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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nMu Yazhe slightly lifted his proud jaws and gazed deeply at Yun Shishi.

nAn unexplained unhappiness surged inside him.

nHe looked up just in time to see her hide behind Gu Xingze like a startled cat, totally unnerving him.

nShe was so wary of him, yet she was so close to another man. That really put him off. He gave her one last penetrating look before turning away and leisurely occupying the sofa.

nThe atmosphere was bizarre and awkward for a moment.

nLittle Yichen stood at the side, his handsome little face also showing a trace of disdain.

nSomehow, he felt unhappy at the knowledge that Yun Shishi was Gu Xingze’s partner.

nHe felt that she would be more compatible with his father and was startled by this thought.

nOh, god… Why did he have such a thought? It was too ridiculous.

nStill, somehow, he felt a strange and unexplainable closeness to the woman.Why?

nThe little lad was thrown off his guard.

nThe two were indeed father and son; they had the same demanding temperament of wanting to have their ways.

nMu Wanrou swept her haughty eyes around the room. Her gaze fell on Yun Shishi and felt a thorn in her eyes.

nThe elegant gown on Yun Shishi was too glaringly beautiful.

nShe sauntered over and condescendingly eyed Yun Shishi, her lips curling into a smirk.

n“Oh, Xingze. When did you lower your taste to get such a low-class woman to be your partner?” Mu Wanrou continued to look at Yun Shishi disdainfully; her lips were still curled into a seemingly spurious smile. She was about the same height as Yun Shishi, but the eight-inch heels she was wearing gave her the edge to arrogantly look down on the latter. She was just like an empress peering down at a lowly maid.

nYun Shishi calmly met her eyes without anger or fear.

n“This is a masterpiece designed by Helen from Fashion Week’s Gold Award! Who gave you the rights to wear it?” Mu Wanrou proudly lifted her jaws high.

nWhen Alan heard her question, he politely said with his shoulders shrinking in fear, “Young Mistress Mu, I was the one who let her try on…”

n“You?” She angrily snapped at him, “Do you know how expensive this dress is? Who gave you the authority to try it on her?”

n“It’s me,” Gu Xingze answered calmly, explaining, “I judged that this beautiful gown would look good on Shishi.”

nShishi? Why is he addressing her so intimately?

nMu Yazhe’s eyes sank deeper.

nThe unhappiness in his heart grew even more.

nMu Wanrou softened her tone toward Gu Xingze. “Xingze, this is a masterpiece by Master Helen that is worth a fortune; how can you bear…”

n“She is worth it; besides, Shishi really looks good in it.” He lowered his gaze at Yun Shishi and reached out his hand to tidy a stray sideburn.

nThis subtle yet affectionate gesture stung a few people present, especially Mu Yazhe. The displeasure in his eyes deepened.

nSh*t. He did mind.

nHe actually cared if someone else touched her; it was such an eyesore…

nThis kind of feeling was so d*mn irritating.

nMu Wanrou did not notice the inscrutable expression on Mu Yazhe’s face as she went on, “Xingze, tonight is Huanyu Entertainment’s yearly gala. Many important guests, as well as entertainment media, will be attending it. Aren’t you worried of losing face by bringing such an unremarkable partner?”

nQin Zhou frowned with dissatisfaction at her mean words.

nAlan quietly added, “I feel that… Miss Yun looks very good in this dress!”

nMu Wanrou pursed her bright-red lips and gave a sharp warning look at Alan, who promptly shut his mouth in fear.

nHan Yuyan was happy, though. She disliked Yun Shishi with her poor and unremarkable background. The growing disgust within her was vented through Mu Wanrou’s timely malicious words. She mockingly said with a touch of schadenfreude, “Young Mistress Mu has a point. The poor will always be poor no matter how they dress up. Is a sparrow here trying to be a phoenix? Dream on!”

nMu Wanrou smoothed her sleeve and gracefully crossed her arms. What Han Yuyan had just addressed her with was music to her ears.

nHan Yuyan’s words could be as sweet as honey when they could help her climb higher.

nShe took Shao Dong’s arm as she said with a disdainful and provoking smile, “It is better if she stops shaming herself and returns to her slum!”

nQin Zhou raised an eyebrow at that and asked sarcastically, “If our Shishi is poor, then how about Miss Heavenly Han?”

nHan Yuyan was dumbfounded.

nOf course, she was also poor!

nHer family was actually so poor the five of them had to squeeze into a tiny room. She was from a real slum, and, because of that, she was now very materialistic.

