Mastering the World’s Vast Horizons

Page 1/3

Hong Kong, 1994

On the eve of summer’s arrival, an unusually early super typhoon made its approach.

At six in the evening, the observatory hoisted the No. 8 Gale Warning. The hurricane had gathered in the southern waters, advancing northward at 28 km/h.

A black Audi glided past beneath neon signs. The rain-soaked streets resembled a watercolor painting, blurred droplets on the window tinting the lights outside into a dazzling, chaotic glow.

The air conditioning was set high; the radio crackled intermittently:

“Following the political reform guidelines proposed yesterday by Hong Kong Governor Morrison in his work report, the Hang Seng Index plunged 200 points today. The Hong Kong stock market lost billions in market value, and several foreign companies plan to withdraw from the Hong Kong market... Since the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, over one million Hong Kong residents have emigrated overseas. Statistics show that Europe and North America are the primary destinations for this population outflow.”

“Chinese enterprises have sparked a wave of backdoor listings. Zhongyi Group completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in the Hong Kong Electric Communications Group on Monday. Financial Secretary Kong Deming stated that Chinese capital replacing British capital to take over key industries will become the main trend in Hong Kong’s commercial sector before the handover. All parties should reach a consensus on this.”

“Just yesterday, Singaporean firm Demei Investment fully acquired Malaysia Communications Group in a deal worth $3.7 billion, marking the largest acquisition in Asia’s history.”

After a while, the broadcast shifted to entertainment gossip.

“Recently, Hong Kong film superstar He Jihan secretly returned to the city. Reporters captured him leaving the airport alone, heading to the Marriott Hotel where he stayed for two hours. Afterwards, he was seen with a woman dining at an upscale Central restaurant. Their intimate behavior throughout the outing suggested a close relationship.”

“It is well known that Mr. He’s rumored girlfriend is Hong Kong’s rising actress Sheng Jiayi, the youngest Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Since her debut, Jiayi BB has been among the top-tier stars and topped the Apple Daily’s Hong Kong Beauty List for three consecutive years. After parting ways with her mentor, director Zheng Anyong, Jiayi has taken on numerous commercial films in the past two years, many of which starred He Jihan. Their on-screen chemistry as a couple has deeply impressed audiences...”

“According to investigations, the woman seen with Mr. He is actually his first love, former TVB actress Xie Huiling, who retired from the industry four years ago to marry and immigrate to Canada. She filed for divorce this May. Mr. He’s actions inevitably raise suspicions of juggling two relationships. It remains unclear which lady came first—the Miss Sheng or Miss Xie...”

He Xiyue reached over and clicked off the radio with a snap.

The woman beside her tilted her head, watching her move. “Why turn it off?”

“It’s annoying.”

“It doesn’t matter. He Jihan and I are just acting; we’ve never publicly admitted to being a couple.”

He Xiyue smiled faintly, “You may be easygoing, but he lacks even basic professional ethics. Your film is still shooting, with so many commercial contracts lined up afterward. Since both parties agreed to hype the romance, why did he throw a fit and back out first? What’s that about?”

“Xie Huiling is his ex, the white moonlight hanging right in front of him.”

“Men are just shameless,” He Xiyue concluded. “With such a beautiful girlfriend like you by his side, he can still think about other women.”

“You want what you can’t have, that’s why it’s precious.” Sheng Jiayi removed her sunglasses. “Fake can never compare to real.”

A faint hint of blue shimmered in her eyes, her expression weary. Her long black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders.

“Not rested well?”

“Less than four hours of sleep every night for a week. The investors demand speed—this film must wrap within a month. He Jihan’s scenes are scheduled first; mine come later. The later it gets, the more rushed it becomes. Otherwise, how could he have returned early to Hong Kong for a date?”

“Who’s the investor?”

“Ao Cheng Tianyuan Group holds the majority stake. After all, it’s their star’s own film.” Sheng Jiayi yawned, covering her mouth. “Andy, if I remember correctly, you’re my agent, right?”

He Xiyue was silent for a moment. “I’m managing the company now…”

“Busy as always, I understand.”

He Xiyue tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Miss, you’re the first in Hong Kong’s film industry to debut directly as a female lead, and the first to monopolize top-tier resources. I can only manage so much; sometimes I can’t cover everything. You don’t need to keep resenting me over this.”

