Chapter 54 Nian Nian's feelings for him were love...
"Bang!"
Liu Ling's excessively forceful push landed squarely on Liang Yingdi's shoulder.
Caught off guard, Actor Liang lost his footing from the bump and fell backward, knocking over the tray of champagne that the waiter was carrying!
The crystal-clear champagne tower collapsed with a thud, the sound of shattering glasses ringing out sharply. Golden liquid splashed everywhere, instantly staining the hems of the expensive gowns of several nearby celebrities.
A series of exclamations rang out: "Ah!" "What happened?!" "My clothes are all dirty..."
Although Liang Yingdi was caught by those around him and didn't fall, the front of his suit jacket was already soaked with sweat, and his face instantly darkened: "Someone deliberately pushed and shoved, causing a crowd and knocking over the champagne tower. That's impressive."
The entire photo area fell into a deathly silence after Liang Yingdi's words.
All eyes were focused on the perpetrator, Liu Ling, as they had all witnessed the moment when Liu Ling pushed the movie star Liang.
Lin Suxing was stunned, thankful that she and Meng Huaiwen hadn't gone over yet: "Oh my god, what's going on? Everyone's dresses are all dirty, how are we going to take a group photo??"
"Liu Ling is definitely in trouble now." Meng Huaiwen laughed with a hint of schadenfreude.
Several artists in their company were often used by Liu Ling to promote and belittle them, and Meng Huaiwen had absolutely no liking for Liu Ling.
At this moment, Liu Ling herself was stunned. She looked at the messy scene, at the stains on the dresses of Actor Liang and the other artists, and at their shocked, angry, or undisguised contemptuous gazes. All the color drained from her face.
"I...I didn't mean to! It was her! Bai Wei stepped on my skirt!" Liu Ling hurriedly pointed at Bai Wei, her voice sharp and tearful, trying to explain.
Bai Wei had already put away the "panic" she had shown when she stepped on Liu Ling's skirt, and her face was now filled with innocence and concern.
She frowned slightly, her tone gentle yet clear: "Sister Liu Ling, I know you're in a hurry to get your positions, but you can't just push someone like that. Teacher Liang, are you alright?" As she spoke, she considerately handed her a tissue.
This strategic retreat only solidified Liu Ling's accusation that she "did not hesitate to push down a senior and disrupt the scene in order to grab the center position."
The exquisite two-meter-tall champagne tower collapsed completely, leaving behind shards of glass and spilled champagne.
Not to mention, several actresses standing in the central area had their dresses splashed with wine, and their assistants and VOGUE staff came over to see if it would affect the shoot.
For actors like Leung, whose clothes were "affected" by a large area, they had to go to the preparation area to change their clothes before coming back to take photos.
"Liu Ling!" The event director strode over, his face ashen, his voice low and filled with suppressed anger. "Please leave the photo area immediately! Go backstage and tidy yourself up!"
It's over.
Only those two words remained in Liu Ling's mind.
She looked at the indifferent or mocking faces around her, at Liang Yingdi being escorted away by his staff with a displeased expression, at Su Mian still standing calmly in the center, as if everything was unrelated to her, and then at her own dirty, spilled, and disheveled dress...
She knew that she had not only completely lost this opportunity to be in the public eye, but tomorrow, no, tonight, she would become the laughingstock and the target of public criticism.
She might even face a subtle blacklist from the fashion industry, meaning she might never be able to participate in such fashion events again!
Lin Suxing, the instigator, simply stood quietly not far away, calmly watching the farce he had indirectly caused, and marveled at the system: "What a case of evil being punished. She doesn't have any outstanding works to her name. With her status, she would be more than qualified to stand on the very edge of the group photo. How dare she squeeze into the center among those long-standing red flowers?"
The system notification sounded in my mind again:
[Side quest [Ensure actress Su Mian is not affected by Liu Ling's positioning in the official group photo] completed, reward points have been issued.]
Lin Suxing earned points simply by standing there without doing anything: "..."
