The Heiress's Game

Gu Yunjin took the bottled water that Bai Junze handed her and gulped down several mouthfuls.

She screwed the bottle cap on, let out a long breath, and sat down under the awning.

"See? I'm not the kind of gentle, demure socialite. I only act good when my bottom line hasn't been crossed. If you really push me too far, even a rabbit will bite."

She tilted her head and looked at him. "Did I scare you just now? But now that we've got the marriage certificate, divorce is impossible. Even if you regret it, it's too late."

Bai Junze chuckled softly at her words.

He picked up a portable fan from the table next to him and started blowing it on her slightly flushed cheeks.

"I wouldn't say I was scared. I was thinking about the force with which you were yelling at people just now. An ordinary temper wouldn't be able to control these people in the entertainment industry. Well done."

He adjusted the fan angle so that the cool air would bypass the back of her neck. "But if it were me, I wouldn't give him a chance to apologize; I would blacklist him immediately."

Gu Yunjin squinted her eyes comfortably as he fanned her. "Do you think I don't want to? I also want to blacklist him directly, make him disappear from the trending topics tomorrow, and make sure he can't even get a role in a third-rate web series the day after tomorrow."

However, the contract has been signed, the pre-production publicity has been done, the platform's schedule has been set, and the pairing of celebrity guests and ordinary guests has been carefully arranged according to their personas. Filming has already started for a day.

If I really fire him, I'll have to find someone new, sign a new contract, reshoot everything, all the promotional materials will be useless, and the platform's schedule will have to be changed. In the end, I'll be the one who suffers the loss.

After saying that, he took another sip of water. "So I gave him a chance. Not because he deserved it, but because my project did."

If he causes any more trouble during the subsequent filming, it won't be enough to just get a scolding.

The sea breeze was a bit cooler, carrying a salty and damp scent as it wafted in from the direction of the beach, causing the white cloth of the sunshade to flutter loudly.

Bai Junze called his assistant and asked him to order food and drinks from a nearby star-rated hotel, which were then sealed in an insulated box and delivered directly to the film set.

Before long, several food trucks drove into the film and television base. Steaming hot seafood porridge, abalone sauce rice, bird's nest egg tarts, and all kinds of exquisite Hong Kong-style dim sum filled the temporary long tables, with drinks also provided.

The staff were stunned.

Director Wu was holding up the script and gesturing to the camera crew leader about the next camera position when he heard a noise and turned around. He almost dropped the script in his hand.

He's been in this industry for over a decade and has seen celebrities and producers treat others to meals, but he's never seen anyone send a five-star hotel catering truck on a first visit to the set.

Bai Junze took a clean cup from the director's assistant, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and raised it slightly to everyone present.

His movements were casual and natural, as if he were greeting a few familiar friends in his own living room.

"This is my first time visiting my wife's company today. Thank you all for your hard work."

Please continue to take good care of Yun Jin in the future. She is very dedicated to her work. Please help her if she needs anything.

Consider this cup of tea my advance thanks.

This statement was both polite and clear.

It's not "President Gu," it's not "Miss Gu," it's "my wife."

Everyone present was shrewd; who couldn't tell the weight of those words?

Director Wu quickly took the teacup handed to him by his assistant, raised it with both hands in return, and spoke with undisguised excitement.

"Mr. Bai, you're too kind! Ms. Gu is the most professional producer we've ever met, and it's an honor to work with her!"

Sister Fei also picked up a cup of tea. "Mr. Bai, rest assured, I will be available whenever President Gu's team calls from now on, and I will never be late."

The other celebrities present also stood up and raised their glasses in return, creating a polite yet lively atmosphere.

Only after Gu Yunjin and Bai Junze's car drove away from the film and television base did the atmosphere under the sunshade truly relax.

Several celebrities sat together, and naturally, the conversation inevitably turned to the two people from earlier.

"Did you hear that just now? Bai Junze said 'my wife'."

A female celebrity's hands were trembling slightly as she held the bird's nest egg tarts, her expression a mixture of envy and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including admiration or wistfulness).

"There are still rumors online that their marriage is an arranged one, saying that no engagement photos have been released, and people are speculating whether it's just a formality for their own benefit."

Then the person in question showed up, and the first thing he said was "wife." A marriage alliance? I think it's genuine.

"It's more than just sincerity," the male actor next to him chimed in.

"Did you see him fan Gu Yunjin? It was such a small fan, but he held it up for most of the time, and he did it himself the whole time."

Who is Bai Junze? In the board of directors, he's always the one being praised by others; when has he ever praised anyone else?

If this weren't true love, I'd drink this whole bowl of seafood porridge without swallowing a drop.

Another actress sighed softly.

"All things considered, I really have to thank Shulin today."

Upon hearing this, everyone paused for a moment, then simultaneously revealed knowing expressions.

If Shulin hadn't acted like a diva and attracted Gu Yunjin to the film set, Bai Junze wouldn't have come along. They probably would never have had the chance to see a tycoon of this caliber in person, let alone sit with him for tea and a chat.

"That's true. I used to think that people who brag about being from top-tier wealthy families online and flaunt their private jets and luxury watches on social media were the real tycoons."

The female celebrity put down the bird's nest egg tart and wiped her hands with a tissue.

"After meeting Bai Junze and Gu Yunjin today, I realized that true big shots don't need to show off."

The confidence he exudes comes from his presence. Bai Junze treated us to such good food not to show off, but out of genuine goodwill on behalf of his wife.

This kind of character and refinement comes from within; it can't be faked.

"So," the actor said, taking a sip of his tea and giving a meaningful smile.

"Everyone understands what Bai Junze's personal visit today means—Xingyao Media is not to be trifled with, and Gu Yunjin is not to be trifled with."

Don't be fooled by her fierce way of cursing; there's someone even more formidable behind her.

Bai Junze was all smiles today; he was just being polite to us.

If Gu Yunjin is truly angered, she won't even need to intervene personally.

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

No one mentions bringing their own screenwriter anymore, and no one mentions bringing their own makeup artist anymore.

Everyone knows perfectly well that today's events have clearly established the rules of Xingyao.

If you honestly follow the contract and work hard on Gu Yunjin's project, you'll have plenty of opportunities to live a life of luxury in the future.

If anyone tries anything funny again, not only will Xingyao's contract not spare them, but Gu Yunjin's temper will not let them off the hook either.

The man standing behind her, smiling and treating her to a meal, was enough to make them disappear from this circle completely.