Chapter 650: A Million Times for You (12)Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“You… what are you saying? Who the heck are you!?!” the director bellowed, glowering at her.
An Xiaoning removed her mask casually and answered, “Just a pa.s.serby.”
The director’s initial fury vanished without a trace upon the sight of her face. “Turns out… it’s Ms. An. I was just kidding, I didn’t bully her,” he hurriedly explained himself.
“I’m not blind, I can tell whether or not you bullied her.” An Xiaoning then asked Fang Erlan, “What role do you play in the drama?”
“I’m the eighth female supporting character,” Fang Erlan said in surprise, well aware of who An Xiaoning was.
“Did you sign a contract with the production team?”
“No.”
“Pack your belongings and come with me,” An Xiaoning said calmly.
“Alright.” It had never occurred to Fang Erlan that she would one day meet her greatest benefactor, An Xiaoning, in such a place.
Fang Erlan remained silent throughout the walk back to the hotel together with An Xiaoning.
Once they reached the hotel, An Xiaoning instructed Fang Erlan to take a warm shower.
An Xiaoning then scrutinized Fang Erlan from head to toe after she came out of the shower.
Although she was not exactly gorgeous, she was rather pleasant-looking and able to withstand careful appreciation.
She exuded the aura of a pretty girl from a humble family.
She was extremely easy on the eyes.
“Come sit down here,” said An Xiaoning, patting the spot beside her.
Fang Erlan sat down politely and said, “Thank you, Ms. An.”
“Don’t mention it. Is your name Fang Erlan?”
“Yes.”
“How old are you this year?”
“Twenty-three years old.”
“Which inst.i.tution did you graduate from?” An Xiaoning asked with raised brows.
“The Theater Arts Academy.”
An Xiaoning nodded and said, “If given the chance, would you be willing to sign an artiste contract with my studio?”
“Of course I am. I’m willing even if I’m not getting paid,” Fang Erlan exclaimed with joy and surprise written all over her face.
An Xiaoning did not expect her to be so straightforward and decisive. “Only capitalists would expect you to work for free. I’m no capitalist. Okay, in this case, come with me to A City tomorrow.”
“Sure.”
There were two beds in the room. Fang Erlan could not fall asleep at all that night.
She was both caught by surprise and overjoyed and found that An Xiaoning seemed to be different from what the netizens made her out to be.
Fang Erlan stayed up, wide awake for the rest of the night for she was too excited to fall asleep.
An Xiaoning woke up to find that Fang Erlan was sitting on the bed, already dressed in her outfit for the day. An Xiaoning burst into laughter and asked, “Why are you up so early?”
“I didn’t sleep at all last night. This feels just like a dream. Sis, thank you so much.”
An Xiaoning looked at her in astonishment, appalled to see how agitated she was. “How could you go without any sleep? Take a nap on the plane later after breakfast.”
“Yes, alright.”
Mei Yangyang came over with the contract personally and successfully signed Fang Erlan as their first artiste.
After the contract was signed, Mei Yangyang pulled An Xiaoning aside and remarked, “Sis, you’re offering her too much and paying her way too well for a newbie.”
“You would need sincerity to buy someone’s loyalty and genuine efforts. No one would slog their guts out for you willingly if you don’t pay them enough and provide them with necessary incentives,” said An Xiaoning.
Mei Yangyang gave her a thumbs-up and said, “You’re the brainy one, indeed. I think she’s rather pretty, actually. She’ll be a ravis.h.i.+ng beauty once we put some makeup on her.”
“Yes, we should never share our benefits with outsiders. I plan to make her the female lead of the drama.”
“That works too. Does Lin Mingxi agree to it?”
“I’ve informed her and Yan Ge about it, though Yan Ge is still rather apprehensive about working with a newbie. So, do search for a professional acting coach to give her some tips and guidance. Try your best to make Yan Ge get rid of his doubtful att.i.tude during the audition.”
“Got it.”
An Xiaoning stretched her back and said, “Since there’s nothing else, let’s get back to what we’re each supposed to be doing. I don’t have to worry much about the television drama now. How are preparations for the studio going?”
“It’s been settled. I’ve recruited a few employees, and I’m looking to poach some behind-the-scene workers from large entertainment companies. They’re definitely going to be an a.s.set to our team.”
“I knew I could count on you. I was supposed to have a dinner of hotpot with Beicheng and Mingxi last evening, but it was postponed to this evening instead. I’m really craving some,” said An Xiaoning.
“We haven’t had a meal together in a long time too. Come over to my place someday.”
An Xiaoning smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t forget about you.”
——
“Madam, there are still no news so far.”
“A bunch of idiots! You can’t even find one person. What did I even hire you for!?!” s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu hollered, grimacing in exasperation while standing in the secret chamber.
Her subordinates dared not utter a single word and instead hung their heads low, standing with their backs as straight as a ruler.
“What’s the situation with An Xiaoning lately?”
“An Xiaoning has recently invested in the production of an upcoming television drama series. Besides, she had also gone twice to visit an elderly fortune-telling lady in Beijia Bay, once with the Xu family and the other by herself. I have no idea what she went there for.”
After a moment of silence, s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu instructed, “Okay. I’ll call you again when I have new orders for you guys. Continue to find out about s.h.i.+ Qingzhou’s whereabouts and report to me immediately once you have a lead.”
“Yes.”
She paced up the stairs slowly and exited the secret chamber, followed by her room.
She appeared relaxed and at ease, as if she hadn’t been screeching and seething in fury just minutes ago.
As she exited, the bodyguard immediately whispered into her ear, after which she instantly beamed with joy. “Really?” she asked.
“Absolutely, without a doubt. It’s the latest update I’d just received. Mr. President is currently in the midst of an election meeting. I believe we’ll know the results by today.”
“Got it.” s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu began smiling smugly.
Her greatest wish was for her son to one day gain more votes than her husband and win the presidential election.
Only then can she have the power and rights to do what she had always wanted but never dared to before.
Things would be different once her husband hands the authority over to her son.
Since she had two sons, she would be pleased to have either of them become the next president, be it Tuoba Gucheng or Tuoba Hancheng.
Either way, both of them were still her sons, weren’t they?
Her fury instantly vanished at this very moment. s.h.i.+ Qingzhou’s escape had initially sunk her spirits, for she feared that s.h.i.+ Qingzhou would one day appear in front of Tuoba Rui and tell him about all the misdeeds she had done. Yet, to her surprise, there was about to be a major political change in the nation.
s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu had been disgruntled and ill at ease ever since the day she found out that An Xiaoning had managed to reach adulthood by chance and achieved the success that had gotten her to where she was today.
In other words, An Xiaoning was just like a thorn in her flesh.
Her husband’s constant protection over An Xiaoning hindered her from getting rid of the latter.
s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu felt that An Xiaoning was a ticking time bomb that she needed to get rid of as soon as possible, along with s.h.i.+ Qingzhou, lest she never gets the chance to annihilate them in the future.
It was only the beginning of an exciting show.
While she was deep in her thoughts, her mobile phone began to ring all of a sudden.
s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu took a look at the caller display, stunned to see that there was no number displayed.
“h.e.l.lo.”
A familiar, menacing laughter filled her ears. s.h.i.+ Xiaoyu returned inside her bedroom and shrieked under her breath, “s.h.i.+ Qingzhou!”