My girlfriend is from the future!

"In any situation, being passively accepted is better than actively requesting. So some 'friends' don't need to be met; if you sit with me, they will naturally come."

The older woman withdrew her hand, looked at the young girl's eyes and brows that had regained their radiance, and smiled slightly after a couple of seconds of silence, seemingly quite satisfied with her temporary touch-up. She put her lipstick back into her bag and casually raised her wine glass. Wen Liang thought she would clink glasses with her, but before she could even move, Bai Wenyu had already taken a sip.

Wen Liang froze in her seat, wanting to say thank you, but she had been told beforehand that her gratitude was worthless.

"If you manage to get that ten million, how do you plan to pay it?" Bai Wenyu suddenly asked.

"...borrow money." Wen Liang did not choose to hide it.

Bai Wenyu didn't comment on the method of borrowing money, but instead used an analogy to describe Wen Liang's behavior:
"Your behavior is like a poor but high-achieving student who gets into a 211 or 985 university, sees that his classmates in the city are using luxury goods, so he grits his teeth and saves up half a year's living expenses to buy an iPhone."

“It’s different. He does it to show off and fit in, while I do it for myself.”

Wen Liang's counterattack was decisive. She has always been a girl who knows exactly what she wants, which made her regain Bai Wenyu's attention. However, what the woman said next was somewhat different from what she had expected.

"Xiao Liang, it's a good thing that you have a natural ability to fight back, but I'm not asking you about the difference. I'm just making an analogy. If you really want to fight back, then you should focus on things that are more worthy of attention. For example, a top student who can get into a prestigious university, even if he is poor, even if he has mortgaged his future to buy a cell phone to satisfy his vanity, so what?"

Will he lose the original value behind his 'getting into a prestigious university'?

Will not.

People tend to focus on words that align with their own circumstances and use those words to think within their own familiar framework of values. But the student's true value has already been objectively demonstrated in my statement..."

At this point, Bai Wenyu paused deliberately, noticing the confusion on Wen Liang's face.

"Don't you understand?"

"Mr. Bai... are you... emphasizing my value?"

Wen Liang gave a safe answer, but she always felt that Bai Wenyu's words had a hidden meaning.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the woman smiled and shook her head, then said:

"I believe a strong and confident girl like you definitely understands your own worth better than I do, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to call out ten million on stage..."

Wen Liang blushed, and Bai Wenyu continued:

"Let me put it this way: if you were that student, you probably wouldn't care about the money spent on the phone at all. Even if you bought it and posted on social media, you could become a lucrative internet celebrity. Even if you don't become famous and don't see those opportunities, a girl like you, if you're a bit morally corrupt, could meet a boy who's devoted to you. You could just be cute and he could grit his teeth and buy it for you without spending a penny."

"puff--"

Wen Liang laughed out loud, somewhat immorally, but thankfully she hadn't drunk anything in her mouth...

"so……"

Bai Wenyu looked at her, then changed the subject:
What was the main point of what I just said?

The girl's eyes darted around, and she gave an answer that she wasn't entirely sure of, but which, after processing Bai Wenyu's reasoning, seemed quite reasonable:

"Is it... a cell phone?"

Bai Wenyu nodded slightly:
"Yes, that's right. In the context I'm talking about, it's a cell phone, but in reality, it's a tool you use to gain fame, a source of bragging rights, or to be more specific..."

She sighed and looked in He Tianran's direction:
"He's my son who's willing to raise the price for you... Actually, when he's bidding for you, a smart woman knows how to accept it. At least from a business promotion perspective, he's always done a good job..."

"..."

At this point, the two women, whose atmosphere had just begun to become harmonious, fell silent again.

"but……"

Wen Liang tugged at the corner of the gorgeous dress, but remembering that it was borrowed, she loosened her grip slightly, and even the tone of her voice softened a bit:

"...I don't want to accept this."

Even if you accept it, I won't let you sit next to me.

Bai Wenyu did not hesitate to express his opinion on this matter.

She pointed to Liu Tianxian, who was chatting and laughing with several friends in a corner of the venue:
"That girl debuted at fifteen. I was once obsessed with the TV series 'The Story of a Noble Family.' Later, she starred in several other popular dramas. Speaking of which, you, like her, have also acted in works by Mr. Jin Yong. It's just that you were unlucky. Li Lan mismanaged you and didn't have enough capital to support you, which caused your fame to decline significantly in the following two years. On the other hand, even now, wherever she goes, people still call her 'Fairy Sister.' The capital behind her can even open the door to Hollywood. And with years of operation, her national popularity has reached the top level. She is always in the center of fashion magazines and a darling of high-end luxury brands..."

