Superstar Assistant [GL] - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Luo Na originally thought the matter was over, but she didn’t expect Yang Ruoyun to stand up and question why she didn’t believe her. Luo Na felt a little surprised and smiled at Yang Ruoyun. “Ruoyun, you’re quite emotional right now. I suggest you calm down first.”

The resentment in Yang Ruoyun’s heart wouldn’t subside. Shaking her head, she looked at Luo Na with a sense of loss. “Sister Luo, I’m very calm. I just want you to believe me. I’ve been with you for so many years, am I not as good as Zhou Tiantian, who has only been here for half a year?”

Luo Na’s face slowly turned serious. “Ruoyun, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but Zhou Tiantian has provided evidence that is more compelling, so I choose to trust her, not you.”

Yang Ruoyun was an assistant trained by Luo Na herself, and Luo Na had always intended to promote her to an agent. However, Yang Ruoyun was still slightly lacking in business acumen. Luo Na had planned to let her gain a few more months of experience and then hand over a promising artist to her after the year-end. But Yang Ruoyun’s performance now deeply disappointed her.

However, years of investment and sentiment made her hesitate. She thought for a moment and decided to give Yang Ruoyun one more chance. She said, “Ruoyun, you need to understand that no one can guarantee they will be perfect throughout their life. We all have moments of oversight. This isn’t some unforgivable mistake, and since no loss was incurred this time, it’s not a big deal for the company, do you understand what I mean?”

Zhou Tiantian understood the implication of Luo Na’s words: she was giving Yang Ruoyun a chance to save face and saying she wouldn’t pursue the matter further. Regardless of whether it was Yang Ruoyun’s fault or Zhou Tiantian’s, Luo Na didn’t care now because no one in the world could guarantee that everything they did was perfect.

But Yang Ruoyun was highly emotional at this moment and couldn’t listen to reason. Instead, she felt that Luo Na had already decided the matter was her doing. Although she had deliberately done it, Luo Na speaking to her in this tone reignited the jealousy in her heart.

If she admitted it, Zhou Tiantian would not only avoid punishment but would also be forgiven. How could Yang Ruoyun accept that?

Yang Ruoyun stubbornly looked at Luo Na, refusing to back down. “And the root cause of this matter isn’t with me. The audio must be problematic. It only clipped a part of the conversation. How can that prove I never mentioned today’s signing?”

Luo Na finally sighed, knowing that Yang Ruoyun had entered a dead end and couldn’t be reasoned with.

At this moment, Director of Artists Zhu Jianye stood up and said to Luo Na, “Xiao Luo, we only look at evidence. Since Zhou Tiantian’s evidence better proves her innocence, then at the very least, Zhou Tiantian should not be punished.”

Hearing this, Yang Ruoyun felt as if she had been plunged into hell, completely unable to accept the failure of her plan. She turned back to look at Zhu Jianye, opening her mouth to continue arguing, but suddenly froze.

Zhu Jianye’s eyes were completely different from Luo Na’s; his gaze was extremely cold, looking at Yang Ruoyun as if she were an inanimate object. Because Luo Na had a long history of working with Yang Ruoyun, she had affection for her, and her eyes showed a hint of unspoken sympathy and hidden emotion. This was why Yang Ruoyun had been able to be so aggressively unreasonable.

Seeing Zhu Jianye, Yang Ruoyun felt like she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her body stiffened, and she suddenly sobered up. Under Zhu Jianye’s cold gaze, she lowered her head, trembling uncontrollably.

“As for Yang Ruoyun, let her go down and gain some experience. By always protecting her, you won’t allow her to grow,” Zhu Jianye said before turning and leaving the office.

Luo Na frowned, looking at Yang Ruoyun, then at Zhou Tiantian, and finally focusing on Li Ziyu sitting on the sofa nearby. She then said to Zhou Tiantian, “Since this matter has nothing to do with you, you may leave now.”

Zhou Tiantian stood up and nodded. After saying goodbye to Luo Na, she turned to leave. At this point, Li Ziyu also stood up, but she didn’t move. She only looked at Luo Na and said, “Sister Luo, how are you going to handle Yang Ruoyun?”

