Thank You for the Invitation, I Successfully Held Hands with the Best Actress - Chapter 22

The tone of the show then took a rather absurd turn.

 

 

Ming Jue began eloquently sharing her investment experience and unique insights with the commanding presence of someone delivering a corporate presentation. The guests grew serious, with some even starting to take notes.

 

 

My mom asked why I’m kneeling before my keyboard. Are we mere mortals even worthy of witnessing the review of Ming Corporation’s billion-dollar investment projects? Too bad our company is too small to match Ming’s financial might.

 

 

No comparison at all. Their technical support alone leaves other companies in the dust. There’s a reason why Ming Corporation is so powerful.

 

 

So is this a financial channel now?

 

 

The dating show “First Heartbeat” also known as “Ming Jue’s Guide to Wealth” or “Ning Yu Cries Poor: What’s the Real Secret to Riches?”

 

 

Relevant knowledge compiled into documents. DM me $50 for private access.

 

 

I’m dying laughing. Did you see how Sister Feifei kept opening and closing her mouth?

 

 

“It’s through comprehensive technical support and knowledge accumulation that I’ve progressed step by step to earn the recognition of the company’s executives. While many see me merely as Ming Corporation’s heir who doesn’t need to lift a finger to be worth billions, for a conglomerate to thrive continuously, exceptional leadership is indispensable. Only those with outstanding capabilities can shoulder such responsibilities.”

 

 

After Ming Jue’s speech, Gao Mi was the first to applaud, her eyes filled with pride and admiration. “President Ming, you’re truly admirable. This is exactly why I’m drawn to capable and outstanding people like you.”

 

 

Everyone enjoys flattery. Hearing Gao Mi’s effusive praise, Ming Jue’s lips curved into a smile, his handsome features softening.

 

 

Wow, back to the main topic—Ming Jue and Gao Mi make such a great match.

 

 

Mimi’s got this in the bag. She’s full of tricks when it comes to winning over someone she likes.

 

 

As the heart-to-heart segment devolved into a wealth-sharing session, Ling Fei maintained a smile while internally cursing Ning Yu for single-handedly derailing the entire show.

 

 

“With little time left, we’ll save further questions for another day. Viewers who enjoyed this segment can leave their questions under the show’s official blog post. We’ll select the most popular ones to ask our guests later.”

 

 

“Finally, we’ll invite Professor Xu to offer some relationship guidance.”

 

 

Professor Xu, a woman in her forties wearing glasses and professional attire, frowned slightly with visible displeasure. She began bluntly, “I believe the current generation’s attitudes toward love and marriage are problematic.”

 

 

“Not wanting to date or marry is clearly a sign of laziness and passivity—being unwilling to form connections, afraid to step beyond fixed social circles, and using excuses like ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘I’m not interested.’ Maybe you’ve been hurt or deceived by someone you loved, but these are valuable experiences. The more experience you gain, the better your judgment becomes. Those indifferent to romance are essentially opposing human reproduction.”

 

 

As a young person, I’m fuming right now.

 

 

Was the show’s “sincere invitation” intentional? My murderous urge is barely contained.

 

 

I feel personally attacked—angry and speechless.

 

 

 

Although this is a dating show, there’s no need to promote the idea that love is supreme and being single is a death sentence.

 

 

Ning Yu frowned in exasperation and fired back bluntly: “People should date if they want to, and not if they don’t. So what if someone’s lazy? So what if they’re unmotivated? It doesn’t hurt anyone. With all your energy, teacher, you still can’t make choices or fall in love for others.”

 

 

“Finding someone you truly like with soul-deep compatibility among millions of people is already extremely rare. Most never encounter it in their lifetime and just settle. So is it wrong for those who refuse to settle to stay single? Breeding without personal desire—how is that any different from animals?”

 

 

“And being deceived might count as an experience, but it hardly qualifies as ‘precious.’ Whoever wants this ‘precious experience’ can have it—I certainly don’t.”

 

 

Holy sh1t, Ning Yu’s savage! She’s my online mouthpiece.

 

 

The dating expert’s face is turning green.

