The Apex of Authority
Giant crystal chandeliers glittered on the ceiling of the hall, spreading gold to every corner. A wave of thunderous, seemingly endless applause echoed, bouncing off the marble walls.
In the center of the spotlight, Wei Yu Chen stood, radiating an aura that was calm and almost untouchable.
The gleaming trophy he held was not merely the highest award, but the absolute symbol of his position as the top actor in Virelle City a king on his own stage.
However, beneath the glamorous spotlight and the formal smile he offered the cameras, Yu Chen could sense the frigid, stabbing gazes and the subtle whispers that made no attempt to be concealed. Instead of being bothered, his lips actually curled slightly a faint smile leaning more toward satisfying mockery than false cordiality.
Let them scratch in the darkness, he thought, because I remain at the top.
The grand doors of the award venue finally opened, releasing a much more brutal wave of chaos. Camera flashes exploded relentlessly, as if trying to tear apart every inch of his privacy. Questions were thrown at him like spears
"Wei Yu Chen, is the scandal news true?!"
"Do you have a secret relationship with someone outside the industry?!"
His two personal bodyguards immediately moved, their sturdy bodies forming a shield.
"Keep straight, Mr. Wei," one of them whispered, his voice tense.
Yu Chen merely let out a soft snort, his sharp eyes staring straight at the crowd. A scandal? Of course there was one. But they will never have the right, or even the ability, to touch anyone who enters my real life.
Outside the barricade, thousands of fans screamed hysterically.
"Wei Yu Chen! I love you!" "Gege! Look here for a second!" The voices filled with love and obsession mixed with the stern instructions of security officers, creating an almost mythical frenzy.
One of the bodyguards attempted to reach his arm, but Yu Chen subtly pushed him away with a smooth, nearly imperceptible movement.
He walked fast, his head held high. His smile was etched on his face, haughty, cold, and full of promise as if he were challenging the whole world to try and take him down.
The door of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan closed tightly, instantly muffling all the turmoil outside in a single moment. Camera flashes and fan screams instantly subsided, becoming a faint, meaningless echo. Wei Yu Chen leaned calmly against the premium leather seat, his sharp silhouette the sole focus in the silence of the luxurious cabin.
His hand moved slowly, playing with the silver ring on his middle finger as if it were the only private ritual remaining from the world's chaos. His gaze was directed out the window, tracing the sea of light from the capital's towering buildings.
His face remained flat, yet behind that look lay a burning ambition. Beautiful, full of glitter... but all this is merely pleasure to be conquered, he thought briefly. A faint smile was etched on his lips cold yet arrogant, as if the city lights were merely a private stage where he was destined to be the lead actor.
The car drove smoothly on the highway. The digital watch hands pointed exactly at eleven o'clock at night.
"Where to after this, Mr. Wei?" the driver's voice sounded cautious, full of respect.
"Home." Yu Chen's answer was brief, devoid of intonation.
The driver glanced briefly through the rearview mirror but chose to remain silent. Years of experience had taught him: the later it was, the colder and more dangerous the actor's demeanor became.
The cabin atmosphere returned to silence, filled only with the hum of the engine and the fleeting city lights.
The journey felt calm until they arrived at a long bridge shimmering with golden lights.
"Pull over," Yu Chen's voice suddenly sounded, cold and firm.
Without asking much, the driver pulled the car to the side. The bodyguards immediately descended first, ensuring the situation was safe. A few seconds later, the back door opened. Wei Yu Chen stepped out, his demeanor calm, his black suit gleaming in the reflection of the streetlights.
He leaned casually on the bridge's railing. Despite his status as a major star, his hand instinctively gripped the steel baton tucked into his side a reminder of the hidden danger that always lurked. With a slow, deliberate motion, he took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and inhaled deeply.
White smoke billowed out, carried by the gentle night wind, floating freely.
His gaze pierced the glittering city view. So beautiful... yet everything still feels empty, he thought briefly. He allowed himself to be immersed in the silence, while from a distance, the world continued to spin without being able to touch the eternal firmness of Wei Yu Chen.
