Chapter 9 : Encounters at Yaozhou

Shen Mengke finally saw the legendary Yaozhou that night.
The building was cloaked in the night’s curtain, its opulent lights softened into a dreamy haze, like stepping into an illusion.

Following Xu Shinian inside, Shen Mengke took in her surroundings.
Many of the furnishings she’d seen in photos shared online, but in person, they still stunned her.
Even as an outsider, she could tell at a glance that these items far exceeded the 790,000 yuan price tag of her brooch—how many could they buy?

Xu Shinian watched Shen Mengke closely, her reactions all within expectations.
Who in the entertainment world didn’t love money? No one.
Confident she had Shen Mengke figured out, Xu maintained a polite distance from the moment they entered Yaozhou.

In the elevator, Xu Shinian briefed her on the party’s attendees—mostly industry insiders, with a few notable outsiders, all wealthy.
Naturally, anyone in Xu’s circle was flush with cash.

The guest list made the night worthwhile.
Meeting Yuan Yushan was a draw, but networking was the real gain—more pros than cons.
Yet, from the moment they stepped into the elevator, Shen Mengke’s heart raced inexplicably.
It didn’t stop until she stepped out and collided with someone.

The person wore a black Zen-style outfit, head bowed, on a call at the corridor’s end.
As Shen Mengke exited, they looked up, their eyes meeting across the distance.
Shen Mengke saw Chen Yanxing freeze.

Her long, straight black hair was tied into a small bun, a slight curl visible from Shen Mengke’s angle.
As she raised her head, stray strands danced, and a silver earring on her left ear swayed lightly.
Her shirt was meticulously buttoned, every detail in place.
The black fabric’s heavy, ascetic aura was softened by her sharp, piercing eyes, replaced by a wild, untamed energy that clashed with the calm of the prayer beads in her hand.

The white orchid brooch on her chest gleamed.
Shen Mengke blinked, fixated on it.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Shinian asked, noticing her pause, following her gaze.
“Know her?”
Shen Mengke shook her head.
“Her brooch looks… different?”
Xu Shinian glanced over, frowning.
“It’s far, but it’s white, right?
White ones are special—only for certain families.”
Shen Mengke blinked, confused.
She’d first seen the brooch at an auction, assuming it was just pricey.
Seeing it on Chen Yanxing, it felt unremarkable.
Now, learning it marked elite members of this exclusive club, she was puzzled.
Could such a brooch be auctioned so casually?
She glanced at Xu Shinian’s brooch.
“Are Yaozhou’s brooches all the same?
Could someone fake one?”
Xu laughed, a hint of mockery in her tone.
“Same?
Impossible.
Each member’s brooch has their name engraved on the back and a chip for authentication.
A fake wouldn’t get you through that door.”
“Oh.”
Shen Mengke glanced at Chen Yanxing again, her eyes still locked on her.
The stare unnerved her.
She turned to Xu Shinian.
“Let’s go.”
Maybe the auction brooch was a coincidence—similar in shape, nothing more.

Chen Yanxing hung up her call only after Shen Mengke entered the private room, her eagle-like gaze fixed on the closed door.
Ren Zhou emerged from the corner, patting her shoulder.
“What’re you staring at?
Get in there.”
Chen Yanxing looked away.
“JREase just called.”
Ren Zhou’s eyes widened.
“You sealed the deal?”
Chen Yanxing nodded.
“Day after tomorrow.”
“That’s huge!”
Ren Zhou beamed, missing the dissatisfaction in Chen Yanxing’s eyes.
“Then why’re you standing here?
Go in!”
“No rush.
Waiting for someone.”
“Who?”
Chen Yanxing didn’t answer, dialing another number in front of her.
“Bring the sealed file from my desk to Yaozhou.”
“Yes, boss.”

