Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 100: The Cooperation with iQiyi and the Company's Receptionist, Xiaotian

In Zhongguancun, Yanjing HD District, the glass curtain wall of the iQiyi headquarters building gleams with a cool blue light under the autumn sun.

In the top-floor conference room, Gong Yu, founder and CEO of iQiyi, sat at the head of the long table, lightly tapping the surface with his fingertips.

Executives sat on both sides of the long conference table. Chen Wei, Yang Xianghua, Zhang Yuxin, and others had thick project plans spread out in front of them, and the air was filled with focused attention before making strategic decisions.

"Today, we're focusing on finalizing the list of top-tier online dramas for 2016," Gong Yu said in a steady and powerful voice. "If platforms want to retain users, they must build a strong foundation with top-tier content. Data from the technology department shows that users' willingness to pay for online dramas increased by 37% last year, and we want to raise that number even higher next year."

He opened the folder in front of him and said, "The key projects initially planned include 'The Mystic Nine,' 'Ice Fantasy,' 'Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Caverns,' 'Memory Lost,' and the web series version of 'Eternal Love.' The copyright department is already in deep communication with Drama Library Culture."

Zhang Yuxin adjusted her glasses and added, "The fantasy IP of 'Three Lives Three Worlds' has a very good foundation. Jiaxing Media is interested in co-producing it, and Yang Mi's team has confirmed their interest in the female lead, Bai Qian. This is a guarantee for both investment and viewership."

The conversation quickly shifted to the youth-themed genre, and Gong Yu turned to the next page: "There's another key project, 'The Best of Us,' one of August Chang'an's Zhenhua Trilogy. Campus themes have a stable audience and the risks are manageable. We've contacted two production companies so far, let's hear their opinions first."

“I recommend Xiaotangren Media,” Yang Xianghua said first. “Although they were only established in 2014, their debut work, ‘Fleet of Time,’ was a critical and commercial success, scoring 8.1 on Douban and garnering over 12 billion views. The team has a very accurate grasp of the nuances of youth dramas. The founder, Zhu Zhenhua, previously worked on campus-themed dramas at Sohu, so his experience is a perfect fit.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Wei from the variety show division shook his head: "I think Jiangying Media is more suitable."

"Don't forget, Jiang Ye's 'Princess Promotion' garnered 28 billion views on its premiere last year, directly taking the top spot for online viewership in 2014. The data speaks for itself."

He pulled up the reports on his tablet, "And their drama 'Sito' has already surpassed 10 billion views halfway through its run this year. This figure ranks third among the dramas that have aired on our platform this year. At this rate of growth, it will be no problem to break into second place by the end of the year."

“The key is Director Jiang,” Chen Wei emphasized. “He has a natural talent for portraying female characters, and his camerawork is captivating. Although ‘With You’ seems like a campus drama, it actually requires delicate emotional manipulation, and Jiang Ye is better at uncovering the tension in a character than Xiaotangren.”

"Moreover, as far as I know, he is currently collaborating a lot with Tencent Video. Giving him this project will allow us to secure a long-term partnership."

"But their company hasn't filmed any campus-themed movies before, has it? Can they even do a good job?"

"Of course you can!"

"It's hard to say."

"He even managed to make Jing Tian famous!"

"This... is indeed something!"

Gong Yu paused on the table for a moment, then suddenly looked up: "Let's go with Jiangying Media."

He looked at everyone and explained, "Xiaotangren's 'Fleet of Time' is indeed good, but Jiang Ye has greater potential. A director who can make 'Princess Promotion' and 'Si Teng' in a row has proven his sensitivity to the market."

"When we build a platform, we need to be both prudent and bold enough to bet on young people."

"Sometimes, people are more worth investing in than the show itself!"

“Give the project to Jiang Ye and tell him that iQiyi is willing to help him polish the work. This is much more valuable than simply buying a TV series.”

……

Jiangying Media
At 10 a.m., sunlight streamed into the company lobby through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Tian Xiwei and Lin Xiaoman sat side by side on the leather sofa behind the front desk. The light gray short-sleeved suits on her body were slightly billowed by the air conditioning. Underneath the black pencil skirt that just passed her knees, a section of her legs covered in black stockings was exposed.

The two women would occasionally adjust their skirts discreetly, as if afraid of wrinkling their company uniforms.

With a "snap," Tian Xiwei quickly tore open a bag of strawberry-flavored cookies, stuffed half of one into her mouth, and then handed another to Lin Xiaoman, saying indistinctly, "Xiaoman, this front desk job is so awesome!"

She lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling, "Apart from answering the phone and registering visitors, I can slack off all the time!"

"It's a pity I can't use my phone..." Lin Xiaoman muttered while biting into a cookie, secretly glancing at the security camera on the wall, afraid of being caught.

"Why can't we play anymore?"

Tian Xi raised an eyebrow slightly, shrank back into the sofa, and her black-stockinged legs under her skirt swayed gently.

