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Psst! We're moving!
When Shen Tang read that, the office fell silent for a few seconds before erupting in laughter.
What kind of ridiculous secret was that?
Jiang Chengyu’s demands weren’t over. “From now on, every morning before you go to work, send me a voice message.”
Shen Tang was still looking at those few lines of text. “You have so little faith in me?”
“It’s not about lacking faith; change itself isn’t easy.” Jiang Chengyu used his own experience of quitting smoking as an example. “It took me a year.”
He prided himself on his strong willpower, yet it still took him that long.
He had completely quit on the night he proposed to her.
Shen Tang: “I won’t get into fights with people anymore.” But verbal disputes, she couldn’t guarantee for now.
Jiang Chengyu looked at his watch. He had to go to a meeting soon. “Do you have any other plans tonight?”
Shen Tang leaned against the edge of the table. “Not right now, but I can’t say for sure about tonight.”
“Then I’ll book a table first, and you can cancel if you’re busy.” Jiang Chengyu wrote the restaurant name and table number on a sticky note and handed it to his secretary, asking her to make the reservation in advance.
He had wanted to take her to that restaurant for a long time but never had the chance.
Shen Tang was about to tell him about Chu Ran’s signing, but he was busy on his end and quickly hung up.
After hanging up, the studio staff were still discussing the ‘secret to success’ she had just read aloud.
Sister Li, unusually playful, asked Yuanyuan to type out those lines and design them. Once the new office was renovated, they would paste that sentence in Shen Tang’s office, to be remembered at all times.
Shen Tang let them tease her. She picked up the half-finished coffee she had brewed earlier, her mood as bright and warm as the weather outside.
________________________________________
Sister Li placed the paper with Chu Ran’s contract terms on Shen Tang’s desk, letting her decide.
Shen Tang carefully read each clause; the demands were not low.
“Agree to all of them.”
If Chu Ran dared to ask, she dared to agree.
Soon, the legal department produced a formal contract, and all of Chu Ran’s demands were clearly stated in the contract.
In the afternoon, Sister Li met with Chu Ran. The lawyer Chu Ran brought reviewed the contract and had no objections.
Chu Ran basically accepted the company’s restrictions on her and signed the contract without hesitation.
Everything went smoothly.
Chu Ran liked Shen Tang’s decisive working style. With the contract signed, it also meant her vacation was over, and she would soon start her new job at the new company.
The reason she was so eager to extend an olive branch to Shen Tang was because she had her eye on a drama Zhou Mingqian was preparing to film, titled “How Should I Love You?” This drama was S-tier in both production and investment.
And she was very fond of the female lead role.
However, with her current resources, she couldn’t secure this role.
The drama where she played the female lead, after airing, didn’t make any waves and was even repeatedly used by marketing accounts for ridicule.
She was unwilling to give up and wanted to challenge “How Should I Love You?”.
After listening, Sister Li said with a half-smile, “Are you saying you want to act in this drama, and just happened to sign a contract with us?”
“You can’t put it that way. If I win an award because of this drama, wouldn’t the company also benefit? I signed a three-year contract, not a three-month one, where I’d just take the role and leave,” Chu Ran handed the contract to her lawyer for safekeeping and capped her pen.
Sister Li hadn’t heard of this drama before and knew nothing about it. “Let me inquire about it. If it suits you, we’ll try to get it for you without you even asking.”
It was a binding of interests; a rising tide lifts all boats.
Back in the office, Sister Li told Shen Tang about the drama Chu Ran wanted to star in. On her way back, she had searched for it, but there was no news about this drama online yet, so Chu Ran must have heard internal information.
Zhou Mingqian now produces one work every year to a year and a half. As long as it’s his drama, companies will scramble to secure roles.
Sister Li took a bottle of water, twisted it open, and drank. “I’ve already asked someone to inquire about it. You should also ask around.”
Shen Tang was typing on the computer, acknowledging Sister Li with a hum.
Sister Li noticed that the cup of tea on the table was still full, exactly where she had left it when she brewed it for Shen Tang, untouched.
“Work is important, but so is your life. Drink some water before continuing your busy work.”
She placed the water near Shen Tang’s hand.
“Alright,” Shen Tang said, without looking up, still typing.
Sister Li couldn’t persuade her. She took the newly signed contract to the legal department for filing. As she passed by Yuanyuan’s cubicle, she paused.
Yuanyuan’s desk was piled high with resumes for new company positions. She had even enlisted Shen Tang’s bodyguard to help.
