When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 14

Volume One: Those Years I Was a CEO

Be a Little More Proactive

“Got news, 《Qing Yan》 plans to release and start broadcasting in the first week after New Year’s Day, the special effects are already done, I took a look at the final cut¹, it’s very good.” Shu Changning told her while You Jiayi was resting.

You Jiayi took off the eye mask from her eyes, surprised, “So fast?”

How come she remembered wrapping up filming² not long ago?

Shu Changning saw the bloodshot veins under You Jiayi’s eyes had faded quite a bit, “Mm, 《Qing Yan》, to catch the New Year’s Day slot³, was filmed while being edited and produced simultaneously. The special effects were specially done by a very famous effects team from M Country⁴. I saw the final cut, it can definitely be a huge hit.”

This 《Qing Yan》’s production team is S+ level, none of the actors dragged it down⁵, a huge hit is inevitable.

“Okay,” You Jiayi yawned, looking at the crew members still setting up the location, “Looks like we’ll be filming until early morning again today.”

This drama was a Republican-era anti-Japanese war drama⁶, 《Gunsmoke Everywhere》⁷, that she took on after finishing 《Qing Yan》.

In it, You Jiayi plays the most famous dance hall girl⁸ in the French Concession⁹, outwardly the star performer¹⁰ of the Paramount Hall¹¹, relying on her moving singing voice, graceful dancing posture, and stunning looks to move between various famous and powerful political and business magnates, jokingly called the “Flower Butterfly”¹² by people.

But in reality, she gathers intelligence for the country, passing it to the high-level officials of the Z Country¹³ government, thereby achieving victory in the warfare and internal struggles.

This character’s ending is very tragic and heroic; after being discovered, she passes out one last piece of intelligence, then straps bombs to her body and perishes together with the R Country¹⁴ people capturing her.

You Jiayi had just finished applying the eye mask when the makeup teacher¹⁵ hurried over to touch up her eye makeup.

Tonight they were filming a group scene, and she also had dance scenes; she needed to dance with a Department Head¹⁶ and find a way to get important information out of his mouth.

Throughout the entire drama, she had many dance scenes, mainly Waltz and Tango. You Jiayi had to learn the dance steps on the spot.

The teacher taught very well, but unfortunately, it was You Jiayi’s first time encountering such high-class dances, and learning them suddenly was somewhat difficult.

Previously in the talent show, the dances were all choreographed, many movements were relatively simpler, easier to learn.

But the dances in this drama had too much character and charm; every movement possessed extreme aesthetic beauty.

Especially the Tango, the characteristics of this dance were simply too fierce.

The Tango the dance teacher danced was called gorgeous and elegant, passionate and unrestrained; the Tango she danced was called choke your throat, take your dog life¹⁷.

Comparing Tango and Waltz after learning them, You Jiayi still felt Waltz was easier to learn, and Shu Changning also knew how to dance the Waltz, so she could practice with Shu Changning when the dance teacher wasn’t around.

As for Tango, not many people in the entire crew knew it. You Jiayi could only rely on the dance teacher’s instruction and finding videos online to learn. Although the effect wasn’t great, she could still pull off a few fake moves.

Fortunately, tonight’s dance was the Waltz, which You Jiayi could still handle. Later in the plot, it would all be Tango dances.

Just thinking about Tango made You Jiayi ache all over.

“You still have three Waltz scenes in this drama, the remaining few are all Tango, right?” Shu Changning knew You Jiayi was troubled by the Tango.

You Jiayi sighed helplessly, “Yeah, one tonight, two next week, then all the following dance scenes are Tango, I’m gonna die.”

“Has the teacher come to teach you recently?” Shu Changning knew the crew had arranged for a dance teacher.

“Yes, but they’re busy too. So many actors in the crew need to learn, it’s impossible to only teach me. I also feel bad monopolizing the teacher’s time for so long, so I can only watch online tutorials to learn.”

“How about I find a class for you outside?” Shu Changning suggested.

