CHAPTER 28

After returning to Shencheng the next day, Xiaoyuan received a call from Shi Hai.

"I can only delay for another three or four days. The other roles are already set, we're just missing the second female lead. The competition is really fierce, but I still prefer you."

The implication was clear: Xiaoyuan and the others only had three or four days to figure something out. After that deadline, Shi Hai would have to choose someone from the production's favored actors for the role.

After hanging up the phone, she sighed in frustration.

Sitting on the couch with her legs pulled up, her face against her knees, she pondered other solutions.

Should she try acting in web dramas again? Or change her name and audition for non-female roles in other drama crews? Or perhaps seek help from fellow graduates of the Huaxi drama school?

No, it wouldn't work. In this circle, who would easily risk offending capital for the sake of camaraderie? Or she could ask her teachers to see if they could introduce her to auditions for smaller independent films?

All seemed like options, but none guaranteed success.

It was really difficult.

If all else failed, she could try everything. Reading people's expressions wouldn't hurt either. Her mindset was much better now, life had taught her a lot and she was no longer the arrogant person she once was.

Xiaoyuan smiled to herself when her phone suddenly rang again. This time it was an unfamiliar number. She answered it, and a woman's voice came through, "Is this Miss Xiang? I'm President Wei's personal assistant, my surname is Gao. Do you have time today?"

So, it begins?

Xiaoyuan hesitated and glanced at the living room. Her brother wasn't around, and it seemed like Cai Juan had gone to the supermarket. She replied slowly, "Yes."

"Is your address on XXX Road, No. XX?"

Xiaoyuan was taken aback for a moment. "Yes, that's correct."

"In half an hour, a car will pick you up in the parking lot. The license plate number is XXXXX. Please make sure to be ready."

After hanging up, Xiaoyuan scratched her head. There was an indescribable feeling in her heart. Oh well, if she had to go, then she would go, she wasn't afraid.

She took a shower, changed clothes, reapplied some foundation before leaving, feeling it wasn't impolite. She grabbed a bag and headed out.

From the elevator to the basement, pushing open the door to the underground parking lot, she saw the headlights of a silver-gray Mercedes flash. It was the car with the same license plate number.

That was quite impressive, they even knew which building she lived in.

Xiaoyuan got into the car. The driver was a middle-aged man with an unremarkable face but a friendly smile. He closed the door for her, reminded her to fasten her seatbelt, and pointed out that there was bottled water in the small compartment beside her. After that, he didn't speak to her again, leaving her to enjoy her quiet personal space, which she appreciated.

The car drove directly to the heart of the city, the CBD [Central Business District] on Nanhai Road, entering one of the high buildings' lower levels. She got out of the car, where a person was already waiting for her. After a few turns, she finally entered an office.

Xiaoyuan recognized the woman who greeted her as the one she had mistakenly thought was "Wei Zhuang" at the Ji Dao Hotel. It turned out she was Wei Zhuang's assistant.

Assistant Gao smiled and asked her to sit down, "Miss Xiang, what would you like to drink?"

"Um, milk." Xiaoyuan calmly surveyed her surroundings. Only Assistant Gao was present, there was no sign of Wei Zhuang.

Assistant Gao understood what was on her mind and said with a smile, "President Wei has gone on a business trip to Xicheng City yesterday and hasn't returned yet. But rest assured, I will accurately convey her intentions and will also pass on your wishes to her."

"Oh." Xiaoyuan took a sip of milk and glanced at the bottle, a famous European brand. She was a bit uncomfortable with the formal address of "Miss Xiang," but that wasn't the main concern. She was curious about the solution after Wei Zhuang's ""I'll think about it." statement.

"Miss Xiang, this is a contract." Assistant Gao took out a bound stack of papers, a pen, and pushed them towards her, "Please take a look. The contract is valid for six months. This is just a draft for you to review, if there are any clauses you're not satisfied with, we can negotiate."

"Take your time to read it. I'll be outside. Once you're done, you can press the button on this intercom, and I'll come back in."

Despite a whirlwind of questions in her mind, Xiaoyuan maintained her composure and nodded. After Assistant Gao left, she quickly flipped through the pages, her eyes widening with each line.

.......

This, isn't this the legendary sponsorship contract?

When she finally realized what it was, anger surged inside her.

She had previously said that these siblings were truly birds of a feather! Wei Jiabao would pretend to ask for her opinion, then use tactics to pressure her to agree, Wei Zhuang was even more cunning. Want to get out of your current predicament? Simple, just sign this contract!

These siblings!!! So infuriating!

The stack of paper crumpled in her grip.

Wait, she couldn't lose her temper, she had already offended Wei Jiabao and couldn't afford to offend Wei Zhuang as well. Wei Zhuang was far more inscrutable, she was the true decision-maker in the Wei family.

She slowly sat down on the sofa, feeling a sudden sharp pain in her heart.

In the eyes of these people, everything was just a transaction, right? All she wanted was to return to her original state...

After a few minutes, Assistant Gao received a call from the inner office and entered. Seeing the girl sitting upright on the sofa with a serious expression.

