HYAT - 17

The computer was still on. Shen Qianzhan scrolled the mouse to look at the new clause hidden in the most inconspicuous corner of the fourth page of the contract.

Were Ji Qinghe’s eyes like a dog’s? So cunning.

She bit her finger, thought for about three minutes, then replied: “The fulfillment condition for ‘private feelings’ should be that the number of people in a confined space must not be less than three, and the distance must not be negative.” After sending it, Shen Qianzhan reviewed it several times and added: “If this clause requires detailed annotations from our side, Mr. Ji can provide his adjustment opinions to my assistant.”

Shen Qianzhan meticulously added punctuation marks, looked at it carefully, and couldn’t help but give herself a thumbs-up.

Subtle yet not vulgar, tactful yet firm. Her response could totally be included in “How to Quickly Guide Rich Second-Generation Kids to Politely Refuse Unethical Advances” as a detailed example, specifically for Su Zan to study.

However, her gaze fell on Ji Qinghe’s WeChat chat box, and she scoffed softly—Ji Qinghe’s habit of asking something he clearly knows was not going to improve anytime soon.

Before, he knew her sensitive spots and would still provoke her, enjoying her incoherent and broken responses.

Now, he knew she was wary of discussing feelings, yet he would constantly remind her.

It’s a real pity he’s not a dog.

________________________________________

Shen Qianzhan waited for a moment. Seeing that Ji Qinghe didn’t seem to plan on replying, she simply closed her laptop and waited for quitting time.

She had a dinner party that evening, originally scheduled for the evening of the 22nd. Due to the director having an impromptu commitment, the schedule was delayed. Only this morning did the other party confirm the time via WeChat.

Shen Qianzhan was already used to temporary adjustments to dinner plans. One of her company’s previous projects required almost two full months of adjustments to coordinate the original author’s and screenwriter’s schedules before the main creative team could be assembled.

A three-hour dinner. For just those three hours, she and Qiao Xin had waited two months.

As the appointed time approached, Shen Qianzhan got up to touch up her makeup.

She always paid great attention to her appearance. When she got dressed up, even her hair had to be meticulously perfect, a standard comparable to artists walking the red carpet or posing for magazines.

Su Zan had watched her touch up her makeup. Having grown up among girls, he wasn’t like typical straight men who knew nothing about makeup. Sometimes, when Shen Qianzhan picked up blush or eyeshadow, he could immediately identify the correct brush to hand over.

Not to mention his understanding of popular lipstick shades, which was on par with Shen Qianzhan’s.

Even so, he once asked: “If you break it down by makeup steps and functional areas, wouldn’t this face be dismembered?”

Shen Qianzhan initially didn’t understand. She looked at him with a slight疑问 (yíwèn, doubt), waiting for Su Zan’s surprising remark.

And he certainly didn’t disappoint. Su Zan gestured vaguely at her features in the air, giving an example: “Take highlighter, for instance. The forehead, brow bone, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow, and chin all need to be brightened. And blush isn’t just for the cheeks, but also the tip of the nose. Eyeshadow is divided into the inner corner, upper lid, lower lid, and outer corner, from primer to blending to layering, the technical operations are progressive. If each part were taught separately step-by-step...” He shuddered.

Shen Qianzhan, following his words, imagined her facial features being dismembered but continued to draw her eyeliner without changing her expression: “You’re wrong.”

Su Zan wondered: “Huh?”

Shen Qianzhan’s hand was as steady as a rock, sweeping the eyeliner into a distinctive cat-eye flick. She looked left and right, quite satisfied: “You still don’t understand women’s pursuit of beauty enough. For example, me, I’m uniquely gifted. I don’t need any separate teaching. No matter how complicated the makeup steps, I learn them with just one look.”

Su Zan admitted this. He had always thought that even if Shen Qianzhan lost her job, she could still be a makeup artist with her skills.

Makeup touched up, Shen Qianzhan glanced at the time. It was just right to leave.

________________________________________

For occasions that weren’t particularly important or formal, Shen Qianzhan didn’t use company resources. She and Su Zan agreed to meet in the parking lot. She went downstairs with Qiao Xin and drove to the appointment.

