Chapter 006: President Jin

Song Wan didn’t ask further and obediently moved to stand beside Zhou Qi.

Zhao Meng lingered at the back, her eyes glinting as she pulled out her phone. Taking advantage of their inattention, she snapped a photo of the two.

Only after everyone else had left did Song Wan turn to Zhou Qi. “Director Zhou, did you need to speak with me?”

Instead of answering, Zhou Qi posed another question. “Song Wan, have you thought about the path you want to take in the future?” Though she was new, now that she’d stepped into this world, it was time to start considering such things.

An agent, an agency, future resources, the road ahead—each was crucial.

Song Wan merely smiled, offering no reply.

Zhou Qi didn’t press for an answer. “Do you know who owns the Imperial Hotel?”

Song Wan’s eyes flickered. “Yes, it’s Jin Youqian, CEO of Pinnacle Empire.”

“And do you know who owns Empire Entertainment?”

Song Wan lowered her gaze. In her previous life, she had nearly signed with Empire Entertainment, even discussing contracts with Jin Youqian and Director Zhao Qing. How could she not know who the boss was?

“I know.”

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Qi’s lips. “President Jin is on the second floor. Want to give it a try?”

Song Wan looked up, meeting Zhou Qi’s calm eyes. He seemed only to be conveying information—whether or not she acted on it had nothing to do with him.

Her mind spun. In her past life, she had died, indirectly, because of Jin Youqian; in this life, the original Song Wan had been sent to his bed.

Fate seemed to tie her to Jin Youqian.

Moreover, she still remembered that in her final moments, while others ignored her cries for help, only Jin Youqian had been willing to come to her rescue, dragging Zhao Qing along. Though she died in the end, the circumstances had been beyond saving.

In her previous life, she’d clung to her last shred of dignity—even knowing what would be the best and fastest path, she’d refused to take it. But after her experiences with Han Sen and Qi Lang, she was resigned; if her judgment was poor, she shouldn’t chase after love above all. Finding a patron who only cared about business and not feelings was, perhaps, not so bad.

If it were anyone else, she might have hesitated. But since it was Jin Youqian—single, wealthy, tall, handsome, and with the merit of having once saved her—why should she hesitate?

Glancing at the stairs to the second floor, Song Wan nodded resolutely. “Why not?”

She ascended the winding staircase and stepped into another world.

Unlike the lively atmosphere below, here, amidst the clinking of glasses, men and women wore proud, insincere masks.

Zhou Qi watched Song Wan closely. Apart from a brief moment of discomfort, she adapted with remarkable poise—more composed than even he was. Remembering her earlier decisiveness, Zhou Qi was certain: his investment would one day pay off.

Song Wan’s beauty drew countless stares the moment she entered the grand hall. She ignored them all, her focus trained solely on finding one man.

A portly, leering man approached her, grinning lasciviously. “Miss, you seem unfamiliar.”

She caught his hand, which was nearly at her hip, glanced down, and then looked into his lecherous eyes, her gaze as cold as ice. “Sir, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.” With that, she flung his hand away and brushed herself off with disgust.

Zhou Qi’s expression shifted as he hurried to place himself between them. “Qian Er, this isn’t someone you can touch.”

He sneered inwardly. A woman like Song Wan was far beyond Qian Er’s reach.

Qian Er, with neither family nor fortune to match Zhou Qi, shot him a resentful glare and slunk away, arm around another woman’s waist.

Song Wan glanced sideways and realized she actually knew the woman.

One of the country’s most famous starlets, Yang Qing, younger than Tang Su but of even higher status. In fact, Song Wan spotted several stars of similar rank at this gathering.

Yang Qing seemed to sense her gaze and looked over. Song Wan quickly turned away—just in time to spot Jin Youqian in a corner.

It was a secluded spot, but the people gathered there were all of lofty status and remarkable accomplishment, drawing every eye in the room.

And among them, Song Wan’s target, Jin Youqian, stood out like a crane among chickens.

Surrounded by men well into their forties, Jin Youqian—barely thirty—was shockingly young to not only be among them but to lead them. The years of socializing had left their marks on the others; while not all were overweight, few could be called pleasing to the eye.

Yet at the center, Jin Youqian, with his chiseled features, tall stature, and cool, distant air, said nothing. He simply stood there, lost in thought, relaxed yet impossible to ignore, instantly set apart from the rest.

Unconsciously, everyone’s gaze drifted to him.

Song Wan took in his sculpted profile, lingering on the soft curve of his lips, her gaze burning with intensity.

Sensing something, Jin Youqian looked her way. Song Wan beamed a dazzling, fervent smile at him. He seemed not to recognize her, turning away coldly.

