001 A Kiss Seals the Next Life

After Gu Yan held the press conference, the number of applicants for the casting reached an unprecedented high. With only one day left before the week-long registration period ended, the first round of auditions was scheduled three days later. The audition venue was set in Hangzhou. Regardless of which city they were from or where they had registered, all applicants had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, or else they would be disqualified. The urgency of the schedule kept Gu Yan busy, but she relished this fulfilling life.

“Alisa, which enterprise do you intend to entrust with organizing the auditions?” her assistant, Lan Ruo, asked. When they were in America, Gu Yan always made these decisions herself, but upon returning to China, she insisted that all decisions pass through her approval.

“In your opinion, which companies are most suitable right now?” Gu Yan inquired.

“No one can deny your influence in China. Every entertainment company, big and small, has participated in the selection for the audition organizer,” Lan Ruo replied, glancing at Gu Yan’s impassive face. “Among them, Tianhong Enterprises, which has emerged in the past three years, is an excellent choice.”

“How so?” Gu Yan tossed aside her documents and raised an eyebrow. Tianhong—was it truly such a coincidence in this world? She was curious to see what reasons her competent, composed, and insightful secretary would use to persuade her.

“Your new drama, ‘Someone Important,’ is set in a hotel workplace, and Tianhong happens to own a five-star hotel that could serve as our filming location. That would save us considerable funds. Although the company is a newcomer, it has great potential. Even Han Boss regards its owner with respect; otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed Wei Hao’s first film in China with them.”

“That’s it?” Gu Yan remained unconvinced.

“In fact, among these competing companies, the appearance of Zheng Corporation is quite unexpected,” Lan Ruo said cautiously. As an assistant, she was well aware that the young owner of Zheng Corporation had an unusual relationship with her boss.

Gu Yan fell silent, showing no reaction. She knew Yingqi’s participation in the selection wasn’t simply to gain more opportunities to meet her.

“My investigation shows that Zheng and Tianhong have been rivals for three years. Wherever Tianhong goes, Zheng Corporation competes fiercely. Just like this time—Zheng is a food company, yet it’s vying for involvement in an industry entirely at odds with its business: entertainment.” Upon hearing this, Gu Yan’s cold heart warmed a little. If she still didn’t understand Yingqi’s intentions, she would truly be a fool.

“Let’s give it to Zheng Corporation.”

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but seeing Gu Yan’s attitude, she held her tongue. Her boss had always been decisive; after all, which company was chosen didn’t make much difference to them. She believed in Alisa’s legendary touch—no matter how close to bankruptcy a company was, a single drama from her could revive it.

Once everything was settled, Gu Yan remembered to call and check in with an old friend.

“Annyeong haseyo!”

“Your Korean has gotten much better,” Gu Yan said in a low voice.

“Ah—Xiao Yan, you wicked woman, you finally remembered to contact me. It’s been three years—where did you disappear to? And what’s this about your divorce? Others may not know, but I, Cai Mei, understand you; you loved Shen Hong like your life depended on it, how could you just leave him? Weren’t you the one who taught me to stay calm...” The person on the other end was clearly excited.

“So, how are you doing in Korea?”

“What do you think?” He was dazzling, radiant. Five years together, unwavering devotion—she had finally won his love. Yet the distance between them was far more than just a few steps...

“Xiao Mei... Come home. I can make you famous overnight, let you stand proudly beside him without enduring gossip.”

“Haha! Xiao Yan, after three years, you’ve become witty,” Cai Mei laughed heartily.

“Alisa is my English name.” Upon hearing this, the laughter stopped and was replaced by silence. As the lover of one of Korea’s most popular celebrities, Cai Mei couldn’t possibly be unfamiliar with the name Alisa. Even for artists like Lee Min, the chance to collaborate with her was almost impossible.

“I’m currently casting for a new drama about university graduates interning at a hotel. The three of us studied hotel management, yet none of us experienced that internship period,” Gu Yan said, feeling her nose sting. “Let’s fulfill that regret in the drama, at least.”

“Actually, Lee Min...”

“Bring him back with you. The lead roles belong to you two, that’s my promise.”

“No...” Cai Mei hurriedly refused. “Let him be the male lead, I won’t act. There are already rumors—I can’t appear on screen with him again, nor can I selfishly ruin him.”

Cai Mei’s determined attitude left Gu Yan helpless. Truly, they were friends—both fools, always thinking first of the ones they loved, only to end up hurting themselves the most.