Boss Zhong spent the entire afternoon inspecting the Warm Summer Sweet Tea production team and found that everything was progressing smoothly.
Qiu Fang had been managing the crew well, and the director had arranged the filming schedule efficiently.
That evening, Boss Zhong met with Producer Qiu Fang, the director and the vice president of distribution, who had just arrived that evening, for dinner with Kuang Xiaoyun, the general manager of Big Fat Goose Platform, and Jim, the general manager of Big Fat Goose Film & TV.
The visit to Hengdian was just a cover for checking in on the production team.
In reality, Zhong Liyan came specifically to meet these two people.
Warm Summer Sweet Tea had already signed a distribution deal with Jianghai Television, 30 episodes at 2 million yuan per episode, scheduled for a winter break release.
As for the online streaming rights, they were now in the final negotiation phase with major platforms.
The team favoured Big Fat Goose Platform, as they had better communication regarding both pricing and scheduling.
So this meeting was mainly to finalise a few revenue-sharing details before moving on to the contract signing, wrapping up the first round of distribution.
Under normal circumstances, Ju Li wouldn’t have been qualified to attend this dinner.
But since Qiu Fang had assumed she was Boss Zhong’s relative, she naturally included her when arranging the seating.
Zhong Liyan didn’t bother correcting such minor assumptions, so Ju Li managed to slip in.
For most film and television companies, streaming platforms were absolute bosses, the almighty buyers funding productions.
But Zhanyun Media, the company selling the drama, had a track record of producing either hit dramas or ratings darlings.
Even their low-budget web series frequently went viral, making waves across audiences.
Because of this, streaming platforms had always been polite to Zhanyun Media. For high-quality productions, some platforms even had to compete for the rights to purchase them.
As a result, the atmosphere at dinner was rather balanced, mutual respect, polite conversation, and a harmonious vibe.
Ju Li remained focused on her job, eating while diligently taking notes on her phone.
When the savoury pancake rolls were served, she noticed that Boss Zhong glanced at them several times but never reached for one.
So, she discreetly asked the waiter for a pair of disposable chopsticks. Using a fresh plate, new chopsticks, and gloved hands, she carefully crafted a roll as if it were a piece of artwork.
When Boss Zhong turned his head, he saw her meticulously removing every single bit of garlic, scallions, ginger, and Sichuan pepper from the fillings, leaving behind only meat and vegetables, before wrapping it up perfectly.
As he lifted his gaze to look at her, she pressed one hand on the burrito and pushed the plate toward him with the other, whispering: “Boss, have a roll.”
He pursed his lips without saying a word. Using his chopsticks to press down the wrap, he then picked it up with his fingers and took a bite.
The flavours of the dough, sauce, meat, and vegetables blended harmoniously in his mouth.
He didn’t actually dislike the taste of scallions, ginger, or garlic, he just didn’t enjoy eating them whole.
Every time he picked up food, he would quietly push aside any stray scallions or garlic on his plate.
What surprised him was that, after just a couple of meals together, Ju Li had already noticed this small habit of his.
No one else at the table paid attention to their silent exchange, yet a tiny ripple formed in his mind.
After dinner, the director went back to film night scenes with Team A, while the rest of the group moved to the hotel’s tea lounge to continue negotiations.
This time, Jim from Big Fat Goose Film & TV brought along two young actresses, saying they were recently signed university students from Jiang Opera Academy.
Both had stunning looks and incredible figures.
At the long conference table:
On one side sat Zhong Liyan with Ju Li beside him, while Qiu Fang sat with her executive producer, a young, handsome man.
On the other side, Kuang Xiaoyun (from Big Fat Goose Platform) brought along his business assistant, another young, handsome man.
And Jim, from Big Fat Goose Film & TV, sat with the two gorgeous actresses.
Suddenly, Ju Li felt the harsh reality of contrast.
Everyone else’s assistants were either handsome men or beautiful women.
Just look at those chests, legs, fashionable outfits, big eyes, and small faces…
Meanwhile, as Boss Zhong’s assistant, she didn’t own a Louis Vuitton bag, wasn’t dressed in designer fashion, hadn’t styled her hair to perfection, and, though she was decently pretty, she simply couldn’t compare to these stunning men and women.
She felt like she had embarrassed Boss Zhong. She felt utterly crushed in terms of looks by their business partners.