Click, click, click…

In ten-centimeter heels, Song Wan sashayed toward the corner, eyes sparkling.

Just as Jin Youqian was conversing with someone, he was nudged and turned, frowning.

“President Jin, it’s been a while.”

A beauty of such caliber, smiling so sweetly—who could remain unmoved?

As it turned out, someone could.

Seeing Song Wan, Jin Youqian’s face darkened as though confronted by something monstrous. His pupils contracted in disgust and disdain.

Not only Song Wan, but even his business partners were stunned. Recalling the rumor that he allowed no woman within three feet of him, they quickly understood.

Pity flickered in their eyes as they looked at Jin Youqian again.

Such beauty, and yet he could not enjoy it—truly a shame.

Basking in such gazes, Jin Youqian’s expression remained unchanged, utterly unaffected.

Song Wan blinked and stepped closer. Jin Youqian frowned, lips twitching as if to rebuke her…

She couldn’t help it—a snort of laughter escaped her.

Jin Youqian’s frown deepened. “How did you get in here?”

“So you haven’t forgotten me, President Jin?” Her soft, lingering words were full of suggestion.

The others suddenly understood. As if any man could resist a beauty like Song Wan—he must have already tasted her, and so now, was indifferent.

Jin Youqian’s face remained cold. “What do you want?”

Song Wan chuckled. “How do you know I’m here for you, President Jin? You’re not the only man here.” Her words, trailing off as if with claws, sent shivers through all who heard them.

Jin Youqian’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze frosty. “What exactly are you here for?”

Unaccustomed to dealing with women, he struggled to respond to her teasing, his tone betraying a hint of forced authority.

“Oh, nothing at all.” Song Wan tilted her head, her eyes clear and bright, the blood-red tear mole at her eye lending her a seductive air. “I just hope… President Jin will speak with me privately.”

The others grinned knowingly at Jin Youqian, eager to clear out and give him space.

Song Wan nodded her thanks and, swaying gracefully, approached Jin Youqian, her tone lilting. “President Jin, do you really not remember that night? I was lying on your bed… completely undressed…”

“Shut up!”

Recalling that night, Jin Youqian’s face turned ashen.

He’d returned to his suite to find a trembling, shrieking, clawing naked woman in his bed. Regardless of her figure or beauty, to him, it had been a living nightmare.

Despite his cold, wary gaze, Song Wan continued approaching.

Jin Youqian leaned against the wall. As Song Wan advanced, he was reminded of a villain cornering a damsel—except here the villain was Song Wan, barely five foot seven, and the “damsel” was Jin Youqian, well over six foot three.

The sensation left him irritated and impatient.

Song Wan closed in, wrapping herself around his arm. “President Jin, care to play the unspoken rules game?”

Jin Youqian’s brow furrowed. “That night… you didn’t want to?”

“Oh, I was just young and naïve then.” She had no intention of dwelling on the subject—that woman was not her. “So, President Jin, what’s your answer? I’m very obedient, I promise not to cause you trouble. I don’t even need a house or a car—just a few more opportunities.”

A house? A car? Just more opportunities?

Jin Youqian’s face grew colder as he shook off her hand. “Ha! Just a pretty face—I’m not interested!”

Song Wan was taken aback. Weren’t they just talking normally? Why the sudden outburst?

Could it be… he was interested in the original Song Wan?

She recalled the original’s looks and her “dignified, uninterested in fame or fortune” personality—it did seem to be the CEO’s favorite type these days.

She’d have to be careful in the future.

She wanted to ask and clarify—no matter how desperate she was, she wouldn’t go after the original’s man. But by the time she came to, Jin Youqian had vanished.

Song Wan touched her face. “A pretty face?” She broke into a genuine smile. “That’s not a bad title at all.”

“How did it go?” Zhou Qi clapped her shoulder.

Song Wan shook her head with a laugh. “President Jin probably has no taste for someone as ordinary as me—he turned me down.”

Zhou Qi sighed. If someone like Song Wan was ordinary, no woman in this world could catch Jin Youqian’s eye. He offered comfort, “Don’t worry, President Jin never lets women near him. The fact that you even got to speak with him today is a huge step forward.”

Song Wan said nothing, her mind turning to the face of Jin Youqian, as though crafted by the gods themselves, her heart itching restlessly.

She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her approach. Her past had taught her that some things, no matter how much she didn’t want them, were not for her to avoid—especially in the cutthroat world of entertainment.

Jin Youqian had left, but the party’s buzz continued.

For everyone else, his presence or absence hardly mattered.

Jin Youqian was notorious for being “hard to please,” so after this expected defeat, Zhou Qi wanted Song Wan to aim for an easier target. But Song Wan, recalling Jin Youqian’s model-like stature and face…

Decided to take him on, no matter what.