MTL - 4

I don’t want anyone else—I only want you, Tang Yu.

— From the Diary of a Little Rich Girl

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When Tang Xin was about to go to sleep, she saw the "like" on her post. She stared blankly at her phone, wondering if Tang Yu knew that the faceless man in her drawing was him. If they ever got together, would he regret liking this post?

Thinking about his stern expression made her laugh, but then she remembered how cold he had been earlier, and the smile faded from her lips.

It was possible that he would never know this little secret.

Tang Xin pulled the blanket over her head, but she couldn’t fall asleep. When she couldn’t sleep, her mind often wandered, imagining scripts. Right now, her thoughts were tangled, yet there was a story she desperately wanted to express.

This feeling didn’t come often. Too restless to sleep, she climbed out of bed, turned on her computer, and started typing furiously.

Her nerves were on edge, and sleep eluded her. Before she realized it, it was already five in the morning. Startled, she scrambled back into bed.

Staying up late was bad for her skin!

Many screenwriters and authors had a habit of staying up late. Sometimes, when inspiration struck, they would write until dawn. Back in college, Tang Xin used to pull all-nighters too, relying on her youth to bounce back after several sleepless nights. But not anymore!

After all, Tang Yu had complimented her skin before—not just hers, but Ming Zhu’s as well. He’d casually included her in the praise.

During the early stages of forming the creative team for Anti-Terror , Tang Xin and Ming Zhu were assigned to the same screenwriting group. Both were from Suzhou, and their fair, delicate complexions caught everyone’s attention. During one dinner with the company’s producers, they joked that President Tang showed favoritism by assigning the two prettiest female screenwriters to the same project.

Jiang Dao, who had worked with Tang Yu multiple times, chimed in teasingly: “Of course! Our President Tang has a soft spot for beauties.”

Everyone laughed along. At that moment, Tang Yu sat casually in the host seat of the private room, the soft lighting casting a glow on his jet-black hair. In the dim light, he raised an eyebrow and lazily retorted: “Who doesn’t love a beautiful woman?”

The table erupted in laughter, agreeing with him.

Tang Yu glanced at Ming Zhu, testing the waters with feigned nonchalance. “The water towns of Jiangnan nurture beauty,” he remarked.

At the time, Tang Yu didn’t know Tang Xin was also from Suzhou—he only knew she was close to Ming Zhu. Tang Xin, unaware that Tang Yu was already pursuing someone, smiled brightly and said, “I’m from Jiangnan too!” She had liked Tang Yu for much longer than he had liked Ming Zhu.

He paused for a moment.

Jiang Dao laughed and added, “Didn’t we mean you two?”

Tang Yu snapped out of his thoughts and chuckled softly.

Back then, Tang Xin realized that Tang Yu preferred women who were beautiful. Ming Zhu was stunning, especially in cheongsams, exuding a graceful and elegant aura. It made perfect sense that Tang Yu liked her.

Tang Xin knew she was beautiful too, but she and Ming Zhu weren’t the same type. As You Huan put it, Ming Zhu had a unique charm, while Tang Xin was more cute and lively.

Different strokes for different folks.

Tang Xin understood that Tang Yu liked Ming Zhu’s type.

Regardless, a woman’s face was her most important asset.

She still needed to rely on her looks to win over Tang Yu…

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On Friday, China Film announced last year’s total box office revenue at 60.8 billion yuan. Shiguang Films’ cumulative box office reached 16.839 billion yuan, including three films grossing over 1 billion yuan, eight films over 500 million yuan, and thirty-nine films over 100 million yuan. They ranked second nationwide, trailing behind Huachen Pictures.

However, compared to the previous year, Shiguang Films’ numbers had nearly doubled.

As Tang Xin scrolled through the company’s data, she felt a pang of worry. Tang Yu’s net worth had skyrocketed again!

His pace was too fast—she feared she wouldn’t be able to keep up with him…

Just as she was fretting, Lin Ziyu walked over, looking dejected. “The topic we submitted yesterday got rejected again. Do you know what President Tang wants to film? Urban drama? Crime thriller? Or military-themed?”

Tang Xin glanced at her and replied matter-of-factly, “If he rejected it, it means he didn’t like it.”

Shiguang Films had previously been managed by Tang Yu’s father. After Chairman Tang underwent surgery and his health declined, he retired, handing over the reins to Tang Yu four years ago. The media praised Tang Yu’s sharper eye for investments compared to his father, as very few projects under him flopped.

