How can one successfully use a lubricant?
This question deeply troubled Qin Ran. After cuddling for a while and then going to sleep in separate rooms, another issue plagued her mind: How could she get them to sleep in the same room? If she couldn't even manage that, then sleeping in the same bed was out of the question.
The next morning, after finishing their respective classes, they went their separate ways. Qin Ran, knowing that Yu Shuman hadn't returned home yet, decided to stop by the company. She happened to run into Sister Li, and they started chatting.
"Sister Li, let's not take any more idol drama roles for Shuman. She wants to act in serious dramas."
The moment Sister Li heard this, she thought, "Isn't this because you're jealous and don't want to see her doing romantic scenes, so you convinced her to switch to serious dramas?"
Qin Ran didn't respond verbally, but her expression clearly showed her disapproval of Sister Li's assumption: How could you think that of me?
Sister Li couldn't be blamed for thinking this way. After all, Qin Ran had never hidden her true nature from Sister Li and Wu Tezhu. She wasn't the innocent little bunny she pretended to be in front of Yu Shuman; she was more like a cunning, sly wolf. In Sister Li's eyes, it was a case of "Who's trying to fool whom here?" The only remarkable thing was that this cunning fox had successfully brought Yu Shuman into her den, with Sister Li herself helping along the way.
Seeing that Sister Li didn't believe her, Qin Ran had to defend her reputation by explaining, "It was Shuman's idea," she said, her tone now full of pride. "Shuman said she doesn't want to do anything that I wouldn't want her to. She's just too considerate of me."
Sister Li was momentarily speechless, feeling as if she had just been force-fed a mouthful of dog food.
She didn't quite understand why, as an agent, she had to both facilitate their relationship and then suffer through their lovey-dovey moments. "If you keep this up, I might just have to charge you for emotional damages," she joked.
After the lighthearted banter, Sister Li got back to business. She glanced over the scripts she had initially planned to show Yu Shuman, muttering, "Guess I'll just pass these on to some other artists in the company. They're getting a lucky break." Qin Ran wasn't too concerned about where the scripts went as long as they stayed within the company.
Most of the celebrities at 99 Entertainment had been poached by Sister Li or discovered through various channels for their potential. Sister Li placed a high value on personal integrity, steering clear of artists with questionable morals. Even if someone wasn't a rising star, as long as they had good character, Sister Li would keep them on. After all, in this day and age, good-looking people were everywhere, but those with strong morals were rare. Plus, with 9 Entertainment's vast resources, they could afford to groom even those with just a little potential.
One thing Sister Li and Qin Ran agreed on was avoiding artists like that certain male celebrity they had just dealt with, who misused company resources to rise to fame.
Incidentally, because the company's upper management was predominantly female, the majority of 99 Entertainment's stars and staff were also women. Sister Li figured that if there was ever a list of female-friendly companies, 99 Entertainment would definitely make the cut.
Qin Ran then asked about Yu Shuman's upcoming schedule. Sister Li didn't even need to look at her notes, answering right away, "The original plan was to continue with her acting classes while taking on two or three drama roles. She also has four endorsement gigs coming up, and I was thinking of having her attend a couple of brand events and a charity auction where she could donate a piece of jewelry she's worn before."
"Now that she's planning to transition to serious dramas, I'll start reaching out. I happen to know of a suspense drama in the works that could be a good fit. Of course, she can't jump straight into a major drama, but this one doesn't have any romantic scenes, and the production is a bit short on funds, so the director and producer would likely be thrilled to see us involved."
"In the meantime, she should continue her acting classes, especially in diction. Her Mandarin is fine for idol dramas, but serious dramas demand more. Nowadays, good actors don't rely on dubbing; she'll need to nail her lines."
Qin Ran found Sister Li's arrangements satisfactory and nodded in agreement. She also realized that she didn't have an invitation to that charity auction and made a mental note to ask Wu Tezhu to get her one. She had no other reason for wanting to go except to buy back any jewelry that Yu Shuman decided to auction off—no way was she letting it end up in someone else's hands.
She was determined: any of Shuman's items that went up for auction, she would buy back at any cost.
Sister Li had no clue about Qin Ran's plan, but even if she did, she would probably just scoff: What a hopeless romantic.
After her chat with Sister Li, Qin Ran sought out Wu Tezhu to arrange for the auction invitation. Wu Tezhu also mentioned that she had found a few potential houses for them to look at, which they could do as soon as Qin Ran was ready. Qin Ran thought it over and decided not to rush; after all, this was a house she and Yu Shuman would be living in together, so it needed to be one that Yu Shuman would like as well.
