The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Qin Yun could swear that, aside from pulling down a boy's pants in kindergarten, she had never been this intimate with a man.

In the entertainment industry, Sister Li had always protected her well, using body doubles for any intimate or kissing scenes. Qin Yun had been open about this with her fans, stating that a double would be used for any risqué scenes with a male co-star. At first, some fans were outraged, but as Qin Yun's fame grew, this rule became an accepted fact.

As for the darker side of the industry, Qin Yun had never been exposed to it. Her father, after all, was the president of her entertainment company.

For someone who had remained so 'pure' in the murky entertainment industry, finding herself holding a man—an undressed man at that—shattered the physical and mental defenses she had maintained for over twenty years.

A scream brought the bodyguards from the surrounding rooms, who called out repeatedly from the doorway.

Just as they were about to break down the door, Qin Yun said, "It's fine! I just saw a big bug, but it's dead now."

Only then did the bodyguards leave, calling back that she should shout for them if she really needed help.

The room's light was now on. Qin Yun clutched the blanket to her chest, her face flushed with indignation. "What are you doing sleeping in my bed?"

His own blanket now gone, Chen Dong lay sprawled on the bed without a care in the world. "Didn't you ask me to be your personal bodyguard? I'd say this is pretty personal, wouldn't you?"

Qin Yun's eyes went wide as she stared daggers at Chen Dong, her gaze filled with a sense of injustice. "Is this what you call 'personal' protection?"

"There's only one bed in the room," Chen Dong said casually. "You didn't seem to think much of me before, so what are you scared of now?"

Qin Yun gestured with her hands, flustered. "But your... that... How can you compare the two?"

She had confirmed that Chen Dong was, in fact, a normal man. As a celebrity, even though she was inexperienced when it came to men, she wasn't completely ignorant.

Chen Dong shot Qin Yun a mocking glance. He yanked the blanket over himself and said, "Making such a fuss in the middle of the night."

With that, he closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

All thoughts of sleep had vanished for Qin Yun. She was like a frightened little rabbit, curled up on the very edge of the bed.

She was terrified that Chen Dong would suddenly pounce and have his way with her. She thought she had found reliable protection, but it turned out she was still in the lion's den.

However, this feeling of fear and trepidation slowly faded with the passing of time. After a long while, she determined that Chen Dong was safe, and a flicker of interest sparked in her eyes.

'This man wasn't some fantasy, nor was he a perfect gentleman. He was a petty, yet wicked and charming man. He wasn't indifferent to my damnable charms and perfect body—he was just able to control himself.'

'A man with such strong self-control, who also exuded such a reliable sense of security... The aura he gave off made me want to draw closer.'

'As long as I'm by his side, I feel like I wouldn't be afraid even if the world were ending!'

Qin Yun spent the rest of the night lost in fantasies as she watched Chen Dong sleep.

「Early the next morning」

A clamor of noise erupted from outside the small courtyard.

Qin Yun had already changed into a red, traditional-style Hanfu and was now applying her makeup.

Watching a woman apply makeup was a boring affair, so Chen Dong went out to take a look around the He Family Manor.

The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw countless people—men and women, young and old—bustling about, preparing breakfast.

In a distant clearing, hundreds of chefs worked at makeshift stoves. There were even more young men in crisp suits, sleeves rolled up, moving tables and chairs and arranging them in neat rows.

Now Chen Dong understood. The He Family wasn't holding the banquet at a hotel or restaurant, but at their own manor, because there were simply too many people. Over a thousand had already arrived this early, and he guessed they were all members of the He Family clan.

After the long rows of tables were more or less set up, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward raised a bullhorn and began to shout, "Breakfast is served! Breakfast is served!..."

Then, even more people streamed out from the manor and began to casually take their seats.

They were dressed in all sorts of attire, looking much like a crowd at a village feast, except the food was far more lavish and rich—and this was only breakfast.

Chen Dong returned to their courtyard, where a table had been specially set for them by the He Family.

After breakfast, a steward came to the courtyard.

The steward informed Qin Yun that her performance was scheduled for the midday luncheon. Furthermore, on top of the single performance they had agreed upon, they had added another; she would be required to perform at the evening banquet as well.

Qin Yun opened her mouth to refuse. She had planned on leaving immediately after her performance.

Besides, these sorts of negotiations were usually handled by her agent. But the agent who had come with her, Luo Feng, had already been fired, which made Qin Yun even less inclined to discuss it.

But the steward didn't care what Qin Yun wanted. He stated coldly, "Just focus on performing well. We'll add the extra money. Don't cause any trouble for our He Family today." His eyes were filled with menace.

The He Family's arrogance was on full display in his demeanor.

Without waiting for Qin Yun's agreement, the He Family's steward left the courtyard. In his eyes, Qin Yun was just a celebrity; how could she possibly dare to offend the He Family? For a small matter like this, simply notifying her was enough.

It was true that the Qin Family's entertainment company wasn't doing well. At a time like this, Qin Yun really couldn't afford to offend the He Family. If this had been in the past, she never would have taken this gig in the first place.

「Around ten o'clock」

Another member of the He Family came to tell Qin Yun it was time to get ready to go on stage.

Qin Yun did a final touch-up on her makeup, composed herself, and then headed for the central stage with Chen Dong and her team of bodyguards.