The sun beat down on Valentina's face, warm and comforting after days spent mostly confined to the hospital room. She sat on a bench just outside the hospital grounds, basking in its golden light. She stretched her arms out, palms facing the sky, letting the warmth seep into her bones. A languid yawn escaped her lips, a testament to the lingering exhaustion that clung to her despite her recent rest.
Valentina was drawing – a habit she'd developed purely out of boredom. Her sketchbook was filled with whimsical doodles and abstract patterns, a chaotic reflection of the swirling thoughts within her mind. Today, she was attempting a portrait of herself, though it was more of a loose interpretation than an accurate likeness.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her hand. She frowned, glancing at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. It wasn't someone she recognized.
"Hello," Valentina said, her voice laced with a polite indifference.
"Where are you!? Did you forget you are signed by our entertainment industry!" Her manager, Beth, practically shrieked through the phone. Valentina's eyes narrowed slightly, a subtle shift in her demeanor that betrayed a growing annoyance. A smirk slowly curled her lips.
"Beth, you are fired," Valentina stated flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Beth! You will have to pay 60 million yuan!" Beth sputtered, clearly caught off guard by Valentina's abrupt dismissal.
Valentina closed her eyes for a brief moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her face. Then, with a slow and deliberate movement, she unlocked her phone and transferred the requested sum – 60 million yuan – to the designated account.
"Happy. Cancel my contract. I will sign with a different company contract," Valentina said, her voice calm and resolute. The transaction confirmation popped up on her screen, a silent testament to her effortless power.
"Okay, okay, stop this, Val, what do you want?" Beth pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. The earlier shrillness was gone, replaced by a frantic urgency. "We can renegotiate! We can…anything! Just don't do this!"
Valentina simply hung up the phone without a word. The abrupt click echoed in the quiet air, a definitive end to their professional relationship. Annoying was an understatement; the entire situation felt like a tedious waste of time and energy. She tossed the phone onto the bench beside her, dismissing it as if it were a bothersome insect.
"Host host! Since you're entering the entertainment industry, there's more gossip! Plus, the female lead will join Star Galaxy Entertainment Industry! You'll be her senior, though you guys are the same age." Maw Maw squeaked excitedly, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Valentina's smirk deepened, a predatory gleam returning to her crimson eyes. She sprang to her feet with surprising agility and snapped her fingers.
"Yes yes! It's my eldest brother's company!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with genuine excitement. "He has many companies, and that one is just one of them!" She was so delighted by the news that she practically skipped back towards Zack's office, slamming the door open with a dramatic flourish.
"Second brother," she announced, her voice brimming with playful energy.
Zack looked at Valentina with a fond, almost doting expression. He was used to his younger sister's unpredictable whims and boundless energy. He'd learned long ago not to question her decisions, but simply to facilitate them.
"Sure, your eldest brother will be here to see you," Zack replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"He's just finishing up a meeting. Should be here within the hour."
"Thanks, brother!" Valentina chirped, impulsively grabbing his hand and squeezing it affectionately before darting out of the office, leaving Zack smiling after her. He shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and fondness swirling within him. Dealing with Valentina was never dull.
Precisely at 12:00, a strikingly handsome young man entered Zack's office. He was 27 years old, radiating an aura of undeniable power and a chillingly cold composure. His features were sharp and elegant, his eyes like polished obsidian. As Zack spotted him, he raised a hand in a brief greeting.
"Eldest Brother Wang," Zack said respectfully.
Wang merely grunted in acknowledgement, his expression unreadable.
"Eldest brother, you might find something…unusual here," Zack added cautiously, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
Just then, Valentina's inner voice erupted once more, shattering the tense silence. The hospital staff – doctors, nurses, and patients alike – were now accustomed to the disembodied commentary and largely ignored it as a strange quirk of the building.
Inner voice: Tsktsk, ah, the Dean didn't die? Damn! I was about to buy the stocks! So sad, so sad…forget it! Let's see who we should gossip about! Oh my, oh gosh! There is a patient here who likes to smell…shit! So gross!
Wang froze midsentence, his eyes widening in disbelief. He frantically scanned the room, his gaze darting from one person to another. A look of utter bewilderment washed over his face.
"Is that…?" he stammered, his usual composure momentarily shattered.
"Yes, yes," Zack confirmed with a grimace. He quickly pulled out his phone and created a private group chat including himself, Wang, and their parents.
Zack: You aren't able to write about her inn…..beep beep
Wang immediately understood the implied message. The "beep beep" was a coded warning, a signal that something extraordinary and potentially dangerous was at play. He decided to put aside his initial shock and focus on the task at hand: assessing his sister.
He turned his gaze towards Valentina, who was staring blankly into space, a peculiar, almost manic grin plastered across her face. She seemed utterly oblivious to the chaos she was causing.
Valentina blinked a few times, as if snapping out of a trance. She then touched her chin thoughtfully, her crimson eyes regaining their usual focus.
Inner voice: Ah, so this is my eldest brother! If I'm not wrong, I have eight older brothers…ah, this brother actually once went to the girls' bathroom! Hahaha, so funny! He felt so ashamed and had to explain it! Too funny!
Inner voice: Too bad this brother's companies will go bankrupt, ah, this brother is ruthless but who knew he would be a love fool! Tsktsk, if I were my brother, stay away from that Hun Family daughter! Not only does she have countless of men and sleeps around, but her brother, who is the vice president of older brother's company, will be the reason of older brother's downfall. Oh well, won't tell you after all! Out of all my brothers in my 999,999 rebirths, you all suffered for that fucking female lead! So go and be bankrupt, go blind, and die on the plane!
Valentina just smiled sweetly.
"Brother," she said, her voice dripping with an almost unsettling innocence.
"I want to join your company! Star Galaxy Entertainment Industry."
"Okay I will get you an agent, and a manager."
Valentina frowned wait a moment if she remembers she is a girl group band.
"Brother I can't join the company," Valentina said as she explained she is in girl group band. But Wang was not worried. He patted Valentina head gently.
"Okay I will handle it and buy the group girl band."
Valentina was speechless but she threw her thumb up.