Chapter 3: Preparing for the Interview

Night had fallen, and Dragon City was ablaze with lights. Neon signs shimmered, and the commercial district was as crowded as ever. In this regard, the city was worlds apart from the quiet nights Lin Xi had grown accustomed to abroad—how wonderful it felt to be home.

At the table, Lin Tianyou raised his glass to the two others. “I’m entrusting my sister to your company now; Manager Zhou, I must trouble you to look after her.”

“Don’t worry, Second Brother,” Gu Jue assured him repeatedly. “Xiao Xi is my sister too—I would never let her suffer any injustice.” Zhou Xin smiled in agreement.

Lin Xi pressed her lips together, her gaze shining like moonlight as she considered her words. “Brother, Third Brother, I wanted to discuss something with you. I don’t plan to deliberately conceal my identity. Sooner or later, the truth will come out, and it would look worse if someone else exposed it. I don’t want to deceive anyone, but I’m also worried that my presence might affect the company…”

“Xiao Xi, there’s no need to worry. Do whatever you wish; your brothers are behind you, supporting you,” Lin Tianyou interrupted gently, paying no heed to her concerns.

Gu Jue smiled as well, his tone encouraging. “Exactly. Our Xiao Xi has never been afraid of anything. If trouble comes, we’ll handle it—Starshine will always be your rock.”

Lin Xi was deeply moved and lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile. “Thank you, Brother, Third Brother. I understand.”

Lin Tianyou and Gu Jue both smiled with satisfaction.

“Xiao Xi, you’ve finally returned to develop your career here. If Starshine can’t protect you, our father would have my head!” Gu Jue couldn’t help but shake his head and tease.

“Haha, that’s right! Be careful, or I’ll tell Dad on you!” Lin Xi lifted her chin, feigning haughtiness, making both brothers burst into laughter.

Zhou Xin laughed along, secretly breaking out in a cold sweat for herself and the entire media industry. She must not, under any circumstances, offend Lin Xi! To do so would be to make enemies of half of Dragon City, and she might not even make it out alive. Lin Xi was practically a living Buddha.

Elsewhere, Lu Yuxiu was meeting with his uncle, Ning Heng. Their conversation soon turned to matters of inheritance.

Starshine was different from Ai You; it was a century-old family enterprise, once a military family that later became a business titan, commanding both legal and underground circles.

Ning Heng, as chairman of Starshine Group, presided over subsidiaries ranging from talent agencies and real estate to law firms and publishing houses. Their influence was vast, their assets formidable, and even the state paid them heed.

Lu Yuxiu understood his uncle’s intentions and offered reassurance. “Uncle, rest assured—there will be a successor. But it will take some time. There’s one important thing I still need to confirm.”

“That’s enough for me. You’re welcome at the company whenever you wish—your uncle will be waiting,” Ning Heng replied, relieved.

Lu Yuxiu had attended Huaqing University in Dragon City. Following his father’s wishes, he earned dual degrees in finance and business in just two years, on the condition that he be allowed to make films.

Lu Jin knew his son had always held a certain girl in his heart; it was for her sake that he relented. Still, he didn’t want his son submerged in the mire of the entertainment industry. Fortunately, Lu Yuxiu had little interest in the spotlight—he only wanted to make films.

That was why he never participated in variety shows, commercial events, or brand endorsements—not for money’s sake.

He had thus become a rare, almost ascetic figure in the entertainment world, an aloof flower on a distant peak. Even his fans had grown uncommonly serene.

Returning home, Lu Yuxiu wasted no time. He tried on suits and watches, then summoned Zhou Jun. “Have you finished the investigation I asked for?”

Zhou Jun lowered his head. “I discovered that Miss Lin went abroad for her studies twelve years ago. Before that, she attended Charm International School. Everything else appears to have been deliberately concealed. I spent some time cracking the trail, but after all that, there was nothing—just a sticker with a tongue-out face at the end. It’s humiliating!”