The bodyguard followed instructions, downloading and printing resumes from the email, while Yuanyuan handled the job classification. They worked quite well together.
Sister Li couldn’t help but chuckle at the bodyguard’s look of helplessness.
When she returned from the legal department, Shen Tang was saving a document. “It’s sent to your email.”
“What?” Sister Li asked.
Shen Tang picked up her water cup and drank. “Chu Ran’s career plan for the next three years.”
“?”
Sister Li quickly opened her email.
Shen Tang had spent five months with Chu Ran and understood her personality thoroughly. She had listed how to leverage her strengths and mitigate weaknesses, and what kind of dramas and shows suited Chu Ran.
Shen Tang: “Mark anything unsuitable and add anything I haven’t considered comprehensively.”
This was originally Sister Li’s job as an agent, but Shen Tang had taken on more than half of it.
She smiled and teased Shen Tang, “I feel like you’ve become my assistant, and I’ve become a boss who enjoys the fruits of labor. I almost forgot--”
She got back to the point, mentioning the drama Chu Ran wanted to star in.
Shen Tang took out her makeup bag and started reapplying her makeup. “I’m meeting Zhou Mingqian for dinner these next two days to see if the role suits Chu Ran. If it does, I’ll get it for her.”
Sister Li looked at her. “Tsk.”
Shen Tang looked at her through the small makeup mirror. “What are you ‘tsking’ about?”
“You, who never bothers with touch-ups, why are you doing your makeup today?”
“Because my makeup is smudged.”
After Shen Tang finished speaking, she also chuckled.
In half an hour, Jiang Chengyu would pick her up for dinner.
Sister Li’s phone vibrated. Her friend, whom she had asked to inquire about the drama “How Should I Love You?”, replied.
[I heard it’s a collaboration between Chen Nanjin and Director Zhou’s company. I don’t know anything else.]
________________________________________
The script for “How Should I Love You?” had been polished since February last year, and it was only approved by Zhou Mingqian after the sixth revision, with recent plans for production.
Chen Nanjin’s company was investing.
Upon learning that Chu Ran had signed with Shen Tang’s company, Fan Yu rushed from the airport to her daughter’s set.
Chen Yinuo had just finished work, and Fan Yu drove her daughter away from the set.
Fan Yu had gone to Shanghai for a business trip yesterday, so Chen Yinuo didn’t expect her mother to return so quickly. “Mom, didn’t you say you’d be there for three to five days?”
She took out her lotion from her bag and applied it to her face.
Chen Yinuo had just removed her makeup on set and hadn’t had time to apply skincare products when her mother’s rapid-fire calls summoned her away.
Fan Yu looked at the road outside the windshield. “I’ll go back tomorrow.”
Chen Yinuo suddenly turned, the lotion on her face not yet fully blended, a white patch on her forehead. She couldn’t help but worry, “Is something wrong?”
“Not exactly, just a bit urgent.” Fan Yu glanced at her daughter. “Finish applying that to your face.” She continued, “Chu Ran signed with a new company, and it was officially announced this afternoon. You saw it, right?”
Chen Yinuo replied faintly, “Mm.”
It was hard not to see it; it was the top trending topic today.
The two who were once sworn enemies had unexpectedly ‘fallen in love’ without warning.
She was also taken aback.
In the afternoon, everyone on set, without exception, was gossiping about it.
Had Shen Tang forgiven Xiao Zhen?
Otherwise, why would she sign Chu Yueli’s niece?
Fan Yu: “Chu Ran wants to star in ‘How Should I Love You?’.”
Chen Yinuo didn’t care about her lotion application technique, spreading it haphazardly with her fingers. “Isn’t that a drama my dad’s company invested in?”
“You actually know, I thought you didn’t care about anything,” Fan Yu said with a hint of complaint.
“Mom--” Chen Yinuo couldn’t stand her mother’s tone. “I can’t possibly keep track of my dad every day, asking him what he’s invested in, and what dramas he’s going to film, right?”
She found it annoying herself.
Fan Yu took advantage of a red light to turn and face her daughter. “Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it to get more for you? Your dad’s assets were built after he married me; they should all belong to you. Why should Shen Tang have a share? If you don’t get closer to your dad, all of that will eventually be Shen Tang’s.”
Chen Yinuo sighed inwardly, her face severely dehydrated. Even after applying water and lotion, it still felt wrinkled, and her heart felt crumpled too.
When her parents divorced, her mother got half the assets.
Each had a company too.
Her father’s capabilities far surpassed her mother’s; his company remained a golden brand.
