Chapter 44

Lately, aside from this variety show, Gu Ruolan hadn’t taken on any other work. Two emerging beauty brands had sent lucrative endorsement contracts with staggering fees, but she had declined them.

Her skin was good, but she was picky about products; she stuck to a few specific brands and items. These two new brands had previously launched massive marketing campaigns; she had once borrowed a staff member’s product on set for an emergency and hadn’t felt comfortable with it. If she couldn’t use it herself, she couldn’t truly experience the results. A three-year endorsement contract left her without confidence: how could she recommend a product she couldn’t use to others?

She turned down the endorsements and declined invitations to other variety shows, instead immersing herself in studying Xinghe’s script. Once the recording of Light of Stars ended, she planned to adjust her state and begin preparing for her next film in advance.

In the past, Yu Youqing wouldn’t have seen much of a problem with Gu Ruolan doing this; her main career was movies, after all. But things were different now. Gu Ruolan was turning down projects that were guaranteed profit for the company, while the movie she was actively preparing for would likely benefit Xinghe.

Upon learning that Gu Ruolan had declined the beauty endorsements, Xin Qi called Yu Youqing into her office. “Is Ruolan really considering nothing else besides that one movie now?”

“I asked her last time; she truly wants to focus her main energy on film.” Yu Youqing observed President Xin’s reaction. “It looks like she plans to sign for both movies this time.”

Xin Qi gave an ambiguous smile, seemingly unimpressed.

“The failure of The Starlight is Like You last time was a big blow to her. she’s hoping a good movie will help her find her form again.”

Xin Qi twirled her fountain pen. “Xinghe’s little scheme is so loud I can hear it from here. Would Ruolan not understand it?”

Yu Youqing remained silent; to say she didn’t understand at all would be treating her like a child.

“The terms for the contract renewal can be loosened a bit. Go and wear her down some more. In any case, we can’t let Xinghe get a bargain.”

“Of course I want to keep Ruolan, but she seems to read the original at bailiantales.com really dislike the renewal terms. Loosening them just a bit probably won’t be enough to convince her.”

“Her Movie Queen titles were basically cultivated here. Now that she has these achievements, she thinks her wings are strong enough.” Xin Qi tapped the pen against the desk, producing a dull, thumping sound. “If soft words and coaxing aren’t working, then give her some pressure. Don’t let her forget how the company has promoted her all these years.”

Yu Youqing felt a bit conflicted, clearly sensing that this tactic might not be very effective against Gu Ruolan. But with President Xin in a fit of pique, trying to persuade her otherwise would likely be useless.

For every day the renewal was delayed, President Xin applied more pressure to her. She was caught in the middle, pleasing neither side.

Leaving the office, Yu Youqing was looking down and lost in thought when she was bumped by someone at the corner. The force wasn’t great, but it hit her right on the shoulder, and it hurt.

“Watch where you’re going!” Yu Youqing snapped, her voice harsh. Once she spoke, she was surprised herself—was her temper really this flared?

“Sister Qing, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you…” Xiao Yan had returned to the company to pick up materials for Gu Ruolan and hadn’t expected to run into a distracted Yu Youqing.

Seeing it was Xiao Yan, the suppressed anger bubbled up again. “Why aren’t you with Ruolan? What are you doing at the company?”

Xiao Yan released her pursed lips, struggling to keep her tone steady. “Sister Lan wants to see some old contracts. She said they were at the company and told me to come get them.”

“Which contracts?”

“She didn’t specify. She just said they were in a file folder. But they should be quite old, because she said it was for work that’s already finished.”

Xiao Yan spoke vaguely, beating around the bush without reaching the point, but Yu Youqing took note.

“I’ll go with you to find them. I know all those old contracts; it’ll be faster.”

Xiao Yan couldn’t easily refuse. She bit her lip and nodded, walking side-by-side with her. After finding the folder Gu Ruolan mentioned, Xiao Yan was about to put it in her bag when Yu Youqing stopped her. “Let me see which contracts they are.”

Xiao Yan looked hesitant. “That’s not very appropriate; these are Sister Lan’s things.”

“Which of the work contracts she’s signed hasn’t gone through my hands?”

It was true; Yu Youqing certainly knew everything there was to know. But that was separate from opening the folder now. Xiao Yan didn’t move, clearly unwilling.

“If Ruolan asks, just say I’m the one who wanted to see them.” She reached out her hand. Xiao Yan had no choice but to hand it over.

The folder wasn’t sealed. Yu Youqing unwound the string and pulled out the contracts, seeing the headers clearly. They were indeed old contracts. She recalled the details; there were no major issues, so she stuffed the contracts back in.

“Did Ruolan say why she suddenly wanted to see these?”

Xiao Yan quickly shoved the folder into her bag, fearing Yu Youqing would want to look again. “How could I ask her that? I’m just the errand girl.”

“Has Ruolan gone anywhere besides home lately?”

“Just the gym or the community clubhouse,” Xiao Yan recalled. “Occasionally she might go shopping or grab a coffee.”

“Pay more attention. If she comes into contact with anyone from Xinghe, remember to tell me.”

Xiao Yan caught the underlying meaning and feigned confusion. “Sister Lan seems to want to take the Xinghe movie. If she talks unauthorized copyto them, she’ll definitely bring you along.”

Yu Youqing glared at her crossly. “If your brain were a bit sharper, you wouldn’t have to be an assistant forever.”

She didn’t state the rest explicitly: if Xiao Yan couldn’t even grasp this much, she would have to consider finding Gu Ruolan a new assistant.

Xiao Yan watched Yu Youqing walk ahead of her, the resentment in her eyes deepening. It was true; she didn’t want to be an assistant forever. The words Xie Zixuan had said in the van that day resurfaced, and Xiao Yan took a deep breath.

Meng Qiuran hadn’t contacted Gu Ruolan since their chat at the café. They didn’t see each other again until Gu Ruolan went to Penguin TV to record a new special feature.

Meng Qiuran was still in her old spot, and Gu Ruolan had grown used to it, occasionally glancing over when off-camera. Today, however, besides watching Lu Youyou, Meng Qiuran actually looked at Xiao Yan several times.

Gu Ruolan understood her interest in Lu Youyou might be related to Lin Mengjia, regardless of what Meng Qiuran said. But… what was the meaning of staring at Xiao Yan? She suddenly remembered Meng Qiuran had asked about her assistant at the café. She was distracted until Su Yunzi, beside her, gave her a light nudge.

“What are you thinking about so intensely?” Su Yunzi was curious and surprised; Gu Ruolan had actually spaced out.

Gu Ruolan composed herself. “Nothing.”

There had been a small mishap backstage, and the order of contestants needed a temporary adjustment. Recording was paused, but since the break wouldn’t be long, everyone stayed in their seats.

Su Yunzi was talkative today, leaning in to ask, “I heard you’re jumping to Xinghe?”

Gu Ruolan frowned. “Where did that rumor come from?”

“It’s all over the industry lately.” Su Yunzi looked at Lin Mengjia on the other side. “I heard you’re taking the movie where Sister Lin is the lead. That demonstration you did with her last episode was planned [stolen content]beforehand, right? To test the audience’s reaction.”

Gu Ruolan remained serious. “You have a vivid imagination. Those are completely separate things.”

Su Yunzi clearly didn’t believe her, her face wearing an “I’ll just wait for you to slap your own face” expression. Just then, the floor director announced that recording was resuming, and everyone returned to their previous states.

The performances in this episode were much better than before, and the issues pointed out by the mentors showed clear improvement—except for Xie Zixuan. She was still in “slacker” mode; she put in a bit of effort this time, but it certainly couldn’t be called hard work. The contrast between her and the other students was even more disastrous. It was essentially a given that she would be the worst of the night again.

Watching Xie Zixuan’s exaggerated acting on stage, Meng Qiuran had no interest in continuing. She turned to Yuan Yi: “How is the investigation into that matter going? Was she involved?”

“It hasn’t been finalized yet. We need a few more days.”

Meng Qiuran thought for a moment and added, “One more mission for you. Find out which nanny vans she uses, and…” She suddenly leaned in, shielding her mouth with her hand next to Yuan Yi’s ear. “…find out where she went that day and if she met anyone.”

Yuan Yi’s eyes widened. She whispered, “We might need a private investigator for this.”

“Full reimbursement. Go ahead and get it done.”

Once the recording for Xie Zixuan’s performance finished, it was time for the mid-show break. Everyone looked like they had been struggling to endure it.

Xiao Yan accompanied Gu Ruolan backstage, with Meng Qiuran’s gaze following them until they disappeared into the tunnel. Before Yuan Yi could speak, she stood up. “Let’s go backstage.”

Yuan Yi followed behind, muttering that the boss was now even more proactive about “stanning” than she was.

Finding Gu Ruolan’s dressing room, Meng Qiuran knocked on the door. Xiao unauthorized copy Yan answered, looking a bit surprised to see her.

“I’m looking for… Miss Gu for a moment.” Meng Qiuran had wanted to say “Ruolan”—technically there was no problem saying it in front of the assistant—but thinking of the café, she corrected herself.

“I’ll let Sister Lan know.” Xiao Yan didn’t close the door all the way.

Meng Qiuran wasn’t worried at all that Gu Ruolan would refuse. Sure enough, Xiao Yan soon returned and opened the door. “Miss Meng, please come in.”

Meng Qiuran and Yuan Yi entered. Aside from the staff helping with touch-ups, it was just Gu Ruolan and Xiao Yan.

“Hope I’m not disturbing you?” Meng Qiuran tilted her head, clearly not feeling like an intruder at all.

Gu Ruolan was having a staff member fix her hair, so she could only see her through the mirror. She curled her lips. “What made you think of coming here?” Her tone was more familiar than before, lacking the polite “this lady, that lady” formalities.

Shortly after entering, Meng Qiuran saw that eyesore of a rose bouquet. It was massive, gaudy, and incredibly tacky.

“I’m here to pick up the flowers.”

When she said this, everyone else’s eyes fell on the bouquet. Xiao Yan looked at Gu Ruolan nervously. In the past, they had intentionally ignored them, leaving immediately after recording and pretending the flowers didn’t exist. Now, with such a reminder, it would be impossible not to take them today.

Gu Ruolan kept her smile and didn’t speak. After the staff finished and left, she turned around. Meng Qiuran was already leaning next to the bouquet, her fingertips lightly grazing them as if she were somewhat interested, yet bored.

Gu Ruolan sometimes found it strange how contradictory traits like laziness and earnestness, arrogance and sincerity, or casualness and persistence could overlap in Meng Qiuran.

Sensing Gu Ruolan was looking at her, Meng Qiuran looked up. A look of tacit understanding flashed in her eyes, as if to say, bailiantales.comdata-index-in-node="126">You know what I mean.

Gu Ruolan instinctively raised a brow—a very slight movement, but unexpectedly charming. She was usually so cold or serious; this occasional bit of playfulness really made one’s heart skip a beat.

“Then I’m taking them?” Meng Qiuran cut straight to the point without any lead-in.

“Sorry to trouble you.”

Xiao Yan was utterly bewildered, having no idea what was going on. But Miss Meng didn’t look like she was joking, as she was already preparing to pick up the flowers. And Sister Lan wasn’t surprised at all; it was as if she had been waiting for Miss Meng to come and take them.