YNG Entertainment could be considered the Goliath of the Entertainment World. Of the three most prominent companies, it was second place in revenue but first regarding the quality of its 'products'.
Unlike some others, YNG relied on a small but resourceful number of talents who possess a fearsome set of skills. From singers to actors and even scriptwriters; those people went through strict selections before entering the company and suffered from even harsher training afterwards. With few scandals, the stars under YNG have a slow but steady rise, always maintaining a lofty and proud stance on the billboards. This giant, like a turtle, slowly emerged from the ground and steadily climbed up the mountain until it was at eye-level with phoenixes and dragons.
YNG wasn't a company that was out for fast money or questionable fame. They do not hesitate to invest in their artists once they made it through the door, leading to a steady stream of talented applicants to pick from whenever needed. Rumours throughout the industry say that YNG holds the most stable umbrella for its artists. If not for a breach of contract or going totally against their image's concept, no one ever had to fear the basement treatment or being let down altogether.
While YNG does burn money occasionally to shake the entertainment world, it never plays with high stakes. By distributing resources equally between the departments, they are also dividing the risk of failure. To minimalise narrow-mindedness, they adopted an open policy of mixing their in-house experts with contracted specialists from varying fields of life. By doing so, they have proofed to be flexible as a jack of all trades.
When Jie Jie and a representant of the publishing company arrived at YNG's front desk, the female receptionists greeted them with a brilliant smile; not even batting an eye at the conspicuous black surgical mask Jie Jie was wearing on her face or the hood that hid her even further away from prying eyes.
After stating their business, they were led by another receptionist to the waiting area, placed on a cosy settee, and served an espresso.
"The espresso here is always worth coming all the way." The thin man said, sighing with a content smile. With sharp upturned eyes behind tin framed glasses and a clean-cut checked blazer over a wool vest, he gave off the stylish vibe of an intellectual middle-aged man.
"So that's why you volunteered to drive me, Mr. Gu?" Jie Jie laughed.
"No way, that's because I was afraid you would make a mess on arrival." Of course, Gu Bo Yang was joking, but the way he said it so naturally made Jie Jie wonder if he wasn't at least halfway earnest about that.
Gu Bo Yang, 43 years old this year, was the editor-in-chief of the 'Connoisseur', a monthly lifestyle magazine by "Paperweight Press & Media Group" - Jie Jie's publisher. Someone like him wouldn't take on such a manual task like accompanying an author, but he had good connections within YNG and coincidentally had an appointment in the vicinity. Since the man himself was offering to bring her, she didn't refuse. Jie Jie was nervous enough as it was. To have a stable person such as Gu Bo Yang backing her up was more than she could ask.
YNG's service, as well as its management, was impeccable. The moment they put down their espresso, a young man arrived on the spot to greet them. The employee pass around his neck named him 'Min Lee', and his rank was 'Supervisor'.
As soon as he saw Gu Bo Yang Min Lee bowed down respectfully to greet the older man.
"Mr. Gu, I didn't expect to meet you here today! I'm sorry for making you and author Jieshen wait!"
'Jieshen,' that was her pen name. It was strange to hear someone other than the crew from the publishing company call her by that name. Jie Jie coughed to make Gu Bo Yang aware of that fact, and the perceptive man reacted right away. Of course, since even their publishing company has made those things a part of Jie Jie's contract to protect her privacy strictly.
"Mr. Min Lee, it's a pleasure to meet you." He greeted the young scriptwriter and introduced him to Jie Jie. "I'm just here to accompany Ms. Shin to visit your department for her to gain some new experiences."
Jie Jie, who stood next to Gu Bo Yang silently, kept the mask on her face. She bowed slightly to greet the young man in front of her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Min Lee. I am Shin Jie Jie. From today onwards, I will be in your care."
Min Lee, on the other hand, studied the woman in front of him quietly. It didn't surprise him that it was a young woman. And the fact that she was covered from head to toe was also nothing new to him, but what surprised him big time was the presence of Gu Bo Yang. His evaluation of author Jieshen changed with the addition of an influential man by her side, such as the editor-in-chief of The Connoisseur's Gu Bo Yang.