Her mother was unwilling, constantly nagging her to ask her father for company shares.
How could she bring herself to ask?
“I was exhausted after a morning of meetings, and then I rushed back for you. Do you really think I’m doing this because I have nothing better to do?”
Fan Yu sighed. “I know your personality. Talking to you on the phone is useless, so I had no choice but to personally take you to your dad’s company. You secure the role in ‘How Should I Love You?’ and star in it yourself.”
Chen Yinuo was resistant to asking her father for a role. If she went, her father would definitely guess it was her mother’s idea. She was still hoping that once her father calmed down and his anger subsided, she could try to reconcile her parents.
She whispered, “The role might not even suit me.”
“Chen Yinuo, what’s wrong with your brain? Did you just enter this industry? Scripts aren’t set in stone; if it doesn’t suit you, it can be changed! Just secure it first!” Fan Yu snapped in anger.
Chen Yinuo turned to look out the window.
Fan Yu understood her daughter’s temper. Her voice softened. “I know you’re still hoping for your dad and me to remarry. Yinuo, Mom isn’t trying to discourage you, but let go of that idea. It’s impossible. Your dad won’t go back once he’s left. You need to be realistic too.”
The green light came on.
Fan Yu gently pressed the accelerator, took a breath, and kindly spoke to her daughter, “Chu Ran is now an artist with Shen Tang’s company. Shen Tang will definitely try every possible way to secure resources for her. If you don’t stand with Mom and suppress Shen Tang’s company’s resources, you’ll be shedding tears later.”
She exaggerated. “Once Shen Tang’s company grows big and she also wins over your father, constantly flaunting their family ties online, then your dad’s company will be hers, his money will be hers, and you’ll be ridiculed again. If you can swallow that, then swallow it. Anyway, I can’t.”
Chen Yinuo remained silent, putting her lotion bottles back in her bag.
After that, neither of them spoke again.
Half an hour later, the car stopped downstairs at Chen Nanjin’s company.
“If you don’t fight for it tonight, it might become Shen Tang’s company’s possession tomorrow.”
After sitting in the car for five minutes, Chen Yinuo pushed open the door and got out.
Chen Nanjin lived alone now. His home was cold and empty, and he spent most of his time at the company, sometimes staying overnight in the office’s rest area when working late.
Chen Yinuo called her father just before getting on the elevator, saying she would arrive soon.
Chen Nanjin was reading a script, surprised that his daughter was coming to see him at this hour.
He folded the page he was on and closed the script.
Chen Yinuo knocked and entered.
“Dad, still busy?”
“Not really busy.”
His daughter had been on a long-term diet and didn’t drink caloric beverages. Chen Nanjin poured her a cup of warm water. He noticed his daughter was barefaced. “Just finished work?”
“Mm,” Chen Yinuo took the water cup from her father’s hand.
Chen Nanjin sat across from his daughter. “Are you hungry? Dad will accompany you for something light.”
Chen Yinuo shook her head, looking very tired.
She held the warm water cup, but her heart felt as if it had been scalded by boiling water, in torment.
If she didn’t bring it up herself, her father wouldn’t think of discussing the “How Should I Love You?” script with her.
Chen Yinuo pretended not to know that the drama was invested in by her father’s company. “Dad, I heard on set today that Director Zhou is preparing a new drama again. They were talking about it very specifically, and even said Chu Ran was starring. Is it true?”
Chen Nanjin smiled. “You believe that?”
In front of his daughter, he let his guard down. “The lead role hasn’t been cast yet.”
“Oh. But it’s not entirely baseless; at least, it’s true that Director Zhou is making a new drama.”
Chen Nanjin nodded. “It’s in preparation.”
Chen Yinuo maintained her expression, speaking in a half-joking tone, “Is there a role in this drama that suits me? Since the lead hasn’t been cast yet, I’d like to audition too.”
Chen Nanjin had read the script no less than three times, even overseeing some small details. “The lead role doesn’t suit you. It’s a story about a dancer, so it requires a professional dancer.”
Chen Yinuo had only learned dancing for a few years when she was a child. Later, she focused on learning musical instruments and didn’t have much time to practice dancing; even her basic skills weren’t solid.
“I still have some foundation. I can ask a dance teacher for quick lessons. You know I can endure hardship. Besides, this is a romance drama; the entire drama only has some dancing scenes, it’s not entirely about how to dance.”