Luo Na frowned at Li Ziyu. “I will handle it naturally.”

Li Ziyu still didn’t leave. Her face showed little expression, as if she were detached from the situation, but her words showed no intention of letting Yang Ruoyun off the hook. “Sister Luo, you are the company’s star agent and you understand the importance of employee integrity to the company better than I do, especially how crucial an agent or artist assistant is to an artist. It would be fine if Yang Ruoyun’s actions ruined someone else, but if it ruins the contacts you have painstakingly built and the prestige you have established over the years, then it’s truly not worth it.”

Luo Na was a somewhat emotional person, which was why she had repeatedly tried to save face for Yang Ruoyun. However, Li Ziyu’s words now awakened her. What Yang Ruoyun did this time was too much. If Luo Na hadn’t made that call to Li Ziyu today, and Li Ziyu hadn’t rushed to the company, Li Ziyu might have lost the opportunity to star in this major TV series production. This would have been a significant loss for Li Ziyu. Although the loss did not materialize, it didn’t mean the matter could be smoothed over. If Yang Ruoyun wasn’t taught a lesson, she might do other things in the future that would harm the company and its artists, something Luo Na would never allow.

Luo Na took a deep breath. Due to her newfound composure and rationality, her facial expression also became colder. She looked at Yang Ruoyun indifferently, noticing Yang Ruoyun’s pale face and the cold sweat beading on her forehead. Suppressing her emotional response, she said to Yang Ruoyun, “Ziyu is right. Although no irreparable loss was caused this time, you did what you did, and you should bear the responsibility for it.”

Yang Ruoyun tried to argue, but Luo Na cut her off. “Ruoyun, don’t underestimate me. Having been with me for so many years, I know your character well. I hope you can be honest with me, and I hope you learn a lasting lesson and correct yourself this time. Otherwise, I don’t think I can ever trust you again in the future.”

Yang Ruoyun trembled all over, but she turned to look at Zhou Tiantian.

She thought Zhou Tiantian, as the victor, would look at her with mockery and disdain, but Zhou Tiantian’s eyes were very calm, as if this was an unrelated matter. Yang Ruoyun slowly lowered her head and admitted that the incident was caused by her mistake in work handover.

Only then did Li Ziyu lead Zhou Tiantian away. The next day, Zhou Tiantian and Li Ziyu heard that Yang Ruoyun had been transferred to work as an assistant for a newly debuted artist in the company.

The news of Zhou Tiantian strongly arguing with Yang Ruoyun in the office slowly spread throughout the company. Everyone realized that Li Ziyu’s assistant was truly a person of capability. She wouldn’t easily provoke anyone, but no one should think they could take advantage of her. She looked so gentle, yet her backbone was harder than iron.

…

Life returned to peace afterwards. Due to the variety show’s broadcast, Li Ziyu’s popularity continued to rise, and her schedule became increasingly busy.

Every time Luo Na discussed collaborations for Li Ziyu, she would call Zhou Tiantian to join them. Firstly, to let Zhou Tiantian gain exposure to the work of an agent, and secondly, to have Zhou Tiantian organize Li Ziyu’s work herself and reasonably arrange her daily schedule.

Li Ziyu was very concerned about Zhou Tiantian during this period because Zhou Tiantian was in the crucial first three months of pregnancy. She was constantly afraid that Zhou Tiantian might lose the baby due to the demanding work. Fortunately, Zhou Tiantian was also very careful about the baby in her belly and was extremely cautious every time she went out.

In late autumn and early winter, Zhao Qing called Li Ziyu. “Ziyu, our family is opening a new hotel. Come and attend our opening event.”

Zhao Qing’s family was in the hotel business, with hotels spread across major global cities, ranging from five-star hotels to economy hotels. The hotel opening this time was for the most luxurious and highest-rated series of the Zhao family’s hotels. Therefore, the Zhao family invited many people from the entertainment industry to the opening banquet.

Li Ziyu wouldn’t normally qualify, although she was somewhat popular recently, her visibility and standing in the entertainment industry were not high enough. But since she and Zhao Qing were good friends, Zhao Qing called to invite her directly and cheerfully told her, “I had my dad set your appearance fee at the level of a top-tier star. Our company’s publicity team has already contacted your agent.”