Tang Xin trusted him.

Last year, the two films Tang Yu produced both surpassed the 1 billion yuan mark at the box office, proving his ability to select scripts, directors, and screenwriters.

She didn’t dare show him her rough draft…

She was afraid he would ruthlessly reject and mock it.

At noon, she sneaked upstairs.

Secretary Chen greeted her with a smile. “President Tang has an interview this afternoon and won’t be in the office.”

Tang Xin smiled gracefully. “Oh, I see. I actually came to find Assistant Gao.”

Ignoring Secretary Chen’s slightly forced smile, she turned and left.

After Tang Xin left, Secretary Chen turned to gossip with a colleague: “Do you think Tang Xin is really pursuing Assistant Gao?”

She found Tang Xin’s behavior perplexing. Tang Yu treated her with unusual leniency, allowing her to visit him directly whenever she needed something. Clearly, she held a special place in his eyes.

Compared to Tang Yu, how could she possibly settle for a mere assistant?

Secretary Liu thought for a moment and scoffed, “Is it so easy to pursue President Tang? Look at those young actresses in the entertainment industry—how many wouldn’t want something with him? And yet, he doesn’t even look at them. Would he consider Tang Xin, a small-time screenwriter?”

Secretary Chen nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right…”

As the saying goes, there are no secrets that walls can’t hear. Though Tang Yu hadn’t made a big deal about pursuing Ming Zhu, observant people noticed and guessed. After Ming Zhu mentioned having a boyfriend, everyone subtly inferred that Tang Yu hadn’t succeeded.

As the CEO of a publicly listed film company, Tang Yu was somewhat intertwined with the entertainment world. With his handsome looks, he was the epitome of a rich, successful bachelor. Not only did employees care about his love life, but the media and paparazzi also followed his every move, speculating which young actress he might end up with.

During the interview, the host asked, “Let me ask on behalf of our online audience: Is President Tang still single?”

Tang Yu lounged casually in the chair, a question that almost always came up during interviews. His lips curled slightly upward. “Yes, single.”

The host chuckled. “Honestly, I’m curious—what kind of girl do you like?”

Over the past few years, Tang Yu had been involved in numerous rumors, though most were quickly debunked.

A 27-year-old CEO worth billions, handsome and successful—it was impossible not to spark curiosity.

A blurry figure flashed through Tang Yu’s mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp it. After a brief pause, he smiled faintly. “Hard to say. It depends on the vibe.”

The interview ended in the evening.

Tang Yu thought for a moment and instructed the driver to head to the Tang family estate.

The car stopped inside the courtyard, and Tang Yu stepped out. As he approached the door, he heard his mother, Zeng Wan, muttering, “So what if his net worth doubled? He still doesn’t have a girlfriend. I offered to arrange something for him, and he completely ignored me.”

Younger sister Tang Dingding chimed in cheerfully, “Mom, stop worrying about Brother. He likes someone but didn’t succeed in pursuing her. He’s probably still nursing his wounds.”

Tang Yu: “….”

His expression darkened, visibly displeased.

“Tang Dingding, try saying one more word.”

He walked in with a cold face.

Tang Dingding gasped and quickly turned to look at him, pretending to be innocent. “I didn’t say anything!”

Tang Yu glanced at her, suddenly reminded of Tang Xin. That girl was even more stubborn and good at playing innocent than Tang Dingding. She deceived people with such brazen confidence. Thinking of this, he frowned slightly. Did Tang Xin really have so many flaws?

Zeng Wan snapped out of her shock and hurriedly asked, “Who did you pursue but fail to win over?”

Tang Dingding raised her hand, wanting to indicate she knew.

Tang Yu shot her a glance, and she quickly retracted her neck. Tang Dingding was only 22, still in graduate school. Tang Yu usually doted on his younger sister, so he didn’t scold her further, simply saying, “It’s in the past. Mom, stop asking. And Tang Dingding, don’t talk about this anymore.”

Did he even have any shame left?

Everyone kept bringing this up.

Tang Dingding muttered, “It wasn’t me who spread it—it was Brother Huo and the others. If you want to blame someone, blame your buddies.”

How had they teased him in the group chat?

“They say he even recruited the best friend of the girl he liked to help, using roundabout tactics. Hahaha!”