She put down her water cup, sat next to her father, and linked her arm through his, somewhat playfully, “Dad, can you ask Director Zhou and help me get a chance? Besides wanting to challenge my acting skills, I also have a selfish motive: I want to be in the same production as you. Now, I can’t just come home and see you like before.”
Chen Nanjin was silent for a few seconds. “I can recommend you, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get the role in the end.”
Chen Yinuo breathed a sigh of relief; a recommendation was enough.
Outside, the night grew deeper.
In a restaurant on the other side of the city, Jiang Chengyu and Shen Tang had just arrived, having been stuck in traffic for nearly an hour.
Jiang Chengyu asked her, “How does your first day at work feel?”
Shen Tang didn’t humble herself at all: “I’m a beauty, but not yet a successful boss.”
“If you stick with it, it won’t take long,” Jiang Chengyu leaned back in his chair, watching her while they waited for their meal.
His eyes were dark, and when he looked at someone, he seemed to see into their heart.
Shen Tang didn’t hide, propping her chin on her hand and gazing back at him.
In the three years they were together, they had never been like this.
After a moment of silence, Shen Tang spoke: “The company signed a contract today, and another one has expressed interest.” A little bit of success made her quite happy.
Her only shortcoming or aversion was socializing for work.
“My personality, I’m afraid, won’t change anytime soon; a single sentence can annoy someone to death.”
So, there was still a long way to go before achieving success.
Jiang Chengyu looked at her. “No need to change. Your personality is fine with me. You don’t need to compromise for anyone.”
“Then why did you say I was obsessive?”
Shen Tang held grudges; she had recorded every word he said in a little notebook.
Jiang Chengyu explained, “That was because I didn’t understand what you had been through then. Your sharp-edged personality is perfect now, provided you don’t stray further down that path of hatred. I’ll make sure you maintain that balance.”
He addressed the issue she was concerned about earlier. “Let capable people handle what you’re not good at. You focus on what you excel at.”
Shen Tang nodded. “We’re also recruiting, but haven’t found suitable candidates yet.”
Jiang Chengyu sought her opinion, “Do you want me to introduce you to someone?”
Shen Tang joked, “You?”
“I don’t have time.” Jiang Chengyu didn’t keep her in suspense. “My childhood friend, Qin Xing.”
He had many childhood friends, so Shen Tang didn’t pay much attention to the name. Besides, anyone who grew up with him as a childhood friend must have lived in the same compound, implying an extraordinary family background, and she couldn’t afford to hire such a person.
It wasn’t until the gathering on Saturday that Shen Tang connected the childhood friend Jiang Chengyu mentioned with the name.
It turned out that the childhood friend who had gone to great lengths to cover for Jiang Chengyu at the club and sang “Cool” with her was Qin Xing.
A strangely cute name.
“Hi, sister-in-law,” Qin Xing said, familiar as ever.
While greeting, he didn’t forget to keep an eye on Yan Heyu, because Jiang Chengyu had also invited Wen Di today. To avoid embarrassing Shen Tang, he had asked her best friend to come along.
Li Zheng’s car also arrived. The gift she had prepared was in the trunk, and she got out empty-handed.
Jiang Chengyu glanced at her empty hands. “Didn’t I tell you to prepare a gift?”
“It’s too big, I couldn’t carry it!” Li Zheng opened the trunk. She had driven an SUV today, and the rear seats were folded up just to fit all the paintings.
“I drew CP paintings for you two, one-to-one, based on your actual heights. Happy fifth anniversary in advance.”
Jiang Chengyu was touched. “Thank you.”
Li Zheng went to find Shen Tang. They had sort of met at the wedding banquet that day, and today she actively greeted her, “Little Aunt.”
Shen Tang felt a little embarrassed by the address. “Hello, thank you for the bouquet that day.”
“You’re welcome,” Li Zheng wanted Shen Tang to know her intentions and her support for her uncle’s pursuit. She pointed to the car’s trunk, “I prepared a small gift for you. You can discuss with my uncle whether to send it to your place or keep it at my uncle’s villa for now.”
Shen Tang thanked her again. This little girl’s personality was much more easygoing than Jiang Chengyu’s.
The yard was exceptionally lively. Several chefs were preparing barbecue ingredients, and Jiang Chengyu’s friends had started two card games.
Wen Di and Shen Tang loved to barbecue themselves. They didn’t join the card games but helped the chefs at the grill.
There was only one apron outside, which was given to Wen Di.
Jiang Chengyu told Shen Tang to be careful with her clothes. “I’ll go get you one.”
As soon as he entered the villa, a car drove into the yard.