Li Ziyu was currently at a private hospital, accompanying Zhou Tiantian for a prenatal check-up. Due to the special nature of Zhou Tiantian’s pregnancy, she did not go to a regular hospital but to a hospital designated by Li Ziyu’s mother, where a specialist performed the examination.

At this moment, Li Ziyu was busy listening to the doctor discuss the check-up results with Zhou Tiantian, so she perfunctorily agreed to Zhao Qing and hung up the phone.

Zhao Qing still had a lot more to say, but after being hung up on, she could only sigh with jealousy at the “dog food” she was fed.

Fortunately, after the examination, the baby in Zhou Tiantian’s belly was found to be completely normal and very healthy. Li Ziyu was relieved. Remembering the call, she called Zhao Qing back.

Zhao Qing answered with a bit of a temper. “Oh, you have time to call me back now? Isn’t the big star too busy? Carelessly hanging up on a sugar daddy, be careful, I’ll have my dad blacklist you.”

Li Ziyu coldly chuckled twice. “Zhao, my little bottom, only children call their dad for everything.”

Zhao Qing paused slightly and sighed softly. “Why am I arguing with you? Anyway, remember to come to our family’s hotel opening banquet this weekend. I want to introduce you to someone.”

Li Ziyu originally didn’t want to go, but looking at Zhou Tiantian’s belly, and thinking that she was about to become a mother, she needed to earn more money. Otherwise, what if there wasn’t enough money for the baby’s formula? So, she agreed.

At this time, Zhou Tiantian also received a call from Luo Na. Luo Na conveyed the schedule to Zhou Tiantian. Zhou Tiantian quickly noted it down and accompanied Li Ziyu to try on evening gowns.

The company actually had its own wardrobe. The company provided clothing for celebrities for daily wear, street fashion, events, variety shows, and banquets, and those clothes were quite nice, with evening gowns generally costing no less than five figures.

However, Li Ziyu did not take Zhou Tiantian to the company but to a building located on the most bustling street in City B.

As the two walked into the elevator, Li Ziyu turned to Zhou Tiantian and said, “Later, you should also get measured and have two outfits made. Since you’re pregnant now, comfort in clothes and shoes is the most important thing. You don’t need those old clothes anymore.”

Zhou Tiantian’s own clothes were mostly from affordable brands, and sometimes she would buy T-shirts for a few tens of yuan on Taobao. She had no real demand for these things, and her current status and position didn’t require her to pay too much attention to dressing up, so she hadn’t spent much money in this area.

But Li Ziyu disliked her wearing those clothes. She couldn’t find an excuse to buy her clothes normally, but her pregnancy now provided a suitable opportunity.

Zhou Tiantian initially wanted to refuse, but Li Ziyu was very assertive. “Do you think these clothes are bought for you? They are for my child. I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable with the clothes and shoes you wear while she’s in your belly.”

Zhou Tiantian was a bit dumbfounded. “She’s not directly touching the clothes and shoes in my belly. How would she feel uncomfortable?”

Li Ziyu said, “You can feel it when you wear the clothes, and she is in your belly, so she must be able to feel what you feel, too. Otherwise, why do you think a pregnant woman can influence the fetus?”

Zhou Tiantian looked down at her belly, unsure how to refute her.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the top floor of the building. When the elevator doors opened, two rows of women in business attire stood by, bowing slightly and saying softly, “Welcome, Miss Li.”

Li Ziyu seemed accustomed to such occasions. She stepped forward and walked into the inner area. Zhou Tiantian was very surprised. Following behind Li Ziyu, she saw clothes everywhere.

Then, an elderly man with white hair slowly walked up to them and gently nodded to Li Ziyu. “Miss Li, are you here for some custom clothing?”

Li Ziyu nodded. “Yes, I’m attending a banquet in a couple of days and came to pick out an evening gown. Also…” She brought Zhou Tiantian forward and said to the white-haired elder, “This is my friend Zhou Tiantian. Please trouble Mr. Xu to measure her size and make a few outfits for her. She is now one month pregnant. Please send her a few sets of clothes every month afterward.”

