My girlfriend is from the future!

Bai Lingye's unexpected visit was outside the scope of He Tianran's work today.

Bai Wenyu is now in charge of managing the artists' work. However, since discovering He Tianran's outrageous behavior in the office last time, this decisive mother has booked a presidential suite at a hotel in the harbor area for permanent residence. Firstly, the artists' management company is located there, making it convenient for them to go to work; secondly, the pier to Nanzhi Island is also there, and as an important partner in this island development, it is convenient for her to get to the island in time if anything happens.

Therefore, He Tianran and this mother only occasionally met when they were having meetings at the Shan Hai headquarters. As for Bai Lingye's contract renewal...

"Last time I went to Shanhai for a meeting, President Bai told me that your new contract has been stuck. Right now, I only manage the business, not the people. If it were my mother... if President Bai knew that you came to see me privately, things between you two would probably be even more difficult. Tea or coffee, please?"

Bai Lingye calmly sat in the spot where Yu Hui had just been, watching He Tianran stroll around the office, taking out drinks as he went.

"Water is fine."

"Row."

In large companies, the most taboo thing is to go over a leader's head and rely on personal connections, but it is also the most effective thing. Although, given Bai Lingye's size, even if Bai Wenyu knew, he would just turn a blind eye, when it comes to the matter at hand, if she really talks about the contract later, it will be fine if she gets it done, but if she can't get it done, then she will undoubtedly be taking a risk and preparing to break ties with Bai Wenyu.

This gave He Tianran an inexplicable sense of frustration about dealing with his mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. However, the first thing his senior said caught him off guard:
"Director He, it's a sensitive time, and I didn't want to come to you so openly. I was thinking of having dinner with you a few days ago after the variety show recording, but you left in a hurry that day, and there wasn't much of an opportunity in front of the camera. But recently, your brother has really been pushing his luck, so I have no choice but to come today..."

"...Wait, what did you say?"

"Your younger brother, He Yuanchong."

Bai Lingye handed him her phone, then held the water glass in both hands and took a small sip.

"I met him at a live-streaming event on a surfing line..."

The girl added the details she had discussed with Wen Liang last time. In fact, it was Wen Liang who gave her the idea to come to He Tianran this time. She said that He Tianran was a man who responded to gentle persuasion but not to force. If you insisted on discussing the contract, he would treat it as a business matter and do it properly.

"Senior, tell He Tianran about He Yuanchong. Maybe there will be a breakthrough in your contract renewal. But if you don't tell her, there will definitely be no chance."

This was the last piece of advice Bai Lingye gave Wen Liang before saying goodbye that day.

Both women understood that there was a rift between the He brothers, but the extent of that rift was unknown to them as outsiders. However, Wen Liang ultimately knew more than Bai Lingye, especially after what happened in the Shan Hai Group office last time—

Wen Liang had heard the recordings of the He brothers.

Right now, He Tianran's expression was uncertain. He quickly swiped the screen with his thumb. The further he went, the more explicit the chat messages became. They gradually turned from tentative compliments into suggestive harassment, and even carried a hint of domineering force that left no room for refusal.

The last few messages were almost blatant, arranging a meeting place and time in an intimate tone, as if Bai Lingye was already his for the taking.

From a business perspective, if these records were to be exposed one day, given Bai Lingye's fame, it would definitely damage Shan Hai's reputation. And if the agency had already gone public by then, the losses would be even greater.

He Tianran placed his phone screen-down on the table, making a dull thud.

"So you came here today because..."

"Please help me resolve this, Director He. Your family's situation is already quite complicated. If I tell Aunt Bai... it doesn't seem appropriate. But your second son is indeed going too far. Considering that we're all under the same company, we share the same fate, so I have no choice but to turn to you."

Bai Lingye held the water glass, her fingertips tightening slightly, her knuckles turning a little white, but she maintained her composure, even showing a just-right hint of troubled helplessness and concern that she still considered herself a member of the company.

He Tianran was very troubled. He could almost picture He Yuanchong looking like that, with a kind of anxiety and arrogance that was eager to prove something but could never truly succeed...

He Tianran was all too familiar with that twisted mentality—a mixture of inferiority and arrogance—that stemmed from an awkward identity.

