HYAT - 2

It’s unknown whether Shen Qianzhan would face immediate retribution, but Su Zan’s loose tongue certainly brought it upon himself right away.

If Shen Qianzhan hadn’t retained a shred of sanity, remembering that Su Zan was supposed to drink for her tonight, she probably would’ve beaten him until he was paraplegic, half-crippled, and looking for his head on the floor. At the very least, he’d be left unable to care for himself.

A slag girl who tricks people into bed?

Even if you think that, you can’t say it out loud to me!

However, it was clear that physical violence was one of the best ways to vent emotions.

The thousands of kilometers of anger Shen Qianzhan had accumulated both domestically and internationally were thoroughly released and alleviated after she savagely beat Su Zan.

She felt refreshed, no longer bothered by the regret of her young eye candy not being able to accompany her tonight. She checked her watch, reclined her seat, and instructed, “Call me ten minutes before we reach the hotel, I need to touch up my makeup.”

Beijing’s rush hour begins at 4:30 PM, like a spark igniting oil. It spreads from the main roads of the Second and Third Ring Roads, sweeping across overpasses, toll gates, and feeder roads, completely clogging all main arteries within the Fourth Ring Road, turning them red on the traffic map.

The business van was stuck in the returning tide of traffic, crawling along for nearly five kilometers before finally, like a fish entering the ocean, it moved freely.

Shen Qianzhan woke up on her own, without waiting for Su Zan to call her.

She had always been self-disciplined in her work, and this discipline wasn’t just a mental requirement; it extended rigorously to her personal attire and overall image.

At least, outside of Shen Qianzhan’s messy home, Su Zan had never seen her behave inappropriately or improperly when out and about. She was always refined, graceful, and radiant.

Shen Qianzhan called this professional ethics and a pursuit of quality.

If Su Zan hadn’t seen that behind her radiant appearance was a standard of living worse than a street performer’s humble abode, he might truly have been fooled into believing her.

He skillfully handed Shen Qianzhan a box of highlighter and a brush, watching her apply it from her forehead, brow bone, nose bridge, cheeks, and chin, finally pulling down her collar to brush some pearlescent highlighter powder onto her collarbones.

Even Xiang Qianqian wasn’t this meticulous when walking the red carpet...

Shen Qianzhan, ignoring everyone, finished applying her lipstick, lightly pursed her lips in the mirror, and looked around. After confirming her beauty could withstand every “death angle,” she closed the mirror with a snap, smiling alluringly. “Let’s go, Sister Zhan will take you to turn heads.”

________________________________________

Jichun Erwan Hotel.

Shen Qianzhan was a frequent guest at this hotel. From small gatherings for meals and entertaining distinguished guests, to Qianzhan Film’s annual meetings and exchange forums, everything was held at Jichun Erwan.

Everyone in the hotel, from the lobby manager to room service, knew Shen Qianzhan.

If Su Zan hadn’t followed her for two years and known that Shen Qianzhan simply liked Jichun Erwan’s “pay later” service, given her fondness for this hotel, he would have suspected his Sister Zhan was making a hefty commission in between, profiting from the price difference.

As always.

From the moment Shen Qianzhan got out of the car, the doorman, security, and lobby manager all stepped forward to greet her: “Miss Shen, you haven’t been here in a long time. Have you been very busy recently?”

Shen Qianzhan smiled warmly, exchanging pleasantries with each of them. Before entering the private room, she didn’t forget to turn to Su Zan and sigh with emotion, “You see, a good hotel is like this; it makes customers feel at home.”

Su Zan gave a forced, insincere smile, muttering under his breath, “If you weren’t a money bag, you wouldn’t feel at home.”

________________________________________

Upon arriving at the private room, Shen Qianzhan noted the time—6:20.

It was still early.

Inside the private room, besides her and Su Zan, there were only the hotel staff assigned to serve this particular room.

She gestured for a menu to pre-order dishes, then took some time to replace the fresh flowers used for decoration in the private room. After carefully adjusting the room temperature and humidity, and even considering changing to a more pleasing carpet, people finally started to arrive.

The first to arrive was Ai Yi, the Vice President of Shihui Video.

