Ji Yunzhang had just returned after a flight of more than ten hours and needed some rest. Jing Li didn’t linger long at his place. After touring the expansive terrace at the end of the corridor, he announced that he had to leave.
Ji Yunzhang didn’t try to persuade him to stay. He simply hummed in acknowledgment and added, “Hold on a moment—I have something for you.”
With that, he ducked back into his room. When he emerged, he was holding a gift bag, which he handed to Jing Li. “A little gift for you.”
Jing Li’s eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. He took the bag and asked, “Can I open it now?”
“Of course.”
Right there in front of Ji Yunzhang, Jing Li unwrapped the present.
It was a Brand A brooch, featuring a sapphire at its center, framed by two butterflies seemingly ready to take flight. The face was paved with tiny blue diamonds that caught the light and sparkled brilliantly—exquisite and utterly beautiful.
The price tag meant little to Ji Yunzhang. He mentioned it offhand: “The moment I laid eyes on it, I knew it was perfect for you.”
Beautiful things appealed to everyone, and Jing Li was no exception.
He broke into a smile. “I’ll treasure it and wear it well.”
Tucking the gift away, he glanced at Ji Yunzhang. “In that case, I’ll be off. Get some proper rest.”
“Text me when you get home.”
“Will do.”
~~~
Jing Li didn’t see Ji Yunzhang again until two days later.
Class wrapped up at four in the afternoon. As he stepped out of Zhao Yunjing’s house, he spotted a car parked at the curb. He paused for a second, then approached and rapped lightly on the window.
The glass slid down at once, revealing Ji Yunzhang’s handsome face. He was dressed in a impeccably tailored suit, complete with a neatly knotted tie—every inch the picture of someone headed to a formal banquet.
“Get in,” Ji Yunzhang said warmly.
Jing Li slid into the passenger seat and asked, “Where are we going?”
“Xingxiu Entertainment’s annual gala.” Noticing Jing Li’s puzzled look, Ji Yunzhang explained, “It’s the big event of the year. All the heavy hitters show up—directors, screenwriters, stars, producers, investors. Very lively. I’ll introduce you to a few friends while we’re there.”
Ji Yunzhang’s inner circle included the likes of Zhou Suye, Xie Jun, Ding Yixiang, Xu He, and Gu Yulin—none of them lightweights. Any one of them was far beyond Jing Li’s current reach.
Jing Li got it: Ji Yunzhang was deliberately opening doors for him.
The actor had promised to make him a star, but that stardom was about fame and solid projects—not handing him a ready-made network of connections.
A wave of warmth washed over him, softening his heart. Gratitude welled up, but mindful that Ji Yunzhang disliked hearing him say “thank you,” he swallowed the words and racked his brain for another way to show his appreciation.
Catching the shift in his expression, Ji Yunzhang asked, “What’s on your mind?”
“How I can thank you.”
Amusement colored Ji Yunzhang’s voice. “Figure anything out yet?”
Jing Li sighed. “Not a thing.”
An idea struck him suddenly. He propped his elbow on the center console, leaning in toward Ji Yunzhang as he tilted his face up. “Teacher Ji, is there anything you want?”
In that position, Jing Li’s pale, slender neck arched gracefully like a swan’s. His striking features were right there in Ji Yunzhang’s line of sight. The older man’s gaze lingered on his face for several seconds, a soft smile blooming in his eyes. “Then promise me one thing. We’ll table it for now—when I decide what I want, I’ll come collect.”
Jing Li blinked. “You mean like a blank promise?”
“You could put it that way.”
It felt almost too straightforward. Jing Li frowned slightly in thought.
Ji Yunzhang studied him. “Not keen on it?”
“No,” Jing Li said, easing back into his seat and withdrawing his arm. “It’s just… it seems too simple.”
The corners of Ji Yunzhang’s mouth quirked up. In a light, offhand tone, he reminded him, “The catch is, whatever I ask for, you can’t say no. Does that still sound simple?”
Jing Li’s mind had started out pure, but those words sent it veering into unexpected territory. Ji Yunzhang would never ask anything untoward of him, but what if it involved… getting on top? Cough—no, surely not. He pinched his thigh hard, reeling in his wandering thoughts, then subjected himself to some stern self-reflection.
Ji Yunzhang wouldn’t do anything to him. On that point, his trust was absolute.