The director she was meeting tonight was one of the candidates Shen Qianzhan had listed for the tribute drama collaboration. His surname was Shao, and his name was Shao Chou Xie.

It was said that in his youth, Shao Chou Xie, whose original name was Shao Yi Gang, lived up to his name. He profoundly embodied the deep meaning of his parents’ naming. He would argue with teachers one day, then with leaders the next, constantly challenging everything and everyone, including the Minor Protection Law.

After being disciplined by the school once, he was forced to drop out.

His parents, superstitious about feng shui, then conveniently changed the name of the now-famous Director Shao, hoping that Shao Yi Gang would continue to live up to his new name, allowing his parents, who had the misfortune of having him as a son for eight lifetimes, to worry less.

No one knew which element in Shao Yi Gang’s Five Elements was tamed, but thereafter, everything went smoothly. He displayed his artistic talent, successfully got into the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and then successfully graduated to become a director.

A bold, meticulous, and boundary-pushing art film, presented in a perfectly subtle way, won the annual Best Film award.

Normally, Shao Chou Xie’s personal experience was already rich enough, and his character full, but what Shen Qianzhan valued, besides his professional ability, was Shao Chou Xie’s inherent hot search appeal.

The most prominent and talked-about part of Shao Chou Xie’s rise to fame among netizens was precisely his name change history.

Shen Qianzhan’s style of doing things was always bold; within the bounds of morality and law, she loved novelty.

Her interest in Shao Chou Xie was long-standing, and she wanted to see if she could create different sparks by breaking away from the established rules and templates of the industry.

________________________________________

Ji Chun Er Wan Hotel.

Familiar greetings, familiar small talk.

By the time Shen Qianzhan walked into the private room, Shao Chou Xie, who had been waiting for her for nearly half an hour, was not in the room.

She blinked in confusion, looking at Su Zan: “Where is he? Don’t tell me we’re in the wrong private room.”

Su Zan was also puzzled: “I sent him the room number and specifically told the hotel to bring him over personally.” He pointed to the cold cup of tea on the table: “Maybe he went to the restroom?”

Shen Qianzhan said nothing, only raised an eyebrow, signaling him to quickly go find the person.

Three minutes later, Su Zan returned, an odd expression on his face.

Before Shen Qianzhan could ask, he frowned and reported: “I found him, but I couldn’t get him back...”

Su Zan lightly coughed, explaining: “It was Jian Xin, Producer Jian. She held him back.”

Shen Qianzhan fiddled with her phone, not saying a word, only lightly furrowing her brows.

Just as Su Zan was subtly observing her expression, carefully choosing his words, Shen Qianzhan silently chanted, “Don’t wrinkle, don’t wrinkle, wrinkles will grow.” She forcefully suppressed the urge to scratch and manually smoothed out her furrowed brow.

Seeing this, Su Zan continued: “Besides Jian Xin, Mr. Jiang and Director Lei are also there.”

“Jiang Yechen?” Shen Qianzhan asked.

Su Zan stammered, then finally nodded: “I heard Mr. Ji will be arriving soon.”

This time her eyebrows wouldn’t listen. She frowned in thought for a moment, then let out a cold laugh: “I knew Jiang Yechen’s assistant had been subtly prying information from Qiao Xin these past two days. So, he thought I couldn’t handle Ji Qinghe and was preparing for a backup.”

Shen Qianzhan was always cautious. Before a contract was filed, everything was subject to change. Ji Qinghe’s risk factor was especially high. Before he signed and sealed anything, she specifically told Qiao Xin that no one in the company, except the two of them, should know about it.

Even Su Zan was blacklisted by Shen Qianzhan because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

That’s why after countless rounds of evasive conversation between Jiang Yechen’s assistant and Qiao Xin, they just assumed Shen Qianzhan’s ambiguity meant the negotiations with Ji Qinghe had fallen through, and she couldn’t respond directly out of guilt.

She clicked her tongue: “It’s truly disheartening.”

Su Zan watched silently, not daring to interject.

