Superstar Assistant [GL] - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Because of the popularity of her beauty videos, Li Ziyu received an invitation for an interview with a beauty magazine.

Although print sales are currently declining, this particular magazine had successfully pivoted to new media and digital editions early on, making it a major player in the current media landscape.

When the manager, Luo Na, told Li Ziyu about the invitation, she couldn’t hide her excitement. “Your current momentum is excellent. If you can seize these opportunities, I expect your career to peak right after graduation, and your fame and status will continue to rise.”

Hearing this, Li Ziyu immediately credited Zhou Tiantian for the success. “Sister Luo, should we give Zhou Tiantian a bonus? She’s put a lot of heart into my affairs.”

Luo Na laughed softly. “I know you care for your assistant. Don’t worry, I’ve already submitted the request; we’re just waiting for the signature from above.”

After hanging up, Li Ziyu drifted over to Zhou Tiantian. She didn’t say anything at first, but she kept pacing back and forth nearby to make her presence known.

Zhou Tiantian looked up, knowing Li Ziyu had something to say. When the other woman didn’t speak, she took the initiative. “Ziyu, do you have something to tell me?”

Li Ziyu cleared her throat. “I just secured a bonus for you.”

Zhou Tiantian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her monthly salary was already around 40,000 yuan—a huge sum for her. She spent every day trying to live up to that pay by working diligently. To hear she was getting a bonus on top of that was a shock.

Seeing her stunned expression, Li Ziyu nodded with satisfaction. “So, shouldn’t you thank me properly? You wouldn’t be getting this without me.” Li Ziyu shamelessly hid the fact that Luo Na had already planned the bonus, claiming all the credit for herself.

Moved and excited, Zhou Tiantian clasped her hands together. “I’m so grateful, Ziyu. If it weren’t for you, how could I have this job or earn such a high salary?”

Li Ziyu accepted the gratitude but wasn’t quite satisfied. “Is that all your thanks amounts to?”

Zhou Tiantian thought for a moment. “How about I treat you to dinner? And buy you a gift.”

Li Ziyu laughed. “Do you think I lack for meals or gifts? Can’t you give me something money can’t buy? Because in terms of money, I definitely have more than you.”

Hearing this blatant display of wealth, Zhou Tiantian puffed out her cheeks. “Then how do you want me to thank you?”

Li Ziyu leaned down, bringing her face close. “You could kiss me. I remember back in high school, you kissed me to say thank you.”

The mention of high school reminded Zhou Tiantian that Li Ziyu believed they were dating back then, making her face flush. “Weren’t we just kids then?”

Li Ziyu raised an eyebrow. “I’m only 21. Are you saying I’m old now?”

Zhou Tiantian shook her head quickly, unable to find an explanation. She sighed and lowered her head. “But it’s so embarrassing.”

Li Ziyu moved closer, her voice tinged with a slight charm. “We’re in a hotel room, not on set. No one else is watching. What’s embarrassing about it?”

With it laid out so plainly, Zhou Tiantian felt even more flustered. But Li Ziyu had already tilted her face toward her. “Are you really not going to show your gratitude? I put in quite a lot of effort to get you that extra pay.”

Looking at those fair, delicate cheeks, Zhou Tiantian’s heart began to throb. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and leaned forward to press a kiss against Li Ziyu’s cheek.

Feeling the soft touch, Li Ziyu’s lips curled up instinctively.

Immediately after the kiss, Zhou Tiantian pulled back and bolted for the bathroom. Inside, her face was completely red. She cupped her burning cheeks, her heart refusing to slow down. She almost didn’t dare come out to face Li Ziyu again.

Li Ziyu knew she was shy. She was now certain that Zhou Tiantian hadn’t actually liked her in high school, because back then, the girl hadn’t been this embarrassed by intimate contact. To ease the tension, Li Ziyu acted as if nothing had happened when Zhou Tiantian finally emerged, allowing the atmosphere to return to normal.

…

He Fashion was a beauty and style magazine that wanted Li Ziyu for their cover and a featured interview. The interview script was originally sent to Luo Na, who forwarded it to Zhou Tiantian to handle entirely.

Zhou Tiantian reviewed the questions seriously. Most were standard personal info and beauty-related queries. However, when they arrived at S-City for the shoot, things changed.

