Chapter 5 Everyone Enjoys Beauty

Evening fell, and the cocktail party came alive under the dazzling light. People milled around, wine glasses in their hands, making small talk and toasting each other.

Lola had changed into a burgundy evening dress. It was backless and had a plunging neckline at the same time, and she naturally attracted a lot of male attention.

But she had grown used to being under all kinds of gaze; this wasn't nearly enough to ruffle her. Without any trace of timidity, she glided among the crowd. She was graceful, and had perfect manners. It wasn't long before everyone was enthralled by her charm and kept commenting on it.

"I'm sure it wasn't easy to get to where she is now. I heard she started her career abroad and she's been working hard these past two years."

"Yeah! Now the number of her fans and followers on INS has reached twenty million. That's the highest record among the overseas Chinese celebrities. I'm sure that as soon as she makes a microblog account, the number is going to rise even further. Maybe it will even reach thirty million! She's extraordinarily popular after all."

"Well, no matter how popular she was abroad, this one's a different scene. She might have to start over in the Chinese entertainment industry. Do you remember Celia? She was much touted by the press and the fans when she first returned from overseas, but her popularity didn't last very long anyway. After that, it was a lot more difficult for her to make a comeback. When it comes to future, everything really is possible... The circumstances here are vastly different from those abroad, too. Stars often rise and fall, and some of them don't have the good fortune to restart their careers, like Faye."

"Oh, but did you hear? Apparently, Lola was born in this city. The news said that she comes from a prominent family. But I don't think I recall ever hearing about such a person before."

"Well, there are rumors that she's actually an adopted daughter of a rich family. It's just that nobody knows for sure which family it is."

The gossip mongers surrounded Jacob and their conversations flitted over to him. He couldn't help downing a glass of wine in one go.

Barry was beside him the whole time, and unlike his boss, he was rather eager to gather all the information available. He even joined in on the discussions. "Which family do you think it is? Aren't there any leads? Even unverified ones?"

"I don't really know. Of course, a lot of people are interested and even invested in digging up her personal background. However, it seems like everything in her past prior to her career in show business had been carefully covered up. Even Lola herself never mentions it in any interview. All she ever says is that she's an orphan, and that her parents have both passed away."

Jacob cleared his throat to call Barry's attention. "You ask so many questions about her," he commented, frowning at him. "Are you really thinking of signing her into the company?"

"Of course! As you know, I need a popular young star. If we manage to get her, our fame would definitely soar even higher. Honestly, who wouldn't like such a beauty?" Barry's eyes were glinting brightly as he spoke,

oddly making Jacob feel embarrassed.

"Boss, what do you think? Don't you agree?"

"It's your call."

The boss was letting him decide on his own?

But just a few hours ago, didn't he say that a woman like Lola Ming would only cost them money? What could have changed his mind?

The boss was acting strange...

Although Jacob's comment had been given nonchalantly, his eyes were anything but indifferent. In fact, they had already locked on the figure not far away.

'Her feet must hurt.

Why did she insist on showing up here?

Does she like drinking with those men so much?'

Lola felt a chill dance along her spine. She looked around by instinct, only to freeze at the sight of Jacob.

She turned away from him and put down the wine glass she was holding, fully intending to move to a different part of the room, when a hand grabbed at her out of nowhere. "Louisa?"

"Ryan?" Her face broke out into a genuine smile. "It's me!" she exclaimed happily.

"I did receive news that you were back. I've been wondering when I would get the chance to see you again; who would have thought we'd run into each other here? I wasn't able to watch your show earlier, so it's such a relief to have you here now."

Lola looked around them surreptitiously before leaning close. "Let's talk some other place," she whispered.

Jacob scowled as he watched Lola leave with that man. He felt resentful, furious even.

'It's him again?'

In the past, when he was not at home, Ryan would often come to meet with Louisa without permission.

They seemed to have the same good relationship even after all these years!

He wanted to see what they were up to.

"Hey, Boss, where are you going?" Barry only had vaguely registered that Jacob was stepping away, but before he could even finish his question, his boss had disappeared entirely.

"Oh well. Let's continue our talk. Did you hear if Lola has signed any contract yet?"

"No. I heard that she had only one agent, so she is currently looking for a suitable agency."

