The front suddenly became lively.
It turned out to be Ye Jiaorui's assistant, who came carrying two bags of coffee and milk tea.
Agent Wu Li started to socialize, "Our Jiaorui is a newcomer, and this is her first time playing the leading lady. She lacks experience, so please, everyone, take good care of her."
It's hard to talk back when you've taken a bite of someone's food, hard to stand tall when you've accepted handouts.
They were all seasoned players in the industry, and the keenest among them knew the wise adapt.
For a time, the conference room filled with cheerful talks and laughter, with Ye Jiaorui rapidly becoming the center of everyone's compliments.
"This Ye Jiaorui really knows how to play the game!" Chang Wan was furious. "Sister Zhi, don't be upset, we'll get Sister Zhouzhou to find a better one for you..."
In the midst of talking, someone else came in.
Ye Jiaorui was the first to greet: "Hello, Director Chen."
Wu Li was even more beaming: "Director Chen, this is our artist Ye Jiaorui, who will be playing the lead actress in 'Palace'..."
All eyes in the room turned to Sheng Congzhi.
There was shock.
There was surprise.
And even more so, there were gazes eager for a show.
Director Chen asked, "The lead actress has been changed?"
"Didn't President Zhao tell you? It's my negligence at work, I apologize," Wu Li hinted, "Jiaorui has been personally chosen by the investors as the lead actress. We'll need to trouble you to take good care of her in the future."
Ye Jiaorui shyly spoke up: "Director Chen, I've always loved your work. Don't worry, I will definitely work hard to cooperate with you and get along well with everyone."
The expressions of everyone on site varied once again.
Except for Sheng Congzhi, she simply maintained her composure, arms crossed, her chin slightly raised, her countenance cool and proud.
Ye Jiaorui looked at her, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes.
In the past, she had no financial backing and could only play minor roles with names you couldn't even recall.
But now, things were different from before. She was the young lady of the Ye Family, and Ye Lianhai doted on her so much that just a bit of money could easily make Sheng Congzhi obediently give up the lead role...
The entertainment industry was just that realistic!
Even if you were not convinced, it wouldn't matter.
She just didn't understand, what exactly was Sheng Congzhi still being so arrogant about?
Was it because there were too many people present, and she was afraid of losing face, so she was enduring it without throwing a fit?
"That's not right." Director Chen looked at his phone, "Just now, Zhao Yang sent me a message, asking me to have a good chat with the main lead actress Sheng Congzhi about the script... "
Ye Jiaorui was stunned, "Impossible."
She had personally watched Ye Lianhai make the call; as soon as he mentioned an investment of 20 million, President Zhao immediately agreed to let her play the lead actress;
Just now, she also double-checked with her agent several times and even had her assistant prepare coffee, thinking of establishing good relations with everyone in advance...
Wu Li also asked, "Director Chen, are you perhaps mistaken?"
Just as she finished speaking, the door was pushed open again.
The person who came in had dark skin but was wearing a flamboyantly colored short-sleeved shirt and denim shorts, the shirt collar open to reveal a gold pendant inside, and even the sunglasses reflected dazzling gold light.
He looked like a newly-rich person who had just returned from a vacation in Hawaii.
It was the boss of Yihua, Zhao Yang.
"Zhao Yang, you've come at the perfect time," Director Chen pointed to Ye Jiaorui, "What was your name again?"
Ye Jiaorui's face flushed with embarrassment.
Wu Li hurriedly reminded, "Ye Jiaorui."
"Oh, Ye Jiaorui, she says she's going to play the lead actress in 'Palace'…" Director Chen's words were cut off before he could finish.
"Not at all, Director Chen, the official Weibo account just announced it. How could we suddenly change people?" Zhao Yang smiled, revealing a row of white teeth.
Ye Jiaorui hurriedly took out her phone.
Upon seeing the newest pinned tweet on the official Weibo of the TV series 'Palace': #PalaceOfficialAnnouncement#Lead actress: @Sheng Congzhi…
She was completely dumbfounded.
How could this be?
Discussions had already started around them:
"Laughs to death, they really thought they were going to replace the lead actress."
"Our movie is a big investment, how could they let someone who only plays extras be the lead?"
"Besides, her image doesn't fit either, she's too short, and has a petty air about her..."
"Apart from Sister Zhi, who else could display the kind of disdain for the world that Ru Fei has?"
Ye Jiaorui: !!!
Smacked in the face on the spot.
The prouder she had been earlier, the more embarrassed she was now!
Wu Li was also caught off guard, "President Zhao, didn't you say last night..."
"Last night I went to bed too late, so I arrived late today," Zhao Yang chuckled, "Alright, all the extras, out you go, don't disturb Director Chen's meeting."
Ye Jiaorui was humiliated and could do nothing but leave quickly.
The door closed.
Chang Wan patted her little heart, "Scared me there, I really thought she was going to play the lead..."
"I told you," Sheng Congzhi said with both pride and coyness, "She doesn't deserve it."
**
An hour later, Sheng Congzhi, accompanied by her assistant, arrived at the office.
Someone was lying in all sorts of crooked positions in the boss's chair, feet up on the desk, talking on the phone.
Seeing Sheng Congzhi, Zhao Yang quickly sat up straight.
"Can't help it, Mr. Ye, Shengyao is investing two hundred million, and they specifically asked for Sheng Congzhi to be the lead actress."
"As a co-producer, of course, we have to listen to the investor. Whichever actor the biggest investor names, we can only go with them, unless... you want to add more?"
"This movie is highly expected in the industry, and it's getting a lot of attention... Mr. Ye, believe me, this movie will definitely be a hit! Really, you don't want to invest more?"
...
Finally, the call ended and Zhao Yang put down his phone, "Look at you! All day long... always stirring up trouble for me!"
Chang Wan listened, shivering.
Sheng Congzhi, however, was sitting on the couch with her long legs crossed, as wildly arrogant as ever, "Then replace me."
Chang Wan: !!!
You can't replace her, ancestor!
As for Zhao Yang: ...
How dare I replace you!
When Sheng Congzhi asked him, "Did Shengyao really invest two hundred million?" Shengyao was currently the largest entertainment company in the country, with the Lu Family of Yun City backing it, having deep pockets and inscrutable power.
Zhao Yang nodded.
"Why?" Sheng Congzhi didn't understand.
She thought Zhao Yang had just made up a reason to refuse Ye Lianhai, but she hadn't expected...
"It's all because of your little boyfriend," Zhao Yang huffed, "I never expected he had such influence in the Lu Family, with two hundred million, to invest just like that..."
"Send it back," Sheng Congzhi interrupted.
"Why?" Zhao Yang was shocked, "Having Shengyao invest is a good thing, and it's good to back up against a big tree for shelter..."
"I'm just friends with Lu Huaichen," Sheng Congzhi raised her hand, "and I'm married."
On her slender ring finger, the diamond ring shone brilliantly.
Zhao Yang immediately demanded, "Who's your husband?"
Sheng Congzhi had nothing to say, "Someone outside the industry."
"You heartless woman! I've pursued you for so many years, treated you so well, looking up to only you, I can't bear to have another woman in my eyes..."
"Enough," Sheng Congzhi interrupted again, "First, find a Band-Aid to cover up the nail marks on your neck from a woman."
Fuck! Zhao Yang hurriedly covered his neck.
Chang Wan quietly thought: Why does it always feel like Sister Zhi is the real boss of the company whenever I watch them talk?