And Bailingye...

She was undoubtedly an excellent target for He Yuanchong to use to prove his "ability" and "charm"—famous, beautiful, and, to some extent, connected to him, He Tianran.

And of course, there's the most important point: this younger brother of mine seems to have some connection with Yu Naoqiu...

Thinking of this, He Tianran's eyes flashed, as if he had grasped some kind of key, and he suddenly asked a question that left Bai Lingye completely bewildered:

"Hey, Ms. Lingye, since the company signed you, have we arranged any business dinners for you?"

Bai Lingye was clearly stunned. The words she had prepared stuck in her throat. She blinked, momentarily unable to keep up with this sudden leap in her thoughts, and hesitated before saying:

"...A dinner party? We often have regular brand dinners and post-press parties, but...Director He, what are you referring to?"

“It’s that kind of,” He Tianran leaned forward, his hands crossed on the table, his eyes sharp, “a ‘private’ dinner party that requires you to accompany them alone, or only a few people, and has a very clear purpose.”

Bailingye's confusion deepened, but she also vaguely sensed that he hadn't asked casually. After thinking carefully for a moment, she shook her head:
"No, President Bai is very strict about this. She said that the artists under Shan Hai don't rely on this."

Upon hearing this, He Tianran's lips twitched slightly, a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes, but instead sent a chill down Bai Lingye's spine.

"very good."

He said something in a low voice, as if he had confirmed something.

Then, he picked up the phone that had been confiscated from Bailingye, unlocked it, and the screen light once again illuminated his expressionless face.

He didn't look at the messy chat history anymore, but instead opened his contacts, found He Yuanchong's number, and dialed it.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. A young male voice came from the other end, accompanied by some background noise and a hint of impatience: "Hello? Who is it?"

"It's me." He Tianran's voice was so cold that it revealed no emotion whatsoever, like a block of ice.

There was a visibly pause on the other end of the phone, the tone instantly softened, and even the background noise seemed to quiet down a bit.
"...Brother? Why are you calling me from this number?"

……

……

"Hey, Hui-zai, don't you think our Director He seems like a completely different person lately?"

On the first floor of Future Production, in the rest area filled with drinks and snacks, Yao Qingtao lay on a beanbag chair, eating potato chips while chatting casually with Yu Hui, who was making her coffee.

"Really? I didn't notice."

Perhaps recalling the scene in the office just now, Yu Hui's answer seemed somewhat perfunctory.

"Yes, he's become a huge jerk! Lately, he's not only been flirting with that... you know, that female doctor at the psychiatric clinic near us, but... I heard, I heard, he even broke up with Ai Qing!"

Yao Qingtao continued speaking enthusiastically, but Yu Hui paused, then picked up her coffee, turned around, leaned against the counter, blew on the steaming coffee a few times, and slowly said:
"I heard? Who told you? You think I'm listening to your nonsense?"

"Tsk~ Oh dear, when Cao first returned to China, Director He was always showing off their love and posting selfies! Now her WeChat Moments are all hidden!" "Is...this serious?"

"You stinky straight man, this is way too serious! Oh dear, you can't say you're a protégé of your 'natural brother' anymore. Look at your Director He, he only directed one ancient costume drama, and we girls praised him as a master chef, his every move is a national banquet, making the audience swoon and unable to stop watching. And you, after watching one drama, you haven't learned any cooking skills, and your sense of smell has gone awry. If you ever have the chance to sit in the director's chair, don't touch any idol dramas or romance dramas, it will be a disaster."

Yao Qingtao's rant came like a machine gun, leaving Yu Hui speechless. He wondered if he had said anything wrong, and thought it best to keep quiet.

Not feeling embarrassed by the lack of response, Yao Qingtao and Yu Hui had always had a very good relationship. Yao Qingtao was usually Yu Hui's first choice as a producer when he had filming assignments, and they were used to talking freely with each other. So she continued to press on with her questions:
"Hui-zai, what did Director He say about your script? Did he say he wanted to submit it to you?"

"That's good, we'll keep it. This thing needs to be evaluated, there won't be any results for a while."

"Do you need me, the chief eunuch, to put in a good word for you?"

"Haha~ That's the best, thank you so much, Sister Peach."

