Encountering a Goddess

More than a decade can erode many memories. If it hadn't been for the roommate who accompanied him back, he might have had trouble finding his own place.

After all, you can imagine, if you were to recall a hotel room you stayed in over a decade ago, at least 99 out of 100 people would find it hard to remember.

The imprint of more than twenty years of modern life on Fang Xiaoyu was indeed deep, but the imprint of over a decade in the film world was also profound.

The luxury cars, passionate beauties, and advertisements on big screens all rushed at him, quickly blending Fang Xiaoyu into modern society.

By late afternoon, Fang Xiaoyu had begun to adjust his mindset. He was now sitting in an elegant café.

The café was quite refined, with soft music playing and dim lighting creating a romantic and cozy atmosphere.

At a glance, Fang Xiaoyu knew this was a couple's café, with many pairs of men and women seated at various tables.

Fang Xiaoyu instinctively touched his nose, paused his steps slightly, and walked into the café with a calm demeanor.

A fairly attractive waitress approached and asked, "Sir, what would you like?"

Fang Xiaoyu chose a seat in the corner and said淡淡地说道: "I'll have a cup of coffee, please."

After the waitress left, Fang Xiaoyu leaned back in the soft chair and looked out the window at the bustling traffic and people.

Next to Fang Xiaoyu's seat were several private rooms. Without needing to look, he knew there must be couples in these rooms. The ambiance and enclosed environment were indeed ideal for these couples to enjoy private moments.

With Fang Xiaoyu's keen and somewhat perverse hearing, he could vaguely hear the sounds of intimacy from one or two private rooms.

He paid no mind to it; such things were too commonplace. After all, even in public places, people engaged in intimate acts, let alone in private rooms.

Gently stirring his coffee, Fang Xiaoyu took a sip, feeling a faint bitterness. He didn't really have a taste for coffee, having only drunk it a few times. To him, it was less enjoyable than plain boiled water.

Suddenly, Fang Xiaoyu's body tensed as he leaned against the soft backrest. His focus sharpened, and his gaze fixed on the door of a private room.

He concentrated and his expression turned peculiar, as he recognized a voice from the private room—one he was very familiar with, even hearing his own name mentioned in their conversation.

After a heated argument ended, the door of the private room was abruptly opened, and a figure stormed out with a face full of anger, not noticing Fang Xiaoyu sitting in the corridor.

Fang Xiaoyu watched the figure leave the café before whispering to himself, "Li Gan, the deputy director. So it's him. That means Cheng Yuer is in the private room."

Although Cheng Yuer was only the third female lead in the crew, she was far more attractive and charismatic compared to the first and second female leads. With her pure and ethereal aura and a beauty scoring at least 90, she could easily have been the top female lead.

However, in this society, capability alone doesn't guarantee success; connections often play a larger role.

Fang Xiaoyu had heard various rumors about Cheng Yuer, some saying she was a woman of loose morals, relying on sleeping with directors to get screen time. Others claimed she was too proud and aloof, missing out on the leading role because of it.

Fang Xiaoyu only smiled at these rumors. Whether Cheng Yuer was pure or not, with his status, he could only fantasize about her. Winning her over was extremely difficult.

A faint sobbing came from the partially open private room. For some reason, Fang Xiaoyu stood up and entered the room, closing the door behind him.

With a click, Cheng Yuer, who had been sitting there crying softly, immediately took a defensive posture and instinctively shouted at the intruding Fang Xiaoyu, "Who are you? Get out!"

But as soon as Cheng Yuer recognized Fang Xiaoyu, she was momentarily stunned, realizing he had seen her crying. Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

"Fang Xiaoyu... Why... why are you here?"

It was the first time Fang Xiaoyu saw Cheng Yuer display such a vulnerable, girlish demeanor. He looked at her with a somewhat uninhibited gaze.

Cheng Yuer calmed down a bit, sensing Fang Xiaoyu's gaze, and instinctively brushed her hair. She looked up at him and said, "Fang Xiaoyu, how did you end up here? Earlier, Li Gan..."

Fang Xiaoyu glanced around the private room and then looked at Cheng Yuer, saying, "I happened to overhear your conversation with Li Gan in the private room."

Cheng Yuer's expression changed slightly as she said, "So you know everything."

Fang Xiaoyu, intrigued, asked, "I heard some of it, but I'd like to know what's really going on."

Cheng Yuer stared at Fang Xiaoyu for a moment, then sighed, speaking with some self-reproach, "You're right, it's thanks to you. If it hadn't been for you, I might have drowned."

Fang Xiaoyu waved his hand and said, "You don't need to thank me. Even if I hadn't been there, someone else would have come to your rescue."

Cheng Yuer shook her head, saying, "At least you were the first to jump into the water to save me without hesitation. I have to acknowledge this life-saving grace."

She then changed the topic, "Perhaps you've heard about the rumors of discord between me and Chen Fei?"

Fang Xiaoyu nodded and said, "Yes, it's said that the lead role was supposed to be yours but was taken by Chen Fei. Even during filming, I could see Chen Fei deliberately causing you trouble."

Fang Xiaoyu's expression shifted as he thought, "Could it be that this incident with the wire was manipulated by Chen Fei?"

His face darkened at the thought. If it were true, then Chen Fei could be guilty of murder.

After all, Fang Xiaoyu was lucky to have activated the Great Thief System in the nick of time; otherwise, he would have drowned in the lake.

Cheng Yuer slowly nodded and said, "Although there's no evidence, Li Gan personally came to talk to me earlier, trying to suppress this matter."

Fang Xiaoyu sneered, "Li Gan and Chen Fei's relationship is well known. If this incident were dealt with fairly, it would be one thing. But since Li Gan took the initiative to talk to you privately, it's highly likely that Chen Fei is involved."

Hearing Fang Xiaoyu's words, Cheng Yuer bitterly smiled and said, "Unfortunately, we have no evidence. And I also angered Li Gan earlier. He has now given me an ultimatum—either the matter is resolved quietly, or I leave."

Fang Xiaoyu, holding a smooth jade pendant, looked at Cheng Yuer with a smile and asked, "Oh, so what is the goddess Cheng going to choose?"