"So what's the story behind Liu Ling's scandal?" Lin Suxing asked, a hint of curiosity in her eyes as she watched Liu Ling, pale-faced, being "invited" out of the room.
The melons that he could get without having to put in any effort were indeed very delicious.
Meng Huaiwen, who was seemingly lost in thought while looking at the photo area, had actually been listening intently, waiting for the juicy gossip the system was about to release.
If Liu Ling falls from power, although it won't affect their own artists' resources, they will save a lot of public relations expenses used for counter-attacks and anti-blacklisting campaigns.
After all, this amazing person really loves attending red carpet events and being a "carpet star," and she also buys articles to belittle those around her who are not as bright and elegant as she is.
Meanwhile, many of the artists waiting to be filmed around them stopped what they were doing and listened intently to the conversation between Lin Suxing and the system.
[Liu Ling, who has long marketed herself as an "independent single woman," secretly gave birth to a child overseas three years ago. The child is currently being raised at a private estate in Singapore.]
Lin Suxing & Meng Huaiwen: ?
Other artists: ? ? ? ?
A male singer who was about to drink suddenly choked, turned his head to the side and coughed awkwardly, his face turning red, it was hard to tell whether it was from choking or shock.
The champagne glass in the hand of a TVB Best Actress known for her elegance swayed almost imperceptibly, the liquid rippling dangerously in an arc that nearly overflowed. She quickly put the glass down, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Another young actress who had competed with Liu Ling for resources suddenly contracted her pupils and subconsciously covered her mouth with her hand, barely managing to suppress the exclamation that almost escaped her lips.
The group quickly exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief and the shock of having stumbled upon a bombshell. However, they all tacitly looked away immediately, either lowering their heads to straighten their already neat skirts or turning to chat casually with those around them, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in their hearts, afraid that Lin Suxing, the only one in the room who was "unaware" of the situation, would notice something amiss.
The child's biological father is neither an insider nor a wealthy businessman. His identity is Wu Suo, one of the key figures in the Southeast Asian "Golden Snake Park" and an internationally wanted criminal.
"Holy crap!" Lin Suxing exclaimed in shock. "She even had a child with a wanted criminal! That's absolutely unbelievable!"
Meng Huaiwen was also shocked. He had heard that Liu Ling had disappeared for a while, supposedly to have a baby, but he had always thought it was with someone in the entertainment industry and that she might announce it later with a Weibo post saying, "Yes, we have a child."
Who would have thought that Liu Ling would be so audacious, somehow managing to get in touch with the head of the Southeast Asian industrial park and even become his mistress!
But this also explains why Liu Ling, who has no family background, no powerful backers, no ambition, and poor acting skills, can still make a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
[Liu Ling and Wu Suo had a close relationship that went beyond romance. Leveraging her status and influence as a domestic celebrity, she was deeply involved in the group's capital operations in China, primarily through large-scale money laundering activities via investment in film and television projects (such as the already released film "Galaxy Totem"), involving a huge sum of money.]
If the news of "secret marriage and childbirth" was a thunderbolt, then the combination of "wanted criminal lover" and "involvement in money laundering" is nothing short of a devastating mental earthquake!
Actress Su Mian, who had been overshadowed by Liu Ling, now showed a lingering fear on her face, her shock evident.
The other young actresses born in the 2000s made no attempt to hide their surprise.
They finally realized that Liu Ling taking the center position was nothing to worry about.
What she was standing on was not the red carpet of fame and fortune, but a volcano that could erupt at any moment and swallow her and everything around her!
This is not a simple building collapse; it's a shocking case that could lead to imprisonment and even uncover more horrifying secrets!
Previously, his dissatisfaction with Liu Ling taking the center position and his contempt for her character all turned into deep fear and an urgent need to distance himself from her.
[The host should know about the movie "Galaxy Totem" that Liu Ling starred in last year, right? That sci-fi blockbuster, which boasted a 500 million yuan investment and featured "fully virtual shooting and top-notch special effects," ended up with such poor special effects and frame drops.]
Lin Suxing nodded: "I know, the special effects and the real people don't even look like they're on the same layer. Back then, people online were criticizing it as 'a special effects artist hired for five cents,' right?"
