Li Zhu yi told Jiang Mian about changing her name, and Jiang Mian was very happy for her. Nothing was better than bravely being oneself.
To encourage Li Zhu yi, Jiang Mian sent her a bonus in advance. Although it wasn't much, it was the thought that counted. Li Zhu yi felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that Sister Mian was using the bonus as an excuse because she was afraid Li Zhu yi didn't have enough money. At the same time, her resolve strengthened; she would definitely do a good job by Sister Mian's side.
Sister Ning was so angry when she learned about what happened to Jiang Mian on Angel Star that she cursed, "These people, not one of them is any good! Luo Fei, what a piece of work! I bet he meticulously sent that invitation letter."
Jiang Mian also started to connect the dots. She recalled the glass of red wine and the sudden power outage at the banquet, and mused, "The way Luo Fei looked at me was disgusting."
Sister Ning took her hand. "Mian Mian, let's stay away from him in the future. Even though President Ji is protecting you, there are many dirty tricks in this circle. Don't accidentally fall into a trap."
Without President Ji, with her looks, trying to survive in this circle would surely attract countless covetous gazes.
She had to keep a close eye on Jiang Mian; only then would they have a good future.
Jiang Mian nodded gently. "I understand, Sister Ning. You don't need to worry."
She and Luo Fei would have no interaction.
...
Meanwhile, Shen Ting yu was still bothered by what had happened in the banquet hall. She was so close, so close, and Jiang Mian was about to drink that wine!
She was actually stopped. How could her luck be so good! It was the same when Director Wang was casting roles, and it was the same now!
Shen Ting yu narrowed her eyes and looked at her assistant. "I asked you to do one thing, and you can't even do it properly. Tell me, what else can you do?"
The assistant lowered her head, not daring to speak.
She just had to endure it. If she dared to talk back, the consequences would be even more severe.
There were too many people at the time, so she hadn't paid close attention to Jiang Mian. Shen Ting yu thought back to the scene carefully and asked, "Who stopped her?"
Upon hearing this, the assistant, seeing a chance to redeem herself, quickly replied, "It was a man!"
"Can you stop talking nonsense?"
The assistant said sheepishly, "There were too many people at the time, I couldn't see clearly. I only know it was a very handsome man! Even more handsome than President Luo!"
When did Jiang Mian get involved with such a handsome man? Her luck was truly extraordinary. Shen Ting yu frowned.
"Hey, Sister Qiao, you can't go in..."
"Get out of the way." Liang Qiao pushed away the hand that was blocking her and stormed in angrily.
Shen Ting yu's thoughts were interrupted, and she looked up.
"Sister Yu, I told you the lounge was occupied... Sister Qiao still insisted on coming in," the young woman said weakly.
"Heh, if I didn't know better, I'd think this Luo Corporation is your domain, Shen Ting yu. Since when do I, Liang Qiao, need to announce my arrival beforehand?"
"Alright, you can go now." Shen Ting yu said kindly.
After the person left, she poured herself a cup of tea. "Sister Qiao, let's talk properly. Please sit down first."
Liang Qiao hated seeing her like this the most. She said angrily, "Shen Ting yu! We're both ancient foxes, don't pretend here. I'm telling you, go and tell President Luo right now that you're not allowed to film that drama!"
"I thought Sister Qiao was talking about something important," Shen Ting yu said with a faint smile. "It's just a drama. If Sister Qiao likes it, she can have it."
Liang Qiao looked at her with suspicion. Could she be so generous?
"Sweet Little Fruit" was a key project for Luo Corporation this year. Liang Qiao never expected Luo Fei to overrule everyone and cast Shen Ting yu as the female lead.
As soon as she heard the news, she couldn't hold back any longer and rushed over in anger.
Even more unexpectedly, Shen Ting yu was so kind as to agree to give the role to her.
