Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Ice Ice or Celestial Beauty?
"Why are you ignoring me? Are you still sulking?"
A delicate hand, smooth and jade-like, gently caressed Du Sheng's cheek.
A sweet and alluring voice lingered by his ear, filling the air with an unmistakable hint of intimacy.
The silky sensation against his skin caused Du Sheng's body to stiffen.
The woman before him seemed vaguely familiar, but he felt it couldn't possibly be true.
As hazy fragments of memory started to sharpen, his first instinct was one of disbelief: Drunken escapades can really be fatal!
His second thought was far less forgiving: Damn it, I've been played!
"It's not that I don't want to recommend you for Brother Hong's sequel, but it's just too awkward," she said, her laughter soft and enticing.
Resting her charming face against his chest, she added, "You know I'm trying to establish myself in the Hong Kong film industry. I rely on his connections. If any rumors spread, it would be… troublesome."
Du Sheng lowered his head, matching her face with the fragments of his memory.
Her icy-white complexion, her captivating allure.
The smooth, radiant skin that seemed to glow, combined with an irresistible charm.
And those eyes—bright and clear, every glance brimming with seduction.
No matter how many times he confirmed her identity, Du Sheng couldn't help but marvel.
She was stunning.
Born to bewitch.
No wonder her face had inspired countless social media influencers to mimic her style.
And indeed, this woman was none other than Fan Bingbing, one of the most iconic actresses of her era.
The remnants of memories in Du Sheng's mind, coupled with her presence, confirmed one thing:
He'd taken a loss.
Sighing deeply, Du Sheng cast a complex look at Fan Bingbing.
This was the infamous "fresh meat killer," a playful starlet who'd earned the moniker "Eight Billion Fan" in later years.
Although it was still the early 2000s and she was at the peak of her career, her track record of rumored romances was already long.
Take last night's award ceremony as an example. Gossip was rampant.
It was said that Fan Bingbing sat next to Wu Donghan, the newly crowned "Mr. World." Throughout the evening, her eyes seemed glued to Wu's muscular physique, paying little attention to the event itself.
Rumor had it she made Wu so uncomfortable with her fiery gaze that he left the venue early.
If nothing else, Du Sheng figured he was likely just the latest in a long line of stand-ins.
As for the "sequel" she mentioned? It was undoubtedly the follow-up to the action film Special Police Flying Dragon, in which they had recently both starred.
That said, calling it a "collaboration" might be a stretch—Du Sheng had only played a minor role as a traitor in a drug cartel.
And the "Brother Hong" she referenced was none other than Hong Fatty, the film's lead actor and producer.
Seeing Du Sheng remain silent, Fan Bingbing chuckled softly and nestled closer into his arms.
"If you really want to break into this industry, why not sign with Hua Yi directly? Sister Hua thinks highly of you. With her support, we could spend more time together…"
Feeling the softness of her body and meeting her affectionate gaze, Du Sheng took a deep breath and channeled his inner performer.
With a deliberately stern expression, he said, "If you knew Brother Hong would get mad, why did you still come to me?"
"Because I missed you," she said, cupping his face in her hands, her eyes filled with a seemingly genuine tenderness.
"Besides, I'm just playing along with Brother Hong. He went back to Hong Kong for treatment yesterday; he's not around to meddle."
Her sweet smile, her seemingly sincere words, and her flawless acting—Fan Bingbing was truly a master of her craft.
Even knowing her nature, Du Sheng's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
She truly was a temptress.
And at only 21 years old, she was in her prime—exuding unmatched beauty and allure.
Suppressing his turbulent emotions, Du Sheng tempered his tone.
"If I'm not auditioning for Undercover Dragon, you'd better have an explanation."
This particular film, aimed at spotlighting Hong Fatty's son, had a small budget, poor box office prospects, and a weak script. Du Sheng hadn't been particularly eager for the role anyway.
Still, given the circumstances, he couldn't let the matter slide. After all, being taken advantage of without compensation would be a travesty.
With Fan Bingbing's current fame and connections, securing him a different audition shouldn't be difficult.
Sensing his shift in demeanor, Fan Bingbing's smile grew even more enchanting. Twisting gently in his arms, she said playfully, "I know how hard it is without connections or backing."
Having risen from obscurity herself, she understood the struggles of small actors all too well.
Still, she couldn't risk Hong Fatty noticing anything. Yet at the same time, she wasn't ready to let go of this fresh catch.
"I know a director who's about to shoot a big historical drama. It's going to be huge. I can talk to him and see if I can get you an audition as compensation," she offered, her voice dripping with charm.
As she spoke, her fingers lightly traced circles on his chest, her every move calculated to seduce.
Suppressing his rising frustration, Du Sheng forced himself to focus on her offer. "A major drama, huh? Are you talking about The Emperor of Qin or The Four Marshals of the East?"
"Neither," she replied, her cheeks slightly flushed, her breath warm against him. "It's an adaptation of a Jin Yong novel. They're putting millions into it—a real blockbuster."
Du Sheng couldn't help but admire her acting skills.
This woman was like a rose with thorns: beautiful, yet perilous.
Aware of her true nature and what her future held, he knew he couldn't get too entangled.
Still, a Jin Yong adaptation during the golden era of wuxia dramas? That was a tempting opportunity.
"Alright, go ahead and make the call."
Fan Bingbing smiled sweetly, dialing the number in front of him.
Watching her, Du Sheng pressed her wandering hand down, staying silent.
Despite her outward composure, his thoughts drifted to… peculiar scenarios often found in Japanese films.
But more importantly—Fan Bingbing was still technically single, and as long as nothing was official, he wasn't stealing anyone's thunder.
Why not enjoy the moment?
With that thought, Du Sheng adjusted his posture, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Fan Bingbing shot him a playful glare. "Don't mess around! I'm on the phone. If this gets back to Hong Fatty…"
"That only makes it more interesting," Du Sheng replied, his expression serious but his tone tinged with amusement.
"If Hong Fatty finds out, maybe he'll finally understand what it means to be outclassed!"
Du Sheng might not share the surname Cao, but he certainly admired the cunning of the legendary Cao Cao.
As for Hong Fatty? In this new millennium, his influence was already waning. What was there to fear?
Fan Bingbing: "…"
Finally finishing her call, she turned back to see Du Sheng standing confidently before her.
"When I passed out last night, you didn't hesitate. Shouldn't you make it up to me now?"
Fan Bingbing brushed back her hair, biting her lip with a playful smile. "It was my fault. How would you like me to make it up to y
ou?"
Du Sheng's grin widened, recalling a famous line:
"The old man feels youthful once again, holding the reins of power in both hands…"