“There are security cameras there. My brother said he’d dock wages for using your phone at work! He might be watching right now…”

"Are you stupid? You could have just hidden your phone behind the folder. Dim the screen and pretend you were looking at a document. Last time I was browsing Weibo, your brother walked right past me and I didn't even notice!"

As she spoke, she pulled her phone out of the drawer and skillfully clipped it behind the visitor registration form, leaving only a narrow strip of screen visible. "See? This way I can slack off and keep an eye on the door at all times—perfect!"

Lin Xiaoman shook her head!

"Forget it, forget it. I'm going to be the general manager of the company after I graduate from university. I can't leave any bad impressions."

"What? You're a general manager?"

"Not only that, my brother runs such a big company, he definitely needs to train a successor in advance!"

“That’s right!” Tian Xi nodded slightly. “I plan to take the entrance exam for Beijing Film Academy next year. Once I become an actress, I’ll sign with them and become the company’s top actress!”

"No problem!" Lin Xiaoman patted her chest and assured him, "Once I become General Manager Lin, all the company's resources will be allocated to you. Anyone who dares to bully you, I'll be the first to fire them!"

Tian Xiwei immediately clasped her hands together in a gesture of respect: "Thank you for your guidance, General Manager Lin!"

"Oh, why are you being so polite, Mr. Tian?" Lin Xiaoman straightened her back in agreement. "From now on, we'll be the two most outstanding stars of Jiangye Media, and no one will dare to bully us!"

"Hey, that's not right!"

"what happened?"

"Why would we groom you as our successor? What would my children do then?"

"What? Your child?"

Tian Xiwei reached out and pinched her cheek, puffing out her cheeks angrily, "You actually dared to scheme against your future nephew? I'm your sister-in-law, so it's only right that my child inherits the family fortune. What are you, as his aunt, doing getting involved!"

"I bother!"

Lin Xiaoman slapped her hand away, "I clearly reserved the general manager position with my brother first. Are you trying to marry into a wealthy family and take all the family fortune? Don't dream about it, I don't agree!"

"Who's greedy!" Tian Xiwei puffed out her chest and said confidently, "Once I become a big star, I'll invest the money I earn in your brother's company. It would be good enough if you could be a leisurely vice president. You still want to be the successor?"

"Dream on!" Lin Xiaoman pounced on her and tickled her. "You dare to covet my brother's company now? I'll tickle you until you admit it. From now on, my nephew and I will each own half of the company!"

The two women were playfully fighting on the sofa. Their suit jackets slipped down to their elbows, and their black-stockinged legs accidentally brushed against each other. Their sisterly bond, which had just been praising each other, instantly crumbled.

The elevator dinged and the metal doors slowly opened.

Meng Ziyi stepped out in 10cm Jimmy Choo heels, wearing a sharply tailored Dior suit dress, sunglasses perched on her high nose bridge, her red lips slightly pursed, exuding a powerful aura.

She was followed by a junior assistant carrying many shopping bags.

She glanced casually at the front desk, her gaze lingering on Tian Xiwei and Lin Xiaoman for less than a second before looking away.

"New here?" Meng Ziyi parted her red lips slightly, her tone indifferent. "Do a good job."

She winked at her assistant, who immediately took two beautifully packaged boxes of Belgian chocolates from her bag and handed them to the front desk.

"Sister Meng brought these back from abroad," the assistant said with a sweet smile. "Everyone in the company got one."

Tian Xi stared at the box of chocolates, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

Meng Ziyi had already turned and walked towards the office area. Her high heels clicked crisply on the marble floor, her back view elegant and haughty.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Tian Xiwei grabbed the chocolate and whispered, "Isn't this the female lead who acted with your brother last time? She was even kissing your brother!"

Lin Xiaoman was unpacking a chocolate and examining it: "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"What else?!" Tian Xi gritted her teeth. "Look at her haughty attitude, like she's doing us a favor!" She mimicked Meng Ziyi's tone: "New here? Do a good job. Pshaw! Who cares about her chocolates!"

Lin Xiaoman popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth and mumbled, "It's pretty good..."

"All you ever think about is eating!" Tian Xiwei said, exasperated. "She's trying to win people over! Look at her assistant's fake smile, which Sister Meng specially brought back from abroad... Ugh!"

She got angrier and angrier as she talked, and grabbed the chocolate to throw it in the trash can, but Lin Xiaoman stopped her: "Don't! Such expensive chocolate, you might as well eat it!"

Tian Xi glared at her: "Whose side are you on anyway?"

Lin Xiaoman grinned and tore off another piece: "Of course I'm on the chocolate's side!"

Tian Xi sat back down in her chair, her black-stockinged legs crossed, and muttered under her breath, "Just wait, once I get into Beijing Film Academy, I'll sign a contract and become the company's top star. Let's see if she still dares to be so arrogant!"

Lin Xiaoman patted her shoulder and said earnestly, "Big star Tian, ​​you have to take things one step at a time, and eat chocolate one piece at a time."

