After Secretly Marrying the Top Celebrity, I Fell in Love - Chapter 18

At nine in the evening, the star-studded night sky suddenly began to drizzle. Fine threads of rain fell from the sky, moistening the earth and everything on it.

A grand birthday banquet was taking place at a certain five-star hotel.

In the brightly lit ballroom, ladies in designer evening gowns conversed elegantly, their faces adorned with age-appropriate makeup. Gentlemen in sharp suits were also engaged in lively conversations, their topics revolving around funds and stocks.

As the birthday celebrant’s cherished daughter, Lin Yu naturally became the center of attention.

Lin Yu wore a backless golden sequined evening dress with a fitted waist and a mermaid tail design. Her straight, shoulder-length, chocolate-colored hair was neat and chic, perfectly matching her persona as a fierce female business executive.

Lin Yu took over the family business right after graduating from university.

Over the years, Lin Yu relied on a series of decisive actions to continually expand the family enterprise. Just last year, the company successfully went public under her leadership.

Today was Lin Mother’s birthday banquet. On the surface, everyone was there to attend the birthday celebrant’s party. However, in reality, they were all eager to seize this opportunity to cozy up to the young female CEO, hoping to further their business dealings.

“Ms. Lin, when will you be free for a round of golf?”

“Ms. Lin, how long do you plan to stay in the country this time?”

“Ms. Lin, I heard you are quite interested in auctions. There’s an auction happening in Bincheng two days from now…”

Lin Yu held a wine glass filled with red wine, individually acknowledging each person’s toast and deftly deflecting unnecessary socializing. Of course, she didn’t turn down everything.

Lin Yu maintained a generous smile on her lips, showing a hint of interest in what Manager Zhang was saying. She asked, “What is being auctioned? Jewelry or antique calligraphy and paintings?”

“Antique calligraphy and paintings,” Manager Zhang answered calmly. “The final, most valuable piece is none other than Tang Yin’s Rainy Bamboo Scroll.”

Manager Zhang had clearly done his homework, knowing not only that Lin Yu was interested in auctions but also that she particularly favored antique calligraphy and paintings.

“Tang Yin’s Rainy Bamboo Scroll?” Lin Yu’s eyes widened instantly, and her clearly defined eyelashes fluttered up and down.

“That’s right! It’s clearly stated in the auction catalog that the centerpiece is indeed Tang Yin’s Rainy Bamboo Scroll,” Manager Zhang tentatively probed, “Ms. Lin, are you interested in this Rainy Bamboo Scroll?”

Lin Yu nodded, “Naturally.”

What the hell! That’s Tang Yin’s Rainy Bamboo Scroll!!

Manager Zhang was overjoyed and said, “Then I will have someone deliver the invitation to your residence tomorrow, Ms. Lin.”

Lin Yu offered a kind smile and replied with great refinement, “That is very thoughtful of you.”

Manager Zhang: “You’re most welcome, Ms. Lin.”

Lin Yu drank a fair amount of wine at her mother’s birthday banquet due to her happiness. She was slightly tipsy but not drunk. In such an setting, Lin Yu dared not drink recklessly, no matter how happy she was.

Sitting in the car on the way back, Lin Yu leaned her head against the window, somewhat listlessly gazing at the night view outside. She held her phone, unsure who to call.

Lin Yu had naturally invited Ye Manqing to her mother’s birthday party, but the famous celebrity was unfortunately too busy. She was still running an event in Shanghai during the day, and even if she rushed back, it would be the middle of the night.

Her birthday gift had been sent in advance—a Lao Tong Xing tea cake that money couldn’t necessarily buy. Lin Mother was very happy with this thoughtful, well-chosen gift.

Lin Yu had many fair-weather friends, but Ye Manqing was her only true friend.

Suddenly, a pretty and charming face flashed through Lin Yu’s mind. After much hesitation, Lin Yu finally sent a message to Fu Yu.

