Chapter 31: Film Emperor
The golden hues of dusk melted across the glass windows of Mingyuan International Hotel, casting a warm, honey-like glow over the black marble floor. Ling Yu’s shoes tapped softly as she walked through the staff corridor with a clipboard in hand, her steps neither rushed nor relaxed.
Her part-time job at the hotel wasn’t very glamorous; it was mostly about running errands, managing customer check-ins, and occasionally being asked to fill in for absent staff. But it paid steadily and offered anonymity, something she valued more than gold in this life.
If she worked a few jobs like this, not only could she hide in a safe place for a long time, but she also wouldn’t need to worry about others scheming behind her back.
She had just finished her shift manning the evening lounge when Xiao Mei, one of the service staff, came to her with watery eyes.
"Yu-jie..." the younger girl bit her lip, twisting her fingers. "Can you switch with me? I was assigned to the VIP room, Private Room A-9, exactly. But the guest scolded me. He thought I was staring at him for too long. I swear I didn’t mean to! I was just stunned by his face...!" The girl’s face flushed in embarrassment after spilling the beans so easily.
Ling Yu sighed quietly. "You mean he’s handsome?"
Xiao Mei’s face flushed red. "Like a demon prince in a dream... No. I mean, you know him, too. Every girl in our country knows him! I never thought I would actually get to see him before my very eyes someday, but then..."
Xiao Mei seemed pretty sad after being rejected as she looked downwards. Then she urged Ling Yu to hurry and go to serve the customer.
’Someone who can make a girl fall into this state, do I know this guy? Hope it’s not what I’m thinking.’
A faint smirk tugged at Ling Yu’s lips. "Alright. Give me your tray and uniform card. I’ll go."
Ling Yu didn’t like drawing attention. She’d spent years in her past life under the spotlight, under scrutiny. Every word, every action, magnified until even her heartbeat felt rehearsed. This life, she preferred the shadows. That’s why she kept her hair tied simply, makeup minimal, uniform, and neat. Even now, walking toward the VIP Private Room A-9, she looked like just another hotel staff.
Outside the room, she tapped on the door lightly and waited.
From inside came a bored male voice. "Come in."
The door slid open silently.
A soft piano melody was playing through the hidden surround speakers. The private room was dim, lit only by warm golden sconces and a single hanging light above the table. The air carried the delicate scent of sandalwood mixed with red wine.
Seated in the middle of the long couch was a man, holding half-lounging, half-sipping wine from a tall crystal glass. Even if she hadn’t seen him on movie posters or television, Ling Yu would’ve recognized the sheer pressure he gave off. His aura was dangerously magnetic, drawing attention the way fire draws moths.
He was reclining on the leather couch, an elbow propped on the headrest, wearing a soft cream blazer over a black shirt, undone at the collar, and his raven-black hair tousled just enough to look casual, yet expensive.
At first glance, he looked like a dream conjured from one of those tragic novels: a fragile aristocrat, melancholic and beautiful. The very type to inspire rumors and obsessive fandom.
Xie Linzhou.
Crowned as the Film Emperor for three years in a row. Nicknamed the "Movie Monarch" and known across the country as a mysterious, elusive figure. Half of his fame came from his acting, the other half from his refusal to attend most award ceremonies or give interviews. Some claimed he had a hidden illness. Others said he was once involved with a royal family abroad. But all agreed on one thing: that in this dog-eat-dog industry, he was untouchable.
In public, he was witty, playful, and dangerously charming. He plays the fool when convenient but is always calculating. Some anti-fans gave him a notorious nickname known as the "Playboy film emperor."
He maintains a scandalous and free-spirited image, often teasing fans and colleagues alike with his flirtatious persona.
But in reality, Xie Linzhou hid deeper loneliness and trauma under his beauty and theatrical flamboyance.
In the previous timeline, he lost everything after the apocalypse. Branded as a mind-controller and a threat, he was shackled and reduced to a deadly weapon by the Awakener Association. Ling Yu recalls fighting him once, silent and hollow-eyed, used as a psychic slave during one of the strongest raids.
Just as she stared at him, he also stared back at her.
Ling Yu lowered her eyes and stepped inside professionally. She placed down the bottle of Château Lafite he had ordered and turned to leave, but—
"You’re new," he said suddenly.
Ling Yu paused. She kept her tone smooth. "Not exactly. Just filling in."
"You didn’t look at me." Xie Yuhan raised an eyebrow.
She froze.
"Most women do," he said casually, twirling the glass by the stem. "Even the last one. It was annoying. But you walked in and out like you didn’t see anything at all."
"I’m here to work," she replied.
Xie Linzhou chuckled. "Do you know who I am?"
"Yes."
"And yet?"
"You’re not going to ask for a photo?" he asked idly.
"No."
"Not even a signature?"
"No."
He leaned back further, now openly staring. "Funny. You don’t look impressed."
"I’m not here to be impressed." Ling Yu said calmly.
Ling Yu finally turned to look at him.
It was a direct, emotionless gaze, not one of awe or admiration. Her deep, dark eyes looked at him like he was simply... just a person.
For a moment, Xie Linzhou stared back. Then, to her surprise, he laughed. A low, real laugh that made her stomach twist slightly.
"You look familiar."
"I bet most of the girls look the same to you, someone who is beautiful than most girls."