Ren Zhou recognized the voice on the phone, sighing.
“What’s that?”
“Contract.”
“For who?”
“A fox.”
“…”

If she didn’t know her friend had been raised in a Taoist temple, Ren Zhou might’ve thought Chen Yanxing was possessed.
She frowned.
“You hunting demons now?”
Chen Yanxing shot her a look, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.
Ren Zhou waved her off.
“Whatever.
Du Junyi’s almost here—don’t be late.”
Chen Yanxing nodded, eyes glued to her phone.

As if on cue, the moment Ren Zhou left, a message popped up.
[Shen Mengke: Is that you?]
[Client-LittleTaoist: It’s me.]

Shen Mengke didn’t reply.
Chen Yanxing leaned against the wall, staring at her phone, waiting for the contract.

Inside the private room, Shen Mengke felt a wave of discomfort.
The air was thick with smoke and mixed scents.
She frowned, and even Xu Shinian was annoyed, shouting, “What’s this?
Who said you could smoke in here?”
The group stubbed out their cigarettes.
Someone opened a window.
Shen Mengke looked out, stars scattered across the sky, and suddenly regretted coming with Xu Shinian.
There’d be other chances to meet Yuan Yushan.
Seeing her idol in this setting felt… off.

Before she could dwell, Xu pulled her inside, the door closing behind them.
Shen Mengke felt trapped, like she was in a cage lined with thorns—reaching out would only draw blood.
Xu scanned the room, pausing at a girl with a white orchid brooch.
Someone nearby chimed in, “Shen Jinglei from Yuncheng, Miss Shen.
Xu, I mentioned her.”
At “Yuncheng,” Shen Mengke’s eyes lit up, glancing over.
Across the room, their gazes met briefly before both looked away.
Strangers.

Xu nodded, as if just remembering, and began introducing Shen Mengke.
“You probably know most of them?”
Shen Mengke scanned the room—actors, singers, behind-the-scenes producers, and directors.
To her surprise, besides the white-brooched Shen Jinglei, there was Ava, the industry’s top lyricist.
Known as the queen of songwriting, Ava’s work was poetic, vivid, and steeped in classical beauty, drawing fans as much as the artists themselves.
She’d been absent for a while, making her presence here unexpected.

Shen Mengke’s gaze lingered on Ava too long.
Xu spoke up.
“Ava, keep our little star in mind for opportunities.”
Shen Mengke panicked.
“Teacher Xu!”
Xu laughed.
“Kidding.
Call me Sister, not Teacher.”

Ava studied Shen Mengke, nodding.
“You’d be great for an MV.”
Shen Mengke, flattered, smiled.
“Thank you, Teacher Ava.”

After introductions, it was Xu’s turn to present Shen Mengke.
Arm around her waist, Xu pulled her close, announcing, “The renowned actress Shen Mengke, my leading lady.”
The intimate gesture made Shen Mengke stiffen.
The title felt too heavy—she wanted to deny it, but the room’s cheers drowned her humility, and the words didn’t come.
Sitting beside Xu, she pulled out her phone to message Chen Yanxing, seeking distraction.
But after Chen Yanxing’s reply, she had nothing to say, staring at the screen before locking it.

“Drink?” Xu asked.
Shen Mengke shook her head, scanning the room.
No Yuan Yushan.

“Where’s Teacher Yuan?” she asked.
Xu’s expression froze briefly.
She poured Shen Mengke a drink.
“Yuan had something come up, couldn’t make it.
She heard you’re a fan and was disappointed.
Said she’ll meet you next time.”
“Next time…”

Shen Mengke’s voice trailed off as she stared at the glass, a sudden urge to flee rising.
Her phone buzzed, silencing the room.
All eyes turned to her.
Under the scrutiny, she felt exposed—Xu was the center here, and by extension, so was she.
She grabbed her phone, seeing Chen Yanxing’s call, and relief washed over her, a smile breaking through.
“Sorry, Teacher Xu, I need to take this.”
Without waiting for permission, she headed out.

As she opened the door, the call connected.
She whispered, “Hello?”
No response.
Stepping out, she looked up—Chen Yanxing stood before her, a file in her left hand, phone in her right.