Lin Yu: [Ms. Fu, could you grace me with your presence for a drink?]

Lin Yu hadn’t drunk her fill at the birthday banquet. At this moment, the urge for a drink was particularly strong.

After sending the message, Lin Yu held her phone and waited for a long time. Just as she was about to arrive home, Fu Yu finally replied.

Fu Yu: [It’s a bit late, maybe another day (smile)]

The polite yet distant refusal made Lin Yu give up, forcing her to abandon the idea.

Even without a suitable drinking partner, going to a bar alone wasn’t out of the question.

“Uncle Li, turn around, let’s go to a bar.”

Outside the car window, the dazzling streetlights rapidly blurred past. The night rain had stopped at some point, and the air was filled with a moist, rainy scent.

It was eleven o’clock at night, the peak time for bar business.

Lin Yu’s evening gown was too formal, but thankfully, she had another set of clothes in the car.

After changing her clothes, Lin Yu also quickly changed her makeup, applying a sophisticated “Queen Bee” look suitable for a bar. In an instant, she transformed from a chic, elite businesswoman into a nightclub queen.

The moment Lin Yu stepped into the bar, she instantly drew the attention of over ninety percent of the crowd. Pairs of naked eyes openly scrutinized Lin Yu from head to toe, without any attempt to hide it.

Lin Yu curved her lips, walked confidently to the bar counter in her eight-centimeter stiletto heels, and ordered a “Peach Whiskey” from the bartender.

“Beautiful, this drink is quite strong.” As soon as Lin Yu sat down, a woman in a long black dress approached her, looking at Lin Yu with a feigned expression of concern.

“It’s fine, I can hold my liquor well.” Lin Yu turned her head and gave the woman a polite smile.

“Then may I ask you to buy me a drink?” The woman casually rested one elbow on the bar, winking at Lin Yu.

“Of course~” Lin Yu smiled.

The woman in front of her seemed to have had some work done on her face; her chin was so pointed it could almost be used as a weapon. Her figure was good, though, and her skin was a healthy tan. Her voice was very pleasant, sweet and soft. However, her perfume was too strong, making Lin Yu feel a little dizzy.

Lin Yu was always generous. She had done more than just buy a drink for one person; she had even paid for the whole bar before.

The woman in the long dress chatted with Lin Yu while sipping her drink, trying to keep the conversation going. Lin Yu occasionally responded, maintaining politeness but clearly keeping a distance.

The noise of conversations mixed with the loud music from the dance floor was deafening, causing Lin Yu’s eardrums to ache. Lin Yu instinctively frowned, raising her hand to cover her ears.

She was bored and planned to leave. Just as she stood up, a woman’s sweet, affected voice came from beside her.

“I think I’m a little drunk, my head is so dizzy.” The woman in the long dress supported her head with one hand, pretending to lean onto Lin Yu.

“…!” Lin Yu was slightly stunned and didn’t have time to dodge.

The scent on her nose intensified, and she felt a sudden weight on her chest.

“I need to go to the restroom. Can you help me?” The woman leaned in Lin Yu’s arms, looking up into Lin Yu’s eyes with a dazed expression.

“…Okay.” Lin Yu instinctively wanted to push her away but hesitated for a moment and agreed.

Lin Yu helped the woman in the long dress walk down the corridor toward the restroom. This person was probably genuinely drunk, stumbling unsteadily and swaying all the way.

The two had just arrived at the restroom entrance when they encountered a tall woman walking toward them. She wore a light gray casual set, long sleeves and long pants, and a gray baseball cap pulled low over her head.

The woman wore a black mask and kept her head slightly down. Coupled with the dim lighting in the hallway, it was impossible to see her face clearly.

Dressed like this to go bar-hopping? That’s quite a novelty.

What was certain was that the woman had a great figure. She had a small head, narrow shoulders, a thin back, a snatched waist, and long legs. She was curvy in all the right places. Even if her face wasn’t great, her figure alone was a plus.