His Sister Zhan’s sharp expression certainly didn’t show any sign of being disheartened...

Qiao Xin timidly asked: “Sister Zhan, what should we do?”

Should we just take a vacation on the spot?

But clearly, taking a vacation on the spot was impossible.

Only overtime was eternal.

Shen Qianzhan thought for a moment and said: “What can we do? Let’s just eat together. It’s lively with more people anyway.”

________________________________________

Jian Xin was triumphantly pleased at successfully snatching Shao Chou Xie away and irritating Shen Qianzhan. She was also extremely gentle and flattering towards Jiang Yechen.

Her rivalry with Shen Qianzhan was well-known in the industry.

When she failed to compete for the tribute drama previously, Jian Xin didn’t show it on her face, but she had already cursed Shen Qianzhan seven or eight hundred times in her heart. However, her skills were inferior, and once the contract between Baixuan and Qianzhan was signed, she could only admit defeat.

However, in the film and television industry, project changes were common.

Jian Xin had not completely given up. She had been secretly working hard during this time, trying to make a breakthrough with Jiang Yechen.

Unfortunately, for half a year, Baixuan remained unmoved. It wasn’t until recently that her overtures received a response. Things that offered hope provided motivation to work.

Jian Xin had many connections in the industry. While flattering Baixuan’s senior management, she also secretly investigated the situation.

The industry was full of gossip, and there was no shortage of scandalous talk. Although some information was inaccurate, and lacked logical beginning or end, it didn’t prevent her from sensing Baixuan’s intention to change collaborators.

If Shen Qianzhan knew that the resources she had painstakingly fought for were about to fall easily into her hands, would that beautiful face contort with anger?

However, this question was soon personally answered by the main subject.

Shen Qianzhan, walking in high heels, entered with the aura of a fashion week runway model.

She appeared oblivious to being an uninvited guest, shamelessly adopting the stance of the main host, first exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Yechen and the two directors.

After greeting them and eyeing the seat she would take later, she then feigned surprise, covering her lips with a hand, and walked towards Jian Xin, extending her arm for a hug: “Jian Xin, what are you doing here? Long time no see.”

Jian Xin let out a few cold laughs. Her superficial acting was even better than Shen Qianzhan’s. After standing up and hugging Shen Qianzhan back, she smilingly pulled out the lower seat next to her, where a waiter was serving dishes, and invited her to sit: “Come, sit down and eat with us.”

Shen Qianzhan was an old fox. She subtly took two steps back, saying, “Will I be disturbing you?” while pointing to the main seat clearly reserved for Ji Qinghe, and said, “Zan Zan said you’ll have another guest later. I’ll sit there, so I don’t interrupt your discussion.”

Everyone present was shrewd; they knew Shen Qianzhan was doing it on purpose, but they were all prominent figures and wouldn’t get involved in women’s battles.

Shen Qianzhan’s attitude was strong, making it clear she wouldn’t let Jian Xin have her way and wouldn’t consider her feelings. She complacently led Su Zan and Qiao Xin to their seats.

Qiao Xin was uneasy, secretly sending a WeChat message to Su Zan: “Sister Zhan is so scary.”

Su Zan comforted her: “Women in menopause are all scary.”

Qiao Xin: “Didn’t you see Jian Xin’s eyes? They were like Granny Rong’s needles, practically wanting to pierce Sister Zhan.”

Su Zan stifled a laugh and replied: “Sister Zhan is an inflatable doll; at most, she’ll just leak.”

Qiao Xin: “...If you badmouth Sister Zhan like that, I’ll tell on you.”

Su Zan didn’t reply.

He poured wine for Shen Qianzhan and then accompanied a round of toasts with the big shots.

Director Lei was a heavy drinker. Su Zan had drunk a lot with him recently to secure an audition opportunity for Xiang Qianqian. So much so that now, seeing his dark face, his hands couldn’t help but tremble.

Shen Qianzhan saw his hands shaking like he had Parkinson’s and voluntarily raised her glass to toast on Su Zan’s behalf: “I heard from Zan Zan that you took good care of Qianqian recently, and she gained a lot. My brother here is clumsy with words and broad-minded, grateful at heart but not good at expressing himself. Since I happened to meet Director Lei today, I must thank you on his behalf.”