Ai Yi was in her forties, well-preserved, and exuded an outstanding aura. Her face was somewhat square, and her eyes, with slightly upturned outer corners, looked a bit harsh. Fortunately, her nose bridge was straight and her lips were delicate, elevating the overall sophistication of her features. Coupled with a neat short haircut and designer professional attire, her presence as a female CEO was undeniable.

Shihui, as a leader in China’s video industry, had always maintained a good cooperative relationship with Qianzhan Film.

Shen Qianzhan and Ai Yi’s collaboration was even more of a guaranteed viewership hit in the industry.

One was responsible for the creation and production of TV dramas, while the other was responsible for the channel distribution and traffic exposure after the works were released online. As long as the two teamed up, whether the online work was a youth dream drama or an intense war film, once they started soliciting investments, the sponsors were more eager than the last.

As soon as the two women sat down, naturally, they had a lot to talk about.

At first, Su Zan heard Shen Qianzhan earnestly discussing project progress and grand visions. In a blink of an eye, she was already chatting with Ai Yi about the latest haute couture from Fashion Week, then limited edition handbags, and then Ai Yi’s pregnancy precautions.

By the time their conversation galloped off like an untamed horse towards which hospital to choose for delivery, which confinement nanny was better, and which kindergarten to enroll the child in, the producer finally arrived, right on schedule at 7 PM.

The production company for the tribute drama was Bai Xuan Film, which held exclusive authorization and a Class A TV drama production license issued by the General Administration, specializing in producing and distributing patriotic-themed film and television dramas.

Tonight, the person attending the dinner was Jiang Yecheng, the second-in-command of Bai Xuan Film.

Su Zan instinctively looked at Shen Qianzhan first.

Typically, the radiance of Shen Qianzhan’s smile towards the production company was directly correlated with the explosiveness of the project’s profitability. The brighter her smile, the higher the quality of the project, and the greater the company’s investment returns.

Judging by Shen Qianzhan’s current solicitous attitude, it was clear that this tribute drama, being prepared for production next year, was a rock-solid project in her mind.

After all, a pie fought over and won against dozens of film and television companies would be a hot commodity for anyone who got it.

Everyone was seated. After polite greetings, Shen Qianzhan looked at the empty seat beside Jiang Yecheng and asked, as if casually, “This time coincides with rush hour, and traffic isn’t good. Is Mr. Jiang’s friend still on the way?”

Jiang Yecheng, over fifty and with nearly thirty years in the industry, naturally understood Shen Qianzhan’s implied meaning: she was asking if the investor he promised to introduce tonight was late or had stood them up.

He smiled and explained, “Little Ji is still stuck on the airport expressway. Don’t worry about him; let’s eat first.”

Late, huh?

Understandable, understandable.

As long as the investor doesn’t bail, she can keep calling them “dad.”

With one person missing, Shen Qianzhan’s prepared opening remarks went unused.

Fortunately, Jiang Yecheng and Ai Yi weren’t complete strangers. The few of them spent over half an hour just discussing next year’s trends in the film and television industry and the General Administration’s new guidelines.

Due to Bai Xuan Film’s special status in the industry, it was always treated as a guest of honor.

Initially, Shen Qianzhan had worried that Jiang Yecheng, as a big shot, would be too imposing. Unexpectedly, he was amiable and didn’t put on any airs; instead, he was very good at listening to the opinions and suggestions of younger industry colleagues on industry development.

If Jiang Yecheng’s assistant hadn’t received a call midway through and left the table, Shen Qianzhan would have almost forgotten that another important person hadn’t arrived yet.

She looked sideways in the direction the assistant had left, then kicked Su Zan, who hadn’t reacted yet, with her foot. While Jiang Yecheng and Ai Yi were speaking in low voices, she whispered, “Go.”

“Go out with Mr. Jiang’s assistant to pick up the person.”

With that, she smiled and nodded, seamlessly rejoining their conversation without a trace.

Su Zan suddenly understood and discreetly left.

Before long, Shen Qianzhan’s phone, which was under her hand, vibrated with a new message notification.

She lowered her eyes and swiped up to unlock it.

In her WeChat list, Su Zan’s message jumped to the top: “Holy crap, Sister Zhan, you absolutely won’t guess who the investor is!”