Heart silently bleeding, she opened Boss Zhong’s notebook and typed ‘Meeting Notes’ at the top of the document, her expression slightly gloomy.
But then, a realisation hit her.
She noticed how different Boss Zhong was from the others.
Look at all these high-ranking executives from powerful companies, shallow fools who only hired people based on looks!
Only Boss Zhong!
His confidence didn’t rely on having an attractive assistant.
He was the kind of man who could exude dominance even while squatting by the roadside eating a steamed bun.
It reminded her of a story about Cao Cao:
When King Wei, Cao Cao, was about to meet the Xiongnu envoy, he knew he wasn’t good-looking.
So he made the handsome Cui Yan pose as him, while he stood beside him with a sword, pretending to be a guard.
After the meeting, Cao Cao sent a spy to ask the envoy what he thought of King Wei.
The envoy replied: “King Wei is very handsome, but the man standing beside him with the sword, that’s the true hero.”
See?!
This is what true heroism looks like!
No need for flashy clothes or fake embellishments!
With this newfound realisation, Ju Li felt much better.
Boss Zhong didn’t hire based on looks, he valued intelligence and ability.
Unable to contain herself, she cast a gaze of admiration toward Boss Zhong. Zhong Liyan turned and caught her intense stare, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion.
If he knew what she was thinking, he’d probably shatter her illusion immediately: Hired for intelligence and ability
Nope.
I just needed someone to take notes and run errands. She was just better than having no one at all.
The meeting concluded, the contract negotiations wrapped up, it was already close to 9 pm.
After working non-stop, Ju Li was so exhausted that she could barely keep her eyes open. In contrast, Boss Zhong remained lively and full of energy, chatting away effortlessly.
She couldn’t help but marvel at how money might actually boost one’s mental stamina.
After the meeting adjourned, Jim, the general manager of Big Fat Goose Films, appeared reluctant to part. At some point, the two girls beside him had dwindled to just one.
The man, barely 1.7 meters tall, awkwardly stretched his arm to drape it over Boss Zhong’s shoulder, forcing a show of camaraderie as they stepped into the elevator together.
Zhong Liyan smoothly sidestepped, avoiding Jim’s attempt at physical contact. His smile remained unchanged, neither overly warm nor distant.
It gave off a sense of friendliness, yet there was an unmistakable air of detachment and authority.
Inside the elevator, Jim continued rambling on about trivial matters. Ju Li asked, “President Jim, which floor are you going to?” but received no response.
So, she simply stood to the side, holding Boss Zhong’s laptop, her expression indifferent as she turned away, saying nothing more.
The young actress beside Jim also remained silent, arms crossed, maintaining a reserved smile, perfectly embodying a decorative vase.
Soon, the group arrived at the 28th floor. Ju Li handed the room card to Boss Zhong and prepared to escort his laptop into the room.
But at that moment, Jim squeezed her aside and leaned in to whisper into Zhong Liyan’s ear.
Meanwhile, the young actress automatically moved to Zhong’s other side.
Ju Li blinked, staring at the three figures ahead. Her steps faltered slightly.
Though she couldn’t fully grasp what was happening, a vague premonition stirred in her heart.
Zhong Liyan suddenly halted, turned back, and gestured for Ju Li to come over.
She quickly snapped to attention, hurried forward, and handed him the laptop. He took it, then turned and continued walking.
The young woman cast a glance at Ju Li, her gaze carrying an indescribable hostility.
Ju Li pursed her lips, glared back, then squared her shoulders and walked back to her own room at a leisurely pace, unlocking the door.
Behind her, Boss Zhong had already reached his door, with Jim and the young actress still lingering nearby.
Jim leaned in, seemingly whispering something to Boss Zhong.
Zhong Liyan said nothing. He merely shifted his gaze toward the young actress. Without pausing, he swiped his card, and with a beep, the door unlocked. With a smooth motion, he pushed the door wide open.
Jim reached out and gave the young actress a slight push on the back. The long-legged woman stepped into Zhong Liyan’s room.
By then, Ju Li had also entered her room. But just before shutting the door, she rushed over to the peephole to sneak a look.
In just that short moment, the hallway had already emptied, leaving only Jim standing there.
Boss Zhong’s door was now shut. Both he and the young actress had disappeared inside.
There was no need for deep analysis, there was no doubt the girl was now in his room.