As soon as she saw her come in, Xiaoyuan stood up. She was wearing a thin sweater, jeans, and flat shoes—very simple attire, but there was an undeniable charm about her.

To be honest, when Assistant Gao received the call from Wei Zhuang about the contract, she was taken aback. If it hadn't been for her little wolf-dog lover pulling her back just in time, she might have fallen off the bed.

This was an unprecedented first—drafting a contract in advance, and for six months! It was known that the boss used to think even a few minutes with those "confidential contracts" was too long!

When she found out who the contract was for, even though she had a premonition, she still couldn't process it right away.

Delighted indeed. She internally sent out a barrage of thoughts:

'This is more like it! President, you can't keep being so aloof, you'll lose out early!'

Just earlier, she had been speculating about Xiaoyuan's reaction. She thought she would feign reluctance, hinting that she wanted to negotiate for better terms, and then gladly accept. To be honest, the offer was quite good, exceeding the standards for a B-list artist.

She couldn't think of any reason for the other party to reject it.

Assistant Gao continued to smile. "Miss Xiang, how are you considering the offer?"

'Pretend to decline, say you need to think about it.'

Sure enough, she heard Xiaoyuan say to Assistant Gao, "Assistant Gao, I need to think about this matter."

Assistant Gao smiled, "Do you have any additional conditions you want to add to the contract?"

'Say no, that you're very satisfied, but...'

'Then make more demands! This opportunity only comes once, seize it and negotiate well, young one!'

Sure enough, she guessed right again. Xiaoyuan said, "No, I'm quite satisfied. It's just..."

Assistant Gao continued to smile, "Hmm?"

'Here it comes! She's about to state her conditions!'

Xiaoyuan's lips curved into a smile, her eyes squinting playfully. "It's just that I need to go home and think about it. I'll let you know once I've made a decision."

Assistant Gao's smile slightly faded, "..."

'Hmm?'

"Then it's settled. I'll head back for now." After saying that, Xiaoyuan turned and waved at her, "Bye-bye~"

Assistant Gao: "?"

'Hmm? What's going on?'

Xiaoyuan hadn't walked far before turning back, clearing her throat a few times, looking a bit shy. "Assistant Gao?"

Assistant Gao smiled again, "Yes? Miss Xiang?"

'Oh, using the tactic of pretending to leave to bargain, huh!'

Xiaoyuan scratched her cheek, "Assistant Gao, I'm not very familiar with the way. Could you have someone escort me downstairs?"

Assistant Gao: "..."

'What the! Is this girl playing with me?'

Assistant Gao maintained a flawless smile: "No problem. Someone will escort you down and take you home."

Xiaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled lightly, her eyes sparkling with a fading glow: "Thank you~"

Assistant Gao: "...You're welcome."

'She's quite cute even when she smiles!'

'Damn it, I'm indeed a sucker for beauty!'

After Xiaoyuan left the room, Assistant Gao took the contract, looked at it. There were no markings at all, and it seemed the pen hadn't even been opened.

Heh, that line of "I need to go home and think about it, and I'll inform you once I've made a decision" is exactly the same principle as when a client says "please wait for our notification" at a recruitment fair.

Assistant Gao couldn't believe that someone would reject such generous offer and even turned down the boss.

'Young people should learn that being too individualistic can lead to hardship.'

Sigh~

She took five minutes to collect her thoughts and then called Wei Zhuang, accurately relaying Xiaoyuan's original words over the phone. She believed President Wei would understand the subtext behind Xiaoyuan's words.

As expected, there was silence on the other end of the call.

"President Wei, do we need to raise the compensation a bit more?" Assistant Gao asked softly.

In her view, everyone in the entertainment industry has their own price tag, and Tonghua is not short of money nor resources, completely capable of presenting a deal to Xiang Xiaoyuan that she cannot refuse, as long as Wei Zhuang believes she has that value.

However, it was probably a long shot, the boss's interest in Xiaoyuan likely hadn't reached that level yet.

As expected, she heard Wei Zhuang say, "No need. Let's leave it as is."

'Hey, don't! President, it's not easy to be interested in someone like this!'

'A woman would be fine too! That girl really is quite cute! I think she's adorable!'

'President!! Life is about more than just work!'

Assistant Gao's inner thoughts continued, unable to resist speaking up, "President... how about I go find out a bit more..."

'President!! If you continue like this, you'll regret it sooner, I can play some tricks!'

Wei Zhuang: "No need."

Assistant Gao felt it was a shame. "But..."

Wei Zhuang fell silent again.

Assistant Gao wisely held back.

"Wait three days, don't do anything." Wei Zhuang said this before hanging up the call.

Assistant Gao ended the call, feeling astonished and incredulous.

'Wow, wait three days? It seems the President is really interested in someone!'

'Huh? What's the difference between this and a job applicant waiting at home for a call? She's a president with hundreds of billions in assets!'

'...What if she doesn't hear back?'

This was the first time Assistant Gao had dealt with such a situation, and she felt a severe headache coming on.

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT