CHAPTER 32

However, Tang Ruoyao had no time to consider whether Guan Han would reply to her message or not. She answered the relentless phone calls from Ruan Qin and started walking towards the company, speaking as she walked, "I've arrived. I'm..." When she looked up, her assistant, Xin Qian, was waiting for her downstairs. Instead of going up to meet her, Tang Ruoyao quickly pressed the elevator button.

"...waiting for the elevator." Tang Ruoyao nodded at Xin Qian, who responded with a smile.

After hanging up the phone, Ruan Qin put on a smile, walked into the glass room, nodded and bowed, and greeted the producer who had been waiting for almost half an hour, "She's here, in the elevator. Sorry for the long wait. It's her graduation ceremony today, so it might have delayed her."

The producer waved his hand and smiled gently, "It's alright, I understand."

Ruan Qin also smiled, pulled out a chair, and sat down beside him, engaging in conversation.

The producer absentmindedly played with the diamond-studded watch on his wrist, answering with a word or two, sometimes pretending not to hear, and his eyelids were almost closing. His attitude was perfunctory.

Ruan Qin's smile remained enthusiastic, seemingly unaware of the other person's reluctance to talk to her.

On the other hand, the girl sitting next to the producer burst into laughter.

Ruan Qin glanced at the girl, who was also looking at her, and her laughter becoming even more exuberant. There was a playful gaze in her eyes, mixed with a hint of mockery and pity. The way she looked at Ruan Qin was like how one would look at an attention-seeking ugly duckling.

Ruan Qin: "..."

She was angry but didn't dare to show it.

This girl had come with the producer, and they hadn't spoken much throughout the entire time. However, Ruan Qin had been in the industry for many years and wasn't completely oblivious. Judging by the girl's natural attitude next to the producer, she was either a younger relative of his or a highly favored lover—both were people she couldn't afford to offend.

She had tentatively asked, "Who is this..." before, but neither of them paid her any attention, so she had to give up.

While engaging in awkward conversation with the producer, Ruan Qin caught a glimpse through the glass wall of the conference room of Tang Ruoyao striding over. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she said, "She's here."

Tang Ruoyao knocked on the door, and Ruan Qin opened it for her.

"Hello, I'm Tang Ruoyao." she confidently extended her hand first, speaking at a relaxed pace without any sense of urgency despite her slightly overdressed appearance. If it weren't for her overly extravagant attire, her presence alone would make one think she was about to attend a red carpet event.

"Producer Yin." Tang Ruoyao nodded at the producer. They had met during the auditions.

At that time, Yin Huan and the director, Lin Guoan, were very satisfied with her performance. They even had a meal together. However, the film had invested the most in Liu Yayu, and Huo Yuke had some commendable aspects in her audition. Only ranked below Tang Ruoyao, due to Liu Yayu's dominance, they had no choice but to choose Huo Yuke.

Yin Huan shook hands with Tang Ruoyao and his smile was much warmer and genuine compared to his interaction with Ruan Qin. He said, "Xiao Tang."

"Producer Yin still remembers me." Tang Ruoyao smiled, feigning a pleasantly surprised expression.

Flattery is an art, and if done improperly, it can come across as exaggerated or sycophantic, like Ruan Qin. But Tang Ruoyao's flattery was comforting. Her gaze and body language were harmonious, exuding sincerity and a silent charm. Even though Yin Huan knew that she had been replaced at the last minute and might harbor some dissatisfaction, seeing her smile with a face that was as unattainable as a snowy-capped mountain, he couldn't help but genuinely believe and feel pleased.

"Of course, I have praised you to Director Lin for a long time." Yin Huan said with a smile.

The two of them complimented each other in a friendly manner.

Tang Ruoyao shifted her gaze to the young girl standing a step away to Yin Huan's left side. She appeared to be around the same age as Tang Ruoyao, in her early twenties, wearing a light purple embroidered dress. Her eyebrows were like ink paintings, her eyes like apricot blossoms, and her cheeks were fair and clean. She had a pretty face, with a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth, and her scrutinizing gaze carried a sense of playfulness.

