Lei Qiu could already tell that she was getting older.

Her face was well-maintained, with delicate makeup, yet it couldn’t hide the faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

After getting into the car, she first explained the purpose of her visit.

Her tone was neither hurried nor slow, carrying the cold sharpness typical of a professional woman.

“Our station has recently partnered with Linjiang Magazine to interview a group of young entrepreneurs from Linjiang City. I have a spot available and believe Miss Jin fits perfectly. If possible, I would like to invite Miss Jin to cooperate with us.”

“Young entrepreneur, me?” Though Linjiang TV was a local station, it still held some prestige in the media industry.

Linjiang Magazine, with its official background, was also a sought-after partner.

Many would consider it a great opportunity to collaborate with them.

Jin Yaotiao had recently been pondering how to promote her upcoming Hidden Feast restaurant line, as Mingde had not previously worked with any PR outlets.

She never expected an opportunity to come knocking on her door.

She had no reason to refuse, though she found it a bit surprising: “I thought you were a friend of Mr. Cheng.”

Given Leiqiu’s position, calling her “Teacher Lei” was not inappropriate.

Leiqiu smiled calmly: “Just business dealings. Mr. Cheng invited a group of young women from our station to come here to play today, and he’s also trying to seize this opportunity.”

Jin Yaotiao asked, “Then why choose me? You don’t know me, do you?”

“I’m a few years older than you, Miss Jin, so don’t call me ‘Teacher’,” Leiqiu said, looking down and smiling, her expression a little complicated as she looked at Jin Yaotiao. “I just rarely see someone like you, and I think you’re more suitable than Mr. Cheng. You have more appeal.”

Jin Yaotiao nodded: “I see.”

Leiqiu suddenly asked, “Do you have any water?”

Jin Yaotiao found her a bottle, and Leiqiu took out a box of medicine from her bag, opened it, and took a pill with the water.

Jin Yaotiao glanced at the medicine box and noticed it was pain relief for menstruation.

Seeing Leiqiu’s legs exposed in the cold wind, she couldn’t help but frown.

Leiqiu probably noticed her disapproval. After putting the medicine away, she sighed and explained, “When you’re out in public, you have no choice but to dress formally.”

She smiled again: “As a woman, if you want to stand out among a group of men, you have to be tough on yourself. Without that toughness, how could you outcompete them?”

She had worked so hard to reach her current position, sacrificing even her family.

So what was a little physical pain to her?

Jin Yaotiao remained silent, while her cousin, Jin Sui, stared at them in a daze.

Deep inside, a sound of shattered past perceptions echoed.

---

Linjiang Broadcasting Tower, where people were rushing around everywhere.

In the makeup room, Qiao Yusi was waiting with a young female star of similar status for the makeup artist.

The young star complimented her: “Wow, Sisi, your wanderer bag is the new color for this fall and winter. I saw it the other day and couldn’t bring myself to buy it. You must be getting a lot of pay lately, huh?”

Qiao Yusi smiled modestly: “It’s just a bag, not a big deal.”

The young star enviously said, “You must have a lot of resources to be able to say that. I heard you recently filmed the MV for Ning Shun’s female lead. Wow, Ning Shun! You got that role? You’re definitely going to become a huge star soon.”

Qiao Yusi didn’t respond, her heart secretly swelling with pride, but she tried to suppress it.

After all, the other person didn’t know that the MV role wasn’t something her company got for her, but that her good friend Ning Meng had personally asked her brother Ning Shun for it.

Otherwise, with her company’s capability, there was no way they could have fought for such a coveted role.

Even though she and Ning Meng had been close friends for years, getting the role was still not easy.

After all, Ning Shun’s temper was hard to deal with.

He appeared calm on the surface, but behind the scenes, he was impatient with everyone, making her nervous throughout the entire shoot, afraid she’d be replaced if she made a mistake.

