Chapter 13

Shen Yan stood in the corner of the elevator, tilting her chin slightly to glance at the floor numbers. But Meng Yi’an, who was over 1.8 meters tall, was blocking her view. She shifted to another corner, acting as if she didn’t know the two people in the elevator.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but this was He Han’s rare opportunity—she couldn’t let it go to waste. Blushing, she said in a soft voice, “President Meng, could I have your number?”

Meng Yi’an smelled faintly of alcohol, likely from a business dinner. He had draped his suit jacket over his arm. Hearing He Han’s request, he tugged at his collar but didn’t respond.

He Han blushed even more, unsure whether it was from embarrassment or being flustered by Meng Yi’an’s presence. Steeling herself, she tried again, “President… President Meng?”

The elevator reached the third floor, and Shen Yan silently counted the floors in her head.

Meng Yi’an glanced sideways and met Shen Yan’s gaze. She remained completely indifferent, showing no change in expression.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly before he spoke. “Aren’t you going to ask if I have a girlfriend?”

Of course, Meng Yi’an didn’t have a girlfriend. He had never been in any scandals, and despite many women chasing after him, none had even touched the hem of his suit.

He Han stammered, “President Meng, do you… do you have a girlfriend?”

Meng Yi’an retrieved a business card from his suit pocket, held it between his fingers, and handed it to He Han. His voice was cold. “No.”

With a soft ding, the elevator doors opened. Shen Yan stepped out without hesitation. As she exited, the doors closed behind her, trapping Meng Yi’an and He Han inside.

She turned back briefly and saw the elevator ascending to the third floor.

——

Inside the elevator, He Han was extremely nervous. She reached out to take Meng Yi’an’s business card, only to watch in horror as it slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground.

Slowly, Meng Yi’an pulled out a handkerchief from his suit pocket and wiped his hand, his gaze icy.

“Stay away from me,” he said coldly.

When he exited the elevator, He Han collapsed onto the floor. She quickly picked up the business card, but upon closer inspection—

It wasn’t Meng Yi’an’s card at all.

It was his assistant’s.

Shen Yan arrived at the audition venue and collected her audition number. Unfortunately, the role she was auditioning for wasn’t scheduled to go first, so even though she got an early number, she still had to wait.

The audition venue was decent, and since Shen Yan arrived early, she managed to find a seat.

Thinking about what had just happened, she wasn’t really in the mood for anything else. She simply felt that He Han was a bit foolish. Of all the things she could have done, she actually set her sights on Meng Yi’an. But Meng Yi’an was only interested in the female lead.

The venue gradually became livelier as more people arrived—some accompanied by their agents, while others came alone. If Shen Yan hadn’t arrived early, she might have ended up standing and waiting like many others.

Endless Life, the drama they were auditioning for, was funded by the Meng Group and would be broadcast on a major TV network. Because of this, many well-known actors had come for the audition. Shen Yan even spotted a popular leading actress among them.

Her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw that the Chen Fei production team had transferred her payment. The amount was enough to let her switch from eating instant noodles to dining at noodle shops. With this financial cushion, she decided not to sell her stocks just yet and hold on for a while longer—at least long enough to earn more capital for her investments.

Shen Yan had long since given up trying to understand Meng Yi’an’s personality. If he ever decided to blacklist her, she needed a backup plan. That’s why, while working hard on her entertainment career, she was also making investments to secure her future.

Zhou Ruo had been in the entertainment industry for quite a few years. The most successful artist under her management was Zheng Shu, who had now landed a third female lead role in a major TV drama. If Zheng Shu wanted, she could even star as the female lead or second lead in smaller productions.

Today, besides Zhou Ruo, other managers from their entertainment company had also come to accompany their artists to the audition. But since Zhou Ruo hadn’t accompanied Shen Yan, the other managers also decided not to stay with their artists. Instead, they went to a well-known local restaurant near the hotel for a meal.

During their conversation, Zhou Ruo learned that Wang Peng, another manager, had also brought his artist, Zheng Rou, to audition for the same role as Shen Yan. Zheng Rou had just finished playing a leading role in a web drama, which put her at a clear advantage over Shen Yan.

The managers continued chatting, and before long, the topic shifted to Shen Yan.

“Even though Shen Yan has gained some fans recently, she’s no match for Zheng Rou. Zheng Rou has strong acting skills—several directors have praised her.”

“Yeah, it looks like Shen Yan won’t get the role this time.”

“It’s fine, Zhou Jie. Just find another opportunity for her to audition.”

“I think Zheng Rou has a high chance of getting the role.”

“Zheng Rou is really good.”

Zheng Rou’s manager, Wang Peng, laughed. “She’s just getting some experience. Whether she gets the role or not doesn’t really matter.”