Meng Huaiwen also knew about this, and he also knew that this movie was made through shady means, but as an insider, he couldn't comment on it.
The system continued: "The flow of its enormous funds is extremely suspicious. Over 300 million in production costs were not used for actual filming and special effects, but rather flowed overseas through layers of shell companies."
The final destination of this huge sum of money pointed to a well-known financial center in Southeast Asia. This center is notorious for illegal fundraising and money laundering, and the production of the film *Galaxy Totem* was precisely the channel they meticulously designed. The film's dismal box office performance and critical failure were entirely expected by the investors, because their goal was never to make a good film, but rather to launder "dirty money" through a seemingly legitimate film investment process.
Lin Suxing didn't know many people in the entertainment industry and mostly worked as a model photographer. Hearing the system's explanation, she was shocked: "I knew it! Besides, for a big-budget movie like this, all the famous actors would be vying for the role. It's really strange that Liu Ling got to play the second female lead. So, are all those award-winning actresses and actors avoiding each other?"
[Yes, host, that's right. Liu Ling wasn't just an unwitting tool. The evidence package contains multiple encrypted communication records, showing her close relationship with the park's agents in China. She not only knew the nature and destination of the funds, but also used her celebrity status and influence to actively endorse the project, attract other unsuspecting investors, and in return, earn a staggering eight-figure "commission" and "resource exchange."]
These things were true, and the system's words were overheard by the surrounding artists.
Many of them were aware of the inside story behind the filming of "Galaxy Totem," but with such powerful backers, their attempts to resist were like ants trying to shake a tree—completely futile.
"Is anyone going to do anything about this? Letting these lawbreakers still be active in the industry, is this acceptable?" Lin Suxing voiced the sentiments of everyone present.
As if hearing their thoughts, the system emitted a villainous "cackling laugh": [Host, you've hit the nail on the head. Soon their park will be jointly investigated by the military, and all the park's management personnel will be arrested and brought back to the country for unified interrogation. At that time, Liu Ling won't be able to escape either...]
***
In the softly lit studio, the third season of "Heartbeat Mystery Club" is being filmed.
This is a popular dating observation variety show. The program will broadcast carefully edited clips of ordinary people dating, and invite celebrity guests as "heartbeat observers" to comment on and deduce the relationship lines, and talk about their own views on love.
The recording studio was much busier than Lin Suxing had imagined. Opposite the huge circular observation table was a screen playing the program's preview. He and Meng Huaiwen sat in seats labeled with their names, letting the makeup artist do the final touches.
"Don't be nervous," Meng Huaiwen leaned closer, his tone relaxed. "Just think of it as watching a large-scale dating reality show."
He was dressed exceptionally well today, his expensive custom-made suit giving him the air of an entertainment company heir. "These kinds of shows are the easiest. Just chat, ship some couples, and you get exposure. Plus, because the guests have attractive professions and are all good-looking, the show is already a hit before it even airs, even before the pilot episode."
Upon seeing the program announcement, Meng Huaiwen submitted applications for himself and Lin Suxing without hesitation. He had been busy with work at home recently, but didn't want to completely disappear from the public eye, so this program was the best option. And why not reunite with friends?
Once the show started, the outgoing young man with dazzling blond hair delivered witty and insightful comments, frequently eliciting laughter from the entire audience.
Lin Suxing, on the other hand, was quieter. He would only offer his insightful observations when Meng Huaiwen prompted him, his eyes clear and innocent, reflecting a naivety.
Today's segment features the interactions between the non-celebrity female and male guests after a day of dating, as they return to the "Heartbeat House".
One of the male guests was particularly considerate to the female guest who clearly had feelings for him: he peeled shrimp for her at dinner, took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders when it was cool, and always sat next to her when they chatted in the living room at night, occasionally putting his arm unintentionally on the back of the sofa behind her, forming a subtle protective gesture.
One particular interaction was especially noticeable, and the director specifically cut to a close-up for detailed analysis, probably because he thought this part would be incredibly engaging for viewers.
