Chapter 87: A Life of Flying High
Entering the private booth, the girl took off her mask.
Her appearance was that of a rare Hong Kong-style mature beauty, with narrow, alluring eyes, thin and well-defined lips, and a captivating smile. When she wasn’t smiling, paired with bold red lipstick, she exuded a cold and distant elegance that seed untouchable.
Xiao Wang raised his eyebrows, finding her face familiar, though he couldn’t imdiately place her. Lu Liang, on the other hand, looked surprised. “Miss Wen, I didn’t expect it to be you.”
Last month, he and Su Wanyu had gone to the movies a few tis and had seen the promotional poster for Helios. He had been struck by Wen Shanshan’s stunning look in the poster—a sexy and icy assassin with bold red lips, voluminous waves, and a tear-shaped mole that made her unforgettable.
Hearing her surna, Xiao Wang suddenly rembered. “Didn’t you debut as part of a group with Yang Tianbao back in the day?”
Wen Shanshan’s smile froze for a brief mont. “Young Master Wang, your mory is impressive. Yes, that did happen.”
Lu Liang, still smiling, raised his glass to change the subject. “Let’s have a drink. I’ve watched Helios a few tis. Miss Wen, your acting was truly remarkable. It’s just a pity your role was so limited.”
His knowledge of Wen Shanshan ca entirely from the movie poster for Helios. He had no clue about her past.
However, Xiao Wang’s comnt about her debut with Yang Tianbao, coupled with Wen Shanshan’s reaction, painted a picture that wasn’t hard to piece together: the group they were once part of had disbanded, likely with so bad blood.
Yang Tianbao had skyrocketed to fa through a popular variety show and was now preparing for a high-profile wedding that had already captured national attention.
In contrast, Wen Shanshan’s career was lukewarm at best—she wasn’t even a third-tier actress anymore and had been relegated to supporting roles in Hong Kong films.
In Helios, Lu Liang hadn’t seen the film itself, but judging by the cast, featuring stars like Nick Cheung and Jacky Cheung, it seed like a classic male-centric Hong Kong action movie, with Wen Shanshan likely relegated to a decorative role as the “flower vase.”
It wasn’t hard to imagine that Wen Shanshan felt so resentnt. Her forr groupmate had achieved nationwide fa and fortune but had left her in the dust.
This was where Lu Liang saw an opportunity.
Xiao Wang also caught on and grinned as he played the wingman. “Hey, Lu, didn’t you invest in a few films? Why not make Miss Wen the female lead in one of them?”
Lu Liang sighed. “It depends on finding the right script. If it’s so poorly-made trash film, it’ll just ruin Miss Wen’s reputation among mainland audiences.”
Wen Shanshan smiled but said nothing. She wasn’t a naive rookie. Having debuted at 14 and spent years navigating the entertainnt industry, she could easily recognize the subtext in Lu Liang’s words.
“Too few scenes,” “needs the right script”—these were all indirect hints.
But she still didn’t know who Lu Liang really was.
Feigning a playful scold, Wen Shanshan said, “Sir, you seem to know , but I don’t know you. Isn’t that a bit unfair?”
“My apologies, Miss Wen. I got too excited and forgot to introduce myself,” Lu Liang replied with a smile, raising his glass and taking a self-punitive drink. “I’m Lu Liang, from Tianxing Capital.”
Wen Shanshan was taken aback. “You’re President Lu? So young! But why do they call you Uncle Lu?”
Although she mostly worked in the Hong Kong film industry, she had been keeping an eye on the mainland, eager to tap into its massive market.
Over the past few days, Lu Liang had beco a national sensation. Anyone who spent ti online would’ve heard his na. She just hadn’t expected him to be so young. 𝙍αΝ𝖔ꞖƐs̈
Xiao Wang, holding a girl in his arms, laughed so hard his stomach hurt. “That’s because he’s always got this old-school, bureaucratic vibe—and he never shows his face!”
Lu Liang shot him a glare. “Are you sure you’re not talking a bit too much?”
Wen Shanshan covered her mouth, giggling softly. After chatting for a while, her manager called, prompting her to say, “Young Master Wang, Mr. Lu, I’m sorry, but it’s getting late. I need to head out.”
Lu Liang nodded. “Let walk you downstairs.”
“Thank you.”
At the bar’s entrance, the two exchanged contact information before Lu Liang watched Wen Shanshan get into a cab and leave.
Back in the private booth, Xiao Wang handed him a beer and teased, “Interested in her?”
“A little,” Lu Liang admitted openly, sipping his drink.
“I just rembered sothing. She’s not exactly a saint. Sa background as Yang Tianbao—they were both young models. One made it big, and the other didn’t,” Xiao Wang said, recalling her reputation. Wen Shanshan had even gotten into trouble for so poorly thought-out remarks that nearly led to her being blacklisted.
“That’s sothing for her future husband to worry about—not ,” Lu Liang replied with a carefree smile.
