Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Give You A Reward of Love
"Enough, enough. If you’re going to make a scene, at least don’t do it here."
Qin Jiaxiang put his arm around Wen Jiu’s shoulder, steering her toward the corner.
Wen Jiu was displeased and forcefully shook off Qin Jiaxiang’s hand. When she turned back, her eyebrows carried a simmering anger.
Still, she tried her best to suppress her temper, lowering her voice to say, "Director Qin, I understand you. The biggest investor in your new movie is Hai Chuan. You’re wary of Hai Chuan, but I’m not afraid!"
Wen Jiu couldn’t understand. Under Li Juezhou’s leadership, Hai Chuan was thriving in every industry.
Why is it then, that their entertainment division is so utterly lackluster?
Duan Wenhu only seemed interested in toying with young male celebrities and didn’t show any intention of properly running the company.
No one could figure out what Duan Wenhu’s true capabilities were, or why Hai Chuan had chosen her to be the executive president of its entertainment division.
Qin Jiaxiang had worked with Wen Jiu for quite a while now, and understood all too well what kind of bullheadedness lay behind her gentle and charming exterior.
She was easy to talk to when things went smoothly, but once she flipped a switch, it was as if she knew no familial ties.
"Alright, I get it—you’re standing up for Sang Ning."
Qin Jiaxiang patted Wen Jiu’s shoulder, paused briefly, and waited for her anger to subside a bit before continuing,
"But the day all the mentors were suddenly invited out for dinner, you should have caught on to what was happening. This whole program is designed to elevate Qingyue!
Sang Ning, even if she avoids elimination and stays, will only exist as a foil to Qingyue. For a show that’s rife with underhanded practices and lacks fairness, Sang Ning staying doesn’t hold much meaning.
As it happens, my new movie is still in the preparation phase. Casting is nearly complete, except for the female lead.
If Sang Ning gets eliminated, she can join the lead cast for training immediately. But if she continues recording this program, she won’t have time to take part in the movie."
Wen Jiu didn’t reply, merely taking a deep breath.
Indeed, by comparison, landing a role in Director Qin’s new movie would be a much better opportunity.
It might even be the key to whether Sang Ning’s standing in the industry could take a leap forward.
"But I still can’t stomach this! Qingyue got through despite being so sleazy—it’s polluting the audience’s eyes!" Wen Jiu exclaimed indignantly.
"Well, there are plenty of moments when you can’t swallow your anger. You just have to turn a blind eye to some things and move on."
Qin Jiaxiang offered this consolation, though he was equally annoyed.
Fortunately, although Hai Chuan was the financial backer of his new movie, they still granted him full directorial authority, including casting decisions.
Otherwise, if Duan Wenhu were to force Qingyue—who reeked of sleaze—into his crew, there’d be no way for him to turn a blind eye and let that slide.
"You’re looking for new talent, aren’t you? I think Wang Qiuhong and Xi Meina are quite good. If you’re interested in them, I can help you look into their contract situations," Qin Jiaxiang said, taking the chance to shift the subject.
"Director Qin, you’re a step behind. After the first episode finished recording, I had already looked into their backgrounds.
They’re both signed with the same company, and their contracts are about two or three months away from expiration. At the company, they’re treated like scenery, with barely any resources.
But their acting skills are solid, and they’re highly adaptable. I’m definitely open to bringing in such semi-newcomer rookies."
The reason Wen Jiu had originally left the entertainment industry was because she was sick of its darkness—she didn’t want to keep wading through the muck.
After completing graduate studies and living abroad for a few years, she suddenly had an immature idea.
She wanted to return to the entertainment industry, but only in a behind-the-scenes role.
If the entertainment world was so filthy, she would start her own company.
She’d contribute her small, insignificant strength to provide a haven for actors with dreams.
In the end, under Qin Jiaxiang’s persuasion, Wen Jiu swallowed her dissatisfaction but still forced herself to endure it.
With a stern face, she returned to the mentor’s seat, begrudgingly cooperating through the final recording.
**
After wrapping up recording for the second episode, Xi Meina made a proposal for a "Girls Alliance Gathering."
The main goal was to comfort herself and Sang Ning after their eliminations.
Initially, Xi Meina and Wang Qiuhong wanted to invite Shen Yi, but inviting Shen Yi would also mean inviting Qingyue and Lu Ye.
Since the suggestion for a gathering was made in front of the group, they couldn’t exclude Qingyue and Lu Ye directly. But they also didn’t want Qingyue and Lu Ye to come along.
So, they simply changed the angle of the proposal to make it a "Girls Alliance Gathering." Lu Ye wanted to tag along but was ruthlessly rejected by Xi Meina and Wang Qiuhong.
This gathering was all about the theme of "girls." He didn’t meet the basic qualifications to attend.
Sang Ning really wanted to say that she didn’t need comforting, but she couldn’t resist the enthusiasm of Xi Meina and Wang Qiuhong.
She had already agreed to dine with Li Juezhou after today’s recording, but now it seemed she’d have to make her boyfriend take second priority to her girlfriends.
Once filming wrapped, the trainees had all changed into their casual clothes.
Sang Ning asked Xi Meina and Wang Qiuhong to wait for her while she found a quiet corner to make a call to Li Juezhou.
"Boyfriend, I’m sorry. Tonight, I’m going out to eat with my group members. Can we push our dinner date back a bit?"
Li Juezhou was beyond frustrated. Ever since their last date, Sang Ning had been using the excuse of needing to rehearse seriously to reject meeting him.
He hadn’t seen her for days now, and had been eagerly waiting for tonight’s date, only for it to be canceled again!
Sang Ning’s promises were clearly not something he could count on.
"Sangsang, don’t worry about me. You don’t need to consider my feelings. Put your matters first. You don’t need to feel sorry or apologize. I’m pretty good at managing my emotions," Li Juezhou said, making an effort to be understanding.
But Sang Ning could faintly detect a gritted-teeth tone hidden within his words.
Why was this guy so passive-aggressive? His "pretend politeness" was practically seeping out of the phone.
"How about this—as compensation, I owe you ten meals in return. How’s that?"
Sang Ning thought it was important to offer some material level of compensation.
Li Juezhou let out a soft laugh before replying, "Sangsang, can you try being a little more creative with your attempts to console me? I’m not a bottomless pit for food. This whole offering to treat me to meals as compensation is really half-hearted."
How is it half-hearted?
Offering meals is such a practical thing—how could it count as insincere?
"Hmm..." Sang Ning frowned in thought. "Then what kind of reward would you prefer?"
Analyzing Li Juezhou’s current status, as a "probationary boyfriend," his most desired reward was likely to "become official."
Official status? Sorry, she couldn’t give him that just yet.
Any reward aside from that, she could handle.
"Well...how about I give you a kiss?" Sang Ning offered after careful consideration.
Li Juezhou’s breathing hitched, and he tightened his grip on his phone. "Really? I’d be thrilled."
"Why not?" Sang Ning chuckled softly and then made a pouting gesture into the air.
Her lips puckered together and then parted, producing an audible sound effect: "Mua~"