Chapter 059 Qin Qing

Five days before God wiped out all of humanity on Earth.

BS City, JL Province.

Baishan International Hotel, Presidential Suite.

"Qingqing, there will be many important people at tonight's banquet. You must seize this opportunity," a middle-aged man with a somewhat effeminate appearance said as he carefully applied makeup to Qin Qing, who was seated before the mirror.

Qin Qing, stage name Qingqing, had just turned twenty. She was a sophomore majoring in acting at the JL Provincial Academy of Arts and was also an actress. With her pure and beautiful looks, standing 168 centimeters tall with an excellent figure, she had attracted attention from a young age. Her parents were both well-known actors in the region, so she had grown up as a child star, occasionally taking on bit parts or appearing in variety shows.

Qin Qing formally debuted at eighteen. Over the past two years, thanks to her family’s connections, she had balanced her studies with several major supporting roles in film and television, becoming a moderately well-known actress in the industry.

The middle-aged man meticulously styling her was Mu Yinghua, a professional agent at JL Province’s King Star Media Company. Having worked with several artists, he was a seasoned veteran in the business. In recent years, however, his career had stagnated due to the obscurity of the celebrities under his care. Work had not been smooth.

Mu Yinghua had known Qin Qing’s father for years; they were good friends. When Qin Qing signed with King Star Media and officially became one of their artists, she specifically requested Mu Yinghua as her agent.

They had worked together for nearly two years now. As Qin Qing’s fame rose, Mu Yinghua’s career revived, and he felt renewed vigor.

"Uncle Yinghua, even if you didn't remind me, I know what to do. Don’t worry," Qin Qing said with a smile, admiring her exquisitely made-up face in the mirror.

"By the way, Uncle Yinghua, do you know who's really behind this banquet? I heard lots of big names from BS City will be there. Is that true? I’m increasingly curious about the host," Qin Qing asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I heard the host is the second young master of the Wang family," Mu Yinghua replied, gazing at her with indulgent eyes.

"Him?" Qin Qing was startled, unable to hide her disbelief.

The Wang family was a renowned clan in the Northeast, with members active in both politics and business. Their influence was unrivaled in the three provinces. In the entertainment industry, the second young master, Wang Yungui, was legendary; he owned three media companies, and rumor had it that eighty percent of the region’s artists were signed to his firms.

It was commonly said that if an actor wanted to make it big, they only needed a word from Young Master Wang.

"It’s almost certainly true, Qingqing. If you can make a connection with the second young master tonight, it’ll be hard not to become a star," Mu Yinghua said, seeing the shock on her face.

Not only did the second young master have power and wealth, but he was also remarkably handsome. Though many female stars were rumored to have been involved with him, numerous newcomers still flocked to him like bees to honey.

She did not despise these women; on the contrary, if given the chance, she would try as well.

"Uncle Yinghua, you’re thinking too much. Why would someone like him notice me?" Though hope glimmered in Qin Qing’s eyes, her words betrayed little expectation. After all, there were plenty of pretty, up-and-coming actresses like her.

"Qingqing, you’re so beautiful—what man wouldn’t like you? Any man who doesn’t must be blind," Mu Yinghua insisted.

"Yes, you’re right, Uncle Yinghua. I’ll do my best tonight," Qin Qing replied, smiling, then looked at her reflection and encouraged herself inwardly.

Perhaps because of her upbringing, she had always admired and revered the strong. In this world, men with power and influence were the strong. Wang Yungui was not only powerful and influential, but also strikingly handsome.

As long as she could rise to the top, Qin Qing did not mind forging a relationship with him.

"Qingqing, don’t force yourself too much. I’ve seen plenty of young heirs at that level—they’re not so easily handled. You need to keep your wits about you in this business," Mu Yinghua reminded her, watching the spirited young woman before him.

"I know where the line is, Uncle Yinghua. Don’t worry," Qin Qing replied with a nod.

7:00 PM.

At a mountain estate on the outskirts of BS City, the lights blazed brightly.

Outside the estate, luxury cars of every kind lined the drive.

Tonight’s banquet had drawn the elite of BS City and even JL Province to this mountain villa.

A modest BMW pulled up at the entrance. Mu Yinghua quickly stepped out from the driver’s seat and opened the back door.

Qin Qing alighted.

Meticulously dressed in a black evening gown and heels, her ethereal beauty made her seem almost otherworldly, like a fairy untouched by the dust of the mortal world. The black attire, however, gave her the playful charm of a mischievous dark elf.