Beaming once more, Jing Li said, “Then it’s settled.”
~~~
Jing Li’s casual outfit wouldn’t cut it for the gala, but Ji Yunzhang had anticipated that. When he came to pick him up, he’d already arranged for the brand to deliver a suit to the hotel—they could change right away.
Ji Yunzhang had a private lounge reserved. Two hotel attendants escorted them there before bowing out respectfully.
They pushed open the door to find a tuxedo hung neatly on a rack. Ji Yunzhang handed it over and gave Jing Li a gentle nudge. “Go on and change.”
Jing Li agreed meekly, clothes in arms, and stepped into the adjacent changing room.
Once dressed, he emerged and stood before the full-length mirror, straightening his appearance.
“Does it fit?” Ji Yunzhang walked up behind him and studied him in the mirror. Jing Li was already strikingly handsome, and this outfit accentuated his slim waist and long legs, making it impossible to look away.
Jing Li met his gaze in the mirror, his eyes curving into a smile. “Fits perfectly.”
Ji Yunzhang smiled faintly. “A custom-tailored one would be even better. This was rushed; next time, I’ll have one made just for you.”
Jing Li straightened his collar and gave him a smile. “That’s too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all—just need to take your measurements.” Ji Yunzhang’s gaze lingered at his collar for a few seconds. Then he stepped aside, selected a bow tie, and leaned in to tie it himself.
The unexpected gesture caught Jing Li off guard. He froze in place for a long moment before snapping back to his senses. “Teacher Ji…”
Ji Yunzhang responded immediately. “Hm?”
His fingers kept working as he glanced up, locking eyes with him. “What is it?”
Jing Li had wanted to insist he could do it himself, but with half the bow tie already done, it would sound overly fussy now. He pressed his lips together and said, “You’re really good at this.”
Ji Yunzhang chuckled. “I don’t like anyone else touching me, so I always do it myself. Practice makes perfect.”
He finished the final knot, evened out the ends, and stepped back. “All set.”
Jing Li gave a small nod.
Turning to the dressing mirror, he caught sight of his ears—flushed red and peeking from beneath his hair. He quickly raised a hand to rub them casually, as if to play it off, before his eyes settled on the impeccably tied bow tie Teacher Ji had just done for him.
It was perfect.
Just then, An Jiaming’s voice drifted in from the doorway, announcing that the banquet was starting. Ji Yunzhang called back an acknowledgment and turned to Jing Li. “Let’s go.”
The banquet hall brimmed with guests. Glasses chimed amid waves of laughter, camera flashes popped relentlessly, and male and female stars in elegant formalwear beamed for the lenses.
Jing Li and Ji Yunzhang entered side by side, keeping a low profile, but Ji Yunzhang’s mere presence drew eyes like a magnet—subtlety was impossible. Someone called out, and the lively hum paused for a beat before a crowd with champagne flutes in hand converged on them.
Ji Yunzhang snagged two glasses from a passing waiter and passed one to Jing Li, murmuring, “Just take a symbolic sip later.”
Jing Li straightened proudly. “Don’t worry—I can down a whole bottle of red wine.”
“Impressive,” Ji Yunzhang praised in that indulgent tone, then added firmly, “But don’t overdo it.”
The warning had barely left his lips when someone approached.
It was a prominent producer surnamed Chen.
After exchanging greetings with Ji Yunzhang, the man’s eyes shifted to Jing Li, staring openly. “Teacher Ji, who’s this?”
Ji Yunzhang bristled at the scrutiny. His voice turned cool. “A kid from my place.”
He didn’t even offer Jing Li’s name.
Those words “my place” snuffed out any lecherous notions in the producer’s head. He yanked his gaze away, flashed an awkward smile, mumbled an excuse about mingling, and bolted—terrified Ji Yunzhang might glimpse his filthy thoughts.
Jing Li watched him scamper off and nudged Ji Yunzhang’s arm. “You scared him.”
His grin widened brilliantly. “Though he had it coming.”
He piled on the flattery. “Teacher Ji, you’re so cool.”
Ji Yunzhang had seen that predatory look plenty of times—degenerate trash, the lot of them.
Amused, he laughed softly. Those clear, sparkling eyes fixed on him, and his fingers twitched at his side. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently ruffled Jing Li’s hair.
