My Wealthy Ex-Girlfriend Knelt and Begged Me to Come Back [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 57

“Whether a film can make a profit, and its future return rate, is never fixed,”

Qiu Miaoran lowered her gaze, her voice calm. When she looked up again, her dark, phoenix-like eyes shifted to lock onto Ji Jiayu.

“But Miss Ji is my friend. If it’s a project she’s involved in, I could consider… having the investment manager follow up with due diligence.”

—It’s not that she’s interested in the film itself, but in the person. Because she’s a friend, she’s willing to consider providing financial support.

Qiu Miaoran was the epitome of a rational economic person: risk-averse yet profit-driven. Even in venture capital, she would carefully assess whether the expected returns justified the high risk.

Yet, if Ji Jiayu said a single word, she would immediately agree to invest…

After all, money can’t buy a beautiful smile.

“Qiu, you’re giving me so much face? Then I advise against investing… after all, who can predict the box office?”

Ji Jiayu lifted her chin slightly, her bright eyes curved, lips curling into a small smile.

“Don’t go pouring money in just because I’m a friend. If it fails, I’d feel so guilty~”

Assistant Xiaoyao: “……”

Sister Rong: “……” Actually, Qiu has already spent a lot just removing trending searches and buying dresses for you. 🙂

“Oh,” Qiu Miaoran lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment, then nodded lightly. “You’re right.”

“Then… goodbye.”

She turned and left, her high heels clicking crisply against the tiles, without hesitation, without a glance back.

Qiu Miaoran entered the elevator, pressed -2, and retrieved her car in the underground parking lot.

Half an hour later, she drove back to Qiushui Venture Capital Group.

On the top floor, in the CEO’s office, Qiu Miaoran opened the door.

“CEO Qiu, this afternoon’s meeting has been moved forward,” Assistant Li said, glancing at his watch. “It starts in an hour and a half.”

“I treated her as just an ordinary friend earlier. The effect wasn’t bad,” Qiu said.

This time, she could finally see a flicker of genuine expression on Ji Jiayu’s delicate face.

Her expression was no longer blank, her eyes no longer hollow, but slightly widened with her eyebrows lifted.

Ji Jiayu seemed a little surprised, making her small, exquisite face appear even more delicate.

This time, Ji Jiayu’s eyes probably had her…

How do you pursue a girl whose heart belongs to someone else?

—There’s only one answer: not through simple flattery, but by giving her a unique experience. Make her feel joy for you, sadness for you, disappointment for you, curiosity about you.

Arouse her emotions…

Grasp that, and the person in her heart will eventually be you.

Though difficult, as a pursuer, one should be grateful: at least her heart belongs to only one person, not many…

“Your method is indeed commendable,” Qiu Miaoran said after some thought.

Assistant Li scratched his head humbly. “It’s not my credit. It’s your outstanding work ability, CEO Qiu. By the way, what exactly did you do?”

“She tried a new role, and her assistant asked me if I wanted to invest. I said, ‘Consider it,’ but she didn’t want me to,” Qiu replied.

“I nodded and agreed. She’s right. Past renowned directors had both successes and failures, but the sample size is too small. Such risks are unpredictable. Indeed, I shouldn’t invest in her new film.”

Assistant Li: “……” He just wanted to recite a poem… so many worries.

“Sometimes, women may just be saying things—they don’t really mean it,” Assistant Li sighed, beginning his lecture.

“Like when my girlfriend goes shopping. She sees a bag and says, ‘Ah, this bag is beautiful. I kind of like it, but it’s new and full price. Honey, I don’t want it, let’s go.’ At such times…”

Qiu Miaoran’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. A sharp glint flashed on her golden glasses. She seemed to instantly understand. “I should buy it for her?”

Assistant Li nodded, gave a thumbs-up. “Well done, CEO Qiu. Very insightful!”

Qiu Miaoran lowered her brow, troubled. “But… I refused her just now.”

“That works too…” Assistant Li added, “Not buying it on the spot, but quietly getting it, then giving it to her as a surprise—that’s also a romantic approach~”

Qiu Miaoran: “It’s not too late now.”

“As long as you haven’t missed it, it’s never too late,” said Assistant Li.

—As long as you haven’t missed it, it’s never too late.

Just like her relationship with Ji Jiayu: although they had broken up, it also meant that abnormal aspects of their past were over.

From now on, every day is a new start.

She hasn’t missed the chance with Ji Jiayu.

Everything is not too late.

“You’ve been making a lot of sense recently. Double your bonus this month,” Qiu said, holding the memory card she had taken from Ji Jiayu earlier, fingers stroking it.

She suddenly hoped tonight’s schedule could be free,

So she could appear at the film company’s evening banquet, make a bold investment in a movie, and give Ji Jiayu a surprise.

