Superstar Assistant [GL] - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Han Ping didn’t believe Zhou Tiantian. “A million, Tiantian! How are you going to handle that? That’s a loan shark—the interest compounds! Even if you can earn ten or twenty thousand a month now, it might not even cover the interest in the end!”

Zhou Tiantian used an enticing tone. “Mom, but he is your current husband. This debt was incurred during your marriage, so it is a joint marital debt.”

“No…” For the first time, Han Ping deeply realized how terrifying the disaster this man had brought upon her truly was.

In reality, gambling debts are not protected by law and are not considered joint marital debts, but Zhou Tiantian had no intention of telling Han Ping that.

Zhou Tiantian’s cowardice in her previous life was largely due to Han Ping. Han Ping was a timid, traditional woman. After her first husband divorced her, she became completely lost. In her worldview, women were meant to live as appendages to men. This mindset had influenced Zhou Tiantian, leading her to rarely resist in her past life because she had never seen her mother fight back.

As the days grew harder, Zhou Tiantian endured inhuman torture every day until she finally woke up after her death.

In this life, Zhou Tiantian deliberately enabled her stepfather’s heavy gambling habit to make her mother realize that she didn’t necessarily need a man—especially since men only made her life more painful. Zhou Tiantian knew that to save her own life, she had to drag Han Ping out of this swamp with her.

“What should I do!” Han Ping lost her head and instinctively turned to her daughter for help.

Zhou Tiantian took a deep breath. “Guard my money. I’ll be back in a few days.”

Han Ping hurriedly agreed, then hung up quickly when Zhao Zhonggang returned home.

After putting down the phone and planning her next steps, Zhou Tiantian said to Li Ziyu, “I need to take leave to go home soon.”

Li Ziyu asked, “By yourself?”

Zhou Tiantian was about to nod when she saw Li Ziyu raise a dangerous eyebrow. Zhou Tiantian asked tentatively, “Are you coming with me?”

Li Ziyu gave a cold smile. “Otherwise? Do you expect me to let a pregnant woman go home alone to deal with a stepfather who owes a million in gambling debts?”

Zhou Tiantian looked at her gratefully. “Thank you.”

The schedule was set: once Li Ziyu finished recording her variety show, they would go back to Z City together to handle the stepfather.

Li Ziyu was participating in the variety show to promote My Youthful Days. This was the drama she filmed right when Zhou Tiantian started her job. Though the filming hadn’t been very smooth back then, it was now ready to air, and Li Ziyu was cooperating with the crew for full-scale promotion.

To boost the promotion, the program team invited not only the two leads of My Youthful Days but also Dong Minsi, who had been frequently appearing in the same frame as Li Ziyu lately.

Red vs. Blue Showdown was a popular competitive variety show. In each episode, celebrities are divided into Red and Blue teams to compete, with the winners receiving small gifts from sponsors.

After arriving on set and greeting the other guests, filming began.

The show had two regular MCs, one male and one female. At the start, the male MC, Liao Yun, said to the female MC, Hao Jie, “Hao Jie, today you are destined to lose all your luster.”

Hao Jie protested, “How is that possible? Am I not always the most beautiful and outstanding person on this show!”

Then Liao Yun introduced Li Ziyu and Dong Minsi. Hao Jie immediately changed her tune. “Wow, it’s the two ‘Imperial Consorts’! I’m a huge fan; I’m so looking forward to your drama!”

Geng Zhengxin, the lead actor of My Youthful Days, said, “Good sister, you’ve got it wrong. We aren’t here to promote The Legend of Yuannü today.”

Hao Jie was slightly embarrassed. “Sorry, sorry! Whenever I see the two of them together, it’s a reflex to think of that drama. From now on, I’ll wipe that one from my mind and fill it only with your new show!”

After the promotional banter, the games began. Today’s episode featured various ball sports, though the rules were modified by the crew to be highly entertaining.

Since many celebrities aren’t skilled at sports, the show usually relied on them making fools of themselves for comedic effect. Occasionally, a star would gain fans through high-level athletic skill, but those were the minority.

Neither the crew nor the guests expected one of today’s participants to be a “technical pro.”