She then pointed to the dance floor and laughed openly at He Tianran's stiff dance moves, while Shu Qi corrected them from the side.

"Ms. Shu and I were born in the same year. When she was young, she went to Hong Kong alone from Taiwan to make movies. She had some embarrassing dark history, but she also won many glamorous honors. After many years of development, she has achieved what she has today. A few years ago, her first film, which she wrote and directed, won the Best Director award at the Busan International Film Festival..."

Bai Wenyu looked at Wen Liang:
"Now, they are not only Bulgari's spokespeople, but also represent two paths that female artists in China can take to reach the top. Xiao Liang, which path do you want to take?"

Wen Liang looked around but did not answer immediately.

Although she still harbored that stubbornness, after hearing Bai Wenyu's earlier words, she understood what he truly wanted to express—what he wanted to see in her. She slowly said:
“Back when I was in the company… even now, quite a few people still compare me to Sister Lingye, considering us competitors. As fellow actresses, it's not surprising that people have this idea. But Sister Lingye is more… adept at interpersonal relationships, handles things smoothly, and takes her career one step at a time. Plus, she has good audience appeal. If she can continue to be supported by the management team and follow the same path as Teacher Liu, steadily improving and accumulating national popularity, she is indeed… more suitable than me, and almost the company's… best choice…”

She looked at Bai Wenyu with an open and honest gaze:
"And I... don't want to be an ethereal being, a perfect star who never makes a mistake."

These comments, coming from her, carried a clear self-analysis rather than a derogatory tone.

“My temper is right here. I can’t hide it, nor do I want to hide it completely. I can’t always be elegant and proper, and never make a mistake. Just like how He Tianran lifted me up just now, I… can’t adapt. It makes me feel like I’ve lost my natural vitality and am like a doll, being manipulated and waiting to be lifted up.”

She took a slight breath and continued:

"Teacher Shu's path has been full of ups and downs, requiring great resilience and vitality. I don't know if I can withstand such trials. Besides, the difficulty itself is not worth emphasizing. My starting point and opportunities are already much better than hers back then. I admire her and acknowledge her, but I don't want to try to follow her path."

Mr. Bai, you may think that while there are paths to success, success cannot be replicated. Otherwise, this industry would be full of copycats. If you ask me which path I want to take, I might want to try and see if I can find my own place in the 'vibrant' world I have.

Even if I encounter setbacks and seem less 'sophisticated,' at least it will feel more like myself.

After she finished speaking, she waited quietly for Bai Wenyu's reaction.

This is not a mature choice, but more of an instinctive inclination.

Bai Wenyu listened quietly, her face revealing neither approval nor disapproval. She simply asked calmly, "Have you thought it through? In this industry, individuality often means more controversy and uncontrollability. Capital prefers stability, but your choice may lead to the opposite of stability."

“I know, and I have gradually learned what I should and shouldn’t do, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting next to you.”

Wen Liang met her gaze:

"But if I were to smooth out all my edges for the sake of stability, I might not be Wen Liang anymore. Before I stepped down, you asked me to remember how I felt at that time, and I did. So I want to try to turn that feeling into something that no one can take away from me... value."

Bai Wenyu gazed at her for a moment, smiled slightly, and a fleeting look of appreciation flashed in his eyes.

She didn't press further or offer any more pointers. She simply picked up her glass again, her gaze returning to the Bulgari executive approaching her, and said calmly:
"Don't make any promises you can't keep. Now that you know what kind of person you are, you need to know how to use your strengths. Even though you're an actor, the most important thing in this industry is to play your role well."

Wen Liang followed her gaze and understood immediately.

She was no longer anxious or hesitant; she simply adjusted her posture to make herself look relaxed while still retaining her unique edge.

……

……

In the dance floor, He Tianran glanced at Wen Liang and his mother chatting happily with the CEO of Bulgari, and finally turned his gaze to Yu Naoqiu, who was standing in front of him with a mocking smile.

"Young Master He is spending a fortune tonight, I wonder if he'll be able to win the heart of a beauty later."

Yu Naoqiu's voice, mingled with melodious music, carried a sticky teasing tone. She gently tightened her grip on He Tianran's shoulder, guiding him into a spin, her skirt tracing a clean arc.