'This woman is not just someone,' he thought to himself. Following his line of trade, his curiosity was lit up. He really wanted to know who this person was - even the mask she was wearing has now become a mystery item.
"I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Ms. Shin. I'm the head of YNG's screenplay and script department, Min Lee. I will be in your care, as well."
The two shook hands and exchanged some pleasantries while evaluating each other. Jie Jie was also surprised that a figurehead of YNG could be this young. Min Lee should only be in his late twenties, early thirties at most. He must have been a master of his trade to reach such a position at such an age since it was a known fact that YNG doesn't have any backdoors you could slither in.
"Now that my part is over, I shall head to my next appointment." Gu Bo Yang, who became the third wheel, began to withdraw. He accomplished his task and passed the responsibility onto Min Lee.
"Thank you very much for giving me a ride, Mr. Gu!" Jie Jie' farewell got a slight nod from Gu Bo Yang in return, which concluded Min Lee's assumption that the two of them must have known each other on at least a favourable basis. He thought that even though Jieshen wasn't a famous name yet, one shouldn't take Shen Jie Jie lightly.
Min Lee led Jie Jie upstairs to the writer's department, where she was to familiarise herself with the environment and prepare for future cooperation. Today was for her and Min Lee to feel out each other and confirm their story. Most of all, it was to do some paperwork and for Min Lee to meet the unknown author at least once before they began their charade.
"As planned, you will join the team of 'Red Thread' as a contracted author from Paperweight, specialised in modern literature and also someone who is in direct contact with author Jieshen. Apart from a few department heads like me and maybe one or two people for convenience, no one will know that you're de facto author Jieshen." Min Lee concluded the event and warned Jie Jie in the same way with a calm voice. "But we can only cooperate with you this far. In the end, it is up to you to not blow your cover."
Jie Jie nodded in acknowledgement. Of course, no one would think that she was the author if not for her to make a blunder. It was her wish to keep her identity hidden, so of course, she would be the one who has to take extra care.
"I understand. I will keep that in mind and behave accordingly."
They had come into Min Lee's office. There were still some questions he had regarding her book. Also, Min Lee has to take a picture of her.
"It's for your office ID Card. Otherwise, you have to sign up at the front desk every time you come."
While Min Lee was looking for his camera in the drawer, Jie Jie began to take off her hoodie and the mask on her face for the photo.
"You know..." While concentrating on putting together the SLR camera, Min Lee casually chatted away "isn't it easier for you to not hide like this? Your book is getting good reviews, but you get nothing of the attention that comes with it. Isn't that lonely?"
Like many others, they thought that the reason for an author to hide their face was either because the person was a well-known person who wants to stay anonymous, or they were uncomfortable with their looks. It was a regular occurrence since most likely a person wasn't gifted with all of God's favourite chips. Skills don't go with looks, and looks don't necessarily go with skills. The entertainment industry was a ferocious place, and without looks, you have to excel greatly at something to make it through. Either that or you have the right connections. With someone like Gu Bo Yang, he was sure that Jie Jie must have at least some connections somewhere, although he still couldn't tell for sure yet.
"But I don't think there is any necessary to hide your face or yourself here at YNG at all. This place values skills greatly and doesn't put beauty or connection first. We are very discreet, and even though the people here are part of the entertainment industry, we are not so superficial as to mind your background or your..."
With his back facing Jie Jie while she took off her covers, Min Lee had been adjusting the camera's setting and chatting away. He wanted her to gain more confidence.
The moment he turned back, the camera was already at his face. He was looking at the Jie Jie through the viewfinder. Once the lens automatically focused on the woman in front of him, Min Lee's words got stuck in his throat. His body shook hard, and his finger pressed the shutter button which led to the camera's flashlight to go off, surprising Jie Jie almost into flinching.
"I... I wasn't ready!" She exclaimed, "Can we take another one, please?" She was scared that her photo turned into one of those driver license photos that no one dared to show others. And she would have to run around with that ID card anywhere around YNG. Please don't let it become a mugshot!!
Min Lee, on the other hand, was still not back to earth yet. He lowered the camera slowly while his eyes stayed glued on Jie Jie.
After a few seconds, he gulped and then completed his sentence with a quiet, shaken voice.
"...your looks."