Give him a pearl
The judge did not lie to him.
Song Shiyu, this is his name in this new world.
His surname is still Song. It is said that when his mother was pregnant with him, she saw flowing light and stars walking together in her dream. So his father picked out the word "Shi Yu" from "Wo Qie Yu Er Yu" in "The Book of Rites: Tan Gong", which means that he walks with time and is blessed by fate.
Coincidentally, in this huge family, he is still ranked ninth among his peers, and his nickname is still "Xiaojiu".
Song Shiyu sometimes wondered whether this was a thought left behind by the judge out of conscience, or was it an unintentional joke from fate?
The family he was born into was so good that he felt like he was walking on clouds and it didn't seem real during the first few months.
My grandfather was a retired general with great achievements, and his students and friends were spread throughout the military.
My father Song Zhengting chose a steady and prudent political career with a bright future.
My mother, Ruan Ning, came from a family that was a business giant in the south. She herself had continuously expanded the family business and was a powerful woman in the business world.
Such a huge family that integrates power, politics and business shows unreserved love to his youngest son who "returned unexpectedly".
When he cautiously confessed his sexual orientation to his family after a family dinner, the expected storm did not come.
There was a brief, suffocating silence in the living room.
My father frowned, a hint of surprise flashed in my mother's eyes, and even my grandfather, who was always calm, put down the teacup in his hand.
However, a week passed.
While eating breakfast, his mother Ruan Ning pushed the warm milk in front of him and said in a normal tone: "Xiaojiu, Mom knows a few friends in the fashion industry. There are many outstanding boys in the circle. Do you want to meet them?"
Before he left, his father, Song Zhengting, patted him on the shoulder and said in a low but powerful voice, "Son of the Song family, no matter who you like, you must be open and responsible. Don't mistreat yourself, and don't let others down."
Grandpa was even more direct. He snorted while leaning on his cane: "How can I, the grandson of the Song family, be bullied? What's wrong with liking a boy? Bring him back and have a look. As long as he has good character, that's all that matters!"
At that moment, Song Shiyu turned his back to his family, his eyes sore.
He came from a world where he was once easily abandoned, but now he has received the most solid understanding and protection in this powerful family.
The core of the "extravagant" life given by the judge may not be money and power, but the unconditional love and acceptance that he once sought but could not obtain.
Thus, Song Jiu became Song Shiyu and truly began his journey of "debauchery and extravagance".
Twenty-three years.
Twenty-three years.
He lives in a penthouse duplex, overlooking the hustle and bustle of the city; there are so many limited edition sports cars in the garage that he needs to make a list to remember them all; he goes in and out of private clubs, and a meal there is equivalent to an ordinary person's annual salary; he is never short of people who curry favor with him, flattering him, showing him goodwill, and bribe him overtly or covertly... Like a curious tourist, he experiences all the bizarre aspects of the upper class in the shortest possible time.
But after the novelty wears off, what is left is a deep-seated emptiness and boredom.
The people around him had too many desires in their eyes, for power and money, but they lacked sincerity.
He was like sitting on an isolated island made of gold and diamonds. He seemed to have everything, but his heart was desolate.
It was not until three years ago, when he accidentally opened a live broadcast of a multinational music festival, that he saw the man under the spotlight, who seemed to have the entire galaxy draped over him - Ji Zhiqi.
At that moment, Song Shiyu felt that his heart, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly began to beat as if it was hit by a sharp and precise electric current.
Ji Zhiqi, this name began to be imprinted in his life in a strong manner.
He became Ji Zhiqi's most secretive and extravagant "fan".
The biggest competitor of Ji Zhiqi's entertainment company was quietly controlled by the Song family. Afterwards, the best resources began to flow to Ji Zhiqi.
The covers of top fashion magazines, global endorsements of high-end luxury brands, OSTs of big-budget movies... Song Shiyu presented him with everything that could pile up starlight without hesitation.
He used his connections in the business world to pave the way for Ji Zhiqi to go international.
Like a most devout believer, he silently built a stairway to the clouds for his god.
For three years, he hid behind the identity of the young master of the Song family, clearing obstacles for Ji Zhiqi and providing him with opportunities, but he never appeared in front of him.
He was content with this distant protection, as if taking a step closer would desecrate the flawless light in his heart.
However, Ji Zhiqi himself is like a fascinating mystery.
His resume is too clean and his family background is completely blank. Any in-depth investigation will encounter invisible barriers, as if a more powerful hand is deliberately covering up something.
But this did not reduce Song Shiyu's enthusiasm, but instead added a layer of mystery and intriguing color to Ji Zhiqi.
…
The afternoon sun shines through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and onto the soft carpet.
Song Shiyu lazily sank into the sofa, boredly holding the soft guiding spirit UU in his hand.
UU was squeezed so hard that she was deformed. Her two small, dark eyes, which were transformed by spiritual power, were tightly closed. She silently chanted in her heart: You can't see me, you can't see me, don't ask me, don't ask me...
"UU," Song Shiyu finally spoke, his voice filled with a hint of dreamy longing. "Tell me, if I give Ji Zhiqi the top luxury brand endorsement of 'Tears of the Starry Sky', will he be particularly happy? Our company's brand is very strict when choosing spokespersons. We never look for Asian male stars..."