Ju Li’s eyes widened in disbelief. Had she just personally witnessed an unspoken rule in action?!
She had only been in the workplace for two days!
She was still just a kid…
Clenching her fists, she stared at Boss Zhong’s door for a long moment before finally tossing her bag onto the small tea table.
Slipping into the hotel’s slippers, she still felt dazed.
Now that she was alone, exhaustion hit her like a tidal wave. The thrill of chasing money all day had faded into numbness. Her mind was a chaotic reel, replaying everything that had happened in the past two days.
It had only been two days, yet it felt like two years had passed.
The sheer volume of information, the intensity of everything, it was overwhelming.
She stumbled into the bathroom, rinsed the bathtub, and started filling it with water. No matter what, she was taking a bath tonight. A hot soak was the least she deserved.
After rummaging through the hotel’s amenities for a bit, she walked back to the bathroom, then suddenly recalled the look in that young actress’s eyes when she last glanced at her.
And the way Boss Zhong had reached for the laptop, turning away after taking it.
A strange sense of loss washed over her, followed by an inexplicable sadness.
These big figures would always be worlds apart from her. No matter how physically close they were during work, they ultimately lived in different realities, utter strangers separated by an unbridgeable gap.
Even if they had eaten the buns she bought, even if they had taken the pancakes she wrapped for them, even if they had shared a car ride for hours…
They would never be friends. They would never be even a millimetre closer.
Suddenly, she sobered up again, returning to the rational Ju Li.
She wouldn’t let proximity to wealth and power make her lose herself.
She wouldn’t let her simple life be thrown into disarray by sudden exposure to high-status individuals and their world.
Taking a deep breath, she muttered, “Thank goodness for self-awareness and rationality, they haven’t abandoned me.”
She let out a sigh, took off her shirt, and reached behind her back to unclasp her bra.
Suddenly, a faint sound came from the hallway, making Ju Li’s ears perk up.
She jolted in surprise, darting to the door on tiptoe, and peered through the peephole.
The young girl who had followed Boss Zhong into his room earlier now appeared in the hallway, just two steps away from his door. From her posture, it was clear she had just come out of his room and was walking toward the elevator.
Her long hair was neatly draped over her shoulders, and her long dress remained as smooth and pristine as before, without a single wrinkle. She walked steadily, no limp, no need to support herself against the wall.
How did she come out so quickly?
Ju Li hurriedly grabbed her phone to check the time, only four minutes had passed?
Subtracting the time needed for walking to the bed, undressing and getting dressed again, wouldn’t that leave just about two minutes?
Ju Li had no experience herself, but she’d read plenty of novels.
Was Boss Zhong’s stamina… significantly below average?
Could it be that… he hadn’t actually slept with that actress?
But that girl was so stunning, so hot, and practically delivered to his doorstep. If Boss Zhong were even a remotely normal man, there was no way he wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
That didn’t make sense…
Or… was this the legendary ‘quick shooter’?
And besides…
Looking at that actress, there wasn’t a single trace of dishevelment, no sign that she had just been with a man.
Was Boss Zhong’s performance, his endurance, or perhaps even his size… so utterly disappointing?
Could it be… that the rumors were true… that he was incapable in that regard?
This shocking revelation left Ju Li momentarily dazed, convinced she had just uncovered one of Boss Zhong’s most well-guarded secrets.
Her mind kept swinging between the possibility that he was ‘worse than a beast’ and the fear that she might get ‘silenced’ for knowing too much.
Countless gossip stories flashed through her mind, alongside memories of Boss Zhong’s aloof, unapproachable demeanor and his obsession with cleanliness.
She started to wonder, could it be that he was actually… gay?
The sheer amount of juicy gossip overwhelmed her, leaving her completely absorbed in speculation. So much so that she failed to notice her phone vibrating in her hand, displaying a familiar black-and-white dialogue box.
…
The warm water enveloped her shoulders, sending waves of relaxation through her entire body.
Ju Li couldn’t quite describe the sensation, letting out a long sigh.
A tingling numbness ran across her scalp, making her feel so comfortable she wanted to moan.
She had never realised that soaking in a bathtub could feel so gentle, so blissful.
If only Ju Jing were here, then after she finished, her younger brother could soak too and enjoy it.
She gave a little shiver in the tub, then reached for her phone and opened the [Little Secretary System].
