As a highly educated young adult of quality, Jiang Chen naturally understood the concept of a contract spirit.
Even if the other party provided a card but didn’t offer the PIN.
It might sound a bit extravagant, but at this moment, with over twenty million in his grasp, he truly didn’t care too much about one million, what mattered more was how to get rid of Shi Qianxi and her troubles.
When her mother came looking for him, initiating a collaboration, he was indeed delighted, and money wasn’t really much of an issue compared to that.
So, after leaving the coffee shop and receiving a call from Shi Qianxi, Jiang Chen did not hesitate to hang up, and then he blocked her number.
As for how the madam would make a fuss, anyway, that aunt had said it was none of his business.
In the taxi back to school, as his phone rang again, a relieved Jiang Chen hung up without thinking, but then he felt something was off.
He had already blocked that woman Shi Qianxi, she shouldn’t have been able to get through.
He picked up his phone again and glanced at the caller ID, which made his face stiffen.
The missed call was actually from Pei Yunxi!
He had actually hung up on Pei Yunxi’s call?!
Not to mention her status as a rising superstar, she was also his second target for his romantic pursuits!
He was just worrying about how to bridge the vast social gap and to get closer to her.
Jiang Chen was full of regrets, and after composing himself, he quickly returned the call, hoping to make amends, but after a few rings, she hung up his call in return.
Jiang Chen put down the phone.
Was it a deliberate retaliation?
Thinking that seemed a bit too self-flattering.
She was a big star, after all, it was unlikely she would be so petty.
She was probably just busy with something else.
Jiang Chen consoled himself with that thought, and instead of foolishly bombarding her with calls, he opened WeChat and sent her a message.
"Miss Pei, my hand slipped a moment ago; I accidentally hung up. Was there something you needed?"
Both professionally and personally, he had to explain.
He was still receiving her salary.
As expected, there was no reply.
Jiang Chen wasn’t anxious, and subconsciously, he opened Pei Yunxi’s Moments.
The latest post was paired with a photo of a ceremonial offering on the film set, captioned with "Wishing a prosperous start to the project."
Since Jiang Chen seldom browsed Moments, this was the first time he saw this post.
He had thought about leaving a like, but then reconsidered, feeling that liking it wouldn’t be very noticeable. Pei Yunxi might not even see it amid the hundreds or thousands of likes she received, and right now, what he needed most was to make his presence felt.
That’s a basic consensus among all those who fawned over others.
So Jiang Chen opened the comment section and, after some editing, typed a few characters.
Wishing you big sales.
"Yun Xi, I’ve heard, and I’m just saying, that the matriarch of Jinhai Industries has recently returned to the country," said Yang Ni as she walked in, the founder of Moci Entertainment and a woman who was once one of the most sought-after actresses in the entertainment industry. However, she later switched her focus to business management, reducing her frequency of acting personally, but her popularity was still nothing to scoff at.
Pei Yunxi had hung up on Jiang Chen’s call because of her arrival.
"Sister Yang Ni, what does the return of the matriarch of Jinhai Industries have to do with me?"
Pei Yunxi stood to greet her, her demeanor gentle without any airs of a top celebrity.
Yang Ni was her boss, her senior.
The woman was also her friend.
If it weren’t for Yang Ni’s strong support and her safeguarding over the years, it would have been impossible for her to have such smooth sailing.
Even though her soaring popularity also brought great profits to MoCai Film Industry, making it a win-win collaboration, the graciousness of meeting someone pivotal in one’s life weighs heavier than Mount Tai.
"Yun Xi, now that we’re alone, why bother playing dumb with me? Can you count how many times Director Shi has invited you? And this movie ’Prosperous Age’ received strong support from Director Shi, allowing you to land the female lead role. Regarding this, those who competed with you have been grumbling behind your back."
Compared to Pei Yunxi’s relaxed demeanor, Yang Ni, who had a deeper understanding of the vanity fair that is the entertainment industry, seemed a bit more worried, even anxious.
"Don’t tell me you don’t know about Director Shi’s feelings toward you."
"Sister Yang Ni, Director Shi is already married."
"I’m well aware that he’s married, but so what?"
Yang Ni, who had been married but divorced just two years ago, seemed to have more to say but held back.
Even though there were no outsiders, some things just couldn’t be said too bluntly.
"Moreover, as far as I know, Director Shi and his wife don’t seem to get along well. His wife hasn’t been back for years."
"Sister Yang Ni, that’s Director Shi’s family matter. You don’t need to tell me about it."
Yang Ni forced a smile.
"Yun Xi, in our line of work, some things are unavoidable. I can block for you once, twice, thrice, but that doesn’t mean I can always shield you. You should understand, I just have a few more years in this industry and a bit more personal connections than you. For some people, even I am powerless."
She was all too aware of how difficult it was to stay uncorrupted in the entertainment industry’s dye vat.
Even though it wasn’t as dark as in neighboring Goryeo, at best, it was only slightly better.
With so many girls dreaming of becoming a star, and among them many beautiful and well-shaped ones, why would you be the one to become popular?
To get what you want, you must learn to give.
And she was undoubtedly lucky because Yang Ni had once been through the rain and was willing to hold an umbrella for those who came after.
If it weren’t for Yang Ni, she wouldn’t have been able to get to where she is today; if not unknown, perhaps she would have left the industry.
"Sister Yang Ni, I have troubled you over these years."
"Enough, why are you so formal with me? Just a reminder, go on with your work."
Yang Ni didn’t say any more.
Though she had tirelessly been holding an umbrella for her artists, ultimately, there would come rains that even she couldn’t shield from.
She didn’t mention it, but she believed the other person understood in her heart.
After Yang Ni left, Pei Yunxi went back to sit down in her chair. With no mood to look at the script anymore, she picked up her phone and saw the missed call and a WeChat message from that student at East University.
She had called earlier to ask about how her sister was doing at school, but now she just didn’t feel like it.
Without calling back, she opened WeChat, out of courtesy, intending to reply briefly and then noticed dozens of messages in the Moments notifications.
She rarely browsed Moments, only occasionally remembering to check it.
Pei Yunxi casually opened her own Moments and found mostly likes on her posts and a few comments.
One of the latest ones caught her eye.
"Wish you big sales."
It was from that student at East University.
Below this comment was another response.
"Haha, Miss Pei’s films are sure to be big sellers, the box office champion is secured in advance."
Seeing this reply’s note, Pei Yunxi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Commenting on a third party’s comment in someone else’s Moments means only one possibility, that they are also friends!
Otherwise, you can’t see it at all!
Although not very acquainted, Pei Yunxi was aware that Sun Dongye was a tycoon in the media industry and held no small influence in the film circle.
How did she come to know such a figure?