Tang Ruoyao instinctively felt uncomfortable and gracefully withdrew her gaze. She politely asked Yin Huan, "Who is this?"

Yin Huan's expression became serious as he introduced, "This is Miss Ji."

His tone was quite respectful, and his posture lowered significantly. Tang Ruoyao pondered the surname Ji in her mind, thinking about which prominent family it belonged to. Her pupils slightly contracted, could it be...

Her thoughts were confirmed when she heard Yin Huan continue, "The granddaughter of the Chairman of Huanyu Film and Television."

Thump—

The pen in Ruan Qin's hand fell to the ground, her face filled with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

Huanyu Film and Television!

That was the undisputed number one film and television company in the country. The company where Ruan Qin currently worked, the entertainment company she represented, was merely a medium-sized to large-scale company in the market, overshadowed even by Yayu Media, let alone Huanyu Film and Television!

So, it was Huanyu Film and Television that snatched Tang Ruoyao's role back, not Qin Yinong's Media? No, Qin Yinong must have some connection to Huanyu Film and Television! The fact that granddaughter of Chairman Ji could be easily mobilized indicated another later of hear Ruan Qin towards Qin Yinong deepen.

Everyone turned their gaze towards Ruan Qin. Miss Ji seemed unfazed, while Yin Huan showed a hint of impatience. Tang Ruoyao spoke first, her voice calm, "Ruan Qin, you can leave for now. We don't need you here at the moment."

Ruan Qin picked up her pen and placed it back on the table before obediently stepping out.

As she stood at the empty doorway, she finally snapped back to reality. She was Tang Ruoyao's manager, so why was she behaving like her assistant? And why did Tang Ruoyao dare to address her by her name?!

Ruan Qin belatedly felt a surge of anger and couldn't muster the courage to go back inside, facing the slightly ajar conference room door and the two imposing figures inside.

She could only listen to the sounds coming from inside at the doorway.

After Ruan Qin exited, Tang Ruoyao apologized, "I'm sorry for the trouble."

Miss Ji's smile deepened slightly, her lips curving as she extended her right hand to Tang Ruoyao, introducing herself, "I'm Ji Yunyao. Huanyu Film and Television has decided to invest in this film, and you are our ideal choice for the female lead. I'm looking forward to working with you in the future."

Tang Ruoyao shook her hand and politely replied, "Miss Ji, you flatter me."

Are there good things that fall from the sky? Yes, but often behind those good things, there are traps.

Tang Ruoyao was not someone who sought immediate gains and benefits, but when presented with an opportunity, she would seize it. She tilted her head slightly, showing just the right amount of curiosity, "May I kindly ask why you chose me?"

She had no connection whatsoever with Huanyu Film and Television, nor did she know anyone familiar with the company. Oh, right, Wen Shuxian was a contracted artist of Huanyu, but Wen Shuxian was just one of the popular artists under Huanyu, there were plenty of others like her. Wen Shuxian's status was not enough for Huanyu to personally intervene. If it wasn't Wen Shuxian, then who could it be?

Qin Yinong? The name crossed Tang Ruoyao's mind, but she immediately dismissed it.

With that thought, she once again entertained the idea of replacing Ruan Qin. Ruan Qin would only call her on the phone for important matters, urgent matters, asking her to come over quickly. But even the basics, like the background and motives of the other party, why they wanted to invest in her, why they went through all the trouble to give her the role back—what did they want to gain from her? None of these were investigated beforehand.

This wasn't the first time she had such thoughts recently. Ruan Qin's incompetence and mediocrity had already hindered her. What she needed was a meticulous, thorough, forward-thinking, and capable manager who could work hand in hand with her to win, instead of constantly holding her back.

Tang Ruoyao pondered in silence. Once she had dealt with the graduation issue completely, she would put the matter of changing managers on the agenda.

Ji Yunyao tapped her chin as she appraised Tang Ruoyao with a smile playing on her lips. "Because you have talent."

Was talent something lacking in the entertainment industry? Yes, but what was lacking were exceptional and extraordinary talents. Tang Ruoyao's talent wasn't worth a stranger's extravagant investment.