Shen Tang didn’t know whose car it was and didn’t pay special attention, assuming it was one of Jiang Chengyu’s friends. After an unconscious glance, she lowered her head and continued grilling scallops.
Qin Xing, with his sharp eyes, spotted the license plate number as soon as the car turned into the yard. That was Jiang Chengyu’s father’s car.
“What’s going on?” he muttered to himself.
Qin Xing only knew that Jiang Chengyu was pursuing Shen Tang, but he didn’t know his parents’ attitude towards Shen Tang, nor had he ever heard Jiang Chengyu mention it.
Based on his understanding of the Jiang family elders, Shen Tang’s family probably wouldn’t meet their expectations.
Even a prominent family like Lu Zhifei’s was barely considered a match, let alone Chen Nanjin and Xiao Zhen who had both remarried.
“Zhengzheng,” Qin Xing gestured to Li Zheng with his eyes, telling her to look at the parking area.
Li Zheng was stunned. Why were Grandma and Grandpa here?
She hadn’t breathed a single word about the gathering at her uncle’s house today.
Without time to greet her grandparents, she dropped the barbecue ingredients in her hand and hurried into the villa.
“Uncle!”
Meanwhile, in the courtyard outside, Qin Xing quickly walked over to Shen Tang, whispering, “Jiang Chengyu’s parents are here. Even Zhengzheng didn’t know beforehand. Don’t be nervous; it’s probably just a coincidence that they came to find Jiang Chengyu.”
Shen Tang, who was flipping scallops, suddenly looked up.
The car stopped, and two people got out.
“Uncle Jiang, Aunt Jiang,” Jiang Chengyu’s friends and childhood companions greeted in unison.
Shen Tang had only seen his parents in the family portrait on Jiang Chengyu’s study desk. Photos and real people were still a bit different; their aura and sharpness were hidden in the photos.
In the photos, they just seemed like a family of high-颜值.
But the people in front of her exuded an inherent sharpness.
She observed them. Jiang Chengyu’s demeanor was a combination of his parents’. His father looked wise and profound, with an intimidating presence that could command respect from everyone in the yard just by standing in front of the car.
His mother was noble and humble, well-preserved, her actual age indiscernible.
Wen Di was also looking in the direction of the parking area. Having dated Yan Heyu for several years, she had some understanding of how parents in their circle viewed their children’s marriages.
With an inherent sense of superiority, parents were always strong-willed.
Wen Di took a skewer of unripe cherry tomatoes and ate them, ignoring their sourness. She lightly tugged on Shen Tang’s skirt. “Hey.”
Shen Tang turned around, unfazed. “Why are you eating those before they’re even cooked?”
“Don’t worry about that.” Wen Di reassured her. “Jiang Chengyu’s niece likes you so much, which shows how much effort Jiang Chengyu put in. Even if you have some issues with their family, Jiang Chengyu will definitely handle it well.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Chengyu strode out of the villa.
Among the people present today, besides Shen Tang and Wen Di, everyone else knew Jiang Chengyu’s parents, so no further introductions were needed.
Mrs. Jiang held a shopping bag from a men’s clothing brand. Last week, when her son came home, he was wearing a black shirt, a color he never wore before.
She didn’t know why he suddenly changed his mind.
She thought it looked good on him, so she bought him a few.
Last night, the boutique had mailed the clothes to her home.
Taking advantage of the weekend today, she specifically delivered them.
Coincidentally, they were having a seafood barbecue today.
Before their car even reached the courtyard, the aroma of barbecue wafted through the air.
Mrs. Jiang handed him the clothes. “Your dad and I seem to have come at the wrong time.”
Jiang Chengyu: “It’s nothing. We were going to meet eventually.” He turned to call Shen Tang, “Tangtang.”
Everyone looked at her.
She couldn’t not go. Shen Tang handed the barbecue tongs to Wen Di.
Jiang Chengyu took a few steps towards her. He stood beside her and introduced her: “These are my parents.”
Suddenly meeting his parents, Shen Tang felt a hint of nervousness, and an inexplicable sense of pressure. Thankfully, she managed her expression well and said gracefully, “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”
Elder Mr. Jiang was usually stern, but at this moment, his expression was gentle, and Mrs. Jiang always had a smile on her face. Both were waiting for their son to introduce Shen Tang.
Jiang Chengyu subtly placed his left hand around Shen Tang’s waist, formally and seriously introducing her to his parents: “This is Shen Tang, the girl I love, your future daughter-in-law.”
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