On a related note, the new car had also arrived. Due to limited parking at Qin Ran's current residence, both her Rolls-Royce and Pagani Huayra were parked in the company's underground garage. Lately, the employees, most of whom were women, would often stop and stare at the Pagani, a sleek red sports car that practically begged for attention. Upon learning it was the boss's car, many sighed wistfully, thinking only the boss could afford something so extravagant.
Hearing that the car had arrived, Qin Ran hurried downstairs to take a look. She sat in the driver's seat, running her hands over the steering wheel, before moving to the passenger seat, finding it more comfortable. She imagined how it would feel to ride shotgun while Yu Shuman drove, one foot on the gas, zipping down the road. It would be perfect—except for one tiny problem: Yu Shuman didn't have a driver's license.
Getting Yu Shuman to take driving lessons became Qin Ran's next challenge, though it seemed like an easy one to solve. That evening, over dinner, Qin Ran casually brought up the topic, "Shuman, have you thought about getting a driver's license?"
Yu Shuman was in the middle of peeling a shrimp. Qin Ran had learned how to make stir-fried shrimp from the housekeeper and was now serving it to Yu Shuman. Surprised by the question, Yu Shuman asked, "Why do you ask?"
The real reason was obvious—she had bought a Pagani Huayra, a supercar starting at 50 million yuan, just for Yu Shuman. So of course, she needed her to get a license and drive it. But Qin Ran couldn't just say that outright, knowing Yu Shuman would scold her for spending recklessly. She had to come up with another excuse. "Well, you know, with more drama roles coming up, you're bound to have scenes where you need to drive. Plus, if you ever land a car endorsement, it would be a shame to miss out just because you can't drive."
"And hey, getting a license now would even earn you a couple of college credits. How about we take lessons together? It'll save me from having to take an extra class."
Yu Shuman found herself somewhat persuaded by this reasoning. Since the second half of her junior year, she had barely attended any classes, and while she managed to pass her exams by cramming, earning a few extra credits would be beneficial. After some thought, she agreed, "Alright, I don't have too much work coming up, so I should have time for driving lessons."
Having just heard Sister Li's rundown of Yu Shuman's packed schedule, Qin Ran didn't quite know how to respond. Compared to other artists, Yu Shuman's workload was indeed lighter, but compared to her classmates, it was still substantial. Qin Ran felt a pang of guilt, knowing that by adding this task, she was asking even more of Yu Shuman.
But guilt aside, Qin Ran wasn't about to pass up the chance to push her luck. That night, as they were getting ready for bed, Qin Ran lingered at Yu Shuman's bedroom door, reluctant to leave. Yu Shuman, holding the door ajar, looked at Qin Ran, puzzled by her behavior.
"Junior?"
"Shuman…" Qin Ran suddenly felt that the terms "junior" and "senior" sounded too formal. She quickly changed tactics, replacing "senior" with "Shuman." Although she often called her "Shuman" in online forums and during livestreams, saying it directly to her felt nerve-wracking. Her voice involuntarily softened, "Shuman…" Her tone even carried a slight tremble.
Yu Shuman paused for a moment, then also adjusted her own address: "Xiao Ran."
Yu Shuman's voice was soft and gentle, hitting Qin Ran's heart like a feather. The little person inside her was screaming with joy. Hearing Yu Shuman call her that for the first time made Qin Ran feel like jumping five meters in the air.
But in front of Yu Shuman, she kept her cool, outwardly remaining composed.
"I want to sleep with you."
Qin Ran's simple statement led to an immediate refusal from Yu Shuman: "No."
Qin Ran hadn't expected such a blunt rejection. She widened her eyes in disbelief, "Shuman! Why not?" She instinctively reverted to "Shuman" and noticed Yu Shuman's eyes darting around, a sign of nervousness. Qin Ran realized Yu Shuman wasn't really opposed; she was just embarrassed.
Seizing the opportunity, Qin Ran pressed on, "But, but aren't we a couple? We've known each other for so long and we've already slept together before, Shuman. Do you not really like me? Did you just agree to be with me so I wouldn't be upset?"
Qin Ran employed a mix of reverse psychology and emotional blackmail, which worked like a charm. Yu Shuman hurried to explain, "That's not it. I like you too. It's just that sleeping together now, for me, is a bit…"
"Shuman…" Qin Ran pushed further, offering reassurance, "I won't do anything. I just want to spend more time with you." She said nothing more, just gazing at Yu Shuman with wide, pleading eyes. Her unspoken message was clear: We're both so busy all the time. Now that we're finally together, can't we just be close?
Yu Shuman was torn, but under Qin Ran's earnest gaze, she found it hard to refuse. Finally, with a sigh, she let go of the door handle.
Qin Ran, having successfully gained entry, couldn't help but think: Now that I'm in, the next step isn't far off.