Despite a myriad of doubts in my heart, time in this world continues to move forward.
Having lost its rivals, Starlight became an industry giant, riding the wave of the times and the visionary's guidance to forge ahead.
With the full support of the giant waves, the exceptionally talented Gu Zhong gradually ascended to the highest hall of fame in the world film industry.
At only thirty years old, she has won numerous Best Actress awards, and the grand ambitions she made in her youth have been realized step by step.
She has performed countless classic works, countless people remember her, and countless reports have praised her to the skies. Her name has been recorded in history.
Standing at the pinnacle of the world and leaving a lasting mark on film history, Gu Zhong truly achieved it.
Those who were jealous of her, betrayed her, and targeted her have all become insignificant losers, relegated to the past.
For ten years, Lingyan and Gu Zhong have stood together through thick and thin, and it would be hard to find a partner in this world as compatible as the two of them.
When Gu Zhong stood on the stage of an international film festival, under the spotlight of the world, she won the Best Actress award, which symbolizes the highest status in film history.
She held up the pure gold statuette in her hand, and unlike the previous guests who had come on stage to receive awards, she neither shed tears of emotion nor expressed her gratitude playfully. She only said one sentence—
"Thank you, my love—Lingyan, I love you!"
The live broadcast of the awards ceremony, when transmitted back to China, instantly ignited the entire Chinese entertainment industry.
For many years, perhaps because the secrecy was well maintained, or perhaps because the media under Starlight's control dared not reveal a word, the outside world always regarded the two as true best friends, mentor and protégé. Who would have thought that the two were actually a couple?
Fans who regard Gu Zhong as a goddess are incredulous. Some may find it hard to accept, but this has nothing to do with Gu Zhong. She is doing what she wants to do, and now no one can stop her.
Holding the highest honor and coming out globally, no one in China has ever done something so crazy, high-profile, and romantic.
After Gu Zhong said those words, the spotlight quickly swept through the crowd and finally settled on Ling Yan, who was sitting in the first row below the stage.
Her eyes were overflowing with tender love and smiles, completely filled with the person on the stage.
Amidst the cheers and jeers, Ling Yan slowly stood up, walked onto the stage, and gave Gu Zhong a tight hug.
"Gu Xiaozhong, you're really bold."
She whispered with a smile in Gu Zhong's ear, her voice full of pleasure, showing no anger at Gu Zhong's recklessness.
I thought you'd be angry~
Gu Zhong toned down her earlier assertive tone and transformed back into a coquettish little woman.
"Then why are you still acting so recklessly?"
Ling Yan couldn't help but smile wryly.
“I’ve said it before, one day I will openly and honestly protect you behind my back—openly and honestly declare that you are my lover, without having to hide it anymore.”
After ending the long embrace, Gu Zhong placed his hands on Ling Yan's shoulders and gazed intently into her eyes.
"Sister, will you marry me?"
The black suit and wide-leg trousers suddenly fell to the ground. Gu Zhong took out an exquisitely designed black velvet box from his pocket, slowly opened it facing Ling Yan, and the sparkling diamond ring shone brightly under the lights.
"willing."
Why refuse now? Lingyan agreed without hesitation.
Cheers and blessings resounded through the night sky as lovers made a lifelong vow.
Tonight, the stars shine brightly, as a crowning ceremony, as a testament.
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Author's Note:
First of all, I'm very sorry everyone for the hiatus of over a week. This world got a bit stuck towards the end, so I sped up the pace to finish it. Well, because the initial character development was weak, I didn't have much enthusiasm, but I'll still finish it diligently. I've now conceived a new story based on this one, with a more interesting setting. The next world will begin the day after tomorrow. Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2021-05-23 23:09:49 and 2021-06-04 23:24:05!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: One Thought Blossoms 20 bottles;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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#NumberOneUnderHeaven
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Chapter 48 The Leader of the Righteous Alliance and the Leader of the Demonic Cult (Part 1)
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A misty fog enveloped the hot spring pool, which was built of white marble bricks, and the rose-red petals covering the surface of the water emitted a fresh fragrance.
Through this misty expanse, one can vaguely see the shoulders and back of a beautiful woman, her slender and shapely arms scooping up fragrant hot spring water and gently pouring it down her hair.
The babbling of the stream faintly echoed the torrential downpour outside, like a symphony of drumbeats and pearls falling onto a plate.
A faint splashing sound intruded into the conversation, almost unnoticed by anyone but those with exceptional hearing.
Lingyan paused her movement of smoothing her long, black hair, and her slender fingers holding the water ladle naturally changed their posture. If anything seemed amiss, the object in her hand could instantly become a deadly weapon.
"My little beauty~ Isn't it a waste for one person to use such a large hot spring pool? Why not share half with your older sister?"