Page 2/3

“Am I angry?” Sheng Jiayi looked surprised. “I haven’t said anything, Mr. He.”

She deliberately emphasized the formal address.

He Xiyue pursed her lips into a thin line.

The car climbed onto the elevated highway.

In recent years, with extensive land reclamation, the government planned to build a waterfront promenade in Central. Property developers raced to construct office towers along the coast, breaking records for new skyscrapers each year. Earlier this year, Hong Kong office rents surpassed New York for the first time, ranking first globally.

Rain poured in torrents. Through the foggy haze, the Asian financial hub remained sleepless all night. Lights converged at the mountain’s foot, sparkling like prized diamonds on a queen’s crown along the bay.

Sheng Jiayi glanced up at the Bank of China Tower, piercing the clouds like a sharp blade with a cold edge. She turned to He Xiyue: “What did He Jihan’s team say?”

He Xiyue sneered, “They’re waiting for you at the hotel. They said they’d discuss the next steps after seeing you.”

“I don’t want to see Lin Zhihai.”

Lin Zhihai was He Jihan’s boss, the head of Star Entertainment.

“I don’t like him either. He’s a gangster type, but he pays you well, right? One and a half million per film—the highest for any Hong Kong actress.”

The Audi rolled into the bright hotel garage.

It was no secret that Sheng Jiayi lived primarily at the Four Seasons Hotel. She had a dedicated executive suite on the 43rd floor—over 3,000 square feet with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon.

The media portrayed her lifestyle as extravagant. Over three years, the rent alone could have bought her a fine Hong Kong Island property. Yet compared to actresses who squander fortunes from rich lovers, Sheng Jiayi’s reputation wasn’t so bad. She was Hong Kong’s highest-paid actress and possessed immense commercial value. Including endorsements, she earned as much as He Jihan. No one thought she was living off him; Hong Kong tabloids knew He Jihan couldn’t afford her.

Rumors circulated about a wealthy sponsor, but paparazzi never caught a hint of proof. Without evidence, the gossip faded, and the press gradually stopped mentioning her.

“Put on your sunglasses.” Before stepping out, He Xiyue glanced at her. “Don’t let the paparazzi say you look haggard, like a cast-off woman.”

Sheng Jiayi, applying lipstick in the car mirror, hummed in acknowledgment, then casually tucked the gold Guerlain lipstick into her silver-gray Hermes Kelly bag. She took out a pair of Gucci sunglasses and donned them.

The brown lenses hid her tired face. Underneath her snow-white skin, her lips were red and luscious. Her long black hair cascaded behind her like silk.

Today she wore a long black Dior trench coat, paired with a white satin blouse and dark brown suit trousers. On her feet were black YSL heels at least seven or eight centimeters high. Standing originally at 173 cm, she was nearly 180 with the heels.

“Redness nourishes the soul. You really look like a big star now.” He Xiyue sighed. “The first time I saw you, you still looked like a schoolgirl.”

“I wasn’t just like one—I was one.”

“Anyway, your aura is different now.”

“Money changes everything.” Sheng Jiayi said. “It’s not about aura, it’s the difference between wearing a fifty-thousand-dollar coat and a fifty-five-dollar denim jacket from a Causeway Bay underground market.”

She stepped into the elevator, where a waiter had already pressed the button for her floor.

Sheng Jiayi loved roses. Since Hong Kong didn’t grow roses locally, her butler ordered fresh ones weekly from Southeast Asia, delivered still dew-kissed. Her room’s plants changed with the seasons. Today, on the entrance table sat a vase of hydroponic hydrangeas—blue clusters crowded in clear water, green stems refracting soft light.

Beside the glass vase was a white porcelain plate with wax apples and mangoes air-shipped from Taiwan.

“Mr. He is downstairs.” Butler Po said.

“Tell him to come up.” He Xiyue waved her hand.

Page 3/3

Sheng Jiayi first retreated to the inner room to change. She had filmed until five in the morning and rested less than an hour before He Xiyue’s call summoned her back to Hong Kong from Shanghai.

When He Jihan and his entourage arrived, Sheng Jiayi stepped out wearing a white wool shawl over a dark green blouse, her complexion smooth and creamy as lambskin.

