{"id":795,"date":"2025-10-09T19:43:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sakuratranslation.com\/public-entertainment-circle-07\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T20:14:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:14:22","slug":"public-entertainment-circle-07","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/www.velvetink.xyz\/ko\/chapter\/public-entertainment-circle-07\/","title":{"rendered":"Public [Entertainment Circle] 07"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

**Chapter 7: The Soul-Snatching Blade** 

The black extended Pullman sped down the airport road, its understated luxury unmistakable as it glided into the quaint, old-fashioned street. 

Inside the car. 

The young, strikingly handsome man in the back seat wore his tie perfectly knotted, as usual, all the way to the top. Silver-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, his thin lips and cold eyes exuding an air of restrained elegance\u2014like an untouchable ice god towering above mortals. 

He flipped casually through a file. 

Secretary Cong finished reporting the headquarters’ work updates, then glanced discreetly at his boss\u2019s private phone, which had lit up several times. He lowered his voice. \u201cPresident He, your phone is ringing.\u201d 

He Lingji glanced indifferently at the silenced phone beside him. 

The screen displayed: 

**Ruan Qizhuo.** 

Ruan Qizhuo had grown up in the same compound as He Lingji. Now, he ran a media company, riding the wave of live streaming to great success, and was well-versed in all the industry gossip. 

Seeing that Ruan had sent nothing important\u2014just a video\u2014He Lingji initially ignored it. 

Until he caught a glimpse of the familiar, beautiful face in the video thumbnail. 

His cold eyes darkened slightly. 

Handing the file to Secretary Cong, he tapped the video with his long fingers. 

On screen. 

A female actor, dressed in an elaborate ancient costume, soared effortlessly across rooftops under the blazing sun, suspended by wires, before plunging into flames. 

Ethereal, as if enhanced by special effects. 

Occasionally, the director\u2019s voice could be heard: *\u201cAgain!\u201d* 

The actress showed no frustration. Each time she was hoisted back up, she reset her emotions and repeated the scene tirelessly. 

She flew through the scorching heat and flames at least seven or eight times before the director finally called *\u201cCut!\u201d* 

The video ended abruptly. 

The dim car lights plunged the space back into silence. 

The noble, icy man remained expressionless, his lips pressed into a thin line, his jawline sharp and flawless. 

He said nothing. 

Ruan Qizhuo\u2019s messages popped up one after another. 

**[Your wife isn\u2019t just dabbling\u2014she\u2019s risking her life!]** 

**[I heard someone\u2019s spending big to suppress this video on all platforms, but it\u2019s still circulating in small circles.]** 

**[Wait\u2026 was it you who buried it? To make her quit?]** 

The more Ruan thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. 

What elite family would tolerate their lady being a so-called \u201cpretty but talentless\u201d actress? Especially the illustrious He family of Shencheng. 

Ruan rambled on. 

When they married, Qin Mang had already entered the entertainment industry. She\u2019d mentioned her agency\u2019s \u201czero-scandal\u201d policy, which meant keeping the marriage secret. 

He Lingji had no objections. 

Thus, the true identity of Mrs. He remained undisclosed. Only those close to them knew. 

He Lingji lowered his eyelids, his deep, ocean-like eyes unreadable. 

After a moment, he typed lazily: **[No.]** 

Ruan Qizhuo: \u201c\u2026\u201d 

Damn. 

He hadn\u2019t expected President He\u2014who usually showed zero interest in anything beyond work, planes, and yachts\u2014to actually respond. 

Ruan quickly caught on. 

From those two words, he sensed an\u2014**opportunity!** 

Suddenly excited, he sent a voice message: \u201cA motivational, uplifting video like this deserves maximum exposure on our *patriotic, values-driven* live-streaming platform!\u201d 

\u201cSo, President He, how about investing in our *\u2018industry-leading, virtue-promoting, audience-educating\u2019* platform?\u201d 

He Lingji replied succinctly: **[Contact Secretary Cong.]** 

Ruan Qizhuo: \u201c!\u201d 

\u201cYour Majesty is wise!\u201d 

He Lingji showed no reaction. 

As if absentmindedly, his thumb brushed the screen. 

Qin Mang\u2019s usually flirtatious, mesmerizing eyes now shone brighter than the sun and flames, as if piercing through the screen to steal all the light in the world. 

Beside him, Secretary Cong kept his eyes down, pretending not to notice his boss replaying the video three times. 

