Cheng Lele was half-asleep and half-awake when she vaguely heard a woman’s voice: “You must be President Chen from Star Cinema, right?”

Chen An responded with a “Mm.”

The woman said, “Hi, I’m Li Chaoxi, the legal representative of Ocean Cinema.”

Cheng Lele suddenly snapped awake, like a spring-loaded toy that had its button pressed. She sat up straight at once, her ears perked up, and her eyes immediately looked over.

Li Chaoxi had a slender figure and wore a green patterned shoulder-strap dress. A long, thin gemstone pendant hung around her neck, appearing and disappearing intermittently above her half-exposed bosom.

Chen An said, “Hello.”

Cheng Lele had done her research. The owner of Ocean Cinema was Li Dahai, who had made his fortune in the seafood business ten years ago and entered the port transportation industry two years ago. Supposedly, this cinema was a birthday gift for his daughter, Li Chaoxi.

In fairy tales, the daughter of the sea died tragically, but in reality, the daughter of the sea was truly enviable.

Li Chaoxi said, “Very boring meeting, huh?”

Chen An said, “It’s alright.”

Li Chaoxi seemed to notice Chen An’s notes: “Wow, are you the good boy type? I couldn’t tell.”

Chen An gave a rather forced smile.

Cheng Lele stood up, leaned over, picked up Chen An’s notebook and said, “Let me see what you wrote.”

Chen An’s smile immediately became genuine. He touched Cheng Lele’s head, his voice no longer as cold as before, his tone gentle: “Go catch up on sleep. Weren’t you very tired?”

Li Chaoxi looked at Cheng Lele with displeasure.

Cheng Lele pulled out a business card from her bag nearby: “I was just joking. President Li, don’t be upset. I’m Cheng Lele, the manager of Star Cinema.”

Li Chaoxi took it, looked at it, then shouted to someone not far away: “Hey, come here for a moment.”

A slightly hunched northern man quickly walked over and stood before her. Li Chaoxi handed him the business card: “This is the manager of Star Cinema. Give her your business card.”

The man rapidly pulled out a business card: “I’m Zhang Wei from Ocean Cinema. Manager Cheng, please guide me in the future.”

Cheng Lele received it with both hands and quickly said, “Not at all, Brother Zhang. I’ll be relying on your care in the future.”

Zhang Wei asked, “I heard Manager Cheng just came to Taixi? Where did you work before?”

“I’ve been with Tongda Cinema Chain all along.”

“Really? I have a buddy who also worked at Tongda before.”

Li Chaoxi took over the conversation: “Oh, Tongda. I call Shen Liming uncle. We’re planning to open twenty cinemas nationwide in the future. Uncle gave me a lot of advice.”

Cheng Lele thought to herself that as long as you present the franchise fees for twenty cinemas, President Shen would call you auntie.

However, Cheng Lele still said politely, “President Li has substantial strength. I hope Tongda will have opportunities to cooperate with Ocean Cinema in the future.”

As for the number twenty, Cheng Lele didn’t believe it.

In recent years, with capital expansion and the rise of the film market, every small operation dared to boast about opening dozens or even hundreds of locations in a year. But when the pandemic hit, the film industry became precarious. It was all they could do to look after themselves—who would still dare to expand?

Perhaps the daughter of the sea had always been good at blowing bubbles.

After chatting for a couple more exchanges, the meeting started again.

Cheng Lele finally wasn’t sleepy anymore and perked up for the meeting.

Speaking of Ocean Cinema, Cheng Lele remembered that when negotiating cooperation with Shao Kang, she had disparaged her competitors. Although it was all true, it didn’t seem quite honorable.

Student Shao Kang had delayed for so long and still hadn’t given her a clear response.

Cheng Lele secretly took out her phone and asked Chen An: [Has Shao Kang contacted you?]

Chen An replied: [No.]

[Sigh.]

When the meeting ended, Cheng Lele went to the restroom. Chen An sent a WeChat message to Shao Kang: [I have a friend who can sponsor an indoor basketball court for Tianhe. You’ll be responsible for negotiating the location with the school. Please implement the agency matter as soon as possible.]

[By the way, don’t tell my girlfriend.] Before sending it, he deleted and revised it to: [No need to tell her.]

After sending the message, Li Chaoxi sashayed over to chat again: “President Chen, there are only two cinemas in Taixi—ours. We should help each other out in the future. I’m treating—would you do me the honor of having lunch together?”

Chen An saw Cheng Lele’s figure appear at the doorway and said, “Let me ask if she has any other plans.”

Li Chaoxi smiled politely and listened as Chen An successfully expanded the invitation: “Ocean Cinema is treating us to lunch.”

Cheng Lele paused briefly. Although they were competitors, there was no harm in interacting with each other—at least they could sound each other out. She turned her head to look at Li Chaoxi and said exaggeratedly, “How could we accept? President Li, you’re too generous.”

Li Chaoxi called Zhang Wei over again: “Hey, you come along too.”

Cheng Lele shook her head slightly, thinking helplessly that Zhang Wei’s nickname was probably “Hey.”