Kong Huaijin and Elena had arranged to et for dinner.
Elena flew in from Province A, arriving in Huaihai just after 4 PM. After resting at her hotel for a while, Kong Huaijin sent her the address of the restaurant and inford her that she had successfully secured a eting with Zhou Yi.
[Kong Huaijin: Elena, I managed to get Zhou Yi on board. We're eting tonight at 6.]
[Elena: Sis, you're incredible! You're my hero! Bring a pen—I want his autograph, hehe.]
[Kong Huaijin: Don't forget to bring him a gift. It's your first eting, after all.]
[Elena: No worries! I've got it covered!]
Unaware of the challenges Kong Huaijin faced to arrange this encounter, Elena showered her friend with praise. Seeing trending topics online, she assud Kong Huaijin and Zhou Yi shared an ambiguous relationship, which explained why Zhou Yi agreed to attend out of respect.
By the ti classes ended, a crowd had gathered around the Ferrari parked outside the school gates. So snapped photos; others gossiped. The throng dispersed slightly when Zhou Yi and Kong Huaijin appeared.
The forums were ablaze with speculation about Kong Huaijin gifting Zhou Yi the Ferrari. Many expressed jealousy, their comnts dripping with sarcasm.
[Just another pretty face living off won's wealth. Did he even deserve that Ferrari?]
[Read her original statent: "Zhou Yi, there's no need to look into sports cars." Clearly, he was already planning to buy one. Without her, he'd still afford it. Petty much?]
[How does he do it? Sure, handso n are everywhere, but getting a woman to go this far? Teach his secrets.]
[First, you have to match her level. Zhou Yi runs his own company—it's a partnership of equals. She's not stupid enough to waste resources.]
[Talk to when you can face a Ferrari without flinching like Zhou Yi.]
Discussions about Zhou Yi dominated the forums. Previously, chatter revolved around his good looks, competition wins, and business acun. Girls swooned; boys made snide remarks before moving on. But now, seeing him win the favor of soone like Kong Huaijin—accompanying her to class and receiving luxury gifts—every man felt envious.
How did Zhou Yi pull it off? Su Ning's brother stared at the trending hashtag, "CEO Gifts Sports Car to Zhou Yi," lost in thought.
Huaihai's forums had recently been infiltrated by marketing accounts eager to gather gossip about Zhou Yi. His popularity generated massive traffic, making him a pri target. On TikTok, his following exceeded two million—all genuine fans. Daily fan wars in his super topic surpassed those of second-tier celebrities. Unlike many influencers who bought followers or trends, Zhou Yi rose organically—a feat unmatched even by so stars.
When Elena's manager learned she would dine with Zhou Yi, she urged her not to miss the opportunity. Rumors suggested Zhou Yi might join Vocal Vanguard, though the official announcent hadn't been made yet. Details were still under discussion, so Elena's manager only caught vague whispers. Managing an artist like Elena required sharp instincts—and staying well-inford was non-negotiable. Jiang Ruolan, handling Zhou Yi's affairs, was naturally seen as his manager.
Elena's manager possessed a keen eye. Years in entertainnt taught her Zhou Yi brimd with star power. If he joined Vocal Vanguard, he'd explode in popularity. His talent alone—two songs catapulted him to fa—proved his potential. Yet, Zhou Yi rejected interviews, leaving curious journalists empty-handed. Establishing ties with him could boost Elena's profile—and create buzz.
Elena adored Zhou Yi, so she embraced the idea enthusiastically. Relieved she didn't resist, her manager sighed. The young lady's stubborn streak ant no one could force her hand. Fortunately, she liked the plan, sparing unnecessary persuasion.
Elena applied stunning makeup, brought her gift, and headed to the eting. When she arrived, Zhou Yi and Kong Huaijin were already seated, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple. Spotting her first, Kong Huaijin stood up, followed closely by Zhou Yi.
Beaming, Elena rushed over to hug Kong Huaijin, kissing her cheek. "Missed ?" Naturally, reuniting with her friend thrilled her most.
Kong Huaijin smiled. "Of course. Missed you so much I couldn't eat or sleep. Look how thin I am!"
Elena teased, "Don't bla if you overworked yourself. Though you look much better this ti."
Kong Huaijin glanced at Zhou Yi. "Maybe good things have happened lately."
Turning to Zhou Yi, Elena greeted him warmly. "Mr. Zhou, I'm Elena Cruz. Not sure if you know , but I adore your two songs—they're breathtaking!"
The girl at the door exuded celebrity charm. Tall, with big eyes, a high nose, and delicate features, she resembled an eighteen-year-old. Dressed in a white Chanel-inspired suit, her hair styled ticulously, every strand scread elegance. As an artist, she relied on her team for grooming. Her natural beauty shone brighter under expert styling. Today, wearing light makeup, she embodied a wealthy heiress.
Even standing beside such a striking celebrity, Kong Huaijin wasn't overshadowed. Together, they ford a dazzling duo.
Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "Hello, call Zhou Yi. I've watched your dramas—you're talented. Thank you for liking my music." Maintaining distance suited the fan-eting-idol dynamic. All he needed was humility.
Elena handed out her gifts. Kong Huaijin received a diamond necklace worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Zhou Yi received a brooch steeped in history, equally valuable. He thanked her graciously, accepting without hesitation.
Gift-giving among elites focused less on price and more on sentint. Refusing or hesitating seed petty. Returning the favor later carried more weight. Complinting her taste worked wonders—Elena bead instantly.
Once seated, Elena looked at Zhou Yi expectantly. "Zhou Yi, I'm holding a concert in Huaihai soon. Would you consider being my surprise guest?"
Zhou Yi pondered. Participating in Vocal Vanguard aid to boost his Affection Level—essentially earning money. More fans ant greater wealth. Building early popularity in Huaihai wouldn't hurt. Besides, Kong Huaijin ntioned Elena's influential background. Crossing her risked trouble. Attending her concert could shield him from sabotage—a rookie's first step toward success.
Appearing hesitant, Zhou Yi calculated internally. Kong Huaijin chid in, "Zhou Yi, I've never seen you perform live. Think about it, okay?"
She didn't push for an imdiate answer, simply encouraged consideration. Smiling helplessly, Zhou Yi replied, "I fear my skills aren't up to par—I wouldn't want to ruin your concert." Humility suited his persona. Even agreeing to the show took multiple invitations, showcasing his aloofness.
Entertainnt thrived on pretense—Zhou Yi mastered its art.
Reviews
All reviews (0)