Tang Ruoyao didn't fall for Jin Yunyao's sweet words and smiled. "Miss Ji, you overestimate me. I am aware of my own abilities."

Ji Yunyao looked at her for a moment and said, "You're quite interesting."

No wonder... she likes you.

Tang Ruoyao smiled and replied, "Not as interesting as Miss Ji."

Ji Yunyao seemed to not understand the back-of-forth pleasantries and became intrigued, raising an eyebrow as she asked, "Then why don't you tell me what you find interesting about me?"

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Seeing her at a loss for words, Ji Yunyao burst into laughter like a mischievous little girl who had succeeded in her prank.

Yin Huan, who was standing nearby, was utterly confused.

Ji Yunyao wasn't with him initially. They had bumped into each other downstairs at Star Media, the company where Tang Ruoyao was signed. Yin Huan had seen Ji Yunyao accompanying her father, the general manager of Huanyu Film and Television, at some social events. Although they didn't have any personal relationship, Yin Huan recognized her face. He took the initiative to greet her, and Ji Yunyao mentioned that she was waiting for him to come up together.

Yin Huan had initially intended to talk to Tang Ruoyao about the new investor and get the contract signed. However, this Ji Yunyao seemed to be getting more and more engrossed in their conversation, deviating from the topic.

"Where is Miss Tang from?"

"I'm from City Z."

"It's quite far away. Do you miss home often?"

"...Not really."

"What do you like to do when you're at home, Miss Tang?"

"Read books."

"I heard there's a great restaurant in XX. Would you be interested in having dinner with me?"

"Sorry, I already have plans."

"A boyfriend. perhaps? Or..." Ji Yunyao leaned closer, smiling slightly as she looked at Tang Ruoyao. "A girlfriend?"

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips, no longer wanting to answer Ji Yunyao's persistent and obviously purposeful questions.

Yin Huan raised his hand to cover his mouth and coughed. "Miss Ji."

Ji Yunyao, full of enthusiasm, turned her head to look at him. "What's the matter?"

Yin Huan reminded her in a low voice, "The contract."

Ji Yunyao nodded and settled back into her chair, lifting her chin slightly. "Then let's sign it. Your company's legal department has already reviewed it. If you're still unsure, you can personally check it again."

There was a peculiar contradiction about her. When she smiled, she appeared carefree and frivolous, embodying the classic spoiled and nonchalant demeanor of a wealthy heir. But once she stopped smiling, a sharp edge emerged, and her presence became almost intimidating.

Tang Ruoyao was slightly taken aback by the sudden change in Ji Yunyao's demeanor.

She hadn't interacted with Ji Yunyao before, so she was unaware, but Yin Huan knew. Ji Yunyao's identity was not simply that of the granddaughter of the chairman of Huanyu Film and Television. The Ji family was influential and prosperous, with numerous descendants. Due to their strict upbringing, there were few wayward and incompetent individuals among their offspring. Over the years, the Ji family had infiltrated various industries, with deep roots and extensive connections. Ji Yunyao was one of the most outstanding among the younger generation.

The elderly chairman of Huanyu Film and Television had already passed on the mantle to his son, the current general manager. Ji Yunyao had just graduated a year ago and held a managerial position within the company. With her insightful vision, she had successfully invested in several projects, earning significant profits and garnering great attention. She was being groomed as a potential successor.

Despite her usually carefree appearance, when it came to negotiations, even seasoned veterans in the business world found it difficult to match her. That was why Yin Huan held such respect for Ji Yunyao.

"I'm sorry, but I might not sign this contract if there isn't a valid reason." Tang Ruoyao calmly stated, refusing to take the pen Yin Huan offered her.

Without this character, Tang Ruoyao wouldn't have any particular concerns. However, she couldn't see the hidden risks behind Ji Yunyao at the moment. This mysterious Miss Ji posed a significant danger, and Tang Ruoyao subtly narrowed her eyes, sensing the danger.

Yin Huan: "..."

In truth, he didn't know the exact reasons either. Huanyu Film and Television kept it a closely guarded secret. But that didn't stop him from advising Tang Ruoyao, "Xiao Tang, this is a great opportunity. Don't make a foolish decision..."

