At eight-thirty, Wei Tao arrived at the coffee shop agreed upon with Quan Jiu. Due to the morning rush, there were quite a few people buying coffee inside, making it lively.
Wei Tao chose a seat that offered a clear view of the entrance, then quietly opened his camera. He had no ulterior motives, it was purely a professional habit. He wanted to record the person who was so mysteriously portrayed online. After all, it would likely be forbidden to take photos after meeting them, and obtaining surveillance footage from the coffee shop afterwards would be troublesome.
The agreed time was nine o'clock. Wei Tao arrived early, so he bought a cup of coffee first. While sipping it, he observed the people coming and going through the entrance, amusingly guessing in his mind who the person he was waiting for might be.
However, after looking around, he didn't see anyone particularly special. In his mind, people with extraordinary talent possessed an aura that could be immediately discerned from ordinary people at first glance. But all he saw were ordinary people.
As nine o'clock drew closer, Wei Tao's heart began to race with excitement and nervousness. Who was this mysterious person? What did they look like? Was the rumor of them being an ugly, overweight shut-in true? Jiang Nanchen said he would be surprised when he met the person; to what extent would he be surprised? Why would he be surprised?
Various thoughts swirled in his mind. Wei Tao bit down on his straw, staring intently in the direction of the entrance.
After an unknown period of time, his pupils suddenly constricted, his eyes widened, and his gaze, blank and stunned, followed a person as they entered the coffee shop.
Then, the person came closer and closer until they stopped in front of him, sat down, and with a clear voice that filled the air, said, "Hello, I'm nine." Only then did he slowly come back to his senses.
"You, you're nine?!" Wei Tao, though back to his senses, couldn't conceal the stunned surprise on his face.
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, "Authentic, guaranteed."
Wei Tao took a deep breath and, still shocked, swallowed. "The internet... indeed, one cannot believe everything it says."
He had considered countless possibilities, even the possibility that nine was a man, or even a transvestite, but he had never expected it to be such a young and beautiful woman.
At this moment, Wei Tao finally understood Jiang Nanchen's words.
"You're very different from what's said online," he chuckled, leaning his head to take a sip of coffee. He then remembered to offer his business card and quickly fumbled one out.
Quan Jiu also took out her business card as a screenwriter in exchange, but her gaze fell on the camera on the table. She smiled and said, "This is an infringement of my portrait rights."
Wei Tao's face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly deleted the video content. "It's a professional habit. In our line of work, we might encounter material at any time, so my camera is never turned off."
"Actually, the reason I came to see you today is first to thank you for our pleasant previous collaboration, and second to establish a more solid relationship for our future cooperation. That's why I came personally, to show my sincerity."
Wei Tao became serious. "I am also very grateful for our pleasant previous collaboration."
The morning rush had already passed. There were only a few scattered customers in the coffee shop. Quan Jiu spoke cautiously, ensuring that no one else could overhear.
She took out some documents from her bag and pushed them towards Wei Tao.
"This person, although not a big star, has been gaining some traction recently. This information has value for exposure."
Wei Tao flipped through it from beginning to end, then exclaimed in surprise, "Where did you get this information?"
"The information is one hundred percent reliable, absolutely no mistakes," Quan Jiu said.
Wei Tao thought for a moment. "Did she offend you? Otherwise, an artist of this caliber shouldn't warrant your attention."
"You don't need to ask too many questions. Doesn't everyone have secrets?" Quan Jiu smiled slightly.
Wei Tao nodded. "I was being nosy. She is indeed the most talked-about person in this variety show. Your scoop is quite potent. Hitting her where it hurts, if this news is exposed, all her efforts will be in vain."
Quan Jiu chuckled softly. "She deserves it."
Wei Tao didn't ask any further questions. He was a journalist, and his principle was to report all the facts.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll find the right moment. When her popularity reaches its peak, I'll strike."
...
After the show's recording ended, Zhang Xin immediately contacted Zhao Wei, the artist manager of "Laughing All the Way." He had kept in mind Quan Jiu's request to act as an intermediary.
Zhao Wei and Zhang Xin were old acquaintances. He couldn't easily refuse someone introduced by Zhang Xin, so he agreed. Immediately after, Zhang Xin contacted Quan Jiu.
At that time, Quan Jiu had just parted ways with Wei Tao and was planning to go to her company when she received Zhang Xin's call.
"When are you free? I've arranged to meet Zhao Wei, the artist manager of 'Laughing All the Way.' If you want to get into 'Laughing All the Way,' it's basically a done deal if he approves."
Quan Jiu was delighted. There was no time to delay, so she said, "I'm free this afternoon. How about I treat you to lunch?"
Zhang Xin laughed heartily. "If anyone's treating, it should be me. How can I let you pay? Wait a moment, I'll ask Zhao Wei if he's free this afternoon."
After hanging up, before a minute had passed, Quan Jiu received another call from Zhang Xin, informing her that he was free this afternoon and providing the location.
Quan Jiu readily agreed. After ending the call, she quickly contacted Xiang Fei.
Xiang Fei was watching a movie in his rented apartment, studying the acting of his seniors. Suddenly, he received a call. He glanced at his phone screen, his heart trembled, and he couldn't suppress his excitement. He hastily answered, "Hello, Teacher Nine."
"Do you have anything particularly important that cannot be delayed right now? If not, come to Chungu. I'll introduce you to the artist manager of 'Laughing All the Way.'"
Xiang Fei's blood boiled with excitement. He almost couldn't help but shout. After waiting for so long, it had finally happened.
He hurried into the bedroom. "Okay, Teacher. I'll leave right away."
"Don't rush, take your time. The appointment is at twelve o'clock. I'll go first. Call me when you arrive."
Xiang Fei repeatedly expressed his thanks. After hanging up, he quickly tidied himself up and headed out.
...
At eleven o'clock, Xiang Fei arrived at Chungu and successfully met up with Quan Jiu.
They hadn't seen each other for a while. Upon seeing Xiang Fei, Quan Jiu offered an apology. "I promised to recommend you earlier, and it's only now that I've found a connection. You must have been anxious waiting."
Xiang Fei shook his head like a rattle drum. "No, I've always believed in you, Teacher. I haven't been idle during this time; I've been preparing for joining the crew. Don't worry, Teacher, I'm very confident about this role. I'll definitely shine."
"I know," Quan Jiu smiled. "You can rest assured too. With your talent and skill, you'll definitely get into 'Laughing All the Way.'"
Xiang Fei's long-standing self-doubt was finally resolved at this moment. If the big shots said he had talent and skill, what reason did he have not to believe it?
The two waited until eleven-thirty and then welcomed Zhang Xin.
Upon seeing Xiang Fei, Zhang Xin understood. "You want to recommend him to 'Laughing All the Way,' but 'Laughing All the Way' has already accepted one person this year. Although I have a good relationship with Zhao Wei, I'm afraid I can't help much."
Xiang Fei instinctively looked at Quan Jiu.
Quan Jiu nodded. "I know, it's okay. You've already helped a lot. If it weren't for you, I might not have been able to meet the decision-maker directly."
Zhang Xin asked about Xiang Fei's situation, and the three chatted until almost twelve o'clock, finally waiting for Zhao Wei.
As soon as Zhao Wei entered the private room, his gaze was inevitably drawn to a radiant figure. With such excellent appearance and conditions, was she also hoping to join "Laughing All the Way"?
But to his surprise, the radiant figure stood up, smiled, and greeted him, "Hello, Manager Zhao. I'm nine."