After the photos were finished, a reporter told Li Ziyu, “Teacher Li, the shoot is over. Next, we’ll need an hour or two for the interview.”

Li Ziyu followed the reporter to the interview area, only to find Zhou Tiantian in a heated argument with the editor. Zhou Tiantian was visibly angry. “These weren’t in the questions you sent over! Why are you asking these sensitive questions now? What was the point of your initial email?”

This version of Zhou Tiantian was unrecognizable—sharp-eyed, frowning, and forceful. “If you insist on using this new script, we refuse the interview.”

The editor frowned, her tone dismissive as she looked down on the “mere assistant.” “The script changed, but we have a contract. If you refuse, we have the right to demand a refund of the fee and a penalty for breach of contract.”

Zhou Tiantian wasn’t intimidated. Having shadowed Luo Na through many negotiations, she knew how these people operated. “Miss Editor, believe me, if we walk away right now, we won’t be the ones paying the penalty. Your questions differ significantly from what was submitted to our company.”

She remembered Luo Na’s advice: Many people bully the weak and fear the strong. A star shouldn’t offend people easily, so the team must play the “bad guy” to protect the star’s interests and image.

Li Ziyu walked over, and the editor tried to appeal to her, hinting that she should restrain her assistant. But Li Ziyu simply shrugged. “My assistant handles these matters. If she says you’re in breach, then you’re in breach. We won’t back down.”

The editor challenged her: “Miss Li, you haven’t even seen the new questions. Do you trust her that blindly?”

Li Ziyu felt a flicker of annoyance. “I trust my assistant. Since she is in full charge, the final decision is hers. I will respect whatever she decides.”

The editor was stunned by this absolute trust. She tried a compromise, offering to keep only two of the new questions, but Zhou Tiantian remained firm: “No. We refuse every single question not mentioned in the original email.”

The editor sneered. “Assistant Zhou, you haven’t been in this industry long, have you? Changing questions at the last minute happens all the time. Plenty of stars much bigger than Li Ziyu have complied.”

Zhou Tiantian felt a pang of nervousness—she knew this could make enemies of the magazine, perhaps resulting in them choosing the ugliest photo for the cover. But she wouldn’t retreat. She didn’t want Li Ziyu to be manipulated by such people.

The editor reported this to the Editor-in-Chief, who called Luo Na directly to complain that Li Ziyu’s assistant was “acting like a bigger diva than the star.”

Luo Na laughed. “Li Ziyu’s past assistants were disappointing, but that doesn’t include the current one. She probably didn’t tell you, but this wasn’t just her idea—it was my instruction.”

The Editor-in-Chief felt a sting of embarrassment. Luo Na continued, “If the script changes, we must review it beforehand. I know you record these interviews. Suddenly asking unapproved questions to get a ‘reaction’ is a common trick. Then a ‘staff error’ leads to a leak, and a simple apology doesn’t fix the damage to the artist.”

Recognizing Luo Na’s status as a gold-medal manager, the Editor-in-Chief finally backed down. She ordered the editor to use the original script.

The reporter, now trembling, approached Li Ziyu. “Teacher Li, we’re using the original version. Is it convenient to start?”

Li Ziyu looked at Zhou Tiantian, who smiled sweetly at the reporter, her sharpness gone. “May I see the script one more time?” After confirming it was the original, she nodded to Li Ziyu.

…

On the way to the airport after work, Li Ziyu asked, “What were the new questions about, anyway?”

“They were about cosmetics endorsements,” Zhou Tiantian explained. “A brand that was supposed to go to you went to Liu Xinxi instead. They wanted to trick you into saying you ‘gave’ her the endorsement in exchange for a higher billing in your TV drama. If that video got out, everyone would think you were a calculating person who pushes aside other actresses.”

Li Ziyu sighed and looked at Zhou Tiantian with a smile. “I really have to thank you for stopping that. Our little Tiantian is no longer that crying little thing hiding behind me. You’ve become a little fighting hen with ideals and boundaries—you’ll peck anyone who messes with you to protect me. You’re amazing.”

Zhou Tiantian glared at her slightly. “Don’t talk like that. I feel like you’re up to no good.”

Li Ziyu grinned. “Not at all. I just want to thank you with another kiss.”