She downed the entire glass, not leaving a single drop.

Director Lei disliked people with affected personalities. Seeing Shen Qianzhan being so straightforward, he instantly beamed: “Producer Shen is straightforward. Qianqian has strong plasticity and is hardworking and eager to learn. Her future is bright. Since her manager is here today, bring Qianqian for a makeup trial another day. If suitable, we’ll surely have more opportunities to drink together, Producer Shen.”

Shen Qianzhan was slightly surprised, but her expression was well-managed, showing no hint of impropriety.

She smiled and told Su Zan to pour wine and thank Director Lei for his appreciation, her gaze resting on Jiang Yechen, who was silently tasting wine. Her eyes fixed—she might know who Xiang Qianqian’s backer was now.

________________________________________

After three rounds of drinks, Jiang Yechen urged his assistant to call Ji Qinghe, claiming that the food would get cold if he didn’t come soon, but in reality, he was afraid that if he waited any longer, Ji Qinghe would find an excuse not to come.

Shen Qianzhan witnessed this scene and knew that Ji Qinghe probably hadn’t agreed to the invitation. Suddenly, her heart felt light, and a sense of pleasure emerged.

She didn’t miss the assistant’s hesitant expression upon returning after making the call. She looked at Jiang Yechen’s displeased face, put down her lightly swaying wine glass, and said in a languid voice: “Mr. Ji is difficult to invite. Every time, you have to urge him three or four times, which is quite troublesome.”

She propped her chin, feigning a slight tipsiness, and said with a smile: “However, Mr. Ji has a good relationship with our Zan Zan.” She turned her head, tapping her chin casually twice, signaling him: “Use my phone to call Mr. Ji. If he’s not busy, he shouldn’t keep the elder waiting here.”

Her words were well-measured, showing both her close relationship with Ji Qinghe and subtly elevating Jiang Yechen, killing two birds with one stone.

Flattering should be done so subtly and pleasingly to both parties. Jian Xin’s cloying, fawning voice was just annoying.

Shen Qianzhan jotted down a small note, deciding to use Jian Xin as a negative example to thoroughly guide Su Zan later. This way, he would understand that the art of flattering bigwigs depended on whether he used his brain, instead of being like Jian Xin every day, only knowing opportunistic tricks.

Just as she was custom-designing a crash course for Su Zan, her peripheral vision caught the private room door being pushed open from the outside by Su Zan. He stood to the side, his face bearing the sycophantic expression Shen Qianzhan was all too familiar with.

She had a vague suspicion, and before these suspicions could solidify, Ji Qinghe, like a clear pine or cold bamboo, walked in with an aura of chill.

The scene before her was too similar to the night of their unexpected reunion. Shen Qianzhan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, like having too much coffee, causing palpitations. For a moment, her breathing was tight, as if all the air had been plundered by him, as if she were in a dream.

And she, intoxicated in the dream, lingered.

But soon, her consciousness cleared.

Ji Qinghe’s brows were slightly furrowed. As if unintentionally, his gaze first swept towards her direction. Then, he nonchalantly shifted his gaze, surveying the entire room.

Behind him followed a special assistant, slightly shorter than him, with proper features. At first glance, he seemed unremarkable, but when he opened his eyes, the sharp light in them was as strikingly lethal as Ji Qinghe’s when he was stern.

Shen Qianzhan rested her chin on her hand, silently thinking: No wonder they’re equally difficult. Did Ji Qinghe buy them in bulk based on his own standards?

Jian Xin was vexed that she had messed up her important business. All evening, she did nothing but instigate Shen Qianzhan to drink.

Although Su Zan blocked a lot for her, it was ultimately limited.

Now, the alcohol’s aftereffects were kicking in. She saw people with a hazy filter, even Jian Xin’s bony frame looked more pleasing. Her thinking dulled, she didn’t keep up with everyone’s rhythm. Not only did she miss the best timing to act intimately when Ji Qinghe entered, she didn’t even get a chance to greet him.

