Yu Shuiling got the role of the female lead, but for her, it was a mere trifle. In her words, her brother being an investor meant that as long as she was having fun, it didn’t matter to her whether her brother made money or not.
For Lan Shuixian, however, there were losses to account for.
If it weren’t for Yu Shuiling’s interference, all casting decisions would have been personally made by her.
"Miss Lan, you can’t just let Miss Yu lord over us. We had an agreement, the Yu Family was only to be an investor and not involved in casting. Now look, they’ve taken the lead role for the TV series. How are we supposed to go on with the filming?" A man named Haoge was livid upon hearing that the lead female role was snatched by the Yu Family.
Lan Shuixian lay languidly on the sofa, a cigarette between her fingers. She took a deep drag, then forcefully exhaled, with the grey smoke billowing before her like swirling clouds.
"I don’t want it either, Haoge, but if you can find an investor with deeper pockets than Yu Lao San, then surely the Yu Family won’t be able to boss us around. I don’t want Yu Shuiling as the female lead either; having an actress I can’t completely control, even if she becomes famous, means nothing to us, doesn’t it?"
"Indeed, so what are your thoughts? Are you actually going to let Yu Shuiling be the female lead?" Logically speaking, if the role could become popular, it would naturally be beneficial.
If it didn’t take off, neither the Yu Family as investors nor they themselves would care.
"Haoge, do you have a better plan?"
"Their idea is to make a few actors famous and then have them work for us. But it seems that it’s not going to work this time; we need to look for another opportunity. Find another script, and this time we won’t seek investment from the Yu Family. We’ll find another investor and gain complete initiative."
"Let’s finish filming this TV series first, then see. No matter how capable Yu Shuiling is, she’s still a young girl. I don’t believe we can’t control her."
"That’s more like you." Haoge broke into a smile at Lan Shuixian’s words. He stood up and said to Lan Shuixian, "Someone will come over soon, and I’ll introduce you."
Shortly after, a middle-aged man walked in, dressed in a suit, his hair neatly combed, clearly someone who had returned from abroad.
"This is Mr. He, who has not long returned from overseas." Haoge got up to introduce them: "Mr. He, this is Miss Lan Shuixian, the young and prominent owner of Lange Yuntian Club, an admirable and successful youth."
"I’ve long heard of Miss Lan’s great reputation, beautiful, capable, and gracious, and now I see it is indeed true." He Xiuze wore a pair of glasses, appearing refined, and extended his hand for a light handshake with Lan Shuixian: "I’m delighted to meet you."
Lan Shuixian looked at the man, smiled faintly, "I know you. You’re Haige’s husband, right? She’s mentioned you to me."
She had encountered Haige at the club a few days ago. Haige was glowing with happiness, saying her husband, whom she had waited for many years and was thought to have died, was actually alive. They got married.
At that time, she had looked into this man: indeed, a survivor of a major incident from the past. As for why he didn’t die, only he would know.
The Gu Family was still watching him, and yet, he was boldly starting to engage in social activities openly.
"In that case, we’re practically friends." He Xiuze let out a small chuckle upon hearing that she knew Haige, "I’ll be developing my career domestically, so it is inevitable that we’ll have future interactions."
As he spoke, He Xiuze took out a piece of paper from his pocket. Lan Shuixian’s expression changed drastically as she saw what he pulled out.
Her expression shifted, "Mr. He is right, we will all be friends in the future, and I am willing to offer any help you need."
He Xiuze was quite satisfied with Lan Shuixian’s response. A slight smile appeared on his face, "Now that we’ll all be friends, we should naturally look out for each other."
Lan Shuixian smiled back.
"The participation of Yu Shuiling in this shoot was unexpected, but for us, it can also be seen as an opportunity." Yu Shuiling’s involvement, as it turned out, might not be a bad thing for them.
At least in some aspects, they were no longer on the defensive but had shifted to an active stance.
The day of Su Peng’s engagement was lively and colorful.
Su Peng, in his suit and tie, and Wu Wenli in her red attire, one handsome and youthful, the other tall and dignified, were a well-matched couple standing together.
He Ximei was also happy today, not just ordinarily happy.