Don't play tricks

As the award ceremony neared its conclusion, a sense of anticipation filled the grand hall. The attendees had enjoyed a night filled with glamour and excitement, but there was an air of expectation for what was to come next. The host, resplendent in her evening gown, took center stage, her voice carrying through the room with grace and authority.

"To all the people who are gathered here tonight," the host began, "though we have come to the end of the award ceremony, tonight we have another special occasion. Yes, you guys heard it right. Before saying what the occasion is, we would like to call Her Highness, Mr. Zhan, and Mr. Wei to be present with us on the stage. Also, we call upon Mr. An and other members of the Jury panel of the Gold Curtain Awards to be present on the stage."

With these words, a sense of intrigue swept over the audience. People turned their attention to the VIP section, where the princess and the distinguished gentlemen, Zhan Yu Xuan and Wei Wan Qing, rose from their seats. Others who had served on the Jury panel of the Gold Curtain Awards followed suit.

The anticipation in the room was palpable as everyone stood and waited for the princess to lead the way. She did so with regal poise, her steps steady and confident. Zhan Yu Xuan and Wei Wan Qing followed her, and the other dignitaries joined in behind them.

Once everyone reached the stage and was settled into their positions, the host resumed her announcement, her voice carrying a sense of importance and gravitas.

"On this occasion of the 25th Gold Curtain Awards," she declared, "the Government of Nan Jiang has decided to announce that the government will start three Film and Theatre schools and five Cultural and Fine Arts Institutions in Tai Xing, Shan Jiang, and Qu Jing provinces. In addition to this, fifteen grand musical and performing theatres will be constructed in seven cities of Nan Jiang and eight cities of Bei Jian, which come under the governance of Nan Jiang. The construction of all the above-mentioned facilities has been completed, and they are ready to begin their operation."

These words were met with a wave of applause from the audience. The significance of such cultural and artistic investments was not lost on them. The arts were a vital part of the Triad countries' rich heritage, and this announcement promised to further enrich their cultural landscape.

"We take this occasion," the host continued, "to make this announcement public and inaugurate the operation of these institutions."

With that, she and the other dignitaries on stage were handed the ceremonial ribbon and oversized scissors. The moment was marked by a sense of anticipation and excitement as they gathered around, ready to cut the ribbon.

As the ribbon was cut with a flourish, it symbolized the official opening of the institutions to the public. Applause and cheers erupted throughout the hall as the audience acknowledged the significance of this momentous occasion. To commemorate the event, everyone in attendance was presented with a small memento, a token of the evening they had shared.

With the formalities concluded and the event officially at an end, the dignitaries began to leave the stage. The princess, as was her custom, left the venue first, setting the pace for the others. The recipients of the awards were soon surrounded by reporters eager to capture their thoughts and reactions, while fans eagerly sought to interact with their favorite stars.

Among the bustling crowd, however, there was one individual who sought to slip away unnoticed. This figure was dressed inconspicuously in a black hooded t-shirt, blue shorts, and a black cap. A face mask concealed their features, giving them an air of anonymity that seemed at odds with the glamorous setting. To an observer, their behavior might have appeared suspicious, prompting questions about their presence.

The figure had almost succeeded in slipping away into the lobby's shadows when a strong hand reached out and grabbed their hoodie. With a swift and decisive motion, they were pulled back, the hood falling to reveal a cascade of long hair.

As the figure struggled against their captor, a voice whispered into their ear, filled with a mix of warning and authority.

"Be good. Don't struggle, and don't try to play any tricks. Or else, I will shout about your presence. Do you think they will not be curious about why you are still roaming here when you already left an hour before?"

The figure turned to look at their captor, meeting a pair of black eyes that shimmered with cunning and determination. Those eyes, though calm in appearance, carried a depth of knowledge and experience that was hard to ignore. They held a familiarity that tugged at the figure's memory.

Reluctantly, the figure ceased their struggle and chose to follow their captor. Together, they entered an elevator, and the captor pressed the button for the 34th floor—an exclusive VIP garage level within the ZHK hotel.

The ZHK hotel was renowned for its luxury and opulence, and its garage facilities were no exception. While there were several levels of parking for hotel guests and visitors, the top floors were reserved exclusively for the members of the Zhan and Xiu families, who owned the prestigious hotel.

Curiosity flickered in the figure's eyes as they glanced at their captor. Their unspoken question was clear: "Why the 34th floor?"

The captor, Zhan Yu Xuan, responded with a knowing smile. "Do you think the garage on the 18th floor is safe for us to discuss the things we are going to discuss when you openly coded the message? What if someone else decoded it? Let's head to our floor."

With that explanation, the elevator ascended, carrying them to a place of privacy and security. As the doors closed, the figure couldn't help but wonder about the enigmatic turn of events that had led them to this clandestine meeting.

And then, a question escaped their lips, voiced in a whisper of curiosity, "Did you take over the hotel chain?"