Just before arriving at the old mansion, Ruan\u2019s final voice message played: 

\u201cHeh, I just saw netizens saying your wife\u2019s acting may be lacking, but she\u2019s *so* beautiful it\u2019s heartbreaking\u2014\u201d 

He deliberately drew out his words, teasing: 

\u201cYour Majesty\u2026 is *this* why you\u2019re heartbroken?\u201d 

— 

\u201cSo, sis-in-law, why did you mistake my brother for someone else?\u201d 

In the living room. 

Faced with her little sister-in-law\u2019s protective interrogation, Qin Mang closed her eyes in frustration, pressing her delicate fingers to her forehead. 

Married for a year. 

And she couldn\u2019t recognize her own husband. 

What kind of loving couple was this?! 

Qin Mang\u2019s brain was overheating. 

With just the two of them in the spacious living room, she dropped the act. 

Relaxing, she leaned lazily against the sofa arm, her intricate cheongsam and loosely pinned hair creating a breathtakingly alluring contrast. Her slightly downturned eyes looked innocent, but her words were bold: 

\u201cA man\u2019s waist is a soul-snatching blade.\u201d 

\u201cCan\u2019t I admire it?\u201d 

\u201cNot recognizing him is your brother\u2019s fault\u2014\u201d 

She paused, as if struggling to say it. 

He Xucheng\u2019s eyes widened, sensing gossip: 

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with my brother?\u201d 

Qin Mang\u2019s red lips curled as she drawled, \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026 *lacking* in bed\u2014\u201d 

She even held up her little finger for emphasis. 

Before she could finish. 

A deep, cold chuckle sounded. 

The two women froze. 

They turned in unison toward the source. 

The man, who had entered unnoticed, was walking toward them. 

He Lingji\u2019s handsome face showed no trace of laughter\u2014just a wintry calm, like mist hiding an unseen threat. 

Qin Mang\u2019s heart skipped a beat, but she slowly straightened up, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her cheongsam. Her slender legs crossed elegantly, a sliver of porcelain skin peeking out. 

She pretended nothing had happened. 

Looking up at him with a bright smile: \u201cHubby, you\u2019re here.\u201d 

\u201cEavesdropping isn\u2019t nice.\u201d 

\u201cWhat if we were discussing *girl talk*?\u201d 

She even flipped the script. 

He Xucheng watched in awe. 

*Damn, sis-in-law\u2019s composure is next-level.* 

Qin Mang subtly waved a hand. *Not that impressive.* 

Noticing their silent exchange, He Lingji stepped past the antique screen and approached the sofa. 

His long fingers loosened his tie. 

Right in front of He Xucheng, he leaned over Qin Mang, bracing an arm on the sofa beside her. Her wide, startled eyes\u2014glistening like water, the tiny red mole on her nose adding a touch of mischief\u2014met his. 

A far cry from the determined woman in the video. 

Qin Mang\u2019s fingers curled on her knees as his overwhelming presence closed in. 

Only then did she notice his glasses today. 

Behind the thin lenses, his icy blue eyes stared calmly. 

Her mind screamed: 

**Danger!** 

**Code red!** 

In comics, the most twisted killers always had this refined, *seemingly* proper vibe! 

Right now, He Lingji was probably plotting a hundred ways to dismember her! 

Their breaths mingled, the air growing hotter. 

She stammered, \u201cThe *kid* is here\u2026 behave\u2026\u201d 

He\u00b718-year-old high schooler\u00b7Kid\u00b7Xucheng jumped up. \u201cNope, I\u2019m gone! Carry on!\u201d 

She covered her eyes\u2014with gaps wide enough to fit the universe. 

If not for He Lingji\u2019s usual intimidation, she\u2019d have recorded the whole thing. 

The next second. 

He Lingji closed in. 

His lips brushed her delicate ear, his voice frosty as ever: 

\u201cMust be fate.\u201d 

\u201cOtherwise, how would I know my wife is so\u2014\u201d 

\u201c*Un-sat-is-fied.*\u201d 

Qin Mang: ! 

*Lies! Slander!* 

*Ahhh, this bastard!* 

He Xucheng: ! 

*Ahhh! Is this PG-13?!* 

Luckily. 

The timely arrival of He Lingji\u2019s parents saved the day. 

His elegant mother, in a dark green cheongsam and jade bracelet, smiled. \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d 

\u201cLingji, who are you *dissatisfied* with?\u201d 

She\u2019d caught the last word. 

Behind them were other close family members, fresh from touring the newly renovated ancestral hall. 

He Lingji straightened calmly. 