Meanwhile, Lola and Ryan had managed to find a quiet spot away from the crowd. "Ryan, don't forget what I said," she whispered into his ear. "Don't tell anyone about what happened to me before. And just refer to me as Lola. I'm Lola now."

"Don't worry, I won't tell. I'll start calling you Lola, too, from now on. Even so, you're still my junior schoolmate."

Lola nodded easily. "I don't exactly want to hide my real identity, but I've already said something untrue early on in my career. If someone somehow catches on and learns about what happened to me in this city, I might find myself in trouble."

"Oh, don't worry, I get it. But are you sure that the Gu Family won't make things difficult for you in the future?" There was a hint of genuine worry in Ryan's voice.

Lola only shook her head and smiled bitterly. "I'm sure they won't want to have anything to do with me, let alone make it public that I used to be connected to them."

Their conversation came to a lull then, and they settled into a comfortable silence.

To her, the only friends she had in this place were Ryan Xue and Jane Yin.

She could put her full trust in them and be confident that they would always help her without expecting anything in return.

"You two are always together!" Their peace was broken by Jacob's voice, and they turned to see him angrily striding towards them. He came to a stop in front of Ryan and looked down at him. "Ryan. I see you're just as affectionate as ever."

Lola stepped forward to come in between the two men and glared at Jacob. "This is none of your business! Kindly behave yourself, Mister!"

"Behave myself? Speak for yourself! Do you feel a sense of accomplishment when you dress like this and capture every man's gaze? Do you like it so much?" The fury in Jacob's tone was unmistakable, especially since his piercing eyes were burning as though he was barely keeping himself under control.

Nevertheless, his words made Lola blush, albeit mostly in annoyance. "What are you talking about? What's wrong with what I'm wearing? I can wear whatever I like in the first place! Other women look beautiful no matter what they wear, but I can't? I know you like to pick on me, but please stop right now and don't bother me again!"

Jacob glared at her for a couple more beats before turning to Ryan. "Well? As a man, you have nothing to say about this? Do you enjoy seeing her dressed this way, too?"

Ryan smiled faintly. "Everyone enjoys beauty. And Lola shines as the most beautiful in our eyes. Why wouldn't we like the way she looks? Although it won't be surprising for those who harbor dirty thoughts to make some unfriendly remarks. But none of that is Lola's fault."

"That's right." Lola raised her chin towards Jacob, daring him to argue further. She had someone on her side this time. He would never again be able to bully her as easily as he had in the past.

"Aren't you just the best friend to her?" Jacob mocked. "I'm quite relieved to see that you're still so close to each other, because that means you won't badger me ever again!"

Lola's eyes widened at that, and she had to cover her mouth and stifle a chuckle. Then she pulled Ryan's arm and deliberately drew him close. "Excuse me. I think there's been a misunderstanding, Mr. Jacob. How could I ever dare badger you, as you put it? Goodness, I was so stupid before not to see such a good man right by my side. Instead I wasted myself away over the wrong person. But things are different now..."

Ryan's head swiveled to her in surprise, but she cast him a quick glance that said she needed him to back her up on this. "Different how?" he said smoothly. "Are you doing better now? Tell Mr. Jacob."

"No, she doesn't need to tell me! Why don't you say it yourself, Ryan?" Jacob's eyes had narrowed, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Lola gave Ryan a subtle nod, silently communicating that he was free to say anything he wanted. Ryan's lips danced into a wide grin. "Well, now, Lola has me to protect her moving forward, and I won't let her suffer any grievances. Is my answer sufficient, Mr. Jacob?"

Jacob's expression didn't change; he kept looking at the pair before him. Oddly enough, he felt a tiny ripple of fear stir at the pit of his stomach.

Were these two really in love?

Ryan had always liked Louisa, hadn't he? Even when she was married. And Jacob had known this. But... why was he feeling so angry?

"Yes," Lola interjected. "He will definitely be satisfied with this answer. Now Mr. Jacob, you can rest assured. I'm very happy and content to stay with Ryan. I won't repeat the same stupid mistakes I did in the past. Let's go, Ryan. Goodbye, Mr. Jacob, I hope we never see each other again."

Grabbing Ryan's hand, she walked past Jacob without a backward glance.