Chapter 1:
I Want Him to be the Brightest Star

　　Sheng Zhao disliked the smell of cigarette smoke. She hated the smoke and noise here, but this was the only place she found after looking for a long time.

　　But no matter who she saw, she wasn’t satisfied.

　　Beautiful, handsome, bright... no matter who they were, by any measure they all seem to fall short from Sheng Zhao's expectations.

　　Good talents have been discovered early by talent scouts. In this damned era of entertainment, they were like vicious dogs vying for those who can make a future appearance on stage.

　　There seemed to be nothing left for Sheng Zhao.

　　Sheng Zhao furrowed her brows slightly, coughed a few times, reached out and waved away the annoying smoke, then walked in.

　　It’s a small runway show with no professional security or professional venue. It was a little... weird.

　　She seemed to have strayed into a restricted area, randomly wandering around under the vibrating loud music and flashing lights.

　　Her attire and appearance didn’t match the venue which caused many people to look at her strangely.

　　The men onstage walked seductively while wearing sexy and revealing clothes. Of course, Sheng Zhao didn’t pay much attention. The sexiness of the men on the catwalk was due to their clothes. What was strange were the greedy eyes of the women in the audience.

　　They smoked cigarettes and looked at the men on the stage.

　　It seemed like they were overly enthusiastic.

　　Even Sheng Zhao, who was observing the surroundings quietly, was winked at by a man onstage, causing her to suddenly pause and shrink back.

　　As the cheers and noise intensified, an onlooker slapped the onstage man's butt. Then she belatedly realized this wasn’t a serious runway show.  

　　——It was just a large entertainment stage in the guise of a runway.

　　This discovery suddenly made her disappointed.

　　Will there be stars here? What kind of stars would they be? How could it be possible...?

　　Just when she sighed and was about to leave, the loud music changed. It seemed another person was coming on the stage. She didn't pay much attention and lowered her eyes in disappointment. As she played with her bag, the bustling crowd suddenly exploded.  

　　Their cheers grew louder which caused Sheng Zhao to become light-headed. Then she casually glanced at the stage, and inadvertently raised her eyes to see him -

　　The beauty and coldness between his eyebrows were reflected in the shining and dim lights. Contradicting his wanton and aggressive appearance, with a faint smile on his lips, he was sharp and beautiful.

　　The men earlier had colorful and dazzling hair colors, which were sexy and eye-catching. But the man in front of her had hair as black as the abyss, and his eyes were so deep that it caused people to feel their heart stop gazing into it.   

　　That was the first time Sheng Zhao saw someone who could combine the aura of arrogance and charming beauty in one.

　　She was slightly stunned.

　　His waist and abdomen were muscular and strong, and the leather belt outlined his slim waist. His shoulders were wide, and his legs were long. He was as haughty as a lazy cat, but his aura was sharp and cold.

　　He only wore a black shirt, with a few buttons haphazardly fastened, revealing a solid and symmetrical abdominal muscles and chest. He looked extremely sexy with the belt wrapped around his slim waist and the necklace around his neck…

　　He slightly lowered his eyes and looked at Sheng Zhao in the audience, seemingly surprised.

　　It was as if a woman with such a clean temperament as Sheng Zhao shouldn’t be here.

　　This surprise was only momentary and returned to his usual countenance. The curvature on the corners of his lips widened, then he winked at Sheng Zhao.

　　Oh.

　　Ba-thump... Ba-thump... Ba-thump...

　　The loud noise suddenly disappeared as if it was quiet. The cheers, catcalls, deafening music... there was only the pounding of her heart.

　　——This is the person she wanted to find.

　　Sheng Zhao looked at him with that thought.

　　Both his appearance and body look like it was custom made.  

　　If he had the resources, he would definitely, definitely, definitely...become the brightest star among stars.

　　As the man left the stage, Sheng Zhao regained consciousness. She hurriedly moved instantly and rushed backstage with her bag.

　　Undoubtedly someone stopped her.

　　"Oh-"

　　She wasn’t paying attention and hit her head hard.

　　The middle-aged man barricaded her path to the backstage doors and said with a frivolous smile, "Little girl, you can't go in here."

　　He was obviously a little older but had a mature charm. He seemed to be attracted by Sheng Zhao's fair skin and beauty. The stranger explained, "We Li Ji, doesn’t accompany others to drinks or anything else. He only occasionally go on stage and entertain. If you have other ideas, miss, you'd better forget it."