nOnce she graduated from high school, she entered an arts school. She had neither the smarts nor talent for learning. She only managed to enter the show business when she luckily got that role in Lin Fengtian’s movie before graduation.

nTo formally step into the show business, she did everything even if it caused her pain and suffering.

nHer hard work paid off and she was now famous. The entertainment media had criticized her as uncultured, and that was her sore spot.

nQin Zhou saw her awkwardness and continued in a critical tone, “In any case, our Shishi is a prestigious arts school produce and is highly regarded by Director Lin.”

nDirector Lin?

nHan Yuyan’s face sank. “Director Lin? Which Director Lin?”

n“Oh, my! You are so forgetful; how can you not remember the mentor who made you famous?” Qin Zhou quipped nonchalantly.

nLin Fengtian!

nHow could she forget?!

nHe was one of the most talented directors in China’s film industry. Two of his movies were box-office winners for three consecutive years!

nIsn’t Director Lin busy with his latest film, which is an adaptation of a teen novel? Is… she the female lead?!

nMu Wanrou was also surprised to hear this tidbit.

nOn the sofa, Mu Yazhe’s handsome face displayed a trace of change at the news.

nHan Yuyan blurted out, “How can that be? Director Lin chose her as the female lead? Why?!”

nShe was able to get the lead role in ‘Bamboo Dragonfly’ because she had the biggest investor’s support back then. Director Lin was displeased with her because of that and had been nasty toward her since then.

nWhat did she do to get the role?

nDid she… use the same underhanded means, too?

n“Why?” Gu Xingze smiled. Ignoring others around him, he reached out and pulled Yun Shishi close to his side with eyes full of tenderness. “Some may come from a humble background, but they will always emanate innocence and beauty. Shishi may not be famous, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

nMu Wanrou looked at Gu Xingze and suddenly got it. He was planning to create some hype for Yun Shishi with his popularity! He was evidently satisfied with this female lead whom Lin Fengtian had chosen. If it were not the case, Gu Xingze, with his aloof and detached nature, would not allow her to ride on his coattails.

nThis Yun Shishi… What did she do to receive such favors from the heavens?!

n“I don’t care who selected her. She is not welcome here!”

nMu Wanrou’s eyes shone with malice. With a voice somewhat twisted by jealousy, she demanded, “Take that dress off and get out!”

nYun Shishi felt slightly embarrassed because of her humiliating words.

nThis woman was willing to go this far just to humiliate her? It was too much.

nShe smilingly asked, “Why should I?”

nShe was not going to undress just because someone said so.

nShe, Yun Shishi, would not be bullied.

nMu Wanrou laughed haughtily, as though she had heard a ridiculous joke. “You asked me why?”

nAlan reluctantly informed, “Miss Yun, I’m very sorry; EMPRESS is a property under the Mu Group…”

nYun Shishi was slightly startled.

nIt was no wonder Mu Wanrou was so arrogant. She was the lady boss of EMPRESS.

nGu Xingze said with a smile, “I’ll buy this gown.”

nMu Wanrou snorted. “Not for sale.”

n“One billion,” he spouted a figure without flinching.

nEven Qin Zhou was shocked to hear the figure.

nOh, god! Xingze… Has he gone mad?! One billion. How did he get that figure?

nEven though he liked Yun Shishi very much, one billion for a gown was still too much!

nYun Shishi was very moved by Gu Xingze’s action. She knew that the gown was not worth a billion, but he was willing to buy it for that amount to protect her pride. It would be greatly humiliating for her if she had to take off the gown and be chased away from here. He was shielding her dignity with one billion.

nWas it worth it? Gu Xingze… Why did he treat her with such gentleness and care?

n“Xingze, are you mad?” Han Yuyan could not bear to watch this further and chipped in, “This gown is not worth a billion.”

n“I like,” he replied with just two simple words, totally disregarding Han Yuyan’s unhappiness.

n“I’ll buy this with one billion,” he calmly declared to Mu Wanrou.

n“You…” Mu Wanrou was furious and stared at him in disbelief.

nAt one side, Mu Yazhe coldly replied, “Not for sale.”

nEveryone actually sighed in relief at his words.

nThe gown was not for sale even with one billion, but why not?

nQin Zhou asked with a touch of annoyance, “Director Mu, this is one billion we are talking about. It’s an astronomical amount!”

nMu Yazhe leaned like an emperor on the sofa. His haughty and suppressive presence permeated every corner of the shop.

n“Do you think I’m lacking that one billion?”

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