 

 

She’s absolutely right. I’m single because I’m lazy—my laziness is my business. What’s it to you? Why are you rushing to scold me? Did I provoke you?

 

 

What’s this about ‘getting better judgment after being fooled more’? How many times am I supposed to endure this crap?

 

 

I gained exactly zero ‘precious experience’ from being cheated by five scumbags. They always have new tricks. Now I finally understand—locking away my heart is my true destiny.

 

 

Mu Qiuya lowered her head to suppress laughter, her eyes brimming with unstoppable amusement. She hadn’t noticed before—this one had quite the temper.

 

 

The dating expert’s face darkened. “You don’t understand. Young people’s perspectives are too immature. You’ll know when you’re older.”

 

 

Ning Yu shot back: “I don’t get it. Old fogies’ views are too outdated. Even when we’re older, we still won’t get it.”

 

 

“Pfft—” Zhu Wen couldn’t hold back her laughter, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

 

 

“You—” The teacher trembled with anger, face flushed crimson.

 

 

Ning Yu: “Yes, me. Any more guidance to share, teacher? We can keep discussing.”

 

 

As if there was anything left to discuss.

 

 

Lin Fei quickly stood to mediate. “Um… the teacher seems unwell. Maybe we should end the dating advice session here.”

 

 

“No, I need to set this straight.”

 

 

At this rate, it would escalate into a full-blown argument.

 

 

Lin Fei awkwardly signaled behind her back, and the live feed cut to black. She exhaled in relief, wiping cold sweat from her forehead.

 

 

That was nearly a live broadcast disaster. Ning Yu was completely unpredictable—who knew whether inviting her was a good move?

 

 

Viewers stared at their blackened TV screens in bewilderment.

 

 

Ning Yu scratched her head, confused. “Why’s she so mad? Was what I said that harsh? I was just stating facts.”

 

 

Other guests & audience: …

 

 

Ning Yu: “Since there’s no more dating advice… how about we switch to wealth management tips?”

 

 

Ming Jue’s birthday was always a major social event for the Ming family to network with elites, held at their hilltop estate, Ruby Castle. Yet Ming Jue preferred spending this special day only with loved ones.

 

 

 

“Qiuyan, I’m not celebrating my birthday at home this year. I’ve decided to invite everyone to a hotel instead—surely you can’t refuse this time. The others probably don’t know today’s my birthday yet. I’ll invite them under a different pretext, so don’t let it slip. Could you come a bit earlier tonight? I’m not sure if the decorations will meet everyone’s expectations and wanted your opinion first.”

 

 

Mu Qiuyan received Ming Jue’s text and frowned in thought. She had attended Ming Jue’s birthday parties a few times before, but those high-society gatherings filled with clinking glasses and verbal sparring held no appeal for her, so she eventually stopped going.

 

 

Since the invitations this time were extended to the show’s guests, it would be impolite not to attend.

 

 

After replying to the message, her phone screen switched to the test report Jiang Yao had sent her.

 

 

Seeing the words “no abnormalities,” she sighed and rubbed her temples in frustration.

 

 

It seemed she’d misunderstood someone.

 

 

Having coordinated with the production team in advance, the day’s live stream was paused early under the pretense of a rest day.

 

 

As dusk fell, Mu Qiuyan applied light makeup and headed downstairs with her bag, only to pause abruptly at the sight of Ning Yu lounging on the sofa, engrossed in her phone without noticing any movement.

 

 

Mu Qiuyan wanted to say something, but with others in the living room, she pressed her lips together and left quietly.

 

 

The moment Mu Qiuyan stepped out, Ning Yu immediately texted Gao Mi: “Mu Qiuyan’s left. Hurry up and send me Ming Jue’s dinner location.”

 

 

“Blue Moon Hotel, 25th floor.”

 

 

Ning Yu smirked, then suddenly exclaimed loudly, “Wow, President Ming is holding her birthday party at the Blue Moon Hotel this year!”

 

 

The others turned their attention to her, and Wen Mianmian even rushed out from the kitchen.

