Just after practicing dance, Beyoncé was drenched in sweat, steam rising from her body.
With the addition of the ambiguous atmosphere, the temperature rose further.
"I don't know what the future holds; it's a gray fog to me..." She cupped Leon's chin, her eyes full of deep affection. "Cold treatment is my bottom line. If Jay-Z makes me a joke in the eyes of fans across America, then my marriage with that bastard will come to an end."
Great!
It should have been like this long ago!
Leon almost blurted out his inner thoughts due to excitement.
Jay-Z's enormous wealth was more famous than his musical achievements. In 2010, he even got the opportunity to have lunch with Warren Buffett, the helm of Berkshire Hathaway.
Two people who seemed unlikely to have lunch together sat in a restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska.
Forbes magazine highly praised this gathering, quoting the famous writer Macaulay to evaluate Jay-Z:
"The only thing that makes a man a man, the only unique thing, is his mind. As for everything else, you can find it in a pig or a horse."
Ace of Spades Champagne, D'Ussé Cognac, Uber, Roc Nation...
Forbes attributed Jay-Z's success to great thinking and strategic vision.
In Leon's view, these irrelevant praises from the media were all Bullsht!
Beyoncé was the biggest help in achieving Jay-Z's crown; she was the one who crowned him.
The Ace of Spades Champagne, popular all over the United States, was just an obscure product produced by a small French winery in 2006.
Jay-Z first showed this brand in the MV of his single Show Me What You Got released that year.
Later, he stated many times that he invested in this brand because of his wife's preference for Ace of Spades Champagne.
There was no profit component involved.
In this way, he not only utilized celebrity influence but also created the persona of a doting husband.
Making this expensive champagne priced at $300 quickly become popular...
Since then, Jay-Z, having tasted the sweetness, tried every means to maintain this persona.
Giving pigeon-egg diamond rings, giving out-of-print cars, giving artworks, giving luxury houses...
Transforming the public image of the "First Couple of Entertainment" into commercial traffic, creating a perfect business model.
"I don't know what to say, but I hope you are happy, baby..."
Leon stroked Beyoncé's dark golden long hair, and as soon as his hand touched her, his mouth was blocked.
Beyoncé's voice was as soft as silk, the light in her eyes flickering intensely.
"Give it to me..."
"It doesn't seem appropriate right now..." Leon pointed to the door of the dance studio. "There might be people outside; it's not safe to do this..."
"Don't worry, honey~ I have a way."
Beyoncé curled her lips into a wicked smile, walked to the stereo, and pressed the play button.
The brisk rhythm of Love on Top sounded. This was the lead single from her new album 4 this year, a love song integrating R&B.
Before Leon could react to what was happening, a pair of denim hot pants flew onto his hand.
The perfect dark golden body before him was only covered by a nylon bodysuit and black lace panties.
"Turn the volume up to the max, so no one will know what we are doing."
Beyoncé winked her left eye playfully, her body swaying to the rhythm.
Love on Top is a fast-paced love song, and the choreography adhered to the powerful movements Beyoncé personally excelled at.
Fast abdominal isolations, precise locking, and her signature hair flipping were full of impact.
"What the hell..." Leon was incoherent, shocked by the scene before him.
The dance studio had mirrors on three sides, and every mirror reflected Beyoncé's perfect posture.
By observing these mirrors, one could admire her dancing from any angle.
The scene was as magical as being in a kaleidoscope world.
Before Leon could sigh, the black nylon bodysuit was thrown at him.
Sweat slid down her slender neck, paused briefly in the hollow of her collarbone, and disappeared into the shadows along her full bust line.
"How is it, Pretty Boy?" Beyoncé extended her arm to hook around his neck.
"This is the best live performance I've ever seen, I swear to God!"
This was the time Leon respected God the most; every letter was true emotion.
Twenty minutes later, the two lay on the floor of the dance studio, both panting heavily.
"I wish time could stop at this moment forever." Beyoncé supported herself on the ground with her right hand, holding her head.
"Me too..."
"If it were you, you would never let me fall into pain and torture, right?"
"Of course..." Leon's eyes were vacant. He turned over and took a cigarette from his jacket pocket.
Lit it, puffing smoke.
Wondering what he was thinking.
"Oops, we seem to have stayed together for too long!"
Beyoncé looked at the time on her phone and quickly got up.
Fortunately, she could use rehearsing the dance for Bang Bang as an excuse. She had confirmed that she would perform this song at the Grammy Awards ceremony next February.
