Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 72

by Little Panda

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Manager 09

Queen

When the words “Ah Lan” were spoken, both Xin Lan and Dong Shuyu were stunned.

The smile that had just appeared on Dong Shuyu’s face froze, wondering when Qin Yuyan had become so familiar with Xin Lan.

If they had just met, there was no need to exchange contact information, but if they had just met, why was she addressing her so intimately? It seemed very strange.

As for Xin Lan, she was taken aback by this familiar form of address because Qu Zhi’an had called her that before. Then, like Dong Shuyu, she was puzzled – she felt she wasn’t that close with Qin Yuyan, so why was she addressing her so warmly?

But this wasn’t a bad thing; at least it made Dong Shuyu, who had just subtly mocked her, feel awkward for a moment.

Xin Lan took Qin Yuyan’s phone and entered her number, then returned it to her.

Qin Yuyan saved the contact name – originally intending to enter Xin Lan’s full name, but after some thought, she entered the nickname she had just used instead, which would place it at the top of her contacts.

“Dong jie, what were you two just talking about?”

“Nothing much, just that Xin Lan and I haven’t seen each other for a long time, so I came over to say hello. About what I asked you last time, have you given it any thought?”

Dong Shuyu looked at Qin Yuyan, smiling as she asked.

Qin Yuyan stroked the smooth edge of her phone. Dong Shuyu had approached her first and even knew her father; they’d had meals together twice before. But she knew Xin Lan was watching her now, and everyone understood the situation – Dong Shuyu just wanted her to show where she stood.

“I definitely have some thoughts. I’ve finished my advanced studies this year, and it’s time to do something I’m interested in. But as for who should be at the top, I still need to think about it.”

“If you come to my side, I absolutely won’t mistreat you. I’ve managed to produce award-winning movie emperors and empresss, and I can certainly make you famous too.”

Dong Shuyu spoke with great confidence, her connections and experience were her capital. Having been in the industry for so many years, she knew all the marketing strategies.

She couldn’t continue working for much longer at her age, after all, being a manager was an energy-demanding profession. At thirty-seven, she could still continue, but by the time she reached forty-five or fifty, when she no longer had the energy for it, she would retire.

Before retiring from the industry, she really wanted to create another legend, to elevate someone to the divine altar, to become a star in entertainment history.

Qin Yuyan was undoubtedly promising material, although she was already 24 years old and couldn’t be considered young, but that special aura was still there.

This kind of aura was hard to describe, not everyone could possess it.

But without question, this aura would fade away with use and eventually disappear.

When Dong Shuyu saw Qin Yuyan, several plans for making her famous appeared in her mind, but unfortunately, Qin Yuyan wanted to focus on her studies at that time.

Missing such a promising talent, who knew when she would find another one like her.

Others weren’t impossible to work with, but they would definitely require more effort and care.

“Thank you for your kindness, Dong jie. I know going with you would definitely be good.”

Qin Yuyan said sincerely, but feelings were something that couldn’t be forced.

That feeling she had about wanting to work with Xin Lan wasn’t present with Dong Shuyu.

Moreover, she wasn’t particularly interested in fame and fortune. If she had been pursuing fame, she would have entered the entertainment industry long ago.

The smile on Dong Shuyu’s face faded. Qin Yuyan’s words seemed like praise, but actually contained a subtle rejection.

She couldn’t understand; from any perspective, she should have been the best choice.

The atmosphere became awkward for a moment. Xin Lan had no intention of being aggressive, as Qin Yuyan had already half-revealed her attitude. Moreover, she could see that Dong Shuyu genuinely wanted to recruit Qin Yuyan, otherwise she wouldn’t have put in so much effort.

“Let’s not talk about these things now. Today is my grandmother’s birthday. Thank you both for gracing us with your presence.”

Qin Yuyan picked up a glass of wine and raised it to both Xin Lan and Dong Shuyu.

The three of them unanimously moved past the previous topic, chatting as if nothing had happened.

But this kind of conversation was too awkward and forced. Dong Shuyu knew that being anxious about such matters was useless, so she simply took her wine glass and made an excuse about finding an acquaintance to leave.

After Dong Shuyu left, the atmosphere relaxed.

“Dong jie is quite eager to sign you.”

Xin Lan swirled the red wine in her glass as she spoke.

“Yes, she actually approached me several years ago, and we’ve maintained contact since then. Though we’re not particularly close, she does care about me quite a bit.”

Qin Yuyan spoke honestly, her fingers pressing against the edge of the wine glass. The cool temperature slightly relieved the rising heat she felt in her heart when making eye contact with Xin Lan.

“Then why haven’t you agreed after all this time? Haven’t you already decided to enter the entertainment industry?”

Xin Lan raised an eyebrow. If Dong Shuyu had this idea long ago and had been consistently pursuing it, then logically, Qin Yuyan should have unhesitatingly leaned toward her side. Why hadn’t she made a decision yet?

Earlier, there was the excuse of being busy with studies, but wasn’t there also talk of a pre-arrangement?

“Before, it was because my parents said to think it through carefully, because once you sign with a company, you have to be responsible and can’t treat it as just a hobby. Actually, if possible, they don’t want me to take this path.”

