Chapter 32: The Mad Nature

This star was once famous for playing pure, innocent characters, celebrated as the nation’s sweetheart. Later, after reportedly being exposed by a wealthy wife who spent a great deal of money on the matter, her reputation plummeted. Still, she managed to land some film roles in the capital or abroad.

She glanced at Zhong Huayan with a touch of indifference, clearly finding this ordinary woman attractive; she even scrutinized her once more while washing her hands.

Then, the door at the back of the women’s restroom opened. A man’s voice, hoarse and careless, accompanied by the jingle of a belt, sounded from inside.

“Little Sparrow, I’ve already spoken to the director. The female lead is still you. The director will come see the art exhibition tomorrow, so you’ll have to meet him.”

The nonchalant tone stunned Zhong Huayan. That voice was all too familiar...

Xu Yaochuan was sporting a floral shirt today, his hair dyed a pale blond at some point, and he still wore those expensive designer sneakers. With his fox-like eyes and striking features, he made even this Southeast Asian-style outfit and his sleazy presence in the women’s restroom seem rakish and charming.

His fingers bore inconspicuous tattoos; his sharp features had the chilling edge of a winter night with fallen bamboo leaves.

He glanced at her in surprise for a few seconds.

The actress beside him was visibly displeased—she didn’t enjoy Xu Yaochuan staring at another woman. Looking at the woman about to leave, she snapped coldly, “What are you staring at? Look again, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Xu Yaochuan swung his hand and slapped the actress to the ground!

Zhong Huayan hadn’t expected him to act so quickly; it gave her quite a start, especially as his hand was still wet from being washed and hadn’t yet dried.

He turned to her with perfect nonchalance, “It’s nothing, just startled our university student. Fate brings us together, doesn’t it? Even here.”

“Running into you here is truly unbelievable.”

“What, the Fu family can be invited to the exhibition, but not the Xu family?”

“Heh. Did Young Master Xu come for the art? I almost forgot… The depraved are depraved no matter where they go. You’re just too loud—it’s disgusting.”

“Is that so? Should I cut out her tongue another day?”

The woman on the floor quickly pleaded, “Young Master Xu, am I not your little sparrow? I’m your bird—without my tongue, I won’t be able to sing anymore.”

Her face was visibly swollen and red from the slap.

Xu Yaochuan stared blankly for a few seconds, then his stern expression broke into a playful grin.

“Just kidding! Did I scare you both? Are you here with Boss Fu this time?”

“Why do you care? Better worry about your own sister, or I might bully her to death.”

Zhong Huayan’s gaze was deliberately chilly as she spoke, raising her brows in contempt at the man before her. She held nothing but disdain for his character.

Back then, that sunny, unruly Xu Yaochuan was nothing but a figment of her wishful thinking. Once she learned he had a string of backup lovers, she’d begun to feel disgusted—and his later actions only grew more and more depraved.

Now, she wished in her dreams that the Xu family, a cancer to society, would vanish for good. The old master of the Xu family was infamous for his lack of virtue, harming his own people, and sacrificing even his wife for personal gain. No wonder the family’s descendants were all so morally corrupt.

Xu Yaochuan, on the other hand, liked her rebelliousness, especially paired with her gentle, classically beautiful features; he’d never played with someone like her before.

“As for Xu Yuan, if she dies, then so be it. She’s useless, beyond saving. But you’re different. You’re much smarter—and much more valuable—than her.”

His offhanded words dripped with indifference, as if it were carved into his very bones.

“So you want to play with me? Only over my dead body.”

In the past, even when he was her fiancé, he’d never taken advantage of her—now, it was even less likely.

“Fine, as you say. I’ll jump out right now—if I die for a beauty, I’ll die happy.”

She thought he was joking, but the next second—

Xu Yaochuan revealed his truly unhinged side.

He opened the restroom window wide, facing the night just on the cusp of darkness, the sun freshly dipped below the horizon. He turned, grinning wildly, reckless and manic, his sharply handsome features fleeting as a dream.

Then, he leapt straight out the window!

The actress clutching her face screamed in terror, and even Zhong Huayan was startled for a moment.

He’d actually jumped, without a second’s hesitation. Was he mad? Was he high?

If only he’d die, or at least end up crippled.

Zhong Huayan caught the night wind and looked down from the restroom window…

Below was a vast lake, its banks slick from the water. Clearly, he knew a jump from the third floor wouldn’t kill him.

He burst from the water, waving his arms as if delighted by a prank gone right!

She recalled that the original Kassett Palace hadn’t had a lake—yet in the past three years, they’d built an artificial one?

Zhong Huayan found his childishness exasperating, rolling her eyes.

Xu Yaochuan truly seemed to be missing a screw.

The actress on the ground edged away from her, frightened—perhaps realizing that a woman who dared speak to the Xu family’s heir like that must be extraordinary herself.

“No matter how much you want money, or how much you like Xu Yaochuan, stay away from him. He has no heart and will be the death of you.”

She left these words for the terrified actress in the corner—a sincere warning.

Leaving the restroom, she spotted Fu Yanyan not far off, deep in conversation with many distinguished guests. Wherever he went, all eyes followed him; he was in constant demand.

His black shirt sleeves were rolled up, the embroidered carp on his back vivid, the design accentuating his broad shoulders and lending him an air of both aloofness and security.

No matter what he wore, he always seemed cold and restrained. Even his posture while speaking exuded a strong, oppressive aura; his presence was formidable, even from behind.

His fluent English, calm analysis, and decisive manner drew admiring glances from all around.

Eventually, he glanced at his watch and said, “My wife is still waiting for me. I’ll go check on her.”

He seemed both steady and considerate—one thoughtful remark enough to make others envious.

He turned, and there she was, sitting not far away.

She simply gazed at him, suddenly unwilling to disturb him; watching him felt like admiring a work of art.

Before she realized it, he knelt on one knee beside her, aligning his gaze with hers as she sat.

His hands fidgeted, at a loss where to place them, and he stammered, “Ah Huan, does it still hurt? The medicine from the traditional doctor—do you want me to bring it to you?”

She didn’t reply.

He panicked, eyes abruptly reddening as he hurried to apologize, “Are you angry with me? It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been distracted talking to them. You must have waited here so long…”

“Fu Yanyan, there’s no need for this. I’m not angry.”

Zhong Huayan realized that Fu Yanyan was a completely different person in public than he was with her.

How interesting.