She understood that she had naturally adapted to her role.
The man beside her, on the other hand, exuded a natural air of dominance, naturally possessing everything around him—including her. This ownership was so effortless that he didn't show the slightest hint of courtesy or unfamiliarity, as if she inherently belonged to him.
Lin Zhao did not feel the slightest aversion to this. Instead, deep down, a trace of humble anticipation emerged. She hoped that amidst his conversation with others, he might glance at her a few more times.
Then she inwardly mocked herself.
How pathetic.
After a while of chatting, the two people opposite them stood up. Sensing the man beside her also rising, Lin Zhao hurriedly got up as well, feeling a little lost and unsure of what to do next.
It wasn't until the man slightly extended his arm toward her that she cautiously looped her arm through his.
What followed was a whirl of socializing—men and women coming and going, many of them the kind of prominent figures she had only ever dreamed of encountering. She could clearly sense the envy and jealousy in the gazes of several women directed at her. The best she could do was try to calm herself down, silently repeating to herself, "Don't be elated by material things, and don't be saddened by your own plight."
Soon, the man led her to the dance floor.
She had recently taken dance lessons, so while she wasn't entirely familiar, she gathered all her focus as they stepped onto the floor. However, as soon as the man's hand encircled her waist and their bodies made contact, their eyes met. She suddenly felt her thoughts scatter.
Simon, observing the nervous look on the girl before him, remarked with a smile, "You seem to be taller than me by a bit."
"N-no, I'm not."
Hearing his comment, she immediately adjusted her posture to lower herself a little, regretting her decision to wear high heels for the sake of looking good today.
The lights dimmed, and music began to play.
As she clumsily followed his lead, she felt the large hand on her back apply slightly more pressure. His voice sounded softly in her ear: "Get closer. Let me feel you."
She obediently leaned in.
She wasn't sure if he was satisfied, but she quickly felt her body grow weak, as if she were being drained of strength. Her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became labored.
She let it go.
Relaxing entirely, she let the man support her, avoiding an embarrassing fall to the ground.
Fortunately, he seemed skilled and strong—he didn't let her collapse and embarrass herself.
When the dance ended and light applause echoed around them, the couples left the dance floor. She was guided to a sofa by the window. As she regained her senses, she realized the man had already walked away.
She searched for him in the crowd and soon spotted him chatting animatedly with two women who bore a striking resemblance to one another.
Upon closer inspection, she realized they looked like Daji from The Investiture of the Gods.
Two Dajis?
Hmm, she vaguely recalled seeing them at the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon premiere but hadn't interacted with them then.
Shortly after, the man seemed to crack a joke, and the two Dajis laughed together, with one of them holding her stomach as she leaned into him, prompting him to steady her. The other wasn't about to be outdone and also placed her hand on his shoulder.
And he didn't show the slightest inclination to refuse them.
She felt a twinge of jealousy.
Men really do like vixens.
Fortunately, he wasn't completely entangled with the two of them and soon parted ways. Her eyes remained watchful, noting that another woman approached him, while the two Dajis—well, they left shortly afterward with Jiang Shanwu. This inexplicably made her feel a little more on guard.
Summoning her courage, she stood up and walked over.
As she approached the man, he naturally placed his arm around her waist. She heard his calm voice introducing her: "This is Ren Jingxi. Jingxi, this is Lin Zhao. The 'Zhao' from 'sun and moon shining in the sky.' Isn't it grand?"
Hearing the man teasing her with a double entendre, she pretended not to notice and tried her best to appear poised as she extended her hand to the woman with an air of intellect and competence in front of her. "Hello."
Ren Jingxi gave her a polite handshake before turning her attention back to Simon. "I've already contacted Taiwan. They're still hesitant about the rights to Chinese Paladin. If necessary, I'm considering flying there myself."
"Sure," Simon replied. "Think of it as a vacation. Take a week, but don't come back early. Xiaoqing said you work yourself to the bone. That's not good. And as for finishing the filming of My Fair Princess three weeks ahead of schedule, I'm pleased but don't recommend it. Even if you're fine with it, overworking others to save costs will make them reluctant to work with you again."
"I've realized that, Simon. I'm reflecting on it. But if I go to Taiwan, I think three days will suffice. My Fair Princess is still in post-production; I can't be away for too long."
Simon reached out, brushing aside a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead and gently cupping her slightly gaunt face. "Listen to me. A week."
Understanding that Simon was showing concern, Ren Jingxi leaned her face into his palm with a faint smile, unbothered by the many eyes around them. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
This sudden display of intimacy made Lin Zhao feel uncomfortable. She prided herself on not being the type to press her cheek into a man's hand in front of so many people at a cocktail party. However, she also noticed that this intimacy was clearly different from the two vixens earlier. Those women were drawn more to his status, while this girl showed genuine affection for him.
Lin Zhao thought of herself.
And her feelings for him—what were they?
Upon reflection, even though she didn't want to admit it, she knew that, for now at least, it was mostly because of his status. Simon Westeros—just his name alone could render countless women defenseless. Acknowledging this, she glanced at herself, still holding onto the man's arm as he spoke with others, and felt a pang of guilt, as if she were the interloper.
