Chapter 23

Tang Qian was so angry that he left cursing.

After leaving the gate of Sanyan Technology, Tang Qian called his girlfriend, who was the president, to complain.

“That’s the situation. Shen Mingyou is really going too far,” Tang Qian said, feeling aggrieved. “Jingjing, you must make the decision for me.”

A pleasant yet slightly cold female voice came from the other end of the phone. She asked, “What did Shen Mingyou say to you?”

Tang Qian stammered and couldn’t answer.

“Speak.” The voice on the other end sounded slightly impatient.

Tang Qian, afraid she might be angry, quickly said, “She called me ugly!”

“And…” Tang Qian added, “She also called me stupid!”

“…” Lin Jing frowned slightly at this childish quarrel and assessed fairly: “Shen Mingyou is right. You are indeed stupid.”

Tang Qian: “…”

“But Shen Mingyou was wrong about one thing,” Lin Jing said. “You are very beautiful. Shen Mingyou said you are ugly, but that’s just her poor taste.”

“Stupid beauty” was how Lin Jing objectively described Tang Qian.

Tang Qian felt a bit comforted. Even though his girlfriend thought he was stupid, she at least found him attractive.

“Do you think there’s something wrong with Sanyan Technology? I was willing to endorse them for free, but they chose Shen Mingyou instead,” Tang Qian said. “I don’t understand why Zhao Yan, the founder of Sanyan Technology, is so protective of her.”

Lin Jing replied, “Don’t make wild guesses. Shen Mingyou is Zhao Yan’s biological sister. If he doesn’t protect his own sister, why would he protect an outsider like you?”

Tang Qian was surprised. “They are siblings? I had no idea Shen Mingyou had any connection with the Zhao Group.”

Tang Qian usually follows Lin Jing around and knows some wealthy families’ affairs. He knew Zhao Yan was the son of Chairman Zhao of the Zhao Group, but Zhao Yan did not work in his father’s company. Instead, he founded Sanyan Technology himself. Among the younger generation of wealthy families, he is quite notable.

“Do you know who Shen Mingyou’s husband is?” Lin Jing asked coldly, then dropped a bombshell: “Shen Mingyou’s husband is Jiang Chen.”

“…” Tang Qian exclaimed, “Jiang Chen from Lingyu Capital?!”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Jingjing, I shouldn’t have lost my temper and offended Shen Mingyou. What should I do now? I’m worried Shen Mingyou’s husband might ban me. I’m so scared!”

Lin Jing asked, “Do you know who I am?”

Tang Qian didn’t understand the sudden question but answered seriously: “You are Lin Jing, the female president of the Lin Group.”

Tang Qian’s voice became softer as he added shyly: “You are also Tang Qian’s girlfriend.”

“…” Lin Jing said, “I am still Shen Mingyou’s best friend.”

Even though they were best friends years ago, best friends are still best friends. You can’t let others bully her just because you have no current contact, even if that person is your boyfriend.

“If you offend Shen Mingyou, it’s like offending Zhao Yan, Jiang Chen, and me at the same time,” Lin Jing said with a unique coldness. “Apologize to Shen Mingyou. Don’t come to me until you do.”

Then she hung up the phone.

“…” Tang Qian stood there dazed, holding his cell phone.

After Shen Mingyou returned home, she remembered what she had said about Tang Qian that made him hold a grudge against her for so long and refuse the endorsement fee of tens of millions just to make her apologize.

Shen Mingyou’s aesthetic taste aligns more with Jiang Chen’s. She prefers handsome men with a heroic spirit. 

Tang Qian was too fair and delicate for her taste, and she had no interest in this kind of pretty boy. However, her former best friend was particularly attracted to Tang Qian’s looks, and they had even argued over their differing aesthetic tastes.

Shen Mingyou was not really angry with Tang Qian; it was just that five years ago, when they were filming together, Shen Mingyou was in a bad mood. Tang Qian kept trying to discuss acting with her, even though everyone knew Shen Mingyou lacked acting skills. After Shen Mingyou tried to handle him several times, she ended up scolding him harshly for being ugly and stupid.

Tang Qian had remembered this incident for years.

Now, Shen Mingyou received a message on WeChat from Lin Jing, her former best friend, whom she hadn’t spoken to in almost six years.

Lin Jing: [I heard that you bullied my boyfriend.]

Shen Mingyou was surprised to get such a message after so long. She replied: [Who is your boyfriend?]

Lin Jing: [Tang Qian.]

Shen Mingyou: [Your taste hasn’t improved.]

Lin Jing: [Compared to your Jiang Chen, my taste is better.]

Shen Mingyou: [I didn’t bully him; he tried to bully me but failed.]

Lin Jing: [I’ll ask him to apologize to you, but you also need to apologize to him for calling him ugly.]

Shen Mingyou: [Why? He’s ugly. I was right to scold him.]

Lin Jing: [He’s good-looking.]

Shen Mingyou: [Ugly.]

Shen Mingyou decided to stop discussing this with Lin Jing. It felt childish, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself.

Jiang Chen, who saw Shen Mingyou looking at her phone, asked, “Who are you talking to?”

Shen Mingyou asked him if he knew Lin Jing.

Jiang Chen: “She’s the president of Lin Group and works with Lingyu Capital. She’s a formidable opponent in business. There are no permanent friends or enemies in business.”

Shen Mingyou was unaware of Lin Jing’s recent rise to power or the rumors about her.

Jiang Chen explained that Lin Jing took control of Lin Group from her family and has been ruthless in business.

Shen Mingyou said, “She’s still my best friend, even if we haven’t talked in years.”

Jiang Chen was surprised by Shen Mingyou’s connections but didn’t comment further. He then turned to Nian Nian, who was playing on the carpet, and told her to rest her eyes.

The next day, Shen Mingyou visited Xingchen Entertainment.

Geng Feng had sold his last house to invest in Xingchen Entertainment, hoping to revive it. Today, they were signing a new artist recommended by Shen Mingyou.

The artist was Lin Simeng, who had impressed Shen Mingyou with her acting in “Hello, President.” Though still developing, Lin Simeng showed great potential.

Lin Simeng read the contract and, trusting Shen Mingyou, signed it without hesitation.

Geng Feng asked if she wanted to think about it more.

Lin Simeng replied, “No need,” and handed over the signed contract.

Geng Feng was pleased that the newcomer trusted him and said, “Si Meng, thanks for your trust in me and Xingchen Entertainment. I promise I’ll make you a big star soon—no, a super star. We’ll make lots of money together and enjoy good food and drinks, haha.”

Lin Simeng smiled politely but awkwardly at Geng Feng, feeling that his promises sounded like those made by scammers. It didn’t seem very reliable.

“Okay, stop making empty promises. It’s more important to get things done,” Shen Mingyou said, standing up after the contract was signed. She took Nian Nian’s hand and prepared to leave for her appointment with Shen Mingzhang in the cafe downstairs.

Geng Feng, noticing her hurry, followed her closely, saying, “Mingyou, why the rush? I still need to ask you something.”