Casual as ever: \u201cWith He Xucheng\u2019s grades.\u201d 

Qin Mang quickly adjusted, mimicking his blame-shifting. \u201cFocus on your college entrance exams next month, Chengcheng. No more fangirling, okay?\u201d 

He Xucheng: \u201c\u2026\u201d 

*So I\u2019m the clown?* 

*Are you even human?!* 

*My life matters too!* 

From then on, He Xucheng was lectured nonstop by the elders throughout the family dinner. 

After the dinner. 

Before Qin Mang could confront He Lingji, her manager Meng Ting called. 

Meng sighed heavily. \u201cI checked with the casting team for *Dreams of Old Beijing*\u2026 It\u2019s not looking good. They\u2019re leaning toward Shen Wanyin. The announcement might come in a few days.\u201d 

Qin Mang\u2019s lips pressed together. Finally, she scoffed softly. \u201cThe crew has no taste.\u201d 

\u201c*Zero* taste! When you blow up, they\u2019ll regret it!\u201d 

Knowing her temper, Meng tread carefully. \u201cBut good news\u2014your filming clip got leaked online. People are praising your dedication!\u201d 

(Though the comments also called her a *\u201cstunning but mediocre actress who\u2019s oddly pitiable.\u201d* Meng wisely omitted that part.) 

\u201cWhatever. It\u2019s just one role.\u201d 

Qin Mang hung up, uninterested in his rambling. 

She wasn\u2019t surprised by the\u70ed\u641c (trending topic)\u2014netizens only ever praised her looks anyway. 

To the world, extreme beauty equaled empty-headedness. 

Under the wisteria-covered pergola, the purple blossoms swayed in the breeze. 

Qin Mang leaned against a wooden post, her lashes lowered, her fingers loosely gripping her phone as if it might drop any second. 

Her slender frame looked oddly fragile amidst the flowers. 

For all her willfulness, she was just a 22-year-old kid. 

At the end of the pergola. 

He Lingji stood tall, his presence impossible to ignore. 

Already in a bad mood, seeing him made it worse. 

She crossed her arms, raising a brow. \u201cWhat are *you* looking at, scumbag?\u201d 

He Lingji paused mid-step, then walked over. 

His gaze steady. 

After a few seconds of silent standoff, Qin Mang glared. 

He Lingji frowned slightly. \u201cYou\u2019re upset.\u201d 

\u201cWhy?\u201d 

Qin Mang\u2019s red lips twisted into a smirk. \u201cI\u2019m *not* upset. Even if someone rigged the game and gave the role to his little mistress, I\u2019m *totally* fine with it\u2026\u201d 

Her tone grew colder. \u201cAfter all, this is a *business marriage*. We can always see other people.\u201d 

The last line was dripping with indifference. 

He Lingji\u2019s expression darkened, recalling her earlier excitement over *\u201canother man.\u201d* 

Having vented, Qin Mang felt better. 

She strode past him. 

Behind her, He Lingji\u2019s cool voice rang out: \u201cMrs. He.\u201d 

\u201cInfidelity is a sunk cost. It doesn\u2019t align with my principles.\u201d 

Qin Mang frowned. 

What? 

Was he\u2026 *explaining* himself? 

This man couldn\u2019t even bother to tell his wife when he traveled abroad for days. 

Why clarify *this*? 

— 

The ancient alley was shaded by century-old trees, cool even in summer. 

Perfect for retirement. 

Past the wisteria, the street grew livelier, lined with food and game stalls. 

Qin Mang spotted a balloon-shooting booth. 

The top prize\u2014a cute lion plushie\u2014caught her eye. 

Most patrons here were elderly; few young people ventured this deep. 

She approached. 

\u201cInterested, miss?\u201d The vendor didn\u2019t recognize her. 

\u201cYes, thanks.\u201d 

She took the toy gun, testing its weight\u2014much lighter than the ones she\u2019d trained with. 

(She\u2019d practiced sharpshooting for this film role.)

Here\u2019s the translation using simple words and expressions: 

— 

She had even practiced shooting for a long time, until her shoulders ached every day. 

Qin Mang put on disposable goggles, and when she raised the gun, her bright, beautiful eyes instantly turned sharp. 

*Bang\u2026* 

Not far away, a black luxury car sat quietly. 

Through the half-open window, the handsome, lazy face of a man was barely visible. 

His tie was missing, and a few buttons of his shirt were undone. The usual cold arrogance was gone, replaced by a more relaxed aura. 

He Lengji watched as the balloon burst. 

On the ancient street\u2019s stone pavement, a woman in a qipao holding a gun looked like a vintage beauty from an old movie. 

In the dull gray tones, she stood out like a glowing gem, waiting to be discovered and shine brilliantly. 

Secretary Cong coughed lightly. 