UU forced himself to play dead and showed no reaction even when his body was stretched.
Song Shiyu didn't care. He picked up an exquisite Venetian handmade mirror on the coffee table next to him and looked at himself in the mirror carefully.
A very handsome face was reflected in the mirror.
Different from Ji Zhiqi's aggressive and gender-ambiguous extreme beauty, Song Shiyu's handsomeness is sunny and clean, with the nobility cultivated by a pampered life and a trace of undying youthfulness.
His hair was a soft dark brown that shone with a healthy sheen in the sun.
She has straight eyebrows and beautiful peach blossom eyes with slightly raised corners. When she smiles, her eyes seem to be filled with tiny starlight, and when she is not smiling, she looks clear and focused.
The most amazing thing is that above his tall nose bridge, there is a tiny, light-colored mole, which just breaks the overly perfect harmony of his face and adds a unique elegance that makes people want to get closer and explore.
He looked left and right in the mirror and sighed: "UU, do you think Ji Zhiqi would like my face? Is it not artistic enough?"
UU finally couldn't bear it anymore, and suddenly opened one eye, glancing at the host who had been trapped in unrequited love for three years.
In a voice so low it was barely audible, she grumbled with the ethereal quality of a spirit, "It's been three years... Instead of sitting here grieving in front of the mirror, why not go to him and let him see for himself this face of yours that he's despised eight hundred times."
Song Shiyu was so embarrassed that he made an angry "tsk" sound and flicked UU's round body with his fingers: "You are the only one who talks too much!"
UU was shaken by the bounce and became as bouncy as jelly.
She stretched out her two short, newly conjured hands and covered her "ears" tightly. She turned around and continued to mutter, "I can't bear to watch this. I really can't bear to watch this... There's no cure for love-crazy..."
But UU's words were like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Song Shiyu's heart.
Three years.
He has been guarding silently for three years
An inexplicable surge of courage surged in his heart. He stood up suddenly and grabbed UU, who was still covering her ears. He smiled like a big boy who was about to succeed in a prank, with a bit of arrogance and determination: "You're right! It's time to let Ji Zhiqi know who is the toughest man behind him!"
UU collapsed into a pancake in his hands, feeling hopeless: "..." She had already developed a stress reaction to the three words "Ji Zhiqi".
Song Shiyu was incredibly quick to act. He immediately grabbed his phone and called his subordinate. His tone was unprecedentedly serious and... deliberately businesslike: "Hey, regarding the endorsement contract for 'Tears of the Starry Sky', I've decided to personally discuss it with Mr. Ji Zhiqi. Yes, tomorrow, you can arrange it."
After hanging up the phone, he jumped up excitedly, hugged the soft UU tightly, and growled in a suppressed voice: "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I can see him with my own eyes! The living Ji Zhiqi!"
UU completely gave up struggling and pretended to be dead in his arms.
For three years, a total of more than a thousand days and nights, the name she heard the most was "Ji Zhiqi". She was afraid that she had been poisoned by a Gu named Ji Zhiqi.
…
The next day, Song Shiyu got up early.
The following period of time almost became the most demanding period in his history of personal image management.
I brushed my teeth five times until my gums were almost bleeding.
In the cloakroom, the nanny had already ironed the Italian haute couture suit he had chosen until it was wrinkle-free, but he still checked it three times, even checking the threads on the inside of the cuffs.
I changed ties seven or eight times before finally settling on a low-key dark blue one with dark patterns.
The hair has been carefully groomed, and every strand seems to be in the right place.
When he finally stood in front of the mirror and looked at the image that even he thought was impeccable, he took a deep breath and headed to the company with a determination that was almost like rushing to the battlefield.
The meeting was arranged in an exclusive reception room on the top floor of the Song Group's headquarters building, which overlooks most of the city and demonstrates the power and status of the Song family.
Although Song Shiyu had warned himself countless times on the way here to remain calm and show the composure and aura of the young master of the Song family, when the heavy solid wooden door of the reception room was pushed open by the secretary, his eyes caught the figure sitting quietly in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, with a clear outline outlined by the bright sunlight -
"Bang, bang, bang..."
He could clearly hear his own deafening heartbeat, which was so intense that it seemed to be trying to break free from the constraints of his chest.
Ji Zhiqi raised his head when he heard the voice.
At that moment, Song Shiyu felt like his breathing had stopped.
Photos and videos can't even remotely capture one ten-thousandth of his stunning beauty.
He was wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers. He was tall and thin, but he did not look weak.
His skin was a cool white, almost transparent, and glowed with a jade-like warmth under the light.
Her facial features are as delicate as God's most perfect masterpiece, with deep eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and thin lips with a light color.
The most breathtaking thing is his eyes. His pupils are a very deep black, like black jade immersed in a cold pond. They are clear, but with a natural sense of alienation, as if nothing in the world can leave a trace in them.
He sat there quietly, like a medieval oil painting carefully preserved by time. His beauty was tranquil, fragile, and extremely aggressive. People did not dare to approach him easily for fear of disturbing this otherworldly tranquility.
