Once the matter was out in the open, it became easier to talk, and getting along—Lin Xiaoxiao was completely a straightforward girl, totally inconsistent with her aloof image on screen. She ordered a bitter coffee but kept eyeing the caramel macchiato in Qin Miaomiao’s cup with envy. That look of longing was too obvious.
Qin Miaomiao asked tentatively, "Do you want this? How about I order one for you?"
Lin Xiaoxiao kept her eyes fixed on the drink, licking her slightly dry lips, but declined:
"No, I have a body type that’s easy to gain weight. My manager strictly controls my sugar intake and doesn’t allow me to eat anything sweet."
Jiaojiao, as if she had seen through the truth, said bluntly, "So, you’re a sweets addict?"
Lin Xiaoxiao nodded emphatically—not just a sweets addict, but practically dying for sweets! That eager look was downright pitiful.
"How about we order you a cream cake?"
Lin Xiaoxiao froze for a moment, then frantically shook her head. "No, no, no—I’ll gain weight! Just one sweet thing and I’ll get fat! Curse this awful body type!"
"Oh well, then there’s no choice. Waiter, bring us a dessert! Make it sweet!"
Lin Xiaoxiao’s face went rigid in an instant, while Jiaojiao laughed out loud, "Miaomiao, I have to say, you’re so sly! Xiaoxiao, that’s just how Miaomiao is—stick around with her long enough, and you’ll get used to it."
The dessert arrived, and everyone except Lin Xiaoxiao had a small portion in front of them. The presentation was fabulous. Lin Xiaoxiao stared at them longingly, practically drooling—she couldn’t hold back anymore!
"I... I want one too!"
"Not afraid of gaining weight?"
"Even if I gain weight, I want it!"
She satisfiedly took a bite, savoring the sugary sweetness melting on her tongue, her face lighting up with contentment.
Miaomiao and Jiaojiao exchanged a look—this sweet-toothed girl probably wasn’t bad at heart. Yep, she could join their crew.
Afterward, since they all had other things to attend to, they parted ways. But they added each other on WeChat and created a three-person group chat, officially establishing a bond of camaraderie.
Miaomiao brought Ou Beichen back to the company. The company had recently recruited quite a few young girls. After all, she’d gained exposure at the film festival, and "Reincarnation" had been heavily promoted. With her name on the marquee, attracting fresh talent wasn’t too difficult.
Zhou Shu reported the current state of the company to her:
"We’ve interviewed over a hundred girls and selected about a dozen with potential—we can proceed with signing them."
Qin Miaomiao glanced at the photos of the selected candidates and then said calmly:
"With this kind of approach, promotion will be difficult. Get in touch with major video platforms and organize a talent cultivation competition. Make it as grand as possible—invite a few top-tier celebrities as judges to hold down the fort. I’ll handle this part. Select thirty individuals with development potential to sign. Even if there’s insider manipulation, it doesn’t matter. What I need is instant fame. Afterward, whether it’s singing or acting, versatility counts."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shu’s brain worked rapidly, and he immediately replied:
"Got it, I’ll reach out."
"Thanks for your hard work."
"What about the ones I selected earlier?"
"Their qualifications are okay—continue to observe them for potential growth. Also, online dramas are trending recently. I need a few quality projects worth investing in. Make sure they are innovative while ensuring they pass clearance. Try to minimize investment and maximize returns swiftly."
Zhou Shu nodded quickly. "Understood, I’ll keep an eye on it."
"Moreover, identify who in the company is capable of getting things done and can form the core team. Also, poach a few top-tier managers for me—we need to start laying out a plan for talent management."
"Got it, I understand."
She then discussed other company matters with Zhou Shu. When Zhou Shu walked out of the office, his back was drenched in cold sweat. Initially, he thought she was just a rich young heiress dabbling for fun—although she had handled things well in the past, he assumed it was merely a fluke. But who would’ve thought that she would be so knowledgeable in business matters?
It seemed his previous assessment had been wrong—this might turn out to be a phenomenal opportunity in his career?