The cash reward for the Tears of a Star mission was still being processed, now at 2/5 progress.
She kissed the screen in satisfaction. At least things were moving along, getting the money was only a matter of time.
Once she had it, she would take her brother to an all-you-can-eat buffet, loading up on the most expensive dishes, drinking nothing but water, and eating until they got their money’s worth!
She’d make Ju Jing eat until he had to hold onto the wall for support.
Then she’d treat him to beef noodle soup, large bowls, extra meat, two servings right away.
She’d also buy that brat some sunscreen, the kind all the girls raved about in their reviews. The spray type, so he could douse himself like bug spray.
By winter, she’d turn him into a proper fair-skinned ‘little white face’ again.
Restore ‘Bai’ Jing’s handsome looks, like back in his school days, refined and charming, with a bunch of girls crowding outside his classroom just to sneak a peek at him during breaks.
And if she really got over 40,000 yuan… then…
Her biggest wish was to rent an apartment near the office.
Could she get a two-bedroom place for 3,000 yuan a month? That way, she and her brother could live together, his workplace was less than three kilometers from her company.
If they lived together, she could boss him around, send him to buy rice, buy oil, carry plates, wash dishes, mop the floor, wipe the table…
As she fantasised, her eyelids grew heavier.
Forcing herself to stay awake, she climbed out of the bath, dried off quickly, threw on her pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed.
Her phone screen still displayed the [Little Secretary System]. She set an alarm before reluctantly opening the new task notification.
Mission: The Future Best Actress’s Door to Dreams, has been triggered.
Mission Description: Solve the president’s troubles and help future Best Actress Qiu Xianyue open the door to her dreams.
Completion Deadline: Within 36 hours.
Mission Rewards: A delightful little cake, a referral bonus from HR, and an exquisite but impractical souvenir.
Would the still-impoverished low-level secretary Ju Li like to accept?
[Yes] [No]
Half-asleep, she muttered, “Damn, Best Actress?”
Were all the mission targets this high-profile?
Her eyelids felt like they were weighed down with iron, sinking lower and lower. Without hesitation, she raised a finger and tapped [Yes], not even bothering to complain about how the system kept calling her a ‘low-level secretary’.
As soon as she accepted, she passed out in seconds.
Under the dim glow of the bedside lamp, the young woman’s fair face rubbed against the pillow as she shifted unconsciously.
Her hand brushed against the bag she had tossed onto the bed.
A small pack of milk tablets peeked halfway out of the bag’s opening.
Beneath the transparent plastic wrapper, the white milk tablets shimmered with a soft glow, their surface hazed with a faint, misty white, mysterious yet enticing.
…
In the latter half of the night, Ju Li slept restlessly.
Outside in the corridor, it sounded as if thousands of galloping horses were thundering past, creating a terrible racket.
She was woken up countless times, and if she weren’t so exhausted, she would have gotten up to call the front desk.
Ju Li frowned and turned over. When she fell back asleep, she dreamed that she was in a primeval forest, with a herd of dinosaurs stampeding past her.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when the heavy, rustling footsteps outside her door woke her again.
Ju Li struggled to sit up, but before she could fully wake, she drifted off once more. This time, she dreamed of being on a battlefield, surrounded by soldiers engaged in bloody combat.
She spent the rest of the night floating between sleep and wakefulness. When the breakfast alarm went off, she groggily sat up, her entire body aching.
A fire burned in her chest, she wanted nothing more than to storm downstairs and argue with the front desk. How could anyone get a good night’s sleep in this hotel?!
But the moment she stepped out the door, her anger dissipated.
Zhong Liyan’s hotel room door was wide open. The moment Ju Li came out, Qiu Fang, who was on the phone in the corridor, spotted her.
Hanging up, Producer Qiu, with a pale face and dry lips, moved them slightly and said in a low voice, “I had breakfast sent to Mr. Zhong’s room. Come and eat something too.”
It was only then that Ju Li learned the reason behind the commotion last night,
The lead actress of Warm Summer Sweet Tea had attempted suicide by overdosing on medication. She had been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, and the production crew had held an urgent meeting through most of the night.
Zhong Liyan hadn’t slept a single minute.
…
How long had it been since he had a proper rest?
How long had it been since he took a real break?
Constantly traveling between cities, working from different locations day after day.
Even a man as tough as Zhong Liyan couldn’t withstand such strain forever. He was resilient, but he wasn’t made of iron.