Hearing the conversation, Zhou Ruo started feeling regretful. Maybe she shouldn’t have brought Shen Yan here for the audition. If she had brought Zheng Shu instead, wouldn’t Zheng Shu have had a better chance?

Wang Peng tried to reassure her. “Zhou Jie, Shen Yan has great potential. She can make it big.” Although Wang Peng called her “Zhou Jie” (Big Sister Zhou) out of politeness, his current status in the industry was already higher than hers.

Zhou Ruo smiled. “I brought Shen Yan here mainly to give her some experience.”

Wang Peng replied, “But this is the time for her to work hard, not just gain experience. Didn’t she play the third or fourth female lead in a web drama? You should find her a web drama where she can play the lead role.”

Zhou Ruo countered, “Shen Yan has excellent qualities. She played the third female lead in Chen Fei only because the assistant director insisted on casting her. If we hadn’t accepted, they would have cut the role of Concubine Lan altogether. So I think Shen Yan should focus on major TV dramas rather than web dramas.”

Wang Peng laughed. “Haha, but next time, maybe choose an easier role for her to audition for.”

If Zhou Ruo had brought Zheng Shu today, she would have argued with Wang Peng to prove her point. But now, she didn’t feel confident enough to push back.

After exchanging a few more polite words with the other managers, Zhou Ruo excused herself and went to the restroom.

Before leaving, she told Shen Yan, “Make sure you do your best in the audition.” Even as she said this, she felt uncertain.

Likewise, Shen Yan responded with little confidence, because she had never intended to take this audition seriously. She couldn’t afford to be in a drama funded by Meng Yi’an. If not for the fact that Zhou Ruo had snatched this audition spot for her, she wouldn’t have even come.

Hearing Shen Yan’s response, Zhou Ruo felt that she probably wouldn’t pass the audition. All she could say was, “Try your best.”

When Zhou Ruo returned, the other managers were all convinced that Zheng Rou would get the role. Zhou Ruo suddenly had the urge to leave.

Wang Peng called out, “Zhou Jie, come back. We ordered your favorite fruit salad.”

Zhou Ruo replied, “Alright.”

As she sat down, she considered sending Shen Yan a message but ultimately decided against it. She didn’t want to make Shen Yan nervous.

Wang Peng suggested, “Since there’s nothing else to do, let’s all wait for the auditions to finish and see who gets the role. If Zheng Rou gets it, I’ll treat everyone to a meal.”

The other managers laughed and agreed. The director of Endless Life had said that casting decisions would be made immediately after the auditions, and contracts would be signed on the spot.

Wang Peng was so confident that Zheng Rou would succeed that he was already thinking about where to take everyone for dinner. He even sent Zheng Rou a message, encouraging her to do her best in the audition. Zheng Rou confidently replied that she was sure to succeed—after all, she had practiced the audition script many times.

Zhou Ruo wanted to find an excuse to leave. “Maybe I should go check on Shen Yan.”

Wang Peng stopped her. “No need. I haven’t even checked on Zheng Rou. Besides, didn’t you say you brought Shen Yan here just to give her experience?”

Zhou Ruo smiled without saying anything else.

Meanwhile, Shen Yan looked at her phone and felt a little guilty. She debated whether she should take the audition more seriously, but the thought of being in a drama funded by Meng Yi’an quickly erased that idea. No, she definitely wouldn’t take this audition seriously.

Inside the Hotel Room

Assistant Wu didn’t understand why Meng Yi’an suddenly asked about Shen Yan’s recent activities again. Since he hadn’t been keeping track, he quickly had someone look into it before reporting back: “She made some money from stocks, Chen Fei has wrapped up filming, and she’s in B City today. She’s auditioning for a supporting role in Xiangshou Rensheng.” After a pause, Assistant Wu added, “Xiangshou Rensheng is a project invested in by the Meng Group.”

Meng Yi’an said nothing and stood up.

Assistant Wu asked, “President Meng, do you want me to call the director of Xiangshou Rensheng and tell them not to cast Shen Yan?”

The last time Assistant Wu brought back the necklace, Meng Yi’an’s attitude made it clear that he despised Shen Yan. Since he disliked her so much, he probably wouldn’t want her acting in a drama funded by the Meng Group.

Meng Yi’an paused in his movement and looked at Assistant Wu, who immediately shut his mouth.

Meng Yi’an said, “Tell the director of Xiangshou Rensheng that I’ll be attending this audition.”

Typically, investors would send representatives for a symbolic presence at auditions. Meng Yi’an had never attended any before, so his decision to go in person was unusual. Assistant Wu assumed it was because he didn’t want Shen Yan to get the role.

Assistant Wu quickly responded, “Understood,” and picked up his phone to contact the director of Xiangshou Rensheng.