A casual and lazy voice drifted from behind her, carrying a lighthearted teasing tone. A three-edged dagger was already held against Ling Yan's neck, its threat palpable.
Even though it was the first time Ling Yan had heard that voice and tone in this life, it was etched into her soul. The person behind her was Gu Zhong.
—Long time no see, my love.
"How rude of you, sister! How dare you barge into a woman's private quarters in the middle of the night?"
Withdrawing her offensive stance, Ling Yan tucked her hair behind her back, and without turning around, continued scooping water from the pool.
"The young lady's boudoir is too big, and it's easy to get lost. Coincidentally, we've been traveling a long way and need to use this hot spring to take a bath."
Seeing that the person in front of him was sensible and understanding, Gu Zhong loosened his grip slightly, as the dagger that had almost left a red mark on Ling Yan's neck was now extended.
Lingyan glanced down at the clear water in the pool. Beneath the rose-red petals, a patch of crimson slowly spread out, the fragrance of the petals masking the pungent stench of blood.
Gu Zhong was seriously injured.
"Miss!"
A knock came from the wooden door of a partition not far from the bathroom, and a woman's voice, melodious as a nightingale's song, drifted out.
The dagger, which had been almost loose, tightened again, and the person behind her took another step closer.
"My little beauty~"
Following Gu Zhong's tense movements was a call that concealed a knife within a smile.
"What is it?"
Lingyan answered the person outside the door in a loud voice.
"An assassin broke into the pavilion today. The guards are patrolling and have come to check if the young lady is safe."
The maid outside the door was very respectful and did not overstep her bounds by pushing the door open and entering.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. You may leave!"
Ling Yan coldly shouted.
"This servant takes her leave."
The people outside the door responded and retreated.
Seeing the hand holding the dagger trembling uncontrollably, Ling Yan couldn't help but feel sorry for Gu Zhong, who seemed to have reached his limit.
"How is my sister?"
She finally couldn't help but turn around and look at the lone wolf who was still stubbornly holding on.
The blood blended seamlessly with the black night clothes; if it hadn't been submerged in water, one probably wouldn't have known how red the blood was.
Her once beautiful and familiar face had turned pale from blood loss, revealing a frosty and cold expression.
“Little beauty, you shouldn’t have turned around.”
A charming smile played on Gu Zhong's lips, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
"Sister, you'd better think it over carefully. This hot spring has added calming spices. If you soak in it any longer, you might not be able to leave here today."
Her fingers traveled up her chest and landed on the dagger at her neck, where Lingyan gently pressed down on the murder weapon with two fingers.
"As it happens, I have some medical knowledge, and healing your minor injury is a piece of cake. Just trust me~"
"We've never met before, how could I possibly trouble you?"
Gu Zhong was still smiling, but what came out of his mouth was a word of refusal.
"well···"
Ling Yan sighed softly, and under Gu Zhong's puzzled gaze, she held up three fingers, then slowly lowered them one by one.
In the instant that ridiculously ugly hand clenched into a fist, Gu Zhong stared wide-eyed in disbelief and fell straight backward. Fortunately, Ling Yan reacted quickly and prevented him from falling into the water.
"Thank you for your hard work, Gu Zhong."
Looking tenderly at her lover in her arms, whose brows were still furrowed even with her eyes closed, Lingyan reached out to soothe her sorrow, but to no avail.
This life is a world of chivalry and martial arts, but Gu Zhong has almost never had a good day.
She was born into a respectable family and had only six carefree years of childhood. In one night, her family was inexplicably slaughtered. Only the two youngest sisters escaped the massacre because they were taken out to the streets by their wet nurse, but they also faced endless pursuit.
Faced with the destruction of their family, what else can a six-year-old child remember besides the deep-seated hatred?
While hiding, Gu Zhong accidentally got separated from his wet nurse and younger sister, and then encountered human traffickers. Because of his clever and obedient face, which could not be hidden even by dirt, he was sold into a brothel.
From then on, she had no choice but to learn the ways of the pleasure quarters under the beatings of the brothel madam and pimp, in order to one day sell herself for a high price.
Fortunately, the assassins who were chasing her seemed to have lost all contact with her, which could be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
After enduring three years of hardship in the brothel, Gu Zhong ushered in the second turning point in her life. A former leader of the Demonic Sect happened to pass by and took a liking to her exceptional talent, so he kidnapped her and brought her back to the sect to make her a saintess.
The so-called "saintess" are, in most cases, nothing more than vessels prepared for the cult leader to cultivate demonic arts. Even if she cultivates great internal strength, she is merely doing the work for someone else's benefit.
Gu Zhong has always been intelligent and burdened with a deep-seated blood feud; he could never be willing to become a vessel for Rong Yang.