Wei Lan gently placed the coffee by Zhao Ziwen's hand. "I thought you'd changed your taste recently. Since you're not interested, why are you looking at this photo?"
Zhao Ziwen picked up his coffee and took a sip. "Do you know who she is?"
Wei Lan shook her head in confusion.
Zhao Ziwen's eyes lit up with renewed interest. "She's the one the entire internet has been searching for today, Jiu Shen, nine."
Wei Lan's heart skipped a beat, and a wave of sourness and jealousy washed over her. Someone talented, good-looking, and famous – if she became her love rival, it would be very troublesome.
However, she hid her emotions well, her praise sounding sincere. "I didn't expect she was the one you were looking for. She looks so young, so beautiful, and so talented. A beautiful academic prodigy."
Zhao Ziwen nodded slightly. "I really didn't expect it to be someone like this. Rumors used to say she was already forty or fifty. I've seen the dramas she's written. The stories are novel, and the themes have the flavor of aged wine. I never thought those dramas were produced by such a young hand. If she hasn't had extraordinary experiences, then she must have a ghostwriter."
Profound things cannot be distilled without rich life experience.
Wei Lan was willing to lie low for five years, even to discreetly eliminate the new women around Zhao Ziwen over the years. She considered her emotions to be strong and her heart to be astute.
She said earnestly, "This woman's face is serene, her demeanor like an orchid. At first glance, she seems delicate, but there's a resilience in her eyes. Perhaps she truly has had rich experiences."
Zhao Ziwen was very pleased with this answer. He pulled Wei Lan into his arms. "I think so too."
Wei Lan breathed a sigh of relief, her smile becoming even more sincere. "Then when will you meet her? Do you need me to probe her first?"
Zhao Ziwen thought for a moment and shook his head. "No rush."
...
Inside the crew of "Fu Sheng," Jiang Nan Chen's phone rang again. He answered, saying only "Hello," and the voice on the other end introduced itself.
"Director Jiang, I'm Peng Gang, the marketing manager from Dongye Group. I heard you're preparing to shoot a movie. I wonder if we have an opportunity to cooperate. Dongye Group intends to invest in your project."
Jiang Nan Chen gave a wry smile. "The crew's funding is already sufficient. Thank you for your support. We'll cooperate next time we have a chance."
Peng Gang chuckled. "Director Jiang, who ever dislikes having more money? Isn't it better to have more sufficient funds?"
*But you're the tenth person to call about investing today,* Jiang Nan Chen added mentally, but said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry. Next time, if there's an opportunity, we'll be honored to cooperate with your company."
After Jiang Nan Chen hung up, his assistant director Luo Cheng couldn't hide his joy. "I didn't expect this incident to cause such a big impact. My phone was almost blown up too. Nan Chen, we're definitely going to be a hit this time."
Jiang Nan Chen's gaze, however, fell on Quan Jiu, and he smiled slightly. "I've always believed in her."
Wang Feifei leaned against Quan Jiu, happily gossiping. "Those directors and screenwriters who were spreading rumors are all being cursed now. I heard Deng Jie was even fired by her company. Director Wang... you know Director Wang Can, right? A very famous director in China. I heard from a little bird that he originally planned to cooperate with Zhao Zhen this time, but it's been canceled."
Quan Jiu responded with a distracted "mm."
Wang Feifei put down her phone and saw Quan Jiu browsing real estate listings. She asked with concern, "Are you in a hurry to move? I've found a few real estate agent friends, and there should be news in the next two days."
Quan Jiu smiled gratefully. For some reason, the forceful kiss that night made her very uneasy. She could feel Chu Rong's anger at the time. Was he resentful of her leaving then? Did he want revenge for being embarrassed?
If that were the case, it would be difficult for her and her children to resist the vast Chu Corporation and the Chu family.
Quan Jiu couldn't help but think that if he really wanted to find her, given his personality, he would definitely be working on it by now, perhaps even investigating the residents of Lijing Yuncheng. He was Chu Rong; he was definitely capable of doing such things.