　　Sheng Zhao paused and hurriedly took out the business card in her pocket and explained, "En, this is my business card. I am a... talent scout. It's not that I want him to accompany me, or anything, ah, I just hope that he will become a star—— "

　　Her voice was clear and pleasant, like spring water, and there was sparkling hope in her eyes. She just stared at Brother Hong, smiling.

　　Brother Hong paused, took the business card and glanced at it. He paused after just one glance, his expression a bit thoughtful.

　　Before he could think of anything, the door suddenly opened. The person stretched out his hand and took the business card with slender fingers. His low, slightly husky voice said with a smile, "...Scout?"

　　Sheng Zhao raised her eyes to his face.

　　The bridge of his nose was high, his eyes were lazy and beautiful, and his facial features seem to have been carefully carved.

　　...He looks even better up close.

　　After being momentarily stunned, Sheng Zhao's eyes brightened even more.

　　There was a faint scent on him, which was different from the sweet scent of the men that passed by. It smelled strangely good.

　　Sheng Zhao couldn't help but move closer for a better whiff.

　　The man seemed to notice her carefully movements to smell his scent. He paused, and suddenly tap her head with the business card in his hand. His voice was clear and light, "Ah, pervert."

　　Sheng Zhao was stunned, raised her eyes, and met his frivolous eyes.

　　She just leaned in for a whiff and didn’t notice that she was inches from his bare chest.

　　Sheng Zhao's expression languished for a moment.

　　The man appeared to be amused and laughed hoarsely. Then he opened the door and said, "Come in."

　　He sat on the sofa in the lounge with his legs crossed and picked up a slender cigarette and lit it. He lowered his head and took a puff. Then he raised his eyes to look at Sheng Zhao in front of him. Under the smoke, he narrowed his eyes with satisfaction, then saw Sheng Zhao's slightly furrowed brows and paused.

　　"My name is Sheng Zhao, I'm from Huayun Entertainment... a talent scout, yes, a talent scout, can I sign a contract with you?"

　　Her words were polite yet somewhat recklessly clear, and she looked at the man expectantly, waiting for his response.

　　Li Ji casually put out the cigarette. After listening to her stammering words, he chuckled, stretched out his fingers in front of her, and sneered, "Five million a year."

　　It seemed that after he just took a puff of cigarette, his voice was very low. He looked at the standing Sheng Zhao with his deep, dark eyes that seemed to make people tempted to fall into them.

　　Sheng Zhao opened her mouth, looked at the fingers spread out in front of her. Her expression was dazed as she paused and said, "What, what?"

　　He didn't care and seemed to be teasing her. He stared at her eyes, narrowed his eyes slightly and added with a smile, "The cost of supporting me."

　　She murmured to herself, "But I’m not trying to support you..."

　　It would be better to say that he has seen through these women’s tricks. To put it nicely, he has a lot of experience. She just wanted to get him under the guise of a talent agent, thus the 5 million was just to make her quit. He seemed to have lost interest in teasing, then lit another cigarette and said:

　　"Forget it. If you don't have it, then leave."

　　"No, no, no." She grabbed his hand fiercely and looked at him with bright eyes. This startled him and made the newly placed cigarette in his mouth almost fall out.

　　"Can I pay you an IOU? Or I have a house in the city center. Can I give you the deed first? Please, be my star!"

　　Her voice was clear and bright, and her fair face was strained by her hurried words. There was a hint of red, especially in her eyes that were normally clear, now shone with dazzling light like stars.

　　My star or something...

　　"I will make you famous and become the most shining star in the night sky."

　　Li Ji's hand was firmly grasped by her. His expression wasn’t as frivolous and careless as before, as if he was frightened by her recklessness.

　　He suddenly thought it was funny, and chuckled. He turned his head and took a lazily inhaled the cigarette. He leaned on the sofa and hooked his fingers towards Sheng Zhao as if teasing her.

　　"...You just want to find a reason to support me, right?"

　　He laughed dumbly, arrogantly, and condescendingly.

　　Sheng Zhao was a little anxious. She didn't know why his words kept lingering on the topic of support. In a hurry, she grabbed his ankle and said dumbly.

　　"It's true, I will let you stand on the highest stage."

　　It shouldn't be this smoky stage.

　　It was rare for him to look directly at other people. So, he looked into the girl's eyes, then raised the corners of his lips, picked up another cigarette, lit it, and murmured slightly:

　　"...it's not impossible to believe you once."

