Chapter 15

The atmosphere grew awkward. Wang Peng was convinced that it had to be a different Shen Yan with the same name. He quickly said, “Sister Zhou, shouldn’t Shen Yan change her name? Sharing a name with someone else in the entertainment industry isn’t ideal, right?”

Zheng Rou added, “Your name is Shen Yan too?” Then she continued, “I think my agent has a point.”

Since they were in front of so many agents, it was best to go along with Wang Peng’s suggestion.

What were they even talking about? Why were they suddenly discussing changing her name?

Shen Yan was still trying to piece everything together.

Zhou Ruo also didn’t believe that Shen Yan had actually passed the audition, but she still whispered, “Yanyan, did you really land Director Wu’s drama?”

Hearing this, Shen Yan’s mood sank. Seeing her reaction, Wang Peng became even more convinced that this was just a case of a shared name. He was about to smile when, in the next moment, Shen Yan responded with a simple “Mm.”

Wang Peng: “……” If you really passed the audition, even if you’re introverted, shouldn’t you at least look a little happy? What’s with this gloomy mood? Have you considered that other people didn’t even get the chance to audition?

Zheng Rou stared straight at Shen Yan. “So, you’re the one with connections who got the role?”

Connections? What connections? With Meng Yi’an?

Shen Yan sighed. “No connections. I got in based on my looks.” Then, remembering the contract, she added, “Sister Zhou, we need to go sign the contract later.”

Once it was signed, she would officially be part of the drama Cherished Life, funded by Meng Yi’an.

Zhou Ruo chuckled and patted Shen Yan on the back. “You guys don’t know this, but Yanyan was worried about a conflict with an audition for a talent show. She thought if she got the role, she wouldn’t be able to participate. But see? I already told you—there’s no schedule conflict.”

Hearing this, Shen Yan forced a smile. “Mm, no conflict.”

The other agents had been looking for some excitement, but all they saw was Shen Yan acting reluctant about taking on a role in Cherished Life.

Wang Peng could no longer keep up even a fake smile. “Kid, if you passed the audition, why didn’t you tell us when you got here?”

Before Shen Yan could respond, Zhou Ruo quickly stepped in, “She’s just low-key. Since Yanyan got the role, I’ll treat you all to a meal.”

The other agents looked at Zhou Ruo with envy. Shen Yan actually passed the audition—just with her looks.

Wang Peng was still bitter, but there was nothing he could say. Shen Yan had gotten the role fair and square. In the face of real ability, all bragging was meaningless.

Wang Peng secretly vowed that next time, he would make sure to win back his pride.

The other agents immediately switched their attitudes and started showering Shen Yan with compliments.

To maintain surface-level camaraderie, Wang Peng had no choice but to join in. But every word of praise felt like a stab to his heart.

Zheng Rou, on the other hand, couldn’t even bring herself to talk to Shen Yan anymore. She could only stay silent.

After treating the other agents to a meal, Zhou Ruo took Shen Yan to sign the contract. Fortunately, Meng Yi’an hadn’t stayed at the audition site for long, so Shen Yan didn’t have to face him.

When they stepped out after signing, there were still many actors lined up waiting for their auditions.

“President Meng is here!”

“I know, but it seems like he only watched a few auditions before leaving.”

“I caught a glimpse of his side profile earlier—he looks even better in person than in financial magazines. I’m totally mesmerized by his face.”

Zhou Ruo turned to Shen Yan, curious. “Yanyan, was President Meng there when you auditioned?”

Shen Yan replied, “Yeah, but I was too nervous to get a good look at him.”

Since Shen Yan had helped Zhou Ruo gain quite a bit of face today, Zhou Ruo’s attitude toward her had softened even more. She now looked at Shen Yan with increasing satisfaction.

Zhou Ruo remarked, “Meng Yi’an may look like a refined nobleman, but he’s ruthless. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to establish himself in the Meng Corporation so quickly after returning to the family.” She glanced at Shen Yan before continuing, “A lot of female celebrities are trying to win him over. After all, he’s a high-value bachelor with good looks. But don’t be foolish, okay?”

Shen Yan replied, “Sister Zhou, what are you even thinking?”

Trying to win over Meng Yi’an? Impossible.

Zhou Ruo warned, “A family like the Mengs… Even if Meng Yi’an likes someone, it has to be someone from a matching background. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to marry in.”

Shen Yan chuckled. “Yeah, you need to be well-matched.”

Zhou Ruo nodded. “As long as you understand. Oh, and I heard that the Meng family is pushing for him to go on blind dates soon.”

Shen Yan was already aware of this. The Meng family had made her an offer, hoping she would cause trouble so that Meng Yi’an would completely despise her and agree to their arranged marriage.

And the woman they were setting him up with? She was actually the female supporting character in this novel.

Everything in the story was progressing as it originally had—except for Shen Yan herself. She just needed to stay far away from the plot and make sure she had nothing to do with it.

