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Chapter 14: Add Me on WeChat – You’re Really Something!

It hadn’t even been two months, but Zhong Yang’s opinion of Pei Yunzhe had gone through quite a transformation.

At first, she thought he was a bizarre weirdo. Then she felt he was a haughty, overbearing man with a “dad complex.” After learning his true identity, she was on edge around him.

But his later actions were unexpectedly endearing. Coupled with that handsome face and his tragic “pitiful background,” Zhong Yang couldn’t bring herself to dislike Pei Yunzhe.

Even if you ignore his inner self, good looks are an undeniable fact.

Sorry, but face-value lovers are just more forgiving toward attractive people.

At this moment, the handsome man still wore a cold, stern expression and rarely smiled. Just sitting there exuded the aura of a composed, high-ranking figure.

Zhong Yang spoke up, “I’m sorry. I was the one who brought up questions about you today, which made Boss Chen cry and caused you all this trouble.”

“No need to apologize.” Pei Yunzhe took a sip of lemon water. “He does that a lot.”

Zhong Yang quietly observed his expression but couldn’t read anything from it. “Aren’t you curious about what he told me?”

Pei Yunzhe curved his lips slightly, unfazed. “Not curious. But… Miss Zhong, you seem quite interested in me?”

He could probably guess what old, irrelevant gossip Chen Qingyue had shared, so he subtly changed the subject.

The past wasn’t some dark secret he needed to hide. It didn’t stir up any emotions for him now—more like an unsightly scar: still visible, but no longer painful.

Zhong Yang’s heart fluttered slightly. She couldn’t help but say, “Mr. Pei, you should smile more.”

Pei Yunzhe immediately erased his smile and took another sip of water. He replied seriously, “You’ve got the audition opportunity.”

Zhong Yang’s eyes lit up. “That fast? Which drama?”

“It’s not a drama. It’s a film. The director’s name is Jasper.”

“A film?! Jasper?!” Zhong Yang clapped a hand over her mouth, nearly leaping up in shock. “Mr. Pei, you’re way too powerful!”

She had only been hoping for an audition in some low-budget web series. She hadn’t even dreamed of a cable drama, and now—boom—she had a movie audition, and for Jasper, no less!

Jasper was a mystery in the entertainment world, never showing his face to the media. All people knew was that he was a Chinese youth under 25 years old, and with just three films, he had become one of the most popular young directors worldwide, with fame across multiple countries.

Zhong Yang had watched movies every day at home, both domestic and international, and the one that impressed her the most was Jasper’s Light Butterfly. She went to the cinema three times when it was released.

That movie had gotten Jasper nominated for the prestigious Festo international film award. Although he didn’t win Best Director, Zhong Yang felt he completely deserved it.

Pei Yunzhe asked, “You know Jasper?”

“Of course! I love his movies,” Zhong Yang said with awe. “Wow, I never imagined in this lifetime I’d get to audition for one of his films. I’d be over the moon just to play a minor role!”

“He’s a very talented director. Jasper will be back in China next week to begin filming his new movie. I can send you the audition script now.”

“You’re like a god to me. No one can help like you can!” Zhong Yang pressed her palms together in gratitude. “Thank you, thank you!”

As he watched the flushed excitement on her pale face and the brilliance in her sparkling eyes, Pei Yunzhe didn’t even realize he was smiling.

“How will you send me the script?” Zhong Yang was bursting with anticipation, eager to dive in immediately.

Pei Yunzhe paused for a moment. “Let’s add each other on WeChat.”

Su Mingzhu already had his contact—he didn’t see why he hadn’t added Zhong Yang yet.

“Sure!” Zhong Yang quickly pulled out her WeChat QR code. “Please scan.”

Her WeChat avatar was a cartoon gray cloud with teary eyes and a pouty face—very pitiful.

Pei Yunzhe’s avatar, on the other hand, was completely black.

【zy】 has accepted 【.】’s friend request.

After sending the script file, Pei Yunzhe put away his phone. “Tell Chen Qingyue I’m leaving.”

Zhong Yang nodded and saw him out.

She peeked into the break room to find Chen Qingyue snoring away. She quietly closed the door for him.

Sitting alone at the bar, Zhong Yang took three deep breaths before solemnly opening the file.

The movie was called Wusu. The audition script included a bit of background, character summary, and a specific scene.

The story is set on the grasslands in the 1980s. The protagonist, Jibu Chuhe, is a girl raised by her single father. Tired of a life surrounded by cattle and sheep, she longs for life in a big city.

The scene describes her secretly exchanging letters with a boy from the city, Yicheng. She gradually develops feelings for him.

Finally, after receiving another letter from him, she decides to leave the grasslands to pursue love and the life of her dreams. Fearing her father will stop her, she plans to slip away in the night.

That final night, Jibu Chuhe looks back at her childhood pony, Wusu, feeling reluctant yet determined.

Zhong Yang read the single-page script at least a hundred times. There were no lines—just descriptions. She could only mentally simulate the scenes and act them out in her mind…

To focus on the audition and the graduate school entrance exams in December, she planned to submit her resignation to Chen Qingyue later.