Lin Yu and the woman in the long dress both stopped, their eyes involuntarily drawn to the woman approaching them. For a moment, the two blocked the way like door gods.

“Excuse me, please.” The woman came up to Lin Yu, her gaze lowered, and spoke to get their attention.

“…” Lin Yu snapped back to attention and quickly stepped aside. “Sorry.”

The woman didn’t reply, passing Lin Yu with her head still bowed.

Lin Yu turned around, frowned slightly, and tilted her head, watching the woman’s figure gradually moving away.

Why does that back view look so familiar? And that… voice is familiar too?!

“Ms. Fu!” Lin Yu’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she slightly raised her voice to shout ahead.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the woman paused and stopped.

Sure enough, I guessed right!

…

In the dimly lit bar private room, the air was filled with the rich aroma of red wine, in addition to the smell of caramel popcorn.

Fu Yu sat cross-legged on the sofa, clutching a large bucket of popcorn, occasionally tossing a kernel into her mouth with absolutely no regard for her celebrity image.

On the coffee table, there was a small mountain of fruit, snacks, and marinated duck neck. Next to it, there was half a bottle of opened red wine and two cold cans of chilled cola.

“…?!” Lin Yu, sitting across from her on the sofa, stared blankly, rubbing her eyes, thinking she hadn’t sobered up.

But she clearly wasn’t drunk.

“You’re not mistaken, this is what I’m like in private,” Fu Yu shrugged indifferently. “I’m about to join a film crew soon, and the director requires me to lose fifteen pounds.”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll have to double up on dieting and exercise. Forget snacks; I won’t even be able to eat a proper meal.”

“Lose fifteen pounds!” Lin Yu caught the key phrase and asked incredulously, “You weigh less than a hundred pounds, don’t you?”

This person looked about the same height as her, approximately 170CM. A hundred pounds was not at all fat for an adult female of around 170CM.

She needs to lose weight even then?!

“Exactly a hundred pounds,” Fu Yu said. “My bone structure is heavier than most.”

Lin Yu was puzzled, “Do all you actors have to be this thin?”

Fu Yu explained, “Not all, but that’s what this particular role requires.”

Lin Yu nodded, “Oh.”

As she spoke, Fu Yu put down the popcorn. She then picked up a bag of potato chips from the coffee table and tore a large opening in it.

Lin Yu watched the person as if she were a starved ghost, feeling a little sad. It seemed every industry had its difficulties. The seemingly glamorous celebrity couldn’t even satisfy her basic cravings.

It was obvious this person had secretly sneaked off to the bar alone to feast, drinking wine and eating snacks.

Lin Yu’s gaze swept over the pile of snacks and red wine on the coffee table, then she looked up at Fu Yu and asked, “Isn’t it boring drinking alone?”

Fu Yu poured herself some red wine, replying, “No, I’m used to it.”

It wouldn’t be difficult to find a few casual drinking buddies, but Fu Yu was a celebrity, and being alone was actually safer. The more people there were, the easier it was to expose her whereabouts. If a paparazzo accidentally caught her, every word and action would be exaggerated endlessly.

Some completely illogical scandals originate this way.

Lin Yu, who heard the implied meaning, was slightly stunned. A few seconds later, a few words popped out of her mouth.

“I’ll keep you company.”

“…” Fu Yu raised her eyes, looking at Lin Yu with a slight tipsiness, gently batting her long, slender eyelashes.

Lin Yu: “If you ever need company for a drink, you can consider me.”

“I can be your drinking buddy, Ms. Fu.”

Fu Yu suddenly smiled and said, “Alright! Let’s start today.”

With that, Fu Yu leaned over, grabbed a clean wine glass from the coffee table, filled it halfway with red wine, and handed it to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu stood up and took the filled wine glass with both hands.

The two clinked their glasses in the air.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers.”

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