Shen Yan said, “Sister Zhou, I’m not thinking about dating right now.”

Zhou Ruo became even more pleased. A female celebrity’s golden years in the industry were only a few short years. Unless she became an entertainment legend, she would eventually decline. Right now was Shen Yan’s time to fight for success, and Zhou Ruo didn’t want her wasting it on romance. Shen Yan had great potential, but her career had been delayed before because of dating.

The Cherished Life production team was quite generous. As soon as Shen Yan signed the contract, they transferred her payment to the agency. The agency, in turn, quickly sent Shen Yan her share.

Compared to Noble Consort Shen, Cherished Life was on an entirely different level—whether in terms of cast, pay, or production quality. Though Shen Yan’s role was a supporting character, she had plenty of screen time, and her pay was triple what she had earned from Noble Consort Shen.

Although Shen Yan didn’t receive her full payment yet and only got a third of it—part of which was taken by her agency—she still found it quite satisfactory.

Looking at her earnings, Shen Yan decisively invested all of it in stocks. She planned to make some profit first and wait for her next investment opportunity.

Focused on making money, Shen Yan completely forgot about the drama she was set to star in, which was funded by Meng Yian.

Wang Peng looked at Zheng Rou with a stern expression. “Look at Shen Yan—she used to play a minor role in a web drama, but now she’s already landed a supporting role in a primetime TV series. And then look at you.”

Zheng Rou defended herself, “I never even got the chance to audition.”

Wang Peng scoffed, “Zhou Ruo mentioned some audition selection. I don’t know exactly what it is, but if it’s important enough for Shen Yan to turn down Cherished Life, then it must be a big opportunity. Try to get close to her and find out. We’ll join in too.”

He didn’t want to ask Zhou Ruo directly, so he relied on Zheng Rou to gather intel from Shen Yan.

Zheng Rou immediately agreed, then suddenly thought of something. “Oh, I saw He Han today.”

Wang Peng frowned. “Who’s He Han?”

“She’s another artist under Sister Zhou. I don’t know why, but she didn’t seem quite right.”

“I’ve never even heard of her. Don’t bother.”

Hearing this, Zheng Rou didn’t press the issue. She had only met He Han a few times. When she ran into her today, she assumed He Han was there to audition for Cherished Life and even asked about it.

Frowning slightly, Zheng Rou decided it had nothing to do with her and dismissed the thought.

After returning to the hotel, Shen Yan freshened up and was about to sleep when she was startled awake by a loud noise from the room next door.

The voice sounded familiar—like Zhou Ruo’s.

Pulling off her blanket and slipping into her slippers, Shen Yan stepped out. As she approached Zhou Ruo’s room, she could hear yelling inside. The voice belonged to He Han.

Shen Yan wasn’t interested in eavesdropping on other people’s business and was about to leave when she suddenly heard her own name being mentioned. She stopped in her tracks.

“It’s all because of Shen Yan, isn’t it?!”

Inside the room, He Han, her eyes red, glared at Zhou Ruo. “You’re playing favorites! Ever since Shen Yan landed the role of Consort Lan, you’ve been biased toward her. You said in the last meeting that aside from focusing resources on Zheng Shu, you’d treat everyone else equally. But now? If this isn’t favoritism, what is it?!”

He Han had no upcoming jobs and wasn’t even sure if she had offended Meng Yian earlier. She was on the verge of breaking down.

“I don’t mind that you’re giving resources to Zheng Shu—she’s popular. But weren’t the remaining resources supposed to be split among us? Weren’t auditions meant to be open to everyone?”

Zhou Ruo’s expression was stern. “Are you done making a scene?”

He Han let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not making a scene. I’m just stating the facts. Why did you personally recommend Shen Yan for the audition? And why did you even accompany her here?”

Zhou Ruo rubbed her temples. She had thought He Han was sensible when she signed her, but why was she being so unreasonable now? Even if she had let He Han audition, could He Han have landed the role?

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Ruo said, “If that’s how you feel, I’ll request a new manager for you. I’ll call the company now.” She picked up her phone to make the call.

He Han sneered, “Fine, go ahead. Get me a new manager!”

Hearing this, Shen Yan finally understood what was happening. But He Han was usually rational—was she acting out because of the incident in the elevator with Meng Yian?

She couldn’t quite figure it out. Just as she turned to leave, she saw Meng Yian standing there, watching her with an amused expression.

Shen Yan had forgotten—Meng Yian was also staying at this hotel.

She tried to walk past him and head back to her room, but Meng Yian was faster. His long fingers reached out and pulled the door handle, shutting her room door.

She had rushed out without taking her keycard or phone.

Standing so close together, Shen Yan kept her gaze lowered, making it hard to read her expression. After a moment, she tried to step past him, but Meng Yian caught her wrist.

“Shen Yan, are you feeling guilty?”