“Then when would I go practice?” This method wasn’t impossible; although the filming period for this drama was long, there was still some free time.

“I’ll look first, see if there’s anyone who can come to the set to teach you. But there are too many Tango teachers whose skills aren’t refined, I need to carefully select a capable Tango teacher. Don’t want them teaching you something nondescript¹⁸, that wouldn’t be good.”

The dance teacher hired by the crew was national level; if they casually found just any teacher, it would affect the filming results.

You Jiayi nodded, “Okay, sorry to trouble Shu-ge.”

“No problem, why be so polite with me¹⁹.” Shu Changning took out his phone, “Right, this Friday there’s a recording for the variety show 《Crazy Saturday》²⁰, recording in J City, they’ve invited the main cast team from 《Qing Yan》. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow afternoon to go to the airport.”

“Okay.” You Jiayi knew about this variety show recording; Shu Changning had already helped her request leave for it early on.

“One more thing, tomorrow morning Vice President Kong from Yixin Entertainment is coming over. Seems like he wants to talk to you about a variety show recording. I’m not clear on the specifics yet, he said he’ll talk to both of us in detail tomorrow.” When Shu Changning spoke with Kong Yushu, the man had hemmed and hawed²¹.

After all, he was the Vice President of Yixin Entertainment, Shu Changning had to give him face, so he told him You Jiayi was free tomorrow morning and let him come to the set to discuss it.

You Jiayi wondered, “VP Kong is looking for me? To talk about a variety show? Could it be VP Kong found a variety show recording for me?”

“Don’t know, I asked him but he wouldn’t tell me, being all secretive. Probably it’s a pretty impressive variety show.” Shu Changning felt that a variety show requiring VP Kong to come communicate in person must be quite significant.

“Okay, let’s see what VP Kong wants to say then.”

You Jiayi only liked acting and wasn’t very sensitive to other types of work. The high-end production variety shows Shu Changning imagined were, in her eyes, less enjoyable than filming another drama.

Early the next morning, Kong Yushu arrived early at the 《Gunsmoke Everywhere》 set.

You Jiayi had just gotten up, finished breakfast, reported in with Wen Nuan, and chatted for a while before Shu Changning called her downstairs to meet Kong Yushu.

“He came so early?” You Jiayi glanced at her phone; it wasn’t even 8 o’clock yet.

Shu Changning looked sluggish, like he hadn’t woken up properly, “How would I know he’d be this early? I thought he’d come around ten at the earliest.” He let out a difficult yawn, “When he called me, I wasn’t even f%cking awake yet, and he told me he was already waiting downstairs.”

The elevator reached the first-floor lobby. You Jiayi looked up and immediately saw Kong Yushu sitting on the sofa in the hotel lobby.

Kong Yushu saw them too and stood up to greet them, “Sorry to disturb you so early.”

“It’s fine, we just got up, no disturbance.” Shu Changning instantly shed his sleepy appearance and put on an energetic look. The speed of his transformation made You Jiayi acclaim it as the peak of perfection.

Truly a gold-medal manager, just awesome²²!

Kong Yushu saw the bloodshot veins under Shu Changning’s eyes and smiled, “It was me being too eager, causing you not to rest well. I only heard from the crew staff when I arrived at the set that you filmed a big night shoot²³ last night and finished in the early morning. I estimated you might still be asleep at this hour?”

He pointed at the drinks and breakfast on the table, “I bought coffee, pastries, and some xiaolongbao²⁴, wontons²⁵, and such. Why don’t we eat while we talk?”

Shu Changning saw his favorite vanilla latte and cream custard buns²⁶, his eyes lit up, and he immediately sat down, “Many thanks for VP Kong’s breakfast. Come on, Jiayi, come eat.”

“Thank you, VP Kong.” You Jiayi sat to the side, watching Shu Changning already eating with coffee in one hand and a custard bun in the other.

She only found out after getting to know Shu Changning that he, like her, liked sweets, and his favorites were vanilla coffee and cream custard buns.

