85: For example, me

After Feng Yueshan publicly targeted him, Wei Maopeng was depressed for a long time. He knew in his heart that he couldn't re-enter that circle, but when he saw Chu Yilan feeding Shen Lian pastries, Wei Maopeng was still stunned.

At that moment, Shen Lian's hands were sticky with juice, so Chu Yilan didn't let him take the food with his hands, expertly feeding him two bites.

"Who is that?" Wei Maopeng asked the person beside him.

"I heard he's CEO Chu's boyfriend."

Not a "lover" or a "kept boy," but a boyfriend.

Wei Maopeng didn't follow the entertainment industry, so he naturally didn't know much about Shen Lian.

At today's event, there were quite a few celebrities accompanying the wealthy businessmen, including even a retired Best Actress, but everyone shared a silent understanding: aside from Shen Lian exchanging a few casual words with Chang Qing, people just nodded and smiled when they met. Once they left this door, everyone knew what should and shouldn't be said.

Xu Jingge had practically "latched onto" Chu Yilan, determined to make a mark on the port deal, with people lining up one after another to connect with them.

Chang Qing couldn't stand still, so he went with Shen Lian to the outdoor balcony. The autumn afternoon sun was lazy, but the breeze was gentle.

Shen Lian poured out two pills and took them with plain water. Chang Qing noticed and frowned, "What are you taking?"

Shen Lian smiled, "Vitamins."

Chang Qing looked suspicious.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Chang Qing, but away from Chu Yilan, Shen Lian was unwilling to expose his weakness. It was pointless and unnecessary. Everyone had their own business; it looked ridiculous for everyone to hover around one person.

"Oh right, I have a script on hand that needs a cameo role. Are you interested?" Chang Qing asked.

Shen Lian's first thought was, *Yes!* But then he recalled waking up one night to find Chu Yilan awake, hovering around him like a big dog, and he couldn't bear to leave. "Where is the filming? Is the role demanding? I'm on vacation lately."

Chang Qing, immersed in his own world with Xu Jingge, didn't notice anything unusual about Shen Lian. After all, when he was on vacation, Xu Jingge was equally possessive, and even the Agent calling to check in would be met with sarcasm.

"Not much, but the character is very likable," Chang Qing said. "He dies immediately upon appearance."

Shen Lian's eyes lit up. "Okay, I'll discuss it with Yilan later."

Chang Qing nodded.

Wei Maopeng entered at this moment, holding a glass of champagne.

The outdoor area was large enough for guests to come and go freely, but how should one put it? Wei Maopeng was truly a bit clumsy. The way he intentionally or unintentionally scrutinized Shen Lian while pretending to admire the scenery seemed, to Shen Lian, barely different from streaking.

Shen Lian remained silent, instead asking Chang Qing about the start date for filming, the main cast lineup, and so on.

Shen Lian kept his composure, but Wei Maopeng couldn't.

The man finally stepped forward with the champagne, "Mr. Shen."

Chang Qing gave Shen Lian a look, signaling, *Should I step away?* Shen Lian shook his head slightly.

Shen Lian didn't even shift in his seat. "Yes?"

Wei Maopeng smiled as if nothing was wrong, "I am Chu... Yilan's friend..."

"That doesn't sound right, does it?" Shen Lian interrupted, maintaining a very good temper. He rested his chin on one hand, holding a faint smile. "A friend tampers with someone's brakes?"

The color instantly drained from Wei Maopeng's face.

"Don't look like I'm bullying you," Shen Lian continued. "If there's a misunderstanding about this matter, you can tell me. If it's reasonable, I can help you clarify it with them."

There was no need for clarification. Wei Maopeng had been in the wrong for years and hadn't said a word. He had only investigated Shen Lian as an artist who had just gone through a massive online smear campaign and hadn't taken him seriously, never expecting Shen Lian to know everything.

The fact that Chu Yilan and Feng Yueshan told him these things meant they fully considered him one of their own.

The shadow cast by Wei Maopeng fell upon Shen Lian, yet it couldn't obscure his dazzling brilliance. Wei Maopeng lacked these qualities, and the friendship he had once earned through pity and a bit of sincerity was completely gone.