"Thank you for your kind intention, Producer Yin, but I'm a cautious person. I don't like taking unknown risks." She looked at Ji Yunyao and smiled calmly. "I wonder if I have the honor of having Miss Ji clarify my doubts?"

Ji Yunyao locked eyes with her and suddenly burst into laughter, a clear and pleasant sound that filled the entire conference room.

Tang Ruoyao remained composed and responded with a smile, not showing any surprise.

Ji Yunyao leaned over, supporting herself on the wooden conference table, and whispered in her ear, her thin lips slightly parted as she softly uttered three characters.

Tang Ruoyao's pupils contracted for a moment, and she raised her eyes abruptly.

Ji Yunyao calmly retreated, adjusting her collar leisurely. She tapped the surface of the table with her slender fingers, tilting her head and looking at Tang Ruoyao with a half-smile.

"Still not signing?"

Yin Huan witnessed Tang Ruoyao's change in attitude. She carefully read through each page of the contract and, with a tight-lipped expression, signed her name on the last page, stroke by stroke, as if exerting a great deal of effort.

"Pleasure working with you." Ji Yunyao stood up and shook hands with Tang Ruoyao.

"The pleasure is mine." Tang Ruoyao nodded and expressed her gratitude to Yin Huan as well.

Ji Yunyao glanced at Yin Huan and said, "Then we'll take our leave."

She spoke but didn't move a step. As expected, Tang Ruoyao said, "Miss Ji, would you mind staying for a while. There's a café downstairs. Perhaps you have some time to spare for a chat?"

Ji Yunyao raised an eyebrow and checked her wristwatch. "I'll pass on the café. I have something to attend to shortly, so let's stay here."

Yin Huan tactfully retreated and even kindly closed the door after leaving. At the entrance, Ruan Qin gave him an obsequious smile. "Producer Yin."

Yin Huan forced a slight smile and didn't pay her any attention.

Inside the conference room, Tang Ruoyao looked at Ji Yunyao with a calm tone. "Did Qin Yinong send you to assist me?"

Ji Yunyao leaned back, supporting herself on the conference table lazily, and stretched lazily. She smiled and answered, "Yes."

"What's your relationship with her?" Tang Ruoyao asked.

"What's your relationship with her?" Ji Yunyao calmly threw the question back at Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao hesitated, moved her lips, and compromised, saying, "We're friends."

Ji Yunyao shrugged. "So am I." She paused and raised the corner of her lips, seemingly implying something. "Very good... friends." There was a glimmer in her eyes that seemed particularly piercing to Tang Ruoyao.

Tang Ruoyao hadn't heard of any connection between Qin Yinong and Huanyu Film and Television. If she truly had such a powerful backer, why would her reputation be so dismal? The only possibility was that she had some kind of relationship with the person in front of her. What kind of relationship could that be?

Thinking about the rumors surrounding Qin Yinong, Tang Ruoyao quickly stopped herself from going down that path. She didn't want to delve into that direction.

Unexpectedly, Ji Yunyao looked at her with a playful gaze, assessing her up and down, as if contemplating something before saying, "My sister mentioned you to me. You're a bit different from what I imagined."

Sister...

Those words echoed loudly in Tang Ruoyao's mind.

She actually called Qin Yinong her sister, which means she...

The answer was about to emerge from her thoughts.

Tang Ruoyao's perception of the situation instantly changed as she observed from a different angle. Ji Yunyao was around the same age as her, equally stunning in appearance, and even their heights were similar. The conflicting aura emanating from her, and even the pronunciation of their names, all seemed to align.

Qin Yinong had mentioned that she had more than one lover, but Tang Ruoyao never expected that she would encounter another one of her lovers. Clearly, Ji Yunyao had a closer relationship with Qin Yinong than Tang Ruoyao did. At the very least, Qin Yinong had never mentioned Ji Yunyao in front of her.

A pang of sourness gripped Tang Ruoyao's heart, making her feel a piercing pain in her chest.

Her eyes quickly reddened, and she struggled to hold back the rising heat from the depths of her eyes.

Ji Yunyao said, "Hey."

Why did it feel like something was amiss?