Shen Qianzhan silently shut up, watching wide-eyed as Jian Xin, smiling sweetly, gave up her seat to allow Ji Qinghe to sit next to Jiang Yechen.

As if sensing her gaze, Ji Qinghe glanced slightly, looking at her.

Then, he smiled very faintly and walked straight towards her.

If it weren’t for everyone watching, Shen Qianzhan almost wanted to cover her racing heart.

She watched Ji Qinghe approach her without blinking. When he was one step away from her, he spoke in a clear, cool voice: “I’ll sit here.”

Su Zan paused for a moment. He didn’t even need Ji Qinghe to confirm if the seat was available. He nimbly picked up his wine glass and cutlery and moved to an empty seat, not forgetting to ask the waiter standing by the door to bring a fresh set of clean cutlery.

Ji Qinghe, as if it were only natural, sat down beside her without any pressure.

Shen Qianzhan stiffened, rigidly turning her head to meet his gaze for several seconds.

Ji Qinghe looked to be in a bad mood. His lips were slightly pressed together, and even their color was a shade paler than usual.

Just as the waiter came to serve the tableware, Shen Qianzhan noticed she hadn’t given Ji Qinghe a glass teacup and reminded: “He doesn’t drink alcohol. Get him another cup and a pot of hot tea.”

Ji Qinghe had been drumming his fingers on his knee in displeasure. Hearing her, his small movement paused. He seemed to smile, and the cold frost on his face suddenly melted, softening a few shades.

Completely unaware that her usual behavior had unexpectedly boosted her patron’s favorability, Shen Qianzhan then noticed that both he and his special assistant were dressed in suits, as if they had just rushed from a formal occasion. She thought for a moment and asked: “Were you just around here?”

Su Zan had been on the phone for a long time and hadn’t come back since he left.

Shen Qianzhan remembered clearly that Jian Xin, that little wench, had even scoffed: “Su Zan has been on the phone for so long. Could it be that Mr. Ji is too busy to come, and he’s afraid to come in because he can’t account for it?”

Look.

Now she’s been proven wrong.

“Yes, just upstairs.” His voice wasn’t lowered. In the air-conditioned private room, his words were clearly audible to everyone present: “Su Zan said you drank too much, so I came down to check.”

Shen Qianzhan was silent for a moment.

Her heart felt numb. She always felt that the scoundrel was about to cause trouble again.

She looked nervously at Ji Qinghe and asked: “Didn’t I interrupt your important business?”

Ji Qinghe glanced at her, loosened his tie, and countered: “Aren’t you the important business?” If his expression hadn’t been so natural and his posture so casual, Shen Qianzhan would have almost thought he was seriously flirting with her.

Seeing her not speak.

Ji Qinghe looked at her, slightly raised his chin, and said: “I heard your team is all here. I brought my assistant. Let’s sign the contract before we leave.”

Shen Qianzhan had an “I knew it” expression: “Mr. Ji is so enthusiastic, I couldn’t ask for more.”

Ji Qinghe smiled faintly, the amusement in his eyes fleeting.

He turned his head to look at Su Zan, who was currently acting like a quail. He recalled Su Zan’s instant betrayal on the phone when he asked, “Sister Zhan is really easy to bully when she’s drunk, do you want to come take a look?” Ji Qinghe subtly curved his lips, playing with his teacup as he looked at the two seemingly harmonious yet clearly distinct groups at the dining table.

Jiang Yechen was somewhat startled by Ji Qinghe’s close relationship with Shen Qianzhan and tentatively asked: “Qian Zhan, are you and Mr. Ji collaborating?”

Although Shen Qianzhan understood Jiang Yechen’s private backup plans, she felt no less disgusted by his lack of contractual spirit. She was careful with her words, speaking half and withholding half: “Mr. Ji is the sole inheritor of Elder Ji’s legacy. Do you think I’d let him go?”

Jiang Yechen’s eyes flickered slightly, appearing quite approving.

Shen Qianzhan couldn’t discern Jiang Yechen’s true thoughts and simply took it as him complimenting her. She smiled and raised her glass to Ji Qinghe: “I must also thank Mr. Ji for his trust in me. A toast?”