The elder nodded, and immediately several people came forward to measure Zhou Tiantian.

Zhou Tiantian felt she no longer knew what to do and could only allow herself to be manipulated by them. When her measurements were complete, she realized Li Ziyu was no longer by her side.

She looked around for a moment. A sweet-faced female staff member with a faint smile walked up to her and said softly, “Miss Li is trying on clothes over there. She said to bring you over after you finished your measurements.”

Zhou Tiantian nodded and followed the sweet-faced female staff member into the depths of the room.

Zhou Tiantian then realized that this was a fashion studio, and not a simple one, but a haute couture location for a certain luxury brand in City B. The office space on this floor had almost no partitions, with only a few columns standing in the middle. Everywhere she looked was clothing, in all seasons, styles, and materials. She slowly walked to the innermost part and finally saw a few fitting rooms. Just then, the door of one fitting room opened, and Li Ziyu slowly walked out, wearing high heels.

She already had delicate light makeup on her face. Her features were deep and beautiful, and her eyes were slightly cold and highly aggressive, like a queen of a country. She was wearing a strapless, floor-length gown in cosmic blue. The dress was studded with tiny diamonds that varied in color from light to dark, forming a nebula. As Li Ziyu walked, the diamonds shimmered brightly, as if a starry sky was glittering on her body.

“Does it look good?” Li Ziyu looked at her indifferently but slightly raised her chin, showing off like a peacock displaying its feathers. She continuously showcased the dress, using various angles and poses to highlight her perfect body curves.

Zhou Tiantian was momentarily captivated. After a while, she nodded. “It looks beautiful.”

Li Ziyu slightly lowered her eyes, masking the smile beneath, and faced the mirror with her back to Zhou Tiantian, feigning dissatisfaction. “I still feel like something is missing. Bring me the red one.”

A female staff member standing nearby walked over with a red dress and handed it to Li Ziyu. Li Ziyu took the red dress and went back into the fitting room. After a while, the fitting room door opened, and Li Ziyu walked out again.

This time, she was wearing a vibrant red gown. The boat neck of the dress elegantly showcased her collarbone, and the striking red color made her skin appear even fairer and brighter. Her features were delicate and highly aggressive, which perfectly matched the vibrant red color.

Zhou Tiantian subconsciously swallowed and nodded to her. “This dress is also beautiful.”

Li Ziyu chuckled softly. “You probably don’t think any dress is not beautiful, do you?”

Then she twirled around, turned back to Zhou Tiantian, and asked, “Which of these two do you think is better looking?”

Zhou Tiantian truly couldn’t choose. “Both are beautiful.”

Li Ziyu curled her lips in satisfaction. In the end, she felt that the red dress was a better match for her temperament, so she decided to wear the red gown to Zhao Qing’s hotel opening banquet.

…

Late November meant winter had begun, and the weather was turning cold, but this couldn’t stop the female celebrities from exposing their shoulders and legs.

A red carpet was laid out in front of the newly opened hotel. Celebrities arrived in cars. After they got out, countless media outlets with cameras aimed at them, flashing constantly.

When Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing got out of the car, they were nearly blinded by the flashlights.

Zhao Qing, despite wearing flat shoes, almost twisted her ankle. “It’s so annoying. Even a simple opening banquet attracts so many reporters and media for photos.”

Although Li Ziyu was popular recently, she wasn’t so famous as to face this many media photographers. However, she showed no emotion and instead comforted Zhao Qing. “This can also promote your hotel.”

Zhao Qing snorted smugly. “My hotel doesn’t need promotion. This hotel isn’t affordable for ordinary people. No need for promotion.”

Li Ziyu immediately scoffed. Zhao Qing quickly said to her, “Oh, I beg you, don’t make that face. Can you be a little gentler today so that my dominant aura can stand out?”

“I really don’t know what you’re thinking,” Li Ziyu rolled a captivating eye. “You’re clearly more of a bottom. Why are you pretending to be a top? Your long hair used to be so beautiful. Now you cut it short, and with your flat chest, what’s the difference between you and a man?”