“Miss Sheng.” Lin Zhihai, the boss of Star Entertainment with a buzz cut, greeted her first, eyes sparkling with uncontrollable admiration.

It was well known that Sheng Jiayi’s beauty was unparalleled in Hong Kong. Yet she was not the dazzling, exotic type, nor did she possess the bold features typical of mixed-race beauties.

Her face combined Western bone structure with Eastern skin tone in perfect harmony. Her unusual eye color added a sense of mystique and chill. Her features balanced between youthful innocence and mature elegance, like a flower yet to fully bloom. Seeing her was like peering through a morning mist in the mountains—the vines low, the fog rising, a woman in blue walking through the forest, every gesture wrapped in an indescribable charm.

Natural beauty was a rare gift, one that no amount of effort could truly match.

Lin Zhihai wondered how much more stunning she might become with age.

Sheng Jiayi’s gaze passed him, landing on He Jihan standing behind.

As a commercial film star, He Jihan was undeniably handsome.

He kept his head down, trailing behind Lin Zhihai, avoiding her eyes.

“Sit down, Boss Lin.” He Xiyue said, holding a slender lady’s cigarette. Her curly hair was pinned up with a wooden chopstick. At forty-four, she still retained her allure. Red lips parted as she exhaled smoke rings.

“Everyone’s here, so I’ll be straightforward. I’m not someone easily bullied. Jiayi is our top actress at Orange Harmony Entertainment, the leading lady, and Chairman Zhao’s favorite. Honestly, I was nervous when I first took her on. But Jiayi is a good girl. In three years, she’s never said no or thrown a tantrum. Everyone in Hong Kong’s film circle praises her.”

“I agreed to let Jiayi and Mr. He hype their romance because of your sincerity, Boss Lin... not to mention the pay.” He Xiyue stopped Lin Zhihai, who was about to speak. “Jiayi and He have made four films together; two broke box office records. When it comes to profits, Star Entertainment has made far more than just a few million.”

“But Jiayi is different. She’s a girl. At nineteen, rumors linked her with He Jihan, though it was all staged. Too much talk makes it unpleasant. With her looks, if she weren’t tangled with He, marrying into a wealthy family wouldn’t be hard. Counting the earnings, He makes more, Jiayi less.”

“But look at what He did! He returned early from filming to meet his ex, slapping Jiayi in the face and dragging her into a love triangle scandal. Mr. He, I’m telling you, this will affect your next two movies and Jiayi’s career. You must take responsibility. Can you afford it?”

He Xiyue fired off her accusations, leaving He Jihan red-faced. Then she slumped back on the sofa, taking a deep drag from her cigarette.

Lin Zhihai’s expression darkened as well.

“Miss Sheng is your treasure, no doubt. But He Jihan is also valuable to us at Star Entertainment. Although Sheng won Best Actress early, that year she only made art films, earning little. If I hadn’t brought her to Star Entertainment for commercial films and paired her with He, would she have this commercial value now?”

His anger grew as he spoke.

“In that case, Star Entertainment will no longer cooperate with Orange Harmony. He Jihan—” He stood abruptly. “Let’s go.”

“Stop.” He Xiyue snapped sharply. “No cooperation is fine. But you must hold a press conference to clear things up and protect Jiayi’s reputation.”

“How do we explain this?” Lin Zhihai glared. “You want He Jihan to tell the media that he and Sheng Jiayi were just hyping a romance? Would anyone buy that? Would the films still sell?”

He Xiyue’s face hardened. “Tell the media that after returning to the country, Xie Huiling actively sought him out, begging for a reconciliation. As for Sheng Jiayi, she’s completely unaware. If anyone asks if you’re dating Sheng, say you developed feelings on set but it was one-sided. You pursued her; she didn’t agree. Xie Huiling is just someone who came crawling back after seeing your fame.”

“You’re crazy, He Xiyue. Sheng Jiayi’s reputation is one thing. What about He Jihan’s?”

“You don’t have to put it that way.” He Xiyue lifted her chin at He Jihan. “Don’t forget, you and Sheng still have films to finish. For our mutual benefit, Mr. He, I won’t touch you, but can I not touch that B-list actress?”

No sooner had she spoken than He Jihan, who had been silent, suddenly raised his head and fixed He Xiyue with a piercing gaze.