"But seriously, Hui-zai, when you showed me that script, I really had a sense of déjà vu..."

Yao Qingtao chewed on potato chips, recalling the contents of the script.

"What do you mean by déjà vu?"

"Tell me, how much of this script did you actually draw inspiration from your brother He?"

"Oh, you mean those family settings?"

Yu Hui realized what was going on, and it seemed to be the first time he had heard this statement.

"Yes~"

"actually……"

Just as Yu Hui was about to explain, a conversation suddenly came from the company's reception desk not far away.

"Ms. Yu, you can't just walk into the company premises..."

"I have an appointment with someone, your CEO He."

“I know, but it’s always… Director He who brings you… He didn’t tell me about this time either…”

Yao Qingtao quickly stood up and curiously looked towards the front desk, where she met Yu Naoqiu's gaze. Yu smiled slightly at her, and Yao Qingtao couldn't pretend not to see him, so she forced a smile and called out to the young woman at the front desk:
"Xiao Wang, let Miss Yu in. She's not an outsider. Miss Yu, please come in and have something to drink while we wait. Director He is still meeting with guests, it will probably be a while."

"Okay."

Having received permission to enter, Yu Naoqiu slowly walked towards the lounge. Yao Qingtao quickly shrank back, made a face as if she wanted to die, threw the bag of potato chips in her hand into the trash can, and swiftly grabbed Yu Hui by the back of the collar as he tried to leave, ordering him:
"You should stay and entertain them. They're your brother's friend, and they might even become your sister-in-law in the future."

"What nonsense about being a sister-in-law? Why aren't you with me?"

"I have to go check on a film set in a bit, I don't have time."

"you……"

"Hey, you can just chat with them for a bit and then leave. It's not like you have to stay with them the whole time."

After Yao Qingtao finished speaking, Yu Naoqiu had already reached the door.

"Miss Yu, there's coffee, tea, and juice here. Please help yourself. If you get bored, you can watch TV or play games. I have to get to the film set, so I'll have to go now. Excuse me."

Yu Naoqiu nodded, "It's alright, Miss Yao, please go ahead with your work."

"Okay, okay~"

Yao Qingtao fled as if she were running away, leaving only Yu Hui and Yu Naoqiu in the lounge.

Yu Hui smiled helplessly for some reason, put down his coffee, and made another cup as if no one else was around.

Yu Naoqiu then sat down on the beanbag chair he had been sitting on before.

"No sugar, thank you."

"I wasn't thinking of adding it for you."

Yu Hui focused on his work, skillfully frothing the coffee with a steady wrist. The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, a stark contrast to the sweet smell of snacks in the rest area.

Yu Naoqiu sank into the beanbag chair, but her gaze, like an invisible spider web, lingered on Yu Hui's silhouette.

She didn't care about his indifference; instead, she seemed to have discovered something interesting, her gaze shifting between him and the direction Yao Qingtao had just left.

"It seems you get along well with your colleagues."

Her voice carried a lazy, teasing tone, with a slight upward inflection at the end:
"Looks like quite a few people came looking for you, 'Brother He,' today. Who are they?"

Yu Hui slowly poured the frothed coffee into the espresso. He picked up the cup, turned around, and for the first time looked directly at Yu Naoqiu, his tone flat and emotionless:
"I don't know about Director He's matter. Your coffee is ready."

The woman didn't take it, so Yu Hui had no choice but to place the cup on the low table in front of her, the white milk foam swaying slightly on the dark brown liquid surface.

Yu Naoqiu shifted to a more comfortable position, crossing her long legs, and looked at Yu Hui with a smile:

"I'll ask you one more time, who is the other person? How long have they been talking? What are they talking about?"

"..."

Although one was sitting and the other was standing, in their gazes at each other, Yu Hui seemed to be born a little shorter, and a struggle appeared in his eyes.

"Bailingye, an artist under the company, has been here for half an hour..."

"anything else?"

Under Yu Naoqiu's intense gaze, the struggle in Yu Hui's eyes gradually transformed into a retreat and cowardice...

Finally, he sighed:

"It seems her contract is about to expire, and the company is negotiating a renewal with her. That's all I know... Sis." (End of Chapter)