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Chapter 14 – This Gossip Is Worth Eating

“Miss Yan, are you interested in my movie?”

Hu Suling got straight to the point. Unlike other dinner meetings that often start with small talk and only get to the real topic at the end, she didn’t waste any time.

“Director Hu, I’d like to fight for the opportunity,” Yan Man replied modestly. She didn’t directly say she wanted the role, but her attitude made her intentions clear.

Hu Suling made a final decision on the spot. “Alright, it’s yours.”

“…”

“It’s… settled just like that?” Yan Man asked in confusion.

It all seemed too easy. Even though she was an outsider to the film industry, she knew that usually, actors have to audition, and sometimes dozens or even hundreds compete for one role. The one who fits the character best is chosen in the end.

But she…

If it weren’t for the fact that this director was well-known and reputable, Yan Man would’ve thought this was a scam.

“Would you like to reconsider?” she asked hesitantly and sincerely.

Hu Suling laughed heartily. This was the first time she had met someone like Yan Man. Most people would be overjoyed to be handed the female lead role out of nowhere.

“No need. I’ve been observing you for over a year now.”

Over a year.

That would be when she first signed with the entertainment company as a model.

“So there’s no need to think twice. You’re the best female lead in my mind for this new film.”

This new film had been in preparation for four years. The script and scenes were all set, and the rest of the cast was mostly finalized—only the female lead was missing.

Hu Suling had auditioned around a hundred actresses, from A-list celebrities to complete unknowns who had never acted before. Not a single one satisfied her.

Until Yan Man came into the public eye.

The moment Hu Suling saw her first runway show, she already knew Yan Man was the one.

After observing her through more than a hundred shows over the past year, she contacted Yan Man’s agency and arranged this meeting.

Yan Man was a little touched. “Thank you.”

Hu Suling personally poured her a drink—not alcohol, because things are different at the table when women meet like this.

“Tell me your thoughts on the modeling industry.”

Yan Man accepted the drink with both hands. Just as she was about to speak, her phone, which was sitting on the table, lit up with a WeChat notification.

Since the phone was clearly visible, Hu Suling naturally saw it too.

She didn’t mind and spoke casually, as if they were old friends. “Go ahead, take care of it. We’re in no rush.”

Yan Man glanced at the screen and guessed it was a message from Tan Qishen.

Just two words:

Tan Qishen: Where are you

“No need.” Yan Man flipped her phone face down on the table.

“I believe modeling is a career that emphasizes strong individual personality and uniqueness…”

Yan Man spoke for a solid five minutes, never once picking up her phone.

Time passed as she and Hu Suling chatted back and forth.

The phone remained untouched.

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Meanwhile, on the second floor of ‘Luyuan’ Restaurant, in a private room reserved for VIPs…

The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and women’s perfume—it was suffocating.

Tan Qishen stood by the window, looking out toward the nearby CBD towers, holding his phone, the chat with Yan Man still on the screen.

It had been over twenty minutes since he sent “Where are you,” and she still hadn’t replied. That had never happened before.

Even if she were working, her assistant would always bring her the phone, and she would reply within two minutes, tops.

Tan Qishen frowned deeply and idly smoked a cigarette.

“Someone, go get your President Tan back. He’s standing by the window like a heartbroken husband,” joked Jiang Linjin, lounging on the couch, surrounded by curvy women.

He was talking to the women, gesturing toward Tan Qishen’s direction.

He Zong was sitting far from them, a married man unwilling to get involved with any of this. He chuckled coldly and locked eyes with Tan Qishen. “Who could be more pitiful than him?”

Tan Qishen didn’t even look at him. He just felt embarrassed.

Jiang Linjin’s eyes were still red.

Anyone who didn’t know might’ve thought it was from drinking—after all, there were over a dozen empty bottles on the table, almost all from him.

Only the two of them knew that he’d cried just a while ago.

Then he went crazy.

He invited every celebrity, hot model, and even some WWs in Beijing.

None of the women dared to move. Not a single one had the courage to approach Tan Qishen.

Most didn’t even know who he was, but one glance at his aura and fashion sense told them he wasn’t someone they could mess with.

Jiang Linjin staggered over, lit a cigarette, glanced sideways at Tan Qishen’s phone, and laughed. “Yo, even President Tan gets ignored sometimes?”

Tan Qishen resisted the urge to punch him.

Forget it—not worth fighting with a drunk.

After all, his ex had moved on without a hitch and was now pregnant.

If anyone had it worse, it was him.

“Get lost,” Tan Qishen muttered in a low, hoarse voice, taking another drag of his cigarette.

“I really admire Miss Yan. Someone needs to knock you down a peg.” Jiang Linjin, drunk, had no filter.

Tan Qishen flicked the cigarette into the ashtray and looked at He Zong. Calmly, he said, “He Zong, if I knock him out, will he remember it tomorrow?”

He sounded as casual as if asking about the weather.

“And what if he does? Is he gonna hit you back?” He Zong replied, clearly tempted to take a swing himself.

He’d been dragged here at 4 PM and had already spent four hours hopping from bar to Luyuan.

Jiang Linjin had claimed to have seen his ex, and she was visibly pregnant.

He Zong hadn’t planned on coming, but as soon as he heard that, he rushed over.

This gossip was worth it.

He arrived just in time to witness Jiang Linjin confront his ex. She told him she didn’t love him anymore and was moving on. Her current boyfriend was standing right next to her.

Jiang Linjin insisted she had played with his feelings and that he really loved her, but she left him anyway.

He even asked if the baby was his, only to get laughed at—turns out the timing didn’t match up at all.

He Zong had to drag him away before her current boyfriend threw a punch.

Jiang Linjin came to Luyuan to drown his sorrows, and He Zong called in Tan Qishen so he wouldn’t suffer alone.

Once drunk, Jiang Linjin cried so much it gave both of them a headache.

Tan Qishen unbuttoned his shirt sleeves, clearly ready to knock someone out—but just then, there was a knock at the door.

He lifted his eyes and said, “Come in.”

The manager entered with a smile, ignoring the mess in the room, and nodded to the three men. “Mr. Tan, Miss Wan was here earlier and asked you to visit the old house tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

“…One more thing.”

The manager was about to leave but suddenly remembered something his staff had told him.

“Speak.” Tan Qishen said the word lightly.

“About half an hour ago, Miss Yan arrived too—she’s in Room 202.”

There were only two private rooms on the second floor. They were in 201, so Yan Man was right next door.

Tan Qishen frowned. “Did they meet?”

“Yes. As soon as Miss Yan went in, Miss Wan came out,” the manager replied truthfully.

Tan Qishen waved him off, signaling for him to leave.

The manager quietly closed the door behind him.

After all, the room was filled with female celebrities and hot models. If word got out, it could cause quite the scandal.

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