Burning Desire [Entertainment Industry]

[The main story is complete. Bonus chapters update every other day~ Thanks for supporting the official release, sending love~]

Recommending my new upcoming novel, Her Captive [Marriage Before Love]. Please add it to your collection~

--Novel blurb:

[Rekindled Romance | Reunion After Years Apart]

Jiang Tingchuan, a notorious playboy in the entertainment industry, rose to the top as soon as he debuted, thanks to his strikingly handsome face. Fans say, "As long as his face is here, his empire will stand." Even with rumors swirling around him, he has maintained his place as a top-tier star.

Wen Tang, the campus beauty of Huaxi Drama Academy, ranked first in her major and a highly anticipated rising star in the industry. Before she had even graduated, a renowned director had already handpicked her for the female lead. Young, radiant, and with a brilliant future ahead of her.

One was reckless and uninhibited, the other elegant and reserved.

One's every appearance stirred up a storm, while the other believed she had to lose herself in a role to bring it to life.

The two had nothing in common, but fate brought them together to play lovers in a film: a pair who refused to yield to each other, yet fell for one another all the same.

On camera, they were at each other's throats, with hidden passions simmering beneath the surface.

Off camera, beneath the shade of a huge banyan tree that would take several people to encircle, the young man held the girl's slender waist and slowly lowered his head, their breaths mingling...

After the film was released, it became an overnight sensation. The scenes between the two were full of sweet moments edged with pain, and fans couldn't get enough. The box office and their CP's popularity soared together, while all kinds of behind-the-scenes clips and leaked photos, real or fake, fueled rumors about the campus beauty and the top star.

Just when almost everyone thought they were together--

Wen Tang posted a clarification:

[We're just friends.]

No pictures, no emoji, just four words and a period, as cold as an iceberg that could never melt.

Then Jiang Tingchuan announced his retirement from the industry, and the Wen-Jiang CP was officially over.

Their CP fans were heartbroken.

When they met again, Jiang Tingchuan had become a powerful investor. He was invited to the film festival as a presenter.

The man was still elegant, aloof, and devastatingly handsome. Even the glittering stage couldn't outshine him.

The camera swept over Wen Tang, perhaps intentionally. The woman had her sights set on becoming a Best Actress. She smiled gently, bright and confident, her gaze unwavering.

At the banquet after the awards ceremony, the man, surrounded by stars, slipped away from the crowd and approached Wen Tang. The champagne in his hand swayed gently in the light. "Wen Tang... It's been a long time."

The woman looked up, her gentle eyes perfectly calm. "Sir, do we know each other?"

At her words, the man, a ruthless master of the business world who could always keep his cool, instantly reddened around the eyes.

Away from prying eyes, Jiang Tingchuan finally couldn't hold back. He caught the hem of Wen Tang's sleeve, his expression stubborn and aggrieved. "How can you just break up with me because you say so? I don't accept it."

That early spring, our desires entwined and burned into grand fireworks in my chest. Even now, the embers still sear me. I can only bow before my love for you.

--Jiang Tingchuan

The love you give me must be real.

When you can't give it, give me a fake just as good as the real thing.

Even one better than the real thing, I'll take it.

Truth is, I can't tell what's real or fake. As long as your love comes from you.

--Note: Quoted from Mu Xin's Posthumous Manuscripts

Notes:

1. The male lead only pretends to be a playboy. In truth, he is devoted to love. He has only ever liked the female lead and has only dated her.

2. No real-life inspirations. Please don't read real people into the characters.

--Upcoming novel blurb

[Marriage Before Love / Reunion After Years Apart / His Secret Crush Comes True]

[Bright and Bold Heiress & Emotionally Steady Group Head]

Blurb:

Cen Yuzhi, head of the Cen Group, is understated and reserved, with a refined and dignified air. People admire him and are curious about him.

One day, a video of an interview surfaced.

The powerful head of the Cen Group had sharp brows and bright eyes, and a dignified bearing. He was as composed and graceful as an inkstone.

The host asked curiously, "What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

The man considered for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Listening to opera."

The host followed up in surprise. "Opera? Peking opera?"

"Yes."

"Could you tell us which opera you like best?"

"The Matchmaker."

What he liked most was holding the sweet, charming little matchmaker from his household in his arms and listening to her sing softly.

Shen Mingzhao, the apple of the Shen family's eye, was radiant as the morning glow reflected on jade, dazzling and brilliant.

Though she had been raised in luxury, she insisted on enduring the hardships of learning Peking opera. People in their circles called her an eccentric young lady who went against convention and did whatever she pleased.

When news broke that the Cen and Shen families were joining through marriage, everyone was stunned.

Everyone thought the marriage wouldn't last. Surely Cen Yuzhi would eventually get fed up with the spoiled Shen Mingzhao and ask for a divorce.

Until a video of them doing makeup backstage at the Beijing Theater surfaced:

The elegant, refined man held a makeup brush, gently and intently drawing the brows and outlining the features of the charming woman before him.

Shen Mingzhao hooked her arm around him and teased him with a playful smile, her voice petulant:

"Cen Yuzhi, do you even know how to do this? My neck is getting tired from holding it up."

"Did you mess it up? Something feels off."

"If it doesn't look good, you're in trouble."

The man glanced down at her, then lowered his head and silenced her chattering lips with a kiss.

"From that day on, this bright, charming girl became my girl, rightfully and officially." --Cen Yuzhi

Core theme: Those who love each other will find their way to one another