Tian Xi rolled her eyes, snatched the chocolate from her hand, and took a vicious bite: "Hmph, one day, I'll make Meng Ziyi serve me tea and water!"

Lin Xiaoman chuckled: "Then you have to be my sister-in-law first."

"Get out of here!"

……

Meng Ziyi pushed open the office door. The big star, who was cold and arrogant just a second ago, immediately softened her expression the moment she saw Jiang Ye.

"Ano~"

She called out sweetly, casually took off her sunglasses, tossed them onto the sofa, and walked briskly toward him, her high heels clicking on the carpet.

Jiang Ye was looking down at his documents when he heard the voice. He looked up and smiled slightly: "You're back? The second season of 'Divas Hit the Road' is finished filming?"

"Yeah, we just wrapped up filming!"

Meng Ziyi walked to his desk, placed her hands on the edge of the desk, leaned slightly forward, and smiled, "I'm exhausted. I've traveled all over the world. It's so much more comfortable here."

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow: "Did the recording go smoothly afterwards? Did those guests... cause any more trouble?"

Meng Ziyi blinked, looking bewildered: "Huh? No, everyone's fine."

She counted on her fingers, "Sister Ning Jing is such a nice person, and Sister Xu Qing takes good care of me too..."

"And Yang Yang, he's always smiling so happily!"

Jiang Ye stared at her for two seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly.

This girl's insensitivity is simply outrageous...

The internet is in an uproar! Ning Jing and Xu Qing's open and covert struggles, Mao Amin's dilemma, Yang Yang is almost driven to despair...

The fierce competition in "Divas Hit the Road 2" can be described as a famous scene in the history of variety shows. However, Meng Ziyi was completely oblivious to the situation and thought that everyone was doing well.

He shook his head, too lazy to explain, and simply reached out to ruffle her hair: "Okay, whatever makes you happy."

Meng Ziyi squinted, enjoying his touch, then walked around the desk and squeezed into his arms.

Before Jiang Ye could react, she had already straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Did you miss me?" She leaned close to his ear, her breath warm.

Jiang Ye chuckled softly, his hand gripping her waist: "It hasn't been long since we separated, has it?"

"It's been 53 days since we last met!" she muttered in dissatisfaction, pressing her red lips directly against his.

Jiang Ye didn't dodge, letting her kiss him, his hand sliding from her waist to her back, gently caressing her.

Her lipstick was sweet, with a faint rose scent...

The temperature in the office seemed to have risen a few degrees.

until……

"Knock knock knock."

There was a sudden knock on the door.

Meng Ziyi grunted in dissatisfaction, but Jiang Ye had already released her, wiping the smudged lipstick from the corner of her lips with his thumb, and whispered, "Someone's coming."

She pouted, reluctantly got off his lap, and straightened her slightly disheveled suit skirt.

Jiang Ye cleared his throat: "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Bai Lu stood in the doorway holding a stack of documents. Her gaze swept between the two men, and she said without changing her expression, "Boss, everyone's here. When do we start the meeting?"

Meng Ziyi had already resumed her aloof female celebrity expression, as if the person who had just been clinging to Jiang Ye's arms was not her.

"10 minutes later!"

Bai Lu nodded, put down the documents, and quickly left, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

Meng Ziyi gave a soft snort and snuggled back to Jiang Ye's side: "Want to have dinner with me tonight?"

Jiang Ye pinched her chin: "It depends on your performance."

Meng Ziyi couldn't wait to pull a dark blue velvet watch box out of her Birkin bag.

"Here, this is for you." She opened the box as if presenting a treasure.

Inside lay a low-key yet exquisite wristwatch.

The dark gray matte dial resembles a midnight fog, while the minimalist rose gold baton hands gleam with a warm luster as the light and shadow shift.

The inner side of the 18K white gold bezel is subtly engraved with Patek Philippe's iconic "Clous de Paris" pattern, which can only be glimpsed from certain angles.

"I saw this in the UK and thought it would be perfect for you."

Meng Ziyi picked up the watch, and without saying a word, pulled Jiang Ye's wrist and gently but firmly put it on him.

The watch clasp clicked shut, and she held his wrist, looking at it from left to right, then squinted her eyes in satisfaction: "My husband is so handsome."

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow and shook his wrist: "So generous?"

"Of course!" she said proudly, raising her chin. "Isn't the reason I earn money so you can spend it?"

Jiang Ye chuckled and reached out to pinch her cheek: "Alright, then I'll reluctantly accept it."

Meng Ziyi rushed over and hugged his neck, whispering in his ear, "But... you have to have dinner with me tonight, and..."

She didn't finish speaking, but her warm breath brushed against his ear, carrying a strong implication.

"besides?"

She smiled mischievously, her red lips lightly brushing against his earlobe and biting it: "...Guess?"

The temperature in the office seemed to have risen a few degrees.

(End of this chapter)