Chapter 12: Roaming the Four Seas

Even Sheng Jiayi, who usually possessed exceptional mental resilience, felt momentarily embarrassed, while He Jianting’s face flushed slightly.

He Ruolin glanced at her younger brother with a faint smile, then stepped forward to scrutinize Sheng Jiayi carefully. “Andy, how could you bear to bring your precious treasure out like this?”

“She’s been bored lately,” He Xiyue replied.

He Ruolin’s gaze lingered on Sheng Jiayi’s eyes.

“Jiayi’s always got filming offers, and I’ve been trying to find you work with no luck because of the schedule. Is she really free now?”

“She’s just been too busy,” He Xiyue indicated Sheng Jiayi. “She hasn’t stopped filming for years. At most, she shot ten movies in a single year. If she kept going at this pace, her health would suffer. I told her to take a break.”

“Being an actor is indeed tough,” He Ruolin agreed. “Especially for a beautiful star like Jiayi—trouble is unavoidable, isn’t it?”

Before He Xiyue could answer, she asked, “Miss Sheng, are your eyes naturally that color?”

Sheng Jiayi blinked her beautiful eyes. “Yes.”

“Is it because of mixed heritage or genetics?”

“I’m not sure myself.”

“In the twilight, they look like the color of violets,” He Xiyue murmured with admiration. “At this year’s Christie's Spring Auction in Hong Kong, the highlight was a blue diamond called the ‘Future Star’ from the Golconda mines in southern India. The mines are located in Hyderabad’s western ancient city, the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, where countless top-grade famous diamonds were unearthed. The last blue diamond from the same mine is the Hope Diamond, currently housed at the Smithsonian Museum.”

“The starting price was a staggering ten million, but it was fiercely fought over until it reached eighty million and was finally taken by an anonymous buyer.”

“Miss Sheng, did you know that your eyes are exactly the same color as that diamond?”

Sheng Jiayi was taken aback.

The Hope Diamond is a 44.4-carat blue diamond at the Smithsonian Museum. It is famous for its reputation as the “curse diamond.” Legend says that owners die mysteriously, but in reality, wearing it does not bring misfortune. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette did not carry the diamond before their deaths, and the Hope family heirs did not die suddenly because of it.

It is simply too beautiful. The world believes that things cherished too deeply are sharp and dangerous.

Some always see the pursuit of rare treasures as a symbol of seizing power.

Sheng Jiayi keenly sensed that He Ruolin was alluding to the matter involving Song Yuan, and perhaps even more.

“Don’t be so serious,” He Ruolin chuckled, breaking the silence. She stepped back and introduced the people beside her. “This is my brother, He Jianting.”

“Miss Sheng.” He Jianting shyly extended his hand, his blush spreading to his ears. “I’m so glad to see you here. You look truly beautiful tonight, even more so than on the big screen.”

His shy demeanor contrasted oddly with his straightforward words.

Sheng Jiayi politely shook his hand.

“This is Shen Jiajun from Changhe Group,” He Ruolin introduced the man on her right.

“I’ve heard much about you, Miss Sheng,” Shen Jiajun said, having been observing the scene for some time.

Changhe Group holds the most comprehensive financial licenses among Hong Kong-funded enterprises, covering banking, insurance, funds, trusts, futures, and securities, with a market value in the hundreds of billions. The Shen family has been a prominent Shanghai lineage since the Republican era, with notable contributions during the War of Resistance, standing as a respected red family. In the early 1980s, Shen Jiajun’s father, Shen Weiliang, went to Hong Kong to establish Changhe Securities amid the establishment of the United Stock Exchange and soaring financial markets. Backed by Beijing, the Shen family quickly rose to prominence among Hong Kong’s top tycoons.

Hong Kong’s so-called “Top Ten Families” include four major families named after the classic “Dream of the Red Chamber,” with the Shen family among them. The He family ranks only eighth in terms of assets. However, wealth is less important; when it comes to influence, the He family is far more dominant than outsiders like the Shen family. As for children expecting inheritance, the Shen family has fewer than the He family.

As the heir of Changhe Group, Shen Jiajun has only one younger brother and three sisters. His brother is thirteen years younger. Most of the vast family fortune will fall on his shoulders, so he effortlessly entered the headquarters as a general assistant, awaiting the CEO position. He leads a far more carefree life than He Jianting, who is still struggling for a board seat as a “rich third generation.”

Sheng Jiayi nodded politely at him. “Good evening, Mr. Shen.”

She was courteous, flawless in etiquette, and her eyes showed no impatience or clinging to the two young masters.

Her doll-like appearance was enhanced today by a white, fitted spaghetti-strap dress and a beige blazer. Her long black hair reached her waist, making her look exquisitely delicate, as if sculpted from clay.

He Ruolin admitted that even women would take a second glance at her face—beautiful but non-threatening, balancing maturity and innocence, gentle yet reserved. She seemed fragile enough to break easily, but surprisingly possessed a vast vitality, as if something within sustained her precarious existence. When that flame extinguishes, her dazzling brilliance would vanish instantly.

Some seek to destroy her; others wish her light to remain forever.

He Jianting needed a wife who was famous, likable, but without power or influence. Sheng Jiayi was perfect: a film star with education, a well-regarded deceased stepfather, and good connections with the police and finance departments.