　　Li Ji looked at her beautiful eyes and was momentarily in a trance. Then he paused, as if he was confused by his promise just now. He stabilized his expression and was about to add, "Just kidding-"

　　But she suddenly interrupted, "Then come with me. I'll give you the real estate deed."

　　He was speechless and a little dazed. The cynicism and ridicule he prepared for those typical women were of no use. In his defense, this girl really didn't play her cards logically.

　　She obviously looked like a college student who just entered society, clear and energetic. Originally, he just... wanted to tease her.

　　Li Ji didn't know why, but he looked into her eyes and wanted to agree to her.

　　He paused, "Okay."

　　Let's take a look first. It doesn't matter. No matter how bad it is, it’s sellable.

　　Using that line of thought, he reasoned with himself.

　　——

　　Why did I just leave like this?

　　Li Ji really wanted to ask himself.

　　Just treat it as a holiday...yes, a holiday. After spending time with her, go and take a break.

　　He looked at the delighted girl in front of him with some discomfort, and seemed a little annoyed by his impulsiveness. After a pause, he said, "I am..."

　　Before he could finish, the girl interrupted him, "Are you Li Ji, right? I know, since that uncle just called your name."

　　She was smiling and sitting in the taxi. He didn't look carefully under the dim light earlier. But now she looked beautiful and fair, with clear eyes and soft hair. It was beautifully reflected by the sunlight.

　　"Uncle?" Li Ji seemed to be amused, raised his eyebrows slightly, and murmured to himself, "...Fortunately, he didn't hear her."

　　He finally smiled and reached for the button on his chest, ripping the collar off his neck and said in a hoarse low voice, "Next time you see him, remember to call him brother, unless you want to be thrown out."

　　Li Ji stretched out his hand and introduced himself, "My name is Li Ji, a - —" He paused, glanced at her, and continued to add, "—A model, or a bar singer."

　　He said brightly, but in fact, in the eyes of others, he was just a wanton man working in a nightclub…

　　Sheng Zhao shook his hand and said, "My name is Sheng Zhao, a, uh... talent scout."

　　She also glanced at him slightly.

　　But then she showed a clear smile and looked at Li Ji with her eyes bent.

　　——She seemed to be extraordinarily beautiful and bright, Li Ji lowered his eyes slightly.

　　————

　　"Is this your home?"

　　He was stunned for a long time, looking at the villa in the city center in front of him. She nodded with a smile, then shook her head and said, "This is the payment I can provide you temporarily, do you want to move here today? Ah, by the way -"

　　She happily showed him the house. Then paused as if she thought of something and didn’t know how to word it. She felt a little embarrassed, "I'll give you this house, but I don't know where to go... can I live here. Can I?"

　　She said as if it was a pleading request.

　　But this is your house...

　　It took him a long time to respond as he didn't know whether to point out her absurd request.

　　He took a deep breath, glanced away from the girl's adoring eyes that gleamed as if he was a good person. He softly said, "Where's the contract? I'll sign it."

　　She hurriedly took out the contract and handed it to him. After signing the contract, Sheng Zhao stood on her tippy toes happily hugging the contract to her chest. She then briskly handed him the deed to the house, "We will go through the title transfer tomorrow."

　　He looked around, put down the deed, and his nonchalant expression returned. He asked, "Do you really not have anything else in mind?"

　　"What?"

　　Sheng Zhao seemed to have thought of something, suppressed her brisked appearance, and seriously approached Li Ji, "I absolutely am. A very good agent! I will never let you do things like escorting. Believe me, this kind of thing will never happen!"

　　Li Ji wanted to light a cigarette, but he felt his pocket and discovered that he didn't bring any. After a pause, he leaned on the sofa, stared into Sheng Zhao’s eyes as if he still couldn't help it, and said in a hoarse voice:

　　"You’re really weird. I thought you would do something else. I just read the contract carefully. At first, I thought there might be some clause or some hidden trap - but, there was none. "

　　He narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming a little confused, and mumbled, "Are you really who you said you were...?"

　　Sheng Zhao looked at him and chuckled, "Yes, like I said, I want to make you the brightest star.

Author’s Note:
Come on, my favorite xp gentle male lead. This time, both of them will hook up! A cool guy who looks cold on the outside but is warm on the inside who is actually a practical house husband that is gentle and good at cooking.