[The scene cuts to the living room of the "Heartbeat Cottage" at dusk.]
Pilot A-Zhe and dancer Vivi have just returned to their cabin after a day at the aquarium. The other guests are still outside, and only the two of them are in the living room for the time being.
Weiwei looked a little tired and gently rubbed her calves.
A-Zhe noticed immediately. He got up, went to the kitchen, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to her, saying, "You must have walked a long way. Have some water." His voice was gentler than usual.
Weiwei took the water glass, smiled, and said thank you.
A Zhe didn't immediately sit back on the single sofa opposite him. Instead, he very naturally sat down at the other end of the sofa where Weiwei was, at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, but his body was clearly leaning towards her.
Vivi seemed a little nervous as she smoothed her hair, then started the conversation with details of their date that day: "We saw that beluga whale following us the whole time, it was so amazing."
Ah Zhe stared intently at her, a smile playing on his lips. "Hmm, it seems to really like looking at you." He paused, then added, "Maybe it's because you're wearing a white dress; it's eye-catching and looks beautiful."
Weiwei was a little embarrassed by his straightforward praise, and smiled with her head down.
Just then, Weiwei noticed that the left collar of A Zhe's shirt wasn't turned up quite right, probably from when he took off his coat. She instinctively pointed at it: "A Zhe, your collar here..."
Before she could finish speaking, and with her hand halfway raised, Ah Zhe misunderstood that she was going to help him tidy up. He very cooperatively, even with a hint of anticipation, immediately leaned his body towards her, lowered his head, and exposed his entire left side of his neck and ear to her, making it easier for her to move.
It looks like a big dog wanting its owner to pat its head.
This sudden, overly compliant, and intimate gesture left Weiwei's hand frozen in mid-air, instantly creating a subtle and ambiguous atmosphere.
The girl's face flushed instantly, her fingers trembled slightly, but she still gently helped him straighten his slightly disheveled collar, her fingertips inevitably touching the hot skin on the side of his neck.
Ah Zhe's body seemed to stiffen slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he didn't pull away. However, his ears instantly flushed red. Only after her fingers left did he slowly straighten up and clear his throat, trying to appear calm: "...Thank you."
The two remained silent for a moment, with only slightly rapid breathing and a faint, ambiguous atmosphere in the living room.
Ah Zhe's gaze would occasionally drift towards Weiwei, then quickly look away when she looked over, his fingers unconsciously stroking the sofa armrest.
[The camera cuts back to the studio]
It has to be said that Meng Huaiwen is very suitable for participating in this type of program. His persona of liking to gossip and ship couples is very solid.
Another observer, actress Zhao Daxi, who is skilled in analyzing and studying psychology, also nodded with a smile: "This body language really tells a lot. Zhe almost instinctively seized every opportunity to close the physical distance with Weiwei and thoroughly enjoyed this slight physical contact."
Zhou Muchen, a top influencer known for his sharp wit, hit the nail on the head: "This kid is too goal-oriented. He's not very skilled; look at his ears, they're almost bleeding. He's clearly nervous to death, but he's trying to act calm. However, this kind of clumsy, straightforward approach can sometimes be quite touching."
"Wow! This offensive!" Yang Xu, a female idol who loves shipping couples, clapped her hands and commented excitedly, "See that? A Zhe's eyes are practically glued to Wei Wei! This isn't just being good friends, it's like a hunter locking onto his target!"
Meanwhile, He Jiong, a veteran variety show host who is a bit older, said with a smile, "But it's still hard to say who is the prey and who is the hunter! Although Weiwei doesn't seem to be taking the initiative, she actually accepts A Zhe's approach very naturally every time he does."
Other observers echoed this sentiment, analyzing the emotional fluctuations behind the female and male guests' behavior.
Teacher He then turned the conversation to Lin Suxing, who hadn't spoken until now: "Suxing seems to have something to say? Zhe's series of actions, from handing her water, sitting down next to her, praising her, to finally bending down to ask for a pat on the head... do you think it was out of politeness, or does he really have a special affection for her?"
