Chapter 133: New Years Eve Love 2!

Chapter 133: New Years Eve Love 2!

"Nonsense. Both Rick and all of his wives think you are a wonderful woman. You are Hana's best friend, Rick's teacher, and neighbors, so you acting close and friendly with Rick is fine with us. Come sit with me and let's chat."

I only smile at Kim who is looking at me with confusion in her heart. No, I am not stupid and I am sure my wives have seen Kim's feelings and mine get closer. But I said it before, I will let nature take its course and not push her.

Gretta, seeing me free, came up to me quickly and kept her voice down, her fox smile growing as she delivered her pitch. "Congratulations, Rick. So you and Harem-Chat?"

"Maybe." I answer smoothly, keeping my voice low. "Thanks for being the one to run with it."

Her sharp gold eyes twinkle in the ambient light as she steps closer to issue an invitation. "I need a new commercial, next weekend, can you? I will order Big Burgers for the whole crew? Also, Pam was bragging about you acting versus her son, so some practice would be just what you need. Also, the models had fun with you last time. Don't tell Vicky I said that, Ufufu."

I am completely speechless for a brief second, entirely caught off guard because she explicitly went with Big Burgers as her leveraging bribe. That means someone within my circle is actively feeding her my specific likes, proving she is a remarkably sly, tactical businesswoman. I offer a solid nod of my head toward her.

"Mrs Yang, all of your points are right on the mark, so just contact Lucy who is my acting-agent, and she will schedule with you."

Kate was already walking over toward us, clearly curious about this corporate vixen looking so close and friendly with me, and she seamlessly caught the last part of my statement. Funnily enough, so did Ana Zi.

Ana gracefully glides into our circle, turning her focus directly toward Gretta. "If Rick is doing a commercial with you, then I would not mind working along with you. I will make sure to do it for my lowest rates?"

Kate was just preparing to voice her own offer the exact millisecond she noticed Ana beating her to the punch, prompting her to swiftly cut in to match the energy. "Hello Mrs Yang was it? I will do that job pro-bono as well, to help get some hype built up for the Vampire movie we will all be in?"

Ana, hearing Kate smoothly frame her offer to look like an absolute saint in front of me, instantly doubled down on her strategy. "Miss Kong, is right, I too will just work pro-bono, due to it all being in the same business family of Victoria Inc. I really want to act with Rick."

Gretta, watching two of Star Entertainment Group's absolute brightest young superstar actresses aggressively fighting to secure completely free work in her cosmetics commercial, simply couldn't believe her absolute windfall of corporate luck. She beamed a satisfied smile at both of the women.

"Perfect, then that is two less models that need to be on the set. Then give me your agents cards, and I will set it up for next Saturday, is that fine? Also, my company will sponsor all your makeup needs for this whole next year, a return promotion. We ladies won't pass up good makeup, fufu."

Gretta left the three of us standing in the lounge, holding two additional corporate cards and an immense horizon of business prospects. Honestly, signing Ana to an exclusive cosmetics deal would be fantastic for our branch anyway, since she possesses the perfect bold style for that industry.

Ana had clearly realized earlier that the hidden authority figure who previously banned her from dating me must have been Victoria, but she was still determined to try her luck since I was officially up for the main role in the next Vampire film. Unlike me, she actually knows significantly more about the script's contents. She is fully aware that there is an exceptionally nice, intimate scene written between her villainous character and the vampire hunter, causing her lips to curl into a smirk.

"Well Rick, we might not be able to date, but we can still have fun and act together." Ana whispered, her green eyes tracking mine. "We can see our chemistry even before you get the part, over Sam."

"Ana, you don't think he will really beat me do you?"

Just as Kate was preparing to fire back an answer to protect my reputation, Sam aggressively broke free from his mother's strict leash and came marching straight over to our actors' corner.

Kate turned a frosty gaze toward the sulking idiot, her voice full of disdain. "When even Ana agrees with me, then you are going to lose. Ana and I might have our issues, but at least she is a better actress than your feeble acting skill."

Ana checked the time on her designer watch, sliding her strap into place before turning back to me with a playful wink. "Rick, I have to go start the show, so please watch me. And don't forget me when midnight hits, okay? I am the hostess after-all, fufu. Bye."