Before she could reply, with a buzz, another WeChat message came in.

“Here’s a key hint for you.”

“It’s someone I’ve admired a lot recently!”

Seeing this, Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Su Zan, that sycophant, would prostrate himself before any rich second-generation who was wealthier than him. Who knew which name on the roster he was talking about now?

“A while ago, that grandmaster who courted you repeatedly but you persisted in ignoring.”

Shen Qianzhan frowned, trying hard to recall for a moment.

People like her usually robbed banks, spent time in jail, or engaged in demolition in their past lives, which is why their feng shui is bad in this life, leading them to become producers.

In her early years, when she just entered the industry, she was unlucky and weak, so asking for help everywhere was common.

Even now, with a hit drama under her belt, if she encounters an arrogant director or a self-important artist, she still has to swallow her pride and negotiate collaborations.

Therefore, Su Zan’s few words of description failed to successfully awaken her usually “monthly-discarded” memory.

“His great-grandson said you’re as clingy as a spider demon from Pansidong, and told his uncle to come quickly and deal with you!”

“Ji Qingzhen, Master Ji!”

“Damn it, my mouth just can’t keep secrets.”

Shen Qianzhan was startled at first, then, after she reacted, the “everyone’s happy is truly happy” expression on her face almost shattered. She gritted her teeth, silently noting Su Zan’s loose tongue, while outwardly raising her glass nonchalantly to toast everyone.

Ji Qingzhen, a top clock restorer in China.

This national treasure-level clock restorer had earlier, without compensation, restored a Wooden Brahma Bell that had returned from overseas. Due to the significant meaning of the Wooden Brahma Bell’s return to China, Bai Xuan Film specifically planned and produced a three-episode documentary on the restoration of the Wooden Brahma Bell.

It was also because this documentary provided her with inspiration that Shen Qianzhan secured the tribute film from Bai Xuan Film, centered on the theme of artisan heritage.

For this, she specially took time to visit Xi’an before going abroad, just to invite Master Ji to be the specially appointed consultant for the tribute drama.

She met him, but received the reply: “I’ve been busy my whole life, old man, and I’m retired now, enjoying my later years.”

Shen Qianzhan felt regret but didn’t give up entirely, making two more trips.

The second time she went, she left the project proposal, originally thinking Master Ji would be somewhat swayed. Unexpectedly, the third time Shen Qianzhan made her final plea, Master Ji’s great-grandson, whom she encountered every time, spoke profanely, saying she was as clingy as a spider demon from Pansidong and told her not to come again, lest his great-grandfather’s reputation be ruined in his later years.

Although it was childish talk, Master Ji’s attitude was evident—he was not interested.

Jiang Yecheng was incredibly busy; nothing short of a project could make him attend. His主动攒局 (proactively organizing this gathering) tonight to introduce investors had already surprised Shen Qianzhan. How could the guest of honor possibly be Master Ji, who had absolutely no interest in the project?

Shen Qianzhan was perplexed and, for once, replied: “Master Ji? Isn’t the old man retired?”

Although Ji Qingzhen was a clock restorer, he was backed by a world-class luxury brand—Buzhong Sui. He had created the “Suimu” series of watches and three highly collectible clocks for their watch brand.

Master Ji might not be interested in the project, but that doesn’t mean Buzhong Sui isn’t!

Su Zan hadn’t expected Shen Qianzhan to be so slow to grasp the situation at such an exciting moment for him. He was very dissatisfied with her out-of-sync obtuseness and indignantly blurted out, “Stupid! So stupid!”

Shen Qianzhan chuckled, the smile just reaching the corners of her eyes when the private room door opened inwards. Su Zan, that sycophant, announced with piercing clarity: “...Our producer just said you don’t know what eye candy means.”

Shen Qianzhan’s brow twitched violently as she followed the sound.

The young man’s clear smile had not yet completely faded from his eyes. Amidst his half-smile, he immediately caught her gaze. It was the look she had once known, an expression that always seemed overly calm after the tide of desire had receded.

As always, it was a look that would howl in the wind and burn in fire.

Shen Qianzhan’s smile instantly froze on her lips.

Her mind was filled with—

Damn it, she really was getting her comeuppance.