Her phone buzzed on the bar counter—it was a WeChat message from Su Mingzhu.

Su Mingzhu: “Xiao Yang, are you free tomorrow night? Come have dinner with me?”

zy: “I’m free, no problem!”

Whether or not someone can be a good friend often depends on chemistry. Even though they’d only met once, Zhong Yang already liked the warm and kind “big sister” vibe Su Mingzhu gave off.

Another message came.

Su Mingzhu: “What’s your address? I’ll pick you up.”

zy: “No need, I can get there myself.”

Su Mingzhu: (sends image) “No worries, Boss Pei just gifted me a car—time to break in the tires.”

The picture showed a dazzling red Porsche 911.

Zhong Yang thought once again: Pei Yunzhe is really a generous boss. Working at Pei Corporation must be a dream. So envious.

She didn’t fuss and just sent her address at Nan’an Apartment.

Su Mingzhu: “Oh hey, we live just across the street from each other! Forget breaking in the tires—let’s just meet at the Sanliang Snack Street tomorrow night.”

Zhong Yang hadn’t expected them to live so close. The next night, she threw on a hoodie and Crocs and headed out.

There were several apartment complexes near Nan’an and the tech park, so the area was bustling. Over time, a snack street had formed—Sanliang Street.

Vendors called out as they grilled food, the lights were bright, and every few steps brought a new delicious smell. The whole street was filled with a lively, comforting warmth that cut through the early autumn chill.

“Xiao Yang, over here!” Su Mingzhu waved from a barbecue stall.

Zhong Yang jogged over, smiling. “Mingzhu-jie, you’ve got great eyes.”

“It’s not my eyes—it’s that you’re too eye-catching,” Su Mingzhu teased, giving her a once-over with genuine admiration. “Even without makeup, you’re gorgeous.”

“You’re beautiful too, Mingzhu-jie. The most stunning CEO in China.” Zhong Yang playfully hooked arms with her.

“Alright, let’s cut the mutual compliments and sit.” Su Mingzhu laughed.

They found a clean table.

“Hope you don’t mind eating at a barbecue stall. Don’t think I’m stingy.”

“Of course not. Back in college, there were barbecue stalls outside the campus. That’s where the real flavor is.”

“Great, try this one. I used to come here with coworkers—it’s pretty good.”

“Wait, you and your coworkers came all the way here for barbecue?” Zhong Yang was surprised.

Nan’an was almost an hour from Pei Corporation HQ.

“I forgot to tell you—I used to be head of PR at Tuowen Tech. Just got promoted last week to CEO of Qiguang. I’m still doing the handover, so I spend most of my time at Tuowen.” She pointed toward the tech park. “Just a few steps away.”

“Ohh, I see…”

Su Mingzhu smiled with a soft sigh. “Just between us—I know nothing about the entertainment industry. When Boss Pei offered me the job, I was stunned for a good thirty seconds. But then he said something that really hit me, and I took on the challenge.”

“What did he say?” Zhong Yang asked curiously.

“He said, ‘You know perfectly well your chances for promotion at Tuowen have hit the ceiling. I’m giving you the CEO position at Qiguang—don’t disappoint me.’” She coughed and imitated Pei Yunzhe’s cold, deep voice.

Su Mingzhu was 33, unmarried, childfree, and still had the mindset of a 23-year-old. At Tuowen, she got along with all the staff.

But she hadn’t been promoted in five years. Tuowen was a tech company—no matter how good her PR numbers were, she couldn’t compete with the star engineers.

What Pei Yunzhe said hit her where it hurt. She understood and agreed, so she decided to step into a new field and break through.

Zhong Yang burst out laughing at her impression. “Jie, that sounded just like him—hahaha!”

“The staff all call him ‘Pei Bingbing’—cool and icy like a block of frozen tofu.” Su Mingzhu handed the menu to the server. “But he has his strengths: calm, smart, knows how to use people, and super generous. I haven’t even shown any results yet and he gave me a Porsche 911. Now I feel too guilty to even take a day off!”

“You’re right, Mr. Pei is a great boss.” Zhong Yang nodded in agreement, a bit sentimental. “Just look at the Nan’an dorms—Tuowen really puts effort into employee welfare.”

“Enough about Pei Bingbing. How’s the audition prep going?”

Zhong Yang sighed. “I was just reading the script earlier. All I can do is give it my best and see what happens.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll do great. And… about the contract I mentioned before—have you thought about it?”

Finally, they were getting to the main point.

From Qiguang’s perspective, Zhong Yang wasn’t the ideal candidate—she had no fame, no background, and even a poor public image.

But from the perspective of a Pei Corporation employee—Boss Pei had spoken. All she needed to do was get it done.

Although turning things around and rebranding Zhong Yang would be challenging, if she succeeded, her rewards would go far beyond just a Porsche 911.

Su Mingzhu hadn’t had high hopes at first. But the moment they met in that meeting room, a little flame was lit inside her.

Zhong Yang was genuinely beautiful. In the entertainment world, she’d stand out even as just a “pretty face.” With some cultivation, she could go far—and Su Mingzhu was confident in that.

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