Qin Yuyan’s expression appeared somewhat unclear in the lighting as her finger slid across the surface of the wine glass.

“Being a celebrity is glamorous and in the public eye, but the downside is having no privacy. I think I like acting, it’s interesting, isn’t it? So I still plan to come back.”

Qin Yuyan raised her glass with Xin Lan and took a small sip of wine.

“If I choose you, would you feel I’m betraying her intentions?”

“There would be some of that feeling, but if it’s not me, there will be others. It’s just that I happen to…” Qin Yuyan paused, raising her hand slightly, “have a slightly higher stepping stone.”

“Is that what she thinks, and what you think too?”

It was nothing more than recognition, or certainty of becoming a superstar, a money tree [搖錢樹 | yáoqiánshù | source of steady income], Qin Yuyan thought very clearly.

Actually, there was another reason for her delay in signing: choosing to step into this circle would inevitably mean losing freedom and some of the rights she should have had.

“My thinking might be different from hers.”

Xin Lan’s lips curved, her red lips having a particular ambiguity under the lights.

“I’m not signing you to use you as a money tree, nor do I want you to reach some lofty position. What I said before was all true – if you come to me, you’ll be the most important one in my heart. What I can promise you more than her is freedom. I’ll work hard to bring resources to you, but I only hope for your progress, not regression. Even if you want to catch your breath or rest, that’s all fine, no problem.”

Xin Lan said this while looking at Qin Yuyan, her body leaning slightly forward. Qin Yuyan could even smell her fragrance, a faint floral scent.

Qin Yuyan: “If you sign me, won’t you neglect Shen Yun?”

Xin Lan: “Do you know why I said she won’t shine?”

Qin Yuyan: “Because her acting isn’t good?”

Xin Lan: “No, quite the opposite. Her acting, among the current group of traffic stars, is actually quite good. I shaped her myself.”

Xin Lan: “I lit her flame, and I will eventually extinguish it myself.”

When Xin Lan spoke these words, her expression was cold, even her gaze carried a chill.

Yet Qin Yuyan’s heart trembled because of this, a voice in her heart kept saying, yes, this is it, this is exactly it.

This was how it should be – this somewhat cold, disdainful appearance, truly befitting a queen.

When she raised her chin, it wasn’t her charm that made others bow before her skirts, but rather that fierce aura that struck awe.

Her gaze passed over you, caring not whether you existed or not.

Qin Yuyan heard her own voice rise, carrying a slight tremor.

“Do you hate her?”

“Yes.”

Xin Lan spoke without concealment.

She wasn’t afraid of Qin Yuyan informing Shen Yun, because she knew Qin Yuyan wouldn’t.

“Then why not exile her?”

“As you said before, if I were a CEO, I would eliminate her without hesitation. Given her current popularity, if I were to discard her, there would be plenty of people to pick her up. I’ve used so many resources to support her, there must be a result.”

The original host had witnessed Shen Yun’s rise to stardom, and ended up in that state because of it.

So she would witness Shen Yun’s decline and destruction.

“I will help you.”

“What?”

Xin Lan was somewhat astonished.

Qin Yuyan revealed a smile that carried both sudden realization and keen interest.

“What I mean is, I’m willing to be signed by you.”

“Don’t you want to think about it more?”

Xin Lan hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. After all, this was only their second meeting. Although she had made many verbal promises, she hadn’t delivered anything concrete yet. Would Qin Yuyan trust her this much, willing to abandon Dong Shuyu’s side to come to hers?

“You promised me freedom.”

“Freedom also has its limits.”

Xin Lan didn’t make her words too absolute; she wasn’t certain she could give Qin Yuyan the power to do whatever she wanted.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll waver speaking like this?”

Qin Yuyan couldn’t help but laugh.

“I just don’t want you to have expectations too high of me, to the point where later disappointment would lead to resentment.”

Xin Lan said leisurely, taking a small sip of her wine.

“I believe you won’t disappoint me.”

This banquet had proved worthwhile, and the discussion had been mutually satisfying for both host and guest.

However, this was just a verbal agreement; the details would still need time to be planned and confirmed one by one.

When Xin Lan came out, An’an opened the car door for her.

Xin Lan sat in the car, where the strong air conditioning dispersed the stuffiness from outside. She took out her phone from her bag, opened WeChat, and saw a friend request.

After accepting the request and adding a note, she first sent over a greeting sticker.

Qin Yuyan probably wasn’t looking at her phone, as there was no reply.

Xin Lan returned to her message list and began checking each message.

Shen Yun had sent her several messages.

【Shen Yun】: I heard you’re going to sign Qin Yuyan?

【Shen Yun】: That can’t be true, right?

【Shen Yun】: You don’t know how strangely people are looking at me. I believe this isn’t true

【Shen Yun】: Where are you?

【Shen Yun】: I’ll listen to you well

Xin Lan glanced at them; the last message was from half an hour ago. Judging from Shen Yun’s tone, was she perhaps triggered by Qin Yuyan’s presence?

Xin Lan thought for a moment, her fingers sliding across the keyboard, and sent back one message.

【Xin Lan】: You were raised up by my hand, what are you worried about?