Chapter 94: The Farmer and the Snake

“Hello, Miss Jiang. I’m Zhang Lan, Ji Tong’s former manager.” The elegantly dressed woman smiled gracefully.

Former manager.

The position was made quite clear.

“It seems Miss Zhang and Ji Tong have settled their matters.”

Jiang Mi didn’t show much surprise, as if she had expected Zhang Lan to arrive.

Zhang Lan’s smile remained, but her sharp eyes grew noticeably colder, “Everything has been settled very clearly, with no lingering attachments!”

Jiang Mi responded with a simple “mm,” and the two of them went to the study.

Lu Yu, who had come to visit the grand villa, touched her chin in curiosity, “It feels like they know each other and must have worked on something significant together?”

Gu Chuan remained silent, his eyes even deeper and more enigmatic than usual.

Lu Yu’s observation was both right and wrong.

The two were not exactly acquainted.

Zhang Lan had helped the original actress a couple of times when she first started out, but the original actress did not appreciate it. Zhang Lan had even criticized her for being blind and deaf, unable to distinguish genuine affection from false pretenses.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Lan, who had been navigating the entertainment industry for years, fell for a novice’s tricks, as foolishly unable to tell true feelings from false.

Just as older men are drawn to youthful and fresh girls, older women are also attracted to young and handsome men.

Especially when the young man intentionally flirts, Zhang Lan quickly fell for it, promoting him vigorously and helping him achieve fame.

But the story did not end with a happy ever after like in fairy tales. Instead, it was more like the tale of the farmer and the snake.

The top star, who had become famous, had no interest in an older woman, using cold violence and various tactics to push Zhang Lan away, all to pursue his true love.

“Ji Tong has always loved Bai Ruoruo, obsessively and crazily, to the point of being willing to listen to her and seduce an older woman like me just to get more resources beneficial to Bai Ruoruo.”

Zhang Lan seemed to find this amusing, her stern features taking on a hint of mockery.

Jiang Mi lightly smiled, “That is indeed Bai Ruoruo’s method. What are you planning to do now?”

Zhang Lan’s voice grew colder and more hateful.

“If Ji Tong was trying to seduce me for his own career, I might have spared him. But since he did it all for Bai Ruoruo, a white lotus, it disgusts me. I won’t let him off. I want him to be ruined and disgraced!”

Jiang Mi nodded, then shook her head.

Zhang Lan furrowed her brow, “Miss Jiang, do you think I’m being too harsh?”

Jiang Mi smiled, her eyes softening, the sparkle in her peach blossom eyes dancing with a slight flicker of the small black mole at the corner of her eye.

Yet, this alluring beauty brought a chilling sense of dread.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice cool and shallow.

“I just think you’re not harsh enough.”

The betrayal of someone you care about should not only lead to their disgrace but also make them suffer immensely, wishing they were dead!

But if it’s someone deeply loved, after exacting severe revenge, one should forever imprison them, tormenting each other in a tormenting embrace until death!

The image of Gu Chuan’s cold and handsome face suddenly flashed before Jiang Mi’s eyes, making the mole at the corner of her eye come to life.

“Miss Jiang?” Zhang Lan was increasingly perplexed, noticing Jiang Mi’s shifting expressions from coldness to a seductive smile.

Jiang Mi waved her hand, not wanting to elaborate further.

Zhang Lan, self-aware, didn’t probe further. Her main purpose was not just to deal with Ji Tong but also to discuss a potential collaboration with Jiang Mi.

“Miss Jiang, I’ve heard you’re setting up your own studio. What do you think of me as a manager?”

“Ten years as a manager, with a double Golden Actress, an actor, and two top celebrities under your belt, you’re a renowned top manager in the industry. Miss Zhang, the real question should be why you chose me.”

Jiang Mi’s smile faded slightly, and her voice was calm, yet it put immense pressure on Zhang Lan.

It was as though she was facing not a novice who had just entered the entertainment industry two years ago, with a reputation in tatters and confidence shattered, but a queen at the pinnacle of the industry, with absolute self-confidence and dominance, proud, sharp, and perceptive.

Zhang Lan’s response shifted, and she spoke candidly.

“Originally, it was out of gratitude. If I hadn’t seen you tear apart the scumbag Bai Ruoruo on that dating show, I might still be trapped in Ji Tong’s web, unable to escape. Since you dislike Bai Ruoruo as much as I do, I wanted to work with you to deal with her.”

“But now, there’s another reason for wanting to collaborate with you. I want to help you reach the peak.”

Jiang Mi looked at Zhang Lan.

Zhang Lan unconsciously straightened her back, beads of sweat forming.

After a moment, Jiang Mi smiled, “Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation.”

“Pleasant cooperation.”

Zhang Lan finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling oddly that Jiang Mi was vastly different from the naive girl of two years ago. It was as if she was dealing with two completely different people!

However, she had to admit, this Jiang Mi was more mysterious and captivating.

Moreover, she had an instinct that collaborating with Jiang Mi would undoubtedly take her career to new heights.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Lan presented her first token of sincerity.

“‘Misty Butterfly.’ The film has already been shot and edited, but the fourth lead actress was recently exposed in a scandal, and all her scenes have been removed. Director Donghua is urgently looking for someone to fill the role…”

Before Zhang Lan could finish, Jiang Mi had already agreed.

Zhang Lan was stunned, “I thought you would refuse. After all, you’re now famous from the dating show, and this film isn’t a major production, and the role is just the fourth lead.”

“Fame and popularity are fleeting. The work is what truly matters. And…”

Jiang Mi opened the script, coincidentally landing on a scene where the fourth lead, Qiluo, masquerades as a dancer and ends up in a military officer’s bed to gather information…

She snapped the script shut, smiling, “Does this film mind if I invest in the production?”

Zhang Lan was puzzled, “The film is already shot. What investment? Even though it’s the fourth lead, the character is dynamic, and the storyline is complete. A good performance would definitely stand out.”

Jiang Mi nodded seriously, “No investment in the production, but bringing in talent is acceptable.”

Zhang Lan: “…….”

The two continued discussing subsequent developments and strategic planning before Zhang Lan left first, and Jiang Mi followed.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Gu Chuan waiting.

Jiang Mi smiled and reported obediently, “I just hired Zhang Lan as my manager.”

Gu Chuan, recalling recent news about Zhang Lan and Ji Tong, frowned slightly, “Ji Tong, she did it on purpose.”

On the official live broadcast of the show, she had publicly called out the artist, leading to the exposure of untimely remarks.

Zhang Lan had essentially played a significant role in Ji Tong’s downfall.

Such a person might be too dangerous to have around Jiang Mi.

“If it weren’t intentional, I wouldn’t have hired her as a manager,” Jiang Mi tilted her head slightly, her bright eyes shimmering.

Gu Chuan suddenly smiled, the curve indulgent and affectionate, “As long as you’re happy.”

His honey was not a delicate flower in a greenhouse, unable to withstand the slightest bit of adversity.

Instead, she was more like a carnivorous plant, actively hunting prey.

“I’m very happy. This manager suits my tastes.”

Her preferences matched Jiang Mi’s own style of operation.

And the scripts she brought matched her taste even more.

Jiang Mi took Gu Chuan’s arm and led him to the study. “There’s something you can help me with.”