When Wen Ning first heard that Xia Qingtian was being followed, she initially thought it was paparazzi trying to sneak photos.
After all, Xia Qingtian's current fame outweighed her demonstrated abilities, so it was normal for paparazzi to dig for dirt.
After Xia Qingtian and Li Mengxiao returned to Gu's Entertainment, Wen Ning simply let them rest and arranged for other cars to take Xia Qingtian home. At the same time, she sent someone to investigate which company the followers belonged to, planning to give them a warning.
However, the surveillance continued for a full week. Moreover, the followers didn't seem to be digging for scandals but rather trying to find out where Xia Qingtian lived.
Wen Ning immediately sensed something was wrong. Coupled with Xia Qingtian's previous issues with her accommodation being damaged and what Ling Fenghan had experienced, Wen Ning took the matter very seriously.
At the same time, the person investigating the followers' backgrounds replied to Wen Ning, stating that they were not reporters from entertainment news outlets but seemed to be detectives hired by someone.
This news further validated Wen Ning's suspicions. She immediately reported the matter directly to Mr. Gu during the day's meeting.
"It's been a week?" Mr. Gu frowned upon hearing this.
"Xia Qingtian is joining the cast tomorrow. Although accommodation is arranged uniformly, and they should stop following her, once filming begins, there will be many people around, and it's hard to avoid them causing trouble again," someone immediately said with concern.
This was also Wen Ning's concern: "I want to arrange protection for her."
"But Xia Qingtian doesn't have any significant works yet. If too many people are assigned to protect her at this time, and it's photographed, people might say she's being difficult. Public opinion on her has always been rather subtle," someone hesitated.
"I understand this," Mr. Gu said, tapping his fingertips on the table, seemingly having an idea. "What else is there?"
Seeing Mr. Gu's response, everyone continued with the next agenda items.
After the meeting concluded, Mr. Gu called Wen Ning aside.
"Mr. Gu, what do you think?" Wen Ning looked at Mr. Gu.
"Wen Jiu should be back," Mr. Gu said, tapping the edge of the table. His tone suggested it was as trivial as saying, "Tomorrow should be a sunny day."
"!" Wen Ning felt a jolt.
Wen Jiu's identity was special, and her whereabouts were always kept confidential from the public. Even the Wen family only received concrete news this morning that Wen Jiu would arrive in Z City tonight.
"Let Wen Jiu protect Xia Qingtian for a while," Mr. Gu said. "During this period, I will find someone more suitable. For the transition, let Wen Jiu bear the burden."
"Mr. Gu, Wen Jiu has a rather peculiar personality and is accustomed to being unconventional. She might..." Wen Ning felt the request was rather difficult.
She knew her sister better than anyone.
Wen Jiu's current standing in the military was definitely not solely due to the Wen family's backing, but more so to her ruthlessness and strategic acumen.
Wen Jiu had admired martial prowess since childhood. While other children in the Wen family were diligently studying, Wen Jiu had already apprenticed under a renowned master, receiving an elite education. She showed promise in simulation battles at the age of thirteen, became the youngest commander in history at nineteen, and had now risen to a position that required utmost secrecy from the state for external purposes.
Wen Jiu's eccentric nature was such that even her own family members couldn't control her.
If she became displeased, even the head of the Wen family had to show her some deference.
Although the Wen family didn't know the reason for her return this time, everyone speculated it was likely because Wen Jiu had lost her temper and beaten someone she shouldn't have.
After all, when Wen Jiu suddenly returned to the Wen family for three months the year before last, it was because she had beaten a visiting foreign general during an exercise. She was confined to home for three months of reflection. It was said that even after two years, the beaten general was still recuperating in bed...
Asking Wen Jiu to protect Xia Qingtian...
What if there were conflicts, and Wen Jiu ended up seriously injuring Xia Qingtian?
Furthermore, for Wen Jiu to deign to protect Xia Qingtian?
It seemed impossible no matter how you thought about it.
Wen Ning truly worried that if she made this request, Wen Jiu might, out of annoyance, trash the Wen family's residence.
And that would be her fault.
"It's fine, Wen Jiu owes me a favor," Mr. Gu said casually. "Tell her to protect Xia Qingtian well, and that favor will be considered repaid."
If she couldn't see Mr. Gu's interest in Xia Qingtian by now, she had wasted her years in this circle.
But Wen Ning couldn't fathom that Mr. Gu would go this far for Xia Qingtian.
That was Wen Jiu's favor!
After a moment of stunned silence, Wen Ning finally replied, "Yes."
After leaving Mr. Gu's office, Wen Ning felt as if she were in a dream. She returned to her office in a daze, only to find Xia Qingtian waiting for her there.
Wen Ning couldn't help but look at Xia Qingtian more closely.
To be honest, Xia Qingtian was indeed very beautiful.
But this circle was never short of beauties.
Especially for someone in Mr. Gu's position, there was an endless stream of beautiful women with looks, background, and ability.
Yet, Mr. Gu had never shown such favoritism to anyone over the years.
"I might not get to drink this tomorrow when I join the crew. This is my last cup!" Seeing Wen Ning staring at her, Xia Qingtian thought Wen Ning was unhappy about her not managing her figure and drinking milk tea. She immediately said, "Oh, by the way, Xiao Xiao also brought you a cup of oatmeal boba with three parts sugar. It's on your desk."
Looking at Xia Qingtian's naive expression, Wen Ning sighed inwardly before walking towards her desk.
She wondered if Mr. Gu's favoritism would ultimately be good or bad for Xia Qingtian.
After sitting down, Wen Ning began to explain the precautions for joining the crew tomorrow.
The set was the most complex environment. Although everyone was focused on making the film well, there was no shortage of internal struggles and political maneuvering.
Especially among actresses, they could be warm and friendly on the surface but stab you in the back.
Not to mention the reporters waiting to sneak photos and the rising young stars who wanted to capitalize on their popularity by creating CPs with female artists.
Moreover, Xia Qingtian's rapid rise to fame was bound to make some people resentful.
After finishing her explanation about the crew, Wen Ning continued, "K&K has already started preparing for the advertisement shoot. This time, the advertisement will be filmed in Country Z. Once the specific date is confirmed, I will directly inform the director. Pay attention to your skin and figure management. The director for this K&K advertisement is notoriously strict."
"Last thing, someone will be protecting you soon. Did you... did you buy insurance?" Wen Ning looked at Xia Qingtian and asked hesitantly.
With Wen Jiu's temper, it was truly unpredictable...
"Huh?" Xia Qingtian blinked. Why would she need to prepare insurance if she was being protected? "Sister Ning, are you sure this person is here to protect me and not to assassinate me?"