Shen Lu's departure did not end the film crew's auditions. The auditions continued for another four hours, and the second round of selection was finally completed.
Jiang Nanchen arranged the remaining work and then said to Quan Jiu, "Is there anything else today?"
Quan Jiu nodded, "What's up?"
Wang Feifei tutted, "Don't be a workaholic. Today is your birthday, did you forget? Lao Jiang and I have prepared a birthday party for you, and it's also a welcome home party."
Quan Jiu's expression was calm, "You know I don't celebrate my birthday. Forget the birthday party, but a welcome party is fine. I'll head back first. You can send me the address later, and I'll bring Mimi and Tutu along."
Wang Feifei shook her head regretfully, "It's such a pity not to celebrate the day of your birth. Fine, I won't force you, but if you ever want to celebrate your birthday, you must notify me first."
Quan Jiu smiled gently and hugged Wang Feifei, "Okay, okay." Then she said goodbye to the others.
Wang Feifei escorted her out before returning and shrugging at Jiang Nanchen, "See, I told you she wouldn't celebrate her birthday."
Jiang Nanchen also gave a wry smile, "If she doesn't like it, then so be it."
Just then, his phone rang. Jiang Nanchen gestured to Wang Feifei and walked aside to answer it. On the other end was the head of the investment department from Chu Group, whom he had spoken with before.
"Hello, Director Liang."
Liang Ze said, "Director Jiang, about the investment we discussed, are you free tonight? If it's possible, I'd like to have a good talk with you. If everything is fine, we'll sign the contract."
Jiang Nanchen looked troubled, "I'm sorry, Director Liang, but today is really not a good time. We're planning to hold a welcome home party for Nine today."
Liang Ze was slightly surprised. This was indeed opportune. He said, "That's perfect. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of this 'Nine God.' Director Jiang, you won't mind me tagging along, will you?"
I actually kind of do. Jiang Nanchen chuckled, "Of course not. I'll send you the address then."
...
Meanwhile, Jiang Mengmei, dressed up, arrived at Chu Group but was stopped by the receptionist on the first floor.
She was already fuming, and it was one thing at her own company, but to be stopped at Chu Group by someone so clueless ignited her anger. She directly threw her handbag at the receptionist's face and cursed, "You blind dog, open your dog eyes and take a good look. I am the sister-in-law of your President Chu. Now get out of my way."
The receptionist was stunned by the blow. Another receptionist quickly called for security. Two security guards, without a word, grabbed Jiang Mengmei and prepared to throw her out.
Seeing that her identity was completely ignored, Jiang Mengmei, in a fit of rage, kicked and thrashed, her voice piercingly sharp, audible throughout the entire lobby.
"Let go! Take your pig trotters off me! I'll have my brother-in-law fire you. Do you know who I am? I am Jiang Mengran's sister. My sister is the future daughter-in-law of the Chu family. You are all eating from my family's table, and you dare to disrespect me? Sister, sister..."
The receptionists finally heard clearly. They hadn't expected this lunatic to be the Design Director's sister. Recalling the rumors at the company, although not confirmed, to be safe, the receptionist, after a moment of hesitation, called Jiang Mengran.
Upon receiving the call, Jiang Mengran hurried downstairs and saw her sister sitting in the waiting area, spewing curses, surrounded by two security guards and quite a few onlookers.
Seeing Jiang Mengran, the receptionist called out, "Director Jiang, that crazy... that woman keeps saying she's your sister. We're not sure, so we asked you to come down and confirm. Is she really your sister?"
Jiang Mengran could hear the mockery in her words. Angrily, she retorted, "The front desk is the face of the company. As the face of Chu Group, you are doing something that disgraces Chu Group. I will report this to the HR department. If you know what's good for you, submit your resignations yourselves, so you don't have to find another job after being fired."
The receptionists, being of lower rank, were naturally intimidated by the director. They explained aggrievedly, "She was the one who hit me as soon as she came in. Look at my face, my skin is scraped. There's surveillance here, I didn't do anything."
Jiang Mengran glared fiercely, "I don't need to hear your nonsense. Explain yourselves to the HR department." Then she walked over to Jiang Mengmei.
Upon seeing her sister, Jiang Mengmei immediately stood up and cried, "Sister, quickly fire these two damn security guards and all four damn receptionists. These blind dogs, they even tried to throw me out. It's too outrageous."
Jiang Mengran was angered to see Jiang Mengmei making such a scene in public. However, she couldn't lash out in front of everyone, so she could only drag Jiang Mengmei away to speak.
Chu Rong emerged from the turnstile and saw all four receptionists crying, with many people gathered in the lobby, creating a commotion. He frowned.
Wang Xiao quickly went to the reception desk to inquire about the situation. After a moment, he returned with a strange expression.
"Boss, it's Director Jiang's sister who wanted to come upstairs to see you. The receptionists didn't recognize her and stopped her, so Director Jiang's sister attacked them. Director Jiang came down just now and, without any explanation, wanted to fire the receptionists, which is why they are all crying."
After hearing this, Chu Rong's expression turned icy, "Since when did personnel changes at Chu Group become the decision of a design director?"
His voice was not low. Jiang Mengran, who was about to take her sister away, paused. But soon, she put on a smiling face and approached Chu Rong, saying gently, "A Rong, why are you off work so early today? Do you have a business dinner? Then I won't prepare dinner for you tonight." As she spoke, she reached out as if to adjust Chu Rong's tie.
The onlookers, including the receptionists, were all startled. Was the rumor true?
But the next moment, they saw the boss's face darken and he moved aside, his aloofness and coldness unmistakable.
Jiang Mengran's hand froze in mid-air. Embarrassed, she could only pretend to smooth her hair and then let it fall.
The onlookers couldn't help but sneer. It seemed like another person fantasizing about climbing the ladder.
Hearing the mocking laughter, Jiang Mengran felt as if she were burning. But the more it was like this, the more she had to pretend to be unfazed. So, her smile remained, and she continued to express her concern, "Then you must remember to eat tonight."
Chu Rong didn't even look at her. Instead, he stared coldly at Jiang Mengmei.
Seeing this, Jiang Mengmei quickly put on a sweet and innocent smile, "Brother-in-law, I have something important to tell you, but the receptionists and security guards wanted to throw me out." She looked wronged and pitiful.
The crowd was again astonished. Everyone knew that the CEO of Chu Group was a golden bachelor. Not only did he not have a wife, but there were no rumors of him even having a girlfriend. How did he suddenly become someone's brother-in-law?
And if he was her brother-in-law, then... all eyes turned to Jiang Mengran.
Jiang Mengran, with a hint of shyness that seemed like an admission, said softly, "A Rong, let's talk outside. There are too many people here."
Several receptionists were also paying attention to the events. Their faces turned pale. They never expected that the company rumors about the CEO and Director Jiang were not baseless.
What should they do now? Would they really have to pack up and leave?
However, before they could figure out how to apologize to Director Jiang, they heard their boss say sternly, "If you let these disreputable people in again, pack your bags and leave yourselves." His gaze fell on the security guards.
The security guards also felt uneasy, not expecting this shrew to actually be the CEO's sister-in-law. But the next moment, they heard the CEO's instructions. The security guards were stunned for a moment, then quickly regained their composure, "Sorry, CEO Chu, it won't happen again."
Chu Rong then looked at Jiang Mengran with a cold face, "Since when did the HR department's affairs become the responsibility of the design department? If I hear such overstepping words again, you can submit your resignation to the HR department yourself."