Zhao Qing nearly tried to hit Li Ziyu, whispering fiercely in her ear, “You’ll see later!”

Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing stood in front of the promotional board, cooperating with the media for photos, and signed their names. Then they walked into the banquet hall without paying any attention to the media’s questions.

If it were only Li Ziyu, the media would have accused her of acting like a big shot right after gaining fame, but since Li Ziyu was walking with the daughter of the hotel’s CEO, and the CEO’s daughter refused to be interviewed, they had no choice.

After walking into the banquet hall, Zhao Qing led Li Ziyu around for a while. Then, a flush suddenly appeared on Zhao Qing’s face. She excitedly linked arms with Li Ziyu and said, “Did you see the woman in the pale yellow dress in the corner over there?”

Li Ziyu focused her gaze, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the female lead of my next drama?”

“You’re acting with Dong Minsi?” Zhao Qing looked at Li Ziyu in surprise.

Li Ziyu nodded. “Yes, in the next drama, she’s the female lead, and I’m the second female lead. She’s the ‘White Lotus,’ and I’m the ‘Green Tea Bitch.'”

Zhao Qing immediately looked at Li Ziyu with envy and resentment. “I really want to act with her too, but my dad won’t let me enter the entertainment industry.”

Li Ziyu asked, “What, do you like her?”

Zhao Qing blushed, finally nodding shyly. “I initially thought I was just fan-girling, but you know what?” She looked around, then leaned close to Li Ziyu’s ear and whispered, “But she’s a bottom, so I cut my hair short to turn myself into a top. Since Dong Minsi seems to be bisexual, she might be more willing to accept me this way.”

“So, you’re here to confess today?” Li Ziyu looked at Dong Minsi again. There was a man next to her, and they were chatting happily, smiling. They looked quite well-matched.

Zhao Qing also saw Dong Minsi and the man talking. Her tone was tinged with bitterness as she said to Li Ziyu, “How could I confess? I’ve only spoken to her a couple of times. How dare I confess to her?”

Li Ziyu chuckled softly and said to Zhao Qing, “So you have moments of fear, too? Don’t chicken out. Let’s go over and chat with her.”

Zhao Qing was somewhat shy. “Maybe not. We don’t really know each other, and we’ve only talked twice. Wouldn’t it be rude to suddenly go over and chat?”

Li Ziyu pulled her hand and walked towards Dong Minsi. “Why don’t we know each other? She’s my co-star in the next drama. Can’t I go and exchange feelings with her first?”

Zhao Qing’s eyes lit up. “Oh, right! Let’s go and exchange feelings first.”

At this moment, Xue Junying was discussing a topic with Dong Minsi. Just as they were engaging in a lively debate, Xue Junying noticed that Dong Minsi’s facial expression suddenly softened, and her voice also became much gentler. With a tender smile, she said softly, “Mr. Xue’s words are truly reasonable.”

Xue Junying couldn’t help but shiver, not understanding why Dong Minsi suddenly became so gentle. He preferred the more assertive Dong Minsi.

In that brief moment, Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing had already walked up to them. Li Ziyu smiled slightly at Dong Minsi, making herself look softer as per Zhao Qing’s request to highlight Zhao Qing’s dominant aura. “Miss Dong, I didn’t expect to run into you here. What a coincidence.”

Dong Minsi also smiled slightly, her smile even gentler than Li Ziyu’s. “It’s Miss Li. It is indeed a coincidence. I thought we wouldn’t see each other until the meeting.”

Then, Dong Minsi slightly turned her head to look at Zhao Qing next to Li Ziyu and said, “Miss Zhao, you came too? Congratulations on the hotel opening today.”

Zhao Qing nodded expressionlessly, her voice slightly deep. “Thank you.”

Li Ziyu’s smile stiffened. Looking at Zhao Qing’s flawed acting, she almost burst out laughing.

Dong Minsi didn’t notice her abnormality but looked at Zhao Qing and said, “I heard Miss Zhao and Miss Li walked the red carpet together today? Judging by the way you two are now, you must be friends?”

Zhao Qing nodded. “Yes.”

