This day, Su Lanyi rarely came to the company.
This precious ancestor stayed for the entire morning, finished handling documents, then took Shen Qianzhan and Su Zan along to support her friend’s newly opened Western restaurant.
The Western restaurant wasn’t far from Qiandeng, cooperating with a four-star hotel to arrange the top floor space into a revolving restaurant.
When Su Lanyi sat down after delivering the opening flower basket, the owner came over upon hearing the news, enthusiastically and thoughtfully recommending several signature dishes, then instructing the waitstaff to comp this table’s bill before graciously taking her leave.
Once the person left, the booth instantly became quiet.
Su Lanyi smiled, briefly introducing with a few sentences: “The owner here is from our circle. After marriage, she got tired of being a kept woman and came out to open a restaurant, saying she wanted to find her life’s value again.”
She elegantly cut her steak, the knife and fork not making a single sound when touching the plate: “Who knows how long the restaurant can stay open, but her opening enthusiasm definitely deserves full marks.” She playfully winked, chuckling softly: “Try it quickly, this chef was hired at great expense. When she said she wanted to open a restaurant, I’ve been craving this very thing.”
Su Lanyi had grown up with a golden spoon in her mouth since childhood, with an extremely picky personality. For something to make her crave it, Shen Qianzhan estimated she’d probably have to be helped out while leaning against the wall afterward.
After dining quietly for a while, Su Lanyi seemingly casually opened her mouth to ask: “What’s going on between you and CEO Ji from Bu Zhong Sui? It’s been spreading like wildfire outside, friends ask me whenever they see me.”
Shen Qianzhan scooped up a spoonful of pudding and asked back: “What do you mean what’s going on?” She was so calm she didn’t seem like the person being gossiped about: “Besides cooperation, what else could there be between Bu Zhong Sui and Qiandeng?”
Su Lanyi looked at her twice, “This matter of Xiang Qianqian betraying and suing Qiandeng has already caused a citywide uproar recently. Your little scandalous news with CEO Ji is giving Xinghai Media the perfect opportunity to exploit.”
These words weren’t pleasant to hear, even carrying some reproachful meaning.
Su Zan, seeing things weren’t going well, quickly tried to smooth things over: “This is my fault. If it weren’t for that set of photos in my social media, none of this would have happened.”
Shen Qianzhan put down her spoon, shifted her gaze to Su Lanyi’s face, getting straight to the point: “What do you want me to do?”
Su Lanyi, realizing her wording was inappropriate, frowned slightly and explained: “I don’t understand the full story, I’m just worried that you and Qiandeng will be exploited by people with ulterior motives.” She sighed, somewhat headache-inducingly pinching her brow: “Qianzhan, if nothing unexpected happens, in a few days Xiang Qianqian’s side will release press releases playing the victim, guiding public opinion.”
The naive Su Zan was dumbfounded: “…Is it this serious?”
Su Lanyi asked: “How do you think this evil wind started blowing? Qianzhan pinched that young idol’s butt two years ago and nothing happened, so how come this time just getting close to CEO Ji gets spread so disgracefully.”
Shen Qianzhan, who had been expressionless all along, suddenly exploded: “To be fair, please don’t bring up the butt-pinching dark history.”
Speaking of butt-pinching, Shen Qianzhan couldn’t help but cover her face with her hand.
Two years ago, she accompanied Xiang Qianqian to record a variety show. After the last episode wrapped, the variety show production team organized a wrap party. That evening happened to coincide with the third episode’s ratings explosion, so everyone drank quite happily.
Who knows which genius suggested truth or dare, and Xiang Qianqian got caught with dare. The other party specifically designated her to go touch the perky buttocks of a young idol who was already a top star at the time.
When Shen Qianzhan, as the agent, heard this – how could this work? This was clearly digging a pit to force Xiang Qianqian to jump in. If she jumped into this pit, who knows how many bloody holes would be stabbed out. At best, Xiang Qianqian would be torn to shreds; at worst, her career would be half-ruined.
Shen Qianzhan’s instinct told her this was a conspiracy, but in that moment, the other party was clearly just messing around. Refusing would inevitably offend people, but if she complied, she and Xiang Qianqian would inevitably face a storm of blood and gore after tonight.