 

 

Seizing the moment, Ning Yu raised her voice further, “The venue looks amazing! The rooftop night view is absolutely stunning—I’d love to go. Why don’t we all go together? Mianmian, didn’t you specially prepare a birthday cake for her? Giving it to her at her party would make her so happy.”

 

 

“But… President Ming didn’t invite us. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate?” Wen Mianmian twisted her clothes nervously, torn between hesitation and desire.

 

 

Ning Yu shrugged. “She’s probably invited tons of friends anyway. A few more won’t make a difference.”

 

 

Zhu Wen chimed in, “Ooh, the luxurious Blue Moon Hotel! I heard only VIPs can access the top floor. What a perfect chance to experience it thanks to President Ming.”

 

 

Ning Yu nodded, her lips curling into a meaningful smile. “It’s all on President Ming’s tab anyway. The more, the merrier—let’s all go!”

 

 

Using the VIP card Gao Mi had prepared earlier, Ning Yu led the enthusiastic “free-loader squad” up to the rooftop.

 

 

Gao Mi, waiting in the stairwell, turned to Ning Yu as she emerged. “What took you so—” Her eyes nearly bored holes through Ning Yu when she spotted the group trailing behind.

 

 

Zhu Wen beamed. “Mimi’s here too! No wonder we couldn’t find you earlier—you left before us.”

 

 

Surveying the empty rooftop, Zhu Wen asked, “Where’s President Ming? We should at least greet the host before mooching. Seems we’re a bit early—no one else is here yet.”

 

 

Gao Mi forced a smile. “Ah, I think she’s over by the stage. You can check there.”

 

 

 

After speaking, she dragged Ning Yu aside, whispering through gritted teeth as she pulled, “Why did you bring other people? Didn’t I tell you not to tell anyone else?”

 

 

Ning Yu put on an innocent expression. “This isn’t my fault. The news about her booking the top floor of Blue Moon for her birthday party has gone viral on Weibo.” She showed Gao Mi the latest trending hashtag.

 

 

“The person who leaked it seems to be a hotel employee. Their confidentiality is seriously lacking.”

 

 

Gao Mi crossed her arms, frowning at her phone, silently cursing herself for not anticipating this. A miscalculation.

 

 

Ning Yu glanced around and asked, “Where’s Mu Qiuyan? You changed the plan last minute without telling me. Which private room did you trick her into?”

 

 

“Ugh, my alone time with Ming Jue is ruined, and now you’ve ended up the biggest beneficiary.” Gao Mi sighed helplessly, her tone full of resentment.

 

 

A sudden sense of foreboding surged in Ning Yu’s chest. She grabbed Gao Mi’s shoulders, her expression grave. “What are you talking about? Where is Mu Qiuyan? What did you do to her?”

 

 

Gao Mi winced and slapped her hand away. “That hurts! Why are you so worried? It’s not like I’d do anything to her.”

 

 

“She’s in Room 6 on the 24th floor. I’ve generously given you a huge gift—don’t forget to thank me—”

 

 

Ning Yu didn’t wait for her to finish, turning and rushing down the stairs.

 

 

Gao Mi watched Ning Yu’s frantic retreat, biting her lip lightly, her eyes burning with envy. “Alphas are all the same. I refuse to believe you’ll still be this obsessed once you have her.”

 

 

The lights in the room were off, plunging it into darkness. Mu Qiuyan lay weakly on the carpet, the scorching heat of her heat threatening to drown her. The scent of heat-inducing pheromones saturated the air. She curled up helplessly, drenched in sweat.

 

 

Her crimson lips parted, releasing faint whimpers that awakened the primal desires buried deep within. Her trembling legs tangled together as she feebly clawed at her pale dress.

 

 

This heat—it was only the beginning.

 

 

Tears slipped from her eyes. Someone… please help me…

 

 

After what felt like an eternity of torment, a new scent began to weave through the air—alpha pheromones.

 

 

The aroma grew stronger, and it wasn’t unfamiliar.

 

 

—Whiskey.

 

 

Mu Qiuyan forced her eyes open. Through her blurred vision, she met a pair of familiar eyes.