Song Shiyu forced himself to calm down, walked over with as steady a pace as possible, and sat down on the sofa opposite Ji Zhiqi.
He cleared his throat and tried to sound calm and professional.
"Hello, Mr. Ji, I am Song Shiyu." He extended his hand.
Ji Zhiqi's gaze lingered on his face for a moment. It was a light look, like a feather brushing past, without any emotion.
He stretched out his slender, clean hand and shook hands gently with Song Shiyu, which felt slightly cool.
"Hello, Mr. Song. I'm Ji Zhiqi." His voice was like a cello of excellent texture, deep and pleasant, but also with an obvious, formulaic sense of distance.
After a simple handshake, Song Shiyu felt that the small piece of skin he touched was slightly hot.
"For this global endorsement of 'Tears of the Starry Sky', I need to personally confirm with you the details regarding the scope of endorsement, frequency of attendance at brand events, and some image authorization to ensure that we both have a consistent understanding and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings later." Song Shiyu took out the prepared documents and tried to focus on the terms.
"Okay, please go ahead." Ji Zhiqi nodded slightly, his attitude cooperative but distant.
The following conversation was basically done by Song Shiyu, with Ji Zhiqi occasionally asking one or two questions, or briefly expressing "yes" or "no problem".
His assistant was taking notes.
Throughout the entire process, Ji Zhiqi's expression remained calm, even indifferent, as if he was not talking about a top endorsement that would shake the entire fashion industry, but just an ordinary work contract.
While Song Shiyu was explaining, he couldn't help but observe him out of the corner of his eye.
He looked thinner than on the screen, with a barely noticeable dark blue tint under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't rested well.
But this does not diminish his beauty at all, but instead adds a sense of vulnerability that invites exploration.
After the meeting, the terms were confirmed and Ji Zhiqi signed his name on the endorsement contract neatly.
"It's a pleasure working with you, Mr. Song." He stood up and shook hands with Song Shiyu again with smooth movements, obviously preparing to leave.
Song Shiyu felt anxious. After waiting for three years, they finally got to see each other. Is this the end?
"Mr. Ji," he blurted out, maintaining a proper smile on his face, "We've worked together so many times, and it's always been a pleasure. Would you like to have dinner with us tonight? It's a celebration of our renewed cooperation."
Upon hearing this, Ji Zhiqi's beautiful eyebrows knitted up slightly, as if a tiny stone had been thrown into a calm lake.
His face showed just the right amount of apology, his tone still polite, but with an unyielding firmness: "I'm sorry, Mr. Song. Thank you very much for your invitation, but I already have an appointment tonight."
Have a date?
Song Shiyu's heart sank suddenly.
He pinched the fingers hanging at his side, and his fingertips felt slightly cold.
But he still maintained his composure: "It's okay, I was abrupt. Well... we can talk about it next time we have a chance."
Ji Zhiqi nodded, said nothing more, and left the reception room accompanied by his assistant.
Watching his back disappear at the door, the smile on Song Shiyu's face slowly faded.
An appointment? Whose appointment? Ji Zhiqi was well-known in the industry for never attending unnecessary social events, and he had never been involved in any scandals.
Is it a work colleague? Or... a personal friend? Male? Female?
At this moment, the door of the reception room was pushed open again.
A beautiful woman wearing the latest suit, with an elegant and capable temperament, walked in. It was Song Shiyu's mother, Ruan Ning.
She is well maintained, with a bit more shrewdness and sharpness accumulated over the years.
"Xiaojiu?"
Ruan Ning looked puzzledly at her son, who was standing alone in the middle of the reception room with a slightly off expression on his face. "I heard from Secretary Li that you came to the company in person today to discuss the endorsement of 'Tears of the Starry Sky'? Is that the sun rising from the west? You couldn't even beg to come to the company before."
Song Shiyu quickly collected his composure, putting on his usual playful, slightly lazy expression. He stepped forward to take his mother's handbag, then attentively took the coffee that the secretary had just brought in and handed it to Ruan Ning: "Mom, look at what you said. I'm your son now, I should be doing something serious, right? I can't just be idle and waste the family money."
Ruan Ning took the coffee, sipped it gracefully, and regarded her son with a half-smile. "Oh? You've suddenly come to your senses? Two years ago, I begged your father to let you come to the company to familiarize yourself with the business, but you refused to come, saying you wanted to enjoy life. Have you changed your ways this time?"
Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp, as if she could see through everything.
Song Shiyu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and laughed, "Isn't it... I think this brand is quite interesting? Besides, only by having your son take action can we show how serious we are about our cooperation!" He put his arm around Ruan Ning's shoulders, half coquettishly and half naughtily, "Mom, please stop interrogating me. Isn't it good that your son is so positive and motivated?"
Ruan Ning was amused by him, shook her head helplessly, and tapped his forehead with her finger: "You! Stop talking nonsense. When you go home for dinner tonight, your dad and grandpa will be talking about you."
"Okay." Song Shiyu immediately stood at attention and saluted in a funny way.
But in my heart, I was still thinking about Ji Zhiqi's "appointment".
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