During the basketball game, after Li Ziyu sank two consecutive three-pointers, Dong Minsi was stunned. “Why is it that we’re both celebrities, but you can actually play basketball?”

Li Ziyu gave a mysterious smile. “There are many things you don’t know yet!”

Following that, Li Ziyu began to show her true skills. From basketball to soccer, table tennis, and volleyball, she achieved the highest scores in every category, leading her team to victory.

After a full day of filming, the director said to Li Ziyu and Zhou Tiantian, “Ziyu, your performance today was fantastic. Come back whenever you have the chance.”

Li Ziyu replied, “Sure. Director, if you want to invite me next time, you can contact my assistant, Zhou Tiantian, directly.”

Zhou Tiantian stepped forward to leave her contact information. The director understood the message: Zhou Tiantian was now in charge of her affairs. Since Luo Na had many stars under her, it was only natural for her to train Zhou Tiantian to take over.

Once they were in the van, Zhou Tiantian took a water bottle from Xiao Xu and handed it to Li Ziyu. “Drink some water first.”

Li Ziyu took it but didn’t drink immediately. She looked at Zhou Tiantian. “How was my performance today?”

Zhou Tiantian’s eyes crinkled. “You were incredible today. You were the absolute focus of the show. I didn’t realize you were so good at every sport.”

Li Ziyu took a sip of water, her pride showing in her eyes. “Back in high school, didn’t you cheer for me on the sidelines while I played basketball? What, did you forget?”

Zhou Tiantian remembered cheering like a fangirl by the court and felt a bit shy. “I didn’t forget, I just didn’t expect you to be good at other sports too.”

Li Ziyu crossed her legs. “Of course. I’ve always been great.”

Li Ziyu wanted to fish for more compliments, but Zhou Tiantian’s phone rang again.

“Tiantian, it’s me.” Zhao Zhonggang’s voice was the same as ever—arrogant and overbearing.

Zhou Tiantian immediately switched to a timid persona. She glanced at Li Ziyu, who raised the privacy glass between the front and back seats.

Zhou Tiantian said, “Um, Dad, why are you calling?”

Zhao Zhonggang’s voice was full of entitlement. “Can your company give you an advance on your salary?”

Zhou Tiantian said, “No. We only get paid for the month after we finish the work.”

Zhao Zhonggang grumbled, “What a trash company! Don’t all the big companies give advances? Yours is useless!”

Zhou Tiantian sounded helpless and pitiful. “The boss won’t agree to it; there’s nothing I can do.”

Zhao Zhonggang grew anxious. “Then how much money do you have right now? Give it all to me.”

Zhou Tiantian said, “I don’t have any. After sending money to you and Mom every month, I only have a few hundred left for living expenses.”

“Bullshit!” Zhao Zhonggang cursed. “I’m telling you, Zhou Tiantian, I raised you and took care of your mother all these years. Now it’s time for you to show some filial piety. I don’t care how you do it, you need to bring back fifty thousand yuan every month. Otherwise, don’t expect your mother to have a single good day!”

With that, he hung up.

“When are we going back?” Zhao Zhonggang’s voice had been loud enough for Li Ziyu to hear the whole conversation.

Zhou Tiantian sent a text to him: Dad, don’t hit Mom. I’ll find a way.

Then she said to Li Ziyu, “We’ll stick to the original plan.”

Li Ziyu was worried about Zhou Tiantian’s mother. “Let’s go back early. Don’t we have nothing to do tomorrow?”

Zhou Tiantian’s eyes widened. “We do have something! Tomorrow we have a meeting at the company to discuss your fan club.”

“Fan club?” Li Ziyu was puzzled, but seeing that Zhou Tiantian didn’t seem truly worried about Han Ping, she calmed down, figuring Zhou Tiantian had a plan of her own.

Zhou Tiantian leaned back. “Yeah, I mentioned it to Sister Luo before. She wants us at the office tomorrow.”

In China, fan clubs were usually self-organized by fans. While the leaders might have some contact with agents or PR departments, guiding and managing them was often chaotic.