And Leon was not only the creator of this work, but every dance move in the MV was designed by him.
It was perfectly reasonable to transform into a dance teacher to tutor Beyoncé individually.
At that time, Beyoncé, Taylor, and Cardi B would perform on the same stage.
December 24th, 12:00 PM. Leon sat on the sofa holding coffee.
A copy of The New York Times was by his hand, and he glanced at the stock trend on his phone from time to time.
Taylor was sitting on the floor organizing items in the suitcases. Four oversized suitcases were opened in unison, and clothes were scattered all over the floor in a mess.
An hour ago, she had just returned to New York by plane. While still on the plane, she kept rambling over the phone about bringing many gifts for Leon.
"Do you like this necklace? Every tooth is inlaid with colored gems. I customized it at a jewelry store in Atlanta. Every rapper loves this."
Taylor showed a necklace made of fine diamonds and platinum. In the open mouth of a lion, every tooth was made of colored gems of different colors.
"I'm not some damn rapper." Leon shook his head. "My jewelry cabinet is already full of those necklaces you bought me. These expenses are unnecessary."
Being lectured for giving a gift, Taylor rolled her eyes at him unhappily.
But suddenly she curled her lips again, revealing a fox-like smile. "Are you asking me to watch household expenses, honey?"
"That's right."
Leon didn't know how to continue for a moment, so he could only go along with her.
His current assets and liquid funds were at least $200 million. If he really married Taylor, their total assets would easily exceed $400 million.
Buying a diamond necklace was as easy as an ordinary person buying a pet leash.
"I'm so happy to hear you say that, but today is not a day for saving."
Taylor pointed to the Christmas tree. Leon had originally hung a dozen gift boxes there.
But now, because of her return, the Christmas tree was piled up so high that only the top tip was visible.
"Try this on quickly; I shopped for a long time to pick it for you!" Taylor picked up a pink hoodie with cartoon patterns printed on it.
"Oh God."
Leon held his forehead, looking hopeless. "Can I refuse?"
"Why?"
"Do you think it's appropriate for me to wear this color?"
The notorious Street Jesus wearing a pink cartoon hoodie was no different from wearing women's clothes directly in the public eye.
The sense of disconnect was too strong.
"Of course it suits you! This is the most popular color right now. Justin Bieber led this trend! Trust me, you'll be very different from before!"
After Taylor used all methods of coquetry, coercion, and temptation, Leon reluctantly put on the hoodie.
Standing in front of the mirror, suppressing the urge to slap himself hard.
"Damn Canadian white boy..."
After the Speak Now World Tour came to an end in late November, Taylor had been busy accepting interviews all over the United States, talking about the behind-the-scenes stories of this year's grand tour.
During this period, she also had to shuttle back and forth to Nashville, returning to Big Machine Records to record the new album.
Leon also happened to be in the period of new song explosion. besides his own promotion plan, he also had to take care of other singers under his banner.
Their rest times barely overlapped.
Until the Christmas holiday arrived, the tight spring finally relaxed.
Even so, Leon kept making and receiving calls in front of Taylor.
Warning Frankie to control his pants and not let Ariana's schedule after Christmas go wrong.
"You're still the same, your head is full of work..." Taylor threw a white turtleneck sweater on the floor, pouting.
"Can't help it. I have to be responsible for Little A. That girl put in unknown efforts to get to where she is now."
In the latest Billboard Hot 100 released five days ago, 7 Rings rose significantly to rank tenth.
This wave of popularity boosted Ariana's name even more than Señorita.
Compared with the first hit single, this original work fits her image better.
Sweet, sexy, willful, pure...
The contradictory girl image made her explode in popularity among the teenage group.
Apocalypse Music's promotion resources were limited, and Leon didn't want to lower the ceiling of this work because of himself.
Nasdaq screen and New York subway ads were basic operations. He also designed a unique promotion plan for Ariana.
Holding high-frequency Livehouse performances in cities like Los Angeles and Boston, with venues located in areas dense with higher education institutions.
Ticket prices were suppressed to the lowest, gaining favor with young people regardless of cost.
In this issue of the singles chart, Leon squeezed Rihanna's We Found Love down with Blinding Lights' slight lead in radio data, reclaiming the top spot.
We Don't Talk Anymore and Old Town Road ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Of the three arrows shot at the Christmas holiday, only Panda failed to hit the target, just one step away from the top ten.