If it were up to her, the He family wouldn’t mind fulfilling He Jianting’s personal preference.

“The atmosphere tonight is so wonderful, perfect for dancing. When I was young, I loved to dance, but now, at my age, the mood is long gone,” He Ruolin smiled softly. “Mr. Shen, would you mind accompanying me upstairs to meet some mainland bosses?”

“It would be my honor,” Shen Jiajun said.

The gentle sound of piano music began, signaling the start of the ball.

He Jianting was thrilled by the opportunity his eldest sister had deliberately created for him.

“Miss Sheng, may I have this dance?” he asked eagerly.

Sheng Jiayi glanced around and realized that He Xiyue had discreetly moved away, standing with Fan Shaowei, the owner of Zhongxing Entertainment, giving her and He Jianting plenty of room.

She sighed inwardly. Tonight’s gathering was chaotic, and even if no paparazzi infiltrated, gossip would spread across Hong Kong by tomorrow.

Yet she showed no sign of this, smiling faintly. “Sure.”

In the sunset’s embrace, their dance looked so beautiful. He Jianting admired Sheng Jiayi’s face, even more breathtaking off camera—the porcelain skin, impossibly curled eyelashes, gem-like pupils.

She didn’t resemble a typical Hong Kong native—no slightly protruding lips or high cheekbones—nor a Westerner. Apart from her eye color and exquisite bone structure, there was little sign of mixed blood.

Noble lineage, stunning looks, fine education, gentle temperament...

Sheng Jiayi was truly... perfect.

Unable to contain himself, He Jianting squeezed her hand. “Miss Sheng, I really enjoy watching your films.”

“Which one?”

“‘Neon.’” He Jianting answered, unsurprised by her knowledge.

“You played a student named Yinxia. I still remember the scene where you crossed the street and looked back at the corner, sunlight on your face, wind lifting your hair. I think no man in the world could help but fall for you at that moment! Yinxia must be your favorite role, right?”

After all, Sheng Jiayi became an overnight sensation across Asia because of Yinxia, winning the youngest Best Actress award.

That was her peak. In the last three years, Sheng Jiayi and He Jihan filmed many box office hits but none reached the heights of “Neon.”

But Sheng Jiayi shook her head. “No,” she said slowly. “I don’t like Yinxia.”

“Why not?” He Jianting’s eyes widened in shock. Now she truly seemed like a genuine fan. Knowing the lead actress didn’t approve of her beloved role was like a dream shattered, reality crushing fantasy. He was caught off guard.

“Because I don’t like acting,” Sheng Jiayi whispered close to his ear, her breath sending a chill through him.

That schoolgirl, Sheng Jiayi recalled the script—pale as a blank sheet, with no story beyond extreme beauty.

Zheng Anrong said Yinxia was a drifting phantom, existing only to trigger betrayal among three male characters, embodying the abstract concept of beauty.

“Sorry,” Sheng Jiayi blinked. “Mr. He, are you disappointed?”

He Jianting instinctively denied, “No.”

“You’re so nice,” Sheng Jiayi said sweetly.

He Jianting’s mind went blank.

They danced for a long time until the night deepened. Someone approached He Jianting, whispering in his ear.

Sheng Jiayi heard the man say, “Young Master Xu has arrived.”

He Jianting’s expression changed suddenly. He released Sheng Jiayi, his warm face now inscrutable.

“I’ll be right there,” he said, then turned to Sheng Jiayi. “Miss Sheng, sorry, but I have urgent matters to attend to.”

“That’s alright,” Sheng Jiayi said softly.

His heart softened seeing her gentle expression.

He hesitated before speaking, “Jiayi... I can take you home later.”

Sheng Jiayi smiled but said nothing to confirm or refuse.

He Jianting took her silence as shy agreement.

“Wait downstairs for me,” he said. “I’ll find you after I meet a guest.”

He hurried into the villa.

The lawn was brightly lit like daylight. Sheng Jiayi stood in the shadows watching him, her eyes growing colder.

“You really have him wrapped around your finger,” He Xiyue said behind her. “I think he likes you terribly.”

“Is that so?” Sheng Jiayi replied coolly.

“Did he ask you out?”

“He said he’d take me home.”

“That’s not obvious enough?”

“Are you afraid I’ll use this as a chance to leave Orange River?” Sheng Jiayi turned to glare at her.

“Would you?”

“How can you be so sure I wouldn’t?”

“If you wanted to marry into a wealthy family, you would have already. I still think the He family is too complicated, and He Jianting is too soft to control such a lively household. He won’t help you. If you pick him, I’d say your judgment is poor. If you must choose, I think Shen Jiajun is better. But knowing the Shen family’s preferences, they wouldn’t approve of a Hong Kong girl. Also, he’s rumored to be quite a playboy, unreliable.”

“This is your opinion of me, Andy?” Sheng Jiayi sneered but quickly regained composure. “This isn’t a marketplace for us to pick and choose.”

“Jiayi,” He Xiyue suddenly grabbed her arm. “Do you know why Shen Jiajun came tonight? Did He Jianting go upstairs for something?”

“No idea.”

“I just met a senior executive from Huihong Group. He told me a rumor.”

“The Jardine Group is leading mainland interests to develop 2,000 acres of coastal land in Guangdong for nuclear power.”

“Just now, the landowner came to the He family.”