Chapter 115

City B was a city that never slept. Nightfall didn't slow anyone's pace; instead, neon lights flickered to life and the revelry began.

Zhou Sheng had dropped Chi Wanzhao back at the apartment before heading to the office to work overtime. At around ten in the evening, Jiang Yuan, who sat next to him, stood up and asked, "Not going home?"

Zhou Sheng didn't look up, continuing to flip through documents. "I'll be a while yet."

Jiang Yuan chuckled lightly. "That busy? Need any help?"

Zhou Sheng raised his head and caught the faint, easy smile on Jiang Yuan's face. He averted his gaze. "Forget it. You'd only make things worse."

Jiang Yuan leaned against the edge of Zhou Sheng's desk, glancing at the several folders still in front of him. He tugged at the corner of his lips. "I was going to invite you to watch a show, but since you're so busy, I guess I'll go alone."

Zhou Sheng's expression flickered with thought at his words. He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, his demeanor unchanged. "What show?"

Jiang Yuan blinked, smiling innocently. "A good one, naturally. I've even given it a name—'Blessed New Year.' So, what do you say? Interested?"

Zhou Sheng put his glasses back on and looked at Jiang Yuan, a glint in his eyes. "Was this show arranged by Miss Chi?"

Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue. "Assistant Zhou, you're sharp as ever."

Zhou Sheng cast him a sidelong glance. Jiang Yuan was dressed in a white shirt with a red tie, a flashy color that somehow didn't clash with his handsome face; on the contrary, it gave him a hint of the 'pretty boy' charm. But Zhou Sheng knew better.

The man in front of him was no pretty boy.

He was a seasoned actor, a master of disguise, adept at playing the fool to catch the cunning.

Jiang Yuan noticed Zhou Sheng's lingering stare and touched his cheek. "What's wrong? Realize I'm handsome all of a sudden?"

Zhou Sheng managed a faint smile, lowering his gaze. "Let's go."

"Huh?"

Zhou Sheng rose, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his chair. "Weren't we going to watch the show? Let's go."

Jiang Yuan nodded and followed Zhou Sheng out of the office.

City B's nightlife was just kicking off. Everywhere, there were bars and clubs, clinking glasses and lively chatter. The unsigned were scrambling for a chance to break through, while the established were busy vying for the best opportunities. Everyone was rushing about.

Amidst this frantic pace, a certain villa in the northernmost upscale neighborhood of City B was different.

It was quiet there.

So quiet it was hard to sense any human presence.

After some time, a phone ringtone emanating from a room on the second floor broke the silence. A pleasant male voice answered the call. "Arrived?"

"Okay, I'll come pick you up."

The man ended the call, slipped into his pajamas, and headed for the door. He paused, then went back to retrieve a box from a cabinet, placing it on the nightstand before finally exiting the room.

The man at the door was a fellow artiste from the same era. The two embraced briefly, then headed upstairs, their complaints filtering through the apartment.

"Sigh, because of He Wei's mess, I've lost all my gigs."

"Same here. I'm about to lose everything. Don't even get me started—just thinking about it pisses me off. Come on, let's go to the room."

"Alright."

Zhou Sheng noticed Jiang Yuan's gaze fixed on a particular villa. He followed his line of sight and saw a light on the first floor; the curtains were drawn tightly, and only two shadows flickered past. He turned to Jiang Yuan. "The show?"

Without looking back, Jiang Yuan patted his thigh. "Patience."

Zhou Sheng looked down. Before he could react, Jiang Yuan's hand had inadvertently landed right on his crotch. His face darkened instantly.

Jiang Yuan was startled when Zhou Sheng abruptly shoved his hand away. He turned, puzzled, assuming Zhou Sheng was dissatisfied with the show so far. "Assistant Zhou, don't be so hasty. Good things come to those who wait. If you want to see the show, you've got to be patient."

Zhou Sheng pressed his lips together, shooting him a disdainful glare.

Jiang Yuan turned his attention back to the villa.

Before long, the two figures on the ground floor ascended to the second. Jiang Yuan's gaze intensified. "Alright, now the show begins."

Zhou Sheng shifted his gaze from Jiang Yuan and looked at the villa again. The two figures were now clearly visible against the window—one seemed to be undressing, and the other—was helping him undress?

Zhou Sheng's face, already dark, grew even darker. He nearly ground his teeth. "This is what you call a good show?"

"Count me out!"

Jiang Yuan grabbed his wrist. "Don't go. The show's not over yet."

He pulled Zhou Sheng back into his seat and even fastened his seatbelt. His voice carried a cold edge. "The real show is about to start."

Zhou Sheng eyed him suspiciously, restraining his irritation, and turned his attention back to the window.

The two shadows entangled fiercely, then one pushed the other down against the windowsill, engaging in an unmistakable act.

