said "Excuse me" to Lan Le Dao, and walked towards the place where the incident happened, following the system's instructions.

System: [The young ladies were showing off their talents by playing the piano, and the fake daughter got her companions to urge the real daughter to play. The real daughter wasn't very good at it, so they kept laughing at her...]

Gu Xing Shi walked over and saw Ruan Xi Yin standing pale and clutching her skirt nervously.

Several girls surrounded Ruan Wen Rou, their malice unconcealed.

"There's actually someone who plays the piano like this, my six-year-old cousin plays better than her!"

"A country bumpkin is a country bumpkin, standing with such a person makes the air feel cheap."

"No wonder your family never brings her out, someone like this, bringing her out is embarrassing!"

Ruan Wen Rou looked weak, as if speaking for Ruan Xi Yin, "Don't say that about my sister, she studied hard… She just isn't good at playing the piano, but she sings well, when she was in a bar…"

At this point, she suddenly covered her mouth in panic, "I'm sorry, sister, I accidentally revealed your secret…"

At this time, the expressions of those around them changed, whispering amongst themselves.

"Oh, she looks so pure and innocent, but she actually sings in a bar…"

"Bars are chaotic places, a girl going to such a place, tsk tsk tsk…"

"This girl isn't simple…"

A hint of triumph appeared on Ruan Wen Rou's face.

Ruan Yi's face was livid, about to scold Ruan Xi Yin.

But he heard a clear voice from behind, "What a coincidence, I've also played the piano in a bar!"

All sounds stopped abruptly.

Ruan Xi Yin also raised her head in a daze, and saw a handsome young man with a warm smile walking towards her.

He sat directly on the piano stool, his fingers lightly tapping the keys, a series of beautiful notes flowing from his fingertips.

He smiled at Ruan Xi Yin, "May I have the honor of collaborating with Miss Ruan?"

His eyes were clear and sincere, without a trace of contempt or humiliation.

Ruan Xi Yin subconsciously nodded.

Gu Xing Shi asked her what song she was best at, looked at the score on his phone, and nodded at her.

As he pressed the keys, beautiful piano music flowed out.

Ruan Xi Yin slowly began to sing, her unique voice blending with the piano, echoing in the ballroom.

The chatter of the crowd stopped, and they listened quietly.

Lan Yongyu and others, who had been chatting, were also captivated.

When the song ended.

Lan Le Dao was the first to applaud, "Amazing! Manager Gu's piano and Miss Ruan's singing are perfectly matched, impeccable, it's simply art!"

Lan Yongyu jokingly said, "It's rare for Xing Shi and Miss Ruan to have such leisure, let's enjoy the wonderful performance!"

Lan Yue also said a few more words, "I've heard that Xing Shi is multi-talented, thanks to Miss Ruan, he was willing to show off his skills."

With the big shots saying this, the atmosphere changed.

"Manager Gu plays the piano so well, Miss Ruan sings well too."

"Playing the piano and singing in a bar is normal, I wanted to do that when I was young!"

"Self-reliant, amazing!"

Ruan Wen Rou didn't expect things to turn out this way, her expression froze.

But the next second, she saw Gu Xing Shi looking at her, with a smile that made her spine chill.

"They say, the truth can't be faked, and fakes can't be real. You, a fake daughter, have been usurping the throne for so many years, and now the real daughter is back. No matter how hard you try, you can't become real, right?"

There was an uproar in the hall.

Ruan Wen Rou's face turned pale.

"Oh, did I accidentally reveal your secret…"