Chapter 53: Promote Him

"Hmph, you still won't admit it." Jin Yueyun puffed her cheeks in annoyance and glared at Ye Qiu. "If you're not the Seraph, then why did you appear at the entrance of the bar?"

"I was there for business negotiations."

"What kind of business?"

"That's confidential. With your current number of fans, you're not qualified to know." Ye Qiu pinched her round, chubby cheeks. "Little pudgy girl, hurry up and get to work. The company is about to arrange a supporting actress role for you in a new drama, and they'll also hire an acting coach for you. You'd better show some ambition."

"Supporting actress?" Jin Yueyun blinked, curious and adorably clueless. "Who's playing the lead?"

"It hasn't been decided yet."

This drama was meant to promote Jin Yueyun, so her role as the supporting actress was settled first, while the lead was still under consideration.

"Manager Ye, can I make a small request?"

"Go ahead."

"Are there any roles with more lines?"

"You want Peach to play one?"

Jin Yueyun had barely opened her mouth, but Ye Qiu already knew what she was thinking.

"Mm." Jin Yueyun nodded slightly and leaned forward, speaking cautiously. "Sister Peach is actually really good. If she could appear on screen, maybe she could regain some of her former popularity. You don't know how tough this past year has been for her."

"I'll discuss it with the film department."

"Oh."

Peach felt rather dispirited; Ye Qiu's answer clearly meant he didn't want to help, otherwise it would have been settled with just a word.

"Alright, you go out for now."

"Hmph."

Jin Yueyun scrunched her nose in indignation. This guy was getting too full of himself, actually telling her to leave.

At the door, Jin Yueyun turned back and cast Ye Qiu a deep, meaningful glance.

Not admitting, are you?

Just wait and see what I can do.

"This little pudgy girl, don't tell me she's planning another one of her schemes."

Ye Qiu shook his head helplessly and immediately dialed George's number. "George, come to the group headquarters. And bring that Spie with you."

He had just finished the call when another knock sounded at his office door.

"Little pudgy girl, you... Peach, is there something you need?"

Peach stood timidly at the threshold, wanting to say something but seeming uncertain.

"Hmm?"

"Ye Qiu, are you free tonight?" Peach walked in slowly, gently closed the door behind her, and looked at Ye Qiu nervously. "I—I wanted to invite you to dinner, to thank you for saving me before."

"No need. I was just passing by."

Peach hadn't expected Ye Qiu to refuse so bluntly. She pressed her lips together and silently turned to leave.

Not long after, the office door was pushed open again.

Jin Yueyun stormed in, cheeks puffed with anger. "Ye Qiu, what did you do to my Sister Peach? Why did she leave your office wiping her tears?"

"How should I know?" Ye Qiu's expression darkened. "And why didn't you knock before coming in?"

"It must be something you did to her! Why else would she be crying so heartbreakingly?" Jin Yueyun, furious, rushed at him. "I thought you were a gentleman, different from all those bad guys, but turns out you're just a hypocrite!"

"Little pudgy girl, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want." Ye Qiu waved his hand impatiently. "You'd better get your facts straight, or I'll lose my temper."

Ye Qiu's fierce expression startled Jin Yueyun; he really was terrifying when upset.

"Hmph, I'll ask Sister Peach myself. If I find out you made her cry, you'd better watch out!"

Jin Yueyun stormed off, leaving Ye Qiu bewildered.

It was just a refusal for a meal—how did it end in tears?

Women are truly hard to deal with.

He thought, if the shrine maiden came to him crying, he'd probably slap her and loudly declare that tears are the most useless thing.

These young girls at home are really spoiled.

"Manager Ye, this is the director of our film department."

Le Xuesong entered with the film department's director, a woman in her thirties. Heavy makeup, revealing clothes—if not for moral constraints, she probably wouldn't bother with even a scrap of fabric. Her drooping, sharp eyes betrayed a mean and acrid temperament.

She plopped herself in the chair opposite and immediately said, "Manager Ye, I believe we need to cast a young idol for this drama to guarantee ratings. I think Du Xi would be perfect."

Du Xi wasn't unfamiliar to Ye Qiu; hiring him would just be throwing money away.

Ye Qiu looked at Le Xuesong in confusion.

What was with this woman?

She was even more aggressive than him.

Le Xuesong hadn't expected her to be so oblivious. Ye Qiu was President Liu's younger brother. Even if she had Zhang Yu backing her, she should know how to read the situation. Even Tong Tiexing's shares had been reclaimed by President Liu; kicking her out of the company was just a word from him.

Yet the woman seemed to ignore Le Xuesong's hints, arms folded, mouth split wide. "Director Le, this is our department's business. As the director, don't I have the authority to decide who plays the male lead?"

Le Xuesong was about to explain, but Ye Qiu raised a hand to stop him, watching her with interest. "The budget for this drama is thirty million. If you hire Du Xi, what salary are you planning to offer?"

Without hesitation, she replied, "He's a trending idol now. At least ten million."

"That's a third of the budget gone already. The female lead isn't even decided yet. If the rest of the cast costs another ten million, that leaves only ten million for production. You really dare to ask for that much."

"If we don't hire Du Xi, I don't see much hope for this investment. I disagree."

"Director Le, if you don't mind, perhaps you could take on the film department director's role as well."

"Huh?"

Le Xuesong was stunned, not immediately grasping Ye Qiu's meaning. It took a moment to realize he was talking about managing the department—a vice president level position.

Le Xuesong was overjoyed inside, though he maintained a polite reserve. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"As long as you have the intention." Ye Qiu snapped his fingers. "That's settled then. From now on, you'll also be the film department director."

"Thank you, Manager Ye. I promise to work hard and not let you down."

Le Xuesong stood up excitedly to shake Ye Qiu's hand, just as the woman screeched with her shrill voice, "Pretty boy, are you out of your mind? Do you know who I am? Without me, you can't even get a broadcast license!"

Ye Qiu's expression chilled. "Get out."

"You think you can make me leave?" The woman grew even more arrogant. "Bring Liu Yiran here, and ask President Zhang to come too!"

"No need for all that trouble." Ye Qiu looked at Le Xuesong. "Whether you can hold this director's position depends on your own performance."

Le Xuesong glanced at the woman, then at Ye Qiu, gritted his teeth and made up his mind. "Director Wen, sorry. Security, please escort her out."