Misty Changjing

Wild and radiant singer x reserved, refined Beijing power broker | 8-year age gap | A self-disciplined mogul secretly spirals for love

No one would believe it, but at first, Tang Zhiwu and Tan Zongquan's relationship was perfectly innocent.

She entered the music industry to fulfill her mother's last wish, only to be framed by her stepmother and stepsiblings and embroiled in a scandal. That's when she learned they were also connected to her mother's death.

So Tang Zhiwu stole Third Master Tan, the top power broker her enemies all wanted to curry favor with.

Besides getting revenge, her biggest headache was that the disciplined Third Master Tan only wanted to hear her sing. He'd listen over and over, never tiring of it, but wouldn't lay a finger on her.

*

Tang Zhiwu returned to the peak of her career. People said she owed it all to the distinguished man behind her, and they weren't entirely wrong.

When Tan Zongquan doted on her most, he broke his rules for her and couldn't keep his hands off her, even in broad daylight.

At an event he'd specially arranged for her, she dared to show up late with an impatient look, even though the room was full of powerful industry magnates.

A smile appeared in Third Master Tan's usually distant eyes, and his indulgent tone was unmistakable. "My Awu's work is more important. I hope you'll all understand."

But even he could toss out a cruel remark as casually as anything: "Marriage? How could that ever happen?"

Tang Zhiwu begged him to let her go, but Tan Zongquan refused to loosen his grip.

*

That day, a renowned producer's new album for Tang Zhiwu earned multiple nominations. He planned to confess his feelings after she won an award.

When the news got out, everyone eagerly awaited the moment.

Third Master Tan, usually so composed, cornered her in the dressing room, his expression stricken. "Don't say yes to him, Awu."

*

A music critic said Tang Zhiwu "uses her voice to conjure a dreamy, dazzling illusion." Later, that dream became Tan Zongquan's most treasured possession for the rest of his life.