He was one of the top hackers in the country, yet this was all he could find—it wounded his pride.

Lu Yuxiu pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, suppressing his emotions. Charm International… At last… He had found her.

“Miss Lin has recently signed with Starshine. Her agent, Zhou Xin, is currently in talks about Director Lu’s new drama, but there’s been no response yet. It’s the same series you were previously invited to star in,” Zhou Jun continued.

“I see,” Lu Yuxiu replied in a low, hoarse voice.

He was surprised she would enter the entertainment industry—a world so chaotic and treacherous. But since she wished to, he would ensure nothing happened to her.

“Tell headquarters to stop searching. I’ve found her.” Supporting his forehead on the table, Lu Yuxiu’s gaze was deep and unreadable.

Zhou Jun was stunned, but quickly turned and hurried out. He picked up his phone and sent out the exhilarating news: Miss Lin has been found!

Sure enough, within moments, headquarters was in an uproar. After all these years, they no longer had to search blindly.

For years, the boss seemed to have forgotten Shura Hall’s true mission. Their only task had been to find Miss Lin; it had never changed.

They had nearly grown moldy waiting in headquarters. It was almost shameful—so many elite operatives, yet after scouring the globe, they hadn’t managed to find a single living person.

Lu Yuxiu knew nothing of this. Lost in thought, he picked up his phone and called his father. “Dad, I need to tell you something—it concerns your future daughter-in-law. I’ve found that little girl from years ago. Her agent will soon arrange a meeting with you about the female lead in ‘Prosperity’s Storm.’ I hope you won’t make things difficult for her. I’ll take the role, because this concerns my happiness—it’s my chance…”

Hearing his son’s rare tone of entreaty, Lu Jin almost doubted his own ears. When had his son ever spoken to him like this, and said so much at once? He’d been reluctant to take the role in ‘Prosperity’s Storm’ before, yet now he claimed it was a matter of happiness. Was this really his son? It seemed that even the calmest heart could be thrown into chaos by love.

Lu Jin agreed. He too was curious to meet the girl who had haunted his son’s thoughts for over a decade.

After hanging up, Lu Yuxiu was filled with complicated emotions. He knew he had fallen hopelessly in love with Lin Xi—there could be no one else.

Everyone around him knew he was waiting for a girl. During the years he spent searching for her, he had at times resented her for leaving without a word, and himself for failing to find any trace. But the moment he saw her again, all resentment melted away into a wild joy at regaining what was lost.

He realized he missed her to the point of madness, longing to hold her close and never let go. He wanted her to belong to him utterly, to promise never to disappear again—he couldn’t bear to wait another moment.

But he couldn’t rush. He had to wait, or risk frightening her away for good.

Only now did he learn she was Lin Tianmu, the mysterious eldest daughter of the Lin family.

Yet, it was said that years ago, the Lin couple abruptly withdrew from the company, their son Lin Tianyou taking over in haste. Rumors swirled at the time, but Lin Tianyou’s iron will and formidable leadership quickly silenced doubters and propped up Ai You Group on his own. He even triggered an economic storm in the country, leading to a sweeping transformation in the business world.

Since then, every corner of the nation had known his name, and he’d even gained a place on the international stage.

All praised the Lin couple for raising such a son, yet they seemed to have vanished from the earth. The business world whispered that the Lin couple had taken their youngest daughter abroad, but it was only rumor.

No one knew the truth.

Lu Yuxiu was certain it couldn’t be so simple—otherwise, Lin Xi would not have disappeared without a word.

No matter. My little girl has come home. Even if she doesn’t remember me, she will belong to me sooner or later, he vowed silently.

------------------------

That evening, Lin Xi prepared in advance at home, searching for Director Lu’s previous works.

Online, there was a saying: if Director Lu makes a film, it’s either a masterpiece or an award winner.