Ana immediately spun around and walked off toward the staging tunnels, looking exceptionally sexy in her bright red dress. Honestly, if it were nothing but a matter of her physical body and her raw acting talent, I would love to have that woman in my circle. But thinking about Sam and recalling their private activities together, I just can't bring myself to do it. Well, hearing her recorded conversation with Alex was the real killer for her image. But if it comes to acting alongside her for a commercial, I won't refuse if it is strictly for the lens.

Both Sam and Kate were completely on the same page for once, watching her departure with identical looks of intense disgust at her blatant flirting tactics. Kate rapidly bounced back from the negative energy, turning to address me.

"Rick, please dance for me later after my show and the bell-chime, I really have missed many years of us being friends, so let's make up for it, alright?"

"Then, I will make sure to dance with you," I reply firmly, offering a reassuring smile. "I have done it before with my wife Hana."

Kate's smile turned incredibly bright at my confirmation. She offered a cheerful wave of her hand, completely ignoring Sam's presence as she turned to leave. The two of us silently watched her heavenly, succubus-tier body, wrapped entirely in form-fitting white fabric from head to toe, smoothly glide away from the lounge.

With Sam and myself left completely alone in the corner, I look over at his rigid frame, deliberately taking a full step back to create distance between us. "No, I will not dance with you, pervert."

The exact look of pure, unadulterated stupidity that washed over his face was absolutely priceless to witness, so I turned on my heel and left him standing there to return to Mei and Mercy's company.

At exactly 11:30 pm, our unified group was formally led out of the lounge by a heavy security escort, taking us down toward the exclusive VIP floor section reserved strictly for the internal Heads of Noble Houses, prominent politicians, and high-level power players of Star City.

The setup essentially gave us the luxury equivalent of front-row seating, though we all remained standing due to being positioned directly on the main stadium floor parameters. A thick wall of stone-faced security guards formed a tight perimeter around our VIP enclosure to protect the elite guests from the surrounding chaotic crowds. This was the exact location Ana was actively hosting from on the main camera broadcast.

Shortly, Kate will officially begin her high-profile five-song performance set, leaving exactly five minutes of remaining time for the live countdown, the traditional chime-ringing ritual, and the massive balloon drop. Custom dictates that everyone must toast with fine wine served in plastic cups—utilizing real glass is strictly reserved for home safety—before the bell sounds, followed by immediate dancing or kissing the moment the new year rings in. This sequence holds a deep cultural symbology for the citizens.

The ritual formally concludes the dense Week of Remembrance, offering a final symbolic drink for the deceased spirits. The subsequent chime marks the relentless passing of time, and finally, the immediate act of dancing or kissing proves to the watching ancestors that the upcoming new year will be a joyful, deeply happy experience for the living.

Seeing that all the high-profile VIPs have finally settled into their designated standing areas, Ana lifts her microphone directly to her lips, effortlessly projecting her raw charisma toward the red recording light of the camera lens.

[Alright, everyone at home, welcome back to the live New Years Eve Bash! And now the most anticipated show for many of you out there, the final tour stop for our very own Kate Kong, who by the way, is making Star City her new home, let us hear it for Star City, yeah!]

Clap Woot Cheer!

The massive crowd erupted into a deafening roar, completely stirred to a frenzy by her high-energy delivery. Looking at her flawless broadcast smile, a normal viewer would absolutely never guess that those two women are bitter, intense rivals in every single aspect of their private lives, yet in front of the lens, they portray perfect friends. I realize right then that I seriously need to study and learn from their level of performance.

Anchored firmly on my left side, Victoria is holding onto my arm in a highly obvious, public display of affection, a triumphant smile written across her face to show the cameras that this is exactly what she wants. Her purple-velvet-dress looks completely captivating under the stadium lighting, ensuring she stands out significantly more than any other high-society woman on the floor.

Both Mei and Mercy maintain exceptionally serious, sharp expressions, their eyes constantly scanning the immediate crowds surrounding our position for any micro-sign of physical danger, looking incredibly stunning in their matching tiger-embroidered dresses.

Kim Smith stands positioned directly on my right side, her green eyes glittering with absolute awe at the scale of the amazing show unfolding right in front of us. She had always stayed cooped up at home to watch this exact broadcast on a small television every single year, but tonight, she was actually standing in the front row of the real event. The production is so massive that they even rebroadcast the feed live to her home country in the UK of America, perfectly timing the signal to align with their midnight hour.

