Mo Jianing gritted her teeth as she watched Xia Qingtian's retreating back. Staff members began to disperse the crowd of curious students.
"Are we still filming?" the director asked hesitantly, glancing at Mo Jianing's profile.
"Yes! Why wouldn't we be?" Mo Jianing clenched her fists at her side. "The more she, Xia Qingtian, doesn't want me to be famous, the more famous I'll become just to spite her! This show is bound to be a huge hit, and I'm going to be a star!"
One day, she vowed, she would make Xia Qingtian kneel before her and apologize!
There was nothing more to see.
Nie Qingkong slipped his hands into his pockets and quietly withdrew from the crowd, taking a detour to leave from another direction.
He remained silent, his calm eyes betraying a hint of amusement, as if he found the unfolding events intriguing.
Once he reached a secluded spot, Nie Qingkong took out his phone and dialed a number. "There's someone named Yu Linwan. Look her up."
"Her company is producing a talent show recently? I've invested in it. You handle the details and have the production team look out for that Mo Jianing."
Hanging up the phone, Nie Qingkong recalled the upward curve of Xia Qingyu's lips when she was taken away by Xia Qingtian. A similar smile spread across Nie Qingkong's own face, a smile brimming with unspoken meaning.
Chaos, after all, was more entertaining.
Xia Qingyu, Xia Qingtian.
"I'm playing with you sisters with thirty million. Don't disappoint me..."
Meanwhile, at Wanyuan Entertainment, Yu Linwan was taken aback when she received a collaboration proposal with a thirty million investment.
It was not a small sum, especially at this juncture!
Although Wanyuan Entertainment had been renamed Wanyao Entertainment, due to past events, the industry largely viewed them with a wait-and-see attitude.
That was precisely why she was determined to make this talent show a success and truly establish the Wanyao Entertainment brand.
She aimed for Wanyao Entertainment to rise quickly and compete with Gu's Entertainment.
This thirty million investment had arrived unexpectedly, surprising her greatly.
The other party seemed to have thoroughly investigated her situation and had been upfront, informing her that the funds were from the Young Master.
This news left Yu Linwan utterly astonished.
She had only recently joined, and the Young Master already knew about her?
And he had invested thirty million in her!
What did this signify?
It meant the Young Master recognized her potential!
Just watch, she would prove everyone who had looked down on her spectacularly wrong this time!
"Does the Young Master have any other instructions?" Yu Linwan asked, her eyes sparkling as she held her phone.
"The Young Master wants the production team to look out for that Mo Jianing."
"Mo Jianing?" Hearing the name, Yu Linwan narrowed her eyes slightly, a flicker of recognition in her mind.
She couldn't help but wonder about Mo Jianing's background that warranted special attention from the Young Master.
"Understood," Yu Linwan replied, ending the call.
She paced her office for a while before pressing the intercom. "Who is Mo Jianing's agent? Have them come to my office as soon as possible."
A considerable time later, Yu Linwan finally saw Mo Jianing, who had returned after filming her support video.
Having been slapped by Xia Qingtian earlier that day, Mo Jianing was reminded of a time Yu Linwan had slapped her, causing her to fall to the ground, the moment she saw Yu Linwan.
Her agent had repeatedly reassured her on the way and hadn't said anything unpleasant upon learning that Mo Jianing hadn't caused any trouble recently.
In truth, Mo Jianing herself was unsure, and seeing Yu Linwan now made her heart pound even harder. "Ms. Yu, you were looking for me?"
"Jianing, come here." Yu Linwan's face was wreathed in a gentle smile as she affectionately took Mo Jianing's hand. "I have high hopes for you in this upcoming talent show, and the company is even considering pre-selecting a debut spot for you."
"R-really?" Mo Jianing could hardly believe her ears. "Ms. Yu, I..."
"What happened to your face?" Yu Linwan asked, looking at the red mark on Mo Jianing's cheek. "Artists must always pay attention to their image, especially when the company plans to invest heavily in nurturing you."
"Xia Qingtian did it..." Mo Jianing knew well that Yu Linwan and Xia Qingtian were not on good terms, and she didn't hesitate to complain. "I was filming a support video at City First High School today, and I don't know how I offended her. My assistant already mentioned I'm an artist from Wanyao Entertainment, but Xia Qingtian said... even if you were here, she'd still hit me..."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linwan's face visibly darkened, her eyes growing colder.
She had been busy with financing matters and hadn't sought out Xia Qingtian, allowing her to become too arrogant.
Considering her current situation and future plans, Yu Linwan stated coldly, "Her arrogance won't last much longer."
Hearing Yu Linwan's words, Mo Jianing's eyes lit up, her joy even greater than when she heard about the company's plans to cultivate her. "Then, Ms. Yu..."
"You should go back and rest for now. The legal department will send you a new contract later. This time, we'll build you up comprehensively," Yu Linwan said, patting Mo Jianing's hand with a smile. She then turned to Mo Jianing's agent and added, "Take good care of Jianing. Her vocal and physical training classes need to be arranged quickly. Let Dennis mentor her."
"Jianing, Teacher Dennis is our most outstanding instructor at Wanyao Entertainment. He's a big name who previously performed on Broadway! Thank Ms. Yu quickly!" the agent exclaimed excitedly.
"Thank you, Ms. Yu, I promise I won't let your cultivation go to waste!" Mo Jianing's eyes welled up with tears, so touched she didn't know what to say.
She knew her bad luck wouldn't last forever!
Look! Her fortune was about to turn!
The days of becoming immensely popular were fast approaching. One day, she would make Xia Qingtian kneel and apologize!
"Heh heh." Yu Linwan's smile grew even gentler as her eyes continuously appraised Mo Jianing.
She seemed to be trying to discern what qualities Mo Jianing possessed that would earn her the Young Master's high regard.
Ultimately, she saw nothing particularly outstanding. Yu Linwan verbally promised numerous benefits before letting Mo Jianing and her agent leave.
"Jianing, you're about to become a big star! I've never seen Ms. Yu appreciate someone so much!" The agent, a seasoned flatterer who knew how to talk to anyone, fawned over her with a wide smile. "I knew your star luck was prosperous; you were bound to become famous sooner or later!"
Mo Jianing inwardly scoffed. Wasn't this the same agent who had told her to accept her fate and accompany clients to drink?
She hadn't said these words back then.
Despite her internal mockery, Mo Jianing showed nothing of it, responding with a cheerful smile, "It's all thanks to you! I don't know anything; I need you to guide me more!"
"That's my duty." Exchanging pleasantries, they chatted like old friends and confidantes.
Meanwhile, at City First High School, the dismissal bell had just rung, and a commotion erupted at the school gate.
A young man in his twenties, reeking of alcohol and dressed sloppily, stood at the gate, clutching a bottle filled with an unknown liquid. He was cursing, "Xia Qingyu! You damned bitch! You scammed my money and dared to toy with me! You ruined my family! Come out here!"