He was absorbed for several minutes. The last puff of smoke drifted with the wind when suddenly the phone in his jacket pocket vibrated softly. The screen lit up, displaying a short message that only he could understand.
Wei Yu Chen stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then, a subtle sneering smile appeared at the corner of his lips a smile full of secrecy, coldness, and defiance. Without saying a word, he flicked the cigarette butt onto the road; its red ember extinguished instantly amidst the city lights. The mission had changed.
He returned to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The door closed tightly, recreating the exclusive silence within the cabin.
"Home," he stated briefly, flatly, without turning his head even slightly.
"Yes, Mr. Wei," the driver immediately replied. The engine vibrated gently, and the black car slowly drove away from the bridge. Yu Chen returned to his house, but his mind was now fully focused on the meaning behind the mysterious message he had just received.
The private elevator stopped on the top floor of the skyscraper. Wei Yu Chen stepped out calmly, opening the door to his penthouse.
This was a modern palace in the sky, a vast luxury residence, dominated by gleaming white marble and giant floor-to-ceiling glass windows, showcasing a panorama of the city like an ocean of light. Italian leather sofas, contemporary paintings, a private bar with a premium wine collection. Every detail seemed to scream: This is luxury, this is power, and this is the golden cage where he reigns.
Yu Chen removed his black jacket, placing it carelessly on the expensive sofa, then walked toward the glass window, looking indifferently at the city below. However, before he could enjoy the tranquility, a faint voice was heard from inside the penthouse a man's voice, soft yet filled with a demanding tone.
"Where have you been? It's very late already. If it weren't for the message from me… did you even intend to come home?"
The voice echoed calmly in the magnificent space, successfully piercing the silence in a way that only made Yu Chen's faint smile appear again—a smile of anticipation.
Slow, nearly inaudible footsteps. From behind the shadow, a male figure emerged. Tall, with a gentle face, yet his eyes held a sharpness capable of stripping bare anyone who dared to look at him. His hair was slightly tousled, and his thin shirt was half-open, subtly revealing his neckline and chest beneath the dim room light.
Wei Yu Chen did not move from his position in front of the window. Only his eyes shifted, looking at the man's reflection. The arrogant smile returned.
"You waited for me like an anxious wife," he stated flatly, with a cynical tone that was precisely provocative.
Li Yuan Bo approached slowly, his steps calm yet certain, until the distance between them was only a few inches. His distinctive cologne scent subtly mixed with the lingering smell of cigarette smoke still clinging to Yu Chen.
"If I wasn't anxious… would you have come home tonight?" he whispered, soft yet piercing straight to the core.
A moment of silence. Their gazes locked, as if there was an unspoken conversation much hotter than words. Yu Chen straightened his body, turning around completely. His hand lifted, his long fingers touching Li Yuan Bo's chin, lifting it slightly upward.
"How dare you interrogate me…" Yu Chen's voice was low, cold, yet filled with intoxicating power. His smile widened not just smug, but also inviting danger.
The silence between them intensified. The city lights flickered behind the giant glass, framing the two figures standing opposite each other, vying for domination.
Yu Chen finally lifted his chin, staring back at Li Yuan Bo.
"I came home not because you waited," he said briefly, his voice cold and sharp.
Li Yuan Bo only smiled faintly, a smile whose meaning could never be guessed. Slowly, he raised his hand and touched Yu Chen's shirt collar, tidying it as if he were the rightful owner of that arrogance. A subtle touch, yet full of challenge.
Yu Chen did not recoil. His eyes narrowed, his breathing felt heavier, though his face remained flat.
"You are getting bolder, Yuan Bo."
"Bolder?" Li Yuan Bo leaned slightly closer, his low voice almost a whisper in Yu Chen's ear. "No. I am merely taking what rightfully belongs by my side."
At that moment, the room's atmosphere seemed to collapse.
The tension of ego, domination, and hidden passion burned beneath the surface. Neither backed down, both reluctant to yield to the other's intense gaze.