The only compromise she could think of was to replace Xiang Qianqian and pinch the top star’s butt herself. The biggest consequence of this matter would be nothing more than her resigning in disgrace.
Afterward, it indeed proved that Shen Qianzhan had great foresight at the time. That butt-pinching segment was made into short videos, photos, and GIFs, massacring Shen Qianzhan into deleting her posts and withdrawing from the circle.
If it weren’t for that top star being kind-hearted and explaining for her, Shen Qianzhan would inevitably have been seriously injured.
Just thinking about this matter, Shen Qianzhan immediately lost all appetite: “I know what I’m doing, you don’t need to worry.”
——
Su Lanyi’s concerns weren’t without reason. After Shen Qianzhan returned to the company, she contacted the PR department for an emergency meeting. First was to understand the progress of Xiang Qianqian’s contract termination; second was to understand online public opinion; third was to prevent herself from being used as a target by Xinghai Media.
During the butt-pinching incident that year, in order to completely clear Xiang Qianqian’s name, Shen Qianzhan strictly forbade her from speaking out. Fearing her excessive sense of loyalty, the company even confiscated her Weibo account for safekeeping for a whole week.
After the incident, besides the person involved explaining for her, most netizens didn’t know the truth. Even her identity in Xiang Qianqian’s fan circle became an extremely awkward transparent person who couldn’t even be mentioned to this day.
If this time the false material about Shen Qianzhan using unscrupulous means to force out Xiang Qianqian was exploited, the consequences would be imaginable.
She truly shouldered everything alone.
After completing Qiandeng’s PR contingency plan, Shen Qianzhan considered for a whole day, then extremely cautiously made an appointment with Ji Qinghe through Ming Jue.
Near year-end, Ji Qinghe was busy with official duties, not even visiting the courtyard house for a long time. When he heard Ming Jue relay Shen Qianzhan’s request to meet, his pen tip paused, nearly penetrating the paper.
Assistant Ming, instantly sensing CEO Ji’s foul mood, felt uneasy inside but steeled himself to complete the message: “Producer Shen said it’s best to meet face-to-face, she wants to give you the full story. If you don’t have time, she’ll have her assistant coordinate with me.”
Ji Qinghe’s wrist holding the pen sank as he finished signing the document and handed it to Ming Jue: “She wants to see me, why doesn’t she contact me directly?”
Ming Jue observed his nose and heart, ruthlessly breaking it down: “Producer Shen said the matter involves both companies’ reputations, so she had to trouble you. Because it’s business, she’s following official procedures.”
The latter half was Ming Jue’s own addition. Although Shen Qianzhan didn’t say it explicitly, her meaning was very clear – she didn’t want to have any involvement with Bu Zhong Sui beyond business matters, hoping to avoid deepening misunderstandings.
Ji Qinghe pursed his lips without speaking. His schedule was tight, making it difficult to spare more time.
Seeing him deep in thought, Ming Jue tentatively said: “The route to the airport happens to pass by Qiandeng. If the situation is urgent, Producer Shen doesn’t mind taking up your fragmented time. I’ll notify her now.”
Ji Qinghe nodded: “Tell her, not seeing her today. The next meeting will be at Qiandeng’s annual party.”
——
Ji Qinghe’s last sentence was too threatening. Shen Qianzhan didn’t hesitate long before agreeing.
Ming Jue, worried she might delay Ji Qinghe’s schedule, wasn’t very reassured and repeatedly confirmed the agreed time and location with Shen Qianzhan.
Five o’clock in the afternoon.
Ji Qinghe’s car arrived at the intersection precisely on time.
Shen Qianzhan got in the car carrying two cups of coffee.
Beijing had strong winds today. She had only waited at the windy intersection for ten minutes, but her whole body was chilled through.
Getting in the car and being surrounded by warm air, she shivered, handing the coffee she’d kept warm inside her coat to Ji Qinghe: “Please have some coffee.”
Ji Qinghe imperceptibly frowned, taking the coffee while adjusting the air conditioning vent: “Don’t you know to find a sheltered place to wait?”
“I was afraid of delaying your time.” Shen Qianzhan drank coffee to warm her frozen body while sizing him up: “CEO Ji on another business trip?”
