On the fourth day of New Year, with work temporarily concluded, Shen Qianzhan took Mother Shen to hot springs and spa to make her happy. After their skin gained a luminous glow, mother and daughter reconciled and made peace.

On the fifth day of New Year, Shen Qianzhan, who firmly believed in not wasting life on anything other than making money and maintaining beauty, made an appointment with Ai Yi to do their hair. Ai Yi got a perm and color, while she did hair treatments.

Shen Qianzhan finished earlier than Ai Yi and lounged on the sofa without any proper posture, playing with selfies.

The stylist finished applying color to Ai Yi’s hair and tactfully left the room, leaving only the two plastic sisters to spend time together.

The room had sufficient heating with comfortable temperature. After sitting for several hours, Ai Yi was drowsy and frequently tearing up. Turning to see Shen Qianzhan looking glamorous while taking selfies, then comparing it to her own disheveled state mid-transformation, she rubbed her temples and made conversation: “How’s your project progressing?”

Shen Qianzhan slightly pouted, her sexy red lips deadly appealing online.

After the selfie countdown ended, she admired her boundless beauty while answering: “Just had the first script meeting a couple days ago. The main creative team isn’t even fully assembled.”

Ai Yi smiled: “Having held a script meeting counts as progress.”

Shen Qianzhan replied dismissively: “Your ‘counts as’ is rather perfunctory. A hundred percent progress bar just moved 0.01 percent—does that count?”

Ai Yi watched Shen Qianzhan pose and find angles through the mirror, finding it somewhat eye-searing: “It’s still pretty good.” She averted her gaze, examining herself: “How’s the collaboration with President Ji going?”

Hearing Ji Qinghe’s name, Shen Qianzhan’s selfie enthusiasm cooled considerably. She glanced at Ai Yi with a fake smile: “Sister Ai, are you doing this on purpose? I already said the project just had its first script meeting. What collaboration could there be with President Ji?”

Shen Qianzhan had excellent bone structure and features. Whether her looks were aggressive depended entirely on how she applied makeup. Meeting Ai Yi today, she hadn’t deliberately applied heavy makeup, just a light sweep that made her features delicate and face gentle, pure and innocent: “Are you also believing those messy rumors from before New Year?”

This preemptive strike directly blocked Ai Yi’s eager probing. The latter’s expression remained unchanged, her tone sincere: “Would I believe such baseless gossip?”

Shen Qianzhan was now allergic to the phrase “baseless,” wrinkling her nose tip without saying a word.

Seeing her expression wasn’t quite right, Ai Yi didn’t probe deeper. Of course, she could never guess that what made Shen Qianzhan uncomfortable wasn’t her tone and attitude, but her precise use of certain predatory words that a particular dog of a man used when flirting with Shen Qianzhan.

Seeing the atmosphere growing cold, Ai Yi casually changed topics: “You haven’t encountered Jian Xin in a long time, right?”

Shen Qianzhan suddenly felt she hadn’t checked the almanac before leaving today, committing taboos. Otherwise, how could Ai Yi’s usually sharp mind spend the entire afternoon stepping on landmines and bombing her?

“Why would I want to encounter her?”

Disliking her wasn’t enough—why seek trouble?

Ai Yi heard the casualness in her tone, smiled, and reminded: “I’m just chatting with you casually. Once I leave today, I won’t acknowledge these words.”

Shen Qianzhan’s curiosity was piqued. She sat up straighter, looking at her with a smile: “I understand the rules. You speak yours, I definitely didn’t hear it from you.”

Ai Yi said: “That Xiang Qianqian from your company isn’t simple. She’s caught a noble patron’s favor. You wait and see—after New Year, your Boss Su won’t just peacefully terminate Xiang Qianqian’s contract, but will respectfully send her off. Think about how you exhausted yourself promoting this little ungrateful wolf to fame. She shows no gratitude or sentiment, just walks away. Whether she soars to success or achieves wealth and status in the future, none of it will be your achievement.”

