Chapter 548: Taking Zhou Luyao to the movies, Ji Xiaolin follows!
"Husband!"
When Zhou Luyao saw Shen Anyu arrive, her eyes curved into crescents, and she happily walked over, taking Shen Anyu's arm.
She radiated sweet happiness, feeling that her current life was truly wonderful: living in a top-tier Villa in Jinxiu Mountain Villa worth tens of millions, having all sorts of luxury goods, and receiving 30 million in pocket money annually.
Compared to before, her current daily life was like heaven; sometimes, when Zhou Luyao woke up from a dream, she even wondered if she was still dreaming, a beautiful dream of walking on marshmallows.
But holding the handsome man beside her, Zhou Luyao knew this wasn't a dream; she had truly met a good man who had allowed her to soar. The warmth of his arm, the solid strength beneath the fabric of his suit, was an anchor grounding her in this new, impossibly brilliant reality. Every breath she took seemed to be filled with the crisp, clean scent of wealth and security. The constant, gnawing anxiety of her past life—of scrambling for rent, of choosing between a new coat and a decent meal—had been completely erased, replaced by a profound and blissful calm.
Even though Zhou Luyao knew that, given her status, she couldn't become the wife of the young master of the Yanxia Shen Family, being one of the women by Shen Anyu's side already made her overjoyed. She was no fool. She understood the unspoken hierarchy, the vast chasm between a pampered mistress and a matriarch. But the thought brought no bitterness, only a pragmatic sense of gratitude. To be a part of his world, even on the periphery, was a privilege beyond anything she had ever dared to imagine. She felt like a small, favored star orbiting a magnificent sun, content to bask in its life-giving radiance.
Who wouldn't be captivated by such treatment?
Living in a top-tier Villa in Jinxiu Mountain Villa worth tens of millions, having all sorts of luxury goods, and receiving 30 million in pocket money annually—even a man would be tempted and turn into a pretty boy. It was a golden cage, but the bars were so wide and the interior so decadent that it felt more like a palace.
Today, Zhou Luyao was dressed fashionably and beautifully. She wore Dior gold-trimmed high heels that added an elegant lift to her posture, each step a quiet click of confidence on the pavement. Her long, straight legs were sheathed in flawless black stockings that drew the eye, disappearing beneath the hem of a classic white Chanel dress that made her appear quite pure. The pristine white fabric contrasted sharply with the dark silk of the stockings, a deliberate and potent combination. However, the sparkle in her eyes and her alluring gaze, which she aimed solely at Shen Anyu, revealed a striking charm that undercut the innocence of her attire.
Purity and charm blended perfectly, creating a beautiful sight that attracted countless passersby. Heads turned. Conversations stuttered to a halt. The air itself seemed to still as she moved, a living work of art that demanded attention. When those passersby saw Zhou Luyao, her face full of sweet happiness, holding Shen Anyu's arm with such intimate familiarity, they were filled with envy but not jealousy. The distinction was crucial. Jealousy implied a belief that one could compete; envy was the quiet, resigned admission of a vast and insurmountable gap.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom, parked silently at the curb, was the source of that gap. Worth a staggering 200 million, the car was less a vehicle and more a statement of absolute power. Its midnight-black paint drank the sunlight, its chrome grille gleamed like polished silver, and its mere presence radiated an aura of untouchable prestige. It spoke volumes about Shen Anyu's power without him needing to utter a single word. Many women watched with unconcealed longing, their gazes fixed on Zhou Luyao. They didn't just envy her beauty or her clothes; they envied her place—the coveted spot by the side of such a top-tier rich, handsome, and tall man.
"Let's go. I'll take you to eat first, then we can watch a movie and go shopping." Shen Anyu's handsome face held a charming smile that could melt glaciers. He extended his hand, palm up. Responding instantly, Zhou Luyao smiled sweetly, a blush dusting her cheeks as she placed her fair, delicate hand in Shen Anyu's large one. His fingers closed around hers, strong and warm, sending a pleasant tremor through her. He led her to the waiting behemoth, and she followed him into the plush, leather-scented interior of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
After the Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled away from the curb with a whisper-quiet hum, a figure emerged from the shadows of a nearby building, his expression a mask of raw bitterness. He muttered under his breath, his voice laced with venom.
"Who the hell is that guy? The great beauty he was with yesterday was already a peerless beauty, and this one is no less stunning. It's simply unfair! He's juggling two women, and both are top-tier beauties."
It was Zhao Tao, the Child of Destiny of the entertainment song-plagiarism genre. The Hangzhou Zhao Family was quite powerful, and he also lived in a luxurious Villa in Jinxiu Mountain Villa, a fact that now felt like an insult rather than a privilege. At this moment, Zhao Tao looked at the disappearing silhouette of the Phantom, consumed by a corrosive mix of envy and jealousy. The image of Zhou Luyao's perfect legs and radiant smile was burned into his mind.
Yang Qiuchan, the woman who had appeared with Shen Anyu yesterday, was already a peerless beauty, a top-tier stunner whose elegant grace had made him ache with covetous desire. Now, this new woman, Zhou Luyao, who appeared with Shen Anyu today, was equally stunning. She was a captivating blend of virginal purity and sultry charm, a paradoxical combination that made her beautiful beyond words and maddeningly desirable. With two such top-tier beauties by Shen Anyu's side, how could he not be envious and jealous? It felt like a personal attack, a cosmic injustice.