Yet fans are crucial. If they aren’t guided on how to follow a star correctly, their behavior can lead to a celebrity being “canceled” or banned. Such examples were not uncommon.

The company took this proposal seriously and called them in.

Li Ziyu knew little about it, but Zhou Tiantian had done her homework. Besides Luo Na, the company’s Talent Director, Zhu Jianye, also attended.

Zhou Tiantian was nervous to see the Director there.

Zhu Jianye saw her unease and said, “Zhou Tiantian, right? I’ve heard of your performance. You’re an excellent newcomer agent. Today I’ve come to hear your insights on a fan club and how it can help the company fix this deficiency.”

Zhou Tiantian took a deep breath and offered a faint smile. “Director Zhu, Sister Luo, I’ve researched Japanese and Korean fan culture. They started official fan clubs over a decade ago. These are initiated directly by the agency and charge a membership fee. In return, fans receive many benefits.”

As they nodded, she continued, “Of course, that’s not its biggest function. Beyond consolidating loyalty, it allows the company to guide fan behavior. If the core fans take the lead, the company can manage the fan base better and avoid scandals where the idol has to pay for the fans’ mistakes.”

“The idea is good,” Zhu Jianye said, “but how many fans will pay? Ziyu is an actress; most of her fans are ‘screen fans’ who are happy just seeing her in dramas. Not many might be willing to pay to join a club.”

Zhou Tiantian was certain. “Director Zhu, fan psychology can’t be judged by normal logic. Even for minor internet celebrities, fans are willing to spend thousands annually even if the benefits are poor.”

Zhu Jianye thought for a moment. “What benefits are you proposing?”

Zhou Tiantian said, “My current thought is that the company could build a fan club system and develop an app. Every star in the company could have their own official club within it. Members would get exclusive news, greetings, and so on.”

“Additionally, joining would come with a gift pack—latest photo books, merchandise, etc. We can also hold offline events like birthday parties, debut anniversaries, and fan meets, where only club members are eligible for tickets.”

Zhu Jianye raised an eyebrow. He knew the answer but wanted to test her. “How can you be so sure fans will want those photo books or want to meet her?”

Zhou Tiantian smiled confidently. “Director Zhu, if you really liked someone, wouldn’t you want a calendar with her photos? A keychain with her name? A photo book full of her? Wouldn’t you want to meet her in person, shake her hand, and get an autograph where she writes exactly what you want her to say?”

Li Ziyu immediately chimed in, “Stop, I’m sold.” At the very least, Li Ziyu herself wanted a calendar, keychain, and photo book of Zhou Tiantian, and she wanted an autograph that said “One pair of people for a lifetime.”

Luo Na added, “I’ve read Zhou Tiantian’s plan. It’s detailed but needs refinement. If you think it’s viable, I’ll have a team polish it for final leadership review.”

Zhu Jianye said, “Give it a try.”

After he left, Li Ziyu said to Zhou Tiantian, “Baby, I didn’t realize you were this amazing. If you had a fan club, I’d join even if the fee was a million a year.”

Zhou Tiantian blushed as Luo Na gave an exaggerated cough. “Li Ziyu, have some shame!”

Zhou Tiantian nodded in agreement.

Li Ziyu laughed fearlessly. “But I’m telling the truth. I really do want all her merch and a custom autograph.”

Luo Na glared at her. “I used to think you were a beautiful flower and worried you’d end up ‘stuck in cow dung’ by accident. Today I realize you are the cow dung, stubbornly pestering Zhou Tiantian to stay stuck on you.”

Li Ziyu corrected her, “No, she’s not the one ‘stuck’—Sister Luo, you’ve got it mixed up.”

Luo Na nearly snapped. “How can you be so shameless!”

Zhou Tiantian quickly stood up and dragged Li Ziyu away.

As they walked out, Li Ziyu smoothly put her arm around Zhou Tiantian’s shoulder. “Baby, when my club is set up, you have to be the first to join.”

Zhou Tiantian pulled out her phone. “I think I’ll just cancel your flight. It’ll be better if I go home alone.”

Li Ziyu immediately pulled her hand back and said obediently, “I was wrong, Assistant Zhou.”