Chapter 109: Aren't You Afraid of Being Struck by Lightning from Heaven?

Inside the business van, Lan Jin’s large, doe-like eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared at Qin Chuan. Even now, she struggled to accept that the major celebrity he had mentioned was Tan Shuying.

Who was Tan Shuying? She was a leading actress of the new generation, a top-tier figure in the industry who had won countless prestigious awards. Unlike the traffic-driven stars propped up by capital, she possessed genuine acting prowess, earning praise from the veteran actors who had worked alongside her. Most intriguing to her fans was the mystery surrounding her background. Some claimed her rapid rise was due to a powerful godfather in the industry; others whispered she was the mistress of an entertainment tycoon; while some even speculated she had top-level military connections. Despite numerous investigations, no one had found a definitive answer, and Tan herself remained tight-lipped, cleverly dodging questions about her family. This only fueled her fans' curiosity, and Lan Jin was among the most fervent of them.

"Brother Chuan, you… you aren’t joking, are you?" Lan Jin finally asked.

Qin Chuan looked at the wide-eyed girl with a mixture of amusement and helplessness. "Is the truth really so hard to believe these days?"

"It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just… it feels so surreal," Lan Jin explained quickly. She felt that Qin Chuan simply didn't understand the feeling of a fanatic about to meet their idol face-to-face.

Qin Chuan truly couldn't fathom her excitement. Having been an idol worshipped by others himself, he couldn't relate to the mindset of a fan. "When we meet, I’ll let you take some photos with her. Consider it a reward for acting as my human shield for so long," he said with a smile.

"Really?" In her excitement, Lan Jin leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Qin Chuan’s cheek. Realizing her lapse in decorum, she immediately hung her head, blushing.

Qin Chuan put on a mock serious face. "You child, excitement is one thing, but why do you take advantage of your brother every chance you get? What kind of behavior is this? I’m going to have to kiss you back."

As he leaned in, Lan Jin blocked him with her hand, though her expression betrayed a sense of coy reluctance. She added a finishing touch: "Stop it, Brother Chuan, there are others here!"

A-Wei, serving as the driver, felt his temples throb. While he kept a polite smile, he was seething internally: *So much for being "closer than family." Now I’m just an inconvenience? Oh, women!* He still remembered how the young mistress had vowed yesterday that she was mortal enemies with this "scumbag." Yet today, not only did she kiss him, but she also called him "Brother Chuan" so affectionately. If heaven had eyes, wasn't she afraid of being struck by lightning?

The van drove on amidst A-Wei's silent, frustrated venting. About forty minutes later, it pulled up to the gate of a luxury villa estate.

"Binhai Mansion! This is a famous wealthy district in Binhai City. Everyone living here is either rich or powerful. My uncle lives here—I never expected to be half a neighbor to Yingbao!" Lan Jin grew more excited by the second; if not for the cramped space of the van, she would have been dancing.

Qin Chuan felt three black lines appear on his forehead. It was the first time he’d heard "neighbor" defined that way. *Miss Lan is truly a talent.*

After stepping out, Qin Chuan noted the high-quality security. The guards at the gate possessed strength comparable to special forces personnel, and the control over incoming vehicles was strict.

"Please hold, show your entry pass," the lead guard said in a deep voice.

"We are guests invited by Ms. Tan of Villa Number Eight," Qin Chuan said with a smile.

"Please wait a moment, sir. I need to verify this with the resident. May I have your name?" The guard was polite but firm. After a series of checks, they were granted entry. Qin Chuan noticed multiple cameras at the gate, realizing that Tan Shuying could clearly see them from the villa.

"This place is truly high-end," Qin Chuan remarked.

"Of course!" Lan Jin replied. "Only big shots live here, and big shots value their personal safety above all else."

A-Wei drove up to the entrance of Villa Number Eight, where Wei Dapeng had been waiting. Qin Chuan noticed a middle-aged man standing beside him; his sharp, piercing gaze marked him as an expert. Qin Chuan understood—after yesterday’s incident, even though Wei Dapeng had pledged his loyalty, those behind Tan Shuying were clearly still on edge.

As they exited the car, the sharp-eyed man focused solely on Qin Chuan, ignoring the others, as if he sensed the immense pressure Qin Chuan exerted.

"Relax, relax. I’m not the star’s enemy, no need to be so tense," Qin Chuan said with a chuckle.

The man snorted without a word. Wei Dapeng stepped forward respectfully. "Mr. Qin, the young mistress has been waiting. And these are?"

"My people," Qin Chuan said concisely.

Wei Dapeng didn't press further and gestured for them to enter. Qin Chuan glanced at Lan Jin, whose face was a whirlwind of excitement, nervousness, and bewilderment. He couldn't help but find it amusing; he hadn't realized she was such a fangirl.

As soon as they entered the living room, Tan Shuying stood up to greet them.

"Yingbao, I love you to death!" Before anyone could react, Lan Jin leaped toward her, dancing with joy.

***

Meanwhile, at the Lin Group headquarters.

"Ms. Lin, the studio has been set up," an employee reported.

Lin Wanyu waved a hand, her brows furrowed as she turned to her secretary. "Aili, hasn't Yao Qi'er arrived yet?"

Aili, dressed in professional office attire, replied indignantly, "Ms. Lin, I’ve called her several times. She keeps claiming there’s traffic, but I’ve checked their route—it’s completely clear. Yao Qi'er is just throwing her weight around to hike up her fees."

A flash of anger crossed Lin Wanyu’s beautiful eyes, soon replaced by helplessness. With the press conference tomorrow, there was no time to find a replacement. Yao Qi'er was exploiting this bottleneck to demand an exorbitant price—a fee that could hire a true top-tier superstar, if only they had the availability.

"I wonder if he could..." Lin Wanyu quickly shook the thought away. She didn't know why she had thought of Qin Chuan, but she sighed in frustration. She couldn't rely on that unreliable guy.

"Ms. Lin, we can't keep indulging Yao Qi'er, or she’ll only get worse."

Before Aili could finish, a haughty voice cut through the room: "And if I do get worse, what are you going to do about it?"