He had investigated everything about *Dreams of the Capital*, including that moment when He Lengji had paused briefly upon seeing Shen Wanyin in the audition hall. The higher-ups in the crew had misunderstood it as the investor favoring her for the female lead role. 

He Lengji held two reports on the actresses\u2019 data. 

Their overall scores were both: 95%. 

Aside from other supporting data, their key acting scores were also the same\u201455%. 

A tie. 

No wonder she was angry. 

The man\u2019s fingers tapped lightly on the paper reports. 

*Tap.* 

*Tap.* 

Each tap made Secretary Cong\u2019s heart race. 

Outside the car, the sound of balloons popping continued one after another. 

Secretary Cong, trying to guess his boss\u2019s thoughts, cleared his throat. *”This movie has a lot of gunfights. Since Madam is so skilled at shooting, maybe\u2014”* 

*”I\u2019m investing in this film, not any particular person in it. If Jiang Yulin can\u2019t do his job as a producer properly, replace him.”* 

*”Reorganize the auditions. Director Zhou will oversee them.”* 

Choosing a lead actress just because of one glance? 

Ridiculous. 

*”Replace all the higher-ups in the crew\u2014except the director.”* 

The man\u2019s voice was icy to the bone. 

Secretary Cong broke out in a cold sweat and quickly replied, *”Understood.”* 

Afraid that the next one to be replaced would be him. 

— 

10 PM, Lakeside Manor. 

Qin Mang spent two and a half hours in the bathroom before finally stepping out. She ignored the man leaning against the headboard reading a book and climbed onto the bed, shaking out her soft, fluffy hair. 

With red lips and snow-white skin, even without makeup, her complexion was flawless\u2014smooth like porcelain. 

Her thin golden silk nightgown trailed almost to the floor, giving off a lazy, alluring charm. The wide sleeves were embroidered with flame-like red patterns that curled up to her shoulders. 

As she moved past He Lengji, her sleeve accidentally brushed against his half-bare chest. 

Qin Mang quickly pulled her sleeve back, her face scrunched in distaste. 

He Lengji laughed in amusement. 

*”I\u2014”* 

*”Sleep!”* 

He Lengji glanced at her slender back, deliberately keeping her distance from him, and calmly agreed. 

Then he put the book away and turned off the last light. 

Qin Mang thought she wouldn\u2019t be able to sleep, but once everything was quiet, she drifted off quickly. 

At midnight, just as he expected, He Lengji found her naked and curled up against him like a little furnace. 

Her body was burning hot, as if beneath her delicate skin lay a raging volcano. 

*”Mmm\u2014”* 

Qin Mang woke up from the heat\u2014but not her own. 

Under her palm were firm, well-defined muscles. 

The cool, icy scent of the man surrounded her, mixed with a faint, intoxicating fragrance\u2014like a mysterious, seductive flower blooming alone on a glacier. 

Hot and cold clashed, torturous yet addictive. 

Realizing what was happening, Qin Mang forced her eyes open and weakly pushed at him. Her voice was hoarse. *”Get off. I\u2019m not in the mood.”* 

Just then, her phone rang sharply. 

Qin Mang ignored it, but He Lengji tapped the speakerphone button for her. 

*”Ms. Qin, this is Gu An, the casting director for *Dreams of the Capital*. We\u2019d like to invite you to the final audition for the female lead at 2 PM the day after tomorrow.”* 

At the mention of *Dreams of the Capital*, Qin Mang was fully awake. 

She sat up abruptly, her sleepy face now filled with shock. 

*”Didn\u2019t you already pick a lead actress?”* 

*”Not yet,”* the casting director said firmly. *”It\u2019ll be decided after the audition. Please be there on time.”* 

Even after hanging up, she was still dazed. 

How did things suddenly turn around like this? 

Was it a trap? 

Maybe Shen Wanyin and the crew were setting her up for public humiliation as pre-release hype? 

Unaware of her nakedness, Qin Mang sat on the black bedsheets, her fair skin glowing, her face serious as she stared at her phone, imagining countless ways the audition could turn into a fight. 

Then, He Lengji wrapped an arm around her slender waist from behind. His cool, clear voice melted into her ear: 

*”Now are you in the mood?”* 

Hearing this, Qin Mang\u2019s eyes sparkled like a galaxy. 

A bright, alluring smile curved her red lips as she turned to him in the dark, like a living, breathing enchantress. 

Suddenly, she remembered the narrow waist she had seen by the black helicopter, outlined by his belt. 

Her soft fingers traced over it as she leaned close to his lips and whispered: 

*”I want to be on top.”* 

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