“We’re all adults. Why make it so pure and innocent?”

“Exactly! He pursued her for over a year! Isn’t that hilarious? If it were me, the kid would already be here, and you’d all be handing out red envelopes.”

Tang Yu furrowed his brows deeply, pulling out his phone. The group chat had quieted down, but he scrolled through the messages. Damn, they were ruthless.

Tang Dingding looked at him sympathetically. “Brother…”

Tang Yu glared at her. “Save your pity.”

Tang Dingding immediately composed herself and added, “It’s fine. If you like a screenwriter girlfriend, there are plenty in your company. Just pick another one.”

“Enough. Stop talking.” Seeing her son’s dark expression, Zeng Wan quickly pulled Tang Dingding away. “Let’s eat.”

Tang Yu’s mood was particularly sour. After dinner, he returned home immediately.

Once he left, Zeng Wan pulled her daughter aside for details. “You said your brother pursued someone for a long time and didn’t succeed? What kind of girl is she? How could she reject him?”

Tang Dingding grinned mischievously and pulled out her phone. “Mom, let me show you a picture. She’s gorgeous.”

Zeng Wan leaned over, and Tang Dingding opened the WeChat chat history. “She doesn’t post many photos, but I had Brother Huo’s assistant send me some. Look. They say my brother went after one of the two prettiest female screenwriters in the company. Both are beautiful.”

“Which one?” Zeng Wan asked, looking at the two photos.

Tang Dingding pointed. “The one on top—the one smiling sweetly with a dimple.”

“She’s pretty, but her standards are too high…” Zeng Wan scrutinized the photo, frowning. “My son is so handsome and the CEO of a listed company. How could he not be good enough for her? Why would she reject him?”

“Mom, she already has someone she likes,” Tang Dingding explained. “Personally, I think her best friend is prettier. I prefer that type…”

Little did Tang Dingding know that Huo Chendong’s assistant hadn’t paid attention when sending the photos. While the assistant had said the first photo was Ming Zhu, the actual image was of Tang Xin.

Whether it was sent incorrectly or delayed by the network, the first photo belonged to Tang Xin.

Thus, Tang Dingding mistakenly identified the wrong person.

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After returning home and taking a shower, Tang Yu’s lingering frustration slowly dissipated.

Out of habit, he scrolled through his social media feed before bed. His long fingers impatiently flicked through the posts until he found what he was looking for.

Little Rich Girl : Fitness check-in. If you don’t lose weight in March, you’ll end up broke.

Tang Yu didn’t understand her logic. Why would not losing weight make you broke? He glanced at the attached photo—it was from a familiar gym where he also had a membership.

True to form, when Tang Yu had questions, many others shared the same confusion.

Sure enough, someone asked: Why does not losing weight make you broke?

Little Rich Girl replied: Because a woman’s beauty is her greatest wealth!

Tang Yu: “….”

What she said wasn’t entirely wrong. No matter how strange her reasoning, she always seemed to have an answer.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Tang Yu’s lips.

That night, Tang Xin’s attempt to bump into him at the gym failed, leaving her disappointed. The annual membership fee for that gym was exorbitant, and she wouldn’t have signed up if she didn’t know Tang Yu usually went on Friday and Saturday nights. Honestly, she didn’t enjoy working out…

To her dismay, she had missed him twice in two weeks.

Unwilling to give up, she visited the gym again the next afternoon after signing the renovation contract and handing over the keys. This gym was large and upscale, with a separate lounge offering low-fat meals and drinks.

Tang Xin ordered a meal, found a window seat, and finished her dinner before changing into workout clothes.

When Tang Yu arrived at the gym, he was about to enter the private training room when he spotted a familiar figure jogging on the treadmill. Her half-up, half-down ponytail bounced lightly, and her tight-fitting workout attire revealed a strip of pale, soft skin at her waist.

His gaze slid downward, taking in her smooth waistline and curving hips.

Not bad.

He walked over and stood between two treadmills, glancing at the numbers on hers.

She had already been running for 30 minutes.

“Not bad. You can actually run for 30 minutes,” Tang Yu remarked lazily.

“….”

Startled by his voice, Tang Xin stumbled slightly, nearly falling off. Tang Yu quickly pressed the emergency stop button. Watching her catch her breath, he muttered, “Tsk, don’t get yourself killed.”