She found one of his films, “Duality,” which still held the national box office record and had received universal acclaim. Her curiosity piqued, she immediately began watching.

She was captivated from the start. The male lead, dressed in black, moved effortlessly across rooftops, pursued by two men. A flash of sword light in midair—and with that, both pursuers fell, blood streaming.

The next moment, the male lead’s face flashed across the screen, a devilish, unruly smile curling his lips. The camera then froze on his icy, unfathomable eyes.

Lin Xi was stunned—the male lead was Lu Yuxiu. Her heart was inexplicably stirred.

In the next scene, the title “Duality” appeared, along with “Director: Lu Jin.”

The story began with a cold, upright figure sitting in a wheelchair, legs covered by a thick blanket, a faint fire burning in the hearth before him. Under the cool moonlight, the hint of a smile played at his lips. As the camera shifted, his indifferent expression betrayed no emotion. This, too, was a role played by Lu Yuxiu. No wonder the film was titled “Duality”—he played two personas, the contrast and difficulty immense.

Soon, Lin Xi was drawn in, watching the entire film in earnest, her blood surging with excitement. She couldn’t help but admire Lu Yuxiu’s performance—he embodied both the devil-may-care and the icy, restrained sides of the protagonist with stunning precision. The plot was taut, the scenes grand, every actor’s skills on display. It was truly worthy of its acclaim as best film of the year.

This only strengthened Lin Xi’s resolve to win the female lead in “Prosperity’s Storm.” When Director Lu was involved, there was no doubt of quality—she had to work with him.

Watching Lu Yuxiu in the film, Lin Xi’s fingers began to itch.

While in Country Y, she had apprenticed under the world-renowned fashion designer Mary. Under the name Feng Tong, she designed gowns for countless Hollywood stars, and her own brand, Sun, had exploded in popularity abroad.

Now, domestic sales rights had been secured by her brother, and the brand was slowly gaining traction at home.

Her design inspiration always came from her brothers, mostly focusing on menswear in various styles. Lately, lacking inspiration, she had considered quietly retiring.

But after seeing the film, she found herself newly inspired by Lu Yuxiu. Perhaps she could try blending in traditional Chinese elements. She quickly pulled out her sketchpad and began to draw in earnest.

The next day, the company provided Lin Xi with the best resources—personal assistants, bodyguards, makeup artists, stylists—all at her disposal.

Lin Xi found it almost excessive. Even when she shot her first film in Hollywood, she’d never been treated so lavishly. Back then, it was just her and Miya, who had been sent by her eldest brother and had stuck by her side ever since.

Seated in the nanny van, Lin Xi listened as Zhou Xin briefed her on the details.

“Today, we’ll meet with the director and producer of ‘Prosperity’s Storm’—the very script you favored before. Our company is an investor, so we should be able to secure the role for you, but you still need to perform well. Director Lu is highly respected and very demanding,” Zhou Xin said, checking the schedule on her phone.

Lin Xi smiled calmly, full of confidence. “Don’t worry, Sister Zhou. I’ll win this part.”

“By the way, I heard from Miya that you acted in a foreign film before returning?” Zhou Xin inquired.

“Yes, while I was in college. Hollywood came to our school to cast, and I was chosen to play Candy in ‘Stellar Genesis,’” Lin Xi replied, resting her chin on her hand. “I was pretty lucky.”

Zhou Xin’s eyes widened in astonishment. “That’s an international blockbuster—and extremely secretive, I hear!”

“Exactly. The leads haven’t finished filming yet, so I can’t reveal any details. But I’ll be notified when it comes time for promotion,” Lin Xi answered playfully, winking.

“All right, we’ll arrange everything then,” Zhou Xin agreed, still somewhat dazed. She had never expected Lin Xi’s first acting credit to be a Hollywood blockbuster—what a starting point!

Watching Zhou Xin’s incredulous expression, Miya couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. If Sister Zhou ever learned about Lin Xi’s other identities, her jaw would surely drop.