"Hmph, what's so great about a Rolls-Royce Phantom?" he scoffed, his fists clenched at his sides. "I have all those classic songs from my previous life locked in my mind, even blockbuster hits worth 100 million each."
The memories surged within him, a treasure trove of artistic genius that was his and his alone in this world. The melodies of a generation, the lyrics that had defined an era—they were his weapons.
"The 'Blue and White Porcelain' I uploaded yesterday, with some chart manipulation, has already quickly become popular. Soon, I'll be the hottest superstar in Yanxia, the King of Pop!"
"At that time, all sorts of beautiful women will be at my fingertips."
Zhao Tao was full of confidence, his spirit soaring on the wings of his stolen future. He would be bigger than Jay Chou, a legend whose name would echo through history. Moreover, his identity in this life was also quite impressive. The Zhao Family was among the top ten wealthiest families in Hangzhou, with a net worth of tens of billions. Zhao Tao was also their only son, and if he didn't sing well, he would have to go home and inherit the family fortune—a safety net that only fueled his arrogance.
'It seems I have a fiancée named Zhang Yaqian,' he mused, a smirk playing on his lips. 'Heard she's no less beautiful than the women that pretty boy has been with yesterday and today. I'll go check her out when I have time.' She was just another prize to be claimed, another jewel for his future crown.
'For now, I'll continue releasing new songs, striking while the iron is hot. I released 'Blue and White Porcelain' yesterday, and today I'll release 'East Wind Breaks' and 'Jiangnan,' focusing on the traditional Chinese style.'
Zhao Tao hummed a tune, the melody a perfect echo from another world, swaggering as he walked towards his own car, a garish red Ferrari, before driving towards his newly purchased music studio.
With the popular classic songs accumulated from Blue Star, both domestic and foreign, Zhao Tao believed that in this parallel world, he would definitely become a superstar popular both domestically and internationally, a superstar unparalleled in history.
'Oh, and that Heavenly Queen Zhong Lingyin,' he remembered suddenly, his eyes glinting with ambition. 'She's quite beautiful too. I'll go pursue her then.'
'With my talent, there will definitely be no problem.'
Zhao Tao drove his Ferrari, his mind racing with joyous plans. Yesterday, he had specifically looked into the current situation of the Yanxia film and music industry. While there were no familiar figures like Jay Chou from his previous life, there were still Kings and Heavenly Queens. Among them, Zhong Lingyin was the most beautiful and popular Heavenly Queen. Her talent was immense, but it was her ethereal beauty that truly captivated the public. Especially when her relationship was officially announced recently, even major platforms were paralyzed by the trending topic, a proof of her immense popularity.
But Zhao Tao was confident. It was said that Zhong Lingyin liked talented men, and who could be more talented than him, a man with a memory containing a library of classic, world-changing songs? Not just songs, he had even seen screenplays for blockbuster TV shows and movies. After failing the music academy entrance exam in his previous life, Zhao Tao had begrudgingly gone to the directing department, and with his extraordinary memory, he had absorbed everything like a sponge.
'First, a small goal: dominate the entertainment industry!'
Zhao Tao floored the accelerator, the Ferrari roaring as he sped happily towards a future he saw as golden and guaranteed.
On the other side, seated in the silent, opulent cabin of the Rolls-Royce, Shen Anyu detected Zhao Tao's situation through the nanometer monitoring robot. A feed of audio and video streamed directly into his consciousness, and he found the man's inner monologue profoundly amusing.
'This guy dreams big. He's actually eyeing my women. He really doesn't know what's coming to him.'
A cold, predatory light flickered in Shen Anyu's eyes. The ant was not only oblivious to the boot hanging over it, but was actively trying to steal crumbs from the boot's owner.
'I'll deal with him when I have time. Also, his fiancée, Zhang Yaqian, the sister of Heavenly Master Zhang Zhiyun... I need to get in touch with her and see what's going on.'
Dealing with Zhao Tao, ruining his reputation, and bankrupting his family would be effortless for Shen Anyu. It would be a simple matter of a few phone calls, a few discreet orders.
But that was too merciful. Too quick. He would let Zhao Tao be smug for a few more days, let him climb the ladder of fame, let him taste the intoxicating nectar of success. And then, at his most triumphant moment, when he stood at the very peak, believing himself invincible, Shen Anyu would directly cast him into the abyss, crushing him in one fell swoop, ensuring the fall was as public and as devastating as possible.
Shen Anyu was idly plotting how to best handle Zhao Tao when he suddenly sensed something—a faint ripple in the ambient spiritual energy of the world around him. A subtle, almost imperceptible disturbance. A lazy smile played on his lips.
His Divine Sense swept out, an invisible, omniscient wave that expanded from the car in an instant, painting a perfect three-dimensional map of the surrounding blocks in his mind. It passed through steel, concrete, and flesh, and in less than a second, it locked onto its target. He detected a taxi following a careful distance behind the Rolls-Royce Phantom. And inside that car sat a very familiar figure: Ji Xiaolin.
Ji Xiaolin was following him
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