Occupying four seats in the top ten basically achieved the goal Leon had set before.
Wait until the physical record of Not Like Us is officially released after Christmas, Street Jesus's influence on the chart will continue to expand.
The terrifying hit-making ability made even the most venomous critics shut their mouths obediently.
After Michael Jackson faded out of the entertainment industry, basically no male singer could achieve such terrifying dominance.
Probably only Eminem and Lil Wayne in their prime could knock on the door.
"Little A, Little A... You are actually thinking about other girls on Christmas Eve." Taylor lay on her side on the floor, her long legs white and straight.
She batted her long eyelashes and teased, "When will you be responsible for me?"
"I want to do it now too..." Leon reached out to climb up her long legs. "But don't you have a performance at CBS tonight?"
"Oops!" Taylor shivered immediately, searching for her phone in the pile of messy clothes.
"Scott must be worried sick..."
"I have to go, honey."
Taylor stood by the Christmas tree and tucked her hair. "I'm curious what surprise you prepared for me tonight, honey..."
"You will definitely like it."
As soon as Taylor left, Leon's mouth immediately switched to a sinister smile.
He picked up his phone and called Gary—"It's time."
After hanging up, he turned on the vinyl record player, and the Soul King Ray Charles's classic voice Hit the Road Jack came out.
Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more
Leon hummed along with the vinyl record player while tidying up the Christmas tree leisurely.
Sprinkled the prepared flower petals all over the white bed sheet.
Laid the tablecloth, took the prepared ingredients out of the refrigerator.
According to the recipe Taylor got from her mother, stuffed the turkey with spices and potatoes, gave the chicken a simple massage, and sent it into the oven.
Ten minutes later, his cell phone rang. The caller was Phil.
"Motherfker!! Something big happened, turn on the computer quickly!"
"Don't rush... It's Christmas Eve today, relax..." Leon tilted his neck to hold the phone, cutting onions while responding casually.
"Sht! Santa Claus sent you a big gift!" Phil was so excited that his voice cracked. "Open Pornhub! You'll understand everything I said!"
"Alright, alright, I got it."
Leon walked slowly to the computer. As soon as he opened the website, he saw the familiar black figure on the trending list.
His smile spread from the corner of his mouth to his ears, muttering to himself, "Hope you like it..."
After appreciating it for only about five minutes, refreshing again showed the video had been taken down.
But it was already too late—this 1 hour and 23 minutes video had long been saved by netizens and spread virally on social media.
Although the clarity was outrageously low, almost everyone who had seen this video concluded that the male lead was Jay-Z.
The video rushed to the number one trending spot in a very short time. Things having come to this, he had to stand up and refute the rumor.
"The man in the video is not me at all. I swear to God on my soul!"
At the same time, his PR team acted quickly, sending lawyer letters warning the social media accounts with the highest number of retweets one by one.
A large number of paid posters were mobilized to spread news denying the fact that the male lead in the video was Jay-Z.
"This is a premeditated smear!"
"This video was produced by a professional team!"
"This is a crime!"
They claimed that the video was produced by a professional team, including the dialogues in the video which were imitated by professional actors.
At this moment, Jay-Z was holding his phone, trembling, extremely thankful that he was an ordinary-looking black man with no tattoos on his body.
But before he could wake up from one nightmare, he immediately fell into another—more than a dozen high-definition pictures began to spread crazily, appearing in unison in tabloids and social media.
So clear that it was as if there was a third participant in the room, taking pictures right in his face with a camera.
The identity of the female lead, Rachel, also came to light.
At this point, Leon's plan was half complete.
Just need to wait for things to ferment and produce wonderful results.
He walked to the balcony and stretched, leaning against the railing to light a cigarette.
Glancing down, the street was full of cheerful and lively Christmas elements, and the sunlight was blinding.
The sound of bells and Christmas carols rippled in every corner of the air, celebrating the eve of the birth of the Son of God.
Ring ring ring—At this time, the phone rang again. The caller was Beyoncé.
Answering the phone, no sound came from the earpiece.
"Are you okay, Beyoncé? I'm very sorry to hear about those things..."
"These storms will pass soon."
"You knew about those things long ago, didn't you? You are the strongest lady I have ever seen. Everything will be fine."
About a minute later, Beyoncé's desperate sobbing came from the other end of the phone.
The first Diva of the new era couldn't even say a complete sentence, completely losing her goddess-like brilliance on stage.
"God... This is the worst Christmas Eve I have ever experienced..."