Chapter 7 - Perform But Don't Sell?

Chapter 7: Perform But Don’t Sell?

At the banquet, the atmosphere was lively, filled with clinking glasses and laughter. People frequently left their seats to toast Qin Xian.

“Young Master Qin, I toast to you.” Yu Xun approached Qin Xian with a bottle of baijiu, showing great respect, and downed the entire bottle in one go!

Qin Xian smiled slightly, raised his glass to clink with him, and took a small sip.

Yet, Young Master Yu, the son of the Speaker, looked delighted, as if having Qin Xian drink with him was a great honor!

Su Keqing and several female artists exchanged glances, feeling deeply shocked.

Young Master Yu was the son of the Speaker of the province. Since when did he lower himself so much? Who on earth is this Young Master Qin?

Su Keqing sat beside Qin Xian, constantly sneaking glances at him. From the moment she first saw Qin Xian, the impression he gave Su Keqing was of sheer handsomeness.

His face was as if sculpted, with well-defined features and sharp angles, extraordinarily handsome, like a person stepping out of a painting or the perfect statue created by an artist, flawless.

In the entertainment industry, she had seen many handsome men. But those male stars couldn’t compare to Qin Xian at all; they were like beggars!

It wasn’t just the difference in appearance; it was also in their aura! Qin Xian had a very noble aura, one that couldn’t be acted, a natural presence cultivated from a young age, sitting high above.

Though he didn’t speak much, every word left a deep impression on others. Drawing widespread agreement.

Through Qin Xian’s conversations with Yu Xun and others, Su Keqing finally confirmed Qin Xian’s identity. He was the eldest young master of the Qin family in the Imperial Capital, the only son of Lord Qin Ming, the ruling official!

When Su Keqing realized Qin Xian’s identity, she and the other female artists were utterly shocked, staring at Qin Xian with mouths agape.

In the Shenlong Empire, no one was unaware of the weight the name Qin carried. The Qin family had stood atop the Empire for a thousand years, one of the Empire’s top families.

The current head of the Qin family was one of the three great leaders of the Empire, the ruler of the Cardinal Council, second only to the Regent!

Su Keqing felt nothing but shock and there was even a sense of unreality. Although she was a superstar and had met many important figures, someone like Qin Xian was only something she’d heard of, feeling very distant. Yet, she was now sitting beside Qin Xian?

For a moment, Su Keqing felt dizzy, but then Su Keqing realized an even more terrifying thing. Qin Xian had just arrived in Donghai City from the Imperial Capital today, which meant… the one who caused Lin Feng’s career change failure was Qin Xian!?

Thinking of this, Su Keqing’s heart was in turmoil….

She knew that with Qin Xian’s identity, Lin Feng wouldn’t stand a chance for revenge. Just knowing Qin Xian’s identity would put Lin Feng in danger!

After an indeterminate amount of time, the banquet finally ended. Yu Xun and others prepared to leave the club with their female companions, and Su Keqing knew what was going to happen next.

Those female artists weren’t just willing; they were eager. After all, they knew that getting close to these elites could significantly benefit their careers.

If they were lucky enough to marry into a wealthy family, it would be a step into the heavens! Of course, if possible, they preferred to associate with Qin Xian, but… Qin Xian’s status was too high, so high it intimidated the female artists!

Su Keqing was ready to go home; she prided herself on her integrity and didn’t want to use such means to climb the ranks. She became a singer not for fame and fortune but because she purely loved singing.

“Keqing, wait a moment.” In the corridor, Jiang Song called out to Su Keqing.

“President Jiang, is something the matter? I was just about to go home.”

Jiang Song showed a strange smile and shook his head: “Don’t go home tonight; accompany Young Master Qin.”

Though he hadn’t made it explicit, Su Keqing understood Jiang Song’s meaning.

Su Keqing’s heart stopped for a moment, and she quickly refused: “President Jiang, I remember we agreed when I signed that I would only perform and not sell myself.”

Upon hearing Su Keqing’s refusal, Jiang Song’s smile vanished, replaced by a somber look, “Do you think I’m discussing this with you?”

Seeing the malice on Jiang Song’s face, Su Keqing was immediately frightened, aware of Jiang Song’s power and methods. Not to mention, her parents now worked for a company under the Thousand Waves Guild.

Despite her current popularity, as a beloved superstar, Jiang Song could easily ruin her, her parents…

Seeing the fear on Su Keqing’s face, Jiang Song’s tone softened slightly: “You know Young Master Qin’s status. Becoming his woman is the dream of countless women! I’m not harming you; I’m helping you!”

Su Keqing didn’t refute because she knew… Jiang Song was telling the truth!

“If you become Young Master Qin’s woman, you’ll reach the pinnacle. Even I would have to address you as Miss Su.” Jiang Song looked at Su Keqing with indifference.

Since Su Keqing’s debut, he had been protecting her. Did you think it was because he admired her? Nonsense!

To him, Su Keqing was just a gift, a carefully selected present to please those above. Before the gift is delivered, he had to ensure it was unopened.

Young Master Qin’s visit to Donghai City was a rare opportunity!

Using Su Keqing to please Qin Xian would benefit not just him but the Thousand Waves Guild behind him. So he couldn’t afford to miss this chance!

Hearing Jiang Song’s threats and persuasion, a mix of carrot and stick, Su Keqing felt her mind in turmoil. Firstly, she just wanted to sing purely, and secondly, because of Lin Feng.

She viewed Lin Feng as a brother, yet Qin Xian had destroyed Lin Feng’s future. But at that moment, Su Keqing was stunned to realize that she felt no hatred for Qin Xian!

Even more so… the idea of serving Qin Xian didn’t provoke much resistance. Perhaps it was because… Qin Xian was too handsome and noble. Truthfully, serving Qin Xian might not even be a loss….

With a confused heart, Su Keqing finally nodded.

…

For Qin Xian, today’s banquet was not particularly substantial; it was merely to foster connections with the families in Donghai. His true targets were Lin Yu and Lin Feng.

With the Qin family’s power, they could easily crush these two ants, but therein lay the problem. If dealing with a noble family, the Qin family’s swift and decisive action wouldn’t raise much concern.

But Lin Yu’s status was too low, so low that if the Qin family acted directly, it would arouse suspicion from other factions. Otherwise, why would the Qin family target ordinary people?

The Arcane Source was something the Qin family wanted to keep hidden, creating further constraints. Despite the Qin family’s immense power, as one of the Empire’s top families, they were not yet the rulers of the Empire and couldn’t act lawlessly.

Qin Xian narrowed his eyes, looking at the distant city center, at the magnificent giant statue.

The Empire’s Regent, the strongest of the current era, Level 90 Star River Sword Saint—Lu Ji!