Li Ziyu’s smile became even more meaningful. She glanced at Zhao Qing and said to Dong Minsi, “Not just ordinary friends. We’ve known each other for a long time.”

This sentence successfully challenged Dong Minsi’s composure. Dong Minsi’s right hand, hidden under her left hand, clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palm. The sharp pain kept her rational at the moment. “Oh, you’re not ordinary friends. No wonder you two look so close.”

Zhao Qing nodded. “Yes.”

Li Ziyu felt that this moment was the greatest test of her acting skills. Zhao Qing’s unusual behavior made her desperately want to laugh out loud.

At this point, the man who had been ignored by the three stepped forward and said to Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing, “I’ve long heard of Miss Li and Miss Zhao. Seeing you both today, you truly are a beautiful pair.” Then he extended his hand. “I am Xue Junying.”

Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing hadn’t met Xue Junying in person but had heard of him. The Xue family made their fortune in real estate. With the rapid development of the real estate industry over the years, the Xue family was now among the super-rich. Xue Junying was different from typical rich second-generation heirs. He was an academic high-achiever during his school days. After returning to China, he joined the family business, and then several major projects cemented his and the Xue family’s reputation, wealth, and status.

Li Ziyu shook his right hand lightly. “Hello, I’m Li Ziyu.”

Zhao Qing also exchanged names with him and casually asked, “I saw you were having a lively conversation earlier. What were you discussing?”

Li Ziyu couldn’t help but internally criticize Zhao Qing for this utterly lacking-in-EQ way of making conversation. Fortunately, Xue Junying didn’t mind. He said to both Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing, “I was discussing the current Chinese film market with Miss Dong. I believe that commercial films are the best choice in China today, but Miss Dong thinks that if given the opportunity to invest, she would prefer art-house films. Although art films don’t make money, they hold more value than commercial films.”

Xue Junying then looked at Dong Minsi. “I was very firm in my opinion, but after listening to Miss Dong’s debate, I feel that art films do indeed have their value. Not everything must be measured by money.”

Dong Minsi’s heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself how Xue Junying, this fool, had exposed her true feelings! To save her image, her voice became even softer, like a fragile flower that would snap if lightly touched. “Mr. Xue, please don’t say that. After listening to Mr. Xue, I also feel that what he said is very reasonable. Commercial films are so popular in China, so they must have their value and necessity. Modern society is market-driven. The audience likes commercial films, so making them is the choice of many production companies, which proves the value of commercial films.”

Xue Junying found it increasingly incredible. The Dong Minsi who was fiercely debating with him just a moment ago was now praising him. Xue Junying suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

Zhao Qing cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention to herself. Then, her voice was a bit louder and more assertive than before as she spoke to Xue Junying. “Commercial films are good, but I still think art-house films are better. If a film is just watched and forgotten, then it has no meaning. Leaving something for us, the audience, to think about is where its value is truly reflected!”

Li Ziyu raised her hand to pretend to cough, masking the uncontrollable smile on her lips. Then she gently shook Zhao Qing’s hand, signaling with her eyes for her not to say too much. After all, what she had just said lacked sophistication and might make Dong Minsi look down on her.

To her surprise, Dong Minsi looked at Li Ziyu first. Although her gaze was gentle, there seemed to be very complex emotions underneath. However, Dong Minsi only glanced at Li Ziyu, and before Li Ziyu could fully decipher the meaning deep in her eyes, Dong Minsi shifted her gaze.

Dong Minsi looked at Zhao Qing even more gently and said to Zhao Qing, “Hearing Miss Zhao say that, I actually think Miss Zhao’s words are very reasonable too.”

Xue Junying: “???” What was going on? Why did Miss Dong suddenly become a fair-weather friend? Wasn’t she very principled and opinionated?

The moment Zhao Qing heard Dong Minsi praise her, she felt like she was floating on air. She involuntarily wanted to show her dominant side even more, so she raised her arm and put it around Li Ziyu’s waist, trying her best to look like a domineering CEO.

Li Ziyu knew she was acting again, so she relaxed her body, softened her expression, and leaned gently on her shoulder.