Thinking of this, Quan Jiu became even more restless, unable to hear a word of what Wang Feifei was saying.
"I'm going out to make a call." Quan Jiu grabbed her phone and hurried out of the crew.
Jiang Nan Chen, who had been watching Quan Jiu, felt a pang in his heart and quickly walked over to ask Wang Feifei, who was still a bit bewildered, "What's wrong with her? Why does she look so flustered?"
Wang Feifei shrugged. "I don't know. She just said she wanted to move, and suddenly she became nervous."
Jiang Nan Chen's heart stirred. "She wants to find a place to live? Was the previous place not good?"
"She said the upstairs was too noisy and she was afraid it would affect Mimi and Tu Tu's rest."
Jiang Nan Chen couldn't hide his joy. "Did she mention what kind of place she's looking for?"
"Quiet and comfortable. Most importantly, it needs to have schools nearby so it's convenient for Mimi and Tu Tu to go to school."
Jiang Nan Chen murmured to himself, "Then the house by the river is just right."
"What?" Wang Feifei didn't hear clearly.
Jiang Nan Chen said, "I have a house in Linjiang. You've already agreed to help Jiu Jiu find a place, so let's use mine. But don't tell her it's mine, or she'll definitely refuse it."
Wang Feifei tutted and shook her head, sighing. "Oh... Director Jiang, if you like her that much, why don't you confess? If you continue like this, you won't win Jiu Jiu over."
Jiang Nan Chen smiled. "Don't you see that although Jiu Jiu seems friendly to everyone, the only one who can truly enter her heart is probably you right now. If I confess rashly, I'll only push her further away."
Wang Feifei agreed with this. She grinned slyly. "I knew you were cunning, Director Jiang. So you're planning to win her over subtly. Heh, you look like a refined and righteous scholar, but there's a fox living in your heart too."
Jiang Nan Chen smiled innocently. "What are you talking about?" He turned back to his work.
...
After leaving the crew, Quan Jiu found a secluded spot and made a phone call.
The call was answered instantly after one ring. The voice on the other end was very pleased. "Ah Jiu, you've caused such a stir right after returning to the country. Are you trying to conquer the entertainment industry?"
Quan Jiu gave a wry smile. "I didn't intend to cause such a big commotion. I just asked my master to clarify things for me, but I didn't expect him to rally so many supporters for me."
The voice on the other end had a hint of disappointment in its laughter. "Then you won't have time to have dinner with me again, will you?"
Quan Jiu apologized. "I just returned to the country and have a lot to deal with. I'll definitely treat you to a meal in a few days."
"I was joking, and you took it seriously? Do I, the esteemed dean, lack the money for a meal with you?" Guan Shi joked.
Quan Jiu smiled slightly, then said seriously, "Senior, I need your help with something."
Guan Shi on the other end of the line also became serious, his concern undisguised. "What is it?"
"I... he found me. He must be very angry about my departure back then, especially since Jiang Mengran wasn't fully recovered, and I, this 'blood cow,' escaped.
I don't know how he'll retaliate against me, but if he really intends to capture me, he'll definitely investigate the residents of Lijing Yuncheng. If he finds out about Mimi and Tu Tu's existence... I dare not think of the consequences."
Guan Shi's brow immediately furrowed. He clenched his fist tightly, his voice comforting, "I know. Don't worry. In this city, it's not only him with the surname Chu who has the final say."
Quan Jiu's tense nerves finally relaxed. She sincerely thanked him and promised, "I'll definitely treat you to dinner on Friday."
After Guan Shi hung up the phone, satisfied, his smile faded. He stared at a distant skyscraper:
Chu Rong, five years ago I could make you unable to find her. Five years later, I can still make you unable to find her.
The nurses in the distance, who were fawning over him, were startled to see their usually sunny and approachable dean suddenly change his expression.
"What's wrong with the dean? I've never seen him wear such a serious and frightening expression."
"I don't know. It's definitely not good news."