He was flesh and blood.
The dark circles under his eyes were noticeable. His usually impeccable shirt was slightly wrinkled, and the top three buttons of his collar were undone. Under different circumstances, it might have looked effortlessly seductive, but at this moment, he only appeared ruggedly dishevelled.
He sat behind the desk in his hotel room, countless PPT files spread before him, each one introducing a different actress.
His head was bowed as he flipped through one of them, his brows furrowed, his focused expression carrying a suppressed fury.
When Ju Li walked in, he had just finished reviewing one of the PPTs. He suddenly slammed it onto the desk, leaned back forcefully in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples with both hands.
Qiu Fang, who had entered with Ju Li, pressed her lips tightly together. She had intended to speak but decided to remain silent instead.
The tension in the air was suffocating. It felt as though countless axes and blades were suspended above them, ready to fall at the slightest misstep.
Ju Li took a deep breath, stepped up to his desk, glanced at the scattered documents, and silently began to tidy them up.
Zhong Liyan lifted his gaze to look at her and then said in a deep voice, “Throw them all away.”
“Alright.” She responded swiftly, gathering all the documents into a neat stack before walking over to the shredder and feeding them in one by one.
The only sound in the room was the shredding of paper.
Seeing that Zhong Liyan wasn’t planning to vent his anger, Qiu Fang finally stepped forward and spoke.
“I’ve already spoken with her agent. Both the production crew and the actress’s management company have signed confidentiality agreements to ensure that this incident won’t leak internally.”
News of the lead actress’s suicide attempt had to be contained at all costs. If it got out, the consequences for the production would be disastrous.
“Mm.” Zhong Liyan responded with a single syllable, exhaling a long breath involuntarily.
The atmosphere in the room grew even heavier.
“We’ve already held an emergency meeting with the director. The screenwriter is also assisting us in revising the shooting script. Over the next few days, we’ll focus on filming scenes that don’t require the lead actress, so the schedule won’t be affected for now. However, once a new lead actress is cast, several scenes will have to be reshot…” Qiu Fang continued to report.
Since last night’s incident, they had been handling everything as efficiently as possible to minimise the damage.
Now, they were finally seeing some progress.
“Not bad.” Zhong Liyan nodded. “Does the director have any suggestions for a new lead actress?”
“This happened so suddenly that he doesn’t have any recommendations off the top of his head, especially not someone he knows personally who also happens to be available.” Qiu Fang explained quickly, then added, “I’m currently looking into ongoing productions in Hengdian to see if there’s a suitable candidate.”
Casting was the producer’s responsibility. Qiu Fang had no intention of relying on the director to find a replacement.
As she spoke, she discreetly observed Zhong Liyan’s expression, ready to cry at a moment’s notice.
If he even slightly blamed her, she would cry on the spot.
There was no way she was taking the fall for this. If anyone dared to hold her accountable, she would fight tooth and nail.
But surprisingly, Zhong Liyan didn’t scold her. Even after she reported on several aspects of the situation, he still hadn’t lashed out.
Qiu Fang suddenly realised… Could it be that, despite his terrible temper and notoriously bad attitude… Zhong Liyan was actually somewhat reasonable?
With these thoughts in mind, Qiu Fang, carrying a hint of scepticism, finished her report and left the room to continue the tasks Zhong Liyan had reassigned to her.
As soon as the previous person stepped out of the temporary office, the business representative in charge of product placement entered.
Many advertisers had chosen to invest because of the original lead actress, but now that she had to be replaced, explanations had to be given.
Thus began another round of discussions and decision-making regarding these new problems and their solutions.
Ju Li, busy as ever, alternated between helping colleagues at the door organise their documents and listening to Zhong Liyan dictate emails while drafting them for him.
After a nonstop morning of work, Ju Li realised that she had gradually gained a decent understanding of how the entire production team operated.
After lunch, Zhong Liyan had intended to take a nap, but he still couldn’t find the time.
The replacement of the lead actress meant that a significant portion of the budget needed to be recalculated. The on-site financial officer had spent the entire morning sorting out potential budget changes, additional costs and areas that required attention in budget control.
As soon as the afternoon began, the financial officer rushed into Zhong Liyan’s ‘office,’ afraid that others with reports to give would take his place.