Lin Suxing stared at the screen, and for some reason, a slight feeling stirred within her.
In the Heartbeat House, Ah Zhe looked down obediently, his ears were flushed, and when Weiwei straightened his collar, the subtle tension between them almost overflowed the screen...
Li Xinian's face suddenly appeared in his mind.
Every year, he could only fall asleep while being held in his arms. Those strong arms would encircle him, his chin resting on the top of his head, his steady breathing brushing against his ear.
She also liked to rub her forehead against his and always interlock her fingers when holding his hand.
She gave him so many precious gifts from age 1 to 19, making up for all his shortcomings. The sapphire and rose gold bracelet engraved with his name is still on his right wrist.
Whether in a bustling banquet hall or walking side by side in a deserted courtyard, his hand would always naturally rest on his lower back or shoulder, carrying an undeniable possessiveness.
This kind of closeness, this act of silently enclosing him in her territory through physical gestures, seems to have a similar effect to the male guest in the video.
Lin Suxing snapped out of her daze, picked up the microphone, and hesitated slightly before speaking: "I... I think, if A Zhe didn't have feelings for Weiwei, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths, right? Peeling shrimp and putting on clothes like that seems a bit too intimate in a dating reality show where everyone's actions are bound to be interpreted?"
“That’s right!” Meng Huaiwen put his arm around his shoulder, looking at him with a “you’re a quick learner” expression. “That’s how you show you like someone! When you like someone, you can’t help but want to get close to them, to be nice to them, and to have physical contact with them.”
"I want to get closer...I want to be nice to her...I want physical contact..."
These words, like a few pebbles, unexpectedly landed on Lin Suxing's calm heart, creating ripples that spread outwards.
A surge of heat rushed to the top of his head, and Lin Suxing felt his cheeks and ears burning. He opened his mouth, but found his voice was a little dry:
“I…I think, Zhe…he probably really likes Weiwei.” He paused, as if speaking to himself, or as if confirming something. His voice was soft, but it carried a sense of sudden enlightenment. “Because he likes her, that’s why he…would want to get closer, to touch her, and…would get so nervous just from her getting a little closer.”
Does Li Xinian like him in the same way that A Zhe likes Wei Wei...?
Previously, Lin Suxing only thought that Nian Nian was good to him because he had helped Nian Nian many times during Nian Nian's helpless childhood, which gave the isolated and helpless boy great warmth, so much so that Nian Nian's trust and dependence on him far exceeded that of others.
He even felt incredibly at ease and happy about it.
Especially the increasingly intimate physical contact they had each year, their skin touching, their ears rubbing together, their hot, moist breaths mingling—at those moments, his heart would pound, but the other seemed only to feel satisfied...
He initially thought that Nian Nian might have skin hunger and distrust of others, so she could only demand more from herself.
Does Li Xinian also like him?
It's not the kind of affection an older brother has for his younger brother, but rather... like the affection a man has for his beloved, like that of Ah Zhe for Wei Wei?
This realization made his ears burn instantly, his heart race uncontrollably, and he almost forgot about the camera.
The handsome young man unconsciously stroked the silver ring on his index finger, a strange and burning emotion welling up inside him.
And what about himself? Does he like Li Xinian's hugs? Does he like Li Xinian's closeness?
In that warm embrace, he felt a sense of security and peace he had never felt before. Being close to him didn't seem... unpleasant. In fact, he even found himself craving that unique warmth and scent that belonged only to Li Xinian.
"So...do you like Li Xinian?"
This problem is like a seed; once it sprouts, it grows wildly.
He recalled every moment he spent with Li Xinian, the man's indulgence, his protection, and the tenderness he occasionally showed that was only for him... Perhaps, this had already gone beyond the boundaries of "brother".
"Okay! Cut!"
The director's voice came through the walkie-talkie into the studio. With a sigh of relief, the red lights on the cameras that were focused went out one by one, and the glaring main lights switched to a soft standby mode.
"Thank you all for your hard work! The recording went very smoothly today, let's wrap up!" The director shouted to the observers' panel with a satisfied smile, holding a megaphone.