She hadn’t expected Vice President Kong to be quite good at catering to one’s preferences²⁷.

Like the seaweed egg drop soup and shrimp-flavored xiaolongbao in front of her.

Although she had already eaten breakfast, eating a bit more was fine.

Xu Wen Nuan always felt she was too thin.

Shu Changning had also told her to eat more, for better stamina during filming, and also so Xu Wen Nuan would find her more comfortable to hold.

After all, Shu Changning had told her: “You’re so thin, doesn’t President Xu find you uncomfortably bony when holding you?”

Seeing the two start eating, VP Kong began, “This sudden visit is mainly because there’s a variety show that wants to invite Miss You to participate in the recording.”

“Variety show?” Shu Changning took a sip of coffee, “Which satellite channel²⁸? What production team? What type?”

Kong Yushu’s smile stiffened slightly at Shu Changning’s questions. He awkwardly took out two documents from his briefcase and handed them over, “I understand why Mr. Shu asks this, but this show is newly produced. I plan to make it Yixin Entertainment’s flagship variety show. As for the production team, I will be serving as the show’s… director. Other staff are currently being assembled, and invitations for the guests participating in the show recording have already started going out….”

“As far as I know, VP Kong doesn’t seem to have a background as a director, right?” Shu Changning put the documents aside. He admitted the show proposal was brilliant; if produced well, it would definitely be a hit.

But Kong Yushu wasn’t a professionally trained director, and this type of variety show hadn’t appeared before. The risks and rewards were both huge; no one would easily place a bet.

Kong Yushu gave an awkward smile, “Yes, I indeed don’t have a professional director background, but I’ve already signed a military pledge²⁹ with the company, I will definitely work hard to make this variety show successful. And you’ve seen the nature of my show; I plan to invite four pairs of guests, the filming period will be two weeks, using live streaming to drive the overall market promotion and interaction between the audience and the artists. This allows the audience to immersively feel the atmosphere between the artists and their loved ones.”

He looked at You Jiayi, his tone earnest, “And I plan for the show’s first couple guests to be Miss You and President Xu. This will greatly help the show’s promotion and popularity, and can also effectively address the current public doubts and denials regarding Miss You and President Xu’s relationship. I wonder… what Miss You thinks?”

Hearing Kong Yushu’s latter words, Shu Changning didn’t question further but looked at You Jiayi, who was still looking at the documents.

He asked, “Jiayi, what are you thinking?”

You Jiayi looked at the show’s name, 《Heartbeat Again》. She admitted her heart was moved.

She looked up at Kong Yushu, “Have you mentioned this proposal to President Xu?”

Kong Yushu said without changing expression, “Not yet. I planned to gauge your attitude first. After all, the other three pairs of guests have agreed, only you and President Xu are left. I plan to get everything confirmed before reporting to President Xu.”

You Jiayi unconsciously tightened her grip on the paper, asking, “Um, recently Xu Corporation… has it been quite busy? After all, it’s year-end, are there… a lot of business matters to handle?”

“….” Kong Yushu momentarily didn’t understand the meaning behind You Jiayi’s words, but on second thought, he knew the implication.

He smiled slightly, “It’s alright. Xu Corporation has so many staff members, it’s impossible for everything to pile up on President Xu alone. Besides, the group’s business at year-end isn’t as heavy as before.”

You Jiayi breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good then.”

Seeing her expression, a flash of being determined to win³⁰ flashed in Kong Yushu’s eyes, “So, what is Miss You considering?”

You Jiayi glanced at Kong Yushu, then turned to Shu Changning, “I want to participate. Do I still have availability³¹?”

“Your schedule is easy to arrange,” Shu Changning knew long ago You Jiayi would want to participate in this recording, “But, can President Xu agree?”

“I will strive to get President Xu’s agreement,” Kong Yushu immediately replied, “The company is very optimistic about this variety show of mine. Mr. Shu, Miss You, please rest assured.”