“True enough,” Xiao Wang laughed. “Just don’t pull an Old Qin and get scamd out of 45 million.”
Recently, there’d been a scandal in Shanghai’s social circles where a second-generation heir was conned out of 45 million yuan by a gold digger. Xiao Wang had warned him beforehand, but the guy didn’t listen and was now too ashad to even leave his house.
“Xiao Wang, I’ve been married before. I’ve got experience. You’re the one who should be careful,” Lu Liang said with a smirk.
“Don’t worry—nothing like that’s ever happening to . Also, stop calling ‘Xiao Wang,’ damn it.” Xiao Wang shot him a sharp look, suddenly rembering that Lu Liang had lost their earlier bet.
Grinning mischievously, he put on sunglasses, climbed onto the DJ platform, and declared, “Martinis for everyone! Courtesy of President Lu!”
Lu Liang leaned against the second-floor railing, shaking his head in amusent. Raising his hand, he shouted, “It’s on !”
Cheers erupted from the crowd as countless young n and won in the dance floor raised their arms in excitent.
The next day, while working out at the gym, Lu Liang received a call from Wen Shanshan.
She ntioned she was new to Magic City and unfamiliar with the area. She wondered if Lu Liang could show her around.
“I’ve got plans today,” Lu Liang replied with a smile, politely declining.
Wen Shanshan sounded disappointed and was about to hang up when Lu Liang suddenly changed his tone.
“How about this: co help check out so cars first, and then I’ll take you around later?”
Recently, he’d been drinking more often than usual. As a law-abiding citizen, he couldn’t drive under the influence, so he had been relying on hired drivers. Even Xiao Wang had suggested it was ti for him to get a full-ti chauffeur.
"Reciprocating favors is only proper," Lu Liang said casually.
Wen Shanshan was thrilled and imdiately agreed.
“Where are you staying? I’ll pick you up in a bit.”
After learning her location, Lu Liang returned ho, changed into fresh clothes, and drove out.
He t her at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel. She was wearing a green maxi dress with low-heeled shoes, clearly aware of how well she suited a sophisticated, mature style.
There was no entourage, just her alone, standing at the door with a parasol, a solitary figure.
“Miss Wen, you seem quite different from other celebrities,” Lu Liang said with a smile.
In his impression, celebrities usually went out surrounded by a glamorous entourage. At the very least, there would be three to five assistants accompanying them.
Wen Shanshan responded with a playful pout, “I’m not so big star. Just a nobody in the entertainnt industry. Call Shanshan, please.”
“Alright, Shanshan. Let’s go check out so cars first, and in the afternoon, I’ll show you around Magic City.”
“You already have a Lamborghini—what kind of car are you looking to buy now?” Wen Shanshan asked curiously.
The night before, she had looked up information about Lu Liang online and discovered he was quite an impressive financial tycoon.
Two of his well-known victories were widely circulated: one earning 128 million yuan and another raking in 70 million U.S. dollars.
The thought of it made her heart race. The financial world was undoubtedly at the very top of the food chain.
What’s more, Lu Liang had made a na for himself internationally. Even in Hong Kong, powerful figures would have to show him respect.
So, that morning, she had dressed up beautifully and taken the initiative to invite him out.
“The Lamborghini is just for fun. I still need an executive car. I’m planning to check out so Bentleys,” Lu Liang replied.
He’d always had a fondness for Bentleys. The iconic “B” with wings represented the soaring, dynamic life he aspired to.
“Jealous,” Wen Shanshan said bitterly.
After so many years of hard work, she didn’t even own an apartnt in Hong Kong, let alone a car. Saying “the Lamborghini is just for fun” was sothing only soone as wealthy as Lu Liang could nonchalantly utter.
Lu Liang smiled and said, “You’re a good actress. You’re just one or two good opportunities away. Once you make it big, you’ll have everything.”
“Making it big is unreasonable. Not making it big, no one cares. It’s not that simple,” Wen Shanshan sighed, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
“In a few days, I’ll see if any of my friends have a good script and if there’s a role that suits you,” Lu Liang offered warmly.
Feeling for her, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and pulled out a tissue to help wipe away her tears.
She didn’t resist, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Brother Liang, you’re so kind to .”
Lu Liang softly consoled her, “Don’t be too upset. I just can’t bear to see a pearl covered in dust. You have a bright future ahead of you. One day, you’ll stand on an even bigger stage and beco the brightest star of them all.”
“Will I really have that chance?” Wen Shanshan asked quietly, almost to herself.
“You will,” Lu Liang said with firm conviction, painting a vision of success.
“Thank you, Brother Liang. I feel much better now,” she said with a nod, her spirits lifted as a smile returned to her face. “Let’s go check out the car first.”
Wen Shanshan wasn’t naive. She knew Lu Liang was making empty promises, but in this world, you had to give sothing to get sothing. She understood that much.
She wasn’t foolish—words could be hollow, and actions spoke louder. She wanted to see for herself whether Lu Liang truly had the power he claid to have.
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