Yet her arrival attracted little attention; the banquet was teeming with beauties and enchantresses.

When beauty is commonplace, even the most exquisite sights can grow tiresome.

"Qingqing, I can’t go in without an invitation. I’ll wait for you outside in the car. If you need anything, call me anytime," Mu Yinghua reminded her quickly.

"I understand. Thank you for your trouble," Qin Qing replied reassuringly, then, invitation in hand, walked alone towards the entrance.

Mu Yinghua didn’t watch her enter. He quickly drove to the parking lot, aware that more guests could arrive at any moment, and it would be terrible to block their way.

As he parked, he noticed several black Mercedes vans arriving in convoy, none bearing local plates.

"Who could be visiting from the provincial capital?" Mu Yinghua muttered as he parked. For some reason, he had an uneasy feeling, as if something momentous was about to happen at this banquet.

After parking, he gazed at the darkening sky and the bright lights of the estate and sighed deeply. "Whatever happens tonight is beyond the power of small fry like me. I just hope Qingqing will be safe inside."

Having spent most of his life in the entertainment world, he had seen all sorts of people and was weary at heart.

Through years of maneuvering, Mu Yinghua understood better than most: people are not born equal, and there is no true fairness in this world. The powerful hold all the resources; the weak are left to be trampled.

Inside the estate.

Qin Qing presented her invitation and entered a magnificent hall ablaze with gold and splendor.

There was an endless array of champagne, fine wines, local delicacies, and handsome, elegant servers in uniform moving about to cater to every guest’s need.

Qin Qing accepted a glass of champagne and scanned the crowd, then headed toward a familiar group—the artists from King Star Media Company, several of whom she knew well.

"Look, our beautiful Qingqing has arrived!"

"Qingqing, you’re finally here!"

Several colleagues, a man and a woman she had worked with before, greeted her warmly.

They had all been in the same production, so they were well acquainted.

"I didn’t expect you all to arrive so early! Even General Manager Zhou is here," Qin Qing replied with practiced ease, eyes scanning the hall for any notable figures.

She was surprised to see General Manager Zhou, who, by her recollection, disliked such occasions. Even famous directors struggled to get him to dinner.

Could it be that the mysterious boss behind King Star Media was truly the second young master of the Wang family? Qin Qing wondered.

As she pondered, the music in the hall abruptly stopped and the crowd fell silent.

The host of the banquet was about to speak.

A strikingly handsome young man, flanked by a group of men and women, stepped to the front of the hall.

He was the second young master of the Wang family, Wang Yungui.

Wang Yungui, arm in arm with a stunning woman, took the microphone and, with an air of confidence tinged with carelessness, welcomed everyone, encouraging them to enjoy the evening.

Among the guests, Qin Qing watched Wang Yungui, the center of everyone’s attention, surrounded and adored. His handsome, confident demeanor and his air of indifference, as though he cared for no one, fascinated her instantly.

Inwardly, she thought, "Wang Yungui in person is even more attractive than in the photos."

Wang Yungui’s speech was brief. When he finished, the music resumed, conversations broke out again, and the hall grew lively.

Just then, a young man in an expensive suit hurried over to Wang Yungui and whispered in his ear, "Brother Wang, Young Master Sun is here. He’s waiting for you inside."

"I see. Go and take good care of Young Master Sun. I’ll be there in a moment," Wang Yungui replied, immediately breaking off his banter with the surrounding men and women.

The young man nodded and left swiftly.

"What’s up, Wang?" one of Wang Yungui’s close friends asked.

Wang Yungui patted the delicate hand on his arm, then glanced at the beauties accompanying his friends.

The women, perceptive as ever, discreetly withdrew, leaving the men alone to talk.

With the outsiders gone, Wang Yungui said, "Young Master Sun is here, just in the back."

"Sun Hao’an?" one of the friends asked, his expression changing.

"Yes, that’s him. Let’s go meet him," Wang Yungui replied calmly.

They were all sons of prominent families, each with his own background. But compared to Wang Yungui, they ranked several levels lower. The fact that Wang Yungui himself treated Young Master Sun with such caution spoke volumes about Sun’s extraordinary background—beyond anything they could imagine.

Yet, aside from Wang Yungui, all they knew was that Young Master Sun’s name was Sun Hao’an. His true identity remained a mystery.

Soon, they quietly left the hall. Many people noticed but pretended not to see.