In recent years, she became even more selective about scripts, acted less, and shifted to behind-the-scenes work.
Occasionally, she’d join a reality show or variety program.
Having suffered herself, she paved a smooth road for her daughter.
She protected Cen Yingshuang’s innocent and pure heart for ten years, unwavering.
Some might ask: if Zhou Yabin loved her daughter so much, why let her enter the entertainment industry?
That’s because, from a young age, Cen Yingshuang was deeply influenced by her mother’s career.
As a child, whenever she saw Zhou Yabin on billboards or TV, she’d proudly say, “That’s my mom.”
She admired Zhou Yabin greatly and aspired to be just as amazing.
Naturally, Zhou Yabin supported her daughter’s dream unconditionally.
Not long ago, Cen Yingshuang and Zhou Yabin attended the Cannes Film Festival together, starring in the same film.
When the entire crew walked the red carpet, all cameras focused on the mother and daughter.
The organizers even cleared the way for them for a full minute.
Unsurprisingly, Zhou Yabin won Best Actress in the end.
Although Cen Yingshuang’s standout performance wasn’t nominated, what drew even more attention was her stunning beauty.
Cen Yingshuang’s “national popularity” was truly household-level.
In four years since her debut, she’d starred in works by famous directors, rising rapidly and smoothly.
She was talented, too—her first film earned her the Best Newcomer Award.
Even as a new student in acting school, her relaxed, natural acting set her apart among her peers.
With over a dozen commercial partnerships, her business value spoke for itself.
Zhou Yabin even specifically instructed that no one was to tell her about the industry’s dirty gossip or hidden rules.
Even the dangers of paparazzi and obsessive fans were only taken seriously after MÃ n Jie explained them, which earned a childishly indignant response: “How can people be so awful!”
So Cen Yingshuang’s world was simple and beautiful. She lived in a Disney fairy tale.
The plane hadn’t taken off yet. Mà n Jie was reading the upcoming itinerary on her iPad.
Cen Yingshuang, sucking on her straw, leisurely replied to fan comments on her phone.
Despite her background, Cen Yingshuang’s personality was friendly and easygoing.
Even with her striking features, she gave off no sense of aggression. Instead, her gentle nature made her seem soft and harmless, earning her great popularity with the public.
But no one is universally loved. She had her share of haters.
Not that Cen Yingshuang knew—her social accounts were monitored by the company around the clock.
Any hate was deleted immediately. If a rival bought negative press, the company would pay to suppress it.
After all, Zhou Yabin was a major shareholder in the agency and had long become capital itself.
After replying to comments, Cen Yingshuang found herself trending again.
She casually clicked on a fan’s video of her at the airport, watched for a few seconds, then scrolled through her homepage.
She paused when she saw a nine-photo daily live update from someone on her follow list.
Cen Yingshuang clicked through each photo, studying them carefully, looking over them several times.
Suddenly, she remembered something. She quickly checked today’s date and did some mental math.
Then she took off her Bluetooth earphones and turned to ask Mà n Jie, “Mà n Jie, what’s the schedule after the Perfume Promotional Film shoot?”
MÃ n Jie, looking at the iPad, replied, “Fly to New York to shoot the Jewelry Advertisement and Handbag Advertisement.”
“Can we be back before the 10th?” Cen Yingshuang asked.
“Should be fine,” MÃ n Jie nodded, then glanced at Cen Yingshuang.
“Why? Your birthday’s still more than half a month away.”
It was just a casual question, but Cen Yingshuang’s expression changed subtly before she quickly hid it.
She pouted, half-complaining, half-acting cute: “Nothing. I just want to come back early and spend time with my dad. He called last time, saying I haven’t had dinner with him in ages.”
“Alright, alright. When we’re done, I’ll give you a few days off so you can have dinner with your dad!”
MÃ n Jie shook her head helplessly.
Cen Yingshuang’s father wasn’t in the industry, he was a cardiac surgeon at the most prestigious hospital in Beicheng.
“Thank you, MÃ n Jie!”
Cen Yingshuang’s eyes sparkled.
She snuggled up to Mà n Jie’s shoulder, acting extra sweet.
She lowered her head, biting her straw, hiding the triumphant smile she couldn’t suppress.
She truly wanted to spend time with her dad—but there was another reason.
The 10th… was also his birthday.
Her mood grew even brighter. She hummed a tune, not even sure what song it was.
The Banana Milk was quickly finished. She playfully sucked at the straw, making a “sss sss sss” sound, and gazed out the window, bored.
Suddenly, something caught her eye. She stared, blinking in amazement, and excitedly patted MÃ n Jie: “MÃ n Jie, MÃ n Jie, look! That plane is so special!”
MÃ n Jie looked up and was equally stunned.
It really was a special plane—much larger than a typical commercial jet.
Its most unique feature was its color scheme: seagull blue and cobalt, bright and elegant like a landscape painting, or the deep blue of the sea.
There wasn’t a single airline logo on the plane.
“That’s He Yuzhou’s Private Jet,” Mà n Jie exclaimed.