The principle is the same as Assistant Li’s “buying the bag” lesson:

—You think I refused you, but when you face cold looks from producers and companies, I stand up and help you at your most difficult moment.

Small tricks are learned, but the intention to pursue you is genuine…

Qiu Miaoran: “Is tonight’s schedule clear?”

“There’s a small meeting,” Assistant Li nodded. “It can be postponed.”

Qiu Miaoran glanced at him. Her voice was calm. “What I asked you recently—don’t tell anyone else.”

“Of course. CEO Qiu’s matters are strictly confidential!” Assistant Li replied quickly, almost fainting from the thought of double bonuses, lips curling into a mysterious smile.

—Recently, I’ve suddenly understood so much. It’s all thanks to the app my girlfriend recommended. So many love tactics inside! Promotions and raises from now on rely on this!

…

Meanwhile, when Ji Jiayu, Ji Chen, and Qiu Miaoran sat in the police car that night, passersby took photos. Coincidentally, they were posted online today.

#Help, saw a female star being taken away by police on the street last week!!#

#Female celebrity surnamed Ji suspected of detention#

Such a trivial incident became a trending topic.

Trolls sprang up:

【OMG, Ji Jiayu is such a shrew!! Actually hit someone and got cuffed on the spot! Can you believe it… still considered a quality idol and best supporting actress?】

【Scandalous celebrity, violent behavior, Ji Jiayu get out of the entertainment industry!!】

【I think this Ji celebrity is just a little gangster. Did she even finish high school? Maybe not even middle school? Skipped the nine years of compulsory education?】

…

Fans defending her jumped out:

【Idiot trolls, nmsl】

【Laughable. Who did Ji Jiayu fight? Were your eyes CCTV cameras?】

【Hilarious. I think you’re the uneducated ones. [Photo] 2018 Film Academy graduation photo, blur on your face.】

【Clarification: just saw fans at the scene. Black fans trying to frame her. She went to the station with her friend to give a statement, not her fault. Skin flawless, like a fairy in the dim streetlight [street photo.jpg]】

【Even in the photo, she’s beautiful. Hope she posts more selfies!!】

【Did anyone notice the third person in the photo, standing next to Ji Jiayu? They look good together!!】

【I dream that the scholar Ji Chen, Qiu Miaoran of Qiushui Venture Capital, are fighting over Ji Jiayu’s affections… hehe…】

【Xiaoyu, just take both women~ someone write this~】

…

Ji Jiayu put down her phone, scanning the trending topic: #Female celebrity surnamed Ji suspected of detention#

“Jiayu, shouldn’t we clarify this?” her assistant asked.

“No need… such trending topics are brainless, likely paid trolls from rivals,” Ji Jiayu sneered. “If we clarify, it wastes public resources and they’ll just label us marketing manipulators.”

“Clear-minded wins in the end. Tonight, showing up at Chengda Film’s banquet will be enough. Such smear campaigns are insignificant.”

“True… haha…” Assistant scratched her head.

“Fine. Take the new contract, the original documents, and the script. Tonight we go meet them,” Sister Rong said coldly, smiling slyly.

“If there’s no justice, we’ll crash their banquet.”

Around six in the evening, Hilton Hotel.

In a corner of the banquet hall, Feng Yalan was surrounded by two assistants—one photographing her candidly, the other adjusting lighting. Her manager followed, blocking the elevator door.

She posed like a queen, holding a highball glass.

“No elevator for anyone else,” the hotel staff muttered, frustrated.

“Unbelievable,” another staff member whispered. “I’m organizing the venue. Elevator blocked. Thought a VIP was coming. I don’t even know who she is…”

“She must be a female celebrity. The top ten film companies’ summer banquet booked the 15th-floor hall,” one staffer murmured.

“She came so early. Not that pretty…”

Assistant snapped: “She’s posing, you don’t see? The hotel service is poor!”

An hour later, attendees began arriving.

On the hotel’s first-floor lobby, staff directed people.

“Excuse me,” came a sweet, crisp voice. “Where is the top ten film companies’ summer banquet?”

The server was stunned. A petite girl in a black strapless dress, slender collarbones visible, with clear, bright eyes.

Server pointed: “Left elevator, 15th floor, Hall 1.”

Ji Jiayu smiled lightly. “Thank you~”

Her high heels clicked away.

“Is she a celebrity?” staff whispered. “So pretty…”

“Yes…” a passing woman admired. “Much prettier than the one blocking the elevator earlier. Sweet voice, no arrogance.”

…

“Producer Cheng,” Director Zhang pointed to the actress, “This is Teacher Yalan. She’ll play our female lead, Wei Jiajia.”

On the audition day, Producer Cheng had observed and was clearly dissatisfied with Feng Yalan’s performance. Coughing, he said, “Wasn’t someone else originally…”

—Originally another person? Why swap for Feng Yalan last minute?

