Chapter 69: Entertainment Is a Circle

The entertainment industry is nothing more than a vast arena for fame and fortune. In order to climb to the top, many stars resort to unscrupulous means. Usually, these incidents don’t get too ugly, unless there’s major capital backing them—or someone has offended the powers that be.

Starsea Entertainment, where Lu Yunkun works, is an incredibly powerful company, far superior to Glory Films, where Zhou Mi is employed. This is precisely why, after public opinion exploded, Glory Films was battered to the point of barely functioning.

Beyond that, there’s another reason: Xiang Qiang, the head of Starsea Entertainment, had once offered Zhou Mi a generous contract, and secretly tried to exploit her. But Zhou Mi had firmly and righteously refused him, which made Xiang Qiang bear a grudge. Just as the scandal about Zhou Mi broke out, Xiang Qiang seized the opportunity to settle scores under the guise of public interest, determined to teach her a harsh lesson.

Regarding this matter, Lu Yunkun, Sister Lu, and even Zhou Mi herself were all perfectly aware.

“But Zhou Mi really brought this on herself!” Lu Yunkun sneered. “If she hadn’t offended President Xiang, the company wouldn’t have pushed the hype this far for me!”

“That bitch loves to act all high and mighty,” Sister Lu mocked. “After tonight, wait and see—she’ll come begging to us. Maybe she’ll even climb into President Xiang’s bed to make amends.”

Lu Yunkun’s eyes gleamed. “If she really does that, I’ll make sure to ask President Xiang to let me have my turn once he’s bored of her.”

His desire for Zhou Mi’s body was no secret, and he had hoped to use the CP rumors as a chance to get close to her. But he hadn’t expected that wretched woman to refuse to be paired with him, the top star, and even concoct a mysterious shadow to disgust him. She had only herself to blame for his cruelty.

Soon, the press conference officially began. As the star of the evening, Lu Yunkun had perfected his expression and strode onto the stage. The room was filled not only with Starsea Entertainment’s senior management, but also a crowd of media and fans.

The reporters had all received Starsea Group’s incentives and were primed to smear Zhou Mi’s reputation. The fans were there to support their idol and help create a lively atmosphere. The moment Lu Yunkun appeared, they began to express their sympathy for him and curse Zhou Mi, as if she were a villain beyond redemption.

“Thank you to all the media and fans for coming,” Lu Yunkun began, playing the role of both victim and hero. “Honestly, I didn’t want to use public resources to discuss my own personal affairs, but Zhou Mi has gone too far!”

“She was clearly in a relationship with me, yet she flirted with other men!” The media quickly seized on this, cooperating eagerly.

“Other men? So Zhou Mi wasn’t seeing just one person? That mysterious shadow was only one of them?”

“Yes, according to my investigation, Zhou Mi’s private life is extremely chaotic. She even—” Lu Yunkun paused, covering his face and pretending to be overwhelmed with grief.

“What is it, Mr. Lu? Please, tell us. We’ll report everything truthfully.”

“This was told to me by President Xiang. Zhou Mi once seduced him for resources, but he rejected her!” Lu Yunkun’s words were explosive.

The audience erupted in shock, all eyes turning to the front row where Xiang Qiang sat.

“It’s true,” Xiang Qiang stood up, adding, “I was always against Xiao Lu being with her. I didn’t want to speak ill of anyone behind their back, but Zhou Mi is utterly shameless.”

“She’s shattered my worldview. How could someone so morally bankrupt ever be crowned Best Actress or be idolized by the masses?”

Their coordination was flawless, and another wave of curses against Zhou Mi swept through the venue. The media, thrilled, knew they had a headline that could dominate the trending topics for a month.

“When I learned that the woman I loved had such disgraceful behavior, I was devastated…” Lu Yunkun put on a performance of emotional collapse. “I even developed depression and contemplated suicide.”

“But thankfully, I had supportive colleagues and fans like you. With you by my side, I believe I’ll overcome this…!”

This barrage of accusations incited the fans to rage, wishing they could brandish swords and tear Zhou Mi—and Chu Fei, her supposed accomplice—to pieces for their idol’s sake.

“She’s gone too far. Zhou Mi will surely be struck by lightning!”

“We support Kunkun! She’s a modern-day adulteress—she and her lover will get what’s coming to them!”

“Make those wretched lovers apologize! No, that’s not enough—they should die for their sins. Anyone who harms Kunkun doesn’t deserve to live!”

Just as the dirty-water press conference was about to conclude perfectly, a sudden commotion spread through the venue. Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.

A military helicopter landed abruptly at the gate, its rotors thundering.

“My god, is this an exercise?”

“This is insane. I’ve never seen a helicopter like this—it’s armed!”

“Are those people from the Defense Ministry? What are they doing here?!”

While everyone speculated who might be aboard the helicopter, a man and a woman stepped out. The fans immediately recognized Zhou Mi. Which meant the man beside her was the mysterious shadow!

For a moment, the crowd was dumbstruck.

To arrive in a military helicopter—just how formidable was this mysterious man’s background?

After disembarking, Chu Fei led Zhou Mi, unimpeded, straight into the venue. Today, he wore a tailored suit instead of his usual robe, standing tall and dignified. His looks aside, his aura alone conveyed the sense that even if thousands of troops stood before him, he would not flinch.

Behind him, Zhou Mi wore a striking red gown. Her hair was swept up into a neat, high ponytail, revealing her exquisitely beautiful features. Her mature makeup gave her less of a girlish air and more the proud, pampered look of a warlord’s wife.

Together, they made a stunning pair—not only in appearance but in their commanding presence. Their chemistry was palpable, impossible to ignore.

“So that’s the mysterious shadow—he’s so handsome, and they look amazing together!”

“Damn, I kind of ship them—what should I do?”

“Sisters, wake up! Don’t forget they’re Kunkun’s enemies!”

As everyone regained their senses, Chu Fei was already standing before Lu Yunkun. Even Lu Yunkun was intimidated by their aura, now restless and uneasy.

“What—what do you intend to do?” Lu Yunkun forced himself to threaten, “This isn’t a place where you can act recklessly!”

Smack!

Chu Fei slapped him hard, sending Lu Yunkun sprawling to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, terrified.

The crowd was stunned by Chu Fei’s brazen act, but he—the culprit—began to act even more outrageous.

“Oh my god, Kunkun!” Chu Fei raised his phone to snap a photo, loudly ridiculing him.

“Even getting slapped, you’re so handsome? Are you out of your mind?!”