His heart pounding nervously, Wei Maopeng finally said, "The person Chu Yilan marries in the future must be a wealthy heiress."

"It could also be the future top superstar of the Entertainment Industry," Shen Lian said seriously. "For example, me."

Chang Qing, standing nearby, twitched his mouth.

"It's useless for you to look for me. Did you think you could provoke me?" Shen Lian said lightly. "With that brain of yours... forget it."

"Why should I forget it?" Wei Maopeng suddenly became agitated. "Why are you giving up?"

"Hey, hey, hey?" Feng Yueshan walked up the steps. His first reaction upon seeing the scene was to look around, then he immediately took off his coat. Ning Sixian casually took it, and then they watched Feng Yueshan launch a kick from five meters away.

Shen Lian and Chang Qing stood up and backed away simultaneously.

How could Wei Maopeng be Feng Yueshan's opponent? Coupled with fear and guilt, he could only cover his head, desperately dodging and begging for mercy, continuously shouting "Yue Shan Ge." Eventually, his voice turned into a sob, sounding incredibly wronged.

Feng Yueshan's heart was like iron. "Cry your mother's cry! It won't be too late to cry when Zhou Yuanlin gets here!"

Wei Maopeng, his eyes red-rimmed, said, "Is there really no chance for me to correct a single mistake?"

Hearing this, Shen Lian immediately shouted, "Keep hitting him!"

What garbage fallacy! Brake failure was aimed at taking a life. It wouldn't be excessive for Zhou Yuanlin and the others to be angry. If he truly wanted to apologize, he should at least be prepared to bear the full brunt of their rage, instead of saying he was wrong while trying to shirk responsibility.

Wei Maopeng was kicked into the corner by Feng Yueshan.

The other bosses and their female companions on the rooftop had long since slipped away. This news couldn't be concealed; people occasionally passed by outside, glancing over. It was impossible for the Wei Family not to get wind of this. They had been ruthless during the business competition back then, and now that they were out of favor, they were looking to mend fences. Wei Maopeng was clearly the unlucky scapegoat pushed forward again.

Since that was the case, why bother being polite?

After Zhou Yuanlin arrived, he immediately gave Wei Maopeng another beating without a word.

Damn it, thinking about how he used to dote on Wei Maopeng, showering him with luxury watches and expensive cars as if money were no object, Zhou Yuanlin felt disgusted.

After the discussion finished over there, Chu Yilan and Xu Jingge came over.

Seeing Wei Maopeng trembling in the corner, Chu Yilan ignored him. He took off his overcoat and draped it over Shen Lian's shoulders, gripping the young man's hand and realizing his fingertips were damp and cold.

Chu Yilan frowned, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No," Shen Lian said. "Isn't it just getting a little cooler?"

"Shall we go out to eat tonight?" Xu Jingge chimed in. "Chu Yilan said he wants to treat us."

"Fine, I'll pay."

Their group was handsome and distinguished, standing in their own world, the barrier between them and others so distinct. Yet, no one cared whether he lived or died. The intense disparity threw Wei Maopeng's mind into chaos. He didn't think Feng Yueshan would actually kill him, and having been willful before, he thought he still had some leverage. So he stood up and roared, "You'd rather accept an outsider than trust me! Can you honestly say that he won't betray you for profit?"

Shen Lian paused, only then realizing that the "he" referred to himself.

Feng Yueshan instantly became expressionless. *You little brat, you really don't know when to quit.*

Chu Yilan's aura abruptly changed. He still looked indifferent and cold, but the pressure forced its way through the air, inch by inch, toward the throat.

Wei Maopeng didn't dare move. He watched wide-eyed as Chu Yilan strode toward him.

Chu Yilan stopped, then asked softly, "What?"

Wei Maopeng couldn't utter a single word.

Shen Lian: "Huh?"

He jogged forward two steps, but Chu Yilan had already grabbed Wei Maopeng's collar, using his arm strength to hoist him up like a small chick, and threw him over the rooftop railing.

"Splash" went the sound of water. Since it was only the first floor, he wouldn't be seriously hurt, but when Wei Maopeng stood up, soaking wet, he immediately burst into tears with a howl.