The Rise of a Hegemon
Chapter 28: Beauty is Justice
Hearing this, Lin Haoran couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "So, in your opinion, do I need to compensate you with a new pair of shoes to atone for my sins? Tell me, what kind do you want?"
He marveled inwardly; he hadn't expected that his first encounter in this world with a future famous star would be with someone as lively, cute, and captivating as Guan Jiahui.
A sly smile curled at the corners of Guan Jiahui's mouth as she softly uttered, "Since you are so sincere, then buy me a pair of Roger Viviers. But I didn't say it was for the pair I'm wearing right now."
She intentionally teased him, her cunning eyes shimmering with a longing for designer shoes, yet unable to hide her innocent nature.
Seeing this, Lin Haoran felt even more that this future superstar was not only beautiful but possessed a unique and interesting personality.
"Of course. It's just a pair of Roger Viviers; I'll give them to you," Lin Haoran said with a relaxed smile, his eyes radiating confidence.
"Oh, you're not just saying that, are you? Roger Vivier shoes are quite expensive," Guan Jiahui said, half-doubting. She had originally just been joking.
"Do you know who my daddy is? Look, that gentleman with white hair over there is my father, the Chairman of Wan'an Group. You must have heard of him, right?" Lin Haoran pointed toward the distance, his smile brightening.
"So you are the young master of the Lin family. No wonder you have such an extraordinary aura. Are you... really planning to give me a pair of Roger Viviers?" There was a hint of uncertainty in Guan Jiahui's tone, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
She knew that in such a solemn and formal setting, identity and status were topics that could not be taken lightly; therefore, no one would easily use them as the basis for a joke.
Although Guan Jiahui's family was not obscenely wealthy, her father, Guan Shan, was a well-known Hong Kong actor who provided the family with a stable income and high social standing, making their living conditions quite superior.
Because she occasionally accompanied her father to various social events, Guan Jiahui had not only accumulated extensive experience but also gained a deep understanding of various luxury goods, being quite familiar with high-end brands like Roger Vivier.
In the prime of her youth, Guan Jiahui, like many girls her age, harbored a longing and pursuit of beautiful things.
At this age of aspiration, it was inevitable that she would feel a yearning for luxury brands that represented quality and fashion. This was both a sentiment unique to youth and a natural human desire for beauty.
"I, Lin Haoran, am a man of my word and never speak empty words. A pair of Roger Viviers costing a mere few thousand Hong Kong dollars is nothing more than a drop in the ocean to me; it's not worth mentioning." A faint smile played on Lin Haoran's lips, and his every movement exuded the casual and uninhibited air characteristic of a wealthy scion, looking much like a playboy wandering the world.
"Then, how can I contact you later?" Guan Jiahui stole a glance around to ensure no one was watching, then asked in a low, soft voice, her tone tinged with nervousness and expectation.
Smiling, Lin Haoran handed her a business card with his pager number written on it. "This is my contact information. Whenever you are free, call me anytime. As long as I see it, I will try my best to reply."
As his gaze fell upon Guan Jiahui, Lin Haoran felt a secret surge of joy.
She had not yet stepped into the turmoil of the entertainment industry, maintaining a rare sense of innocence and beauty. This stirred a desire in him to protect and cherish her. Since he had traveled to this era and met Guan Jiahui at this age, wouldn't it be a waste if he didn't win her over?
For Lin Haoran, given his current superior circumstances and confident charm, winning Guan Jiahui's favor was indeed not a difficult task.
Seventeen, fresh and bright—that was how he would describe the Guan Jiahui before him.
Guan Jiahui took the business card, a flash of surprise and shyness crossing her eyes, before she quickly and carefully tucked it into her pocket, fearing others might notice.
After completing the action, she let out a soft breath, her tense nerves finally relaxing as a relieved smile appeared on her face.
Guan Jiahui's first impression of this elegant young man was quite profound; perhaps this was what people meant by "beauty is justice."
In the midst of her adolescence, her heart was quietly awakening to the longing for beautiful emotions, and Lin Haoran's outstanding appearance happened to touch the softest part of her heart.
What moved Guan Jiahui even more was that Lin Haoran was not only exceptionally handsome but also possessed a prominent, wealthy background.
Such qualities were undoubtedly extremely attractive in the eyes of a girl her age.
She couldn't help but fantasize about the various possibilities between her and Lin Haoran, longing for deeper interaction, and even began to silently calculate in her mind how to establish a closer connection with him.
Of course, Guan Jiahui also understood that her thoughts might be somewhat superficial and impulsive, but she simply could not resist that attraction that radiated from him.
Thus, she decided to bravely take the first step and try to get closer to the man who had captured her heart.
The two sat there, chatting while snacking on melon seeds.
As it turned out, in this movie, Guan Jiahui's father, Guan Shan, was one of the actors, and was one of the few famous Hong Kong actors in the film.
Following Guan Jiahui's finger, Lin Haoran also identified her father, Guan Shan. At that moment, Guan Shan was chatting with Lin Wan'an and others, completely unaware that his daughter was having a pleasant conversation with the young man beside him—and was even on the verge of being "stolen away" by this elegant youth.
Shortly after, the curtain was about to rise on the banquet.
Guan Jiahui felt anxious, fearing her father might notice her intimate conversation with the stranger, so she hurriedly bid Lin Haoran farewell.
"I will contact you as soon as possible. Remember to keep your line open, and wait for my news!" Guan Jiahui instructed with great anticipation as she departed.
"Definitely, don't worry!" Lin Haoran responded with a gentle smile, knowing he had already left an indelible mark on Guan Jiahui's heart.
After Guan Jiahui returned to her father's side, Lin Haoran naturally returned to Lin Wan'an's side.
In Lin Haoran's eyes, this so-called celebration banquet was more like a carefully orchestrated business networking event. Aside from a few famous actors like Guan Shan who could truly attract attention, most of the actors present played supporting roles, seemingly gathered merely for this meal to go through the motions.
During the banquet, Lin Wan'an's old business associates raised their glasses to toast him one after another. However, Lin Haoran skillfully deflected these toasts one by one, using his father's health as a polite excuse.
His words were sincere and his attitude firm; he expressed concern for his father's health without losing etiquette or disrupting the atmosphere.
The guests present were well aware of the Lin family's prestige and status, so naturally, no one dared to show even a hint of displeasure, let alone act rashly by suggesting that "not drinking is a lack of respect." The entire scene remained harmonious and respectful.
On the way home, Lin Wan'an was filled with gratification and praised Lin Haoran, "Haoran, you have truly grown a lot. In the past, you might have found it difficult to handle such an occasion so thoroughly."
"Daddy, this is all thanks to your meticulous guidance," Lin Haoran replied with a smile, his words full of respect.
The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly through the night, the interior warm and comfortable, as time quietly passed toward 9:30 PM.
Finally, the car came to a steady stop in the driveway of the Lin family villa.