Shen Ting yu nodded. "Of course. In terms of seniority, Sister Qiao debuted earlier than me. In terms of status, Sister Qiao is the money tree of our company. In my heart, you are the most qualified person to play the female lead in this drama."
"At least you know what's good for you." Seeing her so agreeable, Liang Qiao didn't know what else to say.
"Since that's the case, I'll be going now."
"Farewell, Sister Qiao."
The door to the conference room was closed, and the assistant whispered, "Sister, are you really going to give her this role?"
If she filmed this drama, she would be the company's primary focus. Shen Ting yu's career would be at least half as smooth, and if she was lucky, she would become the next popular actress.
In her opinion, there was no need to give up such an opportunity.
Shen Ting yu propped her forehead with one hand and smiled when she heard this. "Give it to her, why not?"
Liang Qiao wouldn't be able to jump around for much longer. Luo Fei had already grown tired of her. She saw clearly that Liang Qiao was just one of Luo Fei's many female companions.
Besides, even if she dared to give it, Liang Qiao might not be able to film it...
...
Jiang Mian didn't have much free time before Director Wang notified her that they needed to start promoting the movie.
Five cities were planned, which wasn't too many. The first stop would naturally be Kyoto.
Song Xing jia had made arrangements in advance, stating that due to personal reasons, he would not be able to accompany Jiang Mian for the first stop.
Jiang Mian understood.
However, after two stops, Song Xing jia still hadn't appeared, and many fans were losing interest, even suspecting that Song Xing jia had given up on this movie.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mian was almost exhausted from the promotion.
Every day, she had to deal with reporters' questions and maintain a glamorous image. At night, Jiang Mian would lie on the hotel bed and call Ji Zhi xiu, recounting what happened that day.
"A Xiu, a reporter actually asked me today if I would develop feelings for Actor Song because of this drama." Jiang Mian said, lying on the bed after showering and letting loose.
Ji Zhi xiu's eyes tightened almost imperceptibly. "What did you say?"
"Of course not... My admiration for him is the kind of respect and adoration one has for a senior," Jiang Mian said, tilting her head and feeling drowsy.
Ji Zhi xiu's heart suddenly relaxed. "As a collaborator, Song Xing jia is indeed quite good." After Jiang Mian mentioned him last time, Ji Zhi xiu had taken the time to watch two of Song Xing jia's dramas.
When he was watching them in his office, Fan Cheng's eyes almost popped out in shock.
He pointed at the screen and said incredulously, "President, you're a fan of Actor Song too?"
"Even you know him?" Ji Zhi xiu retorted.
"Of course."
Without exaggeration, Actor Song had been in the industry for many years, leaving behind countless film and television works. He was almost constantly working, entering new projects seamlessly throughout the year. He appealed to everyone, from eighty-year-old grandmothers to three-year-old girls.
For Jiang Mian's sake, Ji Zhi xiu had gotten a preliminary understanding of him. Most importantly, Ji Zhi xiu had to admit that the man's acting skills were truly impeccable, and his personal conduct was upright. It was no wonder he had such a massive fan base over the years.
Moreover, he had a unique aura about him. As a man himself, Ji Zhi xiu had a strange intuition that Song Xing jia was definitely not an ordinary actor.
"Did you take your medicine on time tonight?" Ji Zhi xiu asked. There was no response from the other end.
After a long while, only Jiang Mian's soft breathing could be heard...
Ji Zhi xiu knitted his brows. It seemed she was truly exhausted.
The next day, Jiang Mian woke up to find that her phone had been on all night, and Ji Zhi xiu hadn't hung up.
She tentatively called out to him, "A Xiu..."
"Hmm?"
She hadn't expected a response, and Jiang Mian was overjoyed. "You didn't sleep all night, did you?"
Ji Zhi xiu rubbed his temples forcefully. "I slept. I just woke up."
Even he hadn't expected that he would listen to Jiang Mian's breathing all night without sleeping.
Jiang Mian believed him. "I have to catch a flight later."