While the boss was discussing numbers with finance, Ju Li discreetly angled her computer screen so Zhong Liyan couldn’t see it. Then, she secretly opened her phone to check the new task: [The Future Best Actress’ Door to Dreams].
The [Little Secretary System] always set targeted tasks, anything that needed to be completed within 36 hours was bound to be relevant to the current situation.
‘Future Best Actress’, paired with ‘the lead actress who committed suicide’, this was an obvious connection. The task was undoubtedly asking her to find a way to get Qiu Xianyue to play the lead role in Warm Summer Sweet Tea, helping her take a major step toward her goal of becoming a top actress.
When the actress introduction PPT was shredded earlier, Ju Li had taken the opportunity to carefully examine the structure of each presentation, what key metrics were highlighted, what angles were used to recommend the actresses.
She had already memorised these patterns.
Now, she followed that logic and started searching for information on Qiu Xianyue.
The moment she clicked on the actress’ Baidu image results, Ju Li froze.
Why did she look so familiar?
Checking her recent projects, she saw that Qiu Xianyue had been working on White Fan Strategist.
Ju Li suddenly smacked her forehead in realisation!
Wasn’t this the same woman who had handed her hot water on set the other day? The one with an air of confidence reminiscent of classic Hong Kong beauties like Joey Wong and Brigitte Lin?
Ju Li suddenly felt a tingling sensation on her scalp.
When she turned her head, she found herself locked in Zhong Liyan’s icy gaze.
She quickly lowered her head, pretending to focus on taking meeting notes, not daring to make any more suspicious movements or noises.
If the boss caught her slacking off and asked her who Qiu Xianyue was, why she was a good fit for the role, she wouldn’t have an immediate answer ready. That would leave a terrible first impression of Qiu Xianyue in Zhong Liyan’s mind.
That wouldn’t do.
From Qiu Xianyue’s posts on Zhihu to the awards she won in school that she posted about on Weibo, even short acting clips she uploaded to Douyin, Ju Li went through everything.
Any relevant information that could be included in a PPT presentation was carefully sorted and integrated. Anything that couldn’t be directly added, she saved to her phone.
Throughout the afternoon, Ju Li worked stealthily, practically embodying a spy. With the same dedication she had when planning how to win over Zhu Jingyi a while back, she completed the PPT before dinner.
During the dinner break, she quietly slipped away to print out the PPT and tucked it into her bag.
Back in the private dining room, she waited for the right moment.
The casting decisions were under Qiu Fang’s jurisdiction. Fang jie had been very kind to her, even before Ju Li joined the production team, she had personally brought her coffee. Since Ju Li started working on Warm Summer Sweet Tea, Fang jie always made sure she had something to eat and drink.
After careful consideration, Ju Li decided to give the actress introduction PPT to Qiu Fang instead.
If she handed it directly to Zhong Liyan, she would not only be overstepping her bounds but also bypassing Qiu Fang and reporting straight to her superior. That could offend Qiu Fang.
Ju Li had already embarrassed the producer Bai Meng back in White Fan Strategist.
Even though her role as a secretary meant she wouldn’t have much direct interaction with Bai Meng, if Bai Meng turned out to be a petty person, Ju Li could find herself in a precarious position.
Moreover, her contributions to the production team of the White Fan Strategist were probably not significant enough to firmly establish herself in the company and secure Zhong Liyan’s trust.
She was just a low-level secretary with no connections and no backing. If she made even one mistake, powerful enemies could seize the opportunity to bring her down. A little manipulation behind the scenes, and she could be out of a job.
…
She waited a long time before finally getting a chance. When Zhong Liyan stepped out to use the restroom, she immediately scooted over to Qiu Fang, smiling. “Fang jie.”
“Hey, how’s the food? Is it to your taste? Our production conditions aren’t the best, but we make do!” Qiu Fang turned to her, speaking with the warmth of an older sister.
“It’s already great,” Ju Li replied sincerely. To her, this was a feast.
“Fang jie, we’re still looking for an actress, right? I have someone in mind, I’d like you to take a look.”
Qiu Fang raised an eyebrow at her words.
Her eyes flickered with interest before she said, “Ah, I was just struggling to find a suitable replacement. Quick, show Fang jie what you’ve got!”