He Tianran's dance steps were a bit stiff, but he tried his best to cooperate, his voice sounding deep during the breaks in the music:
"...Where were we? Oh right, my brother. Nao Nao, we're in the same boat."

His words were abrupt, and Yu Naoqiu's hand, which was guiding the dance steps, visibly paused. The mocking smile on his face froze slightly before dissipating.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Brother Tianran. My relationship with your brother is a legitimate project collaboration, with clear and transparent financial dealings.”

He Tianran spun her around, his arms supporting her steadily.
“Then why don’t we make our cooperation ‘clear and transparent’? Nao Nao, if you took the ‘pledge of allegiance’ I gave you in the office that day as a joke, then my ‘medical record’ is just a piece of paper. You should have seen my recent performance. That day at home, you watched me ‘break up’ with Cao Aiqing. If you really want to cooperate with me, then it’s time to let me see your sincerity.”

Yu Naoqiu's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal:
"So... what kind of sincerity do you want to see, Brother Tianran?"

"Of the 80 million yuan my brother owes, I've only received two words in my account so far. And those two plots of land, there's still no sign of handing them over. If this drags on any longer, it could really turn a business matter into a personal matter, and a personal matter into a family matter..."

Yu Naoqiu understood immediately:
"What, is Young Master He treating me like a debt collector? I'm not sure if your brother will listen to me, but with the handover of his position, the turnover of large sums of money, and the two huge plots of land, Uncle He might not turn a blind eye. If you don't want things to come to light, even I would have to be careful."

He Tianran's gaze darkened, but his dance steps remained unchanged. He slightly tightened his grip on the woman's slender waist, bringing the two closer. To outsiders, they still appeared to be intimate dance partners, but only they could sense the silent struggle between them.

"I believe that with your wisdom, you will definitely come up with a 'good idea' for my brother and my stepmother."

His words almost explicitly pointed out her fence-sitting behavior between the two He brothers.

A fierce glint flashed in Yu Naoqiu's eyes, but the smile on her lips grew even more alluring:
"Brother Tianran, are you convinced that I'm on the same side as your brother?"

“You said it before, that you have legitimate project collaborations and clear-cut business dealings.”

He Tianran's words still left room for interpretation. It could be interpreted as him knowing that Yu Naoqiu had colluded with He Yuanchong to get close to him, or it could be interpreted as a woman working with He Yuanchong on a project so that she could have something to say to him, thus testing her abilities and seeing her sincerity.

After all, in the blueprint the man gave, the two of them were to work together in the future, so it couldn't be just He Tianran who had to make the sacrifices.

As the music reached a soothing section, the two paused briefly in the center of the dance floor.

Looking into Yu Naoqiu's eyes, which were so close yet so discerning and calculating, He Tianran asked a further question:

"What, are you now reluctant to give up my brother's project in the harbor area?"

Yu Naoqiu was taken aback by his question, then a realistic and cold smile appeared on her red lips:

"Reluctant to part with it? No, in my dictionary there is only right and wrong, not reluctance or unwillingness..."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at the cool breeze outside the dance floor for some reason...

This is a rare moment of silence for this dangerous woman; no one knows what she's thinking...

The music gradually faded, and the song was nearing its end.

Under He Tianran's guidance, Yu Naoqiu leaned back slightly, a slightly risky dance move that relied entirely on her male partner's support.

She watched He Tianran's expression; there was no mockery, no probing, only a seriousness as he awaited an answer.

She knew that He Tianran had already made his point, and she could no longer waver; she had to give a clear answer.

Finally, as they drew closer, Yu Naoqiu parted her red lips slightly near He Tianran's ear:

"I'll figure out a way to get the 80 million and the land, but you can't be too greedy. If you disturb Uncle He, it won't do either of us any good."

The music slowly stopped at that moment.

The men and women on the dance floor let go of each other and applauded.

He Tianran and Yu Naoqiu also separated, each taking a step back, their faces bearing impeccable, polite smiles befitting the upper class, as if their previous conversation, which had been fraught with tension, had never happened.

"Thank you, Brother Tianran, but not to be mean, but I hope we can be more in sync next time we dance."

Yu Naoqiu nodded slightly, her tone light and cheerful.

"Then it depends on your sincerity, Nao Nao."

He Tianran responded calmly.

Yu Naoqiu said no more, turned around, her skirt swaying, like a proud peacock, and blended into the dazzling crowd. (End of Chapter)