Tang Xin stared wide-eyed at him. He wore a black tracksuit, the snug T-shirt accentuating the subtle yet defined muscles of his torso. Tall and lean, he was the epitome of a perfect physique.

It was the first time she had seen Tang Yu in workout clothes, and her eyes lit up. “President Tang, you scared me…”

She had assumed he wouldn’t come.

Tang Yu gave her an incredulous look. “This scares you? I thought you had guts.”

Tang Xin stepped off the treadmill. Perhaps it was from the jog, but her fair skin now glowed with a pinkish hue. Her large, dark eyes sparkled as they darted around, full of life. She grinned happily, “Because you suddenly appeared!”

Tang Yu’s lips twitched slightly, and he turned toward the private training room.

Watching his tall, imposing figure, Tang Xin noticed the admiring glances from others. Remembering that Tang Yu was a semi-public figure, she quickly followed him. “Where are you going?”

“What else do you come to a gym for?”

Without looking back, he turned into a private training room.

Tang Xin followed him inside. Tang Yu didn’t bother closing the door. He stretched his wrists and glanced at her indifferently. “Why are you following me?”

Why? She was here specifically to follow him!

Tang Xin recalled the recently released financial report and beamed. “Congratulations! Your net worth increased again.”

“Thanks.”

Tang Yu prepared to warm up. Seeing her still standing there, he raised an eyebrow. “Are you planning to just watch?”

Tang Xin replied matter-of-factly, “Yes, I’ve already run for 30 minutes. Enough.”

In reality, she had only run for 20 minutes—the first 10 were walking, though she had taken a Pilates class earlier.

“I’ll keep you company,” Tang Xin said, sitting on a mat. “Besides, I have nothing else to do.”

“Have you thought of a topic yet?”

“…”

As expected of a boss, always thinking about work.

Tang Xin hesitated for a moment, tilting her head to look at Tang Yu. “No, I…”

“Hmm?” Tang Yu leaned casually against the fitness equipment, amused by her awkwardness. Chuckling softly, he asked, “What do you want?”

When Tang Yu had enlisted Tang Xin as his teammate, though he hadn’t explicitly stated it, he had hinted at certain perks. For example, she could choose her preferred project script or even try her hand at being the lead screenwriter if she wished.

But Tang Xin had never brought it up.

Now seated on the mat, she cupped her chin with both hands, gazing up at him with a soft expression. “Tang Yu, if I write a satisfactory script, will you let me be the producer?”

Tang Yu paused, surprised by her request. He looked down at her and smiled. “Sure, if the script passes the proposal stage.”

Tang Xin wasn’t sure if he fully understood what she meant, so she clarified earnestly: “Not the investor, but the producer.”

Many people confused investors with producers, but the roles were vastly different.

Investors conducted market research and decided whether to fund a project, hiring a producer once the investment was confirmed.

Producers needed to understand scripts, grasp the market, build a production team, oversee filming, manage post-production, handle distribution, control budgets, and ensure timely completion. Every decision they made could impact the quality of the film or TV series. Simply put, one provided the money, while the other handled execution.

Even if her script passed Shiguang’s investment proposal, there was no guarantee Tang Yu would personally oversee the project. Shiguang Films had other credited investors and producers. Tang Yu was so busy and had such high standards that her script might not even catch his eye.

What she truly wanted was for Tang Yu to collaborate with her on a film.

With this excuse, she could discuss plot ideas with him whenever she encountered writer’s block. From script preparation to filming completion, the process took at least a year, giving her ample time to spend with him.

Tang Yu remained leisurely leaning against the equipment, half-closing his eyes as he watched her. Tang Xin felt a twinge of guilt under his gaze and lowered her head, pouting slightly. “Fine, I knew President Tang wouldn’t be so easy to persuade. You only sweet-talked me into helping you back then, and you didn’t even succeed in pursuing her…”

“…” Tang Yu took a deep breath. “Tang Xin.”

“Huh?” She looked up.

Tang Yu gazed at her face and said, “I promise you—if I don’t have time, I’ll arrange someone else…”

Upon hearing that he planned to assign someone else, Tang Xin panicked and blurted out, “No, I don’t want anyone else! I only want you!”

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Author’s Note:

Little Rich Girl: Do I really have this many flaws???

Tang Yu (who secretly enjoys being teased): …

President Tang is 27, and Tang Xin hasn’t turned 25 yet. A two-to-three-year age gap—perfect!