Zhou Sheng's face was as dark as the night outside. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Yuan pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and said, "Here we go."

He set the phone down. Within ten minutes, the wail of police sirens reached Zhou Sheng's ears. He instinctively looked back up at the villa. The pair seemed oblivious; they'd shifted positions but were still engaged in the same depraved act.

The police car pulled up at the gate, and the officers broke in, storming upstairs.

Zhou Sheng looked away from the window and back at Jiang Yuan. "Care to explain?"

Jiang Yuan turned and smiled. "What's there to explain? You'll know soon enough."

Zhou Sheng gave him a long, hard look before turning to gaze out the window.

The two men who'd been upstairs were being led out, clothes haphazardly thrown on. It was dark, and they were too far away for Zhou Sheng to see their expressions, but he imagined they weren't pleasant.

Jiang Yuan merely snapped a few photos on his phone before sending them out. When a reply came through, he smiled. "Well, let's head out. Thanks for keeping me company, Assistant Zhou. Let me treat you to a meal."

Zhou Sheng eyed him suspiciously, wondering what he was up to now.

He didn't have to wonder long once they arrived at the restaurant.

A tip-off surfaced that two male celebrities had been arrested for drug use in an apartment in City B, and they were completely naked at the time of the arrest. The tip went viral almost instantly, flooding the hot search. Netizens scrambled to identify the men, while others condemned the magazine for publishing unverified claims, warning of lawsuits.

The comment section turned into a mock courtroom, everyone playing detective—arguing over who it might be and whether it was reckless to report without evidence.

Within an hour, the police confirmed the story.

It was true.

Not only did the magazine share the confirmation statement, but it also included several photos—of the two meeting at the entrance, and of them on the balcony. Though no faces were captured, everyone got the gist.

Weibo erupted, overshadowing the Chai Yin-Kong Xiyan drama. "Celebrities Arrested for Drugs, Public Lewdness" became top trending topics. Zhou Sheng sat at the table, eyeing the array of dishes, and asked, "How long have you known?"

Jiang Yuan picked up some food with his chopsticks, chewing as he replied, "Did you forget what I told you before, Assistant Zhou?"

Zhou Sheng snapped to attention, recalling the incident with Xiao Cheng.

Jiang Yuan had said: 'You should know, I've been in this circle for a long time, and I happen to have some dirt.'

Especially on those who claw their way up but can't stay standing.

Zhou Sheng understood. "So you knew all along."

Jiang Yuan shook his head. "Not exactly. Wei Yan didn't have much contact with He Wei before. I only found out later through Wei Yan."

Zhou Sheng frowned, puzzled. "Then why didn't you expose it earlier?"

Jiang Yuan looked at him, a frank smile spreading. "News is best revealed at the right moment."

He could have exposed it before, but He Wei was still powerful then and could easily cover it up. After her downfall, she'd moved her base, and it had taken time to track down this new location.

Zhou Sheng studied him, then voiced the question that burned most. "And why did you have to..." He cleared his throat. "Why wait until then?"

Jiang Yuan's lips curled in satisfaction. "Since I invited you to watch a show, Assistant Zhou, it would've been a shame not to offer some eye candy. Were you pleased?"

Pleased?

He was absolutely thrilled.

Zhou Sheng let out a harsh laugh and shot Jiang Yuan a venomous glare before rising and storming off.

Jiang Yuan took a bite of his food and glanced at Zhou Sheng's retreating figure, a smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, in another private room in the same restaurant, the atmosphere was tense.

He Wei had kept a low profile since her press conference disaster. Her films and TV shows had all been postponed due to schedule conflicts, her advertisements quickly replaced, and she was now entangled in a lawsuit with Jingyan, only occasionally seen near the courthouse. She had, for all intents and purposes, faded from the public eye.

Who could have predicted this drug scandal would drag her back into the fire?

The previous incident had dealt her a heavy blow, not only destroying her acting career but also plummeting her studio to rock bottom. She hadn't been able to sign any new talent, and although she'd known about the two celebrities' drug use, she couldn't bring herself to cut ties now.

Because she had no new stars left. Many older ones had already terminated their contracts, leaving her with only a handful.

If she lost these two, her studio would have no one left to hold it up.

So she'd turned a blind eye.

She never expected this to come to light now.

He Wei was seething with rage. She clenched her fists, then turned and shouted, "I told you to contact Director Zhao. Where is he?!"

Her assistant glanced at the phone, trembling. "He Wei, Director Zhao... he says he's busy."

He Wei took a deep breath, then flung all the dishes before her to the floor in a fit of fury.

The assistant cowered in front of her. After He Wei's tantrum, she said, "Call Miss Guan."

"Tell her she must come."

The assistant bit her lip and lowered her head. "Understood."