029 Why the Sudden Change of Face

Ever since Alisa held the press conference, the number of people signing up for the auditions had reached an unprecedented high. There was only one day left before the week-long registration period ended, and the first round of auditions would begin three days later. The auditions were to be held in Hangzhou. Regardless of which city they came from or where they had registered, everyone had to arrive in Hangzhou before the auditions began, or forfeit their chance.

The pressing schedule kept Gu Yan busy, and she relished the fullness of her life.

“Alisa, which company are you planning to appoint as the organizer for the auditions?” her assistant, Lan Ruo, asked.

When they had been in America, Lan Ruo had made such decisions herself. But after returning home, Gu Yan had insisted that nothing be finalized without her approval.

“Which companies do you think are the most suitable?”

“It’s impossible to deny your influence in China. Entertainment companies of every size have entered the bidding to organize the auditions.” Lan Ruo glanced at Gu Yan’s expressionless face. “Among them, Tianhong Enterprises, which has risen to prominence over the past three years, would be an excellent choice.”

“Why?” Gu Yan dropped the documents in her hand and raised an eyebrow. Tianhong. Could there really be such a coincidence in this world? She wanted to see what reason this capable, composed, and intelligent secretary, who had followed her for three years, would give to persuade her.

“Your new drama, The Important Person, is about working in the hotel industry, and Tianhong Enterprises happens to own a five-star hotel that could serve as our filming location. That alone would save us a considerable amount of money. Although the company is still young, its potential is remarkable. Even Boss Han thinks highly of its owner; otherwise, he would never have signed Wei Hao’s first production in China with him.”

“That’s all?” That was nowhere near enough to convince her.

“Actually, the appearance of the Zheng Corporation among the competitors was rather surprising.” Lan Ruo chose her words carefully. As Gu Yan’s assistant, she naturally knew that the relationship between the Zheng heir and her employer was far from ordinary.

Gu Yan remained silent, showing no reaction. Yingqi’s participation in the bidding could not possibly be as simple as wanting more opportunities to see her.

“My investigation shows that the Zheng Corporation and Tianhong Enterprises have been locked in fierce competition for the past three years. Wherever Tianhong appears, Zheng always competes with all its strength. Just like this time: Zheng is clearly a food company, yet it has chosen to compete in the film and television industry, which has nothing to do with its own business.”

At those words, the ice around Gu Yan’s heart melted a little further. If she still could not understand Yingqi’s purpose, she would truly have been a fool.

“Give it to Zheng.”

Lan Ruo was about to say something, but after seeing Gu Yan’s attitude, she closed her mouth. Her employer had always been a woman who meant what she said. In any case, which company received the contract made little difference to them. She believed in Alisa’s undefeated legend. Even a company on the verge of bankruptcy could be brought back to life by one of her dramas.

Only after everything had been settled did Gu Yan remember to call and check on an old friend.

“Annyeonghaseyo!”

“Your Korean has improved considerably,” Gu Yan said in a low voice.

“Ah—Yan, you wicked woman! You finally remembered to contact me. Three years! Where on earth have you been? And what’s this about the divorce? Other people may not know you, but I do. You loved Shen Hong so much you would have died for him. How could you just decide to divorce him? Weren’t you the one who taught me to keep my cool...?”

The person on the other end of the line was clearly overflowing with excitement.

“How have you been in Korea?”

“What do you think?”

He was so dazzling, radiating light from every pore. After five years of staying by his side through everything, she had finally won his love. Yet the distance between them was far greater than it appeared...

“Mei, come back to China. I can make you famous overnight, put you in the spotlight, and let you stand openly at his side without having to endure anyone’s gossip.”

“Haha! Yan, you’ve become rather funny in the three years since we last met.” Cai Mei burst into laughter.

“Alisa is my English name.”

The laughter on the other end vanished, replaced by silence. As the lover of one of Korea’s most popular entertainers, how could Cai Mei not have heard of Alisa? Even an artist as famous as Li Min would have little hope of securing an opportunity to work with her.

“I’m casting a new drama. It’s about the working experiences of university graduates interning at a hotel. The three of us all studied hotel management, yet none of us ever went through that internship period.” As she spoke, Gu Yan felt her nose sting. “Let’s fulfill, through the drama, the regret of what we never experienced.”

“Actually, Li Min...”

“Bring him back with you. The male and female leads belong to the two of you. That is my promise.”

“No...” Cai Mei hurried to refuse. “It’s enough for him to play the male lead. I won’t take part.”

There were already rumors surrounding them. She could not appear on screen with him again, much less selfishly ruin his future.

Faced with Cai Mei’s firm refusal, Gu Yan could do nothing. They really were friends—both of them fools. They always thought first of the person they loved, only to end up being the ones hurt most deeply.