Shen Qianzhan truly hadn’t heard this version. Her relationship with Xiang Qianqian wasn’t as outsiders speculated. But there was no need to explain this to Ai Yi. She played with her fingers, her mood dropping a degree: “It has nothing to do with me anymore. Her smooth contract termination is also good news.”

Remembering that Ai Yi had initially mentioned Jian Xin, Shen Qianzhan thought briefly and had her answer: “Those two have been in contact recently?”

Ai Yi hummed, saying lazily: “Jian Xin gave Xiang Qianqian a period costume political intrigue drama, just waiting for her to sign the contract after terminating with Qiandeng. Jian Xin’s abilities aren’t weak either, just petty-minded. You and she were in peaceful competition, but she’s held grudges against you so deeply she practically hates your ancestors eighteen generations back. Recently she’s been spreading rumors everywhere about you stealing her opportunities. She’s added plenty of embellishment to that romantic gossip between you and President Ji.” After speaking, she glanced at Shen Qianzhan’s expression through the mirror. Seeing her expressionless face, she felt disappointed: “With these two women together, you should be careful.”

Shen Qianzhan absentmindedly agreed without taking it to heart.

Isn’t that why they say there are no permanent friends or enemies in profit-driven venues?

When Xiang Qianqian was at Qiandeng, Jian Xin looked down on her with disdain, her malice completely on display. The moment Xiang Qianqian terminated her contract, Jian Xin immediately recruited the defector into her own camp, using her as a weapon against Qiandeng to disgust Shen Qianzhan.

Shen Qianzhan didn’t know whether to praise Jian Xin’s pig brain.

If Xiang Qianqian could peacefully terminate with Qiandeng, she was quite happy for her. Jian Xin’s pig-brained approach also gave Xiang Qianqian a future. How her path unfolds from here would truly have nothing to do with her, Shen Qianzhan.

But which noble patron was this?

Jiang Yecheng was unlikely—he couldn’t even handle Mrs. Jiang, so he couldn’t possibly dare to so blatantly stir into the muddy waters around Xiang Qianqian. Even if it were him, Su Lanyi, that woman who never looked at people directly, wouldn’t necessarily give him such a big favor.

A candidate vaguely emerged in Shen Qianzhan’s mind. She didn’t dare confirm, much less think deeply about it, only frowning to dismiss her wild thoughts.

But after returning home, Shen Qianzhan still couldn’t suppress it and sent Su Zan a WeChat message: “Has your sister returned to the country?”

Su Zan replied: “No. She has a flight arriving in Beijing on the seventh evening, rushing to an early meeting on the eighth.”

Shen Qianzhan said: “Oh, then never mind.”

Su Zan, inexplicably bothered: “I’m playing games and had to exit to reply to you, and this is what you’re chatting about? Tell me, are you trying to get young master’s attention?”

Shen Qianzhan: “Get lost.”

Su Zan: “Wuwu so fierce.”

On the sixth day of New Year, heavy snow sealed the city.

Waking up and standing at her window for a quarter hour, Shen Qianzhan decisively canceled all plans for the day and stayed home.

She’d recently discovered the secret to getting along with Mother Shen—as long as Mother Shen had something to do, she’d definitely nag half as much. So these past few days, she’d unlocked the oven and steamer equipment in the kitchen one by one, lighting up dormant skills like baking and making desserts—things unrelated to making money but capable of experiencing beautiful life.

On the seventh day of New Year, Qiao Xin confirmed work schedules with her.

Their last conversation still remained at the red envelope Shen Qianzhan sent her on New Year’s Day and Qiao Xin’s receipt notification. She silently complained that her superficial efforts weren’t beautiful enough while belatedly adding “Happy New Year.”

Shen Qianzhan was placing cherries one by one on cream when she saw Qiao Xin’s WeChat message. She grabbed a handful of cherries and went to her study to reply: “You’re back in Beijing?”

Qiao Xin said: “On the way.”

“Sister Zhan, is the snow in Beijing heavy? My hometown has roads blocked by heavy snow. The high-speed rail was almost canceled. I had to change tickets twice to catch the last train to Beijing.”