The young star couldn’t hide her envy: “Sisi, you’ve worked with Ning Shun, right? You must have a great relationship?”

Qiao Yusi smiled: “Of course.”

The young star eagerly said, “I heard Ning Shun is also coming to the broadcasting tower today to record a promo. I really like him. You two are close, can you introduce me to him? Or at least get an autograph?”

Qiao Yusi’s expression stiffened.

After a few seconds, she turned her head: “We’ll see. Who knows if we’ll run into him.”

The two waited a long time for the makeup artist, but when she still didn’t arrive, Qiao Yusi grew irritated.

She looked at her watch and sighed.

This was the treatment of an unknown, struggling actress.

Moreover, this was the prestigious Linjiang TV Station.

Even if she was being ignored, she didn’t have the confidence to explode in anger.

She could only go out with the young star to look for someone, hoping to get a staff member to help find a makeup artist.

But the station was extremely busy, and when they urged staff, they were only met with excuses.

Qiao Yusi bit her lip, holding back her anger, thinking to herself: “Wait until I become famous…”

The young star, on the other hand, remained calm.

Seeing that the makeup artist was too busy, she simply started browsing her phone.

She came across a recent local news story in Linjiang and said with some envy: “I wish I were as amazing as this Ms. Jin.”

“Who?” Qiao Yusi leaned over and was stunned when she saw that the video was of Jin Yaotiao.

She had seen this video before but had only watched a few seconds before turning it off.

At that moment, the person beside her was playing the video, commenting non-stop: “Look at her, just like us, a woman. We’re still fighting for a small role, going everywhere to drink with investors, and yet she’s so glamorous, with people around her wherever she goes.”

Qiao Yusi suddenly clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She pursed her lips and, after a while, smiled: “You’ve never seen it from the inside, so you think she’s so impressive. But she’s not as capable as you imagine. Without the man behind her supporting her, what is she?”

“Eh?” The young star was stunned. “Do you know her?”

Know her? Of course, she knew her.

The name Jin Yaotiao was like a fishbone stuck in her throat.

Before, she hadn’t thought much about it when Ning Meng was upset over Jin Yaotiao.

But after Ning Shun got involved with her, she finally understood that feeling of something lodged in her throat.

Recently, she heard that Jin Yao Tiao had finally broken up with Shen Qi Ming, and her family’s company and personal life were in turmoil.

It was truly satisfying to hear.

She said indifferently, “I’m not really sure about the details, but her family’s going through a lot of problems. It seems like she no longer has the man backing her up, and now no one’s giving her any face. Honestly, her life might not be much better than yours.”

The small celebrity looked incredulous. “Is that true?”

Just then, a large group of people passed by, talking loudly. “Oh my God! Tighten your belts! The Great Master is coming down from upstairs!”

The Great Master?

Qiao Yusi’s eyelid twitched when she heard the title and immediately realized who they were referring to.

In the high ranks of the broadcasting building, there was only one woman who could be called by that name.

She held a high position, was ruthless, and didn’t care about anyone, not even her family.

Whether they were employees at the station or small celebrities like her, when they saw this person, they had to lower their heads and be respectful.

Qiao Yusi immediately pressed herself against the wall, standing at attention.

The other minor celebrity beside her was startled and covered her mouth, looking anxiously toward the approaching group.

Sure enough, a woman in her forties with a stern expression led a large entourage down the stairs.

The Great Master had a fierce reputation, with numerous achievements under her belt.

Wherever she went, people became silent and spoke in hushed tones.

“Oh my God, why is she out here?”

“Why is she coming downstairs? Who’s in trouble today?”

Qiao Yusi hesitated for a moment.

She wanted to approach and try to chat with the Great Master.

After all, this person had a lot of resources. If she caught her attention, it would surely bring benefits.

She cautiously took a step forward but was immediately stopped by one of the assistants walking alongside the Great Master.

The assistant looked at her and didn’t recognize her.