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Director! Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"
Immediately, a chorus of thanks and pleasantries filled the air, and the atmosphere instantly shifted from the focused recording to the relaxed atmosphere after get off work.
Meng Huaiwen was the first to stretch and yawn, his blond hair still dazzling even in the dim light. He moved his stiff shoulders and then turned to give Lin Suxing, who was still slightly dazed, a hard pat.
"Su Xing? Su Xing!" Meng Huaiwen's voice pulled him back from his chaotic thoughts. He lowered his voice and whispered, "Alright, stop slacking off. The recording is over. Let's pack up and go get some late-night snacks!"
Lin Suxing snapped out of her daze, met Meng Huaiwen's concerned gaze, her cheeks still flushed, and quickly nodded: "Okay, let's go."
But the thought that had been ignited in his heart could never be extinguished.
Zhou Muchen stood up briskly, straightened his black studded leather jacket from Dsquared2, and his expression returned to its usual cool and arrogant state. He casually raised his chin towards Meng Huaiwen and Lin Suxing: "I'm leaving, you two. See you at the next recording."
The tone wasn't particularly warm, but compared to the sharp tongue spoken on camera, it was quite polite.
"Take care, Brother Mu Chen," Lin Suxing quickly replied politely.
The female guests exchanged pleasantries and left: "What are you ladies going to do later? How about we grab some late-night snacks and play some mahjong together?"
"No problem! And remember to send me the business card of the stylist who did your hair..."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone, accompanied by their assistants and agents, headed towards the studio exit.
Meng Huaiwen, with his arm around Lin Suxing's neck, was still enthusiastically reviewing the interactions between the ordinary people in the program, while Lin Suxing, though listening, had already drifted off into the distance.
The underground parking lot of the broadcasting building was lit with cold white lights, and the air was filled with a hollow echo.
Exhaustion from the recording and the turmoil in his mind left Lin Suxing somewhat listless. He stood quietly beside Meng Huaiwen, waiting for the car to pick him up.
Although he seemed to have reached a conclusion, he still needed to confirm the specifics with Nian Nian.
After all, he himself couldn't figure out whether their relationship was just about dependence, or... should take it a step further.
“Oh, right,” Meng Huaiwen said, as if he had suddenly remembered something. He patted his forehead and spoke casually, as if he were asking what he would have for breakfast tomorrow. “I forgot to tell you earlier that I didn’t drive here today. Brother Shunduo said he would pick us up to go out for a late-night snack, and Brother Xinian will come too. It will just be the four of us.”
He spoke casually, not at all thinking it was a big deal that needed special reporting. After all, in his mind, Lin Suxing and Li Xinian were very close, and it was just a matter of having another person to eat with.
But for Lin Suxing, these words were like another thunderbolt!
“Li…Li Xinian?!” Lin Suxing suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide open. His heartbeat, which had just calmed down a little, went out of control again. Blood seemed to rush to his head, making his ears burn.
He almost instinctively wanted to turn around and run away, to find an excuse to slip away, even a lame excuse like "stomach ache" would do!
A sleek black Bentley Flying Spur, like a ghost in the night, silently glided up in front of them and came to a smooth stop.
The dark window film blocked out outside prying eyes, creating an undeniable sense of oppression.
The passenger-side window slowly rolled down.
The first thing that caught Lin Suxing's eye was Li Xinian's impeccable mixed-race face.
He wore a high-quality dark blue silk shirt, with the top two buttons of the shirt collar casually undone, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone and exuding a touch of languor.
He wore a light gray cashmere cardigan over his clothes; the soft material softened his usual cold and hard aura, making him look lazy and comfortable.
The dim light inside the car cast deep shadows on his sculpted features, and his gray-blue eyes, under the cold white lights of the parking lot, were like the surface of a frozen lake, precisely capturing Lin Suxing, who stood frozen in place, his face still showing lingering panic.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Winking face] We're finally going to confirm our relationship! Are you all excited, ladies? I know I am! [Starry eyes]
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