The next morning.
When Bai Jie woke up, it was already quite late, and Jiang Che had long since left.
She instinctively touched her face, and upon feeling that the mask was still intact, she breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, she curled up in the blankets. After making sure there was no one else around, she tightly grasped a corner of the blanket and took a deep breath, as if savoring a certain scent.
If before she had only secretly harbored feelings for Jiang Che, now she loved him even more.
For a yandere-like obsessive girl, this was the greatest satisfaction.
But thankfully, she was wearing a mask, so Brother Jiang Che hadn’t recognized her. Of course... not taking off the mask was just one of Young Master Jiang’s little quirks.
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
A young maid entered.
She cleaned the room and left without even glancing at Bai Jie.
“Phew—” Bai Jie sighed in relief.
She planned to continue wearing the mask and working as a maid here, as it was the only way she could get close to Brother Jiang Che.
As for the Bai family and her studies, she didn’t plan to pay them any mind. After all, she had been adopted by the Bai family when she was around ten years old, so she didn’t feel much of a connection to them.
The girl glanced at the bedsheet, then blushed and folded it neatly before hiding it away.
......
“Ah, another romantic entanglement!”
Jiang Che sat in the back of the car, rubbing his head in frustration.
He already had quite a few girls around him: Yu Wan'er, Ye Mengyao, Qin Qiaoqiao, Dong'er, Bai Qiangwei, and now Bai Jie?
Speaking of which... Bai Jie and Bai Qiangwei both shared the surname Bai. Could they be related?
Jiang Che stroked his chin.
Upon closer reflection, Bai Jie and Bai Qiangwei did bear some resemblance in appearance, about thirty percent similar.
But their personalities were worlds apart.
That said, Bai Jie certainly lived up to her name, not bringing shame to her predecessors.
Although Bai Jie had thrown herself at him and wasn’t some destined female lead, Jiang Che didn’t mind and simply accepted her.
Now, he was preparing to meet the genius girl who had just entered the secular world, Chen Ningshuang, and her devoted follower, Ye Liangchen!
......
At a film studio in Hangcheng.
Chen Ningshuang wandered around, surrounded by filming sets everywhere.
She was lost. Before entering the secular world, she had no idea it would be so complicated.
She didn’t even have much money in her pocket, and her phone was missing.
Who would have thought that a mid-level martial artist like her would end up in such a state?
But Chen Ningshuang was, after all, a stunning beauty. Standing in the crowd in her white martial arts uniform, she was like a crane among chickens.
Her long hair cascaded down her back, and she carried a Tai Chi sword, exuding an otherworldly beauty.
Many people around her stared, swallowing hard.
Which big star’s costume was this? She was breathtaking!
Just then, a middle-aged director rushed out, looking panicked.
“Damn it, we were supposed to start filming this morning. Where is everyone?”
The director scanned the area, and his gaze landed on Chen Ningshuang in the crowd.
His pupils dilated, and a look of awe flashed in his eyes.
So beautiful!
She was absolutely stunning, perfectly matching the image he had in mind for the role. Without hesitation, he pushed through the crowd.
“Miss, would you like to join our film crew?”
Chen Ningshuang glanced coldly at the middle-aged director, her aura as a martial artist pressing down on him, nearly making him wet himself.
But Director Wang managed to hold his ground and looked at Chen Ningshuang. “Miss, you’re so beautiful. Would you consider joining our crew and becoming a big star? We’re in need of actors right now... How about taking the lead role?”
The girl tilted her head slightly. “An actress?”
In the Chen family, she had spent her entire life training in martial arts. The Chen household didn’t even have a computer, let alone a smartphone. The only thing they had was an old television.
Chen Ningshuang frowned slightly. She still needed to find her brother and wasn’t interested in acting.
Just then, her stomach growled.
“Gurgle—”
Chen Ningshuang’s brows furrowed. She didn’t feel embarrassed, just hungry.
Director Wang, being shrewd, quickly seized the opportunity. “Miss, what’s your name? How about trying out for a role in our crew? We provide meals, and the pay is daily...”
Chen Ningshuang’s eyes narrowed slightly, her pink lips parting.
She uttered a single word: “Scram!”
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Just then, a relaxed voice chimed in.
“Director Wang, how has a big director like you fallen to this point? Can’t even hire an actor?”
Director Wang frowned, but when he turned to see who it was, he was shocked, and his face immediately lit up with a smile.
“Young Master Jiang? What brings you here?”
Jiang Che glanced at the middle-aged man.
Director Wang was indeed a seasoned director, ranking among the top five in Dragon Country. Jiang Che naturally remembered him; the man had even toasted him at his 18th birthday celebration.
Director Wang, of course, recognized Jiang Che as the son of the wealthiest man in Hangcheng. After all, they moved in the same circles, and basic awareness was essential.
“Young Master Jiang, what brings you here?”
But Jiang Che ignored him, his gaze fixed on Chen Ningshuang.
There was no denying it—Chen Ningshuang was stunning, a true classical beauty. Her white martial arts uniform, her cold gaze that seemed to look down on everyone as if they were trash—if she were to wear a hanfu, she would instantly transform into an ethereal, aloof goddess.
She was like the Little Dragon Girl from *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, but even more beautiful. Her long, flowing hair gave her an otherworldly, icy charm.
Jiang Che couldn’t help but feel intrigued. This woman was exactly his type.
Chen Ningshuang, of course, noticed Jiang Che’s gaze. Her frown deepened, and she instinctively felt a sense of disgust.
But at the same time, curiosity arose.
[Who is this man? Why do I feel a sense of pressure from him?]
[Is he also a martial artist? Could his cultivation level be even higher than mine?]
Chen Ningshuang narrowed her eyes, studying Jiang Che.
She was surprised by his age—he seemed to be around her age, but could his cultivation level surpass hers?
Did that mean... his talent was even greater than hers?
A surge of competitive spirit welled up in the young girl’s heart.
Since she began practicing martial arts as a child, she had always considered herself a genius. The only person who had ever surpassed her was her older brother, Chen Hao, but he had later fallen from grace.
Thus, she carried a strong sense of pride.
And now... someone with even greater talent than her had appeared?