Completely unknown to either me or Kim at this moment, her exceptionally close posture and the way she is constantly tiptoeing up to whisper thoughts directly into my ear are already sending a massive wave of ripples across North American high-society channels. This specific public reaction was the exact political reason why Lucy had chosen to stay back at the mansion tonight.

I scan the nearby faces, my bright blue eyes instantly landing on another man I happen to know all too well. Alex Renaldo and I happen to lock eyes across the short physical distance separating our enclosures. He tracks the two beautiful women currently attached to my arms, a faint smile of complete defeat crossing his lips. He offers a slow, respectful nod of his head toward me, prompting me to match the gesture with a calm nod of my own. He appears to be attending the event alongside a woman I recognize as his second wife, though I notice his posture is still subtly angled closer to Ana Zi's position.

Kim, keenly witnessing the intense silent interaction shared between the two of us, subtly tightens her fingers around my right elbow, a warm smile gracing her lips as she looks up at my face. She gracefully tiptoes up close to my ear, her soft breath tickling my skin as she whispers.

"I am very proud of how you have treated him. You are a fair gentleman. Thanks, for defending my reputation."

[Here she is everyone, give it up for Kate Kooooong!]

Every single overhead light fixture inside the massive stadium instantly went completely black, plunging the arena into a brief, absolute darkness before a brilliant array of laser lights began to cut through the shadows, shining down onto the center stage. Slowly, a cluster of powerful spotlights illuminated a single, pristine figure dressed entirely in white, her eyes closed as she prepared to sing.

The music of her first song started to ramp up as an exciting beat made the stadium lights start to move in complex, sweeping patterns across the massive crowd. Then her eyes opened wide and she smiled directly at the lens of the main camera.

Four backup dancers came rushing onto the stage from the side wings, and she immediately began to dance and sing with the five of them moving in perfect synchronization, making the entire stadium crowd erupt into loud cheers.

Kate's first two songs were upbeat originals she had been fastidiously working on for her tour, tracks that would probably make it into the final cut of the upcoming second Vampire film.

The dancers slipped away into the shadows for her third performance, which was a special cover song from this world's version of Elvis Presley, an iconic artist who happened to be a natural blonde in this timeline compared to my last life's black-haired counterpart. She poured her heart into singing Can't Help Falling In Love.

The moment the final note of the classic track ended, she adjusted her microphone and spoke clearly to the camera and the massive audience surrounding her.

[This next one was inspired by my real life hero, so here's my favorite... Waiting For A Hero!]

All during the course of the song, she made a deliberate point to look down into our VIP section and wink at me a couple of times, deeply amusing the women standing right beside me. My Acting Basic skill was working overtime to maintain a deadpan expression, forcing my face not to show a single trace of my absolute embarrassment on live national television.

Then she waved her hand in front of her face, making a show of catching her breath to broadcast that she was putting every ounce of raw energy she had into the performance, but I recognized it as a classic idol trick designed to make the fans feel immense gratitude for her grueling hard work.

[Alright everyone, we are one song away from the new year, so find your loved ones and have them stand by you! This next song is for friends, lovers and family, so enjoy my new cover-single..... Stand By Me!]

Yeah, the arrangement of this song sounded a bit different from what I remembered, but it was an absolute monster of a hit in my last world, sung by countless legendary vocalists over the decades. Hearing it channeled through Kate's exceptionally sexy, melodic voice, I found myself genuinely looking forward to the delivery.

[Stand by me, oh, stand by me Oh, stand, stand by me♪ Stand by me If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall♪ Or the mountain should crumble to the sea I won't cry, I won't cry♪ No, I won't shed a tear Just as long as you stand Stand by me♪ And darling, darling Stand by me, oh, stand by me♪]

Her striking red eyes locked onto mine a few distinct times during the key emotional parts of the lyrics. I could easily tell she was using the performance to express pure, unadulterated joy in finally reuniting with me after all these years. Listening to the words, I felt an uncanny sensation, almost as if I were actively reliving my preteen years all over again.

Then the reality hit my brain—this was Kate Kong, the massive superstar woman who had just told the entire industry that my actions inspire her acting and her songs. I felt a complex mixture of being deeply touched and intensely embarrassed that my simple protective choices back in our childhood had ended up moving a mountain of fans worldwide, including my own current self.

