An antique-painted boat drifted leisurely across the clear water, its shadow rippling softly beneath the sunlight. At the bow, Jason Carter and Sophia sat cross-legged facing one another.
Sophia's movements were slow and elegant as she prepared tea. Her sleeves brushed lightly against the lacquered tray, fingers steady and precise, every motion calm and restrained. The scene felt serene enough to be framed as a classical painting—quiet water, ancient attire, and the gentle steam of fresh tea rising between them.
Jason did not disturb her. In truth, Sophia would never have agreed to attend if not for Jason's actions at Infinity Media's annual meeting. Reforming exploitative contracts. Raising benefits. Giving streamers real freedom. Those decisions alone had earned her respect.
Her contract had always been extremely flexible. This appearance wasn't even part of her obligations. She had agreed purely out of courtesy. Yet even then, she had felt conflicted. So she made a condition—half excuse, half test. She said that Jason himself suited traditional attire, and that if he was willing to appear alongside her, she would attend.
In her heart, she had fully expected him to refuse. A billionaire boss, personally dressing in ancient robes and attending a niche cultural festival? It sounded absurd. But he agreed.
That unexpected response left her, the one who made the request, feeling faintly guilty. The boss treated his people sincerely, yet she had still played a small emotional trick. She wasn't good with words, nor with apologies. So she chose a quieter way to express her gratitude. Like this.
After finishing the brew, she gently pushed the teacup forward. "Jason, please have some tea."
Jason lifted the cup, took a sip, and smiled. "Good tea."
The praise was simple, sincere. Sophia refilled his cup, her gaze lingering on him for just a moment longer than necessary.
At the annual meeting, Jason had stood at the center of the stage like a force of nature—vast capital, decisive authority, a man capable of shaking an entire industry. Now, dressed in ancient robes, reclining at the bow of a drifting boat, he looked like a refined noble wandering through a classical painting. The contrast stirred something unfamiliar in her.
She spoke again, quietly. "Thank you for indulging my stubbornness and accompanying me today. For someone of your status to attend an event like this… it feels a bit too much."
Jason waved his hand casually. "Your contract is flexible. This isn't even your job. If you're willing to help promote the festival, why shouldn't I come along? People are born equal. There's no such thing as 'condescending' or not."
He glanced at the water, the bridges, the trees reflected upside-down in the river. "Besides, the scenery is beautiful. The atmosphere is good. Boating along the water, drinking tea…" He smiled.
If anything, I should be thanking you for inviting me."
Sophia's eyes flickered. He wasn't posturing. He truly looked relaxed—unburdened, at ease, as if the noise of the crowd, the cameras, the whispers, all meant nothing to him. Sitting there, he felt strangely detached from worldly excess, despite possessing more of it than almost anyone else.
It reminded her of something her grandfather once said: true wealth isn't what you own, but what you're able to let go of. Her gaze softened.
The boat drifted past one of the most popular check-in spots along the river. Both banks were packed with National Style influencers and photographers. Heads turned. Cameras rose. Even other influencers on nearby boats looked over in surprise. Jason and Sophia stood out too much—their presence, their attire, their composure.
Jason remained relaxed, unaware—or unconcerned—about the ripples he was causing. Sophia poured another cup of tea, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly. For the first time, she felt that this journey down the river might be more meaningful than she had ever expected.
The murmured discussions from both banks drifted clearly into Sophia's ears.
"Who are they? That man is so handsome, that woman so beautiful…"
"Isn't that Sophia?"
"Honestly, the others don't even come close."
"The crazy part is—look carefully. Sophia barely has any makeup on."
"Then who's the man next to her? Her boyfriend?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Sophia has never had a boyfriend."
"He must be a male streamer from her company."
"Who is he? He's way too handsome."
"Men wearing ancient-style outfits really depend on looks. Other influencers look awkward in them, but he actually feels like an ancient noble."
"If I wanted to financially support him, how much would it cost?"
"Handsome guy, how much to get your contact?"
Sophia heard everything. She also noticed the subtle hostility in the gazes of several influencers nearby, the kind that came from comparison and jealousy. Her brows unconsciously tightened. This was precisely why she disliked the spotlight. Being admired wasn't the problem—being scrutinized was.
Yet when she heard someone joking about financially supporting Jason Carter, she couldn't help but laugh softly. Her eyes lifted, instinctively turning toward him. She had half-expected irritation. After all, being mistaken for a streamer—or worse, being publicly discussed like an object—was something many powerful men hated.
But the scene she worried about never appeared. Jason remained exactly the same. He leaned back lazily, eyes half-lidded, posture relaxed, like a cat basking in warm sunlight until every bone felt loose. The noise around them seemed to pass straight through him. He didn't frown. Didn't explain. Didn't care.
A man worth tens of billions didn't need to clarify whether he was a streamer or a boss.
Sophia suddenly understood something. The world is one's own. Other people's opinions belong to them. Be yourself in your own world—let others live in theirs.
Everyone could talk about such principles, but how many people truly lived them? She had always believed herself calm and detached, yet she still felt discomfort under scrutiny. But the man beside her had already reached that state naturally. No rush. No need to shine deliberately. No need to become anyone else. Just be yourself.
Her thoughts slowly settled. The scenery was beautiful. The river was calm. The atmosphere aligned perfectly with her own aesthetic. She loved this. She should simply enjoy it.
A faint smile curved her lips. Looking at Jason—who had influenced her without saying a word.
She had never imagined that she would meet such a person in modern society.
Of course, what she didn't know was that Jason's ease came from absolute confidence. When money was endless and life was treated like a long game, why would he care about how strangers defined him?
At that moment, two girls appeared on the riverbank ahead. One of them wore twin ponytails, her temperament dignified yet gentle, pure yet lively.
Both were deeply devoted to classical culture—there was no way they would miss this. Noticing the crowd gathered by the water, they stepped closer, their gazes drifting across the small boats gliding downstream.
Very quickly, their eyes locked onto one particular boat. The man and woman at its bow possessed extraordinary presence. They watched for several seconds. Then her breathing unconsciously quickened. Her eyes were drawn entirely to the man.
But as the boat drifted closer and the angle shifted, revealing the man's side profile clearly, her lips slowly parted. Her expression froze in disbelief.
"…Wait. …Isn't that— That's Jason Carter?!"
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