Wen Jinhai and Jian had not had a proper break in weeks.
Their schedules were packed from morning till night. Interviews, brand appearances, studio recordings, variety show invitations. It was as if every media outlet suddenly decided they needed both of them at the same time.
"Next is a live interview at three, then a magazine shoot at six," Jinhai's assistant said, scrolling through the tablet. "After that..."
"Cancel the last one," Jinhai said calmly.
The assistant paused. "But that's..."
"I said cancel it."
There was no irritation in his tone, just certainty.
Jian, sitting across from him, let out a quiet laugh. "You're getting bolder."
Jinhai leaned back slightly. "I'm getting tired."
Jian nodded. "Same."
They had both gained popularity quickly... faster than expected. Their looks alone drew attention, but what kept people watching was their presence. Calm, controlled, and just distant enough to remain interesting.
But neither of them had started this for fame.
Jian stretched his arms slightly. "Funny how this turned out."
Jinhai glanced at him. "You mean the part where we actually became popular?"
Jian smirked. "Yeah. I thought we'd get bored and leave before it got this far."
Jinhai didn't reply immediately.
For him, things had always been… structured.
His adoptive family was not ordinary. They were a conglomerate—multiple industries, global influence, and deep control over Beijing's financial market. Business decisions, investments, expansions—those were conversations he had grown up hearing at the dinner table.
Even though he hadn't officially stepped in, he understood enough. More than enough.
There were times when senior executives hesitated over decisions. Times when things didn't add up.
And in those moments—
They called him.
"Look at this," his father had said once, handing him a report.
Jinhai had scanned it briefly before pointing. "The issue is here. You're focusing on the wrong sector."
It had taken others hours to figure out what he saw in minutes.
That alone was enough.
His parents didn't pressure him anymore. They were already proud.
Jian's situation was different.
He came from a family rooted in politics. Reputation, influence, and public image mattered more than anything. His mother and stepfather held positions that required constant scrutiny.
One wrong move...
And it wouldn't just affect him.
It would affect them.
That was why Jian kept his head low, avoided unnecessary conflicts, and chose his steps carefully.
"I can't afford scandals," Jian said quietly. "Not with my background."
Jinhai nodded. "I know."
Jian leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Sometimes I wonder if I should've just stayed out of all this."
"But you didn't," Jinhai replied.
Jian glanced at him.
"And you're good at it," Jinhai added.
Jian let out a small breath. "That's the problem."
Later that evening, news reached them.
Jian stared blankly at nothing in particular, his mind unusually quiet, before he finally said, "I'm going back to Beijing."
When he first received the news, his thoughts hadn't formed properly. All his brain could process were fragments...
Liu Wen.
Starwave Entertainment.
Training. Departure.
He read the message twice before putting his phone down, his fingers lingering on the screen for a second longer than necessary.
"So it's confirmed," Jinhai said quietly.
Jian nodded. "Yeah."
Jinhai looked at him for a moment, then said without hesitation, "I'll come with you."
On the flight back, Jian barely spoke.
He sat by the window, eyes fixed outside, though there was nothing to see but clouds.
Jinhai glanced at him. "You're thinking too much."
Jian let out a quiet laugh. "I know."
"Then stop."
"I can't."
Jinhai didn't push further.
After a moment, Jian spoke again. "What if things change?"
"They will," Jinhai replied.
Jian shook his head slightly. "That's not what I mean."
Jian's voice dropped. "What if she changes?"
There it was.
Jinhai leaned back. "You don't trust her?"
"It's not that," Jian said quickly. "It's the environment. The people she'll meet, the stage she'll stand on… all those guys—talented, confident, good-looking—"
Jinhai cut in, "So are you."
Jian scoffed lightly. "That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Jian hesitated.
Then said quietly, "I don't want to lose her."
The words hung there, heavier than expected.
Jinhai looked at him for a moment before speaking. "Then don't."
Jian frowned. "It's not that simple."
"It is," Jinhai said. "You either trust what you have, or you don't."
Jian fell silent.
Jinhai added, "You can't hold her back from what she loves. That'll only push her away faster."
Jian exhaled slowly. "I know."
"Then support her," Jinhai said. "That's the only move that makes sense."
Jian nodded faintly, though the unease didn't fully leave his expression.
By the time they arrived in Beijing, night had already settled.
The city lights stretched endlessly, familiar and grounding.
They didn't waste time.
Straight from the airport, they headed toward Golden Crest Residence.
The estate was quiet, just as it always was.
Their car pulled in smoothly, passing through the gates without delay.
Jian glanced out the window. "They chose well."
Jinhai nodded. "They always do."
As their car slowed near the residential blocks, another vehicle entered from the opposite direction.
A white sports car.
Sleek. Loud without making a sound.
It didn't slow down immediately. Instead, it drove straight toward Block D before coming to a smooth stop.
The door opened. A pair of heels touched the ground first.Then she stepped out.
Amy.
She removed her sunglasses slowly, her gaze sweeping across the area like she already owned it.
Jian frowned slightly. "She lives here?"
Jinhai didn't answer.
Amy spotted them almost instantly. A slow smile spread across her face. She walked toward them, unhurried, confident.Then she stopped just a few steps away.
Tilted her head slightly. And said—
"Hey guys…"A brief pause.
"Miss me?"