Clap Clap Whistle Clap!

The final chorus faded out, and the moment her song ended she offered a deep, respectful bow to the entire stadium and the red light of the camera.

[Just 5 more minutes everyone so I will pass the baton to the lovely Ana, thanks for loving me everyone, and Happy New Year, Ufufu.]

While Kate was actively wrapping up her final waving to the screaming fans and turning to leave the center stage, Ana Zi seamlessly took over the broadcast tracking. She began interviewing a couple of big-time celebrities and high-profile entertainers standing nearby, finding out their specific New Years Eve wishes. Within moments, Ana glided over toward our specific group, and the main camera immediately focused its lens on all of us.

[And this here is my boss, fufu, Mrs Victoria Long, so what are your wishes this year, Boss?]

Victoria, her purple eyes gleaming with anticipation as she waited for this exact pre-planned moment, stepped closer to speak directly into the microphone.

[This year, I want to hope for good health for me, my husband Rick Tang, and the rest of my family.]

Victoria then leaned in and firmly pressed her lips against mine, ensuring the camera caught the intimate kiss in perfect clarity for the broadcast. Even though Ana had explicitly addressed her as Mrs Long just a second before, the consummate actress simply maintained a brilliant, excited smile for the lens, acting as if she had just stumbled upon a piece of juicy gossip. Then, to my absolute surprise, she thrust the microphone directly toward my face.

[Mr Rick Tang, I guess you are my boss now too, fufu, what wish do you have?]

My Acting Basic skill felt completely natural the exact second the metal microphone came into my space, making it remarkably easy for me to roll with the live pressure. I deliberately channeled the smooth charm and humility of some of the leading men from my past world, maintaining a humble demeanor for the viewers.

[Thanks Ana, I am not your boss, ha-ha, no actually I think we will work together in the future, so I wish you luck. For my wish?! I want my beautiful wife Vicky's wish to come true. And to my family at home, I love you.]

Ana looked genuinely surprised by how smoothly I had counter-praised her on screen, clearly feeling that my performance delivery was significantly better than it had been during my last commercial shoot. She beamed at the lens and made her announcement.

[Well that was the last two wishes everyone, now get your cups at home and join in the countdown, it is coming soon!]

At this exact moment, Kate had made her way down from the main stage, standing right next to Ana to co-host the absolute final moments of the broadcast. Both of the women were handed sealed plastic wine cups by the production assistants so they could toast with the entire nation.

All of my party members received their respective cups as well, the liquid catching the colored lights. Then Ana and Kate took turns alternating the numbers for the final live countdown.

[Here we go everyone! 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!]

GONG GONG GONG!

The loud, resonance of the massive pipes began ringing in the new year across the arena, and every single one of us immediately clinked our cups with those standing around us. Mei, Kim, Mercy, Kate, Ana, Vick, and I all touched our plastic rims together in a tight circle, before swiftly drinking down the wine.

As soon as she swallowed her last sip, Vicky casually handed her empty cup to Mei, immediately wrapping her slender arms tightly around my neck to claim her traditional dance and kiss.

Victoria was remarkably thorough to completely dispel any remaining disbelievers in the crowd, passionately kissing my mouth while we moved together on the stadium floor, leaving absolutely no room for anyone to deny our marriage. Looking around, I could tell a lot of wealthy high-society men in the surrounding VIP boxes were probably contemplating paying an immediate one million dollars to Blood Demon just to end my life tonight!

The moment she stepped back, Mei and Mercy both stepped into my space in sequence, each receiving the exact same traditional dance and a gentle, loving kiss to openly show my devotion to them.

I made sure to share a polite, respectful dance with Kim, Kate, and even Ana to celebrate the turning of the year, but we kept it strictly to dancing with absolutely no kissing involved.

The moment the formal celebration segments finally wound down, I pulled out my smartphone and used Harem-Chat to send a unified call to all of my wonderful lovers staying back at the estate, wishing them a happy New Year and telling them exactly how much I loved them.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket, looking at the smiles of the women surrounding me under the falling balloons. This next year was undeniably going to be significantly better than the last, packed full of deep love, upcoming babies, and an entirely new horizon of events unfolding in my life.

Happy New Year!