Chandelier lights sparkled on the ceiling of the grand hall, while thunderous applause echoed throughout the room. On the stage, Wei Yu Chen stood tall with a gleaming trophy in his hand a highest award solidifying his position as the top actor in the country.
Yet behind the camera flashes and the formal smiles of the guests, he could feel cold stares, faint whispers that made no attempt to hide themselves. Rather than being disturbed, his lips lifted slightly a smile closer to mockery than friendliness. Let them whisper, he thought.
As the large doors of the awards building opened, another wave of noise greeted him. Reporters jostled, cameras flashed incessantly, questions thrown with aggressive tones.
"Wei Yu Chen, is the scandal true?!" "Do you have a secret relationship?!" Two of his personal bodyguards immediately moved, opening the way with their solid frames.
"Stay straight, Mr. Wei," one whispered.
Yu Chen only snorted lightly, staring sharply at the crowd. Scandal? They have no right to know anyone who enters my life.
Outside the barriers, thousands of fans screamed hysterically, waving posters and photos of him.
"Wei Yu Chen! I love you!" "Gege, look over here!" The voices mingled with firm instructions from security, creating chaos that was almost uncontrollable. One bodyguard reached for his arm, but Yu Chen gently brushed it away, stepping quickly with his head held high. His smile remained arrogant, cold, and almost defiant. The camera flashes may chase, the gossip may shout.
The door of the black Rolls-Royce Cullinan closed tightly, muffling the noise outside in an instant. Behind the dark glass, the flashes of cameras and fans' screams dimmed into a faint echo that no longer mattered. Wei Yu Chen leaned calmly against the premium leather seat, his body forming a sharp silhouette contrasting with the cabin's silence.
His hand moved slowly, playing with the silver ring on his middle finger as if it were a personal ritual only he understood. His gaze was directed out the window, tracing the grandeur of the capital city at night towering buildings, crowded streets, and city lights spreading like a sea of light.
His face remained expressionless, but behind those eyes lay something unreadable. Beautiful, dazzling… but all of this is mine to conquer, he thought. A faint smile etched on his lips, cold yet arrogant, as if the city lights were just another stage where he stood as the main actor.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan glided smoothly along the capital's highways still illuminated by city lights. The digital clock on the dashboard showed exactly eleven o'clock at night. In the back seat, Wei Yu Chen sat elegantly, his cold gaze piercing the glass.
"Where to next, Mr. Wei?" the driver's voice sounded cautious, full of respect, though with a hint of worry.
"Home." Yu Chen's answer was brief, flat, as if no further explanation was needed. The driver glanced briefly through the rearview mirror. He wanted to ask more, but restrained himself. Years of experience had taught him: the later the hour, the colder the actor's demeanor.
In the front seat, the bodyguard only nodded slightly, as if reminding the driver not to add a word. The cabin fell silent again, filled only with the hum of the engine and fleeting city lights.
Wei Yu Chen continued staring out the window, his middle finger still playing with the silver ring. A thin cold and arrogant—smile occasionally flickered, as if only he understood the meaning behind all that silence.
The night journey felt calm. The car drove leisurely along the city highway until it reached a long bridge glittering with golden lights. Traffic appeared dense, yet orderly; the silhouette of magnificent buildings in the distance enhanced the almost unreal view.
"Pull over," Yu Chen's voice sounded suddenly, cold but firm.
Without further questions, the driver pulled the car to the side of the bridge. The bodyguards got out first, ensuring the surroundings were safe. A few seconds later, the rear door opened. Wei Yu Chen stepped out calmly, his black suit shining under the streetlights.
He leaned casually against the bridge railing, both hands gripping a steel baton at his side. With slow movements, he took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and inhaled deeply. White smoke rose, carried by the gentle night wind, floating freely in the air.
His gaze pierced the cityscape full of lights. So beautiful… yet still feels empty, he thought briefly. He drifted into his own thoughts, while from afar, the world continued spinning without touching Wei Yu Chen's steadfastness.
Several minutes passed in night silence. The last wisp of smoke floated with the wind when suddenly his phone in his suit pocket vibrated lightly. The screen lit up, displaying a brief message only he could read.
Wei Yu Chen stared at it for a few seconds, then a thin, secretive smile appeared at the corner of his lips a smile cold, yet challenging. Without saying a word, he flicked the cigarette butt onto the road; its red ember went out instantly among the city lights.
He returned to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The door closed tightly, creating exclusive silence inside the cabin. "Home," he said briefly, flatly, without turning even slightly.
"Yes, Mr. Wei," the driver replied immediately. The engine hummed softly again, and the black car slowly drove away from the bridge, taking Yu Chen home while his mind still lingered on the meaning behind the mysterious message he had just received.
The private elevator stopped at the top floor of the skyscraper. With calm steps, Wei Yu Chen opened the door to his penthouse a luxurious residence more akin to a modern palace in the sky.
The interior was layered with gleaming white marble, high ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, and massive glass windows stretching from floor to ceiling, offering a panorama of the city sparkling like an ocean of light. Italian leather sofas were spread in the living room, priceless contemporary paintings hung on the walls, while a private bar with premium wine collection stood neatly arranged. Every detail seemed to shout: luxury and power.
Yu Chen removed his black suit, leaving it carelessly on the sofa, then walked toward the glass window, gazing at the city from above. Before he could exhale, a faint voice came from inside the penthouse a man's voice, soft yet meaningful.
"Where have you been? It's late. If not for your message… were you even planning to come home?"
The voice echoed calmly in the grand room, piercing the silence in a way that made Yu Chen's thin smile return.
Soft footsteps came from the inner room. From the shadows, a man appeared tall, with a gentle face, but eyes sharp enough to pierce anyone daring to meet them. His hair slightly tousled, his thin shirt half-open, revealing neck and chest lines faintly in the dim city light.
Wei Yu Chen did not move from his position in front of the glass. Only his eyes shifted to the man's reflection. An arrogant smile appeared on his lips again.
"You waited for me like a restless wife," he said flatly, yet with a teasing, cynical tone.
The man approached slowly, his steps calm yet certain, until they were only inches apart. Up close, the scent of his perfume faintly mixed with the cigarette smoke lingering on Yu Chen.
"If I were not restless… would you still come home tonight?" he whispered, soft yet piercing.
A brief silence. Their gazes locked, as if there was another unspoken conversation. Yu Chen straightened his body, then turned fully. His hand rose, fingers touching the man's chin, lifting it slightly.
"How dare you interrogate me…" Yu Chen's voice was low, cold, yet powerful. His smile widened not merely arrogant, but dangerous.
The silence between them grew heavier. City lights twinkled from beyond the massive glass, framing the two figures facing each other.
Yu Chen finally looked away, but only for a moment. With an arrogant gesture, he lifted his chin, staring back at Li Yuan Bo.
"I didn't come home because you were waiting," he said briefly, his voice cold and piercing.
Li Yuan Bo only smiled faintly, a smile whose meaning could never be predicted. Slowly, he raised his hand and touched Yu Chen's shirt collar, adjusting it as if he were the rightful owner of that arrogance. A light touch, yet full of challenge.
Yu Chen did not recoil. Instead, his eyes narrowed, his breath heavier, though his face remained expressionless.
"You're getting bolder, Yuan Bo."
"Bold?" Li Yuan Bo leaned slightly closer, his low voice almost a whisper in Yu Chen's ear. "No. I'm just taking what should rightfully be by my side."
At that moment, the atmosphere of the room seemed to collapse. Ego, dominance, and something hotter burned beneath the surface they both refused to back down, neither willing to yield to the other's gaze.