Ji Qinghe didn’t move. He didn’t even spare a glance for anyone else, focusing only on disciplining Shen Qianzhan: “Did you forget again? I don’t usually...”

Before he could finish, Shen Qianzhan immediately put down her wine glass and poured a pot of tea into it: “I’m a vulgar person.”

She took a small sip. The bitter-sweet tea was a bit hot on her tongue. She took one sip and then set it down, finishing the second half of her sentence: “I only know how to drink wine and compose poetry. As for tea... I can’t compose anything.”

Her words seemed to hit one of Shao Chou Xie’s funny bones. He clapped his hands and laughed, saying: “I’ve long heard that Producer Shen is an interesting person, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to talk in depth. If there’s an opportunity to collaborate in the future, I hope to get to know Producer Shen’s interesting soul.”

Shen Qianzhan smiled humbly, striking while the iron was hot, and started discussing the topic she had originally intended to discuss with him that evening.

Ji Qinghe raised his eyes, seemingly casually glancing at Shao Chou Xie, and said nothing more.

________________________________________

Around 10 PM, Shen Qianzhan, feigning her inability to hold her liquor and wanting to avoid delaying important business with Ji Qinghe, decided to leave first.

Jian Xin knew perfectly well that Shen Qianzhan had achieved her goal for the evening and was preparing to leave. She was seething with frustration, wanting to make sarcastic remarks to diminish Shen Qianzhan’s standing. But just as the words reached her lips, she suddenly felt a gaze on her face.

When she looked up to find it, the gaze shifted, disappearing silently.

She had a belly full of bitter words stuck at the tip of her tongue, but before she could utter them, she saw Jiang Yechen and the two directors also announce their departure.

Jian Xin, boiling with anger, felt her dantian about to explode. Unable to hold back a single word, she blurted out: “Producer Shen always acts so dedicated to her work. Perhaps you could teach me sometime how to use that dedication to charm those rich kids from East City and West City into repeatedly asking their parents for money to invest in your dramas.”

Shen Qianzhan was just waiting for a peaceful disbandment. Hearing this, her smile faded, and her voice became cold as she retorted, pouring a basin of glass shards: “I can’t teach that. We can exchange experiences, but I can’t teach someone with a bad heart. If Producer Jian doesn’t change this nasty habit, I’m afraid she’ll flop every project she works on.”

Her words were light and airy, utterly unconcerned with the malicious implications within.

For a moment, the private room fell silent.

No one had expected Producer Jian to suddenly show her true colors just as the gathering was about to end.

Just as everyone was awkwardly getting up to escape, Ji Qinghe casually remarked: “I’ve heard the compliment ‘Producer Shen is dedicated to her work’ more than once. Besides the positive ones, there seem to be some other labels...” His gaze was detached, a faint smile playing on his lips: “Quite interesting?”

Shen Qianzhan didn’t dare to respond.

She had originally thought Ji Qinghe was helping her out, but it turned out the scoundrel was setting a trap.

He didn’t seem to care about Shen Qianzhan’s refusal to engage, his smile deepening slightly: “Though promiscuous, but never involving private feelings?”

The table of gossiping onlookers, who had been desperately trying to find excuses to leave, immediately sat back down quite naturally, subtly probing: “What did Mr. Ji say?”

Shen Qianzhan’s reputation for being promiscuous was well-known, and several people present had heard about it.

Just like discussing artist gossip, no matter who brought it up, everyone would relish in it.

Ji Qinghe remained impassive. Only Su Zan, keenly aware, bit his finger and secretly laughed in the corner.

Shen Qianzhan, you’re finally getting what you deserve!

He was utterly delighted, watching as Shen Qianzhan was about to be humiliated. However, Ji Qinghe had no intention of elaborating, his smile gentle as he said: “I was just confirming.”

Jiang Yechen knew that Ji Qinghe was extremely strict about his collaborators’ character, work ethic, and other requirements, so he didn’t suspect anything.

Only Shen Qianzhan, who was being teased, silently uttered a harsh threat: “You scoundrel, just you wait.”