Ju Li saw that not only did she agree, but she also looked eager. Feeling a bit warmed inside, she quickly took out the PPT she had hidden in her bag and handed it over. “Her name is Qiu Xianyue. When I visited the set of White Fan Strategist, a friend told me that her acting skills are top-notch. She just lacks an opportunity, if given one, she’ll definitely become a big star.”
“Oh wow, this girl has such classic beauty.” Qiu Fang took the PPT, glanced at Qiu Xianyue’s photo, and immediately praised her.
The executive producer sitting beside Qiu Fang also leaned in for a look. Qiu Fang turned back and asked, “Right?”
The executive producer looked at Ju Li, then at Qiu Fang, before finally smiling and saying, “She does have the looks of a leading actress.”
Ju Li didn’t know what exactly a “leading actress look” was supposed to be.
But despite Qiu Fang’s enthusiasm, Ju Li still keenly sensed that something was off.
Footsteps sounded from behind the partition of the private room. Qiu Fang quickly put away the PPT and said to her, “I’ll get back to you after I take a proper look.”
“Alright, thanks, Fang jie.” Ju Li replied before getting up and returning to her seat.
However, she felt a subtle discomfort in her heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that… Qiu Fang’s tone was like coaxing a child.
After dinner, Ju Li accompanied Zhong Liyan back to the hotel. As she stepped out of the private room, she turned back and winked at Qiu Fang.
Qiu Fang, understanding, nodded at her, as if making a promise.
…
Long after night had fallen, the lead actress still hadn’t been decided.
Finding a replacement on short notice was difficult. All the top-tier actresses had packed schedules, with some booked for years in advance.
After dinner, Qiu Fang narrowed it down to two second-tier actresses who were filming in Hengdian. When she handed the choices to Zhong Liyan, she was already considering having them split their time between two productions if one was selected.
But even that wasn’t an easy decision. What if juggling two sets affected the quality of the drama?
Zhanyun had always dominated the market through quality. It wasn’t unheard of for actors in their in-house productions to take on two projects simultaneously, but those situations required careful planning well in advance to ensure neither production suffered.
The issue remained unresolved, but everyone was exhausted.
After reporting on two more matters, Qiu Fang left Zhong Liyan’s room with the executive producer.
Throughout the entire process, she didn’t glance once at Ju Li, who had been quietly working beside Zhong Liyan.
Inside the elevator, the executive producer asked, “Fang jie, aren’t you going to recommend the actress Ju Li introduced to Zhong Zong?”
“Recommend what? That kid is just being naive, meddling in real business. When a boss’s relative joins the company, it’s never a good thing. If they just coast along quietly, fine, but the ones trying to prove their presence? The worst.” Qiu Fang snorted impatiently. She added, “I won’t let her mess around in my production. We’ve worked too hard on this project, I won’t have her throwing in some rotten fish to ruin the whole pot. Just find an excuse and brush her off tomorrow.”
The executive producer nodded. Seeing how Qiu Fang had handled the situation, keeping Ju Li happy while ensuring her own work went undisturbed, he felt he had learned something valuable.
…
After Qiu Fang left, Zhong Liyan glanced up at Ju Li, who was still marking documents, and waved her off. “You should go back and rest too.”
Though his tone sounded casual, almost dismissive, Ju Li inexplicably felt that he was worried about her. Maybe he thought a newcomer like her wouldn’t be able to keep up with such a high workload and would burn out.
Or maybe she was just overthinking it. Maybe Boss Zhong simply found her annoying and wanted some peace and quiet.
Either way, Ju Li obediently returned to her room and took a comfortable bath.
She had already started to realise that Qiu Fang probably wouldn’t take her recommendation of Qiu Xianyue seriously. If she wanted this to happen, she’d have to do it herself.
Forget it. No point in struggling, if she had to escalate things, then so be it.
Changing into a white shirt and cropped pants, discarded production costumes she had borrowed from Qiu Fang, she treated it as a symbolic cleansing, a show of respect for the task ahead.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pulled out the brain-boosting milk candy issued by the ‘The Tears of a Star’ mission. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her hands together and made a random prayer toward the candy.
At exactly 9 pm., she was about to embark on yet another nighttime venture, boldly barging into the room of a certain ‘stranger’ who also happened to be an adult man.
Thinking about the difficulty of her task, she murmured while praying, “Oh magical system, help me overcome all obstacles and succeed.”
Overcome Zhong Liyan’s challenge. Conquer Zhong Liyan, the King of Generals.
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