Ji Zhi xiu nodded, suppressing his fatigue. "I know."
"Then I'll hang up. I need to pack." Jiang Mian blew a kiss to the phone and hung up.
After hanging up, Jiang Mian happily headed to her next destination.
It was on the third stop that Jiang Mian officially saw Song Xing jia.
It had been several months since she last saw Song Xing jia. Upon seeing him again, the man was still as stunningly handsome and elegant as ever, with a tall and slender physique. His every movement exuded a calm grace that was captivating.
He saw Jiang Mian and smiled slightly. "Mian Mian."
Jiang Mian ran over and looked up at him. "Actor Song."
Song Xing jia gently stroked her head, with a hint of relief. "You've worked hard."
Jiang Mian shook her head. "It's not hard, not hard at all. It's my duty."
He was truly so gentle! The promotion wasn't just for him, so how could he say she worked hard!
He curved his lips into a smile. "I'll be with you from now on."
Jiang Mian nodded joyfully. "That would be wonderful!"
Then, Jiang Mian truly witnessed the charm of Actor Song.
The movie promotion press conferences were always packed, and no one directed sharp questions at Jiang Mian anymore. Everyone's attention was solely on Song Xing jia.
Although Song Xing jia commanded everyone's attention, he didn't neglect others. When reporters spoke with him, they were unknowingly led by him. At the same time, this also gave the other members of the crew opportunities to shine.
His effortless composure greatly impressed Jiang Mian.
With him around, she didn't even feel tired from the promotion. Towards the end, Jiang Mian even felt a bit like a tool.
Seeing how well things were going, Director Wang waved his hand and added five more cities.
He unexpectedly appeared at the last press conference.
Jiang Mian's mood was buoyant, and her excitement didn't wane as she thought about seeing Ji Zhi xiu after this event.
Her words were witty and her responses were quick, full of energy. As they were leaving, a large group of fans, who had somehow received the news, rushed to block Song Xing jia.
Security personnel rushed to the scene to disperse the crowd but were overwhelmed by the fans' fervor. They were completely surrounded.
Jiang Mian was caught in the middle. She really wanted to say, "Song Xing jia isn't taking this route, you're blocking the wrong person, hey!"
But in reality, her voice was lost in the noise. Li Zhu yi was trapped on the other side, extremely anxious.
"Song Xing jia! Song Xing jia!"
"I'd crash into a wall for Xing jia!"
"Make way, make way! Don't block here! Actor Song didn't go this way!"
"Nonsense, I got accurate information, Actor Song is taking this route! No one can stop us! Once Actor Song leaves, we don't know when we'll see him again! Sisters, charge!"
"Ouch... my foot!" Jiang Mian frowned. In the chaos, someone stepped on her foot. The force of the step made her stumble. Immediately after, a strong push from behind sent Jiang Mian staggering forward uncontrollably.
Amidst the pushing and shoving, someone fell heavily to the ground.
"Blood! Someone's bleeding!"
"Help!"
"Jiang Mian!" Song Xing jia spotted her in the crowd and shouted sternly. The crowd quickly scattered, clearing a path.
But Jiang Mian was in too much pain to speak. Her foot hurt, and her hands hurt too...
Song Xing jia rushed to her side and, bending down, swept her into his arms. He held the frail and pitiful Jiang Mian, who was sitting on the ground, and said with a furrowed brow, "Don't speak. Bear with it for now. I'll take you to the hospital."
He had arranged for a car upon receiving the news, to avoid any accidents. He never expected that this car would be used for Jiang Mian first.
Jiang Mian, nestled in his arms, whispered weakly, "Wait... take my assistant with us."
Zhu yi would be worried if she couldn't see her.
Song Xing jia nodded and held her hand. "Don't worry, I'll arrange everything."
Hearing him say this, Jiang Mian finally felt at ease and closed her eyes.
Before she lost consciousness, she thought, Ji Zhi xiu is going to be angry...