Chapter 51

After the event ended, Iwayama Moto personally saw Lin Jian and his girlfriend out. It was unclear whether he was intentionally leaving an opportunity for Shen Zhenghui, but Shen Zhenghui saw Lin Jian's ** smile. The three girls' eyes were full of anticipation, and they waited somewhat nervously for Shen Zhenghui to choose one, two, or all of them. Although Shen Zhenghui had been holding back for a while, his remaining moral底线 would not let him sink to such a level. Besides, it wasn't just about loneliness; sleeping with them would either cost money or involve a role, which was not interesting and would only add to his mental burden. So he began to wonder why he hadn't refused when Aizawa Tomoaki had offered him the opportunity.

Thus, Shen Zhenghui politely bid farewell to the three ladies. Their disappointment was evident on their faces. Shen Zhenghui confirmed that they had left their contact information at the Queens agency and reassured them that he would contact them if there were any suitable roles. But how could such words be believed? Although these girls were young, they had already been in the industry for some time. Especially Ozu Madoka, who had experience in filming movies. If it were easy for regular actors to get roles, why would so many young and beautiful women choose to take the path of filming inappropriate content?

Fukuda Ayumi managed to successfully transition and appear on variety shows because she was too famous. How could Aizawa Tomoaki, an ordinary girl, play the lead role in a Japanese movie that grossed over 20 billion yen without sleeping with the director? Her peers would hardly believe it.

Fortunately, Shen Zhenghui didn't need to explain. Rich people should have quirks. He walked out of the dining room, feeling depressed, and the accumulated emotions from days of work needed an outlet. He thought about taking a walk to ease his mood. Before he reached the door, he saw Iwayama Moto coming back.

Iwayama Moto's expression was quite strange, as if seeing Shen Zhenghui alone was something unbelievable.

"Mr. Shen, where are you going alone? Would you like me to have someone take you back?" he asked tentatively.

"I have a driver," Shen Zhenghui replied, "but I want to take a walk, to be alone."

"You don't..." Iwayama Moto wanted to say more but closed his mouth when he saw Shen Zhenghui's expression.

"Mr. Iwayama," Shen Zhenghui stared at him, "I don't care how you spend your own money, but when it comes to work, if you don't make the final decision, don't make promises lightly. President Fukuda won't be happy."

Iwayama Moto looked very awkward. "Yes, I understand."

Shen Zhenghui nodded and walked out the door. The driver he had borrowed from Fukuda Ayumi was waiting in the car at the entrance. "You can go back on your own," he said. "I want to walk around the city alone." Under the driver's astonished gaze, Shen Zhenghui strolled down the streets of Tokyo.

Walking in a foreign land, Shen Zhenghui felt out of place. This walk did not ease his mood; instead, it made him feel even more uncomfortable. Walking alone, with no one to talk to, it was no wonder that people who traveled through time often sought companionship. Focusing their energy on women might alleviate loneliness—maybe. Shen Zhenghui thought this strange idea and felt it made more sense. Reflecting on his experiences, he realized his mindset was indeed problematic. He had always looked down on others with a sense of superiority, never truly connecting with anyone. His identity as a time traveler had become a hard shell, protecting his heart.

So, could he only use women to relieve this feeling? Shen Zhenghui thought, finding it increasingly amusing. His steps became lighter, and he finally entered a relaxed state. He hummed a song only he knew, though it was off-key, but his spirits rose. He felt like he was back to the time when he first discovered he had traveled through time, a secret only he knew, bringing a sense of joy. As he walked, he swayed to the tune, changing his steps. People passing by looked at him with disdain, and the well-mannered Japanese cursed him in their hearts.

At that moment, a hurried figure approached Shen Zhenghui. Neither of them looked up, and when they saw each other, it was too late.

"Ah!" With a soft cry, Shen Zhenghui felt as if he had been hit by a running deer, losing his balance and falling to the ground. The girl who had collided with him also fell, rubbing her leg.