He Yuzhou’s jet was so unique and luxurious that photos of it had circulated online years ago.
Mà n Jie had seen it online, but this was her first time seeing it in person—it was truly stunning.
She couldn’t help but take out her phone and snap a few pictures.
Suddenly, she remembered the three cars they’d encountered earlier.
That private terminal must belong to He Yuzhou as well.
Of course, with He Yuzhou’s wealth, not to mention building a private terminal, he could probably buy the whole airport—or even, exaggeratedly, all of Beicheng.
Such a top-tier figure, known by all, yet Cen Yingshuang could only say, “Who’s He Yuzhou?”
“…”
Mà n Jie shook her head helplessly, “He’s the richest man in Hong Kong, my dear young miss. You don’t know? The He Family of Hong Kong—his father is the richest Chinese man in the world.”
With that, Mà n Jie’s gossip mode activated as she explained: “Actually, He Group was originally called Ye Group, one of Hong Kong’s top ten companies. The founder, Ye Yaokun, was rumored to have a hidden illness and never married or had children. To ensure a successor, he trained many candidates. In the end, He Yuzhou’s father, He Jingsheng, beat out the competition and inherited the group, changing its name to He Group.”
“By He Jingsheng’s generation, He Group was already a global powerhouse, operating in over 50 or 60 countries and monopolizing the Eurasian market. They say wealth doesn’t last three generations, but when it comes to He Yuzhou, he’s basically a king! Now, half of the UK and Canada’s infrastructure and utilities are his. It’s like he snatched up the core assets of those countries!”
Mà n Jie’s expression was dramatic as she spoke.
Cen Yingshuang listened to the He Family’s history as if hearing the plot of a melodramatic movie, both amazed and a little confused.
“If He Yuzhou’s dad never married or had kids, then was He Yuzhou adopted too?”
“…”
Mà n Jie shook her head again, exasperated, and poked Cen Yingshuang’s simple little head.
“No! It was He Yuzhou’s dad’s adoptive father who never married or had kids. He Yuzhou is his dad’s biological son!”
That sounded like a tongue-twister.
She thought it through… Dad’s dad is grandpa…
“Oh.”
Cen Yingshuang stuck out her tongue. “Alright then.”
She wasn’t interested in any of this, so her attention drifted.
“You just saw him earlier…”
MÃ n Jie took a deep breath, “His car.”
Cen Yingshuang was slow to react, finally perking up.
“Ah? That was his car just now?”
“Yup, and that terminal is his too.”
Just as they were speaking, the three cars from earlier appeared in Cen Yingshuang’s view again.
The two cars in front and back escorted the Rolls-Royce Phantom in the middle, stopping by the Private Jet.
The assistant in the front passenger seat was the first to get out and opened the rear door.
Even from a distance, it was easy to see the man’s outstanding proportions as he stepped out.
Instead of the expected suit and tie, he wore casual clothes—a black windbreaker and relaxed-fit pants.
He was tall, with long legs that couldn’t be hidden even by loose trousers. Broad shoulders.
Several tall, strong men in black got out of the other cars, forming a protective entourage as they walked with him toward the Private Jet.
At such a distance, it was impossible to see his face clearly, but there was an unmistakable, intuitive sense that he must be extremely handsome.
After hearing Mà n Jie’s long introduction, Cen Yingshuang naturally formed a stereotype: if he was so rich and successful, he must be a bald middle-aged uncle, right?
But no, not at all!
His hair was cut short, almost a buzz cut, and black as ink.
The skin exposed at the nape of his neck was a cool white under the sun.
One hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone, he walked to the plane at an unhurried pace.
His posture was straight, his stride steady and powerful, but his walk wasn’t stiff or formal.
Instead, it was relaxed and unhurried, with a touch of careless swagger and an undeniable air of confidence and dominance.
Far from looking old, he radiated youthful energy, but his powerful presence and aura were far beyond his years.
The flight attendants greeted him with heads held high. As he stepped onto the boarding stairs, Cen Yingshuang noticed the glasses perched on his nose.
He exuded a paradoxical mix of toughness and refined elegance.
Cen Yingshuang even suspected her eyesight was better than 5.3, because even at such a distance, she could see the perfect lines of his profile.
In terms of physique, posture, walk, and aura, he was a striking sight.
Even in the entertainment industry, where handsome men and beautiful women abound, she’d never seen anyone who looked so good just walking.
He made a simple windbreaker and pants look like high fashion, so she couldn’t help but take another look.
“Now that I think about it, he’s actually quite nice. He waited for me to finish signing before leaving,” Cen Yingshuang said seriously, nodding in admiration.
Truly gracious.
It was also Mà n Jie’s first time seeing He Yuzhou in person. He rarely appeared online.
Noticing that Cen Yingshuang, who never fangirled, was staring so intently, MÃ n Jie muttered, “What a pity.”
Cen Yingshuang didn’t hear, “Mà n Jie, what did you say?”
Mà n Jie didn’t answer.
She just felt regret.
What a pity for Cen Yingshuang’s face—such a good opportunity, and she didn’t even show it off in front of He Yuzhou.