Beijing’s weather had been consistently bad recently—either continuous blizzards or gusting cold winds. The ice shards in the air seemed ready to pierce through all capillaries in your nasal cavity, cutting bone-deep.

Shen Qianzhan popped a cherry and sent a voice message: “Isn’t your neighboring county already experiencing snow disasters? I was wondering if you could return to work on the eighth and was prepared to recruit another assistant.”

Knowing she was teasing, Qiao Xin still stamped her feet coquettishly: “Sister Zhan, how can you be like this?”

Shen Qianzhan loved making young girls act cute and angry: “If you can return, report to work tomorrow. Besides the morning meeting, we need to prepare Lin Qiao’s contract and sign it with her quickly. The outline should be delivered by Friday at the latest. You’ll be responsible for coordinating with Teacher Jiang then, urging progress.” Thinking further, she added: “If snow continues like this year, it’ll eventually cause large-scale snow disasters. Though it doesn’t much concern our department, other departments will mobilize. Remember to pay attention.”

On the eighth day of New Year, Qiandeng gradually resumed work.

Shen Qianzhan’s office location also transferred from home sofas, bay windows, and big beds to her office.

Low temperatures and harsh weather caused department-wide complaints, with many employees unable to report on time due to being trapped by heavy snow or transportation disruptions.

After the morning meeting ended, Su Lanyi had the secretary’s office issue a snow disaster contingency plan.

Shen Qianzhan was boredly browsing online reports about snow disasters when Qiao Xin knocked and entered her office: “Sister Zhan.”

The named person lazily lifted her eyes, silently issuing an order: Speak.

Qiao Xin chose her words: “Lin Qiao’s asking if we can raise her per-episode script fee a bit more.”

Over the years, Lin Qiao had been grateful for Shen Qianzhan’s support, quoting Qiandeng below her market value. She’d never mentioned it, and Shen Qianzhan hadn’t proactively applied for her. Hearing this, she very understandingly tapped the table: “How much did she quote?”

Qiao Xin answered: “Twenty thousand more per episode.”

Shen Qianzhan nodded: “Take this quote to Boss Su. If she approves, that’s fine.”

Qiao Xin agreed cheerfully and went off.

Shen Qianzhan watched Qiao Xin go find Su Lanyi, continuing to browse her Weibo to understand the world.

Ten minutes later, her phone vibrated slightly. Qiao Xin sent her a WeChat message: “Eh, Sister Zhan, I saw President Ji in Boss Su’s office. Do we have any scheduled appointments with President Ji today? [Terrified.gif]”

Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow very slightly.

The noble patron stirring into Qiandeng and Xiang Qianqian’s contract termination was indeed Ji Qinghe.

She put down her phone and picked it up again, repeating this several times before squinting and replying: “Tell me in advance when he’s leaving.”

Qiao Xin obediently agreed.

Twenty minutes later, Qiao Xin’s reminder message arrived. Shen Qianzhan put on her coat and took the elevator down to Qiandeng Pictures’ parking garage on the building’s basement level.

Ji Qinghe’s vehicle was parked directly facing the elevator exit, very conspicuous.

Ji Qinghe was escorted by Su Lanyi all the way to the elevator area. As the elevator doors were about to close, he glanced at Qiao Xin standing against the wall, imperceptibly curving his lips.

Seeing this, Ming Jue reminded: “President Ji, that was Producer Shen’s planning assistant Qiao Xin.”

Ji Qinghe looked down, adjusting his cuffs, his tone casual: “I know.”

Ming Jue added: “Assistant Qiao handles business coordination between us and Qiandeng. We don’t have this appointment today.”

Ji Qinghe looked up, glancing at his assistant who was much slower than usual: “What are you trying to say?”

Ming Jue bit the bullet: “If Assistant Qiao informs Producer Shen you appeared here…”

Ji Qinghe interrupted: “Am I afraid of being checked on?” His voice was low and deep with laughter: “I’m only afraid she won’t check.”