No one knew that at this very moment, both Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing were internally gagging, feeling like they wanted to vomit a river.

Li Ziyu truly couldn’t stand her own soft and gentle demeanor, nor could she stand Zhao Qing’s forced dominance. So, she turned to Zhao Qing and said, “We haven’t been to see Uncle Zhao since we arrived tonight. Aren’t you going to take me over?”

Zhao Qing also felt tired of acting, so she nodded in agreement. “Okay, I’ll take you to see Dad now.”

Then the two said goodbye to Dong Minsi and left. Dong Minsi watched their retreating figures, the emotions in her eyes becoming more complex. If they were already at the stage of meeting the father, did that mean Zhao Qing’s father knew about their relationship?

Dong Minsi bit her lower lip, feeling both wronged and a surge of fighting spirit.

“Miss Dong?” Xue Junying softly called her name beside her.

Dong Minsi then turned to look at Xue Junying. Xue Junying’s heart thumped. Why was the assertive Dong Minsi back?

Dong Minsi’s face was cold, and she brought the topic back. She put down her wine glass and said to Xue Junying, “Mr. Xue, I’ve thought about it, and I still think you’re wrong. Although commercial films…”

Xue Junying listened as she started to elaborate again. He felt more puzzled, but as Dong Minsi’s topic went deeper, Xue Junying no longer had the spare capacity to think about Dong Minsi’s abnormal behavior just now. He continued to discuss with Dong Minsi what kind of films should be more prevalent in the Chinese film market.

…

After Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing walked out of Dong Minsi’s line of sight, they immediately released each other and created distance between them. Li Ziyu frowned and looked at Zhao Qing. “If you’re going to act like that again, don’t include me. I really can’t stand your submissive side.”

Zhao Qing stiffened her neck, unwilling to admit defeat. “Do you think I wanted to hug such a soft and delicate you? I asked to borrow Zhou Tiantian, but you wouldn’t let me!”

“Dream on!” Li Ziyu gave her only two words. Then she said to Zhao Qing, “Let’s go. We’ll go see Uncle Zhao, and then I’m heading back. Tiantian is waiting for me at home.”

As Zhao Qing walked towards her father’s location, she asked, “Why didn’t you bring her along? If you had brought her, I could have taken you to eat upstairs directly.”

Li Ziyu said, “She got promoted recently and is no longer the life assistant, so she doesn’t have to stick with me all the time. The company also assigned me a driver and a life assistant. I didn’t let her come today. After all, she is pregnant and needs to rest more at home.”

Zhao Qing secretly gritted her teeth and said, “What’s so great about being pregnant? Once I win over Minsi, I’ll also ask the auntie for a pill and have Minsi give birth to a child for me!”

Li Ziyu looked at Zhao Qing expressionlessly. “What if she doesn’t want to? Are you still going to force her to have your baby?”

The smile on Zhao Qing’s face slowly disappeared. “I don’t know. Maybe I can give birth. She is so weak, poor, and helpless. Of course, I wouldn’t want her to suffer.”

When Li Ziyu arrived home, Zhou Tiantian was still awake. She had just received the photos of Li Ziyu at the banquet hall from Zhao Qing and was preparing to share them with fans on Weibo. Unexpectedly, Li Ziyu came back and snatched the phone from her hand. “You’re pregnant now. Can you please pay attention to your health? Stop playing with your phone. The radiation will affect the baby’s growth.”

Zhou Tiantian looked longingly at the phone in her hand. “But I need to post on Weibo! The photos of you attending the banquet tonight are out. I want to put together two nine-picture grids to post on Weibo.”

Other celebrities only had photos taken by the media outside the hotel. Because Li Ziyu and Zhao Qing were good friends, she also had a few photos taken inside the hotel. Zhou Tiantian thought those photos were very beautiful and was planning to compile two nine-picture grids for the fans.

She had spent the entire day dealing with this matter. “But Li Ziyu snatched her phone away just as she finished editing the post.”

Li Ziyu sat next to Zhou Tiantian, holding the phone up. She said to Zhou Tiantian, “I can’t just give you the phone for free. What are you going to exchange for it?”