When the man let go, Ren Jingxi reluctantly held his hand and asked, "Simon, when are you leaving this time?"
"Sunday," Simon replied. "There's a lot to handle on this trip."
"About Southeast Asia?"
"Exactly."
Ren Jingxi gave a dazzling smile that made Lin Zhao feel inferior. "So, will I be seeing the 'Westeros Effect' anytime soon?"
"That's not certain," Simon laughed. "Besides, I don't enjoy being called a jinx."
"'Jinx' sounds awful. 'Harbinger' sounds better."
"Alright, harbinger it is."
Ren Jingxi handed the wine glass in her other hand to Lin Zhao, clasped Simon's hand with both of hers, and looked at him affectionately. "You're my harbinger, you know."
"Just yours? Isn't that greedy?"
"Fine, Simon Westeros is every woman's harbinger."
"Now I feel supremely accomplished."
"Ha," Ren Jingxi chuckled before growing serious. "Simon, I feel like I've changed after finishing My Fair Princess. Do you think you'll dislike me?"
"You mean becoming bolder and more proactive?"
"Mm." Ren Jingxi nodded, then explained with a hint of worry, "They even said I don't need acting lessons anymore. Just by being a producer, I've learned how to break free of inhibitions. I've completely lost my shame."
"Not too bad. I'm actually a passive guy. I like it when women take the initiative."
Ren Jingxi tilted her head as if trying to roll her eyes Western-style but gave up. "I tried copying Westerners rolling their eyes, but I can't do it well."
"That's a talent. I'm not great at it either. You should practice with Xiaoqing—she's a master at it."
"I can't match her. Xiaoqing doesn't even need to roll her eyes for people to know she's mocking them—and it's intense."
"I'll let her know you said that."
"Please don't! Xiaoqing will come for me—it's a hassle."
"Alright, I'll spare you."
"Thank you, boss," Ren Jingxi mimicked Xiaoqing's tone. Just as Lin Zhao felt more and more like a third wheel, Ren Jingxi glanced toward a group nearby. "The Qin brothers have been waiting a while. I heard they recently started a company called Stellar. Simon, you're an investor, right?"
Simon nodded.
"Will you be visiting their nightclub later? I've heard it's quite extravagant."
The girl clearly didn't know Simon was also a shareholder.
Simon didn't elaborate but honestly shook his head. "Not interested."
Given his status, Simon had no need to visit such places. Besides, his growing aversion to uncleanliness made the idea even less appealing.
Ren Jingxi tilted her head thoughtfully, nodded, and said, "Makes sense. But I've noticed nightclubs make a lot of money."
"Don't even think about it. You can't, and you shouldn't."
"Got it. Well, that's that." Ren Jingxi stepped forward, hugged Simon lightly, and kissed him on the cheek. As she stepped back, she said, "I'm heading home. I just came by to say hello. After a long day, I need to rest. By the way, I wouldn't have known you were here if I hadn't called CCTV's Director Lin to discuss My Fair Princess's distribution. Xiaoqing… never mind, I won't say more about her."
Simon gently stopped her. "You're planning to work with CCTV on distribution?"
"No, I'm not. Their terms are too restrictive, and their price isn't great." A sharp look crossed Ren Jingxi's eyes as she shook her head. "I was just making connections, building relationships."
Simon was reassured and said no more.
After Ren Jingxi left, Lin Zhao finally relaxed. She followed Simon as he met the Qin brothers, learning that they were the infamous nightclub owners. However, their conversation shifted to Stellar Media, a new film company.
Lin Zhao thought back to the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon premiere. Simon's Westeros Entertainment in the United States was already legendary. Yet in China, his involvement with Jinshu, Enlight Media, Huayi Brothers, H&R Century, Rongxinda, and even Stellar Media showed his growing influence in the entertainment industry here as well.
After another half-hour at the party, Xiaoqing appeared and whispered something into Simon's ear.
Lin Zhao caught fragments: "Cleaned up."
Cleaned up?
What did that mean? Money laundering?
No, that didn't make sense.
With Simon Westeros' status, why would he need to launder money? Then again, nothing was impossible.
As an accounting major, she'd even studied related materials out of curiosity—not to commit any wrongdoing, just for interest.
If…
If he did need to launder money, maybe she could help.
She felt certain she'd never betray him, even if caught. Her family's debt had been cleared because of him, and she owed him. Even in death, she wouldn't turn on him.
Just like Ren Jingxi earlier.
In some ways, she felt they were similar. Of course, there were differences. That woman didn't have the same sense of determination.
After Xiaoqing's whisper, they left the banquet hall.
Downstairs, Lin Zhao instinctively released his arm and resigned herself to not sharing a car with him.
Surely, they were all heading back to the Houhai mansion, right?
But no.
When Lin Zhao arrived at the lakeside mansion, only the attendants who had escorted her returned. No one else.
What was this?
There was no one she could ask for answers.
Feeling dejected, she went to her room and ignored the other girls' prying questions, retreating to the bathroom.
Later, lying in bed, she suddenly realized.
It had to be those vixens.
Hmph.
With a sour heart and self-pity, she tossed and turned, eventually arriving at the same conclusion.
Men really do like vixens.
Now, about that money-laundering idea… when could she bring it up? She could genuinely help.
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