"Sorry, sorry," she apologized without looking up, rubbing her leg and trying to stand.

This was a young woman in a white dress, looking flustered. Shen Zhenghui easily stood up and tried to help her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she said, her panic making Shen Zhenghui feel uneasy. "Sorry, I have to go."

However, the girl, who had stood up hastily, underestimated the impact of the collision. As soon as she took a step, she stumbled and fell into Shen Zhenghui's arms.

"Ah!" she groaned.

"Should I take you to the hospital?" Shen Zhenghui asked, bending down to support her.

At that moment, a shadow loomed over them. "Where do you think you're running? Can you escape?" Two tall, muscular men in suits stood in front of Shen Zhenghui and the girl.

"Uh uh uh..." The girl in Shen Zhenghui's arms started crying.

"Hey," one of the men glared at Shen Zhenghui, "kid, who are you? Put her down and get lost!"

Damn, with such good luck, I should buy a lottery ticket, Shen Zhenghui thought. The men's fierce expressions and the tattoos peeking out from under their clothes revealed their identities.

"Please don't, I'll call the police!" Shen Zhenghui said sternly, his expression calm and composed.

"Police?" the man laughed.

One of the men grabbed the girl's shoulder, pulling her out of Shen Zhenghui's arms.

"I'm warning you again, don't do this," Shen Zhenghui said, trying to sound intimidating, "do you know who I am?"

"Hmm, hey, Shiro, this guy looks familiar!" the man who hadn't acted said to the one called Shiro.

"Let's take him with us!" Shiro said.

Shen Zhenghui felt an urge to kneel and beg, "Brother, let me go."

"What did she do? Are you going to arrest her?" Shen Zhenghui pointed at the girl, who, with her shoulder and arm held, looked like a lover, her face partially hidden by her hair, but still showing that she was quite attractive, looking like a high school student.

"She owes us money," Shiro said, then glared at Shen Zhenghui, "still not leaving? Want to be a hero?"

Shen Zhenghui took a deep breath, his heart racing, "How much does she owe?"

The other man stepped forward, "5 million yen."

Just 5 million yen, you two idiots, Shen Zhenghui thought angrily. I'll use 5 million yen in coins to smash your heads and compensate for my injured heart.

"Let her go, I'll pay for her," Shen Zhenghui said coldly. A strange emotion dominated him, making him feel that if he left like a coward, it would become a heart demon.

"Hey, we've met a rich guy," Shiro laughed. The girl, who had been looking down, looked up in surprise at Shen Zhenghui. Her face had a few bruises, but she looked good, with a youthful innocence, like a high school student.

"If you're going to pay for her, you have to come with us to see the boss," the other man said, with a challenging look, "dare to?"

Shen Zhenghui felt he had entered the rhythm of an actor. He acted nonchalant, and by then, his excitement had calmed down. He felt fearless. "Lead the way!" he said coldly, then glanced at Shiro, "let her go, she won't run."

Shiro was taken aback by Shen Zhenghui's gaze and actually let go. He mumbled, "Kid, follow us, if you run, I'll break your legs."

The girl, now free, grabbed Shen Zhenghui's arm, as if he were her guardian, but remained silent.

Shen Zhenghui patted her hand, "Don't worry, it's okay."

Then he walked with a relaxed pace, following Shiro. The other man followed a few steps behind, watching them.

This strange quartet walked a long distance down the street, then turned into a small alley. The dim lighting made the girl cling to Shen Zhenghui's arm even tighter. Shen Zhenghui patted her hand again.

Shiro stopped at the entrance of a bar, looking at Shen Zhenghui with a half-smile, "If you have the guts, come in with me."

The door was pushed open. In Shen Zhenghui's mind, Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" MTV flashed, but this time, the woman beside him might be named Annie.

Shen Zhenghui took a deep breath and followed Shiro into the bar.