Feng Yalan quickly interrupted, hiding the fact that she had replaced Ji Jiayu.

“Producer Cheng, you were there that day too. No wonder you seemed familiar~”

She spotted a man in the distance, and called sweetly, “Ah… President Song, why are you here?”

Song Zheng approached, leaned against Feng Yalan, secretly placing his other hand on her waist. “Came to see you…”

Producer Cheng frowned. Excellent producers prioritize scripts and actors. Clearly, he had not approved Feng Yalan’s audition before.

The moment Song Zheng appeared, Cheng understood why Director Zhang agreed to swap the role: to secure investment.

Cheng was annoyed. Art shouldn’t be sacrificed for investment.

The heels clicked closer.

“Everyone here?” Ji Jiayu held a stack of documents: prior contracts, the original script, revised inconsistent agreements.

She slammed them on the table with a “bang.”

“I want Producer Cheng and Director Zhang to explain…”

Her light brown eyes were calm, like still water.

Cheng and Zhang awkwardly looked at each other, unable to speak.

Zhang finally said, “Some matters aren’t just up to the director…”

“Exactly,” Feng Yalan added, glancing at Ji Jiayu. “Miss Ji… you’re busy with trending topics and marketing…”

Her words, under the guise of being a “senior,” were actually insulting Ji Jiayu.

Sighing, she said, “You’re new. Not knowing film industry rules is normal.”

“Really?” Ji Jiayu smiled faintly. “I don’t know the rules, or maybe you know them too well, Teacher Feng? Twice snatching others’ roles, enjoying what you stole?”

Ji Jiayu ripped off the mask in front of the director and producer.

—Feng Yalan, backed by capital, snatched her scripts and roles twice, unbearable.

Ji Jiayu now had her “best supporting actress” title and representative work. She had the confidence to confront them fully.

Nearby, Song Zheng adjusted his collar. “It’s Miss Ji…”

Since earlier, his eyes never left Ji Jiayu.

She wore a black strapless dress, perfectly outlining her curves.

The black silk hugged her chest, making her skin appear fair and smooth. Long legs, slim waist, rounded hips…

Delicate collarbones beneath the straps.

Song Zheng felt his mouth dry.

—No wonder Qiu Miaoran, heartless as she is, lingered over this little woman after experiencing her… Having tasted the best, one wants more. No other woman compares to this girl.

A natural beauty… just looking at her makes you desire her.

“Since we are all acquainted,” Song Zheng clicked his tongue, “why not discuss calmly, Producer Cheng, Director Zhang?”

Feng Yalan’s eyes widened, red with jealousy. “President Song… it was pre-arranged, why discuss~”

She swayed against him.

Song Zheng snapped back to reality—still had a mistress here.

Feng Yalan, a celebrity, had to hide affairs. Her clinginess clearly showed jealousy.

Song Zheng felt a surge of pleasure, restraining her at the banquet, his long scarred eye gleaming.

“Not happy today?”

Guests trembled, fearing capital. No one dared expose the affair.

Feng Yalan blushed, leaning on him.

Leverage was clear.

Ji Jiayu stepped aside, lightly clapping.

“No wonder Feng Yalan likes snatching roles… enjoying what’s stolen, not caring if it’s dirty~”

Feng Yalan glared, “You…”

Before she could speak, urgent footsteps came from behind the screen.

“Bitch!” a shrill voice yelled.

“Comfortable lying in my husband’s arms, huh? You slut!”

Red wine poured over Feng Yalan’s head, dripping down her hair.

Flashes went off—this would make headlines.

—Feng Yalan had repeatedly used trolls to disparage Ji Jiayu. Karma had returned.

Ji Jiayu could clarify and cleanse her reputation. Feng Yalan never could.

Assistant Xiaoyao and Sister Rong emerged from behind the screen.

Xiaoyao tapped Ji Jiayu’s shoulder, whispering, “That’s Mrs. Song, daughter of the Chen family in Jing city, cousin to Chen Yiying…”

“Also President Song’s wife…”

“Did we invite her?” Ji Jiayu whispered.

“No,” Sister Rong’s sly smile revealed.

Before Feng Yalan reacted, wine soaked her. She tried to respond, but the bottle had already drenched her.

She went berserk, trying to grab Mrs. Song’s hair.

The two women fought, slapping and pulling hair.

Song Zheng scowled, restraining Feng Yalan. “Shameful. Stop here…”

“Song Zheng, you cheat behind my back and now protect her? You’re shameless!”

Tonight, Mrs. Song discovered Song Zheng’s multiple affairs and the cover-ups.

Mrs. Song spat: “Shameless!”

Hotel staff and Song Zheng’s bodyguards intervened, separating the women.

Song Zheng turned, addressing the onlook.

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