Tang Ruoyao turned away and fiddled with the pen on the table. When she turned back, her expression was calm as usual. "If Miss Ji has urgent matters to attend to, I won't delay you. I'll see you off."

However, Ji Yunyao didn't miss the reddened corners of her eyes before she turned away. A realization stirred within her, and she understood something. Without saying much, she politely smiled and went along with it. "Thank you."

Tang Ruoyao accompanied Ji Yunyao and Yin Huan downstairs. As she returned upstairs, she encountered Ruan Qin wearing a face of inquiry and anger. Ruan Qin approached her with an imposing manner and said, "What just happened earlier—"

Tang Ruoyao, feeling annoyed and irritable, coldly glanced at Ruan Qin, her face full of impatience. "Shut up!"

Ruan Qin was so frightened by the gloomy and irritable expressions between Tang Ruoyao's eyebrows that she couldn't utter a word.

Tang Ruoyao picked up her bag from the sofa and left on her own.

......

Sitting in the back seat of her own business car, Ji Yunyao lightly tapped her finger on the screen of her phone and made a call.

The call was quickly answered on the other end.

Ji Yunyao softened her voice and elongated her tone as she called out, "Little Auntie Auntie Auntie~"

Qin Yinong responded in a cold and indifferent tone, "Is it done?"

"It's done. I watched her sign the contract, and her handwriting is quite good." Ji Yunyao pretended to be sad and said, "I worked so hard, but you didn't even say a word of praise."

"Great job." Qin Yinong said in a completely flat tone.

"Hahaha." Ji Yunyao didn't know what she had hit upon that was so funny, but she laughed so hard that her whole body was shaking. The driver in the front seat was used to it. Miss's sense of humor was unpredictable, not like an ordinary person's.

"Be careful not to go crazy from laughing too much." Qin Yinong still reminded her with that indifferent tone.

Ji Yunyao laughed even harder.

Little Auntie is really interesting.

Qin Yinong already had a headache, and now it was even worse.

Finally, when she had laughed enough, Qin Yinong asked, "Did she say anything to you?"

Ji Yunyao replied with a smile, "No, she just asked about our relationship."

"How did you respond?"

"I said we're friends."

"Hmm."

"But..."

Qin Yinong's eyelids twitched inexplicably, and she looked up. "But what?"

Ji Yunyao cleared her throat and awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose. "It seems like she thought I was your lover."

Qin Yinong: "..."

Ji Yunyao dryly continued, "I don't think it's my fault. It's all because your established impression on people is too deep-rooted."

"I'm not blaming you." Qin Yinong pinched her brow, "Alright, I'll treat you to a meal later."

"No need to wait. You're even busier than I am. How about tonight? I'll come to your place for dinner and let your mom save me some food." Ji Yunyao said, "It happens that I miss Ningning. I bought her a gift and haven't had a chance to give it to her."

Qin Yinong paused and said, "Okay, I'll let my mom know."

"Can you cook yourself? I want to request a few dishes." Ji Yunyao swallowed her saliva and grinned, revealing her foxy smile. The dishes from outside couldn't compare to the delicious made by ones Qin Yinong herself.

Qin Yinong fell silent for a moment. "What do you want to eat?"

......

Qin Yinong stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in her bedroom, her figure slender and fragile. As the saying goes, the weather in June is like a child's face, changing rapidly. Just now, it was clear and sunny, but now dark clouds covered the sky, and thunder rumbled in the distance, indicating an impending heavy rain.

An Ling's words were still somewhat mistaken. Qin Yinong's biggest trump card was the blood of the Ji family flowing in her veins. As long as the Ji family didn't fall, this trump card of hers wouldn't disappear. Right now, she was just borrowing the Ji family's influence. It couldn't be considered as using her trump card.

Tang Ruoyao, known as an "exception" in the industry, remained untainted by the rumors surrounding her family background. However, there are no impenetrable walls in the world, and some people knew that Qin Yinong might be the person behind Tang Ruoyao. They would be cautious about themselves, but they wouldn't care about a small canary following them, such as Liu Yayu, who also had status and power. For example, when Tang Ruoyao looked at Huo Yuke, she saw her as an ant that could be crushed with a flick of her hand. After all, no one would tear their face apart for the sake of a canary and a "good friend" with whom they usually interacted over drinks. Why bother? If things really escalated, there would be plenty of people willing to hand over the canary as a plaything. Who would truly care?