He vaguely said, “This… miss, please step back.”

Qiao Yusi was immediately embarrassed, almost unable to meet the assistant’s gaze.

She bit her lip and awkwardly stepped back.

The minor celebrity beside her glanced at her, feeling secondhand embarrassment.

She quickly changed the topic. “Isn’t that Teacher Lei? I’ve been to the broadcasting building so many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen her in person. She’s just as impressive as they say.”

Qiao Yusi chuckled nervously. “Yeah.”

The minor celebrity continued, “Why is she making such a big scene? Is there a big shot coming?”

Qiao Yusi didn’t know, but she was also curious.

She thought for a moment, then decided to follow the group with the minor celebrity.

If a big shot was really coming, it would be a good opportunity to meet them.

The Great Master was indeed heading downstairs to meet someone.

When they reached the lobby, they saw assistants who had already arrived waiting at the entrance.

A dark-colored car slowly pulled up as the assistants confirmed the license plate number.

One of the assistants rushed forward, opening the rear door before the driver could.

The treatment.

Qiao Yusi was stunned.

This wasn’t the usual treatment given to just any celebrity.

She stared at the car door, a sense of longing rising in her chest.

Whenever she came to the broadcasting building to record a show, even the makeup artist had to queue up.

She wondered when she would ever reach such a level of treatment.

The car door opened, and the Great Master arrived just in time, a smile briefly appearing on her usually hard face as she went forward to greet the guest.

A leg stepped out, followed by the face of the person getting out…

Qiao Yusi felt as if she had been struck with a heavy blow to the head.

She froze, and the minor celebrity beside her gasped loudly. “Eh?! Isn’t that Jin Yaotiao?”

Jin Yao Tiao stepped onto the ground and saw Lei Qiu, greeting her with a smile. “Lei Jie, you’re too polite. You didn’t have to come down to greet me.”

Lei Qiu smiled and replied, “Of course, I had to. After all, you’re a young entrepreneur from Linjiang, not just some minor celebrity. How could I not give you face? And besides, you even call me ‘Jie’.”

Jin Yaotiao smiled and handed her a thermos.

Lei Qiu was surprised. “What’s this?”

“Something I made for you.” Jin Yao Tiao looked at her and noticed that Lei Qiu was once again dressed in high heels with her legs exposed.

She shook her head. “You should wear something thicker during these times.”

Lei Qiu was momentarily stunned.

She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had cared about her like that.

The faint sweet smell from the thermos reached her nose.

She hadn’t expected Jin Yao Tiao to bring her something, nor did she expect that when she had been taking medicine for menstrual pain in the car, Jin Yao Tiao had remembered and reminded her to dress warmly.

Lei Qiu had taken an interest in Jin Yao Tiao because of her unique background.

She came downstairs to greet her because Jin Yaotiao’s identity was far from ordinary compared to the typical celebrities coming to the broadcasting building.

After a moment of silence, Lei Qiu’s smile softened, and her tone became more intimate, shedding the formalities. “Got it, got it. There’s heating inside, so you don’t have to worry about the cold. Let’s go. I’ll take you upstairs. The makeup team has been waiting for a while.”

She thought for a moment, then extended her hand, awkwardly pulling Jin Yaotiao into a hug.

The staff members watching from the side were shocked, and once they left, they immediately erupted in discussion.

“Who is she? She’s got such a big face, the Great Master came down to greet her personally?”

“She’s really pretty. Is she a celebrity?”

“What are you talking about? We know all the celebrities. That’s Jin Yao Tiao, the daughter of the CEO of Mingde in Linjiang. I heard the Great Master and her team are doing an interview with young entrepreneurs recently. She must be here for that.”

“Whoa! A young entrepreneur! Impressive!”

Qiao Yusi could feel the minor celebrity beside her scrutinizing her.

She gritted her teeth, her head buzzing, wishing she could just disappear into a crack in the ground.