Ji Qinghe’s fingers holding the coffee were slender. Under his white shirt cuff, half a watch was visible, outlining his wrist bone lines clearly and smoothly, like they were custom-made, exuding a low-key, aloof temperament.
The car drove over the road surface, cutting into a side road, heading straight up the airport expressway.
Without traffic jams, Shen Qianzhan only had half an hour.
“I’ve already understood what happened.” His brow couldn’t hide his fatigue, his voice much lower than usual: “You’re looking for me to follow what official procedures?”
Ming Jue in the front seat was discussing traffic conditions with the driver in a low voice. Shen Qianzhan got distracted for a moment, then came back to her senses to answer: “Qiandeng has already prepared a PR contingency plan. I know Bu Zhong Sui is expanding its market. If this matter isn’t handled well, it will affect both companies’ reputations.”
Ji Qinghe smiled, his smile playful: “How do you hope I’ll cooperate with you?”
Shen Qianzhan was instantly speechless.
Her original intention was to hope that after Ji Qinghe understood the situation, he would grasp the severity of the matter, and both companies would unify their messaging. It would be best if nothing happened, but if Xinghai Media exploited these most impossible-to-clarify scandals to guide public opinion, it wouldn’t be good for the project.
After drafting her speech all afternoon, his single sentence “how do you hope I’ll cooperate with you” made it all unnecessary.
“An hour ago, Bu Zhong Sui suppressed a batch of press releases.” Ji Qinghe removed his glasses, rubbing his brow: “I never expected Producer Shen’s past history to be so rich and colorful.”
Shen Qianzhan: “?”
Seeing her confusion, Ji Qinghe took out a sealed document and handed it to her, indicating she should look at it herself.
Xinghai Media indeed intended to create stories from photos, adding negotiating leverage for Xiang Qianqian.
This press release was first sent to Bai Xuan and Bu Zhong Sui, these two companies that had cooperation with Qiandeng, attempting to pressure Qiandeng this way.
The document Ji Qinghe gave her was precisely this well-reasoned, illustrated, and story-filled press release detailing her romantic scandals.
When Shen Qianzhan saw the highlighted and bolded “butt-pinching incident,” her face turned green.
She suddenly realized that Ji Qinghe’s earlier sentence wasn’t straightforward directness, but a preview of settling scores after autumn.
Shen Qianzhan suddenly felt somewhat headache-stricken. She stuffed the document back into the envelope: “These things are enough for me to resign in disgrace to preserve the project.”
She wasn’t in high spirits, her eyes falling on the window, watching the bustling crowds, saying in a low voice: “The PR department will suppress these press releases and accelerate resolving Xiang Qianqian’s contract termination. Currently these rumors won’t constitute substantial impact on Bu Zhong Sui. Qiandeng’s official blog will also issue a statement to clarify. Everything is within my controllable range.”
Ji Qinghe heard her implication, turning to look at her: “What’s the worst outcome you’ve considered?”
Shen Qianzhan was slightly stunned.
Wait, this bastard couldn’t possibly think she was going to end her own career, could he?
How was that possible?
She was about to explain, but then had a second thought – this reason was perfectly legitimate right now. There was no better opportunity than now to distance herself from him.
Once this thought bubbled up, it kept gurgling toward the surface.
She looked on the verge of tears, pretending to be pitiful: “At worst, sacrificing myself for the greater good, I suppose.”
Ji Qinghe smiled faintly.
He kicked with his toe tip, raising the partition. After completely blocking the front seat’s view, he lowered his voice, asking lightly: “Sacrificing yourself for the greater good? For whose good?”
He turned sideways, his gaze locking onto her, analyzing: “Do you think I would let you fend for yourself?” His gaze moved down, landing on the document beside her hand, chuckling softly: “Though you did remind me – you have the resolve to sacrifice yourself. Sacrificing to anyone isn’t as good as sacrificing to me. Practice makes perfect, it’s always better than ruining your career.”
Shen Qianzhan: “…”
Damn it, she voluntarily jumped into another pit Ji Qinghe had dug.
She cleared her throat, looking at the partition in front: “How’s the soundproofing on this thing? I’m afraid when I strike too hard later, CEO Ji’s pleas for mercy might be heard outside, and you’d lose face in front of your subordinates.”