Qin Yinong's identity dictated that she couldn't openly support Tang Ruoyao. She could only hide in the shadows, watching as others grew restless.

But the Ji family was different. Once they made a move, the ambiguous "family background rumors" surrounding Tang Ruoyao would be shrouded in mist again. Was she related to the Ji family? Just one question would be enough to make some people hesitate.

After today, even if she didn't personally intervene, the Ji family's seemingly plausible support for Tang Ruoyao would be enough to intimidate the majority of people and ensure her safety for a long time.

Qin Yinong's fingertips sank deeply into her palms as she pressed each finger down, letting out a sigh and murmuring to herself, "Yao Yao, don't disappoint me again."

.....

Tang Ruoyao covered her face with one hand and rushed into the building in the rain. Even though she had only walked a few steps, she was gasping for breath.

She pressed the elevator button and took out her phone from her bag. A long-lost glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.

Guan Han had replied to her message.

[Let me know when you're home.]

Tang Ruoyao wiped the rain off her face and typed: [I've arrived. Waiting for the elevator downstairs.]

Guan Han replied instantly: [Tell me when you're inside your house.]

Ding—

The elevator doors opened, and Tang Ruoyao put away her phone without replying. She took a step and entered the elevator.

As the elevator ascended, Ji Yunyao's face suddenly flashed through her mind.

And the words she had said with a seemingly boastful tone, "My sister mentioned you to me."

Tang Ruoyao leaned against the elevator wall, her five fingers gripping her handbag tightly, the knuckles turning white with force.

No.

Tang Ruoyao shook her head, telling herself not to think too much. She needed to stay in her lane, in her role as a lover. At the very least, the Qin Yinong standing in front of her was hers alone.

She stood in front of the door for a long time, her gaze absent-mindedly fixed on the lock, her fingers lifting and dropping several times.

It wasn't until her phone in her bag vibrated that Guan Han sent a message asking if she had arrived home. Tang Ruoyao gathered her scattered emotions, rubbed her face, pursed her lips, revealing a faint dimple on her cheek, took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and entered.

Tang Ruoyao turned back and closed the door, peering inside and calling out, "Sister?"

The entrance was clean, with no shoes belonging to anyone else.

She left?

Tang Ruoyao's heart skipped a beat.

"Sister."

Relentlessly, she checked every room in the house, but they were all empty. She sat on the couch, feeling lost.

[Did my sister go back?] she anxiously messaged Guan Han.

Instead of a text reply, she received a call from Guan Han almost immediately.

"Guan Han, sister..." Tang Ruoyao straightened her posture, her voice filled with urgency, "Is my sister..."

The breathing on the other end was particularly quiet.

Tang Ruoyao suddenly understood something and her voice came to a halt.

"It's me." After a long pause, came the response.

Qin Yinong's voice lacked the familiar laughter, it was cold, reminiscent of the icy room she had woken up to that morning.

Tang Ruoyao stammered, struggling to find her words, and all she could manage to say were those two words, "Sister..."

Qin Yinong said indifferently, "I've returned your role to you. This is the last time."

Tang Ruoyao didn't understand her meaning, but for some inexplicable reason, she felt a sense of fear.

"Tang Ruoyao." For the first time, Qin Yinong called her by her full name, her voice as cold as everlasting ice.

Tang Ruoyao's fingers trembled slightly, her voice trembling as she said, "Here."

Qin Yinong spoke slowly, each word pronounced with chilling intensity, "I raised you not to be meek and submissive. If someone hits you, you hit back. If you can't hit back, you come to me, and I'll help you. But if you don't even have the thought of fighting back, then leave the industry now and live as an ordinary person."

Tang Ruoyao's pale fingertips dug into her palm with force, her spine becoming as stiff as a straight line.

Qin Yinong continued, "I don't raise useless people."

Suddenly, a thunderclap sounded in the distance.

The call was abruptly disconnected.

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