“This matter… can I ask President Xu first?” You Jiayi didn’t want to act on her own initiative; it wouldn’t be good if it made Xu Wen Nuan unhappy. “VP Kong, could you wait a moment? I’ll make a call.”

Kong Yushu gestured with his hand and smiled, “Of course, Miss You, please go ahead.”

You Jiayi took her phone and went to a distance to make the call.

Shu Changning finished his breakfast, looked at Kong Yushu, and sighed, “Actually, President Xu knew about this long ago, right? And President Xu probably already agreed to the recording, correct?”

Kong Yushu paused, “…..Mr. Shu is very sharp.”

He hadn’t revealed any information about President Xu agreeing to the recording, yet Shu Changning immediately guessed the root of the matter.

“It’s not that I’m sharp, but rather that VP Kong is an honest person. It’s impossible not to report such a big matter to the company’s upper management before directly discussing it with Jiayi. It’s just that Jiayi has a simple mind, and since it concerns President Xu, her head is full of President Xu right now, with no room to pay attention to other things, so naturally she wouldn’t notice your loophole.” Shu Changning took a sip of coffee, his eyes slightly raised, “Through this proposal, I can see VP Kong’s capability and ambition, so I have great faith in VP Kong’s abilities, as well as President Xu’s judgment.”

Kong Yushu smiled faintly, picked up his cup, and clinked it with Shu Changning’s from afar, “Happy cooperation.”

Shu Changning raised an eyebrow, “Happy cooperation.”

Wen Nuan saw You Jiayi’s incoming call and knew why she was calling.

“What’s wrong?”

You Jiayi pursed her lips, “Um, VP Kong came to find me, wanting me to record a new variety show created by Yixin Entertainment….”

“Hm? I know about this.” Wen Nuan smiled, “He mentioned some things to me, but I remember it was a couple interaction variety show. What do you mean by making this call?”

You Jiayi took a deep breath, “You told me before, if I want something, I should just tell you directly. If you like it, you’ll accept; if you hate it, you’ll refuse.”

Wen Nuan took off her glasses, looking at the desktop wallpaper on her computer. It was You Jiayi dressed as her character in 《Qing Yan》, looking refined and transcendent³², like an immortal banished to the mortal world.

Very pleasing to the eye and mind³³.

“Mm, and then?”

“I want to participate in the recording,” You Jiayi clenched her fist, nervously saying, “Can you join me?”

Wen Nuan couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from turning up, “Jiayi, counting the years, we’ve known each other for five or six years. The number of times you’ve proactively made requests or asked for things from me has been zero. Is this the first time you’ve proactively opened your mouth to ask me for something?”

Wen Nuan’s identity in this world was very powerful, the heir to Xu Corporation, with a net worth starting in the tens of billions of US dollars. If she wanted to promote someone, it was simply effortless.

Unfortunately, You Jiayi was a strive-constantly-without-rest kind of girl. Even after knowing her prominent status, she only maintained private contact with her, wouldn’t flaunt their relationship, nor would she ask her for resources³⁴ or things.

On the contrary, every time Wen Nuan wanted to give the female lead some shortcut resources, she was sternly refused by the female lead.

This led to them knowing each other for so long, yet very few people knew they were friends. Even Wen Nuan’s close friend³⁵ Ren Kai didn’t know about their relationship before.

Previously, Wen Nuan often joked with You Jiayi, saying that although they were clearly ordinary friends, they lived like a couple that couldn’t see the light³⁶.

You Jiayi’s heart tightened, worried if she had overstepped, making Wen Nuan dislike her for taking an inch and wanting a foot³⁷.

“Uh, I… I…” You Jiayi panicked, speaking without order or logic.

“Don’t panic, I’m not angry. On the contrary..” Wen Nuan looked at the smiling You Jiayi on the computer desktop, her gaze softening, “…I really like your proactiveness.”

“You Jiayi, towards me, you can be more proactive.”

“I don’t dislike it.”

“I like it…”

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